World Echo

Flooding in Nigeria's Niger State this week has killed 151 people and forced several thousand from their homes, an emergency official told Reuters on Saturday. Ibrahim Audu Hussaini, director of information at the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, provided the new death toll, which was previously reported at 117 on Friday. The flooding incident in the central town of Mokwa in Niger State occurred on Wednesday night and continued into Thursday morning. Days later, rescuers were still picking through mud and debris in search of bodies. Nigeria is prone to flooding during the rainy season, which began in April. In 2022, the country's worst wave of floods in more than a decade killed more than 600 people, displaced around 1.4 million and destroyed 440,000 hectares (1.09 million acres) of farmland. from Latest World News, International News | Breaking World News https://ift.tt/MABWL6q

US President Donald Trump said on Friday he had fired the director of the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C., describing her as a supporter of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and saying she was inappropriate for the role. Trump did not cite any specific actions or comments by Kim Sajet that may have triggered her firing, which he announced in a brief social media post. Representatives for Sajet, the National Portrait Gallery and the Smithsonian Institution, which owns the museum, did not immediately reply to requests for comment. "Upon the request and recommendation of many people, I am herby terminating the employment of Kim Sajet," Trump said in his post on Truth Social. https://ift.tt/NUB9q7k Sajet was the first woman to serve as director of the gallery, a landmark Washington institution that houses portraits of distinguished Americans, including every president. It contains over 26,000 works, according to its website. It was not immediately clear wh...

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said COVID-19 vaccines remain an option for healthy children when parents and doctors agree that it is needed, stopping short of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s announcement that the agency would remove the shots from its immunisation schedule. 🇺🇲 #BREAKING: The CDC kept Covid shots on an updated vaccination schedule for children, days after Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said they would be taken off. Source: the New York Times pic.twitter.com/IxVBt61Deu — Md.Sakib Ali (@iamsakibali1) May 30, 2025 In a schedule published late on Thursday, the CDC said any COVID vaccination in healthy children aged 6 months to 17 years should follow "shared clinical decision-making" between a child's parents and their healthcare provider. Kennedy, a long-time vaccine skeptic who oversees the CDC, the Food and Drug Administration and the National Institutes of Health, had said on Tuesday the recommendations would be dr...

Bernard Kerik, the New York City police commissioner during the September 11 attacks who later pleaded guilty to tax fraud before receiving a presidential pardon, has died at age 69. The New York Police Department confirmed his death on Thursday via social media. FBI Director Kash Patel stated that Kerik passed away following a private battle with illness. The NYPD is mourning the passing of former Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik. For nearly two decades, Kerik served and protected New Yorkers in the NYPD, including helping rebuild the city in the aftermath of 9/11. We offer our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. pic.twitter.com/DG4EuFVloN — NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) May 30, 2025 Kerik, an Army veteran, gained national recognition for his leadership during the 9/11 attacks. He was appointed police commissioner by then-Mayor Rudy Giuliani in 2000 and held the position during one of the city’s darkest hours. Giuliani reflected on their long friendship during a televised appea...

Faizan Zaki, a 13-year-old from Allen, Texas, claimed victory at the 100th Scripps National Spelling Bee on Thursday night, edging out eight other finalists to take home more than $50,000 in cash and prizes. Zaki, last year’s runner-up and a favourite going into the competition, triumphed after a tense and dramatic final round. The contest narrowed down to three finalists — Faizan, 11-year-old Sarv Dharavane, and 14-year-old Sarvadnya Kadam. All three initially misspelled their words, forcing an additional sudden-death round. “It’s rare to see this level of late-round drama at the Spelling Bee,” said Paul Loeffler, the Bee’s television analyst. In the decisive moment, Zaki correctly spelled éclaircissement, a noun meaning “a clearing up of something obscure.” FAIZAN ZAKI FINALLY NAILED ÉCLAIRCISSEMENT FTW 🔥🙌 CONGRATS!!! And that's after surviving Chaldee in R20, but before that... #spellingbee pic.twitter.com/UMS8xd4ybi — ruletheword335 // TS 🐝 (@ruletheword335) May 30, 2025 Imp...

