Category: World

Three men who were taken from Kibbutz Nir Oz will soon be let go. This kibbutz was attacked on October 7, where about 80 out of 400 residents were captured.

Iair Horn, 46, is a dual citizen of Israel and Argentina. He was taken along with his brother, Eitan Horn, who is still in captivity. Sagui Dekel Chen, 36, has both American and Israeli citizenship. He was working outside when the attack happened, and his wife had to hide in a safe room with their two daughters. She later gave birth to their third daughter two months later.

The third hostage is Alexander “Sasha” Troufanov, 29. He has Israeli and Russian citizenship and was captured with his grandmother, mother, and girlfriend. The three women were released during a short ceasefire in November 2023. Unfortunately, Sasha’s father was killed during the attack.

Among the more than 300 Palestinian prisoners set to be released is Ahmed Barghouti, 48. He was a close helper of Marwan Barghouti, a well-known Palestinian leader. Israel sentenced Ahmed to life in prison for sending suicide bombers to attack Israeli civilians during the Second Intifada in the early 2000s. He was arrested with Marwan Barghouti in 2002

President Donald Trump is taking big steps to change how countries tax and regulate trade, which could shake up the world economy. On Thursday, he instructed his top economic team to think about new US tariffs (taxes on imported goods) based on how much other countries’ tariffs and rules hurt US exports. These new “reciprocal” tariffs will be different for each country and will target those with whom the US has the biggest trade deficits.

Trump said, “The numbers are going to be very fair but staggering. They’re going to be large.” This new plan replaces his earlier idea of a single tariff for all countries, putting the European Union, China, India, Mexico, and Vietnam on notice.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen criticized Trump’s plan as harmful to Americans because it raises costs and could slow down economic growth. Other countries were quick to react; Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced they would begin trade talks with the US, while Japan and Taiwan expressed interest in strengthening ties with America.

If Trump’s new rules are put in place, it will change how the US has handled tariffs for nearly a century and could upset established international trading rules. Until now, countries typically helped each other by keeping tariffs low; Trump’s plan flips this idea by seeking high tariffs against certain countries.

Trump’s advisors believe this change is necessary. For example, they argue that value-added taxes (VAT)—a tax many countries use—give foreign companies an unfair advantage. Over 160 countries use these taxes, while the US taxes income instead. Trump claimed, “A VAT tax is a tariff,” but many economists disagree, saying VAT applies equally to domestic and foreign products.

Economic experts worry that adding VAT to existing tariffs could increase US tariffs significantly, possibly leading to US inflation rising to around 4%. Some countries affected most would be India, Brazil, and those in the EU.

Trump’s focus on VAT reignites an old trade conflict with Europe about how these taxes are handled. The US and EU have argued about VAT rules since the 1960s. Experts like Erica York from the Tax Foundation explain that VAT does not discriminate against foreign goods.

The new approach could lead to complications and backlash against the US, with former trade officials warning that trying to dictate other countries’ tax rules could create resentment. Jennifer Hillman noted, “We’re just going to make America hated again,” emphasizing how other nations might react to US interference.

In summary, Trump’s changes could lead to higher prices for Americans and complicated trade relationships.

Marius Borg Høiby, the son of Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit, has been accused of a serious crime. He is said to have raped Linni Meister, a well-known TV presenter, during a party at Skaugum Castle in 2018. At the time, Meister was unconscious, and she only learned about the assault when the police informed her later.

Marius, who is now 28 years old, has a history of legal trouble, including charges for domestic abuse. He has been known to host wild parties, called Skaugum Festivals, where he invited people with criminal backgrounds. The police found videos and photos from that party on Marius’s laptop, which helped bring these accusations to light.

The police are looking into the claims. Meister’s lawyer spoke out, saying, “It’s not common for someone in his position to refuse to testify, but he has the right to do so.” Marius faced multiple arrests in early 2024, with other serious accusations against him, including abusive behavior toward ex-girlfriends and other women. As this situation unfolds, many are paying close attention to the royal family’s image.

