National Handloom Day 2026: From Alia Bhatt to Samantha Ruth Prabhu; Actresses who celebrated India's textile heritage as brides

The Royals enter the Doctor Who universe: King Charles and Queen Camilla beam into Commonwealth Games in TARDIS

Unitree Robotics targets $9 billion valuation in landmark IPO backed by DeepSeek and Tencent

India names 27 sites in Arunachal Pradesh

Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata OTT: When will Kangana Ranaut's film stream online?

How many soldiers operate one S-400 battery?

Shakib Al Hasan ready to return to Bangladesh—under one condition

‘Fake news’: MEA rejects report claiming India sought defence pact with Israel after Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey deal

Rockstar to unveil GTA 6 extended look ahead of November launch

Russia forms Ukrainian Volunteer Spetsnaz Brigade to fight Ukraine

Drug-resistant fungus that hides in hair and enters bloodstream reported in 23 US states

Technology transfer deal boosts India's defence manufacturing ambitions

Border row erupts in Europe after Ceuta crossings, Spain imposes border controls on Italy

Morale plummets on USS Abraham Lincoln: Are US sailors reaching a breaking point? | GRAVITAS

'Security can't be bought with Pakistan, Turkey deal': Iran tells Saudi Arabia

Baba Vanga's 2026 prophecy: 2 predictions 'already came true', 3 terrifying ones remain. Details inside

Colombia’s new president Abelardo de la Espriella vows to ‘defeat narco-terrorists’, signals hardline shift

New Friday OTT releases (August 7, 2026): Operation Safed Sagar, Vadhandhi, Main Vaapis Aaunga- 6 movies and TV shows on Netflix, Prime Video and more

Squadron Leader Bhawana Kanth scripts history as Indian Air Force gets its first woman ‘Top Gun’ pilot

RSS says Gen Z protests reflect genuine distress

Trump says Iranian school bombing photos could be AI-generated - 'I don’t think...'

IAF officer held for sharing sensitive information in 'honey trap' case, booked under Official Secrets Act

Stray Kids under scrutiny? Fans react to Grammy submission silence after BTS boycott

Why the Su-30MKI doesn't need external fuel tanks to fly vast distances

Jugal Hansraj reunites with Shekhar Kapur after 40 years for Masoom: The Next Generation

New speed limits, automatic challans: Big traffic change coming to Delhi-Meerut Expressway. All you need to know

India officially names 27 places in Arunachal to counter China's renaming claims

Trump calls White House ballroom ruling a 'national disgrace' as court says Congress approval needed

US sanctions Iran’s crypto network after Strait of Hormuz attacks, offers $15m bounty for intel on IRGC finance

Why the Su-30MKI is one of the heaviest fighters ever built

Uttarakhand young innovator builds India's own flying vehicle, conducts first test flight: WATCH

Chilling video shows students take cover as teen opens fire at Thai school

Reese Witherspoon's father hospitalised after poolside incident in Nashville: Report

The head of the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) warned against jumping to conclusions in the June 12 Air India Flight 171 crash investigation. The plane crash in India's Ahmedabad claimed 260 lives. The caution warning comes amid media reports about the senior pilot cutting off fuel switches of both engines.&nbsp;“Recent media reports on the Air India 171 crash are premature and speculative. India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau just released its preliminary report. Investigations of this magnitude take time. We fully support the AAIB’s public appeal, which was released Thursday, and will continue to support its ongoing investigation. All investigative questions should be addressed to the AAIB, said NTSB in a statement.&nbsp;The investigation into the Air India plane crash is being jointly carried out by India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) and NTSB.&nbsp;Last week, the &nbsp;Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau released its preliminary investigation report that pointed towards confusion in the cockpit shortly before the June 12 crash. Most importantly the report said that the two fuel control switches aboard the Boeing 787 Dreamliner were moved to the "cutoff" position just before the takeoff, cutting fuel to the engines.&nbsp;The switches were, however, restored about 10 seconds later, but till then the aircraft had lost thrust, leading to the crash.&nbsp;The two pilots involved were Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and First Officer Clive Kunder, who had total flying experience of 15,638 hours and 3,403 hours, respectively.&nbsp;According to AAIB's preliminary report, First Officer Clive Kunder is heard asking Captain Sumeet Sabharwal why did he cutoff in the cockpit voice recording. Sabharwal responded by saying he did not do so.&nbsp;After the incident, aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had asked all airlines operating Boeing 787 and 737 aircraft to examine the fuel switch locking systems. Air India completed the precautionary inspection of the locking mechanism of fuel control switches (FCS) on all the Boeing 787 aircraft in its fleet and found no problems. &nbsp;

The investigation into the Air India plane crash is being jointly carried out by Indias Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) and NTSB.

The head of the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) warned against jumping to conclusions in the June 12 Air India Flight 171 crash investigation. The plane crash in India's Ahmedabad claimed 260 lives. The caution warning comes amid media reports about the senior pilot cutting off fuel switches of both engines. “Recent media reports on the Air India 171 crash are premature and speculative. India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau just released its preliminary report. Investigations of this magnitude take time. We fully support the AAIB’s public appeal, which was released Thursday, and will continue to support its ongoing investigation. All investigative questions should be addressed to the AAIB, said NTSB in a statement. The investigation into the Air India plane crash is being jointly carried out by India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) and NTSB. Last week, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau released its preliminary investigation report that pointed towards confusion in the cockpit shortly before the June 12 crash. Most importantly the report said that the two fuel control switches aboard the Boeing 787 Dreamliner were moved to the "cutoff" position just before the takeoff, cutting fuel to the engines. The switches were, however, restored about 10 seconds later, but till then the aircraft had lost thrust, leading to the crash. The two pilots involved were Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and First Officer Clive Kunder, who had total flying experience of 15,638 hours and 3,403 hours, respectively. According to AAIB's preliminary report, First Officer Clive Kunder is heard asking Captain Sumeet Sabharwal why did he cutoff in the cockpit voice recording. Sabharwal responded by saying he did not do so. After the incident, aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had asked all airlines operating Boeing 787 and 737 aircraft to examine the fuel switch locking systems. Air India completed the precautionary inspection of the locking mechanism of fuel control switches (FCS) on all the Boeing 787 aircraft in its fleet and found no problems.

The investigation into the Air India plane crash is being jointly carried out by India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) and NTSB.

Speculative & premature: Media reports 'blaming' pilot for Air India plane crash slammed by US transport safety body

China on Friday condemned the Pahalgam terror attack in India's Jammu and Kashmir in which 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed, saying it opposes all forms of terrorism. The reaction came in response to a query on the United States designating The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba, as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation and Specially Designated Global Terrorist Organisation.&nbsp;China's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian lauded the effort of the US in helping combat terrorist activities. When asked about the US State Department's move, he said Beijing condemns all forms of terrorism. He also called for regional countries to enhance counterterrorism cooperation to maintain security.&nbsp;&nbsp;"China firmly opposes all forms of terrorism and strongly condemns the terrorist attack that occurred on April 22. China calls on regional countries to enhance counterterrorism cooperation and jointly maintain regional security and stability," he said.&nbsp;India dismantled nine terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir through precision strikes in response to the terrorist attack. It triggered a four-day-long conflict between India and Pakistan.&nbsp;The US Department of State on Thursday (local time) designated The Resistance Front (TRF), noting that the group claimed responsibility for the April 22 attack in Jammu and Kashmir.&nbsp;&nbsp;"Today, the Department of State is adding The Resistance Front (TRF) as a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). TRF, a Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT) front and proxy, claimed responsibility for the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam attack, which killed 26 civilians. This was the deadliest attack on civilians in India since the 2008 Mumbai attacks conducted by LeT. TRF has also claimed responsibility for several attacks against Indian security forces, including most recently in 2024," the statement read.&nbsp;The statement said that this action demonstrated the US President Donald Trump administration's commitment to countering terrorism.&nbsp;China is Pakistan's most reliable ally as it backs Islamabad on international forums, including on matters linked to state-backed terrorism. During India's conflict, Pakistan used Chinese and Turkish weapons to attack Indian civilian areas and military installations.&nbsp;

China on Friday condemned the Pahalgam terror attack in India's Jammu and Kashmir in which 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed, saying it opposes all forms of terrorism. 

China on Friday condemned the Pahalgam terror attack in India's Jammu and Kashmir in which 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed, saying it opposes all forms of terrorism. The reaction came in response to a query on the United States designating The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba, as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation and Specially Designated Global Terrorist Organisation. China's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian lauded the effort of the US in helping combat terrorist activities. When asked about the US State Department's move, he said Beijing condemns all forms of terrorism. He also called for regional countries to enhance counterterrorism cooperation to maintain security. "China firmly opposes all forms of terrorism and strongly condemns the terrorist attack that occurred on April 22. China calls on regional countries to enhance counterterrorism cooperation and jointly maintain regional security and stability," he said. India dismantled nine terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir through precision strikes in response to the terrorist attack. It triggered a four-day-long conflict between India and Pakistan. The US Department of State on Thursday (local time) designated The Resistance Front (TRF), noting that the group claimed responsibility for the April 22 attack in Jammu and Kashmir. "Today, the Department of State is adding The Resistance Front (TRF) as a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). TRF, a Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT) front and proxy, claimed responsibility for the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam attack, which killed 26 civilians. This was the deadliest attack on civilians in India since the 2008 Mumbai attacks conducted by LeT. TRF has also claimed responsibility for several attacks against Indian security forces, including most recently in 2024," the statement read. The statement said that this action demonstrated the US President Donald Trump administration's commitment to countering terrorism. China is Pakistan's most reliable ally as it backs Islamabad on international forums, including on matters linked to state-backed terrorism. During India's conflict, Pakistan used Chinese and Turkish weapons to attack Indian civilian areas and military installations.

Pahalgam terror attack: China's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian lauded the effort of the US in helping combat terrorist activities.

How China reacted to US designating Pak-based TRF as a terror group: 'Strongly condemn Pahalgam...'

Pakistan claimed on Friday (July 18) that it has dismantled the terrorist network linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). The country said that any effort to link the April 22 Pahlagam attack in Jammu and Kashmir with the defunct terror outfit was against reality. The Foreign Office made the remarks in a statement, a day after America designated The Resistance Front (TRF) (a proxy of LeT) as a "foreign terrorist organisation" and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist for its involvement in the Pahalgam attack.&nbsp;"Pakistan has effectively and comprehensively dismantled concerned outfits, arrested and prosecuted the leadership, and deradicalised its cadres,” the Pakistan statement read. The statement further said that the &nbsp;investigation into the Pahalgam attack is "still inconclusive." Moreover, the statement added, "any linkage with LeT, a defunct organisation banned in Pakistan, belies ground realities".&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/israeli-settlers-accused-of-killing-117-sheep-in-west-bank-attack-1752899347586/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/israeli-settlers-accused-of-killing-117-sheep-in-west-bank-attack-1752899347586/embed</a>&nbsp;Pakistan claimed that the country condemns terrorism in all forms and manifestations, has zero tolerance against terrorism, and it is the cornerstone of its policy to cooperate internationally against terrorism.&nbsp;The TRF was the terror organisation that claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam attack in which 16 people were killed on Indian soil during an open fire by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam. Most of the people killed were tourists. The attack further soured the India-Pakistan ties as it followed the Operation Sindoor by India, under which nine terror sites were targeted in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).&nbsp;Furthermore, India also temporarily suspended the Indus Waters Treaty agreement with Pakistan following the attack. Still, Pakistan kept dodging the blame for the terrorist attack and denied any link to it. This response resonated with all the other previous attacks on Indian soil by Pakistan.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Pakistan claimed that the country condemns terrorism in all forms and manifestations, has zero tolerance against terrorism, and it is the cornerstone of its policy to cooperate internationally against terrorism.

Pakistan claimed on Friday (July 18) that it has dismantled the terrorist network linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). The country said that any effort to link the April 22 Pahlagam attack in Jammu and Kashmir with the defunct terror outfit was against reality. The Foreign Office made the remarks in a statement, a day after America designated The Resistance Front (TRF) (a proxy of LeT) as a "foreign terrorist organisation" and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist for its involvement in the Pahalgam attack. "Pakistan has effectively and comprehensively dismantled concerned outfits, arrested and prosecuted the leadership, and deradicalised its cadres,” the Pakistan statement read. The statement further said that the investigation into the Pahalgam attack is "still inconclusive." Moreover, the statement added, "any linkage with LeT, a defunct organisation banned in Pakistan, belies ground realities". https://www.wionews.com/videos/israeli-settlers-accused-of-killing-117-sheep-in-west-bank-attack-1752899347586/embed Pakistan claimed that the country condemns terrorism in all forms and manifestations, has zero tolerance against terrorism, and it is the cornerstone of its policy to cooperate internationally against terrorism. The TRF was the terror organisation that claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam attack in which 16 people were killed on Indian soil during an open fire by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam. Most of the people killed were tourists. The attack further soured the India-Pakistan ties as it followed the Operation Sindoor by India, under which nine terror sites were targeted in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Furthermore, India also temporarily suspended the Indus Waters Treaty agreement with Pakistan following the attack. Still, Pakistan kept dodging the blame for the terrorist attack and denied any link to it. This response resonated with all the other previous attacks on Indian soil by Pakistan.

Pakistan claimed that the country condemns terrorism in all forms and manifestations, has zero tolerance against terrorism, and it is the cornerstone of its policy to cooperate internationally against terrorism.

