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Musk, Trump claim Sunita Williams was left in space due to politics

Elon Musk and Donald Trump alleged that the Biden administration delayed the return of NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore from the ISS for political reasons. Musk stated that SpaceX is now working to bring them back as soon as possible.

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Sunita Williams

Elon Musk and former U.S. President Donald Trump have accused the Biden administration of abandoning NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore at the International Space Station (ISS) for political reasons. The claims were made during an exclusive interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity, where the two suggested that the astronauts’ return was postponed unnecessarily.

Musk, who is the CEO of SpaceX, stated, “At the President’s request, we are accelerating the return of the astronauts, which was postponed to a ridiculous degree.” Trump further added, “They got left in space.”

Musk: Return mission being expedited

When questioned about the SpaceX mission to bring the astronauts back, Musk confirmed that his company had been asked to take charge of their return. “We have brought astronauts back from the space station many times before, and always with success,” he said.

The mission to return Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore is expected to take approximately four weeks. Trump, addressing Musk, claimed that his administration had to intervene to ensure the mission proceeded. “You now have the go-ahead,” Trump told Musk, to which Musk responded, “Yes. Well, thanks to you.”

Was the return of Williams and Wilmore politically motivated?

Trump went a step further, asserting that the Biden administration had actively prevented SpaceX from retrieving the astronauts. “He (Biden) was going to leave them in space. I think he was going to leave them there,” he stated.

Musk agreed with Trump’s stance, describing the prolonged stay of the astronauts at the ISS as “terrible” and suggesting that it was influenced by political motivations.

What happened to Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore?

Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore launched aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft in June 2024 for a mission initially planned to last only 10 days. However, after a series of technical issues with the Starliner, NASA and Boeing decided that it was too risky to bring the astronauts back using the same spacecraft.

In August 2024, NASA announced that it had assigned SpaceX the responsibility of bringing Williams and Wilmore back using its Crew-9 capsule. SpaceX has been conducting regular missions to rotate ISS crews every six months.

Despite this, Musk recently stated that the return of the astronauts was delayed unnecessarily. On January 20, Musk claimed that Trump personally requested him to expedite the astronauts’ return, accusing Biden’s administration of deliberately leaving them stranded at the ISS for months.

Political controversy deepens

The claims by Trump and Musk have added a political dimension to what was originally a technical issue with the Starliner spacecraft. While NASA had already enlisted SpaceX for the astronauts’ return, Trump’s comments suggest that political rivalries may have influenced the timeline.

As of now, neither NASA nor the Biden administration has officially responded to the allegations made by Musk and Trump. Meanwhile, SpaceX is preparing to bring Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore home, ensuring their safe return after an unexpectedly extended mission.

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Asim Munir appointed Pakistan’s first Chief of Defence Forces, to serve 5-year term

Field Marshal Asim Munir has been appointed Pakistan’s first Chief of Defence Forces, consolidating top military authority under a new constitutional amendment.

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Pakistan has named Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir as its first Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), marking a major restructuring in the country’s military command. The appointment was approved by President Asif Ali Zardari following a formal recommendation from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Munir to hold dual charge as COAS and CDF

According to the President’s office, Munir will serve concurrently as Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) and Chief of Defence Forces for a five-year tenure. The creation of the CDF role — introduced under the 27th Constitutional Amendment — aims to centralise top-level military authority.

This decision comes after days of speculation due to delays in issuing the official notification, which was originally expected on November 29, the day Munir’s previous three-year term as army chief ended.

Former Indian security official Tilak Devasher had earlier commented to media that the Prime Minister appeared to be avoiding issuing the notification, leading to confusion within Pakistan’s military command structure.

Zardari also approves extension for Air Chief

Alongside Munir’s elevation, President Zardari approved a two-year service extension for Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu, effective from March 2026. The President extended his best wishes to both officers.

Munir, promoted to Field Marshal earlier this year, becomes only the second military officer in Pakistan’s history to hold this rank — the first being Gen. Ayub Khan.

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Imran Khan accuses Asim Munir of mental torture, says sister after rare jail meeting

Imran Khan has alleged “mental torture” inside Adiala Jail, according to his sister who met him after weeks of blocked access. The family claims authorities are withholding information about his condition.

