Results for: World

An independent review commissioned by the UN has found no evidence to support Israel’s claims that UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) staffers aided Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel. Israel had alleged that UNRWA employees participated in the attack, provided intelligence and logistical support, and allowed Hamas to use agency facilities. However, the review found no evidence to substantiate these claims. Despite the allegations being unsubstantiated, they have resulted in reduced funding for UNRWA and a freeze on US support until next March.

An Israeli attack on the Gaza city of Rafah killed a pregnant Palestinian woman and her family. Her baby girl was delivered via emergency C-section and is in stable condition. The attack also killed 13 children from another family. The Israeli military claims to have struck militant targets, but the victims were mostly civilians.

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has accused President Biden of pushing for a ban on TikTok, warning voters to hold him accountable if it comes to pass. The bill, which aims to prohibit TikTok in the US, has passed the House and is now headed to the Senate. If it clears that chamber, Biden has indicated he will sign it into law. TikTok maintains that it does not share US user data with China and asserts that a ban would violate the First Amendment rights of its 170 million American users. The White House has expressed its preference for TikTok to be owned by an American company to safeguard sensitive data and prevent potential manipulation by China. Trump has suggested that a ban on TikTok would benefit Facebook, a platform he has criticized. Meanwhile, Biden’s re-election campaign has joined TikTok, while Trump’s has not.

Scientists have warned that more magma may soon break the surface in Sundhnúkur, Iceland, potentially triggering further volcanic activity. The current eruption, ongoing since March 16th, has been the fourth in a sequence since October 2023. Increased ground lift and pressure suggest that magma is replenishing subsurface chambers, raising the likelihood of another magma propagation event.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has alleged that Beijing continues to commit genocide against Uyghur Muslim minorities ahead of his planned trip to China. The accusation is based on the State Department’s annual human rights report, which details abuses in Xinjiang, including arbitrary detention, forced labor, and re-education camps. China has consistently denied these allegations, but Blinken has endorsed a previous determination of genocide and plans to raise human rights concerns during his visit.

Global military expenditure witnessed a significant rise of 7% in 2023, marking the steepest annual increase since 2009. The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) attributed this surge to deteriorating international peace and security. The United States, China, and Russia remained the top military spenders, with Russia increasing its budget by 24% and Ukraine receiving substantial military aid.

Actress Melissa McCarthy has condemned the online attacks and criticisms directed towards Meghan Markle. McCarthy expressed dismay at the negative treatment of Markle following the launch of her strawberry jam, particularly in light of her ongoing charitable work.

Former President Donald Trump is facing trial in New York on charges related to a conspiracy to suppress potentially damaging stories about his personal life during the 2016 presidential election campaign. Prosecutors allege that Trump worked with his lawyer Michael Cohen and tabloid magazine executive David Pecker to negotiate non-disclosure agreements, paying hush money to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, former Playboy playmate Karen McDougal, and former doorman Dino Sajudin. Trump’s attorney maintains his innocence, arguing that the payments were legitimate legal expenses and that Trump was merely trying to protect his family and brand from embarrassment and exploitation.

The head of Israel’s intelligence agency has stepped down following criticism over the agency’s failure to anticipate a series of attacks by Hamas militants that left several Israelis dead in October.

The European Union (EU) has implemented a new policy that grants long-term, multi-entry visas to Indian nationals. This policy marks a significant shift from the previous requirement for multiple short-term visas, which involved a cumbersome application process.