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Analyst Craig Moffett argues Apple shifting iPhone assembly to India won’t meaningfully offset China-related tariffs because most components are still made in China, and supply-chain diversification is difficult. He warns a broader trade war hurts both costs and sales, with the latter potentially more damaging. Carriers won’t absorb tariff-driven price increases, likely reducing demand via longer upgrade cycles. He also cites growing backlash in China diverting sales to local brands like Huawei and Vivo. Moffett cut his Apple price target to $141 and maintains a sell rating, stressing concerns are about valuation and macro headwinds, not Apple’s fundamentals.

Jim Cramer’s lightning round advice: Hold Arm Holdings; don’t sell. For crypto exposure, buy Bitcoin directly rather than the Strategy fund mentioned. He’s positive on BHP, saying it’s a good situation to own.

Jim Cramer says the coming week is pivotal as Big Tech earnings (Apple, Amazon, Microsoft, Meta) collide with key economic data and uncertain tariff policy. He argues trade deals are needed to cushion any earnings misses after the recent market run-up. Sector highlights: steel (Nucor) and autos (GM) are at the center of tariff/recession worries; UPS may offer tariff read-throughs; Coca-Cola momentum is in focus; Spotify’s subscription model remains attractive; Starbucks’ new CEO strategy is awaited. For industrials, Caterpillar’s outlook hinges on remaining infrastructure spending. For tech, Meta’s ad trends should mirror Alphabet’s resilience; Microsoft must show AI traction, healthy cloud, and balanced data-center spend. Apple is expected to outline a China-to-India shift amid trade tensions; Amazon remains favored despite tariff risks due to strong retail and advertising. Healthcare (Eli Lilly’s GLP-1 strength, CVS insurance) looks solid; McDonald’s benefits from value positioning. Oil majors (Chevron, Exxon) may disappoint given low crude prices. Friday’s jobs report needs to cool for Fed rate-cut hopes. Cramer underscores that trade policy outcomes could determine whether markets absorb weak prints or sell off.

Elon Musk’s AI startup xAI Holdings is in talks to raise around $20 billion, potentially more, at a valuation exceeding $120 billion, per Bloomberg. This follows xAI’s recent all-stock acquisition of social platform X, which valued xAI at $80 billion and X at $33 billion. Musk has emphasized aligning the valuation with xAI’s prospects and integrating X’s data, distribution, and talent with xAI’s AI capabilities. xAI did not comment.

Sebastian Stan said he was financially struggling before landing Bucky Barnes in 2011’s Captain America, and a $65,000 residual check from 2010’s Hot Tub Time Machine “saved” him, per a Vanity Fair profile. Since then, he’s reprised Bucky over 10 times and become a marquee star. The article also notes Josh Brolin faced similar precarity before Marvel fame; despite major 2007 roles, he was broke until unexpected backend pay from American Gangster—$600,000—arrived, turning his finances around.

A massive explosion and fire at Iran’s Shahid Rajaei port near Bandar Abbas killed five and injured over 700. Authorities blamed improperly handled hazardous chemicals stored at the port, with private security firm Ambrey linking the blast to sodium perchlorate, a solid propellant component reportedly shipped from China to replenish Iran’s missile stocks. The incident occurred as U.S.-Iran nuclear talks took place in Oman; Iranian officials did not allege an attack but noted heightened sabotage concerns. The blast caused widespread damage, including a building collapse and shattered windows miles away. An investigation is underway. The strategic port, previously hit by a 2020 cyberattack attributed to Israel, sits on the Strait of Hormuz.

Scotts Miracle-Gro CEO Jim Hagedorn said the company is largely exiting its cannabis venture after losing $2 billion, transferring those assets to a separate entity where Scotts will keep an equity stake and potential reacquisition rights if federal legalization advances. He emphasized the core gardening business is performing well, with strong promotions, effective advertising, share gains, and retailer support. Hagedorn also highlighted Martha Stewart’s impact as the company’s new “Chief Gardening Officer.”

