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A Bangladesh court on Wednesday granted bail to an outspoken monk leading a movement for the protection of Hindus in the Muslim-majority nation, but he remains in custody pending a possible appeal. Chinmoy Krishna Das was granted bail by Dhaka's High Court, his lawyer Apurba Kumar Bhattacharjee said. "We expect him to be released from jail in a week or so, if the government decides not to appeal to the Supreme Court," Bhattacharjee said. Das, who was arrested in November 2024 for sedition for allegedly disrespecting the Bangladeshi flag during a rally, denies the charges. Aneek R. Haque, an additional attorney general, said the government "haven't yet decided whether we will file an appeal". In November, when an earlier bail hearing was denied in Chattogram, violent protests erupted with devotees of Das going on the rampage, and lawyer Saiful Islam Alif was killed. from Latest World News, International News | Breaking World News https://ift.tt/g4sLz3c via...

A deadly attack on tourists in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), which left 26 dead, has escalated tensions between India and Pakistan. The situation has sparked regional fears of a potential military conflict, with Pakistan claiming it has intelligence suggesting India may initiate military action. As tensions grow between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, a comparative look at their military capabilities — based on data from the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) — provides insight into the scale and structure of each country’s defence forces. Personnel Strength India maintains a considerably larger force, with approximately 1.4 million active personnel. This includes 1,237,000 in the army, 75,500 in the navy, 149,900 in the air force, and 13,350 in the coast guard. In contrast, Pakistan's total defence personnel is just under 700,000, comprising 560,000 in the army, 70,000 in the air force, and 30,000 in the navy. Ground Forces I...

India has shut its airspace to all Pakistani-registered aircraft — including commercial, private, and military flights — until May 23, according to a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued late Wednesday. The directive bars any aircraft registered in Pakistan or owned, operated, or leased by Pakistani airlines or operators from entering Indian airspace. The move comes amid rising diplomatic and military tensions between the two countries following the recent Pahalgam attack. India had earlier suspended the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan, citing the April 22 incident. In response, Pakistan barred Indian airlines from its airspace, causing significant disruptions to flight routes and schedules. Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), anticipating potential escalation, had already ceased operations through Indian airspace as a precautionary measure before the NOTAM was issued. from Latest World News, International News | Breaking World News https://ift.tt/HuZrdJO via IFTTT

Interstate 95 (I-95) has been ranked the most dangerous highway in the United States, according to a recent study by iSharing, which analysed fatality data from 2019 and 2020, traffic volumes, and fatality rates per 100 miles. The report, based on data from national highway safety records, assessed the top 10 deadliest US roads by compiling a "risk score" that factored in the total number of deaths, traffic density, and roadway length. I-95 topped the list with a risk score of 97.69, registering 379 fatalities in 2020 alone. The highway, which serves as the main artery along the US east coast, carries nearly 300,000 vehicles daily. Analysts attribute its high risk to a combination of heavy congestion, high-speed zones, and frequent collisions. Interstate 75 (I-75) followed in second place with a risk score of 90.86. Despite a lower daily volume of 133,000 vehicles, I-75 saw 246 deaths in 2020, driven largely by congestion in urban areas along its route. Interstate 5 (I-5) ran...

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has granted India’s military "complete operational freedom" to respond to the deadly Pahalgam attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), a senior Indian government source told AFP on Tuesday. The move comes after India blamed Pakistan for the assault — without presenting any evidence — deepening tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours. Modi held a closed-door meeting with army and security chiefs on Tuesday, instructing the armed forces to independently decide the "mode, targets, and timing" of a response. The government later released video footage showing a stern Modi meeting Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and military officials. Meanwhile, cross-border gunfire continued along the Line of Control (LoC), with India accusing Pakistan of "unprovoked" small arms fire for the fifth consecutive night. Pakistan Army shot down two Indian drones violating its airspace, while India did not publicly respond at ...