Pakistan 'dismantles' terrorist network linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, claims links to Pahalgam attack 'belies ground realities'

US President Donald Trump said on Friday (July 18) that 10 Israeli hostages will be released "very shortly" from Gaza. The statement came amid the push for the 60-day ceasefire between Israel and Hamas amid the ongoing war. “We got most of the hostages back. We’re going to have another 10 coming very shortly, and we hope to have that finished quickly,” the American president said during a dinner with Republican senators. He also praised his Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, as “fantastic”.&nbsp;&nbsp;The new ceasefire proposal pushes for the release of the 10 hostages and the remains of 18 others in exchange for an unspecified number of Palestinians held in Israeli jails. Meanwhile, earlier on the same day, it was reported that the director of the Mossad visited the US this week in the hope that Trump would support Israel's offer to ask other countries to take in the hundreds of thousands of Palestinians still living in Gaza. The chief, David Barnea, told Witkoff that Israel has discussed relocating Palestinians to Ethiopia, Indonesia and Libya.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/israeli-settlers-accused-of-killing-117-sheep-in-west-bank-attack-1752899347586/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/israeli-settlers-accused-of-killing-117-sheep-in-west-bank-attack-1752899347586/embed</a>&nbsp;Earlier on July 1, the US president had posted on his social media platform Truth Social that Israel has agreed to the “necessary conditions” to finalise a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza. Last week, the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the White House and presented Trump with a copy of a letter he had sent to the Nobel committee nominating the president for a Nobel Peace Prize.&nbsp;

The new ceasefire proposal pushes for the release of the 10 hostages and the remains of 18 others in exchange for an unspecified number of Palestinians held in Israeli jails. 

US President Donald Trump said on Friday (July 18) that 10 Israeli hostages will be released "very shortly" from Gaza. The statement came amid the push for the 60-day ceasefire between Israel and Hamas amid the ongoing war. “We got most of the hostages back. We’re going to have another 10 coming very shortly, and we hope to have that finished quickly,” the American president said during a dinner with Republican senators. He also praised his Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, as “fantastic”. The new ceasefire proposal pushes for the release of the 10 hostages and the remains of 18 others in exchange for an unspecified number of Palestinians held in Israeli jails. Meanwhile, earlier on the same day, it was reported that the director of the Mossad visited the US this week in the hope that Trump would support Israel's offer to ask other countries to take in the hundreds of thousands of Palestinians still living in Gaza. The chief, David Barnea, told Witkoff that Israel has discussed relocating Palestinians to Ethiopia, Indonesia and Libya. https://www.wionews.com/videos/israeli-settlers-accused-of-killing-117-sheep-in-west-bank-attack-1752899347586/embed Earlier on July 1, the US president had posted on his social media platform Truth Social that Israel has agreed to the “necessary conditions” to finalise a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza. Last week, the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the White House and presented Trump with a copy of a letter he had sent to the Nobel committee nominating the president for a Nobel Peace Prize.

The new ceasefire proposal pushes for the release of the 10 hostages and the remains of 18 others in exchange for an unspecified number of Palestinians held in Israeli jails.&nbsp;

Trump says 10 more Israeli hostages to be free 'very shortly', hopes to 'finish' war in Gaza 'quickly'

After the husband caught cheating during a Coldplay concert, the wife of Astronomer CEO Andy Bryon - Megan Kerrigan - dropped his surname from her name. Byron and his firm’s HR head, Kristin Cabot, were caught on the kiss cam sharing an intimate moment. The video set the internet on fire, and everyone has been talking about the incident. The video showed the duo enjoying the concert in an intimate pose when the camera zoomed in on them, and they panicked and hid. That's when everyone came to know that both of them were having an extramarital affair. An X user revealed online that Megan dropped her husband's last name from her Facebook profile as netizens came to her support.&nbsp;“Andy Byron‘s wife has now dropped her married name on Facebook and left comments open on her Facebook! What a class act! Go Megan. Get that divorce lawyer and get the money," wrote the user called Mrs SpaceX.Kerrigan deleted her Facebook page on Thursday, but screenshots show she removed her married name, Byron, from it earlier in the day. She also deleted her Instagram account.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Andy Byron‘s wife has now dropped her married name on Facebook👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 and left comments open on her Facebook! What a class act! Go Megan 👏🏼 Get that divorce lawyer and get the money <a href="https://t.co/sCVVXJhKwF">pic.twitter.com/sCVVXJhKwF</a>&mdash; Mrs. SpaceX ™️ (@anuibi) <a href="https://twitter.com/anuibi/status/1945851236621734201?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 17, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Who is Megan Kerrigan?&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/israeli-settlers-accused-of-killing-117-sheep-in-west-bank-attack-1752899347586/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/israeli-settlers-accused-of-killing-117-sheep-in-west-bank-attack-1752899347586/embed</a>&nbsp;Megan is an educator from Massachusetts and currently serves as Associate Director of the Lower School and Admissions for the Hope Graham Program at the Bancroft School in Worcester, BBN Times reported. The 50-year-old always kept a low profile but is known for her work in inclusive education.&nbsp;Colleagues already knew?&nbsp;After the video went viral and criticism erupted for Byron, his former colleagues, as it seemed they already had an idea about the affair.&nbsp;"The text groups and chains of former employees are like...everybody's laughing and enjoying the hell out of what happened and him getting exposed," one of the former colleagues told The New York Post. Moreover, the CEO has now either deactivated or deleted his LinkedIn profile following the incident. "This page doesn't exist. Please check your URL or return to LinkedIn home," reads the message when one looks for their profile on the platform.&nbsp;

Megan is an educator from Massachusetts and currently serves as Associate Director of the Lower School and Admissions for the Hope Graham Program at the Bancroft School in Worcester. The 50-year-old always kept a low profile but is known for her work in inclusive education.

After the husband caught cheating during a Coldplay concert, the wife of Astronomer CEO Andy Bryon - Megan Kerrigan - dropped his surname from her name. Byron and his firm’s HR head, Kristin Cabot, were caught on the kiss cam sharing an intimate moment. The video set the internet on fire, and everyone has been talking about the incident. The video showed the duo enjoying the concert in an intimate pose when the camera zoomed in on them, and they panicked and hid. That's when everyone came to know that both of them were having an extramarital affair. An X user revealed online that Megan dropped her husband's last name from her Facebook profile as netizens came to her support. “Andy Byron‘s wife has now dropped her married name on Facebook and left comments open on her Facebook! What a class act! Go Megan. Get that divorce lawyer and get the money," wrote the user called Mrs SpaceX. Kerrigan deleted her Facebook page on Thursday, but screenshots show she removed her married name, Byron, from it earlier in the day. She also deleted her Instagram account.

Megan is an educator from Massachusetts and currently serves as Associate Director of the Lower School and Admissions for the Hope Graham Program at the Bancroft School in Worcester. The 50-year-old always kept a low profile but is known for her work in inclusive education.

Astronomer kiss-cam scandal: Who is Megan Kerrigan, Andy Bryon's wife who drops his last name after Coldplay drama?

US President Donald Trump reiterated on Saturday his claim that he had stopped several wars during his presidency, including the recent India-Pakistan conflict. He also claimed that five jets were shot down during the conflict.&nbsp;"We stopped a lot of wars. And these were serious. India and Pakistan were going on. Planes were being shot out of there. I think five jets were shot down. These are two serious nuclear countries, and they were hitting each other. You know, it seems like a new form of warfare," he claimed.&nbsp;Pakistan had claimed it downed several Indian fighter jets, including Rafales, during the conflict, triggered by the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people were killed in April. India hasn't officially responded to the unconfirmed reports. However, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan admitted to some initial losses in the conflict.&nbsp;"I think what is important is not the jet being downed but why they were being downed. The good part is that we were able to understand the tactical mistakes that we made; we remedied, rectified, and then implemented them again after two days. We flew all our jets again targeting long range," he was quoted as saying by Bloomberg in May.&nbsp;India categorically denies that the ceasefire understanding between India and Pakistan was US-brokered. New Delhi says that after India's tactical strikes, Pakistan's DGMO called his Indian counterpart and requested a cessation of the four-day-long hostilities.&nbsp;In June, a Navy official claimed that India had lost some jets during the conflict with Pakistan. He, however, didn't specify the number and type of aircraft India allegedly lost.&nbsp;"I do agree that we did lose some aircraft and that happened only because of the constraint given by the political leadership to not attack the military establishments and their air defences,” Captain Shiv Kumar, a navy officer, said at a seminar in Jakarta. He further said India changed its tactics after early losses and attacked Pakistan's strategic bases.&nbsp;The Indian Embassy in Jakarta later said he was quoted out of context.&nbsp;Donald Trump further said that the US ended the India-Pakistan conflict by offering trade.&nbsp;"You saw it recently when you looked at what we did in Iran, where we knocked out their nuclear capability, totally knocked out that... But India and Pakistan were going at it, and they were back and forth, and it was getting bigger and bigger, and we got it solved through trade. We said, you guys want to make a trade deal. We're not making a trade deal if you're going to be throwing around weapons, and maybe nuclear weapons, both very powerful nuclear states," he added.&nbsp;Under Operation Sindoor, India destroyed nine terrorist bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Pakistan reacted angrily, attacking India's civilian areas and military installations. The Indian military thwarted most of these attacks. The conflict ended after India attacked Pakistan's&nbsp;air bases.

US President Donald Trump reiterated on Saturday his claim that he had stopped several wars during his presidency, including the recent India-Pakistan conflict. He also claimed that five jets were shot down during the conflict.

US President Donald Trump reiterated on Saturday his claim that he had stopped several wars during his presidency, including the recent India-Pakistan conflict. He also claimed that five jets were shot down during the conflict. "We stopped a lot of wars. And these were serious. India and Pakistan were going on. Planes were being shot out of there. I think five jets were shot down. These are two serious nuclear countries, and they were hitting each other. You know, it seems like a new form of warfare," he claimed. Pakistan had claimed it downed several Indian fighter jets, including Rafales, during the conflict, triggered by the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people were killed in April. India hasn't officially responded to the unconfirmed reports. However, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan admitted to some initial losses in the conflict. "I think what is important is not the jet being downed but why they were being downed. The good part is that we were able to understand the tactical mistakes that we made; we remedied, rectified, and then implemented them again after two days. We flew all our jets again targeting long range," he was quoted as saying by Bloomberg in May. India categorically denies that the ceasefire understanding between India and Pakistan was US-brokered. New Delhi says that after India's tactical strikes, Pakistan's DGMO called his Indian counterpart and requested a cessation of the four-day-long hostilities. In June, a Navy official claimed that India had lost some jets during the conflict with Pakistan. He, however, didn't specify the number and type of aircraft India allegedly lost. "I do agree that we did lose some aircraft and that happened only because of the constraint given by the political leadership to not attack the military establishments and their air defences,” Captain Shiv Kumar, a navy officer, said at a seminar in Jakarta. He further said India changed its tactics after early losses and attacked Pakistan's strategic bases. The Indian Embassy in Jakarta later said he was quoted out of context. Donald Trump further said that the US ended the India-Pakistan conflict by offering trade. "You saw it recently when you looked at what we did in Iran, where we knocked out their nuclear capability, totally knocked out that... But India and Pakistan were going at it, and they were back and forth, and it was getting bigger and bigger, and we got it solved through trade. We said, you guys want to make a trade deal. We're not making a trade deal if you're going to be throwing around weapons, and maybe nuclear weapons, both very powerful nuclear states," he added. Under Operation Sindoor, India destroyed nine terrorist bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Pakistan reacted angrily, attacking India's civilian areas and military installations. The Indian military thwarted most of these attacks. The conflict ended after India attacked Pakistan's air bases.

Operation Sindoor: India categorically denies that the ceasefire understanding between India and Pakistan was US-brokered.

Donald Trump's big claim on India-Pakistan conflict, Operation Sindoor: '5 jets were...'

The Coldplay concert kiss cam scandal involving Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and HR chief Kristin Cabot is a hot topic on the internet. All sorts of claims are being made, fake accounts are trying to profit from the story, social media is full of memes, and the stories refuse to die down. One such claim made was that Alyssa Stoddard, Astronomer's Senior Director of People, was also sitting in the box at the Boston stadium. She was identified as the red-faced woman who was in disbelief, yet with a big smile on her face. However, Astronomer has dismissed these reports and has clarified that Alyssa was not at the Chris Martin concert. In fact, no one else from the company was there. In an official statement on the matter, it said, "Alyssa Stoddard was not at the event, and no other employees were in the video." The company spoke up on the matter more than 24 hours after the duo was caught cuddling at the concert. It stated that both of them have been put on leave pending an investigation against them. Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/astronomer-official-statement-on-andy-byron-and-kristin-cabot-rumours-apology-letter-alyssa-stoddard-1752893480685">Astronomer takes action against Andy Byron and Kristin Cabot, refutes all rumours. Here's what it said</a> &nbsp;<h2>Astronomer official statement on CEO and HR chief kiss cam scandal</h2>"Astronomer is committed to the values and culture that have guided us since our founding. Our leaders are expected to set the standard in both conduct and accountability." A fake apology note from Byron was also doing the rounds on social media. Astronomer has stated that no such note has been issued by Byron. "Andy Byron has not put out any statement; reports saying otherwise are all incorrect," it said. The story was so big that internet sleuths dissected every little detail from the Chris Martin concert. When Byron and Kristin pulled away, a woman behind them was visible. Some people started saying that it was Alyssa Stoddard, the company's HR Senior Director. According to her LinkedIn profile, Alyssa Stoddard joined Astronomer as Sr. Director of People in January 2025. “I couldn't be more excited to announce that I’ve started my next adventure! I’ve joined Kristin Cabot (Thornby) and the amazing People team at Astronomer, leading People Operations and Strategy!" Stoddard wrote on LinkedIn at the time of joining the company. Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/coldplay-ceo-what-happened-at-the-coldplay-concert-entire-cheating-scandal-featuring-astronomer-ceo-andy-byron-explained-chris-martin-1752849360929">What happened at the Coldplay concert: Entire cheating scandal featuring Astronomer CEO Andy Byron explained</a>Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/-i-win-trust-of-ceos-kristin-cabot-astronomer-hr-chief-caught-on-coldplay-kiss-cam-with-her-boss-once-bragged-1752807454535">'I win trust of CEOs': Kristin Cabot, Astronomer HR chief caught on Coldplay kiss cam with her boss, once bragged</a><h2>Andy Byron and Kristin Cabot placed on leave</h2>She previously worked as a Board Member at Little Sparks Project, a Human Resources Business Partner at Proofpoint, and People Strategy Manager at ObserveI. Meanwhile, people also dug up Kristin's profile on LinkedIn, where she talked about winning the trust of managers, CEOs and others at the company. “I lead by example and win trust with employees of all levels, from CEOs to managers to assistants,” she wrote. &nbsp;Cabot also praised Byron's vision, writing in another post, "I have been energised in my conversations with Andy Byron and the Astronomer leadership team about the opportunities that exist here." Byron also gushed over Cabot, calling her a "perfect fit for Astronomer" in a press release. Byron said she had “exceptional leadership and deep expertise in talent management.” Astronomer is a New York-based tech company offering Astro, a DataOps platform that helps businesses manage Apache Airflow workflows.

