Author: News Desk

Russia: Russia has added renowned journalist and Nobel Prize co-recipient Mr. Dmitry Muratov to its list of foreign agents, which is a label authorities use to suppress critics. The move targeting the editor of Russia’s top independent publication, Novaya Gazeta, is part of a suppression of civil society institutions that criticize Moscow’s war on Ukraine. “Mr. Muratov used foreign platforms to disseminate opinions aimed at forming a negative attitude towards the foreign and domestic policy of the Russian Federation”, Russia’s Justice Ministry commented. The Ministry also accused Mr. Muratov of creating and distributing content from other foreign agents. “What is…

Guatemala: The Organisation of American States (OAS) has accused prosecutors in Guatemala of preventing President-Elect Mr. Bernardo Arevalo from taking power. Mr. Eladio Loizaga, leader of the OAS’s election observation mission, stressed that the August 20 presidential election had been fair and accurate. The OAS leader further denounced subsequent actions taken against the election’s victor Mr. Arevalo and his political party, the Movimiento Semilla, or Seed Movement. “Given the documented conditions, it is impossible that the Electoral Observation Mission would arrive at any other conclusion than that, in this very specific case, the mechanisms and tools of Guatemalan justice are…

Ukraine:  The British defence company BAE Systems has stated that it set up a local entity in Ukraine and signed deals with the government to support Kyiv’s supply of weapons and equipment. The move will allow BAE to work directly with Kyiv officials to explore potential partners for a plan to ultimately produce 105-millimetre light guns, a kind of artillery weapon, in Ukraine and to better understand its capability requirements. Being the United Kingdom’s biggest defence contractor, BAE has manufactured many of the weapons that Britain and other governments have provided to Ukraine during Russia’s invasion. Britain is one of…

Iceland: Iceland’s government has ended its summer suspension on whaling and has now permitted hunting to resume under strict regulations. Fisheries and Foods Minister Ms. Svandis Svavarsdottir acknowledged that she comprehends the sentiments of the majority of Icelanders who wish to see an end to whaling. However, the Minister explained that she had to adhere to a legal framework established by the license granted earlier this year by her predecessor. “We are the last nation in the world that is fishing for large whales in this way, and there is only one party doing this whaling,” Ms. Svavarsdottir told reporters.…

China: Hong Kong has taken several measures as Typhoon Saola approaches the southern coast of China. These measures include grounding flights, closing the stock market, and shutting down schools. Saola had wind speeds exceeding 205 kilometres per hour (127 miles per hour) as it approached within 230 kilometres (142 miles) east-southeast of the financial hub at approximately 8:00 AM local time (00:00 GMT), as reported by Hong Kong’s observatory. The observatory stated that the weather would worsen quickly during the day and cautioned about the potential for significant flooding in coastal areas with low elevation. The public was advised to…

United Kingdom: A new study has found that brain fog and fatigue often experienced by people with ‘long COVID’ might be linked to blood clots. Long COVID refers to symptoms that persist for weeks to years after a COVID-19 infection. In a United Kingdom study conducted on 1,837 people admitted to hospitals because of COVID-19, researchers noted that two blood proteins indicate to clots as one cause. It is thought that 16 percent of such patients have had trouble thinking, concentrating, or remembering for at least six months. Long-term COVID can also develop after milder infections. However, the research team,…

United States: A White House adviser said that the United States might step in to help resolve the border dispute between Lebanon and Israel, which has led to tensions and cross-border violence in recent months. After a two-day visit to Lebanon, Mr. Amos Hochstein stated that it was “natural” to resolve the problem, building upon the 2022 agreement that defined the maritime border between Lebanon and Israel. The White House adviser mentioned that he visited southern Lebanon during his trip to gain a better understanding and gather information about what’s necessary to possibly achieve an outcome. “It is time for…

Gabon: The African Union’s Peace and Security Council has announced that it has decided to “immediately suspend” Gabon following the military coup in the country. The Council posted on X that it “strongly condemns the military takeover of power in the Republic of Gabon” and has decided “to immediately suspend the participation of Gabon in all activities of the AU, its organs, and institutions”. The statement came after a meeting of the council on the coup in Gabon that followed disputed elections in which President Mr. Ali Bongo Ondimba was declared the winner. The meeting was chaired by the African…

London, UK: Mr. Grant Shapps was named as the new Defense Secretary after Mr. Ben Wallace resigned. This marks Mr. Shapps’ fifth cabinet position in less than a year, having previously served as Energy Secretary, Transport Secretary, and briefly as Home Secretary. Mr. Ben Wallace will not seek re-election as an MP in the upcoming election. In a statement, Mr. Shapps expressed his commitment to carrying on Mr. Wallace’s backing of Ukraine in their struggle against Mr. Putin. Mr. Shapps expressed his honour at being appointed and praised Mr. Wallace’s significant contribution to UK defence and global security during the…

United States: The United States has approved military aid to Taiwan under a programme that is usually used to assist sovereign states. The move is likely to anger China, which claims the self-ruled democratic island as its own territory. The US Department of State informed Congress about the $80 million package, which marks the first time Washington has provided assistance to Taipei under the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) programme. The move is likely to increase tensions with Beijing, which has not ruled out the use of force to take control of Taiwan. The State Department stressed that the first-ever aid under…