Breaking News Today
Breaking news and analysis from the Tri-State Area. President Trump met with Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau at Oval Office as tension between their countries escalates.
Researchers and archaeologists discovered evidence that pre-Inca societies in Peru used psychedelic substances in secret rituals.
A woman recently transformed her garage into a food storage pantry. Additionally, New York hospitals are using debt collection tactics against some of their low-income patients.
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India and Pakistan clash
India and Pakistan stand on the precipice of war. Following a militant attack that left 26 dead last month in Indian-administered Kashmir, India accused Islamabad of backing violence by conducting airstrikes at nine locations it believed were connected with this attack.
These strikes caused alarm worldwide and Western governments called on both sides to exercise restraint; but New Delhi responded by closing its main border crossing with Pakistan, suspending water-sharing treaty agreements between them, expelling diplomats from both countries, and imposing heavy tariffs on imports from Pakistan.
Islamabad has said it will respond with force “befitting of its actions”, while Pakistani officials have made unsubstantiated claims of five Indian jets being shot down, residents in Muzaffarabad reported hearing loud explosions, and power blackouts hit many city areas – marking this latest clash as the most intense between both nations since 2019. Stay tuned! Stay with us.
The papal conclave
On Wednesday morning in Vatican City, 133 cardinals began the centuries-old ceremony to select their new pope. Entering St. Peter’s Basilica amid an solemn anthem called “Veni, Creator Spiritus,” they prayed to allow God’s Holy Spirit to guide their decisions while they seek an appropriate leader for 1.4 billion Catholic Church.
After attending a pre-conclave Mass, cardinals converged upon Sistine Chapel for their initial ballot. Once taking an oath of secrecy and taking an oath to maintain confidentiality, their master of ceremonies issued an “extra omnes” signal and secured all doors around them, protecting their meeting from external influences until a pope was chosen.
Experts predict the vote could be swift and simple, while others say divisions over women, gays, migrants and clergy sexual abuse will likely make for an uncertain process. Cardinals will depart Thursday for prayers and rest before returning on Friday with plans to hold four rounds of votes until white smoke appears, signaling “habemus papam” – possibly by Friday at the latest.
Protests against police brutality
The US is at an inflection point: mass shootings have reached record levels (BBC, 29 December 2019), violent hate crimes are on the rise and police killings of Black men continue unabated at 2.5 times higher rates than white officers (NPR, 3 September 2020). Against this background has come forth an opportunity for BLM protesters worldwide.
But BLM demonstrations have also been marred by violence: cars and buildings have been set on fire; store windows broken; police have been accused of using excessive force – including using less lethal weapons such as rubber bullets and pepper spray – against demonstrators, while use of force against demonstrator by law enforcement has also been accused.
Police should uphold people’s First Amendment rights to demonstrate, rather than using punitive tactics and crowd control weapons that disproportionately target Black communities. Racial justice and public health require this. Likewise, America needs to follow in the footsteps of other countries by prioritizing dialogue as an avenue for defusing conflict.
Disney’s seventh theme park
The Walt Disney Company plans to open a brand-new theme park for Middle Eastern visitors next year – its inaugural ever in this region! In partnership with local leisure and entertainment company Miral, Disney will construct an onshore resort on Yas Island near Abu Dhabi.
Disney says the resort will combine iconic stories and characters with Abu Dhabi’s vibrant culture and architecture, offering unique dining and immersive experiences.
Disney is no stranger to international markets; however, this theme park opening marks their first foray since Shanghai Disneyland debuted back in 2016. Experiences division accounts for most of their global growth strategy and parks are key components.
UAE is an economic powerhouse and Disney’s announcement indicates their continuing global expansion efforts. Furthermore, this comes at a time when they face increasing competition from streaming and are involved in an ongoing trade dispute with China.
