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Watch: How Donald and Melania Trump celebrated Halloween; superheroes & lookalikes at White House
World

Watch: How Donald and Melania Trump celebrated Halloween; superheroes & lookalikes at White House

President Donald and Melania Trump hosted a comic-book-themed Halloween spectacle on the South Lawn, handing out candy to hundreds of costumed children. The event featured a variety of creative costumes, including pint-sized Trumps and Melanias, and a boy dressed as a toilet. This annual tradition saw the President engaging with attendees, even repeating a candy-on-the-head gesture from a previous year.

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10 months ago
Massive Protest Erupts In Jerusalem As Ultra-Orthodox Jews Rally Against Military Draft
World

Massive Protest Erupts In Jerusalem As Ultra-Orthodox Jews Rally Against Military Draft

Tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jewish men dressed in traditional black attire filled the streets of Jerusalem on Thursday, staging a massive protest against Israel’s mandatory military draft. The demonstration, one of the largest in recent months, has reignited a decades-old dispute that now threatens to fracture Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ruling coalition. Anger Over Broken Promises The protesters gathered to denounce the government’s failure to pass a law safeguarding their long-standing exemption from military service, a promise Netanyahu has repeatedly made but not fulfilled. Many in the crowd waved placards condemning conscription, while others set pieces of tarpaulin ablaze as hundreds of police officers sealed off key roads across the city, according to AFP correspondents on the scene. The demonstration came amid a renewed government crackdown on draft evasion. In recent months, thousands of call-up notices have been issued to ultra-Orthodox men, and several have already been jailed for refusing to serve. A Tradition Under Threat When Israel was founded in 1948, exemptions were granted to ultra-Orthodox men who dedicated their lives to full-time Torah study, a small group at the time. But the community has since grown rapidly, now making up about 14 percent of Israel’s Jewish population, or roughly 1.3 million people. The arrangement has increasingly come under fire, particularly since the outbreak of war in Gaza in October 2023, as the military struggles to fill its ranks. Critics argue the policy is no longer sustainable, while religious leaders insist it protects their way of life. Coalition Under Pressure The dispute has driven deep divisions within Netanyahu’s coalition, already considered one of the most right-wing governments in Israel’s history. In June 2024, the Supreme Court ruled that the government must begin drafting ultra-Orthodox men, declaring that their exemption had legally expired. A parliamentary committee is now debating new legislation that could effectively end automatic exemptions, requiring those not studying full-time to enlist. The move has sparked fury among ultra-Orthodox parties, both of which are critical to Netanyahu’s political survival. Political Fallout In July, ministers from the powerful Shas party resigned from the cabinet in protest, though the party remains part of the coalition. United Torah Judaism, another ultra-Orthodox faction, has already withdrawn from the government entirely. Shas, which holds 11 seats in Israel’s 120-member Knesset, has warned it will pull its remaining support unless draft exemptions are legally enshrined. Such a move could topple Netanyahu’s already fragile coalition, which currently holds just 60 seats. Deep Social Divide For many in the ultra-Orthodox community, the prospect of mandatory service poses a threat to their religious values. Some rabbis fear conscription could erode faith among young men, while others accept that those not engaged in full-time religious study might serve. According to a recent military report presented to parliament, there has been a modest rise in ultra-Orthodox enlistment despite strong community resistance, though the numbers remain small, at only a few hundred recruits over the past two years.

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10 months ago
Trump Administration Cuts US Refugee Admissions To 7,500, Prioritising White South Africans
World

Trump Administration Cuts US Refugee Admissions To 7,500, Prioritising White South Africans

