In other news

After the devastating Eaton and Palisades wildfires in Los Angeles, many children showed signs of distress from disrupted routines, displaced homes, and scattered communities. Project:Camp, founded by Mikey Latner, set up free, trauma-informed day camps across Southern California within days of the fires, offering typical camp activities alongside on-site mental health support. The camps aimed to restore safety, routine, and peer connection, helping kids process their experiences and reduce anxiety. Parents reported noticeable improvements in their children’s mood and behavior, and appreciated the respite to handle logistics and grief. Therapists involved emphasized that reestablishing normalcy and acknowledging losses—both large and small—are key to children’s recovery after disasters.

The Department of Homeland Security removed a newly posted list of “sanctuary jurisdictions” after backlash from mayors and law enforcement who questioned the criteria and accuracy. The list, covering dozens of cities and counties in 37 states and D.C., was intended to pressure localities seen as limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement under a Trump executive order. Critics, including the National Sheriffs’ Association, said DHS provided no transparent standards or appeals process. DHS said designations would be regularly reviewed and based on multiple factors, while the administration continues broader efforts to penalize sanctuary policies—some of which have been blocked in court.

NPR’s Tiny Desk celebrates Black Music Month with Bay Area rap icon E-40, who condenses three decades of hits into a dynamic 26-minute set. Backed by a tight live band led by Kev Choice and Bosko Kante, E-40 revisits career-defining tracks from his 1995 album In a Major Way through his Lil Jon-era hits and TikTok-resurgent “Choices (Yup).” The set includes “Da Bumble,” “Sprinkle Me,” “Captain Save a Hoe,” “Snap Yo Fingers,” “U and Dat,” “Function,” and “Tell Me When to Go,” showcasing his inventive flow, slang, and enduring influence across generations.

A study in Science Advances found that some clownfish in Papua New Guinea temporarily shrink by about 1–2% (1–2 mm) during marine heatwaves, increasing their survival odds by up to 78%. Researchers suggest shrinking may lower energy needs and improve metabolic efficiency under heat stress; fish regrow when temperatures normalize. Breeding pairs shrink together, hinting at cooperative adaptation. The finding suggests other coral reef fish might use similar strategies to cope with warming oceans.

Officials tout LA’s wildfire debris removal as historically fast, aiming to finish by July after a Trump executive order accelerated work. But scientists and some residents warn safety is being sacrificed: FEMA has replaced comprehensive post-clearance soil testing with a blanket removal of 6 inches of topsoil, despite evidence from past disasters that toxic residues (lead, chemicals from burned structures, vehicles, propane) can linger. A county report found over a quarter of cleared Eaton Fire lots still exceeded California toxin standards. Local and state leaders are seeking funds for independent testing; LA County approved testing for Eaton Fire areas, and the city is exploring private support for Palisades. Meanwhile, many survivors face unresolved insurance, high costs, and health concerns, leading some to give up on rebuilding and relocate.

A California parole panel has again recommended parole for Patricia Krenwinkel, a former Charles Manson follower convicted in the 1969 Tate-LaBianca murders. The decision isn’t final: the board’s legal division has up to 120 days to review it, after which Gov. Gavin Newsom has 30 days to approve, modify, or reverse. Newsom overturned her last recommendation in 2022, citing ongoing public safety concerns and insufficient insight into her crimes. Now 77 and the longest-serving woman in California prisons, Krenwinkel has served over 56 years without rule violations, completed rehabilitation programs, and has multiple psychological evaluations finding she poses low risk, according to her attorney. Her case follows that of Leslie Van Houten, another Manson follower who was released in 2023 after a court intervened. Critics, including Newsom previously, argue Krenwinkel held a leadership role in the cult and remains responsible for heinous crimes.

NPR reports on a Yale study showing that parents who sing to their infants—regardless of genre—have happier babies throughout the day. Researchers texted brief mood and behavior surveys to 110 parents of mostly under-4-month-olds, with one group encouraged to sing more. NPR is inviting listeners to share the songs they sing (and recordings) that calm or delight their babies by June 5 at 4 p.m. ET, for possible inclusion on Morning Edition.

