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Argentina withdraws from WHO: Argentina officially withdraws from WHO, following the US withdrawal from WHO earlier this year

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继美国今年早些时候退出后,阿根廷正式退出世界卫生组织

Data map: Argentine President Javier Milley (Photo source: Associated Press)

Argentina’s foreign minister announced on Tuesday that Argentina has officially withdrawn from the World Health Organization (WHO), becoming the latest country to withdraw from the WHO after the United States took the same step earlier this year.

Buenos Aires completes exit after earlier announcement

President Javier Milei’s government first announced its intention to withdraw from the World Health Organization a year ago, accusing the global body of mishandling the Covid-19 pandemic, AFP reported.Argentina’s foreign ministry said the troop withdrawal process has now been completed within the time required by international treaties.Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno confirmed the move in a post on X, saying: “Argentina will continue to promote international cooperation in the field of health through bilateral agreements and regional forums, while fully safeguarding its sovereignty and health policy decision-making capabilities.”

Mire government reiterates criticism of WHO

Mire’s government has been harshly critical of the WHO’s role during the pandemic.Last year, Argentina declared that “the recommendations of the World Health Organization are invalid because they are not based on science but on political interests.”The formal withdrawal underscores President Milley’s tough stance on multilateral institutions and aligns Buenos Aires more closely with the policy direction taken by the United States under President Donald Trump.

The move reflects U.S. withdrawal under Trump

Argentina’s decision comes after the United States formally withdrew from the World Health Organization in January.A year ago, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order upon his return to the White House calling for Washington to withdraw from the U.N. health agency.Milley has been seen as a close ally of Trump, and Argentina’s move is likely to draw wider international attention because it reflects Washington’s break with the Geneva-based group.

Why is the World Health Organization important?

According to AFP, the WHO has historically played a central role in major global public health campaigns, including the eradication of smallpox and responses to threats such as polio, HIV, Ebola and tuberculosis.WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus had earlier expressed concern about the United States withdrawing from the WHO.In January, Tedros said he “deeply regretted” Washington’s withdrawal and warned it would make the United States and the rest of the world less safe.Argentina’s withdrawal now raises new questions about the future of global health coordination, especially as countries continue to debate sovereignty, science and the role of international institutions in dealing with future pandemics.

Midtown Manhattan skyscraper fire: Video shows smoke billowing from New York City high-rise rooftops on St. Patrick’s Day

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Midtown Manhattan skyscraper catches fire: A dramatic video circulating on social media showed thick smoke billowing from a roof. skyscrapers Located in the city center manhattan.

Fire breaks out on top of a skyscraper in Midtown Manhattan (Unsplash/Representative Image)
Fire breaks out on top of a skyscraper in Midtown Manhattan (Unsplash/Representative Image)

According to PIX11, smoke was billowing from the roof of a building at 6 East 43rd Street in downtown on Tuesday. Fire officials said the smoke appeared to be coming from a large air conditioning vent on the roof, and firefighters were at the scene aggressively putting water on the fire.

Also read: Joe Kent and his family: The US counterterrorism director resigned due to the war in Iran, relying entirely on his wife Heather and children

FDNY puts out midtown Manhattan fire

The New York Fire Department is battling a fire in midtown Manhattan that sent thick smoke into the air ahead of the city’s St. Patrick’s Day parade, CBS News and the New York Post reported.

Video showed flames and smoke billowing from the roof of a high-rise building on East 43rd Street between Fifth and Madison avenues, just a block from the start of the parade route.

Two million people are expected to line Fifth Avenue for the parade, which is scheduled to run from 44th Street to 79th Street at 11 a.m. local time.

What was the cause of the fire?

The FDNY said the fire broke out in the building’s HVAC system and no injuries were reported, but it was still an “all-hands-on-deck” operation, CBS News reported. It starts around 10 a.m. local time.

The fire department posted video of the scene outside the building on social media. Video from the ground showed smoke covering the sky above.

New York City traffic delays

Notify NYC’s alert about the fire said people should expect significant traffic delays, road closures and public transportation disruptions for emergency crews in the area.

However, we will provide further updates as more information becomes available.

