Author: fortraders

As temperatures continue to rise, the World Meteorological Organization has warned that there is a two-thirds chance that one of the next five years could be 1.5 degrees Celsius, or 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit, hotter than the 19th-century average. This could lead to intensified droughts and wildfires, as well as changes in global precipitation patterns.

In other news, Ukraine is mounting a counteroffensive against Russia, with Ukrainian forces taking back territory north and south of the ruined city of Bakhmut. Meanwhile, a new study has revealed that modern humans descended from at least two populations that coexisted in Africa for a million years before merging in several independent events across the continent.

Finally, Prince Harry and Meghan have spoken out about being chased by paparazzi in New York, President Biden is in Japan ahead of the G7 summit, and Texas has banned hormone and puberty-blocking treatments for transgender children.

Cambodia’s main opposition party, the Candlelight Party, has been disqualified from the upcoming July election by the National Election Commission. This is the second consecutive election in which the party has been barred from participating, eliminating the only credible challenge to Prime Minister Hun Sen’s ruling Cambodian People’s Party. The Commission cited failure to file required paperwork as the reason for the disqualification.

The government has taken several steps to neutralize the opposition, including jailing and convicting opposition figures of treason and other charges, shutting down a popular news outlet, and verbally attacking and assaulting members of the Candlelight Party. The United Nations Human Rights Commission has expressed concern that these actions are undermining the environment for free and fair elections.

Prime Minister Hun Sen has held power for 38 years and has indicated that the transition of family power would follow this year’s election. Opposition leader Sam Rainsy has called this a “very dangerous year” for Hun Sen, as he seeks to establish a political dynasty.

Ukraine has been promised billions of dollars in new military aid from its European allies during a whirlwind tour of the continent by President Volodymyr Zelensky. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of Britain pledged a major package of air-defense missiles and attack drones, while Germany, France, and Italy have also promised weapons. This show of support reflects a recognition that U.S. support for Ukraine is likely to come under pressure as the American presidential race heats up. The new weapons will fulfill many, but not all, of the demands for weapons that Ukraine has said it needs for a counteroffensive.

The U.N. for the first time officially commemorated the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in the war surrounding the creation of Israel 75 years ago. The event was not attended by the U.S. and Britain, and it drew a sharp response from the Israeli ambassador to the world body.

John Durham, a Trump-era special counsel, has released a report accusing the F.B.I. of having “discounted or willfully ignored material information” that countered a narrative of collusion between the former president and Russia. Durham said he was not recommending any “wholesale changes” to F.B.I. rules for politically sensitive investigations and for national-security wiretaps.

Johnny & Associates, one of Japan’s most influential entertainment production companies, has issued an apology over sexual assault claims leveled against its founder, Johnny Kitagawa. The company’s chief executive, Julie Keiko Fujishima, apologized in a written and video statement, saying she had not been aware of the accusations against Mr. Kitagawa. The accusations had been made decades ago, but the agency had faced little public scrutiny even after his death in 2019. Last month, Japanese Brazilian singer Kauan Okamoto came forward with his account of being repeatedly sexually abused by Mr. Kitagawa. The company has rejected calls for an independent investigation, instead offering “consultation services” where victims can speak to counselors, lawyers and doctors. The apology has been met with mixed reactions, with some questioning how Ms. Fujishima was not aware of the accusations made against Mr. Kitagawa.

Cyclone Mocha left a trail of destruction in Myanmar and Bangladesh over the weekend, leaving thousands homeless and in need of aid. In Myanmar, the storm caused damage mostly in Rakhine State, Chin State and other areas in the west. In Bangladesh, the Rohingya refugee camps on the coast were hit particularly hard, with 3,000 shelters damaged and 5,300 refugees relocated to more secure locations. The storm also caused landslides, damaged homes, and left many without food and shelter. The Rohingya refugees, who fled persecution in Myanmar, now inhabit the world’s largest encampment and are in desperate need of help. International aid organizations are working to provide relief to those affected, but more help is needed.

