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- World News
US President Joe Biden laughs off age jokes at White House dinner
United States President Joe Biden exhibited good humour as he faced a series of playful jabs about his age at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner. Biden laughed off the jokes, even managing to deliver some jokes of his own. Prominent figures from Washington’s political and media scene convened in the US capital for the much-awaited annual event which featured…
- World News
Dutchman ordered to quit donating sperm after allegedly fathering 550 kids
A man in the Netherlands, known only as 41 year old Jonathan M, was ordered by Dutch judges yesterday to quit donating sperm after he allegedly fathered over 550 children. A foundation advocating for the rights of donor children and a mother of one of the purported children took the man to court. Dutch clinical guidelines state that a sperm…
- World News
Asian elephants’ habitat shrinkage over three centuries
Asian elephant habitats have experienced a significant decline of almost two-thirds since the 18th century, according to a recent study. The loss corresponds to approximately 3.3 million square kilometres, an area equivalent to the size of India. The study revealed that China had the most significant reduction in suitable elephant habitats in the region – losing 94% of its original…
- World News
Bank of Japan reviews monetary easing measures under new governor
The Bank of Japan (BOJ) has announced plans to review its longstanding monetary easing measures, while also stating that it will maintain them for now. This marks the first policy decision under the new governor, Kazuo Ueda. Analysts suggest that the central bank’s stimulus measures, in place for a decade, are becoming increasingly unsustainable. The BOJ issued a statement after…
- World News
From murder to mortician: China’s bold scheme to rehabilitate serious criminals
A special rehabilitation program in Shenyang, a city in northeastern China, is offering ex-prisoners a chance to become a mortician or funeral workers and reintegrate into society. The initiative, named Mama Waves You Off to Heaven, aims to address the challenges faced by ex-convicts who deal with discrimination, lack of reform programmes, and a resultant skills shortage that often pushes…
- World News
Minnesota becomes a refuge for transgender children facing conservative laws in other US states
Transgender youth and their families have increasingly found themselves at the heart of a contentious nationwide debate in the United States, with parents like Mary and her 16 year old child, Jasper, seeking refuge in states that offer them protection and support. Their tumultuous journey started in Texas, but due to mounting concerns for their child’s well-being, the family soon…
- World News
Jakarta ferry capsizes leaving 11 dead and one missing near Sumatra Island
At least 11 individuals have tragically lost their lives, and another is currently missing after a ferry accident occurred off the eastern coast of Sumatra Island in Indonesia. The national search and rescue agency has disclosed this information as they continue their search operation. The ferry involved in the accident was transporting approximately 74 passengers to the small island of…
- World News
Ukraine’s ambassador commends effectiveness of UN in condemning Russia
The United Nations (UN) may have its flaws, but it has been effective in condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, according to Ukrainian Ambassador to the UN, Sergiy Kyslytsya. He acknowledged the imperfections of the UN but argued that there may be no other country in the world where citizens pay such close attention to UN General Assembly or Security Council…
- World News
Inspirational sledge dog Balto, captured in a statue at New York’s Central Park
New York’s Central Park pays homage to a sledge dog named Balto through a dedicated statue. The dog’s amazing story even made its way to the big screen. Ninety years after his death, this legendary canine is the subject of a DNA study looking into what made him so famously resilient. In 1925, Balto, a Siberian husky, was part of…
- World News
Brazilian court suspends telegram over Neo-Nazi activity
A court in Brazil has demanded a nationwide suspension of the messaging app Telegram due to the company’s failure to provide the information requested by authorities on neo-Nazi groups using the platform. This development follows a series of violent school attacks, one of which may have connections to anti-Semitic activity within some of the app’s groups. Justice Minister Flavio Dino…
- World News
Erdogan cancels appearances due to stomach bug
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had to cancel his scheduled appearances yesterday as well as today, as he suffered from a stomach bug, less than three weeks ahead of Turkey‘s critical election. This news came amid a heated campaign, as many consider the upcoming election to be the most significant in Turkey’s post-Ottoman history. Erdogan, aged 69, had three events planned…
- World News
Australian media watchdog criticises Sky News
Australia’s media regulator, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), has criticised the climate coverage on Rupert Murdoch’s Sky News Australia, citing numerous inaccurate and unfair statements that led to the breach of broadcasting rules. The ACMA stated that Sky News Australia, linked to Murdoch’s US-based Fox News, aired incorrect statements in various segments of its Sunday Outsiders programme. After…
- World News
Gas stations in space: Orbit Fab is revolutionising the satellite industry
Orbit Fab, a US based company, is working on creating innovative “gas stations” in space to support the flourishing satellite industry, making it more profitable and sustainable. The technology is focused on providing refuelling options that will extend the operational life of satellites, according to the company’s CEO. Conventional solar panels on satellites can generate energy to power onboard systems…
- World News
Biden addresses age concerns amid 2024 re-election bid
Joe Biden recently addressed the topic of his age and its impact on the prospects of his 2024 re-election bid. At 80 years old, he is currently the oldest president ever and would be 86 when he stepped down if he wins. Though the veteran Democrat rarely speaks about his age, polls reveal that it is a matter of significant…
- World News
Xi Jinping, Zelensky discuss peace negotiations in historic phone call
Chinese President Xi Jinping engaged in a telephone conversation with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky yesterday, with peace negotiations being a central discussion point. This initial communication between the leaders was followed by Russian claims that Ukraine sought to sabotage any endeavours to cease warfare. Beijing proclaims neutrality concerning the conflict in Ukraine. However, despite never denouncing Russia’s invasion, President Xi…
- World News
