In other news

Afghanistan’s leading OB-GYN, Dr. Najmussama Shefajo, warns the country faces a maternal health crisis due to Taliban bans on women’s education and training in nursing and midwifery. Her Kabul clinic is overwhelmed as she employs and informally trains would-be students to bypass the ban, but she says the workforce is aging and shrinking, risking rising maternal deaths since women can largely only be treated by female providers. She urges the Taliban to rescind restrictions on women’s health education to prevent catastrophic outcomes and sustain essential care.

An international task force dismantled a major cocaine trafficking ring that used high-speed “narco boats” and an abandoned shipwreck as a mid-Atlantic refueling platform to move drugs from Brazil and Colombia to Spain’s Canary Islands. Authorities arrested 48 people and seized about 3,800 kilos of cocaine, 19 boats, roughly €100,000, six properties, and electronic/geolocation gear. The operation involved Spain, the UK’s NCA, the U.S. DEA, Europol, and police from several countries. Spain remains a key entry point for drugs into Europe. The announcement followed U.S. sanctions on six alleged traffickers using boats and “narco subs.”

A Maltese jury convicted Robert Agius and Jamie Vella of supplying the military-grade explosives used to assassinate investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia in a 2017 car bombing. Prosecutors seek life sentences; sentencing is expected next week. The three hitmen—George and Alfred Degiorgio and Vince Muscat—were previously convicted, with Muscat testifying against Agius and Vella. The murder sparked international outrage and protests that led to Prime Minister Joseph Muscat’s 2019 resignation. A 2021 inquiry found no state involvement but a “climate of impunity.” Businessman Yorgen Fenech, accused of masterminding the killing, is out on bail awaiting trial. Galizia’s family welcomed the verdicts but said systemic failures remain unresolved.

The U.S. Treasury sanctioned six alleged traffickers—four from Guyana (Paul Daby Jr., Randolph Duncan, Mark Cromwell, Himnauth Sawh) and two from Colombia (Yeison Andres Sanchez Vallejo, Manuel Salazar Gutierrez)—for moving tons of cocaine using semi-submersible “narco subs,” airstrips, and corrupt networks. Daby Jr. and Duncan are accused of running Guyana’s largest trafficking operation; Cromwell, a former police officer, is wanted over an abduction; Sawh, a current officer, allegedly facilitates safe passage for foreign traffickers. The Colombians are accused of managing airstrips for flights from Colombia to Guyana. All U.S.-linked assets are blocked. Officials say Guyana’s location and port corruption enable growing cocaine transits, with narco subs carrying up to 3 tons and routes extending to the U.S. and Europe. Authorities have recently intercepted subs and seized large cocaine loads in the region.

Nintendo’s Switch 2 launched at midnight worldwide, drawing long lines and lotteries amid high demand after chaotic U.S. preorders sold out. The upgraded console features a larger, higher-resolution screen, better processing power, a new “C” button for GameChat (requiring a Nintendo Online subscription), and a built-in mic for voice chat and screen sharing. Priced at $449.99 in the U.S., it debuts alongside an $80 “Mario Kart World,” Nintendo’s first $80 game. Nintendo targets 15 million units sold by March 2026 and plans major software releases (Zelda, Pokémon, Kirby) and brand expansions, including a San Francisco store and Super Nintendo World in Orlando. The rollout comes amid industry uncertainty over new U.S. tariffs.

Israeli opposition figures accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of arming Gaza-based militias opposed to Hamas, warning the move could backfire. Avigdor Liberman likened the group reportedly receiving weapons—the Popular Forces of Palestine led by Yasser Abu Shabab—to ISIS and said the transfers were unmonitored and dangerous. Netanyahu later confirmed “activating clans in Gaza that oppose Hamas,” arguing it would save Israeli soldiers’ lives. Abu Shabab denied receiving Israeli arms. Hamas threatened to treat any such militias as Israeli soldiers. Opposition leader Yair Lapid compared the strategy to Israel’s past tolerance of Hamas, warning that weapons sent into Gaza could ultimately be used against Israelis.

Russia’s Wagner Group announced it is leaving Mali after over three years fighting Islamist insurgents, claiming its mission is accomplished. However, Russia’s state-controlled Africa Corps, under the Defense Ministry, says its forces will remain, signaling a shift in Moscow’s presence from Wagner to Africa Corps. Analysts suggest the transition has been underway since Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin’s 2023 death, with Africa Corps focusing more on training, equipment, and protection than direct combat. Wagner and Malian forces have faced recent heavy losses and allegations of civilian abuses by the UN and Human Rights Watch. The exact number of Russian mercenaries in Mali (estimated at around 2,000) and the split between Wagner and Africa Corps remains unclear.

