International

In the Jaramana suburb of Damascus, whispers of a mysterious government compound had long circulated among residents. The heavily fortified facility, inaccessible to anyone except regime forces, was shrouded in secrecy. When Islamist rebels removed Bashar al-Assad from power in December, locals wasted no time rushing to see what lay behind its walls. What they discovered painted a chilling picture of Syria’s hidden operations—a suspected chemical laboratory filled with toxic substances capable of producing illicit drugs or chemical weapons, alongside what appeared to be an explosives workshop. The discovery comes amid longstanding accusations against the Assad regime for producing chemical…

Changes are on the horizon for over-the-counter cold and cough medications as U.S. regulators move to eliminate phenylephrine, a common decongestant found in many popular remedies. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has determined that this ingredient, featured in brands like Sudafed and DayQuil, does not effectively relieve nasal congestion. The FDA’s recent proposal to revoke phenylephrine’s approval for use in pills and liquid medications marks the start of a process that could lead to its removal from store shelves. This decision is based on growing evidence that the drug is no better than a placebo when taken orally, leaving…

Foreign workers seeking employment in the U.S. experienced unprecedented success in securing H-1B visas during the 2024 fiscal year, with over 97% of applications gaining approval, according to the National Foundation for American Policy. This near-perfect approval rate marks the second-highest level in over a decade. However, immigration advocates warn that this trend may face significant changes if President-elect Donald Trump reinstates restrictive visa policies from his previous administration. Such a shift could profoundly impact U.S. businesses and institutions that heavily depend on skilled foreign workers, particularly those from India. Sharvari Dalal-Dheini, senior director of government relations for the American…

A recent survey reveals that Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) are significantly more likely than the general American population to view legal immigration as a valuable asset to the United States economy and workforce. However, their stance on illegal immigration aligns more closely with the broader public, highlighting a nuanced perspective within this growing demographic group. The poll, conducted jointly by AAPI Data and The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, found that around 8 in 10 AAPI adults believe legal immigration provides substantial benefits to the country’s economic growth. By comparison, only 4 in 10…

In a tense interview with Fox News on Wednesday, Vice President Kamala Harris addressed criticism of the Biden administration’s handling of illegal immigration, defended President Joe Biden’s mental fitness, and responded to questions about her support for gender-affirming surgeries for transgender inmates. The exchange, led by host Bret Baier, highlighted key political flashpoints as Harris fielded tough questions on immigration, policy decisions, and her potential future as a presidential candidate. The vice president faced pointed criticism over the administration’s approach to the ongoing crisis at the southern border. When pressed about the decision to roll back some of former President…

An outbreak of E. coli infections linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounder burgers has spread across 10 U.S. states, leaving 49 people ill, 10 hospitalized, and one dead, according to health officials. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported Tuesday that an elderly man in Colorado succumbed to the infection, while a child remains hospitalized with severe kidney complications linked to the outbreak. The illnesses were recorded between September 27 and October 11, with cases reported in Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Oregon, Utah, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Colorado has the highest number of infections, with 26 cases,…

Former President Donald Trump delivered fiery remarks during two campaign rallies in Pennsylvania on Wednesday, targeting Vice President Kamala Harris, various women, and his critics while dismissing concerns that his rhetoric might alienate voters. Speaking in Scranton, a pivotal battleground, Trump made it clear that he had no intention of moderating his tone, even if it cost him support. “I don’t want to be nice,” Trump declared to his audience. “You know, someone told me, ‘You should be nicer. Women don’t like that.’ And I said, ‘I don’t care.'” Despite polling data showing that women generally view him more negatively…

In a recent interview with Sky News Arabia, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov addressed the comment made by President Vladimir Putin about Russia’s supposed support for U.S. Democratic candidate Kamala Harris in the upcoming presidential election. Putin had earlier sparked controversy when he jokingly remarked that Russia favored Harris due to her “infectious” laugh, suggesting that this trait made her more appealing than Republican candidate and former President Donald Trump. Lavrov clarified the situation, stating that Putin’s remarks were made in jest, underscoring that the Russian leader often uses humor in his public statements and interviews. “It was a joke,”…

Donald Trump, the U.S. Republican presidential candidate, is planning a significant appearance alongside Polish President Andrzej Duda in Pennsylvania, a crucial swing state for the upcoming election. While the details of this joint appearance are still being finalized, this event could mark an unusual moment where a foreign leader joins a U.S. presidential candidate on the campaign trail. Sources familiar with the plans have indicated that both leaders could appear together this Sunday, though the appearance is still subject to confirmation. Duda, who is nearing the end of his term as Polish president in 2025, has long been a strong…

The devastating tragedy at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, has left the community in shock, with harrowing testimonies from survivors shedding light on the events of the fateful day. On Tuesday, an 18-year-old gunman, Salvador Ramos, entered the school and carried out a horrific attack, resulting in the deaths of 19 children and two teachers. As details continue to emerge, two young survivors have shared their accounts of how they managed to survive the massacre. Miah Cerrillo, an 11-year-old student, recounted the terrifying moments when the shooter entered her classroom. Speaking to CNN, she described how Ramos immediately killed…