In other news

A 55-year-old Chinese paraglider, Peng Yujiang, survived being unintentionally lifted to about 8,500m over the Qilian mountains by a powerful updraft known as “cloud suck.” Filmed via an onboard camera, he was encased in ice and disoriented in whiteout conditions, relying on a compass while oxygen levels and temperatures plummeted. He believes he may have briefly lost consciousness during descent and struggled to regain control as the glider spiraled. Authorities are investigating and have suspended him for six months for an unauthorized flight; he had reportedly been ground-testing equipment when strong winds launched him.

The trial of seven medical staff accused of negligent homicide in Diego Maradona’s 2020 death has been declared a mistrial in Argentina after it emerged that one of the presiding judges, Julieta Makintach, appeared in an unauthorized documentary about the case. The proceedings, which began in March and had heard nearly 50 witnesses, must restart with new judges. The defendants, including a neurosurgeon, a doctor, and a night nurse, deny wrongdoing and face 8–25 years if convicted. A new trial date has not been set.

The FBI is investigating an effort to impersonate Susie Wiles, White House chief of staff and key Trump ally, by accessing her personal phone and using her contacts to message senior officials. The impersonators reportedly asked recipients to move conversations to platforms like Telegram, prompting suspicion. The Wall Street Journal reported that US senators, governors, and business leaders were targeted, and that only Wiles’s personal, not government, phone was involved. The White House said it takes staff cybersecurity seriously. Wiles has previously been linked to cybersecurity concerns, including a 2023 indictment of Iranian operatives accused of targeting the Trump campaign she led. FBI leadership emphasized the priority of securing communications for administration officials.

Mexican authorities say five members of local band Grupo Fugitivo, who disappeared on 25 May in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, were murdered by suspected Gulf Cartel members. Nine alleged cartel members were arrested, with firearms and vehicles seized, and ransom demands had been made to the victims’ families. The motive is unclear—whether linked to the group’s regional Mexican music, which can include cartel-themed corridos, or broader cartel violence in the area. Reynosa is a hotspot for crime where U.S. authorities advise against travel due to kidnappings and frequent gun battles.

France will ban smoking in outdoor areas frequented by children from 1 July, including beaches, parks, public gardens, outside schools, bus stops, and sports venues. Offenders face a €135 fine, enforced by regular police, with reliance on self-regulation. Café and bar terraces and e-cigarettes are exempt, though limits on nicotine in vapes are planned. The move follows existing indoor smoking bans and widespread local restrictions, and aligns with strong public support. Daily smoking in France has fallen to 23.1%, yet tobacco still causes over 75,000 deaths annually.

Former French surgeon Joel Le Scouarnec, 74, was sentenced to the maximum 20 years in prison for sexually abusing hundreds, including 111 rapes and 188 assaults, largely on underage patients. The court refused prosecutors’ request for post-sentence preventive detention, citing his age and claimed desire to make amends. Because he previously served seven years, he could be eligible for parole around 2032 after serving two-thirds of the term. Victims and advocates expressed shock and anger at the absence of preventive detention and called for tougher laws to reflect the serial nature of such crimes. Some lawyers defended the sentence as tailored to his psychiatric profile, while the court emphasized legal limits and rejected the notion of indefinite incarceration.

A federal judge upheld a block on the Trump administration’s move to revoke Harvard’s certification to host international students, allowing foreign students and faculty to remain for now while the case proceeds. DHS shifted from immediate decertification to giving Harvard 30 days to prove compliance with the Student and Exchange Visitor Programme. Harvard argues the action is unconstitutional retaliation against its protected speech and academic autonomy, citing politically charged statements from the administration referencing antisemitism, DEI, and “viewpoint diversity.” Legal experts say the case could hinge on First Amendment issues but note DHS has broad authority and may prevail if its national security and anti-discrimination justifications hold. The dispute could fast-track to higher courts and may already chill international enrollment; Trump also floated capping foreign students at Harvard at 15%.

Poland votes Sunday in a razor-thin presidential runoff between Warsaw’s liberal mayor Rafal Trzaskowski and conservative historian Karol Nawrocki, a PiS-backed candidate. Though largely ceremonial, the presidency carries veto power that could block Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s pro-EU agenda on abortion reform and judicial changes, which already face coalition divisions and current vetoes. Both candidates aim to mobilize bases and win over far-right voters from the first round. Nawrocki, a traditionalist appealing to older, rural, and conservative voters, emphasizes patriotism and state benefits but faces unresolved allegations he denies. Trzaskowski, a pro-EU centrist favored by urban, younger, and affluent voters, pledges cooperation with Tusk on rule of law and women’s rights while stressing national security and European alignment amid the Ukraine war. The outcome will heavily influence Poland’s policy direction and its government’s ability to legislate.

A former assistant of Sean “Diddy” Combs, testifying anonymously as “Mia” in his New York racketeering and sex-trafficking trial, alleged he repeatedly sexually assaulted her and subjected her to violent outbursts during her eight years of employment starting in 2009. She described a coercive, “toxic” environment where she felt unable to refuse him, including incidents where he allegedly raped her while she slept and assaulted her after giving her alcohol. Mia also recounted witnessing alleged violence against Combs’ ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, including episodes on a holiday and in Los Angeles where she feared for Ventura’s life. She said she didn’t report him due to fear of his power and retaliation, noting others were punished for speaking out. Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty; his defense has not yet cross-examined Mia.

