Author: News Desk

Australia: Australia, a significant non-NATO contributor to Ukraine, has committed to sending an extra 70 military vehicles to the country as part of its latest assistance package. Prime Minister Mr. Anthony Albanese revealed a $73.5 million package, stating that the plan had been in deliberation prior to the recent events in Russia. The comprehensive package encompasses a range of resources, including 28 M113 armoured vehicles, 14 specialised operations vehicles, 28 medium trucks, 14 trailers, and a supplementary supply of 105mm artillery ammunition. This assistance demonstrates Australia’s continued support for Ukraine during this critical period. “Australia is unwavering in our resolve…

Greece: Greece’s conservative New Democracy party emerged victorious in the country’s parliamentary elections, granting reformist leader Mr. Kyriakos Mitsotakis another term as prime minister. With official results pouring in from approximately 90 percent of voting centres nationwide on Sunday, Mr. Mitsotakis’s party captured slightly over 40 percent of the vote, while the left-wing Syriza party, his primary rival, suffered a devastating defeat with just under 18 percent, marking a decline even more pronounced than their 20 percent result in the previous May elections. Mr. Mitsotakis hailed the “strong mandate” after the landslide victory. “The people have given us a safe…

Afghanistan: The supreme leader of the Taliban, Mr. Haibatullah Akhunzada, asserted that his government has implemented measures to improve the lives of women in Afghanistan. Mr. Akhunzada, who rules from the Taliban’s birthplace in Kandahar, stated that steps had been taken to ensure women enjoy a “comfortable and prosperous life according to Islamic Sharia.” Mr. Akhunzada claimed that women were being liberated from “traditional oppressions,” including forced marriages, through the adoption of Islamic governance. He emphasized that women’s status as free and dignified individuals had been restored, and all institutions were obligated to assist women in securing their marriage, inheritance,…

Vietnam: The United States’ aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan arrived Danang in central Vietnam, marking a significant development in the deepening ties between the two countries. The arrival comes shortly after Vietnam expressed its protest against Chinese vessels sailing in its waters, highlighting shared concerns about China’s increasing influence in the region. In recent weeks, a Chinese survey vessel, along with multiple coast guard ships and fishing boats, operated in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea. Responding to this incursion, Vietnam’s foreign ministry demanded their departure, which eventually took place in early June. China’s assertive claims over almost…

United Kingdom: A new groundbreaking study conducted at four Sainsbury’s supermarkets has discovered a potential lifesaving use for supermarket trolleys. By incorporating sensors into the handles, scientists have found a way to identify individuals at risk of stroke by detecting abnormal heart rhythms. According to the British Heart Foundation, atrial fibrillation (AF), a condition that leads to irregular heart rhythms and increases the likelihood of stroke, affects approximately one in 45 people in the UK. Often undiagnosed, early detection is crucial to providing necessary treatments. The innovative approach involved installing electrocardiogram (ECG) sensors in the handles of supermarket trolleys to…

United States: US intelligence agencies have released a declassified report stating that they have found no direct evidence to support the theory that COVID-19 originated from a Chinese laboratory. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) stated that both natural and laboratory origins of the virus remain plausible scenarios. The report noted that most US intelligence agencies agree that the virus was not genetically engineered or “laboratory-adapted.” The origins of the pandemic have been a contentious issue, with the lab-leak theory being strongly denied by China. The ODNI report, released on 23rd June 2023, followed a congressional bill…

Russia: Head of Russian military contractor Wagner Group, Mr. Yevgeny Prigozhin, has ignited a war of words with the country’s military leaders, proclaiming that his forces are willing to die to confront them. In an audio message shared on Telegram, Mr. Prigozhin asserted that his fighters had crossed into the Russian border city of Rostov-on-Don from Ukraine and would combat anyone who tried to impede them. He further accused the Russian military top brass of launching strikes against his men. Videos and pictures circulating online depicted armed individuals surrounding administrative buildings in Rostov, accompanied by tanks deployed in the city…

United States: Starbucks workers at over 150 locations have announced their intention to go on strike, citing the company’s alleged refusal to allow Pride Month decorations in its cafes. The Starbucks Workers United union revealed that more than 3,500 employees from these stores have pledged to strike within the next week, and additional stores are considering strike authorizations, potentially bringing the total to nearly 200 stores. The union took to Twitter, stating, “STRIKE WITH PRIDE! Seattle Roastery leads nationwide Starbucks strike over Starbucks’ hypocritical treatment of LGBTQIA+ workers.” Last week, the union accused Starbucks of limiting Pride Month decorations in…

United States: Twitter has agreed to abide by tough new European Union (EU) laws concerning fake news, Russian propaganda, and online crime. Officials from the European Commission conducted a test at Twitter’s headquarters to assess the company’s ability to operate within the bounds of European law. The move follows former Twitter CEO Mr. Elon Musk’s recent withdrawal from the EU’s voluntary code of conduct on disinformation. In an unprecedented move, EU officials were granted access to Twitter’s headquarters to conduct a simulated exercise with company staff, evaluating their controls against Russian propaganda, fake news, and criminal activities such as child…

United States: The US Chamber of Commerce’s US-India Business Council, in collaboration with the US Department of Defense and India’s Ministry of Defense, organized the inaugural INDUS X Summit and a startup-focused defence exhibition titled “Catalyzing Indo-US Defense Innovation.” The event took place from June 20th to 21st 2023 at the US Chamber headquarters. The INDUS X Summit, a significant outcome of the US-India initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET), conducted its industry track discussions earlier this year at the US Chamber. This summit and startup exhibition serve as crucial platforms to enhance defence co-development and co-production between the…