In other news

David H. Souter, a New Hampshire Republican appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court by President George H.W. Bush in 1990, has died at 85. Initially a low-profile nominee, Souter soon disappointed conservatives by aligning with the Court’s liberal wing, shaped by his view of the Constitution as protecting “ordered liberty” that can evolve over time. He openly rejected attacks on “judicial activism,” emphasized the judiciary’s duty when other branches fail to address profound constitutional issues, and praised his predecessor, Justice William J. Brennan Jr. Souter, a private, bookish bachelor who disliked Washington’s culture, retired in 2009 at 69 and returned to New Hampshire, enabling President Barack Obama to appoint Sonia Sotomayor as his successor. He died peacefully at home, the Supreme Court said.

A New York Times analysis found that at least 44 federal contracts canceled under Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) cost-cutting drive were later reinstated by agencies, erasing more than $220 million in alleged savings. Despite the reversals, DOGE’s “Wall of Receipts” still lists 43 of these as terminated, reflecting data errors that overstated results. Many contracts were revived within days—one at the EPA after just 2.5 hours—often because they were legally required or involved essential skills agencies lack. The VA reinstated 16 contracts, the most of any agency; Education restored a key data contract with reduced funding after pushback; and Agriculture reversed a cancellation it said was required by statute. The White House attributed discrepancies to paperwork lags and emphasized broader savings claims ($165 billion overall, $32 billion from 9,400 canceled contracts), calling the reversals minor by comparison. The episode highlights the pitfalls of rapid, opaque cuts and raises questions about the durability of DOGE’s savings as agencies roll back hasty cancellations.

The New York Times’ Upshot offers a weekly interactive history quiz called Flashback, asking readers to arrange eight notable events in chronological order. The page also promotes other data-driven features, including a 2024 year-in-review of surprising data points, an analysis of airlines padding flight times, a simulation showing vaccination thresholds to stop outbreaks, and a dialect quiz that maps speech patterns to regions.

A federal judge ordered the immediate, unmonitored release of Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish doctoral student at Tufts, after six weeks in ICE detention. Judge William K. Sessions III said her continued detention, based largely on an op-ed critical of Israel, risked chilling noncitizens’ free speech and noted the government presented no evidence beyond the article. Ozturk’s lawyers argued her arrest was retaliatory and that detention worsened her asthma and impeded her studies. The judge rejected ankle monitoring and travel restrictions, allowing her to return to Massachusetts. The case follows another Vermont ruling releasing a Columbia student amid scrutiny of government efforts to deport pro-Palestinian student activists.

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested and charged with trespassing during a protest outside Delaney Hall, a new ICE detention center in Newark tied to the Trump administration’s expanded deportation plans. Baraka, a Democratic gubernatorial candidate, was detained after federal agents said he ignored warnings to leave; videos show him outside the facility’s gates. He was released after about five hours to a crowd of supporters. Three New Jersey Democratic members of Congress—Bonnie Watson Coleman, Rob Menendez, and LaMonica McIver—were allowed inside for an oversight visit and later criticized ICE’s actions, alleging rough treatment and intimidation. Federal officials called the incident a political stunt and insisted the facility has proper permits, disputing Newark’s claims of violations. New Jersey Democratic leaders, including Gov. Phil Murphy and Senators Cory Booker and Andy Kim, condemned the arrest and ICE’s response. The GEO Group–run facility, under a 15-year, $1 billion contract, is expected to hold up to 1,000 migrants and serve as a key hub for deportation flights from the Northeast, drawing strong opposition from local officials and advocates.

An Arizona court allowed an AI-generated likeness of road-rage victim Christopher Pelkey to deliver a victim impact statement at the sentencing of Gabriel Horcasitas, convicted of manslaughter for Pelkey’s 2021 killing. Created by Pelkey’s sister using his image and voice sourced from public materials, the avatar forgave Horcasitas and emphasized faith and forgiveness. The judge praised the statement’s message before imposing the maximum 10.5-year sentence. The unprecedented use of AI in this context sparked debate: supporters noted victims’ broad rights at sentencing and the absence of a jury, while critics warned of emotional manipulation, authenticity concerns, and potential grounds for appeal. The case highlights evolving legal boundaries for AI-generated content in court proceedings.

