World Echo

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned on Monday that the US would face a strong blow if it acts on President Donald Trump’s threat to bomb Iran unless Tehran agrees to a new nuclear deal. Trump reiterated his threat on Sunday that Iran would be bombed if it does not accept his offer for talks outlined in a letter sent to Iran’s leadership in early March, giving Tehran a two-month window to make a decision. In response, Iran issued a warning on Monday regarding Trump’s threats to Switzerland’s embassy, which represents US interests and acts as an intermediary between Washington and Tehran. Tehran expressed its determination to respond “decisively and immediately” to any threat. “The enmity from the US and Israel has always been there. They threaten to attack us, which we don’t think is very probable, but if they commit any mischief they will surely receive a strong reciprocal blow,” Khamenei said. “And if they are thinking of causing sedition inside the country as in past ...

In a major change to travel rules, European nationals heading to the UK will be required to obtain a mandatory entry permit starting Wednesday, a move the British government says will enhance border security. The Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), which can be purchased online, will cost 10 pounds (12 euros) initially, with the price set to increase to 16 pounds from April 9. Similar to the US’s ESTA system, the ETA will be mandatory for all European visitors from April 2, following its introduction for US, Canadian, and other visa-exempt nationals in January. “By digitising the immigration system we are paving the way for a contactless UK border,” said Migration Minister Seema Malhotra earlier this month when the website was opened for the first applications. “Expanding ETA worldwide cements our commitment to enhance security through technology and innovation.” The permit allows visits of up to six months and is valid for two years, and it is required for all travellers, including...

Muslims are gearing up to celebrate Eidul Fitr 2025 with immense enthusiasm. Eid is a significant religious occasion for Muslims worldwide, marking the end of the month of Ramadan. The occasion follows a month of fasting and prayer, which Muslims believe brings blessings from Allah SWT. Muslims offer prayers at Jama Masjid on the occasion of Eidul Fitr, in Delhi An imam leads Eidul Fitr prayers at Galle face in Colombo Muslims attend Eid ul-Fitr prayer marking the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan in Mosul Muslim women attend mass prayers at Baiturrahman mosque during Eid ul-Fitr, marking the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan in Banda Aceh Filipino Muslims share a meal after Eidul Fitr prayers to mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan, in Manila, Philippines, March 31, 2025 Police officers ride horses in an Eid ul-Fitr rally as people celebrate to mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan, in Dhaka Muslims exchange greetings after Eid ul-Fitr prayers to mark the end of...

A woman trapped for nearly 60 hours under the rubble of a hotel in Mandalay has been pulled out alive, offering a rare moment of relief amid the devastation caused by Friday’s powerful earthquake in central Myanmar. Rescue teams, many made up of volunteers working with limited equipment, have spent days searching through the ruins of collapsed buildings. The earthquake has killed more than 1,700 people in Myanmar and at least 18 in neighbouring Thailand. The woman was rescued from the debris of the Great Wall Hotel after a five-hour operation early Monday, according to the Chinese embassy in Myanmar. She was reported to be in stable condition. Video footage showed onlookers clapping as she was carried away on a stretcher. The earthquake struck as Myanmar faced widespread political and humanitarian crises. The military junta, which seized power in 2021, has requested international aid – a rare move from the isolated regime. China, Russia, India, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and the US ...

The Israeli military said it intercepted a missile fired from Yemen on Sunday after it activated air raid sirens across multiple areas of the country. “Following the sirens that sounded a short while ago in several areas in Israel, a missile launched from Yemen was intercepted by the IAF (air force) prior to crossing into Israeli territory,” the military said in a statement. The Iran-backed Houthis have regularly fired missiles at Israel since the war in Gaza broke out on October 7, 2023, following an attack on Israel by Hamas. The Houthis, who have also targeted shipping vessels in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden since the Gaza war began, say they are acting in solidarity with the Palestinian people. The rebels had paused their campaign during the weeks-long truce in Gaza, which ended on March 18 when Israel resumed its bombardment of the Palestinian territory.   from Latest World News, International News | Breaking World News https://ift.tt/j1U4aCD

An explosion inside a mosque in Maharashtra’s Beed district early Sunday caused structural damage and sparked protests, though no injuries were reported, Indian media reported. The blast occurred around 2:30 a.m., leaving cracks in the mosque’s flooring and walls. According to police, two suspects were arrested after one of them allegedly posted a video of the explosion on Instagram. The incident followed a communal procession in Ardhamasla on Saturday evening, during which two individuals reportedly made casteist remarks and questioned the mosque’s construction. "They also attempted to incite communal tension, but the situation was brought under control," the police said in an FIR. Hours later, the suspects allegedly placed gelatin sticks inside the mosque, leading to the explosion. "We received a call from the sarpanch informing us of the blast. Our team arrived at the scene, controlled the situation, and arrested the two suspects," said Beed Superintendent of Pol...