NPR reports that under President Trump’s renewed mass deportation push, ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations office in San Juan—led by Rebecca González-Ramos—is targeting all undocumented immigrants in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, aiming for “100 percent” removals. Since January, agents have arrested about 500 people, fewer than 80 with criminal records; most arrests involve Dominicans, stoking fear in their communities. ICE has intensified tactics: surprise workplace raids, home visits for those with deportation orders, street questioning to determine immigration status, use of DMV data from immigrant driver’s licenses, and tips from the public—including personal “revenge” reports. González-Ramos says agents must act lawfully and with dignity, sometimes obtaining arrest warrants, and often transporting people without ID to verify status via fingerprints. Critics say these practices risk arbitrary detentions and disproportionately impact legally present Dominicans who may be temporarily held until their status is confirmed.

President Trump is launching an “all-out” push to get Senate Republicans to pass the House-approved “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” a sweeping tax and policy package central to his agenda. The White House plans intensive lobbying on Capitol Hill and potential travel to pressure holdouts. Key GOP concerns include the bill’s cost and potential Medicaid cuts, though Trump insists benefits won’t be reduced. With narrow majorities, Republicans aim to use reconciliation to pass the bill by simple majority, but Senate changes must comply with the Byrd rule and be reconciled with the House. The administration says the House framework must remain largely intact to align with Trump’s priorities.

The Trump administration’s FY2026 budget proposes a 15% cut to the U.S. Department of Education while reaffirming plans to eventually close the agency despite a court block. Title I funding for high-poverty K-12 schools remains flat at just over $18 billion. The plan consolidates 18 smaller K-12 programs into a single $2 billion grant—down from about $6.5 billion—raising concerns about losing targeted supports (e.g., for homeless students). IDEA special education funding appears higher at $14.9 billion but is effectively flat after folding in other programs. For higher education, the proposal cuts the Pell Grant maximum from about $7,400 to $5,700 and slashes Federal Work-Study by roughly 80%, shifting wage costs to colleges. Critics warn these changes would harm vulnerable students and reduce college affordability.

Marc Maron announced his long-running podcast WTF will end this fall after nearly 16 years and over 1,600 episodes, citing burnout and satisfaction with the show’s legacy. Launched in 2009 with producer Brendan McDonald, WTF became a pioneering, highly influential podcast with about 55 million annual listens, featuring landmark interviews like Robin Williams and then–President Barack Obama in Maron’s garage. Maron emphasized the decision is theirs and hinted he may return to podcasting in some form. Beyond WTF, the 61-year-old comedian and actor continues work in TV and film, including a new Apple series with Owen Wilson and a Tribeca-premiering documentary about his life after the 2020 death of partner Lynn Shelton.

An al-Qaida-linked coalition, JNIM, attacked Malian army bases in Timbuktu and Boulkessi, reportedly using a car bomb and gunfire, with unconfirmed reports of up to 30 soldiers killed in Boulkessi. The assaults highlight Mali’s worsening security since the 2020 junta takeover, despite promises to stabilize the country. Violence by jihadist groups JNIM and ISGS persists alongside rising abuses by Malian forces and Russian mercenaries (Wagner/Africa Corps). The broader Sahel remains the epicenter of global terrorism deaths, with frequent military and civilian ambushes. Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, which recently left Ecowas to form the Alliance of Sahel States, face heavy military losses, with over 400 soldiers reportedly killed since May.

Reports by OCCRP and Intelligence Online say Andrew Tate obtained Vanuatu citizenship via its $130,000 “golden passport” scheme in December 2022—the same month he was arrested in Romania on charges including rape and human trafficking—with the passport issued in January 2023 while he was in detention. Vanuatu’s program, previously exposed for granting passports to high-risk applicants and now stripped of EU visa-free access, has no formal extradition treaty with Romania. Tate’s camp declined comment. Romanian proceedings against the Tate brothers have seen setbacks and new allegations; both deny all accusations. UK prosecutors have authorized multiple charges against both brothers, and they are expected to be extradited to the UK after Romanian proceedings conclude.

