In other news

Hudson’s Bay Company, founded in 1670 and once controlling a third of Canada as a fur-trading empire, is permanently closing its 80 Canadian department stores after declaring bankruptcy amid heavy debt, years of underinvestment, and accelerating shifts to online retail. Once revitalized under owner Richard Baker and CEO Bonnie Brooks—with heritage branding and e-commerce pushes—the chain’s decline worsened post-pandemic, with deteriorating stores and falling sales. About 8,200 employees will be laid off without severance. Canadian Tire purchased the HBC name and intellectual property but does not plan to revive the department stores. A B.C. real estate firm acquired 28 store leases with tentative plans for a new chain, pending approvals. The closures mark the end of Canada’s last traditional full-line department store, stirring nostalgia for many Canadians and complex reactions from Indigenous communities given HBC’s colonial roots.

Seven months after losing the 2024 election as Kamala Harris’s running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is openly owning mistakes and mounting a high-visibility “atonement” tour. He’s visiting Republican-leaning areas, courting Black Democrats in South Carolina, and doing frequent media to counter what he says was a stifling campaign strategy that hid him and limited Harris’s press exposure. Positioning himself for future options, including a possible third term as governor and a 2028 bid, Walz urges Democrats to focus on delivering tangible results for working people and to confront Donald Trump more aggressively. He also drew a contrast with Harris’s low-profile post-election approach and rebuked Gov. Gavin Newsom over comments on transgender athletes, signaling a more assertive, values-forward stance while courting key Democratic constituencies.

The Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration to revoke Biden-era humanitarian parole for migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, leaving tens of thousands suddenly vulnerable to deportation. Haitian communities, the largest affected group, report fear, shuttered businesses, stalled home purchases, and families reconsidering futures in the U.S., with some eyeing Canada despite risks and declining asylum approvals there. Advocates stress many can’t safely return—especially to gang-ravaged Haiti—and face “no good options” as parents with settled jobs and school-age children weigh self-deportation, detention risk, or uncertain legal avenues. Banks and employers are already reacting, and community leaders warn of deepening instability and hardship.

A palliative care doctor reflects on patients who only confront what it means to live fully when death is imminent. Using a TV series about a woman seeking sexual fulfillment after a terminal diagnosis and real patient stories, she argues that mortality often clarifies ordinary, deeply personal desires—reconciling relationships, simple experiences, long-delayed goals—rather than prompting grand bucket-list feats. Because illness can quickly curtail bodies and plans, postponing joy risks forfeiting it. She urges ongoing reflection—asking what truly brings meaning, what we’d regret, and how our answers evolve—so we can align life with values before crisis. Even when sweeping changes aren’t possible, attention to small bodily pleasures and honest connections can offer freedom. The essay closes with a patient who’d long deferred travel, reminding us not to wait to live.

The article argues that proposed Trump administration budget cuts—about 30% to the National Park Service—could devastate America’s national parks, potentially forcing closure of hundreds of sites and undermining core conservation work. Despite record visitation and strong public support, staffing reductions and program cancellations are already evident, with a short-term patch of seasonal hires unlikely to address long-term damage. Former Park Service leaders warn that resource protection is being sacrificed for visitor services, while critical scientific research and institutional knowledge are eroding. Contrasting Trump’s approach with John D. Rockefeller Jr.’s historic philanthropy, the author frames the parks as a uniquely American legacy at risk, urging public resistance to their dismantling.

California Democratic activists are lukewarm about a potential 2026 gubernatorial run by former Vice President Kamala Harris. At the state party convention, Harris delivered a brief video message that drew muted applause, fueling doubts about her intentions and priorities as she weighs a bid against alternatives like a 2028 presidential run or leaving electoral politics. While her name recognition, past statewide experience, and potential to be California’s first female governor are assets, activists worry backing her could signal the party hasn’t learned from 2024 losses, when support slipped among key groups. With eight Democrats already running to succeed term-limited Gov. Gavin Newsom, some candidates would step aside if Harris enters, but others—like former L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa—signaled they’d challenge her, including on questions related to the Biden administration. Analysts say Harris would start with fundraising and visibility advantages, but there would be no “coronation,” and skepticism persists about her connection to working-class and progressive voters. Harris says she will decide by summer’s end.

