Oldest most complete Hebrew Bible goes on display in Israel before sale

The oldest most complete Hebrew Bible is on display in the Israeli city of Tel Aviv before its sale at an auction. The Codex Sassoon is thought to have been created about 1,100 years ago by a scribe in Egypt or the Levant. It is the earliest surviving example of a single manuscript containing all 24 books of the Hebrew Bible with punctuation, vowels, and accents. It will go under the hammer at Sotheby’s in New York in May, where it could fetch $30m to $50m. It could become the most expensive historical document ever sold at auction if the … Continue reading Oldest most complete Hebrew Bible goes on display in Israel before sale

North Korea’s Kim Jong Un oversees launch of nuclear-capable underwater drone

North Korea says it has tested an underwater drone that can unleash a “radioactive tsunami”. The “secret weapon” was put in the waters off South Hamgyong province on Tuesday, state news agency KCNA says. It cruised for over 59 hours at a depth of 80 to 150 metres and was detonated off its east coast, the report says. But analysts urge caution on North Korea’s claim about the capabilities of the new weapon. Tensions on the Korean peninsula have been running high, as the US and South Korea concluded the largest joint field exercises in five years on Wednesday. South … Continue reading North Korea’s Kim Jong Un oversees launch of nuclear-capable underwater drone

French climate change pioneer Claude Lorius dies aged 91

Claude Lorius, a leading glaciologist whose expeditions helped prove that humans were responsible for global warming, has died at the age of 91. He led 22 expeditions to Greenland and Antarctica during his lifetime. It was during one trip to Antarctica in 1965 where an evening of whiskey with ice cubes led him to prove humankind’s role in the heating of the Earth’s surface. Lorius died on Tuesday morning in the French region of Burgundy. It was his love of adventure which set him on the path to identifying and predicting an impending catastrophe for the planet. In 1956, just … Continue reading French climate change pioneer Claude Lorius dies aged 91

US state of Utah becomes the first to limit access to social media for teens

Utah has become the first US state to require social media firms get parental consent for children to use their apps and verify users are at least 18. The governor said he signed the two sweeping measures to protect young people in the state. The bills will give parents full access to their children’s online accounts, including posts and private messages. The move comes amidst heightened concern over the impact of social media on children’s mental health. Under the measures enacted on Thursday, a parent or guardian’s explicit consent will be needed before children can create accounts on apps such … Continue reading US state of Utah becomes the first to limit access to social media for teens

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu vows to continue with legal reforms

Israel’s prime minister has said he will press on with his “responsible legal reforms”, despite continuing protests over them. The passing of a new law on Thursday that makes it harder for courts to remove a leader deemed unfit for office has angered many people. It is considered to be in the interests of the incumbent, Benjamin Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption. Hours after the vote, opponents began what they called a “day of paralysis”. Tens of thousands of demonstrators gathered in Tel Aviv and other cities, and blocked major roads. A large Israeli flag and a banner … Continue reading Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu vows to continue with legal reforms

Canada MP Han Dong steps down over Chinese interference claims

A Canadian member of parliament has stepped down from his party’s caucus over allegations he was involved in Chinese political interference. Han Dong has been accused of lobbying a Chinese diplomat to keep two Canadians imprisoned in Beijing. On Wednesday, Mr Dong said that he will leave Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s governing Liberal Party to sit as an independent. Mr Dong has denied the allegations against him. “To all my colleagues in the parliament, media reports today quoting unverified and anonymous sources have attacked my reputation and called into question my loyalty to Canada,” Mr Dong, who was elected to … Continue reading Canada MP Han Dong steps down over Chinese interference claims

The town hall in the French city of Bordeaux set on fire in France pension protests

Bordeaux town hall has been set on fire as French protests continued over plans to raise the pension age. More than a million people took to the streets across France on Thursday, with 119,000 in Paris, according to figures from the interior ministry. Police fired tear gas at protesters in the capital and 80 people were arrested across the country. The demonstrations were sparked by legislation raising the retirement age by two years to 64. Unions have called for further protests next Tuesday, which would coincide with King Charles III’s state visit to the country. He is scheduled to be … Continue reading The town hall in the French city of Bordeaux set on fire in France pension protests

US and Canada reach deal to reject asylum seekers

The US and Canada have reached a deal to reject asylum seekers at unofficial border crossings, officials say. US President Joe Biden and Canadian PM Justin Trudeau will announce the pact on Friday during Mr Biden’s visit to Ottawa. The accord is expected to allow officials on both sides of the border to turn back such asylum seekers heading in either direction. The US side has also seen a rise in migrant crossings there from Canada. The move is part of efforts to limit an influx of migrants at Roxham Road, an unofficial crossing between New York state and the … Continue reading US and Canada reach deal to reject asylum seekers

Fugitive crypto boss Do Kwon arrested in Serbia

South Korea police say that Do Kwon, the fugitive cryptocurrency boss behind the $40bn collapse of the terraUSD and Luna tokens, has been arrested in Montenegro. Earlier this year US regulators accused Mr Kwon and his company Terraform Labs of “orchestrating a multi-billion dollar crypto asset securities fraud”. South Korea authorities issued an arrest warrant for Mr Kwon last September as they believed Terraform Labs had violated capital market rules. They had thought he was in Serbia, and even sent officials to Belgrade to negotiate, since the two nations do not have an extradition treaty. Mr Kwon has previously denied he … Continue reading Fugitive crypto boss Do Kwon arrested in Serbia

Honduras denies demanding $2.5 billion in Taiwan aid before China announcement

Honduras denied on Wednesday it had demanded $2.5 billion in aid from Taiwan before its announcement to seek to open relations with China, instead saying the country had repeatedly requested Taiwan buy Honduran public debt. Honduras Foreign Minister Eduardo Enrique Reina told Reuters the $2.5 billion figure was “not a donation,” but rather “a negotiated refinancing mechanism.” A source familiar with the situation told Reuters earlier Wednesday Honduras had demanded the funds in aid from Taiwan the day before Honduran President Xiomara Castro tweeted her government would seek to open relations with China. Honduras is one of only 14 countries … Continue reading Honduras denies demanding $2.5 billion in Taiwan aid before China announcement

LOL: Egyptian referee is suspended for using mobile phone to rule out a late goal

An Egyptian referee has been suspended indefinitely by the country’s FA, after allegedly disallowing a goal after looking at footage on a spectator’s phone.  Mohamed Farouk took charge of an Egyptian Second Division clash between Al-Nasr and Suez on Friday, and in the absence of VAR, relied on an alternative system to get a second look at a late goal.  With the hosts Suez 2-1 up heading into the final few minutes, Al-Nasr scored a dramatic equaliser to earn a point on the road.  However, after vociferous protests from home supporters, Farouk was invited to use a fan’s phone to watch … Continue reading LOL: Egyptian referee is suspended for using mobile phone to rule out a late goal

India’s Congress leader Rahul Gandhi bags 2-year jail term for defamation

Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi has been sentenced to two years in prison by a court in Gujarat state in a criminal defamation case. Mr Gandhi was convicted for his 2019 comments about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s surname during an election rally. He has been given bail for 30 days and can file an appeal against the order. Mr Gandhi, who is a Congress party MP, was present in court when the judge delivered the order. The case was filed on the basis of a complaint by Purnesh Modi, a lawmaker from India’s governing Bharatiya Janata Party. Continue reading India’s Congress leader Rahul Gandhi bags 2-year jail term for defamation