In other news

China’s coastguard briefly seized Sandy Cay, a tiny sandbank in the Spratly Islands near the Philippine-held Thitu Island, in a fresh escalation of South China Sea tensions. Chinese state media showed officers asserting “maritime control” there, while the Philippines responded by landing on three nearby sandbanks and denouncing the “illegal presence” of Chinese vessels and militia. The U.S. called the reports deeply concerning and said such actions threaten regional stability and violate international law, as large-scale U.S.-Philippine military drills proceed. China has criticized the exercises, amid longstanding overlapping claims in the region.

Eighty years after British and Canadian troops liberated Bergen-Belsen in April 1945, more than a thousand survivors and relatives gathered at the former camp in Germany to commemorate the victims. Witnesses recalled the appalling conditions discovered at liberation: 13,000 unburied corpses and 60,000 starving, diseased survivors. Survivors like Mala Tribich and Esther Alice shared harrowing memories, while tributes noted the enduring impact of journalists such as the BBC’s Richard Dimbleby, who reported from the camp. Belsen, which had no gas chambers, became a site of mass death from starvation, disease, and neglect—killing between 50,000 and 70,000 people, including Anne Frank, with about 14,000 dying even after liberation due to the effects of refeeding. With the original huts later burned to stop disease, the site now holds memorials and a visitor center, serving as a stark reminder of Nazi atrocities and the need for remembrance.

Ten alleged members of a largely elderly gang dubbed the “grandpa robbers” are on trial in Paris for the 2016 armed robbery of Kim Kardashian in a private Paris residence, where she was bound and robbed of about $10m in jewelry, including a $4m engagement ring. Two suspects, including Yunice Abbas and ringleader Aomar Ait Khedache, have confessed; others deny involvement, one has died, and an 81-year-old is excused due to dementia. The robbers, disguised as police, overpowered a night receptionist, entered Kardashian’s suite, and fled on bikes and foot, but a series of blunders—CCTV coverage, DNA traces, and dropped jewels—helped police identify and arrest them months later. The trial is examining how the gang learned Kardashian’s movements, with defense disputing claims that an associate within her transport circle tipped them off, and where the stolen jewels ultimately went, amid indications of a post-heist trip to Antwerp’s diamond market. The robbers reportedly did not initially realize who Kardashian was.

Greenland’s new Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen rejected Donald Trump’s repeated calls for the U.S. to take control of Greenland, stating the island is not “a piece of property that can be bought.” Standing with Danish PM Mette Frederiksen in Copenhagen, Nielsen urged closer Greenland–Denmark cooperation amid what they called disrespectful U.S. rhetoric, while both leaders said they remain open to talks with Trump. Nielsen affirmed willingness to deepen partnerships with the U.S. based on respect. The visit coincides with a royal trip to Greenland, underscoring unity. Greenland, autonomous but under Danish foreign and defense policy, has strategic value and resources; most Greenlanders favor eventual independence from Denmark but not joining the U.S.

Israel conducted an airstrike on Beirut’s southern suburbs (Dahieh), saying it targeted a Hezbollah cache of precision-guided missiles after issuing an evacuation order. The strike, the first in nearly a month in that area, occurred despite a five-month-old ceasefire brokered by the US and France. Lebanon’s president condemned the attack and urged the mediators to pressure Israel to stop. No casualties were reported, but the incident heightened tensions, with the UN warning of panic and urging restraint. Western officials told the BBC Hezbollah has largely complied with the truce, while accusing Israel of repeated violations. Israel says it will not allow Hezbollah to strengthen and will respond to threats.

Jiggly Caliente (Bianca Castro-Arabejo), a Filipino-American drag performer known from RuPaul’s Drag Race season 4, All Stars 6, and as a judge on Drag Race Philippines, has died at 44. Her family said she passed early Sunday, days after a severe infection led to amputation of most of her right leg. Celebrated for her humor, authenticity, and activism, she also appeared in Pose, Broad City, and Search Party, and came out as transgender in 2016. Tributes from fellow queens and Michelle Visage praised her kindness, energy, and impact.