Turkey’s civil aviation authority will fine airline passengers who stand or open overhead bins before the seatbelt sign is off after landing. Triggered by a rise in complaints about premature standing and baggage retrieval, the rule—effective this month—requires airlines to make in-flight announcements and report noncompliant passengers. Turkish media estimate fines at about $70, though no specific amount appears in official guidance. Turkish Airlines has updated its landing announcements to reflect the policy.

A young, roughly 2-ton southern elephant seal wandered into a residential area of Gordon’s Bay near Cape Town, South Africa, surprising locals and prompting a coordinated rescue. Police and security tried to contain it as it moved through streets and rested on cars. Concerned it was too far from the ocean and could become exhausted or dehydrated, marine specialists and a city veterinarian sedated the seal and transported it by trailer to a nearby bay, where it safely returned to the sea. Southern elephant seals are typically sub-Antarctic, but young males occasionally appear along South Africa’s coast.

An explosive device destroyed an armored vehicle in Michoacan, Mexico, killing six soldiers and wounding two, according to an internal military report. The late-Tuesday blast occurred in a region plagued by cartel violence, where groups have used landmines and explosive drones against security forces. President Claudia Sheinbaum called the deaths deplorable. The area is contested by the Jalisco New Generation Cartel and local groups, with recent arson attacks on cargo trucks linked to cartel retaliation against military operations. Mexico has seen around 480,000 killings and over 120,000 missing since 2006, largely tied to drug violence. The incident comes amid U.S. scrutiny of Mexican cartels, including terrorist designations by former President Donald Trump.

British prosecutors confirmed that Andrew and Tristan Tate have been criminally charged in the U.K. over alleged offenses dating from 2012–2015. Andrew faces 10 charges involving three women, including rape, human trafficking, actual bodily harm, and controlling prostitution for gain. Tristan faces 11 charges involving one woman, including rape, human trafficking, and actual bodily harm. The charges were authorized in January 2023, and Bedfordshire Police issued warrants. The brothers, who deny related allegations in an ongoing Romanian case, briefly traveled to the U.S. earlier this year before returning to Romania. Romanian courts have ordered that they be extradited to the U.K. after their Romanian case concludes. Their current exact location is unclear, though they have been reporting to police in Romania.

An Argentine court declared a mistrial in the case against seven health professionals accused of culpable homicide in Diego Maradona’s 2020 death, ordering a new trial after Judge Julieta Makintach resigned amid ethics concerns over her role in a forthcoming documentary about the case. The decision voids proceedings since March and delays the timeline as a higher court selects new judges. The defendants, including Maradona’s primary physician and mental health providers, deny negligence and face up to 25 years if convicted. Maradona died at 60 from cardiac arrest while recovering from brain surgery.

British man Paul Doyle, 53, has been charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent, dangerous driving, and other offenses after allegedly driving into a crowd during Liverpool’s Premier League title parade, injuring 79 people (ages 9–78). Seven remain hospitalized in stable condition. Police say Doyle acted alone, is not suspected of terrorism, and may have bypassed a roadblock by following an ambulance. Eyewitness footage showed the car striking fans; Doyle was initially held on suspicion of attempted murder and driving after taking drugs.

Israel approved 22 new Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, including legalizing 12 unauthorized outposts and creating nine new settlements, a move critics say deepens occupation and hinders a two-state solution. Defense Minister Israel Katz framed it as securing Israel’s historical rights and blocking a Palestinian state. Peace Now called it the largest such step since the Oslo accords. Jordan and the U.K. condemned the decision as illegal and a deliberate obstacle to Palestinian statehood; the Palestinian Authority and Hamas decried it as escalation and annexation. The expansion comes amid years of accelerated settlement growth, international legal objections, and ongoing Israel-Hamas war impacts.

Karin Prien, born to Holocaust survivors and warned as a child not to reveal she was Jewish, has become post-WWII Germany’s first Jewish federal cabinet minister, overseeing Education, Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth. Embracing her identity publicly in the 2010s, she now uses her platform to counter rising antisemitism, which she says has moved into the societal mainstream. Prien advocates expanding Holocaust education to include Israel’s history, Jewish contributions to Germany, and the roots of antisemitism, emphasizing that Jewish identity is part of German identity. She links educational equity to democratic resilience and is pushing to limit smartphone use in elementary schools to protect children online. Her message to young Jewish Germans: stay and help uphold a safe, democratic society.

A massive rock and ice collapse from the Birch Glacier triggered a landslide that buried about 90% of the Swiss village of Blatten in the Lötschental valley. Authorities had evacuated roughly 300 residents and livestock earlier, preventing wider casualties, but the search for a missing 64-year-old man was suspended due to ongoing debris falls and instability. The landslide also filled the Lonza River bed, raising flood risks from a potential ice jam, prompting downstream evacuations and army support for clearing and pumping operations. Officials describe the deposit as too unstable for intervention. The event highlights accelerating glacier retreat in Switzerland linked to global warming, following record losses in 2022–2023.

