Author: News Desk

Fiji: The Fijian Prime Minister Mr. Sitiveni Rabuka has stated that a police exchange agreement with China is under review as his government considers whether to cancel it outright. In 2011, Fiji’s government signed a memorandum of understanding enabling Fijian police officers to be trained in China. It also saw Chinese officers deployed to Fiji. But since being voted into power in a general election six months ago, Mr. Rabuka’s coalition government has shown more scepticism about close ties with Beijing. During a state visit to New Zealand, the Fijian premier indicated the agreement was on ice as deliberations continued.…

Saudi Arabia: US Secretary of State Mr. Antony Blinken has embarked on a diplomatic mission to mend relations between the United States and Saudi Arabia. In a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the two leaders expressed their commitment to advancing stability, security, and prosperity in the Middle East and beyond. Mr. Blinken highlighted the importance of progress on human rights in strengthening bilateral relations and thanked Saudi Arabia for its assistance in evacuating US citizens from Sudan and its diplomatic efforts to resolve conflicts in Sudan. This visit follows a trip by White House national security adviser…

Australia: Commonwealth Bank, Australia’s largest bank, has been hit with a record-breaking fine of $3.55 million for violating spam laws. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) imposed the penalty after the bank sent 65 million emails to customers that breached the Spam Act. The majority of these marketing emails required customers to log in to unsubscribe, which was deemed unlawful under new regulations that came into effect in April 2021. The updated regulations mandate that marketers must provide an easy unsubscribe option without requiring customers to log in. The breaches occurred following the Commonwealth Bank’s update of its electronic…

Arctic: A new study has indicated that it is now too late to prevent the decline of summer Arctic sea ice, and scientists warn that measures should be taken to prepare for the anticipated increase in extreme weather events across the northern hemisphere as a consequence. The analysis indicates that even with substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, the Arctic is expected to be devoid of ice in September within the next few decades. In fact, if emissions decline slowly or continue to rise, the first ice-free summer could occur as early as the 2030s, ten years earlier than previously…

Ukraine: Ukraine’s military has accused Russian forces of blowing up a major dam in southern Ukraine, a claim denied by the Moscow-installed official in the affected region. The dam’s destruction is believed to be an attempt to hinder the Ukrainian counteroffensive. Ukrainian officials have described the consequences as catastrophic, warning of extensive damage to settlements and the environment. The scale of destruction is currently being assessed, and concerns are mounting over potential flooding along the Dnipro River. The Ukrainian Armed Forces’ southern command and military administration for the Kherson region have urged residents in the vicinity of the right bank…

United States: Apple has officially unveiled a much-anticipated augmented reality headset priced at $3,499, the Apple Vision Pro, in its first major hardware launch for almost a decade. “With Vision Pro, you’re no longer limited by a display. Your surroundings become an infinite canvas. Vision Pro blends digital content into the space around us. It will introduce us to spatial computing,” Apple’s chief executive, Tim Cook, stated. The headset allows users to interact with “apps and experiences”, as Apple vice president of human interface design Mr. Alan Dye said, in an augmented reality (AR) version of their own surroundings or…

United States: Former Vice President Mr. Mike Pence has officially declared his intention to run for the Republican nomination in the upcoming 2024 presidential race. With this announcement, Pence positions himself as a direct contender against his former boss, former President Mr. Donald Trump, who currently leads the Republican field. On 5th June 2023, Mr. Pence’s campaign filed a declaration of candidacy with the Federal Election Commission, and the 63-year-old is expected to kick off his campaign on 7th June 2023 in Iowa, an early nominating state. Mr. Pence, known for his staunch social conservatism and evangelical Christian beliefs, has…

Brazil: The administration of Brazilian President Mr. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has announced its plan to eliminate deforestation by 2030 as part of an international pledge to protect the environment. Mr. Lula and his Environment Minister Ms. Marina Silva unveiled the Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Deforestation in the Amazon, touting it as the latest step in their aggressive platform to combat climate change. “Brazil has resumed its leading role in tackling climate change after four years in which the environment was treated as an obstacle to the immediate profit of a privileged minority. But rich…

United States: Hundreds of women gathered in a sit-in outside the Colorado State Capitol on 5th June 2023, demanding that the state’s Democratic governor, Mr. Jared Polis, enact a total ban on guns. However, the governor’s office promptly responded, stating that such a ban would be unconstitutional. The protest, organized by Ms. Tina Strawn and Ms. Saira Rao, anti-racism activists and founders of Here 4 the Kids, aimed to challenge America’s gun rights culture, which they argue is rooted in white supremacy. The protest, which attracted an estimated 1,000 participants, including out-of-state protesters, received prior support from Hollywood actors such…

Honduras: Honduran President Ms. Xiomara Castro’s administration has revealed that she will travel to China later this week as the Latin American country seeks to establish stronger ties with Beijing. “At the invitation of President Mr. Xi Jinping, I will visit on a special mission with [Foreign Minister Mr. Enrique Reina] the People’s Republic of China between June 9 and 13. The refoundation of Honduras demands new political, scientific, technical, commercial, and cultural horizons,” Ms. Castro posted on Twitter. The trip signifies China’s growing influence in Central America, where countries such as Honduras have sought to balance relations with the…