Jenn
- World News
Southern Baptist Convention expels churches over female pastors
In a move that highlights the conservative shift within the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), two churches have been expelled due to having female pastors. Delegates at the SBC annual meeting in New Orleans voted overwhelmingly against the appeals of Saddleback Church in Southern California and Fern Creek Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky. The decision showcases the SBC’s unwillingness to adapt…
- World News
US seeks answers from Israel on citizen’s death, army avoids charges
US authorities are planning to address the case of Omar Assad, an 80-year-old American citizen who was killed by Israeli forces last year, directly with Israel. This decision comes after the Israeli military opted not to pursue criminal charges in the case, claiming there was no “causal link” between Assad’s stress-induced heart attack and the actions of the soldiers. The…
- World News
Miami Mayor Francis Suarez enters 2024 presidential race as GOP contender
Tossing his hat into the ring, Miami Mayor Francis Suarez has joined the race for the 2024 United States presidential elections from the Republican camp. The son of a renowned Cuban American politician, Suarez recently filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission, marking the beginning of his campaign journey, as reported by various US media outlets. Suarez now becomes the…
- World News
Malaysia seeks Interpol help to find comedian over MH370 joke outrage
Interpol’s assistance is being sought by Malaysia’s police chief to track down Jocelyn Chia, a New York-based, Singapore-born comedian whose joke about the missing MH370 flight has sparked outrage and led to diplomatic apologies. Inspector-General of Police Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani announced the decision to request Interpol’s help in the ongoing investigation. Chia, a former lawyer believed to have become…
- World News
Trump dismisses charges over mishandling classified documents as abuse of power
Former US President Donald Trump has dismissed the federal charges brought against him regarding his handling of classified documents, just hours after pleading not guilty at an arraignment in Miami, Florida. Trump faces 37 counts of concealing and mishandling classified documents. Addressing a crowd from his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, he labelled the case as the “most evil…
- World News
Trump’s defamation lawsuit advances despite prior sexual abuse verdict
A US federal judge has ruled that E Jean Carroll’s defamation lawsuit against former President Donald Trump can proceed, despite a jury in May finding Trump liable for defaming and sexually abusing her. District Judge Lewis Kaplan dismissed arguments that the case could not go ahead due to the jury’s determination that Trump was responsible for sexual abuse, not rape.…
- World News
Trump pleads not guilty to 37 charges, supporters rally in Miami
Supporters of former US President Donald Trump gathered in Miami, Florida, as he pled not guilty to 37 charges of mishandling classified information. This indictment marks the first time a former US president has been federally prosecuted. Trump’s supporters rallied around the court, protesting the charges and claiming they are politically motivated to hinder his potential 2024 campaign. Last week,…
- World News
Press Secretary faces Hatch Act scrutiny for mega MAGA remarks
In a recent development, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre faces scrutiny for violating the Hatch Act, a law that limits political activity by federal employees. The Office of Special Counsel (OSC) has accused Jean-Pierre of using her official capacity to influence the outcome of an election by referring to “mega MAGA Republicans” during press briefings before the November 2022…
- World News
Bunge and Glencore-backed Viterra to merge, creating $34bn agri-trade giant
The global agricultural trading sector is set to see a major transformation as US grains merchants Bunge and Glencore-backed Viterra plan to merge, creating a $34bn giant, including debt. This deal, announced on Tuesday, will bring the combined company closer to leading rivals Archer-Daniels-Midland and Cargill, valuing both Bunge and Viterra at approximately $17bn each. Bunge, already the world’s largest…
- World News
NATO summit prioritises Ukraine support, Indo-Pacific ties, and defence spending
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has discussed key topics for the upcoming alliance summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, during a meeting with top US officials at the White House. Stoltenberg, who will step down as secretary general in September, highlighted NATO’s commitment to support Ukraine and strengthen deterrence on defence at the summit. Stoltenberg also emphasised the importance of sending a strong…
- World News
UN chief backs global AI watchdog amid disinformation concerns
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed concern over the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in spreading disinformation and hate, supporting the proposal for an international watchdog to monitor the technology. Guterres highlighted the risks AI poses to democracy and human rights during the launch of a new policy on disinformation. The Secretary-General endorsed the idea of creating a watchdog…
- World News
Nine injured in Denver shooting after Nuggets’ NBA title win
In Denver, Colorado, a shooting has left at least nine people injured, with three of them in critical condition. The incident occurred around 12:30am on Tuesday, not far from Ball Arena, where the Denver Nuggets had just won their first NBA title. The Denver Police Department confirmed that a suspect was shot and is now in custody. The police department…
- World News
22 US troops injured in Syria helicopter accident, cause under investigation
A recent helicopter accident in northeast Syria has left 22 US service members injured, according to the United States military. The incident, which occurred on Sunday, is currently under investigation to determine the cause. US Central Command confirmed in a statement that no enemy fire was reported at the time of the accident. “The service members are receiving treatment for…
- World News
Trump faces 37 charges over classified documents at Mar-a-Lago
The indictment of Donald Trump on charges of mishandling classified documents at his Florida estate has thrust a high-profile case into the spotlight, marking a significant development in the United States Justice Department’s history. This comes less than three months after Trump faced 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in New York, making it the most substantial legal threat…
- World News
Rights groups to screen banned Modi documentary before White House visit
Ahead of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to the White House, human rights groups Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have scheduled a private screening of a controversial BBC documentary in Washington. The documentary, titled India: The Modi Question, examines Modi’s leadership during the 2002 Gujarat riots, which resulted in the deaths of at least 1,000 people, predominantly…
