Author: News Desk

London: The UK government has for the first time used an AI tool called Consult to review public responses to a government consultation. Initially deployed by the Scottish government, Consult was used to analyze feedback on the regulation of non-surgical cosmetic procedures, such as lip fillers. This marks a significant step toward utilizing AI in public sector processes, with plans to expand its use across government consultations to save costs and reduce the workload of officials. The UK government confirmed that Consult was able to analyze over 2,000 public responses, identifying key themes that were subsequently verified and refined by…

New York: United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has unveiled the ‘UN80 Initiative’, a major reform plan aimed at reshaping the structure and operations of the UN ahead of its 80th anniversary in 2025. Speaking to the Member States in New York, Guterres outlined a broad roadmap that seeks to streamline operations, reduce costs, modernise digital platforms, and strengthen the UN’s ability to deliver results across peace, development, and human rights. Launched in March, the initiative is built on three main pillars: boosting operational efficiency, assessing how existing mandates from Member States are being implemented, and exploring structural reforms across the…

Sydney: Australia’s Liberal Party has appointed a woman as its leader, electing Sussan Ley, for the first time in its history, to succeed Peter Dutton after the party’s crushing defeat in the 3 May 2025 federal election. Ley, a senior figure from the party’s moderate faction, narrowly beat Angus Taylor, a conservative candidate promising to restore traditional values, by four votes in the party room ballot. The leadership transition follows what is widely considered the worst election result for the Liberal-National coalition, currently the main opposition bloc in Australian politics. Analysts, party insiders, and MPs blamed the loss on divisive…

London: Migrants will now need to live in the UK for ten years instead of five before they can apply for citizenship, under sweeping migration reforms aimed at reducing the country’s reliance on foreign workers. The new contributions-based model will include exceptions for individuals who provide a high contribution to the economy or society, such as nurses, doctors, engineers, and AI professionals, who may qualify for fast-tracked permanent settlement. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced the measures ahead of the upcoming Immigration White Paper, describing the reforms as a clean break from the past. Starmer said that the settlement should…

Málaga, Spain: In the first direct comparison between two blockbuster weight-loss drugs, Mounjaro (tirzepatide) has proven more effective than Wegovy (semaglutide), delivering significantly greater weight reduction over 72 weeks. According to findings presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Malaga and published in the New England Journal of Medicine, participants using Mounjaro lost an average of 20 percent of their body weight, compared to 14 percent for those on Wegovy. Head-head weight-loss trial The trial, sponsored by Mounjaro’s manufacturer Eli Lilly, involved 750 obese adults with an average weight of 113kg (approximately 18 stone). Participants were given the highest…

New Delhi, India: India and Pakistan have accused each other of violating a ceasefire agreement just hours after both nations announced they had reached a deal to halt military strikes. The ceasefire followed four days of intense cross-border conflict, which was the worst military confrontation between the two countries in decades. The fighting began when India targeted sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir in response to a deadly militant attack in Pahalgam last month, an attack that Pakistan denied involvement in. https://twitter.com/MEAIndia/status/1921261160780701752 US President Donald Trump announced the ceasefire on his Truth Social platform, stating it had been brokered by…

Mumbai, India: Indian cricket fans were left stunned as Rohit Sharma, India’s Test captain and one of its most experienced openers, announced his abrupt retirement from Test cricket. Sharma’s decision, made public through a low-key Instagram post, comes just weeks before India embarks on a crucial five-match Test series in England, a country where India has not won a Test series since 2007. Sharma’s exit leaves a significant leadership and strategic vacuum in the Indian Test squad. At 38, the veteran batter’s form in the longest format had been waning. In his last six Test matches, three each against New…

New Delhi, India / Islamabad, Pakistan: The Kashmir conflict between India and Pakistan has spanned more than seven decades, with both nuclear-armed nations fighting two wars and several smaller conflicts over the disputed region. From the beginning The issue dates back to 1947 when India and Pakistan gained independence from Britain, and the Muslim-majority region of Kashmir became a contested area. Maharaja Hari Singh, the region’s ruler, initially sought independence but later chose to accede to India in October 1947 in exchange for military help against Pakistani tribesmen. This decision led to the first war between India and Pakistan. The…

Vatican City: Leaders of nations and religious communities worldwide have extended heartfelt congratulations to the newly elected Pope Leo XIV, marking a historic moment as Robert Prevost becomes the first North American to lead the Catholic Church. Born in Chicago, Pope Leo XIV is widely regarded as a reform-minded figure. He spent many years serving as a missionary in Peru, where his pastoral work earned him widespread respect. Prevost was later appointed archbishop in the South American country before his elevation to the papacy. The election of an American pope has drawn significant attention, with US President Donald Trump calling…

Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared a unilateral three-day ceasefire in Ukraine, coinciding with the Victory Day parade in Moscow. The truce aligns with Russia’s elaborate celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany. The parade at the Red Square in Moscow has sparked widespread skepticism, as the timing of the ceasefire coincides directly with the build-up to the grand celebrations. The high-profile event is expected to feature a massive military display and will be attended by more than two dozen world leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping. https://twitter.com/BRICSinfo/status/1920382398690161041 Other prominent attendees include the presidents of Brazil,…