Easter is almost here! This year, it falls on Sunday, April 20. Most supermarkets and fast food places will be open, but some post offices and banks might be closed. Easter is an important holiday for many Christians around the world because it celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ after 40 days of Lent.
If you need to mail something or handle banking matters, it’s best to do so before Easter Sunday since some services won’t be available. Here’s what you should know:
Are Post Offices Open on Good Friday and Easter?
Yes! The United States Postal Service will be open on Good Friday, April 18. However, there won’t be any mail delivery on Easter Sunday, April 20, as post offices will be closed.
Are Banks Open on Easter?
No. Most banks, like Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and JPMorgan Chase, will be closed on Easter Sunday. They usually close on Sundays, so make sure to do your banking before the weekend.
Is UPS Open on Easter?
No. UPS will not pick up or deliver packages on Easter. Some UPS branches may even be closed, but their Express Critical service is available 24/7.
Is FedEx Open on Easter?
Most FedEx delivery and pickup services will not be operating on Easter. However, their Custom Critical service will remain open all day. If you’re planning to visit a FedEx Office, you should check their hours, as they might be different.
Category: World
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Easter 2025: Bank, Post Office, and Delivery Hours Explained!
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Ongwen to Pay €52M to Victims: ICC’s Firm Ruling Explained!
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has confirmed a payment of 52 million euros for victims of Dominic Ongwen, a Ugandan warlord. Ongwen was part of a brutal group called the Lord’s Resistance Army, led by the infamous Joseph Kony, who is still on the run. Ongwen, also known as “White Ant,” is serving a 25-year prison sentence for terrible crimes like murder, rape, and sexual slavery.
Last year, ICC judges decided to award 52 million euros in damages, including 750 euros for almost 50,000 victims of his actions. Although Ongwen appealed against this decision, an ICC appeals court rejected his claim, as stated by Judge Solomy Balungi Bossa from Uganda. Ongwen participated in the court hearing via video link, wearing a dark suit and red tie.
Ongwen was kidnapped and forced to be a child soldier at just nine years old. His case raises questions about the responsibility of children who are taken from their homes. The Lord’s Resistance Army has been active for around 30 years, aiming to create a country based on the Ten Commandments while causing death and destruction. They have been responsible for over 100,000 deaths and the abduction of 60,000 children across Uganda and beyond.
The ICC found that Ongwen personally led his troops in attacking refugee camps and killing civilians between 2002 and 2005. Although the court recognized that he was once a helpless child, they said this does not excuse his actions as an adult. A special fund will handle the payments to the victims since Ongwen is currently in a Norwegian prison and can’t pay them himself.
In 2015, Ongwen gave himself up to U.S. forces after they were searching for Kony. He was then sent to the ICC to face trial. An upcoming hearing is scheduled for September 9 to announce charges against Kony, who is being tried in absentia. -
Turkey’s Defense Plans Face Israeli Air Strikes in Syria
Turkey has been checking out at least three air bases in Syria where it could send its military forces. This was part of a plan to work together with other nations in defense, but Israel bombed these bases this week. This air attack shows the increasing tension between Turkey and Israel, especially now that Islamist rebels have taken over Syria after getting rid of the old leader, Bashar al-Assad, in December.
Israel is worried about the Islamist group near its border, which has led it to ask the United States to limit Turkey’s influence in Syria. Turkey has always supported those opposing Assad and wants to play a significant role in the new Syria. This involvement might include setting up new Turkish bases in the center of Syria and using its airspace.
Recently, Turkish military teams visited the T4 and Palmyra bases in Syria. They looked at the condition of the runways and hangars to prepare for military plans. However, a visit meant to happen on March 25 was called off because Israel attacked the bases just hours before.
After these strikes, the T4 air base was badly damaged, making it unusable. An intelligence official mentioned that the airstrikes were a clear warning from Israel that it wouldn’t accept an increased Turkish presence in Syria. When asked about the visits, a Turkish defense official said that unofficial reports shouldn’t be trusted as they might be misleading.
Turkey’s foreign ministry stressed that Israel is the biggest threat to regional security, but Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said they didn’t want to confront Israel in Syria. In the months since Assad’s fall, Israel has taken control of areas in southwest Syria and damaged a lot of military equipment there. The recent Israeli strikes were among the most severe to date.
Syria’s foreign ministry stated that Israel hit multiple places, leading to significant destruction and many injuries. Israeli leaders warned that these actions are for ensuring the nation’s safety. Some experts believe Israel fears that Turkey may set up military systems that could challenge its air superiority in the area.
