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A 40-year-old Berlin doctor has been charged with murdering 15 patients under palliative care between September 2021 and July 2022, allegedly out of a "lust for murder". The doctor, identified as Johannes M., administered anesthetics and muscle relaxants to the patients without their consent, causing their deaths. He is also accused of starting fires in the victims' homes to cover up evidence. The victims ranged in age from 25 to 94 and most died in their own homes. Prosecutors are seeking a life sentence and a lifetime ban from his profession, and will ask the court to establish that the suspect bears particularly severe guilt.

Aaron Boupendza, a 28-year-old Gabonese soccer player who played for FC Cincinnati in Major League Soccer, died after falling from the 11th floor of a building in China. Boupendza was playing for Zhejiang FC in the Chinese Super League at the time of his death. The Gabonese soccer federation and Zhejiang FC announced his death, with the federation praising him as a "great striker" who scored eight goals for Gabon. Boupendza had a notable career, playing for teams in France, Turkey, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Romania before joining Zhejiang. His contract with FC Cincinnati was terminated in 2024 after a bar fight left him with a broken jaw.

British tennis player Harriet Dart apologized after being overheard telling an umpire that her opponent Lois Boisson "smells really bad" and needed to wear deodorant during a match. Boisson won the match 6-0, 6-3, and later responded lightheartedly on Instagram, joking about the comment and seemingly partnering with deodorant brand Dove. Dart took responsibility for her "heat-of-the-moment" comment and expressed regret.

Kenyan authorities have charged four men, including two Belgian teenagers, with wildlife piracy for attempting to smuggle thousands of ants out of the country. The men were found with over 5,000 ants packed in test tubes, which authorities valued at $7,700. The Kenya Wildlife Service said the ants were destined for markets in Europe and Asia, and that the trafficking trend is shifting from larger, iconic species to smaller, lesser-known ones. Experts warn that the export of the ants could not only harm Kenya's biodiversity but also potentially introduce diseases to agricultural industries in destination countries.

A massive blackout hit Puerto Rico on Wednesday, leaving 1.4 million clients without power as the island prepared to celebrate the Easter weekend. The outage was caused by a transmission line issue in the southern part of the island, with Luma Energy citing a failure in the protection system and vegetation on a transmission line as contributing factors. All hospitals are operating on generators, and at least 78,000 customers were also without water. Luma estimated it would take 48-72 hours to restore most of the power, with some 5,000 to 7,000 clients having their power restored by Wednesday afternoon. Residents are frustrated with the chronic outages, calling for the government to cancel its contract with Luma and Genera PR, and the administration is working with the federal government to address the issue.

Sweden's public broadcaster, SVT, has launched the 2025 livestream of "The Great Moose Migration," capturing moose crossing the Ångerman River as part of their annual spring migration. The livestream, which began on April 15, features 26 remote cameras, seven night cameras, and a drone, and is expected to continue until May 4. As of April 16, 14 moose had crossed the river. The slow TV broadcast, inspired by a similar Norwegian concept, has gained popularity since its debut in 2019, attracting nearly a million viewers initially and 9 million in 2024. The event has created a community among viewers, with a Facebook group of over 78,000 members sharing updates and cheering on the moose.

A pocket watch, letter, and ticket linked to Titanic victims will be auctioned off in the UK. The pocket watch, owned by 27-year-old Hans Christensen Givard, is expected to sell for between $40,000 and $66,000. Other items for sale include a handwritten letter from Swedish passenger Erik Gustaf Lind and a third-class ticket belonging to Canadian-born Ernest Portage Tomlin. The auction house, Henry Aldridge and Son, has previously sold Titanic memorabilia for record prices, including a gold pocket watch for $2 million.

The UK Supreme Court has ruled that the term "woman" in the 2010 Equality Act refers to a person's biological sex, rather than their gender identity or reassignment. The court emphasized that this definition is specific to the Equality Act and does not affect the legal recognition of trans people with Gender Recognition Certificates. The ruling was made in response to a challenge by the group For Women Scotland, which argued that a broader definition of "woman" could create confusion and undermine protections for women. The decision has been met with mixed reactions, with some celebrating the ruling as a victory for women's rights and others expressing concern about its potential impact on trans people.

