Author: News Desk

Australia: Days after the country’s defence minister declared his department would remove the devices from its premises out of concerns for security, Australian officials stated that dozens of security cameras made in China will be torn out of the offices of legislators. According to data published this week, over 250 Australian government sites, including the facilities for the Department of Defense, had at least 913 security cameras made in China installed. Mr. Richard Marles, the Australian Defense Minister, announced last week that all of the cameras within his department’s buildings would be taken down in order to  “make sure that…

Myanmar: The military regime in Myanmar will allow civilians deemed “loyal to the state” to apply for licences to carry weapons. According to reports, the military generals, who seized power from the elected government in 2021, planned to allow citizens over the age of 18 to be licensed to carry several types of guns and ammunition. Public servants and retired military personnel would also be among those allowed to keep weapons. A 15-page document about the new gun policy attributed to the Ministry of Home Affairs and published by pro-military and independent news outlets stated that the policy had been…

Japan: The recovery of Japan’s economy took longer than anticipated in the fourth quarter of 2022 even though the country’s borders were reopened. According to government data released, the second-largest economy in Asia expanded by just 0.2 percent between October and December 2022, suggesting that the global economic slowdown may be hindering the nation’s recovery. After two and a half years of arguably the strictest travel restrictions in the world due to the pandemic, Japan welcomed the return of mass tourism. Before the country closed its borders in response to the entrance of COVID-19, a record 31.9 million foreign visitors…

Nicaragua: The United States has called for the Nicaraguan government to free Bishop Rolando Alvarez of Matagalpa, who was imprisoned and stripped of his citizenship after his refusal to join a group of 222 political prisoners who were released and sent to the US. Mr. Brian Nichols, US Assistant Secretary of State, put pressure on Nicaragua to release the bishop, who was sentenced to 26 years in prison recently over charges of “conspiracy” and “fake news.” “We condemn the Nicaraguan government’s sentencing of Bishop Rolando Alvarez to 26 years in prison, as well as the decision to strip him and…

New Zealand: As devastating tropical storm Gabrielle stormed over New Zealand flooding houses, destroying roads, and knocking out electricity for tens of thousands of people, the country issued a state of emergency. The nation’s North Island experienced what officials described as an “unprecedented weather event” over the course of the previous night. “It’s been a big night for New Zealanders. A lot of families are displaced, a lot of homes are without power,” Prime Minister Mr. Chris Hipkins cited in a statement. Daylight revealed the severity of the disaster: roads eaten away by landslips and collapsed homes buried in mud, silt…

Iran: The Iranian President Mr. Ebrahim Raisi is expected to depart Tehran as he leads a large delegation to China at the invitation of President Mr. Xi Jinping. The three-day trip is Mr. Raisi’s first state visit to the world’s most populous country and the first by an Iranian president in 20 years. Mr. Raisi and Mr. Xi first met as presidents on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Uzbekistan in September 2022. China had supported Iran’s now-successful bid to become a full member of the organization. The Iranian President, who took office in August 2021,…

Israel: Thousands of people are protesting in front of the Israeli parliament as lawmakers engaged in a contentious debate over a plan that would give politicians more control over choosing judges. Widespread opposition has been voiced to the plans, which would give right-wing Prime Minister Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu more influence over nominations to the Supreme Court bench. Many protesters carried the Israeli flag, which is blue and white, as well as signs denouncing what they viewed as an assault on the nation’s democratic institutions. They shouted, “Shame! Shame!” “Save Israel Democracy” and “The entire world is watching” were written on…

China: In a thrilling three-set final at the Dallas Open, Wu Yibing defeated John Isner to become the first person from China to win an ATP title. 23-year-old Wu, saved four match points and defeated American Isner, who has won 16 titles, in just under three hours, winning 6-7(4-7) 7-6(7-3) 7-6(14-12). No Chinese guy has ever won a top-10 opponent or advanced to a tour-level final until his run to the final. The Hangzhou native had already achieved both of those feats when he defeated top seed and world number eight Taylor Fritz in the semifinals. The highest-ranked Chinese player…

New Zealand: In the upper North Island of New Zealand, around 58,000 houses are without power as Cyclone Gabrielle approaches and brings powerful gusts, copious rain, and enormous surf to Auckland and surrounding areas. Although her most devastating gusts bypassed Norfolk Island, Gabrielle passed over the Australian territory in the Tasman Sea. It is now sitting just north of New Zealand, with weather forecasters expecting rain and winds to intensify as it nears land. https://twitter.com/MetService/status/1624939897781092352?s=20&t=_ZvtWFXSkQ8YKLFFVHDF6g “The impact of Gabrielle is still in its early stages and further serious and severe weather is still expected for Tamaki Makaurau (Auckland), later today…

Isreale: The Israeli government has approved the legalisation of nine previously unauthorised Jewish settlements in the West Bank. The decision was condemned by the Palestinian Authority (PA), which called the move “an open war” against its people. According to a statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office, more housing units are likely to be built in separate, existing illegal settlements. “The nine communities had existed for many years; some have existed for decades,” the statement added. They were built without authorization from the Israeli government. More than half a million Israelis live in more than 200 settlements built on Palestinian…