Author: News Desk

Japan: Japan’s prime minister Mr. Fumio Kishida has announced a goal of having nearly one-third of executive positions at top Japanese companies held by women by the end of the decade. The objective appears to be an effort to address the country’s poor track record on gender equality before the G7 leaders’ summit in Hiroshima in May 2023. According to Mr. Kishida, promoting greater boardroom diversity will strengthen Japan’s position as the world’s third-largest economy. “We seek to have the ratio of women among executives at 30 percent or more by 2030 in companies that are listed on the Tokyo…

United States: Amazon has reported impressive financial results for the first quarter, with a profit of $3.2 billion. This marks a significant improvement from the same quarter last year, which saw a loss of $3.8 billion. The e-commerce giant’s earnings have surpassed analysts’ expectations, highlighting the company’s continued success and growth in the market. Amazon’s shift to profitability can be attributed to the implementation of stringent cost-cutting measures in recent times. The e-commerce giant has taken several steps in this direction, including two rounds of layoffs, cancelling certain products, and putting a stop to physical store expansions. These measures have…

Ukraine: NATO’s Secretary General Mr. Jens Stoltenberg has announced that Ukraine has been provided with 1,550 armored vehicles and 230 tanks by NATO allies and partner countries, which constitutes over 98 percent of the combat vehicles promised to Ukraine during Russia’s invasion and war. The deliveries were made to form units and help Ukraine regain territory from Russian forces. “In total, we have trained and equipped more than nine new Ukrainian armoured brigades. This will put Ukraine in a strong position to continue to retake occupied territory,” Stoltenberg told a news conference. More than 30,000 troops are estimated to make…

Brazil: The late football legend, Mr. Pelé, has become officially associated with the words “exceptional, incomparable, unique,” due to his legacy and impact on the sport. In its online edition, the Michaelis dictionary, widely used in Brazil, has included “pelé” as a new adjective in Portuguese. The Pelé Foundation launched a campaign to honour the football star, which garnered over 125,000 signatures and included “pelé” as a new adjective in the Portuguese language version of the popular Michaelis dictionary. At the age of 82, Mr. Pelé passed away in December 2022. Having won the World Cup three times, Mr. Pelé…

Uganda: Uganda’s President Mr. Yoweri Museveni, has asked lawmakers to clarify that merely identifying as gay is not a criminal offence under a proposed anti-homosexuality law. This move comes in response to international condemnation of the proposed legislation, which is one of the world’s harshest anti-LGBTQ laws. The bill criminalises a broad range of homosexual activities and carries stiff penalties, including death for aggravated homosexuality. In March 2022, legislators in Uganda overwhelmingly passed the bill, which has been widely criticized by human rights defenders, Western governments, and corporations. In a letter to the parliament’s speaker, Mr. Museveni outlined his reasons…

United States: A Sri Lankan provincial governor who has been accused of involvement in killings during the country’s civil war has been denied a visa by the United States on human rights grounds. The decision signals the US government’s commitment to holding individuals accountable for alleged human rights violations and underscores the importance of upholding international human rights standards. The move comes amid ongoing efforts to promote justice and reconciliation in Sri Lanka in the aftermath of the long and bloody conflict. According to a recent investigation in Sri Lanka, former navy chief Mr. Wasantha Karannagoda and others are alleged…

Rome, Italy: Pope Francis has granted women the right to vote in an upcoming gathering of bishops. This significant decision is a reflection of the Pope’s aim to empower women with greater decision-making responsibilities within the church. After years of persistent calls from women demanding the right to vote, Pope Francis has approved alterations to the norms that regulate the Synod of Bishops, a Vatican entity that convenes bishops from around the world for regular meetings. This decision signifies a significant step towards granting women more agency in the workings of the church. The Vatican released the revisions authorized by…

Africa: A new scientific study has shown that the severe drought in the Horn of Africa is a result of human-made climate change. This drought has directly affected around 50 million people in the region and another 100 million in surrounding areas, with approximately 20 million people at risk of famine. The drought has been ongoing since October 2020, with five consecutive seasons of below-normal rainfall, resulting in extended dry conditions and short, intense rainfall that has led to flash flooding. The World Weather Attribution group of scientists conducted a study that revealed that the current drought would not have…

United States: The US and South Korea have restated their commitment to their alliance and have agreed to allow nuclear-armed submarines to make port visits again. Both countries have also issued a warning to North Korea that any nuclear attack would result in a swift and decisive response, including the use of US nuclear weapons. The South Korean President Mr. Yoon Suk Yeol made it explicit that the response would include US nuclear weapons, which is an element of the alliance that is usually left unsaid. The announcement came during a visit by Mr. Yoon to Washington, where he and…

Sudan: According to the UN envoy to Sudan, there are no indications that the conflicting parties are prepared to engage in substantive negotiations to bring an end to the fighting. Despite a fragile 72-hour ceasefire, reports of armed clashes in key areas of the capital city, Khartoum, and other locations suggest that the ceasefire is not fully holding. During a UN Security Council meeting held in New York City on 25th April 2023, Mr. Volker Perthes, the UN envoy to Sudan, stated that each party involved in the conflict is convinced that they can emerge as the winner. “There is…