In a case that gripped South Africa and sparked nationwide outrage, a high court on Thursday sentenced Racquel “Kelly” Smith to life in prison for trafficking her six-year-old daughter, Joshlin Smith, who vanished in February 2024 from the town of Middelpos, Saldanha Bay. Smith, her boyfriend Jacquen Appollis, and their friend Steveno Van Rhyn were found guilty of kidnapping and trafficking the child to a traditional healer for R20,000 (about $1,100). A witness told the court that Smith admitted to selling Joshlin, allegedly due to the child's desirable "eyes and skin." Despite widespread searches and national pleas for help, Joshlin has never been found. The child's disappearance stunned the country, with many initially sympathising with Smith, who claimed she had left Joshlin in Appollis’s care the day she vanished. WATCH: Racquel “Kelly” Smith, Steveno van Rhyn, Jacquen “Boeta” Appolis and Lourentia “Renz” Lombaard step into the dock in the Vredenburg Magistrates C...

A 22-year-old married woman from Gujarat’s Patan district has been arrested alongside her 21-year-old lover for allegedly murdering a man, dressing his corpse in her clothing, and setting it ablaze in a chilling plot inspired by the Bollywood thriller Drishyam, police said on Wednesday. Authorities recovered the half-burnt body near a pond in Jakhotra village late Tuesday. Initially mistaken for the woman due to the traditional skirt and anklets on the body, the victim was later confirmed to be Harjibhai Solanki, a 56-year-old nomadic resident of a neighbouring village. The accused, Geeta Ahir, and her lover Bharat Ahir, were apprehended hours later at Palanpur railway station, where they were allegedly preparing to board a train to Rajasthan. According to Patan’s Superintendent of Police V. K. Nayi, Geeta devised the plan after watching Drishyam and its sequel, convincing her lover to help her stage her own death so they could elope. On the night of May 28, as her family slept, Geeta ...

At least eight people were killed and others wounded when an Israeli airstrike targeted the home of journalist Osama al-Arbid in the as-Saftawi area of northern Gaza, according to Al Jazeera. Al-Arbid reportedly survived the attack. Video footage shared by local media showed him being pulled from the rubble of his destroyed home. The Israeli military has not commented on the strike. Medical sources in Gaza told reporters that at least 15 Palestinians have been killed across the Strip since dawn in various Israeli attacks. In a separate incident, at least three Palestinians were killed and 46 injured when Israeli forces opened fire on crowds gathered at an aid distribution point in southern Gaza. The centre was operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a US-backed group that has faced criticism over its affiliations. According to AFP journalists on the ground, thousands of Palestinians had rushed to the newly established distribution site on Tuesday, resulting in chaotic scenes as I...

Chinese technological advancement has overtaken the West in key areas, including defence, artificial intelligence and green innovation, according to remarks made by Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed at a high-level global dialogue in Beijing. Speaking at the opening of the Global Political Parties Dialogue on "Asia in a Changing World", Senator Mushahid said China had become a “scientific superpower” and was reshaping global dynamics not through conquest, but by peaceful economic development. “China is surpassing the West in key sectors, from J10C fighter jets and Deep Seek AI to electric vehicles,” said Mushahid, citing a recent Economist cover story. He framed the trend as part of the broader 'Rise of the East', with Asia emerging as the new global centre of gravity. READ: China assures of $3.7b refinancing next month Chaired by Senator Mushahid in his role as Co-Chairman of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP), the Dialogue brought together ...

