Author: News Desk

United States: The United States has accused Russia’s Wagner Group of providing surface-to-air missiles to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), one side in Sudan’s ongoing conflict that has displaced nearly 1.3 million people. The allegation against the mercenary group came as the US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Wagner’s leader in Mali, accusing him of trying to obtain weapons for Russia’s war in Ukraine. “The surface-to-air missiles in Sudan have contributed to “a prolonged armed conflict that only results in further chaos in the region”, the Treasury noted in a statement. Since mid-April, hundreds of lives have been lost…

Switzerland: Member states of the World Health Organisation have voted to move a Moscow-based office of the WHO to Copenhagen, and urged Russia to stop attacks on hospitals and healthcare facilities in Ukraine. At the 76th World Health Assembly in Geneva, 80 member states voted to request the WHO secretariat relocate the European Office for the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases to Denmark before the new year. Alongside Russia, eight member states voted against the draft decision, including North Korea, China, and Belarus. Fifty-two states abstained. A draft decision to relocate the Russian-based office was adopted on May 23…

Singapore: Singapore’s economy defied government warnings of a gloomy global outlook by posting a 0.4 percent expansion in the first quarter. While this performance surpassed expectations, it fell short of the previous quarter’s 2.1 percent growth. Despite the challenging circumstances, the Southeast Asian city-state managed to maintain a level of resilience, showcasing its ability to adapt to uncertain economic conditions. In its recent statement, the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) cautioned about the emergence of increased “downside risks,” such as the possibility of rising interest rates and escalations in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. However, despite these concerns, the…

Syria: A new report by the Syrian Network for Human Rights has found that approximately 14 million Syrians are confronted with an immense obstacle preventing them from returning to their homes. This hurdle arises from laws enacted by the government that grant it the authority to seize land and property owned by Syrians. The report calls on the UN High Commissioner for Refugees to draw attention to these laws as a major impediment to the repatriation of refugees. The report is groundbreaking in that it meticulously examines the extensive array of laws passed by President Mr. Bashar al-Assad’s government both…

United States: The United States and Microsoft have disclosed that critical US infrastructure networks have fallen prey to state-sponsored Chinese hackers. This alarming revelation raises concerns not only within the United States but also globally, as experts warn about the potential occurrence of similar espionage attacks worldwide. Microsoft has drawn attention to the targeting of critical US infrastructure by Chinese state-sponsored hackers, with Guam, a crucial US territory housing a vital military outpost, specifically highlighted. However, Microsoft’s warning also indicates the detection of “malicious” activities occurring beyond Guam, raising alarm bells about potential breaches elsewhere in the United States. According…

Canada: Saudi Arabia and Canada have recently declared their decision to restore diplomatic ties, marking the conclusion of a longstanding and acrimonious dispute that originated in 2018. The rift primarily centred around human rights concerns, has finally come to an end as both nations embark on a renewed chapter of bilateral relations. In separate official announcements, Saudi Arabia and Canada have affirmed their intention to “restore diplomatic relations to their previous level” following the 2018 discord that strained their bilateral ties. Additionally, as part of the diplomatic reconciliation process, both Saudi Arabia and Canada have announced their plans to appoint…

United Kingdom: A recent study has discovered that a significant number of river and lake sites in England, specifically 81 percent of those tested, contain harmful chemical mixtures that pose a threat to wildlife. Various wildlife organizations are urging the government to conduct more rigorous testing of waterways in order to identify these chemical cocktails. The researchers indicated the need for new legal protections that would address dangerous mixtures, including the requirement for assessments to be conducted on potential hazardous impacts before any new chemical is permitted on the market. Although the government currently monitors and regulates individual chemical levels,…

United States: The United States has reached a deal with Micronesia to extend decades-old political and security ties as China attempts to build influence in the region. State Department officials stated that three documents related to Micronesia’s Compacts of Free Association (COFA) with the United States had been signed in Pohnpei, signalling the extension of a 20-year-old arrangement that gives the island nation defence and security guarantees and Washington the right to locate military facilities across a swath of the central Pacific. The signing marked “the successful conclusion of negotiations with FSM regarding the extension of compact-related economic assistance” and…

United States: A New York judge has ruled that former President Mr. Donald Trump is set to face a criminal trial in March 2024. This ruling comes at a critical time as Trump actively campaigns for the Republican presidential nomination. The decision has the potential to impact the political landscape, adding a new layer of complexity to the upcoming presidential race. During a hearing on 23rd May 2023 regarding the alleged concealment of a payment to a porn star, the former US President received news regarding his case. Mr. Trump now faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. Last…

United States: The devastating toll on civilian lives and the ensuing humanitarian consequences have reached alarming levels, according to the United Nations amidst ongoing armed conflicts worldwide. Shockingly, the UN has reported a staggering surge in recorded deaths, with nearly 17,000 civilian casualties in conflict zones last year alone. Notably, Ukraine experienced a tragic loss of nearly 8,000 lives, highlighting the severity of the situation. This distressing data reveals a distressing 53 percent increase in civilian killings compared to the previous year, emphasizing the urgent need for concerted efforts to mitigate the impact of armed conflicts and protect innocent lives.…