Friday, May 31, 2024

Can Donald Trump still run for president after conviction?

former president Donald Trump
Is it possible for former president Donald Trump to run for president in 2024, especially after his conviction in the hush money case on Wednesday?

Legal experts affirm that Trump can still take part in the election for the White House office.

The 77-year-old former president was found guilty on 34 charges of falsifying business records in the hush money trial. Donald Trump has become the first former president of the US to run for president as a felon.

According to the US Constitution, a presidential candidate must be at least 35 years old, a “natural born” citizen, and have resided in the US for at least 14 years. There are no restrictions barring individuals with criminal records from running.

However, voter sentiment could play a major role in this election. At least 53% of swing state voters will not vote for Trump if he were convicted, a Bloomberg poll revealed.

Another poll by Quinnipiac University indicated that 6% of Trump’s supporters might reconsider their vote. This can be a make-or-break for Donald Trump.

According to the court order, Trump will remain free and is scheduled to return to court on July 11 for sentencing. However, he plans to appeal his conviction. The lengthy appeal process could extend beyond the November election, according to the legal minds.

But, Trump will face considerable challenges and uncertainties in his campaign.

Beijing wants to work with Arab states to resolve thorny issues: President Xi

Beijing wants to work with Arab states to resolve thorny issues: President Xi
China wants to work with Arab nations to resolve hot spot issues in ways conducive to upholding fairness, justice and achieving long-term peace and stability, President Xi Jinping said in a speech on Thursday that also highlighted the Gaza crisis.

China is seeking to strengthen its relations with Arab states as a model for maintaining world peace and stability, Xi was quoted as saying by state media at the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum in Beijing.

In remarks about the war in Gaza, the Chinese leader said war cannot continue indefinitely, justice cannot be permanently absent and a “two-state solution” should be firmly upheld.

“In the face of a turbulent world, mutual respect is the way to live in harmony, and fairness and justice are the foundation of lasting security,” Xi was quoted as saying by Xinhua news.

Chinese leader supports ‘two-state solution’, saying war cannot continue indefinitely and justice cannot be permanently absent

He was addressing the heads of state of Bahrain, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Tunisia as well as foreign ministers from other Arab League nations.

Beijing has repeatedly called for a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli crisis as well as an immediate ceasefire and Palestinian membership in the United Nations — positions which align closely with those of Arab nations.

China is increasingly flexing its diplomatic influence in the region, recently hosting the first talks on Chinese soil between the long-feuding Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah in April. Last year, China also brokered a landmark reconciliation deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia after years of hostilities between the two arch-rivals.

The Gaza crisis has threatened to push the region into a wider conflict, especially after recent tit-for-tat attacks by Israel and Iran.

“China should understand that cooperation between Arab countries and the United States will definitely take place. I believe that the ongoing Gaza-Israel war and the Palestinian issue will definitely be the focus of this meeting, and both sides will definitely reiterate the two-state solution to the Palestinian issue,” said Hongda Fan, a professor at the Middle East Studies Institute of Shanghai International Studies University.

Xi said China would continue to support alleviating the humanitarian crisis, and post-war rebuilding in Gaza, pledging to provide another 500 million yuan ($69 million) in emergency humanitarian assistance.

China will also donate $3 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East to support its emergency assistance to the Gaza region, Xi said. He said China would further cooperate with Arab states on several fronts including in the oil and gas fields, as well as larger-scale investments.

Xi committed support for Chinese energy companies and financial institutions to participate in renewable energy projects with a total installed capacity of more than three million kilowatts in Arab countries.

China is a massive buyer of Gulf energy and in 2023 bilateral trade between China and the Gulf stood at $286.9 billion, according to Chinese customs data, with Saudi Arabia accounting for nearly 40 per cent of that trade. Xi said China will host the second China-Arab States Summit in 2026.

At least 15 dead in India’s Bihar, Odisha over 24 hours as temperatures soar

At least 15 dead in India’s Bihar, Odisha over 24 hours as temperatures soar
At least 15 people have died of suspected heatstroke in India’s eastern states of Bihar and Odisha on Thursday, authorities said, with the region gripped in a debilitating heatwave expected to continue until Saturday.

India has been experiencing a blisteringly hot summer and a part of capital Delhi recorded the country’s highest ever temperature at 52.9 degrees Celsius this week, though that may be revised with the weather department checking the sensors of the weather station that registered the reading.

While temperatures in northwestern and central India are expected to fall in the coming days, the prevailing heatwave over east India is likely to continue for two days, said the India Meteorological Department (IMD), which declares a heatwave when the temperature is 4.5°C to 6.4°C higher than normal.

The deaths of 10 people were reported in the government hospital in Odisha’s Rourkela region on Thursday, authorities told Reuters, while five deaths were reported in Bihar’s Aurangabad city due to “sunstroke”.

“About seven more people died on their way to the hospital yesterday but the exact cause of their death will be known after the autopsy,” Aurangabad District Collector Shrikant Shastree told Reuters.

The Odisha government has prohibited outdoor activities for its employees between 11am and 3pm when temperatures peak.

Three people died of suspected heatstroke in Jharkhand state, neighbouring Bihar, local media reported.

In Delhi, where high temperatures have been causing birds and wild monkeys to faint or fall sick, the city zoo is relying on pools and sprinklers to bring relief to its 1,200 occupants.

“We have shifted to summer management diet, which includes a more liquid diet as well as all the seasonal fruits and vegetables which contain more water,” Sanjeet Kumar, director of the zoo, told news agency ANI.

Delhi, where the temperature is expected to touch 43°C on Friday, recorded its first heat-related death this week and is facing an acute water shortage.

Billions across Asia, including in India’s neighbouring Pakistan, have been grappling with soaring temperatures — a trend scientists say has been worsened by human-driven climate change.

India, which is holding its national elections amidst the heat, is the world’s third-biggest greenhouse gas emitter but has set a target of becoming a net-zero emitter by 2070.

While heat is affecting some of the country, the northeastern states of Manipur and Assam have been battered by heavy rainfall after Cyclone Remal, with several areas inundated on Friday.

Monsoon rains also hit the coast of the country’s southernmost Kerala state on Thursday, two days earlier than expected.

WhatsApp rolls out 'favourite chats' filter

WhatsApp rolls out 'favourite chats' filter
Meta app intends to improve user experience by permitting users to easily access their most important conversations and groups. The version of this update is 2.24.12.7, according to WABetaInfo.

In order to experience this new feature, WhatsApp encourages all beta testers to download the new update from the Google Play Store. It is gradually being rolled out to more users in the coming days but it may not be instantly accessible to everyone.

This feature was earlier available for the calls tab, but is now being extended to the chats tab. A new filter that enables users to quickly find their Favorite Chats, and can now be experimented on by beta testers who have downloaded the latest update. This includes individual contacts and groups.

This is a prominent initiative towards prioritising and organising the most relatable conversations in WhatsApp.

Users can add Favorites directly within the chats tab or through a dedicated “Favorites” section in the app settings in order to make this feature even more easy.

This section allows users to manage their favorite chats by adding, removing, or reordering contacts and groups. Additionally, users can also add chats to Favorites directly from the chat info screen, making it a quick and easy process.

Thursday, May 30, 2024

Russian troops systematically advancing in the battlefield: Ambassador Khorev

Albert P. Khorev, the Ambassador of Russia to Pakistan
Albert P. Khorev, the Ambassador of Russia to Pakistan said, “It is safe to say that the initiative on the battlefield belongs to Russia, we see Russian troops systematically advancing in the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics. A few weeks ago, our troops launched an offensive in the Kharkov direction, taking the enemy by surprise. Once again, I would like to reiterate that all the goals of the Special Military Operation – namely the demilitarization and denazification of Ukraine – will be achieved”, he was briefing the media at the…

Talking about the time frame of the military operations the Ambassador added, “We often hear questions like “why is the Special Military Operation taking so long, why can’t Russia achieve its goals faster?”

The answer is simple: the seemingly slow pace of the Russian troops’ advance is explained by our efforts to minimize casualties among both the civilian population and among the personnel of the Russian Armed Forces. As we say in Russia: “The slower you go, the further you get”.

Regarding the issue of civilian population being attacked by Ukrainian forces H.E Albert P. Khorev said, “The Ukrainian neo-Nazi regime understands the objective realities on the fronts and targets civilians. Out of desperation and inability to take the initiative on the fronts, it regularly commits terrorist attacks on the territory of Russia. The civilian population of the Belgorod region suffers the most, as dozens of Ukrainian drones attack civilian infrastructure every day”. He further added the most heinous was the attack on an apartment block in the city of Belgorod on May 12. Ten floors collapsed after being hit by a Ukrainian missile, killing 17 people and injuring over 30. What did the dead and wounded have to do with the military operation? Why did the Ukrainian army target them?