Two Pakistani teens, Mahroosh Umer and Maryam Farhan, have claimed top honours at the International Women’s Day Global Techathon 2025 (IWD2025), emerging as winners for their innovative AI solution addressing menopause-related challenges. Competing under the banner of Team Futuristan in the "Teens in AI" category, the duo designed Menova, an AI-powered platform tailored to support women going through menopause. The project stood out for its culturally inclusive design and personalised approach, tackling the often-overlooked stigma surrounding menopause in many communities. "Menova bridges the knowledge gap and provides personalised AI-driven support for women experiencing symptoms like hot flashes, mood swings, and sleep disturbances — all while respecting cultural sensitivities," the teens said during their pitch. The platform was created in response to alarming global data showing that while 80% of women experience menopausal symptoms, 60% receive little to no med...

In its growing sense of frustration, India on Monday launched a sweeping crackdown on social media, banning more than a dozen Pakistani YouTube channels for allegedly spreading "provocative" content following an attack in Kashmir. The banned platforms include the YouTube channels of Pakistani news outlets as well as individuals. The sites were blocked in India on Monday, with a message reading it was due to an "order from the government related to national security or public order". The Press Trust of India news agency, which listed 16 channels, cited a government statement saying they were blocked for "disseminating provocative and communally sensitive content, false and misleading narratives and misinformation against India". The ban follows the deadly April 22 shooting that targeted tourists in Pahalgam in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). Twenty-six men were killed in the attack, the worst on civilians in the contested region for a q...

US President Donald Trump’s administration on Monday touted the early results of his immigration crackdown despite concerns over due process, displaying photos of alleged criminal offenders on the White House lawn and preparing to target cities and states that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. Trump plans to sign an executive order on Monday directing top officials to identify within a month the cities and states failing to sufficiently comply with federal immigration laws, a White House official said. Trump launched an aggressive enforcement campaign after taking office, surging troops to the southern border and pledging to deport millions of immigrants in the US illegally. The Republican president — who made immigration a major campaign issue in 2024 — said the actions were needed after years of high illegal immigration under his predecessor, Democrat Joe Biden. At a press briefing, White House officials touted a steep decline in illegal crossings at the border ...

Canadians are going to the polls on Monday after an election campaign in which US President Donald Trump's tariffs and musings about annexing Canada became the central issue. Trump's threats ignited a wave of patriotism that swelled support for Liberal Prime Minister Mark Carney, a political newcomer who previously led two G7 central banks. The campaign ended on a somber note on Sunday after a man rammed an SUV through a crowd at a Filipino community festival in Vancouver, killing at least 11 people and injuring dozens. Carney briefly paused his campaign, and both he and Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre mentioned the tragedy in their final campaign events. Duane Bratt, professor of political science at Calgary's Mount Royal University, said he did not expect the mass casualty event to deter voters. Carney's Liberals held a 2.7-point lead over Poilievre's Conservatives in national support, according to a CTV News-Globe and Mail-Nanos poll released on Sunday. Nano...

Gaza’s civil defence agency said Israeli strikes on Monday killed at least 16 people across the Palestinian territory, which has been under an Israeli aid blockade for more than 50 days. Israel resumed its military campaign in the Gaza Strip on March 18. A ceasefire agreement that had largely halted the fighting for two months before that collapsed over disagreements between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas, whose 2023 attack triggered the war. Gaza’s civil defence agency said Monday that eight people were killed in an Israeli strike on the Abu Mahadi family home in Jabalia, in the north of the territory. “They were sleeping in their homes, feeling safe, when missiles hit… this scene makes the body shiver,” said Abdul Majeed Abu Mahadi, 67, who added that his brother was killed in the attack. “If a person looked at this scene, they would have seen children, women and elderly men cut into pieces, it makes the heart ache, but what can we do?” The civil defence agency also reported ...

