In other news

On an April 29 KLM flight from Uganda to Amsterdam, Oklahoma cardiologist Dr. TJ Trad treated a passenger with severe chest pain using medications and ECG devices he’d carried from a medical mission, including a pocket-sized KardiaMobile card for continuous arrhythmia monitoring. He stabilized the patient, advised against diverting the flight, and coordinated care with a nurse and crew until landing, where an ambulance met the plane. The hospital later found no heart attack, which Trad believes may be due to timely in-flight treatment. The episode was especially personal for Trad, who survived his own heart attack last year and now always carries the portable ECG.

A powerful tornado struck the St. Louis area on Friday, leaving multiple people dead and causing severe destruction. In a brief on-the-ground report, CNN’s Julia Vargas Jones surveys damaged neighborhoods where residents describe extreme damage, including an entire floor torn off a nearby building. Local authorities are assessing the toll as recovery efforts begin.

CNN reports that former FBI Director James Comey deleted an Instagram post showing seashells arranged as “86 47” after Republicans claimed it was a threat against former President Donald Trump (the 47th president). The segment, reported by John Miller, examines the interpretation of the post and the ensuing political backlash.

Ten inmates escaped from a New Orleans jail by breaching a wall behind a toilet, and authorities believe they may have had outside assistance. As of Friday, three have been recaptured while seven remain at large, according to the local sheriff. CNN’s Isabel Rosales reported on the ongoing search.

Former FBI Director James Comey was escorted to the Secret Service’s Washington Field Office for an interview after posting an Instagram photo showing seashells arranged as “86 47,” a phrase interpreted by some as advocating removing President Donald Trump from office. Comey deleted the post following criticism from Republicans. The Secret Service is investigating the social media post, according to law enforcement sources.

Fareed Zakaria examines claims amplified by former President Trump that White South Africans, particularly Afrikaners, face systemic discrimination and political violence warranting refugee status in the U.S. He notes a recent arrival of dozens of Afrikaners as “refugees” but fact-checks Trump’s narrative, highlighting a lack of evidence for targeted, state-sanctioned persecution of Whites in South Africa. While acknowledging crime and social challenges affecting many South Africans, Zakaria emphasizes that data do not support the portrayal of Whites as uniquely victimized or under organized attack, framing the refugee claims as politically charged rather than evidence-based.

A northwest Georgia community that overwhelmingly supported Donald Trump is now rallying to stop the deportation of local residents after a teen was mistakenly arrested and subsequently detained by ICE, CNN’s Dianne Gallagher reports. The segment highlights the unintended consequences of immigration enforcement on the community and its efforts to reverse the teen’s detention.

RFK Jr., as HHS secretary in Trump’s second term, has assembled a leadership team of COVID-era contrarians—dubbed “renegades”—including FDA’s Marty Makary, NIH’s Jay Bhattacharya, and CMS’s Mehmet Oz. Backed by Elon Musk’s DOGE initiative, they’re driving deep cuts, layoffs, and a sweeping overhaul at HHS, intensifying a broader Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) agenda focused on “medical freedom” and chronic disease. The moves are straining the alliance between MAHA and traditional MAGA allies, with tensions over handling of measles outbreaks, tight message control by Kennedy’s deputy Stefanie Spear, and backlash to Trump’s surgeon general pick, Dr. Casey Means, for not emphasizing vaccine skepticism. Despite internal friction and being vastly outnumbered within the bureaucracy, MAHA-aligned appointees now hold key levers of power in federal health agencies, signaling a significant shift in US health policy priorities and approach.

The House Budget Committee advanced President Trump’s sweeping tax and spending bill in a 17-16 vote after weekend negotiations, with four GOP hardliners voting present. Changes addressed conservatives’ demands on Medicaid work requirements and clean energy tax credits, though hardliners say more revisions are needed. Speaker Mike Johnson plans to move the bill to the Rules Committee midweek and aims for a floor vote by Thursday, targeting passage by Memorial Day. The package includes major tax cuts and increased defense spending funded by overhauls to federal health, nutrition, and energy programs. Negotiations continue as stricter Medicaid provisions risk losing moderates, and swing-district Republicans push a SALT compromise funded by higher top tax rates—an idea hardliners resist.