A 27-year-old Chinese student living in Japan was rescued twice on Mount Fuji within four days after climbing during the off-season. He was first airlifted from the Fujinomiya trail after losing his crampons, then returned to retrieve belongings, including his phone, and was rescued again due to altitude sickness. Authorities reiterated warnings against off-season climbs due to harsh conditions, closed trails and medical facilities, and difficult rescues. Online critics argued he should pay for the rescue costs. Mount Fuji remains heavily visited, with over 220,000 climbers during the official July–September season.

Qatar’s prime minister said there has been slight progress in ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas after meeting Israel’s Mossad chief, but no clear path to ending the war. Hamas appears more open to a long-term deal that includes releasing all remaining hostages in exchange for at least five years of calm, potential disarmament, and a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza—conditions Israel rejects. Israel’s latest proposal, a 45-day ceasefire with Hamas disarmament and limited hostage releases, was rejected. Hamas signaled willingness to hand Gaza governance to an agreed Palestinian entity, possibly a reformed Palestinian Authority, which Israel opposes. Fighting and Israeli blockade continue, with rising casualties and severe humanitarian shortages reported by the UN, while both sides maintain hardened positions on the terms of a ceasefire and Gaza’s future.

South Africa’s ruling ANC defended national sovereignty amid escalating tensions with the US over a new land expropriation law and race relations. ANC chair Gwede Mantashe criticized South Africans seeking US intervention and mocked those invited to claim refugee status under President Trump’s executive order, which labeled Afrikaners victims of racial discrimination. President Cyril Ramaphosa says the law aims to ensure equitable land access and allows expropriation without compensation only in specific cases. The spat has included public comments by Elon Musk calling the laws “racist,” the expulsion of South Africa’s ambassador by Washington, and the appointment of a special envoy to the US to stabilize ties. Mantashe also challenged the separatist Afrikaner town of Orania, suggesting integration to counter segregationist aims.

A handwritten letter by Titanic survivor Colonel Archibald Gracie, dated 10 April 1912 and written aboard the ship, sold at a UK auction for a record £300,000—five times its estimate. Described as “prophetic,” the letter mentions Gracie reserving judgment on the “fine ship” until “journey’s end.” Posted in Queenstown on 11 April, it is now the highest-priced piece of Titanic onboard correspondence. Gracie, a first-class passenger who later authored The Truth About The Titanic, survived by clinging to an overturned lifeboat but died later that year from complications related to his injuries and diabetes.

The US says it has struck over 800 Houthi targets in Yemen since 15 March, killing hundreds of fighters and several leaders, aiming to stop attacks on Red Sea and Gulf of Aden shipping. Targets reportedly include weapons storage and manufacturing sites, with operations ongoing. The Houthis report civilian casualties from recent strikes, including at least eight deaths in Sanaa and over 70 in earlier coastal attacks. Since November 2023, the Houthis have hit or threatened dozens of vessels, sinking two and killing four crew, claiming solidarity with Palestinians while often misidentifying targets. The escalation follows the new US administration’s redesignation of the Houthis as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, amid Yemen’s protracted civil war and severe humanitarian crisis.

Dozens of pro-Palestinian demonstrators rallied in Brooklyn to condemn last week’s assault on a woman by a pro-Israel crowd near Chabad Lubavitch headquarters in Crown Heights. With a heavy police presence, the march began at Barclays Center and was largely peaceful, though one arrest was made and police prevented the group from reaching its destination. The attacked woman, who was not protesting, said she was surrounded by ultra-Orthodox men, threatened with rape, and hit with objects—accounts supported by video. Officials and groups across the spectrum, including Chabad, the ADL, CAIR, and Jewish progressive organizations, condemned the violence. The tensions followed a visit by far-right Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, whose presence and ideology drew protests and contributed to the volatile scene. New York has seen thousands of Israel–Palestine-related protests since October 2023.