Turkey has been trying to assure the U.S. that it wants peace and stability in Syria. Fidan told U.S. officials that the new Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa won’t be a threat to neighbors. Turkish officials have been considering how to proceed without upsetting the U.S.
One Turkish official noted that Turkey would suffer the most if Syria became unstable. A researcher stated that while Turkey and Israel have different views, they could avoid military conflict by discussing it with the U.S.
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Trump’s Visa Revocation Hits California Students Amid Protests
The Trump administration has canceled the visas of more than 30 international students and recent graduates from various schools in California. This action is part of President Trump’s effort to deport international students who have participated in pro-Palestine protests.
Some of the affected schools include Stanford University and several campuses of the University of California (UC) system. School officials say that their communities are impacted by these visa cancellations, which began when Columbia University alum Mahmoud Khalil was detained last month.
At Stanford, four students and two recent graduates lost their visas. The university said they will help these students by providing legal assistance. Around 35 students and alumni from other state universities are also facing visa issues.
The University of California stated that the situation is changing constantly. They are keeping an eye on how it affects their schools and the students involved. The UC community is committed to supporting its members as they exercise their rights.
At UC Berkeley, two undergraduates, two graduate students, and two alumni had their visas revoked. UC San Diego lost five students, while 12 individuals tied to UC Davis were also affected. UC Davis mentioned that the federal government hasn’t explained why these visa terminations happened, causing worry among students.
UCLA has six students whose visas have also been canceled, with UCLA Chancellor Julio Frenk reassuring the campus community. He said that these actions can cause a lot of uncertainty and anxiety, and pledged support for immigrant and international students, staff, and faculty.
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Debate on Long Work Hours: Ambition vs. Work-Life Balance in India
Recently, there was a lot of talk about long work hours in India after some business leaders suggested ideas like working 70 to 90 hours a week. This caused a big reaction online, with many people upset about the idea of not having enough time for their lives outside of work.
Harsh Goenka, the head of the RPG Group, tried to support these ideas. He said that when leaders like Narayana Murthy and SN Subrahmanyan talked about long hours, they weren’t serious but were trying to point out something important. He believes India should focus on working harder and having lower expectations to compete with big countries like China and the United States.
Earlier in the year, Narayana Murthy, who is the chairperson of Infosys, said that working 70 hours a week could help India grow. SN Subrahmanyan from L&T even said he would make his workers work 90 hours and on Sundays if he could. Many people were unhappy with the idea, saying it wasn’t fair to the employees.
Even though Goenka appeared to agree with the idea of longer hours, he explained that it’s not about pushing people to exhaustion. He said it’s about changing how we think—from wanting easy success to aiming for real achievements. He also backed Union Minister Piyush Goyal, who criticized some Indian startups for focusing on simple things like ice cream instead of more ambitious projects like artificial intelligence or clean energy.
In the past, Goenka had criticized Subrahmanyan for his comments about long work hours, saying that work-life balance is crucial. He stressed that working hard is important, but not at the cost of people’s well-being. He believes that everybody needs time to rest and enjoy their lives outside of work. -
Farmers Protest Corporate Farming in Pakistan on April 13
Farmers in Pakistan are planning to protest on April 13 against big corporate farms. This protest can involve rallies and gatherings in different towns and public farms across the country. Groups like the Pakistan Kissan Rabita Committee and Anjuman Mazareen Punjab are joining together for this cause.
During the protest, farmers want to stop large corporate farming and protect their lands, which they have worked on for many years. They are also asking for several things:
– A halt to the building of controversial canals in southern Punjab.
– Distribution of public agricultural lands to the peasants.
– Cancellation of notices asking tenants to pay large sums of money in dues.
– Setting the price of wheat at PKR 4,000 for 40 kg during the current harvest season.The Green Pakistan Initiative (GPI) is a program started by the government to improve farming and help the environment by using advanced technology and better farming methods. However, farmers are worried that these changes may harm smaller landowners, force peasants off state lands, and limit their access to the resources they need for farming.
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Impact of DHS Move on Immigration Services: What Immigrants Should Know
The Trump administration has decided to put the staff of the Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) Ombudsman on a 60-day break. This decision, made on March 21 by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), worries many legal experts. They think this might be part of a plan to break down an important immigration help office that watches over immigration issues.
This change also affects other offices like the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties and the Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman. The DHS claims this move is to make their operations run smoother, but they haven’t said how immigration cases will be managed without the Ombudsman’s help.