Researchers at Mass General Brigham developed an AI tool, FaceAge, that estimates biological age from facial photos. In a study of mostly cancer patients published in The Lancet Digital Health, those whose faces appeared biologically younger fared better after treatment and had lower mortality, suggesting facial aging correlates with overall health and treatment resilience. Trained on 56,000 images (mostly older, white faces from public datasets), the model may detect subtle markers beyond wrinkles, such as temple hollowing and nasolabial fold prominence. Potential clinical uses include informing treatment intensity, but experts warn about bias, effects of cosmetic factors, privacy, and misuse (e.g., insurance decisions). The tool isn’t yet validated across diverse populations, and its accuracy, scalability, and cost-effectiveness versus established biological age tests remain uncertain. The team plans further development and eventual commercialization, emphasizing it should support, not replace, clinical judgment.

The Trump administration abruptly fired Carla D. Hayden, the first Black and first female Librarian of Congress, via a brief email without stating a cause, prompting strong condemnation from Democrats who called it an attack on the library’s independence. Hayden, appointed by President Obama in 2016 and widely respected on Capitol Hill, had modernized and led the Library of Congress through Trump’s first term. The dismissal comes amid broader Trump efforts to assert control over cultural institutions and roll back diversity initiatives, including changes to Pentagon and cemetery websites and book removals in Defense Department schools.

The Trump administration is considering suspending habeas corpus for detained migrants to limit court challenges to deportations, according to senior official Stephen Miller, who argues an “invasion” exception applies. Legal experts note the Constitution is widely understood to allow only Congress to suspend habeas corpus and only in cases of rebellion or invasion. Historically, suspensions have been rare and tied to congressional authority, with Lincoln’s Civil War suspension later validated by Congress. Courts have recently rejected the administration’s “invasion” framing and paused deportations under the Alien Enemies Act, setting up a major constitutional clash over executive power and judicial oversight of immigration enforcement.

The Trump administration is preparing to admit the first group of white South African Afrikaners as refugees as early as next week, despite a broader suspension of refugee admissions. Officials fast-tracked their cases in roughly three months, citing claims of racial persecution and prioritizing white Afrikaner farmers, while many other vetted refugees worldwide remain blocked. An HHS refugee office, rather than the State Department, is coordinating resettlement support, including housing and basic needs. Refugee advocates and court rulings criticize the selective admissions, arguing it contradicts the administration’s claims of processing constraints and leaves thousands of approved refugees—such as Afghan allies and religious minorities—in limbo. The move follows Trump’s exception for Afrikaners and a halt to U.S. aid to South Africa amid disputes over land-reform policies.

African Parks, a major conservation charity linked to Prince Harry, has acknowledged that its rangers committed human rights abuses against Baka community members in Congo-Brazzaville’s Odzala-Kokoua National Park. The admission follows an independent review by Omnia Strategy LLP, but the charity has not released the report’s findings, prompting criticism from rights group Survival International. African Parks says it has strengthened safeguarding measures, including appointing an anthropologist, partnering with local human rights NGOs, and commissioning a human rights impact assessment. Prince Harry, a long-time affiliate and board member, has been asked for comment. The charity manages 23 protected areas across 13 African countries and is funded by major donors including the EU and prominent philanthropists.

The BBC investigates Hong Kong “patriots” who report perceived national security violations, focusing on Innes Tang, a former banker who has reported nearly 100 individuals and groups since Beijing imposed the National Security Law (NSL) in 2020 and later Article 23. Tang runs a self-funded hotline, encourages tip-offs, and frames his actions as community–police cooperation motivated by love of Hong Kong and a desire for stability after the 2019 protests. Authorities’ own hotline has received 890,000 reports. Critics say the laws have chilled speech, fostered surveillance and self-censorship, and driven people to leave; more than 300 have been arrested under NSL. Academic Kenneth Chan describes social isolation and increased inspections, while commentators argue the “patriots-only” political system lacks scrutiny and enables poor policymaking. Even Tang warns against weaponizing the NSL and says he has paused reporting, believing “balance” has returned as protests vanish. The government defends the changes as removing extremists and upholding legal compliance. Tang is now looking to extend his efforts overseas.