A D.C. appeals court briefly allowed targeted firings at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau if roles weren’t needed for statutory duties. Trump officials, working with Elon Musk–aligned “Department of Government Efficiency” aides, moved within hours to dismiss nearly 1,500 of roughly 1,700 employees, aiming to cut system access within a day. Judge Amy Berman Jackson quickly halted the cuts, saying they exceeded the court’s conditions, and set a hearing to assess whether the firings can proceed. Newly released emails and declarations depict a rushed, error-prone process driven by CFPB chief legal officer Mark Paoletta and outside operatives like 25-year-old Gavin Kliger, with shifting headcount targets and minimal consultation of bureau leaders. Internal warnings predicted imminent failures in critical tech systems, missed legal deadlines, and potential loss of court-preserved data. Records suggest even legally mandated offices would be left unstaffed or mismanaged, undercutting claims that a 200-person CFPB could meet statutory obligations. The episode illustrates aggressive efforts by Trump officials and Musk associates to drastically shrink the bureau, now under judicial review.

Salman Toor, the Lahore-born, Brooklyn-based painter known for intimate, emerald-toned scenes of queer life and diaspora, is preparing his largest show, “Wish Maker,” at Luhring Augustine. Working strictly from memory, he fuses European academic techniques with South Asian visual traditions to depict longing, friendship, desire, and the tensions of cultural displacement. Since his 2020 Whitney breakthrough and subsequent market surge, Toor has retreated from speculation to deepen his practice, expanding his palette and loosening his line while confronting darker themes. The new work reflects his divided ties to Pakistan—where homosexuality remains criminalized—and his life in New York, exploring empowerment, vulnerability, and the costs of freedom. Pieces range from intimate domestic scenes to haunting meditations like “Night Cemetery,” shaped in part by the war in Gaza. Despite growing global acclaim, Toor grapples with family distance and the pressure of expectation, using memory as both method and refuge to paint a complex, evolving self.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker delivered a fiery speech to New Hampshire Democrats urging relentless, nationwide resistance to President Trump and castigating “do-nothing” Democrats for timidity. Positioning himself as a leader of a hard-line opposition, he called for mass mobilization and rejected moderation, arguing voters want Democrats to fight for core values. Pritzker’s stance contrasts with party figures urging selectivity, and his comments implicitly rebuked leaders like Gavin Newsom and James Carville. A wealthy donor-turned-governor with a national political network and a PAC backing abortion-rights measures, Pritzker is fueling speculation about a 2028 presidential run even as he insists his focus is on 2026 and supporting Democrats in upcoming races.

The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division is experiencing a major exodus, with over 100 attorneys expected to resign under a revived deferred resignation program, amid broader departures and reassignments that have left the office in flux. Under Attorney General Pam Bondi and division head Harmeet Dhillon, the division is shifting away from traditional civil rights enforcement—such as policing oversight, voting rights, and housing discrimination—toward targeting colleges, liberal cities, and policies labeled as “illegal D.E.I.” The leadership has withdrawn filings in transgender inmate cases, dropped a Biden-era lawsuit challenging Georgia’s election law, and signaled interest in rolling back police consent decrees while pursuing gun rights cases against cities. Former officials warn the changes fundamentally repurpose the division against communities it was created to protect, while supporters frame the shift as ending politicized enforcement. The staff losses could reduce the division’s lawyers from about 380 to roughly 140, raising concerns about enforcement capacity and civil rights protections nationwide.

President Trump signed three executive orders targeting immigration and policing. One orders the publication of a list of “sanctuary” jurisdictions and directs legal and enforcement actions against those that don’t cooperate with federal immigration efforts, including moves that could limit in-state tuition for undocumented immigrants. A second bolsters law enforcement by providing legal resources to officers accused of wrongdoing, seeking to curb federal consent decrees, restoring access to military equipment, and penalizing local officials who block police duties. A third enforces English proficiency requirements for commercial truck drivers, directing the Transportation Department to sideline noncompliant drivers. The actions, part of a broader crackdown ahead of Trump’s 100th day of his second term, drew sharp criticism from immigrant advocates and legal pushback from some cities, while the administration escalates pressure on localities and reviews federal grants for compliance. Officials also noted deportations to date and announced a new registration and fingerprinting requirement for undocumented immigrants ages 14 and older.