Under President Trump, federal student loan forgiveness options have narrowed compared with the Biden era. The SAVE repayment plan is likely to be dismantled after a court block, and the Education Department has moved to end loan forgiveness features under PAYE and ICR. However, Income-Based Repayment (IBR) still leads to eventual forgiveness, and payments made under PAYE/ICR can count toward IBR forgiveness if other IBR requirements are met. Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) remains in place despite a Trump executive order aiming to limit eligibility; any changes would take time, may require Congress, and cannot be applied retroactively. Borrowers pursuing PSLF should save documentation of payment counts and employer certifications. Other federal options still available include Teacher Loan Forgiveness (up to $17,500, not combinable with PSLF), Borrower Defense for school misconduct or closure, and Total and Permanent Disability discharge. Experts also recommend exploring state-level forgiveness programs.

Tina Knowles put daughters Beyoncé and Solange in joint therapy when they were about 12 and 7 to prevent rivalry and strengthen their bond as Beyoncé’s early fame created distance. Despite family pushback, she prioritized counseling and scheduled weekly one-on-one days with each child to ensure both felt equally valued. Knowles, who grew up feeling less favored than her brother, wanted to avoid that dynamic. She says the approach made Beyoncé more sensitive and protective of Solange, and the sisters remain very close.

More than 140 members of Yale’s Class of 1984 urged Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, a classmate, to reconsider his role in the Trump administration, warning it is steering the U.S. toward authoritarianism. Their letter cites concerns over executive overreach, access to Americans’ data by Elon Musk and “DOGE cohorts,” attacks on media and institutions, immigration enforcement practices, and potential conflicts of interest linked to Trump-related meme coins and Trump Media. Bessent rejected the criticism, calling service in the administration an honor and dismissing the signatories as out-of-touch critics. The effort echoes a 2017 Yale alumni letter pressing then–Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to resign. Organizers say they seek to pressure Bessent to act as a moderating voice rather than resign.

Rwanda and the DR Congo signed a US-brokered agreement in Washington to respect each other’s sovereignty and produce a draft peace deal by 2 May, with the prospect of US-backed investments. The move comes amid intensified conflict in eastern DR Congo, where Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have seized major cities Goma and Bukavu, displacing hundreds of thousands and leaving about 7,000 dead since January. Despite commitments to peace from both DR Congo and M23 earlier this week, fighting continues; Rwanda denies supporting M23 despite UN and US assertions. The talks signal a rare step toward dialogue after years of strained relations.

The UN World Food Programme says it has exhausted all food stocks in Gaza after a seven-week Israeli blockade halted aid since 2 March. Community kitchens that have been serving around one million hot meals daily will run out of food within days, with WFP-supported bakeries already closed due to lack of flour and fuel. The UN reports rapidly worsening malnutrition—over 80 acute cases among 1,300 children screened in northern Gaza last week—alongside severe shortages of medicine, medical supplies, and fuel affecting hospitals and water systems. WFP warns food prices have surged up to 1,400% and that vulnerable groups face serious nutrition risks. It urges immediate reopening of border crossings, noting 116,000 tonnes of food are ready at aid corridors. Israel says it complies with international law, denies an aid shortage, and accuses Hamas of diverting supplies; Hamas denies this. The crisis follows the collapse of a ceasefire and renewed Israeli offensive, amid ongoing hostilities and mass displacement.

Wisconsin Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested and charged with obstruction and concealing an individual after allegedly helping an undocumented Mexican national, Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, evade arrest by federal agents at a Milwaukee courthouse. According to an FBI affidavit, Dugan argued with agents, directed some to the chief judge’s office, and then escorted Flores-Ruiz toward a jury exit; agents later apprehended him after a brief chase. Flores-Ruiz had an immigration arrest warrant and prior deportation. Dugan, released on recognizance and due in court May 15, faces up to six years if convicted. The arrest sparked partisan reactions: Democrats criticized it as an attack on judicial independence, while Republicans condemned obstruction of federal enforcement.