The answer is simple: the Kiev regime is trying to intimidate Russian civilians. This tactic is well known – it is constantly used by various terrorist organizations, including those operating in Pakistan. According to the Russian security services, the organizers of the March 22 terrorist attack in the Moscow “Crocus City Hall”, which was shocking in its brutality, are also connected with Ukraine, because the perpetrators of this atrocious act tried to escape there.

Talking about the activities of the Ukranian neo-Nazi group the Ambassador said, “To the series of terrorist acts committed with the complicity of the Ukrainian authorities, I should like to add the 2014 tragedy in Odessa – we commemorated its sad 10th anniversary on May 2. On that day, Ukrainian neo-Nazi groups burned alive about 50 people and injured another 250. No one in Ukraine even considers punishing the masterminds and perpetrators of this atrocity, because, according to the current head of the Kiev regime, Zelensky, the people of Ukraine who support Russia are not human beings, but specimens.

The spring of 2024 also marked a number of important anniversaries:

On March 18, we celebrated the 10th anniversary of Crimea's reunification with Russia. Crimea once again became part of our country following the results of the referendum on the status of Crimea, where 96% of voters cast their ballots in favor of returning to their historic homeland. The events of the Crimean Spring were decisive for the future of the peninsula. The Crimeans chose to live under the reliable protection of Russia. The subsequent bloody war unleashed by the Kiev regime against the people’s republics of Donbas has explicitly shown that the Crimeans’ historical choice in favor of Russia was the right one.

He added some more activities of the following groups and said, “ On May 11–12, we celebrated the 10th anniversary of the independence of the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics. This day in 2014 marked the beginning of the long and painful journey of the peoples of these republics, which ended with their reunification with the Russian Federation. This year, on the days of the celebration, the Ukrainians launched barbaric missile attacks using Western weaponry, such as ATACMS missiles and HIMARS MLRS, against a restaurant a few meters from a gas station, killing three people, but there could have been many more victims if the missile had found its target”

Talking about the role of NATO and other Western countries H.H Albert P. Khorev said, “Despite the terrorist nature of the Ukrainian authorities, they continue to enjoy the unconditional support of NATO and Western countries, primarily the United States of America. They supply Ukraine with weapons, including those purchased in third countries, which are used for indiscriminate attacks on the Russian civilian population and re-sold to other regions of the world by corrupt Ukrainian authorities. As a result, these weapons end up in the hands of terrorists, extremists and outright bandits, which can further destabilize entire regions, including South and Central Asia. Those who support the unlimited supply of NATO arms to Kiev must think about this”.

He said, “Let me give you some numbers as an example. Over 230 billion dollars. That is how much Western countries spent on military aid to Ukraine over the past two years. Moreover, in March 2023, the IMF allocated 15.6 billion dollars to Ukraine”.

As for the peaceful settlement of the Ukrainian conflict, the Ambassador said, “I would like to emphasize that Russia remains open to peace talks. They were actively pursued in the first months after the start of the Special Military Operation, but then Western countries intervened and forbade Zelensky to sign anything. And the leader of the Kiev regime willingly went along with the West and turned his country into a testing ground for Western weapons systems. Moreover, you are unlikely to read this in Western so-called “independent” media, but Zelensky even issued a decree forbidding the Ukrainian leadership to negotiate with the leadership of Russia”.

He further said, “ I would like to emphasize that it is not Russia, but Ukraine, under the pressure from its sponsors, refuses to hold real peace talks. Instead, the United States’ satellites are engaged in profanation, organizing all sorts of “peace” conferences and forums, as was the case in Copenhagen and is now planned for Switzerland. The goal of such events is the same: to promote, push through, impose, and finally to announce that the world community allegedly supports Zelensky’s so-called “peace formula”. This formula is a set of unilateral ultimatum demands to Russia, which have nothing to do with realities and do not take into account the interests of our country. And how can one seriously expect to conclude peace if one of the parties to the conflict is absent from the negotiating table?

The answer is simple: peace is not part of the U.S. and NATO plans. They want a strategic defeat of Russia, and they use the organized “peace” forums to present a collective ultimatum to our country. At the same time, the outcome of all these pseudo-initiatives is known in advance. The developing countries, the countries of the global South and East, which make up the world’s majority, are invited to these forums in order to create masses and make a nice group photo”.

He added, “The West is simply ignoring all previous initiatives by China, Brazil and some African states.

Instead, since early 2024, Western countries have begun signing bilateral security agreements with Ukraine, putting their taxpayers at additional risk of being drawn into the long-term financing of the destructive conflict in Ukraine. Such ten-year agreements, which provide military and economic assistance to the Kiev regime, have already been signed by the UK, France, Denmark, Canada, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and, most recently, Spain. Other countries are in the process of preparing them. At the same time, the public in these countries is being misled about the possible benefits of providing assistance to the Nazi regime in Kiev. This activity brings profit only to the military-industrial complex against the background of falling living standards of ordinary citizens. I would like to emphasize once again – the massive financing of Ukraine by Western countries means the underfunding of the development of other parts of the world that desperately need it”.

Concluding the briefing to the media H.H Albert P. Khorev said, “Any peace talks and discussion of their commencement without Russia are impossible and have no added value. They must be preceded by the revocation of Zelensky’s decree banning negotiations with Russia, the cessation of arms deliveries by NATO countries to Ukraine, and an unambiguous confirmation by Kiev and its sponsors of their readiness to take into account the current political-territorial realities and Russia’s legitimate interests”.

Appreciating the role of the Government of Pakistan and the bilateral relation between Pakistan and Russian the Ambassador said, I would like to take this opportunity to once again thank the leadership of Pakistan for its neutrality on the Ukrainian conflict. We know the pressures you face and are grateful for your principled stand.

“I would like to express my special gratitude to the people of Pakistan. We receive many sincere words of support and find understanding for our position among Pakistani citizens. Despite the difficulties, we will make every effort to further develop bilateral relations and strengthen Pakistan’s food and energy security”, he said.

Google to invest $2 bln in data centre and cloud services in Malaysia

Google
Google will invest $2 billion in Malaysia to develop its first data centre and Google Cloud region in the country, the unit of Alphabet said on Thursday, the latest in a wave of expansion by global tech firms into Southeast Asia.

The government said the investment would advance Malaysia's digital ambitions, and the artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities and other advanced technologies would help local industry move up the global value chain.With a young tech-savvy population of 670 million, Southeast Asia has been attracting plenty of interest and investment recently from technology giants including Microsoft, Amazon, Nvidia and Apple.

Google said in a statement the data centre and cloud region will be located in Sime Darby Property's Elmina Business Park in central Selangor state.

The data centre will power services including Search, Maps and Workspace, and will help deliver AI services, while the cloud centre will offer services to local firms and public sector organisations, it said.

"Malaysia and Google are partnering to advance our shared work to create a supportive ecosystem for innovation and unlock the potential of digital transformation," Google's Chief Financial Officer Ruth Porat said in the statement.

Last November, the government and Google announced a collaboration aimed at accelerating innovation domestically.

Other tech giants have also been announcing large investments in the region. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella announced cloud services investments worth $2.2 billion in Malaysia and $1.7 billion in Indonesia during a recent visit to the region.

In December, Malaysian conglomerate YTL's utilities unit announced it would partner with Nvidia to develop AI infrastructure in a $4.3 billion investment deal.

Amazon has announced plans to invest $9 billion in Singapore, $5 billion in Thailand and $6 billion in Malaysia.

UN warns of ‘significant’ disease risk after Papua New Guinea landslide

UN warns of ‘significant’ disease risk after Papua New Guinea landslide
Papua New Guinea has ruled out finding more survivors under the rubble of last week’s massive landslide, as a UN agency warned of a “significant risk of disease outbreak” among displaced residents, who are yet to receive sufficient supplies of food and clean water.

Six days after a mountainside community in Enga province was buried in a sea of soil, boulders and debris, the United Nations’ migration agency (IOM) said on Thursday that water sources had become tainted and the risk of disease was soaring.

Much of the area’s water flows through the landslide site – now a 600 metre-long (1,970 feet) graveyard of a still undetermined number of people.

“The creeks now flowing from the debris are contaminated, posing a significant risk of disease outbreak”, the UN’s migration agency told partners in a rapid assessment report.

“There are no methods being used to treat the water to make it safe for drinking,” it said, warning of diarrhoea and malaria.

