Apple, Meta Fined €700 Million By EU, Risking Potential Trump Criticism
Apple and Meta were hit with 700 million euros in fines by the European Union on Wednesday for violating digital competition laws, threatening to anger US President Donald Trump. The penalties threaten to cause more tension in the already fraught relationship between the bloc and Trump, as the two sides discuss a deal to avoid his sweeping tariffs on the...
Trump Rules Out Removing FED Chief, Indicates Possible Reduction In China Tariffs
Donald Trump stated on Tuesday that he had no plans to dismiss the chair of the US Federal Reserve and indicated a "substantial" reduction in tariffs on China, offering reassurance to global markets unsettled by his tough trade stance. Trump’s recent outbursts against Fed boss Jerome Powell had fanned concern that he would oust him, sending jitters through markets. The president...
18 Africans Among Cardinals To Elect New Pope
A total of 18 Africans are among the 135 cardinals eligible to elect the next pope. Though there are 252 cardinals, only 135 cardinals have voting status and are eligible to vote for the next Pope when the conclave begins. Europe has the highest number, with 53 cardinals of voting status. Asia, with 23, has the next highest number of cardinal electors,...
World Leaders To Grace Pope Francis’ Funeral Saturday
The Vatican has stated that Pope Francis's funeral will take place on Saturday, with various world leaders paying their respects to the Catholic leader. including US President Donald Trump and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky. The Argentine pontiff, 88, died on Monday from a stroke, less than a month after returning home from five weeks in hospital battling double pneumonia. His funeral, which...
Harvard Sues Trump Over US Federal Funding Cuts
Harvard filed a lawsuit against President Trump's administration on Monday for cutting its funding and attempting to enforce external political oversight. Trump has sought to bring several prestigious universities to heel over claims they tolerated campus anti-Semitism, threatening their budgets, tax-exempt status, and the enrolment of foreign students, but Harvard has refused to bow. “This case involves the Government’s efforts to...
Pope’s Death: Italy Declares Five Days National Mourning
In response to Pope Francis' passing, the Italian government has proclaimed a five-day period of national mourning. The flags in front of public buildings are flying at half-mast. Strict security measures are in place in the Italian capital ahead of the funeral services and burial on Saturday. Top-level dignitaries from all over the world are expected to attend. At his own request, Francis,...
Pope Francis Dies At 88
The sovereign of the Vatican City State, Pope Francis, has died at the age of 88. The Vatican confirmed that the pontiff passed away on Easter Monday at his residence in the Casa Santa Marta within Vatican City. Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, announced the death of Pope Francis from the Casa Santa Marta on Monday morning. Farrel said the...
Russian Forces Resume Attacks Across Ukraine As Easter Truce Ends
As a brief Easter ceasefire came to an end, Russia launched a volley of missile and drone attacks on Ukraine. Russian forces launched 96 drones and three missiles on eastern and southern Ukraine overnight, Ukraine’s Air Force reported on Monday. The swift return to major hostilities following a pause declared by Russian President Vladimir Putin comes as the United States struggles to persuade...
US Supreme Court Blocks Trump-Era Deportations Of Venezuelans
The Trump administration's deportation of suspected Venezuelan gang members under an 18th-century law was halted by the US Supreme Court on Saturday. US President Donald Trump invoked the 1798 Alien Enemies Act (AEA) last month to begin rounding up Venezuelan migrants accused of belonging to the Tren de Aragua gang before expelling them to a maximum security prison in El...
Trump Administration Proposes Closure Of U.S. Embassies In Africa — Report
The Trump administration is considering closing nearly 30 U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide, including several in Africa, as part of a broad strategy to scale back the nation's diplomatic footprint overseas. A CNN report on Wednesday, citing an internal US State Department document, states that the embassies in the Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, Lesotho, and South Sudan are...
