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In a surprising declaration, US President Donald Trump expressed a desire to become the next Pope, calling it "his number one choice" just a week after attending Pope Francis's funeral. Speaking to reporters as he departed the White House for a rally, Trump did not shy away from the notion, prompting South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham to encourage the papal conclave to consider Trump as a "dark horse candidate." As approximately 135 cardinals prepare for a secret conclave to elect a new pontiff, Trump praised Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York, as a notable figure, though he did not explicitly endorse him. Trump's recent visit to the Vatican drew attention, particularly for his unconventional attire at the funeral, deviating from the traditional black dress code. This comes amid Trump's efforts to strengthen ties with religious conservatives through a new initiative, the "Faith Office." 
Published: Apr 30 2025, 3 pmeznews.inThe Bangladesh Supreme Court has temporarily halted a High Court's decision to grant bail to former ISKCON monk Chinmoy Krishna Das, who faces sedition charges for allegedly disrespecting the national flag during a rally in Chattogram. The Appellate Division's Justice Rezaul Haque issued the stay after state counsel appealed the earlier bail ruling. Das, also known as Chandan Kumar Dhar and a prominent advocate for minority rights, was arrested on November 25, 2023, amid rising tensions following the ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. His arrest ignited significant protests from the Hindu community, which has faced increasing violence since the political upheaval. The situation has drawn international attention, with India highlighting the "systematic persecution" of Hindus in Bangladesh. The stay will remain until a leave-to-appeal petition is filed and the full verdict is released. 
Published: Apr 30 2025, 10 pmeznews.inIn a tit-for-tat response to Pakistan's recent closure of its airspace to Indian carriers, New Delhi has announced it will similarly restrict access to all aircraft owned and operated by Pakistan. This escalation follows a tragic terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where 26 tourists were killed by militants linked to Pakistan, coinciding with provocative remarks from Pakistan's army chief. As tensions rise, flights from Pakistan, already avoiding Indian airspace due to fears of military action, will now be officially barred from entering, forcing them to reroute significantly, thus straining their finances further. India has implemented a series of diplomatic measures, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty and expelling Pakistani military diplomats, while Pakistan has halted trade and closed its airspace to Indian airlines. Both nations remain on high alert, with India vowing to take decisive action against those behind the Kashmir attack. 
Published: Apr 30 2025, 11 pmeznews.inUS President Donald Trump has indicated he could assist in the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an El Salvadoran man mistakenly deported from Maryland, but has chosen not to act despite a Supreme Court order to "facilitate" his return. In an ABC News interview, Trump stated, "I'm not the one making this decision," attributing the inaction to legal advisors. The administration has maintained that only El Salvador can resolve the issue since Abrego Garcia is imprisoned there, despite a court ruling acknowledging his wrongful deportation. Legal experts criticize this stance, highlighting potential threats to due process and constitutional rights. Abrego Garcia, who was living legally in Maryland, was detained in March amid allegations of gang affiliation, which his lawyers deny. Polls show a significant portion of Americans support his return, while Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen argues that El Salvador lacks legal grounds to detain him. 
Published: Apr 30 2025, 9 pmeznews.inUS President Donald Trump urged Americans to remain patient following a 0.3% contraction in the economy during the first quarter, attributing the downturn to his predecessor, President Joe Biden. Trump insisted that his tariff policies would ultimately lead to economic growth, stating, "Our Country will boom, but we have to get rid of the Biden 'Overhang.'" Critics, including Spartan Capital's Chief Market Economist Peter Cardillo, countered that Trump's policies have created uncertainty, impacting corporate earnings and guidance. Despite the economic challenges, Wall Street showed some resilience with mixed indicators, including steady consumer spending. The Dow Jones fell 1.15%, while European stocks also declined. The dollar strengthened against several currencies, and oil prices continued to drop, reflecting concerns over demand due to the ongoing trade war. Gold prices dipped as well, aligning with the dollar's gains. 