Russian state media says U.S. citizen Joseph Tater, 46—arrested in Moscow in August 2024 after an alleged altercation with hotel staff and later forcibly hospitalized for psychiatric treatment—has been discharged from a Moscow facility and has left Russia. He had also been investigated for allegedly assaulting a police officer, a charge carrying up to five years in prison. Tater claimed persecution by the CIA and sought asylum in Russia. His lawyer said she has no information on his current whereabouts. The report comes amid wider U.S.-Russia tensions and multiple American detentions in Russia.

A salvage team is expected to reach the cargo ship Morning Midas early next week after a fire broke out while it was carrying about 3,000 vehicles from China to Mexico in waters southwest of Adak Island, Alaska. All 22 crew members were safely evacuated and rescued; no injuries were reported. The ship remains afloat and smoking, monitored via onboard satellite systems. Zodiac Maritime says a tug with firefighting and towing capabilities is being arranged, while the arriving team will assess the vessel’s condition. The ship carried roughly 70 fully electric and 680 hybrid vehicles. The incident echoes concerns raised after a deadly 2023 car-carrier fire in the North Sea.

The Trump administration sanctioned four International Criminal Court judges, alleging politicization and abuse of power after rulings authorizing arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and enabling an investigation into alleged U.S. crimes in Afghanistan. The judges include Reine Alapini Gansou, Beti Hohler, Solomy Bossa, and Luz Ibáñez Carranza. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the ICC is improperly targeting the U.S. and Israel, neither of which are parties to the ICC’s founding treaty. The ICC condemned the sanctions as an attempt to undermine judicial independence. The move echoes prior Trump-era sanctions on ICC officials that were later lifted by the Biden administration and comes amid broader tensions, including ICC actions against Hamas leaders and Russia’s Vladimir Putin.

U.S. Army Sgt. Aaron Cox, 24, of Mabank, Texas, died Thursday near Camp Croft, Hungary, from injuries sustained in a vehicle accident during preparations for Exercise Saber Guardian 25, the Army said. Cox, an infantryman with the 2nd Mobile Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, joined in 2021 and previously deployed to Poland in 2022. His commander praised his leadership; an investigation is ongoing. The incident follows a March training tragedy in Lithuania where four U.S. soldiers died when their armored recovery vehicle became submerged in a peat bog.

Bolivia has refused to grant Starlink an operating license, bucking Starlink’s rapid expansion across South America despite the country’s slow, patchy internet and large offline population. Bolivian officials cite concerns over market dominance, unfair competition, and sovereignty, opting to rely on their aging, Chinese-made satellite while seeking alternatives that align with national regulations. The move reflects broader global apprehension about Elon Musk’s influence via Starlink, as seen in Brazil and other regions exploring rivals like China’s SpaceSail. Critics argue Bolivia’s satellite can’t match Starlink’s speed or reach and is nearing end-of-life by around 2028, intensifying pressure to improve connectivity. Lawmakers are reconsidering Starlink’s entry, and the company lists Bolivia as “coming in 2025,” while communities struggle with poor access that hampers education and services.

The article examines the polarizing legacy of Ernest Wilimowski, a prolific prewar striker who starred for Poland but played for Nazi Germany during World War II. His memory ignites today’s nationalist tensions in Poland and highlights the complex, stateless identity of Silesia. Ruch Chorzow’s effort to fund a new tomb for Wilimowski in Germany has drawn outrage from Polish nationalists, who label him a traitor, while Silesian activists and club supporters celebrate him as a regional hero and symbol of Silesian distinctiveness. The debate reflects broader disputes over language, identity, and historical nuance in a region long contested between Poland and Germany, and raises questions about survival, coercion, and belonging under shifting borders.

Israel intercepted the Madleen, a Gaza-bound ship from the Freedom Flotilla Coalition carrying a small load of aid and about a dozen activists, including Greta Thunberg and MEP Rima Hassan, diverting it to Israeli shores. Israeli officials called the voyage a publicity stunt and vowed to enforce the Gaza naval blockade, citing security concerns. The flotilla group reported losing contact and accused Israel of “kidnapping” the passengers. The incident echoes past clashes over attempts to breach the blockade, notably the deadly 2010 Mavi Marmara raid. It comes amid a deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, contentious Israeli-backed aid distribution efforts shunned by major aid groups, and ongoing disputes over access and control of humanitarian relief.

