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Over 5K New Species Discovered in Pacific’s Deep-Sea Mining Zone

Scientists have discovered more than 5K new species living in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone in the Pacific Ocean [between Hawaii, Kiribati, and Mexico] — a mineral-rich region of the Pacific Ocean earmarked for deep-sea mining.

British Cycling Bans Trans Athletes From Women's Competitions

After a nine-month review, British Cycling on Friday banned transgender women from female competitions.

Biden, House GOP Reach Tentative Debt Ceiling Deal

On Saturday, an agreement in principle was struck between the White House and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) on a deal to raise the debt limit. It is hoped the 'Fiscal Responsibility Act' will steer the country away from a national default after weeks of heated partisan negotiations.

China to Send Its First Civilian Astronaut Into Space

The China Manned Space Agency announced on Monday that Beijing will send its first civilian astronaut into space on Tuesday from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the country's northwest as part of a crewed mission to the Tiangong space station.

Ukraine Claims Over 50 Russian Drones Attacked Kyiv

On Sunday, the Ukrainian Air Force claimed that it had successfully shot down 52 of the 54 Iranian-made "Shahed-136/131" drones. Russia reportedly targeted these drones to attack Kyiv on the night of May 27.

Turkey's Erdoğan Wins Re-Election

Turkey's Supreme Election Council has declared Pres. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan the winner of Sunday's presidential runoff against Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, extending his 20-year rule for a further five-year term.

Cosmetic Surgery-Linked Fungal Outbreak Triggers Alarm

On Friday, US and Mexican authorities urged the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare a public health emergency as almost 400 people are reportedly being monitored for cosmetic surgery-linked fungal meningitis connected to two clinics in the city of Matamoros.

Kyiv Ready to Begin Counteroffensive, Senior Ukrainian Official Says

Ukraine is ready to launch its much-anticipated counteroffensive against Russian forces, a senior Ukrainian official has said in an interview with the BBC.

Japan on Alert as N. Korea Plans to Launch 'Satellite'

Japan on Monday put its ballistic missile defenses on alert, vowing to use its Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) or Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) to destroy any projectile that threatened its territory.

London Police to Stop Responding to Mental Health Calls

Starting this upcoming September, London's Metropolitan Police (Met) will stop responding to emergency calls related to mental health incidents unless there is an "immediate threat to life."

DeSantis Campaign Says it Raised $8.2M in First 24 Hours

Florida governor and presidential candidate Ron DeSantis’ team announced it had raised a record $8.2M within 24 hours after the governor officially launched his campaign for the Republican nomination on Wednesday via a Twitter Spaces event with Elon Musk.

Russia Launches Further Drone and Missile Attacks Into Ukraine

In the early hours of Friday, in the thirteenth such attack on Ukraine since the beginning of May, Russia launched another volley of drone and missile assaults into the country.

Somalia: Al-Shabaab Attacks African Union Peacekeeper Base

The al-Qaeda-linked armed group al-Shabaab attacked an African Union (AU) Transition Mission base in southern Somalia on Friday. The base houses Ugandan troops who are part of the AU's peacekeeping mission in the country.

FDA Allows Musk to Test Brain Chips in Humans

On Thursday, Elon Musk's brain chip firm Neuralink said the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has allowed it to start a "first-in-human clinical study" to test its brain implants.

Nvidia Approaches Trillion-Dollar Mark on AI Use

After surpassing Wall Street estimates for the first quarter of 2023, Chipmaker giant Nvidia’s stock rose around 26% on Thursday, increasing its value from around $196B to almost $1T at approximately $951B.

History-Making Fighter Pilot Nominated for Joint Chiefs Chairman

On Thursday, Air Force General Charles “CQ” Brown Jr., who over the past three years has served as that branch’s chief of staff, was nominated by Pres. Biden as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

US Unveils National Strategy to Combat Antisemitism

The Biden admin. on Thursday published a national strategy to immediately address rising anti semitism in the US. The scope of the strategy encompassed actions across public sector agencies, law enforcement, education, and online spaces.