An inquest has reopened in South Africa into the 1985 murders of the “Cradock Four” anti-apartheid activists—Fort Calata, Matthew Goniwe, Sicelo Mhlauli, and Sparrow Mkonto—who were abducted and killed by security forces. Despite prior inquests and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 1999 refusal of amnesty to six implicated officers (all now deceased), no prosecutions followed. The new proceedings in Gqeberha focus on accountability and historical truth, with former regional military commander Joffel van der Westhuizen denying he ordered the killings. The judge is allowing testimony using only public-domain information while funding issues delay full legal representation for the accused. Families, who are also part of a broader lawsuit against the state for failing to prosecute apartheid-era crimes, say the inquest aims to correct the record and aid long-delayed grief. The court will visit key sites tied to the abductions as hearings continue.

Mexico held an unprecedented nationwide election for about 2,600 judicial posts, from local magistrates to supreme court justices, with a record-low turnout of roughly 13%. President Claudia Sheinbaum called the process a “complete success,” arguing it enhances democracy and judicial accountability under Morena’s reform agenda. Critics said the vote undermines separation of powers, risks politicizing and lowering qualifications in the judiciary, and was marred by low participation, confusion, and alleged party interference via “cheat sheets.” There is no turnout threshold for legitimacy in Mexico. Results will take up to two weeks, with concerns that clientelism and organized crime may have influenced outcomes. New judges take office in September, and a second round to select about 1,000 more judges is planned for 2027.

Helena Kennedy urges the UK to impose sanctions on Egyptian officials and take Alaa Abd el-Fattah’s case to the International Court of Justice, criticizing the government’s “timid” approach as his mother, Laila Soueif, reaches day 243 of a hunger strike in London seeking his release or consular access. Abd el-Fattah, a British-Egyptian activist, has been detained for over a decade and remains imprisoned despite completing a five-year sentence. Kennedy also calls for pausing new UK–Egypt trade and investment and warns British travelers about Egypt’s rule-of-law risks. Former officials and ex-prisoners back appeals for clemency, while international vigils highlight growing pressure on President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi.

The UK has shifted its stance on Western Sahara, with Foreign Secretary David Lammy calling Morocco’s 2007 autonomy plan the most credible basis for resolving the dispute. This aligns Britain more closely with the US, France and Spain, which have backed Rabat’s approach. Morocco controls most of the territory; the Polisario Front, supported by Algeria, seeks full independence. A UN-promised referendum from 1991 has never occurred, and the Polisario ended the ceasefire in 2020. Lammy also announced new UK-Morocco cooperation deals and hinted at investment tied to Morocco’s 2030 World Cup preparations, while the UN still favours a negotiated solution allowing Sahrawi self-determination.

Heavy rains in northern Nigeria last week triggered the country’s worst flooding in 60 years, killing at least 150 people, displacing thousands, and destroying hundreds of homes along the Niger River. The deluge coincides with West Africa’s wet season, driven by the west African monsoon and the northward shift of the intertropical convergence zone, which brings moist Atlantic air inland. The region is forecast to see continued rain and unusually cool temperatures, about 10C below normal. Northern Africa also saw extreme weather, with a rare early-summer storm in Alexandria, Egypt, bringing heavy rain, strong winds, hail, flooding, and power outages, linked to a cold front and low-pressure system.

At least 151 people have died and over 3,000 have been displaced after heavy rains caused severe flooding in Mokwa, Niger state, Nigeria. The predawn deluge on Friday inundated three communities, affecting about 500 households and submerging homes. President Bola Tinubu activated the national emergency response, with search-and-rescue operations ongoing and relief and shelter assistance being deployed. The region, prone to climate change–driven weather extremes, saw significant losses of lives, property, and stored farm produce in this major agricultural trading hub.

Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, now a Harvard fellow living in the U.S., discusses her memoir “A Different Kind of Power,” emphasizing empathetic leadership and rejecting the idea that sensitivity is a weakness. She reflects on becoming PM at 37, leading while pregnant, and responding to the Christchurch mosque shootings with swift gun reform. Ardern contrasts New Zealand’s collective approach with isolationist policies elsewhere, urging global cooperation. After stepping down in 2023 amid pandemic-era strains, she focuses on family and teaches that kindness and public service should guide politics. She’s not planning a political return for now.

World Boxing will require genetic sex testing for all boxers in its events starting July 1, 2025, using PCR tests to detect the Y chromosome. Algerian Olympic gold medalist Imane Khelif is barred from competing in the female category at World Boxing events, including the June 2025 Eindhoven Box Cup, until she undergoes the test. The move follows controversy after Khelif’s Paris Olympics win and prior disqualification by the IBA, which raised unspecified eligibility concerns. World Boxing says the policy aims to ensure safety and competitive fairness. CBS News sought comment from the Algerian Boxing Federation.

