World

As nations find themselves in a stalemate at the ongoing UN climate talks, there are rising hopes that the G20 leaders gathering thousands of miles away may spark vital support for a resolution aimed at aiding developing nations. Stranded halfway through a two-week-long negotiation period housed in a vast arena in Azerbaijan, diplomats are struggling to inch closer to an agreement that could ultimately decide the fate of COP29. The government ministers diving into discussions in Baku are racing against the clock, with a…

In a notable shift in policy, President Joe Biden’s administration has given Ukraine the green light to deploy American-made weaponry for targeted strikes deep within Russian territory. This information has surfaced through two U.S. officials and a source familiar with the decision, marking a significant pivot in the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict. According to these sources, Ukraine is gearing up to perform its inaugural long-range strikes in the very near future, although specific details remain undisclosed for security…

This afternoon, the head of Georgia's Election Commission found himself in quite a bizarre predicament—drenched in paint just as he was set to announce the final outcomes from last month’s parliamentary elections. Giorgi Kalandarishvili was the unintended target of a paint bombardment from David Kirtadze, a representative of the opposition party, during a meeting in Tbilisi meant for the electoral body. The audacious act took place at a gathering involving election commission officials and delegates from every party that…

Israel has intensified its airstrikes on Beirut and southern Lebanon, launching a series of attacks just one day after Lebanese officials hinted at their consideration of a US-mediated ceasefire. This conflict is deeply rooted in a web of alliances, with Hamas, Hezbollah, and Islamic Jihad enjoying the backing of Iran, Israel’s primary adversary. Notably, Iran has expressed its eagerness for a rapid conclusion to the ongoing hostilities that have gripped Lebanon for nearly two months. Since September 23, Israel has…

Recently, Chinese President Xi Jinping issued a significant warning to the United States regarding its support for Taiwan, emphasizing a "red line" that should not be crossed. During a pivotal meeting with President Joe Biden at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Peru—just two months ahead of Donald Trump's inauguration—Xi expressed China's readiness to collaborate with the incoming administration. This meeting occurred amidst rising concerns about potential trade conflicts and diplomatic strife,…

As the climate clock ticks, keeping the global temperature rise beneath the critical threshold of 1.5 degrees Celsius is proving to be a monumental challenge. This escalating predicament is echoing in the halls of power at the United Nations, where top advisers are sounding alarm bells. The urgency was starkly highlighted in an open letter that made waves this week, calling for massive reforms in the COP climate talks framework. To add fuel to the fire, the election of Donald Trump, coupled with rising political divisions…

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has taken aim at Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz, claiming that Scholz is unwittingly aiding Russian President Vladimir Putin by reaching out to him in a phone conversation—his first in nearly two years. During their recent talk, Scholz “denounced Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine and urged President Putin to cease hostilities and pull back his forces,” as relayed by the chancellor's spokesperson, Steffen Hebestreit. Further, Scholz emphasized “Germany’s steadfast commitment to…

Recent vessel tracking data and military reports reveal that a Russian spy ship has recently been prowling around subsea cables in the Irish Sea, just north of Dublin. Dubbed the Yantar, this vessel is believed to be a Russian navy oceanographic research ship, boasting a crew of around 60. The Irish Naval Service is keeping a close eye on its movements as part of a coordinated, multinational intelligence operation. On Thursday, the Yantar briefly resurfaced on commercial marine tracking systems, showing up approximately 60…

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently expressed a strong desire for Ukraine to bring the ongoing conflict with Russia to a close by next year, primarily through “diplomatic means.” This statement comes as both nations brace for a potential Donald Trump comeback in the political arena. February 2025 is significant as it signifies the third anniversary of Russia’s aggressive invasion of Ukraine. Over the past few months, Russian forces have been making substantial gains against Ukraine’s outnumbered and outgunned…

Recently, when European Union officials visited Washington, they were met with an eye-opening presentation from Jerome Powell, the Chair of the US Federal Reserve. He showcased a striking chart that compared American productivity over four decades against that of the European Union. This graph illustrated that the United States has enjoyed a solid increase in productivity at 2%, while the European Union lagged behind with just 1% growth. As Mr. Powell shared with a Senate committee, "The striking disparity in income and…