World Echo

Harvard University President Alan Garber issued a formal apology Tuesday following the release of two scathing internal reports detailing antisemitism and anti-Muslim bias across campus. The reports, commissioned in early 2024 after student unrest related to the Israel war, outlined a culture of fear and discrimination that left Jewish, Muslim, Arab, and Palestinian students feeling targeted, unsafe, and pressured to conceal their identities. The investigations, conducted by separate task forces, revealed that students experienced harassment, doxxing, and social exclusion during the 2023–24 academic year, particularly in the aftermath of the genocide. Garber acknowledged the university’s failure to uphold its standards of inclusion and condemned the prejudice reported, stating, “Harvard cannot—and will not—abide bigotry.” The reports include recommendations to improve campus culture, such as reforming admissions to emphasize applicants’ ability to engage constructively across differenc...

David Horowitz, a conservative commentator and founder of the David Horowitz Freedom Center who spent decades promoting anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian rhetoric, died Tuesday at age 86 after a long battle with cancer. Though once a Marxist in his youth, Horowitz became better known in his later years for what critics widely condemned as Islamophobic activism, incendiary writings, and a central role in pushing far-right ideological narratives across college campuses and media platforms. Horowitz’s Freedom Center, originally established to combat what he described as “leftist indoctrination,” evolved into a hub for conspiracy-driven, anti-Muslim content. The Southern Poverty Law Center has labeled the organization an 'anti-Muslim' hate group, citing its persistent campaigns against Muslim student organizations and its propagation of discredited claims about Islamic law infiltrating the U.S. legal system. One of Horowitz’s most controversial initiatives was his “Islamofascism Awa...

In a strategic move to diversify its supply chain, Apple has started iPhone production at a new Tata Electronics plant in Hosur India's Tamil Nadu state, and is preparing to begin shipments from a Foxconn facility near Bengaluru city in Karnataka state by May. The expansion marks Apple’s latest effort to reduce reliance on China as escalating trade tensions and tariffs under US President Donald Trump pose risks to global supply chains. According to sources cited by Reuters, the Tata Electronics plant began operations in recent days, producing older iPhone models on a single assembly line. Meanwhile, Foxconn’s $2.6 billion facility, still under construction, is expected to start production shortly, focusing on iPhone 16 and iPhone 16e models. The plant will initially operate one assembly line with a capacity of 300–500 units per hour and is projected to employ 50,000 workers when fully operational by December 2027. India currently accounts for around 18% of global iPhone produc...

Indian Bhojpuri singer Neha Singh Rathore has been charged with sedition and other serious offences in India after questioning the official narrative around the Pahalgam attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). According to Indian broadcaster NDTV, a case was registered against Rathore under the Information Technology Act in Lucknow following a complaint by a citizen. She is accused of hurting the sentiments of the victims and their families through a video she posted. The charges were filed after a short video featuring Rathore circulated on platform X (formerly Twitter) and was reportedly shared by some accounts linked to Pakistan. In the video, Rathore alleged that the Pahalgam attack was a "political drama" staged by the Indian government to gain votes ahead of upcoming elections in Bihar. She also criticised Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, questioning why a leader who claims to stop wars in other countries with a single phone call could not pre...

Pakistan's runners made their mark at the London Marathon 2025, with Furqan Masood of Islamabad leading a spirited group of more than 40 Pakistani athletes and diaspora members who took on one of the world’s most iconic races. Masood completed the marathon in an impressive 3 hours, 10 minutes, and 7 seconds, showcasing resilience and strong pacing in a race that drew over 56,000 participants. Starting with a fast 20:44 for the first 5K and hitting the 10K mark at 42:09, he battled rising temperatures and fatigue in the latter half but dug deep to cross the finish line, earning 4,460th place overall.         View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by FurqanRuns (@furqanruns) "Crossing the finish line at the London Marathon was a deeply humbling experience," Masood said after the race. "We’re not professional athletes; we want to inspire people in Pakistan to embrace running as a passion and...

Saudi Arabia’s non-oil exports rose to an all-time high of 515 billion riyals ($137.29 billion) in 2024, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported, as the kingdom pressed ahead with its economic diversification plans. The world’s largest oil exporter is pursuing Vision 2030, an economic strategy designed to reduce reliance on hydrocarbons and expand sectors including tourism, sports, and manufacturing. Non-oil exports increased by 13% compared to 2023 and have surged more than 113% since the launch of Vision 2030, SPA said. Abdulrahman Althukair, chief executive of the Saudi Export Development Authority, credited the growth to “the kingdom’s sustained efforts in economic diversification,” according to SPA. Separately, Saudi Arabia reported attracting 77.6 billion riyals ($20.69 billion) in foreign direct investment during 2024, as detailed in its latest Vision 2030 annual report. The government aims to secure $100 billion annually in foreign investment by the end of the decade as part of e...

