Author: Web Desk

Tokyo: Japan boxing safety measures have been reinforced after the deaths of super featherweight Shigetoshi Kotari and lightweight Hiromasa Urakawa, who sustained fatal brain injuries in separate bouts on the same card at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo on August 2. The Japan Boxing Commission (JBC) has confirmed that pre-bout urine tests will be introduced to check hydration levels, along with stricter rules on rapid weight loss. Fighters who regain more than 10 percent of their bodyweight between the weigh-in and fight day will be moved up a weight class for future contests, public broadcaster NHK has reported. Kotari, collapsed after…

Madrid: Southern Europe wildfires have intensified during a severe heatwave that has pushed temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius, claiming lives and forcing thousands to evacuate across multiple countries. Authorities in Italy, France, Spain, Portugal and the Balkans have issued red heat alerts, warning of serious health risks as parts of Spain and Portugal record highs of 44 degrees Celsius. In Spain, an equestrian centre worker has died from severe burns in Tres Cantos near Madrid, where strong winds drove wildfires towards homes. Almost 4,000 residents have been evacuated in Castile and Leon, with one fire threatening the UNESCO-listed Las Médulas…

Uttarakhand: A week after devastating flash floods struck India’s Uttarakhand state, search teams have been working to locate 66 missing people. Officials report that only one body has been recovered so far, revising earlier estimates of higher casualties. The disaster struck on August 5 when heavy rains triggered a massive mudslide, submerging half of Dharali village and damaging a nearby army camp. The flash floods have posed significant challenges to rescue operations, with blocked highways and continuing bad weather hampering efforts. About 1,300 people have been evacuated from the area since the flash floods began. The swollen Kheerganga river unleashed…

China: Italian orienteer Mattia Debertolis has died after collapsing during a competition at the World Games in Chengdu, China, officials confirmed. The competitor was found unconscious during the middle-distance final on August 8 and passed away four days later despite receiving emergency medical treatment at one of China’s top hospitals. The incident occurred during challenging conditions, with temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius at the competition venue. Debertolis was one of twelve athletes listed as ‘Did Not Finish’ in the official results. The International Orienteering Federation (IOF) expressed profound grief over the loss, with President Tom Hollowell stating the tragedy was…

Seoul: South Korea’s military has fallen to approximately 450,000 active personnel, marking a 20 percent reduction since 2019, according to a defence ministry report shared by Democratic Party lawmaker. Officials confirmed that the primary driver of the decline is the nation’s persistently low birthrate, which at 0.75 children per woman is the lowest in the world. South Korea’s military maintains mandatory service for all able-bodied men, largely due to its unresolved conflict with nuclear-armed North Korea. Currently, service lasts 18 months, with exemptions and deferments rarely granted. Critics of the system argue that it disrupts young men’s careers, while some…

Dhaka: The Bangladesh dengue outbreak has escalated sharply this year, claiming 101 lives and infecting 24,183 people, according to official data. Health authorities have warned that without urgent intervention, the mosquito-borne disease could worsen in August and peak in September. Fatalities have been rising rapidly, with 19 deaths already recorded in August, following 41 in July, more than double the 19 deaths seen in June. Experts have noted that the outbreak has spread widely across the country, intensifying pressure on both urban and rural healthcare facilities. Kabirul Bashar, an entomologist at Jahangirnagar University, has stated that the situation is critical…

Georgia: The first female MLB umpire has stepped into the spotlight, making history during a regular season game between the Miami Marlins and Atlanta Braves. Jen Pawol, 48, has served as first base umpire in Atlanta, Georgia, earning loud cheers and a standing ovation from the crowd. Pawol has stated that she is aware of the gravity and magnitude of the moment, describing the experience as intense and emotional. Supporters in the stands have displayed signs reading ‘Pawol making HERstory’ and ‘the time has come for one & all to play ball.’ https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1954247432931336546 Following the game, Pawol has donated the…

London: The Metropolitan Police have arrested more than 474 people during a protest in central London against the government’s decision to ban the activist group Palestine Action. The demonstration took place in Parliament Square on August 9 and was organised by Defend Our Juries. Palestine Action was proscribed in July under the Terrorism Act 2000, after members carried out actions including breaking into RAF Brize Norton and causing damage to aircraft valued at $8.9 million (£7 million). The government has said the ban followed strong security advice due to the group’s history of serious attacks and plans for further incidents.…

China: Public concern is rising in China over the ongoing China Chikungunya virus outbreak, as citizens and rights groups have expressed alarm that containment efforts may be infringing on civil liberties. The virus, which is non-fatal and mosquito-borne, has triggered aggressive health surveillance measures in Guangdong province, where over 8,000 cases have been reported since the outbreak began about a month ago in Foshan. One widely discussed case involves a mother in Zhanjiang whose children had blood samples taken by health officials while the parent was away working a night shift. A local pharmacy had reported the son for presenting…

Geneva: Gaza child malnutrition has worsened significantly, with nearly 12,000 children under the age of five now suffering from acute malnutrition, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The agency confirmed that July recorded the highest number of monthly cases to date, highlighting the growing humanitarian crisis in the war-torn region. WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that between January and July 29, at least 99 people had died due to hunger-related causes, including 35 children, 29 of whom were under five. Figures from UNICEF show that admissions for malnutrition nearly doubled from 6,344 in June to 11,877 in…