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said there is uncertainty over the condition of three of the 24 hostages previously thought to be alive in Gaza, confirming 21 are known to be alive. His comments followed former US President Donald Trump’s claim that the number of living hostages had dropped from 24 to 21. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum urged Netanyahu to halt plans to expand Israel’s Gaza offensive and prioritize a deal with Hamas to return the remaining 59 living and deceased hostages. Conflicting messaging emerged within Israel’s leadership about priorities, with reports suggesting “defeating Hamas” ranks above “returning the hostages” in operational orders. The war, triggered by Hamas’s 7 October 2023 attacks, has seen 196 hostages returned (147 alive) amid severe humanitarian conditions in Gaza, where over 52,000 people have been killed according to Hamas-run health authorities, and aid deliveries have been blocked for weeks.

Israeli security forces closed six UNRWA-run schools in East Jerusalem, including three in Shuafat refugee camp, sending hundreds of Palestinian students home and detaining one staff member. UNRWA’s chief condemned the closures as a violation of international law and children’s right to education, while the Palestinian Authority and several countries, including the UK, EU members, Norway, Switzerland, Turkey, and Japan, opposed the move. Israel’s ban on UNRWA activity, tied to accusations of Hamas infiltration that the agency denies, has escalated tensions. UNRWA has operated in East Jerusalem since 1950; Israel considers the city its capital, while most of the international community does not recognize its annexation of East Jerusalem, which Palestinians claim as their future capital.

South African radio journalist Sibusiso Aserie Ndlovu and his partner, Zodwa Precious Mdhluli, were found dead in an advanced state of decomposition in Limpopo more than two months after they went missing on 18 February. Police arrested five suspects reportedly found with the couple’s stolen furniture, appliances, and car parts. While DNA tests are pending, media groups say forensic teams have identified the remains. Ndlovu founded Pretoria-based Capital Live radio. The case has shocked the media community amid South Africa’s high crime rates.

Motown legend Smokey Robinson, 85, has denied sexual assault allegations made by four former housekeepers in a lawsuit seeking at least $50 million. The women, identified as Jane Does 1–4, allege incidents dating back to 2006, including rape and coercion, and claim Robinson’s wife, Frances, contributed to a hostile work environment. No police reports or criminal charges have been filed. Robinson’s lawyer called the claims “vile” and “false,” characterizing them as a cash grab, and said they will seek dismissal while urging the public to reserve judgment. The plaintiffs’ attorneys held a press conference calling Robinson a “serial” abuser.

A newly opened Syrian Identification Centre in Damascus is working to identify victims from Syria’s mass graves, a task expected to take years due to limited resources, sanctions restricting DNA equipment and chemicals, and high costs. Led by forensic odontologist Dr Anas al-Hourani, teams sort bones from “mixed mass graves” to establish basic profiles and look for signs of torture, with DNA analysis constrained to a single under-resourced national lab funded by the ICRC. Testimonies, including from a former military driver who says he transported hundreds of civilian bodies weekly to burial pits in 2011–2013, corroborate systematic mass killings linked to Assad-era security branches such as Branch 215. Families like that of Malak Aoude, whose sons were disappeared and likely killed, continue to search for answers, reflecting widespread frustration with slow progress under the new authorities’ promised “transitional justice.” The scale—hundreds of thousands dead and over 130,000 disappeared—makes identification a daunting, long-term effort.

Turkey has blocked access within the country to jailed Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu’s X (Twitter) account, his main channel to 9.7 million followers, citing a legal demand tied to a post prosecutors say may incite crime. Imamoglu, a leading rival to President Erdogan and a three-time elected mayor, has been in prison since March on corruption charges he denies. The opposition CHP calls the move part of a broader crackdown and a “coup attempt” against democratic competition. X’s lawyer is challenging the ban in court. Imamoglu’s account remains accessible via VPN and abroad. His arrest has sparked large protests, ongoing though smaller in size, amid wider detentions of opposition figures and lawyers. The government says the judiciary is independent; rights groups call the actions an escalating attack on civil society.

A 53-year-old staff member was killed and a 39-year-old security guard seriously injured in an axe attack inside the University of Warsaw’s main auditorium on Wednesday evening. Police arrested a 22-year-old Polish third-year law student; his motive is unclear. The university declared a day of mourning, cancelled classes and its upcoming Juwenalia festival. Officials, including the rector, justice minister, and Warsaw’s mayor, condemned the “macabre” attack and praised responders.

