Sri Lanka’s Parliament has passed a hastily proposed bill to regulate online content, sparking criticism from rights groups and opposition politicians that the government is trying to crack down on dissent and stifle freedom of speech ahead of parliamentary and presidential elections this year. The measure was passed on Wednesday by a 108-62 vote, the […] The post Sri Lanka Parliament
“There have been racial barriers, and it has been challenging to be accepted as Japanese.” That’s what a tearful Carolina Shiino said in impeccable Japanese after she was crowned Miss Japan on Monday. The 26-year-old model, who was born in Ukraine, moved to Japan at the age of five and was raised in Nagoya. She […] The post Controversy after Ukrainian-born model is
A senior Tory MP has called for his party to replace Rishi Sunak as prime minister or be “massacred” in the general election. Writing in the Telegraph, former cabinet minister Sir Simon Clarke said the Conservatives had lost “key voters” by failing to be bold on immigration. But his article was criticised by several other ex-ministers. Former […] The post Backlash after
Six people have died – including three firefighters – after a truck carrying 60 tons of liquefied natural gas crashed and exploded in the Mongolian capital. Hundreds of firefighters had been sent to battle the blaze following the collision with a car in Ulaanbaatar on Wednesday morning, officials said. At least 11 people were injured, […] The post Six dead after liquified
The Iraqi government has strongly condemned US strikes which targeted sites used by Iranian-backed groups in Iraq on Wednesday. A spokesperson for Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani said they “blatantly” violated his country’s sovereignty. The US said its “proportionate” attacks had targeted “Iran-affiliated groups”. The paramilitary Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) said the “treacherous” US […] The post Iraq
A Russian official has accused Ukraine of shooting down a military transport plane in an incident that it says killed 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) and nine others. The Russian Ministry of Defence said on Wednesday that Ukraine had shot down the plane, an Ilyushin Il-76, which came down in the Belgorod region. Close […] The post Russia accuses Ukraine of downing plane with 65
“It’s a difficult decision, but a necessary decision,” he said, “to protect public finances”, and move away from the “whatever it costs” measures introduced to prop up the economy during the Covid-19 pandemic and extended as energy costs skyrocketed with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In September the government had promised to not raise electricity prices more than […] The post French
Three people have died after a 7.1-magnitude earthquake rocked a mountainous and remote part of China’s far western Xinjiang region early Tuesday. State broadcaster CCTV reported that a further five people were injured and 12,426 evacuated from affected areas. The quake struck Wushi county, also known as Uqturpan county, in Aksu prefecture near the Kyrgyzstan border shortly after 2 […] The post 3
A gunman suspected of killing eight people in the city of Joliet, Illinois, has died after a confrontation with law enforcement officials, police say. Police in Joliet said Romeo Nance, 23, is believed to have fatally shot himself after the confrontation near Natalia, Texas. He is suspected of killing eight people at multiple locations in […] The post Illinois mass shooting suspect dies in Texas
…navigating the political landscape with social listening in the 2024 elections Dear Esteemed Readers, As we embark on the promising journey that is the new year, 2024, I extend a warm and enthusiastic welcome to each of you. It is with great pleasure and a sense of anticipation that I commit to delivering a series […] The post Comms and Branding
The World Bank today, January 23, 2024 approved a $300 million Development Policy Operation for Ghana. The First Resilient Recovery Development Policy Financing is a critical contribution by the Bank’s International Development Association (IDA) to help Ghana’s economic recovery and support the country’s resilient and inclusive growth. “The Government of Ghana remains committed to restoring […] The post World
Europe faces a challenging year ahead. The confluence of several disruptive factors – geopolitical conflict, rising inflation, economic uncertainty, increased regulatory pressure and, last but by no means least, the impact of new technologies – will undoubtedly test leaders to the limit in the coming year. Speaking with business leaders across the region, several common […] The post
A six-legged dog found abandoned in a supermarket car park in Wales has undergone surgery to remove her extra limbs. Ariel, a spaniel, was born with multiple health defects. She was named after the Disney princess because her extra back legs were partly fused together, resembling a mermaid’s tail. She was taken in by Greenacres Rescue, […] The post Six-legged dog abandoned in
An explosion at a major gas export terminal near the city of St Petersburg in Russia was carried out by Ukrainian drones, BBC News has been told. The blast caused a large fire at the Ust-Luga terminal, but no injuries, Russian officials said. An official source in Kyiv said the “special operation” of the SBU […] The post Ukraine drones hit St Petersburg gas terminal in Russia
The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s President Felix Tshisekedi has been sworn in for a second five-year term following highly contested elections in December. “I am taking back the baton of command that you entrusted to me. We want a more united, stronger and prosperous Congo,” Tshisekedi, 60, said during the inauguration ceremony in the capital […] The post DR Congo
A number of US military personnel have been injured in a missile attack on an airbase in western Iraq. The US military’s Central Command said an Iran-backed militia targeted the Al Asad airbase, which hosts American troops, with ballistic missiles and rockets on Saturday evening. An unspecified number of US personnel were “undergoing evaluation for traumatic […] The post US personnel
At least 25 people were killed in a shelling attack in the Russian-held city of Donetsk, the Moscow-installed leader of the region said. Denis Pushilin said a Ukrainian strike, which also injured 20 people, hit a busy market. He said emergency services were working at the scene, and that information on the number of dead […] The post Deadly blast hits market in Russia-held Ukraine city
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has again rejected the idea of creating a Palestinian state. His comments came hours after a phone call with US President Joe Biden after which the US leader indicated Mr Netanyahu may still accept the idea. Mr Netanyahu’s remarks appeared to deepen a public divide with the US. The US […] The post Netanyahu defies Biden over Palestinian state
Military coups d’état, which involve unconstitutional ascension to power by armed forces, have been on the rise over the past decade in West Africa. Between 2020 and 2022, Africa experienced six ‘successful’ military coups – of which two were ‘coups within coups’ – and three attempted coups. This represents an approximately 229% increase in coup […] The post The
The Tema Port Expansion Project in Ghana epitomizes a strategic milestone in Africa’s maritime and economic landscape. This ambitious project, scheduled for completion by September 2025, is not just an infrastructural upgrade but a pivotal catalyst for economic transformation. The significance of this expansion is underscored by its scale and potential impact: it is set […] The post
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