Jenn
- World News
Blinken faces uphill battle amid Middle East’s shift towards China and Russia
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken faces challenges during his three-day visit to Saudi Arabia this week, as the United States seeks to maintain its influence in the Middle East. Despite President Joe Biden’s commitment to staying engaged in the region, countries such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have been forging stronger ties with China, Russia, and…
- World News
Ageing population may slow global GDP but not per capita income
As the global population ages, concerns about the future of the economy are growing. By 2050, the number of people aged 65 and above is expected to double, reaching 1.6 billion. This shift in demographics has led to fears of a potential slowdown in economic growth. However, there is evidence to suggest that if advanced economies can maintain the health…
- World News
US senator urges declassification of report on journalist Shireen Abu Akleh’s killing
US Senator Chris Van Hollen has urged the Biden administration to declassify and release a government report on the killing of Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh. The Al Jazeera correspondent was killed on May 11, 2022, while covering an Israeli raid in the occupied West Bank city of Jenin. Initially, Israeli officials falsely accused Palestinian gunmen of fatally shooting Abu…
- World News
Oklahoma approves first US publicly-funded religious school despite legal warnings
In a controversial move, the Statewide Virtual Charter School Board in Oklahoma has given the green light for the establishment of the first publicly-funded religious school in the United States, despite the state attorney general’s warning that such a decision is unconstitutional. The board approved the Catholic Archdiocese of Oklahoma’s application to create the St Isidore of Seville Virtual Charter…
- World News
Mike Pence announces 2024 presidential bid against Trump
In a move that pits him against his former boss, ex-Vice President Mike Pence has officially declared his intention to run for the Republican nomination in the 2024 US presidential race. The 63-year-old’s campaign submitted a declaration of candidacy to the Federal Election Commission, with a formal launch expected in Iowa on Wednesday. Pence, a firm social conservative and evangelical…
- 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
Paralysed man walks using thoughts with breakthrough brain-spinal cord implants
A paralysed man has successfully regained the ability to walk using only his thoughts, thanks to two innovative implants that have re-established communication between his brain and spinal cord. The breakthrough has given the 40-year-old Dutch patient, Gert-Jan, newfound freedom after being paralysed in his legs for over a decade due to a spinal cord injury from a cycling accident.…
- 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
TikTok sues Montana over unconstitutional app ban violating free speech rights
TikTok has filed a lawsuit in a US federal court to prevent the state of Montana from implementing a ban on the video-sharing app, claiming the move violates the right to free speech. Set to commence in 2024, the ban was signed into law by Montana Governor Greg Gianforte on May 17, who cited the protection of Montanans’ personal and…
- 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
Harry and Meghan’s New York car chase sparks media harassment debate
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan, found themselves at the centre of a media storm in New York recently, as they were pursued through the streets by paparazzi. The incident has reignited the debate surrounding the couple’s relationship with the media, with some drawing parallels to the tragic death of Princess Diana. According to a spokesperson…
- 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
Cyclone Mocha aftermath: Myanmar residents queue for aid as UN negotiates access
In the aftermath of Cyclone Mocha, which swept through Myanmar and Bangladesh with winds of up to 195km per hour, residents of Sittwe, the capital of Rakhine state, are facing severe shortages of rice and drinking water. The United Nations is currently in talks with the Myanmar junta to gain access to the affected areas. The cyclone has claimed at…
- 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
G7 leaders convene in Hiroshima to discuss Russia sanctions, China strategy
G7 leaders have gathered in Hiroshima, Japan, to discuss tighter sanctions against Russia and protective measures against China’s “economic coercion”. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is hosting the summit in a city marked by its history of nuclear destruction. Over the course of three days, leaders, including US President Joe Biden, will work on presenting a united front on issues…
- 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…
- World News
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
Hiroshima’s burnt origami cranes transform into peace-promoting pottery
In a hillside temple on Miyajima island, facing Hiroshima, a monk in saffron robes blows a conch and begins chanting prayers as thousands of origami cranes donated to Hiroshima are burned. For the past decade, the Daisho-in Buddhist temple has held ritual burnings of the millions of origami cranes sent to Hiroshima each year, honouring the sentiments folded into each…
- 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…
