In other news

Germany’s Foreign Office defended classifying the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) as a right-wing extremist organization after U.S. officials JD Vance and Marco Rubio criticized the move as anti-democratic. Citing an intelligence agency finding that AfD’s ethnic-based worldview undermines Germany’s democratic order and excludes certain groups—particularly those from predominantly Muslim countries—the government said the designation followed an independent investigation and can be appealed. The label expands surveillance powers over AfD, which recently won 20.8% of the vote and 152 Bundestag seats. AfD leaders called the decision politically motivated. The move has revived debate over potentially banning the party as a new governing coalition forms, with SPD leader Lars Klingbeil saying the threat to democracy must be taken seriously.

Tunisia has sentenced former Prime Minister Ali Laarayedh, a senior figure in the Ennahda party and critic of President Kais Saied, to 34 years in prison on terrorism-related charges, including forming a terrorist cell and facilitating travel to join jihadist groups in Iraq and Syria. Laarayedh denies wrongdoing and says the case is politically motivated. His conviction follows a broader crackdown in which at least 40 critics, including lawyers, journalists, and diplomats, have been jailed. Rights groups accuse Saied of using the judiciary to silence opponents after dissolving parliament in 2021, ruling by decree, and expanding presidential powers through a new constitution. Saied rejects the criticism, framing his actions as a fight against “traitors” and foreign interference.

A tour van carrying 13 international tourists and a pickup truck collided and caught fire on a highway near Yellowstone National Park in eastern Idaho, killing seven people and injuring eight. Five of the dead were Chinese citizens; reports indicate two victims were Italian, though police have not confirmed. The pickup driver, identified as 25-year-old Isaiah Moreno of Texas, also died. The cause is under investigation. The tour was arranged by Ctour Holiday LLC, and authorities are coordinating with Chinese and Italian consulates. The busy route to Yellowstone was closed for seven hours after the crash.

Five people—a pilot, three women, and a child—were rescued in good condition after spending 36 hours atop a small plane that made an emergency landing in an alligator-infested swamp in Bolivia’s Amazon. The aircraft, flying from Baures to Trinidad, went down near the Itanomas River due to engine failure. Stranded and surrounded by caimans and even an anaconda, the group survived by staying on the plane and eating cassava flour; leaking fuel may have deterred predators. Local fishermen found the plane, leading to a helicopter rescue and hospital transport. Authorities hailed the coordinated search effort after the plane was missing for 48 hours.

Newly elected Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, leading a Liberal minority, announced that King Charles III will open Canada’s 45th Parliament on 27 May—a strategic move to underscore Canadian sovereignty amid Donald Trump’s rhetoric about making Canada the 51st state and ahead of Carney’s White House meeting. Carney said talks with Trump next Tuesday will focus on US tariffs and the broader bilateral relationship, signaling “difficult but constructive” discussions and a push to deepen ties with other reliable trading partners. Domestically, he pledged to address cost-of-living and public safety concerns and extended an olive branch to rivals, even backing a path for Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre to re-enter Parliament via a special election.

Togo’s leader Faure Gnassingbé has been sworn in as President of the Council of Ministers, a new top executive role without term limits created under a revised constitution that shifts the country to a parliamentary system and makes the presidency largely ceremonial. Critics and the opposition call the reform an institutional coup designed to keep Gnassingbé in power indefinitely. His party holds an overwhelming parliamentary majority, further consolidating his control. The Gnassingbé family has ruled Togo for 58 years, with Faure in office since 2005 after succeeding his father. Municipal elections in July will be the first under the new system.

Romania is rerunning its presidential election six months after the initial vote was annulled over alleged fraud and Russian interference, which disqualified first-round winner Calin Georgescu from the rerun. The new contest features nationalist George Simion (AUR) against centrists Nicusor Dan, Crin Antonescu, and independent Elena Lasconi, plus seven others. Polls suggest Simion may lead the first round, with a likely run-off on 18 May. The outcome is closely watched by the US, EU, Ukraine, and Russia due to Romania’s key role in NATO operations, Ukraine support, and Black Sea security. A recent US visa-waiver reversal underscores tensions, and experts warn a Simion victory could jeopardize aid to Ukraine. Diaspora voters, significant but under-polled, could influence the result. Public sentiment has softened since Romania’s partial Schengen entry and the exit of President Klaus Iohannis, potentially boosting centrist prospects.

At least seven people were killed and 20 injured after helicopter gunships and a drone attacked Old Fangak in South Sudan, bombing an MSF-run hospital and a local market, according to Médecins Sans Frontières. MSF says the hospital—the only one serving over 110,000 people—was clearly marked, its pharmacy was destroyed, and all medical supplies were lost, calling the strike a violation of international humanitarian law. Witnesses attributed the aircraft to government forces; the government has not commented. The attack comes amid escalating tensions between President Salva Kiir and Vice-President Riek Machar, raising fears of a return to full-scale civil war despite a 2018 peace deal that has yet to unify armed groups or deliver elections.