Two people have been arrested in connection with the death of 18-year-old Ava Moore, who was killed on Sunday when a jet ski struck her kayak on Grapevine Lake in Texas. Daikerlyn Alejandra Gonzalez, 21, was arrested Tuesday morning at a residence in Oak Cliff, Dallas. She is accused of operating the jet ski that fatally injured Moore. According to police, Gonzalez fled the scene with a male accomplice, Maikel Coello Perozo, 21, who has also been taken into custody. Moore was kayaking near Oak Grove Park on Sunday evening when she was struck from behind. Witnesses told investigators the jet ski had been travelling at a high speed in an area where swimmers and kayakers were present. Bystanders attempted to restrain the suspects, but they were guided to a nearby car park and escaped. The arrest affidavit states Gonzalez is charged with second-degree felony manslaughter. Her bond has been set at $500,000. Perozo is facing charges for fleeing the scene and is expected to be charged further...

Germany and other key Western allies have lifted restrictions on Ukraine using long-range missiles to strike inside Russian territory, Chancellor Friedrich Merz confirmed on Monday, signalling a sharp shift in support for Kyiv amid an intensifying aerial campaign by Moscow. “There are no longer any range restrictions on weapons supplied to Ukraine,” Merz said at a European forum in Berlin. “Neither from the British, nor from the French, nor us. Nor by the Americans.” He added: “In other words, Ukraine can now also defend itself by attacking military positions in Russia, for example.” The move marks the first time Ukraine has been authorised to use Western-supplied weaponry against targets inside Russia – a significant departure from the previous stance of several NATO countries. The announcement follows a weekend of record-breaking drone and missile attacks by Russia on Ukrainian cities, killing over two dozen civilians. Ukraine has increasingly called on its allies to allow retaliator...

The European Union has approved the establishment of a €150 billion fund aimed at bolstering Europe's defence capabilities, a move spurred by increasing fears over Russian aggression and uncertainties surrounding US security commitments. The fund, known as the Security Action for Europe (SAFE), was given the green light by EU ministers in a meeting in Brussels on Tuesday, marking the final legal step in the scheme's creation. The initiative will use joint EU borrowing to provide loans to European countries for collaborative defence projects. The proposal was backed by 26 of the 27 EU member states, with Hungary abstaining. “We adopted SAFE – the first large-scale defence investment programme at the EU level,” said Poland, which currently holds the EU’s rotating presidency, in a statement on social media. “The more we invest in our security, the better we deter those who wish us harm.” 💬 Minister for European Affairs @adamSzlapka: SAFE programme finally approved. EUR 150 billio...

Canadian philosopher Jordan Peterson sparked controversy on Sunday after refusing to identify as a Christian during a heated debate with atheist vlogger Danny in a viral YouTube discussion about theology. Peterson, 62, appeared on Jubilee Media's "Surrounded: Jordan Peterson vs Twenty Atheists," a show that invites challengers to question him on a range of topics. As part of the format, Peterson sat at a desk surrounded by participants, each of whom took turns challenging his views. The exchange grew tense after Danny, a philosophy graduate and host of the PhilTalk channel, questioned Peterson about his connection to Catholicism and his stance on the Virgin Mary. "Why is that relevant?" Peterson responded when Danny pressed him on his religious affiliation. "Because you go to a Catholic church. You’re interested in Catholicism, aren’t you?" Danny replied. "How do they regard Mary?" The debate quickly escalated when Peterson denied the label o...

India’s Covid-19 cases have surged past the 1,000 mark, with over 752 new infections confirmed in recent days, triggering public concern and renewed attention to the pandemic. Kerala currently leads with the highest number of active cases, registering 430 Covid-19 infections. Other states such as Maharashtra (209), Delhi (104), Gujarat (83), and Karnataka (47) have also seen notable case increases. The national total now stands at 1,009 cases, with Delhi alone reporting 99 new infections in the past week. Despite the rise in numbers, health officials have confirmed that most of the reported cases are mild, with patients currently under home care. The situation has been assessed by various health authorities, including the Union Health Secretary and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). In addition to the rising case count, India has detected two new Covid-19 variants, NB.1.8.1 and LF.7, which have been classified by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as "variants under m...

