- World News
Modi inaugurates new Indian parliament amid opposition boycott
Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the new Indian parliament building yesterday in a ceremony steeped in religious symbolism, surrounded by priests. However, the event was boycotted by opposition parties. The new hexagonal building, which an opposition party has criticised for its coffin-like shape, is the focal point of Modi’s plan to remodel the heart of New Delhi, eradicating…
- World News
Typhoon Mawar wreaks havoc on Guam, leaving thousands without power
Typhoon Mawar has left a trail of destruction in its wake after slamming into Guam, causing power outages and flooding buildings with a powerful storm surge. Residents of the US Pacific Ocean territory are now left to assess the damage caused by the typhoon. Governor Lou Leon Guerrero is expected to evaluate the extent of the damage on the island,…
- World News
Russia warns Kyiv of harsh response to future incursions after Belgorod attack
Russia has issued a stern warning to Kyiv, stating that it will retaliate “extremely” harshly to any future incursions, following a significant attack on Russian soil. This comes after Moscow deployed jets and artillery to repel an armed group that crossed over from Ukraine. Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu addressed military officials, stating that Russia would continue to respond promptly…
- World News
Florida school limits access to Amanda Gorman’s inaugural poem
A Miami-based school has limited access to the poem “The Hill We Climb,” which was recited by Amanda Gorman at President Joe Biden’s inauguration, following a parent’s complaint. Gorman, who was 22 years old at the time, gained widespread recognition after reading her poem to an audience of almost 34 million people on January 21, 2021. Gorman expressed her disappointment…
- World News
Tigray conflict displaces thousands, demand withdrawal of invading forces
Thousands of displaced individuals from Ethiopia’s Tigray region took to the streets to demand a return to their homes and the withdrawal of “invading forces,” according to witnesses and local television. The conflict in Africa’s second most populous country lasted two years, resulting in countless civilian deaths and displacing around two million people before a surprise truce was declared in…
- World News
DeSantis announces presidential bid with Musk in live Twitter event
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is set to announce his challenge for the Republican party’s 2024 presidential nomination, presenting his ultra-conservative record as a potential blueprint for the nation. The announcement will be made during a live Twitter event with the platform’s owner, Elon Musk. “I will be interviewing Ron DeSantis and he has quite an announcement to make,” Musk confirmed,…
- World News
Trump barred from posting sensitive case evidence on social media
In a recent court appearance via video link, former US President Donald Trump was informed by Judge Juan Merchan that he is prohibited from posting sensitive evidence related to his criminal case on social media platforms. Trump is facing 34 counts of falsifying business records in connection with alleged hush money paid to adult film actress Stormy Daniels in 2016.…
- World News
Cathay Pacific apologises for staff mocking non-English speakers on flight
Cathay Pacific Airways issued an apology following allegations of discrimination against non-English speakers by its flight attendants. The accusations surfaced in a viral post on Chinese social media, causing widespread concern and prompting the airline to take action. The incident occurred on flight CX987, travelling from Chengdu in southwestern China to Hong Kong. In response, Cathay Pacific suspended the flight attendants…
- World News
Russia pulled deeper into costly battle for Bakhmut as Kyiv readies offensive
As the battle for the frontline city of Bakhmut continues, Moscow finds itself being drawn deeper into an increasingly costly conflict, while experts suggest that Kyiv is preparing for a major offensive. Despite Russia’s claims of having taken control of the city, which Ukraine denied, the capture of Bakhmut does not offer a significant strategic advantage in terms of launching…
- World News
Scorsese’s ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ skips Cannes competition
Renowned filmmaker Martin Scorsese, 80, revealed that he chose not to enter his latest film, “Killers of the Flower Moon,” into the main competition at the Cannes Film Festival, stating that it was “time for others” to take the spotlight. The movie, which stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro, received rave reviews from critics and is based on the…