For much of the past week, residents of villages affected by the landslide have been digging through countless tonnes of earth in the search for buried relatives.

“No bodies are expected to be alive under the debris at this point, so it’s a full recovery operation to recover any human remains,” Enga province disaster committee chairman Sandis Tsaka told the Reuters news agency.

Officials and rescuers only managed to recover 11 bodies. At least two people had survived and were rescued three days after the disaster.

More than 2,000 people may have been buried alive, according to the country’s government.

Moon orbiting 'Dinky' asteroid is actually two tiny moons stuck together

Moon orbiting 'Dinky' asteroid is actually two tiny moons stuck together
Panels a, b, and c each show stereographic image pairs of the asteroid Dinkinesh taken by the NASA Lucy Spacecraft's L'LORRI Instrument in the minutes around closest approach on Nov. 1, 2023.

The yellow and rose dots indicate the trough and ridge features, respectively. These images have been sharpened and processed to enhance contrast. Panel d shows a side view of Dinkinesh and its satellite Selam taken a few minutes after closest approach. 

When NASA's Lucy spacecraft flew past its first official target Dinkinesh in November 2023, researchers discovered that the asteroid—known as "Dinky"—was not alone in space. A satellite asteroid, which the team named "Selam," was orbiting Dinky. As Lucy sent more data back to Earth, the researchers discovered something surprising: Selam was not just one moon, it was a contact binary—or two moons melded together.

The Lucy team, which includes University of Maryland Professor of Astronomy and Geology Jessica Sunshine, detailed the unexpected finding in a paper published in the journal Nature on May 29, 2024.

The researchers noted that the unusual arrangement challenges existing theories about how asteroids and other celestial bodies formed over time and provides additional insight into the internal structure, dynamics and evolutionary history of both Dinky and Selam.

"There's a lot more complexity in these small bodies than we originally thought," said Sunshine, a co-author of the paper. "With the additional observations taken by the spacecraft, we were able to better analyze features such as Dinkinesh's rotation speed and Selam's orbit pattern. We also have a better understanding of what materials they're possibly made of, bringing us a step closer to learning just how terrestrial bodies are created."

Images taken by the Lucy spacecraft revealed a trough on Dinkinesh where about a quarter of the asteroid broke off from its main body, a ridge that formed after the asteroid's structural failure and the contact binary now known as Selam (which was named after the child counterpart of the Lucy hominin fossil discovered in 1974).

The team theorized that Dinky's fast spinning motion—boosted by the uneven reflection of sunlight off the asteroid's surface—caused it to shed and eject rocky debris into orbit. Some of the debris could have aggregated to form Selam, while another portion of the fragments rained back down on Dinky as boulders and created the ridges photographed by the Lucy spacecraft.

"One of the things that's critical to understanding how planets like Earth got here is understanding how objects behave when they hit each other, and to understand that we need to understand their strength," said lead scientist Hal Levison of Southwest Research Institute, Boulder, Colorado, principal investigator for the Lucy mission.

"Basically, the planets formed when [smaller objects like asteroids] orbiting the sun ran into each other. Whether objects break apart when they hit or stick together has a lot to do with their strength and internal structure."

The team deduced that Dinky likely had some internal strength, which allowed it to maintain most of its form.

Just how Dinky's unusual dual moons formed remains a mystery, but Sunshine said that the team's findings open the door to comparative studies with similar celestial bodies.

"I'm personally very excited to compare the Didymos binary system with this one, especially as they appear to share many similarities such as size, general shape and possibly composition despite being in totally different parts of the solar system," explained Sunshine, who was also on NASA's DART research team and helped detail the DART spacecraft's successful deflection of Didymos' small moon called Dimorphos.

"The Didymos binary system is located in a near-Earth environment while the Dinkinesh system is located much farther away from Earth in the main asteroid belt," she added. "They have very different features but we think they may have undergone similar processes to become what we know of them today."

Dinkinesh and its satellite are the first two of 11 asteroids that Lucy plans to explore over its 12-year journey. After skimming the inner edge of the main asteroid belt, Lucy heads back toward Earth for a gravity assist in December 2024. That close flyby will propel the spacecraft back through the main asteroid belt, where it will observe asteroid Donaldjohanson in April 2025, and then move on to observe the Trojan asteroids in 2027.

"Our ultimate goal is to understand the formation of celestial bodies," Sunshine said. "How do planets form? How was Earth formed? We know that big planets are formed by smaller bodies, so studying these little asteroids lets us see how materials behave and interact on a smaller scale. With Dinky and the other asteroids we're flying by, we're laying the groundwork for understanding how planets are made."

 

Wednesday, May 29, 2024

AI helping find 'world's loneliest plant' a partner

AI helping find 'world's loneliest plant' a partner
Artificial intelligence is being used in the hunt to find an endangered male plant, described as the world's loneliest, a female partner.

A research project, led by the University of Southampton, is scouring thousands of acres of forest in South Africa - where the only known Encephalartos woodii (E. woodii) was ever found.

All existing members of the species are male clones of the only known E. woodii, and cannot naturally reproduce.

The ancient species predates the dinosaurs, and is believed to be one of the most endangered organisms on the planet.

Dr Laura Cinti, research fellow at the University of Southampton, is leading the first project to use drones and AI to search for a female E. woodii.

She said: “I was very inspired by the story of the E. woodii, it mirrors a classic tale of unrequited love.

"I’m hopeful there is a female out there somewhere, after all there must have been at one time. It would be amazing to bring this plant so close to extinction back through natural reproduction.”

The only known E. woodii was discovered in the Ngoye Forest in 1895.

With only one male ever found, all subsequent propagated samples are male clones - meaning the plant cannot naturally reproduce.

Drone imaging of the forest is being analysed by AI - with less than 2% of the 10,000 acre area having been covered so far.

Dr Ciniti said: “With the AI, we are using an image recognition algorithm in order to recognise plants by shape.

“We generated images of plants and put them in different ecological settings, to train the model to recognise them."

The forest has never before been fully explored to determine if a female could exist.

The species is still grown and propagated at the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew, in London, where they describe it as the "worlds loneliest plant".

South Africans vote in most competitive election since end of apartheid

South Africans vote in most competitive election since end of apartheid
South Africans began voting Wednesday in an election seen as their country’s most important in 30 years, and one that could put their young democracy in unknown territory.

At stake is the three-decade dominance of the African National Congress party, which led South Africa out of apartheid’s brutal white minority rule in 1994. It is now the target of a new generation of discontent in a country of 62 million people — half of whom are estimated to be living in poverty.

Africa’s most advanced economy has some of the world’s deepest socioeconomic problems, including one of the worst unemployment rates at 32 percent.

The lingering inequality, with poverty and joblessness disproportionately affecting the Black majority, threatens to unseat the party that promised to end it by bringing down apartheid under the slogan of a better life for all.

After winning six successive national elections, several polls have the ANC’s support at less than 50 percent ahead of this one, an unprecedented drop. It might lose its majority in Parliament for the first time, although it’s widely expected to hold the most seats.

Support has been fading. The ANC won 57.5 percent of the vote in the last national election in 2019, its worst result to date.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, the leader of the ANC, has promised to “do better.” The ANC has asked for more time and patience.

Any change in the ANC’s hold on power could be monumental for South Africa. If it does lose its majority, the ANC will likely face the prospect of having to form a coalition with others to stay in government and keep Ramaphosa as president. An ANC having to co-govern has never happened before.

The election will be held on one day across South Africa’s nine provinces, with nearly 28 million people registered to vote at more than 23,000 polling stations. Final results are expected by Sunday. Ramaphosa was due to cast his vote in the morning in the Johannesburg township of Soweto where he was born and which was once the epicentre of the resistance to apartheid.

The opposition to the ANC in this election is fierce but fragmented. The two biggest opposition parties, the Democratic Alliance and the Economic Freedom Fighters, are not predicted to increase their vote by anything near enough to overtake the ANC.

Instead, disgruntled South Africans are moving to an array of opposition parties; more than 50 will contest the national election, many of them new. One is led by South Africa’s previous president, who seeks revenge on his former ANC colleagues.

The ANC says it is confident of retaining its majority. Ramaphosa has pointed out how South Africa is a far better country now than under apartheid, when Black people were barred from voting, weren’t allowed to move around freely, had to live in certain areas and were oppressed in every way.

Memories of that era, and the defining vote that ended it in 1994, still frame much of everyday South Africa. But fewer remember it as time goes on.

“This will be the seventh time that South Africans of all races, from all walks of life, from all corners of our country, will go to vote for the national and provincial government,” Ramaphosa said in his last speech to the country before the election. “We will once again assert the fundamental principle … that no government can justly claim authority unless it is based on the will of all the people.”