Italy is holding a two-day referendum on whether to cut the residency requirement for non-EU immigrants to apply for citizenship from 10 to 5 years. The change could enable nearly 1.5 million people, including about 300,000 minors, to gain citizenship and marks a major test of how Italy defines national belonging amid demographic decline and increasing migration. Progressive parties back the measure; Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and other right-wing leaders oppose it. The referendum faces a high hurdle: it passes only if a majority of eligible voters turn out and vote yes, a challenge given Italy’s recent low turnout. The debate highlights tensions between Italy’s historically generous citizenship-by-descent rules and restrictive paths for long-term residents and their children.

Japan is rapidly bolstering its military to deter China and reassure a wary Trump administration of its value as an ally. Centered on new missile regiments in Okinawa, Japan is buying U.S. systems like F-35Bs and Tomahawks, developing domestic capabilities (hypersonic missiles, lasers, a joint fighter with the U.K. and Italy), and integrating more closely with U.S. forces via a new joint war-fighting HQ. Motivated by China’s naval assertiveness, North Korea’s nukes, and fears of U.S. retrenchment or a Trump-Xi deal, Tokyo is doubling defense spending to 2% of GDP, expanding partnerships with Australia and the Philippines, and debating stronger nuclear deterrence assurances from Washington. While China criticizes Japan’s buildup, Tokyo aims to prove it’s an indispensable security partner—while keeping a distant “Plan B” in mind if U.S. commitment falters.

The profile chronicles 100-year-old Manhattan psychologist Marcia Brenner, who continues conducting phone therapy despite severe hearing loss, partial blindness, and worsening memory. After moving fully remote post-Covid, she increasingly asks patients to repeat details, a loss she finds painful but refuses to let end her practice. Supported by a home health aide and her 96-year-old psychologist husband, Buzz, she still provides practical, present-focused counsel to long-term, often younger patients, many of whom she treated flexibly and at low cost. Her son, also a psychiatrist, says her therapeutic strengths remain intact even as memory fades. Brenner’s life spans Brooklyn roots, a stint in Israel after WWII with possible work in Haganah intelligence, decades of psychotherapy on the Upper West Side, and a community of former artists and academics who credit her guidance for life-changing decisions. Though she laments daily cognitive losses and questions the point of longevity, she “comes to life” in session, finding purpose in listening and helping.

Thomas Crooks, a high-achieving, soft-spoken 20-year-old from suburban Pittsburgh, secretly unraveled in the year before he attempted to assassinate Donald Trump at a 2024 rally, The New York Times reports. Once an honors engineering student who criticized political polarization and appeared close to his family, Crooks grew increasingly erratic after graduating community college: dancing alone at night, talking to himself, searching for depression resources, intensively visiting a gun range, and stockpiling explosive materials at home. Using aliases and encrypted networks, he made at least 25 gun-related purchases and built a crude bomb found in his bedroom. Despite a family history of mental health issues and his father’s unease about his gun-club visits, Crooks’s transformation went largely unnoticed by those around him. On July 13, 2024, he climbed a roof near a Trump rally in Butler, Pa., fired eight shots—grazing Trump, killing a bystander, and wounding two—before being killed by the Secret Service. The attack exposed major security failures and bolstered Trump politically, while Crooks’s motive remains unclear, fueling conspiracy theories. The Times’s examination, based on extensive school records, digital logs, and interviews, portrays a gradual, secret descent from diligent student to isolated would-be assassin amid signs of deteriorating mental health.

The 2025 Tony Awards celebrated originality and adventurous theater. Maybe Happy Ending, a futuristic musical about two discarded robots in Seoul, won best new musical and led with six awards. Purpose, Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’s family drama and recent Pulitzer winner, won best play. Jamie Lloyd’s radical revival of Sunset Boulevard won best musical revival, with Nicole Scherzinger earning acclaim, while Sarah Snook’s Dorian Gray and Cole Escola’s Oh, Mary! also triumphed. Buena Vista Social Club took four competitive awards. Kara Young and director Michael Arden were repeat winners. A 10th-anniversary Hamilton cast reunion highlighted the show, which leaned light on politics but honored works like Eureka Day and Yellow Face. The season showed box office recovery, though attendance and musical profitability remain challenges.