Blake Lively will testify at the March 2026 trial in her legal battle with Justin Baldoni, her lawyers said, framing the case around her claims of on-set sexual harassment and retaliation tied to their 2024 film “It Ends with Us.” Lively alleges Baldoni and his PR team ran a media smear campaign and that other women raised concerns about his behavior. Baldoni denies the allegations and says “unedited receipts” and footage support him. He has filed a $400 million defamation suit against Lively and Ryan Reynolds, accusing Reynolds—whom Lively’s team seeks to remove from the case—of meddling with the film and mocking him in “Deadpool & Wolverine.” Baldoni also sued the New York Times over its coverage; the paper plans to defend itself. Both sides say they won’t settle.

Iranian PhD student Alireza Doroudi, detained in March in Alabama on immigration grounds, will voluntarily return to Iran after six weeks in detention, citing legal uncertainty and potential prolonged confinement. Although DHS initially labeled him a national security concern without detailing evidence, the government later dropped the initial visa-related arrest charge. Doroudi’s attorney argues he maintained lawful student status and that his F-1 visa revocation would only take effect upon departure. With no evidence presented to support security claims, Doroudi chose self-deportation. His fiancée and attorney criticized the process as unfair and a setback for due process and foreign students.

Jared Kushner, despite holding no formal role, is informally advising the Trump administration ahead of President Trump’s Middle East trip to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE. He is guiding talks on economic agreements and efforts to expand the Abraham Accords, leveraging his relationships with regional leaders, particularly Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. While a breakthrough with Riyadh is unlikely during the trip, officials hope to make progress and possibly secure agreements with other countries first. Kushner’s involvement, facilitated by his close ties to Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, comes amid criticism over his business ties in the region and against the backdrop of Gaza war tensions and Saudi demands for a path to Palestinian statehood before normalizing with Israel. A large U.S. delegation, including top cabinet officials, will accompany Trump, though Kushner is not expected to join.

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested and later released after protesting the opening of a 1,000-bed federal immigration detention center in Newark. Baraka, a Democratic gubernatorial candidate, has opposed the facility over permitting concerns and broader immigration policy. Federal officials say he trespassed and ignored orders to leave; video shows he was handcuffed after returning to the public side of the gate. Witnesses reported a heated confrontation as Baraka tried to join three New Jersey members of Congress seeking to inspect the site. DHS accused lawmakers and protesters of “storming” the facility, which the lawmakers dispute, saying they were exercising oversight. Baraka, who maintains he did nothing wrong, vowed support for immigrants and criticized efforts to sow division. Questions remain about why only the mayor was arrested.

The Pentagon is considering moving responsibility for Greenland from U.S. European Command to U.S. Northern Command, reflecting its strategic value for homeland defense and Arctic competition. The deliberations, some predating Trump’s return, have raised concerns among U.S., Danish, and Greenlandic officials given Trump’s renewed statements that the U.S. “needs” Greenland and won’t rule out military action to obtain it. Supporters say NORTHCOM would better prioritize Greenland’s role in detecting threats and countering Russian and Chinese influence; critics warn the shift could symbolically distance Greenland from Denmark, straining relations. The move comes amid tensions over a report that the U.S. increased intelligence collection on Greenland’s independence movement and resource attitudes, prompting Denmark to summon the U.S. acting ambassador.

President Trump signaled openness to a small tax increase on wealthy Americans—or letting top-end 2017 tax cuts expire—to help offset a GOP package that makes individual tax cuts permanent and adds new breaks like no tax on tips. The White House floated targeting individuals earning $2.5 million and couples earning $5 million+, but House Republicans are divided. Options under discussion include restoring the top rate to 39.6% (raising an estimated $409 billion over 10 years and affecting about 1.5 million households) or creating a new high-income bracket (about $59 billion, affecting 150,000–200,000 households). Many Republicans worry about impacts on small businesses and growth, and are also split over deep spending cuts needed to meet deficit targets. While Trump’s adviser says he’s not a strong advocate of taxing the rich, Trump called the idea “good politics” and framed it as redistribution, as negotiations continue over how to pay for the package.