A South African court sentenced Racquel “Kelly” Smith to life in prison for kidnapping and selling her missing 6-year-old daughter, Joshlin, reportedly for 20,000 rand. Smith’s boyfriend and a friend also received life sentences for human trafficking, plus concurrent 10-year terms for kidnapping, and all three were added to the child protection register. Judge Nathan Erasmus cited their lack of remorse and rejected drug use as an excuse. Joshlin, missing since February 2024 from Saldanha Bay, has not been found. The case, which initially drew national sympathy and a large reward offer, later revealed allegations that the child was sold to a traditional healer. Police have extended the search beyond South Africa amid rising national kidnapping rates.

The U.S. is expanding its military presence in northern Australia to deter China amid rising regional tensions, particularly over Taiwan. Marine rotations in Australia have grown from about 200 in 2012 to roughly 2,500 annually, marking the largest U.S. presence there since 1945. CBS News observed large-scale joint exercises with Australian and Japanese forces in Queensland, focused on interoperability and readiness. While experts say war isn’t inevitable, China’s rapid military modernization has spurred the U.S. and allies to prepare for worst-case scenarios, treating exercises as rehearsals for potential conflict.

The article follows Amar Faqira, a Pakistani Hindu who vowed to walk 200 miles to the Hinglaj Devi temple in Balochistan after his young son recovered from paralysis. His seven-day journey—through 113°F heat, blisters, and a companion’s collapse—mirrors thousands of pilgrims’ devotion to Pakistan’s largest Hindu festival, a vital act of faith and cultural identity for a marginalized minority. Once obscure and arduous, the pilgrimage grew after the Makran Coastal Highway improved access in the 2000s, though many still walk to preserve its spiritual rigor. Pilgrims’ vows range from hopes for children to family well-being; many are lower-caste laborers who endure harsh conditions and modest means. Rituals include offerings at a sacred mud volcano and bathing in the Hingol River before reaching the mountain temple, believed to be a site where the goddess Sati’s remains fell. Heightened security and regional tensions prompted this year’s festival delay, underscoring the persistence of faith amid political and social pressures.

The CDC reaffirmed that healthy children ages 6 months to 17 may receive Covid-19 vaccines, using a “shared decision-making” approach with healthcare providers, countering Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s announcement to remove the shots from the federal schedule. Vaccines will also remain available to low-income children via Vaccines for Children. However, the CDC did not issue a formal recommendation for pregnant women, despite FDA guidance listing pregnancy as high risk and evidence showing increased risks from Covid during pregnancy. Experts warn the shift could hinder insurance coverage and access, especially at pharmacies, and criticize the process for bypassing the CDC’s advisory committee. The ambiguity may create coverage gaps and logistical barriers, with costs potentially exceeding $200 without insurance.

Chinese paraglider Peng Yujiang, 55, was unintentionally lifted by powerful updrafts (“cloud suck”) to about 8,600 meters (28,200 feet) in the Qilian Mountains while conducting ground-handling training. Enduring extreme cold and hypoxia, he recorded the harrowing ascent on camera before landing safely roughly 20 miles away. Authorities deemed it an accident but suspended his flying for six months and halted local flying activities; another pilot was suspended for sharing footage without permission. The near-record incident echoes a 2007 case when Ewa Wisnierska was similarly carried to over 10,000 meters.

A New York Times Upshot interactive invites readers to place eight notable historical events in chronological order as a weekly “Flashback” quiz. It also highlights related Upshot features on education gaps affecting boys, a vaccination simulation for containing outbreaks, how banks profit from interest-rate confusion, airlines padding flight times, and a popular U.S. dialect quiz.

The article reviews the Broadway adaptation of “Good Night, and Good Luck,” highlighting its timely warning about press independence amid political pressure. Centered on Edward R. Murrow’s courageous challenge to Sen. Joseph McCarthy, the play underscores that his success wasn’t inevitable—it required risk, rigor, and institutional backing. The critic draws sharp parallels to today’s CBS News, which faces political and financial pressures tied to a massive lawsuit from President Trump and a pending Paramount–Skydance merger. Internal resignations and concerns about interference raise doubts about the network’s resolve compared with William S. Paley’s era. While the play honors television’s power and the necessity of fact-based reporting, it warns that democratic and journalistic principles aren’t guaranteed. With media fragmentation, weakened public consensus, and a politically powerful antagonist, the piece argues that standing on principle now is harder—and more essential—than in Murrow’s time.

In South Korea, growing labor inequality has driven subcontracted and laid-off workers to stage dramatic aerial protests, highlighting widening economic hardship ahead of a pivotal presidential election. Workers like shipyard subcontractor Kim Hyoung-su and laid-off chef Ko Jin-soo have spent weeks atop towers in Seoul, demanding equal pay, reinstatement, and stronger rights. The number of irregular workers has risen to 8.4 million (over 38% of the workforce), as companies increasingly rely on cheaper, flexible labor amid slowing growth and trade pressures. The issue has become central to the campaign: conservative candidate Kim Moon-soo opposes a bill expanding subcontractors’ collective bargaining and strike rights, which former President Yoon repeatedly vetoed, while Democratic front-runner Lee Jae-myung pledges to pass it in line with ILO guidance. Business groups warn of intensified labor conflict, and critics say current proposals still exclude many contract-based workers. The protests evoke a long history of high-risk labor actions in South Korea and underscore deepening inequality and precarity.