Tanzania has imposed an immediate ban on all agricultural imports from Malawi and South Africa in retaliation for Malawi’s recent restrictions on Tanzanian goods and South Africa’s longstanding banana ban. The move has disrupted cross-border trade at the Kasumulu border, leading to seizures, arrests, and the destruction of produce, with small traders—mostly women—suffering heavy losses. Malawian vendors say Tanzanian produce is larger, higher quality, and cheaper, but authorities have tightened enforcement, targeting small operators while larger traders allegedly continue. Tanzanian traders are also affected as their goods are blocked from entering Malawi. Diplomatic efforts are ongoing, but the standoff threatens regional commerce and complicates Malawi’s reliance on Tanzanian ports, undermining Africa’s broader free-trade ambitions.

Luigi Mangione, 26, pleaded not guilty in federal court to murder and stalking charges over the December killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Manhattan. Prosecutors filed to seek the death penalty, alleging the shooting was intended to advance an ideological message against the health insurance industry. Mangione’s defense called death penalty talk “barbaric,” raised constitutional concerns about trial order, and accused state prosecutors of eavesdropping on privileged jail calls. With three terabytes of evidence to review, the federal trial is unlikely before 2026; a scheduling hearing is set for 5 December. Mangione also faces state charges in New York and Pennsylvania. The case has sparked public debate over privatized healthcare, with some portraying Mangione as a folk hero and donating nearly $1m to his defense.

Namibia’s new president, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, announced that from 2026 public universities and technical colleges will eliminate registration and tuition fees, phasing in free higher education. Students will still cover accommodation and related costs. She said the plan would rely largely on existing subsidies and the student financial aid fund, with no significant new funding—prompting concerns about feasibility. Student groups and economists questioned the lack of detail, eligibility scope (undergraduate vs postgraduate), and potential caps on enrolment or targeting to low-income students, drawing parallels to South Africa’s limited #FeesMustFall outcomes. Primary and secondary education in Namibia is already free.

An attack by Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces on the Zamzam displacement camp near el-Fasher has forced tens of thousands to flee toward Tawila, where many are arriving dehydrated, starving, and some dying en route, according to the Norwegian Refugee Council. Survivors report extreme scarcity—people eating leaves and charcoal—and widespread violence, including rape. The UN warns of collapsing aid systems and deliberate attacks on water sources, with at least 481 killed around el-Fasher since April. The UK says RSF actions bear hallmarks of ethnic cleansing. Tawila is overwhelmed, hosting up to 150,000 people with minimal food and water, while fighting and civilian killings continue elsewhere in Sudan amid severe funding shortfalls for humanitarian aid.

A small Royal Thai Police plane crashed into the sea near Cha-am, about 130km southwest of Bangkok, during a parachute training test flight, killing all six officers on board—three pilots, an engineer, and two mechanics. The crash occurred around 08:00 local time, with five dying at the scene and one later in hospital. Investigators are analyzing the black box to determine the cause. Officials said the pilots steered the aircraft away from nearby houses toward the sea, preventing additional casualties. Photographs showed the wreckage partially submerged close to shore.

A Dutch municipality, Maashorst, says it likely threw away 46 artworks during town hall renovations, including an Andy Warhol silkscreen of former Queen Beatrix valued around €15,000. An investigation found the pieces were improperly stored—some in wheelie bins—in a basement, with no clear policies for registration, storage, or security. Officials regret the loss and say the works, collectively worth about €22,000, are unlikely to be recovered. Warhol’s Beatrix print is from his 1985 Reigning Queens series.

The US plans to impose steep anti-dumping and countervailing duties—potentially up to 3,521%—on solar cells and modules exported from Chinese-owned factories in Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Thailand, aiming to close long-used tariff workarounds. If finalized by June, the tariffs would largely block these imports, sharply raising costs and undermining Chinese firms’ competitiveness in the US market. Major players like Trina Solar and JA Solar face hundreds-percent duties. The move, prompted by complaints from Hanwha Qcells and First Solar about unfairly cheap imports, is causing manufacturers to pause expansion plans and rethink market strategies amid escalating US-China trade tensions in solar.