- World News
Queen’s funeral costs taxpayers £162m amid cost-of-living crisis
The UK government has disclosed that the state funeral and related events for Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away last September, cost taxpayers almost £162 million (US$201 million). This is the first public estimate of the expenses associated with the funeral of Britain’s longest-serving monarch. The state funeral, held on September 19, required an extensive security operation to accommodate hundreds…
- World News
World’s largest seed bank races to save threatened plant species
Tucked away beneath the English countryside, a vast collection of 40,000 wild plant species from around the globe is carefully preserved in bomb-proof frozen vaults. The Millennium Seed Bank (MSB), the world’s largest seed bank, is located south of London and is racing against time to save these seeds, as two out of five plant species face the threat of…
- World News
Horse deaths overshadow Preakness Stakes as Mage seeks Triple Crown
Concerns over equine safety persist as Mage, the Kentucky Derby winner, prepares for the second leg of the US racing Triple Crown at the Preakness Stakes on Saturday. The recent deaths of seven horses within ten days at Churchill Downs, including two on May 6 during the Kentucky Derby, have cast a shadow over the prestigious event. Another colt was…
- World News
Disney scraps Florida campus amid feud with Republican governor
Disney has scrapped its plans for a new employee campus in central Florida, a decision that comes amid the company’s ongoing feud with the state’s Republican governor, Ron DeSantis. The Lake Nona project, which was initially announced in July 2021, was expected to bring 2,000 jobs from California to the region, with an average annual salary of US$120,000. However, due…
- World News
Over half of world’s largest lakes dwindle, threatening water security
A recent study has revealed that over half of the world’s largest lakes and reservoirs are shrinking, jeopardising global water security’s future. Climate change and unsustainable consumption have been identified as the primary causes of this alarming trend. “Lakes are in trouble globally, and it has implications far and wide,” said Balaji Rajagopalan, a professor at the University of Colorado…
- World News
Deutsche Bank settles US$75m in Epstein-linked sex trafficking lawsuit
Deutsche Bank agreed to pay US$75 million to settle a lawsuit that accused the financial institution of profiting from its involvement in Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking activities. The settlement is related to a proposed class-action lawsuit filed in November 2022 by an unnamed plaintiff who claimed the German bank knowingly conducted business with Epstein while he used the account to…
- World News
Hiroshima VR tour immerses visitors in atomic bomb’s devastating impact
In Hiroshima, Japan, a virtual reality tour is providing an immersive experience of the city before, during, and after the devastating atomic bomb attack on August 6, 1945. Hiroshi Yamaguchi, the 44 year old founder of the company behind the tours, believes that this experience can help people better understand the impact of the nuclear attack and the city that…
- World News
Over 25 million in Sudan need aid amid ongoing war, says UN
In Sudan, a war that has raged on for over a month continues to escalate, with the UN reporting that more than half the country’s population now is in need of aid. Ramesh Rajasingham, head of the UN humanitarian agency’s Geneva bureau, stated that 25 million people in Sudan need humanitarian assistance and protection. This is the highest number ever…
- World News
4 Indigenous children found alive after Colombian Amazon plane crash
A miraculous rescue took place in the dense Colombian Amazon, as four Indigenous children, including an 11 month old baby, were found alive more than two weeks after a plane crash. Colombian President Gustavo Petro expressed his joy for the country and credited the military’s “arduous search efforts” for the discovery. The plane crash occurred on May 1, claiming the…
- World News
Ancient Hebrew Bible sells for record US$38.1m, gifted to Tel Aviv museum
An ancient Hebrew Bible has set a new record for the most valuable manuscript ever sold at auction, fetching US$38.1 million in New York. The Codex Sassoon, which dates back to the late ninth to early 10th century, is the earliest near-complete Hebrew Bible known to still exist today. Sotheby’s auction house facilitated the sale, which involved a four-minute bidding war…
- World News
9 dead as floods devastate Italy’s Emilia Romagna, Imola Grand Prix cancelled
