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US Officer Arrested for Inappropriate Messages to Undercover Agent

A New York Police Department (NYPD) officer, Travis DeSouza, 35, has been arrested and charged with attempting to engage in sexual conversations with an undercover officer posing as a 14-year-old girl. DeSouza, a 13-year veteran assigned to the 75th Precinct in Brooklyn, was taken into custody after allegedly sending sexually explicit messages and images to the undercover officer, whom he believed to be a participant in the NYPD's youth "Police Explorers" programme. He faces multiple charges, including first-degree attempted dissemination of explicit content to minors and third-degree attempted endangerment of a child's welfare. DeSouza reportedly acknowledged the age of the supposed minor while continuing to send inappropriate messages. Following his arrest, he was placed on unpaid leave by the NYPD and released without bail. The case raises serious concerns about the integrity of the department's youth outreach initiatives. sources

Published:
Apr 25 2025, 11 am

Pope Francis' Funeral: Date, Venue, Attendees, and Next Steps

Pope Francis, the 88-year-old leader of the Catholic Church, passed away on April 21 due to complications from a stroke, following a recent hospitalization for double pneumonia. His funeral is scheduled for April 26 at 10:00 am (0800 GMT) in St. Peter's Square, with an expected attendance of thousands, including over 130 foreign delegations and 50 heads of state. Notable attendees include US President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, and UK representatives Prince William and Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Following the ceremony, Pope Francis will be buried outside the Vatican at St. Mary Major, marking the first papal burial there in over 500 years. The process to select his successor will involve 138 eligible cardinals, with voting continuing until a candidate secures a two-thirds majority, as indicated by the traditional smoke signals from the Sistine Chapel. sources

Published:
Apr 25 2025, 8 pm

China Waives US Tariffs, Rejects Trump's Ongoing Talks Claim

China has exempted certain US imports from its recently imposed steep tariffs, indicating a potential easing of the ongoing trade war, although it refuted President Donald Trump's claims of active negotiations. Business groups reported that US-made pharmaceuticals can now enter China without the hefty 125% duties, which were introduced following Trump's own 145% tariffs. A circulating list of 131 product categories, including vaccines and chemicals, is under consideration for exemptions, but China has yet to confirm this publicly. While Trump suggested that talks are ongoing, the Chinese Embassy in Washington denied any negotiations. Amidst these tensions, Trump has also announced targeted tariffs on various countries, which are suspended until July 9, prompting a rush for trade deals. Despite Trump's assertion of a potential "total victory" if tariffs remain high, economists warn that such measures could lead to increased consumer prices and recession risks. Meanwhile, global markets reacted positively to the developments. sources

Published:
Apr 25 2025, 8 pm

Trump: 'Crimea Will Remain With Russia' After Zelensky Clash

In a recent interview with TIME magazine, former President Donald Trump asserted that Crimea will "stay with Russia," a statement that has reignited discussions amid ongoing Ukraine-Russia tensions. Trump emphasized that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recognizes this reality, suggesting that Ukraine's NATO aspirations are futile and that peace talks are essential. He criticized his predecessor Barack Obama for the annexation of Crimea in 2014, which remains a contentious issue for Ukraine, with Zelensky firmly opposing any recognition of the territory as Russian. Despite his remarks on Crimea, Trump condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin for ongoing attacks on Ukraine, urging him to halt the violence. Trump also noted that Ukraine accepted a US ceasefire proposal 44 days ago, yet hostilities persist. He expressed a desire for swift negotiations, stating there is no deadline for reaching a peace agreement. sources

Published:
Apr 25 2025, 9 pm

Dispute Over Mark Carney's Trump "51st State" Remarks

In a recent call, U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly suggested the idea of Canada becoming the 51st state, a claim made by Liberal Leader Mark Carney, who stressed that the conversation primarily revolved around a new security and economic agreement while affirming Canada's sovereignty. Carney, during a campaign event in Port Moody, B.C., noted that Trump referred to him as "prime minister," contrasting with Trump's previous terminology for former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. However, a spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office denied that Carney entertained the notion of statehood. The conversation has drawn criticism from opposition leaders, with Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and others questioning Carney's credibility and commitment to Canadian sovereignty. Despite the controversy, Carney indicated a willingness to negotiate with Trump post-election, emphasizing a comprehensive approach to U.S.-Canada relations, while Trump maintained his belief that Canada would benefit from joining the U.S. sources