Michael Alexander Gloss, the 21-year-old son of a deputy director at the CIA, was killed in eastern Ukraine in April 2024 while reportedly fighting for Russian forces, according to reports on independent Russian media and NBC News. Gloss, the son of Juliane Gallina, CIA Deputy Director for Digital Innovation, died on April 4, 2024. His family’s obituary stated he died while “traveling in Eastern Europe,” omitting any mention of the war or his ties to Russia. An investigation by Russian outlet Important Stories revealed Gloss had signed a contract with the Russian military in September 2023. Deployed to Ukraine in December, he served in an assault unit near Soledar, a hotspot of intense fighting. Raised in Virginia, Gloss had been active in environmental and gender equality movements during university. His acquaintances described a growing disenchantment with US policies, fueled by anger over America's support for Israel and radical content online. After volunteering in Turkey follo...

Valerie, a miniature dachshund missing for 529 days on South Australia's Kangaroo Island, has been safely captured thanks to an elaborate rescue effort by Kangala Wildlife Rescue. Rescuers Jared and Lisa Karran revealed they used a specially designed remote-controlled trap, filled with familiar items like Valerie’s toys, bedding, and strips of her owner's clothing, to lure the 4kg dog. Over two weeks, they gradually introduced these items to make Valerie feel secure. “We created her own little room,” said Jared Karran. “When she was comfortable inside, we waited for the right moment and remotely closed the door.” Valerie’s owners, Georgia Gardner and Josh Fishlock, described as "over the moon," had long hoped for her safe return. After capture, Valerie reportedly adapted well, showing signs of recognition and calmness rather than fear. Wildlife rescuers carefully managed her reintroduction to human contact to avoid trauma. Valerie’s first meal after capture included r...

Fox Business senior correspondent Charles Gasparino reported on Thursday that President Donald Trump’s administration has been privately discussing trade tariff negotiations with Wall Street executives, providing them with information not otherwise made public. The reports suggest that a trade deal with India is nearing agreement, a potential template for other international agreements. Senior members of President Donald Trump’s administration have been, according to Gasparino's report, engaging in private discussions with Wall Street executives, sharing insights into the status of trade tariff deals. The revelations come amid ongoing uncertainty surrounding Trump’s trade policies and the impact on global markets. According to Gasparino, the White House has been in contact with business leaders about a potential trade agreement with India, which could serve as a model for other deals, including those with Japan and other countries. Breaking: The White House is playing a spin game w...

The Dominican Republic has deported dozens of Haitian women — many of them pregnant or with newborns — along with children, as part of its sweeping immigration enforcement targeting undocumented migrants. Dominican authorities said 135 women and children were detained on Monday and transported to a migration holding centre before being returned to Haiti, a country beset by escalating gang violence and political instability. The mass deportations coincided with the enforcement of a contentious immigration policy introduced by Dominican President Luis Abinader, which mandates staff at National Health Service (SNS) hospitals to collect patients’ identification, employment documentation, and proof of residency for verification by immigration officials present at the hospitals. According to officials, 33 public hospitals implementing the new rule. Authorities said deportations were carried out humanely, with medical checks conducted before the women and children were placed on buses. Health...

A record-breaking coral bleaching event is now affecting 84% of the world’s reefs, according to the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI), marking the most extensive marine bleaching crisis in recorded history. The global event, the fourth since 1998, began in 2023 and has already eclipsed the 2014–2017 bleaching period, which damaged around two-thirds of coral reefs worldwide. The ongoing event has been fuelled by ocean warming driven by climate change. “We may never see the heat stress levels dip below the threshold for global bleaching again,” said Mark Eakin, corresponding secretary for the International Coral Reef Society and former chief of coral monitoring at the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Eakin warned the crisis is fundamentally altering the planet’s ecosystems and the ocean’s ability to support human life. Corals, which consider as rainforest of the sea, support around 25% marine species, are critical for biodiversity, food security, tour...

A prominent religious rights organisation has called for the formal censure of U.S. Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene following a social media post many believe was a veiled reference to the death of Pope Francis. The Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights is urging Congress to take disciplinary action against Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene after a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, appeared to link global leadership changes to divine intervention. Greene wrote, “Today there were major shifts in global leaderships. Evil is being defeated by the hand of God,” in a post made shortly before 10:45 a.m. on Monday—just hours after the Vatican confirmed the death of Pope Francis. Today there were major shifts in global leaderships. Evil is being defeated by the hand of God. — Marjorie Taylor Greene 🇺🇸 (@mtgreenee) April 21, 2025 While the message did not name the pontiff directly, Catholic League President William Donohue said the implication was clear. “As News...

