Author: News Desk

Indonesia: Researchers have discovered the world’s oldest artwork in a cave on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi. The painting, found in the Leang Karampuang cave in the Maros-Pangkep region, is estimated to be around 51,200 years old. Maxime Aubert, an archaeologist at Australia’s Griffith University and co-author of the study published in Nature, described the finding as the ‘oldest evidence of storytelling.’ The newly discovered artwork features three people around a wild pig, measuring 92cm by 38cm (36 inches by 15 inches), rendered in a single shade of dark red pigment. There are other images of pigs in the cave.…

United Kingdom: Millions of people will cast ballots in the general election of 2024 today. Polling places, which are located in areas of neighborhood community centers and schools, will be open from 7:00 until 22:00 BST. There are around 40,000 polling stations and about 46 million eligible voters for the 650 members of the House of Commons. Voter ID is now mandatory for the first general election following the introduction of new regulations in 2023. Voters can use any of the available forms of identification, such as a passport or driver’s license. Every constituency, or area, will have its results…

Japan: The Supreme Court of Japan has declared a defunct eugenics law as unconstitutional that enforced the forced sterilisation of approximately 16,500 disabled individuals between the 1950s and 1990s. In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court also mandated the government to provide damages to 11 victims involved in five cases brought on appeal. The court ruling marks an end to the decades-long struggle for justice by victims who have sought both compensation and an apology. While a 2019 law had initially granted damages to surviving victims, some continued to fight for increased compensation. In four of the cases heard, the…

United States: Former US Navy officer and oceanographer Tim Gallaudet, has published a report urging the world to pay closer attention to Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs). Gallaudet emphasised that these objects could transition seamlessly from air to sea, posing potential national security threats for US. These objects defy the current human-made technology and physical laws. In July 2019, the USS Omaha recorded footage of a UFO, or an Unidentified Aerial Phenomenon (UAP). The object disappeared into the ocean off the coast of San Diego without any trace, showcasing advanced capabilities. The 2019 incident has still not been explained by the…

Freetown: Sierra Leone has taken a significant step in safeguarding children’s rights with the enactment of a new law banning child marriage. The historic moment unfolded at a ceremony organized by First Lady Fatima Maada Bio in the capital, Freetown, where President Julius Maada Bio signed the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act into law. The event, attended by dignitaries including first ladies from Cape Verde and Namibia, underscored Sierra Leone’s commitment to end the harmful practice of child marriage. Under the new legislation, anyone involved in marrying a girl under 18 years old faces severe penalties, including a minimum 15-year…

United States: Democratic lawmaker publicly has urged President Joe Biden to end his re-election bid, raising concerns about his physical and mental fitness for office. Since his awful debate performance against Republican opponent Donald Trump, in which the 81-year-old Democrat stammered and lost his train of thought, Biden’s candidacy has been clouded. “I represent the heart of a congressional district once represented by Lyndon Johnson. Under very different circumstances, he made the painful decision to withdraw. President Biden should do the same,” Doggett said in his statement. Texas Representative Lloyd Doggett was the first person in his party to openly…

Australia: The Australian state of Queensland has ordered a purge of frozen sperm after an audit by its health watchdog found that nearly half of fertility samples were at risk of being misidentified. Advocates claim that such confusion increases the risk of unintentional incest and can deprive parents and donor children of important genetic information and medical records. One of the biggest IVF industries in the nation is based in Queensland, but it is self-regulated and has drawn criticism after several of its major providers were accused of malpractice. The nationwide sperm donor shortage, brought on by increased demand, regulatory…

India: The solemn atmosphere has turned tragic as more than 100 people lost their lives and over a dozen were injured in a stampede during a Hindu religious gathering in northern India. The incident occurred in a village in Hathras district, approximately 200km southeast of New Delhi. According to authorities, the stampede broke out during a sermon by a prominent preacher, exacerbated by a sudden dust storm that sparked panic among attendees as they were leaving the event. The majority of the casualties were women and children, many were crushed or trampled and fell on top of each other. Some…

Gaza: Thousands of Palestinians have fled their homes in southern Gaza after Israeli forces bombarded several areas and issued a new evacuation order for Khan Younis. Health officials reported that during Tuesday’s strikes on many neighborhoods in Khan Younis, at least eight persons lost their lives and over thirty were injured. Weeks after Israeli tanks withdrew from the region, a spate of attacks terrified the locals. 250,000 people reside in the area that the Israeli military has identified as an evacuation zone in Khan Younis, according to Sam Rose, planning director of UNRWA, the UN Relief and Works Agency for…

UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations General Assembly has passed a Chinese-sponsored resolution, supported by the US, urging wealthy nations to close the widening gap with poorer countries and ensure equal opportunities to use and benefit from artificial intelligence (AI). The resolution follows the March 21 adoption of the first UN resolution on AI, led by the United States and co-sponsored by 123 countries, including China. The adoption of both the non-binding resolutions demonstrates that the United States and China, are committed to shaping the future of AI technology and are cooperating on these initial international efforts. The unanimous approval of…