A 71-year-old man, Dominique Pelicot, is on trial in France accused of drugging his wife and orchestrating the rape of her by dozens of strangers over nearly a decade. The case, which has shocked the nation, involves Pelicot allegedly offering his wife for sex on a website and filming the assaults. Fifty men, ranging in age and background, are also on trial for participating in the rapes, which occurred at the couple’s home in Mazan, southern France. They face up to 20 years in prison if convicted. Pelicot’s wife was unaware of the abuse until police informed her four years…
Author: Hasnain Abid Khanzada
A video published by Bavaria’s interior ministry on X, now removed, has sparked widespread condemnation for its Islamophobic content and disturbing comparisons to Nazi-era propaganda. The video, released shortly after far-right parties won regional elections, aimed to highlight the Islamic Salafi movement but instead featured a cartoon with problematic imagery. It depicted a Muslim woman watching a video on makeup permissibility, only to be swallowed by a bearded figure in a skull cap, symbolizing radicalization. The video ended with a warning about the “Salafism trap.” The video faced immediate backlash for its harmful messaging, with critics labeling it as “racist…
Amazon’s virtual assistant, Alexa, has faced criticism for offering markedly different responses when asked about voting for former President Donald Trump versus Vice President Kamala Harris. Fox News Digital’s test revealed that Alexa provided neutral or non-committal answers about Trump, such as “I cannot provide responses that endorse any political party or its leader,” across various devices including the Echo Dot and Echo Pop. These responses were intended to reflect Alexa’s neutrality and avoidance of political endorsements. However, when queried about Kamala Harris, Alexa’s responses were notably different. The assistant offered detailed and positive comments about Harris’s background, achievements in…
At least 12 people, including 10 women and girls, have died after a migrant boat carrying dozens broke apart in the English Channel, local authorities reported. The mayor of Le Portel, a French coastal town involved in the rescue, confirmed that “the bottom of the boat ripped open.” French coastguards managed to rescue over 65 individuals, several of whom needed emergency medical treatment. Recent Home Office data reveals that at least 2,109 migrants have attempted the perilous journey in small boats over the past week. France’s Interior Minister, Gérald Darmanin, has confirmed the death toll, noting that only eight of…
Russia intensified its aerial assault on Ukraine on Wednesday, launching a new wave of missiles and drones targeting Kyiv and Lviv, close to the NATO-member Poland border. This escalation follows the deadliest single strike of the war this year, which hit a military institute in Poltava on Tuesday, killing at least 50 and injuring over 270. **Widespread Attacks** Air raid sirens sounded nationwide early Wednesday as Ukraine was placed on high alert. Explosions were reported near Kyiv and Lviv, with Ukrainian air defense systems actively engaged. Lviv’s regional governor Maksym Kozytskyi confirmed residential damage, noting the significant noise from the…
A Texas woman, Elizabeth Wolf, 42, has been formally indicted on charges related to the attempted drowning of a three-year-old Palestinian-American girl earlier this year. The indictment, filed last month in Tarrant County, Texas, includes charges of attempted capital murder and intentionally causing bodily injury to a child, with a hate crime enhancement. The indictment alleges that Wolf’s actions were motivated by racial hatred. The incident occurred in May at a swimming pool in Euless, a suburb of Dallas-Fort Worth. According to a police report, Wolf approached the children’s mother with racially charged questions before attempting to drown the three-year-old…
Thailand’s renowned street food known as ‘dancing shrimp’ has ignited a debate among culinary enthusiasts and critics. The dish, made with live freshwater shrimp that leap around as diners try to eat, has gained fame, especially in northern Thailand. Locally called ‘Goong Ten’, this dish features live shrimp mixed with a zesty combination of crushed chilies, lime juice, fish sauce, mint, sliced shallots, and lemongrass. It is often accompanied by sticky rice and is celebrated as one of the freshest delicacies in Thai cuisine. While the novelty of consuming live shrimp appeals to many, others have raised ethical concerns. Some…
Former US President Donald Trump has weighed in on the ongoing controversy surrounding Jeffrey Epstein, denying any personal involvement with Epstein’s infamous island. Trump stated, “Fortunately, I was not one of them,” while acknowledging that many prominent figures did visit the island. Trump also discussed the anticipated release of Epstein’s client list, suggesting that it “probably will be” made public. When asked about the delay in releasing the documents, he indicated openness to reviewing them, stating he would “certainly take a look at it” if given the chance. In the interview, Trump characterized Epstein as a “good salesman” who used…
In the war-torn town of Kurakhove in Ukraine’s Donbas region, residents are heavily dependent on Telegram channels like “Kurakhove Roll Call” and “Kurakhove Without Panic” for essential updates amidst ongoing Russian bombardments. Daily life in Kurakhove has become increasingly perilous as Russian forces escalate their attacks. Local businesses and essential services are struggling to cope with the constant threat. One baker, Inna, reports that her sales have dwindled to just a few pies and chebureki each day, mainly sold to hospital staff. These Telegram channels, with thousands of subscribers, offer real-time updates on shelling, evacuations, and other critical information. They…
China’s strategic push into Africa through satellite TV has showcased its soft power, focusing on popular entertainment and sports. As African leaders convene in Beijing for the China-Africa summit, President Xi Jinping’s initiative to extend digital TV access to remote areas is nearing completion, with over 9,600 villages equipped with satellite infrastructure. This project, managed by the Chinese company StarTimes, is part of a promise made by Xi at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Johannesburg almost nine years ago. Funded by China’s South-South Assistance Fund, the initiative aimed to install satellite dishes in more than 10,000 remote villages…