Namibia's president has dismissed agriculture minister Mac Hengari, her office announced Sunday, as reports emerged that he is under investigation for alleged rape. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's statement came as a police spokesperson confirmed media reports that an investigation had been opened into Hengari. According to reports in the country's press, a minor has accused him of having raped her. Hengari had only been appointed to the government post in March. "President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has relieved Hon. Dr. Mac-Albert Hengari of his duties as Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform," the president's office said in a statement shared on social media. "The termination of tenure takes effect from Wednesday, 23 April 2025 when Hon. Dr. Mac-Albert Hengari should have tendered his resignation," it added. According to Namibian press reports, Hengari may also face prosecution for abduction and abortion, which is illegal in the...

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has appointed his close aide, Hussein al-Sheikh, as the new vice president of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). The announcement was made on Saturday by Wasel Abu Yousef, a member of the PLO’s Executive Committee. Al-Sheikh, a senior leader in Abbas's Fatah movement, is now positioned to play a key role in the future of Palestinian politics. The creation of the vice presidency comes amid growing calls for reform within the PLO, which has faced years of international pressure. This new role is viewed as a significant step towards ensuring a smoother transition in Palestinian leadership, particularly as Abbas, 89, looks to cement his legacy and prepare for succession. The vice presidency position was established during the 32nd session of the Palestinian Central Council in Ramallah earlier this week. During the session, Abbas reaffirmed his commitment to initiating a "comprehensive national dialogue" aimed at fostering reconcil...

A former commander in the Taliban has pleaded guilty to taking an American journalist and two Afghan nationals hostage in Afghanistan and Pakistan in 2008 and 2009, the US Justice Department said on Friday. Haji Najibullah, 49, an Afghan national, who was charged in 2020 with kidnapping David Rohde, a former Reuters correspondent, faces life in prison. He previously pleaded guilty in the case. Najibullah also changed his plea to guilty in a case related to the deaths of US troops in Afghanistan between 2007 and 2009. The Justice Department pointed to examples of Taliban fighters -- under Najibullah's leadership - targeting the US military in Afghanistan. from Latest World News, International News | Breaking World News https://ift.tt/sO4vMRh via IFTTT

US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskiy, in Rome for the funeral of Pope Francis, met one-on-one in a marble-lined Vatican basilica on Saturday to try to revive faltering efforts to end Russia's war with Ukraine. Zelenskiy said the meeting could prove historic if it delivers the kind of peace he is hoping for, and a White House spokesperson called it "very productive." The two leaders, leaning in close to each other with no aides around them while seated in St. Peter's Basilica, spoke for about 15 minutes, according to Zelenskiy's office, and images of the meeting released by Kyiv and Washington. The meeting at the Vatican, their first since an angry encounter in the Oval Office in Washington in February, comes at a critical time in negotiations aimed at bringing an end to fighting between Ukraine and Russia. After Pope Francis's funeral service, Trump boarded Air Force One and departed Rome. While in the air, he published a social m...

Federal agents on Friday arrested a US judge for allegedly shielding an undocumented migrant, the FBI's director said, escalating a growing struggle between the White House and courts over President Donald Trump's hardline deportation policies. Hannah Dugan, a Milwaukee County circuit judge, allegedly "intentionally misdirected federal agents away from the subject" whom they were intending to detain at her courthouse, director Kash Patel said in a post on X. "The FBI arrested Judge Hannah Dugan out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin on charges of obstruction — after evidence of Judge Dugan obstructing an immigration arrest operation last week," Patel said in his post. The migrant was arrested shortly afterwards. from Latest World News, International News | Breaking World News https://ift.tt/b1dVvwB via IFTTT

The Pakistan-US Alumni Network (PUAN), in collaboration with the US Mission in Pakistan and the United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP), has launched its 2025 National Internship Programme to offer hands-on professional experience to young graduates. Scheduled from June 2 to August 29, the in-person internship will place 40 young PUAN members with senior alumni mentors across 14 chapters nationwide. Each selected intern will receive a monthly stipend of Rs35,000 to cover basic living costs, including transport and communication. The programme aims to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and real-world expertise, offering a potential springboard into full-time employment. Strict merit-based selection Eligible applicants include current undergraduate students or those who graduated within the past year. Interns are expected to work full-time and reside in the same city as their assigned mentor. The selection process will be strictly merit-based, according to PUAN. P...