Three young men aged 15–20 were shot dead at a Uppsala hair salon on the eve of Sweden’s Walpurgis festival, shocking the city but not stopping celebrations amid heightened police presence. Initial arrests included a 16-year-old who was later released as the case weakened; police now say six people aged under 18 to 45 have been arrested, with one suspected of carrying out the killings. Authorities are probing links to gang crime, reflecting Sweden’s broader surge in gun violence involving increasingly younger perpetrators. The incident prompted political vows to tighten gun laws and enable wiretapping of minors, while locals mourned the victims with flowers and tributes.

Warren Buffett, 94, will retire as Berkshire Hathaway CEO at the end of the year, handing leadership to Vice-Chairman Greg Abel, whom he previously named successor. Announced unexpectedly at the firm’s Omaha annual meeting, Buffett said he won’t sell any Berkshire shares, intending to give them away. Business leaders, including Apple’s Tim Cook, praised his legacy. Berkshire owns over 60 companies and major stakes in firms like Apple and Coca-Cola. Buffett also criticized using tariffs and trade as political weapons. He remains one of the world’s richest people and a major philanthropist.

California’s high-speed rail, approved in 2008 to connect Los Angeles and San Francisco, remains far behind schedule and over budget, with no track laid and costs tripled. The project has been scaled back to a 171-mile Bakersfield–Merced segment targeted for 2033. Gov. Gavin Newsom blames delays on acquiring 2,270 properties and environmental clearance; the rail authority agrees. Eminent-domain attorney Mark Wasser, who represents about 70 affected landowners, disputes that eminent domain is the main cause, pointing instead to planning choices that routed the line diagonally through Central Valley farms, creating unusable remnants and costly complications. Farmers like John Diepersloot have accepted settlements but face fragmented land and infrastructure headaches. Critics question why construction began in the Central Valley rather than along Interstate 5 or at the coastal endpoints. The project has become a symbol of U.S. bureaucratic and logistical hurdles to building large infrastructure, with full LA–SF service seen as distant, if ever.

Local elections in England delivered major gains for Nigel Farage’s Reform U.K., alongside advances for the Liberal Democrats and Greens, signaling a sharp erosion of Britain’s century-old two-party dominance by Labour and the Conservatives. Both main parties were punished—Conservatives for ongoing decline after losing power, and Labour for austerity and tax measures—amid low turnout and broad voter disenchantment. Analysts say social fragmentation and weakened class loyalties are driving multiparty voting, with Reform now polling near a threshold where the first-past-the-post system could advantage it, potentially reshaping the opposition landscape. Labour faces a strategic squeeze between appealing to Farage’s voters and retaining its progressive base, while Conservatives risk losing voters to both Reform and centrist rivals. Though local context and low turnout temper conclusions, the results deepen uncertainty and raise the prospect of a structural break in Britain’s two-party system.

Pope Francis’s tombstone has sparked debate among designers for its awkward letter spacing. The marble slab, meant to read “Franciscus” in Latin using a Times Roman style, appears as “F R A NCISC VS” due to a lack of kerning between certain letter pairs. Typography experts say the spacing likely resulted from individually placed letters or mathematically spaced templates rather than typographic kerning, a common issue in modern grave markers produced by machines. Critics likened the result to using a font without kerning data, calling it a preventable design flaw that distracts from an otherwise simple, fitting memorial. The Vatican did not comment.

Israel’s complete halt of humanitarian aid to Gaza for over 60 days has created catastrophic conditions, according to doctors and aid groups. With no food, fuel, or medicine entering, prices have soared, bakeries shut, and most people rely on looted or depleted charity kitchens. UN-backed assessments indicate extreme food insecurity for the vast majority of the roughly two million residents, with signs of severe malnutrition, especially in children. Hospitals report critical shortages: essential medicines are depleted, dialysis and other lifesaving treatments are rationed, and preventable illnesses are rising. Aid agencies say access to stocked warehouses is often blocked by bombardment, evacuation orders, and denied coordination, leaving up to 70 percent of the enclave inaccessible. Israel argues the blockade is lawful, that supplies brought in during a cease-fire should suffice, and accuses Hamas of hoarding, while humanitarian organizations and European officials warn the siege violates international law and demand it be lifted.

The Justice Department’s civil rights division opened an investigation into Hennepin County, Minnesota’s new prosecutorial policy that tells prosecutors to consider defendants’ racial identity and age as part of plea and sentencing decisions. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon said the probe will assess whether the policy results in illegal race-based decision-making and a pattern of constitutional violations. The county prosecutor’s office said it would cooperate and believes the policy is lawful, arguing it aims to address racial disparities in the justice system. The inquiry comes amid turmoil within the civil rights division, where hundreds have recently resigned as Dhillon reshapes priorities and leadership.

