World & Politics
Japan's Defense Ministry requests record budget due to threats from China - 09/02/2024
AP reported that Japan's Defense Ministry asked for 8.5 trillion yen ($59 billion) for 2025 due to increasing concerns about China's threat. The ministry approved the budget request during a meeting on August 30. Next, it will proceed to the Finance Ministry for discussions that will continue until December. It indicates that, in addition to other uses, 970 billion yen will need to be allocated...
US says China should bear equal responsibility for preventing confrontation - 08/29/2024
The White House stated that U.S. Presidential National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan emphasized that both the United States and China share a responsibility to avoid conflict and confrontation. The statement mentioned that Jake Sullivan, the President's National Security Advisor, held a meeting with Zhang Yuxia, Vice Chairman of China's Central Military Commission (CMC), in Beijing on August 29....
EU condemns new Taliban law on additional restrictions on women - 08/27/2024
The European Union expressed shock over a recent law introduced in Afghanistan regarding "promoting virtue and preventing vice," as stated by European diplomatic chief Josep Borrell on behalf of the EU. “We cannot tolerate this latest decision that is yet another damaging setback for the rights of Afghan women and girls,” said Borrel. He urged the Taliban to stop the systematic mistreatment of...
Trump and Harris to hold second televised debate in October - 08/16/2024
In October, Democratic candidate for President Kamala Harris and her Republican opponent Donald Trump will have a second televised debate, stated Michael Tyler, the communications director of Ms. Harris' campaign. Mr. Tyler told The Hill that in case Donald Trump attends the debate with Vice President Harris on September 10, Governor Walz will debate J.D. Vance on October 1, allowing the American...
Kishida to step down as Japan's Prime Minister - 08/15/2024
NHK TV channel reports that Fumio Kishida, the Prime Minister of Japan and chairman of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) of Japan, has chosen not to participate in the upcoming party leadership election in September. The TV channel stated that this implies Japan will have a new prime minister in the near future. During the press conference, Kishida stated that politics is reliant on...
EU population in 2023 grows for the second year in a row after shrinking in the pandemic - 08/14/2024
According to the EU statistics office, as of January 1, 2024, the population of European Union countries increased to 449.2 million from 447.6 million in the previous year. Therefore, the rise was documented at the conclusion of the second successive year following a decrease in the prior two years as a result of the impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak. The population decreased by approximately 0.5...
NYT: New US president will inherit the risk of a major conflict - 08/12/2024
The New York Times reports that experts believe U.S. President Joe Biden will leave behind a legacy of potential global conflict for his successor. The results for the individual who will follow Mr. Biden, whether it is former President Donald Trump or Vice President Kamala Harris, could have significant implications, according to the publication. In a speech to the nation in July, Biden stated...
EU to increase state spending on scientific research by 5.3% in 2023 - 08/09/2024
The EU statistics office reported that R&D public spending in the European Union rose by 5.3% to €123.684 billion in 2023, amounting to 0.73% of GDP. Compared to 2013, there was a 54.8% increase in the figure. Per person, the EU's expenditure on research and development increased to €275.6 in the latest year, compared to €262.7 in 2022. A decade ago, they were at €181. In 2023, Luxembourg had...
Nobel laureate Yunus takes oath for Interim government of Bangladesh - 08/09/2024
The Associated Press reported that the inauguration of Bangladesh's temporary government headed by Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus took place at the Bangkhaban Presidential Palace on Thursday. The government comprised 17 individuals, among them were two representatives from Students Against Discrimination group, Nahid Islam and Asif Mahmood. Leaders of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party,...
WHO chief convenes emergency committee meeting over monkeypox situation - 08/08/2024
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director General of the World Health Organization, announced on Wednesday that he is calling for an emergency committee meeting due to a rise in human monkeypox cases. "The WHO chief announced the convening of an emergency committee to assess if the monkeypox outbreak, spreading beyond the Congo, is a global health emergency." The committee will convene at the...