India and Pakistan will figure out relations between themselves, US President Donald Trumpsaid on Friday as tensions soared between the two neighboring countries after an attack in India's Kashmir region that was the worst in nearly two decades. Trump, speaking to reporters on Air Force One, cited historical conflict in the disputed border region and said he knew both countries' leaders, but did not answer when asked whether he would contact them. "They'll get it figured out one way or the other," he said as he traveled aboard his plane. "There's great tension between Pakistan and India, but there always has been." On Tuesday, 26 men were killed at a tourist site in Kashmir, shot dead in a meadow. India has said there were Pakistani elements to the attack, a claim Islamabad denies. On Wednesday, the Indian Cabinet Committee on Security approved a series of retaliatory actions. These include shutting down the Attari land transit point, advising Indian...

Pakistan announced the closure of its airspace to all Indian airlines on Thursday, escalating tensions following New Delhi's aggressive measures in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives earlier this week. The Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) officially issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), confirming the closure of its airspace to Indian-registered airlines. This move is expected to severely impact Indian carriers, which rely on Pakistani airspace for numerous daily overflights, with routes from major Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Goa, and Lucknow to destinations in the Middle East, Europe, and beyond. Reports from Indian media indicate that Air India, IndiGo, Air India Express, and SpiceJet have confirmed their flights will now follow longer routes, primarily over the Arabian Sea, leading to extended travel times. Impact on Travel Times The detour will increase the duration of some flights to the US and Europe by up to 2 to 2.5 hours, ac...

Russia said Wednesday it will allow the Taliban authorities in Afghanistan to have an ambassador in Moscow, in a symbolic move days after it lifted a “terrorist” designation for the militant group. Moscow has taken steps to normalize relations with the Islamist Taliban administration since the group seized power in Afghanistan in 2021 after the withdrawal of US troops. The Russian foreign ministry said Russian officials had held talks with Afghanistan’s foreign and internal ministers. “The representatives of the Afghan leadership were informed that, following the decision announced by the Supreme Court of Russia to suspend the ban on the Taliban movement, the Russian side has decided to upgrade the diplomatic mission of Afghanistan in Moscow to the level of ambassador,” it said in a statement. It added the Afghan side “expressed their deep gratitude for this step.” Russia sees a potential economic partner in the Taliban authorities, who praised Moscow for scrapping the “terrorism” labe...

Jordan has imposed a sweeping ban on the Muslim Brotherhood, the country's most prominent opposition group, following allegations that some of its members were involved in plotting acts of sabotage. The announcement was made on Wednesday by the Minister of the Interior, Mazin Fraya, who described the group’s activities as a threat to national stability. “All activities of the group are now banned, and anyone found promoting its ideology will be held accountable under the law,” Fraya stated. He confirmed that police had surrounded the group's headquarters and were conducting searches. The crackdown includes the closure and confiscation of all offices and properties associated with the Brotherhood, as well as a ban on the publication or promotion of its materials. The government alleges that the group’s members were operating covertly and engaging in actions that could undermine the country's security and unity. “It has been proven that members of the group operate in the dar...

A Myanmar ethnic minority armed group is preparing to hand a captured city back to the military in a Beijing-brokered deal, China's foreign ministry said Tuesday. The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army ousted Myanmar's military from the city of Lashio in August 2024, capturing their northeastern command and a key trade route to China. Analysts say it was the worst strategic loss the military suffered since seizing power in a 2021 coup that sparked a civil war pitting the generals against anti-coup fighters and long-active ethnic armed groups. But Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told reporters the MNDAA is set to relinquish the city to the military. "At the joint invitation of both sides, China recently dispatched a ceasefire monitoring team to Lashio, Myanmar, to oversee the ceasefire between the Myanmar military and the MNDAA and to witness the smooth and orderly handover of Lashio's urban area," he said. from Latest World News, Internation...