US pastor Josh Sullivan was abducted at gunpoint from his church in South Africa on April 10 and rescued on April 12 during a shootout between police and his captors, leaving three suspects dead. Sullivan was held in a safehouse in Gqeberha and was found unharmed in a vehicle during the police operation. The abduction was likely financially motivated, and police suspect it may have been a kidnapping for ransom, a crime that has increased in South Africa in recent years.

A cryotherapy session at a Paris sports center ended in tragedy when a nitrogen leak from a cold chamber caused poisoning, resulting in the death of a woman employee in her late 20s and critically injuring a client in her 30s. Three people who provided first aid were also treated. Cryotherapy involves exposure to extremely low temperatures to reduce muscle soreness, stress, and other conditions, but experts warn that its medical benefits are unproven and it can be dangerous.

A 40-year-old German palliative care doctor has been charged with murdering 15 patients between 2021 and 2024 by administering a lethal cocktail of an anaesthetic and muscle relaxant without their consent. The victims, aged 25-94, included 12 women and three men. The doctor allegedly set fire to some of the victims' homes to cover his tracks and is suspected of killing more patients, with further exhumations planned. He remains in custody and faces a potential lifelong professional ban and preventative detention.

Israel's defence minister, Israel Katz, has stated that Israeli troops will remain in "security zones" in Gaza even after the war ends, citing the need to protect Israeli communities. The zones, which have been established by seizing large areas of Gaza, now cover tens of per cent of the territory. Katz also confirmed that Israel will maintain its blockade on humanitarian aid to Gaza, despite UN warnings of "devastating" consequences, in order to pressure Hamas to release hostages. The conflict has resulted in significant humanitarian concerns, with over 1,650 people killed since the war resumed on 18 March, and 500,000 newly displaced. Hamas has rejected an Israeli proposal for a ceasefire in exchange for the release of hostages and disarmament, and has insisted that Israeli forces must withdraw from Gaza under any permanent ceasefire.

US actress Michelle Trachtenberg died from complications caused by diabetes, according to the New York City medical examiner's office. Trachtenberg, 39, was found unresponsive in her apartment in February and had reportedly received a liver transplant prior to her death. Her family, who are Orthodox Jews, objected to an autopsy on religious grounds. Trachtenberg was known for her roles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Gossip Girl, and her death was met with tributes from fellow actors, including Blake Lively.

Community members in Chelsea, Michigan, a town of 5,000 people, formed a human chain to help a local bookshop move 9,100 books to a new location about a block away, with the books being passed one-by-one.

Nora Aunor, a celebrated Philippine film star, has died at 71. She had a career spanning seven decades in television, music, and film, with over 200 credits. Aunor was named National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts in 2022, the Philippines' highest honor for the arts. She rose to fame as a singer in the 1960s and went on to win numerous awards for her acting, including for her performance in "The Flor Contemplacion Story" and "Thy Womb".

Peru's former President Ollanta Humala and his wife Nadine Heredia have been found guilty of money laundering and sentenced to 15 years in prison for accepting illegal funds from Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez and Brazilian construction company Odebrecht to finance their election campaigns in 2006 and 2011. Humala was taken to Barbadillo prison, while Heredia was granted safe passage to Brazil after seeking asylum in the Brazilian embassy. Humala's lawyer said he would appeal the conviction, calling the 15-year sentence "excessive".

Spanish police have uncovered an illegal underground shooting range at a home in the southern province of Granada, arresting three people and seizing several weapons and over €60,000 in cash. The range was located three floors underground, which prevented neighbours from hearing gunfire, and it was the first time police had uncovered an illegal shooting range run by a criminal group in Spain.

Every spring, millions of people watch a 24-hour livestream of elk migrating in northern Sweden, known as "The Great Moose Migration". The broadcast, now in its sixth year, follows the animals as they swim across the Angerman River and journey to summer pastures. The livestream has become a "slow TV" phenomenon, attracting a loyal fanbase and boasting over 77,000 members in a dedicated Facebook group. Viewers praise the calming and therapeutic effects of the broadcast, which features the natural sounds of the forest without commentary or music. This year's broadcast began a week early due to warmer weather, and has drawn millions of viewers, with some fans watching for over 16 hours straight.