The article shares feng shui master Andrew Kwan’s forecasts for the fourth lunar month of the Year of the Snake starting April 28, 2025. Overall, many people may experience digestive issues and should eat lighter and practice portion control. Finances are broadly stable across signs, but speculative investments should be avoided and risk managed carefully. Work prospects vary by sign; Rats in particular see improved career opportunities if they showcase their abilities and work harder. Relationship outlooks are generally steady, with couples potentially discussing long-term plans and singles encountering promising prospects.

A miniature dachshund named Valerie was found safe after 529 days roaming Australia’s Kangaroo Island. Lost during a November 2023 camping trip, she repeatedly evaded capture, with only occasional night-camera sightings confirming she was alive. Kangala Wildlife Rescue announced her rescue and return to her owners, Georgia Gardner and Josh Fishlock, expressing relief that she can now transition back home.

China’s Central Party School is emphasizing both political indoctrination and personal health for rising officials. Alongside intensive training in Xi Jinping’s doctrine and party loyalty, cadres are receiving “life-changing” guidance on fitness, diet, and lifestyle. One mid-ranking official reported losing 15kg through structured exercise, calorie tracking, and healthier eating learned during a six-month program in Beijing. The school’s approach reflects a broader push to professionalize and discipline the bureaucracy—linking political reliability with physical well-being and work readiness—though detailed curricula remain largely opaque beyond the focus on Xi’s ideology.

Analysts urge the Philippines to collaborate with China “strategically and selectively” to mitigate risks from new U.S. tariffs amid escalating U.S.-China trade tensions. The call follows Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian’s announcement that negotiations to upgrade the China-Asean Free-Trade Agreement have concluded, aiming to strengthen regional trade ties. With the U.S. imposing steep tariffs on China and Beijing retaliating, Huang emphasized the need for Asean unity and China-Asean cooperation to safeguard free trade and maintain a stable international economic order.

Hong Kong’s education chief Christine Choi said rising Sino-US tensions may push more mainland Chinese students to apply to Hong Kong universities, as uncertainty in the US deters study there. She noted Hong Kong institutions have long attracted foreign students regardless of geopolitics, but urged a gradual increase in overseas intake while maintaining quality. Reports of over 1,000 international student visa revocations in the US and survey data showing the US as the least popular destination among Hong Kong Form Six students underscore the shift.

Hong Kong’s Trade Development Council says the US tariff war will not cripple the city’s economy because exports have diversified and exposure to US tariffs is limited. Only about half of Hong Kong’s shipments to the US face tariffs, representing roughly 3% of total exports. From 2017 to 2024, Hong Kong’s exports to the US fell 9–10% while overall exports grew 17%, reflecting reduced reliance on the US market. Despite steep cumulative US tariffs on Chinese goods, recent short-term exemptions on some electronics and Hong Kong firms’ awareness of concentration risks mitigate the impact.

China is taking a tougher line toward Donald Trump in his second term, abandoning the conciliatory, leader-to-leader engagement it tried in 2017. After Trump’s first-term tariffs and erratic behavior soured relations, Beijing now shows little interest in concessions or a Xi–Trump summit. It has responded to renewed tariffs with countermeasures, sharpened its rhetoric against U.S. “bullying,” and sought to rally regional and allied support, including outreach to Japan and South Korea. Analysts say China may still be assessing Trump’s strategy, but its firmer stance reflects hardened attitudes shaped by first-term experience.

Gree Electric chairwoman Dong Mingzhu sparked controversy after a leaked shareholders’ meeting video showed her saying the company would not hire executives educated overseas due to potential espionage risks. She argued it’s hard to distinguish spies from genuine candidates and prefers promoting leaders from domestic universities. The remarks, targeting “haigui” (overseas returnees), underscore tensions in China over foreign-educated talent versus home-grown expertise, and reflect rising security concerns in corporate hiring.

A Dutch municipality, Maashorst, likely discarded 46 artworks during a 2023 town hall renovation, including a rare 1980s Andy Warhol silkscreen of Princess Beatrix. An independent investigation found poor ownership records, lack of procedures, and mishandling during storage led to the loss. Criminal charges were filed, but officials say the works are unlikely to be recovered. The full report won’t be released to protect interviewees’ privacy.