The Saudi Ministry of Interior has issued a renewed warning to expatriates and visitors against overstaying their entry visas, as the Kingdom steps up enforcement ahead of the Hajj pilgrimage. According to the ministry, individuals who remain in Saudi Arabia after their visas expire face fines of up to SR50,000, imprisonment for up to six months, and deportation following the sentence. Authorities also reiterated that visit visa holders are not permitted to perform Hajj. “All visitors must strictly adhere to their visa terms and exit the country on time to avoid legal consequences,” the ministry stated. The move is part of broader efforts to streamline the flow of pilgrims and ensure safety during one of the largest annual religious gatherings in the world. As part of its regulatory push, Saudi Arabia has implemented new restrictions effective April 23, 2025. Entry into Mecca will be limited to residents with local IDs, individuals holding valid work permits within the holy sites, and ...

Senior officials from Pakistan and Russia agreed on Tuesday to enhance their collaboration in combating terrorism, particularly in Afghanistan and the broader region, as both nations face growing security threats from armed militant groups, the Foreign Office said in a statement. The meeting, held in Moscow as part of the 11th session of the Pakistan-Russia Joint Working Group to Counter International Terrorism, was attended by key officials from both sides. Pakistan’s delegation, led by Special Secretary (United Nations) Nabeel Munir, and Russia’s side, led by Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin, focused on the evolving nature of terrorism in the region. Both delegations discussed strategies to combat the increasingly transnational nature of terrorism. Pakistan has long expressed concerns over rising cross-border attacks, particularly from the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which it claims originates in Afghanistan. Kabul has denied these allegations. Similarly, Rus...

President Donald Trump expressed full support for Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on Monday, following reports that Hegseth shared details of a March military strike on Yemen’s Houthi rebels in a private Signal chat. The group reportedly included his wife, brother, and personal attorney. “Pete’s doing a great job. Everybody’s happy with him,” Trump told reporters, dismissing the controversy as media-driven. The leak, first reported by the New York Times, marked the second known incident involving Hegseth using the encrypted messaging app to discuss sensitive military operations. The Pentagon Inspector General has launched a probe into the matter, as concerns grow about security breaches within the Department of Defense. Hegseth was reportedly advised not to use unclassified platforms like Signal after a previous leak last month, when journalist Jeffrey Goldberg was mistakenly added to another group chat. White House officials have denied that any classified information was shared, sayin...

The new US ambassador to Israel on Monday called on Hamas to accept a deal that would secure the release of hostages, in exchange for the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza. “We call upon Hamas to sign an agreement so that humanitarian aid can flow into Gaza to the people who desperately need it,” Mike Huckabee said in a video statement on X. “When that happens, and hostages are released which is an urgent matter for all of us, then we hope that the humanitarian aid will flow and flow freely knowing it will be done without Hamas being able to confiscate and abuse their own people”, he added. Huckabee’s message comes after Hamas on Thursday signalled its rejection of Israel’s latest truce proposal, which a Hamas source said proposed a hostage-prisoner swap and the entry of aid. The freedom fighters’ chief negotiator said the group rejected any “partial” agreements and sought a comprehensive deal including “halting the war” and an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. The war began in October 2...

President Donald Trump and his White House predecessor Joe Biden led the way in paying respects from the United States to Pope Francis, who died Monday at 88. Trump, who has had a sometimes thorny relationship with the Vatican, ordered US flags to be flown at half-staff at the White House, and at federal property across the world. “He was a good man, he worked hard and loved the world,” Trump said at a White House event marking Easter. He had earlier posted on social media: “Rest in Peace Pope Francis! May God Bless him and all who loved him!” Biden, who was only the second Roman Catholic to serve as US president, hailed the late pope as “unlike any who came before him.” “Pope Francis will be remembered as one of the most consequential leaders of our time and I am better for having known him,” Biden wrote on X alongside a picture of him and the Pope. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, also a Catholic, said he was “saddened” and added “we unite in prayer with Catholics worldwide for the re...

