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Senegal: Former Rivals Sonko and Macky Sall Face Off Again in Senegal's Parliamentary Elections

[RFI] In the upcoming parliamentary elections in Senegal scheduled for this weekend, former presidential rivals Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko and former President Macky Sall will face off once more - this time aiming to secure a majority in Parliament. This follows their competition in the March 2024 presidential election.




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Malta, WWII’s most heavily bombed country, makes pitch for military enthusiasts

VisitMalta launches military tourism segment aimed at attracting military history enthusiasts to Malta




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Film Commission delays in funds and rebate crippling local productions – MEIA

Maltese producers raise alarm over ripple effect of late payments in funding and services to creatives from Malta Film Commission




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‘Sorry’: The new quality standard

Meanwhile, honest, hardworking people will have to console themselves with Bartolo’s 'sorry'. It’s the new quality standard, it seems




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Edwin Balzan: You never stop learning in life

Co founder of Electronic Music Malta Edwin Balzan tells all in our Q&A




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Church and independent schools outperform state schools in computer literacy

Females perform better than males • Malta’s computer literacy score is within international average for computer literacy and substantially below average in computational thinking




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Our path to climate leadership

At its heart, climate action is about the future. The future we leave our children and grandchildren depends on the decisions we make today




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Portraying the Xinjiang Attack: Ethnic Conflict or Terrorism?

While the Chinese government has made clear that the Xinjiang attack was an act of terrorism, Western media has misreported it as an incident related to ethnic conflict.




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Singapore: from Bilingualism to Biculturalism

Singapore's bilingual policy has been the cornerstone of its development. It is time for the country to take the next step and embrace biculturalism.




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Australia-Fiji Relations Deteriorate

As Fiji continues its efforts to reinstitute democratic institutions, its relations with Australia continue to frustrate and complicate the process.




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Australia: Fanning the Flames of Warming and Warfare

Australia is a case study for how the West prioritizes fossil fuels and military intervention over developing alternative energy and regional accord.




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Detention, Torture and Killing of Afghan Women Continues

Throughout 2022, the ruling Taliban in Afghanistan introduced and enforced some of the worst gender-based discriminatory policies seen anywhere in the world.




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The Tibetan People's Limited Options

For 65 years China has been taking over Tibet, abusing Tibetans and destroying their culture, and no one's doing anything about it.




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Falling Price of Solar Affects India-U.S. Nuclear Deal

Solar power is now priced competitively with traditional forms of energy, which makes new nuclear power plants financially unviable.




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IMF isn’t doing enough to support Africa: billions could be made available through special drawing rights

At the 2021 UN Climate Summit, Barbados prime minister Mia Mottley called for more and better use of special drawing rights (SDRs), the International Monetary Fund’s reserve asset. The special drawing right is an international reserve asset created by the IMF. It is not a currency—its value is based on a basket of five currencies, […]





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Israel’s Ban on UNRWA Threatens the Stability of Palestine

On October 28, the Israeli parliament voted to ban activity from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in Israel. Two bills were passed by the Knesset, Israel’s house of representatives, one that barred all UNRWA efforts, and another that prevents interactions between Israeli authorities and UNRWA […]




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Empowering Change & Resilience: Social Protection in the Age of Megatrends

Social protection systems are essential to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. However, social protection is insufficient across Asia and the Pacific, and the region is at risk from megatrends: climate change, demographic shifts and digitalization. Tens of millions of people have been pushed into extreme poverty since COVID-19, reversing past gains, and many […]



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Playing Nuclear Games: Tickling the Tail of the Promethean Nuclear Fire Dragon

In recent years, the rhetoric, strategy and practice of nuclear deterrence has grown riskier, more urgent, more dangerous, less stable, and increasingly in the hands of deficient leaders and policymakers. Playing Nuclear Games The ten States that have manufactured and test detonated nuclear weapons since 1945, each have received and/or provided assistance to other States […]




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Strategic Patience can Mitigate Conflict Between Israel & Iran

How will Israel respond to Iran’s recent ballistic missiles barrage? “Strategic patience” is the best course. Israel has its hands full with Hamas and Hezbollah. Now is not the time to escalate a new major war with Iran, which could have nuclear implications. Israeli intelligence is still chafing from its failure to preempt Hamas’ attack […]




