Jenn
- 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
Writers strike over Hollywood’s increasing gig economy in the streaming age
Television and film writers in Hollywood are striking as they face more precarious employment conditions due to the rise of streaming platforms. The Writers Guild of America (WGA), representing 11,500 screenwriters, has ordered a strike following a breakdown in talks with studios and streaming services over better pay and working conditions. Sarah Fischer, a writer in her 30s, highlighted how…
- 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…
- Crime News
Cancun’s hidden side exposed in award-winning investigation
An investigation revealing the hidden side of Cancun, the renowned Caribbean resort town, has won a prestigious journalism award in Mexico, one of the deadliest countries in the world for journalists. Ricardo Hernandez received the prestigious Breach-Valdez Award for human rights journalism for his in-depth report published in the magazine Gatopardo. The report unveiled the underbelly of Cancun, a city…
- World News
Erling Haaland breaks EPL record as Manchester City defeat West Ham
Manchester City triumphed over West Ham with a 3-0 win last night with record-breaking Erling Haaland on the scoresheet as they returned to the top of the English Premier League (EPL) table while Liverpool secured a 1-0 victory against Fulham. City’s Haaland set a new EPL record, scoring his 35th goal in a single Premier League season and notching his…
- World News
Lao human rights activist killed in Vientiane by unidentified gunman
A 24 year old Lao human rights activist, Anousa “Jack” Luangsuphom, was shot and killed in Vientiane by an unidentified gunman, as reported by Radio Free Asia. Luangsuphom was the administrator of the Kub Kluen Duay Keyboard (Driven By Keyboard) Facebook group, which exposed and condemned human rights abuses in Laos while advocating for an end to one-party rule. The…
- World News
Islamic Jihad announces truce around Gaza after death of hunger striker in Israeli custody
A truce has been announced by the Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad in Gaza following conflict with Israel, which had escalated after the death of a hunger striker from its ranks while in Israeli custody. Sources from both Islamic Jihad and fellow militant group Hamas have revealed that mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and the United Nations intervened to broker a…
- World News
World’s tallest hempcrete building set to open in Cape Town
The world’s tallest building constructed with industrial hemp, a 12-storey establishment boasting a stunning view of Table Mountain, is nearing completion in Cape Town, South Africa. Workers are currently adding the final touches to the 54-room Hemp Hotel, which is set to be completed in June. Constructed primarily with Hempcrete blocks made from the cannabis plant, the building is supported…
- World News
Israeli military air strikes and Gaza militants clash after Palestinian prisoner dies in custody
In response to the death of a Palestinian prisoner in Israeli custody, tensions have escalated as the Israeli military conducted air strikes, and both Israel and Gaza militants traded fire. 45-year-old prisoner Khader Adnan died after being detained in the occupied West Bank for nearly three months due to his links with the Islamic Jihad militant group. Palestinian Prime Minister…
- World News
Press freedom under attack globally, warns UN officials and media outlets
Press freedom is facing challenges in various parts of the world, with harassment, imprisonment, and killings of journalists on the rise, according to warnings issued by United Nations (UN) officials and media organisations. The concerns were raised ahead of World Press Freedom Day, which aims to uphold the importance of a free press in sustaining democracy and human rights. UN…
- World News
India struggles with urban sewage treatment as population surges
According to the United Nations, India is set to overtake China as the world’s most populous country, housing almost 1.43 billion people. The urban population is set to increase by 270 million people by 2040. However, of the 72 billion litres of daily sewage currently created in the country’s urban centres, a massive 45 billion litres which is enough to…
- Events
Man with knife arrested near Buckingham Palace: Suspected shotgun cartridges thrown into palace grounds
London police arrested a man brandishing a knife near Buckingham Palace last night after he allegedly threw suspected shotgun cartridges into the palace grounds. The arrest took place at around 7pm, just days before King Charles III‘s coronation. The event is set to attract global royalty and world leaders with a considerable security operation planned. The Metropolitan Police carried out…
- World News
Battles in Sudan risks catastrophic humanitarian crisis
Intense fighting continues between rival factions in Sudan, escalating concerns of a humanitarian disaster, as hundreds of thousands of refugees are forced to flee. Clashes between the regular army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his rival, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, have been ongoing since April 15. Casualties continue to mount, causing the mass exodus of…
- World News
Italy’s right-wing government rolls back anti-poverty subsidies
Italy’s right-wing government has decided to reverse the anti-poverty subsidies introduced four years ago, which provided assistance to around four million people last year. The move has been criticised as a ‘provocation’ on the international May Day labour holiday. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, leading the country’s most far-right coalition since World War II, announced that the “citizens’ income” benefits would…
- World News
JPMorgan Chase swoops in to buy US crisis bank First Republic
US financial authorities seized California’s struggling First Republic Bank on Monday and sold it to JPMorgan Chase, hoping to bring stability to a banking crisis that has rattled the financial system. First Republic, following the disclosure of a loss of over US$100 billion in deposits in the first quarter, became the second-largest bank by assets to collapse in US history.…