Russia and Ukraine on Sunday accused each other of violating an Easter truce announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russian forces were continuing their shelling and assaults along the front line despite Putin announcing the surprise truce. The 30-hour truce starting Saturday evening to mark the religious holiday would be the most significant pause in the fighting throughout the three-year conflict. But Zelensky accused Russia of having maintained its attacks on the front line after the truce started. Russia's defence ministry in turn said it had "repelled" attempted assaults by Ukraine and accused Kyiv of launching drones and shells, causing civilian casualties. Zelensky said Sunday, citing Ukrainian commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrsky, that "an increase in Russian shelling and the use of kamikaze drones has been observed since 10:00 am (0700 GMT)". Earlier he said that the first six hours of the ceasefire...

A lion has killed a 14-year-old girl outside the capital Nairobi, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) said on Sunday. The incident occurred on Saturday in a ranch to the south of Nairobi National Park. The attack was witnessed by another teenager, who raised the alarm, the KWS said in a statement. "KWS rangers and response teams were swiftly mobilized and traced bloodstains leading to the Mbagathi River, where the girl's body was recovered with injuries on the lower back," the conservation agency said in a statement. "The lion was not sighted at the scene," it added. It said a trap had been set for the lion and teams deployed to comb the area, along with additional safety measures. The KWS said a 54-year-old man had also been killed by an elephant in Kenya's Nyeri County on Friday. "KWS conveys its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and continues to work closely with local law enforcement and communities to enhance the safety of people living n...

The Israeli military on Sunday acknowledged professional failures and violations of orders in its review of last month’s killing of 15 emergency workers in Gaza but said there was no attempt to conceal the incident, despite dismissing a field commander for providing an inaccurate report. The paramedics and other rescue workers were shot dead on March 23 near the southern Gaza city of Rafah and buried in a shallow grave where their bodies were found a week later by officials from the United Nations and the Palestinian Red Crescent. A commanding officer is to be reprimanded and a deputy commander dismissed over the incident, the military said. It did not say if anyone would face criminal charges. “The examination identified several professional failures, breaches of orders, and a failure to fully report the incident,” the military said in a statement. “The fire in the first two incidents resulted from an operational misunderstanding by the troops, who believed they faced a tangible threa...

The United States and Iran concluded a second round of high-stakes talks on Tehran's nuclear programme on Saturday, agreeing to meet again in a week for further discussions. The Oman-mediated talks in Rome lasted about four hours, Iranian state television reported, describing the atmosphere as "constructive". "The two sides agreed to resume indirect talks at a technical level over the next few days and subsequently continue at the level of two senior negotiators next Saturday," April 26, Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said on X. Oman said the third round would be in Muscat, returning to the site of the first talks a week ago. Those were the first discussions at such a high level between the foes since US President Donald Trump abandoned a landmark nuclear accord in 2018. Western countries including the United States have long accused Iran of seeking to acquire nuclear weapons — an allegation Tehran has consistently denied, insisting that it...

Israeli signers of petitions demanding captives' return in exchange for ending war on Gaza jump to 140,000 Signatories include thousands of former soldiers, senior military officials, and civilians demanding a hostage deal over continued fighting The number of Israelis who signed petitions demanding the return of captives from Gaza even at the cost of halting the war climbed to nearly 140,000 as of Saturday, according to the campaign, which is gaining momentum across Israeli society. The movement, coordinated through the website Restored Israel, reflects growing frustration over the government's military strategy and its failure to secure the release of captives. In the past 24 hours alone, over 10,000 new signatories joined the campaign. As of early Saturday, the total number of signatures had reached 138,434, up from 128,114 on Friday. The number is expected to continue rising. According to the platform, the number of petitions available for public signature rose from 47 on F...

A Russian court has sentenced 19-year-old activist Daria Kozyreva to two years and eight months in prison for protesting the war in Ukraine through poetry and graffiti, in a case that has drawn sharp criticism from rights groups. Kozyreva was found guilty of repeatedly “discrediting” the Russian army—an offence under the country’s wartime censorship laws—after displaying Ukrainian verse in public spaces and speaking to a foreign news outlet. A Reuters journalist present in court on Friday confirmed the sentencing. The activist denied the charges, calling the case “one big fabrication” in a statement during her trial, according to a transcript published by independent media outlet Mediazona. “I have no guilt. My conscience is clear,” she said. Kozyreva first came to the authorities' attention in December 2022 when, at the age of 17, she spray-painted the words “Murderers, you bombed it. Judases” on a sculpture near Saint Petersburg’s Hermitage Museum. The sculpture symbolised ties b...

