Pete Hegseth has been confirmed as the new US secretary of defense after a 50-50 Senate vote. Vice President JD Vance cast the tie-breaking vote in his favor. Hegseth, a former Army major and Fox News host, faced major opposition from Democrats and some Republicans due to past allegations and controversial remarks. His supporters praise his military experience and commitment to a stronger defense policy.
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Ranjani Srinivasan, an Indian doctoral student at Columbia University, self-deported from the US after her visa was revoked over alleged support of Hamas. Her departure highlights increased scrutiny on foreign students involved in pro-Palestinian activism. Homeland Security justified the visa revocation by citing security concerns. Srinivasan's significant academic background includes studies at Harvard and Columbia.
According to police affidavits and Balmer’s own statements, the attack was politically and religiously motivated. Investigators say Balmer targeted Shapiro specifically because of his Jewish faith and vocal support for Israel—positions that have made the Democratic governor a lightning rod for criticism from segments of the pro-Palestinian left.
Britain still loves to see itself as a military heavyweight, but the reality is far less grand. With troop numbers falling, recruitment in crisis, and defense spending stretched thin, the UK's promise to send troops to Ukraine is more fantasy than fact. The British Army is shrinking, with more soldiers leaving than enlisting, and its budget isn’t keeping up with global ambitions. Even if there were enough troops, the logistical nightmare of deploying them into an active war zone—without... Expand
In an effort to boost Russia's declining birth rate, Oryol's regional governor announced a 100,000 rubles incentive for school-age girls who become mothers. This policy, effective from 2025 to 2027, has sparked controversy, but the governor defended it as support for young mothers. Russia faces a demographic crisis worsened by military losses in Ukraine.
Shivon Zilis, a Neuralink director, and also the mother of Elon Musk's three youngest children was there at the event with Elon Musk. She shared the speech on her X account and wrote a part of Elon Musk's speech as the caption. Grimes said she is happy to denounce 'Nazi-ism and the far alt-right'
The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza confirmed the transfer of 50 Palestinian patients into Egypt via the Rafah crossing, recently reopened as part of a ceasefire with Israel. The crossing had been closed since May, and its reopening is critical for humanitarian aid and medical evacuations. Concurrently, hostages and prisoners were exchanged under the ceasefire agreement.
US commerce secretary Howard Lutnick proposes excluding government spending from GDP calculations, suggesting it inflates economic measures. This idea aligns with Elon Musk's view that government expenditure does not add real economic value. Balancing the federal budget is expected to drive economic growth and lower interest rates.
Hundreds of Congolese nationals protested at the EU offices in Pretoria, South Africa, demanding sanctions against Rwanda for supporting rebel group M23 in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The group recently seized Goma, sparking a humanitarian crisis. Protesters criticized a minerals deal between the EU and Rwanda, accusing Brussels of fueling the conflict. They called for similar sanctions against Rwanda and President Kagame as those imposed on Russia.
The settlement, which includes a $15 million donation to a presidential foundation and museum for Trump and an additional $1 million to cover his legal fees, has reportedly left morale at ABC News at a low point. Staff members expressed frustration at the network’s reluctance to cover its own settlement story, despite it making headlines elsewhere.
Pope Francis denounced an era of "disinformation and polarisation" on Friday in a message for World Communications Day, as he criticised powerful social networks creating "fanaticism and even hatred". "Too often today, communication generates not hope, but fear and despair, prejudice and resentment, fanaticism and even hatred," the pope wrote in his message.