An explosion outside a Palm Springs, California fertility clinic left at least one person dead and four injured, according to the FBI’s Los Angeles field office. CNN’s Jessica Dean reported on the incident; further details about the cause were not provided in the clip.

CNN’s Erin Burnett uses a whiteboard to explain why Moody’s downgraded the U.S. credit rating, highlighting the surge in national debt and its implications. The segment outlines how rising deficits, higher interest costs, and expanding debt burdens undermine fiscal stability, contributing to the downgrade and potentially raising borrowing costs for the government and consumers.

CNN’s Kaitlan Collins interviewed reality TV producer Rob Worsoff about his proposal to the Department of Homeland Security for a reality show in which immigrants would compete for U.S. citizenship. DHS confirmed the concept is in the very early stages of its vetting process.

A tornado in the St. Louis area on Friday afternoon tore roofs off buildings and caused significant damage, leaving at least five people dead and at least ten injured, according to local authorities. Video captured the moment a roof was ripped away as storms swept through the region.

CNN reports on the killing of 23-year-old Mexican influencer Valeria Márquez during a livestream, which authorities are investigating as femicide. In an interview, Jillian Peterson of The Violence Prevention Project explains that femicide is the gender-motivated killing of women, often driven by misogyny, domestic violence, and control. She notes incidents are rising due to factors like increased online harassment spilling into offline violence, normalization of aggression against women, weak enforcement and accountability, and broader social stresses that escalate intimate-partner and targeted violence.

Five years after George Floyd’s murder at 38th and Chicago, the Minneapolis intersection remains an unresolved protest site and memorial, reflecting wider national stalemates over race, justice, and policing. The city proposes redesigning the area with improved sidewalks, trees, and revitalized businesses, and has set aside a former gas station for a future memorial or community center. But residents, activists, and officials are divided over whether to reopen the streets to traffic or preserve the site as a pedestrian protest space with its makeshift shrine and raised-fist sculptures. Caretakers like Jeanelle Austin argue against “polishing” the memorial before deeper systemic change occurs. Attorney General Keith Ellison calls the site hallowed ground and warns of a national backlash, noting record-high police killings and federal retreat from reform. Despite consent decrees and pledged police changes, the City Council rejected the mayor’s $2 million planning proposal, exposing rifts between those prioritizing sacred memory and those seeking economic development, safety, and a formal, permanent memorial.

The article profiles Above the Law, a snarky legal news site that has become a hub for leaks and internal dissent after nine elite law firms pledged $1 billion in pro bono work to President Trump following his executive orders targeting the legal industry. The site’s coverage—branding the firms the “Yellow-Bellied Nine” and chronicling internal backlash, diversity rollbacks, and PR damage control—has intensified as lawyers inside firms quietly revolt or quit. Founded by David Lat and written by lawyer-journalists like Joe Patrice, Above the Law frames the firms’ concessions as capitulation to “pro bono payola,” while noting that prominent conservative legal figures also oppose Trump’s pressure campaign. Firms have largely declined public comment, insisting their values remain intact, even as Above the Law continues to publish leaks, emails, and satirical takedowns that law firm leaders fear and associates ravenously read.

The FDA granted full approval to Novavax’s Covid-19 vaccine (Nuvaxovid) but restricted its use to adults 65+ and people 12+ with at least one high-risk medical condition, sharply limiting access for healthy individuals under 65. The decision, unusual because it sets health criteria typically determined by the CDC’s advisory panel, may affect insurance coverage and off-label use. FDA also required additional safety studies, including potential heart-related risks, one of which could be costly and lengthy. The move signals a more restrictive stance on Covid vaccines under current leadership and drew criticism from vaccine experts and clinicians who say it could hinder protection for many, including those preferring Novavax’s non-mRNA platform. Novavax called the approval a milestone; a pediatric study is underway.

House Republicans narrowly advanced President Trump’s tax-and-spending bill out of the Budget Committee after four conservative holdouts switched to “present,” allowing a 17–16 procedural win. The measure would make the 2017 tax cuts permanent, eliminate taxes on tips and overtime, boost military and immigration funding, and offset part of its $3.8 trillion/10-year cost with cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, education, and clean energy subsidies. Conservatives secured commitments to accelerate Medicaid work requirements and further roll back Inflation Reduction Act clean energy credits, but say deeper Medicaid cuts are still needed. The bill faces major hurdles in the Rules Committee and on the House floor, including pushback from moderates seeking SALT relief and from Republicans representing clean-energy districts. Speaker Mike Johnson aims for a House vote before Memorial Day.