Authorities in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh have imposed a ban on offering Eid ul Fitr prayers on roads, a move that has drawn widespread criticism from opposition leaders, civil society, and even members of the ruling party's coalition. Meerut city’s Superintendent of Police, Ayush Vikram Singh, announced the ban, warning that anyone who offers prayers on the roads will face strict legal action. The penalties include the possible cancellation of passports and driving licences. "Under no circumstances shall namaz be offered on the road," Singh said in a statement. This directive has triggered backlash from various quarters, with critics accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government of discriminating against Muslims ahead of Eid. Samajwadi Party MP Iqra Hasan questioned the government's motives, asking, “Why is the government so troubled by a 10-minute Eid prayer?” The ban has also provoked reactions from BJP allies. Chirag Paswan, a key ally in Prime Minis...

The UAE Fatwa Council has conveneed the Shawwal Crescent Sighting Committee (today) on March 29, deploying artificial intelligence and drone technology to enhance moon sighting accuracy. The meeting will take place at the historic Al-Hosn site in Abu Dhabi, chosen for its cultural and national significance. Five AI-powered national observatories will participate in the effort, using advanced technology to analyse images, process data, and determine the crescent moon’s visibility. Drones equipped with high-precision lenses will be launched from the Al-Khatim Astronomical Observatory, rising over 300 metres to capture clear images of the moon. "The drones will be directed toward the location of the moon based on precise astronomical calculations," officials said, noting that this will help overcome visibility challenges. This marks the second time the UAE has deployed drones for crescent sighting, having previously pioneered the use of drones to detect the Ramadan crescent. Sev...

A renewed geological assessment of the ancient McDermitt Caldera on the Oregon-Nevada border has confirmed the site holds what could be the largest known lithium deposit in the United States—potentially worth up to $1.5 trillion. Although the caldera’s lithium-rich clays have been known for years, recent evaluations suggest the scale of the deposit is far greater than previously understood. Experts say the find could help transform the US into a major player in the global battery supply chain. The McDermitt Caldera was formed by a supervolcanic eruption 16.4 million years ago. The volcanic activity created a unique geological environment that concentrated vast amounts of lithium in claystone, particularly within lakebed sediments. At the southern end of the caldera in Nevada, Lithium Americas is advancing the Thacker Pass project—set to begin extraction in 2026 with more than $2 billion in government loans and major investments from companies like General Motors. On the Oregon side, Au...

Pakistan has strongly criticized India’s recent remarks about minority rights violations, stating that a country consistently violating the rights of its own minorities is in no position to champion these rights on the global stage. In response to comments made by India’s Ministry of External Affairs in the Lok Sabha regarding the situation of minorities in Pakistan, Pakistan's Foreign Office spokesperson, Shafqat Ali Khan, stated that India’s own track record of minority rights violations disqualifies it from criticising other nations, Express News reported. 'India has no standing to act as a champion of minority rights, given its own serial violations,' Khan stated. He added that while Pakistan’s state institutions are actively working to protect minority rights, incidents targeting minorities in India often occur with the tacit approval or complicity of ruling factions. The spokesperson further urged India to focus on addressing its own shortcomings rather than pointing ...

Archaeologists have discovered a large limestone burial chamber of an unidentified ancient Egyptian pharaoh near the city of Abydos, dating back approximately 3,600 years. The tomb was found seven meters underground at the Anubis Mountain necropolis and was announced by the University of Pennsylvania Museum and Egyptian archaeologists. This marks the second significant royal tomb discovery of the year. The burial chamber, which was looted long ago, was located in Abydos, an important city in ancient Egypt about 10 km from the Nile River. According to Professor Josef Wegner, one of the leaders of the excavation, "His name was in the inscriptions but does not survive the depredations of ancient tomb robbers." The limestone tomb chamber, dating to about 3,600 years ago, of an unknown ancient Egyptian king, discovered during excavations by Penn Museum and Egyptian archeologists, is seen in Abydos, Egypt, in this undated handout image released on March 27, 2025. Photo: Reuters The...

