Author: News Desk

United States: A new analysis has found that two million species are at risk of extinction, which is double the previous UN estimates. The previous studies were more concentrated on documenting the decline of species of plants and vertebrates. There has always been significant uncertainty over insects. The UN has reported a “tentative estimate” of 10 percent threatened with extinction in 2019. Since then, more data has been collected on insects, showing the proportion at risk of extinction is much higher than previously estimated. “Because there are so many insect species, this doubles the global number of species at risk,”…

Philippines: Philippine authorities have accused Chinese ships of firing water cannons at Filipino boats and taking dangerous actions in the disputed South China Sea. The incident occurred during a Philippine mission to supply a small garrison on Second Thomas Shoal, part of the Spratly Islands and a historical hotspot between the nations. China deploys coast guards and other vessels to patrol the strongly disputed area, reaffirming its assertion of nearly total control over the South China Sea. Manila, the Capital of the Philippines stated that the Chinese coast guard and other vessels “harassed, blocked, executed dangerous manoeuvres” as they tried…

Myanmar: The United Nations (UN) has said that approximately 90,000 people have been forced to be displaced in Myanmar due to escalating conflict between military rulers and an alliance of ethnic armed groups. “As of 9 November, almost 50,000 people in northern Shan were forced into displacement,” the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) remarked. A further 40,000 people have been displaced by disputes between the military and its opponents in the neighbouring Sagaing region and Kachin state since early November, OCHA added. Two weeks ago, the Three Brotherhood Alliance, a prominent ethnic armed coalition in…

Australia: Australia Prime Minister Mr. Anthony Albanese has signed a “groundbreaking” agreement with Tuvalu, offering citizens of the climate change-threatened nation the chance to build lives in Australia. Mr. Albanese made the announcement in the Cook Islands in the presence of Tuvalu Prime Minister Mr. Kausea Natano on the sidelines of the Pacific Islands Forum. Under the treaty, Australia will take in 280 Tuvaluans a year, providing them access to a special visa. “We believe the people of Tuvalu deserve the choice to live, study, and work elsewhere as climate change impacts worsen,” the Australian PM stated. “This reflects Tuvalu’s…

Portugal: Portuguese President Mr. Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has dissolved the country’s parliament and called snap elections. The move comes two days after the Portuguese Prime Minister resigned amid a corruption investigation. “I have chosen to dissolve the Assembly of the Republic and hold elections on March 10,” Mr. Rebelo de Sousa stated. The announcement comes after Socialist Prime Minister Mr. Antonio Costa offered his resignation following the arrest of his chief of staff as part of an anti-corruption investigation, including allegations of malfeasance and influence peddling. The 62-year-old Mr. Costa, who first took power in 2015, denied any wrongdoing…

Kazakhstan: The world leaders of Russia, Turkey, Iran, and Pakistan are visiting Central Asia amid renewed interest in the region. Mr. Vladimir Putin arrived in Astana, Kazakhstan for a meeting with President Mr. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Just a week ago, French President Mr. Emmanuel Macron visited Kazakhstan to speed up economic cooperation. At the moment, Turkey’s leader, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Iran’s President, Mr. Ebrahim Raisi, and Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Mr. Anwaar ul Haq Kakar, are in Uzbekistan for a regional economic summit. Their involvement indicates that the former Soviet countries are seeking new partnerships as Russia’s influence in the region…

China: The Chinese government has asked the United Kingdom to stop its efforts to “enhance” ties with Taiwan. The statement comes after a high-level meeting and the signing of a new trade agreement between Taiwan and Britain in London. Beijing accused the UK of using trade cooperation “as an excuse” to enhance its ties with Taiwan. Recently, Taiwan’s representative to the UK, Mr. Kelly Hsieh, and his British counterpart based in Taipei, Mr. John Dennis, signed an enhanced trade partnership (ETP). The agreement paves the way for future collaborations on green energy, digital trade, and investment, among other trade-based issues.…

London, UK: A new study has found that blood tests can early detect Crohn’s disease. It is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes chronic inflammation of the GI tract. There is currently no cure for this disease, but early detection can prevent the development of severe bowel damage. Researchers from the Francis Crick Institute in the UK and Aalborg University in Denmark analysed over a ten-year period the results of some 20,000 IBD patients prior to diagnosis. They examined 17 different biomarkers in the body, including markers for inflammation and levels of minerals such as iron, searching for subtle…

United States: The Hollywood actors’ union has agreed on a tentative deal with major studios to end a months-long strike. The strike had stopped the production of hundreds of films and television shows. The Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA) announced that its strike would end at midnight after negotiators reached a preliminary deal on a new contract. The union noted that the new three-year contract was valued at more than $1 billion and included increases in minimum salaries as well as a new “streaming participation”. According to the statement, the agreement would further allow members “to build sustainable careers.” The group’s…

United States: The United States has launched strikes against an alleged weapons storage facility in eastern Syria that it claims to be used by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and other Iran-backed groups. US Defence Secretary Mr. Lloyd Austin said in a statement that the “self-defence strike” was carried out by two of the air force’s F-15 fighters as a response to recent attacks on US forces. “The President has no higher priority than the safety of US personnel, and he directed today’s action to make clear that the United States will defend itself, its personnel, and its interests,”…