Author: Sarah Shamim
Rwanda is currently battling its first outbreak of the highly virulent Marburg virus, with 11 reported deaths as of Thursday. The country is set to begin clinical trials of experimental vaccines and treatments in response to the outbreak. What is the Marburg virus? The Marburg virus belongs to the Filoviridae family, the same family as Ebola, and is known to be more severe than Ebola. It causes haemorrhagic fever, leading to internal bleeding which can be fatal. What are the symptoms? Symptoms of the Marburg virus include fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, fatigue, appetite loss, bleeding, and gastrointestinal issues.…
The recent United Nations General Assembly marked a crucial moment in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. As the war continues to escalate, different countries are proposing peace plans to bring an end to the violence. China and Brazil’s Plan China and Brazil introduced a comprehensive peace plan that calls for de-escalation of hostilities, humanitarian assistance, and the prevention of using nuclear weapons. Despite receiving some support, Ukraine insists on its own peace plan as the only acceptable solution. Ukraine’s Plan President Zelenskyy’s peace plan includes measures to protect Ukraine’s infrastructure, release prisoners of war, and establish a special…
Last week, Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, was severely flooded due to record-breaking rains causing the Bagmati river to overflow, resulting in over 200 casualties and thousands of damaged homes. Experts debate whether climate change or urban encroachment of the river contributed to the disaster. Rainfall in Kathmandu The Kathmandu valley saw 240mm of rain, with some areas experiencing up to 322.2mm. The downpour mainly affected Kathmandu and surrounding regions, including tourist spot Pokhara. Casualties The death toll rose to 228, with 25 missing and 158 injured. Rescue operations were hindered due to damaged infrastructure and blocked roads. Recovery Efforts…
Austria’s far-right Freedom Party (FPO) has emerged victorious after the country’s parliamentary election. Here’s what comes next. What were the results of the Austria election? According to a projection based on the count of nearly all the votes by pollster Foresight for Austrian public broadcaster ORF: The FPO won 28.8 percent of the vote. The conservative Austrian People’s Party (OVP) is in second place with 26.3 percent votes. The OVP has been in a governing coalition with the Green Party. The centre-left Social Democrats (SPO) won 21.1 percent of the vote. What does the FPO need to form the government?…
Marxist-leaning Anura Kumara Dissanayake has been inaugurated as Sri Lanka’s new president following his victory in the recent election. He takes over a country grappling with economic challenges and austerity measures imposed by the IMF. Dissanayake, a member of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna party, won the presidency after a hard-fought campaign. His pledge for cleaner politics has resonated with the public, who are calling for a change in the political culture. As he steps into office, Dissanayake faces the task of renegotiating the IMF bailout plan to lessen the burden on the poor and working classes. His vision for a…
A mysterious and devastating explosion rocked Lebanon as hundreds of pagers belonging to the armed group Hezbollah exploded, killing 12 people and injuring thousands. Blame immediately fell on Israel, but the truth behind the explosions remains shrouded in mystery. Analysts speculate that the pagers may have been tampered with during their procurement and supply chain process, allowing Israel to plant explosives in the devices. The exact mechanism of the explosions is still unclear, but some believe that the pagers were hacked, triggering thermal runaway in their batteries. The pagers, allegedly ordered by Hezbollah from a third party, were held at…
The United States and United Kingdom are considering Ukraine’s request to use long-range missiles, including Storm Shadow missiles, in Russian territory, sparking a threat from Russian President Vladimir Putin. What are Storm Shadow missiles? Storm Shadow missiles are air-launched cruise missiles that can hit targets up to 250km away and were developed by a Franco-British collaboration. Each missile costs $1m and has the capability to damage Russian military infrastructure. What is Zelenskyy asking for? Ukrainian President Zelenskyy wants the ability to strike targets inside Russia to push for peace. Long-range missiles could provide tactical advantages for Ukraine, but experts say…
Recent findings from a British charity reveal that children and young people in the United Kingdom are experiencing higher levels of unhappiness and lower life satisfaction compared to their peers in Europe. The Good Childhood Report 2024, published by The Children’s Society, highlights concerning trends affecting the wellbeing of UK youth. The report identifies various factors contributing to this decline in happiness, including economic challenges, academic pressures, and the pervasive influence of social media. Girls, in particular, are disproportionately affected, reporting lower levels of overall satisfaction compared to boys. Why are UK children so unhappy? Economic disparities and social pressures…
The Grenfell Tower fire, a tragic incident that claimed the lives of 72 individuals in June 2017, has been attributed to a chain of incompetence and greed, according to a scathing final report released on Wednesday. The report, spanning 1,700 pages, highlighted failures by local council leaders, the government, the fire service, and building material producers. Inquiry chair Sir Martin Moore-Bick emphasized the need for implementing recommendations from the report to prevent a similar catastrophe in the future. The fire, which started in a kitchen on the fourth floor of the residential tower, quickly engulfed the entire building, resulting in…
Last September, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as a special guest at the G20 Summit. However, a year later, Hasina’s presence in India has become a source of tension. Her recent expulsion from power due to student protests has stirred anti-India sentiment in Bangladesh. Opposition demands for Hasina’s extradition Following Hasina’s exile to India, there are growing demands for her extradition back to Bangladesh to face legal actions for alleged wrongdoing during her 15-year rule. The cancellation of Hasina’s diplomatic visa by Bangladesh’s interim government has raised questions about her stay in India. Is…