Jeanine Pirro abruptly left Fox News’s top-rated show “The Five” after President Trump named her interim U.S. attorney for Washington, DC, creating a major vacancy on the network’s most profitable program. Fox will rotate personalities in her seat until a replacement is chosen; past fill-ins include Katie Pavlich, Kayleigh McEnany, and Kellyanne Conway. Pirro, a longtime Trump ally with a legal background and a history of amplifying his election-fraud claims—cited in Dominion’s lawsuit against Fox—moves to replace embattled appointee Ed Martin. Critics, including legal analysts, warn her appointment threatens the independence of the nation’s largest U.S. Attorney’s Office, while Fox praised her 14-year tenure and legal expertise.

Tufts University PhD student Rümeysa Öztürk was released from ICE custody in Louisiana after six weeks, following a federal judge’s order citing substantial due process and First Amendment concerns. Arrested by masked agents near her Massachusetts home amid the Trump administration’s efforts to deport noncitizen pro-Palestinian protesters, Öztürk—on a valid F-1 visa and never charged—was accused without evidence of supporting Hamas. Judge William K. Sessions III found no flight risk or danger, noted her worsening asthma in detention, and ordered her immediate release without monitoring or travel restrictions, rejecting ICE’s last-minute attempt to impose an ankle monitor. Her case, part of a broader crackdown on international student activists, proceeds to a final hearing as advocates frame it as a test of free speech and rule of law.

China’s exports rose 8.1% year over year in April, far above expectations, as shipments to Southeast Asia surged 20.8% and to the EU increased 8.3%, offsetting a more than 21% plunge in exports to the U.S. amid newly imposed 145% U.S. tariffs and China’s 125% retaliatory levies. Imports fell a modest 0.2%. Economists suggest the export strength may reflect transshipments and pre-tariff contracts, with a likely weakening ahead. Container traffic to the U.S. has dropped, factory activity hit a 16-month low, employment is softening, and deflation pressures persist. Markets were subdued, and attention is on a U.S.-China meeting that could pave the way for tariff de-escalation.

SMIC’s shares fell nearly 7% after Q1 results missed estimates despite strong growth. Revenue rose 28% year over year to $2.24 billion and net profit jumped 162% to $188 million, both below LSEG forecasts and the company’s guidance. Management cited production fluctuations that lowered average selling prices, with pressure expected to continue into Q2; it guided a 4%–6% sequential revenue decline and gross margin of 18%–20% (vs. 22.5% in Q1). Positives included a 15% quarter-on-quarter and 28% year-on-year rise in wafer shipments and high capacity utilization at 89.6%, reflecting strong domestic demand driven by smartphones, consumer electronics, and policy support. SMIC remains focused on capacity expansion and increasing market share, though R&D spending fell to $148.9 million. The firm is key to China’s self-sufficiency push, deriving over 84% of revenue from domestic customers, but faces limits in advanced-node expansion due to U.S.-led export controls on equipment, even as it has shown some progress with chips appearing in Huawei devices. Year-to-date, its Hong Kong shares are up over 32%.

Germany’s new Economy Minister Katherina Reiche outlined a plan to revive Germany’s sluggish economy by accelerating a decade-long, infrastructure-focused investment push—covering bridges, energy, storage, maritime, and telecom. She emphasized speed, regulatory reform, and private capital, noting only about 10% can be publicly funded. Reiche warned EU overregulation could stifle investment and startups, and urged greater risk-taking. Despite a slight Q1 2025 GDP uptick (+0.2%), Germany remains near stagnation after two weak years. Priorities include lowering energy costs, securing supply, and cutting bureaucracy. This comes alongside a fiscal shift enabling extra defense spending and a €500 billion infrastructure package, as key sectors face Chinese competition, construction hurdles, and U.S. trade uncertainty.

President Trump will visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE on May 13, focusing on Israel-Gaza ceasefire talks, oil policy, trade and investment deals, semiconductor export rules, and civil nuclear programs. Gulf leaders hope the U.S. eases controls on advanced AI chips, amid heavy regional investment in AI and an announced plan to replace Biden-era export restrictions. Saudi and UAE ties with Trump may accelerate bilateral deals and raise conflict-of-interest scrutiny. A U.S.-Saudi civil nuclear agreement appears closer, potentially decoupled from Saudi-Israel normalization. Wall Street and tech leaders will attend a Riyadh investment forum, signaling major two-way deal announcements. Discussions may also touch Syria sanctions and a possible U.S. renaming of the Persian Gulf, which could anger Iran during sensitive nuclear talks. Oil output strategy and financing are key for Saudi Arabia as it balances Vision 2030 costs, widening deficits, and lower prices, while having pledged large U.S. investments.