South Korea’s presidential election is poised to shift foreign policy after the ouster of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, whose hard line strained ties with North Korea and China while aligning closely with the U.S. Front-runner Lee Jae-myung pledges to stabilize relations with Beijing and pursue “pragmatic diplomacy” with China, North Korea, and Russia, while maintaining the U.S. alliance and trilateral cooperation with the U.S. and Japan. His rival, Kim Moon-soo, emphasizes a staunchly pro-U.S. stance, harsher rhetoric toward China, and explores options like domestic nuclear capabilities or redeploying U.S. tactical nukes—positions Lee rejects as impractical and escalatory. Both candidates back stronger defense and engagement with Washington, especially amid Trump-era demands and tariffs, but diverge sharply on managing North Korea’s nuclear threat and the balance between Washington and Beijing.

President Trump reposted a baseless claim on Truth Social that President Biden was executed in 2020 and replaced by a robotic clone, continuing a pattern of amplifying conspiracy theories. The White House declined comment. The article details Trump’s broader history of promoting falsehoods both online and in office, including misrepresentations about South Africa and claims of plots by government agencies. The repost followed Biden’s disclosure that he is undergoing treatment for aggressive prostate cancer, which Trump has suggested was concealed. The piece situates the episode within ongoing controversies and policy moves in the Trump administration.

Newly confirmed FBI Director Kash Patel, with deputy Dan Bongino, is rapidly reshaping the bureau, forcing out, demoting, or sidelining senior officials, mandating polygraphs to hunt leaks, and refocusing priorities toward immigration and revisiting high-profile cases favored by conservatives. The shake-up includes dissolving the Washington field office’s elite public corruption squad and sidelining officials tied to past Trump-related probes, prompting fears of retribution, politicization, and a chilling effect on sensitive investigations. Current and former officials warn the purge has wiped out deep expertise in national security and criminal work, deviated from standard personnel processes, and may signal that inquiries touching Trump and his allies are off-limits. The bureau has offered little transparency, fueling internal anxiety and external criticism that the FBI is being weaponized.

IDC forecasts Apple’s iPhone shipments in China will decline 1.9% in 2025 amid intensified competition from Huawei and a slowing economy. Government subsidies favoring devices under 6,000 yuan largely exclude most iPhones, further pressuring Apple. Meanwhile, overall smartphone shipments in China are expected to rise 3% as subsidies boost Android demand, highlighting Apple’s mounting challenges in the market despite Huawei’s resurgence in the premium segment.

A Singapore-based quantum researcher, Alexander Miller, warns that China’s Micius quantum satellite may be vulnerable to hacking due to small timing delays between its onboard lasers. In a non-peer-reviewed paper, Miller argues these delays could enable side-channel attacks during quantum key distribution (QKD), potentially allowing eavesdroppers to intercept supposedly secure communications. While QKD is theoretically unhackable, practical implementations can be exposed to such flaws, and Miller’s analysis of ground-to-satellite data suggests Micius’s key distribution may be insecure.

Hong Kong finance chief Paul Chan says the newly launched, China-led International Organisation for Mediation in Hong Kong will provide an efficient, fair and credible dispute resolution mechanism, boosting investor confidence and drawing investment from the Global South as the global economy shifts eastward. He argues Hong Kong’s common law system, strong rule of law, comprehensive legal services, and multilingual, multicultural strengths make it an ideal host. The body is expected to enhance the city’s competitiveness in finance, trade and shipping, and meet growing demand in Asia and Africa for mediation as a flexible, cost-effective alternative to arbitration.

