News & Current Events

[ad_1] File photo: US President Donald Trump (Picture credit: AP) The Trump administration is considering cutting the steep 145% tariff on Chinese imports by more than half, possibly as early as next week, as US and Chinese officials gear up for high-level trade talks in Switzerland, The New York Post reported, citing sources close to the negotiations.US officials are reportedly weighing a reduction of the levy to somewhere between 50% and 54%, a move aimed at easing tensions as trade negotiations unfold. The proposed cut, according to The Post, would be accompanied by a separate plan to lower tariffs on imports from neighbouring South Asian countries to 25%.“They are going to be bringing it down to 50% while the negotiations are ongoing,” a source was quoted as saying by The Post.US President Trump hinted at the potential tariff shift during […]

[ad_1] SEOUL: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised tests of short-range ballistic missile systems that simulated nuclear counterstrikes against US and South Korean forces, state media said Friday, as the North continued to blame its rivals for escalating tensions through their joint military exercises. The report came a day after South Korea's military detected multiple launches from North Korea's eastern coast and assessed that the tests could also be related to the country's weapons exports to Russia during its war in Ukraine. North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency said Thursday's tests involved a mobile ballistic missile system apparently modeled after Russia's Iskander, as well as 600-millimeter multiple rocket launchers that South Korean officials classify as ballistic due to their self-propulsion and guided flight. Both are part of a growing lineup of weapons systems that the North says could […]

[ad_1] Stacey Wales, sister of the late Christopher Pelkey, displays her brother's image at her mother's home in Chandler, Ariz. (Picture credit: AP) In a landmark moment for the American justice system, the family of Christopher Pelkey used artificial intelligence to allow him to “speak” posthumously at the sentencing of the man convicted of killing him during a 2021 road rage incident in Arizona.Pelkey, a 37-year-old US Army veteran who had served three tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, was fatally shot by Gabriel Paul Horcasitas while both were stopped at a red light in Chandler, Arizona. As per CBS News, Pelkey was walking toward Horcasitas’ car when he was shot in the chest. Last week, Horcasitas was sentenced to 10.5 years in prison for manslaughter.During the sentencing, a nearly four-minute AI-generated video was played in court, showing a digital recreation […]

[ad_1] US President Trump renewed his criticism on Thursday of Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell, complaining the Fed is refusing to lower interest rates. Trumpsaid cutting interest rates would be “like jet fuel” for the economy “but he doesn’t want to do it”. He said Powell is “not in love with me”. Fed this week kept short-term borrowing costs in the 4.25%-4.50% range, where they have been since Dec.While bigtariffs are likely to increase inflation and unemployment, the economy so far has shown little sign of either, Powell said, giving the central bank time to wait and see until there is more clarity on where tariffs actually end up, and how that affects prices and jobs. Fed can then act as needed, and potentially aggressively, he said. Trump has made no secret of his dissatisfaction with Powell’s conduct, even suggesting […]

[ad_1] Pentagon on Thursday announced it will start removing openly transgender service members from the US military, following the supreme court’s recent decision allowing enforcement of the Trump administration’s long-pending ban. Defence secretary Pete Hegseth issued the directive within hours of the ruling, saying that roughly 1,000 transgender personnel who have publicly identified will now be moved out of service. Others have 30 days to self-report before the department begins examining medical records to identify additional cases. In a social media post after the decision, Hegseth wrote “No more trans at DoD,” reinforcing his earlier remarks at a special operations conference in Florida, where he said the military was abandoning “wokeness and weakness.” He also told the audience, “No more pronouns,” in reference to gender identity practices within the forces. According to Pentagon data, 4,240 active duty, national guard, and […]

[ad_1] US president Donald Trump on Thursday named Fox News hostJeanine Pirro as the interim top federal prosecutor for Washington, D.C., replacing his original pick, Ed Martin Jr., whose nomination faced heavy opposition. The announcement was made on Trump’s Truth Social account, where he praised Pirro as “incredibly well qualified” and “one of the top district attorneys” in New York’s history. . Pirro, a former judge and three-term district attorney in Westchester County, New York, joined Fox News in 2006 and now co-hosts "The Five." Her appointment follows a pattern of Trump tapping Fox News figures for senior posts — including Pete Hegseth, now Defence Secretary. Trump pulled Martin’s nomination earlier in the day after Republican senators raised concerns about his defence of Capitol rioters and lack of legal experience. Martin, who had never prosecuted a case before, drew criticism […]

[ad_1] US president Donald Trump on Thursday confirmed a trade framework with the United Kingdom that reduces tariffs on autos and metals while keeping the baseline 10% tariff as it is. The announcement followed a phone call with UK prime minister Keir Starmer. Under the plan, US tariffs on British cars will drop from 27.5% to 10% for a quota of 100,000 vehicles. Tariffs on steel and aluminium will be removed. In return, the UK will increase purchases of US agricultural goods, simplify customs for American products, and cut import taxes on around 2,500 items, including olive oil, wine, and sports equipment.The Republican president indicated that other countries negotiating trade deals with the US could face steeper import taxes. Referring to the UK’s 10% tariff rate, Trump said, “That’s a low number,” and argued that nations with which the US […]

[ad_1] Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, a 69-year-old American, has been elected as Pope Leo XIV, making history as the first American to head the Roman Catholic Church. Chosen by 133 cardinals, Pope Leo takes charge of the 1.4 billion-strong global Catholic community after the death of Pope Francis. Here are ten key facts about the new pope.1. First American Pope in history Pope Leo XIV is the first person born in the United States to be elected as pope. His election marks a turning point for the Vatican, reflecting the global shift in Catholic demographics and influence.2. Born and raised in Chicago Robert Francis Prevost was born in 1955 in Chicago, Illinois. His early years were shaped by a strong Catholic upbringing in one of the most diverse cities in the U.S.3. Ordained at 27 He was ordained a priest […]

[ad_1] The Trump administration is expected to announce a significant reduction in tariffs on Chinese imports—possibly as early as next week—just as American and Chinese trade officials gather in Switzerland for key negotiations. Sources told The Post that current tariffs of 145% on Chinese goods could be lowered to between 50% and 54%, a rate seen as more sustainable by businesses. At the same time, tariffs on other Asian countries may be reduced to 25%. The decision, still pending formal approval, follows weeks of discussions and meetings between top US officials and business leaders, including CEOs from Walmart, Target, and Home Depot. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also recently described the existing tariff level as “not sustainable,” sparking renewed hope for a shift. White House spokesperson Kush Desai, however, declined to confirm any figures, saying only that tariff decisions would be […]

[ad_1] Gurvinder Johal, a 37-year-old Indian-origin man, was fatally stabbed inside a Lloyds bank branch in Derby, eastern England, on Tuesday, reported BBC.The incident took place in broad daylight on St. Peter's Street. Emergency services were called to the scene around 2:30 pm, but Johal was pronounced dead shortly after.A 47-year-old Somalian man named Haybe Cabdiraxmaan Nur, from Normanton in Derby, had been charged with Johal’s murder. Nur appeared at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates’ Court via videolink, speaking only to confirm his identity with the help of a Somali interpreter. He has been remanded in custody and will next appear before Derby Crown Court.Samantha Shallow, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor for the East Midlands, said, “After reviewing the evidence submitted by Derbyshire Constabulary, we have authorised a murder charge in connection with the death of 37-year-old Gurvinder Johal.” A second man in […]