Ramaphosa outlined some of his ANC government’s policies to boost the economy, create jobs and extend social support for poor residents. The speech sparked a furious reaction from opposition parties, who accused him of breaking an electoral law that stops those in public office from using the office to promote a party.

Almost 1M people flee Rafah in past 3 weeks amid ongoing Israeli incursion

Almost 1M people flee Rafah in past 3 weeks amid ongoing Israeli incursion
More than a million people have fled Gaza’s southern city of Rafah since Israel launched a ground invasion on May 6 and some have been displaced several times already because of Israeli bombardments, the UN agency helping Palestinian refugees has said.

Juliette Touma, spokesperson for the agency known as UNRWA, told a UN press conference that the agency's teams on the ground say heavy bombardments again took place overnight including in the area north of Rafah home to the UN main offices as well as UNRWA's offices. Most of its staff didn’t make it to work and were "packing and moving," she said.

"People are absolutely terrified," Touma said in the video briefing from Jordan. "A lot of people are fleeing to al-Muwasi and they are also fleeing to the middle areas including Deir al-Balah," which are crowded with other displaced Palestinians.

Touma said just over 200 trucks with humanitarian supplies have been picked up for delivery to those in need in the past three weeks, which she called "a drop in the ocean amid people’s humanitarian needs."

Israel carried out fresh strikes on Wednesday in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where its forces are battling Hamas, after the UN Security Council met to discuss a deadly attack that sparked global outcry.

Despite mounting concern over the civilian toll of its war on Hamas, Israel has shown no sign of changing course and international efforts aimed at securing a ceasefire remain stalled.

AFP journalists in Rafah reported new strikes early Wednesday, hours after witnesses and a Palestinian security source said Israeli tanks had penetrated the heart of the city.

"People are currently inside their homes because anyone who moves is being shot at by Israeli drones," resident Abdel Khatib said.

YouTube rolls out its new Playables games to all users

YouTube rolls out its new Playables games to all users
YouTube has just taken its gaming experience up a notch with the launch of Playables, now available for all users across various platforms.

This exciting addition brings a curated collection of 75 games right to your fingertips, catering to a diverse range of preferences.

You can enjoy classics like chess and crossword puzzles, as well as beloved mobile hits like Angry Birds Showdown!, Trivia Crack, and Cut the Rope.

What sets Playables apart is its seamless integration into the YouTube ecosystem.

You dive into these games instantly, also track your scores and performance without missing a beat.

It's gaming on the go, with all the convenience and fun you'd expect from YouTube.

This move marks a significant expansion of YouTube's gaming offerings, reflecting a trend among tech giants to redefine the gaming landscape.

Last year saw YouTube dip its toes into gaming with a limited version of Playables exclusive to Premium subscribers.

However, this iteration was short-lived, with the company pulling the plug earlier this year.

Now, with Playables available to all users, the possibilities are endless. Whether you're looking for a quick brain-teaser or a more immersive gaming experience, YouTube has you covered.

How to play YouTube Playables on mobile

Simply fire up the YouTube app on your Android or iOS device, tap on Playables in the sidebar, and let the games begin.

Tuesday, May 28, 2024

EU states announce formal recognition of Palestinian state

EU states announce formal recognition of Palestinian state
The establishment of a Palestinian state is “the only route to peace” in the Middle East, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has said as his country announced formal recognition, alongside Norway and Ireland.

Sanchez spoke on Tuesday before a cabinet vote that approved the previously announced plan to recognise a Palestinian state. Norway’s recognition has also taken effect, while Ireland was due to follow suit later in the day.

Spanish government spokesperson Pilar Alegria announced that the cabinet had “adopted an important decision to recognise a Palestinian state”, which had “one objective: to help Israelis and Palestinians achieve peace”.

The Spanish prime minister called the move “a matter of historical justice”.

“The only route towards establishing peace is the establishment of a Palestinian state, living side by side with the state of Israel,” he said.

“The state of Palestine must be viable with the West Bank and Gaza connected by a corridor and with East Jerusalem as its capital.”

Madrid will not recognise any changes to pre-1967 borders unless agreed to by both parties, he said. The occupied West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza Strip were part of the territory Israel seized in 1967 in the Arab-Israeli War.

The leaders of Spain, Ireland, Malta and Slovenia said in March that they were considering recognising a Palestinian state as “a positive contribution” towards ending the war in Gaza.

As Oslo’s recognition took effect, Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said in a statement, “For more than 30 years, Norway has been one of the strongest advocates for a Palestinian state. Today, when Norway officially recognises Palestine as a state, is a milestone in the relationship between Norway and Palestine.”

Meanwhile, the Palestinian flag was raised in Dublin outside the seat of the Irish parliament.

“This is an important moment and I think it sends a signal to the world that there are practical actions you can take as a country to help keep the hope and destination of a two-state solution alive at a time when others are trying to sadly bomb it into oblivion,” Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris said before a cabinet meeting that was set to formally sign off on the decision.

Malta and Slovenia have suggested they will also take the same step, although not immediately.

10 AI features coming to iOS 18

10 AI features coming to iOS 18
In his latest Power On newsletter, Mark Gurman reviews Apple’s AI strategy. Apple’s focus will be on providing users with practical tools. The main iOS 18 apps, Safari, Photos and Notes, will all receive AI implementation.

Apple will use AI to deliver the following new features:

Photo retouching.
Transcription of voice messages.
Suggested replies to emails and messages.
Automatically generated emojis based on the content of the user’s messages, providing completely new and unique emojis.
Improved search in Safari.
Faster and more reliable searches in Spotlight.
More natural interactions with Siri.
A more advanced version of Siri designed for Apple Watch, optimized for ‘tasks on the go.’
Smart summaries of missed notifications and individual messages, web pages, news articles, documents, notes and more.
Developer tools for Xcode.
AI functions that require less processing power will run on the device, while more demanding functions will be run via the cloud. Apple also expects to be able to utilize its huge userbase.

 

Instagram rolls out read receipts toggle

Instagram rolls out read receipts toggle
In a move to enhance user privacy, Instagram has introduced a feature to turn off Read Receipts, allowing users to control who can see when they've read a message.

This update brings Instagram in line with other popular messaging apps like WhatsApp and iMessage.

Read Receipts on Instagram notify the sender when you've seen their message, and vice versa.

While this feature can be useful, it can also lead to unintended pressure to respond quickly. By turning off Read Receipts, users can avoid this expectation and maintain their privacy.

To toggle off Read Receipts on Instagram:

- Open the app on your iPhone
- Go to the chat you want to modify
- Click on the conversation partner's name at the top
- Select "Privacy and Safety"
- Tap "Turn off Read Receipts"

This update is part of Instagram's efforts to provide users with more control over their experience. Other recent features include broadcast channels, chat themes, and collaborative posts. With this new feature, Instagram users can enjoy a more flexible and private messaging experience.

Monday, May 27, 2024

Cyclone Remal pounds Bangladesh and India, leaves millions without power

Cyclone Remal
Strong winds and heavy rain have pounded the coastal regions of Bangladesh and India as severe cyclone Remal made landfall, leaving millions without electricity after power poles fell and some trees uprooted by gusty winds.

The storm crossed the coastal regions of Bangladesh's Mongla port and the adjoining Sagar Islands in India's West Bengal state late on Sunday with wind speed measuring up to 135 kmph (about 84 mph), the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

The storm will gradually weaken into a cyclone during the morning on Monday and then move northeast and gradually weaken further, the IMD said in its latest weather update.

The landfall process began around 9 pm local time in India (1530 GMT) on Sunday and continued for about five hours, the regional meteorological office in Kolkata said.

One person was killed in the major metropolitan city of Kolkata when concrete chunks fell on him during the peak of the storm, police said.

Roofs of thatched huts were blown away while mud houses were flattened in the coastal areas of both countries as authorities waited to ascertain the full scale of losses.

The death toll in low-lying areas of Bangladesh has risen to at least 10 people, with more than 30,000 homes destroyed and tens of thousands more damaged, top local officials said Monday.

"They mostly died after they were crushed under fallen houses or collapsed walls," said Showkat Ali, government administrator of Barisal district, where seven people died.

Three others died in neighbouring districts, some by drowning.

Bangladesh moved about 800,000 people from the port areas of Mongla and Chittagong and nine coastal districts to storm shelters from Sunday morning. As many as 110,000 people were also taken to shelters in India.

Dhaka set up nearly 8,000 cyclone shelters and mobilised 78,000 volunteers ahead of the storm while the Indian navy said it had kept ships, aircraft, divers and medical supplies on standby for deployment if required.