A massive midday power outage swept across Spain and Portugal on Monday, disrupting daily life for tens of millions by halting trains and subways, darkening traffic lights, closing stores, and prompting hospital generator use. Authorities said there was no indication of a cyberattack and were investigating the cause. Power began being restored by evening with support from Morocco and France; Spain reported roughly half the supply back online by night, and key Portuguese substations were reconnected. France’s Basque region experienced brief outages. Transport was heavily affected: Spain’s rail network and several metro systems stopped, with tens of thousands stranded on trains; some flights were grounded or delayed. Internet and phone networks faltered, ATMs drew long lines, and cash-only purchases led to shortages and manual tallying in shops. Governments prioritized restoring electricity to essential services, declared an energy crisis in Portugal, and warned of a long night ahead, with Spain aiming for normal service by Tuesday.

CNN’s analysis of Donald Trump’s first 100 days of his second term highlights a presidency focused on retribution and consolidation of power, provoking a fast-growing resistance. Nationwide protests and tense town halls pressure both Democrats and Republicans, while GOP leaders urge members to avoid public forums and dismiss unrest as paid agitation. Trump moves aggressively against perceived enemies: stripping security clearances and protections, pushing investigations into former officials, targeting prosecutors, and penalizing law firms tied to his foes. He escalates attacks on higher education by threatening research funding, revoking visas, and tying grants to policy changes on admissions, DEI, and gender in sports—prompting Harvard to sue after $2.2 billion in grants are frozen. With a compliant Justice Department and a Supreme Court expanding presidential immunity, legal avenues to check him appear limited. The administration also sues Maine over transgender athletes after Gov. Janet Mills defies his order, signaling broader culture-war litigation. The result is an intensifying clash between Trump’s revenge-driven agenda and a mobilizing opposition.

CNN Vatican correspondent Christopher Lamb reflects on covering Pope Francis, noting how Francis’ papacy changed the Vatican’s relationship with the media. Lamb explains that Francis has been more open, direct, and accessible than his predecessors, engaging reporters candidly and using the press to amplify his pastoral priorities and global messages.

Canadians voting for a new prime minister say the U.S. and President Donald Trump loom large over their choices, expressing anxiety about his behavior and its impact on Canada. Interviews cited by CNN via Reuters show voters worrying about cross-border tensions, trade, and stability, with some calling Trump unpredictable and a key factor influencing their ballots despite this being a Canadian election.

A massive, unexplained power outage swept across Spain and Portugal—also affecting parts of southern France—prompting both Iberian countries to declare states of emergency. The blackout halted subways, disrupted airports and rail services, knocked out traffic lights, and forced businesses to close, causing widespread chaos in major cities like Madrid, Lisbon, Barcelona, and Valencia. By late Monday, power was being restored in phases; Spain reported over 87% restoration by early Tuesday. Authorities said there was no indication of a cyberattack, and Portugal’s leaders suggested the issue originated in Spain, noting Portugal’s morning dependence on Spanish electricity. Emergency plans kept hospitals and critical services running on generators, while travel disruptions and backlogs were expected to persist for days as investigations into the cause continue.

A US Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet was lost at sea after falling overboard from the USS Harry S. Truman while being towed in the hangar bay. Initial reports say the carrier made a hard turn to evade Houthi fire in the Red Sea, contributing to the incident. All personnel were accounted for, with one minor injury, and the jet has sunk. The $60 million loss comes amid repeated Houthi attacks on the Truman and other US ships; the Navy says the strike group remains fully mission capable. An investigation is underway.

Yemen’s Houthi rebels allege a U.S. airstrike hit a detention site holding around 100 African migrants in Saada, causing deaths and injuries; the U.S. military has not commented on that specific strike and maintains it withholds operational details for security. Houthi media aired graphic footage from the scene, while casualty figures remain unclear. The incident highlights the vulnerability of African migrants transiting Yemen toward Saudi Arabia amid longstanding abuses and past mass-casualty strikes. Separately, U.S. Central Command said its “Operation Roughrider” has conducted over 800 strikes, killing hundreds of Houthi fighters and leaders, and aims to restore Red Sea navigation and deterrence, blaming Iranian support for Houthi capabilities.