Astronomer Coldplay scandal: A woman behind Andy Byron and Kristin Cabot was identified as Alyssa Stoddard, Senior Director of People at Astronomer, by some people on the internet. Was the woman really Alyssa? The company has issued a statement on the claim.

The Coldplay concert kiss cam scandal involving Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and HR chief Kristin Cabot is a hot topic on the internet. All sorts of claims are being made, fake accounts are trying to profit from the story, social media is full of memes, and the stories refuse to die down. One such claim made was that Alyssa Stoddard, Astronomer's Senior Director of People, was also sitting in the box at the Boston stadium. She was identified as the red-faced woman who was in disbelief, yet with a big smile on her face. However, Astronomer has dismissed these reports and has clarified that Alyssa was not at the Chris Martin concert. In fact, no one else from the company was there. In an official statement on the matter, it said, "Alyssa Stoddard was not at the event, and no other employees were in the video." The company spoke up on the matter more than 24 hours after the duo was caught cuddling at the concert. It stated that both of them have been put on leave pending an investigation against them. Also Read: Astronomer takes action against Andy Byron and Kristin Cabot, refutes all rumours. Here's what it said Astronomer official statement on CEO and HR chief kiss cam scandal "Astronomer is committed to the values and culture that have guided us since our founding. Our leaders are expected to set the standard in both conduct and accountability." A fake apology note from Byron was also doing the rounds on social media. Astronomer has stated that no such note has been issued by Byron. "Andy Byron has not put out any statement; reports saying otherwise are all incorrect," it said. The story was so big that internet sleuths dissected every little detail from the Chris Martin concert. When Byron and Kristin pulled away, a woman behind them was visible. Some people started saying that it was Alyssa Stoddard, the company's HR Senior Director. According to her LinkedIn profile, Alyssa Stoddard joined Astronomer as Sr. Director of People in January 2025. “I couldn't be more excited to announce that I’ve started my next adventure! I’ve joined Kristin Cabot (Thornby) and the amazing People team at Astronomer, leading People Operations and Strategy!" Stoddard wrote on LinkedIn at the time of joining the company. Also Read: What happened at the Coldplay concert: Entire cheating scandal featuring Astronomer CEO Andy Byron explained Also Read: 'I win trust of CEOs': Kristin Cabot, Astronomer HR chief caught on Coldplay kiss cam with her boss, once bragged Andy Byron and Kristin Cabot placed on leave She previously worked as a Board Member at Little Sparks Project, a Human Resources Business Partner at Proofpoint, and People Strategy Manager at ObserveI. Meanwhile, people also dug up Kristin's profile on LinkedIn, where she talked about winning the trust of managers, CEOs and others at the company. “I lead by example and win trust with employees of all levels, from CEOs to managers to assistants,” she wrote. Cabot also praised Byron's vision, writing in another post, "I have been energised in my conversations with Andy Byron and the Astronomer leadership team about the opportunities that exist here." Byron also gushed over Cabot, calling her a "perfect fit for Astronomer" in a press release. Byron said she had “exceptional leadership and deep expertise in talent management.” Astronomer is a New York-based tech company offering Astro, a DataOps platform that helps businesses manage Apache Airflow workflows.

Astronomer Coldplay scandal: A woman behind Andy Byron and Kristin Cabot was identified as Alyssa Stoddard, Senior Director of People at Astronomer, by some people on the internet. Was the woman really Alyssa? The company has issued a statement on the claim.

Is mystery woman on Coldplay kiss cam Alyssa Stoddard? Astronomer addresses claim

Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and Chief People Officer Kristin Cabot have been placed on leave pending an investigation, the company has announced. An official statement from Astronomer came over 24 hours after the duo went viral for cuddling at a Coldplay concert in Boston, exposing their affair. Astronomer co-founder and chief product officer Pete DeJoy is currently serving as interim CEO, the company announced. The statement read, "Astronomer is committed to the values and culture that have guided us since our founding. Our leaders are expected to set the standard in both conduct and accountability." It added that the Board of Directors has initiated a formal investigation into this matter, and additional details will be shared soon. The time Astronomer took to release an official statement on the matter led to scamsters taking over the story, releasing a fake apology note from Byron. Reports also suggested that Alyssa Stoddard, Astronomer's Senior Director of People, was the red-faced woman seen along with Byron and Cabot at the venue. However, the company has thwarted both claims, saying that none of their other staff were present at the concert. Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/astronomer-cheating-scandal-apology-letter-by-ceo-andy-byron-surfaces-real-or-fake-1752810927353">Astronomer cheating scandal: Apology letter by CEO Andy Byron surfaces. Real or fake?</a><h2>No, Alyssa Stoddard was not at the Coldplay concert</h2>"Alyssa Stoddard was not at the event, and no other employees were in the video. Andy Byron has not put out any statement; reports saying otherwise are all incorrect," it added. It all started when the kiss cam at the Coldplay concert at Gillette Stadium near Boston on Wednesday night turned towards the tech CEO and his HR chief. Chris Martin exclaimed, "Look at these two,” believing the jumbotron had caught a romantic moment. However, as soon as Byron and Cabot realised what had happened, they ducked, turning their faces away from the camera. A confused Marti said, “Oh, what? Either they’re having an affair or they’re just very shy. Holy s**t. I hope we didn’t do something bad." The woman who captured the moment on her phone said that no one knew at the time who they were. But after the video was shared on social media and went viral, the matter exploded. Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/-i-win-trust-of-ceos-kristin-cabot-astronomer-hr-chief-caught-on-coldplay-kiss-cam-with-her-boss-once-bragged-1752807454535">'I win trust of CEOs': Who is Kristin Cabot, Astronomer HR chief caught on Coldplay kiss cam with her boss</a>Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/coldplay-ceo-what-happened-at-the-coldplay-concert-entire-cheating-scandal-featuring-astronomer-ceo-andy-byron-explained-chris-martin-1752849360929">What happened at the Coldplay concert: Entire cheating scandal featuring Astronomer CEO Andy Byron explained</a> &nbsp;<h2>Astronomer stories exploded, Google search for company reached an all-time high</h2>Axios reported that more than 22,000 news articles were written about Astronomer and roughly 9,000 about Byron in the past 24 hours, as per Muck Rack data. Google searches for Astronomer reached an all-time high. More than 15 million people read about the scandal, according to Memo. The average readership matched the Diddy trial, Musk-Trump feud and Pope Francis' death. As the internet identified them, Byron and Cabot became an overnight internet sensation. The Astronomer CEO is married to Megan Kerrigan Byron, who dropped her last name from her Facebook account after her husband was caught cheating on her. Meanwhile, Kristin is reportedly married to CEO and COO of Privateer Rum, Andrew Cabot. This is her second marriage. Her previous husband was Kenneth Thornby. They filed for divorce in 2018, and it was finalised in 2022, according to Massachusetts court records. &nbsp;

Astronomer releases statement: CEO Andy Byron and Chief People Officer Kristin Cabot have been placed on leave, and a probe has been launched. The duo, both married to other people, were caught on the kiss cam at the Coldplay concert and have become the hottest topic on the internet.

Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and Chief People Officer Kristin Cabot have been placed on leave pending an investigation, the company has announced. An official statement from Astronomer came over 24 hours after the duo went viral for cuddling at a Coldplay concert in Boston, exposing their affair. Astronomer co-founder and chief product officer Pete DeJoy is currently serving as interim CEO, the company announced. The statement read, "Astronomer is committed to the values and culture that have guided us since our founding. Our leaders are expected to set the standard in both conduct and accountability." It added that the Board of Directors has initiated a formal investigation into this matter, and additional details will be shared soon. The time Astronomer took to release an official statement on the matter led to scamsters taking over the story, releasing a fake apology note from Byron. Reports also suggested that Alyssa Stoddard, Astronomer's Senior Director of People, was the red-faced woman seen along with Byron and Cabot at the venue. However, the company has thwarted both claims, saying that none of their other staff were present at the concert. Also Read: Astronomer cheating scandal: Apology letter by CEO Andy Byron surfaces. Real or fake? No, Alyssa Stoddard was not at the Coldplay concert "Alyssa Stoddard was not at the event, and no other employees were in the video. Andy Byron has not put out any statement; reports saying otherwise are all incorrect," it added. It all started when the kiss cam at the Coldplay concert at Gillette Stadium near Boston on Wednesday night turned towards the tech CEO and his HR chief. Chris Martin exclaimed, "Look at these two,” believing the jumbotron had caught a romantic moment. However, as soon as Byron and Cabot realised what had happened, they ducked, turning their faces away from the camera. A confused Marti said, “Oh, what? Either they’re having an affair or they’re just very shy. Holy s**t. I hope we didn’t do something bad." The woman who captured the moment on her phone said that no one knew at the time who they were. But after the video was shared on social media and went viral, the matter exploded. Also Read: 'I win trust of CEOs': Who is Kristin Cabot, Astronomer HR chief caught on Coldplay kiss cam with her boss Also Read: What happened at the Coldplay concert: Entire cheating scandal featuring Astronomer CEO Andy Byron explained Astronomer stories exploded, Google search for company reached an all-time high Axios reported that more than 22,000 news articles were written about Astronomer and roughly 9,000 about Byron in the past 24 hours, as per Muck Rack data. Google searches for Astronomer reached an all-time high. More than 15 million people read about the scandal, according to Memo. The average readership matched the Diddy trial, Musk-Trump feud and Pope Francis' death. As the internet identified them, Byron and Cabot became an overnight internet sensation. The Astronomer CEO is married to Megan Kerrigan Byron, who dropped her last name from her Facebook account after her husband was caught cheating on her. Meanwhile, Kristin is reportedly married to CEO and COO of Privateer Rum, Andrew Cabot. This is her second marriage. Her previous husband was Kenneth Thornby. They filed for divorce in 2018, and it was finalised in 2022, according to Massachusetts court records.

Astronomer releases statement: CEO Andy Byron and Chief People Officer Kristin Cabot have been placed on leave, and a probe has been launched. The duo, both married to other people, were caught on the kiss cam at the Coldplay concert and have become the hottest topic on the internet.

Astronomer takes action against Andy Byron and Kristin Cabot, refutes all rumours. Here's what it said

US President Donald Trump on Friday (Jul 18) filed a staggering $10 billion lawsuit against media mogul Rupert Murdoch and The Wall Street Journal, accusing them of defamation over a bombshell report linking him to disgraced financier and accused sex trafficker of underage girls, Jeffrey Epstein. The lawsuit, lodged Friday in a Miami federal court, names not just Murdoch and his media empire News Corp., but also two WSJ reporters, and claims the story is entirely fabricated, malicious, and timed to inflict maximum political damage.<h2>Trump's 'POWERHOUSE' lawsuit</h2>In a post on Truth Social late on Friday, the 79-year-old politician called the Wall Street Journal a “rag” and said, “We have just filed a POWERHOUSE Lawsuit against everyone involved in publishing the false, malicious, defamatory, FAKE NEWS 'article' in the useless 'rag' that is, The Wall Street Journal."

Referring to himself as “your favourite president” he said that the lawsuit was filed not only on his behalf “but also in order to continue standing up for ALL Americans who will no longer tolerate the abusive wrongdoings of the Fake News Media. I hope Rupert and his 'friends' are looking forward to the many hours of depositions and testimonies they will have to provide in this case.”Trump's lawsuit categorically denies the letter's existence. It accuses the Journal of peddling a false story already viewed by hundreds of millions, and insists the timing of the article shows "malicious intent." As per reports, it states, "Given the timing of the Defendants' article, which shows their malicious intent behind it, the overwhelming financial and reputational harm suffered by President Trump will continue to multiply".Trump and Epstein were once seen together at parties in the 1990s and early 2000s, but there has never been evidence publicly linking Trump to Epstein's alleged crimes. The issue remains radioactive for Trump, especially among his far-right MAGA base, many of whom believe there's a powerful international elite cabal of paedophiles tied to Epstein's sex trafficking network.

The lawsuit, lodged Friday in a Miami federal court, names not just Murdoch and his media empire News Corp., but also two WSJ reporters, and claims the story is entirely fabricated, malicious, and timed to inflict maximum political damage.

US President Donald Trump on Friday (Jul 18) filed a staggering $10 billion lawsuit against media mogul Rupert Murdoch and The Wall Street Journal, accusing them of defamation over a bombshell report linking him to disgraced financier and accused sex trafficker of underage girls, Jeffrey Epstein. The lawsuit, lodged Friday in a Miami federal court, names not just Murdoch and his media empire News Corp., but also two WSJ reporters, and claims the story is entirely fabricated, malicious, and timed to inflict maximum political damage. Trump's 'POWERHOUSE' lawsuit In a post on Truth Social late on Friday, the 79-year-old politician called the Wall Street Journal a “rag” and said, “We have just filed a POWERHOUSE Lawsuit against everyone involved in publishing the false, malicious, defamatory, FAKE NEWS 'article' in the useless 'rag' that is, The Wall Street Journal."

The lawsuit, lodged Friday in a Miami federal court, names not just Murdoch and his media empire News Corp., but also two WSJ reporters, and claims the story is entirely fabricated, malicious, and timed to inflict maximum political damage.

