In other news

California’s economy has overtaken Japan’s to become the world’s fourth largest, with nominal GDP of $4.1 trillion, behind the U.S., China, and Germany. Governor Gavin Newsom credited investments in people, sustainability, and innovation, noting California’s strengths in tech, entertainment, manufacturing, and agriculture. The state grew 6% in 2024, outpacing major economies. Newsom warned that the Trump administration’s tariffs threaten this progress; California has sued the federal government over the policy. Despite housing and homelessness challenges, the state’s population and tourism spending have grown, though Canadian tourism has dipped amid the tariff dispute.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Rwanda-backed M23, under the Alliance Fleuve Congo coalition, agreed to halt fighting and work toward a truce after Qatar-facilitated talks in Doha. Both sides pledged an immediate cessation of hostilities and rejection of hate speech, marking the first jointly announced commitment despite multiple failed ceasefires since 2021. The deal comes amid M23’s rapid advances capturing Goma and Bukavu, severe humanitarian impacts, and ongoing allegations of Rwandan support, which Rwanda denies. Disputes over confidence-building measures, including prisoner releases, nearly derailed talks, but Qatari pressure yielded a joint statement to continue truce efforts. Monitoring and implementation remain challenging in the volatile Kivu region.

Environmental groups condemned the SEC’s approval for Brazil-based JBS, the world’s largest meatpacker, to list on the NYSE, citing its history of links to Amazon deforestation, corruption cases, and alleged greenwashing. Critics, including NGOs and a bipartisan group of U.S. senators, argue the listing will fuel environmental harm and poses risks to investors, especially amid concerns about weakened SEC independence under Trump. JBS, whose revenues are heavily U.S.-based and which owns brands like Pilgrim’s, says the dual listing with Amsterdam will support sustainable growth and supply-chain improvements, disputing recent investigations into its deforestation controls. The SEC declined to comment. Trading could begin as early as June.

Brazilian workers, including a minor, have sued Starbucks in the U.S., alleging they were trafficked and subjected to “slavery-like” and hazardous conditions on Brazilian coffee farms supplying the company. Backed by International Rights Advocates, the plaintiffs seek compensation, while NGO Coffee Watch has asked U.S. Customs to ban imports of Brazilian coffee produced with forced labor, targeting Starbucks and other major brands. Brazil’s coffee sector leads in rescues from conditions analogous to slavery, disproportionately affecting Afro-Brazilians, including residents of quilombos. Despite periodic raids and a government “dirty list,” advocates say abuses persist in supply chains. Starbucks cites its Cafe Practices ethical sourcing program developed with Conservation International; critics argue it fails to prevent forced labor.

Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te will not attend Pope Francis’s funeral, despite earlier hopes he could, and will instead send former vice-president Chen Chien-jen as special envoy. Chen has met Francis multiple times. The choice leaves Taiwan without a serving official at the event, reflecting the Vatican’s diplomatic considerations amid its sensitive ties with China. With only 12 states recognizing Taiwan—and the Vatican its only European ally—Taipei worries that growing Vatican-China engagement could jeopardize their relations. China reiterated its claim over Taiwan and noted ongoing constructive exchanges with the Holy See.

Tanzania’s main opposition party, Chadema, says vice-chair John Heche and secretary general John Mnyika were arrested en route to a rally supporting Tundu Lissu, who refused to attend a virtual court hearing on treason charges that carry a possible death penalty. Lissu’s case, which also includes a charge of publishing false information and denies bail, follows Chadema’s disqualification from October elections after rejecting an electoral code of conduct. The party accuses President Samia Suluhu Hassan of reviving Magufuli-era repression, citing unfair elections, disqualified candidates, and a lack of electoral reforms. Protests have grown around Lissu’s detention, with Amnesty International calling for his unconditional release, amid broader concerns from rights groups and Western governments over escalating crackdowns, abductions, and killings of opposition figures.