Mexican activist Maria del Carmen Morales, 43, a member of the Guerreros Buscadores collective that searches for missing relatives, was shot dead along with her 26-year-old son, Daniel Ramirez, in Jalisco. Authorities say initial evidence suggests the attack—reportedly triggered when Morales intervened as two men on a motorcycle assaulted her son—was not linked to her activism. Morales had another son who disappeared last year. Her group’s recent discovery of remains at a suspected Jalisco cartel training site highlighted widespread forced recruitment and Mexico’s ongoing crisis of more than 120,000 missing people. The collective has called for an immediate, thorough investigation amid broader concerns over cartel violence and mass graves across the country.

Prince Harry and Meghan attended the unveiling of a New York memorial featuring 50 smartphones honoring youths who died due to harms linked to social media. Harry urged parents to keep children off social media, saying not enough is being done to protect them and calling for tech companies to share data from deceased children’s accounts with parents. Meghan emphasized setting positive examples online. Families from the U.K., including a mother whose 14-year-old died after an alleged online challenge, pressed for stronger protections and protested outside Meta. Meta cited new teen-focused protections. Harry said they’re grateful their own children are too young for social media and vowed to push for change to prevent further losses.

Russia has returned the body of Ukrainian journalist Victoria Roshchyna, 27, who disappeared in August 2023 while reporting in Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia and later died in Russian custody. Her return, part of a late-February exchange, was confirmed after multiple DNA tests due to signs of torture. Investigations say she was arrested in Energodar, held in Melitopol, then transferred to a jail in Taganrog, where she stopped eating and reportedly had knife wounds. Russia has not explained her arrest or death. Rights groups say thousands of Ukrainians are detained and tortured in occupied areas. Roshchyna, previously detained in 2022, was honored with the Courage in Journalism award; media watchdogs condemned Russia and called for a full investigation.

Ecuadorian soccer player Jackson Rodríguez’s wife and 5-year-old child were kidnapped during a home invasion in Guayaquil around 3 a.m., while Rodríguez hid under a bed, police said. The kidnappers fled in a gray pickup after confirming he wasn’t present. Police later announced both victims were rescued. The incident comes amid a state of emergency targeting organized crime in Ecuador, where violent crime has surged and high-profile gangs like Los Choneros and Los Lobos face U.S. actions. Other athletes have recently been targeted, highlighting ongoing insecurity in the country.

Thousands participated in the annual March of the Living from Auschwitz to Birkenau, marking 80 years since the camps’ liberation and honoring over one million Jews murdered there. About 8,000 people joined, including 80 Holocaust survivors—many likely for their last visit—10 recently freed Israeli hostages, and relatives of those still held in Gaza. Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Polish President Andrzej Duda addressed the gathering, with Herzog urging the return of hostages and Duda emphasizing Auschwitz’s significance to both Jews and Poles and its warning against hatred amid current conflicts. The event highlighted Jewish resilience and the renewed urgency of “never again” following the Oct. 7 Hamas attack.

Fox News reports a growing openness in Lebanon to peace with Israel following heavy Israeli blows to Hezbollah’s leadership and increased U.S. pressure under the Trump administration. With Joseph Aoun elected president in January 2025 and U.S. envoy Morgan Ortagus calling Hezbollah a “cancer” that must be removed, some Lebanese citizens and commentators say normalization is now discussable without fear. Journalist Rami Naim argues that weakened Hezbollah and strong U.S. pressure—especially a potential second Trump term—could enable a major peace deal, but insists Lebanon’s political elite must publicly endorse it and curb Hezbollah’s power. Key obstacles remain, notably the status of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon. Overall, interviews suggest war fatigue, support for neutrality, and a desire to prioritize Lebanon’s interests over Iran-backed conflicts.

A 15-year-old student was arrested after a stabbing at the private Catholic Notre-Dame-de-Toutes-Aides High School in Nantes, France, that left one student dead and three injured during lunch break. Teachers subdued the attacker before police arrived. Authorities say there is no indication of a terrorist motive. Some students reported receiving an email from the assailant earlier in the day expressing grievances. Education officials traveled to the scene, and a heavy security presence was visible.

