A commitment by wealthy countries to phase out fossil fuels faster has been welcomed as a potential step towards a global deal for all countries to do the same. However, the announcement by the Group of Seven (G7) is facing criticism for not matching the pledge with firm action. G7 countries’ climate ministers on Sunday agreed – for the first time – to speed up their phase-out of the fossil fuel consumption causing climate change, although they did not set a firm date for doing this. In a joint statement at their meeting in Sapporo, Japan, the ministers agreed “to…
Author: National Tone
Apple has opened its first flagship store in India in a much-anticipated launch that highlights the company’s growing aspirations to expand in the country it also hopes to turn into a potential manufacturing hub. The company’s CEO Tim Cook on Tuesday posed for photos with nearly 200 Apple fans who had lined up outside the sprawling 2,600-square-metre (28,000-square-foot) store located in the Reliance-owned Jio World Drive mall in India’s financial capital, Mumbai, its design inspired by the iconic black-and-yellow cabs unique to the city. A second store will open on Thursday in the national capital, New Delhi. “India has such…
Latest economic data suggest the world’s second-largest economy is firmly on a recovery path after end of pandemic curbs.Taipei, Taiwan – China’s economy grew by 4.5 percent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2023, signalling that the world’s second-largest economy is firmly on the path to recovery after the end of Beijing’s strict “zero-COVID” policies. The growth figure falls slightly short of Beijing’s 5 percent growth target for 2023, set at the National People’s Congress meeting in March, but is still ahead of market expectations. Other official economic data released on Tuesday reinforced signs of an upward trend in the…
Dallas Stars veteran forward Joe Pavelski left Monday’s playoff series opener against the Minnesota Wild following a hit from defenceman Matt Dumba. The incident happened just after the halfway point of the second period when Pavelski was in on the forecheck. Dumba laid a reverse hit, causing Pavelski to fall to the ice, hitting his head in the process. He was motionless on the ice for a moment before being helped to the locker-room by trainers. Dumba was initially assessed a five-minute major on the play but it was reduced to a two-minute minor for roughing upon review. Stars forward…
Afghanistan have been a full member of the International Cricket Council since 2017 and as such are required to field a women’s teamNahida Sapan, an all-rounder in Afghanistan women’s cricket team, was at university in Kabul when the Taliban retook control of the country on 15 August 2021. “My teacher said you all have to go to your homes. We all got up and I saw the Taliban on the way home. I was really, really scared,” she tells the BBC. Once she got home, Sapan grabbed her cricket kit and hid it in the basement. She was also the…
For the second straight day, one of the Toronto Blue Jays‘ top starters experienced major issues in the first inning. On Monday night, Kevin Gausman looked anything but the dominant pitcher he’s been to open the 2023 season, allowing four hits, seven runs (six earned) and two walks in the opening frame against the Houston Astros. The 32-year-old’s struggles come just one day after Alek Manoah gave up three first-inning runs to the Tampa Bay Rays before delivering an uneven performance in Toronto’s 8-1 loss. Gausman was working from behind right out of the gate, giving up a leadoff single…
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – It is 7.30 in the morning and the smell of fragrant spices fills the air around the Masjid Jamek Kampung Baru Mosque in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur. In the mosque’s basement kitchen, a group of eight volunteer chefs is already hard at work as they fire up two rows of pots – about 80cm (31 inches) wide – to sauté a mix of cinnamon sticks, fennel seeds, star anise, cloves and fenugreek. Next, they toss in onions, garlic and fragrant pandanus leaves before adding minced beef and prawns, stirring the mixture with a giant ladle.…
Walker fired at police first, attorney general says, as grand jury votes not to charge officers who shot him 46 times.A grand jury in the US state of Ohio has cleared eight police officers of wrongdoing in the shooting death of a Black man after a vehicle and foot chase last year, as authorities prepare for a new round of demonstrations against alleged police misconduct. The decision on Monday renewed calls for accountability for Jayland Walker, whose killing in June 2022 in the city of Akron led to protests for racial justice. In the United States, judges or grand juries…
Ambassador says reporter is ‘in good health and remains strong’ as dozens of countries voice concern over his arrest.Washington, DC – The United States ambassador to Russia has visited detained Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich in a Moscow jail, marking the first consular access granted to the imprisoned US journalist amid calls for his release. Ambassador Lynne Tracy confirmed on Monday that Gershkovich is “in good health and remains strong”. Her visit comes a week after Washington formally designated Gershkovich as “wrongfully detained”. “I visited WSJ’s Evan #Gershkovich today at Lefortovo Prison — the first time we’ve been permitted…
As fighting escalates, Antonio Guterres calls on heads of army and paramilitary to restore calm and engage in dialogue.United Nations chief Antonio Guterres has strongly condemned the outbreak of violence in Sudan and called on the leaders of the warring sides to immediately cease hostilities and engage in dialogue. Guterres made the comments on Monday, the third day of fighting between the Sudanese army and the powerful Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group. About 100 civilians have so far been killed, according to doctors, but there are fears the death toll is higher. Both sides have claimed advances in strategic…