Author: i2wtc

A United States federal judge has called it “extremely troubling” that the administration of President Donald Trump failed to comply with her court order to provide details on the status of a Maryland resident illegally deported to El Salvador. At a tense hearing on Friday, US District Judge Paula Xinis demanded that the administration identify the whereabouts of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was sent to El Salvador on March 15. She also required daily updates on the administration’s efforts to secure his return. Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran migrant, had lived in Maryland under a court order protecting him from deportation…

The administration of President Donald Trump has moved to end legal protections for thousands of Afghans and Cameroonians legally living in the United States. On Friday, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security confirmed the decision, which will affect approximately 14,600 Afghans and 7,900 Cameroonians. Those individuals were able to live in the US under a designation called “temporary protected status” or TPS. The US government typically offers TPS to individuals already in the US for whom it may be unsafe to return, at least in the short term, due to conflict, natural disaster or other circumstances. But the Trump…

Listen to article For the first time in Punjab’s history, the provincial government has launched a comprehensive technical skills training programme for the transgender community, Express News reported on Friday. The initiative aims to empower transgender individuals through vocational training in diverse fields such as IT, freelancing, tailoring, fashion design, electrical work, solar technology, beauty services, culinary arts, and healthcare assistance. Under the first phase, 1,600 transgender persons will be trained through the Punjab Skills Development Fund. The programme is part of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s vision of economic dignity, introduced under the slogan: “Transgenders will earn with dignity, not beg.” Maryam…

Still, even voters who reject Correa’s legacy might be inclined to vote for Gonzalez out of disillusionment with the status quo. President Noboa has faced criticism for human rights abuses and executive overreach during his short term in office. Some even say he has flashed an authoritarian streak, just like Correa. Voting is compulsory in Ecuador, and voters demonstrated their displeasure at the polls in the first round of this year’s presidential race. Null and blank votes made up nearly 9 percent of the total ballots cast — a sign of deep voter dissatisfaction. Political consultant Jacobo Garcia believes this…

Listen to article Saudi Arabia has increased Pakistan’s Hajj quota by 10,000 pilgrims, officials annopunced on Friday. The decision follows a request made by Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar during a conversation with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud. Pakistani officials say the move reflects the strong bilateral ties and Riyadh’s continued support for the people of Pakistan. The added quota comes as thousands of Pakistanis remain on waiting lists, and authorities say the extra slots will ease pressure on applicants ahead of this year’s pilgrimage. Earlier this week, Pakistan launched the second phase of mandatory training for…

United States consumer sentiment plunged in April, marking the fourth month in a row of declines – widely seen as a pointed reaction to President Donald Trump’s escalating trade wars, which have fuelled concerns over potential job losses and rising inflation. The preliminary reading of the University of Michigan’s closely watched consumer sentiment index, released Friday, fell 11 percent in March to 50.8 percent, the lowest since the depths of the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the past year, sentiment tumbled 34 percent. The decline was “pervasive and unanimous across age, income, education, geographic region, and political affiliation”, Survey of Consumers director…

Peter Thiel, co-founder of PayPal, Palantir Technologies, and Founders Fund, holds hundred dollar bills as he speaks during the Bitcoin 2022 Conference at Miami Beach Convention Center on April 7, 2022 in Miami, Florida.Marco Bello | Getty ImagesFounders Fund, the venture capital firm run by billionaire Peter Thiel, has closed a $4.6 billion late-stage venture fund, according to a Friday filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.The fund, Founders Fund Growth III, includes capital from 270 investors, the filing said. Thiel, Napoleon Ta and Trae Stephens are the three people named as directors. A substantial amount of the capital was…

Wong Chun Wai, chairman of Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama), delivers a speech at the China-ASEAN Media and Think Tank Forum in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, April 11, 2025. Representatives of major media and think tanks from China and the 10 countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) gathered in the Malaysian capital here on Friday for the China-ASEAN Media and Think Tank Forum to discuss and promote common development. Under the theme “Strengthening ASEAN-China Cooperation,” participants called for joint efforts to tell the success stories of cooperation between China and ASEAN. (Xinhua/Cheng Yiheng)KUALA LUMPUR, April 11 (Xinhua) –…

Listen to article Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz received a warm welcome at Antalya Airport from Deputy Governor Prof Dr Saad Aoglo upon her arrival to attend the international conference organised under the Antalya Diplomacy Forum 2025 in Turkiye. Immediately after her arrival, the CM attended the inaugural session of the conference. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addressed the opening ceremony and welcomed the participants. Former Vice President of Turkiye and Vice Chairman of the AK Party, Fawad Qatay, along with other prominent leaders, also met with Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. The CM expressed her profound gratitude for the invitation to…

Al Jazeera takes a closer look at Premier League champions Manchester City’s clash with bogey team, Crystal Palace.Who: Manchester City vs Crystal PalaceWhat: English Premier LeagueWhere: Etihad Stadium, Manchester, United KingdomWhen: Saturday at 12:30pm (11:40 GMT) Follow Al Jazeera Sport‘s live text and photo commentary stream. Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola said Jack Grealish and Phil Foden “don’t feel good” after they suffered abuse in separate incidents during last weekend’s 0-0 draw at local rivals Manchester United. A man has been charged with assault after Grealish was allegedly slapped by a supporter as he left the field. Guardiola was outspoken…