Germany and US , Agree to Send Advanced , Tanks to Ukraine.
CNN reports that Germany has finally confirmed
that it will send a contingent of Leopard 2 tanks
to Ukraine following much consideration.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's
announcement on January 25 followed
a similar commitment made by the United States.
U.S. President Joe Biden confirmed a plan to send
31 M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, reversing course on
sending advanced weaponry to the war-torn nation.
U.S. President Joe Biden confirmed a plan to send
31 M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, reversing course on
sending advanced weaponry to the war-torn nation.
CNN reports that the announcement comes
after weeks of intense pressure by NATO allies. .
[The tanks will] enhance Ukraine’s capacity to defend its territory and achieve its strategic objectives... This is not an offensive threat to Russia. There is no offensive threat to Russia if Russian troops return to Russia, where they belong, President Joe Biden, via CNN.
[The tanks will] enhance Ukraine’s capacity to defend its territory and achieve its strategic objectives... This is not an offensive threat to Russia. There is no offensive threat to Russia if Russian troops return to Russia, where they belong, President Joe Biden, via CNN.
Just last week, U.S. officials said that it was not
the right time to send the tanks, citing the cost
and the amount of training they require.
CNN reports that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky
has long requested Western allies to supply modern tanks
amid fears of a Russian counteroffensive in the spring.
CNN reports that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky
has long requested Western allies to supply modern tanks
amid fears of a Russian counteroffensive in the spring.
Abrams tanks are the best in the world.
This is a tremendous new capability
that Ukraine will be getting to
boost its long term defenses, United States senior administration official, via CNN.
Senior U.S. officials have called
the decision an investment in
Ukraine's "longer term capabilities." .
Senior U.S. officials have called
the decision an investment in
Ukraine's "longer term capabilities." .
CNN reports that the delivery of tanks to Ukraine
from both the U.S. and Germany is expected to
take months to complete training and deployment.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Marjorie Taylor Greene , Is a Major Contender to Be , Trump's 2024 VP Pick.
NBC reports that sources claim
Marjorie Taylor Greene is getting ready
to be Donald Trump's 2024 running mate.
NBC reports that sources claim
Marjorie Taylor Greene is getting ready
to be Donald Trump's 2024 running mate.
She sees herself on the short list
for Trump's VP. Paraphrasing
Cokie Roberts, when MTG looks
in the mirror she sees a potential
president smiling back, Steven Bannon, via ABC.
She sees herself on the short list
for Trump's VP. Paraphrasing
Cokie Roberts, when MTG looks
in the mirror she sees a potential
president smiling back, Steven Bannon, via ABC.
NBC reports that the news comes amid Greene's
recent push to rebrand herself as a politician that
could bridge the divide within the Republican party.
Recently, the second-term congresswoman
took assignments on two committees: , Homeland Security and
Oversight and Accountability.
NBC reports that this means Greene
can participate in high-profile investigations
into President Joe Biden's administration.
Greene also helped
Kevin McCarthy become
Speaker of the House. .
According to Steve Bannon, Greene's support
for McCarthy was a calculated risk which
alienated some of her Republican allies. .
According to Steve Bannon, Greene's support
for McCarthy was a calculated risk which
alienated some of her Republican allies. .
She's both strategic and disciplined —
she made a power move, knowing it
would run up hard against her most
ardent crew. She was prepared to take
the intense heat/hatred short-term for
the long-term goal of being a player, Steven Bannon, via ABC.
She's both strategic and disciplined —
she made a power move, knowing it
would run up hard against her most
ardent crew. She was prepared to take
the intense heat/hatred short-term for
the long-term goal of being a player, Steven Bannon, via ABC.
NBC reports that former President
Donald Trump has given no indication
of who he would want as a running mate. .
However, Greene has quickly become one of
the House's largest fundraisers, bringing in
$12.5 million in the 2022 midterm election cycle.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Biden Administration , Looking to Offshore Wind , to Meet Climate Goals.