- World News
Twitter 2.0: CEO Yaccarino unveils plan to revive platform
Linda Yaccarino, the new CEO of Twitter, has unveiled her ambitious plan for “Twitter 2.0,” aiming to transform the platform into a global town square and a reliable source of real-time information. Yaccarino took over the role from Elon Musk, who had implemented several controversial changes since acquiring the company in October 2022. The former NBC Universal marketing executive acknowledged…
- World News
Youth-led climate case in Montana could set precedent for US government
A groundbreaking youth-led climate case is set to commence on Monday in Helena, Montana, marking the first time such a case has reached trial in the United States. Held v State of Montana involves 16 plaintiffs, aged between five and 22 years old, who claim that Montana’s promotion of a fossil fuel-reliant energy system breaches their right to a clean…
- World News
I-95 highway collapse disrupts US East Coast traffic, delays repairs
A major highway collapse has led to severe traffic congestion, potentially affecting transportation throughout the eastern United States. On Monday, commuters faced lengthy delays after a tanker truck caught fire and damaged a section of the I-95 Interstate in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, causing temporary closure of one of the busiest routes in the area. Jana Tidwell, a spokesperson for the American…
- World News
Blinken addresses alleged Chinese spy operation in Cuba
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has addressed an alleged Chinese spying operation based in Cuba, claiming it is part of a broader effort by Beijing to expand its overseas logistics and intelligence infrastructure. This comes after a US official confirmed that China has been operating an intelligence unit in Cuba for years, which was upgraded in 2019. Blinken stated…
- World News
Trump faces federal charges in Miami amid cautious calm
A sense of cautious calm enveloped the area around the Miami courthouse where former US President Donald Trump is due to face federal charges. Residents and tourists mingled with journalists and law enforcement agents preparing for Tuesday’s arraignment. Although local officials expect pro-Trump protesters and potential counter-demonstrations, the size of these gatherings remains uncertain. Trump, who is running for the…
- World News
Thousands of subreddits go dark protesting Reddit’s API changes
Between June 12 and June 14, a vast number of Reddit communities, known as subreddits, are going dark in protest of the planned API changes that could potentially put an end to many third-party applications. Reddit, often referred to as the “front page of the internet,” is one of the top 20 most popular websites with approximately 430 million monthly…
- World News
George Soros hands $25bn empire control to son Alexander
Philanthropist and billionaire George Soros has decided to entrust his 37-year-old son, Alexander, with the control of his philanthropic and financial empire, worth US$25bn. A spokesperson for Soros, a significant supporter of liberal and democratic initiatives, confirmed the plan following its initial report by the Wall Street Journal. Previously, Soros, who is now 92, did not want any of his…
- World News
I-95 Philadelphia collapse after fire engulfs vehicles on major US highway
A massive fire under a section of Interstate 95 in Philadelphia led to the collapse of a large part of the highway, forcing its closure in both directions. No injuries were reported as a result of the incident. The blaze broke out beneath an elevated section of the northbound lanes in northeast Philadelphia, with early indications suggesting a tanker truck…
- World News
Trump slams ridiculous indictment, claims attack on supporters
In his first public appearances since the unsealing of a federal indictment, former United States President Donald Trump has denounced the 37 felony counts against him as “ridiculous” and “baseless.” Addressing Republican state conventions in Georgia and North Carolina over the weekend, Trump framed the indictment as an assault on his supporters and an attempt to hinder his potential return…
- World News
Unabomber Ted Kaczynski dies aged 81 in North Carolina prison
The infamous “Unabomber,” Theodore “Ted” Kaczynski, passed away at the age of 81 on Saturday. Kaczynski, a Harvard-educated mathematician, was responsible for a 17-year bombing campaign that claimed the lives of three people and injured 23 others. He died at the federal prison medical centre in Butner, North Carolina, according to Kristie Breshears, a spokesperson for the federal Bureau of…
- World News
Trump rallies support amid 37-count indictment for hoarding classified documents
Donald Trump, the former US President, is scheduled to make his first public appearances since being federally indicted, addressing supportive Republican audiences in Georgia and North Carolina. He aims to rally support for his defence as he remains the frontrunner for the Republican Party nomination in 2024, despite his growing legal troubles. Trump is expected to use speeches at two…
- World News
Trump faces 37 counts over mishandling classified documents
The former US president, Donald Trump, is facing significant legal challenges as he is indicted on 37 counts of mishandling classified documents at his Florida estate. This comes on the heels of his New York indictment, where he was charged with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. These legal issues pose serious consequences for Trump, but their impact on…
- World News
Putin admits Ukraine’s counteroffensive, claims significant losses
Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, confirmed that Ukraine has launched its anticipated counteroffensive against Moscow’s occupying forces. He acknowledged the Ukrainian army’s use of strategic reserves, while claiming they had not achieved their objectives and were suffering significant losses. However, the lack of independent reporting from the front lines and limited information from Kyiv makes it difficult to verify Putin’s…
- World News
Probe leader steps down amid partisanship in Canada’s China interference inquiry
The investigation into alleged Chinese interference in Canada has experienced a major change, as David Johnston, the government-appointed leader of the probe, announced his resignation on Friday. Johnston, a former Canadian Governor General, cited the highly partisan atmosphere surrounding his work as the reason for his departure. His appointment had been controversial, with some, including opposition Conservative Party leader Pierre…
- World News
South Korea summons China’s ambassador over ‘senseless’ US tilt accusation
South Korea’s foreign ministry has called on China’s ambassador, expressing concerns over comments made by the diplomat that accused Seoul of favouring the United States over China. This comes as tensions between Washington and Beijing escalate in the battle for global influence. On Friday, South Korean First Vice Foreign Minister Chang Ho-jin cautioned Chinese Ambassador Xing Haiming about his “senseless…
