Author: News Desk

United States: “Leopoldstadt” by Tom Stoppard and the tragicomic musical “Kimberly Akimbo” become top winners at the Tony Awards, the prestigious honours recognizing excellence in American theater. Stoppard’s play explores the themes of anti-Semitism and loss within a Jewish family, while “Kimberly Akimbo” captivates with its intimate and heartfelt storytelling. J. Harrison Ghee, starring in “Some Like It Hot,” and Alex Newell, featured in “Shucked,” became the first openly nonbinary actors to receive Tony Awards for their outstanding work on Broadway. The 85-year-old playwright Tom Stoppard earned his fifth Tony for best play with “Leopoldstadt,” a deeply personal work inspired…

United Kingdom: A survey has revealed that over 10 percent of women face difficulties in developing a bond with their baby, and a majority of them report receiving no support from healthcare professionals. The survey, conducted by the Parent-Infant Foundation and involving more than 1,000 mothers, highlighted that 73 percent of women did not receive any information or guidance on bonding with their newborn during the initial weeks after childbirth. This is despite guidelines recommending healthcare staff provide assistance for emotional attachment, as it plays a crucial role in promoting healthy child development. According to the respondents, societal expectations to…

France: Novak Djokovic secured his 23rd Grand Slam title in a stunning victory over Casper Ruud in the French Open final. The Serbian superstar beat his rival Rafael Nadal’s record for the most major singles trophies in men’s tennis history. Nadal, a 14-time champion at Roland Garros, was absent from this year’s tournament due to injury. This win marked Djokovic’s third French Open title, adding to his victories in 2016 and 2021. He now stands as the sole male player to have won at least three titles in each major event. Since his first Slam win in 2008 at the…

Sweden: A new report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (Sipri) has stated an increase in the number of operational nuclear weapons among major military powers, raising concerns about a dangerous period in human history. The leading thinktank found that there are now approximately 12,512 warheads globally, with 9,576 ready for potential use, marking an increase of 86 compared to 2022. This rise ends a period of gradual decline in nuclear weapons following the end of the Cold War. Sipri attributed 60 of the new warheads to China, while Russia, Pakistan, North Korea, and India were responsible for the…

Taiwan: Taiwan responded swiftly to a breach of the sensitive median line in the Taiwan Strait on 11th June 2023, dispatching fighters and deploying ships and missile systems to monitor 10 Chinese warplanes that crossed the barrier. The Chinese aircraft were accompanied by four warships conducting combat patrols, marking the second instance of renewed military activity by China in less than a week. Previously, 37 Chinese military aircraft had flown into Taiwan’s air defense zone and some proceeded to the western Pacific. China considers Taiwan its own territory and has regularly conducted air force missions near the island in recent…

Morocco: A stunt accident on the set of the upcoming Gladiator sequel in Morocco has resulted in injuries to several crew members. Paramount Pictures, the film’s production company, confirmed that the injuries sustained during a planned stunt sequence were non-life-threatening. The affected crew members are reported to be in stable condition and receiving treatment. Earlier reports indicated that an explosion had occurred on set, leading to six individuals being hospitalized. A source described the incident as terrifying, with a large ball of fire injuring multiple crew members. The accident has left everyone involved, from the lowest-ranking crew members to the…

Ukraine: Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Mr. Zelenskyy confirmed that counteroffensive actions were underway against the invading Russian forces in the country but refrained from providing further details. Speaking at a press conference in Kyiv alongside Canadian Prime Minister Mr. Justin Trudeau, Mr. Zelenskyy responded to Russian President Mr. Vladimir Putin’s earlier statement that Ukraine’s counteroffensive had commenced and Ukrainian forces were facing significant losses. Mr. Zelenskyy stated that defensive and counteroffensive actions were taking place in Ukraine but did not disclose the specific stage or phase of the operations. He emphasized his daily communication with the commanders of various military divisions…

United Kingdom: A recent study conducted along the southern coast of England has uncovered alarming levels of potentially harmful chemicals, including recreational drugs and antidepressants, in water pollution. Scientists involved in the research have expressed concerns about the negative impact of human drugs on marine life. The researchers have presented evidence showing that estrogen found in the water can cause biological changes that feminize male fish. The study was coordinated by the Clean Harbour Partnership (CHP), an organization co-founded by Ms. Bianca Carr. Ms. Carr emphasized the need to move beyond discussing general water contamination issues and focus on the…

Russia: Russian President Mr. Vladimir Putin announced that Ukrainian troops have initiated a long-anticipated counteroffensive in Ukraine, resulting in significant casualties as they attempt to break through Moscow’s defense lines. Speaking in Sochi during a meeting with leaders of the Eurasian Economic Union, Mr. Putin stated that the offensive was underway, citing the deployment of strategic reserves by the Ukrainian army. However, the Russian President emphasized that Ukrainian forces had not achieved their objectives in any combat zone, highlighting the substantial losses they were suffering without providing specific details. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW), a Washington, DC-based…

United States: The United States has accused the Iranian government of helping Russia build a drone manufacturing plant near Moscow in an escalation of their defence cooperation. In a statement, White House National Security Council spokesman Mr. John Kirby cited US intelligence findings that indicated Iran had provided material support for the plant, which could be operational by early next year. US officials also double-downed on claims that Iran has sent hundreds of drones, or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), to Russia for use in Ukraine, where a full-scale invasion was launched in 2022. “Russia has been using Iranian UAVs in recent…