Heavy rainfall in Emilia Romagna, Italy‘s northern region has led to the deaths of at least nine people, with rivers flooding and submerging neighbourhoods and farmland. The flooding has resulted in the cancellation of the Imola Grand Prix scheduled for this weekend. Continual downpours over two days caused almost two dozen rivers to burst their banks, displacing thousands of residents…
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Blood test after early miscarriage could reveal cause and aid prevention
A groundbreaking Danish study has revealed that a blood test taken after a miscarriage as early as the fifth week of pregnancy can help determine the cause and potentially lead to preventative treatments. One in 10 women experience pregnancy loss, a number that increases in countries where pregnancies occur later in a woman’s childbearing years. Henriette Svarre Nielsen, a Danish…
- World News
NASA images inspire cosmic symphony for immersive space experience
A new seven-suite “space symphony” titled “Cosmic Cycles” has recently premiered outside Washington, showcasing stunning imagery from NASA alongside its first-ever public performance. American composer Henry Dehlinger, 56 years old, described the symphony as an immersive experience that encapsulates both visuals and sound. The inspiration for Dehlinger’s composition came from the images compiled by NASA producers into seven short films.…
- World News
Climate activists disrupt shareholder meetings, target corporate carbon footprints
Climate activists have been ramping up pressure on corporations during shareholder meetings, using various tactics to demand action on carbon emissions and climate change. These tactics range from asking numerous questions to more creative approaches, such as singing or even throwing cake at executives. Volkswagen’s recent shareholder meeting became a focal point for activists, with a cake thrown at supervisory…
- World News
Brigitte Macron relative attacked near family’s chocolate shop
In an apparent politically motivated attack, a family member of French first lady Brigitte Macron was assaulted outside the family’s chocolate shop in Amiens, northern France. Jean-Baptiste Trogneux was returning to his apartment above the renowned Trogneux chocolate shop when he was surrounded by anti-government protesters who insulted the president, his wife, and their family before physically attacking him. Jean-Alexandre…
- World News
Council of Europe gathers to discuss future prosecution of Russian leaders
A year after Russia’s expulsion from the Council of Europe (CoE) due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the leaders of the 46-nation human rights body convened in Iceland to take preliminary steps toward the potential prosecution of Russian leaders. The summit’s main focus was the creation of a “register of damages” to document evidence for use in a special…
- World News
CIA seeks Russian whistleblowers with emotional Telegram video
The US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) ramped up its efforts to encourage Russians to disclose their country’s secrets, releasing a poignant video on Telegram targeting individuals dissatisfied with President Vladimir Putin‘s regime. The brief video portrays a Russian bureaucrat and a woman at home with a child, both seemingly discontent with their lives, and asks if this is what they had…
- World News
Taiwan permits joint adoption for same-sex couples in marriage equality milestone
Taiwan‘s parliament approved an amendment permitting same-sex couples to adopt children jointly, a significant milestone for marriage equality in the country. Taiwan has been a leader in Asia’s growing LGBTQ+ rights movement since becoming the first nation in the region to legalise same-sex marriage in 2019. However, same-sex couples still faced limitations, such as being unable to adopt children together.…
- World News
Argentina hikes interest rate to 97% amid soaring inflation and election
Argentina’s central bank has raised its base interest rate by six points to 97% to combat soaring inflation, which reached nearly 109% year-on-year in April. This marks the second increase in less than a month, as the government plans to announce a series of measures to address the economic crisis ahead of the General Election in October. The central bank…
- World News
The Weeknd hints at shedding stage name, embracing Abel Tesfaye identity
Canadian singer-songwriter Abel Tesfaye, widely known as The Weeknd, seems to be taking steps to revert to his birth name after achieving worldwide fame under his stage name reported Bangkok Post. The artist recently changed his display name on social media platforms Twitter and Instagram, although his handles on both sites remained @theweeknd. This change comes after Tesfaye’s remarks in…