Paris authorities are investigating coordinated vandalism of Jewish sites after green paint was sprayed on the Shoah Memorial, two synagogues and a Jewish restaurant in the Marais, and a third synagogue in the 20th arrondissement. Surveillance footage reportedly shows a person in black spraying paint overnight; an open paint can was found nearby. The prosecutor opened a probe for damage motivated by religion, and Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau condemned the acts. The incidents occurred ahead of Shavuot amid heightened security for Jewish sites. No arrests or claims of responsibility have been reported. France has the world’s third-largest Jewish population.

The FBI says University of Michigan student Haoxiang Gao, a Chinese national, fled the U.S. after being charged with illegally registering and voting in the 2024 election. Gao admitted to voting on campus and was ordered to surrender his passport and remain in Michigan, but later missed court dates and allegedly flew to Shanghai in January using a different Chinese passport. He now faces a federal charge of flight to avoid prosecution. The U.S. has no extradition treaty with China. The case is one of very few known instances of noncitizen voting; a Brennan Center review found 30 suspected cases out of 23.5 million votes in 42 jurisdictions in 2024.

Tesla’s new car sales in Norway surged 213% year over year in May to about 2,600 units, driven mainly by the revamped Model Y and supported by Norway’s strong EV incentives. The rebound contrasts with steep declines across much of Europe, where Tesla faces brand damage tied to CEO Elon Musk’s political activity and rising competition. Norwegian EV advocates cite Model Y’s value and features as key draws, though a large share of EV drivers report politics affects their brand choices. Analysts say deliveries of the updated Model Y and Norway’s favorable policies explain the spike, while Chinese brands and legacy automakers intensify competitive pressure regionwide.

Despite a softer global growth outlook for 2025, aviation profitability is set to improve, driven by lower jet fuel costs and higher efficiency, according to IATA. Industry net profit is forecast at $36 billion with a 3.7% margin, and record revenues of $979 billion. Passenger load factors are expected to hit an all-time high (84%) amid constrained fleet expansion. Jet fuel is seen averaging $86/barrel, cutting the sector’s fuel bill by $25 billion versus 2024. Airline CEOs report resilient demand despite geopolitical and trade uncertainties. North America should deliver the highest absolute profits, while Asia-Pacific leads demand growth (RPK up ~9%) aided by visa relaxations, though regional GDP—especially China’s—faces headwinds.

BP is exploring a sale of its Castrol lubricants unit, attracting interest from Reliance Industries, Saudi Aramco, Apollo, and Lone Star, with a potential price of $8–10 billion (some analysts see $12–15 billion). The move is part of BP’s strategic reset to cut debt and divest $20 billion in assets by 2027 amid takeover speculation and activist pressure from Elliott Management. Analysts see Castrol as a “crown jewel,” but note macro headwinds could depress the sale price and BP’s valuation, potentially making a takeover more likely. BP shares have lagged, fueling talk of suitors including Shell, Exxon, and Chevron. Successful asset sales and reduced capex are viewed as key to stabilizing debt, sustaining buybacks/dividends, and restoring investor confidence.

Washington H. Soul Pattinson (Soul Patts) and Brickworks will merge into a newly listed Sydney company that will acquire all outstanding shares, unwinding a 56-year cross-shareholding (Soul Patts owns 43% of Brickworks; Brickworks owns 26% of Soul Patts). The merged entity is projected at about A$14 billion, with A$13.1 billion in assets across real estate, private equity, and credit. Shares surged on the news (Soul Patts up ~13.8%, Brickworks up ~22.3%). Brickworks shareholders will receive an implied A$30.28 per share, a 10.1% premium. Management says the deal simplifies the structure, adds scale, and improves investability; past critics argued the cross-holding depressed valuations. Pitt Capital Partners advises Soul Patts; Citi advises Brickworks.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer unveiled a strategic defense overhaul, warning of “war-fighting readiness” amid rising threats from Russia. Plans include 12 new nuclear-powered attack submarines, expanded drone, missile, and munitions production, and enhanced cyber and long-range strike capabilities. Defense spending will rise to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, with an ambition—without a firm date—to reach 3% by 2034, short of NATO’s emerging push toward 5% by 2032. Analysts say the plan is positive but gradual and potentially constrained by tight public finances, warning it may be too little and too slow to meet NATO and U.S. expectations. Experts argue real transformation will require tough trade-offs, including retiring some capabilities early to fund priority areas, while fiscal pressures could complicate delivery and force an earlier move toward 3% spending.