China’s top general He Weidong, the Central Military Commission’s second-ranked vice-chair and a Politburo member, has been absent from multiple high-level events, including a Politburo study session led by Xi Jinping. State media footage showed first vice-chair Zhang Youxia attending, but not He, whose last public appearance was March 11. Beijing has offered no explanation, fueling speculation, though analysts say his absence is unlikely to affect political stability. He recently emphasized improving military training and anti-corruption efforts, as China runs a prominent anti-graft campaign.

China’s second-ranked military leader, He Weidong, has been absent from multiple high-level events, including a Politburo study session chaired by Xi Jinping, fueling speculation about his status. He was last seen publicly on March 11, after calling for improved training and anti-corruption efforts on March 5. State media showed other top Central Military Commission leaders attending recent events without him. No official explanation has been given, and analysts say his absence is unlikely to affect overall political stability.

Chinese researchers at the Northwest Institute of Nuclear Technology have successfully tested a compact high-power microwave (HPM) weapon that fired over 10,000 shots without failure, marking a major advance in directed-energy systems. The device, reportedly comparable in size to a Gatling gun and powered by a three-gigawatt pulsed current, leverages new vacuum-sealing technologies to improve durability and miniaturization—overcoming a key limitation in HPM weapons. The results, published in High Power Laser and Particle Beams, suggest potential applications against drones, missiles, and other targets, and indicate progress that could influence the global race for next-generation military technology. An earlier Chinese effort achieved 5,000 shots, highlighting the new system’s improved longevity.

SIPRI’s 2024 report finds global military spending rose 9.4% to US$2.72 trillion, the steepest annual increase since the Cold War, marking a 10th consecutive yearly rise. The top five spenders—US, China, Russia, Germany, and India—made up 60% of the total. In Asia and Oceania, spending reached US$629 billion, up 6.3% and the largest jump since 2009. East Asia saw a 7.8% increase to US$433 billion, driven largely by China’s military modernization; China accounted for roughly half of all defence expenditure in Asia, intensifying regional security concerns and prompting neighbors to boost their budgets.

Vietnam’s Communist Party chief To Lam has launched sweeping administrative reforms to streamline the state and consolidate power, including cutting Vietnam’s 63 provinces and municipalities to 34. Ho Chi Minh City will absorb nearby Binh Duong and Ba Ria–Vung Tau, expanding its access to ports and coastlines. The overhaul aims to reduce bureaucracy, speed up decision-making, empower provincial leaders, and boost economic development. It’s part of a broader plan to trim ministries and committees, eliminate district-level governments, and lay off about 100,000 public sector workers. While many welcome the efficiency gains and growth potential, observers note the changes also strengthen To Lam’s influence.

Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is set to visit the Philippines to advance security cooperation, with a focus on finalizing a Japan-Philippines General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA). Coming months after a US-Philippines GSOMIA, the move would facilitate classified intelligence and defense technology sharing among the three US allies, enhancing surveillance of China’s activities in the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait. Analysts say the network—pairing Japan’s reconnaissance capabilities with the Philippines’ geographic position—could significantly improve monitoring of Chinese deployments. Beijing is expected to view the tighter US-Japan-Philippines alignment as a potential confrontational bloc forming near its borders.

Danish marine archaeologists have confirmed that two 18th-century shipwrecks off Costa Rica’s Cahuita National Park are the Danish slave ships Fridericus Quartus and Christianus Quintus, lost in 1710. Long thought to be pirate wrecks, they were identified through analysis of Danish-made yellow bricks, timber (some charred, matching accounts of one ship burning), and clay pipes found during a 2023 underwater excavation. One ship burned; the other wrecked after its anchor line was cut. The find, part of Denmark’s National Museum’s Njord research initiative, clarifies a dramatic episode in Denmark’s slave-trading past; Denmark banned the transatlantic slave trade in 1792 but abolished slavery in 1847.

