Author: Trainee Reporter

Geneva: The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has reported that Asia faced the highest number of weather, climate, and water disasters in 2023. The United Nations weather agency noted that floods and storms caused the most reported casualties and economic losses. Additionally, the impact of heat waves became more severe. The ‘State of the Climate in Asia 2023’ report revealed that the rate of major climate transition indicators such as surface temperature, glacier pullout, and sea level upgrade is accelerating. This is expected to deliver significant impacts on societies, economies, and ecosystems in the region. Sea-surface temperatures in the northwest Pacific Ocean will reach record-high levels in the last…

Toronto: Gukesh Dommaraju, a teenage chess prodigy from India, has just become the youngest player to win the men’s Candidates Tournament in Toronto, Canada. This impressive feat gives him the opportunity to challenge reigning world champion Ding Liren of China at the 2024 World Chess Championship later this year. If Gukesh, also known as Gukesh D, manages to conquer Ding, who is wallowing with subpar records lately, he will beat Garry Kasparov’s record of being the youngest world champion at 22. After completing the round-robin tournament, the emerging youngest champion said that, “I was completely emotional but after the game, I’m feeling quite good. I don’t really care about being the…

United Kingdom: Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s proposed Rwanda deportation bill has been passed by the UK Commons and Lords after a long-drawn-out battle. This means that legal disputes can now ensue over the potential removal of dozens of asylum seekers. Despite attempts by opposition and crossbench peers to amend the legislation, they eventually relented, allowing the bill to pass. The proposed bill is expected to receive royal consent soon. Officials from the Home Office already recognised a bunch of sanatorium petitioners with weak lawful affirmations to stay in the United Kingdom, who will be sent to East Africa in July as part…

Syria: The Iraqi groups have launched several rockets from Zummar toward a US military base in northern Syria. United States battalions since early February when Iranian-backed forces in Iraq concluded a movement of frequent attacks against the US-led international association. The aggressiveness continued a day after Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani came back from a visit to the United States where he met with President Joe Biden. As per a post on a Telegram group linked with Kataib Hezbollah, the armed coalitions in Iraq are determined to restart invasions after a three-month break due to the lack of advancement…

Israel: The chief of Israeli military intelligence has resigned, taking responsibility for the failures that led to the Hamas attack on Israel in October. Major General Aharon Haliva will retire once his successor is selected, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). In a letter, he acknowledged that his intelligence directorate “did not live up to the task we were entrusted with”. This attack was the deadliest in Israel’s history, and Haliva is the first senior figure to step down over the incident. Multiple forewarnings were ignored or missed by Israeli troops and intelligence administrators before hundreds of Hamas gunmen broke…

United Kingdom: The governments of Saudi Arabia and the UK are organising a significant expo named ‘GREAT FUTURES.’ The expo will focus on business, tourism, and cultural exchange. The UK government’s GREAT Britain and Northern Ireland campaign is partnering with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s government to hold the expo in Riyadh on the 14th and 15th of May 2024. This flagship event will be held for two days in Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) and will host about 750 representatives. Oliver Dowden, the Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, will lead over 300-strong British delegations that will showcase…

China: Over 60,000 people have been evacuated from their homes in Guangdong due to heavy rains that led to flooding in China’s most populous province. According to reports, three people died and 11 are missing. The flood submerged a large area of land and rescue workers are using lifeboats to haul people into waist-deep water. Many significant rivers drowned, and authorities are exhaustively observing water levels considered dangerously increased. Officials cautioned that the level of the northern Guangdong River could achieve a ‘once in 100 years’ elevation soon, but it is yet to occur. A substantial portion of Guangdong province is located…

New York: Eric Adams, New York City Mayor, has addressed the protests at Columbia University, in which he rebuked hate speech and anti-Semitism. Adams expressed his horror and disgust at the antisemitism being erupted on and around the University campus. The protests, which is going on for five days, are a result of the Israel-Hamas warfare and led to the detention of over 100 individuals according to police. “I have instructed the NYPD to investigate any violation of the law that is reported. Rest assured, the NYPD will not hesitate to arrest anyone who is found to be breaking the…

Maldives: The People’s National Congress (PNC) of Mohamed Muizzu, the Maldives’ President has won a stunning victory in the parliamentary elections, consolidating his position in power. Provisional results indicate that the PNC secured 66 of the 93 seats in the house. Experts consider the outcome a powerful endorsement of Muizzu’s foreign policy, which aims to establish close associations with China. Muizzu, who is perceived as pro-China, plans to limit India’s long-standing influence in his nation. The PNC’s victory, which will be confirmed in a few days, is defined as a ‘supermajority.’ The party won the two-thirds majority in parliament necessary…

England: Mark Menzies, Fylde MP, has resigned from the UK Conservative Party due to a campaign fund misuse probe. An internal inquiry discovered ‘a pattern of behaviour that falls below the standards expected of Members of Parliament.’ Menzies was charged with misapplying political contributions to shield his medical expenditures and to pay off ‘bad people’ who locked him in a flat and summoned money for his release. A probe was conducted into the claims of misdeed against Menzies, who denied the allegations. The investigation concluded with the findings that there was no mishandling of party allotments. However, the MP’s demeanour…