Trump launches 'POWERHOUSE lawsuit' against Rupert Murdoch and WSJ, sues for $10 billion over Epstein letter report

The United States, early on Saturday (Jul 19) announced that it had brokered a ceasefire between Israel and Syria's interim government after a week of deadly violence in Syria's Druze-majority south. The truce comes amid an eruption of violence between Druze and Bedouin communities in the southern province of Sweida, which has left at least 638 people dead and displaced nearly 80,000, according to monitoring groups and UN agencies. Fierce street battles, artillery shelling, and targeted abductions have gripped Sweida since Sunday, overwhelming hospitals, suggest reports.<h2>What did the US announce?</h2>US special envoy Tom Barrack, currently serving as ambassador to Turkey, said early Saturday that both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Syrian interim leader Ahmed al-Sharaa "have agreed to a ceasefire" negotiated by the United States following days of behind-the-scenes diplomacy.The deal, Barrack said, was jointly backed by Turkey and Jordan. "We call upon Druze, Bedouins and Sunnis to put down their weapons and together with other minorities build a new and united Syrian identity in peace and prosperity with its neighbours," Barrack said in a statement on X. Previously, on Wednesday (Jul 9) the US, as per AFP, had announced an earlier deal in which the Sharaa government pulled out forces from Sweida.<h2>Why did Israel intervene?</h2>Israel launched major strikes into Damascus on Wednesday, targeting Syrian military infrastructure, including the army headquarters. Israel cited the protection of its Druze population and fears of broader regional instability. On Friday (Jul 18), the nation said it was sending nearly $600,000 worth of aid, including food and medical supplies, for the Druze community in Sweida. However, some analysts argue that Israel's real goal may be to exploit Syria's internal divisions and further weaken its military, still recovering from the civil war and the fall of former President Bashar al-Assad.<h2>What triggered the fighting?</h2>The violence began last Sunday after a Druze vegetable merchant was allegedly kidnapped by Bedouin tribesmen in southern Syria, sparking a series of tit-for-tat abductions, arson attacks, and eventually pitched battles in residential areas.

US special envoy Tom Barrack, currently serving as ambassador to Turkey, said early Saturday that both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Syrian interim leader Ahmed al-Sharaa "have agreed to a ceasefire" negotiated by the United States.

The United States, early on Saturday (Jul 19) announced that it had brokered a ceasefire between Israel and Syria's interim government after a week of deadly violence in Syria's Druze-majority south. The truce comes amid an eruption of violence between Druze and Bedouin communities in the southern province of Sweida, which has left at least 638 people dead and displaced nearly 80,000, according to monitoring groups and UN agencies. Fierce street battles, artillery shelling, and targeted abductions have gripped Sweida since Sunday, overwhelming hospitals, suggest reports. What did the US announce? US special envoy Tom Barrack, currently serving as ambassador to Turkey, said early Saturday that both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Syrian interim leader Ahmed al-Sharaa "have agreed to a ceasefire" negotiated by the United States following days of behind-the-scenes diplomacy. The deal, Barrack said, was jointly backed by Turkey and Jordan. "We call upon Druze, Bedouins and Sunnis to put down their weapons and together with other minorities build a new and united Syrian identity in peace and prosperity with its neighbours," Barrack said in a statement on X. Previously, on Wednesday (Jul 9) the US, as per AFP, had announced an earlier deal in which the Sharaa government pulled out forces from Sweida. Why did Israel intervene? Israel launched major strikes into Damascus on Wednesday, targeting Syrian military infrastructure, including the army headquarters. Israel cited the protection of its Druze population and fears of broader regional instability. On Friday (Jul 18), the nation said it was sending nearly $600,000 worth of aid, including food and medical supplies, for the Druze community in Sweida. However, some analysts argue that Israel's real goal may be to exploit Syria's internal divisions and further weaken its military, still recovering from the civil war and the fall of former President Bashar al-Assad. What triggered the fighting? The violence began last Sunday after a Druze vegetable merchant was allegedly kidnapped by Bedouin tribesmen in southern Syria, sparking a series of tit-for-tat abductions, arson attacks, and eventually pitched battles in residential areas.

US special envoy Tom Barrack, currently serving as ambassador to Turkey, said early Saturday that both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Syrian interim leader Ahmed al-Sharaa "have agreed to a ceasefire" negotiated by the United States.

US brokers Syria-Israel ceasefire as Druze-Bedouin clashes spiral; death toll crosses 600

US President Donald Trump signed a landmark bill, the Genius Act, to regulate cryptocurrency on Friday, just a day after the bill passed the House despite some opposition from conservatives. The legislation, called the Genius Act, will be the first major law governing digital currency, establishing a regulatory framework for the $250 billion stablecoin market. Stablecoins are viewed as a relatively safe type of cryptocurrency, backed by assets that are seen as reliable, such as the dollar. “This afternoon, we take a giant step to cement American dominance in global finance and Crypto technology, as we sign the landmark GENIUS Act into law,” said Trump.&nbsp;“We worked hard. It’s a very important act, the GENIUS Act. They named it after me,” the president joked in the East Room to open the signing ceremony. “And I want to thank—I want to thank you. This is a hell of an act.”&nbsp;“I also remain fully committed to my pledge never to allow the creation of a Central Bank Digital Currency in America. It won’t happen,” he added.“The GENIUS Act creates a clear and simple regulatory framework to establish and unleash the immense promise of dollar-backed stablecoins. This could be perhaps the greatest revolution in financial technology since the birth of the internet itself.”“I pledged that we would bring back American liberty and leadership and make the United States the Crypto Capital of the world—and that’s exactly what we’ve done.”&nbsp;Members of Congress and top executives from crypto and financial firms like Robinhood, Tether, Gemini and others attended the signing ceremony at the White House.&nbsp;The legislation is a huge milestone for the once fringe industry, which has been lobbying Congress over regulation for years and dispensed millions into last year’s election, backing candidates that included Donald Trump.&nbsp;The bill passed the House on Thursday with the support of 206 Republicans and 102 Democrats.&nbsp;The fate of the Genius Act was in question earlier this week when a dozen conservatives stymied a procedural vote. A compromise was ultimately reached, and the holdouts allowed the legislation to proceed.&nbsp;Lawmakers also approved two other cryptocurrency bills, capping what they dubbed the “Crypto Week” in Congress. The Clarity Act would regulate digital commodities beyond stablecoins, and the Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act prevents the Federal Reserve from issuing any retail central bank digital currency directly to Americans.

The landmark legislation is a huge milestone for the once fringe industry, which has been lobbying Congress over regulation for years and poured millions into last year’s US presidential election, backing candidates that included Donald Trump. The bill passed the House on Thursday.

US President Donald Trump signed a landmark bill, the Genius Act, to regulate cryptocurrency on Friday, just a day after the bill passed the House despite some opposition from conservatives. The legislation, called the Genius Act, will be the first major law governing digital currency, establishing a regulatory framework for the $250 billion stablecoin market. Stablecoins are viewed as a relatively safe type of cryptocurrency, backed by assets that are seen as reliable, such as the dollar. “This afternoon, we take a giant step to cement American dominance in global finance and Crypto technology, as we sign the landmark GENIUS Act into law,” said Trump. “We worked hard. It’s a very important act, the GENIUS Act. They named it after me,” the president joked in the East Room to open the signing ceremony. “And I want to thank—I want to thank you. This is a hell of an act.” “I also remain fully committed to my pledge never to allow the creation of a Central Bank Digital Currency in America. It won’t happen,” he added. “The GENIUS Act creates a clear and simple regulatory framework to establish and unleash the immense promise of dollar-backed stablecoins. This could be perhaps the greatest revolution in financial technology since the birth of the internet itself.” “I pledged that we would bring back American liberty and leadership and make the United States the Crypto Capital of the world—and that’s exactly what we’ve done.” Members of Congress and top executives from crypto and financial firms like Robinhood, Tether, Gemini and others attended the signing ceremony at the White House. The legislation is a huge milestone for the once fringe industry, which has been lobbying Congress over regulation for years and dispensed millions into last year’s election, backing candidates that included Donald Trump. The bill passed the House on Thursday with the support of 206 Republicans and 102 Democrats. The fate of the Genius Act was in question earlier this week when a dozen conservatives stymied a procedural vote. A compromise was ultimately reached, and the holdouts allowed the legislation to proceed. Lawmakers also approved two other cryptocurrency bills, capping what they dubbed the “Crypto Week” in Congress. The Clarity Act would regulate digital commodities beyond stablecoins, and the Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act prevents the Federal Reserve from issuing any retail central bank digital currency directly to Americans.

The landmark legislation is a huge milestone for the once fringe industry, which has been lobbying Congress over regulation for years and poured millions into last year’s US presidential election, backing candidates that included Donald Trump. The bill passed the House on Thursday.

Trump signs landmark crypto bill, the Genius Act, jokes ‘They named it after me’

Kai Trump, the eldest grandchild of US President Donald Trump, has become a teenage millionaire. The 18-year-old has a net worth of $21 million and makes five times more than her grandfather. Following in her family’s business-forward footsteps, Kai has multiple name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals amounting to more than $1 million. According to On3, she has an NIL valuation of at&nbsp;least $1.2 million.&nbsp;She earns an estimated $2.5 million a year from modelling contracts, social media sponsorships, and brand endorsement deals. In addition, she also has a trust fund of $16 million, which was established by the Trump family and is overseen by JPMorgan. On the other hand, the US president receives $400,000 annually.&nbsp;Kai, who attended The Benjamin School in Palm Beach, Florida, has about 3.2 million followers on TikTok, 1.8 million on Instagram, and 1.17 million on YouTube.&nbsp;<h2>What is Kai Trump’s net worth?</h2>&nbsp;Kai Trump, the daughter of Trump Jr and his ex-wife Vanessa Trump, has a net worth of about $21 million in 2025. While Barron, Trump’s youngest son, has a net worth range from $76 million to $80 million, according to National World. The 19-year-old is about to finish his freshman year at New York University.&nbsp;As per Sports Illustrated, Kai is among the top female student-athletes in terms of NIL earnings. She has already secured deals with Accelerator Active Energy, Leaf Trading Cards, and TaylorMade Golf and has a social media following of more than six million.&nbsp;NIL deals allow college athletes to earn money through partnerships, advertisements, endorsements, and other alternatives focused on their personal brand instead of their athletic performance.&nbsp;After graduating from high school in 2026, she will be going to the University of Miami, where she is expected to start playing golf for the school as per her commitment.

Kai, who attended The Benjamin School in Palm Beach, Florida, has about 3.2 million followers on TikTok, 1.8 million on Instagram, and 1.17 million on YouTube.

Kai Trump, the eldest grandchild of US President Donald Trump, has become a teenage millionaire. The 18-year-old has a net worth of $21 million and makes five times more than her grandfather. Following in her family’s business-forward footsteps, Kai has multiple name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals amounting to more than $1 million. According to On3, she has an NIL valuation of at least $1.2 million. She earns an estimated $2.5 million a year from modelling contracts, social media sponsorships, and brand endorsement deals. In addition, she also has a trust fund of $16 million, which was established by the Trump family and is overseen by JPMorgan. On the other hand, the US president receives $400,000 annually. Kai, who attended The Benjamin School in Palm Beach, Florida, has about 3.2 million followers on TikTok, 1.8 million on Instagram, and 1.17 million on YouTube. What is Kai Trump’s net worth? Kai Trump, the daughter of Trump Jr and his ex-wife Vanessa Trump, has a net worth of about $21 million in 2025. While Barron, Trump’s youngest son, has a net worth range from $76 million to $80 million, according to National World. The 19-year-old is about to finish his freshman year at New York University. As per Sports Illustrated, Kai is among the top female student-athletes in terms of NIL earnings. She has already secured deals with Accelerator Active Energy, Leaf Trading Cards, and TaylorMade Golf and has a social media following of more than six million. NIL deals allow college athletes to earn money through partnerships, advertisements, endorsements, and other alternatives focused on their personal brand instead of their athletic performance. After graduating from high school in 2026, she will be going to the University of Miami, where she is expected to start playing golf for the school as per her commitment.

Kai, who attended The Benjamin School in Palm Beach, Florida, has about 3.2 million followers on TikTok, 1.8 million on Instagram, and 1.17 million on YouTube.

Trump’s granddaughter Kai earns more than US president? Know her net worth

Brazil's former President Jair Bolsonaro will now have to wear an electronic ankle monitor after the Supreme Court’s order, his press office confirmed on Friday (July 18). This comes after police raided his residence and party headquarters in Brasilia, according to Associated Press. &nbsp;&nbsp;The former PM has been accused of leading an attempt to stage a coup to overturn the 2022 elections in which he lost to left-wing President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.&nbsp;He just does not have to wear an ankle monitor, but is also barred from using social media or contacting other people who are under investigation by the Supreme Federal Court, including his son, Eduardo Bolsonaro. Notably, his son, who currently lives in the US, is a Brazilian lawmaker.&nbsp;Moreover, Eduardo is popular for his close relations with US President Donald Trump.&nbsp;According to a police statement, the officers in Brasilia carried out “two search and seizure warrants, in addition to precautionary measures other than arrest, in compliance with a decision by the Supreme Court." However, the statement did not mention the name Bolsonaro.<h2>How does an electronic ankle monitor work?</h2>An ankle monitor ordered by the Brazilian Supreme Court to be worn by the former president is used to monitor the person wearing it. The person wearing it can be tracked by this electronic equipment.&nbsp;The equipment tracks the wearer’s movements and can have a GPS that relays this information through radio transmission. It will help the authorities to locate the wearer anytime.&nbsp;Usually, individuals who are under trial and at the risk of fleeing, or people who have been released on bail, are asked to wear these monitors.&nbsp;However, in a post on social media platform X, former president Bolsonaro described the trial as a “witch hunt”.&nbsp;Earlier on Tuesday, Brazil’s Prosecutor-General Paulo Gonet said in a report to the Supreme Court that the “evidence is clear: the defendant acted systematically, throughout his mandate and after his defeat at the polls, to incite insurrection and the destabilisation of the democratic rule of law".