Palestinian officials say more than 52,000 people have been killed in Gaza as Israel resumes its offensive after ending a March ceasefire, expanding a buffer zone and encircling Rafah. Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry reports 52,243 dead and 117,600 wounded, with severe shortages of food and medicine after nearly 60 days of blocked imports; aid groups warn of widespread malnutrition. Israel says the pressure aims to free remaining hostages from Hamas and vows to continue until Hamas is neutralized; Hamas demands prisoner exchanges, a lasting ceasefire, and full Israeli withdrawal. Meanwhile, Israel struck Hezbollah targets in Beirut’s southern suburbs for the third time since a Lebanon ceasefire, prompting condemnation from Lebanese officials and raising regional escalation risks.

Former Taliban commander Haji Najibullah, 49, pleaded guilty in Manhattan federal court to providing material support for terrorism and conspiring to take hostages. He admitted supplying weapons and leading fighters in Wardak Province from 2007–2009, knowing they would attack U.S. forces, and acknowledged involvement in the 2008 kidnapping of New York Times reporter David Rohde, Afghan journalist Tahir Ludin, and their driver. A June 2008 ambush under his command killed three U.S. soldiers and an Afghan interpreter. Najibullah faces a recommended life sentence at his Oct. 23 sentencing. Rohde praised the admission of guilt and authorities’ efforts; the Times highlighted escalating global dangers to journalists.

Pakistani and Indian forces exchanged fire along the Line of Control in Kashmir for a second night amid surging tensions after gunmen killed 26 people, mostly Indian tourists, near Pahalgam. India labeled the massacre a Pakistan-backed terror attack, while Pakistan denied involvement; a little-known group, Kashmir Resistance, claimed responsibility. In response, India suspended a water-sharing treaty, closed the main land border, and revoked Pakistani visas; Pakistan canceled Indian visas, shut its airspace to Indian airlines, and suspended trade. Pakistan accused India of releasing large volumes of water into the Jhelum River, prompting evacuation warnings. Both sides reported no border casualties. Iran offered mediation and the U.S. urged calm. Indian authorities intensified crackdowns in Kashmir, detaining around 1,500 people and demolishing homes of suspected militants. Tensions remain high between the nuclear-armed neighbors.

A sabre personally ordered and used by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802 will be auctioned in Paris on May 22, with an expected price of $800,000 to $1.1 million, according to auction house Giquello. Napoleon later gave the sword to Marshal Emmanuel de Grouchy, and it has remained in his family since 1815. An identical sabre is housed at the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg. The sale comes amid strong collector interest in Napoleon memorabilia, which has recently included record-breaking prices for his bicorne hat and other personal items.

Eight African diplomats have urged the UK government to back a private member’s bill by Labour MP Bambos Charalambous that would curb private creditors from suing and demanding higher repayments during debt restructuring talks. They argue UK action is crucial because most poor countries’ private debt is governed by English law and transacted in London. The push follows mounting debt distress in countries like Zambia, Ghana, and Sri Lanka amid pandemic fallout, inflation from the Ukraine war, and higher global interest rates. While the UK says private creditors have engaged in recent restructurings and it isn’t currently pursuing legislation, supporters say the bill would address holdout risks, though some experts and the IMF note recent delays stem more from complex creditor mixes—including Chinese and African regional lenders—than from private bondholder litigation.

China and the Philippines staged rival flag displays on Sandy Cay in the disputed Spratly Islands, escalating tensions amid ongoing US-Philippine “Balikatan” military exercises. Chinese state media said its coast guard landed, raised a flag, and exercised “sovereign jurisdiction,” later accusing Filipino personnel of illegally boarding the reef. The Philippines countered by deploying navy, coast guard, and police units, displaying its own flag and denouncing China’s “illegal presence.” There is no sign of permanent Chinese occupation or construction on the reef. Beijing claims nearly the entire South China Sea despite an international ruling rejecting its claims, and criticized the US-Philippines drills as destabilizing.

After years of relative calm in Maiduguri, concerns are rising that Boko Haram is resurging. Borno state’s governor, Babagana Zulum, warns of near-daily attacks and kidnappings, contradicting federal claims that the group has been largely degraded. Recent raids on military bases, farmer killings, and threats in Yobe state underscore continued insecurity, exacerbated by the split between Boko Haram and ISWAP, which now taxes controlled areas. The hasty resettlement of displaced people back to vulnerable communities is increasing risks, while Niger’s exit from the regional military coalition and broader Sahel security shifts may weaken coordination. Critics accuse the federal government of complacency as local fears grow that gains could unravel.