The condo board of 432 Park Avenue, a 1,400-foot luxury tower on Billionaires’ Row, has sued developers CIM Group and others for over $165 million, alleging deliberate fraud and concealment of widespread, early facade cracking that could pose safety risks. The lawsuit claims nearly 1,900 facade defects—over half labeled life-safety issues—emerged from the start due to a problematic white concrete mix used as both exterior and structural support. Despite warnings from architects and engineers during testing in 2012, developers allegedly proceeded, patched cracks, and downplayed problems to buyers and regulators. The case builds on a 2021 suit over floods, elevator failures, and sway issues, and comes amid broader troubles for New York’s supertall condo market. Defendants deny the allegations and plan to seek dismissal.

The U.S. will send a refurbished Patriot air-defense system previously based in Israel to Ukraine, and Western allies are discussing providing another from Germany or Greece, potentially bringing Ukraine’s total to 10 systems. The move follows intensified Russian attacks, including a deadly April 24 strike on Kyiv, and comes amid a shift in President Trump’s public tone toward Ukraine and a newly signed U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal that could facilitate further military aid. Ukraine currently has eight Patriots, six operational and two under refurbishment, and continues to face shortages amid large-scale Russian missile and drone barrages. The transferred system from Israel is an older model; U.S. approval is required for any third-country Patriot transfers.

Kenya has sharply increased taxes and fees to raise revenue for debt payments, squeezing salaried workers whose take-home pay has fallen about 9% in months. New levies include higher payroll deductions for housing, health insurance, and pensions; increased excise taxes; doubled business turnover tax; higher charges on digital services and money transfers; and steeper import taxes. With roughly 60% of government revenue going to debt service and most workers in the informal sector beyond the tax net, a small salaried minority bears the burden amid high unemployment and inflation. The shilling’s slide has raised import costs, eroding purchasing power. Public anger is fueled by perceived corruption, waste, and weak services, sparking protests and unrest. As Kenya seeks IMF support, further austerity may be required, but trust in the government’s ability to deliver and manage funds is low, especially in hard-hit areas like Nairobi’s Kibera.

Residents of Boca Chica in South Texas voted to incorporate as the city of Starbase, Texas, formalizing SpaceX’s company town around its rocket launch hub. Of 218 ballots cast, all but six supported incorporation, out of 283 eligible voters. The community of roughly 500—mostly SpaceX renters and employees—can now form municipal services, adopt ordinances, seek state and federal grants, and exercise powers like eminent domain and certain legal immunities. Road maintenance shifts from the county to the new city. Elon Musk has long referred to the area as Starbase and celebrated the vote.

Bill Mott, the veteran Hall of Fame trainer who first fell in love with the Kentucky Derby as a 14-year-old listening on AM radio, finally saw one of his horses cross the finish line first at Churchill Downs as Sovereignty won the 151st Derby. Though Mott was awarded the 2019 Derby with Country House after a disqualification, he longed for an outright victory. Jockey Junior Alvarado, whom Mott stuck with after a spring injury sidelined him and cost him a prep ride, delivered a patient, well-timed trip from the back of the pack to run down favorite Journalism in the stretch. The win capped decades of persistence, work, and a bit of luck for Mott, who reflected on a dream that once felt as distant as “outer space.”

Thailand’s highest administrative court has annulled a 1975 Ministry of Education directive that strictly regulated students’ hair lengths, ruling it unconstitutional for excessively restricting personal freedom and harming mental health, especially for gender-diverse students. The change follows years of student activism, notably 2020 protests that spotlighted punitive school practices rooted in Thailand’s military-influenced, hierarchical culture. While some schools have relaxed checks and enforcement, students and activists worry gaps remain because rules are now left to individual schools, risking continued strict guidelines and punishments without clear government oversight.

French police rescued the father of a cryptocurrency entrepreneur who was kidnapped in Paris and held for two days in a nearby Airbnb; his captors severed one finger and demanded millions in ransom via a video sent to his son. Five suspects aged 23–27 were detained. The case mirrors recent crypto-linked abductions in France and Belgium, including the January 2025 kidnapping of Ledger cofounder David Balland, whose finger was also cut off, and the December 2024 abduction of influencer Stéphane Winkel’s wife. Authorities are investigating for organized extortion and criminal conspiracy, with experts noting a shared modus operandi but no confirmed link between the cases.

British counter-terrorism police arrested five men—four Iranian nationals—on suspicion of plotting a terrorist act targeting a specific site in the UK. The arrests followed raids across Greater Manchester, London, and Swindon. Four suspects (ages 29–46) were detained under the Terrorism Act; the fifth, with nationality and age pending, was held under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act. Authorities have not disclosed the intended target and are investigating motives and any further risks. All remain in custody, and police urged public vigilance.

