Countries Lebanon and Syria edge closer to revising perspectives regarding Israel
Peat bogs, which cover just 3% of the planet, hold a third of its carbon. This means that these small, often overlooked ecosystems play a significant role in combating climate change. In Ukraine, for instance, peat bogs have been used strategically as a defense mechanism, as demonstrated by the explosion of a dam to flood a marsh plain, making it impassable to Russian armor. Elsewhere, several European governments are considering reviving drained peat bogs as a means of carbon sequestration and defense against potential invasions.
In political news, the Trump administration's efforts to deport undocumented migrants faced further legal setbacks. A federal judge blocked White House plans to return Guatemalan children to their home country, marking a significant obstacle in the administration's immigration policy. On the economic front, a US federal appeals court ruled that sweeping global tariffs imposed by President Trump were illegal, although the duties were not immediately lifted.
International relations saw a series of notable developments. Israel is reportedly considering annexing parts of the occupied West Bank, a move that has been met with criticism from various quarters. In response, Israel has argued that the resolution is based on "Hamas' campaign of lies." At the same time, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held friendly exchanges with Russia's Vladimir Putin and China's Xi Jinping, events that were described as "deliberate diplomatic theater" that could potentially strain US-India relations.
The SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organization) summit in Tianjin saw the attendance of numerous world leaders, including Russia's Putin and India's Modi, as they gathered to counter a Western-led world order. However, Germany, which is not an SCO member, did not attend the summit.
Thailand's political landscape was thrown into turmoil as the constitutional court sacked the country's prime minister, leading to renewed political unrest. On the other hand, Indonesia was engulfed by widespread protests driven by economic discontent and opposition to police brutality, marking the greatest challenge yet to President Prabowo Subianto's government.
In other news, China welcomed more than a dozen world leaders, including Russia's Putin and India's Modi, for a summit aimed at countering a Western-led world order. Researchers made strides in medical technology, using artificial intelligence to spot hidden signs of consciousness in comatose patients long before they were noticed by doctors. Meanwhile, Chinese scientists turned succulents into glow-in-the-dark, rechargeable lights, offering a unique blend of technology and nature.
Tragically, more than 800 people have been killed after an earthquake struck near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. The ruling Taliban reported the death toll. Eastern European states have bolstered security in response to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with Finland building a wall and Poland adding minefields.
Lastly, a major study disagreed over the impacts of beta blockers for heart attack patients, highlighting the ongoing debate in the medical community. Additionally, young children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are being prescribed drugs too readily, according to research, raising concerns about over-medication in this population. The EU also accused Russia of suspected interference in an airplane carrying the European Commission president, forcing the jet to land using paper maps.