Brazil former President Bolsonaro is also barred from using social media or contacting other people who are under investigation by the Supreme Federal Court, including his son, Eduardo Bolsonaro. 

Brazil's former President Jair Bolsonaro will now have to wear an electronic ankle monitor after the Supreme Court’s order, his press office confirmed on Friday (July 18). This comes after police raided his residence and party headquarters in Brasilia, according to Associated Press. The former PM has been accused of leading an attempt to stage a coup to overturn the 2022 elections in which he lost to left-wing President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. He just does not have to wear an ankle monitor, but is also barred from using social media or contacting other people who are under investigation by the Supreme Federal Court, including his son, Eduardo Bolsonaro. Notably, his son, who currently lives in the US, is a Brazilian lawmaker. Moreover, Eduardo is popular for his close relations with US President Donald Trump. According to a police statement, the officers in Brasilia carried out “two search and seizure warrants, in addition to precautionary measures other than arrest, in compliance with a decision by the Supreme Court." However, the statement did not mention the name Bolsonaro. How does an electronic ankle monitor work? An ankle monitor ordered by the Brazilian Supreme Court to be worn by the former president is used to monitor the person wearing it. The person wearing it can be tracked by this electronic equipment. The equipment tracks the wearer’s movements and can have a GPS that relays this information through radio transmission. It will help the authorities to locate the wearer anytime. Usually, individuals who are under trial and at the risk of fleeing, or people who have been released on bail, are asked to wear these monitors. However, in a post on social media platform X, former president Bolsonaro described the trial as a “witch hunt”. Earlier on Tuesday, Brazil’s Prosecutor-General Paulo Gonet said in a report to the Supreme Court that the “evidence is clear: the defendant acted systematically, throughout his mandate and after his defeat at the polls, to incite insurrection and the destabilisation of the democratic rule of law".

Brazil former President Bolsonaro is also barred from using social media or contacting other people who are under investigation by the Supreme Federal Court, including his son, Eduardo Bolsonaro.&nbsp;

Brazil’s former President Bolsonaro has to wear electronic ankle monitor now - Why and what does it do?

The European Union has also sanctioned a Gujarat-based refinery owned by Nayara Energy Ltd. as part of fresh sanctions targeting Russia’s energy sector. The sanctions were announced on Friday just as the US Congress debates tightening sanctions on purchasers of Russian crude oil, with India, China, and Brazil being named by US lawmakers as countries that could face penalties. “For the first time, we’re designating a flag registry and the biggest Rosneft refinery in India,” said Kaja Kallas, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, in a post on X, as she listed highlights of the 18th sanctions package.&nbsp;Rosneft, a publicly listed Russian oil and gas company, has a 49.13% stake in Nayara Energy’s refinery (formerly Essar Oil Ltd.), based in Vadinar, Gujarat. The remainder is owned by SPV Kesani Enterprises Co. Ltd., and individual investors. The refinery is India’s second largest, produces 4,00,000 barrels per day, and operates more than 6,300 petrol pumps across India. The company has reportedly been in talks with Reliance Industries Ltd. for a stake sale.&nbsp;EU sanctions mean Nayara cannot export fuel such as petrol and diesel to European countries.&nbsp;‘Full-fledged sanctions’ (travel bans, asset freezes, ban on providing resources) will apply to the refinery, as per a statement from the EU.&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">For the first time, we&#39;re designating a flag registry and the biggest Rosneft refinery in India. Our sanctions also hit those indoctrinating Ukrainian children. We will keep raising the costs, so stopping the aggression becomes the only path forward for Moscow. (3/3)&mdash; Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas) <a href="https://twitter.com/kajakallas/status/1946092888221241797?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 18, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

“Each sanction weakens Russia’s ability to wage war. The message is clear: Europe will not back down in its support for Ukraine,” Kallas said in a statement. “The EU just approved one of its strongest sanctions package against Russia to date. We’re cutting the Kremlin’s war budget further,” Kallas ad.&nbsp;The new EU sanctions also include a lowering of the oil price cap, i.e., the maximum price countries can pay for Russian oil while using shipping and insurance from the advanced economies of the G7 group of countries, from $60 per barrel to $47.6 per barrel.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>‘There should be no double standards,’ says India on EU sanctions</h2>&nbsp;India on Friday hit back at the European Union over its sanctions on the Indian oil refinery of Russian energy giant Rosneft, stressing that there should be “no double standards” when it comes to energy trade. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said India does not subscribe to any unilateral sanction measures.&nbsp;“We have noted the latest sanctions announced by the European Union. India does not subscribe to any unilateral sanction measures. We are a responsible actor and remain fully committed to our legal obligations. The Government of India considers the provision of energy security a responsibility of paramount importance to meet the basic needs of its citizens. We would stress that there should be no double standards, especially when it comes to energy trade,” said MEA Spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal.The lowered oil price cap means Russia will be forced to sell its crude at reduced rates to buyers like India. As the second-largest purchaser of Russian oil, India stands to benefit from this move. Russian crude currently accounts for nearly 40 per cent of India’s total oil imports.&nbsp;

Nayara Energy’s refinery in Vadinar, Gujarat is India’s second largest. It produces 4,00,000 barrels per day and operates more than 6,300 petrol pumps across India. The company has reportedly been in talks with Reliance Industries Ltd. for a stake sale.

The European Union has also sanctioned a Gujarat-based refinery owned by Nayara Energy Ltd. as part of fresh sanctions targeting Russia’s energy sector. The sanctions were announced on Friday just as the US Congress debates tightening sanctions on purchasers of Russian crude oil, with India, China, and Brazil being named by US lawmakers as countries that could face penalties. “For the first time, we’re designating a flag registry and the biggest Rosneft refinery in India,” said Kaja Kallas, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, in a post on X, as she listed highlights of the 18th sanctions package. Rosneft, a publicly listed Russian oil and gas company, has a 49.13% stake in Nayara Energy’s refinery (formerly Essar Oil Ltd.), based in Vadinar, Gujarat. The remainder is owned by SPV Kesani Enterprises Co. Ltd., and individual investors. The refinery is India’s second largest, produces 4,00,000 barrels per day, and operates more than 6,300 petrol pumps across India. The company has reportedly been in talks with Reliance Industries Ltd. for a stake sale. EU sanctions mean Nayara cannot export fuel such as petrol and diesel to European countries. ‘Full-fledged sanctions’ (travel bans, asset freezes, ban on providing resources) will apply to the refinery, as per a statement from the EU.

Nayara Energy’s refinery in Vadinar, Gujarat is India’s second largest. It produces 4,00,000 barrels per day and operates more than 6,300 petrol pumps across India. The company has reportedly been in talks with Reliance Industries Ltd. for a stake sale.

EU’s new sanctions on Russia to affect oil refinery in India’s Gujarat

The armed wing of the Palestinian militant group Hamas has accused Israel of blocking progress in talks for a temporary ceasefire and the release of hostages in Gaza. Negotiators from both sides have been holding indirect talks in Qatar since July 6. They are trying to agree on a 60-day truce that would include the release of 10 hostages. But after nearly two weeks, there has been no deal. Both Israel and Hamas are blaming each other for not compromising.&nbsp;Israel wants Hamas to be dismantled as a military threat. On the other hand, Hamas wants clear promises for lasting peace, a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and more humanitarian aid allowed in.On Friday (July 18), Abu Obaida, the spokesman for Hamas’s armed wing (the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades), said in a video statement that Hamas had offered a full deal to release all hostages at once. But he said Israel rejected the offer and warned that if Israel continues to resist, Hamas may withdraw its current offer to release 10 hostages.&nbsp;Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesperson said on Tuesday that the talks are still in the early stages. He denied claims of a deadlock and said there’s no fixed deadline to reach an agreement. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would consider talks for a long-term ceasefire, but only after a temporary truce is in place.&nbsp;The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel, killing 1,219 people — mostly civilians — and taking 251 hostages. According to the Israeli military, 49 hostages are still in Gaza, including 27 who are believed to be dead. In response, Israel launched military strikes that have killed 58,667 Palestinians — mostly civilians — according to the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza. The United Nations considers these figures to be reliable.

Hamas armed wing says Israel blocking ceasefire and hostage release talks

The armed wing of the Palestinian militant group Hamas has accused Israel of blocking progress in talks for a temporary ceasefire and the release of hostages in Gaza. Negotiators from both sides have been holding indirect talks in Qatar since July 6. They are trying to agree on a 60-day truce that would include the release of 10 hostages. But after nearly two weeks, there has been no deal. Both Israel and Hamas are blaming each other for not compromising. Israel wants Hamas to be dismantled as a military threat. On the other hand, Hamas wants clear promises for lasting peace, a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and more humanitarian aid allowed in. On Friday (July 18), Abu Obaida, the spokesman for Hamas’s armed wing (the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades), said in a video statement that Hamas had offered a full deal to release all hostages at once. But he said Israel rejected the offer and warned that if Israel continues to resist, Hamas may withdraw its current offer to release 10 hostages. Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesperson said on Tuesday that the talks are still in the early stages. He denied claims of a deadlock and said there’s no fixed deadline to reach an agreement. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would consider talks for a long-term ceasefire, but only after a temporary truce is in place. The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel, killing 1,219 people — mostly civilians — and taking 251 hostages. According to the Israeli military, 49 hostages are still in Gaza, including 27 who are believed to be dead. In response, Israel launched military strikes that have killed 58,667 Palestinians — mostly civilians — according to the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza. The United Nations considers these figures to be reliable.

Negotiators from both sides have been in indirect talks in Qatar since July 6 to try to agree on a 60-day ceasefire in the conflict, which would see 10 captives freed

A Russian lawmaker, who regulates the IT sector, on Friday (July 18) warned that WhatsApp should prepare to leave the Russian market, stressing that the messaging app is expected to be put on a list of restricted software, according to a Reuters report. The lawmaker said that the presence of WhatsApp in Russia’s digital space is a security threat in the country, and soon the app will be blacklisted.Anton Nemkin, member of the Russian State Duma Committee on Information Policy, IT and Communications, stressed that the fate of WhatsApp in Russia is “sealed”.“This messenger is owned by Meta, an organization recognized as extremist and outlawed in our country. The presence of such a service in Russia's digital space is, in fact, a legal breach in national security. That is why including WhatsApp in the list of programs from unfriendly jurisdictions subject to restrictions is just a matter of time,” she added.Nemkin said that the Russian authorities “cannot turn a blind eye” to the fact that millions of Russians transmit their data, documents, photos, and personal correspondence every day via a platform controlled by a hostile entity that ignores Russian laws.WhatsApp has not done anything the Russian government has asked, she further stressed, adding that it has not localised data, opened a representative office, or shown any transparency."This is unacceptable at a time when digital sovereignty is a matter of national security,” Nemkin said.Meanwhile, as an alternative, the Russians will be using Telegram, she said, adding that it complies better with Russian law. However, “the key player going forward will be Russia’s own messenger, Max. This platform was created with a view to integration with public services, digital certificates, e-signature and legally significant communication,” she said.She emphasised the basic functions of the messenger, saying that it includes business accounts, which are quite important for entrepreneurs who need to switch from WhatsApp.“WhatsApp is not a simple messenger, but an instrument of influence and a potential point of data compromise. The withdrawal of such platforms is an opportunity to find secure, sovereign solutions that serve the interests of the country’s citizens and the state,” Nemkin said.&nbsp;

Nemkin said that the Russian authorities “cannot turn a blind eye” to the fact that millions of Russians transmit their data, documents, photos, and personal correspondence every day via a platform controlled by a hostile entity that ignores Russian laws.

A Russian lawmaker, who regulates the IT sector, on Friday (July 18) warned that WhatsApp should prepare to leave the Russian market, stressing that the messaging app is expected to be put on a list of restricted software, according to a Reuters report. The lawmaker said that the presence of WhatsApp in Russia’s digital space is a security threat in the country, and soon the app will be blacklisted. Anton Nemkin, member of the Russian State Duma Committee on Information Policy, IT and Communications, stressed that the fate of WhatsApp in Russia is “sealed”. “This messenger is owned by Meta, an organization recognized as extremist and outlawed in our country. The presence of such a service in Russia's digital space is, in fact, a legal breach in national security. That is why including WhatsApp in the list of programs from unfriendly jurisdictions subject to restrictions is just a matter of time,” she added. Nemkin said that the Russian authorities “cannot turn a blind eye” to the fact that millions of Russians transmit their data, documents, photos, and personal correspondence every day via a platform controlled by a hostile entity that ignores Russian laws. WhatsApp has not done anything the Russian government has asked, she further stressed, adding that it has not localised data, opened a representative office, or shown any transparency. "This is unacceptable at a time when digital sovereignty is a matter of national security,” Nemkin said. Meanwhile, as an alternative, the Russians will be using Telegram, she said, adding that it complies better with Russian law. However, “the key player going forward will be Russia’s own messenger, Max. This platform was created with a view to integration with public services, digital certificates, e-signature and legally significant communication,” she said. She emphasised the basic functions of the messenger, saying that it includes business accounts, which are quite important for entrepreneurs who need to switch from WhatsApp. “WhatsApp is not a simple messenger, but an instrument of influence and a potential point of data compromise. The withdrawal of such platforms is an opportunity to find secure, sovereign solutions that serve the interests of the country’s citizens and the state,” Nemkin said.

Nemkin said that the Russian authorities “cannot turn a blind eye” to the fact that millions of Russians transmit their data, documents, photos, and personal correspondence every day via a platform controlled by a hostile entity that ignores Russian laws.