Elon Musk denied a New York Times report claiming he extensively used ketamine, ecstasy, and mushrooms during the 2024 campaign trail while advising Donald Trump and later leading the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge). The report alleged he used so much ketamine that he developed bladder issues and traveled with a pill box. Musk responded on X, saying he is not taking drugs and called the report false, acknowledging only that he tried prescription ketamine years ago for mental health and hasn’t used it since. The denial followed a peculiar Oval Office farewell appearance with Trump, where Musk had a visible black eye as he ended his Doge role, which oversaw large-scale civil service cuts.

Indonesia plans to extend its Chinese-backed high-speed rail from Jakarta to Surabaya, building on the US$7.3 billion Whoosh line to Bandung that faced delays and overruns and may take 40 years to break even. Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, now chair of the National Economic Council, says Indonesian regulatory delays are the main holdup, with a joint study with China pending new rules. Analysts urge caution, citing debt concerns to China, past cost and schedule issues, and bureaucratic hurdles that could stall or burden the proposed extension.

AVZ Minerals has paused its arbitration against the DR Congo over the Manono lithium project as the US pushes for a negotiated settlement and backs KoBold Metals—funded by Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos—to buy AVZ’s stake. KoBold plans a US$1 billion investment to develop Manono, aiming to counter China’s influence, particularly Zijin Mining, which gained control of the project’s northern section after Congo revoked AVZ’s rights in 2023. The pause reflects Washington’s broader bid to secure critical minerals and challenge China’s dominance in Congo, alongside talks on a US–DRC “minerals-for-security” deal linked to stabilizing the conflict-prone eastern region.

China’s Dragon Boat Festival box office opened weakly, with first-day takings estimated at 122 million yuan—below the May Day holiday’s start and reflecting broader softness in consumption. Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning led with about 54.6 million yuan, beating Chinese and Japanese animated titles, despite Beijing’s recent curbs on US film imports. China’s 2024 box office fell 22.6% year on year to 42.5 billion yuan, even below 2015 levels, but analysts remain optimistic about long-term resilience, citing improving domestic film quality.

Taiwan’s opposition Kuomintang (KMT) is prioritizing a defense against a Democratic Progressive Party-led mass recall drive targeting its lawmakers, even as it prepares for a September party chair election and a leadership transition by October. Chairman Eric Chu has signaled he will step down and welcomed Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen as a potential successor, emphasizing a smooth handover. Analysts warn that if the KMT fails to contain the recall effort, it could lose its slim legislative edge, destabilize the party, and jeopardize its path back to power ahead of the 2028 leadership race.

The US signaled potential easing of its trade dispute with China as Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said President Trump may speak with President Xi “very soon,” a call he believes could resolve current tensions. Bessent accused China of withholding certain products, including rare earths, despite a recent 90-day tariff-lowering deal negotiated in Geneva, which Trump says Beijing violated. He suggested the issue could be a system “glitch” or intentional, and expects movement after the leaders’ call.

A new CNN/SSRS poll finds a record 58% of Americans want the government to do more to solve problems, yet trust in both major parties remains low. Over 40% say neither party can get things done, has strong leaders, or represents change. While 81% see clear differences between Republicans and Democrats, many still feel neither reflects their views across key issues. The GOP holds perceived strengths on leadership, effectiveness, crime/policing, taxes, and the federal budget, but its advantages on the economy and immigration have narrowed. Republicans are also more often labeled the party of extremism (41% vs. 30% for Democrats). Democrats maintain leads on abortion (though smaller than in 2023), LGBTQ issues, racial issues, and education. Support for legal abortion remains robust, with 36% favoring legality under any circumstances. Belief in the American Dream has declined: 54% say hard work leads to success, down from 67% in 2016. Americans are split on which party represents the middle class, with about a third saying neither. Views on diversity remain largely positive (72% say it enriches culture), though Republicans—especially men—are increasingly likely to see diversity as a threat. Independents are the most skeptical overall, with large majorities saying neither party has strong leaders or can get things done.