Elon Musk privately urged Reddit CEO Steve Huffman to act against subreddits restricting X links and posts targeting Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) employees, according to The Verge. The messages came after Musk publicly criticised Reddit on X, calling it “insane” that certain subreddits blocked links to his platform. He also claimed that Reddit users advocating violence against DOGE staff had “broken the law.” Shortly after their exchange, Reddit imposed a 72-hour ban on the WhitePeopleTwitter subreddit, citing a “prevalence of violent content.” The thread Musk highlighted on X was also deleted, along with hundreds of comments, including those that did not promote violence. Reddit spokesperson Gina Antonini stated: “We take any report of Reddit policy violations seriously, whether on Reddit directly or through other public or private means. We will evaluate content reported to us and take action if violating.” Musk did not respond to the Verge's requests for comment. T...

Saudi astronomers have forecast a possible sighting of the Shawwal moon on the evening of Saturday, March 29, signalling the end of Ramadan and the arrival of Eidul Fitr. According to Arab media reports, the moon is expected to be born at around 2 PM local time on Saturday. Experts believe it will remain visible for approximately eight minutes after sunset, making it likely to be spotted in parts of the kingdom. However, Pakistan’s Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) presented a differing view. In a recent statement, the agency said the likelihood of moon visibility in Saudi Arabia on March 29 is extremely low, as the moon's age at sunset in Makkah would be around five hours—insufficient for clear sighting. SUPARCO forecasts the crescent will be visible in Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries on Sunday, March 30. Therefore, both Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are expected to celebrate Eidul Fitr on Monday, March 31. Moreover, the government of Pakistan an...

Chinese doctors said Wednesday that they had transplanted a liver from a genetically modified pig into a brain-dead human for the first time, raising hopes of a live-saving donor option for patients in the future. Pigs have emerged as the best animal organ donors, with several living patients in the United States having received pig kidneys or hearts in the last few years. Livers have proved trickier -- and had not previously been tested out inside a human body. But with a huge and growing demand for liver donations across the world, researchers hope that gene-edited pigs can offer at least temporary relief to seriously ill patients on long waiting lists. Doctors at the Fourth Military Medical University in Xi'an, China, announced the field's latest breakthrough in a study in the journal Nature. A liver from a miniature pig, which had six edited genes to make it a better donor, was transplanted into a brain-dead adult at the hospital on March 10, 2024, according to the study. T...

Two French military jets collided midair during an aerobatic rehearsal on Tuesday, crashing in flames near an air base in northeastern France. Video footage of the dramatic incident near Saint-Dizier shows two Alpha Jets from the Patrouille de France (PAF) aerobatic team spiralling to the ground after colliding while performing synchronized manoeuvres. Three pilots and one passenger safely ejected and parachuted to the ground, the French Air and Space Force confirmed on social media. The incident occurred at approximately 15:40 local time. The aircraft were part of a seven-plane formation conducting precision stunts when the collision occurred. "At BA 113 in Saint-Dizier, two Alpha Jets from the Patrouille de France collided during a seven-plane training flight," stated the Air Force. "The three pilots, including one passenger, were able to eject in time and are safe. No casualties have been reported at this stage."   French Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu s...

The United States has added 80 companies from various countries, including Pakistan, to its export blacklist. The US added six subsidiaries of Inspur Group, China's leading cloud computing and big data service provider, and dozens of other Chinese entities to its export restriction list on Tuesday. The Inspur units were listed for contributing to the development of supercomputers for the Chinese military, the Commerce Department said in a posting. Five of the subsidiaries are based in China and one in Taiwan. Inspur Group itself was placed on the list in 2023. The Inspur units are among about 80 companies and institutes added to the export control list on Tuesday. Over 50 are based in China. Others are in Taiwan, Iran, Pakistan, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates. The listings are intended to restrict China's ability to develop high-performance computing capabilities, quantum technologies and advanced AI, and impede China’s development of its hypersonic weapons program. ...