‘Don’t take your husband and three kids’: Anglo-Indian politician criticizes Palestinian student for seeking funds to bring family to London

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'Don't take your husband and three kids': Anglo-Indian politician criticizes Palestinian student for seeking funds to bring family to London

British Indian politician Suella Braverman sparked a controversy after responding to a student’s request to bring her family to the UK to attend university. Braverman posted on X, “You don’t need to bring your husband and three kids to get a degree in media studies. Universities need to stop selling immigration instead of education.Her comments were in response to a fundraising post by Alaa Radwan, who is originally from Palestine and whose family is seeking around £17,000 to cover visa and education costs, including those for her husband and three children, after receiving an unconditional offer to study for a master’s degree in media and communication studies at Goldsmiths, University of London, starting in September 2026, according to her CV.Radwan’s post outlined basic costs such as a visa application fee of £524 per person, an immigration health surcharge of £776 per person and tuition fees, describing the move as a “lifeline for my family”.Braverman was born in Harrow, London, to Indian parents and has long served in the British government. She has previously been involved in discussions to reduce net migration and tighten rules on family visas for overseas students. She also served as former Home Secretary.Social media users have acknowledged that Braverman herself has immigrant roots and brought her parents to the UK. One user said: “This is the same system your parents and whole family exploited. Jumping from one political party to another has obviously fried your brain.”Another said: “Tell us Suella, why did your parents immigrate to the UK in the 60s?”A third added: “Have you ever said to your dad, Dad, you don’t need to take my mum and us away?”

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta attends ‘Nari Utsav’ organized by Nirmal Chhaya

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德里首席部长雷卡·古普塔 (Rekha Gupta) 出席 Nirmal Chhaya 举办的“Nari Utsav”活动

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta attends ‘Nari Utsav’ organized by Nirmal Chhaya

New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday attended the ‘Nari Utsav’ program at Nirmal Chhaya Complex, where she praised the strength and contribution of women in nation-building. She said that women through their dedication, selfless service and sense of responsibility are playing a leadership role in various sectors to drive the country towards the goals of Viksit Bharat 2047.During the visit, the Chief Minister visited the Nirmal Chhaya campus and reviewed various programmes, services and facilities. She also initiated and evaluated several initiatives of the Ministry of Women and Child Development, reaffirming the Delhi government’s commitment to the comprehensive empowerment of women and children.CM Gupta pointed out that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, women are scaling new heights – from rural industries to corporate sector, from politics to armed forces – and said the Delhi government is working in the same direction to make women more empowered and self-reliant.Highlighting security, dignity and self-reliance as the three pillars of women’s empowerment, Gupta said every woman should have a safe environment, respect under all circumstances and the opportunity to achieve economic independence.She also announced that the upcoming Delhi Budget to be presented on March 24 will include key initiatives for women and girls. Highlighting the importance of Self-Help Groups (SHGs), she said employment and entrepreneurship opportunities would be provided to women in Delhi through the group-based model. She also stressed the need to expand platforms like ‘Mahila Haat’ to help women showcase and sell their products.The chief minister said the government’s focus is not just on launching the scheme but also on ensuring its effective implementation so that every needy person benefits. She stressed that society has a shared responsibility to ensure that no one goes hungry, is unemployed or neglected.After the event, Gupta conducted a detailed inspection of the Nirma Jaya complex. She visited the Women’s Aftercare Home, Balika Grih and Bal Niketan to ensure residents received proper care, safety and facilities. She interacts with children, distributes bags and essentials, reviews arrangements related to safety, nutrition and holistic care, issues necessary instructions to officials.Rekha Gupta also visited Sankalp Hub, which conducts activities related to women’s safety, awareness and empowerment Shakti Mission was shown. At the ‘Mahila Haat’ run by SHG, she reviewed local products and exhibitions, including nutritious millet dishes.While interacting with the women trained under the WCD-DSEU programme, the Chief Minister appreciated the SHGs for opening canteens at 10 locations, calling it a powerful example of promoting women’s entrepreneurship.Gupta further inspected the ‘Samarth Anganwadi’ where upgraded infrastructure, multi-dimensional activities and health and wellness services were showcased. She reviewed preventive health screening, health counseling and menstrual hygiene awareness programs for women.During the programme, the Chief Minister launched several key initiatives including an outline of programs related to women and children and a WCD newsletter. She also distributed health bundles to pregnant and nursing mothers, provided incentives to Anganwadi workers and launched the Juvenile Justice Management Information System (JJMIS) portal to improve child-centric service delivery.Under the ‘Give to Get’ initiative, she called for greater collaboration between the government and the private sector to strengthen anganwadi centers and childcare institutions. The initiative will support the installation of sanitary napkin vending machines, infrastructure upgrades, expansion of mobile health services and new programs for women and children, and create livelihood opportunities for women and small groups.The Chief Minister reiterated that the government remains fully committed to empowering women, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for children and uplifting the weaker sections of the society. She added that when women are empowered, society and the country become stronger and Delhi is moving firmly in this direction.