Texas is stepping into uncharted territory with a bold proposal that could reshape the digital landscape for young people. A new bill making its way through the Texas State Senate aims to ban social media access for anyone under 18. If passed, this law would mark a significant shift in how social media platforms interact with minors, raising questions about privacy, parental control, and the future of online engagement for teens. Currently, the bill has passed the House committee and is poised for a final vote in the Senate before the legislative session ends on June 2, 2025. If approved, the law will require social media platforms to verify the age of users, ensuring that minors cannot create accounts without appropriate checks. Much like the state's recent legislation on adult websites, which mandates age verification, this new measure targets social media giants and aims to give parents more power over their children’s online lives. What sets Texas’ proposed law apart from other...

At least 49 Palestinians were killed in two Israeli airstrikes targeting a school sheltering displaced people and a home in Gaza City and Jabalia, northern Gaza, on Monday morning. A medical source told Anadolu Agency that the death toll from the Israeli airstrike on the Fahmi Al-Jirjawi school, which shelters displaced people, in Gaza City’s al-Daraj neighborhood has risen to 30. The Israeli occupation forces bombed Fahmi Al-Jarjawi School in Al-Daraj causing fires to break out. The school is home to displaced Palestinians in Gaza City. pic.twitter.com/BbGMzwWuhO — Eye on Palestine (@EyeonPalestine) May 25, 2025 A fire swept through the tents following the bombing, said Al-Aqsa TV and other local sources. Eyewitness videos circulated online, showing charred bodies, many of them children, and others crying out as flames consumed their surroundings. “Charred corpses and the screams of displaced people engulfed in flames were seen and heard from the site,” one report said. In a statement...

US President Donald Trump backed away from his threat to impose 50% tariffs on imports from the European Union next month, restoring a July 9 deadline to allow for talks between Washington and the 27-nation bloc to produce a deal. European assets rallied on Monday. The euro hit its highest level against the dollar since April 30, while European shares surged and were poised to recoup the previous session's losses. Trump had said on Friday said he was recommending a 50% tariff effective from June 1, expressing frustration that trade negotiations with the EU were not moving quickly enough. The threat roiled global financial markets and intensified a trade war that has been punctuated by frequent changes in tariff policies toward US trading partners and allies. The US president's softened stance two days later marked another temporary reprieve in his erratic trade policy, even if the latest whipsawing in decision making reminded policymakers and investors how ...

At least 23 people, including a journalist and a rescue official, were killed by an Israeli strikes in Gaza on Sunday, local health authorities said. The latest deaths by the Israeli agression forces resulted from separate strikes in Khan Younis in the south, Jabalia in the north and Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip, medics said. In Jabalia, they said local journalist Hassan Majdi Abu Warda and several family members were killed by an airstrike that hit his house earlier on Sunday. Another airstrike in Nuseirat killed Ashraf Abu Nar, a senior official in the territory's civil emergency service, and his wife in their house, medics added. There was no immediate comment by the Israeli military. The Palestinian government media office said that Abu Warda's death raised the number of Palestinian journalists killed in Gaza since October 7, 2023, to 220. In a separate statement, the media office said Israeli forces were in control of 77% of the Gaza Strip, either through ground for...

A Pakistani mother and her three children died in a house fire in north-west London early on Saturday morning. A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder, police said. The fire broke out at around 01:20 BST at two adjoining terraced houses on Tillett Close in the Stonebridge area of Brent. Emergency services arrived to find both properties severely damaged. The victims have been identified as a 43-year-old woman and her three children – a 15-year-old girl, and two boys aged eight and four. All four were pronounced dead at the scene. Police confirmed that the woman was the mother of the three children. According to the BBC, two other members of the same family — a woman in her 70s and a teenage girl — were also in the house and were taken to the hospital. Their conditions have not been made public. The Metropolitan Police said a 41-year-old man was arrested outside the property on suspicion of murder. He remains in custody. The family were of Pakistani origin and had lived in the UK...

