Northeast India Faces Catastrophic Flash Floods, Landslides Claim 30 Lives

The James Webb Space Telescope has achieved a groundbreaking milestone by capturing the deepest and clearest image of the universe to date, offering a glimpse into the 'Cosmic Dawn,' a period when the universe was just a few hundred million years old. This significant photograph focused on the galaxy cluster 'Abell S1063,' situated approximately 4.5 billion light years from Earth, according to scientists involved in the project. Previously observed by the Hubble Telescope, the James Webb's advanced infrared camera, NIRCam, enabled a deeper exploration of this region. The telescope continuously captured data for 120 hours, merging nine images into one remarkable picture. Notably, behind the larger galaxies, faint lines of light were observed, attributed to extremely distant galaxies made visible through the gravitational lensing effect. This discovery suggests that some galaxies formed as early as 200 million years after the universe began, providing critical insight into the birth of stars. Officials from the space observatory remarked that this breakthrough brings humanity closer to understanding the universe's earliest epochs.

A leaked international report has revealed significant military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, in flagrant violation of United Nations sanctions. According to findings by the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team (MSMT) based in Seoul, Russia has transferred advanced military equipment, including Pantsir-S1 mobile air defense systems, to North Korea since late 2024. These systems, designed for short-range defense, can intercept enemy aircraft and missiles and have an operational range of 1.2 to 20 kilometers. The report claims that since September 2023, North Korea has sent approximately 20,000 containers of military supplies to Russia, which reportedly includes over nine million artillery shells and hundreds of tactical missiles. Russia is also accused of providing North Korea with assistance in enhancing its missile guidance capabilities, a serious breach of UN Security Council resolutions. In addition to military supplies, the MSMT report notes that Russia has exceeded UN-mandated limits by transferring over one million barrels of crude oil to North Korea. The MSMT, formed in 2024, includes 11 countries and aims to uphold sanctions enforcement against North Korea.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has flagged the fungus Aspergillus fumigatus as a serious public health threat, particularly as COVID-19 cases resurge globally. This fungus, known to cause the severe disease aspergillosis, primarily targets the lungs and can spread to the brain in severe instances, with a fatality rate of 85.2% for invasive cases. Experts caution that it poses a heightened risk to individuals with compromised immune systems. According to a report from the Daily Star, the WHO fears the fungus could potentially expand into North America, Europe, China, and Russia, worsening the public health landscape. A study conducted by Manchester University predicts that by 2100, Aspergillus fumigatus could invade 77% more geographical areas, endangering millions globally. The fungus thrives in warm, moist environments, making it challenging to diagnose and treat. Norman van Rijn, the lead researcher, emphasized the under-researched status of fungal threats compared to viruses and parasites, noting the potential for increased global infection rates in the future.