NEWS
Microplastics detected in land insects, raising food chain concerns
May 27, 2025
Microplastics detected in land insects, raising food chain concerns
Microplastics have been found in land insects for the first time, suggesting widespread contamination across entire ecosystems, according to The Telegraph. A study by Sussex and Exeter universities found plastic fragments in beetles, slugs, snails, and earthworms, indicating that pollutants…
Extreme weather hits Asia-Pacific as rainfall and heatwaves intensify
May 27, 2025
Extreme weather hits Asia-Pacific as rainfall and heatwaves intensify
Southern China has been hit by severe rainfall, triggering landslides and flash floods in Guangdong and Guangxi provinces, The Guardian reported. As of 24 May, at least four people were confirmed dead and 17 remain missing, adding to seven previous…
Child labor concerns persist in DRC cobalt mining
May 27, 2025
Child labor concerns persist in DRC cobalt mining
Cobalt, essential for batteries in smartphones, EVs, and medical devices, is largely sourced from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which supplies about 75% of global output. While major firms like Glencore operate industrial mines in Kolwezi, thousands work in…
Nigeria launches air cargo corridor to boost intra-African exports
May 27, 2025
Nigeria launches air cargo corridor to boost intra-African exports
The Nigerian government has launched the Nigeria-East/Southern Africa Air Cargo Corridor to expand export access to markets in Kenya, Uganda, and South Africa, CGTN Africa reported. The initiative, part of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework, aims to…
US, Israeli airstrikes compound Yemen’s humanitarian crisis
May 27, 2025
US, Israeli airstrikes compound Yemen’s humanitarian crisis
A recent wave of airstrikes in Yemen has intensified an already dire humanitarian situation, with civilian areas struck in and around the capital, Sana’a, leading to significant casualties and infrastructure damage, local and global reports said. Multiple families were killed…
EU staff criticize bloc’s response to Gaza crisis
May 27, 2025
EU staff criticize bloc’s response to Gaza crisis
A group representing thousands of European Union officials has accused the bloc’s leadership of failing to take meaningful action in response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, media outlets reported. Marking one year since their initial appeal, the group…
Scientists discover possible distant dwarf planet with eccentric orbit
May 27, 2025
Scientists discover possible distant dwarf planet with eccentric orbit
Researchers from the Institute for Advanced Study’s School of Natural Sciences have identified a potential dwarf planet, 2017 OF201, which they describe as an “extreme cousin” of Pluto. The object has an exceptionally eccentric orbit, taking 25,000 years to complete…
Office of Grand Ayatollah Shirazi announces Thursday as first of Dhu al-Hijjah 1446 AH
May 27, 2025
Office of Grand Ayatollah Shirazi announces Thursday as first of Dhu al-Hijjah 1446 AH
The office of the Supreme Religious Authority, His Eminence Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Sadiq al-Husseini al-Shirazi, has announced that tomorrow, Wednesday, will be the 30th of the month of Dhu al-Qa’dah. Accordingly, the first day of the month of Dhu al-Hijjah…
Hajj-Guardian Saudi Arabia Lifts 73-Year Alcohol Ban Ahead of 2034 World Cup
May 27, 2025
Hajj-Guardian Saudi Arabia Lifts 73-Year Alcohol Ban Ahead of 2034 World Cup
In a historic shift, Saudi Arabia will permit limited alcohol sales in 2026—ending a 73-year prohibition—as part of preparations for Expo 2030 and the FIFA World Cup 2034, The Economic Times reported. The policy, aligned with Crown Prince Mohammed bin…
UN Migration Agency Welcomes EU, US Sanctions Relief on Syria
May 27, 2025
UN Migration Agency Welcomes EU, US Sanctions Relief on Syria
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has praised recent EU and US decisions to lift key sanctions on Syria, calling the move a “pivotal step” toward post-war recovery, Anadolu Agency reported. The relief could unlock over [$15 billion] in restricted…