Author: News Desk

Ukraine: Ukraine has called Russia’s presidency of the UN Security Council for the month of April “a symbolic blow,” joining the Western countries. Moscow assumes the presidency as part of its monthly rotation among the Security Council’s 15 member states. “It’s not just a shame. It is another symbolic blow to the rules-based system of international relations,” Mr. Andriy Yermak, the Ukrainian president’s chief of staff, wrote on Twitter. According to Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Mr. Dmytro Kuleba, Russia assuming the presidency was “a slap in the face to the international community”. “I urge the current UNSC members to thwart any…

Russia: According to Russia’s state news agency, Russian forces in Syria have expressed their concern at what Moscow has referred to as “provocative actions” by American forces deployed in the country as well. In the northeastern Syrian province of Hassakeh, where US forces have been stationed for several years, leading a coalition of local Kurdish troops fighting against ISIL (ISIS) and its remnants, “provocative” incidents have reportedly taken place, according to a senior Russian military official quoted by TASS on 31st March 2023. Russian Rear Admiral Mr. Oleg Gurinov, head of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Parties in…

United States: Mr. Elon Musk defended his contentious pay model for Twitter on 31st March 2023, asserting that any social media site that didn’t follow it would fail because of a bot invasion. Mr. Musk made his prediction that on the eve of Twitter’s April 1 ultimatum that verified accounts with the cherished blue tick that had not paid up would lose it. During a Twitter Q&A, Musk stated, “The fundamental challenge here is that it’s (easy) to literally create 10,000 or 100,000 fake Twitter accounts using just one computer at home and with modern AI (artificial intelligence).” That is…

London, UK: Mr. Donncha Ó Cearbhaill, the head of Amnesty International’s security lab, has reacted to the claim that India is looking for alternative spyware technology to replace NSO Group’s Pegasus surveillance software. With over 10 million members in 150+ nations, Amnesty International works to put a stop to violations of human rights. Yet, Pegasus’ use has generated debate because it has been connected to violations of privacy and human rights. In 2021, the Supreme Court of India established a technical committee to investigate at misuse of spyware in response to revelations made by Amnesty International in the Pegasus Project.…

Tukey: Turkey has finally approved Finland’s application to join NATO after months of delays, while continuing to block Sweden from joining the alliance. The Turkish Parliament voted unanimously in favor of Finland’s membership, clearing the last hurdle in the accession process. The vote fulfils Turkish President Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s “promise” to allow Finland into the defence alliance. Turkey was the last NATO member to approve Finland’s accession. In a statement after the vote, Finnish President Mr. Sauli Niinisto remarked his country is “now ready to join NATO.” “All 30 NATO members have now ratified Finland’s membership. I want to…

Burundi: More than 56,000 Congolese refugees may soon only receive half the food rations they require due to a reduction in financing for food needs in five camps in Burundi.  The majority of the refugees, who are escaping fighting in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), need food aid to feed their families. On 1st April 2023, World Food Programme (WFP) will be forced to reduce rations in a country experiencing humanitarian needs compounded by high levels of food insecurity, poverty and the continued influx of refugees fleeing the conflict. The ration cut will worsen food insecurity and…

Japan: Japan’s government has announced that it plans to restrict exports of 23 types of semiconductor manufacturing equipment, following similar moves by the US and the Netherlands. Japan, a country home to major international chip equipment makers such as Nikon Corp. and Tokyo Electron Ltd., did not refer to China as the target of those measures, stating equipment makers will need to seek export permission for all regions. “We are fulfilling our responsibility as a technological nation to contribute to international peace and stability,” the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry noted in a statement. According to the Ministry, the…

London, UK: A rule that prohibits individuals deemed to have violated human rights from running or owning football clubs has been approved by the Premier League. At a shareholder meeting, the top-flight football teams in England unanimously approved the changes, which went into effect right away. Under strengthened owners and directors test for the Premier League, human rights violations will be one of many new “disqualifying events” based on the Global Human Rights Sanctions Regulations 2020. A person or organisation subject to British government sanctions would also be disqualified under the new regulations. Crimes involving aggression, corruption, fraud, tax evasion,…

Israel: A new finding shows that the plant kingdom is not as silent as it first appears, and that ultrasonic sounds released by plants may even help alter their ecosystems, according to one independent expert who called it “exciting and thought-provoking.” A plant eventually reaches a point in its existence when the head droops, the leaves become pale and the body erupts in a hail of ultrasonic sounds similar to stamping on bubble wrap. A lack of water or a sudden wound can also cause plants to create staccato pops, which adjacent species may respond to. While any gardener is…

United States: A New York jury has indicted former United States President Donald Trump on charges related to an alleged hush money payment made to a porn star ahead of the 2016 presidential election. The Manhattan jury voted to indict Mr. Trump, making him the first former president to face criminal prosecution in US history. The office of Manhattan District Attorney Mr. Alvin Bragg issued a statement saying prosecutors are working with Mr. Trump’s lawyers to arrange his surrender. “Guidance will be provided when the arraignment date is selected,” the statement added. The former President responded to the indictment by…