Helicopters were being used on Sunday to drop animal feed to farmers in Australia's New South Wales state stranded by floods that have killed five and isolated tens of thousands in the country's southeast. Recovery is underway in the mid-north coast region of Australia's most populous state after days of flooding cut off towns, swept away livestock and destroyed homes. At least 10,000 properties may have been damaged in the floods, which were sparked by days of incessant rain, authorities estimate. About 32,000 residents remained isolated due to floodwaters, which were slowly starting to recede, the state's Emergency Services posted on the X platform. #FLOOD #RESCUE while the weather has improves we are still locating people, providing supplies and working with @NSWSES and others to assist impacted communities. #staysafe ⚠️ #lifesaverhelo pic.twitter.com/a0fx5MIIm1 — Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopters (@Lifesaverhelo) May 25, 2025 "The New South Wales government...

In a groundbreaking move to transform Pakistan into a global leader in digital innovation, the Government of Pakistan has announced the allocation of 2,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity in the first phase of a national initiative to power Bitcoin mining and Artificial Intelligence (AI) data centres. This ambitious initiative is spearheaded by the Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC)—a government-backed body under the Ministry of Finance—as part of a broader strategy to monetise surplus electricity, create high-tech jobs, attract billions of dollars in foreign direct investment, and generate billions of dollars for the government. Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb stated that this strategic allocation marks a pivotal moment in Pakistan’s digital transformation journey, unlocking economic potential by turning excess energy into innovation, investment, and international revenue. Pakistan is uniquely positioned—both geographically and economically—to become a global hub for data centres...

Saudi Arabia has deployed advanced technologies, including drones and artificial intelligence, to intensify its crackdown on unauthorized Hajj pilgrims, Gulf News reported. The initiative aims to strengthen surveillance and enforcement ahead of this year’s Islamic pilgrimage. The Kingdom’s General Directorate of Public Security released footage showing drones equipped with high-resolution cameras tracking individuals and vehicles suspected of attempting to reach the holy sites without valid permits. Saudi Hajj Security Forces… – Modern technologies – Advanced security systems To enforce Hajj regulations and instructions, and to apprehend violators of the laws and regulations.#No_Hajj_Without_Permit#HajjSecurity#Hajj2025 pic.twitter.com/BVTm9A2N5x — Hajj News (@hajj1_ENG) May 23, 2025 In one instance, a drone detected a suspicious vehicle in a remote desert area and relayed its coordinates to ground patrols, who quickly apprehended the suspects. These drones are part of a sophisticated ...

Bangladesh has cancelled a $21 million defence contract with India’s state-owned Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd (GRSE), amid growing strain in bilateral relations. The contract, awarded in July 2024, was for an advanced ocean-going tug for the Bangladesh Navy, a vessel designed for deep-sea towing and salvage missions. GRSE, a public sector unit under India’s Ministry of Defence, confirmed the cancellation in a stock exchange filing on May 21. According to The Hindu, GRSE stated that the cancellation was anticipated and followed “mutual discussions” with the Bangladesh government. The company added that the financial impact would be negligible, as the order represented just 0.8% of its ₹22,680.75 crore ($2.7 billion) order book as of March 31, 2025. No official reason was given by Dhaka. However, as reported by Business Standard, analysts view the move as a possible retaliation for New Delhi’s recent imposition of import restrictions on Bangladeshi goods. On May 18, India ...

Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence chatbot, Grok, is reportedly being used across parts of the US federal government, raising alarm over potential privacy breaches and ethical conflicts. According to multiple sources familiar with the matter, Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is deploying a customised version of Grok to analyse government data and produce internal reports. The initiative, led by Musk’s AI company xAI, allegedly bypasses standard procurement procedures and lacks full agency authorisation. Concerns escalated after reports emerged that DOGE staff encouraged the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to adopt Grok, despite the tool not being formally approved for agency use. While DHS denies being pressured, critics argue that such actions could violate federal privacy and security regulations. @DrewAswell @MorePerfectUS The claim of being "the most transparent administration" contrasts with concerns about DOGE's use of Grok AI. Reports sugges...

