Author: News Desk

Russia: South Africa’s ground forces commander recently travelled to Moscow for discussions with Russian counterparts, following accusations from Washington that South Africa had clandestinely supplied weapons to Russia. In response to recent developments, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) clarified on 15th May 2023 that the meeting between the commander of the ground forces and their Russian counterparts had been prearranged well in advance. The SANDF stated that it was part of a longstanding arrangement and characterized the visit as a goodwill gesture, extended at the invitation of the Russian army. According to a statement released by the SANDF,…

United Kingdom: A new report by Amnesty International has revealed that the number of known executions in 2022 has reached its highest point in the last five years. According to the report, 883 people were executed, excluding China, where thousands are believed to have been executed. The use of the death penalty for drug offences has raised concerns among human rights activists. The report further states that the number of executions has increased by over 50 percent compared to the previous year. Amnesty International has expressed serious concerns about the use of the death penalty, particularly in the Middle East…

Thailand: Thailand’s two main opposition parties, Move Forward and Pheu Thai, have agreed to form a ruling coalition after they trounced military-backed rivals in a weekend election that has controlled the government for nearly a decade. Despite their victory, both parties may face difficulties in securing enough support due to parliamentary rules that have been drafted by the military in favour of its allies following a coup in 2014. The junta-appointed Senate, which has a history of favouring conservative parties led by generals, has the power to vote on the prime minister in a bicameral sitting of the 750-member legislature.…

Turkey: The Turkish political landscape is poised for a crucial run-off as President Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan narrowly misses the required 50 percent vote share needed for an outright victory, based on nearly complete vote counts. Meanwhile, opposition candidate Mr. Kemal Kilicdaroglu, previously predicted as the frontrunner in opinion polls, secures an impressive 45 percent of the ballots. With Erdogan’s diminished vote share and Kilicdaroglu’s significant surge, all eyes turn to the impending run-off, setting the stage for an intense political battle in Turkey. President Mr. Erdogan, aged 69, has expressed his commitment to honor the nation’s verdict as the…

London, UK: Researchers have unveiled a link between the amount of adult speech children are exposed to during their early years and the subsequent formation of their brain structure. The study’s findings shed light on the crucial role of early language exposure in shaping the developing brain. This groundbreaking research brings us closer to understanding the intricate connection between language stimulation and neural development in young children. Previous studies have already hinted at the advantages of engaging in conversation with young children, and now further research solidifies these claims. The latest findings indicate that actively talking to children at an…

Myanmar: Western Myanmar finds itself in the grip of a relentless onslaught as Cyclone Mocha, having made a forceful landfall along the Bay of Bengal coastline on 14th May 2023, unleashes its wrath. This powerful cyclone has unleashed ferocious winds and unleashed torrents of rain, plunging the region into chaos and posing severe threats to lives and infrastructure. With wind speeds surpassing 200 kilometers per hour (195 mph), the cyclone wreaks havoc by tearing off roofs from buildings and toppling powerlines. These alarming scenes depict the sheer force of nature’s fury unleashed by Cyclone Mocha, leaving a trail of destruction…

China: A top Chinese envoy will begin a tour of Ukraine, Russia, and other European cities in a trip Beijing says is aimed at discussing a “political settlement” to the Ukraine crisis. According to the country’s foreign ministry, Mr. Li Hui, China’s special representative for Eurasian affairs and former ambassador to Russia, will also visit Poland, France, and Germany on the multi-day trip. The visit comes after a significant phone call between Ukrainian President Mr. Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Chinese President Mr. Xi Jinping. The conversation marks the first known wartime call between the two leaders. Mr. Xi Jinping emphasised China’s…

France: France has committed to sending additional light tanks and armoured vehicles to Ukraine and will train its soldiers to use them effectively. This decision was made following a meeting between Ukrainian President Mr. Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French President Mr. Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace in Paris. “In the coming weeks, France will train and equip several battalions with tens of armoured vehicles and light tanks, including the AMX-10RC,” the two leaders said in a joint statement after some three hours of talks. Mr. Macron reaffirmed that France will continue to provide political, financial, humanitarian, and military support to…

Nepal: A Sherpa guide from Nepal has successfully scaled Mount Everest for the 26th time, according to officials. This feat matches the record previously set by fellow Nepalese guide Mr. Kami Rita Sherpa, establishing them both as the individuals with the most ascents of the world’s highest peak. The 46-year-old Mr. Pasang Dawa Sherpa reached the summit of the 8,849-meter (29,032-foot) Mount Everest, solidifying his position as the second person in the world to accomplish this remarkable feat. The announcement was made by government tourism official Mr. Bigyan Koirala on 14th May 2023. As Mr. Kami Rita, the seasoned climber,…

Germany: The German government has declared its commitment to provide Ukraine with substantial military assistance amounting to nearly $3 billion. This aid package includes tanks, anti-aircraft systems, and ammunition. The announcement was made ahead of the scheduled visit of Ukrainian President Mr. Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Berlin, underscoring the strengthening of bilateral relations between the two nations. Highlighting Germany’s firm commitment to supporting Ukraine, German Defence Minister Mr. Boris Pistorius stated on Saturday that the latest military aid package, valued at $2.95 billion, aims to demonstrate Germany’s unwavering dedication. This significant assistance underscores the seriousness with which Germany stands by Ukraine…