Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, a staunch ally of Vladimir Putin and supporter of the war in Ukraine, is running for his seventh term in office. Once again, this election process is widely viewed as fraudulent, with exiled Belarusians and international observers denouncing its lack of legitimacy. A Familiar Pattern of Rigged Elections and Suppression Lukashenko, in power since 1994, seeks to extend his presidency in what many call a preordained outcome. His previous election in 2020 triggered mass protests, lasting for months, against what was widely seen as a rigged result. During that election, the electoral commission in Minsk declared…
Author: Richard Parks
In Tanzania, a challenging water exploration project made a groundbreaking discovery, thanks to hydrogeologist Fridtjov Ruden. By using seismic data from the oil industry, With this seismic technology, Ruden found underground water reservoirs in a way that traditional methods could not. A Breakthrough in Water Exploration After months of unsuccessful drilling, Ruden applied seismic data to locate freshwater deeper underground than expected. Boreholes extended 600 meters, revealing vast aquifers capable of supplying water to 2 million people for over 100 years. “This discovery was a game-changer,” said Elizabeth Quiroga Jordan, a petroleum engineer at Ruden AS, the company founded by…
Customer Data Exposed Due to Inadequate Cybersecurity Measures PayPal cybersecurity breach: PayPal has been fined $2 million by New York’s Department of Financial Services (DFS) for cybersecurity failures. These failures exposed sensitive customer information, including Social Security numbers, for several weeks in late 2022. Adrienne Harris, New York’s financial services superintendent, revealed key findings of the investigation. The report stated that PayPal lacked trained staff to manage essential cybersecurity tasks. Additionally, the company failed to provide proper training to reduce risks. This negligence left customer data, such as names, birth dates, and Social Security numbers, exposed to cybercriminals for seven…
Declining energy profits Russia: Energy profits from major oil companies like Shell and ExxonMobil are falling after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine led to an initial surge. Analysts point to oversupply, lower energy prices, and a shift in global demand as key factors behind the decline. Despite Trump’s pro-oil policies, the industry faces long-term challenges as the energy landscape evolves. Declining Energy Profits After Russia’s War-Induced Surge Nearly three years after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine sent global energy markets into turmoil, the once-soaring profits of fossil fuel companies are cooling. The initial shock that caused Europe’s largest source of natural gas…
Historic Deal to Boost Royal Navy’s Fleet and UK Economy Rolls-Royce Submarines Ltd, a division of Rolls-Royce Holdings, has signed its largest-ever defence contract with the UK Ministry of Defence. The deal, valued at £9 billion (€10.67 billion), involves the production, design, and maintenance of nuclear reactors for the Royal Navy’s submarines. The agreement, known as the Unity contract, is set to last over eight years and will support the commissioning and building of the Dreadnought Class submarines. This landmark contract will create over 1,000 new jobs while safeguarding an additional 4,000 positions, providing a significant boost to the UK’s…
Government Cites Security Concerns Amid Criticism Over ICC Obligations Italy has defended its decision to expel Ossama al-Masri, a Libyan warlord wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC), rather than handing him over to face charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi addressed lawmakers on Thursday, stating that al-Masri was repatriated to Libya due to “urgent security reasons.” Speaking during a Senate session, Piantedosi emphasized that the decision to expel al-Masri was made in light of the “danger posed by the individual.” However, he refrained from providing further details, citing a planned address to lawmakers…
A new study shows that adults with ADHD live shorter lives than those without the condition. The research found that adults with ADHD may lose 4.5 to 11 years of life expectancy. Experts say more needs to be done to diagnose and treat ADHD in adults to improve their health. New Research Finds Significant Reduction in Life Expectancy for Adults With ADHD Adults diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may face a shorter life expectancy compared to those without the condition, according to a groundbreaking study published in the British Journal of Psychiatry. Experts have called the findings both…
Stellantis has announced an investment of over $5 billion in its U.S. operations. The goal is to expand production, create jobs, and innovate new vehicle technologies. This “Stellantis US investment” focuses on key facilities in Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana. The move strengthens the company’s commitment to the American market amidst global competition and trade challenges. Expanding Operations and Strengthening US Ties Stellantis, a global automotive leader, revealed plans to invest significantly in its U.S. operations. This announcement follows a meeting between Stellantis Chairman John Elkann and President Donald Trump ahead of his 2025 inauguration. Antonio Filosa, Stellantis’ North America…
The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has received its largest-ever donation, raising questions about the financial structures of political parties in Germany. AfD’s Record-Breaking Donation Sparks Debate On Wednesday, the AfD received a €1.5 million donation from Winfried Stöcker, a multimillionaire medical entrepreneur previously fined for conducting an unauthorized COVID-19 vaccination campaign. This donation is the largest single contribution the AfD has ever received, surpassing its previous record of €35,000. While the donation has drawn criticism, it is entirely legal under German law, which imposes no upper limit on individual or corporate contributions to political parties. This stands in…
Samsung has introduced its latest Galaxy S25 series, incorporating advanced artificial intelligence (AI) features to redefine user experiences. The unveiling took place at the Samsung Unpacked event in San José, California, where the tech giant revealed its vision for a smarter, more intuitive smartphone experience. A Leap Forward in AI-Powered Interaction The new Galaxy S25 series, which includes the Galaxy S25 Ultra, Galaxy S25+, and Galaxy S25 models, showcases Samsung’s commitment to delivering “AI companions” to users. These devices integrate advanced AI agents developed in collaboration with Google, powered by the Gemini generative AI (GenAI) model. One standout feature is…