Thursday, April 30
The Trump administration refuted reports of re-deporting Kilmar Abrego Garcia, clarifying he was brought back to the U.S. to face human smuggling charges. Deputy press secretary Abigail Jackson dismissed the reports as "fake news," emphasizing Garcia will face American justice, including potential prison time.
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez's glamorous wedding in Venice has turned into a star-studded spectacle, with A-list celebrities flocking to the Italian city. From yacht parties to exclusive venues, the celebrations are drawing global attention. All eyes are now on who’s attending and what surprises the high-profile event holds.
Zohran Mamdani, New York City's potential first Indian-origin and Muslim mayor, is gaining attention for a 2020 retweet. He shared a post from CPI-M Puducherry congratulating Arya Rajendran on becoming Thiruvananthapuram's mayor at just 21, making her India's youngest mayor. Mamdani, the Democratic nominee, seemingly endorsed Rajendran's mayorship, sparking interest amidst his mayoral campaign.
Donald Trump's "Big, Beautiful Bill" proposes $150 billion for mass deportations over four years, dwarfing ICE's current budget. The House has approved key immigration sections, with the Senate debating a similar version. The bill allocates significant funds for the border wall, detention facilities, increased ICE staff, and overhauling immigration courts, alongside dramatic fee hikes for immigration services.
The White House embraced the "Daddy" nickname given to President Trump by Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte. The nickname emerged after Trump's comparison of Iran and Israel to fighting schoolchildren, prompting Rutte's playful remark. Trump acknowledged the nickname affectionately, while Rutte's efforts to engage Trump during the Nato summit earned him the title of "Trump Whisperer."
A US federal judge has ordered the release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran national mistakenly deported during the Trump administration. Despite facing federal human smuggling charges, his release is complicated by concerns he'll be immediately taken into ICE custody. While a judge acknowledged limitations over ICE, legal battles continue regarding the possibility of future deportations.
A religious celebration in Irapuato, Mexico, turned deadly when gunmen opened fire, resulting in 12 fatalities and at least 20 injuries. The attack occurred during festivities for the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, with revellers dancing in the street when the shooting began. Guanajuato state, plagued by cartel violence, has seen a surge in homicides this year.
Donald Trump claimed B-2 pilots involved in strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities are upset by media coverage. He accused CNN and The New York Times of misrepresenting the operation's success. Trump announced a press conference led by defense secretary Pete Hegseth to present "irrefutable" evidence of the mission's achievements.
Anthony Bernal, a top aide to Jill Biden, has withdrawn from his House Oversight Committee interview concerning Joe Biden's alleged cognitive decline. Chairman James Comer condemned Bernal's action, accusing him of obstruction and a cover-up after the White House waived executive privilege. Comer plans to subpoena Bernal.
A towering figure in postcolonial scholarship, Mahmood is not your typical academic. Born in Bombay (now Mumbai), raised in Kampala, exiled during Idi Amin’s regime, and now based at Columbia University, he has spent his life dissecting the violent architecture of the modern world. His work explores colonialism, genocide, citizenship, and the political construction of identity.