Nippon Steel’s $14 billion bid to acquire U.S. Steel appears close to approval after President Trump signaled support for a “partnership” that would keep U.S. control via government “golden shares.” The arrangement, expected to be formalized through a national security agreement and an executive order overturning President Biden’s prior block, would give the U.S. veto power over major decisions and influence board appointments. Nippon Steel plans major investments, technology sharing, an American CEO, and a U.S.-majority board. The United Steelworkers remain wary about job security and how investments will be allocated. An announcement could come at a Pittsburgh rally.

Loretta Swit, the Emmy-winning actress best known for transforming Maj. Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan into a nuanced, sympathetic figure on the TV series M*A*S*H, died at 87 in Manhattan. Swit, who took over the role from Sally Kellerman’s film portrayal, earned 10 consecutive Emmy nominations and won twice (1980, 1982) during the show’s 1972–83 run. Her character evolved from a strict, romantically entangled head nurse to a career-driven leader, earning respect from fellow characters and viewers alike. Born Loretta Jane Szwed in Passaic, N.J., she trained for the stage after a brief secretarial career, appearing Off Broadway and later on Broadway in productions like Same Time, Next Year and The Mystery of Edwin Drood. Beyond M*A*S*H, Swit acted in films such as Freebie and the Bean and S.O.B., guest-starred widely on television, and originated the role of Christine Cagney in the Cagney & Lacey pilot before losing the series due to contractual conflicts. She continued stage work, won Chicago’s Sarah Siddons Award for Shirley Valentine, and returned to film in 2019’s Play the Flute. Married to actor-lawyer Dennis Holahan from 1983 to 1995, she had no immediate survivors. Swit remained philosophical about aging, saying she focused on what she did with her time rather than its passage.

Taylor Swift has bought back the master recordings of her first six albums from Shamrock Capital, regaining ownership of her early catalog along with related music videos, concert films, artwork, and unreleased songs. The purchase price was not disclosed. The masters had been sold to Shamrock in 2020 by Scooter Braun, whose 2019 acquisition of Big Machine prompted Swift to re-record the albums as “Taylor’s Version.” She has released new versions of Fearless, Red, Speak Now, and 1989, while her debut is fully re-recorded and Reputation remains unfinished with no release plans yet. Swift credited fan support and the success of the Eras Tour for enabling the buyback. She already owned masters for albums made under her 2018 Universal/Republic deal.

Myanmar rebels withdrew from Lashio after Chinese pressure, despite seizing the city in a major victory that cost over 500 rebel lives. Beijing, prioritizing billions in investments—including oil and gas pipelines and Belt and Road projects—blocked border trade, cut power and internet, and reportedly detained the Kokang group’s commander to force a pullback. China, which has long armed both the junta and ethnic forces, signaled the military regime could not be allowed to collapse and warned rebels to avoid fighting near Chinese interests. The junta reclaimed Lashio with a 200-vehicle convoy, some marked as Chinese “peace monitors.” While rebels now control over half of Myanmar’s territory, the junta still holds major urban hubs and continues deadly airstrikes, often with Chinese-made aircraft. China publicly claims noninterference but backs Myanmar’s “stability,” underscoring its self-interest and influence over the conflict’s trajectory.

At least 115 people were killed and others remain missing after torrential rains triggered severe flooding in Mokwa, Niger state, central Nigeria. The floods, which began Wednesday night, submerged over 3,000 homes and swept victims into the River Niger, with the death toll expected to rise as bodies are recovered downstream. The Nigerian Meteorological Agency had warned of heavy storms across multiple states. Niger state, home to major dams (Kainji, Jebba, Shiroro), has faced repeated flooding this year, including dam-related releases that damaged thousands of farms. The disaster reflects increasing extreme weather linked to global heating, echoing Nigeria’s devastating 2022 floods.

French President Emmanuel Macron, speaking at Singapore’s Shangri-La Dialogue, called for a “positive new alliance” between Europe and Asia based on shared principles, security, defense, and trade to avoid being forced to choose between the US and China. He warned that US-China polarization, along with threats from Russia and North Korea, undermines global stability and the post–second world war order. Macron affirmed friendship with the US but stressed European strategic autonomy and greater burden-sharing, noting alliance erosion and credibility risks from the Ukraine war and perceived western double standards over Gaza. He urged a tougher European stance on Israel absent humanitarian improvements. The forum highlighted strained US-China ties, with China sending a minimal delegation and its defense minister absent.

Google and Home Depot have withdrawn sponsorship of Pride Toronto weeks before the event, joining Adidas, Clorox, and Nissan in pulling support. Organizers link the exits to the chilling effect of Donald Trump’s anti-DEI campaign in the US, saying the loss of corporate backing threatens festival operations and its free, community-focused model. While Google says it will still support employees marching and “community moments,” Pride Toronto warns future events may face cuts. Experts note the pullbacks suggest past corporate commitments were driven by perceived profitability rather than sustained support, with similar sponsor exits affecting Pride events in New York and Philadelphia. Grassroots funding may become increasingly necessary to sustain Pride celebrations.

Vietnam has reportedly banned the latest print issue of The Economist featuring Communist party chief To Lam on the cover, with distributors saying they were told to remove the cover and then halt sales entirely. The issue’s article describes Lam as a hardliner tasked with steering Vietnam’s economy amid risks such as potential high U.S. tariffs under Donald Trump, and argues reforms could elevate the country or leave it stuck in low-value manufacturing. The move follows broader crackdowns, including a recent Telegram block, and underscores Vietnam’s tight media control; Reporters Without Borders condemned the ban as further evidence of severe press repression and urged international partners to prioritize human rights in dealings with Hanoi.

