News & Current Events

[ad_1] United States and China held direct trade talks in Geneva on Saturday, with discussions expected to continue on Sunday, according to an official, reported Associated Press. The meetings are part of efforts to ease tensions that have triggered steep tariff hikes and increased economic uncertainty worldwide. US treasury secretary Scott Bessent and trade representative Jamieson Greer met with Chinese vice premier He Lifeng in a closed-door session at Villa Saladin, an 18th-century mansion owned by the Swiss government. Officials from both sides confirmed that talks lasted more than ten hours. No breakthroughs were reported after Saturday’s discussions.Chinese, US officials meet in Geneva to negotiate Trump tariffs Donald Trump’s administration has raised tariffs on Chinese goods to a combined 145%. In response, China imposed 125% tariffs on US imports. These steep tariffs are causing disruptions in industries that rely on […]

[ad_1] Chandra Arya, former member of parliament for Nepean, Ottawa, has launched the Hindu Public Affairs Council of Canada (HPAC).Arya, originally from India, served in Canadian parliament for over nine years. He was removed as the Liberal candidate for Nepean shortly before the 2023 elections and replaced by Mark Carney.The Liberal Party's decision followed claims about his involvement with foreign influence related to India.Arya has remained outspoken about issues affecting Hindu Canadians, particularly concerns over the Khalistan movement. Arya criticises the movement's supporters, saying that such elements are undermining the Hindu community in Canada. The new lobby group claims to be "unapologetically Hindu" and "resolutely Canadian." In his announcement on social media, Arya highlighted that while the Hindu community in Canada is diverse, "India is our holy land." The newly formed HPAC will work to counter growing anti-Hindu rhetoric and […]

[ad_1] Verdict due Tuesday in Depardieu sexual assault trial (Photo: AP) A court in Paris on Tuesday is set to hand down a verdict in the sexual assault trial of French cinema icon Gerard Depardieu, a case that gripped the country for weeks.As the ruling will coincide with the start of the Cannes Film Festival, it is likely to be among the biggest talking points on the first day of what is one of the main events on the cinema calendar.Depardieu, who has acted in more than 200 films and television series, is the highest-profile figure caught up in France's response to the #MeToo movement.He has been accused of improper behaviour by around 20 women, but this is the first case to come to trial.The trial relates to charges of sexual assault during the filming in 2021 of "Les Volets […]

[ad_1] VATICAN CITY: Leo XIV visited an Augustinian sanctuary near Rome Saturday in his first outing since being made pope, after telling cardinals he intended to follow his predecessor's path as pontiff, praising Francis's "complete dedication to service".The Chicago-born pontiff paid a "private visit" Saturday afternoon to the Mother of Good Counsel Sanctuary in Genazzano, about 50 kilometres (31 miles) southeast of Rome, the Vatican said.Earlier, addressing a meeting of cardinals at the Vatican just two days after being elected the 267th pope, he provided some early clues as to what his priorities and style would be. Leo explained his new choice of name reflected a commitment to social causes while describing himself as St Peter's "unworthy Successor". Born Robert Francis Prevost, the pope told assembled cardinals a pontiff was "a humble servant of God and of his brothers and […]

[ad_1] KYIV: Kyiv's allies pressed Russia on Saturday to accept a 30-day unconditional ceasefire in Ukraine from Monday, threatening Moscow with coordinated sanctions if it did not agree to the demand.The ultimatum came during a joint press conference in Kyiv attended by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and the leaders of France, Germany, the UK and Poland. The proposal united allies including the United States, they said. The unprecedented visit was the first time the leaders of the four European nations had made a joint trip to Ukraine."We have just now... decided to support a ceasefire which will begin next Monday, without any preconditions," France's Emmanuel Macron said. Around 20 member countries of the "coalition of the willing" supporting Ukraine had held a videoconference with Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and […]

[ad_1] A striking 12-foot bronze statue of a fictional Black woman now stands in New York’s Times Square, provoking fierce debate and widespread commentary online. Unveiled on April 29 and set to remain until June 17, the sculpture, titled Grounded in the Stars, depicts a young woman in everyday attire—braided hair, T-shirt, and trousers—with a calm yet assertive stance. Its creator, British artist Thomas J Price, says the piece aims to challenge traditional ideas of monumentality while encouraging viewers to reflect on representation, identity, and shared humanity.The piece sparked controversy almost immediately. While some praised its symbolic significance, others mocked its appearance and accused it of reinforcing negative stereotypes. Critics on social media questioned its aesthetic value and even challenged Price’s reference to Michelangelo’s David, calling the comparison exaggerated. One user described the figure as looking more like a caricature […]

[ad_1] US President Donald Trump will visit Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in May during his first scheduled trip of his second term (Image: PTI/AP) US President Donald Trump already has a gift ready for his three host countries — Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates — ahead of the first foreign trip of his second presidency, set to begin on Tuesday.According to US officials, Trump has pledged to start referring to the Persian Gulf — the body of water that separates the Gulf states and Saudi Arabia from the country its official name is associated with, Iran — as the Arabian Gulf or the Gulf of Arabia.Although Trump doesn't have the authority to change the name officially, the symbolism is significant. Arab nations have long been pushing for a change of name, while Iran has […]

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[ad_1] Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (AP) KYIV: The leaders of France, Britain and Germany arrived in Ukraine on Saturday for talks with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, vowing to ratchet up pressure on Russia until it agrees a ceasefire the day after a lavish military parade in Moscow.French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived together by train from neighbouring Poland. Later, they were to be joined by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.It is the first time the leaders of the four European nations have made a joint visit to Ukraine.More than three years into Russia's invasion, the hugely symbolic show of European unity comes a day after President Vladimir Putin struck a defiant tone at a Moscow parade marking 80 years since victory in World War II. US President Donald Trump has proposed a […]

[ad_1] Newark mayor Ras Baraka arrested, then released at immigration detention protest (Picture credit: AP) Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was released Friday night after being arrested during a protest at a federal immigration detention centre in Newark. Baraka had been taken into custody by federal agents outside Delaney Hall, where he had joined demonstrators opposing the newly opened facility. He was released around 8 pm (local time) after several hours in custody.“The reality is this: I didn’t do anything wrong,” Baraka told supporters as he stepped out of an SUV with flashing emergency lights. Though he said he could not discuss the case on the advice of his lawyers and the judge, he offered strong words of unity and support for the immigrant community and said, “At some point we have to stop these people from causing division between us.”Baraka, […]