The United States has once again stirred controversy over Canadian sovereignty. During a press briefing today, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that President Trump's position on Canada has not changed. Leavitt reaffirmed that Trump continues to believe Canada would benefit from becoming the 51st state of the United States, a long-standing and provocative view that has drawn sharp criticism in Canada. The comment came in response to a journalist's question asking whether the President had stopped referring to Canada as the 51st state, particularly since the Canadian electio

Southern California was jolted Monday morning by a strong earthquake near San Diego. The earthquake had a preliminary magnitude of 5.2 and was near the mountain town of Julian, east of San Diego, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The quake swung light fixtures and rattled shelves in San Diego and was felt as far north as Los Angeles.

The federal government says it's freezing more than $2.2 billion in grants and contracts to Harvard University, since the institution said Monday it won't comply with the Trump administration's demands to limit activism on campus. In a letter to Harvard Friday, the administration called for broad government and leadership reforms, a requirement that Harvard institute what it calls “merit-based” admissions and hiring policies as well as conduct an audit of the study body, faculty and leadership on their views about diversity. The demands, which are an update from an earlier letter, also ca

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has died aged 85 of heart disease, according to the Institut Jantung Negara, the hospital in Kuala Lumpur where he was being treated. Abdullah, Malaysia’s fifth leader, served from 2003 to 2009, when he was pressured to resign to take responsibility for the governing coalition’s dismal results in national elections. He kept a low profile after leaving politics. In 2022, his son-in-law, Khairy Jamaluddin, disclosed that Abdullah had dementia that was progressively worsening. He said Abdullah had trouble speaking and could not recognize

Fugitive diamond merchant Mehul Choksi has been arrested in Belgium following an extradition request by Indian investigative agencies. Choksi is a key suspect in the ₹13,000 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case, alongside his nephew, Nirav Modi. Indian authorities have initiated the process to extradite Choksi from Belgium. However, Choksi has sought bail in court, citing ill health and claiming he was in Belgium for medical treatment. According to reports, Choksi was allegedly attempting to flee Belgium to Switzerland before his arrest. Meanwhile, his nephew Nirav Modi, also implica

More than 30 people have been killed in a Russian missile strike on the Ukrainian city of Sumy, the city’s acting mayor said Sunday. Two ballistic missiles struck the heart of the city as local people gathered to celebrate Palm Sunday. “On this bright Palm Sunday, our community has suffered a terrible tragedy,” Artem Kobzar said in a statement on social media. “Unfortunately, we already know of more than 20 deaths.” The strike comes less than a day after Russia and Ukraine’s top diplomats accused each other of violating a tentative U.S.-brokered deal to pause strikes on energy infr

The United Nations trade agency has warned that the economic instability caused by U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs could have a devastating impact on developing countries. The agency stated that global trade could decrease by 3 to 7 percent, with global GDP potentially falling by 0.7 percent. Pamela Coke-Hamilton, Executive Director of the International Trade Center, emphasized the severity of the situation. She warned that if tensions between China and the United States persist, it could result in an 80 percent reduction in trade between the two nations, with repercussions felt world

China has responded to US trade measures by raising tariffs on American goods from 84 percent to 125 percent. Amid the escalating trade tensions, Chinese President Xi Jinping made his first public statement, declaring that China is unafraid of challenges, has never relied on external generosity, and will not bow to coercion. President Xi stressed that a tariff war produces no winners and warned that opposing global cooperation is counterproductive. To address the potential impact of US tariffs, China is seeking to strengthen economic ties with other nations, including India and the European U

Russia has extended an invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend its Victory Parade, scheduled for May 9, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory over Germany in World War II. In addition to PM Modi, Russia has invited leaders of several other friendly nations to participate in the Victory Day Parade at Moscow’s Red Square. This invitation comes at a time when Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to visit India later this year. Prime Minister Modi had previously invited President Putin to visit India during his trip to Russia in July 2024, an invitation that Put