Israel plans to expand its Gaza offensive, mobilizing thousands of reservists as ceasefire and hostage talks stall. IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir reportedly proposed evacuating civilians from northern and central Gaza ahead of intensified operations, with cabinet approval expected. Families of the 59 remaining Israeli hostages warned escalation endangers them. Negotiations mediated by Egypt and Qatar have faltered; Hamas demands a permanent ceasefire and full Israeli withdrawal, while Israel says Hamas rejected reasonable offers. Tensions rose as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Qatar of “playing both sides,” which Qatar denied, citing its role in past hostage releases and criticizing Israel’s aid blockade. Netanyahu also said defeating Israel’s enemies takes precedence over freeing hostages, drawing backlash from families. His planned trip to Azerbaijan was postponed amid developments in Gaza and Syria.

A Houthi missile from Yemen landed near Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport after Israeli and U.S.-backed defenses failed to intercept it, prompting a brief shutdown of flights and highlighting vulnerabilities in Israel’s air defense despite sustained U.S. strikes on the group. The Houthis claimed they used a hypersonic ballistic missile, warned of repeated airport attacks, and urged airlines to cancel flights. Israel vowed a forceful response against the Houthis and Iran; Iran warned it would retaliate if attacked. The incident, a significant breach at a heavily protected site, led to suspended European flights and raised concerns about evolving long‑range, maneuverable missile threats. It follows previous Houthi strikes on Israel since 2023, including a successful missile hit on Tel Aviv and a deadly drone attack.

In 1996, Princess Diana made her sole Met Gala appearance wearing a daring navy slip dress by newly appointed Dior designer John Galliano. Defying expectations and royal dress codes, she secretly removed the dress’s corset to make it more revealing, signaling her post-divorce independence. The look, accessorized with her sapphire engagement ring (reframed as a family heirloom) and a sapphire-and-pearl choker linked to other iconic moments, was widely praised and underscored her fashion influence. Her mini Chouchou bag—later renamed the Lady Dior in her honor—cemented the outfit’s symbolism and impact, making her arrival one of the Met’s most memorable.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia has sufficient resources to achieve its objectives in Ukraine but hopes nuclear weapons won’t be needed. In a state TV film marking his 25 years in power, he framed the war as a defining clash with the West and claimed provocation aimed to force Russian missteps. While Trump has pressed for a swift end to the conflict, the Kremlin says a quick resolution is unlikely. The piece also profiles Putin’s longevity, public image, and personal reflections, offering rare glimpses into his private life.

Ukraine’s military intelligence claims it destroyed a Russian Su-30 fighter jet over the Black Sea using a Ukrainian Magura seaborne drone—the first reported instance of a combat aircraft being downed by a marine drone. The incident allegedly occurred near Russia’s port of Novorossiysk; CNN has not independently verified the claim and Russia’s defense ministry has not commented, though a prominent Russian military blogger corroborated details of a large sea-drone operation and said the jet’s crew ended up in the water. The report underscores Ukraine’s growing reliance on sea drones—controlled via Starlink and carrying heavy explosives—to offset Russia’s naval and air advantages, following previous strikes on Black Sea Fleet assets including the Ivanovets and the Moskva.

Venice has sunk about 25 cm in a century while sea levels have risen nearly a foot, causing frequent, damaging floods despite the costly MOSE flood barriers that increasingly must close the lagoon, straining the ecosystem and port activity. Pietro Teatini, a hydrology and hydraulic engineering expert at the University of Padua, proposes a complementary, time-buying solution: inject saline water into deep aquifers (600–1,000 meters) in a ring around the city to gently lift the lagoon’s seabed — and thus Venice — by about 30 cm. The concept mirrors observed ground uplift at seasonal gas storage sites and would use saline water to avoid contaminating freshwater. A pilot borehole test would precede any full rollout. Teatini argues this could provide 20–30 years of relief, extending to roughly 50 years when combined with MOSE, giving authorities time to develop a more permanent, “drastic” adaptation strategy.

Hong Kong saw 682,114 mainland Chinese visitors from May 1–3 during the Labour Day “golden week,” up 22.8% year on year, with May 2 setting a post-Covid single-day record of 267,000 arrivals. Total visitors for the first three days reached 803,612, a 26.2% increase from last year. Financial Secretary Paul Chan pledged to expand tourism infrastructure and enhance visitor experience, aligning with Beijing’s push for “tourism everywhere” across the city.

China’s push for a hi-tech workforce is leading top universities to cut arts and social science enrolments in favor of STEM, stirring debate over the humanities’ value. Critics warn against short-term utilitarianism, arguing the humanities provide essential long-term societal benefits and guide ethical, human-centered responses to technological change. Scholars note the fields are adapting by integrating AI and technology, creating interdisciplinary programs. As in past technological shifts, they contend, society ultimately needs the humanistic perspective to address fundamental issues beyond immediate economic output.