Tensions between Iran and the United States throw a wrench into FIFA World Cup plans, with games likely to be moved to Mexico

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Iran-U.S. tensions cloud World Cup plans, games could be moved to Mexico
People waved Iranian flags. (AP Photo/Wahid Salemi)

New Delhi: Iran to compete in 2026 Olympics fifa world cup The situation is uncertain due to rising tensions in the Middle East. Although the tournament will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, soccer officials in that country are now trying to move the tournament out of the United States due to security concerns and political concerns.

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Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag watches West Ham United vs Manchester City in London

Iran pushes for match adjustments

The Iranian Football Federation is negotiating with FIFA to move the match to Mexico. “We will certainly not travel to the United States when (US President Donald) Trump has made it clear that he cannot ensure the safety of the Iranian national team,” federation president Mehdi Tegui said. “We are currently negotiating with FIFA to host Iran’s World Cup matches in Mexico,” he added.Iran is currently scheduled to play matches in the United States, including games against New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt. However, officials are concerned about security and logistical issues, including visa issues.

FIFA responds as tensions rise

FIFA confirmed it is in contact with Iran but has not yet agreed to any changes. A spokesman said: “FIFA is in regular contact with all participating member associations, including the Islamic Republic of Iran, to discuss planning for the 2026 World Cup.” He added: “FIFA expects all participating teams to play in accordance with the competition schedule announced on December 6, 2025.”Concerns about Iran heightened after comments from Donald Trump, who said he welcomed the team but warned they should not travel “for their own lives and safety.” Iran strongly rebutted, saying “no one can exclude the Iranian national team from the World Cup.”Uncertainty remains over the situation as the conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran continues, and it’s unclear what will happen if Iran ultimately decides not to participate.

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Who is Shannon M. Kent? It’s all about Joe Kent’s first wife, who died in 2019 bombing in Manbij, Syria

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Joe KentThe Oregon native and director of the National Counterterrorism Center announced his resignation Tuesday morning amid the ongoing U.S.-Iraq war.

Joe Kent, who lost two congressional bids, resigned as director of the National Counterterrorism Center to oppose the U.S. war against Iran. His wife, Shannon, a Navy cryptographer, was killed in a bombing in Syria in 2019. (Jo Kent/Instagram/X)
Joe Kent, who lost two congressional bids, resigned as director of the National Counterterrorism Center to oppose the U.S. war against Iran. His wife, Shannon, a Navy cryptographer, was killed in a bombing in Syria in 2019. (Jo Kent/Instagram/X)

Kent said in a social media post that Iran did not pose an imminent threat to the United States.

“After careful consideration, I have decided to resign as director of the National Bureau of Statistics. Counter-terrorism Centre, effective today,” he said.

“I cannot in good conscience support Iran’s ongoing war. Iran poses no imminent threat to our country and it is clear that we are waging this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby,” Kent added.

The ongoing conflict in the region comes weeks after the United States launched a series of strikes against Iran that resulted in the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key trade route for oil and various other commodities.

Also read: Ali Larijani Family: Amid mass deaths in Israel, everything hinges on Iran’s security chief’s wife, children and net worth

Who is Joe Kent?

Kent, an Oregon native, graduated from Norwich University with a degree in strategic defense analysis. He dedicated 20 years to the U.S. Army, during which time he served 11 combat deployments in the Middle East and other high-risk areas. Throughout his military career, he was assigned to the 75th Ranger Regiment, Army Special Forces, and U.S. Army Special Operations Command and received numerous military honors, including six Bronze Star Medals. After retiring from the Army in 2018, he served as a paramilitary officer in the CIA’s Special Activities Center.

Kent has twice attempted to win a congressional seat in Washington state’s 3rd District, which includes Clark County. He was defeated both times by Mary Grusenkamp Perez. He was appointed to his current position by President Donald Trump in early 2025.

Kent and his family are dedicated to counterterrorism efforts and keeping the American people safe.

Joe Kent’s family: It’s all thanks to his wife, Shannon M. Kent

Kent’s husband, Shannon M Kent, died in the 2019 bombing in Manbij, Syria.

Shannon was born in New York in 1983 and joined the Navy in 2003. Fluent in Spanish, French, Portuguese, and Arabic, she had a burgeoning career as a cryptologist at Fort Meade, Maryland. In 2006, midway through her career, Shannon was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and was successfully treated with surgery.

In 2008, she was deployed to Afghanistan to assist the Navy SEALs.

