US President Joe Biden addressed the controversy over mysterious drones spotted in New Jersey on December 18. Responding to former President Trump’s concerns about the drones, Biden reassured the public, saying there is "nothing nefarious" about them and that there is no immediate danger. He confirmed that the situation is under investigation. Earlier, Republican Congressman Jeff Van Drew claimed on December 11 that the drones could be launched from an Iranian "mothership." However, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh quickly denied this, stating that there is no evidence to support such claims. Biden's comments aimed to ease public concerns while the investigation continues.
18 December,2024 05:31 PM IST
On December 17, Russia suffered a major blow when Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, head of Russia's Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Protection Troops, was killed in a bomb blast. The explosion, hidden inside an electric scooter, occurred outside his apartment in Moscow. His assistant also died in the blast. Ukraine’s intelligence agency, SBU, claimed responsibility for the attack. Kirillov was charged by Ukraine for allegedly using banned chemical weapons and had been sanctioned by several countries, including the U.K. and Canada, due to his role in the war. The blast caused shattered windows and damaged the building’s entrance. The bodies of the victims were found nearby. This killing of a high-ranking Russian officer is expected to lead to retaliation from Russia. Kirillov led the RKhBZ, special forces tasked with protecting Russian troops in extreme conditions involving chemical, biological, or radioactive threats.
18 December,2024 10:25 AM IST
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau faced a major setback ahead of the elections when Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland resigned on December 16. Freeland disagreed with Trudeau on key issues, especially how to handle potential US tariffs. In her resignation letter, she criticized Trudeau’s push for more spending, calling it a political stunt that could harm Canada's ability to deal with the 25% tariffs threatened by US President-elect Donald Trump. This resignation is a blow to an already unpopular government. After Freeland’s resignation, Trump mocked Trudeau again, making fun of him during a dinner on December 10 and suggesting Canada could become the 51st US state. Dominic LeBlanc was quickly appointed as the new Finance Minister.
17 December,2024 05:25 PM IST
Donald Trump's plan to use tariffs to strengthen the US economy has sparked debate. He proposed imposing tariffs on all imports, with higher rates for countries like China and India. As President-elect, Trump warned China, India, and other BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) of a potential 100% tariff if they undermine the US dollar or try to replace it with another currency in international trade. His comments came after a BRICS meeting in October, where members discussed reducing reliance on the US dollar. This could trigger a second wave of trade wars once Trump takes office in January.
17 December,2024 12:13 PM IST
Recent developments in Syria have captured global attention, especially with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's announcement to double the population in the Golan Heights, a region Israel captured from Syria in 1967. The Israeli cabinet unanimously approved this plan, aiming to increase the number of settlers in the area, which currently has about 50,000 residents, split between Jews and Druze. Netanyahu's office revealed an $11 million initiative to promote growth, focusing on security concerns due to Syria's instability. The funds will be used for education, renewable energy, a student village, and helping new residents settle in the area. Meanwhile, Israeli troops continue operations in the UN-monitored buffer zone between Syria and the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights.
16 December,2024 03:45 PM IST
The Syrian civil war has led to significant changes in the Middle East, including the fall of the al-Assad regime after 50 years. Meanwhile, Israel continues to focus on rescuing hostages held by Hamas since the October 7, 2023 attacks. On December 15, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu spoke with US President-elect Donald Trump about the ongoing Syria crisis and efforts to secure the hostages’ release. Netanyahu emphasized that Israel would set its Syria policy based on the evolving situation. This conversation follows previous discussions between Netanyahu and Trump since the latter's election win. The United States, under both President Biden and President-elect Trump, has been a strong supporter of Israel, particularly in its conflict with Iran and its allies.
16 December,2024 12:54 PM IST
Amid the ongoing civil war in Syria, four Indian nationals who were evacuated from conflict-ridden Syria arrived at Delhi's IGI Airport on December 14. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), a total of 77 Indian citizens have been brought back from Syria as of the same day. Syria's newly appointed Prime Minister, Mohammed al-Bashir, has prioritized the repatriation of Syrian refugees living abroad as a major initiative. However, the government is grappling with several challenges, including recent unrest near the tomb of Hafez al-Assad, which was set on fire. Additionally, concerns about Syria's political future—particularly Iran’s influence in the region—have been raised by Hezbollah and Israeli officials.
14 December,2024 12:42 PM IST
Tesla CEO Elon Musk slammed PM Trudeau’s “proud feminist” remark and called him an “insufferable tool”. Musk launched a scathing attack on Trudeau, further predicting that his tenure as Canadian PM won’t last long. Meanwhile the US, Canada relationship soured as President-Elect Donald Trump threatened to impose a 25% tariff. Donald Trump mocked Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as the "governor" of the “Great State of Canada”. He reportedly told Canadian PM Justin Trudeau his country should become the 51st state if it can't fix trade and border issues. President Elect Trump mocked Trudeau about Canada becoming the 51st state if the country can't handle his promised tariff. The Musk-Trudeau conflict may act as a catalyst for the soured relations between the United States and Canada. Meanwhile, Elon Musk will lead the 'Department of Government Efficiency' along with Vivek Ramaswamy
13 December,2024 04:54 PM IST
The Government of India has successfully evacuated 75 Indian nationals from Syria due to the recent unrest in the country. This evacuation was carried out with coordination between the Indian embassies in Damascus and Beirut, after carefully assessing the security situation and responding to requests from Indian citizens in Syria. One of the evacuees, Ravi Bhushan, shared his terrifying experience after being brought back to safety. Speaking to ANI, he described the alarming conditions he faced in Syria. The evacuation aimed to ensure the safety and well-being of Indian citizens caught in the crisis, as the situation in the country worsened, and the government worked to bring them home amidst growing concerns.
12 December,2024 05:40 PM IST
A major explosion occurred in Kabul, Afghanistan, on December 11, near a mosque, killing Khalil Rahman Haqqani, the Afghan Taliban's acting Refugees Minister, along with six others. Haqqani was leaving the mosque after afternoon prayers when the blast happened. The Taliban spokesperson accused the Islamic State group of the attack, but ISIS did not claim responsibility. Haqqani was a senior leader of the Haqqani network, known for carrying out major attacks during the 20-year war. The U.S. had labeled him a "global terrorist" in 2011 and offered a $5 million reward for his capture. The Taliban had taken control of Afghanistan in 2021, but attacks in urban areas continue.
12 December,2024 04:33 PM ISTADVERTISEMENT
