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America’s Vice President JD Vance has given clarification on his wife’s statement of religious conversion. He said on X that his wife Usha is neither a Christian nor is she thinking of converting to religion. He termed the comments being made on this issue as disgusting.
The controversy escalated when Vance said in an event that he would love it if his wife of Indian origin, who grew up in a Hindu family, someday converted to Christianity. He also told that his wife goes to church with him and his children are growing up in the Christian religion.
Many people criticized him on social media. One post read, “It is strange to publicly degrade your wife’s religion just to please a few people.”
Vance responded by writing three things;
1. The question was about an interfaith (two different religions) marriage. He is a public personality, so questions cannot be avoided.
2. He said he found faith in Christianity and that his wife had inspired him to return to religion years ago.
3. My wife is not a Christian and has no plans to convert. But as with any interfaith marriage, I hope that one day he will understand my perspective.
He said that the criticism made on this issue is anti-Christian mentality. Vance said that people of every religion have the right to share their beliefs. What is wrong in this?
Also read these news related to international affairs…
America starts talks with Pakistan on mineral deal, the aim is to reduce China’s dominance on rare earths.
America has turned to Pakistan to challenge China’s dominance over rare earth minerals. A high-level team of the US government-backed Critical Minerals Forum (CMF) reached Islamabad on Friday. The team discussed cooperation with Finance Minister Mohammad Aurangzeb and other senior officials.
According to America, China’s dominance in exploration and refining of important minerals like copper, lithium, antimony and rare earth is continuously increasing.
CMF chief Robert Louis Strayer said the situation poses a challenge to both American competitiveness and national security. China maintains a near-monopoly on the global supply chain due to government subsidies, cheap processing and weak regulations.
America believes that Pakistan has huge mineral potential, scientific talent and emerging market, which can become a mineral hub in the future. US Embassy official Natalie Baker said, “American companies are enthusiastic about investing in Pakistan, provided investor confidence and security are maintained.”
Hundreds of deaths feared due to post-election violence in Tanzania, opposition claims – 700 dead in three days
Hundreds of people are feared dead in the violence that broke out after the general elections in Tanzania. The main opposition party CHADEMA claims that about 700 people were killed in three days. According to BBC sources, confirmed evidence of at least 500 deaths has been found.
A large number of youth in the country have taken to the streets over the election results. The opposition alleges that the government has weakened democracy. One prominent opposition leader is in jail and another was thrown out of the election on technical grounds.
The victory of President Samia Suluhu Hassan and his party CCM (Chama Cha Mapinduzi) is considered almost certain.
People also took to the streets in the capital Dar-es-Salaam on Friday. Foreign Minister Mahmoud Combo Thabit said the violence was “limited to a few areas” and police had brought the situation under control.
He described shutting down the internet as necessary to stop riots and save lives.
Explosion in oil refinery in New Mexico, America, three injured
There was a massive explosion in an oil refinery in Artesia city of New Mexico state of America on Friday local time. After the explosion, thick black smoke started rising from the refinery, which spread to many parts of the city. The matter of relief was that the fire was brought under control within a few hours.
Three people were injured in this accident, who were sent to the hospital for treatment. HF Sinclair, the company that operates the refinery, said the fire has been extinguished.
Company spokeswoman Corinne Smith said air quality in and around the refinery complex had been tested and no threat to public safety was found.
Artesia Police Commander Pete Kinnons said that police and emergency teams reached the spot as soon as the information was received and were successful in stopping the fire from spreading. By Friday afternoon the smoke had subsided significantly and the closed roads were reopened.
The New Mexico Environment Department has said that its teams will reach the city and inspect the incident site. Will also monitor the air quality.
The refinery is located near Artesia’s main junction and processes crude oil coming from the Permian Basin. According to the company’s website, the refinery has a capacity of 1 lakh barrels of oil per day. It is considered to be the largest refinery in New Mexico.
New policy on transgender soldiers in America, it is difficult to remain in the army
US Defense Headquarters Pentagon has implemented a new policy regarding transgender soldiers. Under this policy, it will become even more difficult for transgender soldiers, who are already banned, to continue serving in the military.
According to news agency AP, a memo released on October 8 said that if the Military Separation Board allows a transgender soldier to remain in the army, now the commander concerned can change that decision. Earlier these boards took decisions independently and commanders could not interfere.
The new policy also states that such soldiers will have to appear before the Separation Board wearing the uniform as per their gender assigned at the time of birth. If a soldier is unable to do so, his absence may also be considered against him.
The report said many transgender soldiers no longer have such uniforms available, making this requirement almost impossible to meet.
The Trump administration has described this policy as a step towards making the military more effective and capable. However, this decision has been challenged in several courts. The US Supreme Court ruled in May that the ban would remain in effect despite the pending lawsuit.
US FDA bans supplements that strengthen children’s teeth, it poses a health risk
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued new guidelines regarding fluoride supplements given to children to strengthen their teeth. Under this, there will be a ban on giving this supplement to children below 3 years of age.
This medicine can be given to children above 3 years of age only when there is a serious risk of tooth loss. Earlier these medicines were given even to 6 month old children. However, the FDA has not ordered the removal of these medicines from the market, but has sent warning letters to four pharma companies asking them not to sell them under the old rules.
These tablets and lozenges were used especially in rural areas, where the amount of fluoride in drinking water is very low. Some companies also make fluoride drops for infants.
In a scientific report released Friday, the FDA said fluoride supplements have limited benefits for children’s teeth, but have been linked to intestinal problems, weight gain and brain risks.
The agency said,
Just as fluoride kills bacteria on teeth, it can also affect the gut microbiome, posing serious health risks.
The FDA has also sent a letter to all dentists and health experts warning of its potential danger.
On the other hand, the American Dental Association (ADA) disagrees with the FDA’s claims, saying that fluoride is safe to use in prescribed amounts. He said that the maximum effect can be seen in the form of light spots on the teeth, but there is no serious danger.
Many dental experts believe that banning supplements could increase dental problems in children in rural areas, where there is a lack of fluoride in drinking water.
At the same time, US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has already declared fluoride dangerous. They say it is a neurotoxin and is linked to many diseases. He advocates ending the practice of adding fluoride to drinking water in America.
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Read world updates of October 31 here…
