News & Current Events

[ad_1] US PresidentDonald Trump stirred fresh speculation on Thursday when he told reporters in Abu Dhabi that he’s “probably” going back to Washington, DC, though he hinted with a smile that he might have other plans.“We’ll be leaving tomorrow morning, as you know, almost destination unknown,” Trump said during a press briefing in the UAE capital, the final public stop of his Middle East tour. “I’m probably going back to Washington, DC,” he added.His vague statement has fuelled rumours that Trump may make an unannounced appearance at the Ukraine-Russia peace talks in Istanbul, which have been the subject of intense international focus. While there were whispers about a possible drop-in, hopes of his presence seemed to dim after Russian President Vladimir Putin unveiled the Kremlin’s official negotiating team—conspicuously excluding himself.Trump had earlier linked his potential visit to whether Putin would […]

[ad_1] In a first-of-its-kind moment, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi was closed to the public to welcome US President Donald Trump during his official visit to the United Arab Emirates.White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt posted on X: “US President Trump at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. They shut down the Mosque for his special visit — the first time it has ever been closed for anyone in history.Historic moment!”The visit began with a solemn tribute at the mausoleum of the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Accompanied by Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Trump paused to reflect on Sheikh Zayed’s legacy, which the UAE says continues to promote global values of tolerance, coexistence and peace.Trump’s delegation then toured the mosque’s […]

[ad_1] Several Indian-origin Congressmen pushed for domestic renewal of H-1B visa. Several Indian-origin politicians, including Ro Khanna (D-California), Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), have pushed for doemstic H-1B visa renewal arguing that this should be integrated with the immigration department, after its successful pilot project in 2024. Their letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio has already become a bone of contention as several MAGA supporters including Laura Loomer, Steve Bannon, think H-1B, the program that allows US companies to hire skilled immigrants, should be stopped in favor of America First. "The current system (of visa renewal), which requires most non-immigrant visa holders to leave the country for renewals, disrupts lives, strains consular resources abroad, causes undue financial burdens on workers, and creates uncertainty for UD companies relying on these talented individuals," the letter said. "By reinstating and expanding […]

[ad_1] Washington is gearing up for a huge military parade planned for June 14, marking the Army’s 250th anniversary and US President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday. The event will be unlike any other recent military celebration in the capital, with thousands of soldiers, tanks, and warplanes taking centre stage. The latest cost estimate for the event is $30 million, though officials expect this figure to rise to $45 million.According to new Army planning documents obtained by USA TODAY, the parade will feature thousands of soldiers who will be housed in government office buildings in downtown Washington, DC. Tanks, cannons and warplanesThe parade promises to be a grand display of military power. Tanks will rumble through the streets, with dozens of vehicles including 24 Abrams tanks, 24 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles, and four huge Paladin cannons. Above, vintage warplanes like the […]

[ad_1] For many Americans nearing retirement, there’s a new number to remember, which is 67. Starting in 2025, the full retirement age (FRA) for Social Security officially moves to 67 for those born in 1960, reports the Newsweek. This marks the end of a decades-long phase-in that affects how and when millions can claim their benefits.The change isn’t sudden. It’s the result of amendments made in 1983 to the Social Security Act, aimed at strengthening the programme’s finances and accounting for people living longer. But it’s only now, as more older Americans reach 65, that the change is finally being felt.In practical terms, anyone born in 1960 will turn 65 in 2025, but they won’t be eligible for full retirement benefits until age 67. That’s the latest milestone in a gradual two-year increase from the previous retirement age of 65.Early […]

[ad_1] A Ukrainian delegation led by president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and a delegation from Russia arrived in Turkey on Thursday for peace talks, as the war continues to rage three years after it began. Even as the two countries are set to sit across the table from each other, Russia on Thursday claimed it has captured two villages in eastern Ukraine.The war of words was also on right before the talks began, with Ukraine's president Zelenskyy criticising Russia's Putin for not coming to Turkey and instead sending what he called a "decorative" delegation. "We need to understand the level of the Russian delegation and what their mandate is, if they are capable of making any decisions themselves," Zelenskyy said as he arrived at the airport, adding, "From what we see, it looks more like a dummy."Russia was quick to hit back, […]

[ad_1] When 14-year-old Janani gets her period, she doesn't always make it to school. Some days, there are no sanitary pads at home, and Janani is forced to use a pad made from old clothes. On those days, she skips classes."I feel ashamed of using cloth," Janani told DW. "If we miss school because of this, they won't teach us again the lessons we've missed, will they?"A survey conducted by DW of more than 500 girls across six schools in Sri Lanka's Central Province indicated that nearly half — 46% — struggled to afford pads each month, with the figure skyrocketing to 81% at one school.Janani's mother works as a tea plucker in the hills of Nuwara Eliya District and earns about 1,350 rupees (around €4 or $4.5) per day. She buys her daughter pads when she can afford it. […]

[ad_1] UK teen, who disappeared in Thailand, resurfaces in handcuffs in Georgia over drug smuggling charges (Picture credit: X) An 18-year-old British woman from Billingham, Teesside, is facing a potential life sentence in Georgia after she was arrested for allegedly trying to smuggle 14kg (30lbs) of cannabis into the country. Bella May Culley, who had recently travelled to south-east Asia, vanished in Thailand before reappearing in handcuffs in Tbilisi.Georgian authorities claim Culley was detained at Tbilisi International Airport on Saturday last week, following a sting operation by the Special Tasks Department. PollDo you believe Bella May Culley was unfairly targeted in this incident?According to Georgian Police, officers discovered 34 vacuum-sealed bags of marijuana and 20 packets of hashish in her luggage. As per the BBC, she has been charged with illegally purchasing, possessing, and importing a particularly large amount of […]

[ad_1] Colombian lawmakers reject president's labor reform referendum BOGOTA: Lawmakers in Colombia on Wednesday once again blocked President Gustavo Petro's efforts to overhaul the country’s labor laws, this time by rejecting a referendum that would have asked voters whether workdays should be limited to eight hours and whether workers should receive double pay if they work during holidays.Petro asked Congress earlier this month to approve the 12-question referendum to give voters a chance to decide on the changes that lawmakers themselves had already rejected twice. He had warned lawmakers against blocking the referendum, saying before thousands of people gathered for a Labor Day demonstration on May 1 that if they did not approve it, Colombians would punish them at the polls during the 2026 legislative elections.After an intense debate Wednesday, 49 senators voted against the measure and 47 in favor.Petro, […]

[ad_1] In January after assuming presidency, Donald Trump passed an executive order to end birthright citizenship (Image: AP) The US Supreme Court hears a case Thursday that could result in a radical reversal of constitutional interpretation and sharply curb the judiciary's ability to rein in Donald Trump -- or future American presidents.The case before the top court involves the Republican leader's bid to end automatic citizenship for children born on American soil.But the immediate question at hand is whether a single federal judge can block a president's policies with an injunction that applies nationwide.Trump's executive order to end birthright citizenship has been paused separately by district courts in Maryland, Massachusetts and Washington state who deemed it unconstitutional.Other Trump initiatives have also been frozen by judges around the nation -- both Democratic and Republican appointees -- leading the Justice Department to […]