The 2025 Tony Awards celebrated originality and bold revivals, with Maybe Happy Ending—an inventive musical about two discarded robots in futuristic Korea—winning best new musical and leading with six awards. Buena Vista Social Club earned four. Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’s Purpose won best play, following his recent Pulitzer, while Jamie Lloyd’s radical revival of Sunset Boulevard took best musical revival, highlighting Andrew Lloyd Webber’s successful reimaginings. Star power was mixed: many big names went home empty-handed despite a high-grossing season buoyed by star-driven plays. The show leaned light on overt politics, though Eureka Day won best play revival and Francis Jue spoke to “authoritarian times.” Musical highlights included host Cynthia Erivo’s multiple powerhouse numbers and a 10th-anniversary Hamilton cast reunion. Repeat winners included Kara Young (Purpose) and director Michael Arden (Maybe Happy Ending). Broadway’s box office is rebounding post-pandemic, though attendance and musical profitability remain challenges.

Israeli forces escorted international journalists, including a New York Times reporter, into a narrow tunnel accessed via a large hole dug in the courtyard of the European Gaza Hospital in southern Gaza. The military said the tunnel led to a small underground room beneath the hospital’s emergency department where Hamas commander Muhammad Sinwar and four others died during Israeli strikes last month. Israel presented the site as evidence that Hamas uses civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, to shield military activity. Palestinians and hospital staff countered that Israel’s operation devastated critical health infrastructure and endangered civilians, noting injuries, damage to water and sewage systems, and deaths outside the compound. Legal experts cited the stringent protections for medical facilities under the laws of war and warned that even if militants operate beneath hospitals, strikes must be proportionate and consider broader impacts on Gaza’s already crippled health system. The manner of Sinwar’s death was unclear; Israel suggested suffocation or blast effects and denied any intent to use gas, amid legal concerns about asphyxiating effects from conventional munitions. The visit also underscored Israel’s expanding control in southeastern Gaza and the depopulation of surrounding areas following evacuation orders.

Japan is increasingly anxious about delays in the UK-Italy-Japan Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) as its ageing F-2 fleet faces growing pressure from China’s advanced stealth jets. The sixth-generation fighter, intended to enter service by 2035, has reportedly fallen behind schedule, with the first demonstrator flight pushed to 2027. Unlike the UK and Italy, which can rely on Eurofighter Typhoons into the 2040s, Japan faces a more urgent capability gap, prompting frustration in Tokyo and raising questions about whether it can afford to wait for GCAP to deliver.

Analysts warn Australia’s military readiness is deteriorating despite heightened strategic risks from China. Decades of underinvestment, personnel shortages, thin munitions stocks, and reliance on U.S. support have left the Australian Defence Force “brittle and hollowed out.” Defence chief Admiral David Johnston said Defence is already spending all allocated funds and may need to fight from Australian soil for the first time since WWII, urging greater investment in infrastructure and industry for sustained conflict. Critics argue the Aukus submarine program is absorbing resources and political focus, effectively “cannibalising” near-term capabilities, while pressure mounts on the Albanese government to translate rhetoric into concrete, accelerated defence spending and reforms.

A decade after Xi Jinping set a 2050 goal for China to become a football superpower, the men’s national team has slipped in FIFA rankings and the sport has faced corruption crackdowns, while the women’s team remains strong. However, China has made significant grassroots progress: tens of thousands of new pitches have been built and football education has expanded nationwide. Local tournaments—such as the rapidly popular Jiangsu City Football League—are drawing widespread support, fostering community morale and ethnic unity amid broader geopolitical tensions.

A new study by Fudan University and the University of Hong Kong suggests subsidising men’s participation in childcare and household chores yields greater long-term fertility gains than subsidies aimed solely at mothers. Analyzing data from 23 countries, the researchers argue this approach could help address sharply declining birth rates in places like China, where fertility has fallen to about 1.1 children per woman amid persistent norms expecting women to shoulder most caregiving. They contend that countries “getting old before getting rich” face heightened economic risks from low fertility and that incentivizing fathers’ involvement could better support demographic and economic stability.

