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The South Korean defense ministry said Tuesday it is seeking to release an overarching national defense strategy next month to chart a mid- and long-term direction for the country’s security policy. Similar to the United States’ National Defense Strategy, the document will replace the existing National Defense Policy. In it, the ministry outlines a 15-year policy direction that will be published every five years. “The ministry is aiming to publish the national defense strategy in early March,” the ministry said in a press release. “It is an overarching document of the defense ministry designed to put forward a clear mid-…

Scientists and environmental groups fear Italy could be faced with another drought following last summer’s emergency, as the Alps have received less than half of their normal snowfall. Venice, where flooding is normally a major concern, is experiencing unusually low tides that make navigating some of its famous canals impossible for gondolas, water taxis, and ambulances. Venetian problems are being blamed on high pressure, a full moon, and sea currents. Italian rivers and lakes are suffering a severe water shortage, according to Legambiente. Italy’s longest river, the Po, which runs from the Alps in the northwest to the Adriatic, has…

A key requirement for achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is an increase of $500 billion in extra funding from the world’s most developed nations each year according to the United Nations (UN). As of now, the global financial system has failed to adequately cushion the effects of current crises impacting the Global South the most: the COVID-19 pandemic, the crisis in Ukraine, and the ongoing climate emergency. “Polycrises are compounding shocks for developing countries today – in large part because of an unfair global financial system that is short-term, crisis-prone, and further exacerbates inequalities,” warned UN Secretary-General Antonio…

Cyclone Gabrielle pounded the North Island with wind and rain, knocking out power to tens of thousands of homes and killing three people. New Zealand declared a National State of Emergency for the third time in its history. Several waves are close to 11 meters high off the Bay of Islands, due to winds gusting over 140 kilometers per hour (87 miles per hour). The full extent of the catastrophe became apparent as the country awoke Tuesday morning, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said. “In the wake of such a huge event in the last 24 hours, it is imperative that…

OPEC Fund for International Development (OPEC Fund) and Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) have signed a US$50 million loan agreement to finance infrastructure development across the continent. Through the 10-year loan, connectivity, transport, logistics, trade, and energy access will be improved across Africa. Following a US$50 million 10-year loan in January 2021, the loan doubles the OPEC Fund’s commitment to AFC and builds on a cooperation agreement signed in 2017. SDG 9 – Innovation and infrastructure – and SDG 17 – Partnerships – of the United Nations are aligned with the loan. In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, global supply…

Turkey will receive $1.78 billion in relief and recovery financing from the World Bank. This is as it deals with the aftermath of an earthquake that killed over 20,000 people and left hundreds of thousands homeless. Ankara will receive $780 million as a result of the World Bank diverting funds from two existing Turkish loan projects, according to Reuters. There is also another $1 billion in assistance being prepared for Turkey’s recovery and reconstruction. However, it will take more time to arrange than previously predicted, according to a spokesperson for the World Bank. A magnitude 7.9 earthquake struck southern Turkey…

The death toll from a suicide bombing at a mosque in northwest Pakistan has risen to 88. One of the deadliest attacks on Pakistani security forces in recent years occurred at a Sunni mosque inside a major police facility. According to The Associated Press, the bomber set off his explosive vest while more than 300 worshippers were praying in the mosque in Peshawar, with more on the way. As a result of the blast, scores of people were killed and injured, as well as a portion of the mosque’s roof being blown off. The roof then collapsed, injuring many more,…

The first U.S. Cabinet member to visit Somalia since 2015 called on distracted donors to help a country facing deadly famine, which she called “the ultimate failure of the international community.” As the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, heard perhaps the starkest warning yet: Somalia’s longest drought will almost certainly result in more deaths than the famine that formally began in 2011, when more than a quarter million people died. Humanitarian officials say the world is looking elsewhere this time. “Many traditional donors have washed their hands and focused on Ukraine,” the UN’s resident coordinator in Somalia,…

Peshawar, a city in northwest Pakistan, was hit by a suicide bomber Monday, killing at least 20 people and wounding 96 more. According to Reuters, no one has yet claimed responsibility for the bombing, but the Pakistani Taliban have been blamed for similar suicide attacks in the past. While some 150 worshippers, including many policemen from nearby police offices, were praying inside, the bomber detonated his suicide vest. According to Zafar Khan, a local police officer, the explosion collapsed the roof of the mosque, which caved in and injured many. Meena Gul, 38, a police officer, is a survivor who…

Andrej Babis was defeated by retired NATO general Petr Pavel in the Czech presidential election. State statistics office results showed the 61-year-old took 58.32% of the vote. After the results were announced, Mr Babis conceded defeat in a speech to supporters. He replaces Milos Zeman, who ends his second term in March. Mr Babis and Mr Pavel’s second-round runoff was portrayed as a contest between oligarchy and democracy. A disinformation campaign and alleged death threats marred the campaign. Andrej Babis and Peter Pavel won the first round to replace Mr Zeman. Mr Pavel had to take to Twitter earlier this…