In a major policy shift, the Trump administration has announced that only 7,500 refugees will be admitted to the United States in the 2026 fiscal year, with most expected to be white South Africans. The move marks a historic reduction in America’s refugee intake and signals a dramatic departure from the nation’s long-standing tradition of offering sanctuary to those fleeing war, persecution and violence. The decision, published on Thursday in the Federal Register, formalises what many human rights groups have described as a retreat from humanitarian commitments that once enjoyed bipartisan support. It represents a sharp drop from the 125,000-refugee ceiling set under Democratic President Joe Biden last year. According to the notice, the 7,500 admissions are “justified by humanitarian concerns or otherwise in the national interest”. While it mentions white South Africans, often referred to as Afrikaners, it provides no further details about other groups that might qualify for entry. The document vaguely refers to “other victims of illegal or unjust discrimination”, without clarifying who those individuals might be. A shift in US refugee policy The new cap aligns closely with the Republican administration’s broader immigration stance, which prioritises tightening border security and limiting entry to foreigners considered potential threats to national safety or American jobs. The Trump administration has consistently framed its immigration policies as measures to protect national interests, reshaping America’s global image in the process. When Trump first took office, he temporarily suspended the refugee programme altogether. Since then, only a small number of refugees have been allowed into the country, most of them white South Africans. Critics say the latest move sidelines refugees from regions that have historically been prioritised under US humanitarian programmes, including the Middle East and Africa. Outcry from refugee advocates The announcement has drawn strong criticism from refugee resettlement agencies and human rights organisations, who view it as a moral and political abdication. “This decision doesn’t just lower the refugee admissions ceiling, it lowers our moral standing,” said Krish O’Mara Vignarajah, President and CEO of Global Refuge. “Focusing the vast majority of admissions on one group undermines both the programme’s purpose and its credibility.” The International Refugee Assistance Project, which has challenged previous suspensions of the refugee programme in court, condemned the administration’s approach as discriminatory and politically motivated. “By privileging Afrikaners while continuing to exclude thousands of vetted refugees, the administration is once again politicising a humanitarian programme,” said the group’s president, Sharif Aly. Advocates argue that refugees waiting for resettlement have already undergone extensive security screenings and are living in dangerous conditions. Many now face an uncertain future. Afghans left behind Among those most affected are Afghans still seeking refuge after the Taliban’s return to power in 2021. While a separate programme continues to admit Afghans who worked directly with the US government, tens of thousands of others who supported the US mission remain excluded from the new refugee quota. Shawn VanDiver, president of #AfghanEvac, a group campaigning for at-risk Afghans, described Thursday’s decision as a “horrendous betrayal”. “I think we need to face facts,” he said in a video posted on Instagram. “This means that the president and the White House are not going to allow Afghan refugees to come here. This is a really bad day.” A historic low for US admissions Presidents have the authority to set annual refugee caps, typically in consultation with the State Department and resettlement agencies. However, the 7,500 limit marks the lowest level since the modern refugee programme was established in 1980. During Trump’s first term, the cap was steadily reduced each year, reaching 15,000 by the end of his administration. The latest figure, half of that number, underscores a continued tightening of refugee policy under his leadership. For many observers, this move is not just a bureaucratic adjustment but a defining moment in America’s evolving identity, shifting from a nation long known as a refuge for the displaced to one increasingly closing its doors.

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10 months ago
Halloween 2025: Know History, Significance And All About This Spookiest Festival
Lifestyle

Halloween 2025: Know History, Significance And All About This Spookiest Festival

Halloween is one of the most celebrated festivals across the world, observed every year on October 31. The festival, which traces its roots back over 2,000 years, is linked to All Hallows’ Eve, the night before All Saints’ Day. Its origins lie in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when it was believed that on the night of October 31, the spirits of the dead would return to Earth. This is why October 31 came to be known as Halloween Night across the globe. ALSO READ: Halloween 2025: 10 Easy Hollywood-Inspired Costumes You Can Recreate Effortlessly At Home The Dark History Of Halloween Halloween began among the ancient Celtic communities of Europe, closely tied to agricultural life. The festival marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter, a period associated with death and darkness. During Samhain, people believed the boundary between the world of the living and the dead grew thin. To ward off wandering spirits, they lit bonfires, wore masks, and left food offerings outside their homes to appease the dead. With the spread of Christianity, the tradition evolved. In the 8th century, November 1 was declared All Saints’ Day, and the evening before it became known as All Hallows’ Eve, which later transformed into Halloween. Over time, this once solemn occasion of superstition and fear turned into a festival of creativity, expression, and fun. Meaning And Symbolism In its ancient form, Halloween symbolised the delicate balance between life and death. In the modern era, however, it has evolved into a celebration of imagination, transformation, and community spirit. It allows people to embrace their fears, express their creativity, and step into an entirely different persona, whether spooky, humorous, or whimsical. Significance Of Halloween Halloween is celebrated worldwide as a fusion of ancient customs and modern festivity. It reflects the changing of seasons, the eternal cycle of life and death, and the unifying power of imagination. From carving pumpkins and dressing up in costumes to trick-or-treating, themed parties, and sharing ghost stories, Halloween has become a joyful blend of fright and fun.

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10 months ago
Ranbir Kapoor once recalled feeling 'sad, empty' after Rockstar
Entertainment

Ranbir Kapoor once recalled feeling 'sad, empty' after Rockstar

Ranbir Kapoor shares how the film Rockstar left him feeling empty and sad after its completion. He found solace in the light-hearted film Barfi. Nargis Fakhri recounts her unexpected journey to landing the role in Rockstar, attributing it to destiny. She praises director Imtiaz Ali and co-star Ranbir Kapoor for making her first film experience comfortable and memorable.

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10 months ago
'Dies Irae' Twitter review: ‘Mollywood horror at its peak’
Entertainment

'Dies Irae' Twitter review: ‘Mollywood horror at its peak’

Director Rahul Sadasivan, acclaimed for 'Bhoothakaalam', has delivered another chilling horror thriller with 'Dies Irae'. Starring Pranav Mohanlal and Gibin Gopinath, the film is garnering rave reviews, with fans and critics hailing it as a benchmark in Indian horror cinema. Early reactions praise its relentless tension, stunning visuals, and career-defining performances.

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10 months ago
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