ISRAEL AND HAMAS AT WAR

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is meeting Israeli leaders to push for humanitarian pauses in the Gaza war as Israeli troops surround the Palestinian enclave's biggest city, the focus of its drive to wipe out Hamas. 

Robbie Williams sparks health worries by showing off skinny frame amid weight loss drug use

Robbie Williams has sparked worries for his health by stripping off to reveal his two stone weight loss – after he admitted to taking “something like” Ozempic.

Turkey elections: Erdogan and Kilicdaroglu offer stark choices for presidency

Turks are at a historic turning point - choosing between two front-runners for the presidency offering dramatically different paths for their country's future. 

Biden appoints Indian-American Neera Tanden as his domestic policy advisor

         

She becomes the first Asian-American to lead 3 major White House policy councils.

Indian-American public policy expert Neera Tanden has been named by US President Joe Biden as his Domestic Policy Advisor to help him craft and implement his domestic policy agenda, making her the first Asian-American to lead any of the three major White House policy councils in history.  

Tanden, 52, replaces Susan Rice as Biden's Domestic Policy Advisor

'I've been doing press-ups!' Penny Mordaunt tells of her preparations for sword carrying role at the King's Coronation as MPs praise her for 'stealing the show'

The Leader of the House of Commons carried the sword for more than an hour as Lord President of the Privy Council, a role she has undertaken since September last year.

US drug regulator approves world's first RSV vaccine

The US Food and Drug Administration has approved a vaccine against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) - an illness that kills thousands of Americans each year.

The vaccine still needs approval from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention before it can be rolled out to the public.

US to end international travellers' vaccine requirement

The White House has announced an end to Covid-19 vaccine requirements for travellers to the United States and for government employees across the world's biggest economy. 

Loneliness poses risks as deadly as smoking: surgeon general

(AP) — Widespread lonelinessin the U.S. poses health risks as deadly as smoking a dozen cigarettes daily, costing the health industry billions of dollars annually, the U.S. surgeon general said Tuesday in declaring the latest public health epidemic. 

Australia to ban recreational vaping in major public health move

Recreational vaping will be banned in Australia, as part of a major crackdown amid what experts say is an "epidemic".
Minimum quality standards will also be introduced, and the sale of vapes restricted to pharmacies. 

Pope Francis urges Hungarians to 'open doors' to migrants

Pope Francis has urged Hungarians to "open doors" to migrants, ending his visit to the country led by a nationalist anti-immigration cabinet. 

Warren Buffett eats McDonald's for breakfast, drinks 5 Cokes a day, and devours cookies and ice cream. Here are the investor's 11 best quotes about his iconic diet.

Warren Buffett may be a billionaire businessman in his 90s, but he eats like a child.

The investor and Berkshire Hathaway CEO loves McDonald's, Coca-Cola, and Dairy Queen.
Buffett says his indulgent diet has been key to his happiness and long lifespan. 

US: Man guns down five, including 8-year-old, after neighbours raise 'noise complaint'

Texas police are on the lookout for a suspect who gunned down his neighbours, five including an 8-year-old, after they raised a noise complaint and asked the suspect to stop firing rounds in his yard.

According to reports, the family asked him to stop firing rounds in his yard because they were trying to sleep.  

Nebraska lawmakers reject six-week abortion ban

A six-week abortion ban failed in the Nebraska legislature on Thursday, after supporters of the ban fell one vote short of breaking a filibuster to enact the new law. 

How Did Jerry Springer Die? He Was Terminally Diagnosed Right Before His Death

If you were a fan of the daytime TV talk show that introduced many real-life problems on the small screen, you might be wondering how did Jerry Springer die?
    

Thai woman accused of murdering 12 friends in cyanide poisonings

Thai police say they have arrested a woman suspected of killing 12 of her friends and acquaintances by poisoning them with cyanide. 

Erdoğan’s Turkish election plans disrupted after being taken ill on live TV

The Turkish president, Reception Tayyip Erdoğan, has had to abruptly cancel election campaign events after being taken ill on live television during an interview. 

Why many women remain unmarried even at 28 – Mike Bamiloye

Founder of Mount Zion Faith Ministries, Mike Bamiloye has disclosed reasons some women remain unmarried even at the age of 28.