Taiwan’s Kuomintang (KMT) has launched a long-shot effort to unseat President William Lai amid a wave of political turmoil that underscores its struggle for relevance. Pro-Lai supporters have filed numerous recall petitions against KMT district legislators, while prosecutors have arrested local KMT officials over alleged document forgery in counter-recall campaigns targeting DPP lawmakers and raided KMT offices across multiple cities. The KMT and Taiwan People’s Party, though holding a narrow legislative majority, face backlash from civic groups and concern from the US over tactics seen as obstructive—cutting budgets and expanding parliamentary powers. KMT chairman Eric Chu escalated tensions by leading a protest at the Taipei prosecutors office after a party chapter head’s arrest. Analysts view the anti-Lai push as a desperate attempt to regain footing amid “recall wars” that are testing voter patience and raising doubts about the opposition’s capacity to govern constructively.

China’s coffee market is surging, with a net addition of nearly 12,000 shops over the past year (66,920 openings minus closures), driven by aggressive expansion, price competition, and growing popularity beyond top-tier cities. Government backing—highlighted by President Xi’s endorsement of Yunnan coffee—has boosted domestic interest. New entrants and innovative models are intensifying competition, squeezing incumbents: Starbucks’ China market share fell to 14% in 2024 from 34% in 2019, and its same-store sales dropped 8% in fiscal 2024. Growth is strongest in fast-rising cities like Chengdu and Hangzhou.

Chinese meteorologists used a fleet of drones to seed clouds over Xinjiang’s Bayanbulak Grasslands, releasing 1 kg of silver iodide at about 5,500 meters across four flights. The operation increased rainfall by over 4% across more than 8,000 sq km in a single day, producing an estimated 70,000 cubic meters of extra precipitation—roughly 30 Olympic-sized pools. The results, published in Desert and Oasis Meteorology, highlight the efficiency of drone-based cloud seeding, with a travel-mug volume of compound yielding significant rainfall in an arid region.

China’s Communist Party has intensified the use of xunshi (inspection) teams under President Xi Jinping as a core tool of his decade-long anti-corruption drive. Run by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI), these teams independently generate leads (rather than relying mainly on public tips) and conduct targeted checks across regions and ministries. Their probes have toppled numerous officials, including provincial leaders, and instill strong deterrence—most recently spotlighted by a new round of 16 CCDI teams, including in Shanxi where former governor Jin Xiangjun is under investigation. The inspections have become central to enforcing party discipline and consolidating control.

A study by Japan’s National Institute for Environmental Studies and Waseda University warns that, without major greenhouse gas reductions, summer heat could make late-afternoon outdoor youth sports unsafe across much of Japan by 2060, potentially forcing suspensions in July and August except in cooler Hokkaido. Published in Environmental Health, the research highlights rising heat risks intersecting with Japan’s strong school sports culture, noting around 100 heat-related child deaths in the past two decades. Researchers emphasize growing awareness compared with past decades but caution that escalating temperatures will increasingly endanger children’s health and athletic activities.

At 99, Malaysia’s two-time prime minister Mahathir Mohamad remains active and sharp, defying his own expectation he wouldn’t live past 75. Nearing his 100th birthday, he continues to loom large over Malaysia’s politics as a constant presence and outspoken commentator, outlasting many allies and rivals. Known for his vitality—recently seen driving on a racetrack—Mahathir remains cautious about reaching the century mark, saying “nothing is certain.” His longevity has spawned jokes comparing his age to cultural icons like Superman and sliced bread, underscoring his enduring place in Malaysia’s public life.

Wealthy mainland Chinese are redirecting high-end property investments away from the US toward markets like Thailand, Australia, Canada, Singapore, and the UK amid escalating US-China tensions and tighter scrutiny of deals. Data from Juwai IQI show that, after the US led in 2023, Chinese demand for homes over US$5 million shifted in 2024, with Chinese investment in US homes down more than 50% from its 2017 peak. The trend aligns with a broader decline in the US’s appeal to Chinese tourists and students under the Trump administration.

Mexican authorities arrested two men suspected of murdering María del Carmen Morales, 43, and her 26-year-old son, Jaime Daniel Ramírez Morales, who were shot near their home in Jalisco on April 23 while searching for another missing son. Morales was part of Guerreros Buscadores, a collective that recently uncovered remains at a suspected cartel training camp, highlighting cartel violence and forced recruitment. The suspects, identified as Juan Manuel N., 27, and José Luis N., 24, are also linked to about a dozen other killings. The case underscores Mexico’s crisis of disappearances and mass graves amid ongoing cartel violence.

A 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck in the Drake Passage off southern Chile and Argentina at 8:58 a.m. local time, prompting evacuations across Chile’s Magallanes region and Antarctic areas and temporary water-activity suspensions in Ushuaia. A tsunami warning for areas within 185 miles of the epicenter was later canceled. At least a dozen aftershocks followed, but no damage or casualties were reported. Evacuations proceeded calmly, with authorities advising continued caution near coastlines.