Intel Corporation is planning to lay off more than 20% of its global workforce this week as part of a major restructuring strategy under newly appointed Chief Executive Officer Lip-Bu Tan, according to a report by Bloomberg News, citing a source familiar with the matter. The cuts are aimed at reducing bureaucracy, flattening the company’s organisational structure, and refocusing on engineering-led innovation. The exact number of affected employees and timeline for implementation have not been officially disclosed, though the move could impact tens of thousands across Intel’s global operations. Intel has not responded to media requests for comment. The job reductions would represent the second large-scale layoff at the company in less than a year. In August 2024, Intel announced plans to cut 15% of its workforce—approximately 15,000 employees—as part of a broader $10 billion cost-reduction initiative. This latest round marks the first significant operational move by CEO Lip-Bu Tan, who ...

A Indian trainee pilot lost his life on Tuesday after a trainer aircraft belonging to a New Delhi Delhi-based private aviation academy crashed in a residential area near Giriya Road in Amreli district of the South Asian country's Gujarat state. The crash occurred around 12:30 PM and resulted in the aircraft being destroyed by fire. No other injuries were reported. According to Amreli Superintendent of Police Sanjay Kharat, the pilot was flying solo and had taken off from Amreli airport prior to the accident. The cause of the crash remains unknown. “The aircraft struck a tree before crash-landing in an open plot,” said Kharat. “The aircraft caught fire after the impact, but fortunately, no one else was injured.” Emergency services, including the local fire brigade, responded quickly to the scene. Fire officer S.C. Gadhvi confirmed that the aircraft’s collision with the tree and subsequent fall into an open plot likely prevented greater damage or casualties. Police have initiated the...

As watermelon season kicks off, consumers once again face the age-old challenge of selecting the ripest and juiciest fruit. A growing trend on social media, meanwhile, suggests that artificial intelligence (AI) can help solve the summer dilemma of selecting the sweetest watermelon by analyzing images to identify the best fruit. To test the claim, a photo was taken of a watermelon bin at a local store, with each melon numbered from 1 to 11. The image was then processed through an AI tool with the prompt: “Which one looks the juiciest?” The AI chose watermelon number 5 as the most promising based on its visual features. After purchasing the selected melon and cutting it open, the result matched the AI’s prediction— it was notably juicy. However, other melons from the same batch yielded mixed results. Despite the success, experts remain cautious about fully relying on AI for fruit selection. One AI system acknowledged its limitations, noting that judging a watermelon’s sweetness typically...

A major police operation on the Sydney Harbour Bridge triggered widespread transport disruptions on Monday afternoon, with rail services suspended and multiple traffic lanes closed, disrupting thousands of commuters during peak travel hours. Train services on the T1 North Shore Line between Wynyard and North Sydney were brought to a halt due to the incident. Commuters were urged to make alternative travel arrangements, including switching to Metro services where possible. The police operation also caused significant disruptions to other rail lines, including the T1 Western Line, T9 Northern Line, T2 Leppington & Inner West Line, T3 Liverpool & Inner West Line, T4 Eastern Suburbs & Illawarra Line, T6 Lidcombe & Bankstown Line, and the T8 Airport & South Line. Additional delays were reported on the South Coast Line and Southern Highlands Line. Traffic was similarly affected, with two northbound lanes and one southbound lane on the Harbour Bridge closed temporarily. Mo...

A 14-year-old girl has been killed by a lion in a ranch south of Nairobi National Park, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) confirmed on Sunday. The fatal attack took place on Saturday and was witnessed by another teenager, who raised the alarm, the wildlife agency said in a statement. “KWS rangers and response teams were swiftly mobilised and traced bloodstains leading to the Mbagathi River, where the girl's body was recovered with injuries on the lower back,” the statement read. The lion was not found at the scene, but KWS said traps had been set and search teams deployed to the area. Additional safety measures are also being implemented. The incident comes amid growing concern over human-wildlife conflict in areas bordering Kenya’s national parks and reserves. In a separate incident on Friday, a 54-year-old man was trampled to death by an elephant in Nyeri County, central Kenya. “KWS conveys its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and continues to work closely with local...

Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin held talks with senior Hamas officials in Ankara on Saturday to discuss humanitarian access to Gaza and proposals for a permanent ceasefire, according to Turkey’s state-run Anadolu news agency. Kalin, the head of Turkey’s National Intelligence Organisation (MIT), met Mohammad Darwish, head of Hamas’ political council, as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens amid Israel’s renewed military campaign. The discussions focused on aid delivery, a potential prisoner exchange deal, and diplomatic initiatives to end the conflict. Hamas reiterated its readiness to “immediately reach a comprehensive prisoner exchange agreement in return for a ceasefire,” along with demands for Israeli withdrawal, reconstruction of Gaza, and lifting of the blockade. Kalin reaffirmed Ankara’s support for Palestinian rights and expressed opposition to any attempts by Israel to forcibly displace Gaza’s population or annex territory. Hamas also voiced support for Egypt’s prop...