Music festivals are experiencing a significant downturn marked by widespread cancellations, slower ticket sales, and rising costs. Longstanding events like Pitchfork, Music Midtown, and others have paused or shut down, while even Coachella tickets linger unsold. Key drivers include inflation and tighter consumer budgets, competition from blockbuster stadium tours (which draw both fans and artists away), and increased operational and insurance costs—pressuring especially smaller festivals. Generational shifts and risk aversion also play a role, as younger audiences are less inclined to pay for multi-act lineups with unfamiliar artists. Once countercultural hubs of discovery and community, many festivals now face brand dilution and commercialization tensions, leaving organizers struggling to attract top talent and maintain distinctiveness amid economic headwinds and more frequent severe weather.

High inflation, elevated interest rates, and new Trump administration tariffs are straining U.S. households, driving uncertainty and pessimism. Pandemic-era savings and refinancing tailwinds have faded as debts and delinquencies climb: serious credit card and auto loan delinquencies hit 14-year highs, and student loan delinquencies jumped to 7.74% after protections ended, triggering large credit score drops and potential wage garnishment. More consumers are turning to Buy Now, Pay Later, increasingly for essentials like groceries (1 in 4 BNPL users), signaling budget stress and overspending risks. Consumer sentiment has plunged to near-record lows amid policy whiplash and trade tensions, raising recession concerns as spending power erodes.

Six years into Nayib Bukele’s presidency, El Salvador has seen a dramatic drop in gang violence under a sweeping “state of exception,” mass arrests of about 87,000 people, and the erosion of civil liberties, according to critics. Bukele’s popularity remains high and he won reelection after allies reshaped the judiciary to allow a second term. Rights groups say his government has concentrated power, targeted civil society and journalists, and imposed a 30% tax on foreign NGO funding, threatening their existence. High-profile detentions, like anti-corruption lawyer Ruth López, and reported arrest warrants for El Faro journalists underscore a broader crackdown. Allegations persist that Bukele cut secret deals with gangs—claims he denies—while the mega-prison Cecot symbolizes his hardline model, which has drawn praise from figures like Donald Trump but prompted warnings that El Salvador is sliding into dictatorship.

Ukraine launched “Operation Spiderweb,” a long-planned, highly sophisticated drone campaign striking multiple Russian air bases thousands of miles from the front lines, including Belaya (Irkutsk), Olenya (Murmansk), Dyagilevo (Ryazan), and Ivanovo. Using drones hidden in mobile wooden sheds smuggled into Russia, Kyiv claims more than 40 aircraft—including Tu-95 and Tu-22M3 bombers and an A-50 surveillance plane—were destroyed or damaged, with the SBU estimating $7 billion in losses and 34% of Russia’s strategic cruise missile carriers hit. President Zelensky said 117 drones were used, calling the operation unique; a senior U.S. defense official noted unprecedented sophistication, though Washington was not briefed in advance. The strikes, timed ahead of planned Istanbul talks, signal Ukraine’s ability to pressure Russia deep in its territory as Moscow steps up attacks, while Russia labeled the actions “terrorist” and said some strikes were repelled.

South Koreans voted for a new president after six months of turmoil triggered by former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s December 2024 martial law declaration, impeachment, and ongoing investigations. The election pits frontrunner Lee Jae-myung of the liberal Democratic Party—an ex–human rights lawyer and 2022 runner-up facing multiple contested legal cases—against Kim Moon-soo of the conservative People Power Party, a former labor activist-turned-minister backed by Yoon but hampered by party infighting. Key issues include a weakening, export-reliant economy hit by US tariffs amid a Trump-led trade war, rising living costs, youth unemployment, and demographic decline, alongside security challenges from North Korea and balancing ties with the US and China. Lee promises political reforms (including curbing martial law powers and exploring two four-year presidential terms), support for small businesses and AI, and eased peninsula tensions; Kim emphasizes pro-business policies, tax cuts, regulatory easing, institutional reforms, and nuclear energy. A winner is expected overnight or by Wednesday.