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) says its hospital in Old Fangak, South Sudan—the only functional facility serving about 40,000 people—was hit by early-morning airstrikes, killing at least seven, including a 9-month-old, and wounding at least 25. The bombing destroyed the pharmacy and all medical supplies. MSF condemned the attack as a violation of international humanitarian law. Additional strikes near the town’s market later caused panic and displacement. While responsibility was unclear, the attack comes amid a government-led offensive, with reports of recent airstrikes in Upper Nile State and tensions in opposition-linked Nuer areas. A military spokesperson could not be reached for comment.

Five people—three women, a child, and a 29-year-old pilot—survived 36 hours atop a capsized single-engine plane in an alligator-infested swamp in Bolivia’s Amazon after an emergency landing between Baures and Trinidad. Surrounded by alligators and even seeing an anaconda, they believe leaking kerosene deterred predators. They sustained themselves with cassava flour, avoiding the water. After the plane disappeared from radar, a search began Thursday; local fishermen spotted them, and they were rescued by helicopter in excellent condition, officials said.

The White House offered Mike Waltz several ambassadorships, including Saudi Arabia, as President Trump moved to replace him as national security adviser a little over 100 days into the term. Waltz chose to become U.N. ambassador, with Friday set as his last day at the White House. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will serve as interim national security adviser while handling both roles during the transition. Deputy Alex Wong remains to assist. Trump is weighing candidates for the Saudi post, seen as strategically significant amid efforts to expand the Abraham Accords and potential Saudi normalization with Israel, though the Israel-Hamas war has complicated diplomacy.

A South African court convicted Kelly (Racquel Chantel) Smith, her boyfriend Jacquin Appollis, and friend Steveno van Rhyn of kidnapping and human trafficking over the February 2024 disappearance of Smith’s 6-year-old daughter, Joshlin, who remains missing. Testimony alleged the child was sold for about $1,000 to a traditional healer for body parts, though the judge did not determine the buyer or exact events. The trio faces life sentences, with hearings to begin next week. The high-profile case, tried in a sports center to accommodate the public, shocked the nation; police say the search for Joshlin continues.

The Trump administration is negotiating with Rwanda to accept deportees from the U.S., including non-Rwandan nationals, with details and possible financial compensation to be discussed within two weeks, officials from both countries confirmed. The talks follow reports of an Iraqi national being deported from the U.S. to Rwanda and draw on Rwanda’s prior experience with the U.K.’s controversial asylum policy. This move is part of broader U.S. efforts to outsource deportations to third countries like El Salvador, Mexico, and Panama. The discussions coincide with U.S. attempts to mediate peace between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio touting the administration’s Africa envoy and regional diplomacy.

A 38-year-old woman died in Thessaloniki, Greece, after a bomb she was allegedly carrying to place at a bank ATM exploded in her hands around 5 a.m. local time. The blast damaged nearby storefronts and vehicles. Police said she had a criminal record involving drugs, prostitution, robbery, and theft, and are investigating possible links to extremist groups. The incident comes amid sporadic bombings and a resurgence of small domestic extremist cells in Greece, including recent claimed attacks by a group called Revolutionary Class Struggle.

Reform UK scored notable gains in UK elections, flipping the Labour “heartland” seat of Runcorn & Helsby by six votes to secure its fifth parliamentary seat and winning the Greater Lincolnshire mayoralty, long held by Conservatives. Nigel Farage declared the results proof that Reform is now the main opposition to Labour, arguing the two-party system is “dead” as both Labour and Conservatives saw setbacks. Reform’s rise, Farage said, signals collapsing Conservative support and a broader political “earthquake” across the country.

A leaked UN80 Task Force memo outlines proposed reforms to streamline the United Nations by consolidating agencies, cutting high-level posts, and improving coordination across peace and security, humanitarian, and human rights work amid funding shortfalls and geopolitical shifts. Former Trump official Hugh Dugan blasted the effort as years overdue, urged Secretary-General António Guterres to step down for a leader with a fresh mandate, and criticized the plan’s lack of metrics, talent strategy, and member buy-in. The UN says the memo is part of broader ongoing reform efforts; Guterres has repeatedly called for greater transparency, efficiency, and decentralization. Financial strains persist as U.S. and other member contributions waver.

Germany’s domestic intelligence agency (BfV) designated the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party as “extremist,” citing an ethnically defined concept of the nation and anti-migrant, anti-Muslim positions that it says violate human dignity. The label enables expanded surveillance of the AfD, which finished second in February’s elections. AfD leaders called the move politically motivated and vowed legal action. U.S. figures including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Elon Musk criticized the decision as anti-democratic. The BfV also lists neo-Nazi, Islamist, and far-left groups as extremist. Conservative CDU leader Friedrich Merz is set to become chancellor in a coalition that, along with the SPD, refuses to partner with the AfD.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed she rejected President Donald Trump’s offer to deploy U.S. troops in Mexico to fight drug cartels, citing national sovereignty. Sheinbaum said cooperation and intelligence sharing are welcome but U.S. military presence is not. The White House emphasized enhanced U.S.-Mexico collaboration under Trump, including CIA drone surveillance and extraditions of cartel leaders, while urging Mexico to do more against cartels designated as foreign terrorist organizations. A Heritage Foundation report advocated military options as a last resort, preferably in coordination with Mexico.