Hong Kong has released a second group of four pro-democracy figures from the “Hong Kong 47” national security case after more than four years in prison. Those freed are Jimmy Sham, a prominent pro-democracy and LGBTQ activist and former leader of the now-disbanded Civil Human Rights Front, along with Kinda Li, Roy Tam, and Henry Wong. Their release follows the late-April freeing of former lawmakers Claudia Mo, Kwok Ka-ki, Jeremy Tam, and Gary Fan. The 47 were arrested in 2021 and charged with conspiracy to commit subversion over a 2020 unofficial primary aimed at winning a legislative majority; 45 were convicted with sentences up to 10 years, while two were acquitted. Western governments and rights groups condemned the trial as politically motivated; Hong Kong and Beijing maintain it was fair under national security laws imposed after the 2019 protests.

Mexico will hold the world’s first nationwide popular election of all judges on 1 June, a sweeping Morena-led reform critics say risks low turnout, politicization, and cartel influence. With parties barred from endorsing candidates and TV/radio ads banned, largely unknown contenders rely on flyers and social media, and voters face multiple crowded ballots. Turnout may be under 20%, raising fears Morena will mobilize supporters to shape the supreme court and a new disciplinary tribunal, weakening checks and balances. Civil groups warn of “high-risk” candidates tied to organized crime. In violence-stricken Sinaloa, activist-turned-candidate Delia Quiroa—whose brother was disappeared—embodies both the reform’s promise of access and its perils, calling the vote “an experiment” amid widespread public confusion and insecurity.

Laila Soueif, mother of jailed British-Egyptian activist Alaa Abd el-Fattah, has been hospitalised in London after 242 days on hunger strike, with dangerously low blood sugar. She is refusing calorie-based treatment, having briefly shifted to a partial strike in March after a UK–Egypt call, and resumed a full strike on 20 May. Abd el-Fattah, imprisoned since 2019 and sentenced in 2021 for “spreading false news,” should have been released last year; UN investigators deem his detention unlawful. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has pledged to work for his release. Abd el-Fattah has been on his own hunger strike for 90 days since February. Soueif says urgency is lacking and demands her son’s immediate release.

Cuba’s rum industry faces a severe crisis as the 2025 sugar harvest is projected at just 165,000 tonnes—its lowest since the 19th century—amid a broader economic collapse and decades of underinvestment. With domestic regulations requiring locally sourced inputs and molasses supplies drying up, major international partners (Pernod Ricard, Diageo, LVMH) and newer entrants risk production shortfalls despite heavy brand investments and a global rum resurgence. Cuba’s once-mighty sugar sector has shrunk from 133 mills to roughly six operating, threatening rum output especially in late 2025 and undermining one of the island’s few economic bright spots.

Record-breaking early-season wildfires across Canada’s prairie provinces—especially massive, uncontained blazes in Manitoba—have triggered province-wide emergencies, mass evacuations of over 17,000 people, and disruptions in Alberta’s oil region. Fueled by unusually warm, dry conditions amplified by climate change, the fires are generating pyrocumulus clouds and sending smoke into the U.S., with air quality alerts already in Minnesota and potential “red” AQI levels in cities like Chicago, Detroit, and Washington DC in coming days. Forecasts indicate a well-above-average fire season for much of western Canada. Health research shows wildfire smoke is highly toxic, with lasting cardiovascular and respiratory impacts and no safe exposure level; experts advise N95 masks outdoors and indoor air filtration.

Archaeologists in Guatemala have uncovered Los Abuelos, a nearly 3,000-year-old Mayan city in the Petén region, dated to the Middle Preclassic period (c. 800–500 BC). The site, about 16 sq km and 21 km from Uaxactun, features pyramids, monuments with unique regional iconography, and two anthropomorphic sculptures likely tied to ancestor worship (500–300 BC). Nearby discoveries include a 33m-high pyramid with Preclassic murals and a distinctive canal system. Together with adjacent sites, Los Abuelos forms a newly identified “urban triangle,” prompting a reevaluation of ceremonial and socio-political organization in pre-Hispanic Petén. Recent finds in the area also highlight broader cultural links, such as Teotihuacán influences at Tikal.

China accused the U.S. of abusing semiconductor export controls after President Trump claimed Beijing violated a preliminary trade deal. Despite a 90-day suspension on most tariffs agreed May 12 in Geneva, tensions escalated as the U.S. tightened chip restrictions, including banning use of Huawei’s AI chips and directing firms like Synopsys and Cadence to halt China sales. Nvidia, opposing the controls, said new limits on its H20 chip could cost about $8 billion in quarterly sales, leaving $4.5 billion in stranded inventory. China urged the U.S. to end “discriminatory” measures and uphold the Geneva consensus, while the Trump administration signaled a simpler export rule is forthcoming after rescinding the broader Biden-era “AI diffusion rule.”

Germany’s new government is prioritizing a massive infrastructure overhaul and courting private capital to fund it. It has enshrined a €500 billion infrastructure and climate fund and eased fiscal rules, with officials saying only about 10% of needed investment can come from public money. Investor interest is rising globally, according to KfW and Deutsche Bank, as Berlin pledges to cut red tape and streamline approvals. Huge funding needs remain: roughly €100 billion for bridges, €150 billion for Deutsche Bahn by 2034, and up to €600 billion over a decade overall. Key risks are execution speed, permitting timelines, and capacity constraints, though analysts see broad opportunities across defense and infrastructure if political will sustains delivery.

