 "Paracetamol tablets are perhaps the most effective painkillers. But a new study points out that it could also cause liver damage. File image/AFP")
We are almost at the end of February and as they say time has flown by. Perhaps, what has helped move time along has been this busy week of news making events.
This week marks the two-year anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine war — it was on 24 February 2022 that Vladimir Putin launched a “special military operation” against Ukraine. This week also saw the United States returning to the Moon after almost 50 years, courtesy Intuitive Machines and its spacecraft, Odysseus.
South Korea is also witnessing a ‘severe public health alert’ as doctors have gone on strike. The famous American ‘momfluencer’ Ruby Franke was also sentenced to up to 60 years in prison on charges of child abuse.
If you have missed the big news from across the globe and want a quick catch-up, we have your back.
1) Saturday (24 February) marks the two-year anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine war. Yes, it’s been two years that Moscow launched a full-blown invasion against Kyiv and fighting continues with little to no hope of a resolution. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy continues to urge the West for weapons and ammunition, while Vladimir Putin’s troops continue to press on.
As Ukrainians mourn the loss of millions of lives and shattered dreams, our explainer of key events that occurred in the second year of the war.
Impact Shorts
More Shorts2) In the past five-odd years, there’s been a Moon rush. Russia, China, India, the United States as well as other countries have undertaken missions to the lunar surface — some, however, have ended in failure. On Thursday, a US-based firm, Intuitive Machines, made history by becoming the first private venture to land a spacecraft — Odysseus — on the Moon. With this feat, America also returned to the Moon after its almost 50 years when the last Apollo mission took place.
But why is it that the US took so long to return to the Moon? In this essay , we explore the challenges of lunar exploration and how other countries and space agencies have tried to reach Earth’s only natural satellite but met with disappointment.
3) This week has been a medical nightmare for South Koreans. The Southeast Asian country has raised its public health alert to “severe” for the first time. Across the country, major general hospitals forced to cancel up to 50 per cent of operations and turn away patients seeking emergency care.
But what’s causing this medical emergency in the country? Reports say that over 8,400 doctors have gone on strike to protest the government’s recruitment plans. What exactly has gone wrong? Why are the doctors striking? Read more about the worsening situation here .
4) A little away from South Korea, news also emerged from China, which could be worrying for the world. Chinese companies are doing something rarely seen since the 1970s: setting up their own volunteer armies. Such private military units were a legacy of the Mao Zedong era.
But what do we know of these private units also known as People’s Armed Forces (PAF). And what purpose do they serve? Our essay gets you all the answers and much, much more.
5) A look at Instagram and other social media channels and one can’t escape momfluencers, who give tips and advice on parenting. However, Utah-based Ruby Franke , a popular momfluencer made the news this week not for her amazing parenting hacks, but for being sentenced to prison for 60 years for child abuse.
6) Paracetamol is a drug we are all familiar with. We often pop it when we are dealing with pain. But maybe, it’s time to rethink this habit, as a new study reveals that the popular drug could cause liver damage. What does the study reveal? How dangerous can paracetamol be? Take a read .
7) We are in 2024 and hybrid working is a reality for many. Several employees continue to resist mandates of returning to office, giving rise to the ascent of digital nomad visas. In fact, this week Japan joined South Korea in offering these types of visas. And reports show that Asia is actually a preferred choice for professionals on the move.
We take a closer look at what are digital nomad visas and how Asia has become a hotspot for such travel experiences.
And this wraps up our weekly roundup of explainers from across the globe. Liked what you read and want more, then head over here.
PS: If you are a fan of Anaconda, the movie, this explainer of the world’s largest snake may just be the thing for you.