Senior Lt. Kateryna, Ukraine’s only female combat pilot, is challenging entrenched gender stereotypes in the military as the country seeks more soldiers amid its war with Russia. Despite a 2018 law opening combat roles to women and a 20% rise in female service members since 2022, women still face sexism and limited opportunities; only 5,500 of about 70,000 serve in combat roles. Kateryna, the lone woman in her flight school class, now flies Mi-8 missions as a co-pilot and navigator, often in a high-risk radio relay role. She prepares routes, navigates low-altitude flights, and has completed over 30 combat missions, earning respect from peers while ignoring sexist remarks and coping with inadequate gear tailored to men. She mentors aspiring female pilots online and hopes more women will follow, believing her presence helps dismantle stereotypes in Ukraine’s armed forces.

The author contrasts Europe’s resurgence of sleeper and high-speed trains—driven by climate concerns, comfort, and strong public investment—with the U.S.’s entrenched car and air dependence, underfunded rail, and distraction by flashy, low-capacity tech projects like Hyperloop and supersonic jets. Citing declines in driver happiness and America’s habit of widening highways instead of expanding proven mass transit, the piece argues that robust, well-funded rail offers social, environmental, and practical benefits. It urges the U.S. to rediscover trains as scalable, community-building infrastructure that can rival short-haul flights and reconnect the country.

The op-ed argues that President Trump’s planned overhaul of the State Department, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, would gut America’s “soft power” by crippling the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor. Proposed cuts include eliminating key offices, shrinking staff, narrowing annual human rights reports by dropping sections on elections, assembly, gender-based violence, privacy, and targeted violence, and dismantling the Human Rights and Democracy Fund. The author, former head of the bureau, warns this will sideline human rights in U.S. foreign policy, weaken support for activists, and reduce credible reporting, ultimately ceding ground to authoritarian models from Russia and China. He urges Congress to block the changes and preserve the bureau as a core instrument of U.S. influence and values.

Warsaw’s liberal mayor, Rafal Trzaskowski of Civic Platform, narrowly led the first round of Poland’s presidential election with about 30.8% of the vote, ahead of Law and Justice–backed Karol Nowrocki at 29.1%, according to exit polls. With no majority, they face a June 1 runoff. Two far-right candidates combined for roughly 21%, suggesting a difficult path for Trzaskowski as right-wing votes exceed half overall. Though largely ceremonial, the presidency wields veto power, making the race pivotal for Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s efforts to reverse Law and Justice’s policies on the judiciary, media, and rights. The winner will succeed conservative President Andrzej Duda, who has frequently blocked Tusk’s agenda.

A rare dust storm swept across central Illinois into Chicago on Friday, rapidly reducing visibility to near zero on major highways and at Midway Airport, and prompting the first-ever dust storm warning for Chicago from the National Weather Service’s Romeoville office. Triggered by thunderstorm-driven winds up to 70 mph over exceptionally dry soils (2–5% moisture), the haboob formed near Bloomington and reached downtown Chicago by early evening, turning skies brown and briefly “day into night.” Dust storms are uncommon in the region, with the last significant Chicago impacts dating to the 1930s and a deadly central Illinois event in 2023. Officials emphasized the rarity of such conditions and the role of severe drought and strong outflow winds.

Officials identified 25-year-old Guy Edward Bartkus of Twentynine Palms as the suspect in Saturday’s bombing outside a Palm Springs fertility clinic and say he likely died in the blast. Authorities are treating it as an act of terrorism and are probing writings and an online audio recording, apparently in Bartkus’s voice, espousing nihilistic, anti-procreation views and announcing intent to target an IVF clinic. Investigators are not seeking additional suspects and report no ongoing threat. The explosion damaged several downtown blocks, injured four people with minor wounds, and left a large debris field. Bartkus’s father described him as impressionable, with a history of tinkering with explosives and past behavioral issues. Experts say the ideology involved is fringe and can attract socially isolated individuals. Patients expressed shock at the clinic being targeted.