Despite a temporary ceasefire announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin for the Easter weekend, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky claims Russian forces continued their assaults, undermining hopes for a meaningful pause in the war. The 30-hour “Easter truce” began at 18:00 Moscow time on Saturday, with both Russia and Ukraine agreeing to halt hostilities until midnight Sunday. However, Zelensky reported 387 shellings, 19 assaults, and 290 drone uses by Russian forces in the first six hours of the truce. No casualties have been reported. While frontline areas experienced a noticeable drop in activity, air-raid sirens were heard in Kyiv shortly after the truce began. Ukrainian forces accused Russia of continuing strikes, especially in contested regions like Kharkiv and Donetsk. Moscow, meanwhile, reported explosions in Russian-controlled Donetsk and deployed a missile-equipped ship to the Black Sea. Zelensky criticized Russia’s actions, saying they created only a “general impress...

As freelancing grows more common in the UAE, understanding how to open a suitable bank account is becoming increasingly important for independent professionals. A detailed news published in Gulf News covered all  aspects of freelancers accounts in UAE.  While freelancers now have more banking options than ever, navigating regulations and choosing between personal and business accounts remains a challenge—especially as compliance requirements grow stricter. “When opening a bank account in the UAE as a freelancer, it is important to ensure you have the correct documentation, which includes a freelance permit, passport and visa copy, proof of address, and your Emirates ID,” said David Walsh, business development manager at Connect Resources. Walsh noted that the type of freelance work also influences account choice. For freelancers dealing with minimal invoicing—such as personal trainers or hairdressers—a personal account might be sufficient. However, business accounts are recomm...

Pakistan and Qatar have agreed to adopt a joint strategy for enhanced cooperation in the fight against drug trafficking, marking a key development following ongoing discussions under the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) framework. The agreement was reached during a high-level meeting at the Anti Narcotics Force (ANF) headquarters in Islamabad, where a delegation from Qatar’s General Directorate of Drugs received a comprehensive briefing on Pakistan’s counter-narcotics efforts, Express News reported. Both sides held detailed talks on mutual areas of interest, reiterating their shared commitment to tackling drug-related crime through intelligence sharing and operational collaboration. The Qatari delegation also visited Islamabad International Airport as part of a broader assessment of Pakistan’s technical infrastructure. Qatari officials expressed readiness to support Pakistan in enhancing its operational capabilities. The engagement is part of Pakistan’s broader effort to forge long-term ...

A recent report by a Britain's public broadcaster, the BBC, has stated that the Taliban have sold or smuggled approximately 500,000 American-made weapons to terrorist groups since their takeover of Afghanistan in 2021. These weapons—left behind by US forces—have since gone missing and are now allegedly in the hands of terrorist groups, including those linked to al-Qaeda, the report added. Citing a United Nations report, the outlet noted that the Taliban themselves have admitted being unable to account for nearly half of the US-supplied military equipment. The UN report further alleges that Taliban leadership allowed local commanders to retain up to 20% of the US weaponry, which contributed to widespread black market sales. A local journalist in Kandahar confirmed that for at least a year after the Taliban’s return to power, American arms were openly traded in markets before the transactions shifted underground. The accusations were denied by the Taliban's deputy spokesperson, ...

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Friday that President Donald Trump will walk away from peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine within days if there are no clear signs of progress. Speaking in Paris after meetings with European and Ukrainian leaders, Rubio signalled the administration’s growing impatience with the stalled peace process. He stated that Trump remains interested in brokering a deal but will not continue negotiations indefinitely. “We're not going to continue with this endeavour for weeks and months on end,” Rubio said. “So we need to determine very quickly now, and I'm talking about a matter of days whether or not this is doable in the next few weeks. If it is, we're in. If it's not, then we have other priorities to focus on as well.” Trump has long promised to bring a swift end to the conflict. During his election campaign, he claimed he would end the war within 24 hours of taking office. After assuming the presidency, that timeline shift...