Pope allows women to vote at bishops meeting for first time

Pope Francis, in a historic move that could lead to more inclusiveness in decision-making in the Roman Catholic Church, will allow women to vote for the first time at a global meeting of bishops in October. 

crimes suspect free amid chaos

A former Sudanese politician wanted for alleged crimes against humanity has said that he and other former officials are no longer in jail - following reports of a break-out.     

Travelers entering China won't need to provide negative PCR tests starting Saturday

Travellers entering China will no longer need to provide a negative PCR test result starting Saturday, in another easing of China's "zero COVID" policies.

Singapore executes citizen for coordinating delivery of 2.2 pounds of cannabis

US Man Wins Lottery Three Times With The Same Numbers In One Year

A man from Maryland, United States used his lucky numbers to win the lottery not once but thrice. The 52-year-old resident of Charles County won his third $50,000 lottery prize in just 11 months on April 13, according to a news release from the Maryland lottery. 

Cooked Bats Seized By German Officials Near Belgian Border

BERLIN (AP) — German officials seized cooked bats and nearly a ton of unrefrigerated fish after police stopped a van that had entered the country from Belgium, authorities said Wednesday. 

Female Commander Investigated over Alleged Sexual Assaults of Male Subordinates, Pattern of Harassment

A top officer in the Army's 5th Security Force Assistance Brigade has been investigated following allegations of multiple sexual assaults and a pattern of sexual harassment, according to two sources with knowledge of the investigation. It is unclear whether the investigation is ongoing, but it comes while another is underway into allegations of toxic leadership by the brigade's commander. 

Boat with 1,687 civilians fleeing Sudan reaches Saudi Arabia: FM

                                   

A boat with 1,687 civilians from more than 50 countries fleeing violence in Sudan arrived in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, the foreign ministry said, the largest rescue effort by the Gulf kingdom to date.

U.S. woman arrested in Australia after airport staff find a golden gun in her luggage

An American woman has been arrested at an airport in Australia after arriving with a 24-carat gold-plated handgun in her luggage.

Biden announces he is running for re-election, framing 2024 as a choice between 'more rights or fewer'

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden made his re-election bid official Tuesday, capping months of speculation over his plans four years to the day since he announced his 2020 campaign. 

Scientists discover why sea urchins are dying off from US to the Caribbean

Marine biologists at a Florida university say they have solved the mystery of a mass die-off of long-spined sea urchins from the US to the Caribbean.

India set to surpass China as world's most populous nation this month: UN

India is projected to overtake China as the world's most populous country by the end of this month when its population is expected to reach 1.425 billion, according to the United Nations.

India's population is projected to stabilise after the year 2064 and will be around 1.5 billion at the end of the century, a senior UN official said on Monday. 

‘Dancing With the Stars’ judge Len Goodman dies at 78

A former dancer and British champion, Goodman was also a judge on “Strictly Come Dancing” for 12 years from its launch on the BBC in 2004.   

Countries Evacuate Diplomats And Citizens Out of Sudan

Countries are rushing to evacuate their diplomats and citizens from Khartoum, Sudan’s capital as fighting between the two rival factions in the Northeastern African country’s capital continues.

Kenya: Police Exhume 21 Bodies in Starvation Cult Probe

Paul Makenzie Nthenge reportedly told his followers to starve themselves in order to meet Jesus. Police were able to rescue several cult members and take them to the hospital for treatment.

South Africa evicts asylum seekers camped outside UN office

South African police have evicted more than 100 asylum seekers camping for over three years outside the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) offices in Pretoria.

Leg-lengthening surgery is gaining popularity among men seeking to be taller, doctors say

By Uwa Ede-Osifo

A 26-year-old man who had the procedure to increase his height from 5'7" to 5'10"explains what it was like.

At 5'7", Alex considered himself short.

Britney Spears' Fans Are Once Again 'Concerned' Over Her Mental Health After New Dancing Videos In A Skimpy Outfit: 'She Genuinely Needs Help'

Britney Spears has recently caused concern among her fans after posting two new videos of herself dancing erratically in a skimpy outfit on her Instagram page. The videos, which feature Spears, 41, wearing a snakeskin thong, have raised alarm bells among fans who are worried about her mental health. 

