On Tuesday, Usha and JD Vance, the second couple of the United States, announced that Usha is expecting their fourth child, a boy, due in late July. Sharing the news on X, the Second Lady expressed excitement and gratitude for the support of military doctors and staff, who help the family balance their public duties with personal life. She wrote, "We're very excited to share that Usha is pregnant with our fourth child, a boy. Both Usha and the baby are doing well, and we look forward to welcoming him in late July. During this busy and joyful time, we are especially thankful to the military doctors who care for our family and to the staff who help us serve the country while enjoying life with our children."
JD Vance, 41, and Usha, 40, have been married since 2014 and are already parents to three children: Ewan, 8; Vivek, 5; and Mirabel, 3. Mirabel gained viral attention during Inauguration Day for wearing colorful cartoon bandages while her mother held her during JD’s oath-taking ceremony. Vivek also drew attention last year for his fascination with the “six-seven” craze during a Bible reading, prompting Vance to jokingly consider banning the numbers.
The couple has faced marriage rumors since October after the Vice President embraced the late Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk’s widow, Erika. Speculation intensified in November and December when Usha was photographed without her wedding ring at events with First Lady Melania Trump. Despite the rumors, the Vances emphasized their excitement about expanding their family and expressed appreciation for those who help them manage both public service and family life.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.
US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday, January 20, that Britain’s decision to transfer sovereignty of Diego Garcia in the Chagos Islands to Mauritius was a sign of “total weakness.” He argued that the move reinforced national security concerns and cited it as another reason why the United States should acquire Greenland.
Diego Garcia hosts a key US-UK military air base in the Indian Ocean. Under an agreement reached last year, Britain agreed to hand sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while retaining control of the base through a long-term lease. At the time, the US administration welcomed the deal, praising efforts to ensure the continued operation of the joint military facility. Reacting strongly, Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform that the UK was planning to give up Diego Garcia, home to a crucial US military base, to Mauritius “for no reason whatsoever.” He added that China and Russia would undoubtedly be paying close attention to Britain’s actions.
British senior minister Darren Jones defended the agreement, saying it was the most secure option for the base, allowing it to function for the next century. He confirmed that the treaty had already been signed and could not be altered, emphasizing that Britain would rely on diplomacy and the prime minister’s relationship with the US president to safeguard national interests.
Although Prime Minister Keir Starmer has previously built a strong rapport with Trump, including securing a deal to reduce certain tariffs, tensions have recently emerged over Trump’s stance on Greenland and his criticism of the Diego Garcia agreement. Trump has repeatedly claimed that growing Chinese and Russian influence makes Greenland essential to US security and has insisted on full ownership. Britain’s agreement with Mauritius had been delayed following Trump’s inauguration in January 2025, as London allowed the new US administration time to review the arrangement.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
The United Nations in India announced on Saturday that Stefan Priesner has formally taken charge as the UN Resident Coordinator in India after presenting his credentials to the Government of India, according to an official statement. In his role, Priesner will head the UN Country Team in India, working to support national development priorities and advance progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals through a coordinated and integrated UN approach.
Appointed by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Priesner presented his credentials to Sibi George, Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs, during a ceremony held in New Delhi on Friday. Following the event, Priesner expressed his appreciation for the opportunity, describing India as a vital partner of the United Nations and reaffirming the UN’s commitment to collaborating closely with the government and stakeholders to promote inclusive and sustainable development.
Priesner brings nearly 30 years of experience in international development, policy advisory roles, and managing complex, multi-sector programmes. Prior to this assignment, he served as UN Resident Coordinator in Iran from 2021 to 2025, and earlier in Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, and Singapore between 2017 and 2021. He also held the positions of Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Uzbekistan from 2013 to 2017.
Priesner occupied senior roles within UNDP, including Country Director in Bangladesh, Deputy Resident Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Deputy Chief of the Sub-regional Resource Facility for South and West Asia in Nepal. He began his UN career in 1997 with UNDP in Bhutan, after working in the private sector. An Austrian national, Priesner holds a master’s degree in international relations from Johns Hopkins University in the United States and a master’s degree in law from the University of Vienna.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from X/@MEAIndia.