Published:
Apr 25 2025, 6 pm

Sister Genevieve Defies Protocol to View Pope's Body

In a poignant display of friendship, Sister Genevieve, an 82-year-old French nun, paid tribute to Pope Francis by standing in solemn prayer near his body at St Peter's Basilica, despite being outside the expected protocol. Their bond, which began two decades ago during advocacy for victims of Argentina's military dictatorship, has grown through shared efforts to aid the marginalized. Genevieve's aunt, Leonie Duquet, was a victim of the regime, and her tragic story deeply connects them. Initially unimpressed by the then-bishop Jorge Bergoglio, Genevieve's perspective shifted as she witnessed his commitment to the poor. Their friendship flourished during the COVID-19 pandemic, with Genevieve advocating for vulnerable communities. As Francis's body lay in state, images of her tearful remembrance resonated globally, highlighting a powerful narrative of resilience and compassion forged amidst a dark chapter in history. sources

Published:
Apr 25 2025, 7 pm

Vatican Crowds Gather for Pope's Final Farewell Before Funeral

Tens of thousands gathered at the Vatican on Friday to pay their final respects to Pope Francis, whose open coffin drew around 150,000 mourners by midday. The Argentine pontiff, who passed away at 88 after battling pneumonia, will be laid to rest following a funeral attended by over 50 heads of state and 200,000 guests. The wooden coffin, adorned with a red chasuble and a rosary, will be closed during a private ceremony later in the evening. As crowds swelled along Via della Conciliazione, many expressed deep emotional connections to the pope, with one Italian nun remarking it felt like saying goodbye to a father. Security measures are stringent, with drones banned and snipers stationed nearby. Following the funeral, Francis's coffin will be transported to his preferred burial site, with a conclave for his successor expected to begin around May 5 or 6. sources

Published:
Apr 25 2025, 7 pm

Instagram Founder: Zuckerberg Stifled Our Growth as a Threat

Kevin Systrom, co-founder of Instagram, has accused Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg of hindering the platform's growth by diverting essential resources to Facebook. During the ongoing Meta monopoly trial, Systrom testified that in 2017, Instagram received no additional staffing to enhance its video capabilities, despite the app's rapid expansion. He described the lack of support as "unacceptable and offensive," suggesting that Zuckerberg's emotional ties to Facebook influenced his decisions. Systrom noted that Zuckerberg had even acknowledged in a 2018 email the need to limit Instagram's growth to prevent a decline in Facebook's user engagement. This tension ultimately led to Systrom and co-founder Mike Krieger's departure in September 2018, as Zuckerberg sought to merge Instagram with Facebook and WhatsApp. The lawsuit, initiated in 2020, alleges that Meta's acquisitions were aimed at stifling competition and establishing an illegal monopoly in social media. sources

Published:
Apr 25 2025, 7 pm

IMF Agrees to $344 Million Loan for Sri Lanka

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has reached an agreement on a loan program review with Sri Lanka, unlocking approximately $344 million to aid the country's economic reforms. This follows Sri Lanka's default on $46 billion in foreign debt in April 2022, which left the nation struggling to import essential goods like food and fuel. The previous government secured a $3 billion, four-year bailout from the IMF, initiating a reform process that included subsidy cuts and tax increases. These measures have continued under the new administration of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. IMF mission chief Evan Papageorgiou praised Sri Lanka's "ambitious reform agenda," noting a projected five percent growth rebound in 2024, improved revenues, and nearly complete debt restructuring. Once approved by the IMF's executive board, this latest funding will bring total disbursements under the current program to around $1.7 billion. sources

Published:
Apr 25 2025, 7 pm

Senior Russian Officer Dies in Car Explosion: Report

A senior Russian military officer, identified as Yaroslav Moskalik, deputy head of the Main Operations Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, was killed in a car explosion in Balashikha, a town in the Moscow region. Reports from Russian news outlets Mash and Shot indicate that the blast was caused by a bomb that detonated remotely as Moskalik walked past a parked vehicle. While there has been no immediate confirmation or details from Russian authorities regarding the incident, media outlet Baza, which has connections to law enforcement, corroborated the account of the remote detonation. The circumstances surrounding the explosion remain unclear, and officials have yet to provide further information about the targeted officer or the investigation into the incident. sources

Published:
Apr 25 2025, 5 pm

British Man's Rs 20 Lakh Car Turns Out Stolen Civic

A 36-year-old software engineer from Solihull, West Midlands, has experienced an extraordinary twist of fate after unknowingly purchasing his own stolen car. Ewan Valentine's black Honda Civic was stolen from his driveway in February, and despite reporting it to the police, he was informed that the chances of recovery were slim. Following an insurance payout, Valentine bought a replacement Civic for £20,000. However, upon inspection, he noticed peculiar items inside, including a tent peg and wrappers reminiscent of his own belongings. His suspicions were confirmed when he discovered his and his parents' addresses in the car's navigation history. "I nearly crashed... My hands were shaking; my heart was pounding," he recounted, reflecting on the shock of having bought back his own vehicle. While initially feeling triumphant, Valentine later recognized the irony of the situation, admitting it was a rather foolish turn of events. sources

Published:
Apr 25 2025, 6 pm

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