Since mid-March 2025, Chinese officials have rushed to comply with President Xi Jinping’s decade-long austerity campaign as unannounced inspection teams scrutinize spending, office standards, travel, events, and gifts. The drive aims to curb waste, improve the Communist Party’s image, combat corruption, and ensure resources are used efficiently amid U.S.-China rivalry, while also identifying loyal, rule-abiding cadres for promotion. Despite intensified checks, analysts question effectiveness due to limited media transparency, lack of independent oversight, and the challenges of enforcing detailed rules nationwide. The piece contrasts the effort with U.S. government cuts under Elon Musk’s short-lived “Department of Government Efficiency.”

Researchers at Fudan University used tellurium nanowires to build a biocompatible artificial retina that restored vision in genetically blind mice and a monkey—and enabled them to see infrared light. Tellurium, a rare byproduct of copper refining with strong photoelectric properties, converted visible and infrared light into electrical signals sent to the brain, effectively replacing damaged photoreceptors. Published in Science on May 5, the work suggests a promising path toward treating human blindness and potentially enhancing vision beyond normal limits.

Fresh photos of China’s sixth-generation fighters, the Chengdu J-36 and Shenyang J-50, offer new insights into their design and capabilities. The J-36, seen on the ground at Chengdu Aircraft Corporation and in a high-definition test-flight image, appears to feature three weapons bays and a dorsal intake feeding a third engine. Analysts say the third engine is likely conventional rather than a ramjet, suggesting it provides extra thrust for sustained supersonic cruising. The images also hint at advanced integration with combat drones and an “interesting” cockpit layout, with experts describing the design as more sophisticated than many portrayals in popular media.

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee says the city will not impose counter-tariffs or compromise its free-port, zero-tariff model despite escalating U.S.-China trade tensions and U.S. tariffs extending to Hong Kong. He emphasizes this “successful DNA” is essential to Hong Kong’s competitiveness and says the government has contingency plans and will help businesses diversify into new markets. Marking three years in office, Lee likens deeper mainland integration to “a river flowing into the sea,” asserting Hong Kong can retain its way of life while benefiting from closer ties.

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee said he is focused on governing now rather than discussing a second term, citing an unpredictable global environment, including unexpected tariff wars. Reflecting on three years of his five-year term, he emphasized achievements in restoring stability and security, notably the enactment of a domestic national security law under Article 23. He declined to confirm whether he would seek another term in the 2027 election.

The article traces how overseas Chinese shifted from being marginalised “invisible” migrants to pivotal actors in China’s modernisation and global engagement. From the late 19th to early 20th centuries, reformers and revolutionaries like Kang You-wei, Liang Qichao and Sun Yat-sen mobilised diaspora support, tapping wealthy merchant networks to fund reform, revolution and modernization. European colonial records long noted Chinese entrepreneurial prowess, seeing them alternately as partners, cheap labor, competitors, or threats—perceptions that later fed restrictive policies in the Americas and Australasia. While the Republican-era government offered little protection, the diaspora’s success and transnational ties made them a strategic bridge between China and the world. This same transnational role, however, has also rendered them a lightning rod for suspicion and political tension, making the diaspora both an asset to China’s rise and a source of anxiety abroad.

Andrew Tate was recorded driving 196 km/h (121 mph) in a 50 km/h zone in Bujoreni, Romania, resulting in a £310 fine and a 120-day license suspension. He denies speeding, claims the radar was miscalibrated, and says he will appeal. Tate, known for flaunting luxury cars, has prior speeding incidents and ongoing legal cases in Romania, the UK, and the US, including charges of rape and human trafficking, which he denies. Romanian police highlighted excessive speed as a major cause of road deaths.

The article examines allegations that Israel has committed grave war crimes, potentially including genocide, during its war in Gaza following Hamas’s 7 October 2023 attack. It highlights the laws of war under the Geneva Conventions, the extreme civilian toll in Gaza—tens of thousands killed, including thousands of children—and severe restrictions on aid that have pushed the territory toward famine, with Israeli officials acknowledging food pressure as leverage, which constitutes a war crime. It notes Israel’s refusal to allow foreign media into Gaza, complicating verification; the ICC’s arrest warrant for Prime Minister Netanyahu; the ICJ genocide case; and growing concern among Western governments about legal complicity. The piece also underscores internal Israeli criticism that Netanyahu is prolonging the war for political survival rather than security, and stresses that, under international law, civilian protection is mandatory regardless of Hamas’s initial atrocities.