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed an executive order requiring voters to prove their US citizenship when registering for federal elections, a move rights groups have described as an attempt to suppress votes, particularly among minorities. The order also directs states to stop counting mail-in ballots that arrive after Election Day and threatens to withhold federal funding from states that do not comply with the new directives. “We’ve got to straighten out our elections,” Trump said during a signing ceremony at the White House. “This country is so sick because of the fake elections and the bad elections — we’re going to straighten that out one way or the other.”         View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by New York Post (@nypost) The order, which builds on similar legislation passed by the Republican-led House last year, is expected to face immediate legal challenges. Votin...

A glowing spiral that appeared in the night sky over Britain on Monday evening was caused by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch, experts have confirmed. The unusual formation, described by witnesses as a "swirling blue-white glow," was visible for about 30 minutes as it moved slowly from north to south. The phenomenon sparked speculation on social media, with some observers initially suggesting it could be an unidentified flying object (UFO) or a satellite re-entry. Experts later identified the source of the spectacle as the exhaust plume from a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, which had launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, at 5:48pm UK time. According to scientists, the frozen rocket exhaust, illuminated by sunlight at high altitude, created the glowing spiral effect. The UK’s Met Office confirmed it had received multiple reports of the anomaly. "This is likely to be caused by the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, launched earlier today," a Met Office spokesperson said. "The rock...

Machines are more capable of reading human thoughts when users are specifically trained to do so, a new Swiss study has found. The research offers a significant breakthrough in brain-machine interface (BMI) technology, with potential applications for individuals who lose the ability to speak due to strokes or other medical conditions. In the study, published in the journal Communications Biology, researchers at the University of Geneva worked with 15 volunteers to test how training affected a machine’s ability to interpret human brain signals. The participants were connected to electrodes that recorded brain activity as they silently imagined saying the syllables “fo” and “gi.” Over five consecutive days, the volunteers received real-time visual feedback on how accurately the system was interpreting their internal speech. The better the system understood the syllables, the more a visual display on a screen filled up — effectively guiding participants to improve their communication with...

Papua New Guinea’s government has blocked Facebook, saying the move is a "test" aimed at curbing misinformation, hate speech, and explicit content. The shutdown, enforced under the country’s anti-terrorism laws, began on Monday and has continued into Tuesday. Authorities have not confirmed when access will be restored. The decision has drawn sharp criticism from opposition lawmakers, media groups, and business leaders, who argue it undermines free speech and disrupts economic activity. Police Minister Peter Tsiamalili said the government is not attempting to suppress free speech but wants to ensure "responsible usage" of social media. "The unchecked proliferation of fake news, hate speech, pornography, child exploitation, and incitement to violence on platforms such as Facebook is unacceptable," Tsiamalili said in a statement. With an estimated 1.3 million users, Facebook is the dominant social media platform in PNG. It plays a crucial role in political di...

A stand-up comedy venue in Mumbai,India, was vandalised on Sunday night after comedian Kunal Kamra ridiculed Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde during a performance, prompting a police investigation into both the vandalism and Kamra himself. Kunal Kamra, known for his sharp political humour, performed a parody song during a show at The Habitat comedy club in Mumbai, where he referred to Shinde as a “traitor” — a reference to the politician’s dramatic defection in 2022 that sparked a major political upheaval in the state.         View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by Hindustan Times (@hindustantimes) Soon after the show ended, supporters from Shinde’s faction of the Shiv Sena party stormed the venue. Video footage circulating online showed dozens of men throwing chairs, smashing light fixtures, and tearing down paintings. Local media reported that police are searching fo...

Several European countries, along with Canada, have updated their travel guidance, warning citizens to adhere strictly to US to try rules amid an immigration crackdown under the Trump administration. Denmark, Germany, Finland, and the United Kingdom have revised their advisories following reports of travelers being detained or deported upon arrival in the United States. The warnings come in response to a series of incidents involving European travelers who were refused entry at US borders. Some were detained, questioned, and later deported despite holding valid visas or ESTA authorization. Germany’s Foreign Ministry has confirmed it is assisting one of its nationals who remains affected by border enforcement measures. “The final decision on entry lies with US border authorities,” a spokesperson for the ministry stated, cautioning that even minor past infractions, overstays, or incorrect travel details could lead to detention. Britain’s Foreign Office has issued a similar warning, advis...

