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UN Resolution on Russia's Invasion

Iruni Kalupahana JadeTimes Staff

I. Kalupahana is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Russia-Ukraine war

 
Image Source: media.un.org
Image Source: media.un.org

The United Nations General Assembly recently voted on a resolution condemning Russia on the third anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The resolution was written jointly by the European Union and Ukraine and called for the withdrawal of Russian forces. The United States introduced another resolution, though, which did not condemn Russian aggression but instead called for an immediate halt to hostilities. The US resolution was a shift in policy by President Donald Trump, who has taken a different approach to the war than the leaders in Europe.


The EU-Ukrainian resolution was voted for by 93 countries, while 18 countries, including the US, Russia, Belarus, and North Korea, voted against it. This was a strong split between Washington and its European partners. The vote followed as Trump met with French President Emmanuel Macron and sat down with G7 leaders to discuss the future of NATO and whether there could be peace talks. Germany's likely next chancellor, Friedrich Merz, also emphasized Europe's need to be less dependent on the United States.


Trump has demanded direct negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, without Ukraine included in the talks. He has also pushed Kyiv to sign a rare earths and critical minerals deal to balance against US aid costs. Trump declared that talks with Putin on ending the war and US-Russia economic relations were progressing well. The US resolution in the UN was an expression of that stance, avoiding any blame for Russia and instead urging a general path to peace.


The US resolution was opposed by Ukraine and its European partners, who interpreted it as an effort to legitimize Russia's invasion. US diplomats made concerted efforts to persuade European and Ukrainian representatives to drop their resolution in favor of the US draft. But Ukraine and the EU went ahead with their resolution, gaining wider international support.


Despite the diplomatic action, both motions were symbolic in that they directly influenced the war. The widening of the fissure between America and Europe concerning the method with which to fight the conflict presents a change in the international political balance. Even as Europe insists on opposition of Russian aggression, the Trump Administration in the US is moving contrary to that route, favoring one on one talks with Russia over coordinated world pressure.

The Emu: Australia’s Giant Flightless Bird

Iruni Kalupahana Jadetimes Staff

I. Kalupahana is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Australia

 
Image Source: Birdfact
Image Source: Birdfact

Introduction


The emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) is a big, flightless bird native to Australia. It is the second largest bird in the world, standing more than 1.5 meters (5 feet) tall and weighing more than 45 kg. Emus belong to the family Dromaiidae and are closely related to cassowaries. They are surprisingly fast runners, moving at speeds of nearly 50 km per hour.


Physical Features


Emus have a sturdy body, long legs, and short wings measuring less than 20 cm in length. They have brownish feathers, dark gray head and neck, striped black, brown, and cream colored feathers on juveniles, that help them camouflage. Emus have three firm toes on each foot, which they use for running and defense.


Habitat and Distribution


Emus live on mainland Australia, where they occupy numerous different habitats, such as forests, grasslands, and deserts. They do not inhabit crowded areas or areas that have been cleared for agriculture. Some subspecies, which live on Tasmania and King Island, have been hunted and become extinct. Emus move seasonally to obtain food, in response to recent rainfall.


Diet and Feeding Habits


Emus primarily consume seeds, fruits, flowers, and shoots of young plants. Emus also consume insects and small vertebrates when they are present. Emus swallow pebbles to assist in digestion, which abrade food in their gizzards to grind it. Emus require daily fresh water and are able to walk long distances to get food and water. Emus accumulate fat during periods of abundant food to sustain them during lean periods.


Reproduction and Parenting


Emus are lifetime mates, and egg incubation is the male's responsibility. The female lays 7 to 10 dark green eggs in a grassy, leafy nest on the ground. The male won't eat, drink, or leave the nest for 56 days as they incubate. After hatching, the chicks follow in their father's footsteps, and he'll take care of them for about five or seven months. Sometimes misplaced chicks from a different brood are adopted by the male group.


Conservation and Human Interaction


The common emu is categorized as a species of least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Their population is stable, with over 630,000 adult emus in the wild. Nevertheless, in other places, they are regarded as pests because they destroy crops. Although they were previously declining in some areas, emus remain a vital component of Australia's distinctive wildlife.

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