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Mortality in the Gaza-Israel War

Following the 7 October 2023 attack on Israel by Hamas-led militants, Israel’s response has led to unprecedented high mortality levels in the Gaza Strip. The Palestinian death toll over the twelve month period is believed to be among the highest such civilian casualty rates in the 21st century. During the first seven months of the […]




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Another Nobel for Anglocentric Neoliberal Institutional Economics

New institutional economics (NIE) has received another so-called Nobel prize, ostensibly for again claiming that good institutions and democratic governance ensure growth, development, equity and democracy. Daron Acemoglu, Simon Johnson, and James Robinson (AJR) are well known for their influential cliometric work. AJR have elaborated earlier laureate Douglass North’s claim that property rights have been […]




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Has the United Nations Outlived its Usefulness?

The United Nations, established in 1945 at the end of World War II, has sadly virtually outlived its usefulness as it commemorated its 79th anniversary due to its failure to reform itself and adjust to the new world order following the collapse of the Soviet Union, which is significantly different from when the UN was […]




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When the truth becomes a lie: What Trump’s election means for the world as we know it

On the day following the US election, UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres issued a brief statement commending the people of the United States for their active participation in the democratic process. He wisely omitted mention that the election of Donald J. Trump – who attempted to overturn the people’s mandate by inciting an insurrection in […]




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Israel Alienating Allies and Acquiring Adversaries 

As a result of its policies and actions in response to the 7 October attack, the Israeli government has not only alienated its allies and acquired adversaries but also found itself isolated diplomatically. The consequences of those developments and realignments have occurred across countries, organizations and groups worldwide.   Situation The Israeli government’s actions in […]




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The Marijuana Industry's Dirty Little Secret

The runaway-growth in the cannabis industry, fueled by rolling de-regulation and a high demand forecast, is bringing with it a growing carbon footprint.




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World Headlines: Capitol Siege by MAGA Mob

On January 6, 2021, white insurrectionists stormed the U.S. Capitol, proudly displayed the confederate flag, and set up gallows on the Capitol grounds.




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Should U.S. Flight Attendants Be Paid During Boarding?

The majority of U.S. airlines don't pay their flight attendants until the airplane door closes, even though plane boarding is one of the most stressful parts of their job.




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The Trump Transport: How Hispanics Will Be Delivered to Their Final Destinations

Donald Trump promises 'deportation force' to remove 11 million undocumented immigrants




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Viewpoints: Donald Trump Denies Existence of Climate Change

Donald Trump has claimed he doesn't believe in climate change, but that didn't stop him from citing it as a reason to build a sea wall to protect one of his golf courses.




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Republican Yes Votes on Health Care

Cases of beer were wheeled into the Capitol after the House narrowly passed a health care bill on May 4, 2017, that would repeal and replace major parts of the Affordable Care Act. Every Democrat voted no, joined by 20 Republicans.




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States With Confederate Monuments on Public Property

Some say it was the taking down of the Robert E. Lee monument that caused the torch-wielding Nazi/white supremacists to rage. Others are confident that it had nothing to do with the statue, and everything to do with racist and anti-Semitic rage of monumental proportions that inspired the Nazis/white supremacists/white nationals to storm Charlottesville, Virginia.    




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Asean outlier: PH credit growth improving

Credit growth trend in the Philippines has changed for the better, becoming the country with the most optimistic position among four of its peers in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean). For the next quarter or two, credit trend has been “improving” compared with the “declining” trend seen previously, according to the Bank of America November outlook released on Tuesday. The report took into consideration five credit growth indicators: system liquidity, business and retail expectations, rates and prices, as well as a range of external factors. READ: PH GDP growth slowed sharply to 5.2% in Q3 “The Philippines is […]...

Keep on reading: Asean outlier: PH credit growth improving




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BIR to monitor online sellers' tax compliance during holiday season

MANILA, Philippines – The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) will closely monitor the tax compliance of online marketplaces and online sellers during the holiday season, Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. has said. In a statement Wednesday, Lumagui warned that online businesses violating tax laws would be blocked. Section 115 of the National Internal Revenue Code, as […]...

