Indian Strikes on Pakistan, UK Targeting Visa Applicants by Nationality, Pentagon Halted Ukraine Aid Without Trump's Direct Approval, Carney Stood Strong- Canada Never '51st State' and other News

Escalating Conflict in Sudan: The civil war in Sudan is intensifying, with significant international diplomatic fallout and a deepening humanitarian crisis. Allegations of external support for the paramilitary RSF are at the forefront of diplomatic tensions.Indian Strikes on Pakistan: India launched missile attacks on what it claimed were "terrorist infrastructure" sites inside Pakistan and Pakistani Kashmir. The Indian government stated these strikes were in retaliation for an attack on Hindu tourists in Indian Kashmir the previous month. "A little while ago, the Indian armed forces launched ‘OPERATION SINDOOR’, hitting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir from where terrorist attacks against India have been planned and directed."Pakistan Vows Retaliation: Pakistan's Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, called the Indian attacks "cowardly" and stated, "Pakistan has every right to respond forcefully to this act of war imposed by India, and a forceful response is being given."UK Targeting Visa Applicants by Nationality: Whitehall officials claim the Home Office will target Nigerians, Pakistanis, and Sri Lankans applying for work or study visas due to suspicions they are most likely to overstay and claim asylum. They are working with the National Crime Agency to build profiles of such applicants. Nearly 10,000 asylum claimants who arrived legally on visas were in taxpayer-funded accommodation last year, with the most common nationalities being from these three countries.Pentagon Halted Ukraine Aid Without Trump's Direct Approval: A Reuters report details how an order to stop 11 military aid flights bound for Ukraine in February originated in the office of Defense Head Pete Hegseth, roughly a week after Trump's second term began. This incident highlights a potentially "haphazard policymaking process" and unclear command structure within the administration.Trump Administration Ban on Transgender Military Service: The Supreme Court, in an unsigned order with dissenting liberal justices, granted the Trump administration's emergency application to reinstate its ban on transgender individuals serving in the military while a legal challenge continues. The administration argued identifying as transgender "conflicts with a soldier's commitment to an honourable, truthful, and disciplined lifestyle" and harms military preparedness. Opponents argue the ban is discriminatory and undermines readiness.New Mold Threat to Danish Museum Objects: A new, "extreme" type of mold known as aspergillus section restricti is affecting cultural objects in Denmark's museums, including paintings. This mold can survive in extreme environments and is feared to be a potential health hazard, which could prevent affected objects from being exhibited. It appears to prefer "cultural heritage."New York State Inflation Refund Checks and School Meals: New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced plans to distribute $2 billion in "first-ever inflation refund checks" to over 8 million residents. She also announced a plan to provide free school meals (breakfast and lunch) for all of the state's 2.7 million students, which is estimated to save families significantly on grocery costs.