The Trump administration agreed to settle litigation and abandon efforts to ban forced-reset triggers, a device that enables semiautomatic firearms to fire at near–machine gun speeds. The Justice Department, led by Attorney General Pam Bondi, framed the move as protecting Second Amendment rights while noting the settlement includes some gun-safety provisions, such as preventing sales for pistols. The decision follows the Supreme Court’s 2024 ruling striking down the federal bump stock ban, though the Biden administration had pursued a separate ban on forced-reset triggers after a Texas judge invalidated it. Gun safety advocates criticized the settlement as enabling “virtual machine guns” and increasing public danger.

India and Pakistan’s most intense clashes in decades ended in a military draw but a strategic setback for India, highlighting the limits of force in a nuclearized rivalry shaped by terrorism, nationalism, and great-power competition. India’s strikes after a deadly attack in Kashmir aimed to impose costs on Pakistan’s proxy warfare, but escalation risks, nuclear deterrence, and Pakistan’s military-driven politics make decisive victory unlikely. Both governments’ hardened, religious-nationalist stances constrain diplomacy, while U.S. support tilts toward India and China backs Pakistan. India’s rise and focus on countering China clash with the persistent distraction of Pakistan, leaving New Delhi oscillating between punitive measures and restraint, without a durable path to resolve a 78-year conflict that asymmetric tactics and domestic politics perpetuate.

Britain’s right-wing tabloids and Conservative figures are branding Keir Starmer’s planned EU rapprochement as a “surrender summit,” reviving Brexit-era tropes of betrayal and loss of sovereignty. Despite public regret over Brexit and potential strategic benefits of closer EU ties, hostile media and pressure from Reform UK and the Conservative right are constraining Starmer’s agenda and messaging. Sensational coverage—often exaggerating EU demands—echoes past misleading stories and taps nationalist nostalgia. With the right fragmented and Farage resurgent, Starmer is proceeding cautiously, rejecting reentry into the single market or customs union while seeking modest cooperation, aware that any concessions will be politically weaponized.

The Philippines has rapidly expanded its missile capabilities, transitioning from having none a few years ago to fielding a diverse arsenal sourced from the US, Israel, South Korea, France, and India, including BrahMos cruise missiles and interest in US systems like HIMARS and Typhon. Recent Balikatan exercises showcased Philippine and US missile deployments, including anti-ship, surface-to-air, and land-attack systems, with potential acquisitions to follow. Supporters see this as strengthening deterrence and control of key sea lanes near Taiwan; critics warn it heightens escalation risks and makes the Philippines a target for major powers with advanced counterstrike capabilities.

China Construction Bank (Asia) in Hong Kong is investigating unauthorized Faster Payment System (FPS) transfers after a client, Ms. Chen, lost HK$20,000 to an Ant Bank account under a mainland name. Three additional attempted transfers totaling HK$30,000 were blocked. Chen, who says she never used FPS, was told to file a police report; authorities noted FPS breaches are rare and said the bank should liaise with Ant Bank to recover funds. Chen expressed frustration over limited explanations and slow updates, while experts suggest hacking may be involved.

China will impose a 75% anti-dumping duty on US imports of polyformaldehyde copolymers, a widely used engineering plastic, despite a recent 90-day tariff truce with the US. Imports from the EU, Japan, and Taiwan will face duties of 32.6–35.5%. China’s Ministry of Commerce said these regions dumped the material, harming domestic industry. The plastic, a metal alternative used in autos, electronics, consumer goods, construction, and pharma, is central to manufacturing, signaling potential re-escalation of trade tensions.

China is combining incentives with strong penalties to bolster military ranks and deter service evasion. A Jiangxi county publicized sanctions on a 20-year-old, Liu, who quit after voluntarily enlisting and being assigned to the armed police: he was expelled, fined 38,000 yuan, barred from civil service and state-owned enterprise jobs, and restricted for two years from overseas travel, study, starting a business, or accessing preferential loans. Authorities say the measures reinforce the seriousness of military service as China tightens recruitment rules.

Chinese researchers from Tianjin Navigation Instruments Research Institute and Jinan University developed a fibre-optic gyroscope using hollow optical fibres that maintains stability across a wide temperature range and achieved world-record measurement accuracy. The device enhances inertial navigation without reliance on external signals, improving resilience to interference for military and civilian applications such as aircraft, ships, oil platforms, and autonomous systems. It advances interferometric fibre-optic gyroscope (IFOG) performance by leveraging light-based sensing rather than mechanical parts.