While early warnings and timely evacuations helped both countries avert major casualties from the storm, there was a heavy toll on power infrastructure.

Authorities in Bangladesh shut down electricity supply to many areas in advance to avoid accidents while many coastal towns were left in the dark as fallen trees and broken lines disrupted supply, power ministry of ficials said.

160 Killed, many burnt alive as Israel bombs Palestinian shelters in Rafah

160 Killed, many burnt alive as Israel bombs Palestinian shelters in Rafah
Israeli airstrikes have resulted in the deaths of at least 160 Palestinians over the past 24 hours, including many who were burnt alive in a bombing raid on shelters housing displaced people.

The assault targeted a centre run by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees near Rafah, in what has been described as a “horrific massacre.”

The attack on the Tal as-Sultan camp followed strikes on other shelters, compounding the devastation in the southern Gaza Strip. According to Palestinian officials, the strikes on Tal as-Sultan, Jabalia, Nuseirat, and Gaza City resulted in significant civilian casualties, with many of the victims being women and children.

The Israeli military confirmed the strike in Rafah, claiming it aimed at Hamas fighters using “precision weaponry.” They acknowledged civilian casualties due to a fire that broke out during the attack and indicated that the incident is under investigation.

Reports from the Wafa news agency highlighted that approximately 40 Palestinians were killed in the tent camp at Rafah, designated as a safe zone. The camp was housing numerous displaced families seeking refuge from the ongoing conflict.

Since the escalation of hostilities on October 7, the death toll in Gaza has soared, with at least 35,984 Palestinians martyred and up to 80,643 wounded in Israeli attacks. The continued bombings have exacerbated the humanitarian crisis, with shelters and safe zones increasingly becoming targets in the conflict.

Israel has persisted in bombing Rafah despite a ruling from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Friday, which ordered Israel to cease its military operation in Rafah where thousands of Palestinians are seeking shelter.

 

Israeli airstrikes kill at least 35 in Rafah, Gaza authorities say

Israeli airstrikes kill at least 35 in Rafah, Gaza authorities say
Israeli forces have bombed a tent camp housing displaced people in a designed safe zone in Rafah, killing at least 35 Palestinians, according to officials. Many of the victims were women and children and they burned alive.

The attack on the Tal as-Sultan area came as Israeli forces also bombed shelters housing displaced Palestinians in areas including Jabalia, Nuseirat, and Gaza City in the past 24 hours, killing at least 160 others, according to the Palestinian officials.

The Israeli military confirmed the attack, saying it targeted Hamas fighters using “precision weaponry”. It admitted civilians were injured when a fire broke out and said the incident is under investigation.

The local media in Gaza earlier said the strike hit a centre run by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees near Rafah, branding it a “horrific massacre”.

The Palestinian officials said assaults in Tal as-Sultan neighbourhood, Jabalia, Nuseirat and Gaza City killed at least 160 citizens in the past 24 hours.

At least 35,984 Palestinians have been killed and up to 80,643 people have been wounded in Israel’s war on Gaza since October 7. The death toll in Israel from Hamas’s attack on that date stands at 1,139, with dozens still held captive.

Sunday, May 26, 2024

Taiwan’s president says wants to work with China

Taiwan’s president says wants to work with China
Taiwan’s new president said on Sunday he was still ready to work with China, despite this week’s military drills around the self-ruled island.

The drills began around Taiwan on Thursday, just three days after Lai Ching-te was sworn in, part of an escalating campaign of intimidation by China which views the island as part of its territory.

During the two-day drills, China vowed that what it described as “independence forces” would be left “with their heads broken and blood flowing”.

Lai told reporters on Sunday that he wanted Taiwan and China to “jointly shoulder the important responsibility of regional stability”.

“I also look forward to enhancing mutual understanding and reconciliation through exchanges and cooperation with China […] and moving towards a position of peace and common prosperity,” he said at an event in Taipei.

Communications between China and Taiwan were severed in 2016 after former president Tsai Ing-wen of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) took office, pledging to defend Taiwan’s sovereignty.

Lai, also a DPP member, had vowed to maintain Tsai’s policies of building up Taiwan’s defence capabilities, while remaining open to dialogue with China and strengthening relations with the island’s partners — particularly the United States.

Wen-ti Sung, a non-resident fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Global China Hub, told AFP that Lai would “hold firm to project resolve” during this first interaction between his administration and Beijing.

“However he will no doubt be looking to leverage other international partners and friends to help facilitate more back-channel communications with Beijing,” Sung said.

Pakistan regards Taiwan as inalienable part of China: PM

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Sunday that Pakistan would continue to extend support to China on its position on Taiwan.

“As an iron-brother and a strategic partner of China, Pakistan has always extended its principled support to the Chinese position on Taiwan and will continue to do so,” he said in a post on social media platform X.

“Pakistan adheres to ‘One China’ policy, regards Taiwan as an inalienable part of the People’s Republic of China and supports the Chinese government’s efforts for national reunification,” he said.

“The so-called elections or transition of the self-proclaimed government in Taiwan do not change the objective facts on the Taiwan issue,” he added.

Intimidation tactics

Since 2016, Beijing has upped military and political pressures on Taiwan, and its naval vessels, drones and warplanes maintain a near-daily presence around the island.

Experts say Beijing is seeking to intimidate and exhaust Taiwan’s military monitoring its activities.

On Sunday, two days after the drills ended, Taiwan’s defence ministry reported that seven Chinese aircraft, 14 naval vessels and four coast guard ships were “operating around” the island in a 24-hour period ending at 06:00am (2200 GMT Saturday).

The ministry also said in a separate statement that it had found a cardboard box containing political slogans that it said was left by Beijing on a dock in Erdan, an islet part of Taiwan-controlled Kinmen next to China’s Xiamen.

The defence ministry shrugged off the incident, saying it suspected it was intended to create online chatter.

‘Major test’

Lai’s first week in office also saw tens of thousands take to the streets of Taipei to protest bills proposed in parliament by the opposition Kuomintang — regarded as pro-Beijing — and Taiwan People’s Party.

DPP lawmakers have been accusing the opposition of forcing the bills — which expand parliament’s powers — through without proper consultation.

With Lai’s DPP no longer holding the majority in parliament, his party will face challenges in passing his administration’s policies, such as bolstering the defence budget.

“The pressures are coming fast and early for the Lai administration,” Amanda Hsiao of the International Crisis Group told AFP.

“This is going to be a major test of their ability to manage multiple challenges, domestic and external, at the same time. “

UN estimates more than 670 killed in Papua New Guinea landslide

UN estimates more than 670 killed in Papua New Guinea landslide
The International Organization for Migration has increased its estimate of the death toll from a massive landslide in Papua New Guinea (PNG) to more than 670.

Serhan Aktoprak, the chief of the United Nations agency’s mission in the South Pacific island nation, said on Sunday the revised death toll was based on calculations by Yambali village and Enga provincial officials that more than 150 homes had been buried by Friday’s landslide.

The previous estimate had been 60 homes. “They are estimating that more than 670 people [are] under the soil at the moment,” Aktoprak said.

“The situation is terrible with the land still sliding. The water is running and this is creating a massive risk for eveyrone involved,” added Aktoprak, who is based in capital, Port Moresby.

Local officials had initially put the death toll on Friday at 100 or more. Only five bodies and a leg of a sixth victim had been recovered by Sunday, while seven people, including a child, had received medical treatment.

Meanwhile, emergency responders were moving survivors of the massive landslide to safer ground as tonnes of unstable earth and tribal warfare, which is rife in the country’s highlands, threatened the rescue effort.

Damage to infrastructure also made it more difficult for rescue and relief efforts to reach the area, according to Justine McMahon, a CARE Australia humanitarian group representative in PNG.

“The ground is quite unstable, making it difficult for rescuers to get in. The main road has also been cut off by about 200 metres [656 feet], hampering relief,” she told media.

Heavy earth-moving equipment are yet to arrive at the mountainous location 600km (370 miles) northwest of Port Moresby.

At some points, the landslide – a mix of car-sized boulders, uprooted trees and churned-up earth – was thought to be 8 metres (26 feet) deep.

Aid agencies said the catastrophe had effectively wiped out the village’s livestock, food gardens and sources of clean water.

Government authorities were trying to establish evacuation centres on safer ground on either side of the massive swath of debris that covers an area the size of three to four football fields.

Besides the blocked highway, convoys that have transported relief have faced risks related to tribal fighting in one village about halfway along the route. PNG soldiers were providing security for the convoys.