WhatsApp to exit Russia? Lawmaker claims it poses ‘security threat’, calling it a 'point of data compromise' - Here’s what we know

Nepal on Friday (Jul 18) announced the ban of the messaging app Telegram over a rise in online fraud and money laundering. According to a notice issued late afternoon by the Nepal Telecommunication Authority (NTA), telecommunication service providers are ordered to block the application with immediate effect. It did not specify the number of such cases of online fraud and money laundering.&nbsp;“As the number of online frauds through the Telegram App operating in Nepal is continuously increasing, and it has been understood that there is involvement in serious crimes such as money laundering, all relevant telecommunication service providers have been directed through this notice to immediately block/close access to the Telegram App,” the notice read.&nbsp;Nepal is the latest country to ban the messaging app after Vietnam ordered similar restrictions on the app earlier in May. Telegram channels have been described as containing “poisonous and bad information” by Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology. It added that the messaging app, which offers encrypted messaging facility, had disseminated “antistate documents” and was involved in “reactionary activities.”&nbsp;Telegram came under increased scrutiny in Nepal last year after it was revealed that it was used during the hacking of F1 Soft, the dominant online transaction software widely used by Nepali banks.&nbsp;Launched in 2013 by Russian-born brothers Pavel and Nikolai Durov, Telegram is a cloud-based messaging app. It is known for its strong encryption, privacy features, and support for large group chats and broadcast channels. With over a billion users across the globe, the messaging app has been involved in several controversies related to security and data breach concerns.&nbsp;In a similar move in November 2023, Nepal imposed a ban on the video-sharing app TikTok. However, the ban was lifted last year in August after the parent company, ByteDance, agreed to adhere to government regulations.

Launched in 2013 by Russian-born brothers Pavel and Nikolai Durov, Telegram is a cloud-based messaging app. It is known for its strong encryption, privacy features, and support for large group chats and broadcast channels.

Nepal on Friday (Jul 18) announced the ban of the messaging app Telegram over a rise in online fraud and money laundering. According to a notice issued late afternoon by the Nepal Telecommunication Authority (NTA), telecommunication service providers are ordered to block the application with immediate effect. It did not specify the number of such cases of online fraud and money laundering. “As the number of online frauds through the Telegram App operating in Nepal is continuously increasing, and it has been understood that there is involvement in serious crimes such as money laundering, all relevant telecommunication service providers have been directed through this notice to immediately block/close access to the Telegram App,” the notice read. Nepal is the latest country to ban the messaging app after Vietnam ordered similar restrictions on the app earlier in May. Telegram channels have been described as containing “poisonous and bad information” by Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology. It added that the messaging app, which offers encrypted messaging facility, had disseminated “antistate documents” and was involved in “reactionary activities.” Telegram came under increased scrutiny in Nepal last year after it was revealed that it was used during the hacking of F1 Soft, the dominant online transaction software widely used by Nepali banks. Launched in 2013 by Russian-born brothers Pavel and Nikolai Durov, Telegram is a cloud-based messaging app. It is known for its strong encryption, privacy features, and support for large group chats and broadcast channels. With over a billion users across the globe, the messaging app has been involved in several controversies related to security and data breach concerns. In a similar move in November 2023, Nepal imposed a ban on the video-sharing app TikTok. However, the ban was lifted last year in August after the parent company, ByteDance, agreed to adhere to government regulations.

Launched in 2013 by Russian-born brothers Pavel and Nikolai Durov, Telegram is a cloud-based messaging app. It is known for its strong encryption, privacy features, and support for large group chats and broadcast channels.

Nepal orders telecom providers to ‘immediately’ block Telegram – Here’s why

US President Donald Trump slammed the Democrats on Friday and questioned why they did not act on alleged evidence linking him to Jeffrey Epstein and release the files linked to the disgraced financier when they controlled the Senate and White House. The Epstein files have been dominating the headlines in recent days.“If there was a ‘smoking gun’ on Epstein, why didn’t the Dems, who controlled the ‘files’ for four years, and had [former Attorney General Merrick] Garland and [ex-prosecutor Maureen] Comey in charge, use it,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.He then added, “BECAUSE THEY HAD NOTHING!!!”&nbsp;Trump’s comment came hours after he directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to release relevant grand jury testimony in Epstein’s case. The directive, which has garnered mixed reactions, follows pressure from Democrats as well as Trump’s supporters for the White House to disclose more information about its probe of the case.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

“Based on the ridiculous amount of publicity given to Jeffrey Epstein, I have asked Attorney General Pam Bondi to produce any and all pertinent Grand Jury testimony, subject to court approval,” Trump wrote Thursday evening on Truth Social. “This SCAM, perpetuated by the Democrats, should end, right now!”Bondi responded on the social platform X, saying the Justice Department is “ready to move the court tomorrow to unseal the grand jury transcripts.”&nbsp;Bondi is expected on Friday to ask a federal judge to unseal grand jury transcripts related to the 2019 indictment of Jeffrey Epstein for sex trafficking, but it is unclear if the request will be granted because grand jury transcripts are highly protected.&nbsp;The Justice Department and FBI issued a joint memo last week concluding Epstein’s 2019 death was a suicide and that he did not have a “client list”.The president’s directive to Bondi came hours after The Wall Street Journal published a report with details of an alleged letter the president wrote to Epstein on his 50th birthday in 2003. The letter was typed inside the outline of a naked woman, ending with “Happy Birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret,” the Journal reported.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In response, Trump hammered the Journal, saying he would sue the news outlet and denied that he wrote the letter.“President Trump will be suing The Wall Street Journal, NewsCorp, and Mr. Murdoch, shortly,” Trump wrote Thursday. “The Press has to learn to be truthful, and not rely on sources that probably don’t even exist.”&nbsp;<h2>Who was Jeffrey Epstein?</h2>&nbsp;Jeffrey Epstein was a maths teacher and powerful financier in New York City whose business grew as he courted the rich and famous with private jets and lavish parties in the 1980s.President Trump, former president Bill Clinton and Prince Andrew were among the celebrities Epstein socialised with.In 2005, the parents of a 14-year-old girl told police in Florida that Epstein had molested their daughter at his Palm Beach home. Since 2008, Epstein had been listed as a level three on the New York sex offenders register.&nbsp;He was found dead in his cell in New York’s Metropolitan Correctional Center.

Attorney General Pam Bondi said on the social platform X that the Justice Department is ready to move the court tomorrow to unseal the grand jury transcripts, but it is unclear if the request will be granted because grand jury transcripts are highly protected. 

US President Donald Trump slammed the Democrats on Friday and questioned why they did not act on alleged evidence linking him to Jeffrey Epstein and release the files linked to the disgraced financier when they controlled the Senate and White House. The Epstein files have been dominating the headlines in recent days. “If there was a ‘smoking gun’ on Epstein, why didn’t the Dems, who controlled the ‘files’ for four years, and had [former Attorney General Merrick] Garland and [ex-prosecutor Maureen] Comey in charge, use it,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. He then added, “BECAUSE THEY HAD NOTHING!!!” Trump’s comment came hours after he directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to release relevant grand jury testimony in Epstein’s case. The directive, which has garnered mixed reactions, follows pressure from Democrats as well as Trump’s supporters for the White House to disclose more information about its probe of the case.

Attorney General Pam Bondi said on the social platform X that the Justice Department is ready to move the court tomorrow to unseal the grand jury transcripts, but it is unclear if the request will be granted because grand jury transcripts are highly protected.&nbsp;

‘Dems controlled files for 4 years, why didn’t they act,’ asks Trump after row over Epstein links

Tata Sons on Friday formalised and completed the registration of a public charitable Trust worth Rs 500 crore in Mumbai, dedicated to the victims of the tragic accident of Air India flight AI-171 in Ahmedabad on June 12 that killed 260 people.&nbsp;The Trust will be called 'The AI-171 Memorial and Welfare Trust', the company said in a statement, which would provide both immediate and continuing support to the dependents/next-of-kin of the deceased, to those who were injured, and to all others who are directly or collaterally affected by the accident.&nbsp;“The Trust will also provide aid and assistance for alleviation of any trauma or distress suffered by the first responders, medical and disaster relief professionals, social workers and governmental staff who provided invaluable institutional support and service in the aftermath of the accident,” said the company.&nbsp;Tata Sons and Tata Trusts have together pledged to contribute Rs 500 crore (with both committing Rs 250 crore each) for the Trust's philanthropic objects, which will include ex-gratia payment of Rs. 1 crore for those deceased, medical treatment of those who suffered serious injuries, and support for rebuilding the B.J. Medical College Hostel infrastructure which was damaged in the accident.&nbsp;The Trust will be managed and administered by a 5-member Board of Trustees. The initial two trustees appointed to the Board are S. Padmanabhan, a former Tata veteran and Sidharth Sharma, Tata Sons' General Counsel.&nbsp;“Additional trustees will be appointed shortly. The Trust will be funded and will commence its work in all earnestness after necessary registration with the Tax authorities and other operational formalities, currently underway, are completed,” Tata Sons said.&nbsp;Meanwhile, the Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP), in a letter to the Civil Aviation Ministry, stated that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau's (AAIB) preliminary report on the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad has failed to sufficiently consider two plausible and previously documented technical scenarios, either of which could have triggered an automated shutdown of both engines of the ill-fated Boeing 787 Dreamliner.&nbsp;The association has urged the Civil Aviation Ministry to include more subject matter experts in the investigation.&nbsp;Pilots' grouping ALPA-India also said that the crew of the crashed AI-171 flight made every possible effort to protect the passengers onboard and they deserve respect, not unfounded character judgements.&nbsp;"The crew of AI-171 made every possible effort – till their very last breath – to protect the passengers on board and minimise harm on the ground. They deserve respect, not unfounded character judgments," ALPA India said in a statement.&nbsp;Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits for grammar and punctuation. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

The Trust will be managed and administered by a 5-member Board of Trustees. The initial two trustees appointed to the Board are S. Padmanabhan, a former Tata veteran and Sidharth Sharma, Tata Sons' General Counsel.

Tata Sons on Friday formalised and completed the registration of a public charitable Trust worth Rs 500 crore in Mumbai, dedicated to the victims of the tragic accident of Air India flight AI-171 in Ahmedabad on June 12 that killed 260 people. The Trust will be called 'The AI-171 Memorial and Welfare Trust', the company said in a statement, which would provide both immediate and continuing support to the dependents/next-of-kin of the deceased, to those who were injured, and to all others who are directly or collaterally affected by the accident. “The Trust will also provide aid and assistance for alleviation of any trauma or distress suffered by the first responders, medical and disaster relief professionals, social workers and governmental staff who provided invaluable institutional support and service in the aftermath of the accident,” said the company. Tata Sons and Tata Trusts have together pledged to contribute Rs 500 crore (with both committing Rs 250 crore each) for the Trust's philanthropic objects, which will include ex-gratia payment of Rs. 1 crore for those deceased, medical treatment of those who suffered serious injuries, and support for rebuilding the B.J. Medical College Hostel infrastructure which was damaged in the accident. The Trust will be managed and administered by a 5-member Board of Trustees. The initial two trustees appointed to the Board are S. Padmanabhan, a former Tata veteran and Sidharth Sharma, Tata Sons' General Counsel. “Additional trustees will be appointed shortly. The Trust will be funded and will commence its work in all earnestness after necessary registration with the Tax authorities and other operational formalities, currently underway, are completed,” Tata Sons said. Meanwhile, the Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP), in a letter to the Civil Aviation Ministry, stated that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau's (AAIB) preliminary report on the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad has failed to sufficiently consider two plausible and previously documented technical scenarios, either of which could have triggered an automated shutdown of both engines of the ill-fated Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The association has urged the Civil Aviation Ministry to include more subject matter experts in the investigation. Pilots' grouping ALPA-India also said that the crew of the crashed AI-171 flight made every possible effort to protect the passengers onboard and they deserve respect, not unfounded character judgements. "The crew of AI-171 made every possible effort – till their very last breath – to protect the passengers on board and minimise harm on the ground. They deserve respect, not unfounded character judgments," ALPA India said in a statement. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits for grammar and punctuation. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

The Trust will be managed and administered by a 5-member Board of Trustees. The initial two trustees appointed to the Board are S. Padmanabhan, a former Tata veteran and Sidharth Sharma, Tata Sons' General Counsel.

Air India Ahmedabad crash: Tata Sons creates Rs 500 crore trust for victims

At least three people have been killed on Friday (July 18) in an explosion at the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Biscailuz Training Center, according to sources in law enforcement. The blast happened just before 7:30 am at the center on Eastern Avenue, which is home to the Sheriff’s special enforcement bureau and the arson explosive detail, including the bomb squad.<h2>What caused explosion at LASD training facility?</h2>Authorities are investigating, but the cause of the blast was not immediately confirmed. Meanwhile, Attorney General Pam Bondi wrote on social media platform X, “I just spoke to US Attorney Bill Essayli about what appears to be a horrific incident that killed at least three at a law enforcement training facility in Los Angeles. Our federal agents are at the scene and we are working to learn more. Please pray for the families of the sheriff’s deputies killed.”&nbsp;California Governor Gavin Newsom has been informed about the incident. The Governor's Office of Emergency Services is in touch with the LASD and has assured full state assistance, according to his press office. &nbsp;“The Governor’s Office of Emergency Services,@Cal_OES, is in contact with the Sheriff’s Department and closely monitoring the situation, and has offered full state assistance. Emergency officials will provide updates as more information becomes available,” the office said.&nbsp;Authorities have not yet confirmed the cause of the explosion at the LASD training facility. The building, which is used for specialised law enforcement training, has been evacuated, and officials are investigating whether any hazardous materials were present at the time of the incident. The incident has raised concerns about the site’s safety protocols, and officers say they will release more information as the investigation progresses.