China’s booming live-entertainment scene is spurring domestic tourism and spending, as fans travel across cities for concerts and festivals. With tickets scarce and resale prices high, many opt for bundled packages that include tickets, hotels, and transport—seen in Hong Kong shows like Jimmy O. Yang and Coldplay and mirrored across the mainland. Local governments and businesses are leveraging the trend to boost consumption by pairing event access with discounted hotels, dining, and tourist attractions; examples include half-price entry to Chengdu’s Qingchengshan with concert tickets. This “gig tourism” aligns with Beijing’s push to stimulate domestic demand amid uncertain exports.

Hong Kong’s Financial Secretary Paul Chan said the city’s IPO market remains active despite US-China trade tensions, with rising bank deposits and a stock market rebound. After a sharp April slump triggered by tariff announcements, the Hang Seng Index recovered to 23,345, up about 16% and outperforming major global markets. Chan emphasized leveraging Hong Kong’s unique advantages, staying open, and aligning with mainland policies to achieve high-quality development amid global uncertainty.

China is investing heavily in digitizing museums and cultural heritage to build a “cultural superpower,” using technologies like 3D scanning, AI, and VR to make history interactive and appealing to younger audiences. A standout example is a digital Tangut princess at Dafo Temple in Zhangye, Gansu, which embodies Beijing’s narrative of historical ethnic integration. Despite economic and geopolitical pressures, China continues funding cultural projects to preserve history, boost national pride, advance tech innovation, and enhance soft power—contrasting with declining cultural heritage funding in countries like the United States.

Around 40 fans gathered before dawn at Malaysia’s Zoo Negara to bid farewell to giant pandas Fu Wa and Feng Yi, who departed after 11 years to return to China under the panda loan programme. The pair arrived in 2014 to mark 40 years of Malaysia-China relations and produced three offspring during their stay. Despite no official ceremony, supporters from across the region assembled from 5am, waving and documenting the pandas’ 7:15am departure to Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

Ahead of a London summit to reset UK-EU relations, negotiators remain divided over easing travel for students, young workers, and tourists. The EU wants the UK to join Erasmus+, but Britain has offered a narrower youth mobility plan amid domestic concerns about immigration. The impasse is delaying agreement on related measures, including touring rights for UK artists and allowing Britons to use EU e-gates. While a travel deal is still possible, it may be limited; Prime Minister Keir Starmer signaled some flexibility, saying youth mobility is not the same as freedom of movement.

An Indian climber, Subrata Ghosh, and a Filipino climber, Philipp Santiago, died on Mount Everest this week amid the busy spring climbing season. Ghosh died Thursday just below the summit while descending; Santiago, 45, died Wednesday at Camp 4 while preparing to summit. Their bodies remain on the mountain, with expedition organizers undecided about retrieval due to the difficulty and cost, especially in the high-risk “death zone.” The deaths follow several recent fatalities in the Himalayas, highlighting the dangers of the region during peak climbing months. Nepal has issued over 1,000 climbing permits this season.

Eight people aged 22–40 were shot dead by unidentified gunmen at a tavern in Umlazi, Durban, late Friday. Two victims were women. Police found the victims in a pool of blood and have launched a manhunt; the motive is under investigation. The attack highlights South Africa’s high gun violence and murder rate—about 75 murders daily—with widespread illegal firearms and frequent mass shootings linked to gangs and alcohol.

Patrick Lutts Jr., wanted in Orlando, Florida, for a 1998 drunk-driving crash that killed two teenagers, was arrested in Toronto in February under Canada’s Extradition Act after living openly there for 21 years without legal status. An anonymous tip in late 2023 led authorities to his location; surveillance confirmed he resided in a Toronto high-rise. Lutts allegedly had a blood alcohol level over three times the legal limit in the fatal crash and was later linked to another impaired driving incident in Connecticut in 2002 before disappearing after missing a 2003 court hearing. He is set to appear in a Toronto court later this month.