The article highlights renewed calls to extradite Joanne Chesimard (Assata Shakur), convicted in the 1973 murder of New Jersey State Trooper Werner Foerster, who escaped prison in 1979 and has lived in Cuba since. U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Sen. Rick Scott, condemn Cuba for harboring American fugitives and push for tougher measures and legislation—the Frank Connor and Trooper Werner Foerster Justice Act—to pressure Havana to return an estimated 70 fugitives, including terrorists like FALN bombmaker Willie Morales. Supporters argue economic leverage could secure their return, while New Jersey officials and victims’ families stress unyielding pursuit of justice.

The Trump administration designated two major Haitian gang networks, Viv Ansanm and Gran Grif, as Foreign Terrorist Organizations and Specially Designated Global Terrorists, aiming to disrupt their operations and support efforts to stabilize Haiti. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the groups have attacked civilians, security forces, and MSS mission personnel, seeking to create a gang-controlled state. The designations carry severe legal penalties for anyone providing support, including prosecution and immigration consequences. Viv Ansanm, formed from G-9 and G-Pép and linked to leader Jimmy “Barbecue” Chérizier, has targeted key infrastructure and helped force former Prime Minister Ariel Henry’s resignation. Gran Grif, dominant in Artibonite, has been tied to most civilian deaths there since 2022 and a 2025 attack killing a Kenyan MSS officer. Rubio commended Haitian and international security efforts and urged Haitian leaders to restore security and advance toward free and fair elections.

Two pro-Gaza independents defeated Labour candidates in local elections in northern England: 18-year-old Maheen Kamran in Burnley Central East and ex-Labour member Azhar Ali in Nelson East. Ali had been suspended by Labour over antisemitic remarks about Israel and Oct. 7; his apology was rejected by Jewish community leaders. Kamran has backed gender-segregated spaces for Muslims and says a “genocide” is occurring in Gaza. Their wins reflect a broader shift as mainstream parties lose ground, with Reform UK making gains and Labour suffering setbacks.

U.S. officials have prepared new Russia sanctions targeting banking and energy sectors, including Gazprom, to pressure Moscow toward a Ukraine ceasefire, but it’s unclear if President Trump will approve them. The National Security Council is coordinating the package, which could mark a tougher stance after Trump’s prior overtures—such as ending a DOJ sanctions task force and backing a peace plan ceding territory—failed to sway Putin. Despite extensive past sanctions, Russia has evaded measures to fund its war. Trump recently signaled interest in large-scale banking sanctions and tariffs until a ceasefire and peace deal, with experts noting secondary sanctions on Russian energy sales to countries like India and China would be especially impactful.

Drone attacks in Sudan are intensifying, increasingly hitting civilian sites such as displacement camps, schools, and infrastructure. In Atbara, two early-morning RSF drone strikes on 25 April killed 12 people, including at least two children, and damaged a camp and school sheltering families fleeing Khartoum. Conflict data show RSF drone use has surged since the SAF retook Khartoum in late March, enabling strikes across Khartoum, North Darfur, and River Nile State. Satellite imagery indicates growing RSF airpower, including drones consistent with Chinese FH-95/CH-95 models observed at Nyala Airport, and the construction of new airstrips in West Kordofan. While the UAE is accused of supplying drones and weapons to the RSF, it denies this. On the ground, civilian casualties and trauma are mounting, underscoring a worsening humanitarian crisis.

A light aircraft carrying a pilot, three women, and a child crash-landed in an alligator-infested swamp in Bolivia’s Beni Department, forcing the group to spend 36 hours stranded atop the partially submerged plane. Surrounded by large alligators and snakes, plagued by mosquitoes, and without drinkable water, they survived on cassava flour retrieved from the aircraft. The pilot used his phone’s flashlight to monitor the animals and eventually signal a nearby fishing boat, leading to a helicopter rescue and hospital evacuation. Authorities praised the coordinated search after the plane went missing.

Hundreds of current and former Israeli Air Force pilots—and over 15,000 other military personnel—have signed open letters urging an end to the Gaza war to secure the release of remaining hostages, accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of prioritizing political survival over a US-brokered ceasefire deal that included full Israeli withdrawal and hostage release. Netanyahu dismissed the pilots as “bad apples,” while the IDF has threatened signatories with dismissal. The growing protest highlights widening rifts within Israel’s military and society over the war’s purpose and endgame, amid high casualties in Gaza and ongoing political pressures on Netanyahu’s coalition.