The government is expected to decide by Tuesday whether it will officially request more international help.

The United States and Australia, a near neighbour and PNG’s most generous provider of foreign aid, are among governments that have publicly stated their readiness to do more to help the responders.

Airlines, hotels, retailers fear being left out in Google's search changes

Google
European lobbying groups representing airlines, hotels, and retailers are urging EU regulators to prioritise their interests alongside large tech intermediaries as Google adapts to the bloc's landmark Digital Markets Act (DMA).

These groups, including Airlines for Europe (representing Air France KLM and IAG), hotel groups Hotrec and European Hotel Forum, as well as retail associations, are concerned that Google's compliance measures may inadvertently benefit large online platforms at their expense.

“Our industries have serious concerns that currently considered solutions and requirements for implementing the DMA could further increase discrimination,” the groups wrote in a joint letter to EU regulators dated May 22nd.

They argue that proposed changes, while aimed at increasing user choice, could hinder their direct sales by giving preferential treatment to powerful intermediaries. “Initial observations indicate that these changes risk severely depleting direct sales revenues of companies by giving more prominence to powerful online intermediaries due to the preferential treatment they would receive,” they warned.

The DMA, designed to curb anti-competitive practices by tech giants like Google, is currently under scrutiny as the EU investigates potential breaches. These smaller businesses, echoing concerns voiced in March, fear that the investigation focuses solely on fair treatment for third-party services, overlooking their direct offerings on platforms like Google Search.

“We are concerned that the non-compliance investigation refers only to the need to treat third-party services in a fair and non-discriminatory manner, without any acknowledgement of European businesses that also offer their services on Google,” the groups stated.

Google, which acknowledged in March that its search result adjustments could drive more traffic to large intermediaries, has yet to respond to the groups' latest concerns.

The EU Commission, spearheading the DMA implementation and investigation, has also not issued a statement. This brewing conflict highlights the complexities of regulating Big Tech and ensuring that compliance efforts don't inadvertently stifle competition from smaller players.

Hamas says it captured Israeli soldiers in Gaza

Israeli soldiers in Gaza
A spokesman for Hamas' armed wing said on Sunday its fighters had captured Israeli soldiers during fighting in Jabalia in northern Gaza on Saturday, though the Israeli military denied the claim.

The Hamas armed wing spokesman did not say how many soldiers had been captured and showed no proof of the claim.

"Our fighters lured a Zionist force into an ambush inside a tunnel ... The fighters withdrew after they left all members of the force dead, wounded, and captured," Abu Ubaida, the spokesman for Al Qassam Brigades, said in a recorded message.

The Israeli military on Sunday denied the claim by Hamas' armed wing. "The IDF (Israeli Defence Forces) clarifies that there is no incident in which a soldier was captured," the military said in a statement.

Hamas released a video that appeared to show a bloodied person being dragged along the ground in a tunnel and photos of military fatigue and rifle.

The comments by Abu Ubaida came hours after prospects for a resumption of mediated Gaza ceasefire talks grew on Saturday.

An official with knowledge of the matter told Reuters, a decision had been taken to resume the talks next week after the chief of Israel's

Mossad intelligence agency met the head of the CIA and the prime minister of Qatar.

The source, who declined to be identified by name or nationality, said it had been decided that "in the coming week negotiations will open based on new proposals led by the mediators, Egypt and Qatar and with active U.S. involvement."

A Hamas official later denied Israeli media reports the talks would resume in Cairo on Tuesday, telling Reuters: "There is no date."

After more than seven months of war in Gaza, the mediators have struggled to secure a breakthrough, with Israel seeking the release of hostages held by Hamas and Hamas seeking an end to the war and a release of Palestinian prisoners in Israel.

Nearly 36,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's offensive, Gaza's health ministry says.

Saturday, May 25, 2024

Spain demands Israel comply with UN court ruling on Rafah

Spain demands Israel comply with UN court ruling on Rafah
The Spanish government demanded on Saturday that Israel comply with an order by the top UN court to immediately stop its bombardment and ground assault on the Gazan city of Rafah.

It stressed that the ruling on Friday by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) was legally binding.

“The precautionary measures set out by the ICJ, including that Israel should cease its military offensive in Rafah, are compulsory. Israel must comply with them,” Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares wrote on X.

“The same goes for a ceasefire, the release of the hostages and access for humanitarian aid (to Gaza),” he said.

“The suffering of the people of Gaza and the violence must end.”

In a case brought by South Africa alleging the Israeli assault on Gaza amounts to “genocide”, the ICJ ordered Israel on Friday to “immediately halt” the ground and air offensive in Rafah.

The operations began on May 7 despite international fears for the safety of the 1.4 million civilians trapped in the city.

The Hague-based ICJ, whose orders are legally binding but lack direct enforcement mechanisms, also ruled that Israel must keep open the key Rafah crossing with Egypt to allow “unhindered” humanitarian aid into Gaza.

And it urged the “unconditional” release of hostages taken by Hamas fighters during their October 7 attack in Israel.

Israel responded on Saturday by bombing Rafah and other parts of the densely populated Gaza Strip.

Spain is one of the European countries to have been most critical of Israel over the war in Gaza.

On Wednesday, Spain, Ireland and Norway said their governments would recognise a Palestinian state from next week.

Some 45,000 Rohingya flee amid allegations of beheading, burning in Myanmar

Some 45,000 Rohingya flee amid allegations of beheading, burning in Myanmar
Escalating violence in conflict-torn Myanmar’s Rakhine State has forced another 45,000 minority Rohingya to flee, the United Nations warned, amid allegations of beheadings, killings and burnings of property.

Clashes have rocked Rakhine State since the Arakan Army (AA) rebels attacked forces of the ruling military government in November, ending a ceasefire that had largely held since a military coup in 2021. The fighting has caught in the middle the Muslim minority group, long considered outsiders by the majority Buddhist residents, either from the government or the rebel side.

The AA says it is fighting for more autonomy for the ethnic Rakhine population in the state, which is also home to an estimated 600,000 members of the persecuted Rohingya Muslim minority, who have chosen to remain in the country.

More than a million Rohingya have taken shelter in neighbouring Bangladesh after fleeing Rakhine, including hundreds of thousands in 2017 during an earlier crackdown by the military that is now the subject of a United Nations genocide court case.

UN rights office spokeswoman Elizabeth Throssell told reporters in Geneva on Friday that tens of thousands of civilians have been displaced in recent days by the fighting in Buthidaung and Maungdaw townships.

“An estimated 45,000 Rohingya have reportedly fled to an area on the Naf River near the border with Bangladesh, seeking protection,” she said, as she urged the protection of civilians according to international law.

UN rights chief Volker Turk was urging Bangladesh and other countries “to provide effective protection to those seeking it, in line with international law, and to ensure international solidarity with Bangladesh in hosting Rohingya refugees in Myanmar”, she said.

Potentially habitable Earth-size planet discovered 40 light-years away

Potentially habitable Earth-size planet discovered 40 light-years away
Astronomers are abuzz with the recent discovery of Gliese 12 b, an exoplanet (planet outside our solar system) that’s tantalizingly close to Earth — a mere 40 light-years away.

What makes this distant world so exciting?

It’s not just the Earth-to-Venus size or the potential 107°F (42°C) temperature that makes Gliese 12 b interesting. The real intrigue lies in what this planet might teach us about how planets retain or lose their atmospheres.

Gliese 12 b exoplanet for atmospheric studies
Why is Gliese 12 b so perfect for studying planetary atmospheres? A few reasons include:

Right size of exoplanet

Gliese 12 b is roughly the size of Earth or slightly smaller, making it comparable to Venus. This similarity in size makes Gliese 12 b an excellent subject for studying rocky planets.

Understanding its characteristics can help scientists draw comparisons between Earth, a habitable planet, and Venus, which is inhospitable due to its extreme greenhouse conditions.

These comparisons are crucial for learning about the different evolutionary paths rocky planets can take.

Exoplanet Gliese 12 b has a red dwarf star

Gliese 12 b orbits a red dwarf star, significantly smaller and cooler than our Sun. Red dwarfs have lower luminosity, which means their habitable zones are much closer to the star. This proximity allows for a more detailed study of planets within these zones.

The star’s smaller size and mass also make it easier to detect planets like Gliese 12 b through the transit method. Each transit causes a more noticeable dimming of the star’s light, and the planet’s gravitational pull induces a detectable wobble in the star, known as reflex motion.

Temperate conditions

The estimated surface temperature of Gliese 12 b is 107°F (42°C), assuming it has no atmosphere. If an atmosphere is present, it could moderate the temperature, making the planet even more suitable for liquid water.

