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100 Arrested in Trump Tower Protest Over Activist's Detention

Nearly 100 protesters were arrested at Trump Tower in Manhattan on Thursday during a demonstration against the detention of Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University student. Khalil was detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following his involvement in pro-Palestinian protests on campus, a move that has drawn criticism. Organised by Jewish Voice for Peace, the protest featured demonstrators in red shirts chanting slogans like "Free Mahmoud Khalil" and displaying banners with messages such as "Never Again for Anyone." The New York Police Department reported that 98 individuals were arrested, with no injuries or property damage. President Donald Trump praised Khalil's arrest as the first of many, asserting that the administration would target "terrorist sympathizers" in the US. Khalil's attorney claims the detention is a retaliation for his client's exercise of free speech regarding Palestinian rights. sources

Published:
Mar 14 2025, 5 am

US Influencer Departs Australia Amid Baby Wombat Video Controversy

Sam Jones, an American influencer and self-described "outdoor enthusiast and hunter," has left Australia following backlash over a video in which she was seen taking a baby wombat from its distressed mother. The now-deleted Instagram clip, filmed in an undisclosed location, showed Jones grabbing the protected marsupial while its mother followed anxiously. Australia's Immigration Minister, Tony Burke, announced that her tourist visa is under review and indicated potential deportation due to the incident, which he described as an outrage. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned Jones’ actions, suggesting she might try handling other Australian wildlife, such as crocodiles, to understand the consequences better. The incident sparked significant online outrage, with numerous petitions calling for her deportation. In response to the criticism, Jones has made her Instagram account private and deleted the controversial video. sources

Published:
Mar 14 2025, 3 pm

Pope Francis Enjoys Another Quiet Night Post-Hospital Stay

Pope Francis is currently hospitalized in Rome, where he has been receiving treatment for pneumonia in both lungs for the past month. The Vatican reported on Friday that the 88-year-old pontiff experienced another "quiet night" and, while no longer in critical condition, continues to require respiratory assistance via a nasal cannula during the day and an oxygen mask at night. On Thursday, he underwent physiotherapy, celebrated his 12 years as pope with a cake, and engaged in prayer and breathing exercises. The Vatican plans to issue another medical update later, though daily bulletins may cease. As discussions about his potential return home intensify, concerns about his ability to lead the global Catholic community of nearly 1.4 billion have emerged, with the Vatican acknowledging the challenges of recovery for an elderly individual facing such health issues. sources

Published:
Mar 14 2025, 3 pm

Train Driver Recalls Executions After Hijacking

In a harrowing incident, the Jaffar Express train, carrying 440 passengers from Quetta to Peshawar, was hijacked by the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) on Tuesday, resulting in a 30-hour siege that left 21 civilians and four security personnel dead. Survivors recounted the terror of armed rebels executing hostages, often targeting individuals based on their regional affiliations. The ordeal began when militants detonated explosives, derailing the train, before breaching it and taking passengers hostage. The Pakistani military launched a counter-operation, ultimately killing all 33 attackers and rescuing over 300 passengers. However, the BLA disputed the military's claims, alleging that some hostages were released voluntarily and criticizing the government's handling of the situation. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited Quetta for a security briefing following the attack, which marks a significant escalation in the ongoing insurgency in Balochistan, a region rich in resources but plagued by violence. sources

Published:
Mar 14 2025, 3 pm

French Finance Minister Deems Trade War "Idiotic," Visits US

France's Finance Minister Eric Lombard condemned the escalating US-EU trade tensions as "idiotic," following threats from President Donald Trump to impose 200-percent tariffs on French wine and champagne. Speaking to France 2, Lombard emphasized the need for dialogue to reduce tensions, announcing plans to visit the United States soon. Trump's tariff threats come in response to the European Union's recent announcement of tariffs on $28 billion worth of US goods, including bourbon and motorcycles, which will take effect in stages from April. This escalation follows the implementation of US tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. Lombard criticized the US approach, stating it ultimately harms American interests. He and French Foreign Trade Minister Laurent Saint-Martin had a "frank and clear" discussion with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to address the situation. In 2023, Europe exported nearly $5.2 billion in wine and champagne to the US, according to the World Trade Organization. sources