President Donald Trump plans to nominate Jonathan McKernan as Treasury undersecretary for domestic finance, months after nominating him to lead the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Treasury’s statement did not say the CFPB nomination was withdrawn but highlighted McKernan’s current advisory role and integration into Secretary Scott Bessent’s senior team. McKernan’s CFPB nomination was advanced by the Senate Banking Committee but not yet voted on by the full Senate. The move comes as the administration continues efforts to diminish the CFPB’s role following Trump’s February firing of director Rohit Chopra. McKernan previously served on the FDIC board and held senior posts at FHFA, the Senate, and Treasury.

About 70% of Sweden is forested, and roughly half of that forest land is privately owned—by individuals, families, and companies—while the rest is held by the state and large institutional owners. This mixed ownership underpins a major forest industry central to Sweden’s economy, driving timber, paper, and bioenergy production, while also shaping climate and biodiversity policy. Private ownership encourages active management and investment, but creates tensions between economic use (harvesting, exports) and environmental goals (carbon sinks, conservation, rewilding). Sweden’s model relies on regulations, certification schemes, and incentives to balance sustainable harvesting with protections for biodiversity and climate commitments.

Fox News reports that new satellite images, obtained via the Iranian opposition group NCRI, reveal a previously undisclosed facility in Semnan Province allegedly tied to Iran’s nuclear weapons program. The site, dubbed the “Rainbow Site” and operating under the cover name Diba Energy Siba, reportedly spans about 2,500 acres and has been active for over a decade. NCRI claims its main purpose is tritium extraction—a process with few civilian uses but relevance to enhancing nuclear weapons—casting doubt on Iran’s peaceful-nuclear claims. The revelation emerges amid ongoing U.S.-Iran negotiations; President Trump said no decision has been made on Iran’s right to enrichment, while Vice President JD Vance expressed cautious optimism about talks. The disclosure could complicate diplomatic efforts toward a renewed agreement.

Amtrak’s inspector general found that at least 119 employees, along with several healthcare providers, participated in a $12 million medical insurance fraud scheme from 2019 to 2022 across the Northeast. Employees allegedly accepted cash kickbacks in exchange for allowing providers to use their insurance info to bill for nonexistent or unnecessary services, with total claims exceeding $16 million. Twelve employees have been criminally charged; seven pleaded guilty. Despite the probe prompting 28 resignations/retirements and 30 other departures, 61 implicated employees remain employed. Key perpetrators include acupuncturist Punson “Susie” Figueroa, who pleaded guilty and owes $9.05 million in restitution, podiatrist Michael DeNicola (pleaded guilty; sentencing pending), and medical biller Regina Choi (pleaded guilty; sentencing pending). Amtrak says it’s enhancing fraud prevention and oversight following prior OIG warnings.

Merrill Eisenhower Atwater, great-grandson of Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, warned on VE Day’s 80th anniversary that Holocaust denial and minimization are rising, underscoring the need for robust Holocaust education to prevent future genocides. After participating in the March of the Living from Auschwitz to Birkenau, he emphasized honoring survivors’ bravery and the liberation that saved generations. The article highlights survivor Eva Clarke’s extraordinary birth at Mauthausen in April 1945—days after the Nazis ran out of gas and just before the camp’s liberation—illustrating the fragility and resilience of life during the Holocaust. Clarke, who continues to share her story, plans to mark the 80th anniversary of Mauthausen’s liberation, reinforcing the urgency of remembrance and education amid growing antisemitism.

President Trump announced a halt to U.S. strikes on Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis, citing a ceasefire reportedly brokered with Omani mediation, which would end mutual targeting and protect Red Sea shipping. However, a new FDD report warns the Houthis remain a major threat, bolstered by Iranian support and Omani facilitation, including smuggling routes, financial services, and arms flows through ports and overland. Experts argue Oman’s role as mediator is problematic given its alleged support to the group. The report urges a comprehensive strategy—combining sustained military, economic, diplomatic, and financial pressure—warning that ceasefires have previously allowed the Houthis to regroup and that a narrow focus on Red Sea de-escalation could empower a more dangerous, better-armed organization.