The Trump administration has revived family detention, holding immigrant parents and children together in private prison-run facilities in Texas, despite pediatric and human rights warnings that detention harms children. The Guardian profiles a Colombian family—13-year-old Jade and her parents, Jason and Gabriela—who were detained for about three weeks at the Karnes County facility after being turned back from seeking asylum at the Canadian border and transferred by U.S. authorities. They describe fear, confusion, and inadequate conditions, with belongings confiscated and limited access to communication. Legal nonprofit RAICES reports at least 100 families detained since March, including very young children, and says many have not seen immigration judges due to Trump’s asylum restrictions. DHS claims facilities meet safety and medical standards and that detainees have final deportation orders, a point RAICES disputes. After release, the family is seeking legal status, while other families have been moved to a larger, more remote Dilley, Texas facility. Pediatric groups stress that even short detention can cause lasting psychological harm.

PEN America’s latest Freedom to Write index warns that US writers face a growing risk amid a global crackdown on free expression, with a chilling effect particularly around Israel-Palestine and other politically sensitive topics. The report, covering 2024, records a sixth consecutive annual rise in imprisoned writers worldwide to 375 (up from 339). China remains the top jailer with 118, followed by Iran with 43; Israel ranks fifth with 21, including eight in administrative detention. PEN flags concern over emerging threats in the US—citing detentions of foreign students and pressures on academia—and predicts US cases may appear in next year’s index. The group warns that any US retreat from defending free speech could worsen conditions for writers globally.

A roundup of five viral Chinese stories: Doctors removed a 100-gram gold bar swallowed by an 11-year-old boy in Suzhou; a Hunan woman, Wang Ting, won praise for repaying her late boyfriend’s 600,000-yuan debt and caring for his parents for nine years even after remarrying; and a wife who filmed her husband’s affair faces a lawsuit from the mistress seeking compensation and removal of the online video. The piece highlights the human-interest themes and legal/social debates that captured Chinese social media over the past week.

Chinese researchers developed a drone-mounted quantum magnetometer that achieved picotesla sensitivity in offshore tests, enabling detection of magnetic anomalies and seabed mapping in the South China Sea. The system reportedly overcomes “blind zones” that hinder traditional optically pumped magnetometers at low latitudes, where Earth’s magnetic field is nearly parallel to the surface. With this sensitivity, China’s PLA could more accurately locate submarines and even detect their wake signatures, potentially shifting the anti-submarine warfare balance amid rising US-China tensions. The results were disclosed in a peer-reviewed paper.

A newly discovered fossil from the Early Cretaceous Yixian Formation in Liaoning, China reveals a complex dinosaur–mammal food chain. Researchers identified a juvenile theropod, Huadanosaurus sinensis (compsognathid-like), with two small mammals in its stomach: a eutherian and a gobiconodontid, the latter from a group that includes Repenomamus—known to prey on small dinosaurs. This suggests a “predator-prey loop,” where some mammals ate juvenile dinosaurs, and Huadanosaurus in turn preyed on those mammals. The eutherian appears to have been swallowed whole, indicating a powerful killing bite. The study, also describing a new species Sinosauropteryx lingyuanensis, highlights the nuanced, bidirectional predator dynamics between dinosaurs and mammals 125 million years ago.

The article explains heightened caution for Chinese travelers to the US amid strained US-China relations and updated travel advisories. Beijing has issued warnings citing deteriorating economic ties and domestic security concerns in the US. Several Western countries have also updated advisories after reports of denials or detentions at the US border. US CBP data show an overall drop in overseas visits in March, with sharp declines from Germany and Britain; Chinese arrivals dipped slightly (0.8%) to 115,151. Travelers are advised to expect routine but possibly intensive questioning, prepare necessary documents and additional information, and be ready at the border. A Chinese parent planning to accompany his daughter to US high school anticipates increased scrutiny.

Experts say Hong Kong can help mainland Chinese tech firms expand globally by offering strong financing, international market access, and commercialization support amid US-China tensions. During a visit to Zhejiang, Hong Kong leader John Lee met Hangzhou’s “Six Little Dragons” — including AI firm DeepSeek, Manycore Tech, Game Science, Deep Robotics, Unitree Robotics, and BrainCo — and pledged support for their entry into Hong Kong. Observers add that bringing these firms to the city would bolster Hong Kong’s R&D ecosystem and its ability to turn research into market-ready products.