Tesla whistleblower Cristina Balan has won a legal battle against Elon Musk after a panel of appeal judges in California reversed a decision dismissing her defamation claim. Balan, an engineer who worked at Tesla, was fired in 2014 after raising safety concerns about a design flaw affecting the braking system of Tesla cars. She was later publicly accused by Tesla of embezzlement, which she denies, and brought a defamation case against the firm. The case will now potentially go to a new lawsuit, allowing Balan to face Musk in open court.

Astronomers have detected a possible signature of life on a distant planet known as K2-18b, which orbits a star 120 light-years from Earth. The planet's atmosphere contains dimethyl sulfide, a molecule produced on Earth by living organisms such as marine algae. Researchers believe K2-18b may be a "Hycean" world with a warm ocean and atmosphere containing hydrogen and other carbon compounds. While the findings are promising, other scientists are cautious, noting that more research is needed to confirm the discovery, and that alternative explanations for the presence of dimethyl sulfide are possible.

A 20-year-old Florida State University student, Phoenix Ikner, shot and killed two people and injured six others on campus. Ikner, the son of a Leon County sheriff's deputy, was armed with his mother's former service revolver and a shotgun. The victims who were killed were not students. Ikner was shot and wounded by police and taken into custody. The shooting occurred near noon, prompting a shelter-in-place alert, and classes and events were canceled for the rest of the week.

Katie Perry, an Australian fashion designer, is suing Katy Perry, the international pop star, over trademark infringement in Australia. The dispute has been ongoing for over five years, with the designer initially winning the case in 2023, but an appeals court later reversing the decision and ordering the cancellation of Katie Perry's trademark. The Australian High Court has agreed to hear the case again, questioning the appeals court's reasoning that the pop star's existing fame gave her a superior claim to the name, even in the clothing industry, and potentially setting a problematic precedent for Australian brands and celebrity endorsements.

Ethel Lina White was a British suspense novelist who published over 100 short stories and 17 novels in the 1930s. Her work, particularly "The Wheel Spins" (1936), inspired Alfred Hitchcock's film "The Lady Vanishes" (1938), which became a classic of the genre. White's novels often centered on ordinary women in peril and were known for their suspenseful and innovative storytelling, drawing on classical literature. Born in 1876 in Abergavenny, Wales, White began writing at a young age and published her first short story in 1906. She initially wrote romances but switched to suspense when the romance market declined. Despite achieving commercial success, White preferred to avoid the spotlight, describing herself as having no notable life or hobbies. Her work continued to be adapted into films, and she attended a screening of "The Lady Vanishes" in her hometown in 1939.

Timmy Reen, a 20-year veteran firefighter with the Fire Department of New York, struggled with severe obsessive-compulsive disorder (O.C.D.) that centered around contamination fears. His rituals included wearing a mask during fires, bringing his own sheets and bleach wipes to the firehouse, and decontaminating his uniform after shifts. Reen's O.C.D. was well-managed while on the job, but the Covid-19 vaccine mandate forced his condition into the open and ultimately ended his career. Reen's story highlights the challenges of living with severe O.C.D. and the difficulties of navigating a high-stress profession like firefighting with the condition. His experiences with O.C.D. began in childhood and worsened over time, with his fears of contamination becoming increasingly debilitating, particularly around the New York City subway system.

The Trump administration announced it will take control of the $7 billion renovation of Pennsylvania Station from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, with Secretary Sean Duffy criticizing the MTA's management of the project. Governor Kathy Hochul welcomed the decision, stating it would save New York taxpayers $1.3 billion and withdrawing over $1 billion in state funding. The administration plans to involve Amtrak and private investors in the renovation, but details on the project's vision remain unclear. The move is seen as a power struggle between the Trump administration and New York's transportation agency, amid a broader dispute over congestion pricing.

