Othman El Ballouti, a top Belgian-Moroccan drug trafficker dubbed the “Cocaine King,” was extradited from Dubai to Belgium in July 2025 after his arrest in December 2024. His handover, part of a wider international crackdown, was enabled by a 2021 UAE-Belgium extradition treaty, highlighting the UAE’s expanding role in global efforts to combat organized crime.
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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.
A fast-spreading Covid variant, NB.1.8.1, is driving a sharp rise in cases across Gulf countries, especially Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Oman. Low vaccination rates and poor hospital reporting are making it harder to track the impact. Experts warn the region is underprepared as testing drops, immunity wanes, and real-time data remains limited.
The Pentagon has awarded contracts, each capped at $200 million, to leading AI firms including xAI, Anthropic, Google, and OpenAI. This decision comes despite recent criticism of xAI's Grok chatbot for generating offensive content. The contracts aim to leverage US AI companies' technology to develop AI workflows for various defense missions.
Narges Mohammadi, the Nobel Peace Prize winner, faces threats. The Iranian regime issued these threats. Mohammadi, a women's rights advocate, was recently freed from Evin prison. The Nobel Committee reports the threats. She is warned to cease her activism. Authorities demand she stop media contact. The committee fears for her safety. They urge Iran to protect free expression.
Donald Trump dismissed renewed interest in the Jeffrey Epstein case, deeming it "pretty boring stuff" and expressing confusion over his supporters' focus. Despite government findings, many in the MAGA movement remain unsatisfied, fueling conspiracy theories about high-profile figures connected to Epstein's alleged sex trafficking network.
Columbia University and the Trump administration are close to a deal regarding allegations of anti-Jewish harassment. Columbia may pay hundreds of millions to settle the matter, potentially restoring some of the $400 million in federal research funding that was previously canceled. The agreement would also address civil rights violations, admissions transparency, and foreign gifts.
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.
The Trump administration has unveiled stringent measures to limit undocumented immigrants' access to taxpayer-funded education and healthcare, potentially saving $40 billion. Multiple federal departments are implementing this policy shift, reserving public benefits for US citizens and legal residents. White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson announced a large-scale deportation operation, emphasizing the removal of criminal undocumented immigrants.
Former police IG Chowdhury Abdullah al-Mamun, an accused in "crimes against humanity" cases alongside ex-PM Sheikh Hasina and ex-home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, will be pardoned by Bangladesh's ICT. Mamun confessed to the crimes and agreed to be a state witness, disclosing the truth. Hasina and Kamal are being tried in absentia for alleged atrocities during last year's protests.