European officials, including ECB President Christine Lagarde, see geopolitical shifts and U.S. policy uncertainty as a chance to expand the euro’s global role. The dollar still dominates around 60% of FX reserves versus the euro’s ~20%, but the euro has strengthened this year amid U.S. tariff volatility. Lagarde outlined conditions for elevating the euro: stronger geopolitical and security footing, deeper capital markets, and robust rule of law and political unity, noting benefits like lower borrowing costs and greater strategic autonomy. Market views are split: some, like Nomura’s George Buckley, see rising diversification out of the dollar and potential euro gains toward $1.20; others argue political fragmentation and reliance on U.S. security limit the euro’s challenge, leaving the dollar’s supremacy intact for now.

India’s economy grew 7.4% year over year in the March quarter, beating the 6.7% forecast and marking the strongest quarter of fiscal 2025; full-year growth was 6.5%. Robust domestic consumption and limited export dependence offset global uncertainty and U.S. trade tensions, including temporary “reciprocal” tariffs. India may secure a U.S. trade deal next, after U.S. agreements with China and the U.K. The RBI has eased policy, cutting rates to 6% with another cut expected, as inflation falls. While Kashmir tensions pose risks to investment and consumption, rural demand remains supportive. The IMF expects India to reach a $4.187 trillion economy in 2025, edging past Japan and positioning it as the world’s fourth-largest economy.

Hybe, the South Korean K-pop giant behind BTS, has opened its first China office (its fourth overseas branch) on April 2, signaling a push to capitalize on Beijing’s apparent easing of its unofficial K-pop ban. While Hybe won’t debut new Chinese rookie groups, it aims to expand platforms like Weverse amid improving ties, highlighted by visa waivers and Hybe’s planned sale of its SM Entertainment stake to Tencent Music. Despite signs of a thaw, challenges remain, exemplified by Epex’s canceled Fuzhou concert. Analysts say K-pop’s digital, tariff-resistant revenue streams could benefit from China’s reopening, though Hybe shares dipped 1.47% on Friday.

Shein’s planned London IPO has reportedly stalled after failing to secure Chinese regulatory approval, prompting the fast-fashion giant to pivot to a Hong Kong listing. The move underscores mounting challenges, including allegations of forced labor, an EU probe finding consumer protection breaches, and the U.S. closing its de minimis import loophole. While a London debut was seen as a legitimacy boost and potential lift for the U.K.’s IPO market, analysts say Hong Kong may be safer and could support a higher valuation by avoiding comparisons with U.K. retail peers. The switch is viewed as a win for Hong Kong’s market momentum, though not a decisive turning point.

JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon has grown increasingly vocal about economic risks over the past decade, warning of recessions, market turmoil, and geopolitical instability—even as JPMorgan posts record profits and outperforms rivals. A review of his letters and public remarks shows his caution intensified after 2015, coinciding with the bank’s surge in earnings, market share, and valuation. Analysts say Dimon’s pessimism serves multiple purposes: protecting reputation, preparing for downside risk, and keeping his organization vigilant against complacency. While many of his dire scenarios haven’t materialized, JPMorgan’s readiness—such as positioning for higher rates—has paid off. The underlying rationale: finance is inherently fragile, and a cautious stance helps safeguard a dominant but exposed franchise.

A House-passed bill, the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” would overhaul U.S. taxation of foreign investors via Section 899, targeting entities from “discriminatory foreign countries” that levy taxes perceived to single out U.S. firms (e.g., digital services taxes). The provision would ratchet up U.S. taxes on affected investors’ U.S. income by 5 percentage points annually, up to 20%, potentially hitting corporations, individuals, sovereigns, and central banks. Analysts warn it could “weaponize” U.S. capital markets, reduce the attractiveness of dollar assets and Treasuries (effective yields down ~100 bps), and trigger capital outflows given the U.S.’s negative net international investment position. European companies with significant U.S. revenues and countries like France and Germany could be notably affected. The bill faces Senate scrutiny, where treaty-override elements may be revised.

JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon warned that America’s biggest risk isn’t China but “the enemy within” — domestic mismanagement. Speaking at the Reagan National Economic Forum, he said China is a capable, unbowed rival, but urged the U.S. to fix permitting, regulation, immigration, taxation, inner-city education, and health care to restore growth to 3%. He criticized widespread mismanagement at state and city levels and warned the federal deficit near 7% of GDP could hit 10% in a recession, calling for swift action amid escalating U.S.-China trade tensions.

CNN reports that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem publicized an alleged assassination threat against former President Donald Trump by an undocumented migrant, Ramon Morales Reyes. Investigators now believe Reyes was likely framed: handwriting analysis didn’t match, and jail calls suggest another individual—connected to a separate robbery/assault case in which Reyes is a victim—may have sent the letters to get Reyes deported before trial. Authorities do not consider the threat credible. Reyes, who has prior immigration violations and arrests, remains in custody for immigration issues but has not been charged over the threat. The case unfolds amid heightened rhetoric and pressure on immigration enforcement.