North Carolina-based clean energy company Palmetto is shaking up the solar market with its new “LightReach” program, offering homeowners solar panel installation for no upfront cost. The innovative business model allows customers to lease solar panels through affordable monthly payments, with Palmetto retaining ownership of the panels and handling installation, maintenance, and insurance. The company guarantees customers will save money from day one. “We’re guaranteeing that the customer is going to save money when they lease with us,” said Nathan Healy, Palmetto’s Vice President. The LightReach plan includes a 90% solar production guarantee and 25-year equipment protection. After assessing a home’s solar potential through its online platform, Palmetto customizes an energy savings proposal. Once approved, the company manages the entire process—design, permits, installation, and activation—using its network of over 600 local installers. Backed by $1.2 billion in new funding, Palmetto ha...

China is preparing to unveil the world’s tallest bridge this summer, a massive suspension structure that will soon tower above one of the country’s most rugged landscapes. The Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge, located in the mountainous province of Guizhou in southwest China, is scheduled to open to traffic by June 30, 2025, officials confirmed this week. Once operational, the bridge will rise 2,051 feet (625 metres) above the Beipan River, surpassing France’s Millau Viaduct by nearly 950 feet and claiming the title of the world’s tallest bridge. The project is being hailed as a milestone in modern engineering and a symbol of China’s infrastructure ambitions, particularly in underdeveloped interior regions. “By then, this super project that spans the ‘earth crack’ will be the world’s first in both directions. It will become another landmark demonstrating China’s infrastructure strength,” said Zhang Shenglin, chief engineer at Guizhou Highway Group, speaking to China Daily. Construction of ...

In an astonishing turn of events, a man in Chile became a millionaire after discovering an old passbook hidden away in his house. Exequiel Hinojosa found the 62-year-old passbook while cleaning, unaware that it would change his life forever. The passbook, which belonged to Hinojosa’s late father, had been issued by a now-defunct bank. The money had been deposited in the 1960s-70s, with the intention of buying a house, but the family had no knowledge of it. Initially, Hinojosa believed the passbook was worthless, but the words "State Guarantee" caught his eye, indicating that the government would repay the money if the bank went under. After a legal battle with the government, Hinojosa successfully claimed the funds, which amounted to $1.2 million, making him a millionaire overnight. This incredible story is a reminder that sometimes fortune can be found in the most unexpected places. from Latest World News, International News | Breaking World News https://ift.tt/LDuRzq4

US President Donald Trump has accused Chinese President Xi Jinping of using his Southeast Asia tour—including a high-profile stop in Vietnam—to "screw" the United States, as Beijing pushes back against steep new American tariffs and calls for regional unity against what it terms Washington’s “unilateral bullying.” Speaking to reporters at the White House on Monday, Trump claimed that Xi’s meetings with Vietnamese leaders were “like trying to figure out, how do we screw the United States of America.” He added, “I don’t blame China. I don’t blame Vietnam. That’s a lovely meeting.” Xi arrived in Hanoi on Monday for a two-day state visit, his first stop on a five-day regional tour that includes Malaysia and Cambodia. The visit comes amid escalating trade tensions, following the Trump administration’s rollout of a global tariff policy that saw Chinese goods hit with effective duties of 145%. In response, Beijing imposed 125% tariffs on U.S. imports. While Trump later rolled back t...

WhatsApp is rolling out a new feature that allows users to upload video status updates up to 90 seconds in length, according to WABetaInfo. This update is currently being made available to select beta testers and builds upon previous changes that extended the status video limit from 30 seconds to 60 seconds last year. The new 90-second duration eliminates the need for users to manually split longer videos into multiple parts, streamlining the content-sharing process and allowing for uninterrupted clips. The screenshot shows display of WhatsApp's new feature. — WABetaInfo Beta users have reported that the extended limit improves their overall experience with WhatsApp’s status feature, offering more creative freedom and clarity in storytelling. Meta is implementing the feature gradually, so not all beta testers will see the update simultaneously. However, the expanded video limit is expected to be well-received by users who regularly use WhatsApp Status to share moments with their co...

Meta Platforms announced on Monday that it will start using adult user interactions and public posts from its platforms in the European Union to train its artificial intelligence models The decision follows the delayed European launch of Meta’s AI technology, initially announced in June 2024. While the AI features were introduced in the United States in 2023, the roll-out in Europe was postponed due to regulatory scrutiny, particularly around data privacy and transparency. Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, confirmed that users in the EU will begin receiving notifications detailing the types of data being used for AI training. These will include interactions with Meta AI such as questions and prompts, as well as public content shared by adults. The company stated that private messages and data from users under 18 will not be included in the training process. A dedicated form will also be available for EU users wishing to object to their public data being used. The Euro...