The article explores how Asian artists in interwar Paris were marginalized and exoticized, yet forged significant, hybrid modernist practices that are now gaining overdue recognition. Despite critics’ demands that their work be more “Asian” or dismissals of their Western techniques, painters like Vietnam’s Le Pho and China’s Sanyu developed distinct styles blending Eastern methods (silk, calligraphic lines) with European influences (Impressionism, modernism). Once overlooked and often struggling financially, several are now market stars, with record auction prices. A major exhibition at Singapore’s National Gallery, “City of Others: Asian Artists in Paris, 1920s–1940s,” reframes the narrative by centering these artists’ concerns, showcasing figures such as Le Pho, Sanyu, Tsuguharu Foujita, Liu Kang, and Georgette Chen, and highlighting Montparnasse’s multicultural milieu. The show argues that while individual influence on French art is hard to isolate, Asian artists collectively shaped Paris’s hybrid aesthetic and deserve a more prominent place in art history.

Harvard told a federal court that the Trump White House unlawfully ordered agencies to freeze and terminate more than $2 billion in the university’s research funds, including a $12 million DARPA grant for biological threat research that a Defense Department official warned should not be canceled due to national security risks. Harvard’s filings cite internal administration documents showing the White House directed uniform termination letters and arbitrary deadlines without evidence supporting claimed antisemitism concerns. The cuts, totaling $2.4 billion across 950+ projects, affect programs such as pediatric HIV/AIDS, breast cancer prevention, and antibiotic resistance research. Harvard argues the abrupt halts violate administrative law, threaten irreversible damage to labs and ongoing work, and were intended to punish the university for its speech. Oral arguments are set for July 21.

Mount Etna in Sicily experienced its largest eruption since 2014, sending a several-kilometer-high column of hot gases, ash, and rock into the air and prompting the safe evacuation of all tourists on the volcano. The eruption, which began overnight with a sudden, powerful boom, briefly produced pyroclastic activity and later transitioned to limited lava flows that are now cooling. Authorities report no danger to nearby populations; airports in Catania and Palermo remain open, though some flights were rerouted and roads up the volcano are closed. Officials advise avoiding the summit area as monitoring continues, following a partial collapse on the northern flank of the southeast crater.

The Department of Homeland Security removed a newly posted list of “sanctuary jurisdictions” after widespread criticism over accuracy and transparency, including from the National Sheriffs’ Association. The list, tied to President Trump’s directive to identify and potentially penalize non-cooperative jurisdictions, drew objections from cities like Las Vegas, Baltimore, and several in San Diego County, which said their policies were misrepresented. DHS said the list is under ongoing review but did not explain how it was compiled. The sheriffs’ group demanded an apology, warning the episode undermines trust.

House GOP Conference Chair Rep. Lisa McClain told CNN the House-passed Trump spending bill faces a tough Senate path but said Republicans must “take what we can get right now” to avoid a shutdown and advance priorities. She defended the package amid criticism over proposed cuts, acknowledged likely Senate changes, and framed the effort as a pragmatic step toward longer-term fiscal goals.

A large, rigorous but not yet peer-reviewed study of over 47,000 women followed for decades found that higher midlife caffeine intake—mainly from regular coffee—was linked to a modestly greater chance of “healthy aging” (being 70+ without major chronic disease and with good physical and mental health). Women consuming the most caffeine (about seven small cups of coffee daily) had 13% higher odds of healthy aging versus those drinking less than one cup, after accounting for lifestyle and diet. Tea and decaf coffee weren’t associated with this benefit; cola intake was linked to worse outcomes. Prior research consistently ties coffee to lower risks of early death and several diseases, though benefits may plateau beyond 3–4 cups/day and can be negated by adding sugar and high saturated fat. Mechanisms remain unclear, but caffeine and other coffee compounds may reduce inflammation and protect cells. Takeaway: regular coffee can be part of a healthy lifestyle if not loaded with cream and sugar, but it’s not necessary to start if you don’t enjoy it; foundational habits like balanced diet, exercise, sleep, and social connection remain key.