President Donald Trump said Friday the United States will “take a pass” on brokering further Ukraine war talks unless there is quick progress from Moscow and Kyiv. Trump was speaking after Secretary of State Marco Rubio commented – following talks with European allies – that Washington would “move on” if a truce did not seem “doable” within days. “Yeah very shortly,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office when asked to confirm what Rubio had said. “No specific number of days, but quickly. We want to get it done.” Trump refused to cast blame on either Russian President Vladimir Putin, who ordered the February 2022 full-scale invasion of pro-Western Ukraine, or Ukrainian President Voloydmyr Zelensky. But he insisted both sides had to make progress. “Now if for some reason one of the two parties makes it very difficult, we’re just going to say: ‘You’re foolish. You’re fools. You’re horrible people’ – and we’re going to just take a pass,” Trump said. from Latest World News, Internationa...

The Trump administration has reignited debate over the origins of COVID-19, publishing a detailed statement on Friday that accuses US public health officials and intelligence agencies of downplaying the lab-leak theory for political purposes. The release, posted on a new White House webpage, comes shortly after the declassification of a CIA report suggesting a research lab origin in Wuhan, China remains plausible. The webpage presents the lab-leak theory as the most likely explanation, accusing prominent figures like Dr. Anthony Fauci, former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, and institutions such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH), EcoHealth Alliance, and the World Health Organization of suppressing evidence and hindering investigations. “Public health officials often mislead the American people… most egregiously, the federal government demonized alternative treatments and disfavored narratives, such as the lab-leak theory,” the statement reads. Dr. Fauci is singled out for prom...

An Indian man's aspiration to visit the United States was thwarted in less than a minute during his B1/B2 visa interview at the US Embassy in New Delhi. The applicant, identified by the Reddit username "nobody01810," shared his experience on the platform, seeking insights into the swift rejection he faced.​ During the interview, he was asked three questions: the purpose of his trip to the US, his international travel history, and whether he had any family or friends in the country. He responded truthfully, stating he intended to vacation in Florida, had no prior international travel experience, and had a girlfriend residing in Florida. Despite his honesty, the consular officer issued a 214(b) refusal, indicating the applicant did not sufficiently demonstrate strong ties to his home country to overcome the presumption of immigrant intent. The applicant turned to Reddit for advice, inquiring whether mentioning his girlfriend in the US might have contributed to the rejection...

A shooting at Florida State University (FSU) on Thursday afternoon has left at least six people injured, with one in critical condition, according to Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare. The hospital is currently treating the victims and confirmed it is “actively receiving and caring for patients” from the incident. Law enforcement officials confirmed that a suspect is in custody. Authorities have not yet released the identity of the shooter or a motive, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation. The shooting was reported near FSU’s Student Union, prompting an emergency lockdown and urgent shelter-in-place instructions from university officials. “An active shooter has been reported in the area of Student Union,” the university posted on X. “Police are on scene or on the way. Continue to seek shelter and await further instructions.” Florida Department of Law Enforcement and local police are “actively engaged” in the response effort. Emergency alerts from FSU’s notification system advis...

