News & Current Events

[ad_1] Israel foreign ministry on Monday released a video of the Gaza-bound aid ship carrying Greta Thunberg after the climate activist claimed that they had been "kidnapped" by Israel. In the footage, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) were seen distributing food and water to those aboard.It also informed that Thunberg was on "her way to Israel, safe and in good spirits", posting a smiling picture of her.Taking a swipe at the whole "kidnapped" saga, Israel declared- "The show is over.""All the passengers of the ‘selfie yacht’ are safe and unharmed. They were provided with sandwiches and water. The show is over," it said.In another post, Israeli foreign ministry said that the "tiny amount of aid that was on the yacht and not consumed by the celebrities" would be sent to Gaza."The tiny amount of aid that was on the yacht […]

[ad_1] Nanette Barragán calls the Los Angeles riots "Peaceful Protests" on CNN Democratic Representative Nanette Barragán is under fire on social media after calling the recent unrest in Los Angeles “peaceful protests” and urging for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to leave the community.Barragán represents parts of southern Los Angeles. She made the remarks during an appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday, as television footage showed a car engulfed in flames amid rising tensions following immigration raids and violent clashes over the weekend.“It’s a concern,” Barragán said when asked about US President Donald Trump’s deployment of 2,000 California National Guard troops to the city. “It’s going to escalate the situation. People are going to protest because they’re angry about the situation.”The deployment came after a weekend of chaos that saw federal agents clash with demonstrators. On Saturday […]

[ad_1] WASHINGTON: With an uncharacteristically feistiness, speaker Mike Johnson took clear sides Sunday in President Trump's breakup with billionaire Elon Musk.The Republican House leader and staunch Trump ally said Musk's criticism of GOP's massive tax and budget policy bill will not derail the measure, and he downplayed Musk's influence over GOP-controlled Congress. "I didn't go out to craft a piece of legislation to please the richest man in the world," Johnson said, "What we're trying to do is help hardworking Americans who are trying to provide for their families and make ends meet." Johnson said he has exchanged text messages with Musk since the former chief of department of govt efficiency (DOGE) came out against the GOP bill.Musk called it an "abomination" that would add to US debts and threaten economic stability. He urged voters to flood Capitol Hill with […]

[ad_1] Miguel Uribe (File photo; taken from X) A leading Colombian presidential hopeful, critically wounded and battling for survival in hospital after a young assailant shot him twice in the head, remains critical as he underwent initial surgery.Right-wing Senator Miguel Uribe, aged 39, underwent urgent surgery following Saturday's attack at a Bogota campaign rally, but medical staff indicate his condition remains critical. The Santa Fe Clinic medical team stated he continues in "the most grave condition and the prognosis is reserved", reported AFP.The shooting has deeply unsettled Colombia, where citizens thought the era of political and drug-related violence was behind them. Citizens gathered in major metropolitan areas on Sunday for candlelight vigils, prayers and to express their outrage."Our hearts are broken, Colombia hurts," said Carolina Gomez, a 41-year-old businesswoman, whilst lighting candles outside Uribe's hospital. Supporters united in chanting "strength […]

[ad_1] White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt minimised reports of a physical confrontation between Elon Musk and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, describing it as a "robust disagreement."Speaking to Fox News' "Sunday Morning Futures," Leavitt acknowledged her absence during the April incident but disputed characterisations of it as a "fistfight," after reports suggested Musk collided with Bessent's rib cage in a forceful manner."I certainly wouldn't describe it as a fistfight, Maria," Leavitt told host Maria Bartiromo. "It was definitely a disagreement, although I was not there. I didn't witness it with my own eyes."Leavitt referenced her previous statement about occasional disagreements between cabinet members and Musk, emphasising the administration's ability to maintain productive working relationships despite differences. “When this story originally broke, I said from the podium that there have definitely been healthy disagreements amongst […]