On the 18th anniversary of Madeleine McCann’s disappearance, her parents Kate and Gerry shared a message stating they have no significant updates but remain determined to “leave no stone unturned.” They thanked supporters and noted Madeleine, who turns 22 this month, is “right here with us” in their lives. Madeleine vanished from a holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal, in 2007, a case that has drawn over £13m in UK police investigation costs. German suspect Christian B remains the prime suspect, but prosecutors say no charges are expected in the foreseeable future; he was acquitted of unrelated charges in 2024.

Sky News obtained a recording shedding light on the Israeli detention of Gaza paramedic Asaad al Nsasrah, one of two survivors of a 23 March IDF attack that killed 15 Palestinian Red Crescent Society workers. The audio, captured during his call to the PRCS dispatch center after the shooting began, indicates he was apprehended by Israeli soldiers and reveals structured commands and a clear chain of command at the scene. The IDF said Nsasrah was arrested on suspicion of terrorist involvement, interrogated, then released without a permanent detention order after 37 days. The only other survivor, Munther Abed, said both were beaten during arrest; he was freed within hours. An internal IDF probe led to a deputy commander’s dismissal and another officer’s reprimand, but no charges. The incident and shifting IDF explanations have fueled growing criticism over the military’s conduct and Nsasrah’s prolonged detention.

A 38-year-old woman was killed in Thessaloniki, Greece, when a bomb she was carrying detonated around 5am as she attempted to place it at a bank ATM, police said. The blast damaged nearby storefronts and vehicles. Authorities, who say the woman was previously involved in several robberies, are investigating potential links to extreme left-wing groups. The incident is under ongoing investigation.

Netflix chief content officer Bela Bajaria says being publicly fired as president of Universal Television was a painful but transformative lesson. Initially struggling with identity and stigma—especially for women expected to be “perfect”—she feared her work hadn’t mattered. Support, job offers, and industry outreach showed her that relationships, impact, and integrity endure beyond a title. With hindsight, she’s grateful for the experience, calling it liberating and reducing her fear of failure. Since joining Netflix in 2016, she’s led major expansions into live events and sports, and overseen globally popular series and award-leading slates.

NPR and PBS leaders plan to challenge President Trump’s executive order cutting public funding, exploring legal and other options. NPR CEO Katherine Maher warned the cuts would most harm local stations—particularly in rural areas—amid growing “news deserts,” noting NPR’s 246 member organizations nationwide. PBS CEO Paula Kerger said while PBS receives about 15% of its funding from the federal government overall, small stations rely on it for up to 40–50%, making the order existential for them. She added that Department of Education support is critical to developing children’s programming like Sesame Street and Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, and new projects would halt without it. The move comes amid a wave of lawsuits challenging various Trump executive orders.

Disney/Marvel’s “Thunderbolts*” opened to an estimated $76 million domestically—the third-highest debut of 2025—and $162.1 million worldwide. The film, featuring Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, David Harbour, Wyatt Russell, and Hannah John-Kamen, earned strong reception with an 88% critics score and 94% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Analysts say the result marks a positive turnaround for Marvel after recent mixed performances and could have strong legs similar to “A Minecraft Movie” and “Sinners,” helping kickstart a robust May box office.

Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs intervened to halt the fast-track deportation of a 24-year-old Guatemalan woman, identified as “Erika,” who crossed the border eight months pregnant and gave birth in Tucson. After her lawyer said federal agents initially denied him access and planned rapid removal, Hobbs contacted federal officials, prompting the case to shift to standard deportation proceedings. U.S. Customs and Border Protection said Erika was transferred to ICE with a court date and the right to counsel, and her newborn remains with her. Her attorney says she fled violence in Guatemala and plans to seek asylum. CBP stated agents followed legal procedures.

Donald Trump said he wouldn’t rule out using military force to gain control of Greenland, calling the island vital for international security and suggesting the U.S. would “cherish” its small population. In a TV interview marking his first 100 days, he also played down—but didn’t entirely dismiss—the idea of using force against Canada, saying it’s “highly unlikely.” Trump criticized U.S. economic ties with Canada and floated discussing U.S. annexation with Prime Minister Mark Carney, despite strong opposition in both countries. Polls show most Americans believe Trump is serious about pursuing control of Greenland and Canada, but large majorities oppose either move.

A Miami jury awarded $30 million to Mario Echeverría’s Cuban American family, finding Expedia and its subsidiaries profited from hotels on Cayo Coco land the family says was confiscated after Cuba’s 1959 revolution. The case, one of the first tried under the Helms-Burton Act since its activation in 2019, could encourage dozens of similar claims by Cuban exiles seeking compensation for seized property. However, the judge has paused the award pending evidence the family legally acquired the land in 1898, and a prior major Helms-Burton judgment against cruise lines was overturned on appeal. Supporters say the verdict signals momentum and could further chill investment in Cuba’s struggling economy, while Expedia disputes the verdict’s legal basis.