Jenn
- 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
Dresden heist verdicts due: Historic jewels’ fate hangs in balance
A German court is set to announce verdicts for six members of a criminal gang accused of stealing priceless 18th-century jewels from Dresden’s Green Vault museum in a heist dubbed the biggest in modern history by German media. The theft, which occurred in November 2019, saw the criminals make off with artefacts worth over US$123 million. The trial, which began…
- 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…
- World News
Environmental DNA tracking raises privacy, surveillance concerns
Scientists have recently discovered that environmental DNA (eDNA) could potentially be used to track individuals or even entire ethnic groups, raising concerns about privacy and surveillance. The technique, which can gather a wealth of information from small samples of genetic material, has potential applications in medicine, science, and even criminal investigations. However, the ethical implications of using eDNA in this…
- World News
Six dead, dozens missing in devastating Wellington hostel fire
A devastating fire engulfed a four-storey hostel in Wellington, New Zealand, claiming the lives of at least six people and leaving many others unaccounted for. The blaze at Loafers Lodge hostel raged throughout the night, with 80 firefighters and 20 trucks battling the flames. A total of 52 people were rescued, while the final death toll remains uncertain reported Bangkok…
- World News
Biden and Republicans in crunch talks to avert US default risk
President Joe Biden is set to hold crucial debt discussions with top Republican leaders, including House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, to prevent a potentially damaging US default. The US Treasury has cautioned that the country may run out of funds to pay its bills by June 1, resulting in federal workers not being paid and a likely spike in interest rates,…
- World News
FBI’s flawed Trump-Russia probe lacked evidence, says independent prosecutor
The long-awaited report on the origins of the FBI’s investigation into alleged collusion between Russia and Donald Trump‘s 2016 presidential campaign has been released, revealing serious flaws and a lack of substantial evidence. Independent US prosecutor John Durham, who was appointed in 2019, conducted the investigation and produced a more than 300-page report that criticised the FBI’s “Crossfire Hurricane” probe.…
- World News
Japan’s boyband agency apologises for late founder’s sexual assault allegations
Japan’s leading boyband agency has issued a public apology in response to sexual assault allegations against its late founder, Johnny Kitagawa. Fans are now urging the company, Johnny and Associates, to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter. In a recent statement, Kauan Okamoto, a Japanese-Brazilian singer, claimed that he was repeatedly molested by Kitagawa during his four-year tenure with…
- World News
France to provide more light tanks and armoured vehicles to Ukraine
France has pledged to supply Ukraine with dozens more light tanks and armored vehicles, following a meeting between French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Paris. The announcement comes as Kyiv prepares for a widely anticipated counter-offensive against Russia. Zelensky visited Macron at the Elysee Palace after making stops in Rome and Germany, where they discussed increasing…
- World News
Calm returns to Gaza as ceasefire holds
Calm returned to Gaza on Sunday as a fragile ceasefire held for the most part, with both Palestinians and Israelis counting the cost of five days of cross-border fire that resulted in dozens of casualties. Fishermen took to their boats in the coastal enclave, as Gazans emerged from their homes after sheltering during the intense exchange of fire. The fighting…
- World News
Turkey’s earthquake impact on presidential election
In the southern Turkish city of Antakya, residents feel that it’s time for change as they prepare to vote in yesterday’s election. Ravaged by a 7.8 magnitude earthquake in February, Antakya has experienced significant devastation, which many believe will be a deciding factor in the polls. The crisis has soured the opinions of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, potentially ending his…
- World News
Biden administration warns of catastrophic consequences if US defaults on debt
The United States government is facing a potential economic catastrophe if a debt deal is not reached in the coming days. The possibility of the country’s first-ever default is causing concern, as negotiations between Democrats and Republicans are expected to continue this week. The two parties have been unable to come to an agreement, despite warnings from officials and bankers…
- World News
Biden optimistic about avoiding US debt default despite impasse with Republicans
Tensions continue to rise over the US debt limit, with President Joe Biden expressing optimism about reaching an agreement with Republican counterparts while acknowledging that no deal has been struck yet. The ongoing deadlock has raised the spectre of a first-ever US default, which could bring potentially disastrous consequences, including a possible recession and global financial contagion. Republicans in Congress…
- World News
Imran Khan calls for nationwide ‘freedom’ protests after arrest in Pakistan
Imran Khan, the former prime minister of Pakistan, has called for nationwide “freedom” protests today after last week’s unrest following his brief arrest and detention. The former cricket star, who has faced numerous legal cases since his removal from office in April last year, was released on bail on Friday when the Supreme Court declared his detention unlawful, AFP reported.…
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Acquittal of Philippine human rights campaigner Leila de Lima brings her closer to freedom
Philippine human rights advocate Leila de Lima, who has been imprisoned since February 2017, was acquitted of one of the two remaining drug trafficking charges against her on Friday, edging her closer to freedom. De Lima, 63 years old and a former senator and justice minister, has faced these charges as retaliation for investigating President Rodrigo Duterte and his controversial…
- World News
Pakistan court appearance for ex-PM Khan after unlawful arrest ruling
Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, 70, was due to appear in court today after the Supreme Court deemed his arrest earlier this week, which led to deadly clashes across the country, to be unlawful. Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial declared Khan’s arrest invalid yesterday, necessitating a review of the entire process. Khan was ordered to remain in the bench’s…
- World News
Astronomers identify largest cosmic explosion ever observed
A colossal cosmic explosion, now identified as the largest ever witnessed, has left astronomers puzzled and eager to conduct further research. The fireball, known as AT2021lwx, is a hundred times the size of our Solar System and initially started blazing in the distant universe over three years ago. Although not the brightest explosion ever registered, AT2021lwx is considered the largest…
- World News
Brazil’s online disinformation regulation bill: What’s at stake?