BP faces shareholder revolt over its changes in strategies
BP, the energy giant, is facing a shareholder revolt today due to its decision to slow its energy transition. Activist investors have pledged to block the re-election of the company’s board of directors’ chief in response. Numerous major UK pension funds have expressed their intention to oppose the renewal of Helge Lund’s mandate during the annual general meeting in London.…
- World News
Myanmar’s snake rescue squad’s mission to protect reptiles and humans
Shwe Lei and her team were outside a monastery in Yangon at 4am, struggling with 30 squirming pythons. They put them into old rice sacks and then loaded the sacks into a van. They were continuing their daily duty as part of Myanmar’s leading snake removal squad, tasked with freeing pythons and coaxing cobras from dangerous encounters with humans and…
- World News
Secret Myanmar crisis talks held in New Delhi with neighbouring countries
Representatives from Myanmar and its neighbouring countries, including Thailand, China, and India, have been secretly holding talks to de-escalate the bloody crisis unfolding in the military-led nation, according to anonymous sources. The discussions, known as the Track 1.5 dialogue, commenced in Thailand last month and continued in New Delhi yesterday, amid growing discontent within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations…
- World News
Japan’s population predicted to fall to 87 million by 2070, with foreign residents making up 10.8%
Japan’s population is expected to experience a significant decline over the next few decades, with predictions that the total number will fall to 87 million by 2070, representing a 30% decrease from 2020 figures. As the nation grapples with the challenges of an ageing population, this decrease suggests that in the coming years, the government will likely need to rely…
- World News
India’s girl power: Newborn tops population milestone
India has officially become the world’s most populous nation, with a newborn baby girl marking the milestone moment. Manu Bala, a 22 year old housewife, gave birth to her as-yet-unnamed daughter in a government hospital in the country’s Himalayan region on Monday. The mother and her child were among the more than 67,000 born across India that day when the United…
- World News
Kenyan mass graves prompt calls to regulate religious cults
Kenyan self-styled pastor Paul Mackenzie Nthenge sparked shock and outrage in the country after leading his followers into the forest near the coastal town of Malindi, allegedly convincing them to starve to death to meet God. The Good News International Church closed in 2019 after Nthenge claimed that Jesus told him his work had come to an end. However, authorities…
- World News
EU to unveil major pharmaceutical reform for cheaper drugs and faster access
The European Union is set to announce significant reforms to its pharmaceutical regulations today, aiming to reduce costs, prevent drug shortages, and expedite the introduction of new medicines. These changes represent the EU’s most extensive overhaul of pharmaceutical legislation in two decades, partly inspired by the benefits of more streamlined processes, joint action, and improved transparency observed during the Covid-19…
- World News
Japanese startup loses communication with lunar lander, assumes mission failure
A Japanese start-up hoping to realise the first private Moon landing announced today that it had lost contact with its spacecraft, suggesting a disappointing outcome for the ambitious mission. Ispace confirmed that communication with the unmanned Hakuto-R lunar lander could not be re-established after the expected time of landing, signifying a premature end for a mission launched from the United…
- World News
British American Tobacco to pay over US$600m for violating US sanctions on North Korea
British American Tobacco (BAT) agreed to pay over US$600 million to settle allegations that it sold cigarette materials to North Korea for a decade in breach of United States sanctions, the US Justice Department announced yesterday. This is the harshest action ever taken by US authorities against a company for violating North Korean sanctions, with BAT’s Singapore subsidiary agreeing to…
- World News
China reaffirms commitment to ex-Soviet sovereignty after controversial comments
China reaffirmed its respect for the sovereignty of all ex-Soviet countries yesterday, following controversial comments made by its ambassador to France. The statements, which questioned the sovereignty of former Soviet states, have triggered a backlash in Europe and cast doubt on Beijing’s attempts to position itself as an impartial mediator in the ongoing Ukraine conflict. Ambassador Lu Shaye’s remarks prompted…
- World News
Netflix to invest US$2.5 billion in South Korean content over next four years
Netflix has unveiled ambitious plans to invest US$2.5 billion in South Korean content over the next four years, following a meeting between the streaming giant’s CEO Ted Sarandos and South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol in Washington. The announcement comes as South Korea’s star continues to ascend as a global cultural heavyweight, bolstered by the phenomenal success of the Oscar-winning…
- World News
Vigilante justice in Haiti: More than a dozen alleged gang members stoned, burned alive by angry mob
More than a dozen alleged gang members were brutally stoned and burned alive by residents in Port-au-Prince, Haiti yesterday. This horrifying act comes as the United Nations warns that the levels of insecurity currently plaguing the country’s capital are comparable to those in nations experiencing war. In an incident that has incensed many and underlined the desperate situation in Haiti,…
- World News
Biden expected to announce second term run amid concerns over his age
US President Joe Biden is set to announce today his intention to run for a second term, a decision that would see him embark on a new White House campaign at the record age of 80, and potentially face a rematch against Donald Trump. “Stay tuned,” Biden informed reporters at the White House yesterday. The Democrat is due to release…
- World News
Ukraine’s soldiers make determined stand against Russia in brutal battle for Bakhmut
The basement in Bakhmut, Ukraine, trembles from the constant barrage of shelling above ground, as a bloodied, pale soldier, is brought in, having sustained shrapnel wounds. Soldiers move to help the medic treat the wounded man but are forced to quickly take cover when another Russian rocket crashes nearby, its impact felt in the surrounding abandoned housing. A soldier lying…
- World News
Grimes okays use of her voice in AI-generated songs for 50% royalties
Canadian singer Grimes has recently announced that she is perfectly content with allowing her voice to be utilised for AI-generated songs, provided she receives a 50% share of the royalties. The 35 year old artist stated in an Instagram post that any AI-produced hit that featured her voice would be treated in the same manner as if it were a…
