Yashwi Thakur

[ad_1] File photo: Jon Bon Jovi (Picture credit: AP) A pop-up restaurant founded by rock star Jon Bon Jovi has ignited a political and community firestorm in Toms River, New Jersey, with mayor Daniel Rodrick claiming the eatery is attracting large numbers of homeless individuals to the town's public library and creating a public safety issue.Opened in February inside the Ocean County Library’s Toms River branch, the JBJ Soul Kitchen serves pay-what-you-can meals, offering the option to “pay it forward” or volunteer in exchange for food. The initiative, part of Bon Jovi and wife Dorothea's non-profit JBJ Soul Foundation, aims to provide dignity and access to meals while connecting patrons to resources for housing, mental health and employment support.Rodrick, however, has repeatedly accused the community kitchen of transforming the library into a “day shelter and soup kitchen,” claiming it draws […]

[ad_1] Canadians are exempt from the fingerprint rule that's mandatory for all foreign nationals entering the US and planning to stay for 30 days and more. Many Canadians are left at a lurch with the new US travel rules kicking in that require every foreign national to register with the federal government and carry documentation. According to the new US travel rule that stemmed from a January 20 executive order, all foreign nationals who plan to stay in the US for 30 days or longer will be required to apply for registration and fingerprinting with the Department of Homeland Security. But no, Canadians travelling to the US will be exempt from the fingerprinting requirements, CBC confirmed citing the DHS's final interim rule published in the federal registrar. Who are exempt from new US travel rules?Permanent residents of the US and […]

[ad_1] In a significant shift, the Trump administration has exempted smartphones, computers, and other high-tech electronics from its sweeping “reciprocal” global tariffs—softening the potential blow to American consumers amid rising trade tensions. The exemptions were made public late Friday in a notice by the US Customs and Border Protection, sparing a wide range of electronics from steep import duties, including those originating from China. This includes products like smartphones and computer components, which had faced an additional 145% tariff under the administration’s aggressive trade measures. Semiconductors have also been spared from a baseline 10% tariff that applies to imports from most of the United States' trading partners. The reversal comes after mounting pressure from industry groups warning of increased consumer prices and disruption to tech supply chains. The decision marks a tactical retreat as the White House seeks to balance […]

[ad_1] Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi and US envoy to Middle East Steve Witkoff Iran said on Saturday it has started "indirect talks" with the United States in Oman over nuclear issues and a potential removal of what Tehran says are "unjust and illegal" sanctions against it.In a post on social media, Iran's foreign ministry said the talks are being held between the Islamic Republic's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi and Steve Witkoff, US President Donald Trump's envoy to the Middle East. The two are leading the delegations of their respective nations. Also Read: Long, fraught timeline of tensions between Iran and the US as nuclear negotiations approach"Indirect talks between foreign minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran Dr. Araghchi and the US special envoy to the Middle East Steven Witkoff, began with the mediation of Omani foreign minister Badr Albusaidi," […]

[ad_1] Bill Maher made little effort to hide how charmed he was after meeting Donald Trump. Comedian Bill Maher who is known to be a staunch hater of President Donald Trump set tongues wagging when he went to the White House to meet the president. On Friday, at Real Time with Bill Maher, he delivered a monologue describing his meeting with Trump without any attempt to hide how charmed he was. He asserted that he did not turn MAGA and also because there was no pressure towards that. Bill Maher appeared shocked and said everything that he did not like about Trump was not present on the night they met.The White House dinner took place on March 31 and it was set up by Kid Rock. Many MAGA people were enraged that Bill Maher who always has his gun trained […]

[ad_1] Residents walk against strong winds in Beijing, China, Saturday, April 12, 2025. (AP) Strong winds affected Chinese capital Beijing and parts of northern China on Saturday, leading to the cancellation of hundreds of flights, closure of tourist sites, and suspension of train services, according to state media. The China Meteorological Administration (CMA) said the winds were caused by a cold vortex system that had formed over Mongolia and moved across northern China from Friday through the weekend. "The strongest winds are expected during the daytime of April 12, with wind speeds at some observation stations approaching or even surpassing historical records for the same period since 1951,” the CMA said. Beijing issued an orange alert for strong winds — its second-highest warning level — for the weekend, marking the first time in ten years that such a warning was […]

[ad_1] Israel's PM Benjamin Netanyahu expressed strong disapproval of his Canadian counterpart's assertion regarding "genocide in Gaza".At a public gathering earlier this week, when a Palestine supporter interrupted Liberal leader Mark Carney by calling out about "a genocide happening in Gaza", Carney replied "I'm aware, that's why we have an arms embargo."'Have Put An Arms Embargo On Israel': Canada PM Shocks Netanyahu After Endorsing 'Gaza Genocide' ChargeIn response to Carney, Netanyahu took to his official X profile on Friday, stating "Canada has always sided with civilization. So should Mr. Carney." Further accusing him going against Jews, he added, "But instead of supporting Israel, a democracy that is fighting a just war with just means against the barbarians of Hamas, he attacks the one and only Jewish state." He further demanded, "Mr Carney, backtrack your irresponsible statement!"Carney backtracksA day after backing […]

[ad_1] Spain is implementing a series of new regulations aimed at curbing the negative impacts of mass tourism, reported UK news website Metro. Complaints about overcrowding, unaffordable housing, and strained public spaces have led to protests and new restrictions.In 2024 alone, the country welcomed a record 94 million visitors, with British travellers making up the largest share. Tourist taxes set to rise Authorities are introducing two new tourist taxes. In the Balearic Islands — including Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza, and Formentera — overnight taxes may soon increase from pound 3.36 to pound 5.04 per person. Cruise ship passengers will also be affected, with their tax rising by 200%. In Barcelona, the tourist tax is set to double by the end of 2025, reaching up to pound 12.40 per person per night for luxury accommodations. Children under 16 will be exempt in […]

[ad_1] A sightseeing helicopter crashed into the Hudson river near the New Jersey shore on Thursday, killing all six people on board — including a Spanish family of five and the pilot, a US navy veteran. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the probe, which is still in its early stages. Authorities say the aircraft broke apart mid-air, and some key parts are still missing. This incident is part of a series of aviation accidents in the US in recent months, raising broader concerns about air travel safety in the country.A sudden tragedy The crash happened less than 20 minutes after take-off from a Manhattan heliport. Witnesses described smoke pouring from the aircraft and parts falling into the Hudson river before the helicopter slammed into the water. Divers and rescue boats rushed to the scene and recovered the […]

[ad_1] In a major policy shift, the United States' air force academy has removed race, gender, and ethnicity as factors in its admissions process. This move comes after a lawsuit alleged that the institution’s approach to building class diversity was discriminatory. According to a justice department court filing on Friday, the decision was formalised in early February, reported New York Times. Gwendolyn R DeFilippi, the acting assistant secretary of the Air Force for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, issued a memorandum ending any admissions goals or quotas based on identity categories. The policy applies to academic admission, career fields, and overall class composition. The Colorado-based Air Force Academy is the second US military institution to make such a change this year. The US naval academy announced a similar revision last month. Its superintendent, Vice Admiral Yvette M. Davids, stated in February […]