A 38-year-old man is in custody after allegedly setting fire to the official residence of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro in Harrisburg late Saturday night, forcing the evacuation of the governor, his family, and guests. Cody Balmer, of no fixed address, was apprehended Sunday in the Harrisburg area and is facing a litany of charges, including attempted murder, aggravated arson, and terrorism, Pennsylvania State Police announced at a press conference Sunday. According to investigators, Balmer was armed with homemade incendiary devices and managed to enter the state-owned residence before fleeing the scene. The blaze caused significant damage to the property, though no injuries were reported. Governor Shapiro, 51, was inside the residence at the time, along with his wife Lori, their four children, two family dogs, and another visiting family. Authorities say the fire broke out just hours after the Shapiros hosted a Passover dinner. Balmer later turned himself in to authorities and re...

Actress Janhvi Kapoor, who is gearing up for the release of "Param Sundari", recently shared festive wishes for her fans in celebration of Vishu and Puthandu, the Malayali and Tamil New Years. Her heartfelt post on Instagram not only showcased her festive spirit but also gave fans a glimpse into her character's cultural roots for the upcoming romantic comedy. Khushi Kapoor’s compliment was heartwarming for everyone. Dressed in a white traditional saree with golden jewellery, Janhvi shared a mirror selfie that appeared to reflect her character's look in "Param Sundari". The actress also posted another picture in a burgundy saree, paired with stunning makeup and accessories, adding to her festive charm. Alongside the photos, Janhvi posted two videos where she wished her followers a happy Vishu and Puthandu, speaking in Malayalam and Tamil. In her caption, she expressed her gratitude to her fans, particularly the Malayali and Tamil communities, for their consta...

Bangladesh has reinstated the "except Israel" inscription on its passports. This policy reversal, announced on Sunday, comes amid rising public anger over Israel's military actions in Gaza. The inscription had been removed in 2021 during the tenure of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who stated that it was to bring the country's passports in line with international standards. According to Nilima Afroze, Deputy Secretary at the Home Ministry's Security Services Division, a directive was issued on April 7 instructing the Department of Immigration and Passports to restore the phrase. The new directive mandates that the statement “THIS PASSPORT IS VALID FOR ALL COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD EXCEPT ISRAEL” be reinstated on official travel permits. The decision to reintroduce the inscription follows mass protests that took place in Dhaka on April 12, 2025, where thousands rallied to condemn Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip. The protest, which gathered an estimated 10...

Pakistan’s National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has introduced biometric verification to its Pak ID mobile app, aiming to bolster security for overseas Pakistanis, particularly those living in the United Arab Emirates. The app, which allows users to apply for a range of identity documents, including the Smart National ID Card for Overseas Pakistanis, will now require biometric verification when logging in from a new device, NADRA said in a statement.         View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by NADRA (@nadrapak_official) “This new security feature is designed to protect citizens’ information and prevent unauthorised access, identity theft, and misuse of Pak ID accounts,” the authority added. The Pak ID app streamlines the application and renewal process for identity documents, enabling Pakistanis at home and abroad to manage their ID-related tasks directly from their ...

The Iranian embassy in Pakistan on Sunday condemned the killing of eight Pakistani workers in Iran’s Sistan-Baluchestan province, describing the attack as “inhumane and cowardly.” A spokesman for the banned Balochistan National Army (BNA) claimed responsibility for Saturday’s assault, in which gunmen stormed a car repair workshop in Mehrestan city and opened fire after tying up the workers. “All eight victims were residents of Bahawalpur in Pakistan’s Punjab province,” Iranian officials confirmed. Iran’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghadam, denounced the killings, calling terrorism a shared threat to regional security. “Combating this ominous phenomenon requires collective and joint efforts by all countries,” Moghadam said in a statement. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also expressed deep sorrow, calling the attack a brutal act of terrorism. He urged Tehran to arrest the perpetrators, ensure their swift punishment, and disclose the motive. The Pakistani government has instructed...

A student at OP Jindal University in Haryana, India was caught attempting to sneak his girlfriend into a boys’ hostel by hiding her inside a large suitcase, according to footage that has since gone viral on social media. Security staff became suspicious and stopped the student at the entrance to the hostel. A video circulating online shows guards unzipping a black suitcase, revealing a young woman crouched inside. She appears disoriented as she exits the bag and looks around. The incident reportedly took place inside the hostel premises and was filmed by another student. The video has garnered widespread attention across social platforms in India, with many users reacting with humour and disbelief. While it remains unclear how the security staff were alerted, some reports suggest a muffled sound or scream was heard when the suitcase bumped into a stair or hard surface, prompting a search. The identity of the girl has not been disclosed, and it is not confirmed whether she is a student ...