The Guardian reports that coordinated social media posts in August 2024 sought to incite UK far-right groups to target exiled Hong Kong activists, including Finn Lau and Nathan Law, by sharing their names, addresses, and event details. The Guardian and Hope Not Hate identified over 150 posts from 29 accounts on X and Telegram in three days, some directed at figures like Tommy Robinson and Reform UK MP Richard Tice, and appearing in white nationalist channels. Cybersecurity experts say the activity resembles known Chinese state-linked influence operations. The campaign aligns with broader transnational repression tactics attributed to Beijing, which include intimidation, surveillance, and bounties against dissidents abroad. UK security minister Dan Jarvis condemned foreign interference and pledged countermeasures. Law and Lau, both targeted with HK$1m bounties, were previously linked to suspected surveillance disrupted by British police in May 2024. The online incitement is seen as a new tactic leveraging far-right hostility to intimidate China’s critics in the UK.

A 27-year-old Chinese university student living in Japan was rescued twice from Mount Fuji within four days. After being airlifted off the mountain the first time, he returned during the off-season to retrieve his forgotten phone and other items, where he was found again at over 3,000 meters, suspected of altitude sickness. The incidents highlight the dangers of off-season climbs on Fuji, which is open to hikers only from early July to early September. Authorities have recently introduced measures to manage crowds and safety, including a new 4,000 yen fee for the four main trails.

Deliveroo’s shares surged to a three-year high after confirming a $3.6 billion cash takeover proposal from DoorDash at 180 pence per share. The company suspended a £100 million share buyback as talks continue and said it would be inclined to recommend a formal offer. Citi analysts see limited regulatory hurdles due to minimal geographic overlap. Deliveroo recently posted its first annual profit, but its share price remains well below its 2021 peak. The potential deal underscores ongoing consolidation in food delivery and raises concerns about London’s tech listings, according to Hargreaves Lansdown’s Susannah Streeter. DoorDash, profitable in 2024, primarily operates in North America and has previously expanded via acquisitions like Wolt.

European stocks were set to open higher Monday, with FTSE 100, DAX, CAC and FTSE MIB all indicated up. Investors are focused on a busy week of earnings and economic data: results from Porsche, Schneider Electric and Deutsche Boerse are due, alongside French and Spanish unemployment. Key midweek releases include French and German GDP and inflation, plus major earnings from HSBC, BP, Deutsche Bank and Shell. Asian markets were muted as China signaled support for domestic businesses and regional trade talks continued. In the U.S., futures ticked lower ahead of a heavy earnings slate, including Amazon, Apple, Meta, Microsoft, Visa, Coca-Cola, Eli Lilly and Berkshire Hathaway.

Major mining companies and oil majors are ramping up interest and investment in natural (geologic) hydrogen, a carbon-free gas found underground that could provide a cheaper, cleaner complement to green hydrogen. Exploration activity is rising in the U.S. and Canada, with backers including Rio Tinto, Fortescue, Gazprom, BP Ventures, and Bill Gates’ Breakthrough Energy Ventures funding startups like HyTerra, Snowfox Discovery, Mantle8, and Koloma. Analysts expect 2025 to be pivotal as drilling campaigns accelerate, though progress has been slow and commercial viability is unproven. Advocates say abundant, low-cost natural hydrogen could decarbonize industries and energy, but skeptics— including the IEA—warn it may be too dispersed, with environmental and distribution hurdles likely. Some players target first significant drilling around 2028, suggesting that even with discoveries, industrial-scale production could take decades.