The US is reinforcing the “first island chain” strategy—spanning Okinawa, Taiwan, and the Philippines—by deploying B-1B strategic bombers to Misawa, Japan, and positioning additional launch platforms and missile systems across the region. This buildup aims to constrain China’s military access to the Pacific and signal sustained US commitment to Indo-Pacific allies, especially as the Trump administration appears to scale back engagement in Europe and NATO. Analysts say the moves are intended to deter Beijing and underscore that any perceived US retrenchment in Europe does not extend to Asia.

Indonesia signaled careful neutrality by pledging “balanced and constructive” ties with both the US and China after its first 2+2 foreign and defense dialogue with Beijing, held to mark 75 years of relations. Analysts say the move strengthens Jakarta’s diplomatic leverage and preserves strategic flexibility amid US-China rivalry, positioning Indonesia as a potential mediator and communication channel between the two powers. The mechanism complements similar dialogues Indonesia has with France, Japan, and Australia.

Army Cpl. Albert J. Estrada, a 17-year-old U.S. soldier missing since the 1950 Battle of Chosin Reservoir in the Korean War, has been accounted for 75 years later, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced. Estrada was reported missing on Dec. 6, 1950, and presumed dead in 1953. His remains, likely among those returned by North Korea in Operation Glory or later transfers, were recently identified; full details will be released later. Estrada earned multiple honors, including the Purple Heart. His siblings had long advocated for his identification.

Five former members of Canada’s 2018 world junior hockey team—Dillon Dube, Carter Hart, Michael McLeod, Cal Foote, and Alex Formenton—pleaded not guilty to sexual assault charges in a London, Ontario court, with McLeod facing an additional charge of being a party to the offense. A jury of 14 plus two alternates was selected, and an eight-week trial is set to begin Wednesday. The charges stem from an alleged June 2018 incident after a Hockey Canada gala. The case follows a 2022 lawsuit settled by Hockey Canada and revelations of secret funds used to pay assault and abuse claims. London police reopened their investigation in 2022; the NHL’s separate probe remains pending until the legal case concludes. None of the defendants currently has an active NHL contract.

The European Commission fined Apple €500 million for preventing app developers from directing users to cheaper options outside the App Store and fined Meta €200 million for forcing Facebook and Instagram users to choose between ads or a paid, ad-free service. Issued under the Digital Markets Act, the decisions require changes within 60 days or risk further penalties. Both companies plan to appeal, arguing the EU is unfairly targeting U.S. firms. The Meta case centers on consent for personalized ads under EU privacy rules; a newer “fewer personalized ads” option is under review. The actions reflect the EU’s broader push to curb Big Tech’s gatekeeper power.

A 22-year-old inmate named John Kennedy Javier Sebastian escaped from Lima’s overcrowded Lurigancho prison by scaling internal and external walls topped with razor wire. Serving a 10-year theft sentence since 2023, he was filmed shouting religious exclamations as he fled to a main road amid gunshots and barking dogs. The prison warden was dismissed, security was reinforced, and a manhunt launched. It was the facility’s first escape since 2017, occurring amid a broader crime surge in Peru and ongoing security concerns noted by U.S. authorities.

A global coral bleaching event that began in 2023 has become the worst on record, with 84% of the world’s reefs affected, surpassing the 2014–2017 event. Driven by record ocean heat linked to climate change, prolonged high temperatures force corals to expel symbiotic algae, turning them white and increasing mortality risk. The crisis spans the Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic oceans, and NOAA has expanded its alert scale due to escalating severity. While restoration and rescue efforts exist, scientists stress that cutting greenhouse gas emissions—especially from fossil fuels—is essential to protect reefs, which support about 25% of marine species and safeguard coastlines and livelihoods.

Israeli authorities recovered the remains of Barak Tzach, a father of four in his 40s, two days after he was fatally attacked by a shark off Hadera on Israel’s Mediterranean coast. Tzach had entered the water with snorkeling gear to film sharks in an area known for gatherings of endangered dusky and sandbar sharks, which attract crowds despite a swimming ban. Recent videos showed people swimming near and interacting with the sharks, prompting official warnings. This is Israel’s third recorded shark attack and the first fatality since the 1940s. Beaches nearby were closed as police and rescue teams conducted searches using underwater cameras. Global data indicates shark attacks, especially fatal ones, declined last year.

Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is set to save about $150 billion—far short of the $1–$2 trillion he promised—while new costs from mass firings, rehiring, legal battles, and lost productivity could erase much of those savings. A nonprofit estimates workforce disruption will cost upwards of $135 billion this fiscal year, and cuts at the IRS could reduce 2026 revenue by $8.5 billion amid tens of thousands of departures. Courts have reversed many terminations, forcing paid leave and rehiring at full pay. Critics say Musk’s rapid, legally flawed approach—mirroring his Twitter layoffs—has gutted critical functions, from HIV and Ebola programs to nuclear security and IRS enforcement, and risks long-term damage. The White House defends the effort as “monumental” savings and necessary efficiency, but public approval of Musk’s handling of DOGE is low.

After backlash from scientists and lawmakers, federal officials said they will fully restore funding to the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI), a landmark, decades-long study that has reshaped women’s health care. The WHI, which began in the 1990s and enrolled over 160,000 women, produced pivotal findings—most notably that combined hormone replacement therapy increases risks of breast cancer, heart attacks, strokes, and clots—leading to major changes in clinical guidelines and an estimated $35 billion in health care savings. Other WHI trials examined low-fat diets and calcium/vitamin D supplementation, influencing recommendations on cancer and fracture prevention. Officials at HHS and NIH pledged immediate steps to ensure continuity after earlier plans to end regional center contracts drew criticism. Researchers emphasized the ongoing value of tracking the now-elderly cohort (ages 78–108) to advance understanding of healthy aging, mobility, cognition, and disease risk, noting the WHI’s critical role in correcting the historic underrepresentation of women in clinical research.

Israel’s military admitted it mistakenly fired tank shells at a U.N. guesthouse in Deir al Balah, Gaza, on March 19, killing Bulgarian staffer Marin Valev Marinov and wounding six others, after initially denying involvement. It was the second recent acknowledgment of wrongful attacks on aid workers; Israel also conceded “professional failures” in a late-March incident where Israeli forces fired on a convoy of ambulances, fire trucks, and a U.N. vehicle near Rafah, killing 15 humanitarian workers, leading to the dismissal of a deputy unit commander. The U.N., which says at least 285 of its staff have been killed in Gaza and that Israel has repeatedly struck marked facilities and vehicles, welcomed increased transparency but demanded broader accountability and adherence to international humanitarian law. Israel said the U.N. site was misidentified amid perceived enemy presence and pledged further investigation and preventive measures.

Mahathir Mohamad, nearing 100, reflects on a polarizing legacy marked by Malaysia’s rapid economic transformation and hard-edged politics. Twice prime minister for a total of 24 years, he modernized the economy and built symbols like Putrajaya and the Petronas Towers, yet faces enduring criticism for authoritarian tactics, cronyism, race-centered policies favoring Malays, and inflammatory remarks about Jews. He defends himself as a strong but not dictatorial leader and frames his anti-Israel comments as political critique, not antisemitism. Still active and influential, he works daily, emphasizes discipline and health, and remains intent on shaping Malaysia’s future—while expressing regret about his 2003 retirement and pride in his late-career return to oust Najib Razak amid the 1MDB scandal.

A group of young cybercriminals, some connected via a Minecraft server, executed a sophisticated social-engineering scheme in August 2024 that siphoned more than $243 million in Bitcoin from a Washington, D.C., investor by impersonating Google and Gemini security staff and coercing him into installing remote-access software. Blockchain transparency quickly drew the attention of independent crypto sleuths like ZachXBT and law enforcement. Within a week, the crime spilled into the real world: six men who had traveled from Miami attempted a violent daytime kidnapping in Danbury, Conn., targeting Sushil and Radhika Chetal, apparently linked to the heist. Swift action by witnesses, an off-duty FBI agent, and local police led to a chase, the victims’ rescue, and multiple arrests within hours, with more suspects captured the next day. The case illustrates how online crypto thefts fueled by youth-driven cybercrime networks increasingly intersect with physical violence, and how rapid cross-agency and open-source investigations can unravel even massive thefts.