One of Bangladesh's main political parties warned on Wednesday that unrest was brewing over the long wait for fresh elections following last year's overthrow of the South Asian nation's autocratic ex-premier. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), widely tipped to win the next poll, met with Yunus in the capital Dhaka in a fruitless effort to press him on the vote's timetable. "We are not at all satisfied," BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told reporters after the meeting. "We made our position clear: if the election is not held by December, the political, economic, and social situation will take a turn for the worse," he said. Alamgir said his party had extended its full support to the reforms spearheaded by the caretaker government, but that did not warrant delaying the election any further. from Latest World News, International News | Breaking World News https://ift.tt/5nBiYPL via IFTTT

Russian President Vladimir Putin praised Elon Musk on Wednesday, telling university students he was a pioneer comparable to legendary Soviet rocket engineer Sergei Korolev. The comments came as Russia and the United States forged closer ties under President Donald Trump’s administration, of which billionaire SpaceX founder Musk is a key figure. “You know, there’s a man – he lives in the States – Musk, who, you could say, raves about Mars,” Putin told students on a visit to Bauman University, a Moscow college that specialises in science and engineering. “These are the kind of people who don’t often appear in the human population, charged-up with a certain idea.” “If it seems incredible even today, such ideas often come to fruition after a while. Just like the ideas of Korolev, our pioneers, came about in due time,” Putin added. Korolev is considered the father of the Soviet space programme, developing the first satellite Sputnik as well as Vostok 1, which carried first cosmonaut Yuri Ga...

Iran must completely halt its uranium enrichment as part of any nuclear deal, US envoy Steve Witkoff said Tuesday, after suggesting it could continue doing so at a low level. “Any final arrangement must set a framework for peace, stability, and prosperity in the Middle East – meaning that Iran must stop and eliminate its nuclear enrichment and weaponization program,” Witkoff said on X. The previous day, he appeared to stop short of calling for a complete dismantling of Iran’s nuclear program, saying in a Fox News interview that “this is going to be much about verification on the enrichment program.” “They do not need to enrich past 3.67 percent,” the real estate magnate said, referencing the maximum level allowed under the prior nuclear agreement that Trump exited during his first term, in 2018. The multi-party 2015 deal that Trump abandoned aimed to make it practically impossible for Iran to build an atomic bomb, while at the same time allowing it to pursue a civil nuclear program. Th...

Hamas said on Tuesday it had lost contact with a group holding Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander in the Gaza Strip. Abu Ubaida, the armed wing's spokesperson, said on the Telegram that it lost contact after the Israeli army attacked the place where the militants were holding Alexander, who is a New Jersey native and a 21-year-old soldier in the Israeli army. Abu Ubaida did not say where in Gaza Alexander was purportedly held. The armed wing later released a video warning hostages families that their "children will return in black coffins with their bodies torn apart from shrapnel from your army". Hamas has previously blamed Israel for the deaths of hostages held in Gaza, including as a direct result of military operations, while also acknowledging on at least one occasion that a hostage was killed by a guard. It said the guard had acted against instructions. There was no immediate response from the Israeli military to a request for comment on the Hamas statement abo...

The Trump administration has frozen $2.3 billion in funding to Harvard University after the Ivy League institution refused to comply with federal demands to ban face coverings on campus, dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, and overhaul its governance and admissions practices. The freeze includes $2.2 billion in multi-year grants and $60 million in contracts, according to the US Department of Education’s Joint Task Force to Combat Antisemitism, which issued the decision on Monday evening. Earlier that day, Harvard University formally rejected the administration’s list of conditions in a letter addressed to federal officials. The university's attorneys wrote that Harvard “will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights,” calling the government’s proposals unconstitutional and “beyond the power of the federal government.” “Neither Harvard nor any other private university can allow itself to be taken over by the federal government,”...

A magnitude 5.2 earthquake struck Southern California on Monday morning, shaking areas around San Diego and triggering the state’s emergency alert system. The epicentre was located near Julian, a small mountain town in San Diego County, at approximately 10:00 am local time. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the quake originated around 35 miles northeast of San Diego and 120 miles south of Los Angeles. While the tremor was widely felt, officials reported no immediate injuries or structural damage. The Julian area, known for its rustic charm and apple pie, experienced light shaking. Some minor items were displaced — such as cups falling at the Julian Cafe & Bakery — but no calls for emergency assistance were reported. Local fire and sheriff departments confirmed they had received no emergency calls related to the quake. The quake caused light fixtures to sway and shelves to rattle in San Diego and was felt as far north as Los Angeles. California Governor Gavin ...