Author: News Desk

United States: A large new study has found that consumption of just two servings of red meat per week increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. According to the study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the risk further increases with greater consumption of red meat. “The association between red meat and type 2 diabetes has been observed in different populations worldwide. We keep strengthening existing evidence with improved data and techniques. I hope our study could settle the debate regarding whether we should limit red meat intake for health concerns or not,” the study’s first author,…

United States: A US report has stated that Beijing is exceeding previous estimates in building up its nuclear weapons arsenal and is “almost certainly” learning lessons from Russia’s war in Ukraine regarding the consequences of a conflict with Taiwan. The Pentagon report on China’s military power further warned that Beijing may be pursuing a new intercontinental missile system using conventional arms that enables them “to threaten conventional strikes against targets in the continental United States, Hawaii, and Alaska.” The report comes a month before an expected meeting between Chinese leader Mr. Xi Jinping and President Mr. Joe Biden on the…

Canada: Canada has withdrawn 41 diplomats from India as the latest step in a dispute over the killing of a Sikh separatist in Vancouver. According to Canadian Foreign Minister Ms. Melanie Joly, the latest decision was made after the Indian government said it would revoke their diplomatic immunity. Ms. Joly noted that India’s threat to revoke their diplomatic immunity was “unprecedented” and violated international law. “Given the implications of India’s actions on the safety of our diplomats, we have facilitated their safe departure from India,” Ms. Joly commented during a press conference. The Foreign Minister remarked that Canada would continue…

North Korea: The Russian Foreign Minister Mr. Sergei Lavrov has stated that Moscow has pledged its “complete support” for North Korean leader Mr. Kim Jong Un. The Russian Foreign Minister, who is on an official trip to North Korea, also thanked the country for its support in the Ukraine war. According to reports, Mr. Lavrov’s ongoing trip sets the stage for a possible visit to the country by Russian President Mr. Vladimir Putin. Mr. Lavrov’s two-day visit comes after Mr. Kim’s days-long visit to Russia in September, where he met Mr. Putin to discuss “possibilities” for military cooperation. In July,…

Finland: The Finnish multinational corporation Nokia has said it will cut up to 14,000 jobs over the next three years. It comes as profits fell on weakening demand for its 5G mobile network equipment in North America. Nokia aims to reduce 16 percent of its worldwide workforce of 86,000 employees as part of a cost-cutting initiative to save $1.2 billion by 2026. This decision coincided with the company reporting a 70 percent decline in third-quarter profits, dropping to $139 million from $448 million the previous year. “The most difficult business decisions to make are the ones that impact our people.…

United Kingdom: A new study has found that a lower-calorie Mediterranean diet and minimal exercise for up to six days a week led to the loss of a significant amount of body fat by the end of a year. In addition to a loss of overall body fat, participants in the study lost visceral belly fat, which could lead to diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Dr. David Katz, a specialist in preventive and lifestyle medicine, shared that “this study demonstrates that a calorie-controlled Mediterranean diet plus exercise does not simply produce weight loss; it results in a redistribution of body…

Egypt: Egyptian and Liverpool footballer Mr. Mohamed Salah has urged for an end to “massacres” in Gaza, emphasizing the urgent need to permit humanitarian aid into the blockaded Palestinian territory. The 31-year-old forward shared his first thoughts on the escalating Israel-Gaza conflict on October 18, 2023, as global concern grows over the tragic loss of nearly 500 lives in an explosion at Gaza City’s al-Ahli Arab Hospital. Palestinian authorities claim the explosion resulted from an Israeli air raid, while Israel contends it was caused by a misfired rocket from the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) armed group. The PIJ has denied…

Nicaragua: Nicaragua has released a dozen Catholic priests who were imprisoned on various charges and sent them to Rome after negotiations with the Vatican. A statement from the Nicaraguan government said the 12 were “flown to Rome in the afternoon, following fruitful conversations” with Catholic leaders in Nicaragua and the Vatican. The statement noted that the deal showed “the permanent will and commitment to find solutions.” President Mr. Daniel Ortega, a leftist leader who came to power in 2006, has been suppressing opposition due to mass protests triggered by social security cuts. Mr. Ortega accused the church of aiding the…

Palestine: The United Nations Secretary-General Mr. Antonio Guterres has condemned Israel’s “collective punishment” of Palestinians. The UN chief called for an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire” in the Israel-Gaza war. The comments came just hours after the bombing of the al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza. Mr. Guterres noted that “Hamas attacks cannot justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people”. During his talk at a forum to mark 10 years of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the UN chief reiterated what he called “two urgent humanitarian appeals.” Mr. Guterres called on Hamas to “immediately and unconditionally release” those it is holding…

China: Chinese leader Mr. Xi Jinping has told Russian President Mr. Vladimir Putin that the “political mutual trust” between their countries was “continuously deepening.” The two leaders met for bilateral talks in Beijing. The Chinese state news agency Xinhua reported that Mr. Xi also called for joint efforts by China and Russia to “safeguard international fairness” and “justice” as he praised “close and effective strategic coordination” between their two nations. Mr. Xi observed that he and Putin had met “42 times in the past 10 years and developed a good working relationship and a deep friendship.” The last meeting between…