UK: Car Crashes Into Gates at Downing Street

Police arrested a man who crashed his car into the gates of Downing Street in London, the residence of UK PM Rishi Sunak, on Thursday. Sunak was in Downing Street at the time of the crash but is unharmed and has since left for a trip.

Pakistan: Former PM Khan Placed Under Travel Ban

Pakistani officials on Friday confirmed that the country's Federal Investigation Agency, responsible for immigration and border control, placed former PM Imran Khan, his wife, and over 500 other leaders of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party on a no-fly list.

Mississippi: Boy Shot by Police Following 911 Call

An attorney for 11-year-old Aderrien Murry revealed Thursday that the boy was shot in the chest on Saturday by an Indianola, Miss. police officer who was responding to a domestic disturbance call at the Murry's home.

Japan: 4 Dead, Suspect Arrested in Gun & Knife Attack

On Friday, the Japanese police arrested 31-year-old Masanori Aoki for allegedly killing four people, including two police officers, in a rare gun and knife attack in the central prefecture of Nagano on Thursday.

Russia Summons Germany, Denmark, Sweden Envoys Over Nord Stream Investigation

Russia's foreign ministry has summoned the ambassadors of Germany, Sweden, and Denmark to protest over the results of investigations into the blasts that damaged the Nord Stream gas pipelines last year.

UK: Net Migration Hits Record 606K

According to the UK Office for National Statistics (ONS), the nation received a record 606K net migrants last year, driven by non-EU nationals, refugees under the government's new Ukraine visa program, and those migrating for work and education.

Rwandan Genocide Fugitive Arrested in South Africa

A suspect in the 1994 Rwandan genocide, Fulgence Kayishema, has been arrested after over 20 years on the run in South Africa, the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT) said on Thursday.

Russia: Missile Scientist Treason Trial Set for June

Anatoly Maslov, a Russian hypersonic missile scientist, will in June become the first of three scientists from the Khristianovich Institute of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics (ITAM) in Siberia accused of treason to face trial, it has been announced. Maslov has been in custody since June 2022.

Belgian Aid Worker, Iranian Diplomat Released in Prisoner Swap

Belgian aid worker Olivier Vandecasteele and Iranian diplomat Assadollah Assadi were swapped on Friday in Oman following a deal brokered by the Gulf country and a bilateral prisoner exchange treaty signed last year, which was upheld this spring by Belgium's constitutional court.

Amnesty Report: Racial Bias in Peru's Protest Crackdown

A new Amnesty International report alleges that the Peruvian government has used disproportionate violence against poor and Indigenous people throughout the months-long protests that took place following former Pres. Pedro Castillo's impeachment and arrest in December.

Killer Whales Attack Vessels Near Iberian Coast

A group of killer whales severely damaged a sailing boat off the coast of southern Spain on Thursday. This is the latest in a series of similar incidents in the waters near Spain and Portugal.

Microsoft Claims China-Sponsored Hackers Targeted Infrastructure

Tech giant Microsoft on Wednesday claimed in an advisory that a state-backed Chinese hacking group has continually tried to compromise US cyberinfrastructure in a variety of sectors.

Ukraine: Militia From Cross-Border Attack on Russia Vows to Return

A militia leader that carried out a cross-border lurch into Russia's Belgorod region earlier this week has vowed to launch more incursions into Russian territory.

Israel: Three Soldiers Sentenced for Abusing Palestinian

Three Israeli soldiers have been sentenced to prison time, after an Israeli military court found two of them guilty of abuse and another guilty of exceeding his authority when they endangered the life of a Palestinian man.

Biden, McCarthy Draw Closer to Debt Ceiling Deal

The US White House and top House Republicans have reportedly narrowed on a two-year spending deal to raise the debt ceiling, but nothing has been finalized yet as negotiators leave Washington, D.C., for Memorial Day weekend.