President Trump signed an executive order directing NOAA to fast-track permits for seabed mining in both U.S. and international waters, bypassing the UN Law of the Sea framework that the U.S. hasn’t ratified but most nations follow. The move positions the U.S. as a leader in deep-sea mineral extraction and could enable The Metals Company to begin the first commercial-scale operations in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone, which holds vast nickel, cobalt, and manganese deposits. Supporters cite strategic mineral security amid tensions with China; critics warn of severe, poorly understood environmental impacts and note a global push for moratoriums, corporate pledges to avoid seabed minerals, and the International Seabed Authority’s unfinished rulebook. The order is likely to trigger international backlash and legal controversy over jurisdiction in international waters.

The Dominican Republic deported more than 130 Haitian women and children in a new hospital sweep targeting undocumented migrants, including 48 pregnant women and 39 new mothers. The move is part of President Luis Abinader’s broader crackdown, requiring hospitals to check patients’ immigration status and deport those without papers after treatment. Authorities said detainees were treated humanely, but medical groups called the practice inhumane, warning it will deter migrants from seeking urgent care. With an estimated 500,000 Haitians in the country and rising pressure on public services, the Dominican Republic has stepped up deportations amid escalating gang violence in Haiti, which the UN warns is nearing a “point of no return.”

Opening statements began in Harvey Weinstein’s New York retrial, where prosecutors allege the former film producer used his Hollywood power to sexually abuse three women: actress Jessica Mann, former TV assistant Miriam Haley, and former model Kaja Sokola, who says she was assaulted at 16. Assistant DA Shannon Lucey described a pattern of luring women to purported business meetings and then forcing himself on them, saying victims stayed silent due to his influence. Weinstein, 73, has pleaded not guilty; his lawyer argued the encounters were consensual and that the women maintained contact afterward, questioning their credibility and motives. Weinstein’s 2020 New York conviction was overturned due to improper testimony; he remains convicted in California and faces a 16-year sentence there. Ongoing health issues have kept him in a hospital unit during the trial. The case, central to the #MeToo movement, could determine additional prison time even as he likely spends the rest of his life incarcerated.

Jordan banned the Muslim Brotherhood, ordering closures of its offices and confiscation of assets, after arresting 16 people allegedly plotting rocket and drone attacks. Interior Minister Mazen al-Faraya accused the group of clandestine activities threatening national security, including weapons storage and covert rocket manufacturing. The Brotherhood denied involvement and reaffirmed a peaceful approach. Police also raided the headquarters of the Islamic Action Front (IAF), the Brotherhood’s political arm and Jordan’s largest opposition bloc, though the IAF insists it is an independent, lawful party. Despite a 2020 court ruling dissolving the Brotherhood, the IAF won 31 of 138 seats in last year’s elections.

US Senior Advisor for Africa Massad Boulos told the BBC that Africa remains important to Donald Trump despite sweeping US aid cuts and new tariffs. He argued the aid freeze is to ensure efficiency and transparency, disputing direct links between cuts and reported health crises, though WHO and analysts warn of looming shortages of HIV drugs and rising poverty. Boulos said US firms are eyeing DR Congo’s critical minerals and expressed interest in Rwanda’s resources, contingent on Rwanda ending support for M23 and withdrawing from DRC. He downplayed reports of US mission closures and said tariffs have minimal net impact on most African countries, framing policy as promoting US interests and “win-win” trade. Concerns persist that Agoa may not be renewed, with countries like Lesotho exposed.

Revolut reported a record £1.1 billion ($1.5 billion) net profit for 2024, up 149% year over year, with revenue rising 72% to £3.1 billion. Growth was driven by a 298% surge in wealth unit revenue (£506 million), a 74% rise in subscriptions (£423 million), an 86% expansion of its loan book (£979 million), and a 58% increase in interest income (£790 million). The milestone comes as Revolut readies its U.K. bank launch after receiving a restricted license in July 2024; it expects full operations later this year, enabling FSCS-protected deposits and new lending products such as credit cards and personal loans. Revolut sees U.K. bank status as key to becoming users’ primary account, supporting global expansion and a future IPO, though it trails licensed rivals Monzo and Starling.