Elon Musk is stepping back from his government role to refocus on his companies, amid criticism that his political activities and time in Washington left him an absentee leader. Tesla has been hit hardest: sales and profits fell, protests erupted, and looming GOP policies could cut EV subsidies, helping drive a 14% stock drop this year. SpaceX gained government ties and continued Starship tests, though morale reportedly dipped without Musk’s presence. Musk has signaled a renewed hands-on approach, appearing at SpaceX and briefly at Tesla as the company faces tariff pressures, Chinese competition, and pivots toward AI, robotics, and a promised autonomous ride-hailing service. Meanwhile, he merged X with xAI, pursued a large tender offer valuing the combined entity at about $113 billion, and deepened AI integrations like bringing Grok to Telegram. Uncertainty remains over how much time he’ll spend away from Washington, with Trump indicating Musk will continue to advise him.

The New York Times’ Well Creativity Challenge introduces a week of simple, daily activities to build creativity, which research links to greater happiness, well-being, empathy, and cognitive resilience. Led by writer Elizabeth Passarella and informed by experts like Jonathan Schooler and Elizabeth Gaufberg, the challenge encourages participants to quiet their inner critic and practice divergent thinking. Day 1’s exercise: transform 10 circles into different drawings within 5–10 minutes, priming the brain for flexible, novel thinking. The series continues with daily prompts (e.g., Seuss-inspired play, daydreaming, the “10 percent more” technique, and trying something new) to make creative thinking more accessible and habitual.

The Trump administration moved to roll back Biden-era protections on millions of acres in the National Petroleum Reserve–Alaska, opening vast, sensitive wilderness to oil, gas drilling, and mining. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum argued the prior restrictions exceeded authority and hindered energy independence, aligning with Trump’s broader push to expand fossil fuel development on public lands. The plan drew support from some Alaska Native groups and the oil industry but strong opposition from environmental organizations and other Indigenous leaders, who warned of threats to wildlife, subsistence hunting, and accelerated climate impacts in a rapidly warming Alaska. Officials also promoted development in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and related energy infrastructure, despite past weak industry interest.

The article explores a bold proposal for Google to preemptively break itself into independent companies amid mounting antitrust losses and regulatory pressure. Analyst Gil Luria argues Google has become a conglomerate whose parts—like Waymo, YouTube, Cloud, Search, and Ads—could be worth over $3.7 trillion if separated, potentially unlocking more value than the current $2 trillion valuation. Spinning off major units could boost competition, unleash innovation, and reduce legal risk, echoing AT&T’s 1980s breakup. Proponents say customers and employees would benefit; critics argue Google’s scale is necessary to compete in AI and against other tech giants. Google is fighting DOJ remedies in court and opposes forced divestitures like Chrome and Android, warning of security and platform harm. While a voluntary breakup remains unlikely, pressure is rising as Google’s search business faces AI disruption, legal defeats, and slowing stock performance.

Deadly floods in Mokwa, Niger State, Nigeria, have killed more than 200 people, with around 500 still missing after torrential rains swept through Tiffin Maza and Anguwan Hausawa—the worst flooding there in 60 years. Authorities have halted rescue operations, believing no survivors remain, and plan to exhume buried bodies to prevent disease. Survivors report homes and family members washed away; livelihoods were also destroyed. The National Emergency Management Agency has begun distributing relief, while damaged roads and bridges are disrupting the local economy. Flooding is common during Nigeria’s April–October rainy season, with severe events also recorded in 2022 and 2024.

Germany’s defense chief, Gen Carsten Breuer, warns NATO must be ready for a potential Russian attack within four years, possibly by 2029 or earlier, citing Russia’s rapid buildup of tanks and munitions not solely for Ukraine but for broader force structure facing the West. He highlights the vulnerability of the Baltic region, especially the Suwalki Gap, and points to hybrid threats like undersea cable sabotage, cyberattacks, and drone activity. Despite political differences among some members, he insists NATO unity is strong and urges accelerated military buildup and deterrence. The warning comes amid Europe’s slow industrial ramp-up and shifting U.S. focus toward the Indo-Pacific.