Shannon met Kent during an Intelligence Support Activity selection course and the two married in 2014.

Shannon deployed to Syria in November 2018 as the Navy’s chief cryptographic technician. She was one of four Americans killed in a suicide bombing in Manbij, Syria, on January 19, 2019.

All four soldiers were killed in the attack, along with 15 local Syrian Democratic Forces fighters.

Last year, Kent paid tribute to Shannon in an Instagram post, writing: “6 years ago. Shannon Marie Kent set sail in Manbij, Syria, on January 16, 2019, on her fifth Special Operations deployment.”

“I am grateful for every moment we have and the life we ​​have created. Shannon is an amazing wife, mother, friend, sister and daughter. Shannon is timeless,” he added.

Children of Joe and Shannon M. Kent

At the time of her death, Joe and Shannon’s two sons were 3 years old and 18 months old.

In 2023, Joe Kent entered into a new marriage with Heather Kaiser. Shannon Kent was posthumously promoted to Senior Master Sergeant and received various honors including the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, and Combat Action Ribbon.

India dominates latest rankings: Mandhana tops, Harmanpreet climbs

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India dominates latest rankings: Smriti Mandhana tops, Harmanpreet Kaur climbs
Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: India captain Harmanpreet Kaur climbed to seventh spot in the latest women’s ODI rankings, while her teammates Mandana Continue to occupy the top spot. There have been some changes in the rankings, with Sophie Devine dropping to ninth place, while Jemimah Rodrigues remains in twelfth place.

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Mithali Raj on the rise of women’s cricket in India

New Zealand players gain a lot

Several New Zealand players made huge strides in the series against Zimbabwe. Maddy Green impressed with her 94-run knock, helping her jump five spots to 17th with a career-high rating.All-rounder Amelia Kerr also shone, scoring 80 runs and taking 5 wickets in the final. She won Player of the Match and Player of the Series and moved up to a tie for 19th among hitters while maintaining a strong ranking among bowlers.Other players like Isabelle Gaze, Rosemary Mair and Bree Illing also improved their places in the batting and bowling lists.

T20I ranking changes

In the T20Is, Amelia Kerr continued her excellent form, scoring 78 against South Africa, a career-high score. Georgia Plimmer shot a 63 and moved up in the rankings.Among the bowlers, Jesse Cole moved up 11 places with a stellar performance, while Sophie Devine made a huge jump after taking four wickets in a match.

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‘Police refused to help’: Indian-Sikh restaurant owner Harman Kapoor speaks out amid ‘not halal’ controversy after release

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'Police refused to help': Indian-Sikh restaurant owner Harman Kapoor speaks out amid 'not halal' controversy after release

An Indian-Sikh restaurant owner in west London claims the Metropolitan Police “repeatedly refused” to help his family despite serious threats hours after he was detained and later released hours after a tense confrontation outside his restaurant.Rangrez’s boss Harman Singh Kapoor claimed in a social media post that his “outburst” was due to months of intimidation.He wrote: “Many people are unhappy with my attacks on radicals who continue to make my life a living hell.” He added: “The Metropolitan Police have repeatedly refused to help my family when a group of unruly radicals threatened to kill and rape us.”He also posted a video after his release of supporters gathering outside the restaurant and called his arrest “illegal.”

‘Non-halal’ stance sparks months of tension

At the center of the controversy is Rangrez, a neighborhood Indian restaurant in west London that has been operating for about 16 years and has announced plans to close.Kapoor said the company had been under continued pressure after publicly announcing it would not serve halal meat. A prominent sign outside the restaurant reads: “Proudly, we do not sell halal food.”Kapoor said that, as a Sikh, he prefers to serve jhatka meat, a method of slaughter that requires quick blows and which some Sikhs consider religiously permissible.According to him, the decision sparked months of backlash, including false online comments, threats and repeated confrontations.

Crowds gather and the situation escalates

Tensions came to a head on March 14 when Kapoor promoted a “non-halal party” at a restaurant, asking supporters to attend and document any disturbances.Later in the day, a large crowd gathered outside the restaurant in Hammersmith, with social media posts saying more than 100 people surrounded the restaurant. Videos shared online showed a heated atmosphere, with Kapoor describing the situation as threatening.Fearing for his family’s safety, he said he carried a “kirpan,” a Sikh ceremonial knife, for protection.

arrest and release

Kapoor said he was detained by the Metropolitan Police hours after the crowd began to disperse, allegedly for carrying a religious dagger.Police have not issued a detailed public statement clarifying the circumstances of the arrest or whether any charges will be filed.Kapoor was later released and later posted a video showing supporters gathering outside the restaurant. In another post, he wrote: “I can’t even hold a knife anymore or even eat. I could be arrested by the Metropolitan Police.”What started as a dispute over halal and non-halal food has evolved into a wider cultural and political controversy. Kapoor’s supporters claim he was targeted for exercising his religious beliefs and protecting his business, while critics say the situation has been exacerbated by provocative messages on social media and heightened tensions.