Several sweet sellers in Jaipur, the capital India's Rajasthan have reportedly renamed Indian confections by removing the word “Pak”. Desserts such as Mysore Pak, Moti Pak, Gond Pak, and Aam Pak are now being reportedly sold under new names including Mysore Shree, Moti Shree, Gond Shree, and Aam Shree. Though the term “Pak” refers to the sugar syrup stage in traditional Indian sweet-making and has no connection to Pakistan, the change reflects a symbolic shift in tone following a flare-up in bilateral tensions. In the days since, nationalistic fervour has surged across parts of India. While renaming sweets may seem minor, some locals view the act as a form of cultural assertion. “The names were never about Pakistan, but if changing them helps send a message, why not?” said one customer outside a shop offering freshly labelled “Mysore Shree.” Culinary experts and linguists have pointed out that the suffix “Pak” originates from Sanskrit, meaning a stage in cooking involving syrup. Th...

Alphabet Inc.'s Google is under investigation by the US Department of Justice (DOJ) for a potential antitrust violation concerning its partnership with AI startup Character.AI, according to a Bloomberg Law report. The DOJ is examining whether Google structured the deal to circumvent formal merger scrutiny, a move that could have significant implications for the tech industry's regulatory landscape. In 2024, Google entered into an agreement with Character.AI, granting the tech giant a non-exclusive license to use the startup's advanced chatbot technology. As part of the deal, Character.AI's co-founders, Noam Shazeer and Daniel De Freitas, along with other team members, rejoined Google. While Google maintains that Character.AI remains an independent entity with no ownership stake from Google, regulators are scrutinising the arrangement to determine if it effectively constitutes an acquisition designed to bypass antitrust review processes. This investigation adds to a seri...

As the US pushes forward with its ambitious Golden Dome missile defense system, China raises alarms over its potential to weaponise space and ignite a global arms race. Here's a look at posible reasons  Beijing is deeply concerned. The Golden Dome is a proposed missile defense system inspired by Israel's Iron Dome, developed under Donald Trump's administration. It aims to create a multi-layered shield against incoming missiles, both on the ground and in space. The system is designed to intercept missiles at four stages: before launch, during early and mid-flight, in mid-course, and just before impact. Trump has claimed the system could intercept missiles launched from anywhere in the world, including space.         View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by The White House (@whitehouse) However, the plan has raised concerns, especially from China, about the risk of weaponising sp...

Japanese police have arrested a former taxi driver accused of drugging and sexually assaulting a female passenger, authorities said Thursday, amid media reports suggesting he may have targeted dozens more women over the past 15 years. The 54-year-old suspect was taken into custody on Wednesday in Tokyo on suspicion of non-consensual sexual intercourse and violating laws related to illicit filming. Police allege he drugged a woman in her 20s with sleeping pills last year, took her to his home, and filmed the assault. According to local reports, the man had stored around 3,000 explicit videos and images, with up to 50 possible victims captured in assaults committed either in his taxi or at his residence. “Forensic analysis found traces of sleeping pills in the victim’s hair,” a police spokesperson told media, declining to give further details due to the sensitivity of the case. Authorities are now reviewing the vast amount of video evidence, some dating back as far as 2008, to identify a...

Some clownfish off the coast of Papua New Guinea shrank their bodies during a marine heat wave — and the smaller fish were more likely to survive, according to a new study. Scientists tracked 134 clownfish in Kimbe Bay during a record marine heat wave in 2023 that continues to bleach coral reefs around the world. Of those, 101 were observed to have temporarily shrunk in length, researchers reported. “We were really shocked at first when we saw that they were shrinking at all,” said Morgan Bennett-Smith of Boston University, one of the study’s authors. The findings, published Wednesday in Science Advances, shed new light on how coral reef fish are adapting to more frequent and intense marine heat waves linked to climate change. The researchers suspect the clownfish may reabsorb bone matter to reduce their size. Shrinking could help conserve energy, as smaller bodies require less food to survive in high-stress environments. In some cases, clownfish pairs appeared to synchronise their shr...