At a tense town hall, Sen. Joni Ernst defended potential Medicaid and SNAP cuts tied to President Trump’s domestic policy bill. Confronted by constituents worried about losing benefits, she said those eligible would still receive Medicaid and, in a contentious moment, remarked, “Well, we all are going to die.” The event underscored public concern over safety-net reductions as the administration advances its policy agenda.

Archaeologists in Guatemala have uncovered “Los Abuelos,” a nearly 3,000-year-old Maya city in Peten dating to the Middle Preclassic period (800–500 BC). The site features pyramids, unique regional iconography, and two anthropomorphic sculptures likely tied to ancestor worship. Researchers also identified a 108-foot pyramid with Preclassic murals and a unique canal system. Together with nearby sites, Los Abuelos forms a newly recognized “urban triangle,” reshaping understanding of ceremonial and socio-political organization in pre-Hispanic Peten. The discovery builds on recent finds highlighting extensive Maya urbanism and interregional connections.

World Boxing has introduced mandatory genetic sex testing for boxers, requiring a PCR-based test to detect the presence of a Y chromosome to determine eligibility for male or female categories. Olympic gold medalist Imane Khelif of Algeria is barred from competing in World Boxing events, including the June 2025 Eindhoven Box Cup, until she completes the testing. The move follows controversy over Khelif’s eligibility sparked by the now-ousted International Boxing Association. Mandatory testing begins July 1, 2025; World Boxing cites athlete safety and competitive fairness as its rationale. CBS News has requested comment from the Algerian Boxing Federation.

An experienced Chinese paraglider, Peng Yujiang, was unexpectedly sucked into a cumulonimbus cloud in Gansu Province and lifted to 28,208 feet without oxygen during a routine equipment test. Trapped in a powerful updraft known as “cloud suck,” he became iced over, disoriented, and spun inside whiteout conditions but survived. Footage shows ice forming on his face and gear. Peng, 55, said the incident was terrifying and he plans to pause flying. Authorities issued him a six-month suspension for flying in unapproved airspace.

Paris authorities are investigating coordinated vandalism of multiple Jewish sites, including the Shoah Memorial, two synagogues and a Jewish restaurant in the Marais, and a third synagogue in the 20th arrondissement, all defaced with green paint overnight. Surveillance reportedly shows a black-clad individual spraying paint; an open paint can was found nearby. The Paris prosecutor opened a probe for “damage committed on the grounds of religion.” Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau condemned the acts, which occurred ahead of Shavuot amid heightened security for Jewish sites. No arrests have been made, and no group has claimed responsibility. France hosts the world’s third-largest Jewish population.

Russell Brand pleaded not guilty in London’s Southwark Crown Court to two counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault, and one count of indecent assault involving four women, with alleged incidents occurring between 1999 and 2005 in Bournemouth and London. Accusations include a 1999 hotel rape, a 2001 attempt to drag a woman into a men’s toilet, a 2004 assault and forced oral sex at a party, and misconduct involving a radio station employee between 2004–2005. British law protects the accusers’ identities.

The Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration to end the CHNV humanitarian parole program, which had provided temporary legal status and work authorization to about 532,000 migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. The decision pauses a lower court order that blocked Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s blanket revocation of parole, enabling DHS to begin removing beneficiaries while litigation continues. Justices Sotomayor and Jackson dissented, warning of significant human harm. The administration argues the Biden-era program violated immigration law and that ending it aligns with its broader immigration crackdown. The case centers on whether parole can be terminated en masse versus on a case-by-case basis.

Astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore described the tense moments during Boeing’s Starliner test flight when thruster failures jeopardized docking with the ISS, leaving them unsure they could return to Earth. Originally an eight-day mission in June 2024, it stretched to nearly 10 months after NASA deemed a Starliner reentry too risky and arranged their eventual return via SpaceX in March 2025. Though labeled “stranded,” they always had lifeboat options on the ISS and said they never felt abandoned, focusing on problem-solving over politics. Both maintained intense exercise regimens and returned in strong health, while acknowledging the discomfort of readjusting to gravity. They are now helping NASA and Boeing address Starliner issues and say they would fly the craft again once fixes are in place, citing its unique capabilities.