Biden Administration , Looking to Offshore Wind , to Meet Climate Goals.
NPR reports that the United States is working to
meet its climate goals under the Paris climate
agreement by reducing its reliance on fossil fuels.
However, the energy sector remains one of the top
contributors to U.S. greenhouse gas emissions,
accounting for nearly 25% of the nation's total emissions.
The Biden administration is reportedly looking to
significantly reduce this number by building
offshore wind infrastructure along U.S. coasts.
The Biden administration is reportedly looking to
significantly reduce this number by building
offshore wind infrastructure along U.S. coasts.
The administration's goal
is to have 30 gigawatts of
offshore wind online by 2030.
To meet that ambitious goal,
thousands of new jobs need to be created,
particularly in the construction sector.
NPR reports that offshore wind has supplied
energy to Europe and Asia for years, however
it remains a relatively nascent industry in the U.S.
In 2016, the U.S. started operation of its first
offshore wind farm more than 25 years after
Europe launched its first wind turbines. .
According to a 2021 study, the average compensation
for workers in the clean energy sector is significantly
lower than it is for those in the fossil fuel industry.
To compensate for this difference,
offshore wind is looking to unionize
large parts of its workforce.
I think offshore wind energy is poised
to support good paying union jobs,
middle class wages, we're seeing
a lot of positive movement for it, Trevor Falk, Special assistant for energy policy at NABTU, via NPR
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Screenings of the blocked BBC documentary on PM Narendra Modi continued on campuses and public places in parts of southern India, with SFI organising its second.. IndiaTimes
Nari Shakti dominated the 74th Republic Day parade as women officers led the marching contingents of the armed forces, CRPF, Akash missile system and Army’s.. IndiaTimes
India on 26th January 2023 celebrated its 74th Republic Day, this is the first time that the celebration has taken place at the revamped Rajpath, now called Kartavya Path. Members of the Inclusive Divyangjan Entrepreneur Association (IDEA) and Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya National Institute for Persons with Physical Disabilities jointly were invited to attend the Republic Day parade by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s office. Learn about their experiences.
#RepublicDay #74thRepublicDay #PeopleWithDisabilities
Russia bombs Ukraine at Midnight after self-proclaimed Ceasefire ends; UN Security Council Members stress Jerusalem's Al Aqsa Mosque Status Quo; China ends quarantine for overseas travellers; Republican Kevin McCarthy picked as US House Speaker after election drama; William grabbed collar, threw me to the ground claims Prince Harry in his book; Japan is paying families 1 million Yen per child to move out of Tokyo; Two helicopters collide mid-air in Australia leaving 4 Dead; Twitter hacked, over 200 million user email addresses leaked; Son of Mexican Drug Lord El Chapo arrested
#RussiaUkraineWar #ChristmasCeasefire #Russia
Japan Is, Paying Families , to Leave Tokyo.
CNN reports that the government of Japan has
offered to pay families to move out of Tokyo
in an effort to boost plummeting birth rates. .
In April, families living in Tokyo will be eligible
to receive $7,700 per child if they choose to
move to less-populated towns across the country.
Tokyo is Japan's most populous city,
boasting a population of
approximately 37 million people. .
According to government statistics released in 2021,
prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the city's population
had been growing by up to 80,000 people each year. .
Combined with the country's rapidly aging
population, the migration pattern has left many
rural towns with fewer and fewer residents.
Outside of Tokyo, over half of the municipalities
in Japan are expected to be designated
as underpopulated areas in 2022.
CNN reports that Japan has long been suffering from
low birth rates and has seen the number of annual deaths
outpace the number of births in recent years.
Tokyo also has the lowest
fertility rate of all prefectures in Japan. .
CNN reports that this is not the Japanese
government's first attempt to use financial
incentives to encourage people to relocate. .