Brazil’s controversial measure to regulate disinformation online, Bill 2630/2020, has drawn criticism from tech giants like Telegram and Google, who argue that it encroaches on free speech and democracy. Proponents, however, claim that it is a vital defense against fake news and online extremism. The bill, which was first introduced in 2020, aims to regulate how companies moderate content online.…
- World News
Sudan’s warring parties commit to humanitarian principles amid ongoing conflict
Sudan’s warring factions signed a commitment to adhere to humanitarian principles in their intensifying conflict but did not agree to a ceasefire during challenging talks mediated by US diplomats in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Representatives of the military and paramilitary forces, responsible for a conflict that has claimed over 750 lives and displaced numerous citizens, signed the agreement while continuing negotiations.…
- World News
Austrian billionaire’s Nazi-linked jewel collection fetches over $155 million at auction
Jewellery once owned by Austrian billionaire Heidi Horten, who passed away last year at the age of 81, has fetched over US$155 million in a recent controversial auction held in Geneva by Christie’s. The auction faced criticism from Jewish groups due to connections to Horten’s husband, who made his fortune under the Nazis. However, Christie had argued that the sale…
- World News
Gaza violence escalates as Israel and militants trade heavy fire
Overnight, Israel’s army and Gaza militants exchanged heavy cross-border fire, resulting in at least 22 Palestinians killed over two days. This marks the worst escalation of violence to impact the coastal territory in months. In response to incoming rocket attacks, sirens blared in the Tel Aviv area and Israel’s south. There were reports of launches from Gaza, while Israeli officials…
- World News
Iran’s traditional wooden lenj boats face extinction as modern vessels take over
Hassan Rostam, a 62 years old Iranian captain, has navigated the Strait of Hormuz aboard his traditional wooden lenj for four decades. However, he sadly witnesses these hand-built vessels being replaced by more economical, faster boats. Lenjes have sailed Gulf waters for centuries, their unique form reflecting regional maritime customs similar to the dhows of the Arabian Peninsula. Rostam, who…
- World News
Streaming platforms battle for anime market dominance
As anime’s popularity continues to reach new heights, major streaming platforms are vying for dominance in the lucrative market. Fuelled partly by the pandemic, this animated genre has grown into a multi-billion-dollar industry, with the global market valued at US$28.6 billion in 2022, according to Grand View Research, and expected to double by 2030. Aya Umezu, CEO of Tokyo-based entertainment…
- World News
US prepares for migrant surge as Mexico border restrictions set to end
Tens of thousands of US law enforcement personnel have been deployed to the border with Mexico, according to officials, as waiting migrants voiced confusion and anger over an impending change to entry rules. The United States is preparing for a surge in people claiming refuge from political persecution, climate-related disasters, and poverty when pandemic-era restrictions expire overnight later this week.…
- World News
Inter Milan triumph in Champions League last-four derby against AC Milan
Inter Milan is well on their way to the Champions League final after a superb 2-0 victory against AC Milan in last night’s pulsating last-four derby at the San Siro. Ahead of Tuesday’s second leg, Inter has taken control of the most significant Milan derby in years, thanks to goals from Edin Dzeko and Henrikh Mkhitaryan in the opening 11…
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Ukrainian journalist’s hedgehog rescue offers light amidst the devastation of war
Amid the devastation in Ukraine covered by AFP journalist Arman Soldin, 32 years old, one moment stands out as a touching act of kindness in the face of war—the rescue of a wounded hedgehog. Unfortunately, Soldin lost his life to rocket fire just days after sharing the heartwarming story on Twitter. The thread documents the journey of nursing the hedgehog…
- World News
Fighting intensifies in Khartoum as Sudanese struggle with shortages
The Sudanese capital, Khartoum, and the city of El Obeid, located 350 kilometres southwest, are witnessing ongoing violent clashes, forcing many locals to flee their homes and face dangerous journeys across the country’s borders. For those unable to leave, food and essential supply shortages have become a pressing problem, with people relying on local charity networks and neighbours for survival.…
- World News
Tributes pour in for AFP journalist killed in Ukraine
Grief and condolences have been flooding in following the tragic death of AFP journalist Arman Soldin, who was killed while covering the conflict in Ukraine – Europe’s deadliest since World War II. Soldin’s death occurred when the AFP team he was with came under fire by Grad rockets while accompanying a group of Ukrainian soldiers near Bakhmut, which has remained…