India vowed to pursue terrorists “to the ends of the earth” after a mass shooting in Kashmir killed 26 and injured 17, largely tourists. Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledged to identify and punish attackers, their handlers, and backers. India linked the attack to Pakistan with “cross-border” ties, though offered no public evidence; Pakistan denied involvement as a group calling itself Kashmir Resistance claimed responsibility. India revoked Pakistani visas, cut diplomatic staff, and closed the key land border; Pakistan responded by closing its airspace to Indian carriers and suspending trade, condemning India’s measures. Former President Donald Trump expressed U.S. solidarity with India and condolences for victims.

Indian and Pakistani troops briefly exchanged fire along the Line of Control in Kashmir amid surging tensions after gunmen killed 26 people, mostly Indian tourists, near Pahalgam. India labeled the massacre a Pakistan-backed terror attack; Pakistan denied involvement, as a little-known group, Kashmir Resistance, claimed responsibility. In response, India suspended a longstanding water-sharing treaty, closed the main land border, and revoked Pakistani visas. Pakistan canceled Indian visas, closed its airspace to Indian carriers, halted trade, and warned any water diversion would be an act of war, while hinting it could suspend the Simla Agreement. The UN urged restraint. Indian forces also demolished parts of homes of suspected attackers in southern Kashmir, drawing local anger. Protests erupted on both sides: in Pakistan-administered Kashmir against India’s moves, and in New Delhi demanding action against Pakistan. No casualties were reported in the cross-border firing.

Israel observed Holocaust Remembrance Day, marking the anniversary of the 6 million Jews murdered by the Nazis during World War II. The country came to a standstill as sirens sounded nationwide, and an official state ceremony was held at Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem. Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog, drew connections between the Holocaust and the current threats facing Israel, particularly the ongoing war against Hamas and the holding of 59 hostages in Gaza. Netanyahu emphasized Israel's strength and determination to return hostages and defeat its enemies, while Herzog vowed to never allow another genocide against the Jewish people. The event also featured Holocaust survivors, including Gad Fartouk, who lit a memorial torch and prayed for the safe return of hostages. President Donald Trump issued a proclamation, noting the rise of antisemitism in the US and the importance of a self-determined Jewish homeland. The March of the Living was also held at the former Auschwitz-Birkenau extermination camp in Poland, with Israeli delegates, including freed hostages and relatives of victims, participating.

The World Economic Forum has authorized an independent investigation into whistleblower allegations against its founder Klaus Schwab following his immediate resignation from the board. The anonymous complaint, reported by the Wall Street Journal, accuses Schwab and his wife of financial and ethical misconduct, including misuse of WEF funds for cash withdrawals, hotel massages, and luxury travel justified by token meetings. The Schwab family denies the claims, says massages were reimbursed, and plans legal action against those behind the letter. WEF’s Audit and Risk Committee, with independent legal support, will lead the probe, stressing the allegations are unproven. Peter Brabeck-Letmathe serves as interim chair, with Børge Brende continuing as president and CEO.

A federal judge in Louisiana questioned whether the Trump administration unlawfully deported a 2-year-old U.S. citizen to Honduras without due process and against her father’s wishes. Judge Terry A. Doughty, a Trump appointee, noted “strong suspicion” that the child, identified as V.M.L., was sent abroad with her mother despite an emergency petition to stop it, and set a May 16 hearing. ICE detained the mother and children after a New Orleans appointment; DOJ said the mother wanted the child to go with her, but the judge said that hadn’t been established. The case adds to scrutiny of the administration’s deportation practices, including prior court blocks and a wrongful deportation case. The White House and DHS did not comment.

The Trump administration temporarily restored the legal status of thousands of international students after lawsuits challenged sudden SEVIS record deletions and visa cancellations. While the move reversed recent revocations affecting over 1,500 students, officials signaled it’s a stopgap as they design a new review and termination system, leaving students and universities in limbo. International students at institutions like Harvard, Columbia, and Tufts report fear and uncertainty—some avoiding classes after arrests and data demands—while advocates warn of ongoing instability and potential future crackdowns that could deter students from coming to the U.S.