Other efforts to combat population decline in Japan
have included bolstering child care services, improving
housing facilities and even paying people to have children.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Japan government to offer one million Yen per child to families opting to leave Tokyo; Probe panel on US Capitol riots shutting down after referring Donald Trump for crimes; Pope Benedict XVI demise: Thousands of people pay respects at the Vatican; Ukraine rocket strikes kill63 Russian troops, highest casualty since beginning of war.
#Japan #Tokyo #JapaneseGovernment
Japan has marked a critical milestone in efforts to reshape its defense strategy, increase the national defense spending, and allow Tokyo to acquire a counterstrike missile capability. Japan this week adopted a new national security strategy to gain a more offensive footing and improve its resilience to protect itself from growing risks from China, North Korea and Russia. Let us know more about Japan's new National Security Strategy and what all Japan plans to do to initiate rebalance of power in the Indo-Pacific.
#Japan #JapanDefenceStrategy #NationalSecurityStrategy
Japan's PM Says , Population Decline , Poses Urgent Risk to Society.
'The Guardian' reports that the government of Japan has
pledged to address the country's low birthrate and aging
population by establishing a new government agency.
While many developed nations are facing declining
birthrates, Japan has the world's second
highest proportion of people over the age of 65.
On January 23, Fumio Kishida, Japan's prime
minister, addressed the issue in front of lawmakers
at the beginning of a new parliament session.
On January 23, Fumio Kishida, Japan's prime
minister, addressed the issue in front of lawmakers
at the beginning of a new parliament session.
The number of births
dropped below 800,000
last year, according to estimates, Fumion Kishida, Prime Minister of Japan, via 'The Guardian'.
Japan is standing on the verge of whether
we can continue to function as a society.
Focusing attention on policies regarding
children and child-rearing is an issue that
cannot wait and cannot be postponed, Fumion Kishida, Prime Minister of Japan, via 'The Guardian'.
Kishida said that the new policies, including the launch
of a new children and families agency in April,
are meant to ensure the "sustainability" of Japan.
We must build a child-first
social economy to reverse
the [low] birthrate, Fumion Kishida, Prime Minister of Japan, via 'The Guardian'.
'The Guardian' reports that Japan's
previous efforts to boost the nation's
birthrate have had a limited impact.
According to experts, government subsidies
have done little to address the difficulties
that discourage people from starting families.
With a population of 125 million, Japan has long
struggled with providing for the country's
fast-growing number of elderly residents
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
As the cases of Covid-19 are dropping in Japan, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has announced plans to downgrade the viral disease to a seasonal flu.
#Japan #Covid-19 #FluinJapan
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak welcomes his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida before signing a UK-Japanese defence agreement at the Tower of London. Report by Wardl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
No immediate reports of major disruptions or damage caused by snow, ice and subzero temperatures, as officials lifted their heavy snow warnings for Seoul and nearby areas.
Credit: euronews (in English) Duration: 01:00Published
North Korea Locks Down Pyongyang , Over ‘Respiratory Illness’.
Reuters reports that North Korean authorities have issued a five-day lockdown in the nation's capital. .
According to the Russian embassy, "a special anti-epidemic period has been established.".
The lockdown order also reportedly requires citizens to take their temperatures four times daily and alert a hospital via phone. .
While there was no mention of COVID,
the notice referred to an "increase in winter cases
of recurrent flu and other respiratory diseases.".
Reuters reports that last August,
North Korea declared victory over COVID.
The country never confirmed how many COVID cases it had because of an apparent lack of testing abilities. .
South Korea's NK News reports that Pyongyang residents were stocking up on supplies in case stricter measures were implemented.
According to state news agency KCNA, the North Korean city of Kaesong has also intensified public messages...
... "so that all the working people
observe anti-epidemic regulations
voluntarily in their work and life"
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
China Joins Growing List , of Countries Facing , Population Decline.
On January 17, new figures were published
that indicated China's population experienced
a decline for the first time in over sixty years.