Calligraphy created by Korean independence activist Ahn Jung-geun while awaiting execution in 1910 is setting auction records in South Korea, driven by efforts of wealthy buyers to repatriate historic works. Ahn, who assassinated Japan’s former prime minister Ito Hirobumi in 1909 and was executed by Japanese authorities, produced hundreds of calligraphic pieces in prison—often at the request of Japanese officials who preserved them. Recently surfaced works, including “Green Bamboo,” have fetched high prices, with one selling for 940 million won and a previous record at 1.95 billion won. The pieces, emphasizing values like integrity and peace, highlight historical contradictions: while Japan labeled Ahn a terrorist, some preserved his work out of cultural respect. South Korean families and firms are acquiring the pieces to share publicly, with potential donations to national institutions.

Chris Brown was arrested in England on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm in connection with an alleged February 2023 attack at London’s Tape nightclub, where producer Abe Diaw claims Brown hit him with a bottle and then punched and kicked him. Police detained a 36-year-old at a Manchester hotel; under U.K. law, suspects aren’t named before charges. Diaw has filed a £12 million ($16 million) lawsuit. Brown’s representatives haven’t commented. The singer, who has a history of legal issues, is set to begin an international tour next month.

Mexican influencer Valeria Márquez, 23, was shot dead during a TikTok livestream at a beauty salon in Zapopan, Jalisco. Minutes before, she voiced fear after two men—one posing as a delivery driver—arrived with a “very expensive” gift and asked for her by name. Prosecutors say the shooter appeared to be a hired assassin who did not know her, fitting a pattern of motorcycle “sicario” attacks common in the cartel-dominated region. Authorities are probing links to the same-day killing of a former congressman nearby. The case has spotlighted Mexico’s femicide crisis and growing violence against influencers amid pervasive impunity. President Claudia Sheinbaum pledged cooperation in the investigation; TikTok removed Márquez’s account.

Thai police arrested Abbot Phra Thammachiranuwat of Wat Rai Khing for allegedly embezzling over 300 million baht (about $9 million) from the temple’s donation-funded accounts and funneling the money into an illegal online baccarat gambling network. He faces corruption and malfeasance charges; a second suspect was also arrested, and more involvement is being probed. Reports say the abbot has left the monkhood. The case, involving one of Bangkok’s prominent temples, has sparked social media backlash and renewed scrutiny of temple finances, with some donors pledging to support secular charities instead.

Paris unveiled a memorial honoring LGBTQ+ victims of the Nazi regime and broader historical persecutions. The steel star sculpture by artist Jean-Luc Verna, placed near Bastille, symbolizes remembrance and vigilance against ongoing discrimination, with one dark side casting a shadow and a reflective silvery side signifying changing times. Mayor Anne Hidalgo emphasized historical recognition to prevent repetition of atrocities. Historians estimate 5,000–15,000 people were deported for being gay during WWII; France formally acknowledged these crimes in 2005. Officials linked the memorial’s timing to contemporary setbacks in LGBTQ+ rights, citing restrictive U.S. policies under President Trump and Hungary’s moves to curb LGBTQ+ public events.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will visit the White House on May 21 to “reset” U.S.-South Africa relations amid a controversy over the Trump administration’s decision to grant refugee status to a first group of 59 Afrikaners. U.S. officials claim Afrikaners face egregious discrimination and threats, while South Africa’s government denies racially motivated persecution and rejects the characterization, with Ramaphosa calling those emigrating “cowardly.” The backdrop includes a new South African law allowing land seizure without compensation in limited public-interest cases, which critics say targets White landowners, and a Trump executive order prioritizing Afrikaner resettlement despite broader refugee program freezes. Tensions are heightened by U.S. political figures framing farm attacks and land policy as “White genocide,” a claim South Africa disputes.

At least 25 people were killed and dozens injured after tornadoes hit Kentucky and Missouri, leaving about 140,000 without power. Kentucky reported 18 deaths, while seven died in Missouri, including five in St Louis, where widespread building damage, collapsed structures, and downed power lines were reported. Authorities imposed curfews and conducted house-to-house searches. The storms also affected Illinois, with further severe weather possible in northern Texas. Officials expect the death toll to rise as rescue efforts continue.

Cassie Ventura, testifying as the star witness in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ New York criminal trial, said she would return a $20m settlement if it meant undoing the “humiliating” drug-fueled “freak off” sex sessions she alleges she was coerced into. She rejected defense claims her accusations are financially motivated. Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to racketeering, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution. Defense attorneys presented texts to argue the relationship was toxic but not criminal, while prosecutors highlighted surveillance footage of Combs assaulting Ventura in 2016 and evidence seized at his arrest. Additional testimony included singer Dawn Richard alleging she saw Combs assault Ventura in 2009 and a Homeland Security agent detailing cash, drugs, and baby oil found in Combs’ hotel room. More prosecution witnesses are expected next week.

