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China’s Birth Rate Hits Record Low as Population Shrinks for Fourth Year
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According to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Monday (January 19), China’s population declined for the fourth consecutive year, with the birth rate falling to a record low in 2025. The country’s population fell by 3.39 million to reach around 1.4 billion by the end of 2025, marking a faster…
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Tourist Helicopter Crashes in Japan, Search Efforts Continue
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A sightseeing helicopter carrying two Taiwanese tourists crashed near Mount Aso in Japan’s Kumamoto Prefecture on Tuesday, authorities said. According to Taiwan’s Central News Agency (CNA), Kumamoto Prefectural Police on Tuesday afternoon located a severely damaged aircraft inside the volcano’s crater and confirmed it was the missing helicopter after checking its serial number. However,…
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Israel Demolishes UNRWA Structures in East Jerusalem, Drawing Global Condemnation
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Israel’s demolition of structures inside a United Nations site in occupied East Jerusalem on Tuesday has drawn sharp condemnation from countries worldwide and the United Nations. Israeli bulldozers razed several large and smaller buildings inside the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) compound in Sheikh Jarrah. The site previously housed dozens of UNRWA…
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Australia’s Lower House Passes 2 Bills over Tougher Gun Control, Anti- Hate Crime
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Australia’s House of Representatives on Tuesday passed two major laws, tightening gun control and strengthening anti-hate efforts, following the country’s deadliest mass shooting last month. According to Reuters, the legislation was approved by a vote of 96 to 45, despite opposition from conservative lawmakers. The bills now move to the upper house, the Senate,…
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New Russian Strikes Hit Ukraine; Power Supply Disrupted
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Early on Tuesday, Russia carried out a combined drone and missile attack on Ukraine, knocking out electricity and heating supplies across parts of Kyiv amid freezing temperatures. According to Reuters, the strikes disrupted power to thousands of buildings, affecting around 335,000 residents in the capital. Ukrainian officials said Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said the…
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Church Leaders Cite Mass Kidnapping in Nigeria; Police Reject the Claim
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Reports of a mass abduction of Christian worshippers in Nigeria’s Kaduna State were disputed by local authorities following earlier claims of a large-scale kidnap. Up to early morning today, media outlets worldwide reported that dozens of worshippers had been abducted from churches in Kaduna. However, later statements from police and local officials have cast…
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BBNJ Treaty Comes Into Force, Focuses on Marine Conservation
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The United Nations on Saturday (January 17) announced the entry into force of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, calling it a major milestone for ocean protection and global cooperation. This treaty, formally titled ‘Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of…
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Trump Unveils ‘Great Healthcare Plan,’ Announces $50 Billion Push for Rural Health
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US Donald Trump on Friday announced a new healthcare initiative, dubbed ‘The Great Healthcare Plan’, outlining a $50 billion federal investment aimed at strengthening rural health care across the United States. Speaking at a White House roundtable on January 16, Trump said the plan would direct $50 billion over five years to all 50…
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UN Security Council Holds Emergency Meeting on Iran Protests Amid US Military Warnings
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The United Nations Security Council convened an emergency meeting on Thursday (January 15) to discuss the escalating unrest in Iran, as deadly protests continue across the country. Amid warnings of possible military intervention by US President Donald Trump, the meeting of the 15-member Council was held at the request of the United States. The…
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Influenza Activity Rises Worldwide as A(H3N2) Becomes Dominant
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Influenza activity has been increasing globally since October 2025, with several countries reporting an early start to the flu season. Health surveillance data shows that influenza A(H3N2) viruses have emerged as the dominant strain in circulation across multiple regions. In many countries of the northern hemisphere, levels of acute respiratory infections typically rise during…