Kim Jong Un praises troops who 'self-blasted' to avoid capture by Ukraine
Kim Jong Un has praised North Korean soldiers who killed themselves by detonating their grenades while fighting for Russia against Ukraine, confirming a long-suspected battlefield policy, BBC reported.
In a speech this week, the North Korean leader said those who "unhesitatingly opted for self-blasting, suicide attack, in order to defend the great honour" were "heroes".
South Korea estimates at least 15,000 North Koreans have been sent to help Russia recapture parts of western Kursk, and more than 6,000 have been killed so far. Neither Pyongyang nor Moscow have confirmed the numbers.
UAE leaves OPEC in blow to global oil producers' group
The United Arab Emirates on Tuesday said it was quitting OPEC, dealing a blow to the oil producers' group as an unprecedented energy crisis caused by the Iran war exposes discord among Gulf nations, Reuters reported.
The exit of the UAE - one of the group's biggest producers - weakens OPEC's control over global oil supplies and widens a rift between the UAE and its neighbour Saudi Arabia, effectively the leader of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries.
It could also free the UAE to increase output once exports via the Gulf resume as it would no longer be governed by OPEC quotas.
EU countries, lawmakers fail to reach deal on watered-down AI rules
EU countries and European Parliamentlawmakers failed to reach a deal on watered-down landmark artificial intelligence rules after 12 hours of negotiations on Tuesday and will resume talks next month, Reuters reported.
The changes to the AI Act, which entered into force in August 2024 with key elements set to be enforced in stages starting this year, are part of the European Commission's Digital Omnibus, which aims to simplify a slew of regulations in the digital sector to help businesses catch up with US and Asian rivals.
Europe's AI rules, considered to be the strictest in the world, came amid concerns about the impact of the technology on children, workers, companies and cybersecurity.
Congress concerned over law making through ordinance
The Nepali Congress has expressed its concern over the government's move to adjourn the Parliament and enact laws through ordinances.
In a statement today, Congress spokesperson Devraj Chalise said that the practice of adjourning the Parliament and enacting laws through ordinances is not correct in terms of democratic values, parliamentary dignity and constitutional process. "The government's decision is a clear violation of the legislative powers by the executive."
The Congress has stated that choosing the path of ordinances despite having a clear majority in the house is a dangerous sign of centralization of power.
It has urged the government to remain fully committed to democratic values, parliamentary practices and constitutional dignity, to respect the role and dignity of Parliament, and to immediately reconsider such steps.