Nigeria’s cost-of-living crisis is driving a surge in pet abandonment, with shelters in Lagos reporting 10–12 animals surrendered monthly. Inflation, currency depreciation, and rising import costs have doubled prices for pet food and veterinary care, while job losses leave owners unable to afford or care for animals. Some people abandon pets on streets, prompting animal advocates to warn of cruelty and risks such as dogs being sold for meat. Pet owners who keep their animals are cutting personal and pet luxuries to cope. Overcrowded shelters struggle to rehome animals safely, as rescues warn that pet ownership requires the same serious commitment as raising a child.

Young South Korean women who helped drive mass protests leading to former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment say they now feel sidelined ahead of the 3 June election. They mobilized in large numbers against Yoon’s martial law declaration and his anti-feminist stance, which included pledges to abolish the gender equality ministry and denial of systemic sexism in a country with the OECD’s widest gender pay gap. While the protests energized women, gender politics remain polarizing: many young men back anti-feminist narratives, citing “reverse discrimination” and military service burdens. Despite Yoon’s ouster and his party’s turmoil, major candidates have largely avoided women’s equality issues, there are no female presidential candidates for the first time in 18 years, and a third contender popular with anti-feminist young men is gaining attention—leaving many women fearing their voices are being erased again.

Emmy-winning actress Valerie Mahaffey has died at 71 from cancer in California. Known for roles in Desperate Housewives, Young Sheldon, Northern Exposure (for which she won a Primetime Emmy in 1992), and films like Sully and Seabiscuit, she also earned an Independent Spirit Award nomination for French Exit (2020). Born in Indonesia to a Canadian mother and American father and raised in Texas, Mahaffey worked across five decades in TV and film, including ER, The Man in the High Castle, and Glee. Her husband Joseph Kell and daughter Alice paid tribute, calling her a beloved and endearing actress.

An overturned truck in Whatcom County, Washington, released an estimated 14 million honey bees after flipping while hauling about 70,000 lb of active hives near the Canadian border. Authorities initially warned of up to 250 million bees, later revising the count. The area was closed as emergency officials and over two dozen beekeepers worked to rescue and re-hive the bees, aiming for them to return to their queens within 24–48 hours. Officials advised the public to avoid the area; by morning most bees were expected to return to their hives.

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee condemned France and Saudi Arabia’s planned New York conference promoting recognition of a Palestinian state, calling it inappropriate during wartime and saying the U.S. will not participate. He emphasized that U.S.-Israel ties are an inseparable partnership despite occasional policy disagreements. Huckabee labeled Iran a top global threat but expressed hope for successful nuclear diplomacy, while affirming the U.S. will prevent an Iranian nuclear weapon if diplomacy fails. On Gaza, he said the conflict could end if Hamas releases all hostages and leaves, aligning with President Trump’s view that Hamas has no future in Gaza. He also voiced optimism about expanding the Abraham Accords.

China launched its Tianwen-2 probe from Xichang aboard a Long March 3B to collect samples from near-Earth asteroid 469219 Kamoʻoalewa (2016 HO3), with samples expected back in about two years. The mission is part of a broader 10-year plan that includes Tianwen-3 (a Mars sample return around 2028) and Tianwen-4 (a Jupiter mission). The asteroids’ stable orbits may offer clues to Earth’s formation and water origins. Due to the 2011 Wolf Amendment, NASA cannot collaborate with China on sample sharing. China also continues operating its Tiangong space station, underscoring its growing space ambitions.

France will ban smoking in many outdoor public spaces starting July 1, including beaches, parks, gardens, bus stops, sports venues, and areas near schools. Violators can be fined up to about $153, with enforcement by police and an expectation of public self-regulation. Outdoor café terraces are exempt, and e-cigarettes aren’t included yet, though nicotine limits for vapes are being considered. The move expands existing anti-smoking laws, aligns with many local bans already in place, and is broadly supported by the public amid declining smoking rates, though some criticize it as government overreach.

