Top 10 Global News Highlights
1. Indian Foreign Ministry’s Response to China
The Indian foreign ministry responded to “absurd” and “baseless” comments made by the Spokesperson of the Chinese Defence Ministry regarding Arunachal Pradesh state.
2. Hong Kong Legislative Council Approves National Security Bill
The Legislative Council of Hong Kong unanimously approved a new national security bill, expediting a significant legislative measure criticized for further endangering the city’s freedoms under Chinese rule.
3. Former Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro Indicted
Former Brazil president Jair Bolsonaro was indicted by federal police for suspected fraud on his vaccination records.
4. Global Heat Records Confirmed by United Nations
The United Nations confirmed that global heat records were “smashed” last year, with 2023 rounding out the hottest decade on record.
5. Air Quality Standards and WHO
Only seven countries worldwide are meeting the international air quality standard set by the World Health Organization (WHO) when it comes to airborne particles, known as PM2.5.
6. Profits of Sex Traffickers
Sex traffickers are making around £21,000 per year from each victim through profits gained from forced labor, according to projections made by the International Labour Organization (ILO).
7. Controversy in Nebraska Legislature
During a discussion on an obscenity bill in the Nebraska legislature, Senator Steve Halloran sparked controversy by reading aloud a graphic passage from Alice Sebold’s memoir “Lucky” and inserting a colleague’s name into the text.
8. UPSC Civil Service Prelims Exam 2024 Postponed
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has postponed the UPSC Civil Service Prelims Exam 2024, which was scheduled for May 26, 2024.
9. Germany Detains Suspected IS Members
Germany has detained two suspected members of the Islamic State (IS) for allegedly scheming an assault on the Swedish parliament in response to Koran burnings in Sweden.
10. RCB Renamed to Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise, RCB, officially rechristened itself as Royal Challengers Bengaluru during a ceremony held in front of a packed Chinnaswamy Stadium.