Month: January 2024

In a disturbing turn of events, Yemen faces heightened security concerns as Yemen journalist, Omar Karaman, was forcibly abducted from his home in Al-Mukalla by an armed force affiliated with the Saudi-led coalition. The raid, which occurred on Tuesday, caused panic and terror for Karaman's wife, who recently gave birth, local media reported. Human rights sources link the abduction to Karaman's social media posts exposing questionable land acquisitions by Governor Mubarak bin Madi. Karaman's revelations on Facebook resulted in his abduction, people say. His abduction has sparked widespread anger in Hadramout, where people have been demanding his immediate release and an apology. The incident adds to escalating security concerns in Aden, where factions aligned with the Southe...

On January 26, the U.N.'s top court ruled that Israel must take action to prevent genocidal acts in Gaza and facilitate urgent humanitarian aid. The court urged Israel to refrain from potential genocidal acts during its military operation in Gaza but did not mandate a ceasefire. Israel was instructed to implement immediate measures to provide essential services and humanitarian assistance to address the challenging living conditions faced by Palestinians. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) clarified that it was not currently assessing whether Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, and this process would unfold over several years. However, the court warned Israel to prevent acts falling under the UN Genocide Convention and to "prevent and punish" any incitement to genocide...

In a groundbreaking discovery, a team of Japanese scientists, spearheaded by molecular biologist Masatsugu Toyota from Saitama University, has unveiled the remarkable phenomenon of plants engaging in real-time communication through airborne compounds. These volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which function akin to smells, were found to be an intricate language by which plants warn each other of nearby dangers. The research, a collaborative effort involving PhD student Yuri Aratani and postdoctoral researcher Takuya Uemura, yielded valuable insights into how undamaged plants respond to the chemical signals released by their distressed counterparts. Employing an innovative approach, the scientists connected an air pump to a container housing leaves and caterpillars, along with anoth...