الوسم: urges

  • Bill Maher Urges Americans to Preserve July 4 Celebrations from Trump

    Bill Maher Urges Americans to Preserve July 4 Celebrations from Trump

    Digital Phablet – Bill Maher encourages Americans not to let Trump overshadow Independence Day celebrations.

    Prior to the nation’s 250th birthday, Bill Maher urged viewers not to allow President Donald Trump to dampen their spirits, emphasizing that no political party “owns the right to be enthusiastic about the country.”

    During his “New Rule” segment on Friday’s “Real Time With Bill Maher,” the comedian voiced his frustration with individuals boycotting July 4th because Trump is the sitting president.

    “Everyone needs to get a little more excited about America’s birthday,” Maher said. “Come on, our big 250th is approaching. It’s on July 4th for our public school kids. And honestly, I see that as a significant issue.”

    He added, “The problem is there’s a bit of a stain on it because, as you know, who is president now. And he’ll probably make the anniversary about himself, which many on the left fear.”

    Maher highlighted that the core concern was whether Americans “will help him do it.”

    “We shouldn’t. This nation is the focus of the celebration. He isn’t an American—he’s America’s temporary caretaker,” Maher explained. “America’s worker. And the message should be that America isn’t actually his to own, and no side has exclusive rights to be enthusiastic about the country. So, I don’t support this attitude of, ‘Well, we’re having a party, but if Trump’s attending, I’m not.’”

    Maher jokingly criticized this mindset, calling it “so high school” that it should “be in the Epstein files.”

    “Go to the celebration. It’s a grand event,” Maher teased. “You probably won’t run into him. This country is 3.8 million square miles—excluding Greenland.”

    He continued: “Look, I’m not claiming Trump doesn’t want to blur the line between himself and the nation. He’s as confident as—well, you know. Wannabe authoritarian types behave this way—they try to conceal the distinction. Don’t be an accomplice to that.”

    Despite this, Maher reminded everyone that there’s still much hopeful about the country, noting that Trump’s attempts to “act like a king” have been repeatedly thwarted over the last decade.

    “America may currently be the country Donald Trump presides over, but it’s also everything that prevents him from becoming the king he dreams of,” Maher said. “So this Fourth of July, let’s celebrate the brilliant American concept of checks and balances, which—yes—is under threat and taking on water, but is still afloat.”

    Watch the full segment here.

  • Imam-e-Kaaba Calls for Compassion in Prayer for Palestine

    Imam-e-Kaaba Calls for Compassion in Prayer for Palestine

    Sure! Here’s a rewritten version of the content in American English, unique, human-written, and plagiarism-free:

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    Imam-e-Kaaba Sheikh Saleh bin Abdullah bin Humaid delivers the Hajj sermon on June 5, 2025. Facebook/ Inside the Haramain

    During the Hajj sermon, Sheikh Saleh bin Abdullah bin Humaid, the imam of the Grand Mosque in Makkah, offered prayers for the people of Palestine.

    Approximately 1.5 million pilgrims from around the world gathered at Mount Arafat today to observe Waqoof-e-Arafah, the cornerstone of Hajj. This day is deemed the most sacred of the year, when Allah draws close to the faithful and forgives their sins.

    In his sermon, Imam-e-Kaaba stressed the significance of caring for neighbors, showing compassion towards orphans, widows, and the impoverished, and being kind to one’s parents.

    He encouraged Muslims to keep praying and to give zakat (charitable donations) to help those in need. The Imam urged believers to cultivate piety, express gratitude, and maintain a consistent worship of Allah.

    He also highlighted the essential pillars of Islam.

    Sheikh Humaid reminded the audience to honor their commitments, speak truthfully, and uphold modesty, all of which are vital elements of faith. He pointed out that good and evil can’t be compared and that responding to wrong with kindness can turn adversaries into allies.

    Additionally, the Imam expressed his gratitude to the Saudi government for its diligent efforts to facilitate the pilgrimage and ensure the well-being of the pilgrims.

    After sunset, the pilgrims will proceed to Muzdalifah, a midway point between Arafat and the expansive tent city of Mina, where they will collect pebbles for the symbolic stoning of the devil scheduled for Friday.

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    Let me know if you need any further adjustments!

  • Manitoba Calls for Evacuations as Wildfires Rage Across Canada

    Manitoba Calls for Evacuations as Wildfires Rage Across Canada

    Wildfire Crisis in Manitoba: State of Emergency Declared

    WINNIPEG: Manitoba has officially declared a state of emergency, urging thousands of residents in the northern and eastern regions to evacuate due to escalating wildfires spreading across Central and Western Canada.

    During a news conference, Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew announced that around 17,000 individuals, including those from Flin Flon, need to leave their homes immediately. Evacuees will be sheltered at local soccer fields and community centers in Winnipeg and other cities, with federal armed forces assisting in their transportation.

