News & Current Events

[ad_1] ISLAMABAD: Eight Pakistani car mechanics were shot dead in Iran late Saturday, sparking outrage and deepening fears that the country was becoming a hub for anti-Pakistan militants after Afghanistan.Balochistan National Army (BNA), a lesser-known separatist group, claimed responsibility for the attack in Sistan-Baluchestan province, escalating tensions between the neighbouring countries as Pakistan demanded swift action. The eight workers hailed from Punjab -- Pakistan’s most populous province -- and were killed at a workshop in Mehrestan district, near Afghanistan’s border, Pakistani authorities said.BNA framed the killings as retaliation against perceived Punjabi dominance in Balochistan’s economic and political spheres. “We will not allow outsiders to exploit our land and resources,” BNA said in an online statement, echoing long-standing Baloch grievances over resource exploitation and marginalisation. The outfit has aligned itself with the broader Baloch insurgency led by groups like Balochistan Liberation […]

[ad_1] File photo: British MP Tulip Siddiq (Picture credit: X/@TulipSiddiq) Bangladesh on Sunday issued an arrest warren against British MP Tulip Siddiq over allegations linked to a widening corruption probe involving her aunt, the ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.The warrant issued by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), accuses Siddiq of unlawfully acquiring land through political influence, The Financial Times reported.The Hampstead and Highgate MP is among more than 50 individuals named in connection with the investigation, which centres on alleged misuse of state property during Hasina’s regime, removed from power last August after mass protests.The ACC claims Siddiq and her family received a 7,200 sq ft plot in Dhaka’s diplomatic zone and were involved in securing multiple land allocations via Hasina’s government. The case also includes allegations related to a 2013 nuclear power deal with Russia, where Siddiq is accused of […]

[ad_1] Explosion rocks Northwest Austin in US; several houses damaged, multiple injured (Picture credit: X/@AustinCrazyTrn) A powerful explosion rocked a residential area in Northwest Austin on Sunday morning, severely damaging a two-story home and shaking surrounding neighbourhoods for miles. Emergency crews responded to the incident around 11:25 am (local time) at 10407 Double Spur Loop, near Spicewood Springs Road and US 183.According to the Austin Fire Department (AFD), the house collapsed following an "unknown event," and one person trapped inside the rubble was pulled out by firefighters and handed over to Austin-Travis County EMS medics for treatment. As per CBS Austin, ATCEMS confirmed “multiple patients” were involved, although the exact number and severity of injuries have not been disclosed.Footage and images shared online captured the devastation, with residents seen walking through the debris and large sections of the neighbourhood cordoned […]

[ad_1] ‘Stock market did a Jesus’: SNL roasts Donald Trump’s tariff chaos in Easter special In a cheeky start to its Easter episode, Saturday Night Live turned its lens on US President Donald Trump’s handling of the US economy, using biblical imagery to mock Trump’s erratic tariff decisions. The sketch began with a reimagining of the “Cleansing of the Temple,” where Jesus, played by Mikey Day, angrily cleared out merchants. “I will rid this place of all its money,” he declared.The scene took a turn when James Austin Johnson appeared as Trump, proclaiming, “It’s me, your favourite president, Donald Jesus Trump,” and comparing himself to Jesus. “Many people are calling me the Messiah,” he added, “because of the mess I, uh, made out of the economy.”According to The New York Times, the skit blended sharp political humour with biblical parody, […]

[ad_1] US President Donald Trump WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Donald Trump's doctor says the oldest man to be elected president is "fully fit" to serve as commander in chief as the White House released the results of Trump's physical exam from Friday. Trump is 78, and his physician, Navy Capt. Sean Barbabella, cited what he said is Trump's "active lifestyle" and said it "continues to contribute significantly" to the Republican president's well-being. Trump turns 79 on June 14. In a report released Sunday, the doctor said in a summary that Trump is "fully fit to execute the duties of Commander-in-Chief and Head of State." The results showed Trump has dropped 20 pounds since his last physical as president in 2020. He weighed 244 pounds back then and is now down to 224 pounds. Barbabella said Trump's days include participating […]

[ad_1] US president Donald Trump has signalled he will skip the G20 summit in South Africa due to “land confiscation” and “ white genocide.” In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, "How could we be expected to go to South Africa for the very important G20 meeting when land confiscation and genocide is the primary topic of conversation?""They are taking the land of white farmers, and then killing them and their families. The media refuses to report on this. The United States has held back all contributions to South Africa. Is this where we want to be for the G20? I don’t think so!" he said.PollDo you support Donald Trump's decision to skip the G20 summit?Trump’s social media post included video clips of Julius Malema, leader of the small far-left Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), speaking about land occupation and […]

[ad_1] China on Sunday called upon the US government to "completely cancel" reciprocal tariffs imposed by the Donald Trump administration which has taken the total levies to 145% on the Asian nation."We urge the US to... take a big step to correct its mistakes, completely cancel the wrong practice of 'reciprocal tariffs' and return to the right path of mutual respect", a commerce ministry spokesperson said in a statement.Reacting to the tariff exemption announced by Trump administration on consumer electronics, China said that it was a "small step" in correcting his "wrong practice" of imposing 145% tariffs."China is now evaluating the impact," the spokesperson said.The steep 145% US tariff and China’s retaliatory 125% levy have caused serious concern among businesses engaged in US-China trade. The move has made companies not only anxious about securing future orders but has also left […]

[ad_1] Chinese officials admitted to conducting cyber attacks on US infrastructure in an operation called "Volt Typhoon", according to a report by the Wall Street Journal. This came at a private meeting held between the US and Chinese officials last year in Geneva. According to the report, Chinese officials made remarks during the meeting that were "indirect and somewhat ambiguous", but the US delegation interpreted them as implying that the Volt Typhoon cyberattacks were a response to American support for Taiwan.This signaled a shift from China’s typical approach of outright denial, where it would usually blame such attacks on criminal organizations or dismiss them as overblown allegations.The report comes amidst deteriorating ties between the two nations with US increasing its tariff rates to 145% on China and the latter hitting back with 125% in retaliation. What is Volt Typhoon?The cyber […]

[ad_1] March 28 quake (AP photo) A 5.5 magnitude earthquake rattled central Myanmar early Sunday, making frightened residents rush out of their homes in towns near the epicentre. This new quake in the Southeast Asian nation hit just weeks after a powerful 7.7-magnitude temblor on March 28, as one of its strongest aftershocks.The quake struck near Meiktila, a small city in Mandalay Region, according to the US geological survey. Its epicentre lay roughly between Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, and the capital Naypyitaw—both of which were heavily affected by the quake of March 28.Two residents of Wundwin township, near the epicentre, told The Associated Press by phone that Sunday’s quake was strong enough to shake buildings and damage ceilings. “People rushed out of buildings,” one said. Another resident described cracked walls and minor debris falling indoors.However, in Naypyitaw, a resident told […]

[ad_1] A supporter stands in front of an American flag while listening Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., during a "Fighting Oligarchy" event in Los Angeles, Saturday, April 12, 2025. (AP) LOS ANGELES: Bernie Sanders is emerging as one of the most vocal opponents to US President Donald Trump, with the 83-year-old senator drawing tens of thousands of people to his "fighting oligarchy" rallies around the country.Supporters packed the Gloria Molina Grand Park in Los Angeles on Saturday as guests including politicians, union representatives and musical acts took to the stage before speeches by Sanders and Democrat representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez."There are some 36,000 of you, the largest rally that we have ever had," Sanders told the cheering crowd."Your presence here today is making Donald Trump and Elon Musk very nervous."The self-described socialist, an independent who has never been a member of the […]