A nighttime fire in the elderly ward of Hamburg’s Marienkrankenhaus killed three people and injured more than 35. Firefighters, deploying around 220 personnel, contained the blaze to a ground-floor room and rescued patients—many with mobility issues—using ladders and escape hoods. Two patients were transferred to another hospital, one with life-threatening injuries; 18 others sustained serious injuries and 15 minor ones. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Two Scottish men were shot dead at Monaghans Bar in Fuengirola, Costa del Sol, on Saturday night. A masked gunman arrived by car, opened fire just after 23:00, and fled; both victims died at the scene. Spanish authorities, including a specialist violent crime unit, are investigating and have not ruled out links to organized crime. No arrests have been made. The bar had been showing the Champions League final. Police Scotland declined to comment on any connection to a Scottish gang feud, and the UK Foreign Office said it has not yet been asked for consular assistance. Recent similar shootings in the area have been linked to drug-related crime.

A fire broke out early Sunday in the geriatric ward of Hamburg’s Marienkrankenhaus, killing three adults and injuring more than 30 people. The blaze began on the ground floor, spread to the floor above, and filled much of the four-storey building with smoke. Firefighters rescued several patients from windows; one person is in life-threatening condition, 18 have serious injuries, and 15 have minor injuries. The fire was extinguished in about 20 minutes, and part of the building was evacuated. Police detained a 72-year-old patient on suspicion of arson based on witness reports.

Sky News reports that the UK government is considering an inquiry into Britain’s role in India’s 1984 Operation Blue Star, when Indian forces stormed the Golden Temple, killing hundreds. Declassified files show Margaret Thatcher’s government sent an SAS officer to advise India, prompting years of calls from the UK Sikh community for full transparency. Labour pledged an independent, judge-led inquiry in its 2017 and 2019 manifestos and via statements by Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner, but nearly 11 months into power has provided no official update. Sikh MP Tan Dhesi says ministers indicate an inquiry is under consideration, while over 400 Sikh groups and a large London rally urged Labour to honor its promise. A 2014 Conservative review deemed UK involvement “limited” and “advisory” but was criticized as a cover-up. Government advisers are reportedly weighing diplomatic risks given UK-India ties.

A man died from apparent self-inflicted gunshot wounds and a young girl was injured during a shooting at Fairgreen Shopping Centre in Carlow, Ireland, around 6:15pm. The girl was treated at the scene and did not require hospital care; it’s unclear how she was injured. The area was evacuated, a large cordon established, and the Army’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal team called as a precaution. Police said there is no ongoing threat to public safety and urged people to share any footage with authorities rather than online. Ireland’s justice minister and Taoiseach Micheál Martin expressed shock and solidarity with those affected.

Two Scottish nationals—a man and a woman—were shot dead outside Monaghans Irish pub in Fuengirola, Costa del Sol, on Saturday night. They were reportedly hit in the chest (and the woman also in the abdomen) and died at the scene; a third person was injured. Witnesses said hooded men arrived by car and one opened fire before fleeing. Police are hunting the gunman; no arrests have been made. The UK Foreign Office says it has not been contacted for consular assistance. The incident follows several shootings in the region this year.

Books about the June 4, 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown are increasingly absent from Hong Kong’s independent bookstores and public libraries amid fears of breaching national security laws. Booksellers cite legal uncertainty and self-censorship, while public libraries have withdrawn previously listed titles, stating compliance with Hong Kong laws. With the end of large-scale public commemorations like the Victoria Park vigil and a changing political climate, remembrance has shifted from public to private, raising concerns among scholars that intergenerational memory of the event will weaken.

China’s Dragon Boat Festival coinciding with Children’s Day sparked a domestic travel surge, especially in family tourism. Trip.com reported a 23% year-on-year rise in short-haul bookings, with parent-child trips at 35% of orders and “family-friendly” hotel searches up 45%. Alibaba’s Fliggy saw theme park ticket bookings more than double and campsite bookings up 80%, while family hotel packages rose 24%. Demand centered on affordable, family-oriented activities like water play and picnics, reflecting post-pandemic interest in scenic and cultural experiences amid economic caution. Authorities see tourism as a key support for the services sector.