The death toll in Hamas-run Gaza has crossed 50,000, as the health ministry in Gaza reported on Sunday that at least 50,021 people have been killed since the conflict with Israel began in October 2023. The ministry also stated that 113,274 people have been wounded in the ongoing war. According to Gaza's civil defense agency, the death toll had surpassed 50,000, although these figures have not been independently verified. However, the United Nations has deemed the health ministry's figures reliable. The death toll surged this week after a truce that had largely held since January 19 broke down, prompting Israel to launch heavy airstrikes and renew its ground offensive. In the past 24 hours alone, at least 39 deaths were reported, bringing the total number of casualties to 673 since Israeli operations resumed on Tuesday. A study published in The Lancet in early January suggested that the death toll in Gaza during the first nine months of the conflict was about 40% higher than wha...

Senior Hamas official and Palestinian lawmaker Salah al-Bardawil was killed in an Israeli airstrike on western Khan Younis in southern Gaza Strip, the Palestinian group announced on Sunday. Hamas stated that Bardawil, a member of its political bureau and a deputy in the Palestinian Legislative Council, was killed in a “targeted strike while observing night prayers in his tent in the Al-Mawasi area.” His wife was also killed in the attack, the group added. The airstrike was part of an ongoing Israeli bombardment of Gaza, which has intensified in recent days. Hamas condemned the attack as a “cowardly Zionist attack” and said Israel is “committing war crimes within a systematic campaign of massacres” in Gaza. More than 700 Palestinians have been killed and over 1,000 injured in a surprise aerial campaign by Israel on Gaza since Tuesday, shattering a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement that took hold in January. Nearly 50,000 Palestinians have been killed, mostly women and children, ...

Three teenagers were killed and 15 others injured in a mass shooting at Young Park in Las Cruces, New Mexico, during an unsanctioned car show on Friday night, police said. Las Cruces Police Chief Jeremy Story told reporters Saturday that the gunfire erupted around 10 p.m. local time after an altercation between two groups escalated. Two 19-year-olds and a 16-year-old were killed, though their names have not yet been released. “This is a sad day for our community,” Las Cruces Mayor Eric Enriquez said. “I want to ask the community to gather together, to stand strong and united.” According to the Gun Violence Archive, the incident marks the 53rd mass shooting in the United States so far this year. Fire Chief Michael Daniels said seven of the injured were transferred to hospitals in El Paso for advanced care. Four others have been treated and released. The condition of the remaining four is unclear. Those injured range in age from 16 to 36, according to a police statement posted on Faceboo...

Columbia University has agreed to implement some of the Trump administration’s demands as it seeks to restore federal funding that was cut earlier this month over allegations the school tolerated antisemitism on campus. In a 4,000-word memo released Friday, the Ivy League institution outlined plans to reform its disciplinary process, hire campus security officers with arrest powers, and appoint a senior administrator to review its Middle East studies programs. The funding freeze, which Columbia has described as unconstitutional, affects hundreds of millions of dollars in federal grants and contracts. The Trump administration has warned at least 60 other universities of similar action, making Columbia’s response a test case for academic institutions across the country. One of the most controversial demands from the Trump administration involved placing Columbia’s Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African Studies department under academic receivership—effectively stripping faculty of cont...

President Donald Trump has revoked security clearances for several of his political rivals, including former President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, in a presidential memo issued late Friday. “I have determined that it is no longer in the national interest for the following individuals to access classified information,” Trump wrote in the directive, which named 15 individuals. The list also included Secretary of State under Biden, Antony Blinken, former Representatives Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger, and New York Attorney General Letitia James, who led a civil fraud case against Trump. It is unclear what formal level of access some of the individuals currently held. The move follows earlier remarks from Trump in February, when he said he intended to revoke Biden’s clearance. National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard confirmed on 10 March that access for Blinken, James, and others had already been rescinded under Trump’s instru...

While US President Donald Trump continues to focus on curbing the flow of fentanyl into the country, border officials have been increasingly seizing a more unexpected item eggs. Data released by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) shows a staggering 116% increase in egg-related seizures during the first two months of 2025. In January and February alone, CBP recorded 3,254 seizures involving eggs, compared to 1,508 in the same period last year. The sharp rise comes amid surging egg prices in the United States, driven by a severe bird flu outbreak that has impacted the laying hen population and disrupted supplies. Although wholesale egg prices are beginning to fall, the USDA reports that the decline has yet to reach store shelves. According to the latest Consumer Price Index, the average cost for a dozen Grade A eggs in US cities was $5.90 in February—roughly $8.40 Canadian—marking a 10.4% increase from a year ago and surpassing January’s record-high price of $4.95 US. By comparison, ...