Italy is holding a referendum to cut the residency requirement for citizenship from 10 to 5 years, aligning with much of Europe. Supporters say it would recognize long-term, legally resident workers and their families—potentially up to 1.4 million people—without changing strict criteria like language proficiency and clean records. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and allied parties are boycotting, urging abstention to keep turnout below the 50% validity threshold, arguing Italy’s current system is already generous. Critics say the status quo leaves people born or raised in Italy effectively invisible, unable to vote or access public-sector jobs. With minimal official coverage and no organized “No” campaign, turnout may fall short, but activists frame the vote as a first step in redefining who is considered Italian.

Kyrgyzstan has removed a 23-meter statue of Vladimir Lenin in Osh, believed to be Central Asia’s tallest Lenin monument, after 50 years. Local authorities said the move, part of a city beautification effort, will see the statue relocated and replaced by a flagpole, downplaying political motives amid sensitivities with ally Russia. The removal follows broader regional trends of re-evaluating Soviet-era symbols, though Soviet legacies remain visible in Kyrgyzstan, including landmarks like Lenin Peak.

Liberia’s former House Speaker Jonathan Fonati Koffa has been charged with arson and related offenses over a December 18, 2024 fire that destroyed the joint chambers of the national legislature. Police say there are “credible links” showing he used his office to coordinate sabotage from November 2023; five other lawmakers have been detained. Koffa denies involvement. The blaze followed protests over efforts to remove him amid accusations of poor governance and corruption. Independent U.S. investigators concluded the fire was deliberately set. Koffa, who faced an impeachment bid that fell short, resigned as speaker last month amid a prolonged power struggle.

Five Proud Boys leaders convicted over the 6 January 2021 US Capitol riot are suing the US government for $100 million, claiming their prosecutions were politically motivated and violated their constitutional rights. The lawsuit—filed in Florida by Enrique Tarrio, Ethan Nordean, Joseph Biggs, Zachary Rehl, and Dominic Pezzola—accuses the FBI and prosecutors of bias, evidence tampering, and witness intimidation. Tarrio was convicted of seditious conspiracy and received a 22-year sentence, the longest among them. All five were later granted clemency by President Donald Trump, who issued widespread pardons for Capitol riot defendants upon taking office. The suit targets the Department of Justice, now led by Attorney General Pam Bondi. Over 1,500 people have been charged in connection with the riot, with more than 600 accused of assaulting law enforcement. Critics, including Democratic leaders, have condemned the pardons as an attempt to rewrite history.

Six Palestinians were killed and several others wounded by Israeli gunfire near a Gaza aid distribution centre on Saturday, according to the Hamas-run Civil Defence agency. The incident occurred when people gathered to collect food supplies, with eyewitnesses saying Israelis opened fire as they approached the site, while the Israeli military claimed it fired warning shots at suspects who approached them threateningly. The distribution centre is part of a new, controversial aid system backed by the US and Israel, which has been widely condemned by humanitarian groups, and dozens of Palestinians have been killed and hundreds injured trying to reach it this week.

The Women’s History Museum of Zambia is using a social media project, Frame, to spotlight pre-colonial Zambian artefacts and restore erased histories—especially women’s roles—in knowledge systems, art, and daily life. Sparked by a discovery of some 650 Zambian objects and 300 photos in Sweden’s National Museums of World Cultures, founders Samba Yonga and Mulenga Kapwepwe found items like pristine Batwa leather cloaks and a hunters’ toolbox inscribed with Sona/Tusona, a sophisticated, largely forgotten writing system originally taught by women. Sona’s geometric symbols encode mathematics, cosmology, environmental knowledge, and social rules, countering myths that Africans lacked writing. Other findings reframe everyday tools—such as Tonga women’s grinding stones—as symbols of female power, used as gravestones honoring their role in food security. The project aims to reconnect Zambians with disrupted heritage, document indigenous knowledge, and challenge colonial narratives that sidelined women and local intellectual traditions.

Aerial footage shows a freight train delivering tanks to Washington, DC, ahead of the US Army’s 250th anniversary parade on June 14. Officials say the event will feature dozens of M1A1 Abrams tanks, along with Bradley and Stryker fighting vehicles, Howitzers, and other artillery moving through the city.

