Author: News Desk

United States: The former United States President Mr. Donald Trump’s rape trial will begin next week as scheduled after US judge Lewis A Kaplan rejected a request for a one-month delay, noting the former president cannot make public statements to promote pre-trial publicity. Mr. Kaplan, who is a federal judge in Manhattan, remarked that the civil trial on claims against Mr. Trump brought by the columnist Ms. Jean Carroll will begin as scheduled on April 25. Mr. Trump denies the rape or knowing Carroll. Mr. Kaplan rejected arguments by Mr. Trump’s attorney Mr. Joe Tacopina that the former president’s recent…

Myanmar: Myanmar’s military has announced plans to release 3,113 prisoners, including 98 foreigners, as part of marking the country’s traditional New Year. The statement by the military did not specify whether those imprisoned for opposing its power grab in February 2021 would be freed. The military has jailed thousands of opponents and pro-democracy activists since it seized power and brutally put down protests, including by killing some 3,240 civilians. Lieutenant General Aung Lin Dwe, a spokesman for the military, commented that the amnesty is a “celebration of Myanmar’s New Year to bring joy for the people and address humanitarian concerns.”…

Japan: Sega, a division of Sega Sammy Holdings in Tokyo, has agreed to acquire Angry Birds maker Rovio Entertainment for $776.2 million as the consolidation in gaming continues. Sega announced that it plans to make a tender offer to acquire the Finnish company through the Sega Europe subsidiary, and it has entered into a definitive agreement with Rovio. According to the company, the deal will enable a global expansion of its consumer business through the boost that Rovio will give to its mobile gaming capabilities. Through the deal, Sega aims to acquire all of Rovio’s outstanding shares and options at…

Russia: Russian President Mr. Vladimir Putin has met with China’s Defence Minister Li Shangfu, discussing Beijing’s strengthening engagement with Moscow. The move is part of its foreign policy and an attempt to diminish the influence of the United States and other Western democracies. Mr. Putin and Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu met with General Li Shangfu less than a month after Chinese President Mr. Xi Jinping held a three-day state visit to Moscow. During the meeting, Mr. Putin praised the general development of Russia-China relations. “We are also working actively through the military departments, regularly exchanging information that is useful…

Japan: Japan’s Prime Minister Mr. Fumio Kishida has vowed to boost security as several foreign ministers visit the country, after an apparent smoke bomb was thrown at him. The Japanese PM was evacuated unharmed recently from a public event, with witnesses describing a person throwing an object, followed by smoke and a loud bang. A tighter security plan will be implemented for the climate ministers gathering in Sapporo, where Japan will host delegates from the world’s seven richest nations. Mr. Kishida remarked that the country must maximise its efforts” on security. “At a time when high-ranking officials from all over…

United Kingdom: A new study has found that remnants of ancient viruses passed down over thousands or even millions of years in human DNA could help fight cancer. Scientists at the Francis Crick Institute were studying lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally, to understand why some patients respond better than others to immunotherapy. The research, published in Nature, found the dormant relics of old cells can be activated by cancerous cells. This can then inadvertently help the immune system target and attack the tumour. Scientists said the “fascinating” findings could be used to help more people survive…

Poland: Poland’s government stated that it will temporarily prohibit grain and other food imports from Ukraine as it seeks to address the rising anger of Polish farmers, who say they are losing huge amounts of money to a glut of Ukrainian grain on the market. The leader of Poland’s governing party Mr. Jarosław Kaczynski remarked that the Polish countryside is facing a “moment of crisis” and that while Poland supported Ukraine, it was forced to act to protect its farmers. The government has decided on a regulation that prohibits the importation of grain, but also dozens of other types of…

Montana, United States: Montana lawmakers have passed a bill banning the social media app TikTok from operating in the state, a move that is bound to face legal challenges but also serve as a testing ground for the TikTok-free America many national lawmakers have envisioned. The bill will go to the Republican Governor Mr. Greg Gianforte for his consideration. The state house voted 54–43 to pass the bill. Montana already bans the app on state-owned devices. The bill, known as SB 419, would prohibit mobile app stores from offering TikTok for download to users in Montana. A TikTok spokesperson Mr.…

United States: US Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito has temporarily blocked lower court rulings that imposed temporary restrictions on the abortion pill mifepristone. Mr. Alito imposed a five-day stay after a ruling by a conservative federal judge in Texas, parts of which were then upheld by a conservative appellate court based in New Orleans. For now, access to medication abortion remains unchanged until April 19. The pause gives the high court more time to deliberate on the restrictions imposed by the lower court. The Department of Justice and the drug’s manufacturer, Danco, had asked the Supreme Court to intervene to…

France: France’s constitutional court has approved President Emmanuel Macron’s pension reforms, leading to new nationwide protests against the plan. The nine-member Constitutional Council ruled in favour of key provisions, including raising the retirement age to 64 from 62, judging the legislation to be in accordance with the law. Six minor proposals were rejected, including collecting data from large companies to publish data on how many people over 55 they employ as well as a separate idea to create a special contract for older workers. The ruling paves the way for the President to implement controversial changes that have sparked months…