More than 400 Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza on March 18, during a ceasefire agreement, sparking widespread condemnation from prominent figures, including Jemima Goldsmith and Bollywood celebrities. The airstrikes have drawn sharp criticism from across the globe, as many continue to voice their support for the Palestinian cause. British activist Jemima Goldsmith also voiced her frustration, criticizing global leaders and Western media for their bias over the situation in Gaza. On her X account, she wrote, “On October 7, when 36 Israeli children and a newborn were ruthlessly murdered, it was rightfully remembered. World leaders condemned it, films were made so it never be forgotten, the Israeli flag was diplayed on public buildings across the globe. Yet, when 130 Palestinian children were killed in their sleep just a mile away on March 18, it didn't even make the front page. This was just another day in Gaza.” Indian actress Swara Bhasker, known for her outsp...

A freeze warning has been issued by the National Weather Service for several North Alabama counties. The warning will be in effect from 1 a.m. to 8 a.m. on Friday, affecting Lauderdale, Colbert, Franklin, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Morgan, Marshall, Jackson, DeKalb, and Cullman counties. According to the weather service, temperatures could drop as low as 27°F to 31°F during this period, creating hazardous conditions for sensitive plants and outdoor infrastructure. Frost and freeze conditions may kill crops and other vulnerable vegetation, while unprotected outdoor plumbing could also sustain damage. The National Weather Service advises residents to take precautionary measures to protect tender plants and plumbing. Protective measures recommended The weather service highlights that freeze warnings are issued during periods of expected sub-freezing temperatures between 29°F and 32°F, usually occurring from May to October. However, warnings can be extended if necessary. If temperatures...

The spring equinox on Thursday is forecast to bring the warmest day of 2025 to the UK, with temperatures reaching “well above average,” according to the Met Office. Wednesday’s highest recorded temperature was 18.7°C in Northolt, west London. However, the Met Office meteorologist Simon Partridge predicts Thursday will be even warmer, with plenty of sunshine and only a few fair-weather clouds in central England. Partridge said: “The highest temperatures are expected in an area stretching from London and the home counties to the southern Midlands. We’re likely to see 19°C or 20°C widely, with one or two areas possibly reaching 21°C.” This rise in temperatures coincides with the start of astronomical spring, marked by the spring equinox. The expected temperatures on Thursday could even make parts of the UK hotter than some European cities, including Barcelona, where temperatures are forecast to reach 15°C, and Athens, which is expected to experience highs of just 12°C. The highest recorde...

Indonesia's parliament has passed controversial revisions to its military law, granting the armed forces broader authority to hold civilian positions. The move has drawn sharp criticism from civil society groups, who fear a return to military dominance in government, reminiscent of the "New Order" era under former president Suharto. The new law, approved on Thursday, allows military officers to assume civilian posts in a range of governmental bodies, including the Attorney General’s Office, the state secretariat, and counterterrorism agencies. Critics argue that the changes could roll back decades of progress in civilian rule and pave the way for military overreach. Activists have warned that this shift signals a return to the days of military dominance, when the armed forces had significant influence over nearly all aspects of Indonesian governance. Under the Suharto regime, which lasted from 1967 to 1998, the military was deeply embedded in government functions, often b...

The International Astronomy Centre confirmed on Wednesday that the crescent moon of Shawwal will be impossible to sight on Saturday, March 29, across all regions of the Arab and Islamic world. This is due to the moon setting before the sun, with the conjunction occurring after sunset. As a result, observing the crescent moon, whether by the naked eye, telescopes, or other means, will be unfeasible on March 29. For countries requiring an actual sighting to mark the start of Shawwal, Ramadan will likely extend to 30 days, with Eid Al Fitr falling on Monday, March 31. However, in some regions where the conjunction occurs before sunset, allowing the moon to set after sunset, some countries may choose to declare Eid on Sunday, March 30, following traditional moon-sighting practices. Notably, a partial solar eclipse will be visible at noon on Saturday in parts of the western Arab world, including Mauritania, Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. This event serves as definitive proof that the cresce...