[ad_1] A 22-year-old Vietnamese bride received a bizarre dowry featuring 100 civet cats and substantial wealth in various forms, with her father claiming it will ensure her financial independence.The wedding, which took place last May in southwestern Vietnam but recently reported by the South China Morning Post, saw the bride receive breeding-capable female civet cats valued at 1.8 billion Vietnamese dong (US$70,000).Her parents' endowment also encompassed 25 taels of gold, 500 million dong (US$20,000) in cash, corporate shares worth 300 million dong, seven properties and additional valuable items.The groom's family reciprocated by gifting the bride price of 10 taels of gold, 200 million dong in cash and diamond ornaments.In many Asian societies, dowries continue to serve as a significant custom, claiming to be a representation of familial prosperity and parental support for their daughter's future.Hong Chi Tam, the bride's father, […]

[ad_1] Issac Paul Olakkengil was a skilled civil engineer specializing in Building Information Modelling, working in the UAE since 2019 Issac Paul Olakkengil, a 29-year-old civil engineer from Kerala, India, died after suffering a cardiac arrest during a scuba diving training session at Dubai’s Jumeirah Beach on Friday, June 6. The tragic incident unfolded while Issac was on vacation with his wife and younger brother, partaking in the Eid Al Adha holidays. The news of his untimely death has sent shockwaves through the Indian expatriate community in the UAE, where Issac had built a thriving professional life.A life built on precision, passion, and progressIssac hailed from Naduvilangadi in Thrissur, Kerala. A driven and accomplished engineer, he specialized in Building Information Modelling (BIM), a sophisticated digital process essential in modern construction.After completing a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from Calicut University […]

[ad_1] Ted Cruz says he was with Trump when Musk started attacking the latter on social media Senator Ted Cruz described witnessing Donald Trump's anger while Elon Musk launched a scathing online attack against the US President on Thursday, likening his position to that of a child amidst parental discord."I was sitting in the Oval as this unfolded. Trump was pissed. He was venting," the Republican senator disclosed on his podcast "Verdict with Ted Cruz" Friday, quoted by the New York Post."I was sitting there, and the tweets were coming…. Elon was saying some really harsh things," he added.Cruz, who maintains close friendships with both former associates, further described their widely publicised separation this week as "incredibly painful." "These are two men whom I know very well, they're both good friends of mine," he said.He expressed his discomfort with the […]

[ad_1] A team of inmates from Dubai Police Central Jail took fifth place at the first online edition of the Asian inmate chess championship. Photo: Dubai Police via The National A team of inmates from Dubai Police’s Correctional and Penal Institutions has earned fifth place in the first-ever Asian Inmate Chess Championship, a virtual tournament overseen by the International Chess Federation (FIDE). The milestone highlights the transformative power of chess as a tool for rehabilitation and reintegration.The tournament brought together 23 teams from eight countries across Asia. Representing the UAE, Dubai’s eight-member team was selected through an intense internal qualifier involving 40 inmates. The selection and training were carried out in collaboration with the Dubai Chess and Culture Club, which provided mentorship and strategic guidance throughout the process.“The team placed fifth overall, demonstrating a high level of preparation and strategic […]

[ad_1] 5 Proud Boys sue US government over January 6 prosecutions Five leaders of the far-right Proud Boys group are suing the US government for $100 million, claiming their constitutional rights were violated during their prosecution for involvement in the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot.The lawsuit, filed Friday in Florida, accuses FBI agents and federal prosecutors of political bias and misconduct. The men, Henry "Enrique" Tarrio, Ethan Nordean, Joseph Biggs, Zachary Rehl, and Dominic Pezzola, argue they were targeted because of their support for US President Donald Trump.All five were convicted for plotting or participating in the riot, which aimed to block the certification of former President Joe Biden’s 2020 election win. They were sentenced to prison, with Tarrio receiving 22 years, the longest sentence among them, after being found guilty of seditious conspiracy and other charges.Earlier this year, Trump […]