Published: Apr 30 2025, 9 pmeznews.inFormer President Donald Trump has reignited interest in Greenland, expressing intentions to annex the island, although both Denmark and Greenland have firmly rejected his proposal to purchase it. As part of a new strategy, a US private sector delegation is set to visit Greenland this week to explore investment opportunities in its rich natural resources, particularly rare earth minerals. This visit follows a recent trip by the Danish king, emphasizing unity between Denmark and its former colony. The delegation, led by Drew Horn, former chief of staff for the Department of Energy under Trump, includes officials from mining firms eager to tap into Greenland's vast mineral wealth. Despite the new Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen's opposition to any takeover attempts, he supports pro-business initiatives aimed at monetizing the island's resources. The US seeks to bolster Greenland's economy amid its push for independence, viewing private sector investment as a pathway to greater collaboration. 
Published: Apr 30 2025, 9 pmeznews.inPakistan has suspended all flights to the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, citing security concerns amid heightened tensions with India following a deadly terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir. The decision comes after 26 tourists were killed in a religiously motivated assault in Pahalgam, prompting fears of potential military action from India. Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has canceled flights to and from Gilgit and Skardu, with reports confirming the cancellation of flights from major cities including Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad. Pakistani officials described the flight suspensions as "precautionary" measures to secure airspace, although it remains unclear if the cancellations will be temporary or long-term. The attack, claimed by the Pakistan-based terror group The Resistance Front, has drawn global condemnation, while protests have erupted in Kashmir, with locals blaming Pakistan for the violence. 
Published: Apr 30 2025, 8 pmeznews.inDefence Minister Rajnath Singh will represent India at Russia's Victory Day parade on May 9, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Germany in World War II. Although an invitation was extended to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has confirmed that Singh will attend instead. Official sources indicated that the decision was communicated to Russia ahead of the event, which will also see leaders from other friendly nations in attendance. Modi visited Russia twice last year for a summit with President Vladimir Putin and the BRICS Summit in Kazan. Looking ahead, President Putin is expected to visit India for the annual summit later this year. 
Published: Apr 30 2025, 6 pmeznews.inPrince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, celebrated their 14th wedding anniversary by sharing a romantic photograph on the Scottish island of Mull, where they enjoyed a low-key getaway in a self-catering cottage. The couple, who married on April 29, 2011, were seen embracing on the shoreline, with Catherine sporting a new light brown hair color. Their social media post featured a heart emoji and expressed gratitude for the warm welcome they received. During their two-day visit, William and Catherine engaged with local communities, emphasizing the importance of social connections and environmental protection—issues dear to them. Their itinerary included visits to an artisan market and a local croft, where they learned about sustainable farming. Catherine, who is recovering from cancer and is now in remission, has resumed public duties, while King Charles III continues his own treatment. The couple's trip concluded with a ferry ride to the nearby island of Iona. 
Published: Apr 30 2025, 6 pmeznews.inMicrosoft has announced a significant commitment to enhancing its operations in Europe, focusing on safeguarding European citizens' data amid increasing geopolitical tensions. This move follows the return of Donald Trump to the political stage, which has strained US-EU relations and raised concerns over the dominance of American tech companies, including Microsoft, in the European market. During a visit to Brussels, Microsoft President Brad Smith emphasized the need for businesses to act as a bridge across the Atlantic, revealing plans to expand data centre operations in 16 European countries and foster an artificial intelligence ecosystem. He also highlighted the company's intention to partner with European cloud providers. Addressing fears that the US could leverage its tech dominance in political disputes, Smith assured that Microsoft would vigorously contest any government orders to halt operations in Europe, underscoring the company's commitment to European customers. 
Published: Apr 30 2025, 6 pmeznews.inGoogle CEO Sundar Pichai is set to testify on Wednesday in a Washington trial where antitrust regulators aim to compel the company to divest its Chrome web browser and implement measures to enhance competition in online search. The US Department of Justice (DOJ) argues that Google's dominance could extend into the realm of generative AI, raising concerns about competition as search evolves. US District Judge Amit Mehta previously noted that Google lacks a true competitor, attributing its monopoly partly to lucrative agreements with major companies like Apple and Samsung to be the default search engine. The DOJ seeks to halt these payments and mandate data sharing with competitors, a move Google claims would undermine user privacy and threaten smaller firms like Mozilla. In response, Google has adjusted its agreements to allow for the pre-installation of alternative search and AI applications and plans to appeal any adverse ruling. 
Published: Apr 30 2025, 4 pm
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