Germany plans a rapid overhaul and expansion of its outdated civil defense shelters amid fears of potential Russian aggression within the next four years. BBK chief Ralph Tiesler says only 580 bunkers remain (many inoperable), covering about 5% of the 83 million population. The agency aims to quickly create 1 million new shelter spaces by upgrading tunnels, metro stations, underground garages, and public basements, alongside expanding siren and alert systems. A full plan is due this summer, with funding needs estimated at at least €10 billion over four years and €30 billion more over the following decade. While Chancellor Friedrich Merz has unlocked €500+ billion for defense, competing priorities—modernizing the under-resourced military and addressing recruitment shortfalls—may limit BBK funding. Tiesler also floated mandatory military or voluntary civil defense service to address personnel gaps.

Authorities in Osh, Kyrgyzstan removed a 23-meter (75-foot) statue of Vladimir Lenin—the tallest of its kind in Central Asia—originally erected in 1975. City officials framed the move as routine urban planning to improve the area’s aesthetics, saying it should not be politicized and noting similar relocations in Russian cities. The statue will be replaced by a flagpole, mirroring a prior change in the capital, Bishkek. The removal comes a week after Russia unveiled a monument to Joseph Stalin in Moscow.

Photographer Dean Chalkley recalls his first trip to Ibiza in 1998, capturing the island’s vibrant, eccentric club culture with intimate, in-the-moment images for Mixmag. His new book, “Back in Ibiza 1998-2003,” compiles those photographs to evoke the energy, freedom, and communal mix of the late-’90s/early-2000s scene—epitomized by parties like Manumission that blurred performance and audience. Chalkley and former Mixmag editor Neil Stevenson note how his work broke from typical rave imagery to showcase joy, inventiveness, and inclusivity. He contrasts that era’s spontaneity with today’s more brand- and smartphone-conscious nightlife, while noting some clubs now restrict phones to recapture authenticity. The book is designed without captions to immerse readers in the chaos and discovery of the dance floor.

At the 81st D-Day anniversary at Normandy’s American cemetery, WWII veterans and attendees honored the sacrifices of the 75,000 U.S. troops involved, including 2,500 killed and 5,000 injured on June 6, 1944. Centenarian veterans like 102-year-old Jake Larson reflected on survival and luck, while others, including Ray Sweeney and Harold Radish, voiced skepticism about lessons learned, stressing the grim reality of war. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasized the enduring value of alliances, noting “America first” doesn’t mean “America alone.” Large crowds and commemorations, including a new monument to fallen U.S. pilots, underscored continued remembrance and respect for the D-Day legacy.

Israel’s governing coalition is at risk of collapse over a showdown on ultra-Orthodox military draft exemptions. The Council of Torah Scholars directed Agudat Yisrael to push a bill to dissolve the Knesset, while the opposition’s dissolution bill is set for a June 11 vote. The Supreme Court struck down the exemptions in March, and ultra-Orthodox parties demand new legislation to preserve them, threatening to quit if it fails. With public anger high amid the Gaza war and an IDF manpower crunch, Netanyahu could face early elections; polls suggest his bloc would lose, and Naftali Bennett’s new party could outperform Likud.

France’s government-commissioned report warns the Muslim Brotherhood poses a long-term threat to France’s secular values and institutions through non-violent, covert influence in local government, schools, and mosques. President Macron has asked ministers to propose responses, though the full report won’t be published. Analysts say the Brotherhood’s model mixes open activity with clandestine ties, making its reach hard to gauge; a French Muslim group named in the report denies links. The issue echoes across Europe and the U.S., where Sen. Ted Cruz plans to reintroduce a bill to label the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist organization. Several countries, including Egypt, the UAE, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan, have already banned or restricted the group.

The U.S. Treasury sanctioned 35 individuals tied to a vast money-laundering network supporting Iran’s regime and its terror financing, targeting Iran’s “shadow banking system.” Simultaneously, Western powers are preparing an IAEA resolution declaring Iran non-compliant with nuclear obligations—the first such move in about two decades—amid fragile talks. Iran condemned the plan as a “strategic mistake.” Inside Iran, citizens express despair over economic collapse and skepticism that any deal would help the public, fearing it would instead strengthen the regime’s repression. Concerns persist over Iran’s uranium enrichment nearing weapons-grade levels, ongoing censorship, and continued domestic unrest, including strikes and protests met with crackdowns.

