- World News
Mongolia battles desertification as yellow dust storms become more frequent
Baruun-Urt, Mongolia is witnessing frequent strong winds and heavy dust storms as the country experiences increasing desertification and land degradation. A decline in vegetation cover has affected approximately 77% of Mongolia’s total territory, according to the Ministry of Environment and Tourism. Climate change and human activities are believed to be the primary causes of desertification in the country. In April,…
- World News
Trudeau slams Meta over plans to block Canadian news in response to proposed legislation
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has criticized Meta after the company’s executives announced plans to block news for Canadian Facebook and Instagram users in response to proposed legislation. The new law, known as the Online News Act, would require digital giants to pay for local journalism content. Currently, the bill is being considered by the Senate. Google also revealed in February…
- World News
Lionel Messi’s potential move to Saudi Arabia: A look at football greats who played in unexpected leagues
Lionel Messi, the 35 year old Argentine football superstar, is reportedly preparing to continue his illustrious career by making a surprising move to Saudi Arabia. As a result, Barcelona fans will be left heartbroken, as they had hoped for Messi to return to his former club. However, Messi is not the first prominent player to seek opportunities in less renowned…
- World News
China and Germany tensions worsen over Ukraine sanctions and neutrality stance
China-Germany tensions escalated yesterday as the two nations exchanged sharp words over the Ukraine crisis. with Beijing warning the EU not to sanction Chinese firms while Berlin argued that “neutrality” in the conflict meant siding with Russia. During their second meeting in a month, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock clashed repeatedly over the responsibilities of…
- World News
ASEAN nations express deep concern over ongoing violence in Myanmar
Southeast Asian nations expressed deep concern over the ongoing violence in Myanmar during this week’s Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Indonesia. The regional bloc has been under scrutiny for its perceived inaction and inability to resolve the crisis amid the bloodshed following a military coup in 2021. In a statement, ASEAN leaders urged “the immediate cessation of…
- World News
Victory Day celebrations in Russia amidst ongoing conflict in Ukraine
As Russia’s troops continue their campaign in Ukraine and the country experiences sabotage attacks at home, Russians have recently celebrated the wartime Victory Day with hopes for success on the modern battlefield. President Vladimir Putin frequently links the ongoing conflict in Ukraine to the Soviet fight against Nazi Germany 80 years ago, a narrative widely accepted by many Russians due…
- World News
Ukraine urges faster EU support and clear membership path
Ukraine has issued a warning that it requires more effective support from Brussels, including a defined path towards European Union membership, during European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen’s recent visit to Kyiv. Coinciding with Europe Day, which promotes peace and unity within the continent, von der Leyen discussed Ukraine’s development in democratic and anti-corruption reforms ahead of an October…
- World News
China dismisses accusations of maritime militia disrupting Indian and Asean naval drills
China’s foreign ministry has dismissed allegations that vessels belonging to its maritime militia deliberately encroached upon an area of the South China Sea where Indian and ASEAN navies were conducting exercises. However, an independent expert in Vietnam argues that Beijing is using the militia to intimidate and disrupt the naval drills. In a statement to Reuters, China’s foreign ministry said…
- World News
US-Mexico border braces for chaos as asylum rules change
A surge of people is expected at the United States border with Mexico, as US President Joe Biden acknowledges the situation will be “chaotic for a while.” Title 42 pandemic-era rules, which made claiming asylum at the border nearly impossible, are set to expire in the coming days. This has led tens of thousands of people to gather at border…
- World News
Sudan’s escalating conflict displaces over 700,000 civilians, warns UN
The escalating conflict between Sudanese military generals continues to take a toll on civilian lives, causing an alarming increase in the number of people fleeing their homes. According to the United Nations, over the past week, the number of internally displaced persons has doubled from 340,000 to more than 700,000. Furthermore, the International Organisation for Migration reports that hundreds have…
- World News
Trump ordered to pay US$5 million for defamation and sexual abuse in landmark trial
A US jury ruled yesterday that former president Donald Trump was liable for sexually abusing and defaming an ex-magazine columnist, ordering him to pay her US$5 million in damages. The nine jurors dismissed E. Jean Carroll’s accusations of rape but upheld her other claims in the high-profile civil trial, which concluded after less than three hours of deliberations. The lawsuit…
- World News
US takes down Russian FSB’s sophisticated global malware network
The US Justice Department announced yesterday that it had successfully dismantled a “sophisticated” malware network, known as “Snake” or “Uroburos”, that had been utilized by Russia’s FSB intelligence agency for two decades. This highly advanced cyber-espionage tool allowed the FSB to secretly spy on target computer systems in 50 countries, focusing on government networks, research facilities, journalists, and other high-value…
- World News
Intimidation tactics by Erdogan supporters in Germany ahead of Turkey’s crucial election
Supporters of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Germany have been accused of attempting to intimidate voters ahead of the country’s crucial election. Politicians and voters have reported instances of harassment, particularly directed toward those perceived as anti-Erdogan. In Neukoelln district, Berlin, a local chapter of the opposition CHP party arranged for buses to transport voters across the city to…
- World News
ASEAN at a crossroad as violence escalates in Myanmar
Southeast Asian nations are at a “crossroad”, as escalating violence in junta-controlled Myanmar threatens to overshadow a regional summit, warned Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Politics, Legal and Security, Mahfud MD. The two-year-long crisis has left Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) diplomatic attempts to resolve it fruitless. Last month, an air strike on a village reportedly killed around 170 people,…
- World News
At least 27 workers killed in remote Peruvian gold mine fire