Euronews reports that China
is not the only country to
announce a shrinking population.
According to a forecast published by the
United Nations last July, many countries will see their populations decline over the coming decades.
Population declines have been experienced
in eight countries with over ten million
inhabitants over the last decade.
The populations of Ukraine, Japan, Syria, Italy, Portugal, Romania and Greece are all declining. .
According to Euronews, the one thing these countries
have in common is low fertility rates, meaning women
are giving birth to fewer babies on average than before.
The World Bank found that each of these
European countries have fertility rates
between 1.2 and 1.6 children for each woman. .
Euronews notes that a fertility rate
of over 2 is needed to maintain
a stable population.
In Asia, Japan lost over 3 million people
between 2011 and 2021 and now has
a fertility rate of just 1.3 children per woman.
According to the U.N. report, China is forecast to lose
nearly half of its population by 2100, plummeting
from over 1.4 billion people down to just 771 million. .
According to the U.N. report, China is forecast to lose
nearly half of its population by 2100, plummeting
from over 1.4 billion people down to just 771 million. .
The populations of Russia, Germany, South Korea and Spain are projected to begin declining by 2030
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace says the government is "keeping that under review" when asked whether the UK should be introducing travel restrictions on people flying in from China. The MP's comments come as the US has announced it will impose new mandatory Covid-19 testing on all travellers from China, following the decision by Beijing to lift its stringent "zero Covid" policies. America joined Italy, India, Taiwan, South Korea, Malaysia and Japan in announcing new measures following an increase of infections in China. Report by Patelr. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
On Wednesday, Chris Hipkins was sworn in as New Zealand's 41st prime minister, following the unexpected resignation last week of Jacinda Ardern. He will have less than nine months before contesting a general election. New Zealand Governor-General Cindy Kiro officiated the brief swearing-in ceremony in front of his friends and colleagues after she earlier accepted Ardern's resignation.
#ChrisHipkins #NewZealand #JacindaArdern
Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill hit centuries in a 212-run opening stand as India beat New Zealand by 90 runs in the third one-day international. BBC Sport
Chris Hipkins has been chosen to replace Jacinda Ardern as New Zealand's prime minister - and has been sworn in after her shock resignation last week. Sky News
New York Is Ranked, Most Expensive City in the World, for the First Time.
'The Independent' reports that New York City has joined Singapore as the most expensive cities in the world.
'The Independent' reports that New York City has joined Singapore as the most expensive cities in the world.
According to the Worldwide Cost of Living Index, , the average cost of living in NYC, rose 8.1% in 2022. .
The 2022 index was released by , the Economist Intelligence Unit , (EIU) on December 1. .
It marks the first time
that NYC has topped the list. .
Tel Aviv, the most expensive city in 2021, fell to
number three on the index, with Los Angeles
and Hong Kong rounding out the list's top five.
Tel Aviv, the most expensive city in 2021, fell to
number three on the index, with Los Angeles
and Hong Kong rounding out the list's top five.
Tel Aviv, the most expensive city in 2021, fell to
number three on the index, with Los Angeles
and Hong Kong rounding out the list's top five.
The index reportedly takes into
account over 200 goods and services
across 172 major cities around the world.
'The Independent' reports that rising prices are the result
of a combination of factors, including the war in Ukraine
and pandemic-related restrictions driving record inflation.
'The Independent' reports that rising prices are the result
of a combination of factors, including the war in Ukraine
and pandemic-related restrictions driving record inflation.
According to the London-based 'Economist' index,
2021 saw year-over-year prices for goods and services rise
by an average of 3.5%, the highest rate in five years.
In 2022, , that average jumped , to 8.1%.
We can clearly see the impact in
this year’s index, with the average
price rise across the 172 cities in
our survey being the strongest
we’ve seen in the 20 years
for which we have digital data, Upasana Dutt, Head of worldwide cost
of living at EIU, via 'The Independent'
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
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