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Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has alleged that he is being “mentally tortured” in prison and held General Asim Munir responsible for his continued isolation, according to his sister Dr Uzma Khanum, who met him inside Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail for 20 minutes.

Sister says Khan “angry” over isolation

Dr Khanum told reporters that her brother is allowed out of his cell only briefly and has no means of communication with the outside world. She said Khan expressed anger over the conditions in which he is being held, stating he remains confined all day with no access to his family or party members.

She also said Imran Khan directly blamed General Asim Munir — now seen as Pakistan’s most powerful authority, having consolidated military control and secured lifetime immunity for top officials — for the treatment he is receiving in custody.

Meeting follows weeks of denied access

The rare meeting came after weeks of barred family visits, which fuelled speculation about Khan’s health. His sisters earlier claimed they were assaulted when they sought permission to meet him, while his sons publicly alleged that jail authorities were concealing “something irreversible” about his condition.

One of his sons, Kasim Khan, told media that despite a court order for weekly family meetings, they had no direct or verified contact.

Family members also said prison authorities repeatedly refused entry to Imran Khan’s personal doctor.

Rumours and protests intensify

Before Tuesday’s meeting, neither his relatives nor his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf colleagues had seen him for over 25 days, triggering widespread rumours of his death — speculation that officials did not counter with proof of life even as pressure mounted on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government.

PTI’s Senator Khurram Zeeshan claimed Khan was being kept in isolation to force him into leaving Pakistan and accused authorities of withholding photos or videos due to fears over his influence.

The situation has sparked protests across Islamabad and Rawalpindi, including demonstrations outside the Islamabad High Court.

In jail since August 2023

Imran Khan, the 72-year-old former cricketer and World Cup-winning captain, has been incarcerated since August 2023. Rumours about his wellbeing first circulated from social media accounts in Afghanistan, at a time when both countries have been locked in military tensions over a border dispute.

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Trump pledges permanent pause on migration from Third World countries in Thanksgiving message

US President Donald Trump declared that migration from all Third World countries will be permanently paused, criticising current immigration policies and announcing measures to remove non-citizens who he says do not benefit the US.

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US President Donald Trump has announced that he will “permanently pause migration from all Third World countries”, asserting that the move is necessary for the United States to “recover” and “heal”. His remarks were delivered in a Thanksgiving post, where he sharply criticised the Biden administration’s immigration policies and outlined sweeping measures aimed at restricting migration and removing non-citizens who, he says, do not contribute to the country.

Trump said he intends to reverse what he described as “illegal admissions”, end federal benefits for non-citizens, and strip citizenship from migrants who pose security concerns. He also reiterated plans to deport individuals he considers a “public charge” or “non-compatible with Western Civilization”.

The statement came shortly after two members of the National Guard were shot near the White House, an attack Trump called an “act of terror”.

One National Guard member dies after Washington shooting

Trump confirmed that Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, one of the two West Virginia National Guard soldiers shot near Farragut West Metro station on Wednesday, died of her injuries. The ambush occurred while Trump was in Florida.

The alleged shooter was identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national who entered the US in September 2021, according to enforcement officials.

‘Reverse migration’ needed, says Trump

In his post, Trump said his actions aim to significantly reduce “illegal and disruptive populations”, adding that only “reverse migration” can address the current situation. He accused the Biden administration of admitting migrants through an “unauthorized and illegal” approval process.

Concluding his message, he wished Americans a Happy Thanksgiving but added that those who “hate, steal, murder, and destroy” would “not be here for long”.

Attacks on foreign populations and Minnesota officials

Trump also targeted Somali refugees in Minnesota, alleging that gangs from the community are creating fear on the streets. He accused the Minnesota Governor of failing to address the situation due to “fear or incompetence”.

He further criticised Ilhan Omar, accusing her of complaining about the US despite her origins in a “crime ridden” nation.

Comments on America’s foreign-born population

Citing Census estimates, Trump claimed that the US foreign-born population stood at 53 million, alleging that “most are on welfare” or come from “failed nations” or criminal backgrounds. He said American citizens continue to support this population despite personal discomfort.

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