US forces in the Caribbean have seized another sanctioned oil tanker linked to Venezuela, part of the Trump administration’s broader effort to control the South American country’s oil. The US Coast Guard boarded the vessel, named Veronica, early Thursday, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said on social media. The tanker had previously passed through Venezuelan waters and was operating in violation of Trump’s established sanctions against vessels in the region.
US Southern Command reported that Marines and sailors from the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford assisted the Coast Guard in the operation, which was carried out without incident. Social media posts from US government accounts showed black-and-white footage of helicopters hovering over the deck as armed personnel descended by rope, with at least nine people visible on board.
The Veronica is the sixth sanctioned tanker seized under US operations targeting Venezuela’s oil industry and the fourth since the US ousted President Nicolás Maduro in a surprise nighttime raid nearly two weeks ago. The tanker last transmitted its location on January 3 near Aruba, north of Venezuela’s main oil terminal, carrying a partial load of crude. Flying the flag of Guyana, the ship is part of a so-called shadow fleet that transports oil in violation of US sanctions. Previously, it was known as the Gallileo, owned by a Russian company, and its registration matches that of another tanker, the Pegas, sanctioned for moving illicit Russian oil.
Noem and military officials framed the seizure as enforcement of the law, emphasizing that American authorities are monitoring the entire shadow fleet. While she declined to give specifics on the number of tankers being tracked, other Trump administration officials have described the actions as a way to generate revenue and support plans to rebuild Venezuela's oil industry. Trump met with oil executives to discuss investing USD 100 billion in Venezuela to repair and expand oil production and distribution, with expectations to sell 30–50 million barrels of sanctioned Venezuelan oil.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Business Standard.
Unidentified attackers carried out a sabotage attack in Pakistan’s Balochistan province by blowing up a section of a railway track, disrupting rail movement in the region, officials said on Monday. The explosion occurred in a remote area, damaging the track and forcing authorities to suspend train services as a precautionary measure. No casualties were reported, but railway officials confirmed that traffic on the affected route was halted to prevent any accidents.
Security forces and railway personnel rushed to the site following the blast, cordoned off the area, and launched an investigation to determine the nature and perpetrators of the attack. Repair work on the damaged track was initiated, with officials stating that services would resume only after thorough safety checks.
While no group has claimed responsibility, the incident once again highlights the fragile security situation in parts of Balochistan, where militant attacks targeting infrastructure have occurred in the past. Authorities said investigations are ongoing and security has been tightened along key railway routes in the province.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from IANS Live.
President Donald Trump has proposed a US-led “Board of Peace” aimed at resolving international conflicts, with himself as chair and backed by billion-dollar funding. The idea raises questions about whether a leader known for a confrontational foreign policy can credibly recast himself as a global peacemaker. Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman examine the initiative’s underlying motives, its international legitimacy, and its future beyond Trump’s presidency, with insights from Dr Jessica Genauer, Associate Professor of International Relations at Flinders University.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
Protests have erupted nationwide following the fatal shooting of a woman by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer during the Trump administration’s most recent immigration enforcement campaign. Footage of the shooting of Minnesota resident Renee Nicole Good has circulated widely on social media, triggering demonstrations and candlelight vigils. Lucy Hough discusses the incident with Oliver Laughland, the Guardian US southern bureau chief.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian
Deposed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was controversially taken into custody by US special forces and appeared in a Manhattan courtroom. The arrest followed months of US pressure on Maduro, including strikes against “narco-boats” and oil tanker blockades. Donald Trump has since asserted that the US plans to “take over” Venezuela—but how exactly would that happen?
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from The Guardian.
Jonathan Freedland and the Politics Weekly America team are on a break this week, so we’re revisiting a special summer series focused on the Trump family and the question of whether the president intends to hand over the political reins when his term ends. In the first episode, author Gwenda Blair along with reporters Rosie Gray and Ashley Parker introduce the family members who played key roles in Donald Trump’s rise to the White House and his tenure in office.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