President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine has been promised billions of dollars in new military aid during a four-country tour of European allies. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of Britain pledged to provide a major package of air-defense missiles and attack drones, while Germany promised a nearly $3 billion package of weapons. France and Italy also made less concrete promises of additional weapons.

The show of support reflects a recognition that support for Ukraine in the United States is likely to come under pressure as the presidential election looms. Europe’s reinforcements make it highly likely that Ukrainian troops will soon strike back at Russian forces, setting off what could be one of the bloodiest stretches of the 15-month war.

Britain’s missiles and drones could be used to attack Russian bases in Crimea, while Germany’s commitment included 30 additional Leopard tanks, 20 armored fighting vehicles, 16 air-defense systems, more than 200 drones and a slew of other arms and ammunition.

The European pledges also reflect a growing confidence that Ukraine’s troops could make decisive breakthroughs with its counteroffensive, and increase Mr. Zelensky’s leverage in any negotiation with President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia.

On Monday, the United Nations held its first official commemoration of the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in the war surrounding the creation of Israel 75 years ago. The event, known as the Nakba, or “catastrophe”, was attended by the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, and representatives of the African Union and the Arab League. The United States and Britain did not attend.

The event was the latest arena for a decades-long narrative battle between Israelis and Palestinians. To Israelis, the creation of their state was a heroic moment for a long-persecuted people that deserves celebration. But to Palestinians, it was a moment of profound national trauma.

Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Gilad Erdan, condemned the event as “shameful” and called for countries to boycott it. Mr. Abbas called for the suspension of Israel’s membership from the United Nations, saying that the Jewish state never “fulfilled nor respected its obligations and commitments” as a prerequisite to its membership, and had violated resolutions.

The event was organized by the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, a body made up of 25 member states. It was approved by the U.N. General Assembly in November and will continue on Monday evening with another event at the General Assembly hall.

Separately from the U.N. event, thousands of Palestinians across Gaza, Israel and the West Bank held rallies and protests to commemorate the Nakba. The International Commission to Support Palestinians’ Rights, a rights group based in Gaza, called it “a unique and unprecedented step” and said that it should be “translated into enabling the Palestinian people to exercise their right to independence and return.”

Yevgeny V. Prigozhin, the founder of the Wagner private military group, has denied a report from The Washington Post that he had offered to share Russian Army positions with Ukraine in exchange for a withdrawal of Kyiv’s forces from the area. In an audio statement published on Monday, Prigozhin called the report “speculation” and a “hoax”.

Dmitri S. Peskov, the spokesman for Russian President Vladimir V. Putin, said that the report “looks like another hoax”. Andriy Yusov, a spokesman for Ukraine’s military intelligence service, said that Ukraine should “discuss such things when it is necessary and in line with Ukraine’s national interests”.

The Wagner group has been a driving force behind Russia’s monthslong battle to take Bakhmut, which has cost thousands of lives on both sides and reduced much of the city to rubble. Despite openly feuding with top Russian officials, Mr. Prigozhin has been careful not to criticize President Vladimir V. Putin.

The latest news from Asia Pacific and around the world shows the importance of staying informed. From Turkey’s election heading to a runoff, to Thailand’s opposition parties agreeing to form a coalition, to Chinese workers facing threats abroad, it is clear that the world is ever-changing. To stay up to date on the latest news, subscribe to The New York Times and receive 10 gift articles to share with friends each month. With The New York Times, you can stay informed and share the news with those around you.

Turkey’s presidential election has resulted in a runoff between incumbent President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu. Despite a struggling economy, the disastrous earthquakes in February, and Turkey’s drift toward one-man rule, Erdogan came out with a lead in the first round of voting. Erdogan’s opponents pulled together in an unprecedented coalition of six parties that backed Kilicdaroglu, promising to fix the economy, restore civil liberties and build a more inclusive society. However, Erdogan used his power to tilt the competition in his favor, and his often polarizing rhetoric, as well as his promises to build new homes in the quake zone, likely helped him to maintain a lead. The runoff election will take place on May 28th, and the outcome will determine the future of Turkey’s democracy.