The House passed Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s bill to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America,” 211–206, largely along party lines, to codify a Trump executive order. The measure directs federal agencies to update documents and maps within six months and now heads to the Senate, where its fate is uncertain. Supporters frame it as a patriotic move; Democrats call it a distraction and wasteful, noting broader costs for schools and municipalities despite a CBO estimate of under $500,000 for federal updates. One Republican, Rep. Don Bacon, opposed it, calling the effort juvenile. International usage would not change, and a future president could reverse the order if not codified. The White House has clashed with the Associated Press over nomenclature, leading to a successful AP lawsuit restoring press access.

New Zealand conservationists captured the first-ever video of a rare Powelliphanta augusta snail laying an egg from a genital opening below its head. The threatened, carnivorous species—endemic to New Zealand—has been kept in chilled containers for nearly two decades after its alpine habitat was destroyed by mining. These hermaphroditic snails take about eight years to mature, lay roughly five eggs annually, and can live 25–30 years, with eggs taking over a year to hatch. Once at the center of controversy over coal mining, the species has struggled with relocation and a past refrigeration mishap, but as of March there were about 1,900 snails and 2,200 eggs in captivity.

In his first address from St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Leo XIV emphasized peace, unity, and continuity with Pope Francis, whom he thanked. Speaking in Italian and Spanish, he called for building bridges through dialogue, serving those who suffer, and being a missionary, synodal Church. He identified as an Augustinian, greeted the Church of Rome and his former diocese in Chiclayo, Peru, and urged trust in God’s love. He invoked Mary on the Day of the Supplication to Our Lady of Pompeii and invited prayer for his mission, the Church, and world peace.

Immigrants in a Texas detention center were taken before dawn to a military airfield and left on the tarmac for hours for a planned deportation flight to Libya that never departed, according to an attorney for a Vietnamese detainee. The episode followed reports the Trump administration was preparing to send non-Libyan immigrants to Libya despite a prior court order. A federal judge in Boston ruled that deporting non-Libyans to Libya without proper screenings for persecution or torture would violate that order. The attorney said his client, who has lived in the U.S. since the 1990s and was detained during a routine ICE check-in, was pressured to sign a deportation form he couldn’t read, placed in solitary, shackled, and never given a chance to raise fear claims. It remains unclear if the administration will proceed with Libya deportations; Vietnam’s reluctance to accept deportees and talks about Rwanda as an alternative destination were noted.

Simon Mann, a former Eton- and Sandhurst-educated SAS officer turned mercenary, has died aged 72. He led the 2004 “wonga coup,” a failed plot involving about 70 mercenaries to overthrow Equatorial Guinea’s president, Teodoro Obiang, aiming to install exiled opposition figure Severo Moto and gain access to the country’s oil and gas. The operation, allegedly backed by international financiers and with tacit approval from some governments, was foiled in Zimbabwe, leading to Mann’s imprisonment in Zimbabwe and later Equatorial Guinea, where he was sentenced to 34 years but pardoned after serving over five. Mark Thatcher admitted a role and received a suspended sentence. Mann later returned to the UK; he was married three times and had nine children. He reportedly died while exercising in a gym.

Zhao Xintong’s historic win as China’s first snooker world champion has sparked nationwide pride and is expected to further boost the sport’s already surging popularity in China. His comeback from a 20-month suspension over involvement in a match-fixing scandal—marked by remorse and hard work—has won widespread support, with his victory trending heavily on Chinese social media and drawing crowds at the airport. Shenzhen’s strong snooker culture helped shape his rise, and the sport now counts an estimated 50 million players and 300,000 halls across China. Club owners and fans anticipate a new wave of interest and participation driven by Zhao’s success.