A Swedish court has sentenced a 22-year-old man to three years in prison for joining the Islamic State (IS) group. This is Sweden’s first conviction like this since new laws were created to stop people from taking part in terrorist groups. The man was found guilty of being part of a terrorist organization, helping fund terrorism, and making three trips to Somalia for terrorist activities. The court stated that all these charges were related to IS.

The sentence was set for three years and three months in jail. This case is special because it’s the first one judged under a law made in 2023 that makes it illegal to join a terrorist group. Sweden has been tightening its laws against terrorism since 2017, especially after a man from Uzbekistan, who supported IS, drove a truck into a crowded street in Stockholm, killing five people.

To introduce this law, Sweden had to change its constitution because it affected people’s rights to gather. The new law came about when Turkey delayed Sweden’s efforts to join NATO, asking Sweden to take strong action against extremist groups.

After Russia attacked Ukraine, Sweden decided to end its long-standing policy of not joining military alliances. Sweden applied to join NATO in May 2022 and became a member in March 2024.

The Red Cross is worried about Israeli hostages still in Gaza. This weekend, Hamas is expected to release three captives, but there are concerns about a ceasefire breaking down. Israel threatened to restart fighting if the hostages are not freed by Saturday. Despite their disagreements, both Israel and Hamas seem to want to keep the truce alive.

Since the ceasefire began on January 19, violence has decreased a lot, but tensions are high. Israeli officials demand that Hamas give back three healthy hostages or face the end of the ceasefire. Recently released Israeli hostages looked very thin and scared, which has made many people angry in Israel.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which helps with hostage releases, said they need access to the hostages to ensure they are safe. After a recent handover, they asked for a more respectful process next time. Hamas stated they want to stick to the ceasefire and finish the next release on schedule.

In Israel, hostages’ families protested, calling for respect for the terms of the ceasefire. Meanwhile, many Arab nations have united against U.S. President Trump’s plan to take over Gaza and move its people to other countries. Gazan residents, like Abu Mohamed al-Husari, are upset and claim they belong there.

On October 7, Hamas attacked Israel, resulting in many deaths. The conflict has caused considerable suffering, with many deaths in Gaza. Everyone is waiting to see if the ceasefire will hold, as further violence seems imminent if negotiations fail.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance recently said the United States might have to take strong actions against Russia if President Vladimir Putin doesn’t agree to a peace deal with Ukraine. This deal must ensure that Ukraine stays independent. Vance mentioned that the U.S. has both economic and military options to pressure Putin. He believes it’s essential for Ukraine to maintain its sovereignty.

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump spoke with both Putin and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy about the conflict and told U.S. officials to start discussing a way to end the war, which has been going on for about three years. During a meeting in Brussels, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said that going back to Ukraine’s borders before 2014 is not realistic, and NATO membership for Ukraine isn’t likely to happen as part of a solution.

People in Ukraine worry that Trump might let their country down after his conversation with Putin. Trump later mentioned that Ukraine would join in peace talks with Russia and would have a say in the discussions.

Vance commented that he believes an unexpected deal might come from these talks. He insisted that Trump would be open to all options while negotiating and might change his stance based on how the discussions go.

A powerful storm hit Southern California on Thursday, bringing heavy rain and causing problems on the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu. A Los Angeles Fire Department vehicle was swept into the ocean during a debris flow, but the firefighter inside got out with only minor injuries.

In Pacific Palisades, some roads were underwater with three feet of mud, and police helped drivers get through the slippery mess. In Altadena, a road near a place burned by fire was also flooded with mud, trees, and plants, creating a dangerous situation.

Meanwhile, the Pacific Northwest was facing its own problems. A winter storm caused major car crashes on highways in Oregon and Washington, sending at least ten people to the hospital. Reports mentioned a pileup involving about 20 to 30 cars due to bad weather conditions.

As the storm continued, flash flood warnings were issued for parts of Los Angeles County. Some areas could see up to six inches of rain, which raised concerns about mudslides in places that were recently burned by wildfires. Officials warned residents to stay off the roads and prepared shelters for those in need.

In the San Francisco Bay Area, there were power outages and small landslides. Southern California still faces a severe drought, but experts warned that this downpour might be too much too fast.

