Author: News Desk

Washington DC: The Trump administration has reinstated legal immigration status for thousands of international students whose SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) records were abruptly terminated without formal explanation, stoking widespread fear of detention or deportation. Justice Department attorney Elizabeth Kurlan confirmed in a California federal court that immigration officials are now developing a new policy framework to govern visa terminations more transparently. The shift comes after more than 100 lawsuits were filed by affected students, many of whom were blindsided when their legal right to study in the US was stripped. Federal judges had already issued temporary restraining…

Los Angeles: California has officially surpassed Japan to become the fourth-largest economy in the world, according to recent data from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the US Bureau of Economic Analysis. In 2024, California’s gross domestic product (GDP) reached $4.10 trillion, overtaking Japan’s GDP of $4.01 trillion. Only Germany, China, and the United States as a whole now rank ahead of California. Governor Gavin Newsom hailed the achievement as a sign of the state’s global leadership, stating that, “California isn’t just keeping pace with the world, we’re setting the pace.” The state leads the US in manufacturing and agricultural…

Rome, Italy: The Vatican is making its final preparations for the funeral of Pope Francis, as the last of the enormous crowds of mourners pass through St Peter’s Basilica to view his open coffin. The funeral ceremony will be held on Saturday, 27th of April, in St Peter’s Square and is expected to be attended by at least 130 foreign delegations, including 50 heads of state and 10 monarchs. Among the prominent figures expected to arrive in Rome are United States President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Argentina’s President Javier Milei, and Britain’s Prince William. https://twitter.com/VaticanNews/status/1915486294857166858 Italian and Vatican…

London: UK media regulator Ofcom has unveiled the final version of its children’s codes under the Online Safety Act, laying out strict new requirements for digital platforms to protect young users from harmful online content. The new regulations, which will take effect on 25 July, require social media, search, and gaming services to carry out risk assessments, filter out harmful content using algorithms, verify users’ ages, respond quickly to flagged issues, and make it easier for children to report abusive or dangerous content. Described by Ofcom as a ‘reset for children online’, the codes are based on feedback from over…

London: In a medical breakthrough, the first clinical trial of its kind has shown that adults with severe peanut allergy can be desensitized through daily exposure to small, gradually increasing amounts of peanut flour. The Grown Up Peanut Immunotherapy (GUPI) trial, led by researchers at King’s College London, demonstrated that 67 percent of participants could consume the equivalent of five peanuts without a reaction after months of controlled exposure. Historically, peanut allergy treatment has focused on children, but this new evidence suggests adults may also benefit, expanding the window for therapeutic intervention. Professor Stephen Till, who led the research, emphasized…

Kashmir, India: Widespread grief and anger have erupted across India following a brutal attack by gunmen in the popular Himalayan tourist town of Pahalgam in Indian-administered Kashmir, where 26 tourists were killed. Reports indicate that several of the wounded remain in critical condition. The attack, one of the deadliest against civilians in recent years, has shaken the region and prompted emergency action from Indian authorities. Although there has been no official confirmation about who is responsible, some media reports suggest that a group linked to the Pakistan-based militant organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba may have claimed responsibility for the ambush. The region, which…

Lolland, Denmark: The tunnel is under construction beneath the Baltic Sea between Denmark and Germany, set to drastically cut travel times and strengthen Scandinavia’s links with central Europe. The 18km (11 miles) Fehmarnbelt tunnel, which will be the world’s longest pre-fabricated road and rail tunnel, is an extraordinary engineering feat. Rather than burrowing through bedrock like most underwater tunnels, the project involves placing 90 massive, pre-fabricated segments, known as ‘elements,’ on top of the seafloor and connecting them, similar to assembling Lego bricks. The main construction site is located at the northern entrance to the tunnel on Lolland Island in…

Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, accusing it of overreach in attempting to control the university’s academic decisions by threatening federal funding. The legal action follows the administration’s move to review nearly $9 billion in federal support after Harvard declined a list of demands, including the appointment of an outside overseer to ensure ‘diverse’ viewpoints in curriculum and policy decisions. Harvard is specifically aiming to stop an immediate freeze on $2.2 billion in grants. Harvard President Alan Garber stated that no government, regardless of political party, should have authority over what private universities teach,…

Wales, England: Wales is testing an innovative augmented reality (AR) therapy app aimed at supporting teenagers dealing with anxiety and school attendance. Developed with the help of Cardiff Youth Service, part of Cardiff Council’s education department, the mobile AR app is designed to reduce social isolation and enhance emotional wellbeing. How this app works? The app, which is being piloted in schools across Cardiff and Swansea, is the result of support sessions with youth in South Wales valleys. It was created by counsellor Angela McMillan, who was inspired by students facing anxiety and school avoidance. The interactive experience allows users…

Rome, Italy: Pope Francis has died at the age of 88, the Vatican has announced on Monday, April 21, 2025. Cardinal Kevin Farrell delivered the official statement, revealing that the pontiff passed away at 7:35 am. Farrell said that, “His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and His Church,” commending his example of gospel values, courage, and compassion, especially toward the poorest and most marginalized. Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires in 1936, Francis became the first South American pope and the 266th Bishop of Rome in 2013, following Pope Benedict XVI’s historic resignation. https://youtu.be/YVtjQGWHoE4…