At least 3 killed in deadly explosion at LA County sheriff’s training facility

At least three people have been killed on Friday (July 18) in an explosion at the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Biscailuz Training Center, according to sources in law enforcement. The blast happened just before 7:30 am at the center on Eastern Avenue, which is home to the Sheriff’s special enforcement bureau and the arson explosive detail, including the bomb squad. What caused explosion at LASD training facility? Authorities are investigating, but the cause of the blast was not immediately confirmed. Meanwhile, Attorney General Pam Bondi wrote on social media platform X, “I just spoke to US Attorney Bill Essayli about what appears to be a horrific incident that killed at least three at a law enforcement training facility in Los Angeles. Our federal agents are at the scene and we are working to learn more. Please pray for the families of the sheriff’s deputies killed.” California Governor Gavin Newsom has been informed about the incident. The Governor's Office of Emergency Services is in touch with the LASD and has assured full state assistance, according to his press office. “The Governor’s Office of Emergency Services,@Cal_OES, is in contact with the Sheriff’s Department and closely monitoring the situation, and has offered full state assistance. Emergency officials will provide updates as more information becomes available,” the office said. Authorities have not yet confirmed the cause of the explosion at the LASD training facility. The building, which is used for specialised law enforcement training, has been evacuated, and officials are investigating whether any hazardous materials were present at the time of the incident. The incident has raised concerns about the site’s safety protocols, and officers say they will release more information as the investigation progresses.

Authorities are investigating, but the cause of the blast was not immediately confirmed. The blast occurred just before 7:30 am at the center on Eastern Avenue, which is home to the Sheriff’s special enforcement bureau

At least three killed in deadly explosion at LA County sheriff’s training facility

Severe storms hit Romania on Thursday (Jul 17), wreaking havoc and causing widespread damage across parts of the country. According to the Department for Emergency Situations (DSU), the severe weather conditions have resulted in damage to 60 localities across 14 counties and the capital, Bucharest. The National Meteorological Administration of the country issued Code Red and Code Orange alerts in several areas.&nbsp;People took to social media as they posted videos, sharing the severity of the storm. Several clips went viral as social media users expressed shock over videos showing powerful winds and heavy downpours, which resulted in widespread damage.&nbsp;The storm uprooted trees and resulted in damage to the buildings. Multiple areas also witnessed flooding due to heavy rainfall. According to authorities, a woman in Otopeni lost her life when the roof of another building collapsed on her. Two people were also injured after being struck by falling branches as several trees fell in Bucharest.&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">This evening: A powerful storm swept through Bucharest, Romania on July 17, 2025, triggering widespread damge. <a href="https://t.co/6cuCLOq61D">pic.twitter.com/6cuCLOq61D</a>&mdash; Weather Monitor (@WeatherMonitors) <a href="https://twitter.com/WeatherMonitors/status/1945922436173857172?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 17, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">More INSANE video of yesterday’s storm in Bucharest and the surrounding Ilfov region, including Otopeni! Violent winds reaching 90–120 km/h, massive hail, and a sudden temperature plunge swept through the area for about 30 minutes, toppling trees and damaging buildings. <a href="https://t.co/QQyw7JTUtr">pic.twitter.com/QQyw7JTUtr</a>&mdash; Volcaholic 🌋 (@volcaholic1) <a href="https://twitter.com/volcaholic1/status/1946132078094938470?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 18, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

&nbsp;An RO-Alert red code warning was sent to Bucharest residents for severe storms, medium-sized hail, and heavy rainfall, as people were urged to take shelter. According to the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations (IGSU), the Orange Code warning was issued in Dâmboviţa, Giurgiu and Ilfov counties. Seven localities in Ilfov and Giurgiu counties were affected. A Red Code warning was issued for Giurgiu, Ilfov counties and Bucharest, in the Capital, where efforts are underway to clear damage from the storm.&nbsp;According to a statement released by the DSU, significant damage was reported in the counties of Argeș, Bacău, Brașov, Buzău, Constanța, Dâmbovița, Galați, Giurgiu, Ialomița, Ilfov, Mureș, Prahova, Teleorman, Vrancea, and in Bucharest.&nbsp;The severe weather conditions also disrupted road and air traffic. The traffic on the A1 motorway in Giurgiu county was temporarily halted due to a fallen road sign and scattered branches. Meanwhile, about 15 incoming flights were forced to circle before landing at Bucharest’s Henri Coandă International Airport, resulting in significant delays

People took to social media as they posted videos, sharing the severity of the storm. Several clips went viral as social media users expressed shock over videos showing powerful winds and heavy downpours, which resulted in widespread damage.

Severe storms hit Romania on Thursday (Jul 17), wreaking havoc and causing widespread damage across parts of the country. According to the Department for Emergency Situations (DSU), the severe weather conditions have resulted in damage to 60 localities across 14 counties and the capital, Bucharest. The National Meteorological Administration of the country issued Code Red and Code Orange alerts in several areas. People took to social media as they posted videos, sharing the severity of the storm. Several clips went viral as social media users expressed shock over videos showing powerful winds and heavy downpours, which resulted in widespread damage. The storm uprooted trees and resulted in damage to the buildings. Multiple areas also witnessed flooding due to heavy rainfall. According to authorities, a woman in Otopeni lost her life when the roof of another building collapsed on her. Two people were also injured after being struck by falling branches as several trees fell in Bucharest.

People took to social media as they posted videos, sharing the severity of the storm. Several clips went viral as social media users expressed shock over videos showing powerful winds and heavy downpours, which resulted in widespread damage.

WATCH | Powerful storm hits Romania, resulting in widespread damage

A day after the internet was buzzing with the viral video of Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and HR executive Kristin Cabot spotted at the Coldplay concert, the woman who filmed the video reacted to it, saying that she feels bad for it now. The creator of the viral moment was unaware that it could become this big, affecting both Byron and Cabot.&nbsp;28-year-old Grace Springer said that she did not know that the video would go viral and that the couple would go viral over that clip, storming the internet with over 50 million views.&nbsp;The Coldplay fan, who recorded the video in a fun way during the concert at Gillette Stadium on July 16, expressed that she just thought she caught an interesting reaction to the kiss cam, hence she posted it.“I just thought I caught an interesting reaction to the kiss cam and decided to post it," Grace Springer said. She added that it makes her feel bad now, that it has turned their lives upside down.&nbsp;“A part of me feels bad for turning these people’s lives upside down, but play stupid games, win stupid prizes,” Springer said.&nbsp;Andy Byron, the CEO of data firm Astronomer, was caught with his company's Chief People Officer, Kristin Cabot. In the viral video, as Coldplay Frontman Chris Martin spotted that the two got awkward, he called them out.<h2>The ColdplayGate explained</h2>On Wednesday night, an amazing Coldplay night turned into something unimaginable for Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and the company’s Chief People Officer, Kristin Cabot. Chris Martin, the frontman of Coldplay, was at the centre stage when the kiss cam game was played on the Gillette Stadium.&nbsp;In seconds, the camera tilted and was right on Andy Byron and Kristin Cabot. The two are married, but not to each other, which created further chaos and controversy at midnight.&nbsp;As he realised, Byron immediately dipped from the spot, following which, Cabot also left the frame as they panicked. Martin got the hint and said, “Oh, look at these two. Either they’re having an affair or they’re very shy!.&nbsp;Following this, the internet was flooded with memes on the ColdplayGate. According to reports, Andy Byron’s wife, Megan Kerrigan, dropped the surname from her Facebook amid the ongoing controversy.&nbsp;

Woman who shot the viral Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and HR executive Kristin Cabot “kiss cam” video, is now regretting sharing the video, saying that she feels bad to turn their lives upside down. 

A day after the internet was buzzing with the viral video of Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and HR executive Kristin Cabot spotted at the Coldplay concert, the woman who filmed the video reacted to it, saying that she feels bad for it now. The creator of the viral moment was unaware that it could become this big, affecting both Byron and Cabot. 28-year-old Grace Springer said that she did not know that the video would go viral and that the couple would go viral over that clip, storming the internet with over 50 million views. The Coldplay fan, who recorded the video in a fun way during the concert at Gillette Stadium on July 16, expressed that she just thought she caught an interesting reaction to the kiss cam, hence she posted it. “I just thought I caught an interesting reaction to the kiss cam and decided to post it," Grace Springer said. She added that it makes her feel bad now, that it has turned their lives upside down. “A part of me feels bad for turning these people’s lives upside down, but play stupid games, win stupid prizes,” Springer said. Andy Byron, the CEO of data firm Astronomer, was caught with his company's Chief People Officer, Kristin Cabot. In the viral video, as Coldplay Frontman Chris Martin spotted that the two got awkward, he called them out. The ColdplayGate explained On Wednesday night, an amazing Coldplay night turned into something unimaginable for Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and the company’s Chief People Officer, Kristin Cabot. Chris Martin, the frontman of Coldplay, was at the centre stage when the kiss cam game was played on the Gillette Stadium. In seconds, the camera tilted and was right on Andy Byron and Kristin Cabot. The two are married, but not to each other, which created further chaos and controversy at midnight. As he realised, Byron immediately dipped from the spot, following which, Cabot also left the frame as they panicked. Martin got the hint and said, “Oh, look at these two. Either they’re having an affair or they’re very shy!. Following this, the internet was flooded with memes on the ColdplayGate. According to reports, Andy Byron’s wife, Megan Kerrigan, dropped the surname from her Facebook amid the ongoing controversy.

Woman who shot the viral Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and HR executive Kristin Cabot “kiss cam” video, is now regretting sharing the video, saying that she feels bad to turn their lives upside down.&nbsp;

‘Turned their lives upside down...’: Woman who shot Andy Byron-Kristin Cabot viral ‘kiss cam’ clip now feels bad - Here’s what she said

As floods continue to wreak havoc across parts of Pakistan, a dramatic video showing a journalist swept away during a live broadcast has gone viral on the internet. In the video, the reporter can be seen reporting while standing in neck-deep flood waters near Chahan Dam in Rawalpindi. The incident has sparked debate on social media over media safety and responsibility. According to reports, the torrential rains in eastern Pakistan have claimed more than 170 lives, about half of them being children. As per the National Disaster Management Authority, at least 54 deaths were recorded in the last 24 hours alone after rains swept through Punjab province, engulfing homes and roads in its path.&nbsp;In the viral clip, the reporter can be seen standing in water with only his head visible. He can be seen holding a microphone as he reports before being washed away by the current. The footage has evoked several reactions on social media. While some users praised his bravery, many criticised the decision to report in the dangerous conditions. Some even questioned whether it was a necessary act of journalism or a reckless pursuit of ratings.&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">⚡️ A Pakistani reporter is swept away by strong currents during a live broadcast while covering the floods in neck-deep water. Join | <a href="https://t.co/bq8DAxMRoA">https://t.co/bq8DAxMRoA</a> <a href="https://t.co/38DOFGyzt2">pic.twitter.com/38DOFGyzt2</a>&mdash; Satyaagrah (@satyaagrahindia) <a href="https://twitter.com/satyaagrahindia/status/1945844056724017575?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 17, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

&nbsp;Heavy rains have continued to batter Rawalpindi and the nearby capital Islamabad since Jun 26, with several areas recording over 100 millimetres on Thursday, according to Pakistan’s Meteorological Department. More heavy rain is expected on Friday.&nbsp;The floods have affected millions of people, destroying homes and bringing the cities to stand standstill by disrupting water and electricity. The situation was further exacerbated after the collapse of the Chahan Dam as several areas, including Rawalpindi, were submerged.&nbsp;A state of emergency has been declared in several districts across the Punjab province, authorities said. The military has been deployed in Rawalpindi, and rescue and relief operations are underway in the affected areas.

A state of emergency has been declared in several districts across the Punjab province, authorities said. The military has been deployed in Rawalpindi, and rescue and relief operations are underway in the affected areas.

As floods continue to wreak havoc across parts of Pakistan, a dramatic video showing a journalist swept away during a live broadcast has gone viral on the internet. In the video, the reporter can be seen reporting while standing in neck-deep flood waters near Chahan Dam in Rawalpindi. The incident has sparked debate on social media over media safety and responsibility. According to reports, the torrential rains in eastern Pakistan have claimed more than 170 lives, about half of them being children. As per the National Disaster Management Authority, at least 54 deaths were recorded in the last 24 hours alone after rains swept through Punjab province, engulfing homes and roads in its path. In the viral clip, the reporter can be seen standing in water with only his head visible. He can be seen holding a microphone as he reports before being washed away by the current. The footage has evoked several reactions on social media. While some users praised his bravery, many criticised the decision to report in the dangerous conditions. Some even questioned whether it was a necessary act of journalism or a reckless pursuit of ratings.

A state of emergency has been declared in several districts across the Punjab province, authorities said. The military has been deployed in Rawalpindi, and rescue and relief operations are underway in the affected areas.

Journalist swept away during live reporting as floods wreak havoc across Pakistan | VIDEO

A US senator is asking the Pentagon for more information on Microsoft's purported use of Chinese engineers in keeping military cloud computing systems going, a copy of the letter obtained by new agency Reuters shows. US Senator Tom Cotton, an Arkansas Republican and chair of the chamber's intelligence committee and also a member of its armed services committee, sent a letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth following an investigative reporting piece in ProPublica earlier this week.&nbsp;&nbsp;The report explained Microsoft's employment of Chinese engineers to do work on US military computer systems overseen by US "digital escorts" employed by subcontractors with security clearances but often lacked the technical qualifications to determine if the work of the Chinese engineers was a threat to cybersecurity.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-one-of-my-worst-appointments-trump-again-lashes-out-at-jerome-powell-for-choking-out-us-housing-markets-1752841397821">'One of my worst appointments’: Trump again lashes out at Jerome Powell for ‘choking out’ US housing markets</a>&nbsp;When contacted by Reuters regarding both the ProPublica story and US Senator Tom Cotton's letter, Microsoft refused to comment. The company, a major contractor to the US government and whose networks have been infiltrated by both Chinese and Russian hackers, informed ProPublica that it shared its practices with the US government as part of an authorisation process.&nbsp;The Defense Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Cotton asked the US military provide a list of all contractors who employ Chinese workers and information about how US "digital escorts" are trained to detect suspicious activity. &nbsp;"The U.S. government recognizes that China's cyber capabilities pose one of the most aggressive and dangerous threats to the United States, as evidenced by infiltration of our critical infrastructure, telecommunications networks, and supply chains," Cotton wrote in the letter. The U.S. military "must guard against all potential threats within its supply chain, including those from subcontractors."

