Author: News Desk

France: Leaders from France and the European Union will meet with Mr. Xi Jinping, a close ally of Mr. Vladimir Putin, in Beijing to advocate for Europe’s efforts to end the conflict in Ukraine. French President Mr. Emmanuel Macron and European Commission Chief Ms. Ursula von der Leyen will be welcomed by the Chinese President at the Great Hall of the People, which is considered the centre of power in the capital city. China is facing increasing pressure from the West to become more involved in the peace process in Ukraine, even though Beijing officially maintains a neutral stance. Despite…

London, UK: A White House spokesperson has confirmed that Mr. Joe Biden has agreed to undertake a state visit to meet King Charles III, following an invitation. During a cordial 25 to 30 minute phone conversation, Mr. Biden extended his congratulations to King Charles III on his impending coronation and received an invitation for a state visit. However, the US president will not be present at the coronation ceremony. Consistent with historical practice, Mr. Biden will not be attending the coronation of King Charles III, as it is customary for US presidents to abstain from such events. This aligns with…

United States: Taiwan’s President Ms. Tsai Ing-wen has met with United States House Speaker Mr. Kevin McCarthy in California in a historic visit that has already sparked condemnation from China. The two leaders sat down together at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley. Mr. McCarthy called the Taiwanese President “a great friend to America,” adding that “I am optimistic we will continue to find ways for the people of America and Taiwan to work together to promote economic freedom, democracy, peace, and stability.” Ms. Tsai thanked McCarthy and the rest of the congressional delegation for their hospitality, saying,…

Israel: During the holy month of Ramadan, Israeli forces raided the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem, firing stun grenades and tear gas at Palestinian worshippers in a violent confrontation at one of Islam’s most sacred sites. The Al-Aqsa Mosque is considered the third holiest site in Islam. According to Wafa, the official news agency of the Palestinian Authority, dozens of worshippers who were praying overnight were injured in a police raid at dawn on 5th April 2023. The incident has drawn condemnation from Palestinians and several Arab nations. Palestinian officials report that at least 400 Palestinians were arrested by…

New Zealand: In an emotional farewell speech, former New Zealand Prime Minister Ms. Jacinda Ardern urged politicians to prioritize climate change by setting aside political differences. Ms. Ardern implored lawmakers to work together and take action against the urgent threat of climate change, as she bid farewell to parliament. Earlier this year, Mr. Ardern surprised New Zealand by announcing her resignation as prime minister and exit from parliament, claiming she no longer had “enough in the tank.” “It was a cross between a sense of duty to steer a moving freight train… and being hit by one,” the former PM…

Afghanistan: A UN spokesman has stated that the Taliban have issued an order to ban Afghan women employees of the United Nations staff from working throughout Afghanistan. Mr. Stephane Dujarric said this was the latest in a “disturbing trend” undermining the ability of aid organisations to work in Afghanistan, where some 23 million people, more than half the country’s population, need help. “UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres would view any ban on Afghan women working for the United Nations in their country as unacceptable and, frankly, inconceivable,” Mr. Dujarric noted. “We’re still looking into how this development would affect our operations…

United States: United States President Joe Biden has stated that artificial intelligence (AI) “could be” dangerous, but it remains to be seen how the technology will affect society. Speaking at a meeting with science and technology advisers, Mr. Biden remarked that technology companies have a responsibility to ensure their products are safe before their release. “Tech companies have a responsibility, in my view, to make sure their products are safe before making them public,” the US President noted during a meeting of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology. Asked if AI was dangerous, Mr. Biden replied that…

London, UK: In a long-awaited announcement, Buckingham Palace has confirmed that Ms. Camilla, the wife of King Charles, will be known as Queen Camilla following the upcoming coronation. Despite initial plans for her to take the title of princess consort, this news has been widely anticipated by many. The palace has been evasive for years when questioned about the appropriate title for Camilla upon Charles’ ascension to the throne. Refusing to give a direct answer to the “queen question,” the topic has remained shrouded in mystery until now. Upon her marriage to the then Prince of Wales in 2005, a…

United States: Former United States President Mr. Donald Trump has pleaded not guilty in New York City to a string of charges linked to hush money payments ahead of the 2016 presidential vote, including one made to an adult film star. Mr. Trump, who is the first former president to be criminally prosecuted in the country’s history, entered a Manhattan courtroom to formally hear the accusations against him. “The Republican leader faces 34 felony charges of falsifying New York business records to conceal damaging information and unlawful activity from American voters before and after the 2016 election,” the Manhattan district…

United States: Former US President Mr. Donald Trump has reportedly been seeking legal counsel at Trump Tower in New York City, as he faces the possibility of criminal charges. Mr. Trump has been facing an investigation over allegations of paying hush money to a porn star just before the 2016 election with whom he is accused of having sex. However, he has denied any wrongdoing in this regard. The authorities have implemented additional security measures in anticipation of protests outside the Manhattan court on 4th April 2023. Before travelling from his Florida residence to New York on 3rd April 2023,…