U.S. President Donald Trump is set to sign an executive order on Thursday aimed at shutting down the Department of Education, fulfilling a major campaign promise. However, the move faces legal opposition from Democratic state attorneys general, who have filed a lawsuit to block the closure and halt planned layoffs of nearly half the department’s workforce.This action marks Trump's first attempt to dismantle a cabinet-level agency. Previous efforts to eliminate government programs, such as the U.S. Agency for International Development, have been unsuccessful without congressional approval. Shutting down the Department of Education would require congressional legislation, which could be difficult
NASA astronaut Sunita Williams and her Crew-9 teammates—Butch Wilmore, Nick Hague, and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov—have successfully returned to Earth after spending nine months aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Their mission concluded with a smooth splashdown of SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, marking the end of an extended stay in space.The return journey was carefully planned and executed, with the Dragon capsule re-entering Earth’s atmosphere and deploying parachutes for a controlled ocean landing. NASA and SpaceX officials confirmed that all four astronauts were in good health and high spirits after the mission. The crew’s return was originally scheduled earlier but was
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dismissed reports that his troops are surrounded in Russia’s Kursk region, countering claims by Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump. Despite intensified Russian offensives, Zelenskyy affirmed that Ukrainian forces maintain control in the area and accused Russia of amassing troops for an attack on Ukraine’s Sumy region.Ongoing Conflict in KurskUkraine’s presence in Kursk, established since August 2024, has been a strategic victory for Kyiv, marking the first foreign occupation of Russian territory since World War II. However, Russian and North Korean forces have been advancing in recent weeks, reclaiming key positions such
A NASA-SpaceX mission aimed at bringing home two astronauts stranded aboard the International Space Station (ISS) has been postponed due to a hydraulic ground issue. The Falcon 9 rocket, set to launch from Florida’s Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, was delayed after engineers identified a problem with the hydraulics on a clamp arm. Another launch attempt is possible on Thursday, pending repairs.The mission, Crew-10, was expected to transport four new astronauts to the ISS and clear the way for the return of NASA astronauts Suni Williams, 58, and Butch Wilmore, 61. The two astronauts flew to space in June 2024
Elon Musk has reignited a debate over the influence of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) after calling for their removal in a post on X. He shared a report questioning the fundraising platform ActBlue and its alleged ties to Democratic donors, suggesting that it was involved in money laundering by funnelling USAID funds to Democrats. Musk’s statement—"Delete the NGOs"—has drawn significant attention and sparked political discussions.ActBlue has been instrumental in Democratic fundraising, allowing donors to make small, recurring contributions through an efficient payment processing system. However, concerns have been raised about suspiciously high volumes of donations attributed to elderly individuals who were
Russian authorities have blocked access to the Telegram messaging app in two southern regions, Dagestan and Chechnya, citing national security concerns. According to Yuri Gamzatov, Dagestan's digital development minister, the decision to restrict Telegram was made at the federal level due to its use by hostile entities.The move follows growing fears of militant Islamist activity in these predominantly Muslim regions. Russian intelligence agencies have reported an increase in extremist threats, raising concerns over the role of social media platforms in spreading harmful content. Gamzatov pointed to the October 2023 anti-Israel riot at Makhachkala Airport as an example of how Telegram
A kidnapping case featured on Netflix's Unsolved Mysteries has finally been solved, over seven years after a young boy was taken by his mother. The now 14-year-old, missing since November 2017, was found in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, along with his mother, Rabia Khalid, 40. Khalid, who did not have custody of the child at the time, was arrested along with Elliot Blake Bourgeois, 42, who was with her at the time of discovery. Both face multiple charges, including second-degree kidnapping, forgery, identity theft, providing false information, and trespassing. They are being held on $1 million bonds each.Authorities were led to
In a significant foreign policy move, President Donald Trump has ordered a temporary halt on all U.S. military aid to Ukraine, citing concerns over Kyiv’s commitment to peace negotiations. This decision follows a tense Oval Office meeting last week, during which Trump reportedly asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to leave the White House after a heated exchange.A White House official confirmed the aid pause, emphasizing that the U.S. remains focused on fostering peace. "The President has been clear that he is focused on peace. We need our partners to be committed to that goal as well," the official told. The
The United Kingdom has pledged a £1.6 billion ($2 billion) export finance package to Ukraine to enhance its defence capabilities. This new funding will allow Kyiv to acquire 5,000 air-defence missiles, as announced by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer during a defence summit in London. Starmer emphasized the urgency for European nations to move beyond discussions and take decisive action, warning that the West is at a "crossroads in history."Speaking at Lancaster House in central London, Starmer urged European leaders to join a "coalition of the willing" alongside the UK and France to maintain stability if the Russia- Ukraine war