China will not send its defense minister to the 2025 Shangri-La Dialogue, opting instead for a PLA National Defense University delegation—the first high-level no-show in five years—amid heightened US-China tensions. The move reduces chances for direct US-China talks at Asia’s top defense forum, despite a recent tariff truce and ongoing friction over trade, tech export controls, student visas, Taiwan, and the South China Sea. Analysts suggest Beijing may be prioritizing economic issues over military diplomacy and avoiding unscripted scrutiny. The US, represented by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, emphasizes deterrence and continuity of regional alliances and exercises, while warning against escalating tensions. China says it values military ties but cautions Washington against treating it as a manufactured adversary.

A 19-year-old New Zealander, Ryan Satterthwaite, died after attempting “Run It Straight,” a viral head-on collision game inspired by big hits in American football and rugby. The unregulated sport, popularized by the RUNIT Championship League with cash prizes and massive social media reach, involves two players sprinting into each other without protective gear. Following the death and other serious injuries, New Zealand’s prime minister and sport minister urged a halt and are exploring measures to curb the activity. Medical experts warn the impacts can exceed rugby tackles by fivefold, posing high risks of brain injury or death. Venues, schools, local councils, and New Zealand Rugby have moved to ban or discourage the game, while RUNIT says events follow safety protocols and should not be copied outside controlled settings.

The Department of Homeland Security published a list of over 500 “sanctuary jurisdictions” it deems noncompliant with federal immigration enforcement, signaling formal notifications and possible legal actions or funding cuts. The move follows an April 28 executive order requiring regular publication of such lists and directing agencies to identify and suspend federal grants or contracts to noncooperative jurisdictions. DHS says it evaluated self-identified sanctuary policies, cooperation levels with ICE, information-sharing limits, and local legal protections for undocumented immigrants. The administration is also expanding 287(g) agreements to enlist local law enforcement in immigration duties, citing limited ICE staffing. Critics argue noncooperation improves community safety and that immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility. Previous attempts to penalize sanctuary policies have faced court challenges.

President Trump traveled to a US Steel plant near Pittsburgh to celebrate Nippon Steel’s planned takeover of US Steel—a deal he once opposed and President Biden blocked on national security grounds. Trump doubled steel tariffs to 50% and said the transaction will keep US Steel “American,” suggesting government “golden shares” would ensure U.S. control and an American-led board. While US Steel and Nippon praised the agreement and pledged massive U.S. investments and job growth, key details—especially Nippon’s ownership stake—remain unclear. The national United Steelworkers union still opposes the deal, citing Nippon’s trade record and fears of shifting production, though some local union leaders support it. Trump later said the deal isn’t final and still requires his approval.

Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei told CNN’s Anderson Cooper that AI’s rapid advances could trigger mass unemployment, urging policymakers and industry to “raise the alarm” and prepare with safeguards, labor transition plans, and regulation to manage widespread job displacement.

China signaled it may lift its ban on Japanese seafood imports, with the foreign ministry saying it will study Japan’s request based on science, safety, domestic rules, and international trade standards. Chinese customs reported “substantial progress” in technical talks held in Beijing, and Japan pledged “credible and visible” measures to ensure seafood safety meets China’s regulations. The moves are seen as part of Beijing’s effort to reset ties with Tokyo amid rising uncertainty in US trade policy.

Chinese researchers at the China Institute of Atomic Energy have developed what they say is the world’s first AI-based system to distinguish real nuclear warheads from decoys, aiming to modernize arms control verification. Detailed in a peer-reviewed April paper, the system builds on a long-standing China–US verification protocol but faces major hurdles: safely training AI on classified data, assuring Chinese military leaders it won’t leak sensitive information, and convincing other countries—especially the US—to move beyond traditional verification methods. So far, only the technical training step has been achieved; specific warhead data remains undisclosed due to secrecy constraints. The advance could strengthen China’s position in stalled disarmament talks while intensifying debate over AI’s role in managing weapons of mass destruction.

A leading Chinese economist, Lian Ping, warns that financial sanctions could become a new front in US-China rivalry, with the US potentially starting by targeting specific Chinese entities and gradually widening measures to push China from the dollar system. However, he judges full-scale sanctions—such as cutting China off from SWIFT or freezing its dollar assets—as unlikely because they would also harm US and global financial interests. Excluding China from SWIFT would disrupt global trade and investment given China’s scale, likely drive partners to adopt China’s CIPS alternative, and weaken SWIFT’s influence.

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended a Hong Kong ceremony launching the International Organisation for Mediation, the world’s first intergovernmental legal body dedicated to mediation. About 60 countries and 20 global organisations were represented, with heavy police deployment including counterterrorism units. The organisation’s headquarters will be at the renovated former Wan Chai Police Station, slated to open late 2025 or early 2026. Officials and legal experts say the body will enhance Hong Kong’s status as an international legal hub, with Wang urging moves beyond zero-sum mindsets.

FWD Group, the insurer founded by Richard Li, is targeting a Hong Kong IPO as early as July after adding CMB International and HSBC as overall coordinators alongside Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley. The company refiled last week after two prior attempts lapsed, with proceeds intended to bolster its capital for expansion. FWD previously scrapped a planned 2021 New York IPO that sought up to US$3 billion at a US$13 billion valuation amid US-China tensions. The move comes amid renewed IPO momentum in Hong Kong, with recent strong debuts by major Chinese companies. FWD has not disclosed fundraising size or exact timing.