UK inflation surged to 3.5% in April, the highest rate in more than a year, driven by sharp rises in gas, electricity, water, transport costs and increased employer national insurance and minimum wage pressures. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed the consumer prices index (CPI) jumped more than expected, surpassing forecasts of 3.3% from City economists and the Bank of England’s 3.4% projection. This follows a decline in inflation to 2.6% in March. The Guardian, who first reported the story, specualted that rising household bills, dubbed an “awful April,” pushed up energy prices after sharp falls a year earlier due to changes in the Ofgem energy price cap. Water and sewerage charges rose 26.1%, the fastest increase since privatisation, while vehicle excise duty also climbed significantly. Monica George Michail, economist at the National Institute of Economic and Social Research, warned inflation is likely to stay elevated for months, forcing the Bank of England to delay ...

Amanda Knox, who was wrongfully imprisoned in Italy for four years over the 2007 murder of Meredith Kercher, has revealed details of an unexpected connection with her former prosecutor during a recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience. Knox, an American student, was convicted alongside her then-boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito in a case that captured global attention. After years of legal battles, including an initial acquittal, a retrial, and a final exoneration by Italy’s Supreme Court of Cassation in 2015, Knox was fully cleared of all charges in 2016. During the podcast, Knox discussed how psychological insight helped her survive the ordeal and how she eventually reached out to Giuliano Mignini, the prosecutor who once sought to imprison her. Knox described a deliberate approach to opening a dialogue with Mignini, acknowledging that both had experienced pain and trauma but emphasising the challenge in starting a non-adversarial conversation. Knox said, “What could I and my prosecutor...

A Texas man is suing American fast food chain Whataburger for nearly $1 million after he allegedly suffered an allergic reaction when onions were included in his meal despite his specific request for them to be left out. Demery Ardell Wilson filed the petition in Harris County’s 269th Judicial District Court on 25 April, claiming that Whataburger “failed to act in accordance with the appropriate standard of care,” resulting in “personal injuries.” The lawsuit states that Wilson visited a Whataburger location on 24 July 2024 and ordered a meal without onions. However, he claims the order contained onions, which triggered an allergic reaction and required medical treatment. “There was a manufacturing defect in the food at the time it left [Wilson’s] possession,” the filing reads. It further alleges that the meal was “unreasonably dangerous” due to the inclusion of the allergen. The plaintiff is seeking monetary relief between $250,000 and $1,000,000 to cover damages, penalties, medical c...

A woman who sought nearly $5,000 in damages after being bitten by a dog on Christmas Eve has had her claim dismissed, after a British Columbia tribunal ruled the incident amounted to an accident — and that “every dog is entitled to one bite.” Ying Shen was bitten on the hand by a mini Australian Shepherd named Juliet as she stepped out of an elevator in her apartment building in Vancouver on 24 December 2022. The dog, which was leashed and accompanied by neighbour Jeffrey Dale Polo, bit Shen as the two passed each other in the corridor. According to the B.C. Civil Resolution Tribunal’s decision, Polo apologised, saying Juliet was “usually well behaved.” Shen sought medical attention that night at St. Paul’s Hospital, where she was treated for a superficial abrasion and given a tetanus shot. She later filed a report with the City of Vancouver. A bylaw officer determined that Juliet was not considered dangerous under city regulations, though the dog was found to be unlicensed. In his 5 M...

Apple supplier Foxconn is set to invest $1.5 billion in its India operations, as the iPhone maker accelerates its shift away from China amid ongoing trade tensions and global supply chain disruptions. The investment will be made by Foxconn’s Singapore-based subsidiary, which will purchase 12.77 billion shares worth $1.5 billion (₹127.74 billion), in Yuzhan Technology India. This unit, based in Tamil Nadu, is responsible for manufacturing electronic components and assembling Apple’s iPhones. The move reflects Apple’s growing focus on India as a key manufacturing hub. Since 2017, Apple has been assembling iPhones in the country, encouraged by the Indian government’s Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, aimed at boosting domestic manufacturing and reducing reliance on imports. https://ift.tt/4pQGiSA The PLI scheme, part of India’s wider Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) and Make in India initiatives, provides incentives to manufacturers in several sectors, including electro...