The presence and composition of an atmosphere are key factors in determining a planet’s habitability. Atmospheric studies can reveal if Gliese 12 b has conditions that might support life, or if it resembles Venus, with a thick, inhospitable atmosphere.

Close proximity to Earth

Gliese 12 b is located 40 light-years away, which is relatively close in astronomical terms. This proximity makes it easier for advanced telescopes, such as the James Webb Space Telescope, to observe the planet in detail.

Detailed observations can include studying the planet’s atmosphere through transmission spectroscopy during transits.

By analyzing the starlight that passes through the planet’s atmosphere, scientists can identify the chemical composition and determine the presence of gases like water vapor, carbon dioxide, and methane.

This data is essential for assessing the planet’s potential for habitability and understanding the atmospheric processes at play.

Potential for new discoveries

Gliese 12 b’s characteristics make it a prime target for future studies. Its Earth-like size, orbit around a cool red dwarf, and relatively close proximity provide a unique opportunity to learn more about planetary atmospheres and the conditions necessary for habitability.

Research on Gliese 12 b could offer insights into how planets retain or lose their atmospheres, shedding light on the factors that make planets like Earth habitable and others like Venus inhospitable.

This knowledge not only enhances our understanding of exoplanets but also contributes to our knowledge of the formation and evolution of planets in our own solar system.

Exo-venus connection

Researchers are likening Gliese 12 b to an “exo-Venus.”

“It is thought that Earth’s and Venus’s first atmospheres were stripped away and then replenished by volcanic outgassing and bombardments from residual material in the solar system,” explains Larissa Palethorpe, a doctoral student involved in the research.

But why is Earth a paradise and Venus an inferno? Palethorpe suggests that Gliese 12 b, sitting between Earth and Venus in terms of temperature and solar radiation, might help us understand how some planets lose their water and become uninhabitable while others remain oases.

Peering into the atmosphere

So, how do we figure out if Gliese 12 b has an atmosphere, and what it’s made of? Enter the transit method. As the planet passes in front of its star, the star’s light filters through the planet’s atmosphere (if it has one).

Different gases absorb specific wavelengths of light, creating a unique fingerprint that telescopes like the James Webb can analyze.

“We know of only a handful of temperate planets similar to Earth that are both close enough to us and meet other criteria needed for this kind of study, called transmission spectroscopy, using current facilities,” notes Michael McElwain, a research astrophysicist at NASA.

“To better understand the diversity of atmospheres and evolutionary outcomes for these planets, we need more examples like Gliese 12 b.”

Significance of discovering exoplanet Gliese 12 b
The discovery of Gliese 12 b is a chance to peer into the past and future of our own solar system. It’s also a step towards understanding what makes a planet habitable, and whether such worlds are common in the cosmos.

“Gliese 12 b represents one of the best targets to study whether Earth-size planets orbiting cool stars can retain their atmospheres, a crucial step to advance our understanding of habitability on planets across our galaxy,” concluded Shishir Dholakia, another researcher involved in the study from the Centre for Astrophysics at the University of Southern Queensland in Australia.

The mystery of Gliese 12 b is just beginning to unfold. With powerful telescopes like the James Webb Space Telescope trained on it, we’re on the verge of uncovering secrets that could reshape our understanding of planetary evolution and the potential for life beyond Earth.

Israel defiant after World Court ruling, vows to continue fighting

Israel defiant after World Court ruling on Gaza, vows to continue fighting
Israeli ministers dismissed on May 24's ruling by the International Court of Justice ordering Israel to cease its military operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, vowing to continue fighting to free its hostages and defeat Hamas.

The ruling by the World Court on May 24 was the latest in a series of steps in recent weeks that have deepened Israel's international isolation over its conduct of the war in Gaza, which has killed more than 35,000 Palestinians, according to local health authorities.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office rejected the allegations in the case brought by South Africa that Israel was carrying out genocide in Gaza as "false, outrageous and morally repugnant".

"Israel is acting based on its right to defend its territory and its citizens, consistent with its moral values and in compliance with international law," it said in a statement.

It said operations in Rafah would not be conducted in a way that "may inflict on the Palestinian civilian population in Gaza conditions of life that could bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part."

The war, triggered by the Hamas-led attack on communities around the Gaza Strip on Oct 7 2023, has caused a widening gulf between Israel and much of the rest of the world and serious strains between Netanyahu's government and its closest allies, including the United States.

Rafah, close to the border with Egypt, had taken in more than one million Palestinians displaced from their homes by the Israeli ground assault until an evacuation order by the military earlier this month sent hundreds of thousands to seek refuge in camps in central Gaza.

Outside Israel, there has been shock at the harrowing television images of the suffering in the ruins of Gaza, where aid agencies, struggling to get enough emergency supplies in, report a growing humanitarian crisis.

For Israelis, the devastating attack by Hamas-led gunmen that killed some 1,200 people in the deadliest day in Israel's history, remains a traumatic scar, made worse by the fate of around 250 hostages seized and taken into Gaza.

"The fact that they're even having this conversation is quite ludicrous, to be honest," said 39 year-old Adi Levanon, who works in start up investments in Tel Aviv.

"I think that we have women, young women, we have men, we have elderly individuals that have been take hostage. It makes no sense for country that's trying to defend and protect its people to not get them back home," he said.

"Continue fighting"

However the immediate practical impact on Israeli policy is likely to be limited, beyond reinforcing a defiant national mood already stoked by the International Criminal Court prosecutor's decision to seek arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant.

Internal Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who heads a hardline nationalist religious party that is key to the stability of Netanyahu's coalition, dismissed the ruling.

"Our future doesn't depend on what the Gentiles say but rather what the Jews do," he said on social media platform X, quoting a celebrated remark by David Ben Gurion, Israel's first prime minister.

The case before the ICJ was brought by South Africa on the basis that by killing Palestinians in Gaza, causing them serious mental and bodily harm and creating conditions of life "calculated to bring about their physical destruction", Israel is committing genocide against them.

Israel calls the allegations outrageous, saying it does everything possible to protect civilians and accusing Hamas of deliberately using civilians as human shields, a charge denied by the Islamist group which has controlled Gaza since 2007.

By coincidence or not, shortly after the ruling in the Hague was read out, residents in Rafah, where the Israeli army has been carrying out probing attacks on the city's edges, reported a particularly heavy air strike.

Israeli forces have been massed at the city's edges for weeks ahead of a long announced operation to destroy the four remaining Hamas battalions the army says are based there.

However, heavy fighting has also continued in other areas of Gaza, notably in the northern area of Jabaliya, where the army said earlier it had recovered the bodies of three hostages killed on Oct. 7.

War cabinet minister Benny Gantz, who spoke with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, said Israel had set out on a "just and necessary campaign" following the Oct 7 attack and said it would keep going, despite the ruling.

"The State of Israel is committed to continue fighting to return its hostages and promise the security of its citizens - wherever and whenever necessary - including in Rafah," he said in a statement. 

Friday, May 24, 2024

Riyadh bars visit visa holders from Makkah during Haj

Riyadh bars visit visa holders from Makkah during Haj
TRAVELLERS to Saudi Arabia holding visit visas will not be allowed to enter the holy city of Makkah during the Haj season, according to the Kingdom’s Ministry of Interior.

In a statement, the ministry said the ban would remain in force from May 23 to June 21.

Foreigners currently in Saudi Arabia on visit visas have been requested not to travel to Makkah during the designated period, acco­rding to the Saudi Press Agency.

Any person intending to perform Haj rituals in Makkah will need a permit as visit visas do not grant permission to perform Haj, the ministry warned.

The Ministry of Haj and Umrah has also stopped issuing Umrah permits through the Nusuk app — an online portal for permits to perform the rituals, reported Saudi Gazette, while quoting the ministry.

Saudi officials have war­ned the violators of strict punishments and hefty fines.

“Defying Haj regulations will result in severe and unwavering penalties. A fine of SR10,000 ($2,666) will be imposed on individuals caught in Makkah and the holy sites without a Haj permit, applicable to citizens, residents, and visitors. The fine will double for repeat offenders, and resident violators face deportation and a ban from entering Saudi Arabia,” the ministry said in a statement, posted on X earlier this week.

The penalties will be imposed on anyone caught without a Haj permit within designated areas of Makkah, including the city; central Haram area; holy sites of Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah; Haramain train station in Russeifa; security control centres; pilgrims’ grouping centres; and temporary security control centres, according to the Saudi Gazette.

Any person caught transporting pilgrims in Makkah without Haj permits will face an imprisonment of up to six months and a fine of 50,000 Saudi riyals.