India’s high commissioner to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami, told Sky News that India will respond proportionally and “in exactly the same light” if Pakistan retaliates after India’s recent strikes on nine alleged “terrorist infrastructure” sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. He framed India’s actions as precise and intended to avoid escalation, blaming the initial trigger on Pakistan-backed militants who killed 26 tourists in Indian-controlled Kashmir. Pakistan denies involvement and has vowed to make India “pay the price,” with reported skirmishes along the Line of Control. India also accused Pakistan of drone and missile attacks on military stations in Jammu, Pathankot, and Udhampur, which it says were neutralized. Doraiswami criticized Pakistan for choosing escalation rather than de-escalation.

Tottenham and Manchester United will meet in an all-English Europa League final in Bilbao on 21 May. Spurs beat Bodo/Glimt 2-0 away (5-1 agg) with goals from Dominic Solanke and Pedro Porro, while United thrashed Athletic Bilbao 4-1 at Old Trafford (7-1 agg), featuring a brace from Mason Mount and goals from Casemiro and Rasmus Hojlund. The winner secures a Champions League spot, crucial in a season where both clubs sit in the Premier League’s bottom half. Separately, Chelsea reached the Europa Conference League final after a 1-0 win over Djurgarden (5-1 agg) and will face Real Betis on 28 May.

Lin Shaozhen, a leading biomechanics/physics researcher with an international track record, has returned to China to become a professor and PhD supervisor at Sun Yat-sen University after posts at Aix-Marseille University and the National University of Singapore. Despite his academic achievements—41 SCI-indexed papers, three as an author in Physical Review Letters, and service as a reviewer—he has faced online mockery on Chinese social media over his appearance, with commenters attributing his tilted head to congenital muscular torticollis. Lin, originally from Ganzhou, Jiangxi, rose from a subsidized “hongzhi” high school program to prominence in his field.

Hong Kong’s Ocean Empire Food Shop, a 33-year-old congee chain, abruptly closed, leaving over 100 employees unpaid and prompting criticism from a lawmaker and a rights activist for “irresponsibly” directing staff to seek government assistance. They warned the government’s Protection of Wages on Insolvency Fund—facing an estimated HK$1.1 billion deficit next year—may not fully cover outstanding wages. The Eating Establishment Employees General Union said the company also failed to remit employees’ MPF contributions for January–March despite deductions. Legislator Lam Chun-sing contrasted the case with Deliveroo’s more orderly exit, saying Ocean Empire appeared to be pushing staff toward insolvency procedures instead of settling obligations. A staff meeting was set for Friday afternoon.

The United States and Iran will hold another round of nuclear talks in Oman on Sunday, ahead of President Donald Trump’s regional visit. Mediated by Oman, the discussions—led by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff—are moving toward more detailed issues but remain short of technical specifics. Despite a positive tone in prior meetings, key disagreements persist, notably U.S. demands, reiterated by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, that Iran end all uranium enrichment. Concurrent U.S. sanctions continue to strain the process. Trump, who withdrew from the Obama-era nuclear deal in his first term, hopes to avert an Israeli strike on Iran that could spark wider conflict.

Two men, Daniel Graham (39) and Adam Carruthers (32), were sentenced to four years and three months in prison for cutting down the iconic 200-year-old Sycamore Gap tree in Northumberland, England, in September 2023. A jury found them guilty of criminal damage to the National Trust-owned tree and to nearby Hadrian’s Wall, struck by the falling trunk. Evidence included a video from Graham’s phone and location data; texts showed they reveled in the public outrage. The judge cited bravado and attention-seeking. The National Trust welcomed the verdict and noted the tree has shown signs of regeneration, with efforts underway to grow seeds and cuttings. Other initially questioned individuals will face no further action.

War photographer Johanna-Maria Fritz, 31, reflects on documenting conflicts in Sudan, Afghanistan, and Ukraine, emphasizing the emotional toll, ethical boundaries, and responsibility of bearing witness. She describes Sudan as the worst humanitarian crisis she has seen, recounting hospital scenes where patients—including a newborn—died amid chaos and neglect. Fritz explains moments when she refuses to shoot out of respect, such as after a mother lost her child in Sudan or during a birth in a Ukrainian shelter. She sees her role as crucial in evidencing war crimes and neglected conflicts, noting the scarcity of international journalists in places like Sudan, and draws parallels to historic documentation of atrocities. Despite fear and the stark contrast with her life in Berlin, she continues, driven by curiosity, empathy, and a sense of duty to inform.