A severe avalanche on the Eiger in the Swiss Alps around midday Saturday swept away seven people on a ski tour, killing two—one at the scene and another later in hospital. At least eight people were on the mountain; one was unaffected. Five others were flown to hospital for treatment. Authorities have launched a large-scale rescue operation and are investigating. The Eiger, near Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, and Wengen, is renowned for its challenging north face.

An explosion near the American Reproductive Centers fertility clinic in Palm Springs killed one person and injured four, with the FBI calling it an intentional act of terrorism and investigating whether it was domestic or international. The blast, believed to have originated in or near a vehicle, damaged several buildings but did not harm clinic staff or compromise its lab, eggs, or embryos. Authorities identified a person of interest but are not actively searching for them. Local, state, and federal agencies are coordinating the response as the investigation continues.

The article offers a rare glimpse inside Air Force One’s press cabin while detailing a potential shift to a new presidential jet. The current VC-25As (modified 747-200Bs), in service since 1990 with Jackie Kennedy’s iconic livery, are aging and costly to maintain. Although two new Boeing replacements are delayed and over budget, Donald Trump is intrigued by Qatar’s offer of a lavish $400m 747-8 as a gift. Converting a foreign aircraft for U.S. presidential use would be complex and expensive—potentially $1bn and years of work—to add in-flight refueling, hardened communications, and EMP protection; Trump could theoretically waive some security upgrades. The piece also recounts Air Force One’s historic role and Trump’s use of the aircraft as a political stage, underscoring that despite its prestige, its core purpose is as a secure flying command post rather than a luxury craft.

Moody’s downgraded the U.S. sovereign credit rating from AAA to Aa1, citing a decade-plus rise in federal debt and interest burdens that now exceed peers, and projecting debt to reach about 134% of GDP by 2035 (up from 98% last year). The move follows earlier downgrades by Fitch (2023) and S&P (2011), ending the U.S.’s last remaining top rating. Moody’s noted the U.S. still has strong credit strengths, including economic resilience and the dollar’s reserve status, but warned higher borrowing costs and default risk are more likely. The White House criticized Moody’s response to recent fiscal trends. The downgrade came amid weak Q1 economic data and congressional setbacks for a major spending bill.

Ten inmates, several facing murder charges, escaped New Orleans’ Orleans Parish Jail around midnight and were discovered missing at an 08:30 headcount. Authorities suspect an inside job, noting “clean cuts” on metal bars and messages left by escapees, including “To Easy LoL.” The inmates allegedly removed a sliding cell door, ripped out a toilet, broke through a wall, climbed down, and fled across a highway. One escapee, Kendall Myles, was recaptured using facial recognition and charged with simple escape; nine remain at large and are considered armed and dangerous. Police warn the escapees may be out of uniform and say anyone who assisted will face charges. The FBI and U.S. Marshals are aiding the manhunt.

The UK and EU will hold their first bilateral summit since Brexit, aiming to reset relations amid shared security concerns over Russia, China, Ukraine, and uncertainty about US commitments. Expected outcomes include: a joint declaration on foreign policy priorities (support for Ukraine, pressure on Russia, Gaza concerns); a non-binding EU-UK defence and security pact; and a limited package to ease post-Brexit trade frictions. Key trade items focus on a plant and animal health (SPS) deal to reduce checks, likely requiring UK alignment with future EU rules and ECJ oversight—politically sensitive in the UK and potentially complicating US trade ambitions. France and other EU fishing nations are pressing for long-term fishing rights as the current deal expires next year. Mobility measures are set to include mutual recognition of professional qualifications and easier touring for UK musicians, while talks continue on a youth mobility scheme (dubbed YES), with the UK pushing to limit numbers amid domestic migration pressures. The UK also seeks progress on chemicals/pharma trade, energy market simplification, carbon border cooperation, illegal migration, and access to EU criminal databases—though Brussels resists granting database access to a non-EU state. Defence talks are complicated by UK hopes for access to EU rearmament contracts (SAFE) and broader industrial cooperation, with France notably hardline. Overall, both sides want visible progress but expectations are modest, constrained by UK political sensitivities and EU red lines.

