Zohran Mamdani, a New York City mayoral candidate, is in controversy. An old social media post showing him disrespecting a Christopher Columbus statue has resurfaced. Italian Americans are offended by Mamdani's post. They feel it disrespects their community and heritage. Angelo Vivolo of the Columbus Heritage Coalition opposes Mamdani. Mamdani had previously defeated Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primaries.
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Donald Trump wants Attorney General Pam Bondi to release credible Jeffrey Epstein files. This comes amid pressure from his MAGA supporters. Trump received a briefing on the Justice Department and FBI review. The review found no evidence of a client list. Bondi says she will stay as long as Trump wants her. Kash Patel was reportedly frustrated with Bondi.
Dubai has seen a sharp rise in e-scooter-related accidents, leading to bans in several residential areas. While safety is a real concern, many argue that proper regulation, licensing, and public awareness would be more effective than blanket bans. For many residents, especially non-drivers, e-scooters remain a vital mode of daily transport in the city.
House Republicans are urging seven US universities to sever ties with the China Scholarship Council, citing concerns that the program facilitates technology theft for the Chinese government. Lawmakers view the CSC as a national security threat, alleging it supports China's military and scientific advancement through academic partnerships. Some universities have already begun to disengage from the program amid growing scrutiny.
Yemen’s Houthi rebels struck the cargo ship Magic Seas in the Red Sea, marking their first maritime attack in months. The assault, involving missiles, drones, and explosive boats, forced the crew to abandon ship. The UAE swiftly rescued all 22 crew members, highlighting rising regional tensions amid the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict and renewed threats to vital shipping routes.
Amid trade tensions, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met in Kuala Lumpur, agreeing to explore cooperation areas. Discussions included communication improvement and potential Trump-Xi meeting. While trade disputes persist, the focus shifted to broader cooperation. Rubio also addressed Southeast Asian concerns about US policies and China's growing influence, emphasizing security issues alongside trade.
In Texas, ten individuals face charges for ambushing law enforcement near an ICE facility on July 4th, injuring an officer. Dressed in black, the group allegedly fired at officers and vandalized property with anti-ICE graffiti. Separately, a man in McAllen opened fire at a Border Patrol facility, injuring another officer before being killed.
Texas is grappling with renewed heavy rains and flash flooding, just days after a devastating natural disaster claimed over 120 lives. Kerr and Gillespie Counties faced life-threatening conditions, prompting evacuations and halted search operations for victims of the previous floods. Governor Abbott has expanded rescue operations to include multiple counties, as communities brace for further flooding and damaged infrastructure.
Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke is demanding that social media giants like Meta, X, and TikTok take immediate action to block violent content. This urgent appeal follows a shooting at a local business where the perpetrator recorded and uploaded the footage, claiming responsibility. Locke emphasizes the need for these platforms to ban criminal accounts, remove content glorifying violence, and implement real-time detection tools to protect the community.
Saudi Arabia now offers a 30-day grace period for expired visit visas, allowing holders to exit without immediate penalties via the Absher platform. Overstaying this window results in hefty fines, potential jail time, and deportation. This shift aligns with broader visa reforms, including skill-based employment visas, signaling a move towards a more flexible and transparent immigration system.
Joe Bennett, son of Craig and Lindsay Foreman, spoke about his parents' arrest in Iran. The couple were arrested on espionage charges. Bennett insists his parents are innocent tourists. He last spoke to them on January 3. The family received one letter from his mother. The UK government evacuated its embassy staff after bombing near Evin prison.