Hamas said it would release 10 living hostages and return 18 bodies in exchange for a large prisoner swap and terms leading to a permanent ceasefire, full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and unrestricted aid—demands the U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff called “totally unacceptable.” Israel says it accepted Witkoff’s updated framework, which envisions proximity talks, a 60-day pause, and the return of about half the remaining hostages and bodies, but accuses Hamas of adding new conditions that stall progress. The current proposal reportedly includes releasing more than 1,100 Palestinian prisoners, including 100 serving long sentences. Israel insists on Hamas’ disarmament and dismantling before ending the war; Hamas rejects disarmament and demands withdrawal and a commitment to end the war. Trump suggested a deal may be near, though major gaps remain.

The article profiles South African politician Julius Malema amid heightened U.S. scrutiny from former President Donald Trump, who urged his arrest over chants like “kill the farmer.” Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters, is depicted as a populist figure with luxury tastes whose support has waned. South Africa’s Constitutional Court ruled the chant part of a song, not hate speech. Malema has made incendiary remarks about White South Africans and openly backs Hamas, saying the EFF would arm the group and calling to close Israel’s embassy. He and former ally Floyd Shivambu have been linked by opponents to the VBS bank looting scandal; Malema denies receiving funds. Analysts suggest Trump could target Malema with Global Magnitsky sanctions over alleged corruption and support for terrorism.

A 12-year-old Ukrainian boy, Illia Matviienko, lost his mother during Russia’s siege of Mariupol and was taken by Russian authorities into occupied territory, where he was put up for adoption. Still traumatized and easily disoriented years later, he was ultimately rescued when his grandmother traveled into Russia to bring him home to Uzhhorod, Ukraine. His story highlights the broader, internationally condemned practice of Ukraine’s children being taken to Russia during the war and the difficult, often personal efforts required to return them.

India has launched a rapid global diplomatic outreach, sending lawmakers and former ambassadors to over 20 capitals to shape international opinion after its deepest strikes in Pakistan in decades, dubbed “Operation Sindoor.” Framing the operation as retaliation for a militant attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir, New Delhi is seeking to cast its actions as part of the broader fight against terrorism and to build backing for a tougher stance toward Pakistan. The campaign aims to counter criticism and secure support from allies amid mixed international reactions.

South Korea held a snap presidential election two years early after President Yoon Suk Yeol was impeached and removed for declaring martial law—the first such move in the country’s democratic era. Voter turnout was high, bolstered by record early voting, with polls open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time and exit polls expected shortly after. The vote follows six months of political turmoil that deepened national divisions.

On the eve of peace talks in Istanbul, Ukraine’s Security Service launched a large drone offensive against five Russian air bases, including sites in remote regions such as Siberia and the Olenya air base on the Kola Peninsula. Ukrainian drones were reportedly smuggled into Russia before striking strategic airfields, marking one of Kyiv’s deepest incursions into Russian territory since the war began. The attacks targeted military infrastructure rather than civilians and were framed by supporters as a demonstration of Ukraine’s ingenuity and strategic reach.

On the 85th anniversary of Operation Dynamo, a flotilla of “little ships” recreated the 1940 Dunkirk evacuation, which rescued over 338,000 British, French, and Belgian troops trapped by German forces. The commemorative sailing honored the diverse civilian crews—ferry masters, barge hands, fishermen, and youths—who helped execute the historic rescue that preserved the Allied war effort. Queen Camilla paid tribute, noting her father, Major Bruce Shand, was among those saved, recalling his memoir describing a vessel led by a very young midshipman and an elderly boatswain.

Indonesian police are questioning six people, including the owner, after a rock collapse at the Gunung Kuda quarry in West Java killed 17 people. Twelve survivors were found, but one later died, and eight others are believed trapped. Rescue efforts are hindered by bad weather, unstable soil, and rugged terrain. Authorities have ordered the closure of this and four other quarries in the province. The incident highlights ongoing risks from illegal or informal mining in Indonesia, which has seen multiple deadly landslides in recent years.