In a remote region of southern Peru, a fire at the La Esperanza 1 gold mine has claimed the lives of at least 27 workers, marking one of the worst mining disasters in the country’s recent history. The grieving families of the victims have congregated near the mine, anxiously waiting for updates on their loved ones. The cause of the…
- World News
7 killed as car ploughs into Texas bus stop crowd
At least seven people lost their lives yesterday in South Texas, and several others were injured when a vehicle crashed into a group of individuals waiting at a bus stop outside a migrant aid centre. The police currently consider the incident an accident; however, a witness claimed that the driver had shouted insults at the group before speeding up. The…
- World News
Sudan army and Rapid Support Forces set to hold talks in Jeddah
The governments of the US and Saudi Arabia have announced that direct talks between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are set to commence in Jeddah. However, the ongoing conflict in Sudan’s capital shows no sign of subsiding. In a joint statement, both nations encouraged continued international support to end the fighting, urging both parties to prioritise…
- World News
Princes Harry and Andrew to attend coronation without formal roles
In the latest development on the British royal coronation, Prince Harry and Prince Andrew will both attend King Charles III’s coronation today, but will take no formal part in the ceremonies, reflecting their ostracisation from the royal family. Harry and his wife Meghan left their royal duties behind in 2020 and have since aired their grievances with the monarchy publicly.…
- World News
Philippine president clarifies use of military bases granted to US
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr emphasised on Thursday that the additional military bases in his country, recently granted to United States access, will not be utilised to target China or any other nation. Marcos spoke at a think-tank event and responded with a simple “no” when questioned if the United States had requested his government contribute troops for combat operations…
- World News
French purists claim British coronation quiche mislabelled
The British palace has introduced a unique vegetarian “quiche” to celebrate King Charles III‘s coronation on Saturday. However, culinary experts in France argue that the dish has been erroneously labelled. Last month, the palace shared the recipe for the Coronation Quiche, which aligns with the new monarch’s environmental concerns and contains no meat. The dish features ingredients such as spinach,…
- World News
Indonesia’s efforts to kick-start peace process in Myanmar
Indonesia has been discreetly engaging with Myanmar’s pro-democracy shadow government, the ruling junta, and ethnic minority armies for several months, according to Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi. As this year’s chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Indonesia aims to kick-start a peace process and reduce violence in the region. In an interview, Marsudi revealed Indonesia’s behind-the-scenes efforts to…
- World News
Charles III’s coronation: A mix of tradition, modernity and controversy
In a moment of historic splendour, Britain is set to witness its first coronation in 70 years as the nation prepares to crown King Charles III at Westminster Abbey on Saturday. This religious confirmation follows the passing of Queen Elizabeth II last September, and besides crowning Charles, the ceremony will also crown his second wife, Camilla, as queen. Although many…
- World News
Serbian mass shooting leaves 8 dead and 13 injured
A tragic shooting last night in the vicinity of Belgrade, Serbia, resulted in the deaths of eight individuals and injuries to another 13. This shocking incident comes in the wake of another mass shooting in Serbia just one day earlier. Serbian authorities are reportedly searching for a 21 year old male suspect after a warrant was issued for his arrest.…
- World News
White House urges AI giants to consider moral responsibility in technology development
The White House recently called on the leaders of US artificial intelligence (AI) giants to acknowledge their “moral” responsibility in protecting society from potential dangers posed by artificial intelligence. In a meeting with CEOs from Google, Microsoft, OpenAI, and Anthropic, Vice President Kamala Harris urged these tech behemoths to ensure the safety and security of their products while complying with…
- World News
8 killed in sectarian violence in rural Pakistan
In rural Pakistan, eight individuals, including five teachers, died as tensions between Sunni and Shiite Muslims escalated into a fatal confrontation. The violent incident took place in the isolated border town of Teri Mangal in Kurram district, which is situated less than a kilometre from the border with Afghanistan. Two armed men entered a school while teachers collected exam papers…
- World News
Brazil city’s nightmare: Earth crumbles beneath them
In the northeastern Brazilian city of Buriticupu, Deusimar Batista and her neighbours are living in constant fear due to a rare phenomenon: enormous sinkholes that have swallowed streets, and houses and even led to fatalities. This terrifying event is attributed to deforestation and improper urban planning, affecting the inhabitants of the impoverished city of 70,000, located in Maranhao state. Buriticupu…
- Crime News
Taliban’s poppy ban hits Afghan farmers amid humanitarian crisis
In a remote compound in southern Afghanistan, Bibi Hazrato, a distressed 60 year old, watches as a group of men destroy her poppy crop, adhering to a Taliban government order to eradicate the narcotic plant from the country. Hazrato confronts the men, but one of them simply says… “God says crush this.” The profitable trade of poppy tar, which is…
- Events
King Charles III’s coronation to feature historic royal robes
King Charles III is set to adorn heavy, shimmering golden robes worn by his ancestors during his historic coronation ceremony on Saturday, embodying divine elements of kingship. As a nod to the British monarchy’s principle to reuse and recycle, an admirable gesture given widespread poverty throughout the UK, several of these items were previously worn by his grandfather King George…
- World News
Tori Bowie, Olympic medallist and world champion, dies at 32
The athletic world is mourning the loss of Tori Bowie, a 32 year old, three-time Olympic medallist and 2017 100 metres World Champion, who passed away recently. Bowie was best known for anchoring the United States team that secured a 4x100m relay gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics. She also earned silver in the 100m and bronze in the 200m…
- World News
Ed Sheeran’s copyright battle sends shivers down music industry’s spine (video)
As 32 year old Ed Sheeran gears up for a blockbuster tour and album release, he also finds himself defending his songwriting abilities in Manhattan’s federal court amidst a closely monitored copyright case. The trial focuses on claims that the British pop star plagiarised Marvin Gaye’s 1973 soul classic, “Let’s Get It On,” in his 2014 hit, “Thinking Out Loud.” The…
