World News

Summary

Thousands gathered in Riesa, Saxony, to protest a two-day conference by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which is polling second ahead of the February 23 federal elections.

Organizers expected 10,000 participants, with protests including highway blockades and planned disruptions of the event.

Police reported a calm situation but deployed drones and helicopters.

The AfD remains controversial, particularly in eastern Germany, where it has strong support despite being classified as a "suspected" extremist group by Germany's intelligence agency.

Summary

Greenland's Prime Minister Múte B. Egede stated that Greenlanders want independence and neither want to be Danes nor Americans, following Donald Trump's comments about acquiring the territory for strategic reasons.

Trump suggested using force or economic pressure, alarming Denmark and Europe.

Danish PM Mette Frederiksen reaffirmed Greenland's sovereignty, stating "Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders."

The US sees Greenland as key in Arctic geopolitics, given its resources and location, but Egede stressed Greenland's identity as distinct from Denmark, the US, or NATO politics.

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• The biggest direct exporters of machinery and technology to Russia are now China, Taiwan, and South Korea,” the researcher said.
• Taiwan is one of the largest exporters of high-tech parts to Russia. In 2023 and the first quarter of 2024, Taiwan had the highest number of companies after China that directly exported parts to Russia,” Hutyk said.

cross-posted from: https://lemm.ee/post/52280856

Summary

Over 60 German and Austrian universities and research institutions announced their exit from Elon Musk's X (formerly Twitter), citing the platform's promotion of right-wing populist content and its incompatibility with democratic and scientific values.

This follows Germany's Federal Court of Justice and trade unions leaving the platform.

The German government is also debating a withdrawal, expressing concerns over X’s polarizing effect on political discourse.

The departure comes after Musk’s public support for Germany's far-right AfD party and a live talk with its leader Alice Weidel ahead of upcoming elections.

cross-posted from: https://lemm.ee/post/52291258

Summary

A new study from Spain’s Autonomous University of Barcelona reveals that tea bags made from nylon, polypropylene, and cellulose release billions of micro- and nanoplastic particles when steeped in boiling water.

These particles, which can enter human intestinal cells, may pose health risks, potentially affecting the digestive, respiratory, endocrine, and immune systems.

Researchers urge regulatory action to mitigate plastic contamination in food packaging.

Consumers are advised to use loose-leaf tea with stainless steel infusers or biodegradable tea bags to minimize exposure.

Summary

The death of a teenager in Pucheng, Shaanxi, China, sparked protests after allegations of a cover-up spread online.

The boy reportedly fell from his dormitory on January 2 in what authorities called an accident.

Claims of bullying and inconsistent injuries fueled anger, with protesters demanding the truth.

Authorities have denied protests occurred, censored reports, and urged the public to avoid spreading rumors.

The demonstrations echoed broader sensitivities around bullying and past student deaths.

Summary

In 2024, global temperatures rose 1.6°C above preindustrial levels, surpassing the 1.5°C Paris Agreement threshold for the first time.

The rise, driven by fossil fuel emissions and intensified by El Niño, caused extreme weather, record heatwaves, and widespread human suffering.

Experts warn the planet is on track for catastrophic 2.7°C heating by 2100 unless emissions drop 45% by 2030.

Despite renewable energy advances, 2024 saw record carbon emissions.

Summary

Park Chong-jun, South Korea's presidential security chief, resigned amid police investigation into his guards' obstruction of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol’s arrest.

Yoon is accused of attempting martial law in December, leading to charges of insurrection.

Park warned against "bloodshed" if authorities forcibly detain Yoon, who remains in his residence after defying arrest warrants.

A second warrant has been issued as investigators prepare for another attempt.

This crisis has sparked political turmoil, with concerns over escalating tensions between government agencies.

cross-posted from: https://lemm.ee/post/52214419

Summary

South African police rescued 26 naked Ethiopian men from a suspected human trafficking operation in Johannesburg after they escaped from a house where they were held.

Three suspects were arrested, and police believe the captivity method was intended to humiliate and prevent escape.

While 11 men were hospitalized, others remain unaccounted for. This follows a 2024 case in the same area involving 82 Ethiopian migrants.

Police are investigating potential links between the cases but face language barriers.

South Africa continues to struggle with xenophobia and migration-related issues.

According to findings announced by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and published in The Lancet journal, there were an estimated 64,260 “traumatic injury deaths” in Gaza between October 7, 2023 and June 30, 2024. The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza put the figure at 37,877 at the time.

This means the ministry has underreported the death toll due to violence by approximately 41%, the researchers found. As of October, the number of Gazans killed by violence was thought to exceed 70,000, the study said, based on the estimated underreporting rate.

The total death toll attributable to Israel’s military campaign is likely to be higher still, it said, as its analysis doesn’t account for deaths caused by disruption to health care, insufficient food, clean water and sanitation, and disease outbreaks.