Bill Gates has confirmed that he is in a relationship with Paula Hurd, describing her as his “serious girlfriend” during a recent interview.

“I’m fortunate to have a wonderful girlfriend named Paula. We’re enjoying ourselves, attending the Olympics, and experiencing many great things together,” the billionaire shared during his appearance on the TODAY show on Tuesday.

At 69, Gates began dating Hurd, 62, following his divorce from Melinda French Gates in August 2021. The couple made their red carpet debut at the Breakthrough Prize Ceremony in April 2024.

Paula Hurd earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Texas at Austin in 1984. After graduating, she worked at the National Cash Register, a major provider of enterprise software and hardware, focusing on sales and alliance management. Currently, she is engaged in planning high-profile corporate, personal, and charitable events.

Previously married to Mark Hurd, the former CEO of Oracle and Hewlett-Packard, Paula was with him for nearly 30 years until his passing in October 2019. The couple had two daughters, Kathryn and Kelly.

Paula Hurd is recognized for her philanthropic efforts, especially in the fields of education and healthcare. She and her late husband were significant benefactors of Baylor University, Mark Hurd’s alma mater, contributing to the establishment of the Mark and Paula Hurd Welcome Center and the Hurd Tennis Center. Recently, she donated $7 million to the Baylor Basketball Pavilion, which features the Mark and Paula Hurd Floor.

The public learned about Hurd’s relationship with Gates in February 2023, but they had been seen together at various events since September 2022. In mid-2023, speculation about their engagement arose when she was spotted wearing a ring, though a spokesperson clarified that the ring had belonged to her for many years.

Hurd and Gates have attended several prominent events together, including the engagement party of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez in August 2023. Their first official public appearance as a couple took place at the Breakthrough Prize Ceremony in April 2024. In July 2024, she joined Gates, along with his daughter Jennifer Gates and son-in-law Nayel Nassar, at the Paris Olympics. Bill Gates has shared insights about Paula Hurd in his memoir, ‘Source Code.’

A day after President Donald Trump suggested that the United States might “take over” the Gaza Strip, potentially involving American troops, the Gaza-based Hamas militant group condemned his remarks, calling them a “recipe for creating chaos” in the Middle East.

In a statement, Hamas said, “We consider this a recipe for generating chaos and tension in the region. Our people in Gaza will not allow these plans to proceed.”

During a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump outlined his vision for Gaza, stating, “The U.S. will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it too.”

He described his plan as transforming the area into a new “Riviera,” adding, “We’ll own it and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous unexploded bombs and other weapons on the site, levelling the area, and clearing the destroyed buildings.”

When asked if he would deploy U.S. troops to address security gaps in Gaza, Trump did not dismiss the possibility, saying, “As far as Gaza is concerned, we’ll do what is necessary. If it’s necessary, we’ll do that. We’re going to take over that piece and develop it.”

Trump’s comments mark a striking departure from his previous stance, particularly given his rise to power in the U.S. by criticizing America’s prolonged military engagements in the Middle East and promising to redirect resources back to American citizens.

His proposal raises significant questions about the legal framework for such a move, the process of implementation, and the financial burden it would entail.

In response to Trump’s announcement, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese reiterated his government’s support for a two-state solution in the Middle East. Speaking at a press briefing in Parliament House on Wednesday, Albanese stated, “Australia’s position remains consistent with what it was this morning, last year, and in previous years.

The Australian government, on a bipartisan basis, supports a two-state solution.” This statement came after Trump revealed his plans during a bilateral meeting with Netanyahu at the White House on Tuesday.

In a significant operation indicating the deepening cooperation between the United States and India, a US military aircraft has repatriated 205 Indian nationals who had previously entered the US illegally. The deportation was carried out using a C-17 aircraft from Texas, underscoring the enforcement of stringent immigration policies championed by US President Donald Trump.

The operation aligns with Trump’s aggressive stance on illegal immigration, a policy cornerstone that has seen similar deportations to countries like Guatemala, Peru, and Honduras. The deported individuals were thoroughly verified, a process suggesting active involvement by the Indian government, which is handling the logistics of repatriation in collaboration with the US.

This deportation comes ahead of a planned visit to the US by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, his first since Trump’s re-election. The timing of the deportation underscores ongoing discussions between the two nations regarding the management of Indian nationals residing in the US without legal status. Earlier statements from External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasized India’s commitment to accept nationals who are verified as Indians and found to be staying illegally abroad.

The US embassy in New Delhi reiterated the US government’s resolve to enforce immigration laws and eliminate illegal migration. This joint operation could potentially be the precursor to more such flights intended to address the issue of illegal Indian immigrants in the US, with estimates suggesting up to 18,000 Indians could be affected.

This coordinated approach demonstrates a shared commitment to upholding immigration laws and addressing challenges associated with illegal residency, aiming to deter the associated risks and underline the consequences of non-compliance with immigration policies.