Drake has amended his defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG), claiming he was defamed by Kendrick Lamar's song "Not Like Us" during the Grammys and Super Bowl halftime show, where over 100 million viewers heard the allegedly defamatory track. Drake's lawyers argue that the high-profile events introduced new listeners to the song and increased threats against Drake and his family. The song contains a lyric accusing Drake of being a "certified pedophile," which Drake denies. UMG has denied the allegations and argued that the lawsuit should be dismissed, stating that it could restrict free-speech protections for musical artists. The lawsuit is ongoing, with a potential trial set for summer 2026.

The cast of "Emily in Paris" Season 5 has been announced, with Lily Collins, Lucas Bravo, Ashley Park, and Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu confirmed to return, but Camille Razat, who has played a series regular since the beginning, is noticeably absent from the lineup, sparking speculation about her character's departure.

John Lithgow has responded to criticism over his casting as Albus Dumbledore in the upcoming HBO "Harry Potter" series, saying he's "very excited" and "very intimidated" by the role. Lithgow, an American actor, will be the first to play the character on screen, previously portrayed by English actors Richard Harris and Michael Gambon. He acknowledged the skepticism surrounding his casting but drew on his experience playing Winston Churchill in "The Crown" to boost his confidence. The series is set to be a decade-long project, with Lithgow joking that he'll be 87 at the wrap party, and will feature a cast including Janet McTeer, Paapa Essiedu, and Nick Frost.

Michelle Trachtenberg's cause of death was complications of diabetes mellitus, according to the New York City Office of the Medical Examiner. Trachtenberg, 39, died on February 26 in Manhattan, with her manner of death ruled as natural. She was known for her roles in "Harriet the Spy," "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," and "Gossip Girl."

A 500-year-old oak tree in Enfield, London, was cut down by Toby Carvery, a restaurant chain, sparking outrage. The tree was considered one of London's largest and most significant ancient trees and was located outside a Toby Carvery branch. The chain's owner, Mitchells & Butlers, claimed the tree posed a health and safety risk, but Enfield Council, which owns the land, disputed this, saying the tree was deemed healthy in December and posed no risk. The council is considering legal action, and an emergency tree preservation order has been imposed. The chain's CEO has apologized, stating they will "tighten our protocols."

A 40-year-old Berlin doctor has been charged with murdering 15 patients under palliative care by administering a lethal drug cocktail without their consent, and is also accused of trying to cover up the evidence by starting fires in their homes. The victims ranged in age from 25 to 94 and most died in their own homes. The doctor has been in custody since August 6 and faces a maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted. Prosecutors are seeking to establish "particularly severe guilt" to prevent his release after 15 years and to ban him from his profession for life.

Hamas has rejected Israel's latest ceasefire proposal, which included a 45-day ceasefire and the return of humanitarian aid in exchange for 11 hostages and the disarmament of Hamas. Hamas leader Abu Zuhri stated that disarming is a "million red lines" and not subject to consideration. The proposal's failure was not surprising to mediators, who were skeptical due to the lack of withdrawal terms and the demand for Hamas to relinquish its arms. Israel has continued its military operations in Gaza, capturing more territory and creating a buffer zone, with the goal of exerting pressure on Hamas to release the remaining hostages.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has killed Muhammad al-‘Ajlah, a top Hamas commander responsible for arming terrorists in Gaza, in a "precise strike" on Sunday. Al-‘Ajlah was the commander of Hamas' Shejaiya battalion, which operates primarily in the Shejaiya neighborhood of Gaza City. He was the fifth commander of the Shejaiya battalion to be eliminated since the beginning of the war and the third since the start of renewed operations in Gaza. The IDF said that numerous steps were taken to mitigate the risk of harming civilians before the strike, including issuing advanced warnings and using precise munitions and aerial surveillance. The killing comes amid a resumption of the war on March 18 following a two-month ceasefire, with talks to restore the ceasefire and free Israeli hostages ending with no apparent breakthrough.

A kidnapped American pastor, Josh Sullivan, was rescued in South Africa following a deadly shootout at a house in the country's Eastern Cape province. Sullivan, 34, from Tennessee, was abducted from his church last week by several armed, masked men. South African authorities received tips that Sullivan was being held in a safe house and launched a rescue operation, resulting in a "high-intensity shootout" that killed three suspects. Sullivan was found unharmed in the car with the suspects and is currently in excellent condition. The U.S. State Department had assembled a multi-law-enforcement agency team to help locate Sullivan, and his rescue was confirmed by his church pastor, Tom Hatley.