Man Utd step up interest in Victor Osimhen after scouting mission to Naples

Manchester United are stepping up interest in Napoli striker Victor Osimhen after another scouting trip to Italy last week.

Mifepristone: US Supreme Court preserves abortion drug access

The US Supreme Court has preserved access to a commonly used abortion pill, ruling the drug can remain available while a legal case continues. 

United Nations to Withdraw From Afghanistan if Taliban Won’t Let Women Work

The United Nations is ready to take the “heartbreaking” decision to pull out of Afghanistan in May if it can’t persuade the Taliban to let local women work for the organization, the head of the U.N. Development Program said.

U.N. officials are negotiating with the Afghan government in the hope that it will make exceptions to an edict this month barring local women from U.N. work, UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner told The Associated Press.

Joe Biden and Kamala Harris release 2022 tax returns. Their salaries are..

Joe Biden- Kamala Harris: Joe Biden's salary as US President is $400,000 while Jill Biden earned $82,335.

Two arrested in the US for operating Chinese ‘secret police station’ in New York

US federal agents arrested two New York residents for allegedly operating a Chinese “secret police station” in the Chinatown district of Manhattan on Monday in what prosecutors said was part of a crackdown on Beijing’s alleged targeting of dissidents.  

Myanmar military admits to airstrike on crowd as death toll could hit 100

The Myanmar military has admitted to carrying out airstrikes on a village gathering organised by its insurgent opponents where about 100 people, including children, were killed.      

America's show of strength: US and Philippines launch biggest ever joint exercise in South China Sea with 18,000 troops and first ever live fire drills - as Beijing continues to buzz Taiwan with jets and warships

Europe migrant crisis: Italy moves to rescue 1,200 people on boats

The Italian coastguard is carrying out two large-scale operations to rescue around 1,200 migrants from overcrowded boats off the coast of Sicily.

Killer who 'died in prison fire' found living lavish lifestyle with celebrity doctor girlfriend

A murderer who faked his own death to escape prison has been arrested in Tanzania - almost a year after a fire that was supposed to have killed him.

South African Thabo Bester, 35, was dubbed the "Facebook rapist" as he used the site to lure at least two women he was convicted of raping. He was also found guilty of killing one.

Dalai Lama regrets asking boy to 'suck my tongue'

The Dalai Lama has apologised after footage showed him asking a boy if he wanted to suck the Tibetan spiritual leader's tongue.

The US has deployed a Warship to the South China Sea amid Beijing's Exercises off Taiwan

China simulated a "secession" of Taiwan on today's third day of military exercises around the island, and the US, in a show of force, deployed a warship in waters claimed by China, AFP reported. 

Messi, Ramos give PSG win to ease pressure on Galtier

Lionel Messi scored one goal and set up another for Sergio Ramos as Paris Saint-Germain won 2-0 at Nice on Saturday to restore their six-point lead at the top of the Ligue 1 table and ease the pressure on coach Christophe Galtier.

China condemns Tsai-McCarthy meeting in the US, deploys aircraft carrier near Taiwan

China warned of “consequences” and deployed an aircraft carrier group near Taiwan in response to the meeting between Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen and US House Speaker, Kevin McCarthy calling their talks “seriously erroneous”, “dangerous”, and warning of “resolute and effective” countermeasures.  

Genesis Market: Popular cybercrime website shut down by police

One of the world's biggest criminal marketplaces used by online fraudsters to buy passwords has been closed down in a global law enforcement crackdown.

Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi in intensive care with 'respiratory problems' in Milan

Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has been admitted to hospital in Milan.  

Italian media reported that he was in an intensive care unit (ICU) suffering from respiratory problems.  

Angered with the U.S., Mexico’s President Asks China for Help on Fentanyl

President Andrés Manuel López Obrador asked China for help curbing Mexico’s production of fentanyl, despite his claim last month that Mexico neither produces nor consumes the drug.        

Divisive influencer Andrew Tate and brother released from detention in Romania

A spokesperson for controversial social media personality Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan confirmed on Friday that the brothers will be released from their detention in Romania after being taken into custody on Dec. 29, 2022.