Author: News Desk

United States: A senior government official reveals that the United States is urging India to denounce ongoing incidents of religious violence. This call comes just a month before Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi’s scheduled state visit to the United States. In its recently published annual report on religious freedom, the US State Department highlights incidents of attacks against religious minorities, including Muslims and Christians, within the world’s most populous nation. During a briefing with journalists on the condition of anonymity, a senior US official expressed his concern over the “continued targeted attacks” on religious minorities in India. The official, while…

London, UK: Mobile operator giant Vodafone has announced plans to reduce its global workforce by 11,000 jobs within the next three years. Amidst a significant decline in its share price, telecommunications company Vodafone has stated the necessity of cost-cutting measures and business restructuring to enhance competitiveness against rivals and enhance the overall experience for its extensive customer base, numbering in the tens of millions. Under the leadership of newly appointed group chief executive Ms. Margherita Della Valle, Vodafone has announced substantial job cuts, accounting for approximately 12 percent of its global workforce of 90,000. This strategic decision represents Ms. Della…

The US Department of State has disclosed that it currently has 1,419 nuclear warheads deployed in its arsenal and is urging Russia to do the same. The announcement was made in line with the New START Treaty, which requires transparency and a shared commitment to arms reduction. The US decision to release the information publicly appears to be a reversal of an earlier decision not to share the data. “The United States continues to view transparency among nuclear weapon states as extremely valuable for reducing the likelihood of misperception, miscalculation, and costly arms competitions,” a spokesperson remarked in a statement.…

Russia: South Africa’s ground forces commander recently travelled to Moscow for discussions with Russian counterparts, following accusations from Washington that South Africa had clandestinely supplied weapons to Russia. In response to recent developments, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) clarified on 15th May 2023 that the meeting between the commander of the ground forces and their Russian counterparts had been prearranged well in advance. The SANDF stated that it was part of a longstanding arrangement and characterized the visit as a goodwill gesture, extended at the invitation of the Russian army. According to a statement released by the SANDF,…

United Kingdom: A new report by Amnesty International has revealed that the number of known executions in 2022 has reached its highest point in the last five years. According to the report, 883 people were executed, excluding China, where thousands are believed to have been executed. The use of the death penalty for drug offences has raised concerns among human rights activists. The report further states that the number of executions has increased by over 50 percent compared to the previous year. Amnesty International has expressed serious concerns about the use of the death penalty, particularly in the Middle East…

Thailand: Thailand’s two main opposition parties, Move Forward and Pheu Thai, have agreed to form a ruling coalition after they trounced military-backed rivals in a weekend election that has controlled the government for nearly a decade. Despite their victory, both parties may face difficulties in securing enough support due to parliamentary rules that have been drafted by the military in favour of its allies following a coup in 2014. The junta-appointed Senate, which has a history of favouring conservative parties led by generals, has the power to vote on the prime minister in a bicameral sitting of the 750-member legislature.…

Turkey: The Turkish political landscape is poised for a crucial run-off as President Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan narrowly misses the required 50 percent vote share needed for an outright victory, based on nearly complete vote counts. Meanwhile, opposition candidate Mr. Kemal Kilicdaroglu, previously predicted as the frontrunner in opinion polls, secures an impressive 45 percent of the ballots. With Erdogan’s diminished vote share and Kilicdaroglu’s significant surge, all eyes turn to the impending run-off, setting the stage for an intense political battle in Turkey. President Mr. Erdogan, aged 69, has expressed his commitment to honor the nation’s verdict as the…

London, UK: Researchers have unveiled a link between the amount of adult speech children are exposed to during their early years and the subsequent formation of their brain structure. The study’s findings shed light on the crucial role of early language exposure in shaping the developing brain. This groundbreaking research brings us closer to understanding the intricate connection between language stimulation and neural development in young children. Previous studies have already hinted at the advantages of engaging in conversation with young children, and now further research solidifies these claims. The latest findings indicate that actively talking to children at an…

Myanmar: Western Myanmar finds itself in the grip of a relentless onslaught as Cyclone Mocha, having made a forceful landfall along the Bay of Bengal coastline on 14th May 2023, unleashes its wrath. This powerful cyclone has unleashed ferocious winds and unleashed torrents of rain, plunging the region into chaos and posing severe threats to lives and infrastructure. With wind speeds surpassing 200 kilometers per hour (195 mph), the cyclone wreaks havoc by tearing off roofs from buildings and toppling powerlines. These alarming scenes depict the sheer force of nature’s fury unleashed by Cyclone Mocha, leaving a trail of destruction…

China: A top Chinese envoy will begin a tour of Ukraine, Russia, and other European cities in a trip Beijing says is aimed at discussing a “political settlement” to the Ukraine crisis. According to the country’s foreign ministry, Mr. Li Hui, China’s special representative for Eurasian affairs and former ambassador to Russia, will also visit Poland, France, and Germany on the multi-day trip. The visit comes after a significant phone call between Ukrainian President Mr. Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Chinese President Mr. Xi Jinping. The conversation marks the first known wartime call between the two leaders. Mr. Xi Jinping emphasised China’s…