A judge in the Dominican Republic on Tuesday granted a request for release filed by Joshua Steven Riibe, the last person known to have seen missing US college student Sudiksha Konanki before her disappearance nearly two weeks ago. Riibe, a 22-year-old student from Iowa, had been under police watch in a hotel but had not been officially detained or charged. Authorities had also confiscated his passport, preventing him from leaving the country.         View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by Iowa’s News Now (@iowasnewsnow) The court ruling followed Riibe’s habeas corpus petition, in which he argued that he was being held without formal charges, violating his rights as a foreign national. His legal team claimed Dominican authorities had restricted his movement, interrogated him multiple times, and failed to provide official translators or legal counsel during initial questioning. Following...

The US State Department has dismissed reports suggesting that the government is preparing a list to impose new visa restrictions on several countries. Reaffirming its commitment to resettling Afghans who assisted the US mission in Afghanistan, the department clarified that no such list exists. At a recent news briefing, State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce acknowledged that the Trump administration was conducting a broader security review of visa policies, following an executive order issued on January 20. However, Bruce refuted claims that Afghanistan was on a list of nations facing a full suspension of visa issuance. “There is no list. What people are looking at over these last several days is not a list that exists here that is being acted on,” she stated. She further explained that the review is part of an ongoing process to evaluate visa policies and improve US security. The spokesperson's response follows the emergence of a draft list that reportedly includes 41 countrie...

More than a decade after being labeled the "world’s ugliest animal," the blobfish (Psychrolutes marcidus) has made an unexpected comeback, winning New Zealand’s "Fish of the Year" competition. Organized by the Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust, the contest saw the blobfish secure 1,286 votes, outpacing its closest competitor, the orange roughy, by fewer than 300 votes when polls closed Sunday. The blobfish, known for its gelatinous, sagging appearance, has long been a subject of fascination and humor in online meme culture. However, its distinct anatomy serves a crucial purpose, allowing it to survive in deep-sea environments off the coasts of New Zealand and Australia. Unlike most fish, the blobfish lacks a full skeleton, scales, muscles, and a swim bladder, which typically helps fish maintain buoyancy. Instead, its soft, low-density tissue enables it to float effortlessly above the seafloor.         View this post on Instagram           ...

The last surviving Battle of Britain pilot, John "Paddy" Hemingway, has passed away at the age of 105, marking the end of an era for one of World War II’s most pivotal battles. Born in Dublin, Hemingway joined the Royal Air Force (RAF) as a teenager before the outbreak of World War II. At just 21 years old, he played a crucial role as a fighter pilot during the Battle of Britain, a critical three-month campaign in which RAF pilots defended Britain against relentless attacks by the German Luftwaffe. During his service, Gp Capt Hemingway was shot down four times and survived numerous perilous encounters. In August 1940, he was forced to bail out twice from his Hurricane fighter, landing once in the sea off the Essex coast and another time in marshland. His Hurricane wreckage was recovered in 2019, with its control column and gun button still set to “fire”—a reminder of the fierce battles fought in the skies. In July 1941, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, a prestig...

Meteorologists are warning of increasing tropical cyclone potential near northern Australia this week as a monsoonal surge and an active Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) bring heavy rainfall and unstable weather conditions to the region. Weather Systems Strengthening Over Northern Australia A strong burst of monsoonal winds sweeping across the Maritime Continent is expected to inject moisture-laden air into the tropics near Australia, leading to widespread rainfall and creating favorable conditions for cyclone formation. According to weather models, the most significant rainfall over the next seven days will be concentrated in northern Queensland early in the week. However, heavy tropical rain is also forecast to spread across parts of the Northern Territory (NT) and northern Western Australia (WA) later in the week. Two developing low-pressure systems: Meteorologists are closely monitoring two low-pressure systems to the northwest of Australia, both of which have potential to develop i...

Baidu, a leading Chinese internet search company, has unveiled new low-cost artificial intelligence (AI) reasoning foundation models in an effort to remain competitive in China’s rapidly advancing AI sector. Introduced the X1 reasoning model and a new version of its foundation model, Ernie 4.5, marking a significant development in the Chinese AI race. Baidu's new X1 model, which the company claims performs similarly to the DeepSeek model but at a much lower cost, comes amid fierce competition in the Chinese AI market. DeepSeek, a startup that made waves in the industry with its open-source, cost-efficient AI platform in January, has prompted major tech companies to accelerate their AI development. Baidu also revealed that its Ernie Bot, an AI chatbot powered by its proprietary Ernie models, would be available for free to individual users more than two weeks earlier than initially scheduled. Previously, access to Ernie Bot required a paid subscription to use Baidu’s latest AI models...