The UK Supreme Court has ruled that a woman is someone born biologically female, excluding transgender women from the legal definition of a woman. The ruling means that trans women can be excluded from single-sex spaces and groups, such as changing rooms and women's shelters. Justice Patrick Hodge stated that the ruling does not remove protection from trans people, who are still protected from discrimination on the grounds of gender reassignment. Women's rights groups celebrated the ruling, while transgender activists expressed concerns that it would be a setback for transgender rights.

Scientists have captured the first-ever footage of a colossal squid in its natural environment, exactly 100 years after the species was first identified. The juvenile squid, measuring 30cm long, was filmed at a depth of 600m near the South Sandwich Islands in the South Atlantic Ocean. The footage was recorded by a team of international scientists on an expedition using a remotely operated vehicle called SuBastian. Colossal squid can grow up to 7m in length and weigh up to 500kg, making them the heaviest invertebrate on the planet.

The lack of heavy rescue equipment in Gaza is hindering efforts to rescue people trapped under rubble after Israeli airstrikes, with hundreds potentially dying slow deaths. Salah Jundia, a Gazan survivor, recounts how his family was hit, killing 12 of his children relatives and three other family members. Despite hearing cries for help from beneath the rubble, rescue teams were unable to reach those trapped due to the absence of heavy machinery such as diggers and bulldozers. Israel has refused to allow such equipment into Gaza, citing concerns it could fall into Hamas's hands. The civil defence teams are struggling to save those trapped with basic equipment, and the delay is resulting in more deaths.

Peru's former president Ollanta Humala has been sentenced to 15 years in jail for money laundering, along with his wife Nadine Heredia, who received asylum after entering the Brazilian embassy in Lima. The couple was found guilty of receiving $3m in illegal contributions from Brazilian construction firm Odebrecht to finance Humala's presidential campaigns in 2006 and 2011. Humala, 62, was jailed immediately and will remain behind bars until 2039, becoming the third former Peruvian president to be imprisoned for corruption in the past two decades. His lawyers plan to appeal the sentence, arguing that prosecutors failed to prove the funds came from an illegal source.

Scientists using the James Webb Space Telescope have found indications of potential life on K2-18 b, a planet outside our solar system, by detecting gases in its atmosphere that on Earth are produced by living organisms. The gases, dimethyl sulfide and dimethyl disulfide, are associated with microbial life and were found on a planet that orbits in the "habitable zone" where liquid water can exist. While the findings are not conclusive evidence of life, they are considered the strongest sign yet of possible life beyond our solar system, with some scientists describing it as a "transformational moment" in the search for life.

The UK has introduced new rules banning travellers from bringing certain meat and dairy products into Britain from the EU and other European countries due to the risk of foot-and-mouth disease. The restrictions include products such as pork, beef, lamb, milk, butter, cheese, and yoghurt, as well as sandwiches and cured meats containing these products. The ban applies to travellers arriving from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, the Faroe Islands, and Greenland, but not to personal imports from Northern Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey, or the Isle of Man. Exceptions include powdered infant milk, infant food, or special food needed for medical reasons, and certain pet foods. Failure to declare banned products can result in prosecution, and Border Force can seize and destroy products that are not declared or exceed allowed quantities.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has begun laying off staff as part of a reduction-in-force action following a court ruling that cleared the way for the firings. The layoffs come after the agency's chief legal counsel, Mark Paoletta, sent a memo outlining the bureau's new priorities, which include shifting enforcement and supervision activities to states and focusing on banks and depository institutions. The memo also indicated that the CFPB would "deprioritize" certain areas, such as medical debt, peer-to-peer platforms, and digital payments, which has drawn criticism from consumer organizations. The move is seen as a significant retrenchment in the CFPB's mission and has been met with criticism from consumer advocates.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is putting its Washington, D.C. headquarters up for sale as part of a Trump administration effort to reduce federal office space. The 1968 building has over $500 million in deferred maintenance and is only half occupied by current staff. HUD Secretary Scott Turner said relocating will "reduce the burden on the American taxpayer." The agency is looking for a smaller, cheaper building in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, but a timeline and final location are not yet set.

