Sudan's Foreign Minister, Mohieldin Salim Ahmed Ibrahim, is on an official visit to India to attend the 2nd India-Arab Foreign Ministers' Meeting (IAFMM), starting Saturday. The meeting will be co-chaired by India and the UAE, with participation from other Arab League member states and the Arab League Secretary General, according to a Ministry of External Affairs press release.

In an exclusive interview with ANI, Ibrahim said Sudan will brief participants on the country’s situation and investment opportunities, particularly in the post-war reconstruction phase. “The reconstruction of Sudan requires significant effort. We will also hold a business forum with investors and ministers in India,” he added.

Ibrahim addressed the India & Arab Countries Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture, highlighting Sudan-India’s long-standing ties and the potential for stronger cooperation during Sudan’s recovery. “Sudan and India enjoy enduring relations that have stood the test of time,” he said, stressing the impact of years of instability on Sudan’s economy, infrastructure, and trade.

He noted that the two nations share similar perspectives, as English-oriented countries, providing a strong foundation for deeper engagement in trade, investment, and development partnerships. Concluding, he emphasized that “reconstruction is about building better,” reaffirming Sudan’s commitment to economic and diplomatic collaboration with India for stability, recovery, and sustainable growth. Sudanese Ambassador to India, Mohammed Abdalla Ali Eltom, expressed gratitude for India’s humanitarian aid during the conflict, including a shipment of 25 tons of medicines delivered to Port Sudan by a special Air Force flight immediately after the war began.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

A strong winter storm is forecast to form off the US East Coast this weekend and rapidly intensify into a bomb cyclone, potentially affecting large portions of the Eastern Seaboard, according to CNN. Forecast models reviewed on Wednesday suggest the system will develop off the Carolinas early Saturday and strengthen quickly enough to qualify as a bomb cyclone. However, its exact path and strength remain uncertain, which will determine where snowfall, powerful winds, and coastal impacts occur.

Meteorologists warn that a deviation of even 100 to 200 miles could drastically change outcomes, ranging from a major snowstorm in major East Coast cities to little more than a cold and windy weekend. CNN reported that the Carolinas and southern Virginia currently face the greatest risk of heavy snow and strong winds regardless of the storm’s track. Confidence in forecasts decreases farther north, though southeastern New England may see wind-driven snowfall.

The network outlined three possible scenarios. The most likely outcome, based on recent models, has the storm tracking near the coast, bringing snow and strong winds to parts of the Southeast and coastal sections of the mid-Atlantic and New England, while largely avoiding major Northeast cities along the I-95 corridor, including Washington DC and New York City. In this case, coastal flooding and erosion would be confined mainly to shoreline areas from Cape Hatteras to Cape Cod.

A second, less likely scenario would see the storm staying closer to the coastline, producing heavy snow and intense winds from the eastern Carolinas through the I-95 corridor. CNN noted this would worsen conditions in areas still recovering from last weekend’s storm, which caused power outages and snowfall amid record cold. The third and least probable scenario involves the storm moving quickly out to sea, keeping the worst conditions offshore and limiting impacts even in the Carolinas.

CNN added that while this storm may be more intense and wind-driven than the previous widespread winter system, it is expected to affect a smaller area. Freezing rain and sleet are unlikely due to cold air already in place, but blizzard conditions and damaging coastal waves remain possible. Residents from the Carolinas to the Northeast were advised to stay alert and follow updated forecasts as confidence grows that a significant storm could develop.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.

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.

In ‘Culture Club’, Melanie Oliveiro chats with Leo Varadkar, former Taoiseach (Prime Minister) of Ireland. Varadkar, author of the autobiography “Speaking My Mind”, shares insights from a remarkable life in public service—how politics fascinated him as a child, his journey from a junior politician to Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, and ultimately becoming Ireland’s youngest prime minister. He also reflects on key lessons learned along the way and his experiences interacting with global leaders, including Donald Trump.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.

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.