World
Scientists Uncover World’s Largest Underground Thermal Lake in Albania
February 8, 2025
Scientists Uncover World’s Largest Underground Thermal Lake in Albania
A team of Czech researchers has identified the world’s largest underground thermal lake in Albania, as reported by Czech media, Anadolu Agency reported. This significant discovery follows years of exploration led by Czech speleologist Marek Audy, who had theorized the…
Europe’s Oldest Woody Plant Discovered
February 8, 2025
Europe’s Oldest Woody Plant Discovered
A tiny juniper shrub in Finnish Lapland has been recognized as Europe’s oldest woody plant, measuring just four inches in trunk diameter and estimated to be 1,647 years old, Earth.com reported. This discovery, led by Marco Carrer from the University…
Netherlands Bans Civil Servants from Using Chinese AI Chatbot DeepSeek
February 8, 2025
Netherlands Bans Civil Servants from Using Chinese AI Chatbot DeepSeek
The Netherlands has officially banned civil servants from using the Chinese AI chatbot DeepSeek, citing concerns over potential espionage, Anadolu Agency reported. State Secretary for Kingdom Relations and Digitalization Zsolt Szabo announced the ban, following warnings from the Dutch Data…
Philippines Urged to Halt Anti-Terrorism Laws Against Human Rights Activists
February 7, 2025
Philippines Urged to Halt Anti-Terrorism Laws Against Human Rights Activists
Amnesty International has called on the Philippine government to stop misusing anti-terrorism laws against human rights advocates and NGOs, Jurist News reported. The organization highlighted a troubling trend of state-sponsored harassment targeting development workers and activists, particularly through “red-tagging,” which…
Violence in Eastern DR Congo Claims 2,900 Lives as ICC Monitors Goma Situation
February 7, 2025
Violence in Eastern DR Congo Claims 2,900 Lives as ICC Monitors Goma Situation
Approximately 2,900 people have died in violent clashes between M23 rebels and Democratic Republic of Congo forces in Goma, Anadolu Agency reported citing a UN official. The humanitarian crisis in this eastern city has drawn the attention of the International…
Malaysians Criticize Rule Requiring Permission to Invite Muslims to Temples and Churches
February 7, 2025
Malaysians Criticize Rule Requiring Permission to Invite Muslims to Temples and Churches
Malaysia’s recent government guidelines requiring non-Muslims to seek official approval before inviting Muslims to events at places of worship have been met with widespread criticism, South China Morning Post reported. The new rules mandate that non-Muslims obtain permission from Islamic…
China’s Strict Travel Rules for Uyghurs Draw Condemnation for Rights Violations
February 6, 2025
China’s Strict Travel Rules for Uyghurs Draw Condemnation for Rights Violations
Human Rights Watch reports China restricts Uyghurs’ freedom of movement, despite easing some travel bans, prompting concerns over human rights violations and international law breaches. China is violating Uyghurs’ right to freedom of movement by enforcing strict travel restrictions for…
Ceasefire declared amid escalating violence in eastern DRC
February 6, 2025
Ceasefire declared amid escalating violence in eastern DRC
The M23 rebel group has declared a unilateral ceasefire in Goma, the capital of North Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), amid rising violence and a dire humanitarian crisis, The Guardian reported. Following the capture of…
Malaysia Proposes new rules for Muslims attending non-Muslim events, funerals or houses of worship
February 6, 2025
Malaysia Proposes new rules for Muslims attending non-Muslim events, funerals or houses of worship
Updated guidelines regulating Muslim participation in non-Muslim events, funerals, or houses of worship are set to be finalized by Malaysia’s National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs (MKI) by late February 2025, The Star reported. Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar…
Most of EU’s surface water bodies polluted by chemicals, new report says
February 5, 2025
Most of EU’s surface water bodies polluted by chemicals, new report says
A majority of the European Union’s surface water bodies are polluted by chemicals, according to a European Commission report released Tuesday, highlighting significant challenges in protecting water resources. As of 2021, only 39.5% of lakes, rivers, and coastal waters were…