Indian astrologer "Predicts" exact date World War 3 will start

Indian astrologer "Predicts" exact date World War 3 will start
The haunting concept of a Third World War has fuelled intense speculation and debate for decades.

With the devastating impacts of the first two world wars still etched in global memory, the thought of another massive conflict is both terrifying and compelling. Predictions from renowned astrologers like Nostradamus and Baba Vanga have long stoked these fears, and now, a fresh prophecy has emerged, catching fire on social media.

The newest addition to this series of predictions comes from Indian astrologer Kushal Kumar. In a recent Medium post, which he also shared on LinkedIn, Kumar made the startling claim that World War 3 is just weeks away.

According to his LinkedIn profile, Kumar is a Vedic astrologer who uses planetary charts to forecast future events. His prediction for 2024 is particularly ominous, highlighting May 8 as a significant date for escalating conflicts in hotspots like the Koreas, China-Taiwan, the Middle East, and Ukraine-Russia.

"2024 was predicted to be majorly worrisome in relation to war conditions in hotspots across the world, particularly around May 8 - it was indicated carrying highest escalation in such war fronts as Koreas, China-Taiwan, the Middle East involving Israel and others in the Middle East, and Ukraine-Russia, anger of NATO could also find expression," he wrote.

Kumar, who is based in Haryana's Panchkula, didn't stop at global conflicts. He suggested that some world leaders may struggle to handle these escalating tensions, potentially leading to serious illness, resignations, or even military takeovers in vulnerable regions.

Elon Musk's X to make 'likes' private by default

Elon Musk's X to make 'likes' private by default
Elon Musk has decided to remove public likes, a move that elicited mixed reactions from its users.

Haofei Wang, X's Director of Engineering, confirmed the upcoming change, stating, "Yes, we are making likes private."

Once public likes are removed, users will not be able to see which posts others have liked on their profiles.

This change was first brought to light by Aaron Perris, a MacRumors researcher, who discovered a new feature in the X app for iOS that disables the likes tab on users' profiles. Wang explained, "Public likes are incentivising wrong behaviour. Many people feel discouraged from liking content that might be considered 'edgy' due to fear of retaliation from trolls or to protect their public image."

Wang clarified that making likes private will allow users to interact more freely and improve the For You algorithm's recommendations for a user. However, the announcement left many questions unanswered.

Enrique Barragan, X's Senior Software Engineer, said that users will still see who liked their posts. The number of likes on posts and replies will also be visible to users, he said.

The main change is that users won't be able to see who liked others' posts. Also, there will not be a tab showcasing all the posts a user has liked.

This change, unlike many of Musk’s previous announcements, seems ready to be implemented. X has already allowed Premium subscribers to hide their likes, but this update will remove the option for everyone.

The goal is to protect users from potential backlash for liking controversial content, Wang added.

Pakistan to sell 15pc stake in Reko Diq project to Saudi Arabia

Pakistan to sell 15pc stake in Reko Diq project to Saudi Arabia
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have agreed in principle to strike a deal whereby Islamabad is ready to sell its 15% shares in the Reko Diq project to Saudi investors, according to media reports.

The decision was taken after Barrick Gold Corporation refused to sell out its stakes in the multibillion-dollar project.

With this development, Pakistan’s overall shares in the Reko-Diq project are expected to be reduced from the existing 50% to 35%.

Out of 35%, the Balochistan government’s share would remain at the existing level of 25%, while the federal government’s State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) stakes would be reduced from 25% to 10%.

“With this development, Pakistan will become a minority shareholder in this project,” official sources told the publication.

One top government official, when contacted, said that Pakistan possessed experience in running certain companies in joint ventures with international players; so keeping in view experience in the case of PTCL and the banking sector, it is a conscious decision of the government that the conversion into minority shareholder in Reko Diq project would not become a problem for any practical purpose.

Another official said there are certain clauses in the existing arrangement of Reko Diq whereby Barrick Gold would be bound not to take any major decision unilaterally, especially related to investments.

“Pakistan will be able to invoke such clauses in case of any urgent needs,” said the sources.

Amid dwindling investment-to-GDP ratio that had touched the lowest ebb of the last 50 years since 1972-3 during the outgoing fiscal year 2023-24, a breakthrough is expected for striking a deal in the Reko Diq with the involvement of Saudi Arabia which would play a critical role for improving investment climate.

Two top functionaries confirmed to private news channels on Thursday that the much-awaited development had achieved a breakthrough and a formal announcement was expected anytime within the next few weeks.

“Saudi Arabia will be involved in the Reko Diq project and they intend to increase their stakes in more blocks of the Reko Diq in future,” they told private news channels on Thursday.

With the help of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), a consultant was hired, who submitted its valuation report that paved the way for selling out stakes in the Reko Diq project.

The signing of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) would play a critical role, as the Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) is one of its components under which Islamabad had provided the right of international arbitration.

“The federal cabinet, during the tenure of the caretaker government, had approved and ratified the FTA and BIT with the GCC and now awaits their ratification for signing it,” said the official, adding that Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir had recently visited Saudi Arabia and then a Saudi minister also visited Pakistan. Therefore, such high-level interactions helped push these multibillion-dollar investments.

Under the ratification of FTA and part of it in the shape of BIT, Pakistan accepted demands for allowing to approach the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) or International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) in case of any disputes on multibillion-dollar investment projects.

Saudi Arabia and Pakistan negotiated the finalisation of the term sheet and valuation. The Manara Minerals Investment Company is a new venture between the Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma’aden) and the Public Investment Fund (PIF) to invest in mining assets globally and support the development of resilient global supply chains.

The Reko Diq Mining Company (RMDC) has been assigned to hire levies and payment mechanisms defined for Balochistan.

Pakistan has negotiated to include a graduated approach for the settlement of investment disputes between the state and investors. Through this arrangement, there will be a mandatory eight-month period to resolve the dispute at the domestic forums.

In the case of non-resolution of disputes, it was agreed that recourse could be made to PCA or ICSID as international arbitration forums.

The investment chapter can be annexed with the FTA to be signed with the GCC countries, including the process of investor and state dispute settlement through the ICSID as agreed with Saudi Arabia and Qatar, which was also shared with the GCC Secretariat.

The GCC side also said that the legally cleansed draft will be shared with the Pakistani side in due course of time.

Thursday, May 23, 2024

Germany clarifies it will arrest Israel PM Netanyahu over war crimes

Germany clarifies it will arrest Israel PM Netanyahu over war crimes
Israel’s Ambassador to Berlin, Ron Prosor, was rebuffed by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s government on Wednesday after the envoy made a dramatic appeal on X, formerly Twitter, to the Federal government to reject the ICC’s legitimacy fully.

Scholz’s spokesman, Steffen Hebestreit, was asked on Wednesday if the German government would execute an ICC arrest order against Prime Minister Netanyahu for alleged war crimes during Swords of Iron.

Hebestreit said, "Of course. Yes, we abide by the law."

Three European countries to recognize a Palestinian state

Norway, Ireland and Spain announced on Wednesday that they would recognise an independent Palestinian state on May 28, saying they hoped other Western countries would follow suit.

It prompted Israel to recall its ambassadors.

"In the middle of a war, with tens of thousands of dead and injured, we must keep alive the only thing that can provide a safe home for both Israelis and Palestinians: two states that can live in peace with each other," Stoere told a press conference, our colleagues Nerijus Adomaitis and Gwladys Fouche write.

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said the move was aimed at accelerating efforts to secure a ceasefire in Israel's war with Hamas in Gaza.

"We hope that our recognition and our reasons contribute to other western countries to follow this path because the more we are, the more strength we will have to impose a ceasefire, to achieve the release of the hostages held by Hamas, to relaunch the political process that can lead to a peace agreement," he said in a speech to the country's lower house.

Ministers from Arab states will meet with European Union counterparts in Brussels on Monday to try to forge a common path on ending the war in Gaza and build lasting peace, a senior EU official said.

Representatives from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates will join a regular meeting of foreign ministers from the 27-member EU, said Sven Koopmans, the EU's special representative for the Middle East peace process.

Koopmans said the gathering was one of a series at which Arab and European countries were seeking common positions on ways to end the fighting between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas.

"Our assignment is to see how we can build a coalition where we try collectively to contribute (to peace efforts) without putting people in a corner," Koopmans told Reuters.

The EU has been riven by divisions over the war in Gaza, which followed Hamas's deadly attack on Israel on Oct. 7.

Those divisions were on show again on Wednesday when EU members Spain and Ireland - along with Norway - said they would recognise a Palestinian state while France and Germany made clear they did not think the time was right.