In the East, many places experienced heavy snow and ice. Schools closed due to dangerous driving conditions, and two people died in a crash in Maine. In Mississippi, two weak tornadoes were confirmed, causing some damage but thankfully no serious injuries.

During a two-day trip to the United States, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a special meeting with the world’s richest man, Elon Musk. Musk brought along his partner, Shivon Zilis, and their children. Photographs released by the Prime Minister’s office showed Shivon talking with PM Modi while taking care of their kids as Musk chatted with the Indian leader.

Who is Shivon Zilis?

Shivon Zilis is 39 years old and was born in Canada. She has an Indian mother named Sharda N and a Canadian father named Richard Zilis. Shivon previously worked at Tesla as a Project Director from 2017 to 2019. Now, she is the Director of Operations and Special Projects at Neuralink, a company that develops brain implants owned by Musk.

In the past, she also worked with Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI. Shivon was one of the founding members of Bloomberg Beta, a company that invests in new ideas. She made the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for her achievements in 2015 and was recognized in LinkedIn’s 35 Under 35.

Shivon and Elon Musk welcomed two children named Azure and Strider in 2021, and both of them were with their dad during the meeting with PM Modi. Additionally, they had their third child in 2024 and have reportedly moved into a Texas house that Musk built for all his 11 children.

Highlights of the Modi-Musk Meeting

PM Modi met with Musk in Washington, D.C., just before having a discussion with U.S. President Joe Biden. They talked about important topics like space exploration, technology, and innovation. The two leaders also discussed ways to strengthen cooperation between India and the U.S. in areas such as artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, and good governance.

Meaningful Gifts

After their meeting at the Blair House, PM Modi gave Musk’s children three books: “The Crescent Moon” by Rabindranath Tagore, “The Great RK Narayan Collection,” and “Panchatantra” by Pandit Vishnu Sharma.

The U.S. has agreed to send a suspect back to India for his involvement in the terrible 2008 Mumbai attacks that killed over 160 people. President Donald Trump announced this decision during a press conference with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Mumbai attacks happened from November 26 to November 29, 2008, when armed militants attacked hotels, a train station, and a Jewish center. The Indian government blames a group called Lashkar-e-Taiba, which is based in Pakistan. However, Pakistan denies any connection.

Trump said, “I am happy to say that my administration has approved the extradition of one of the attackers involved in the horrible Mumbai terrorist attack, so he will face justice in India.” Although Trump did not mention his name, media reports say the suspect is Tahawwur Rana, a businessman from Chicago who has Canadian citizenship.

Recently, the U.S. Supreme Court decided not to hear Rana’s appeal against being sent to India. Rana had already been sentenced to prison in the U.S. for helping the Lashkar-e-Taiba.

During the press conference, Trump was also asked about Sikh separatists in the U.S. who want an independent state called Khalistan from India. Trump didn’t answer directly but said that India and the U.S. are working together against crime.

Since 2023, India’s actions against Sikh separatists in the U.S. and Canada have caused some tension in U.S.-India relations.

Linda McMahon, President Trump’s pick for the Department of Education, will have her confirmation hearing on Thursday. Democrats are expected to question her about Trump’s wish to shut down the whole department. Trump repeated his idea on Wednesday, saying, “I’d like it to be closed immediately.” He believes the Department of Education is not useful.

If the department were to close, it would require Congress’s approval, where many Republicans want to give control back to local schools. Even though Trump wants to shut down the department, he and other Republicans want to look into sports programs in schools and check how transgender athletes compete.

Democrats plan to ask McMahon about the administration’s moves to cut efforts for diversity and inclusion. They will also ask her views on school choice, funding for schools in low-income areas, and money for the school lunch program.

While Democrats can ask tough questions, they can’t stop McMahon from being confirmed because Republicans hold a majority in the Senate. So far, no Trump nominees have been blocked, including members of his Cabinet like Tulsi Gabbard and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Republicans might also ask McMahon about teacher unions, her thoughts on prayer in schools, and the federal student loan relief that the Biden administration started but Trump rolled back last month.