News

Bakhmut a key battleground for war in Ukraine

Published

2 years ago

May 1, 2023

Kyiv has pledged to defend Bakhmut, which Russia sees as a stepping stone to attack other cities

Ukrainian forces are still in control of a key supply route into the shattered, embattled city of Bakhmut, according to a military spokesperson, while a Russian mercenary commander publicly criticised Moscow and demanded more ammunition to finish the fight.

Russian forces have been trying for 10 months to punch their way into the shattered remains of what was once a city of 70,000.

Fighting has been block by block and house by house, with both sides describing it as a ‘meat grinder.’

Kyiv has pledged to defend Bakhmut, which Russia sees as a stepping stone to attack other cities.

A spokesperson for Ukraine’s forces in the east told a news website that the 17-kilometre stretch he dubbed “the road of life” leading from the town of Chasiv Yar into Bakhmut was still under Kyiv’s control.

On the other side of the frontline, Yevgeny Prigozhin said his fighters with the Wagner mercenary group had advanced some 100 to 150 metres further into the city.

But he said that effort cost him 94 troops.

Prigozhin and his private militia have led the Russian attack on the city and often claim unverifiable successes in videos such as this.

In an audio recording published on the Telegram message app, Prigozhin said his losses would have been five times fewer if his fighters had more ammunition.

In a separate video interview with a Russian military blogger, Prigozhin said his soldiers had only enough ammo for a few days, and said that if he wasn’t resupplied he’d be forced to withdraw.

Ukraine, too, has been long crying for more weaponry to sustain its fight.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said a planned spring counter-offensive would not hinge on the arrival of new western warplanes.

He’s been asking for advanced F-16 fighters from the U.S. and NATO allies but said the planned attack could not wait.

A plume of black smoke rose from a Russian fuel depot in the Crimean port city of Sevastopol, which the city’s Moscow-installed governor blamed on a Ukrainian drone strike.

Meanwhile, civilian casualties continue to mount. On Sunday, the Ukrainian city of Uman held a funeral for two children killed by a Russian missile.

At least 25 civilians were killed in a wave of Russian airstrikes last week.

News

UN struggles with Israel-Palestine conflict and climate action

UN faces mounting pressure over Gaza and climate change as global leaders convene for General Assembly amid ongoing crises

Published

7 hours ago

September 21, 2025

Ahron Young

UN faces mounting pressure over Gaza and climate change as global leaders convene for General Assembly amid ongoing crises

In Short:
– The UN struggles with violence in Gaza and doubts about its role in global conflicts.
– International pressure on Israel increases, with smaller nations relying on the UN to express their concerns.

The United Nations faces significant challenges as it grapples with escalating violence in Gaza and broader global issues.

Delegates are gathering this week in New York for the UN General Assembly, where the UN’s inability to resolve the Israel-Palestine conflict looms large.Historically, the UN aimed to establish peace between Jewish and Arab states in Palestine.

However, its power to address current tensions has diminished, especially with Israel’s continued incursions into Palestinian territories. Israeli officials, including the ambassador to the UN, have vocalised frustrations towards the organisation.

The UN’s challenges extend to its roles in humanitarian aid and climate initiatives, facing budget constraints and diminished expectations.

Global leaders are questioning the UN’s relevance, particularly regarding pressing issues like the Ukraine conflict.

International Response

Increased international scrutiny of Israel parallels historical situations, leading to calls for intensified diplomatic efforts.

The EU has proposed new measures affecting Israeli imports. Amidst this, smaller nations view the UN as a vital platform to voice concerns that might otherwise go unheard.

News

Trump proposes $100,000 H-1B visa fee increase

Trump announces massive H-1B visa fee increases and introduces $1 million ‘gold card’ to reshape immigration system

Published

21 hours ago

September 21, 2025

Ahron Young

Trump announces massive H-1B visa fee increases and introduces $1 million ‘gold card’ to reshape immigration system

In Short:
– Trump announced a $100,000 fee for H-1B visas and a $1 million residency gold card to boost American hiring.
– Critics argue increased fees may limit smaller firms’ access to foreign talent, impacting U.S. tech innovation.

President Trump announced significant changes to the U.S. immigration system, introducing a new $100,000 fee for H-1B visas and a $1 million “gold card” for residency.

The move aims to increase revenue and promote the hiring of American workers, claiming that many tech companies exploit the current system.The fee increase targets H-1B visa applications, which traditionally have low entry costs.

Trump stated the initiative aims to bring in highly skilled individuals rather than those crossing the borders illegally. A gold card requiring a $1 million payment will expedite visa processing, with a reduced availability compared to existing green card categories.

The new programme could alter the competitive landscape for U.S. tech companies, which historically depend on H-1B visas to access foreign talent.

Critics warn that the increased fees may deter smaller firms from utilising these visas, potentially hindering U.S. progress in tech sectors like artificial intelligence.

Visa Impact

Debate persists within Trump’s administration regarding the new policy’s implications. Supporters argue it protects American jobs, while opponents contend it restricts access to global talent crucial for innovation.

The H-1B visa programme, established in 1990, remains vital for skilled foreign workers seeking residency in the U.S., yet faces growing scrutiny.

News

Fourth death confirmed due to Optus outage issues

Fourth death confirmed following Optus outage that blocked Triple Zero calls for 13 hours during network upgrade

Published

1 day ago

September 20, 2025

Ahron Young

Fourth death confirmed following Optus outage that blocked Triple Zero calls for 13 hours during network upgrade

In Short:
– A fourth death is confirmed due to an Optus network failure affecting emergency calls for 13 hours.
– Optus CEO announced an investigation after communication failures and criticism from politicians and emergency services.

A fourth death has been confirmed following an Optus network failure that prevented emergency calls to Triple Zero for 13 hours.

Initially, Optus reported three fatalities, including an infant and two elderly individuals from South Australia and Western Australia. The latest victim is a 49-year-old man from Perth.Optus CEO Stephen Rue expressed deep sorrow over the incident and announced a full investigation into the network update that caused the outage.

He stated that approximately 600 calls to emergency services were disrupted, impacting residents across South Australia, Western Australia, and the Northern Territory.

Rue confirmed that the outage stemmed from a problematic firewall upgrade and revealed details of communication failures within the company. Politicians and emergency services expressed anger at the lack of timely information during the crisis.