How Will This Change Impact Indian Immigrants?
Indian people living in the U.S. on H-1B or F-1 visas, as well as those waiting for green cards, could face problems because they often depend on the CIS Ombudsman to sort out issues with visa delays and other problems. The Ombudsman’s office helped about 30,000 people each year before this change.
Groups like the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) are upset about this decision. They say that without this independent office, it might encourage unfair practices in immigration cases. Now, immigrants are told to reach out to their local lawmakers or advocacy organizations, but many people think those sources don’t have the same knowledge or fairness as the Ombudsman.
Democratic lawmakers have criticized the move, especially since the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties is legally required to exist.
What Can Affected Immigrants Do?
If you’re affected by this situation, here are some steps you can take:
1. Reach out to your congressional representative for help with any USCIS case delays or problems.
2. Consult with immigration lawyers for advice.
3. Keep detailed records of all your interactions with USCIS.
4. If possible, consider premium processing to avoid long delays. -
Cambodian Journalists Fear for Their Future After U.S. Media Funding Cuts
Two Cambodian journalists, Vuthy Tha and Hour Hum, fled to Thailand for seven years to escape danger in their home country. Last year, they arrived in the United States on work visas, hoping to share truthful news back in Cambodia through Radio Free Asia (RFA). However, their jobs and ability to stay in the U.S. are now in jeopardy. This is due to President Donald Trump signing an executive order that cuts funding to the U.S. Agency for Global Media, the organization that supports RFA.
Vuthy, a single dad, feels scared that their ability to report accurate news will be taken away. Hour shares these worries, fearing they might have to return to Cambodia, where they could face serious punishment for being journalists. Both men are anxious about how they will care for their families and remain in the U.S. Cambodia has become hostile toward independent media, making it unsafe for them to go back.
Many journalists funded by the U.S. are in danger, with some even in prison. Reports show that at least 84 journalists in the U.S. could be sent back to countries where they might be arrested, tortured, or killed. Advocacy groups are urging the U.S. Congress to step in and help protect these reporters.
While some journalists are already fighting back with lawsuits, the situation remains troubling. The recent cuts to funding for U.S. media outlets have many worried that support for journalists abroad will decrease. One Vietnamese journalist, Khoa Lai, expresses fear about returning to Vietnam due to the risk that he could face imprisonment for his work.
Vuthy and Hour, who have been writing about important issues in Cambodia, are hopeful that RFA will continue to exist and provide important news. -
Say Goodbye to Paper Checks: New Social Security Payment Rules
Starting September 30, President Donald Trump has ordered the Social Security office to stop sending paper checks. The government believes using paper checks is expensive and can lead to problems like lost or stolen payments. Since COVID-19, reports of mail theft have increased, and checks are 16 times more likely to be lost or taken than electronic payments.
If you’re getting benefits and can’t set up direct deposit online, don’t worry. You still have options! Here’s what you can do:
1. Contact your bank: Call or visit your bank to get help.
2. Visit a local Social Security office: You can talk to someone in person.
3. Call Social Security: Dial 800-772-1213 for assistance.
You can also get a Direct Express debit card, which allows you to access your benefits without needing a bank account.
In his order, President Trump said keeping paper checks costs taxpayers millions of dollars. The goal of this order is to make payments faster, safer, and cheaper by using electronic methods. He also mentioned that this policy is meant to help fight fraud and improve the government’s payment system. -
Columbia University Hires 36 New Patrol Officers After Protests
Columbia University has hired 36 new special patrol officers, as announced this week. These officers are appointed by the New York Police Department (NYPD) and will follow orders from the police commissioner.
The decision came after some student protesters, who support Palestine, set up an unauthorized tent and blocked themselves inside a building on campus. Columbia’s leaders asked for these special officers to help maintain order after calling the NYPD twice for assistance.
A spokesperson for Columbia, Samantha Slater, explained that the new officers went through the NYPD’s hiring process and met New York state’s laws for peace officers. This means they will have the same powers as regular police officers, including making arrests and using physical force if necessary.
Slater said Columbia is responsible for paying these officers, but they will still report to the NYPD and have similar responsibilities. Any arrests will happen at a campus office before detainees are taken to the local NYPD station.
After a question about their status, Slater clarified that these officers are university employees and will be unarmed. They must undergo 162 hours of training and be official by the police commissioner. Once ready, they will patrol Columbia’s buildings and grounds, areas where regular NYPD officers usually do not go.