Malaysia’s hopes of qualifying for AFC Asian Cup ended by scandal

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'Sending unqualified players': Malaysia's hopes of qualifying for AFC Asian Cup end in scandal

Malaysia’s hopes of qualifying for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup were dashed after the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) ruled out two matches 3-0 for fielding ineligible players, a decision that confirmed Vietnam’s promotion from Group F.The AFC said the action was taken after Malaysia used ineligible players in the final round of qualifying. “The defendants fielded ineligible players in matches related to the 2027 AFC Asian Cup (qualifier final),” the AFC said in a statement. The Kuala Lumpur-based body also fined the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) US$50,000.After losing the game, Vietnam now leads the group with a six-point advantage, with Malaysia unlikely to catch up. The final group match between Vietnam and Malaysia on March 31 will no longer affect qualifying.“Although this match is no longer decisive for the final group rankings, it is still expected to be a noteworthy match,” the Vietnam Football Association said.The development comes in the wake of a FIFA investigation into Malaysia’s use of foreign-born players. The investigation focuses on the 4-0 victory over Vietnam in June last year and the 2-0 victory over Nepal in March last year. Both results have now been overturned.FIFA found that the players obtained their citizenship through forged documents and did not have Malaysian ancestry or ancestry. According to the governing body, three players are from Argentina, two are from Spain, one is from the Netherlands and one is from Brazil.The players involved are Hector Hever, Jon Elazábal, Gabriel Palmeiro, Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Horgado, Imanol Machuca and João Brando Figueiredo.The FIFA Appeals Committee said in its findings that the offense “undermines the foundations of football’s integrity”. It held both players and FAM accountable, stating that seven players “negligently used and benefited from forged documents” and that FAM’s “inability to establish accountability reflects systemic governance shortcomings and a lack of genuine commitment”.

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H-1B technician reveals how U.S. savings can be maintained in India for 9 years amid visa dispute; netizens express “impressed”

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An H-1B technician based in India A startling calculation was shared on Reddit claiming that the savings accumulated by working in the US can provide a financial cushion in India for nine years without any additional income.

An Indian H-1B worker revealed on Reddit that his savings in the United States could support him in India for nine years, easing his financial worries during visa delays (AP)
An Indian H-1B worker revealed on Reddit that his savings in the United States could support him in India for nine years, easing his financial worries during visa delays (AP)

The Reddit user admitted that the numbers are not entirely reliable and that the rising cost of living in India could mess with the calculations.

Some Reddit Users responded to the post, finding it helpful at a time when several H-1B visa holders are stranded in India. trump card Crackdown and new visa policy. One user said the estimates helped ease the perception of the dire situation.

Also read: Green Card Alert: DV lottery faces tougher rules and changes to passport requirements; will Indians be affected?

Posts by Indian Technicians

This H-1B skilled worker is currently stuck in India and shares his experience while waiting for his visa stamping reserve. This uncertainty, he said, forced him to take on an unusual task: calculating exactly how long his savings would last if he couldn’t return to the United States to continue his career.

According to his Reddit post, he has about $120,000 in savings. His monthly rent in the US is $1,950, while his living expenses in Bangalore are estimated to be around $100,000 per month. The technician was surprisingly relieved when he discovered that he could manage for about three months and cover the costs of both countries simultaneously. Furthermore, once his lease in the United States expired, he claimed that the remaining funds could sustain him for nearly nine years in India, even though he had no income during that period.

After looking at the data, the Indian tech worker said the situation suddenly became less dire. He believes that seven years of hard work in the United States, coupled with the dramatic change in the cost of living in India, has provided him with a degree of financial security.

Reddit user reactions

Amid the uncertainty surrounding H1-B visas, one user called the calculation “very impressive” and said “I hope it brings you peace of mind and allows you to secure a spot sooner rather than later.”

“Also, how many years of hard work did the savings come from? Single income or double income. Just trying to generalize something so I can do the math for my situation,” the person asked.

“Love the thought process here, OP! I’m glad you were able to stay calm and rationalize this. Of course, everyone’s situation is different – but this way of evaluating different scenarios is a great way to bring a sense of calm,” said another.