Author: Maroosha Muzaffar
North Korea launched 10 suspected short-range ballistic missiles towards the Sea of Japan on Thursday, causing alarm in the region. The missiles, fired from the Sunan area, travelled 350km before landing in the sea, prompting strong condemnation from South Korea and Japan. This incident follows North Korea’s failed attempt to launch a spy satellite, further escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula. The country justifies its actions as responses to perceived military threats, while international bodies urge restraint. In a separate provocative move, North Korea launched balloons filled with trash and excrement across the border with South Korea, prompting safety warnings…
Hong Kong has recently made headlines with the arrest of six individuals under the new national security law for inciting hatred against China through social media posts. The accused used a Facebook page to target the Chinese and Hong Kong governments, as well as the judiciary, leading to their arrest. Among the six arrested, five are women, including prominent activist and barrister Chow Hang-tung. The alleged seditious content was directed towards a sensitive date, 4 June, which marks the anniversary of the Tiananmen Square incident. The maximum penalty for this offence is seven years in jail. Amnesty International has criticized…
Thaksin Shinawatra Faces Indictment for Alleged Monarchy Insult Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is set to be indicted for allegedly insulting the monarchy, a serious charge in Thailand. The influential politician is required to appear before the court on 18 June, facing other charges as well. The complaint against Shinawatra was filed by royalist military leaders who ousted his sister’s government in 2015. Despite denying the accusations and affirming his loyalty to the crown, Shinawatra plans to seek bail for his defense. Speculation arises from his recent return from exile and brief detention, sparking rumors of a possible deal…
A former banker in China has been sentenced to death for accepting “extremely large” bribes, according to state media reports. Bai Tianhui, a former senior executive at Huarong Asset Management, was convicted of taking bribes exceeding 1.1bn yuan (£119m) and using his position to provide favorable treatment in corporate matters. This sentencing is part of a larger crackdown on corruption in the finance sector initiated by China’s top corruption watchdog following president Xi Jinping’s directive to strengthen financial power and reduce risks. Bai is the second Huarong official to receive a death sentence for corruption, with the former chairman, Lai…
Global Controversy: MDH and Everest Indian Spice Brands Under Scrutiny Two iconic Indian spice brands, MDH and Everest, are facing global scrutiny after Hong Kong, Singapore, and Nepal suspended sales of their products due to the presence of a cancer-causing pesticide, ethylene oxide. This controversy has prompted countries like the UK, Australia, the Maldives, and the US to ramp up testing of Indian spice products. The affected blends include MDH’s Madras Curry Powder, Sambhar Mixed Masala Powder, and Mixed Masala Curry Powder, and Everest’s Fish Curry Masala. The root of the issue began on April 5 when Hong Kong detected…
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails The BJP in India is leveraging social media and cinema to appeal to first-time voters in the ongoing general election. Modi’s party has released engaging videos and interactive websites to communicate its initiatives and ideology. The BJP’s focus on Hindu nationalism and youth outreach is evident to attract the dynamic voting bloc. However, economic concerns and unemployment among young voters may influence their choices in the election. As young voters play a crucial…
Breaking News: Bangladeshi MP Found Murdered in India A member of parliament from Bangladesh, Anwarul Azim Anar, who traveled to India for medical treatment, has been tragically found murdered. The ruling Awami League member was reported missing after arriving in India’s West Bengal on 12 May. Three arrests have been made, with Bangladesh’s home minister confirming the death and suggesting the involvement of people from their own country. Reports indicate that Anar’s body was dismembered and disposed of across the city of Kolkata. The West Bengal government is launching an investigation, with a Special Investigation Team formed to look into…
Get Free Real-Time Breaking News Alerts! Sign Up Now for Our Newsletter Ahmad Farhad, a Pakistani journalist and poet, has been missing for over a week, sparking concerns over his disappearance. Amnesty International reports that Farhad was allegedly abducted from his home in Islamabad, with his family witnessing the incident. Accusations point to the country’s intelligence agency, ISI, as being responsible for Farhad’s disappearance, due to his critical views on authorities. Despite government denial, the Islamabad High Court has demanded his presentation. Amnesty International calls for an investigation into Farhad’s whereabouts, highlighting the prevalence of enforced disappearances in Pakistan. The…
Chinese citizen journalist Zhang Zhan, who was imprisoned for reporting from Wuhan during the early days of the Covid pandemic, has been released after serving four years. In a video statement, Ms. Zhang confirmed her release, thanking everyone for their support. Concerns arose amongst activists when her whereabouts were unknown for 10 days after her official release date. Zhang Zhan was escorted to her brother’s home by the police, where she expressed gratitude for the assistance she received. Although her release has been confirmed by Reports Without Borders, it is noted that her freedom remains severely restricted under strict surveillance.…
Stay Updated with Breaking News! Sign up for our free breaking news emails A Nepali woman, Phunjo Lama, set a new record for the fastest ascent of Mount Everest, reaching the summit in just 14 hours and 31 minutes. Hailing from a remote village, Lama reclaimed her title as the fastest woman to scale Everest. She trained in the Swiss Alps and Nepal’s Himalayas, advocating for women’s empowerment and world peace. Her climb on Buddha Jayanti, a significant Buddhist festival, aimed to inspire young girls to chase their dreams. Phunjo Lama from Nepal set the record for fastest ascent of…