A small plane crashed into the terrace of a house in Korschenbroich, western Germany, killing two people, including the 71-year-old pilot. The incident occurred around noon as the aircraft, which had departed from Alkersleben near Erfurt, was approaching Monchengladbach Airport about 4km away. The pilot had reported technical problems before the crash. A fire caused significant damage to the house; two residents were away at the time and later contacted police. Authorities are working to identify the second victim and are investigating the cause.

The article argues that art can meaningfully influence climate action by making the crisis tangible, inspiring care, and even directly intervening in environmental systems. At the UN Ocean Conference, TBA21 is showcasing exhibitions and dialogues to embed culture in high-level decision-making. Artists like Maja Petric use data-driven installations to evoke attachment to threatened landscapes, while historical and contemporary projects—from Joseph Beuys’ 7000 Oaks to Olafur Eliasson’s Ice Watch—bridge abstract concepts and lived experience. Ahmet Ogut and Lauren Bon highlight art’s “power and agency,” citing Bon’s Bending the River, which diverts and cleans L.A. River water for public park irrigation, as a civic ecological intervention. Industry figures stress that involving artists early as equal partners can yield practical, regenerative solutions, helping society move from passive reliance on experts to active environmental stewardship.

White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett said President Trump and China’s President Xi could speak about trade as soon as this week, though no date is set. He noted both sides are willing to talk and that negotiators are engaging daily, with discussions expected to focus on the Geneva agreement reached weeks earlier. The potential leader-to-leader call comes amid rising tensions after Trump accused China of violating the preliminary deal, and other officials described talks as “slow-rolling” and “stalled,” while predicting more negotiations in the coming weeks.

Brazilian funk star MC Poze do Rodo was arrested in Rio on allegations of inciting crime through his lyrics and links to the Comando Vermelho gang, sparking widespread outrage among artists, academics, and legal experts. Critics argue his detention—handcuffed, shirtless, and barefoot for alleged non-violent offenses—was inappropriate and exemplifies the criminalization of funk and Black culture in Brazil. Legal scholars say his songs depict, rather than promote, crime, and note double standards compared with film and TV portrayals. The case is framed within a historical pattern of targeting Black cultural expressions, from samba and capoeira to Afro-Brazilian religions.

U.S. authorities have indicted British businessman John Miller, 63, and Chinese national Cui Guanghai for allegedly conspiring to smuggle sensitive U.S. military technology to China and to suppress a U.S.-based critic of President Xi Jinping. Court documents say the pair discussed illicitly exporting encryption tech, missiles, air-defense radar, drones, and cryptographic devices, paying a $10,000 deposit for a crypto device and exploring concealment methods. They also allegedly orchestrated surveillance, vandalism, and a payoff to stop the critic from displaying artworks of Xi, with co-conspirators actually acting under FBI direction. Miller, a U.S. permanent resident, was arrested in Serbia on 24 April and faces extradition alongside Cui. Potential penalties include up to 20 years for Arms Export Control Act violations, 10 years for smuggling, and five years each for conspiracy and stalking. The DOJ is coordinating with Serbian authorities on extradition.

A catastrophic collapse of rock and ice from Switzerland’s Nesthorn mountain triggered a massive slide onto the Birch glacier, unleashing about nine million cubic metres of debris that obliterated the village of Blatten. Thanks to prior monitoring and evacuation of its 300 residents and livestock, mass casualties were avoided, though one person is missing and the village is destroyed. The slide blocked the River Lonza, creating flood risks for nearby communities and halting cleanup. Scientists link the event to accelerating glacier melt and permafrost thaw driven by global warming, which destabilize mountain slopes and outpace traditional risk mapping. Experts warn Blatten may foreshadow more Alpine settlements facing similar threats as Switzerland’s glaciers rapidly shrink.