Brazilian authorities on Tuesday arrested 45 individuals and rescued hundreds of exotic animals in what is being described as the largest wildlife trafficking operation in the country’s history.   Animals Rescued A wide array of species was recovered, including: Species Notes Toucans and macaws Brightly coloured birds, highly sought after in the illegal pet trade […]

The US Federal Reserve is poised to implement its first interest rate cut of 2025 on Wednesday, facing a complex mix of economic indicators and political pressures. While markets widely anticipate a 25 basis point reduction due to a weakening employment sector, uncertainty remains regarding the pace and magnitude of further cuts.   President Donald […]

For the third consecutive year, toxic blue-green algae blooms—resembling pea soup and emitting a foul odour akin to rotten eggs—have covered much of Lough Neagh, the largest lake in the UK and Ireland. This summer, however, locals report that the thick green veneer—so extensive it is even visible from space—has been worse than ever. “The […]

A total of 146 land and environmental defenders were murdered or forcibly disappeared worldwide in 2024, with Colombia accounting for a third of the cases, according to a report released on Tuesday by the advocacy group Global Witness. Global Trends The number of killings dropped from 196 in 2023 to 146 in 2024, but Global […]

Australia and Papua New Guinea have announced that a long-anticipated mutual defence treaty will not be signed as expected on Wednesday, signalling a postponement in formalising their security cooperation. The treaty was intended to commit both nations to defending one another against armed attacks in light of “emerging threats” to their security, according to a […]

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has proposed a 15-percent reduction in the UN’s regular budget for 2026 amid chronic liquidity issues, which have been exacerbated by US policies under former President Donald Trump. A senior UN official confirmed that the revised budget is now $3.238 billion, which would result in the elimination of 2,681 posts […]

Protesters on Tuesday projected images of US President Donald Trump and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein onto a castle in England where Trump is set to stay during his UK state visit. The stunt was organised by Led by Donkeys, a group known for its viral political campaigns. A video montage was broadcast for several […]

A study on domestic terrorism highlighting far-right extremist violence in the United States has been removed from the Department of Justice (DOJ) website, AFP confirmed on Tuesday. The research, conducted by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), concluded that: “Far-right extremists have committed far more ideologically motivated homicides than far-left or radical Islamist extremists” since […]

US President Donald Trump revealed on Tuesday that the Republican Party will hold a convention prior to the 2026 midterm elections, an unusual move typically reserved for presidential election years. Reports suggest that the Democratic Party may also consider holding a similar midterm gathering. “The Republicans are going to do a Midterm Convention in order […]

US auto safety regulators have launched an investigation into the 2021 Tesla Model Y following complaints that parents were unable to open the vehicle from the outside, according to a statement reviewed by AFP on Tuesday. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said it had received nine separate complaints, including incidents in which a […]