Former President Trump pardoned Florida health care executive Paul Walczak, who was recently sentenced to 18 months in prison and ordered to pay $4.4 million for tax crimes. Walczak’s mother, Republican donor Elizabeth Fago, helped circulate Ashley Biden’s diary during the 2020 campaign, though Walczak was not implicated in that scheme. The pardon, part of Trump’s broader use of clemency to aid allies and criticize the Biden Justice Department, came alongside a pardon for Nevada Republican Michele Fiore, convicted of misusing charitable funds. A White House official claimed, without evidence, that both faced biased prosecutions.

The U.S. and Iran are entering a third round of nuclear talks in Oman that could curb Iran’s enrichment program, ease sanctions, and reduce the risk of a wider Iran-Israel-U.S. conflict. Trump, who exited the 2015 deal, aims to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons but his team is split on whether Iran can enrich uranium domestically. Iran, currently enriching up to 60%, signals willingness to revert to 2015 limits (3.67%) if sanctions relief and monitoring terms are agreed. Key sticking points include enrichment rights, scope of monitoring, stockpile limits, and whether the U.S. seeks full dismantlement—unacceptable to Tehran. Both sides express political will, backed by Iran’s supreme leader, but technical details could stall progress; an interim freeze is possible while a broader agreement is negotiated. A deal could reshape regional security and offer Iran economic relief after years of sanctions.

Despite President Trump and major celebrities skipping the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, Washington’s social scene flourished with a packed slate of breakfasts, brunches and parties dominated by media figures, politicos, and a few notables like Bill Nye and actor Jason Isaacs. Organizers and attendees framed the weekend as a celebration of journalism amid tensions with the Trump administration, which criticized the WHCA’s gatekeeping. Newer media outfits like Semafor and Status headlined events, reflecting a landscape where politics increasingly drives media clout. Conversations ranged from NASA and NEA funding concerns to Democratic momentum and First Amendment values, with figures like Jen Psaki urging leaders to “take a joke.” While star power was muted, the gatherings buzzed with networking, optimism, and industry gossip.

A massive explosion at Iran’s Bandar Abbas port killed at least 14 people and injured around 750, with six missing. The blast, centered in the Shahid Rajaee port’s chemical and sulfur area, produced widespread damage, shattered windows for kilometers, and forced port closure and suspension of maritime operations. Authorities suspect chemicals stored in containers were involved but have not confirmed the cause; a state of emergency was declared due to air pollution, and residents were told to stay indoors. Firefighting continues amid high winds, health teams are mobilized, and President Masoud Pezeshkian ordered a full investigation. The national oil refining company said the incident was unrelated to its refineries, tanks, or pipelines.

A militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir killed 26 tourists, shattering families and reigniting India-Pakistan tensions. Victims included retirees and family breadwinners from Maharashtra, some traveling with spouses and children. Survivors said gunmen singled out men at close range and accused victims of supporting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose 2019 revocation of Kashmir’s autonomy remains contentious. India blamed Pakistan, downgraded ties, and suspended participation in a water-sharing treaty; Pakistan denied involvement and warned water diversion would mean war. India’s navy conducted missile tests amid the escalation. Families described grief, harrowing escapes, and lives permanently altered.

A short CNN video highlights Pope Francis’ long-standing support for Argentine soccer club San Lorenzo, his boyhood team, noting its special place in his life and identity.

After 529 days lost on Australia’s Kangaroo Island, Valerie, a miniature dachshund, was safely rescued by Kangala Wildlife Rescue. Key to the capture was a scent trail made from strips of her owner’s heavily worn T-shirt, which lured her into an enclosure set up with familiar items, including a home-like crate where she eventually settled to sleep. The search involved cameras, community tips, and careful trapping methods complicated by abundant local wildlife and weather. Despite skeptics, volunteers persisted, and Valerie is now safe and preparing to reunite with her owners on the mainland.