Pakistan has closed its airspace to Indian airlines, forcing carriers like Air India and IndiGo to take longer routes on some westbound flights, add refueling stops, or temporarily suspend select services (e.g., to Almaty and Tashkent). While this raises operational costs and may create scheduling delays, analysts at OAG say it’s unlikely to substantially increase airfares. Indian carriers may face a competitive disadvantage versus airlines still able to overfly Pakistan, though the impact is less severe than Russia-related airspace bans. Air India can reroute some North America flights via Russia. Travel to the Middle East—nearly half of India’s outbound market—could see detours. Despite higher costs, fares haven’t broadly risen; in fact, Delhi–Srinagar prices have dipped amid mass cancellations following recent violence in Kashmir, with airlines offering refunds and extra flights to evacuate travelers.

Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said the island is not for sale and criticized recent U.S. remarks about acquiring Greenland as disrespectful. Standing with Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen during a visit to Denmark, Nielsen emphasized Greenland’s autonomy within the Danish realm and its long-term goal of greater independence. Frederiksen reaffirmed Denmark’s commitment to investing in Greenland. Both leaders said they are open to meeting the U.S. president but reiterated the Danish commonwealth’s clear stance that Greenland cannot be bought.

Fox News reports that Hamas and affiliated money changers are exploiting UN cash assistance to Gaza by skimming 20–35% in fees when recipients convert digital aid to cash, diverting funds intended for civilians. Despite roughly $40 million per month in UN transfers (from WFP, UNICEF, and others) reaching over half of Gazan households, beneficiaries often lose a significant portion to this shadow cash system tied to Hamas, amid severe inflation and food insecurity. Experts say Hamas leverages control over merchants and cash flows to tax and recapture funds. Israeli officials proposed measures to disrupt high-denomination cash circulation, which the Bank of Israel declined. UNICEF says it shifted to fully digital e-wallets to avoid cash conversion and related fees, allowing purchases without physical money, and asserts strict neutrality in program design and beneficiary selection. Critics argue aid agencies should have anticipated or disclosed the diversion risks.

India and Pakistan have escalated tensions after a massacre of 26 mostly Indian tourists in Kashmir that India links to Pakistan, which denies involvement. The flare-up matters because: it risks limited strikes spiraling into wider war; both countries are nuclear-armed, raising fears of escalation; China—Pakistan’s ally and India’s rival with its own Kashmir claims—could be drawn in; India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty threatens Pakistan’s agriculture and regional stability; and persistent militancy and human rights abuses in Kashmir challenge international responses and could further destabilize the region.

Sky News found 2026 World Cup tickets listed on resale platform Vivid Seats for up to £46,000—despite FIFA not releasing any tickets yet. FIFA warned fans to avoid unofficial sites and to buy only through official channels when sales begin this summer. Listings included specific rows for group matches and the final in US venues. Supporters’ groups called the situation worrying, citing potential loopholes and unclear access. Vivid Seats did not comment on the World Cup listings but previously said sellers set prices on its marketplace. The scrutiny follows concerns over Vivid’s role in reselling Chelsea tickets and links to Chelsea chairman Todd Boehly. Chelsea plans to introduce digital-only tickets to curb touting.

An Israeli government spokesperson rejected claims that the IDF targets aid workers as “blood libel,” after UK Middle East minister Hamish Falconer called for investigations into strikes that killed aid workers. The remarks follow the IDF’s admission that its forces fired on a UN guest house in Deir al Balah on 19 March, killing a Bulgarian UN staff member, after previously denying responsibility. The IDF said it believed enemy forces were present and did not recognize the site as a UN facility; UN officials contend Israel knew the building’s identity and staff. Israel says it investigates such incidents transparently and only targets terrorists, while advising the UK to apply similar accountability to its own past conflicts. Sky News reports the IDF had been informed of the UN site and that attacks on aid workers have recently reached a yearly high.

RuPaul’s Drag Race alum Jiggly Caliente (Bianca Castro-Arabejo) has died at 44, her family announced on Instagram, saying she passed early Sunday surrounded by loved ones. Days earlier, they disclosed she had part of her leg amputated due to a severe infection. Caliente competed on Drag Race season 4, returned post–transition for All Stars 6, appeared in the TV drama Pose, and served as a judge on Drag Race Philippines. Born in the Philippines and raised in New York, she was celebrated for her humor and lip-sync performances. Michelle Visage led tributes, calling her beloved and “an angel.”