- World News
Mount Everest’s appeal and challenges in a changing world
Mount Everest is preparing for a record number of climbers this season, with approximately 1,000 people expected to attempt the summit of the world’s highest peak. However, climbing the impressive 8,849-metre mountain is not only expensive but also dangerous, and the risks may be growing due to overcrowding and climate change. Ever since Mount Everest was identified as the world’s…
- World News
Hong Kong tourist attractions overflow with mainland visitors during holiday
A significant influx of mainland tourists has filled Hong Kong’s top attractions, as queues stretched for hours outside the Peak Tram ticket office at Central. According to a staff member, many visitors resorted to waiting over two hours for a tram ticket to the Peak. This surge of visitors is attributed to the mainland’s five-day holiday, which commenced on Saturday.…
- World News
Spanish agriculture’s future threatened by potential water cuts
Spanish farmers, like Juan Francisco Abellaneda, provide European supermarkets with fresh fruits and vegetables throughout the year. However, these intensive farms in arid Southeastern Spain may soon face a water crisis, threatening the sector that supplies essential produce across the continent. Spain tops the European Union list in fruit and vegetable production. Almost half of these exports come from farmers…
- World News
Kenyan pastors accused of causing over 100 deaths in Shakahola forest massacre
Two pastors are set to appear before Kenyan courts in separate towns tomorrow, suspected of instigating the shocking events that led to the deaths of at least 109 individuals found buried in what has come to be known as the “Shakahola forest massacre.” The deeply religious and predominantly Christian nation of Kenya, with over 4,000 registered churches, has been shaken…
- World News
Mexican rescue dogs train for international disaster missions
In the central Mexican state of Puebla, a rescue dog and its handler were seen abseiling down a ravine as part of an emergency response drill designed to prepare them for international crises, like the devastating earthquake that hit Turkey in February. Another member of the canine unit, a black Labrador retriever named July, successfully located a paramedic and an…
- World News
Senegalese opposition leader claims police attempted assassination using toxic gas
Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko, 48 years old, claimed yesterday that foreign laboratories have confirmed that a gas police sprayed at him in March was “toxic and deadly,” accusing them of attempting to assassinate him. In mid-March, Sonko stated that he felt unwell due to tear gas, which he claimed was deployed by the police during his forced transfer to…
- World News
French finance minister’s erotic novel raises eyebrows amidst economic turmoil
A recent novel by France’s Finance and Economy Minister, Bruno Le Maire, 54 years old, has caused quite a stir and left the government facing questions about how he finds the time to write amidst the nation’s current economic challenges. “American Fugue” is the 13th book penned by Le Maire, who has been at the forefront of defending President Emmanuel…
- World News
Brain scans and AI could transcribe what people are thinking
Scientists have announced a breakthrough in the decoding of human thoughts, utilising a combination of brain scans and artificial intelligence (AI) models. The technology uncovers “the gist” of an individual’s thoughts and may significantly benefit those who have lost their ability to communicate. Although concerns about potential impacts on “mental privacy” were raised, tests were conducted to show that the…
- World News
Met Gala celebrates late ‘couture king’ Karl Lagerfeld
The fashion soiree of the year is upon us, as A-list celebrities prepare to pay tribute to the late king of couture, Karl Lagerfeld, at the annual Met Gala. The red carpet event, held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, draws hundreds of stars, raising millions of dollars each year for charity and setting social media alight with iconic looks.…
- World News
Manhunt in Texas for suspect who killed 5 neighbours
A massive manhunt is underway in Texas as more than 250 law enforcement officers from a dozen agencies collaborate to search for Francisco Oropesa, a 38 years old Mexican national who is suspected of murdering five of his neighbours, including a nine year old child after they allegedly requested him to stop shooting his rifle late into the night. The…
- World News
Exploring the mystery of brain activity surges during near-death experiences
Survivors from near-death incidents often recount vivid experiences, such as seeing light at the end of a tunnel, feeling detached from their bodies, meeting deceased loved ones, or recalling significant life events in mere moments. The similarity of these accounts, which come from individuals with varying cultural backgrounds, suggests a potential biological mechanism which remains unexplained by scientists. In a…
- World News
Charles III’s fortune: How the new British king built his wealth
Through a combination of inheritance, royal estates, and shrewd investing, King Charles III is set to be crowned on May 6 with a significant fortune to his name. His mother, Queen Elizabeth II, left him an estimated £360 million when she passed away in September of last year, boosting his overall wealth to an estimated £600 million, as reported by…
- World News
Republic activists plan to protest coronation of King Charles III
As the UK gets ready for the coronation of King Charles III, a group known as the Republic plans to mark the historic occasion with a protest. Wearing yellow T-shirts that read “Abolish the monarchy,” this pressure group is advocating for the replacement of the traditional monarchy with an elected head of state. While Republic supporters in Britain have often…