Published:
Mar 14 2025, 3 pm

Trump Evokes 1930s Fears of Dark Times Ahead

As Donald Trump re-engages with Russia, historians draw alarming parallels between his actions and the rise of fascism in the 1930s, highlighting a potential failure of democracies to confront authoritarianism. Trump's recent dismissal of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his conciliatory stance towards Vladimir Putin, amidst ongoing conflict, evoke memories of the 1938 Munich Agreement that allowed Hitler's annexation of the Sudetenland. Experts like John Connelly and Johann Chapoutot express concern that Trump's disregard for international law and his rhetoric echo the "might makes right" mentality that prevailed before World War II. Despite the economic prosperity in the U.S. today, there are fears that Trump's actions, including his controversial comments on Greenland, signal a troubling trend reminiscent of historical fascism. As the international community's safeguards appear weakened, the question remains whether lessons from history have truly been learned. sources

Published:
Mar 14 2025, 1 pm

Saudi Crown Prince Backs All Efforts to End Ukraine War

In a recent phone call, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman expressed the kingdom's support for "all initiatives" aimed at ending the Ukraine war during a conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. This statement follows US-Ukraine discussions in Jeddah, where a proposed 30-day ceasefire was introduced. While Putin raised "serious questions" regarding the ceasefire plan, he acknowledged the importance of resolving the conflict and indicated a willingness to enhance Russian-American relations. Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking in Jeddah, emphasized that the "ball is now in (Russia's) court" regarding the ceasefire. The Saudi kingdom has played a diplomatic role, previously hosting talks between Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, where they agreed to form teams to negotiate a resolution to the ongoing war, now in its third year. sources

Published:
Mar 14 2025, 2 pm

Japan PM Apologizes for Gifts, Complicating Budget Outlook

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has issued an apology after it was revealed that he distributed gift certificates worth 100,000 yen ($673) each to 15 lawmakers from his ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), a move that could undermine his administration's already low approval ratings and threaten the passage of the upcoming fiscal year's budget. Speaking in parliament, Ishiba acknowledged that his actions caused "distrust and anger" among the public, although he maintained that the gifts were legal personal tokens of appreciation. The incident has drawn criticism from within his coalition and opposition calls for his resignation, raising doubts about his leadership ahead of a crucial upper house election in July. Analysts warn that failure to pass the budget by the March 31 deadline could harm both the government's political standing and Japan's economy, which is already under pressure from rising living costs and slowing global demand. sources

Published:
Mar 14 2025, 12 pm

Tourists Deported After Man Moons Great Wall of China

Two Japanese tourists in their 20s were detained for two weeks in China after a prank involving exposed buttocks at the Great Wall, according to local media reports. The incident, which occurred at the UNESCO World Heritage site near Beijing, involved a man who displayed his bottom while a woman took photos. The Japanese Embassy in China confirmed the detention by local authorities on January 3, stating the pair were later released and returned to Japan within the month. Exposing oneself in public is illegal in China, and the incident has sparked significant outrage, particularly given historical tensions stemming from Japan's colonial occupation of China in the 1930s and 40s. A social media hashtag related to the incident garnered over 60 million views on Weibo, with many comments condemning the tourists' actions and calling for restrictions on Japanese visitors. sources

Published:
Mar 14 2025, 10 am

UK Supermarket Offers Free Food, But There's a Catch

Tesco is launching a trial in which customers can collect expiring food items for free at the end of the day, as part of its initiative to reduce food waste. Starting in the coming months, select smaller Express stores will offer "yellow sticker" items, which are already discounted, after 9:30 pm local time. The supermarket, which holds a 27.8% market share in the UK with 3,700 stores, prioritizes donations to charities and staff before offering leftover items to customers. Tesco has committed to halving food waste by 2030 and has already made significant strides in reducing emissions, achieving a 61% reduction compared to 2015. This initiative comes amid rising demand for discounted food, with nearly two-thirds of UK households purchasing such items, as many turn to food banks for support during the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. sources

Published:
Mar 14 2025, 11 am

JD Vance Sparks New Immigration Debate Over Green Card Holders

NEW DELHI: A debate has emerged following US Vice President JD Vance's comments regarding the rights of green card holders, in the wake of President Donald Trump's proposed 'gold card' initiative aimed at wealthy foreigners. Green cards, or Permanent Resident Cards, allow foreign nationals to live and work in the US but do not guarantee indefinite residency. Vance emphasized that green card holders do not possess an absolute right to remain in the country, framing the issue as one of national security and community membership. Trump's 'gold card' program would enable foreign nationals to purchase residency for $5 million, providing them with green card privileges and a pathway to citizenship. He argued that the current immigration system has deterred top talent from countries like India from remaining in the US after their education. The initiative could also replace the EB-5 investor visa program and is projected to generate significant revenue. sources

Published:
Mar 14 2025, 11 am

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