A 74-year-old grandmother, Rose Docherty, was arrested in Glasgow under Scotland’s new Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Act for holding a sign near a hospital offering to talk about coercion. She rejected a formal warning and says she’s willing to go to prison, arguing her conduct wasn’t illegal and that authorities are suppressing dissenting views on abortion. The Green Party lawmaker behind the law, Gillian Mackay, says the government may expand buffer zones beyond the current 200 meters due to ongoing complaints from patients and staff. The case follows other UK incidents, including arrests for silent prayer near clinics, fueling broader concerns about free speech restrictions.

ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan has stepped aside pending a UN watchdog investigation into sexual misconduct allegations, which he denies. The move follows reports that ICC staff relayed an accusation last year, shortly before Khan sought arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas leaders over alleged war crimes. Women’s groups had urged his departure, and critics argue the scandal undermines the ICC’s credibility. Khan’s lawyers say he is cooperating fully and that the judges’ approval of warrants shows the evidence met legal standards, rejecting claims the charges were linked to the allegations. The ICC has not indicated any change to the Israel-related warrants.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised air force drills by the 1st Air Division, urging a “breakthrough in war preparation.” State media showed a MiG-29 firing what analysts say resembles a Russian-style air-to-air missile. The drills follow recent missile tests, inspections of tank and munitions plants, special operations training, and a visit to the Russian embassy, underscoring closer ties with Moscow. North Korea also condemned the U.S. for labeling it non-cooperative on counterterrorism, warning of retaliatory measures against perceived U.S. provocations.

A Fox News Digital report cites an unnamed U.N. diplomatic source alleging the United Nations’ current budget-cutting and reform push is a stalling tactic to maintain its size until after the 2026 U.S. midterms, anticipating a Democratic House that would be friendlier to the U.N. The source claims a “zero-growth” 2026 budget is already set and that talk of efficiencies is aimed at placating a potential Trump-led effort to cut funding. The U.N. Foundation denies involvement or any link to U.S. elections. Internal memos reviewed by Fox reportedly show long timelines for major restructuring and limited authority by the Secretary-General over independently governed entities. António Guterres acknowledged the 2026 budget is already with the budget committee and said deeper changes may come with the 2027 proposal, while urging “bold” reforms due to a liquidity crisis. Critics in the piece argue past reform attempts have expanded, not streamlined, the organization.

Wealthy consumers are still spending on top-tier jewelry but are increasingly selective, favoring leading brands. Richemont outperformed with strong demand for its Jewellery Maisons—Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier, and Buccellati—posting 11% Q4 growth and 8% for the year, gaining share even as rivals like LVMH saw flat or declining watch and jewelry sales. Watches remain weak, particularly in China, with Richemont’s watch sales down 13% in 2024 amid post-pandemic saturation and slower replacement cycles. Analysts note jewelry’s relative affordability vs. handbags and higher purchase frequency as tailwinds for Richemont, but warn of headwinds including a strong Swiss franc, higher gold prices, and tariffs. Richemont says it will avoid unsustainable price hikes.

Five people were killed when two helicopters collided mid-air near Eura Airport in southwestern Finland shortly after noon on Saturday. The wreckage fell in a wooded area near Kauttua. According to police, one helicopter carried two people and the other three; all were killed. Both aircraft were registered outside Finland—one in Estonia and one in Austria—and reportedly belonged to Estonian companies NOBE and Eleon. They were en route to a hobby aviation event, according to local reports. Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation is leading a joint investigation with local police, with cooperation from Finnish and Estonian authorities.

Islamic State-linked militants have carried out brutal attacks in Mozambique’s Niassa Reserve, one of Africa’s largest protected areas, killing at least 10 people, including anti-poaching scouts, with others missing and injured. A nearby safari camp raid saw beheadings and soldiers killed, displacing a village of 2,000 and forcing all conservation and tourism activities to halt. Nine conservation and safari camps have been abandoned, one destroyed, jeopardizing over two decades of work to recover lions, African wild dogs, elephants, and other species. Conservationists warn that fear and insecurity threaten the reserve’s future and call for urgent action to restore peace as the army pursues the militants.