China’s EV market remains locked in a price war, pressuring margins and forcing consolidation. Tesla’s China sales fell 15% in May, while BYD grew 14% but cut prices sharply and is seen relying more on overseas and premium brands for profit. Analysts highlight a few likely winners: Geely, praised for balanced structure and aggressive, lower-priced Galaxy models; Xpeng, expected to gain share with strong driver-assist tech and new models; Leapmotor, holding steady in mass-market EVs despite a Q1 loss; and Li Auto, profitable with premium range-extended SUVs that avoid the fiercest price battles and poised for a 2H25 rebound. Overcapacity (50M+ units vs. 25–27M sales) suggests stabilization will take 3–5 years via higher demand or consolidation, while rising tariffs abroad could temper China’s export push.

European startup founders are resisting pressure to adopt China's "996" work culture, which involves working from 9am to 9pm, six days a week. Some venture capitalists have been pushing European founders to adopt this culture to compete globally, citing the need to work longer hours to keep up with the US and China. However, many founders and VCs disagree, arguing that this culture is unsustainable and leads to burnout, decreased retention, and a revolving door of talent. They point out that Europe's most successful companies have achieved success through sustainable innovation cultures, not overwork. Instead, they believe that European startups need more funding and resources to position themselves as key players in the global startup scene, rather than increasing working hours. Many founders also note that the younger generation prioritizes work-life balance and is less tolerant of toxic hustle cultures.

Markets will focus on inflation and key corporate events. Two major reports—May CPI on Wednesday and PPI on Thursday—will be scrutinized for tariff-driven price pressures and implications for Fed rate cuts, amid questions about CPI data quality due to BLS staffing issues. Apple’s WWDC kicks off Monday, with low expectations for AI but attention on software updates and potential momentum for a lagging stock. Nvidia’s GTC Paris on Wednesday may bring product news and more “sovereign AI” project announcements. BlackRock’s investor day Thursday is expected to outline a multi-year strategy, highlight private markets acquisitions, and potentially raise organic growth targets while detailing margin expansion. Trade policy and U.S.-China talks remain an overarching market risk.

Israel warned of impending intensive military operations in northern Gaza after rockets were fired from the area, as Palestinians marked Eid al Adha with outdoor prayers amid widespread destruction and severe shortages. Much of Gaza lies in ruins, with aid only trickling in and the UN citing looting risks and movement restrictions hindering distribution. Residents report dire conditions with little food, shelter, or access to mosques. The conflict, sparked by Hamas’s 7 October 2023 attack that killed about 1,200 and led to around 250 abductions, continues; Israel says 56 hostages remain, about a third believed alive. Gaza’s health ministry reports over 54,000 Palestinians killed and around 90% of the population displaced.

Authorities across multiple countries dismantled a “narco-boats” network moving cocaine from South America to the Canary Islands. In Operation Black Shadow, 48 suspects—including a British national—were arrested, nearly 3,800 kg of cocaine seized, along with 69 vehicles and €100,000 in cash. The gang used “mother ships,” 11 high-speed boats, and even an abandoned shipwreck as a refuelling platform, relying on encrypted communications, satellite terminals, and coded language to evade detection. Police searched 29 properties across Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, and Lanzarote.

The Arctic is warming four times faster than the rest of the planet, melting sea ice and opening longer seasonal windows for shipping along routes like the Northern Sea Route and Northwest Passage. Maritime traffic has surged—total vessel distance more than doubled from 2013 to 2023—with fishing, cargo, and bulk carriers leading the increase. This growth fuels a vicious climate feedback: ships burn fossil fuels that emit black carbon, which darkens ice, reduces reflectivity, and accelerates melting and warming. Heavy fuel oil use in the Arctic rose sharply in 2015–2019, amplifying black carbon impacts, though an IMO ban began in July 2024 with exemptions until 2029. Despite IMO pledges to cut emissions, NGOs warn black carbon and methane from Arctic shipping are still rising. Melting ice does not uniformly improve navigation; breakaway multi‑year ice can create choke points, particularly in the Northwest Passage. Because the Arctic helps regulate global climate by reflecting solar energy and mediating heat exchange, its degradation has far‑reaching consequences well beyond the region.

Tropical Storm Barbara formed off Mexico’s southwest coast and is forecast by the U.S. National Hurricane Center to strengthen into a hurricane by Monday. While no coastal watches or warnings are in effect, sustained winds are around 45 mph (75 kph). Heavy rains of 2–4 inches, with isolated totals up to 6 inches, are expected in Guerrero, Michoacán, Colima, and Jalisco through Monday, posing flooding and mudslide risks. Dangerous surf and rip currents are also likely. The storm comes amid expectations of an active 2025 hurricane season and reports of understaffed U.S. National Weather Service offices along the Gulf coast.