On CNBC’s “Mad Money” Lightning Round, Jim Cramer said: Buy Arista Networks, calling the stock “down way too much” and attractive around $70. He likes Uber for multi-year holding. He prefers Cintas over Vestis. He views Paycom’s sector positively. For brokers, he favors Goldman Sachs over Interactive Brokers based on valuation. He’s cautious on building materials, suggesting Martin Marietta or Vulcan over CRH. He warned investors to avoid Venture Global.

European stocks are set for a flat to mixed open as a recent relief rally cools. Futures point to a marginally higher FTSE 100, flat DAX, slightly lower CAC, and a weaker FTSE MIB. Key earnings are due from Unilever, Banco Sabadell, Sanofi, Eni, BNP Paribas and Dassault Systèmes, with data on French consumer confidence and EU car registrations ahead. Global sentiment improved Wednesday on eased U.S.-China trade tensions and reassurance that Fed Chair Jerome Powell will remain, lifting U.S. markets. However, strategists warn the rebound may be a “bear market rally,” and Deutsche Bank notes recession risks aren’t fully priced, implying potential downside if growth deteriorates.

GE Vernova CEO Scott Strazik says U.S. electricity demand is surging to levels not seen since the post–World War II industrial boom, driven by economic growth and AI-enabled data centers. He argues the country needs a major power infrastructure buildout for both economic and national security reasons. GE Vernova beat quarterly estimates and kept full-year guidance; its gas turbine orders are sold out for 2026–2027. Strazik emphasizes natural gas as essential to support data center growth and enable higher renewable penetration by stabilizing the grid.

CNN examines how Pope Francis’ simple, practical wardrobe—cream cassocks, a plain pectoral cross, and black leather shoes—made him an unlikely fashion icon and a visual symbol of his humble, reform-minded papacy. Contrasting sharply with Pope Benedict XVI’s ornate, historically referential attire, Francis’ minimalist choices signaled accessibility and a focus on pastoral mission over tradition. Media accolades (Esquire’s “Best-Dressed Man,” Rolling Stone cover) and viral culture, including a famous AI “puffer coat” image, underscored his cultural resonance. Experts note his Jesuit pragmatism shaped his understated look, which nonetheless carried meaning within papal color symbolism and reflected a modern, grounded approach to leadership.

President Trump renewed public attacks on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, saying rates are “too high” and hinting he might call Powell to push for cuts. Though he recently said he has no intention of firing Powell after advisers warned of legal and economic fallout, Trump accused Powell of being late on policy moves and suggested rate decisions may be political—claims Powell denies. The Fed has reiterated it will adjust rates only after careful review, with no emergency cuts before its May meeting. Trump argued lower rates would bolster the economy alongside incoming tariff revenues.

CNN analysis details President Trump’s return to power marked by an aggressive, fast-moving agenda that shocks Washington and accelerates conservative priorities. Inaugurated amid extreme weather and surrounded by billionaire tech and business elites, Trump delivered a combative speech framing his comeback as destiny and promising an “America First” era with unified Republican control. Despite distancing himself from Heritage’s Project 2025 during the campaign, he immediately enacted many of its themes: rescinding 78 Biden executive orders, rejoining deregulation efforts, withdrawing from the Paris climate accord, freezing some hiring, mandating federal workers’ return to offices, and signaling mass bureaucratic firings. He also issued sweeping pardons for January 6 defendants, defying calls—even from some Republicans—for case-by-case review, provoking intraparty backlash from figures like Sen. Lisa Murkowski while others defended the move. The piece portrays a second-term strategy of “shock and awe” designed to outpace opposition and legal checks, with unprecedented alignment between the White House, GOP leadership, and powerful corporate interests.

Harvard President Alan Garber told NBC News the university is suing the Trump administration to challenge actions that could freeze $2.2 billion in federal funding, saying Harvard “had no choice” but to fight back as the dispute escalates.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi urged a “trust but verify” approach as the U.S. and Iran prepare for a third round of nuclear talks, mediated by Oman. While supportive, Grossi said the IAEA hasn’t been formally asked to assist yet but is expected to verify any agreement to ensure credibility. He emphasized that Iran’s advances since the U.S. left the JCPOA—stockpiles of near-weapons-grade uranium, improved centrifuges, and missile capabilities—make a new deal more complex, with issues like enrichment levels, inventories, and potential weaponization central to negotiations. Grossi stressed that preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon is the core objective and that only verifiable inspections can build trust.