Israeli forces have completed the encirclement of Gaza's Rafah, the military said on Saturday, part of an announced plan to seize more areas of the enclave, accompanied by large-scale evacuations of the population. The military has issued repeated evacuation warnings to hundreds of thousands of Palestinians across Rafah since it resumed operations in Gaza on March 18, forcing them into a diminishing space limited by the sea. Israel said on April 2 that troops had begun seizing an area it called the Morag Axis, a reference to a former Israeli settlement once located between the cities of Rafah and Khan Younis, in southern Gaza. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have since fled Rafah, a 60 square km area that borders Egypt to the south. "Over the past 24 hours, the 36th Division's troops completed the establishment of the Morag route, separating Rafah and Khan Younis," the military said on Saturday. The Israeli offensive in Gaza was launched after Palestinian milita...

Saudi Arabia’s National Meteorological Center has announced that the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage will be the last to take place during the intense summer heat for the next 16 years, as the Islamic calendar gradually shifts the annual event into cooler months. Beginning in 2026, the pilgrimage will move into spring and then winter due to the Islamic lunar calendar’s annual drift of approximately 10 days. Hajj is expected to fall in the spring from 2026 to 2033, and in winter from 2034 to 2041, before returning to the summer in 2042. The shift offers relief to millions of pilgrims who have faced soaring temperatures in recent years. During the 2024 pilgrimage, temperatures in Mecca reached between 46 and 51 degrees Celsius, leading to more than 2,700 heatstroke cases in a single day and several heat-related deaths, according to official figures. In response to increasing climate challenges, Saudi authorities have expanded efforts to protect pilgrims. Measures include shaded walkways, additional...

Chief Minister of Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif met with Turkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and First Lady Emine Erdogan during her visit to Antalya, Turkey. President Erdoğan warmly welcomed the chief minister and thanked her for participating in the Antalya Diplomacy Forum 2025, Express News reported. He inquired about the health of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and expressed his best wishes. During the meeting, Erdoğan remarked, “I will meet Nawaz Sharif soon, Insha’Allah.” Maryam Nawaz conveyed a message of goodwill from her father and thanked the Turkish president for extending the invitation to attend the forum. Earlier, Maryam Nawaz also held a special meeting with Turkey’s First Lady, Emine Erdogan. Both leaders discussed matters of mutual interest and exchanged messages of goodwill. Maryam Nawaz arrived in Antalya a day earlier and is currently participating in the Antalya Diplomacy Forum 2025. She is scheduled to address the international conference today, where s...

Skywatchers across the globe are in for a celestial spectacle this weekend, as April’s full moon — known as the Pink Moon — rises in near-perfect alignment with sunset. But while the name suggests a colourful display, the moon won’t appear pink. Instead, this year’s April full moon will be a micromoon, the smallest full moon of 2025. According to NASA, the full moon will reach peak illumination at 8:22 pm EDT on Saturday, 12 April, and it will be at its farthest point from Earth — about 251,000 miles (404,500 kilometres) away. Because of this distance, the moon will appear about 14% smaller and 30% dimmer than a typical supermoon, although the size difference is subtle to the naked eye. Despite the name, the Pink Moon won’t take on a rosy hue. The moniker originates from the Old Farmer’s Almanac, which associates April’s full moon with the bloom of creeping phlox, a vibrant pink wildflower native to eastern North America. These blooms often appear around the time of the April full ...

China has sharply increased tariffs on American imports to 125%, striking back at the United States in the latest escalation of trade tensions under President Donald Trump’s administration. The move was confirmed by China’s Customs Tariff Commission on Friday, in response to Washington’s tariff rate hike to a cumulative 145% on Chinese goods. China previously imposed 84% tariffs before the fresh increase. The commission said US goods had lost competitiveness in the Chinese market, warning that continued tariff hikes would become “a joke in the history of world economy.” The Trump administration’s tariff policies have drawn global criticism and have effectively derailed negotiations between the two economic powers. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent labelled China “the worst offender” in global trade and predicted the retaliation would backfire. China’s countermeasures come amid slowing domestic growth. Goldman Sachs on Thursday revised China’s 2025 GDP forecast down to 4%, citing ...

As millions of Muslims prepare for their Hajj pilgrimage, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (MOHU) has issued a critical warning against fraudulent Hajj campaigns, urging pilgrims to use only licensed service providers for a smooth and safe experience. To help ensure authenticity, the ministry recommends pilgrims use their official website, www.haj.gov.sa, to verify licensed Hajj operators. This applies to domestic pilgrims, including Saudi citizens and residents, who can access a simple online tool to check accredited companies. For UAE nationals, the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments (Awqaf) maintains a list of approved operators on awqaf.gov.ae. International pilgrims have two main options to ensure their chosen provider is licensed. Those from eligible countries can use the Nusuk platform at hajj.nusuk.sa, an online service that facilitates Hajj bookings with accredited providers. A full list of eligible countries is available on the platform’s website. For tho...