US tariffs hit Chinese tech directly by raising costs and limiting access to the US market, and indirectly by forcing firms to cut costs, scale, and seek alternatives. In response to export controls and trade barriers, Chinese companies have accelerated innovation through open-sourcing AI models, and are likely to apply similar strategies in EVs, batteries, and renewables. They will pivot more to Asia, Latin America, Africa, and seek deeper ties with Europe via tech transfer for market access. Angela Zhang notes AI regulation is akin to buying insurance—especially vital for pioneers—and expects Chinese firms to face major headwinds under the Trump administration while pressing ahead competitively.

A Filipina U.S. green card holder, Lewelyn Dixon, was detained by ICE for three months, allegedly due in part to a 2001 embezzlement conviction. A Tacoma immigration judge ruled the old conviction couldn’t justify her deportation, ordering her release. Her case has sparked calls from Filipino advocacy groups for the Philippine government to provide stronger, proactive support to nationals facing detention and possible deportation in the U.S., especially amid fears of an expanded U.S. deportation drive. Advocates say community backing and legal assistance were crucial in Dixon’s case and urge Manila to bolster consular protection, legal aid, and coordination for detained Filipinos.

At least 111 people were killed in severe flooding triggered by torrential pre-dawn rains in Mokwa, Niger state, northern Nigeria, with the toll expected to rise as more bodies are recovered. Floodwaters submerged homes and devastated stored farm produce in the key market town where southern traders buy northern crops like beans and onions. Officials linked the disaster to climate change–driven dry spells followed by intense rainfall during the short wet season and called for overdue flood-control infrastructure. The incident follows deadly floods in Maiduguri last September after heavy rains and a dam collapse.

Samaritan’s Purse, led by Franklin Graham, has donated 20 ambulances to Israel’s Magen David Adom following the October 2023 Hamas attacks, with plans to deliver 42 total, including 28 armored units capable of operating under fire. At a dedication ceremony in Jerusalem, attended by Graham, former Governor Mike Huckabee, Pastor Greg Laurie, MDA leaders, and terror survivors, the group unveiled an armored mobile ICU ambulance funded by Harvest Christian Fellowship. Speakers emphasized solidarity with Israel and the ongoing security threats. Survivors shared personal testimonies, and MDA leaders praised the vehicles as vital to emergency response. Twenty-two more armored ambulances are expected by year’s end, and Samaritan’s Purse says its support will continue as needed.

Fox News reports a notable shift in Syrian public sentiment and policy discourse toward potential peace with Israel, amid U.S.-facilitated talks between Syrian and Israeli officials. Following President Trump’s meeting with Syria’s interim leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, Washington has reengaged diplomatically, encouraging security-focused dialogue. Interviews with Syrians reflect growing fatigue with decades of conflict and the politicization of the Palestinian cause, prioritizing reconstruction, economic recovery, and distancing from Iran’s Axis of Resistance. Analysts say a weakened Hezbollah and changes in Syria’s leadership have opened space for normalization discussions, though the process remains early and uncertain.

Surveillance video shows La’keysha Jackson, 24, a babysitter supplied through New York City’s ACS-contracted homemaking program, repeatedly beating a Bronx mother’s three sons (ages 2, 4, and 6) with a belt and using frightening costumes to intimidate them. The abuse was discovered May 6 via a nannycam checked by the children’s grandmother. Despite reports to ACS and the NYPD and a hospital visit, the family says Jackson has not been arrested weeks later. The mother, Geraldine Jaramillo, plans to sue; ACS says Jackson has been terminated and it is reviewing the provider, Selfhelp, which holds a $1.23 million contract and says it conducts background checks. The family alleges prior issues with another sitter from the same agency and criticizes ACS after it opened an investigation into the mother post-incident. Police sources said an attempted arrest on assault and child endangerment charges was unsuccessful. The children are reportedly traumatized.

Jonathan Joss, the voice of John Redcorn on “King of the Hill,” was fatally shot in San Antonio. His husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, claims the killing was a homophobic hate crime following years of threats and an incident where they found their deceased dog’s bones displayed at their burned-down home site. Police disputed the hate-crime claim, stating there’s no evidence the murder was related to Joss’s sexual orientation. Neighbors described Joss as erratic, with frequent police calls to his home and incidents culminating in a February house fire reportedly caused by unsafe heating. A neighbor, Sigfredo Alvarez Ceja, was arrested in the shooting.