Iran has executed 1,051 people since President Masoud Pezeshkian took office in July 2024, a more than 20% rise over 2023, according to the NCRI. Despite Pezeshkian’s reformist rhetoric and openness to U.S. nuclear talks, executions—targeting drug offenders, dissidents, women, and individuals who were minors at the time of alleged crimes—have increased. Amnesty International highlights Iran’s execution of juvenile offenders, with at least 160 on death row. As the U.S. pursues renewed nuclear negotiations, Iranian opposition leaders urge conditioning any engagement on halting executions and referring Tehran’s human rights record to the U.N. Security Council. The regime is also tightening control over students and youth amid fears of unrest.

A Russian court reduced American Robert Woodland’s prison sentence from 12.5 to 9.5 years, his lawyer said, without explaining the reason. Woodland, born in Russia and adopted by U.S. parents, returned at 26 to find his birth mother and was arrested in January 2024. He was convicted in July of attempting to sell drugs after being found with 50 grams of mephedrone and has partially admitted guilt, according to Reuters. The U.S. State Department says it is monitoring the case. The reduction comes amid recent high-profile prisoner releases, including ballerina Ksenia Karelina and teacher Marc Fogel, though Woodland remains detained.

In April 1945, Sweden’s Red Cross led a covert mission known as the “White Buses,” orchestrated by Count Folke Bernadotte through secret negotiations with SS chief Heinrich Himmler. Aimed initially at freeing Scandinavian prisoners as Nazi Germany collapsed, the operation expanded to include other nationalities as front lines closed in. Amid rampant disease, mass executions, and the destruction of evidence at camps like Ravensbrück—where conditions had become catastrophic—the White Buses evacuated around 2,500 women from Ravensbrück and ultimately rescued about 15,000 people from various camps. Sweden deployed 75 vehicles, including 35 white-painted buses marked with Red Cross emblems, and 250 volunteers. Himmler, seeking leverage with the Allies, granted broad evacuation permissions in exchange for a message proposing a Western-front surrender—an offer the Allies rejected. The mission helped counter perceptions of Sweden’s wartime neutrality as pro-German and became a defining humanitarian action at the war’s end.

South Korean prosecutors indicted former president Moon Jae-in for allegedly receiving 217 million won ($150,000) in bribes tied to facilitating his then son-in-law’s appointment as a managing director at low-cost airline Thai Eastar Jet, despite his lack of qualifications. Prosecutors say the salary and benefits paid between 2018 and 2020 were effectively bribes intended for Moon, and claim the airline—linked to a former MP from Moon’s party—sought presidential favor. Moon’s party denounced the charges as politically motivated. The move intensifies South Korea’s political turmoil following ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol’s removal and impending June 3 elections, adding Moon to a list of former leaders facing legal peril in a country with a history of prosecuting ex-presidents.

The UK’s Energy Security Summit pits Labour’s push for a rapid shift to homegrown clean power against the Trump administration’s drive to expand oil and gas and weaken global climate efforts. With 60 countries attending but the US sending a lower-level official, hopes for concrete outcomes are modest. The UK aims to reduce reliance on China-dominated clean tech supply chains, announcing £300m to boost domestic wind turbine production, though China isn’t attending. Trump’s tariffs and gas export agenda complicate Europe’s energy outlook, while the UK’s own climate credibility is mixed by airport expansion and potential new North Sea drilling. The summit is largely a battle over narrative: if international bodies and allies reinforce that clean energy enhances security, the UK will claim a win.

A growing number of Iranian women are openly going without headscarves in public despite laws requiring hijab, with observers estimating 30–40% in Tehran. Richard Engel reports that enforcement by morality police has eased significantly, with women passing police and government sites unveiled and even appearing on TV without scarves—once unthinkable. The change follows widespread protests after Mahsa Amini’s 2023 death and suggests a shift in public confidence, though journalists caution the government may resume stricter enforcement depending on priorities. Yalda Hakim emphasizes the personal risk and bravery involved.