US President Donald Trump’s unexpected move to pause tariffs on most trading partners sent global markets surging on Wednesday, but also drew swift criticism from political opponents, including Senator Elizabeth Warren, who has accused the administration of market manipulation. The announcement, made less than 24 hours after Trump imposed steep new duties, was widely seen as a dramatic reversal — one that briefly cooled trade tensions and lifted investor sentiment. Global indices closed sharply higher, and the US dollar gained ground as traders recalibrated their outlook. Despite the immediate market euphoria, the policy shift has triggered a wave of scrutiny. Senator Warren has called for a formal investigation, alleging that the White House may be using tariff policy to create artificial market volatility that benefits wealthy donors and insiders. “This smells like corruption,” Warren posted on X. “Trump’s tariff flip-flopping may have allowed insiders to cash in, while work...

US stocks soared on Wednesday following President Donald Trump’s announcement of a 90-day pause on some reciprocal tariffs, a move that sent markets into a historic rally. The news of the tariff shift came just as Wall Street was anxiously awaiting any sign of change in the president’s trade policy, which had previously sent markets into turmoil. Trump’s announcement, which authorised a temporary halt to most of the tariffs, with the exception of those against China, spurred an immediate surge in US markets. The Dow Jones Industrial Average skyrocketed by 2,963 points, or 7.87%. The S&P 500 jumped by 9.52%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq soared by 12.16%. The rally marked one of the most significant single-day rebounds in recent memory. The S&P 500 posted its best day since October 2008, and the Nasdaq had its best day since January 2001. The Dow experienced its best performance in five years. Widespread market gains The rally was widespread, with nearly every company in the S...

Air India faced criticism on Thursday after reports emerged that the entire cabin crew on a Delhi-Chicago flight was found asleep in business class, leaving passengers unattended during the long-haul journey. The incident occurred during an 18-hour flight covering over 12,000 kilometres. According to foreign media, passengers were forced to search for crew members themselves when no service was provided for an extended period. To their shock, the entire cabin crew was reportedly found asleep, some even snoring, in the airline’s business class section. Aviation authorities confirmed that airlines, including Air India, often reserve business class seats to allow crew members rest on lengthy flights. However, they noted that all crew members sleeping simultaneously is a breach of in-flight safety protocols. The airline, recently privatised, has been under scrutiny for declining service quality and organisational issues. Critics say the lapse reflects broader mismanagement and increasing p...

A sessions court in Rawalpindi sentenced a man to be hanged until death for murdering his former wife, a US citizen, over a property dispute worth billions of rupees, Express News reported on Wednesday. The convict, Rizwan Habib, was handed the death penalty, a fine of Rs500,000, and additional sentences for kidnapping and evidence tampering. The court also sentenced co-accused Sultan to seven years in prison and a Rs100,000 fine. The sentencing was announced in the presence of three US diplomats and an FBI officer, who expressed satisfaction over the outcome. According to the case, Habib lured his ex-wife, Wajiha Swati, to Pakistan in October 2021 under the pretext of a reconciliation. She was killed upon arrival, and her body was later found buried in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa after being secretly moved from Rawalpindi. Habib had initially reported Swati missing, but confessed to the crime during police interrogation. The victim’s son had lodged the initial complaint from the United States ...

WhatsApp is testing a new feature designed to notify users whenever someone in a conversation changes the status of the app’s advanced chat privacy settings. This feature, which is expected to be included in an upcoming update, aims to enhance transparency and communication within individual and group chats. According to WABetaInfo, the feature will send notifications to all participants in a conversation whenever a user activates or deactivates the advanced chat privacy setting. For example, if a user decides to disable the feature, a notification will alert everyone in the chat, letting them know that the privacy setting has been returned to its default state. The privacy setting in question impacts whether users can save media automatically to their device’s gallery. By enabling this feature, it prevents participants from saving any media automatically to their device, ensuring an added layer of privacy. Furthermore, enabling this feature also blocks the ability to export the chat h...

US President Donald Trump on Monday openly urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to adopt a “reasonable” approach in dealing with Türkiye, while lauding his own relationship with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Speaking during an Oval Office meeting with Netanyahu, Trump emphasised his confidence in being able to resolve any disputes between the two nations. “Bibi, if you have a problem with Turkey, I really think you’re going to be able to work it out,” Trump said, using the Israeli leader’s nickname. “I have a very, very good relationship with Turkey and with their leader, and I think we’ll be able to work it out.”         View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by Republicans against Trump (@republicansagainsttrump) He added, “As long as you’re reasonable, you have to be reasonable. We have to be reasonable.” Trump’s remarks appeared to catch Netanyahu off-guard during...