In another late-night social media tirade, former President Donald Trump escalated his ongoing feud with Bruce Springsteen by demanding a “major investigation” into payments made to the rock legend and other celebrities for their appearances during Kamala Harris’s 2024 presidential campaign. The controversy reignited after Springsteen launched his “Land of Hope & Dreams” tour last week, slamming the Trump administration as “corrupt, incompetent and treasonous.” Trump shot back, calling Springsteen a “dried out prune of a rocker” who should “KEEP HIS MOUTH SHUT.” Springsteen responded from the stage, labeling Trump “unfit” and accusing his administration of “persecuting people for their right to free speech.” The verbal sparring quickly spilled over onto social media. Trump’s latest post targets not just Springsteen, but also Beyoncé, Oprah Winfrey, and Bono, accusing them of accepting illegal campaign payments for their support during Harris’s unsuccessful run. “HOW MUCH DID KAMALA...

At least 15 shipments of Indian mangoes have been rejected by United States authorities at key entry points due to documentation errors, leading to an estimated loss of around $500,000 for exporters during the peak season. The shipments, which arrived at airports in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Atlanta earlier this month, were denied entry after US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) flagged issues with the PPQ203 form, a required phytosanitary certificate. Exporters were given two options—either destroy the fruit or bear the cost of sending it back to India. Given the perishable nature of mangoes and the high expense of re-export, all the affected exporters chose to dispose of the consignments within the US. The financial loss is estimated at $500,000. Industry players say the setback is especially damaging as the United States is India's most lucrative market for mango exports. According to exporters, the mangoes had undergone mandatory irradiation at a USDA-approved facility ...

British climber Kenton Cool has achieved a historic milestone by summiting Mount Everest for the 19th time, setting a new record for the most ascents by a non-Sherpa climber. The 51-year-old reached the 8,849-meter (29,032-foot) peak on Sunday morning, accompanied by Nepali Sherpa Dorji Gyaljen, who marked his 23rd successful ascent.         View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by Kenton Cool (@kentoncool) Kenton Cool first climbed Everest in 2004 and has since returned nearly every year, with exceptions in 2014, 2015, and 2020 due to an avalanche, an earthquake, and the COVID-19 pandemic, respectively. His latest ascent underscores his exceptional endurance and extensive experience in high-altitude climbing, distinguishing him as one of the most prolific Western climbers in the history of Everest expeditions. Despite his remarkable achievement, Kenton Cool has previously downplayed his...

Students at the University of Sydney have passed a motion calling for the abolition of the Israeli state and the end of the university’s institutional ties with Israel, in a move that supporters say reflects a growing wave of student-led solidarity with Palestinians. The resolution, passed at a general meeting of the Student Representative Council (SRC), also rejected the recent adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism by Australian universities, which critics argue is being used to silence criticism of Israel. Speakers at the meeting said the motion was aimed at highlighting Israel’s ongoing occupation of Palestinian territories and the need for ethical academic engagement. “This is about standing against apartheid and colonialism,” said one student who supported the motion. “Our university should not be complicit in violent systems or partner with institutions linked to oppression.” Another speaker recounted her family’s history o...

An Indian academic has been arrested over a social media post that criticised media briefings on a recent military operation against Pakistan, drawing condemnation from civil society and free speech advocates. Ali Khan Mahmudabad, a political science professor at Ashoka University, was detained in New Delhi on Sunday after a complaint filed by a youth leader of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), according to local media. Police said Mahmudabad was arrested under laws related to promoting enmity, inciting rebellion, and offending religious sentiments. The charges stem from a Facebook post in which he criticised the use of military optics and raised concerns over communal violence and the treatment of minorities in India. The post, published on 8 May, referred to media briefings led by Colonel Sofiya Qureishi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh on Operation Sindoor—India's military action against Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, launched on 6 May. My statement re the su...