Keep on reading: BIR to monitor online sellers' tax compliance during holiday season




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Police round up crypto-mining power thieves

Police and electricity authorities have raided buildings in Chachoengsao and Surat Thani provinces, arrested suspects and seized cryptocurrency mining machines that stole tens of millions of baht worth of electricity.




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Israelis in Thailand urged to be vigilant

Israeli authorities have advised their nationals in Thailand to remain vigilant following reports that they might be targeted during the Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan this coming Friday, the Times of Israel reports.




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Orphanage to lose licence over abuse

An orphanage foundation in Chiang Mai will have its licence revoked by the Social Development and Human Security Ministry (MSDHS) following a complaint alleging that its employees mistreated children between the ages of three and six, according to Minister Varawut Silpa-archa.




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Hoteliers decry use of illicit foreign entities

The widespread use of Thai nominees by foreign businesses in Thailand is a growing concern among hoteliers, who fear that low prices and quality could destroy the tourism reputation of the country, according to the Thai Hotels Association's (THA) monthly sentiment index.





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Italy's 'cannabis light' trade may go up in smoke with law change

Italy's flourishing "cannabis light" industry is at risk, with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni pushes a bill through parliament to deflower a crop that is legal across much of Europe. Her conservative coalition wants to ban the sale of hemp flower products, but those in the trade say it's economic suicide. - REUTERS




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This Polish chapel uses AI to teach about Catholicism

A Polish priest has created a small chapel in the city of Poznan, which besides an altar, lectern, chairs and crucifix, offers an AI-powered program allowing visitors to ask questions about Catholicism and faith. - REUTERS




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London's Kew Gardens opens annual festive light trail

Visitors to London's famous Kew Gardens this Christmas will get to walk a festive night-time trail that uses lights to bring the garden to life. - REUTERS




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Flights cancelled to and from Indonesia's Bali due to volcanic ash

DENPASAR — Several international airlines cancelled flights to and from Indonesia's resort island of Bali on Wednesday, after further eruptions of a volcano that has spewed ash clouds as high as 10 kilometres (32,808 feet) and forced thousands to evacuate.




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Somalia President Appoints New Military Commanders

[Shabelle] Mogadishu -- In a strategic move to bolster Somalia's defense apparatus, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has made key changes in the military hierarchy, appointing General Sahal Abdullahi Omar as the new Commander of Land Forces and elevating Lt. Colonel Hassan Salah Abdi to the position of Commander of Special Forces.




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Somali Americans Gear Up for U.S. Elections

[VOA] Minneapolis, Mn -- Somali Americans in Minnesota last month took part in a town hall involving Democratic and Republican party representatives encouraging them to participate in the 2024 election, arguing the stakes are high for them and their grandchildren.




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Two Ministers Resign From Somalia's Government Amid Tensions

[Shabelle] Mogadishu -- In a significant political development, two ministers from Somalia's federal government resigned on Sunday, November 3, 2024, citing what they described as the government's plans to exacerbate tensions with regional administrations, particularly Jubbaland and Puntland.




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Somalia Moves to Relocate Ethiopian Embassy Amid Growing Diplomatic Tensions

[Radio Dalsan] In a move that has captured international attention, Somalia's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, has announced plans to relocate the Ethiopian Embassy currently housed within the Somali presidential compound.




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Somalia Sends Four Planes of Humanitarian Aid to Baidoa Amid Looming Drought Crisis

[Radio Dalsan] Mogadishu -- The Federal Government of Somalia has dispatched four planes of humanitarian aid to Baidoa, the capital of the Southwest State, in response to escalating concerns over a severe drought expected to hit the region.




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Germany, Somalia Agree to Step Up Deportations

[Shabelle] Germany and Somalia are to cooperate on stepping up the deportation of migrants from the East African country.




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Turkish-Made Drone Crashes in Al-Shabaab-Controlled Farsooley, Somalia

[Radio Dalsan] A Turkish-made drone armed with missiles reportedly crashed on Tuesday in the Al-Shabaab-controlled village of Farsooley, located in Somalia's Lower Shabelle region, local sources have confirmed.