SCMP’s weekly highlights feature seven notable stories: (1) Washington acknowledged about 500 US military personnel are stationed in Taiwan, signaling a more open defense role that tests Beijing’s red lines. (2) Neuroscientist Dan Yang returned to China after 35 years in the US to join Shenzhen’s SMART, reuniting with Mu-ming Poo. (3) China criticized Australia’s move to end a Chinese firm’s lease of Darwin Port, calling the plan “questionable” as the port has turned profitable. (4–7) Additional picks include regional and global features such as technology and human-interest stories, including mainland China’s proposed fix for a Hyperloop flaw and a paraglider’s near-death escape.

UK prosecutors have charged Andrew and Tristan Tate with 21 offenses, including rape, human trafficking, actual bodily harm, and controlling prostitution for gain. Andrew faces 10 charges related to three women; Tristan faces 11 related to one woman. The charges, authorized in January 2024 with arrest warrants issued, mark their first criminal charges in Britain and relate to alleged offenses between 2012 and 2015. The brothers, dual U.S.-U.K. citizens living in Romania since 2016, are also under investigation in Romania for trafficking, including underage victims, and have been accused in the UK of tax issues. They deny all allegations. Romanian courts have ordered their extradition to the UK after Romanian proceedings conclude. Their current whereabouts are unclear, though they were recently seen reporting to Romanian authorities.

France will ban smoking in many outdoor public spaces starting July 1, including beaches, parks, gardens, bus stops, sports venues, and areas near schools. Violators face fines up to about $153, with enforcement by police and expected public self-regulation. Outdoor café terraces are exempt, and e-cigarettes aren’t included yet, though future vape restrictions are being considered. The move expands existing anti-smoking laws amid declining smoking rates but persistent tobacco-related deaths, and enjoys strong public support despite some liberty concerns.

Police in St. Vincent and the Grenadines are investigating a 45-foot vessel that washed ashore on Canouan Island containing the decomposed remains of at least 11 people. Several passports found on board appear to be from Mali, but the victims have not been officially identified. The remains were moved to St. Vincent for forensic analysis. Authorities are working with regional and international partners to determine the boat’s origin and the identities of those aboard.

A U.S. federal judge awarded $20.2 million to American traveler Sam Goodwin, who was detained and tortured in Syria for 63 days in 2019. The judgment, secured by law firm Miller & Chevalier under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act’s state sponsor of terrorism exception, includes roughly equal compensatory and punitive damages; a portion may be paid via the U.S. Victims of State-Sponsored Terrorism Fund. Goodwin was seized in Qamishli, held in solitary at Syria’s notorious Branch 215, and threatened with ISIS transfer before his release was brokered by Lebanese official Gen. Abbas Ibrahim. The firm has won similar cases against Syria, including a $50 million award in 2023 for Kevin Dawes, and is pursuing a suit over the 2017 disappearance of Dr. Majd Kamalmaz.

Gen. Michael Langley, head of U.S. Africa Command, warned that terrorist groups in Africa—especially in the Sahel—are rapidly expanding and could soon have the capacity to attack the U.S. homeland. He said AQIM has tripled in size since 2022, and JNIM has quadrupled, with growing presence in Mali, Burkina Faso, and parts of Niger. These groups seek access to West Africa’s coastline to diversify funding through illicit activities and more easily export terrorism. The U.S. recently struck al-Shabab in Somalia, and Langley highlighted intensifying competition with China and Russia for military influence and training partnerships across Africa.

Sky News Daily examines Israel’s authorization of 22 new Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, including the legalization of previously unauthorized outposts—moves considered illegal under international law, which Israel disputes. The podcast highlights the post-7 October surge in tensions and reports from the Palestinian village of Ras al-Ayn, where correspondents Alex Rossi and Orly Halpern document increased violence and intimidation by Israeli settlers allegedly aimed at displacing Palestinian families. The episode explores the decades-long history of settlements since 1967 and the current escalation’s human impact.

A South African court sentenced Kelly (Racquel Chantel) Smith to life imprisonment for kidnapping and trafficking her missing six-year-old daughter, Joshlin Smith, who vanished from Saldanha in 2024 and remains unaccounted for. Smith’s boyfriend, Jacquen Appollis, and friend, Steveno Van Rhyn, were also convicted. Evidence included testimony that Smith said she sold Joshlin to a sangoma (traditional healer) for 20,000 rand (£830) for her “eyes and skin,” and prosecutors alleged she planned to sell her other children as well. Judge Nathan Erasmus imposed the harshest sentences, rejecting drug use as a mitigating factor.

Global fertility has halved since the 1950s and is projected to keep falling. A Lancet study foresees no rebound, while the UN expects a slight stabilization around 1.75 births per woman. Births likely peaked in 2016 and could drop to about 72 million annually by 2100, with significant uncertainty. The geographic center of births will shift: over half are projected to occur in sub-Saharan Africa by century’s end, even as fertility declines there too; Europe will remain especially low. Most countries are or will soon be below the 2.1 replacement rate, implying population aging and eventual shrinkage after a lag. Policy tools like parental leave and child benefits can modestly raise fertility but not reverse the trend. As labor shortages intensify, migration will become a critical—and competitive—response for aging regions.