News & Current Events

[ad_1] Nadine Menendez, wife of former US Senator Bob Menendez, was convicted on Monday for participating in a multi-year bribery scheme that included accepting gold bars, nearly half a million dollars in cash, and a Mercedes-Benz convertible in exchange for political favours.A Manhattan federal jury found her guilty on all counts after a three-week trial, which detailed how she and her husband allegedly conspired with three New Jersey businessmen seeking help with business ventures and legal issues. The verdict comes months after Bob Menendez himself was convicted on related charges; the 71-year-old Democrat is scheduled to begin his 11-year prison sentence in June.Nadine Menendez, 58, who remained emotionless as the verdict was read, is due to be sentenced on June 12 — just six days after her husband is expected to report to prison.Outside the courthouse, her attorney Barry Coburn […]

[ad_1] TAIPEI, TAIWAN: Indonesia and China said Monday they committed to maritime cooperation promoting safety and security in the South China Sea, amid longstanding Indonesian suspicions about China's actions in waters controlled by Jakarta. The sides agreed to cooperate in infrastructure building, minerals development and joint security, the last being the most significant because of Indonesia's concerns over Chinese development near the Natuna island group in the South China Sea, which Beijing claims virtually in its entirety. While neither side mentioned the islands directly, Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi said the officials agreed to further enhance their security cooperation in a comprehensive and sustainable way. "We will enhance law enforcement and security cooperation to jointly combat transnational (inaudible) cooperation," Wang said following the first joint meeting of foreign and defense ministers from the two sides in Beijing. "We agreed that […]

[ad_1] In an age of digital alerts and global livestreams, the Vatican continues to announce one of its most significant decisions with a signal that dates back centuries: a puff of smoke from a copper chimney on the Sistine Chapel. But behind this seemingly simple ritual lies a surprisingly complex chemistry lesson.As 115 cardinal-electors gather in secret to choose the next pope, all eyes remain fixed on the chapel’s rooftop chimney. Black smoke (fumata nera) means the cardinals have not reached the two-thirds majority required, 77 votes, to elect a new pope. White smoke (fumata bianca) signals success. Yet, for this symbolic act to be visible and unambiguous, the Vatican has had to modernize the process, turning to science to uphold its most sacred tradition, ABC news reported.From wet straw to smoke bombsHistorically, white smoke was created by burning wet […]

[ad_1] DHAKA: National identity (NID) registration wing of Election Commission has officially "locked" the NID cards of former PM Sheikh Hasina and nine of her family members.The action was taken through a formal letter dated April 16, signed by ASM Humayun Kabir, director general of the wing.Besides Hasina, the administration has locked the NID cards of Sajeeb Ahmed Wazed, Saima Wazed, Rehana Siddiq (Sheikh Rehana), Tulip Rizwana Siddiq, Azmina Siddiq, Shaheen Siddiq, Bushra Siddiq, Radwan Mujib Siddiq, and Tarique Ahmed Siddiq. [ad_2] Source link

[ad_1] File photo: US homeland security secretary Kristi Noem (Picture credit: AP) United States homeland security chief Kristi Noem fell victim to a theft as her purse was stolen from a restaurant where she went for dinner, in Washington DC on Sunday. The purse had her driving license, medication, apartment keys, passport, DHS access badge, makeup bag, blank checks, and about $3,000 in cash, according to CNN, which was the first to report the theft.At the White House's Easter Egg Roll, Noem was asked about the incident, and she confirmed it happened. "The matter has not been resolved," Noem was quoted as saying.'Unidentified white man' behind theft?The Secret Service, which provides security for Noem, reviewed the eatery's security camera footage, and saw an "unknown white male," his face hidden behind a medical mask, steal her bag and leave the place, […]

[ad_1] Passengers of a Delta Air Lines flight were forced to "hold up" the roof of the aircraft after the ceiling's interior "suddenly caved in" during a journey last week from Atlanta to Chicago.The incident occurred on April 14, according to a report in New York Post.Content creator Lucas Michael Payne, who said his business partner was on the flight, posted a video which showed a group of male passengers extending their arms upwards to support the plane’s detached top.Also Read: Delta airlines flight crash-lands at Toronto Pearson International airport, 17 injured"My business partner @tomwitschy was on a @delta flight from ATL to Chicago Monday when the roof of the plane collapsed. They were an hour outside of Chicago, had to go back to Atlanta.. wait for several hours before they deplaned and got on an airplane to get to […]

[ad_1] Passengers of a Delta Air Lines flight were forced to "hold up" the roof of the aircraft after the ceiling's interior "suddenly caved in" during a journey last week from Atlanta to Chicago.The incident occurred on April 14, according to a report in New York Post.Content creator Lucas Michael Payne, who said his business partner was on the flight, posted a video which showed a group of male passengers extending their arms upwards to support the plane’s detached top.Also Read: Delta airlines flight crash-lands at Toronto Pearson International airport, 17 injured"My business partner @tomwitschy was on a @delta flight from ATL to Chicago Monday when the roof of the plane collapsed. They were an hour outside of Chicago, had to go back to Atlanta.. wait for several hours before they deplaned and got on an airplane to get to […]

[ad_1] Pope Francis, the revolutionary pontiff who redefined the papacy and left behind a legacy of inclusivity and reform, passed away on Monday. His death marks the end of a transformative era for the Catholic Church, which saw both progressive strides and fierce opposition during his tenure. Known for his humility and commitment to social justice, Pope Francis reshaped the Vatican and global perceptions of the Church, but not without sparking controversy, particularly among conservative factions. From his reforms within the Vatican to his controversial stance on LGBTQ+ rights, his papacy was marked by bold actions that forever altered the course of Catholicism.A modern Pontiff with progressive viewsWhen Pope Francis ascended to the papacy in 2013, following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, the Church was deeply divided. His election marked a historic moment, making him the first non-European pope […]

[ad_1] Pope Francis's last public appearance came just a day before his death, as he made an unexpected tour of St Peter's Square on Easter Sunday -- a farewell that now stands as the closing chapter of his papacy.The 88-year-old pontiff, who had recently been discharged from hospital after a five-week battle with a severe infection and double pneumonia, had been widely expected to skip public events during the Holy Week. But to the surprise and joy of thousands gathered in Vatican City, Francis appeared in his popemobile following the traditional “Urbi et Orbi” blessing from the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica.“Brothers and sisters, Happy Easter!” he said, offering a brief but heartfelt greeting to the crowd, many of whom were moved to tears.Though visibly frail and listless, Francis waved gently to the cheering faithful as he rode through the […]

[ad_1] Donald Trump (ANI file photo) The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a trade agreement at the core of US economic policy on Africa, is soon set to expire.The US Congress enacted the AGOA Trade Act in May 2000. The pact has been renewed several times, most recently in 2015, when Congress extended it to September 2025. Since its implementation, AGOA has provided eligible sub-Saharan African countries with duty-free access to the US market for over 1,800 products.However, trade decisions by the Trump administration, including the imposition of a universal 10% tariff on all countries, threaten the future of AGOA.Tsonam Akpeloo, President of the Association of Ghana Industries, told DW that Trump's move could result in people losing their jobs."One of our member companies producing fabrics and supplying them to the US market is employing over 5,000 people here […]