Military cloud at risk US Senator seeks answers from Pentagon over Microsoft China link

A US senator is asking the Pentagon for more information on Microsoft's purported use of Chinese engineers in keeping military cloud computing systems going, a copy of the letter obtained by new agency Reuters shows. US Senator Tom Cotton, an Arkansas Republican and chair of the chamber's intelligence committee and also a member of its armed services committee, sent a letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth following an investigative reporting piece in ProPublica earlier this week. The report explained Microsoft's employment of Chinese engineers to do work on US military computer systems overseen by US "digital escorts" employed by subcontractors with security clearances but often lacked the technical qualifications to determine if the work of the Chinese engineers was a threat to cybersecurity. Also Read: 'One of my worst appointments’: Trump again lashes out at Jerome Powell for ‘choking out’ US housing markets When contacted by Reuters regarding both the ProPublica story and US Senator Tom Cotton's letter, Microsoft refused to comment. The company, a major contractor to the US government and whose networks have been infiltrated by both Chinese and Russian hackers, informed ProPublica that it shared its practices with the US government as part of an authorisation process. The Defense Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Cotton asked the US military provide a list of all contractors who employ Chinese workers and information about how US "digital escorts" are trained to detect suspicious activity. "The U.S. government recognizes that China's cyber capabilities pose one of the most aggressive and dangerous threats to the United States, as evidenced by infiltration of our critical infrastructure, telecommunications networks, and supply chains," Cotton wrote in the letter. The U.S. military "must guard against all potential threats within its supply chain, including those from subcontractors."

US Senator Tom Cotton, an Arkansas Republican who chairs the chamber's intelligence committee and also serves on its armed services committee, sent the letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth after a report in investigative journalism publication ProPublica earlier this week

Military cloud at risk? US Senator seeks answers from Pentagon over Microsoft-China link

US President Donald Trump on Friday (July 18) accused Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell of “choking out the housing market” owing to their high interest rate. As Trump has been lashing out at the Federal Reserve chief, he called him “one of his worst appointments”. The US president took to Truth Social, slamming Powell, as he continued to say that former President Joe Biden knew how bad Powell was, and still reappointed him anyway.&nbsp;He further complained that even the Feb Board did nothing to stop him.&nbsp;“Too Late,” and the Fed, are choking out the housing market with their high rate, making it difficult for people, especially the young, to buy a house. He is truly one of my worst appointments. Sleepy Joe saw how bad he was and reappointed him anyway - And the Fed Board has done nothing to stop this “numbskull” from hurting so many people,” Trump said in his post.&nbsp;Trump stressed that the board is equally to blame. “In many ways, the Board is equally to blame! The USA is Rockin’, there is VERY LOW INFLATION, and we deserve to be at 1%, saving One Trillion Dollars a year on Interest Costs.”He continued, “I can’t tell you how dumb Too Late is - So bad for our Country!”&nbsp;Earlier this week, the US president dismissed reports claiming he planned to fire Jerome Powell, saying that although he did discuss the idea with Republicans. “Almost every one of them said I should, but I’m more conservative than they are,” Trump said.&nbsp;Several outlets, including Bloomberg and The New York Times, had reported that Trump drafted a letter to dismiss Powell and asked Republican allies for advice on whether to send it.&nbsp;Although he said he was unlikely to remove Powell, Trump added, “I don’t rule out anything, but I think it’s highly unlikely unless he has to leave for fraud.” He repeated his long-standing criticism of the Fed chair, “He’s always been too late, hence his nickname ‘Too Late’. He should’ve cut interest rates a long time ago.”&nbsp;Trump claimed Powell only reduced rates to help Democrats in the 2024 election, adding, “He’s doing a lousy job, but no, I’m not talking about that.”

Once again, the US president slammed Jerome Powell, this time for choking out housing market with their high rate, as he says that he was one of his worst appointments. Trump said that not even the Fed Board did anything to stop him from hurting people.

US President Donald Trump on Friday (July 18) accused Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell of “choking out the housing market” owing to their high interest rate. As Trump has been lashing out at the Federal Reserve chief, he called him “one of his worst appointments”. The US president took to Truth Social, slamming Powell, as he continued to say that former President Joe Biden knew how bad Powell was, and still reappointed him anyway. He further complained that even the Feb Board did nothing to stop him. “Too Late,” and the Fed, are choking out the housing market with their high rate, making it difficult for people, especially the young, to buy a house. He is truly one of my worst appointments. Sleepy Joe saw how bad he was and reappointed him anyway - And the Fed Board has done nothing to stop this “numbskull” from hurting so many people,” Trump said in his post. Trump stressed that the board is equally to blame. “In many ways, the Board is equally to blame! The USA is Rockin’, there is VERY LOW INFLATION, and we deserve to be at 1%, saving One Trillion Dollars a year on Interest Costs.” He continued, “I can’t tell you how dumb Too Late is - So bad for our Country!” Earlier this week, the US president dismissed reports claiming he planned to fire Jerome Powell, saying that although he did discuss the idea with Republicans. “Almost every one of them said I should, but I’m more conservative than they are,” Trump said. Several outlets, including Bloomberg and The New York Times, had reported that Trump drafted a letter to dismiss Powell and asked Republican allies for advice on whether to send it. Although he said he was unlikely to remove Powell, Trump added, “I don’t rule out anything, but I think it’s highly unlikely unless he has to leave for fraud.” He repeated his long-standing criticism of the Fed chair, “He’s always been too late, hence his nickname ‘Too Late’. He should’ve cut interest rates a long time ago.” Trump claimed Powell only reduced rates to help Democrats in the 2024 election, adding, “He’s doing a lousy job, but no, I’m not talking about that.”

Once again, the US president slammed Jerome Powell, this time for “choking out” housing market with their high rate, as he says that he was one of his worst appointments. Trump said that not even the Fed Board did anything to stop him from hurting people.

'One of my worst appointments’: Trump again lashes out at Jerome Powell for ‘choking out’ US housing markets

In the biggest rape trial in France, &nbsp;Gisèle Pelicot spoke about how her former husband drugged her and invited dozens of men to rape her for nearly a decade. The trial has been turned into a gut-wrenching stage play, which will be staged on Friday (July 18) in Avignon, the very French city where Pelicot spoke the truth about French patriarchy and rape culture.<h2>The play on Gisèle Pelicot rape trial</h2>The play titled The Pelicot Trial: Tribute to Gisèle Pelicot, is directed by Swiss theatre maverick Milo Rau and had its debut in Vienna in June. It takes a deep dive into the chilling abuse suffered by Pelicot at the hands of 51 men who were convicted last year for drugging and raping her over nearly a decade.“To have done nothing would have been like not speaking of Gaza or Ukraine... a silence that’s complicit,” Rau, who has already turned some other real-life court trials into theatre, was quoted as saying in The Guardian newspaper.<h2>Gisèle Pelicot, the woman who refused to stay silent</h2>Pelicot, a global feminist symbol of courage who was recently awarded the Légion d’Honneur, the highest civilian honour of France, waived her right to anonymity in order to speak about her brutal experience. She revealed how, since 2011, her husband Dominique Pelicot spiked her food and drinks, and invited strangers he found via online forums to rape her in their Mazan home when she was unconscious.“I want all of society to be a witness... Shame must change sides," she told the court during the 2024 trial.<h2>Gisèle Pelicot trial will unfold in the three-hour-long play</h2>The play, set inside a 14th-century Carmelite cloister, lasts three hours and uses real transcripts from the trial as well as police files, social commentary and psychiatric reports. More than 50 performers will take part.“The courtroom was already theatre. So now we turn the theatre into a courtroom,” said director Rau about the play, which will also be livestreamed in cinemas and online to meet surging public interest. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/the-story-of-gisele-pelicot-from-victim-in-france-s-mass-rape-trial-to-global-hero-1752750871916/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/the-story-of-gisele-pelicot-from-victim-in-france-s-mass-rape-trial-to-global-hero-1752750871916/embed</a><h2>The rape of Gisèle Pelicot: Monstrous acts by common men</h2>The play will explore how ordinary men with regular jobs - the culprits included a nurse, a soldier, a journalist, and even a prison warden - participated in monstrous acts. The men, aged 26 to 74, were convicted last December.“We see what culture they’re coming from – patriarchy, fraternity, rape culture,” Rau told The Guardian.<h2>Gisele Pelicot trial drama will play in other cities</h2>Besides the Avignon Festival, The Pelicot Trial will be performed at stages in Lisbon, Belgrade and Warsaw. It will be a powerful reckoning not just for France but for the entire world on the culture that enabled the rape of Pelicot for years. “Through the Pelicot trial, it’s ourselves and our society on trial,” Rau said.&nbsp;

The play will explore how ordinary men with regular jobs - the culprits included a nurse, a soldier, a journalist, and even a prison warden - participated in monstrous acts. The men, aged 26 to 74, were convicted last December.

In the biggest rape trial in France, Gisèle Pelicot spoke about how her former husband drugged her and invited dozens of men to rape her for nearly a decade. The trial has been turned into a gut-wrenching stage play, which will be staged on Friday (July 18) in Avignon, the very French city where Pelicot spoke the truth about French patriarchy and rape culture. The play on Gisèle Pelicot rape trial The play titled The Pelicot Trial: Tribute to Gisèle Pelicot, is directed by Swiss theatre maverick Milo Rau and had its debut in Vienna in June. It takes a deep dive into the chilling abuse suffered by Pelicot at the hands of 51 men who were convicted last year for drugging and raping her over nearly a decade. “To have done nothing would have been like not speaking of Gaza or Ukraine... a silence that’s complicit,” Rau, who has already turned some other real-life court trials into theatre, was quoted as saying in The Guardian newspaper. Gisèle Pelicot, the woman who refused to stay silent Pelicot, a global feminist symbol of courage who was recently awarded the Légion d’Honneur, the highest civilian honour of France, waived her right to anonymity in order to speak about her brutal experience. She revealed how, since 2011, her husband Dominique Pelicot spiked her food and drinks, and invited strangers he found via online forums to rape her in their Mazan home when she was unconscious. “I want all of society to be a witness... Shame must change sides," she told the court during the 2024 trial. Gisèle Pelicot trial will unfold in the three-hour-long play The play, set inside a 14th-century Carmelite cloister, lasts three hours and uses real transcripts from the trial as well as police files, social commentary and psychiatric reports. More than 50 performers will take part. “The courtroom was already theatre. So now we turn the theatre into a courtroom,” said director Rau about the play, which will also be livestreamed in cinemas and online to meet surging public interest. https://www.wionews.com/videos/the-story-of-gisele-pelicot-from-victim-in-france-s-mass-rape-trial-to-global-hero-1752750871916/embed The rape of Gisèle Pelicot: Monstrous acts by common men The play will explore how ordinary men with regular jobs - the culprits included a nurse, a soldier, a journalist, and even a prison warden - participated in monstrous acts. The men, aged 26 to 74, were convicted last December. “We see what culture they’re coming from – patriarchy, fraternity, rape culture,” Rau told The Guardian. Gisele Pelicot trial drama will play in other cities Besides the Avignon Festival, The Pelicot Trial will be performed at stages in Lisbon, Belgrade and Warsaw. It will be a powerful reckoning not just for France but for the entire world on the culture that enabled the rape of Pelicot for years. “Through the Pelicot trial, it’s ourselves and our society on trial,” Rau said.

The play will explore how ordinary men with regular jobs - the culprits included a nurse, a soldier, a journalist, and even a prison warden - participated in monstrous acts. The men, aged 26 to 74, were convicted last December.

Gisele Pelicot rape trial is now a play,  showing at the French city where she spoke the truth and shocked the world

world

World, News on World, stories on World, articles on World, World stories at Wion, World news, World latest news

world news

Speculative & premature: Media reports 'blaming' pilot for Air India plane crash slammed by US transport safety body

How China reacted to US designating Pak-based TRF as a terror group

Pakistan 'dismantles' terrorist network linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba

Trump says 10 more Israeli hostages to be free 'very shortly'

Meet Astronomer CEO Andy Bryon's wife, she drops his last name

Donald Trump's big claim on India-Pakistan conflict: '5 jets were...'

Is that Alyssa Stoddard? Astronomer addresses claims triggered by kiss cam video

Astronomer takes action against Andy Byron and Kristin Cabot, refutes rumours

'POWERHOUSE lawsuit' : Trump sues Murdoch, WSJ for $10bn over Epstein report

US brokers Syria-Israel ceasefire as Druze-Bedouin clashes spiral

Trump signs landmark crypto bill, the Genius Act, jokes ‘They named it after me’

Trump’s granddaughter Kai earns more than US president? Know her net worth

Brazil’s former prez Bolsonaro has to wear ankle monitor - What does it do?

EU’s new sanctions on Russia to affect oil refinery in India’s Gujarat

Hamas armed wing says Israel blocking ceasefire and hostage release talks

WhatsApp to exit Russia? Lawmaker claims it poses ‘security threat’

Nepal orders telecom providers to ‘immediately’ block Telegram – Here’s why

‘Dems controlled Epstein files for 4 years, why didn’t they act,’ asks Trump

Air India Ahmedabad crash: Tata Sons creates Rs 500 crore trust for victims

At least 3 killed in deadly explosion at LA County sheriff’s training facility

WATCH | Powerful storm hits Romania, resulting in widespread damage

Woman who shot Andy Byron ‘kiss cam’ clip now feels bad - Here’s what she said

Journalist swept away during live reporting in Pakistan floods | VIDEO

Military cloud at risk? US Senator questions Pentagon over Microsoft-China link

'One of my worst appointments’: Trump again lashes out at Jerome Powell

Gisèle Pelicot rape trial is now a play, staged at the city where she spoke