Browsing: News

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has called on countries to halt the cultivation of tobacco and instead support farmers in growing food, citing the global hunger crisis and the staggering death toll of eight million caused by tobacco-related diseases annually. In anticipation of World No Tobacco Day on Wednesday, May 31st, the WHO expressed concern that 3.2 million hectares of arable land in 124 countries are dedicated to cultivating the lethal tobacco plant, even in regions where people suffer from severe malnutrition. WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, highlighted that governments worldwide are spending millions to subsidize tobacco farming, emphasizing that…

Abu Dhabi-based company, Masdar, is making impressive strides towards becoming one of the world’s largest renewable energy companies by 2030. The company recently announced that it has nearly doubled its clean energy capacity and CO2 displacement in just two years. Masdar’s Sustainability Report for 2022 reveals that it achieved a clean energy capacity of 20 gigawatts (GW), generated 18,000 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of clean energy, and displaced 10 million tonnes of CO2. These significant achievements firmly establish Masdar’s commitment to climate action and its determination to play a leading role in the global transition to clean energy. Masdar’s Sustainability Report also…

The US State Department recently published a contentious report on international religious freedom, making claims about India based on misleading and inaccurate data sourced from Christian evangelist groups and radical Islamist organizations. This report, produced by the Office of International Religious Freedom under the State Department, relied heavily on information provided by several organizations, including the Federation of Indian Christian Organization in North America (FIACONA), United Christian Forum, Open Doors USA, Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI), International Christian Concern, and the Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC). Unfortunately, these organizations have been accused of fabricating data related to alleged atrocities against…

According to The Daily Telegraph, India is set to initiate a monumental campaign to reclaim artifacts ensconced in British museums and royal collections, with the illustrious Kohinoor diamond at its forefront. This move is poised to be one of the most significant repatriation claims ever faced by the United Kingdom, surpassing even Greece’s demand for the return of the Elgin Marbles. The objective of repatriating these historical treasures is a paramount priority for the administration led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Since assuming office in 2014, Modi has been instrumental in steering India towards progressive reforms and international recognition. This…

Following the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, Pakistan has been plunged into a state of unrest as violent protests erupt across the nation. Khan’s supporters have taken to the streets, storming the army headquarters in Rawalpindi, blocking roads and highways, and setting a police vehicle on fire in Karachi. In an unprecedented move, thousands of PTI supporters gathered outside the residence of the corps commander in Lahore and the headquarters of the Frontier Corps in Peshawar. While political protests are common in Pakistan, it is unusual for people to gather outside army headquarters and directly confront the military.…

In an effort to restore the population of endangered red-headed vultures in Thailand, conservationists at the Nakhon Ratchasima Zoo in the country’s northeast are taking a unique approach to breeding and raising these magnificent birds. The team, led by Thai conservationist Watchiradol Phangpanya, uses costumes to imitate the appearance of adult vultures while caring for the hatchlings. This method is intended to prevent the young birds from imprinting on humans, thereby better preparing them for eventual release into the wild. The first red-headed, or Asian king vulture, bred in Asia, is currently being nurtured by the conservation team. The chick,…

Indian police have successfully apprehended the notorious Sikh separatist, Amritpal Singh, after an intense month-long manhunt, according to a state police official. Singh, who has advocated for an independent Sikh homeland in Punjab, has been charged with inciting violence and promoting anti-national sentiments. His arrest is seen as a significant move against the resurgence of separatist movements in the region, which has a history of violence stemming from Sikh insurgency in the 1980s and early 1990s. Amritpal Singh, a 30-year-old self-proclaimed preacher, leads a group called Waris Punjab De (the heirs of Punjab). He and his followers made headlines when…

On April 18, 2023, the European Parliament greenlit crucial legislation, solidifying the European Union’s commitment to the “Fit for 55 in 2030 package,” aiming for a 55 percent reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030, as compared to 1990 levels. In line with the European Climate Law, Parliament endorsed the Emissions Trading System (ETS) reform, which mandates a 62 percent reduction in GHG emissions in ETS sectors by 2030 compared to 2005 levels. The ETS reform also includes the gradual elimination of free allowances for companies from 2026 to 2034 and the establishment of a separate ETS II for…

A recent UNESCO report has revealed that a $97 billion funding shortfall is standing in the way of countries reaching their 2030 national education targets. The study, titled “Can countries afford their national SDG4 benchmarks?” was prepared by the Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and presented during the spring meetings of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The research centers on Goal 4 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which seeks to ensure inclusive, equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. The findings make…

Archaeologists from the National Museum of Antiquities in Leiden (RMO) and the Egyptian Museum in Turin (Museo Egizio) have uncovered the remains of Panehsy’s tomb and several smaller chapels at Egypt’s Saqqara Necropolis, according to Ahram Online. Panehsy was the steward of Amun Temple during a period of ancient Egyptian history. Mostafa Waziri, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, said that the discovery sheds new light on the development of Saqqara Necropolis and introduces previously unknown historical figures. Panehsy’s tomb, resembling a free-standing temple, features a gate entrance, an inner courtyard with columned porticoes, and a shaft to the…