A mass shooting on 22 April near Pahalgam in Indian-administered Kashmir killed at least 26 people, mostly Indian tourists, and injured dozens. A little-known group, the Kashmir Resistance (also called The Resistance Front), claimed responsibility; analysts link it to Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, which Islamabad denies backing. India labeled it a cross-border terror attack, vowed to hunt down perpetrators, and imposed punitive measures on Pakistan, including visa revocations, expelling advisers, closing a border crossing, and suspending the Indus Waters Treaty. Pakistan rejected involvement, retaliated with its own visa cancellations, airspace closures to Indian carriers, and trade suspension, warning that ending the water treaty could be an act of war. A brief, casualty-free exchange of fire was reported along the Kashmir border amid heightened rhetoric, with Pakistan’s defense minister warning of potential “all-out war” and the UN urging restraint. The crisis revives longstanding India-Pakistan tensions rooted in their disputed claims over Kashmir.

Pakistan’s defence minister Khawaja Asif warned that escalating tensions with India over a mass shooting in Indian-controlled Kashmir could lead to “all-out war” between the nuclear-armed rivals. India has blamed Pakistan for the attack that killed 26 tourists; Asif denied involvement, calling it a “false flag,” and said Pakistan’s military is prepared to respond “in kind” if attacked. While emphasizing the risks of a nuclear confrontation, he expressed hope for a negotiated solution and urged potential intervention from the U.S. to help de-escalate. The Kashmir dispute, long a flashpoint, has seen renewed tensions after years of relative calm.

The UN’s World Food Programme says its food stocks in Gaza have run out due to Israel’s nearly eight-week blockade, after delivering the last supplies to charity kitchens on Friday. The WFP, a key food source for hundreds of thousands, warns kitchens it supports will exhaust supplies within days, while 80% of Gaza’s over two million residents now rely on such kitchens. The agency has 116,000 tonnes of food ready—enough for one million people for up to four months—pending Israel lifting the blockade. Markets have emptied, prices have soared, and malnutrition is rising. Israel, which halted aid on 2 March after ceasefire talks faltered and later resumed airstrikes, claims Hamas diverts aid; humanitarian groups deny this. The crisis unfolds amid ongoing fighting and high civilian casualties reported by Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry.

On the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon, the piece reflects on how the Vietnam war reshaped Australia through veterans’ experiences, policy shifts, and Vietnamese refugee resettlement. It contrasts Vietnam’s official Reunification Day—now often treated as a routine holiday by younger generations—with the more complicated memories of those who lived through the conflict. Australian veteran Tony Mullavey recalls conscription, alienation on return, and the fight for recognition that led to support structures for veterans, including South Vietnamese allies. Politically, the end of the White Australia policy and the Racial Discrimination Act set the stage for multiculturalism, but it was Malcolm Fraser’s government that ultimately accepted large numbers of Vietnamese refugees after Whitlam’s initial reluctance. The Nguyen family’s story illustrates the perilous journeys, resettlement challenges, and identity struggles of the 1.5 generation, highlighting both the traumas of escape and the long-term social impacts within Australian communities.

The World Marmalade Awards at Dalemain in Cumbria showcased inventive blends beyond traditional orange. Standouts included a Taiwanese citrus taiwanica marmalade praised for its balanced sweet-bitter profile and fine-cut peel; an “interesting additions” category winner combining Seville oranges, clementines, lemon, and peanut butter that harmonized nutty and citrus notes; and the overall Japanese winner by Hitomi Wakamura, a yuzu and pear marmalade that defied Japan’s typically bitter style with fresh, zesty sweetness. The event highlighted how exceptional craftsmanship can convert skeptics into marmalade enthusiasts.

The Trump administration’s Department of Education opened an investigation into UC Berkeley for allegedly failing to disclose significant foreign funding, reviving scrutiny of its former partnership with China’s Tsinghua University and the Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute. Citing media reports that Berkeley did not report $220m from the Chinese government, the DoE is enforcing Section 117 disclosure rules as part of broader actions targeting universities. UC Berkeley denies wrongdoing, says it has cooperated with federal inquiries, and confirms it has ended its affiliation with TBSI. The move follows similar demands to Harvard over foreign ties amid wider disputes over campus protests and DEI policies.