Luigi Mangione, a 26-year-old man, has been indicted on four federal counts in connection with the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The charges include two counts of stalking, one firearms offense, and murder through use of a firearm, which could make him eligible for the death penalty. The indictment comes after Attorney General Pamela Bondi directed federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty in the case, marking the first time the federal death penalty has been sought since the Biden administration placed a moratorium on federal executions in 2021. Mangione is also facing murder and terrorism charges in Pennsylvania and New York.

A shooting at Florida State University in Tallahassee killed two people and wounded six others. The suspect, 20-year-old Phoenix Ikner, the son of a Leon County sheriff's deputy, was hospitalized and is in custody. Authorities say Ikner had access to one of his father's personal handguns, which was found at the scene along with a shotgun. The university was placed on lockdown, but the threat was later neutralized and most of the campus was cleared. Classes and business operations were canceled through Friday, and all athletic home events were canceled through Sunday.

BP is facing a shareholder revolt at its annual general meeting over its recent green strategy U-turn, with several major investors planning to vote against the reelection of outgoing Chair Helge Lund. The company had previously pledged to cut emissions to net zero by 2050 and invest in renewables, but has since scaled back its emissions target and shifted focus towards oil and gas. Asset managers Legal & General and Robeco, as well as activist investors Follow This, have expressed dissatisfaction with BP's decision not to allow a shareholder vote on the new strategy, citing governance concerns and a lack of transparency. Despite proxy advisors recommending a vote in favor of Lund, a significant number of investors are expected to oppose his reelection, with some citing the influence of U.S. hedge fund Elliott Management.

European stock markets closed nearly flat on Thursday after the European Central Bank cut interest rates by 25 basis points, as expected. The pan-European Stoxx 600 index provisionally closed 0.1% lower, with the UK's FTSE 100 little changed and Germany's DAX and France's CAC 40 falling 0.5%. Siemens Energy shares rose 10% after the company upgraded its fiscal 2025 outlook, while Hermès slipped 3.2% following a narrow sales miss. The ECB's rate cut takes its deposit facility rate to 2.25%, down from highs of 4% in mid-2023, amid concerns over the euro zone's economic growth outlook.

Researchers studying the traditional diet of people living in Tanzania's Kilimanjaro region found that eating plantains, cassava, and fermented banana drink can be as healthy as the Mediterranean diet, boosting the immune system and reducing inflammation, and should be included in global healthy eating guidelines. The study involved switching 77 young men between a traditional heritage diet and a western-style diet, and found that those who adopted the heritage diet had reduced inflammation and improved immune function, while those who adopted the western diet saw increased inflammation and weight gain.

A US man, Akinyela Sawa Taylor, hijacked a small passenger plane in Belize at knifepoint, injuring two people, before being shot dead by another passenger. The plane, which had 14 people on board, circled erratically over the coastline before landing safely at Philip Goldson international airport after running low on fuel. Taylor was pronounced dead at a hospital, and one of the injured passengers was in critical condition. The motives behind the hijacking are unclear, and an investigation is underway.

The leaders of Inter Milan's ultra fan group, Curva Nord, were killed, prompting investigators to conclude that the fan clubs of Milan's soccer teams, Inter Milan and AC Milan, are controlled by the Italian mafia. Antonio Bellocco and Andrea Beretta, the two leaders, were found dead, leading to an investigation that revealed the mafia's influence over the fan groups. The involvement of organized crime in Italian soccer has raised concerns about the sport's reputation and potential corruption.

President Donald Trump's administration is drawing down US troops in Syria and halting some humanitarian aid, despite opposition from European and Middle Eastern allies who are trying to strengthen ties with Syria's new government, led by interim leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, who ousted Bashar al-Assad in December.

French photojournalist Roland Neveu witnessed the Khmer Rouge's takeover of Phnom Penh on April 17, 1975, and recalls the descent into madness that followed as the regime implemented a brutal agrarian utopia, resulting in the deaths of one in four Cambodians. Neveu, who arrived in Cambodia in 1973, experienced a brutal civil war and the forced evacuation of Phnom Penh's population, memories of which remain etched in his mind.