    "This is the largest evacuation in recent memory for many Manitobans, necessitating a vast amount of resources and cooperation from all levels of government," Kinew explained.

    In a related development, wildfires in Alberta have led to temporary shutdowns in some oil and gas production and the evacuation of residents from at least one small town.

    Cenovus Energy has reduced its nonessential workforce at its Foster Creek facility in response to the fires in northern Alberta. This facility is one of many operating in the Bonnyville-Cold Lake region, which has been affected by wildfires consuming 2,900 hectares (11.2 square miles) near Chipewyan Lake. This small community lies approximately 130 km (81 miles) west of the major oil sands hub in Fort McMurray.

    Cenovus is actively monitoring the evolving wildfire situation, stating that reducing staff is a precautionary measure. Alberta officials confirmed there’s no immediate threat to Chipewyan Lake, although residents are on a one-hour evacuation notice due to changing wind patterns.

    Another fire, spanning nearly 1,600 hectares, is raging about 7 km north of Swan Hills. Earlier this week, residents—around 1,200 people—were ordered to evacuate, and local oil and gas company Aspenleaf Energy has temporarily ceased operations, halting approximately 4,000 barrels per day in oil equivalent production as a precaution.

  • China Calls on U.S. to Halt Global Missile Defense Development

    China Calls on U.S. to Halt Global Missile Defense Development

    President Donald Trump announces the Golden Dome missile defense system in the Oval Office on May 20, 2025.

    President Donald Trump has revealed new information and initial funding for his ambitious “Golden Dome” global missile defense initiative, prompting China to accuse the U.S. of destabilizing global security on Wednesday.

    During an announcement made on Tuesday, Trump allocated $25 billion to the project, estimating that the total cost could reach approximately $175 billion, with plans for the system to be operational within three years.

    Beijing swiftly criticized the Golden Dome plan, labeling it a danger to international peace and asserting that the United States is sparking an arms race.

    “I promised the American people I would develop a cutting-edge missile defense shield during my campaign,” Trump stated at the White House. “I’m thrilled to announce that we have finalized the architecture for this state-of-the-art system.”

    “Once complete, the Golden Dome will intercept missiles launched from anywhere in the world, including outer space,” he added, emphasizing the importance of the system for the nation’s security.

    Trump disclosed that U.S. Space Force General Michael Guetlein would oversee the effort, mentioning that Canada has expressed interest in collaborating, citing their need for protection as well.

    While Trump estimated the total expenditure at around $175 billion, the Congressional Budget Office previously assessed that the cost of space-based interceptors designed to tackle a limited number of intercontinental ballistic missiles might range from $161 billion to $542 billion over 20 years.

    The Golden Dome initiative aims for even broader objectives, with Trump stating it “will implement next-generation technologies across land, sea, and space, incorporating space-based sensors and interceptors.”

    Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth, who joined Trump for the announcement, noted that the system aims to shield “the homeland from cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, hypersonic missiles, and drones, whether they are conventional or nuclear.”

    China and Russia Oppose the Golden Dome

    The name “Golden Dome” is inspired by Israel’s Iron Dome defense system, which has successfully intercepted thousands of short-range rockets and projectiles since its deployment in 2011.

    The United States is facing missile threats from various adversaries, which differ significantly from the short-range munitions targeted by Israel’s Iron Dome.

    The 2022 Missile Defense Review acknowledged increasing threats from China and Russia, highlighting that Beijing is catching up in ballistic and hypersonic missile technologies, while Moscow is modernizing its intercontinental missile systems and developing advanced precision strike capabilities.

    The report also warned of the growing dangers posed by drones—evident in the conflict in Ukraine—and noted the potential threats of ballistic missiles from North Korea and Iran, as well as risks from non-state actors.

    In response to the Golden Dome announcement, Beijing expressed “serious concerns,” indicating that it undermines “global strategic balance and stability.”

    “The United States prioritizes its own interests and is obsessed with pursuing absolute security, violating the principle that one country’s security should not come at the expense of others,” remarked foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning during a press briefing.

    “This initiative increases the risk of space becoming a battlefield, sparks an arms race, and jeopardizes international security,” she continued.

    Earlier this month, China joined Russia in denouncing the Golden Dome concept as “highly destabilizing.” A Kremlin statement following discussions between the two nations emphasized that it “explicitly calls for significantly enhancing military capabilities for space operations.”

    In recent years, the United States has gained valuable experience in intercepting missiles and drones. For example, U.S. systems have effectively countered advanced Russian missile threats in Ukraine, while American aircraft and naval vessels aided Israel against Iranian assaults last year and have repeatedly intercepted missiles and drones targeting ships by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.