Author: News Desk

Beijing: Saudi Arabia and Iran have agreed to reopen their diplomatic missions in Tehran and Riyadh, respectively. Both countries further made a deal to encourage visits by official and private delegations as well as facilitate visas for Iranian and Saudi citizens. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and his Iranian counterpart, Mr. Hossein Amirabdollahian, shook hands in the Chinese capital, Beijing, in the first formal meeting of the two senior officials after a years-long rift between Tehran and Riyadh. “The technical teams will continue coordination to examine the ways of expanding cooperation, including the resumption of flights and…

United Kingdom: A new study has found that ice sheets can collapse into the ocean in spurts of up to 600 metres (2,000 feet) a day, far faster than has ever been recorded before. The researchers stated that the finding, based on sea floor sediment formations from the last ice age, was a “warning from the past” for today’s world, in which the climate crisis is eroding ice sheets. According to the authors, the discovery shows that some ice sheets in Antarctica, including the “Doomsday” Thwaites glacier, could suffer periods of rapid collapse in the near future, further contributing to…

France: Leaders from France and the European Union will meet with Mr. Xi Jinping, a close ally of Mr. Vladimir Putin, in Beijing to advocate for Europe’s efforts to end the conflict in Ukraine. French President Mr. Emmanuel Macron and European Commission Chief Ms. Ursula von der Leyen will be welcomed by the Chinese President at the Great Hall of the People, which is considered the centre of power in the capital city. China is facing increasing pressure from the West to become more involved in the peace process in Ukraine, even though Beijing officially maintains a neutral stance. Despite…

London, UK: A White House spokesperson has confirmed that Mr. Joe Biden has agreed to undertake a state visit to meet King Charles III, following an invitation. During a cordial 25 to 30 minute phone conversation, Mr. Biden extended his congratulations to King Charles III on his impending coronation and received an invitation for a state visit. However, the US president will not be present at the coronation ceremony. Consistent with historical practice, Mr. Biden will not be attending the coronation of King Charles III, as it is customary for US presidents to abstain from such events. This aligns with…

United States: Taiwan’s President Ms. Tsai Ing-wen has met with United States House Speaker Mr. Kevin McCarthy in California in a historic visit that has already sparked condemnation from China. The two leaders sat down together at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley. Mr. McCarthy called the Taiwanese President “a great friend to America,” adding that “I am optimistic we will continue to find ways for the people of America and Taiwan to work together to promote economic freedom, democracy, peace, and stability.” Ms. Tsai thanked McCarthy and the rest of the congressional delegation for their hospitality, saying,…

Israel: During the holy month of Ramadan, Israeli forces raided the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem, firing stun grenades and tear gas at Palestinian worshippers in a violent confrontation at one of Islam’s most sacred sites. The Al-Aqsa Mosque is considered the third holiest site in Islam. According to Wafa, the official news agency of the Palestinian Authority, dozens of worshippers who were praying overnight were injured in a police raid at dawn on 5th April 2023. The incident has drawn condemnation from Palestinians and several Arab nations. Palestinian officials report that at least 400 Palestinians were arrested by…

New Zealand: In an emotional farewell speech, former New Zealand Prime Minister Ms. Jacinda Ardern urged politicians to prioritize climate change by setting aside political differences. Ms. Ardern implored lawmakers to work together and take action against the urgent threat of climate change, as she bid farewell to parliament. Earlier this year, Mr. Ardern surprised New Zealand by announcing her resignation as prime minister and exit from parliament, claiming she no longer had “enough in the tank.” “It was a cross between a sense of duty to steer a moving freight train… and being hit by one,” the former PM…

Afghanistan: A UN spokesman has stated that the Taliban have issued an order to ban Afghan women employees of the United Nations staff from working throughout Afghanistan. Mr. Stephane Dujarric said this was the latest in a “disturbing trend” undermining the ability of aid organisations to work in Afghanistan, where some 23 million people, more than half the country’s population, need help. “UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres would view any ban on Afghan women working for the United Nations in their country as unacceptable and, frankly, inconceivable,” Mr. Dujarric noted. “We’re still looking into how this development would affect our operations…

United States: United States President Joe Biden has stated that artificial intelligence (AI) “could be” dangerous, but it remains to be seen how the technology will affect society. Speaking at a meeting with science and technology advisers, Mr. Biden remarked that technology companies have a responsibility to ensure their products are safe before their release. “Tech companies have a responsibility, in my view, to make sure their products are safe before making them public,” the US President noted during a meeting of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology. Asked if AI was dangerous, Mr. Biden replied that…

London, UK: In a long-awaited announcement, Buckingham Palace has confirmed that Ms. Camilla, the wife of King Charles, will be known as Queen Camilla following the upcoming coronation. Despite initial plans for her to take the title of princess consort, this news has been widely anticipated by many. The palace has been evasive for years when questioned about the appropriate title for Camilla upon Charles’ ascension to the throne. Refusing to give a direct answer to the “queen question,” the topic has remained shrouded in mystery until now. Upon her marriage to the then Prince of Wales in 2005, a…