Report: 14M Syrian Refugees at Risk of Losing Homes

According to a report from the nonprofit watchdog Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) released on Thursday, as many as 14M Syrian refugees face massive obstacles to returning to their homes as the Syrian state has the authority to lawfully seize land and property.

UN: 500 Migrants Adrift in Mediterranean

On Thursday, the UN's International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that a Europe-bound vessel from Libya carrying approximately 500 migrants is in distress in the Mediterranean Sea, alleging that Italian and Maltese authorities have so far not responded to rescue calls.

Germany Enters Recession as Consumer Spending Tumbles

Germany’s economy has underperformed forecasts, shrinking by 0.3% in the first quarter of 2023 after contracting by 0.5% in the final three months of 2022. These two consecutive periods of contraction mean Europe's largest economy has entered a recession.

New Superbug-Killing Antibiotic Discovered Using AI

Artificial intelligence (AI) has helped a team of scientists discover a new antibiotic that can be lethal to a strain of deadly superbug. The US-Canadian team said that the finding may greatly speed up the process of discovering new treatments.

Singapore GDP Growth Slows in Q1

Singapore has reported a Q1 year-on-year gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 0.4%, beating expectations. However, the GDP contracted by 0.4% on a quarter-on-quarter basis, falling short of the 0.1% growth recorded in the fourth quarter of 2022.

Paralyzed Man Walks Again After Brain, Spine Implants

On Wednesday, a proof-of-concept study published in the journal Nature revealed how a Dutch man paralyzed by chronic tetraplegia was enabled — in community settings — to stand and walk naturally with the help of brain and spinal cord implants.

Canada, Saudi Arabia to Restore Diplomatic Relations

Saudi Arabia and Canada announced on Wednesday that they would resume diplomatic relations and appoint new ambassadors, breaking five years of poor relations after a dispute over human rights severely strained ties between them.

US Doctor Reprimanded for Discussing Child Rape Victim's Abortion

Dr. Caitlin Bernard, an Indiana doctor who provided an abortion for a 10-year-old rape victim who crossed state lines to receive the treatment last June, has been reprimanded by Indiana's Medical Licensing Board for speaking publicly about the case.

DeSantis Launches 2024 Bid on Twitter

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Wednesday on the Twitter Spaces forum that he will be running for the Republican ticket for the 2024 US presidential election. The announcement experienced technical difficulties on the platform.

Oath Keepers Founder Sentenced to 18 Years

Oath Keepers leader Stewart Rhodes was sentenced on Thursday to 18 years in prison for plotting to forcefully prevent the peaceful transfer of presidential power, the longest term so far imposed over the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.

Iran Unveils New Medium-Range Ballistic Missile

In an event open to journalists in Tehran on Thursday, Iranian officials unveiled what was described as the latest version of its liquid-fueled Khorramshahr ballistic missile amid rising tensions with the West over its nuclear program.

SCOTUS Rules to Weaken Clean Water Act

On Thursday, SCOTUS voted 5-4 to weaken the scope of the 1972 Clean Water Act (CWA) and limit the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) authority over which bodies of water people can build on.

China: New Covid Strain May Cause 65M Weekly Cases

Roughly six months after ending its stringent COVID restrictions, China has warned that the latest Omicron variant, dubbed XBB, could infect over 65M people weekly before it peaks at the end of June.

Report: UN Official, Others in Armenia Hacked by Pegasus Spyware

A group of researchers on Thursday published a report alleging that 12 individuals in Armenia, including journalists, human rights activists, and at least one UN official, were hacked by cyber-intelligence firm NSO Group's spyware Pegasus between October 2020 and December 2022.

Virgin Orbit Sells Assets, Closes Operations

After filing for bankruptcy nearly two months ago, California-based satellite launch company Virgin Orbit has sold off its key assets for over $35M to three aerospace companies, thereby ending its operations.

Anti-Putin Militias Overrun Russia's Belgorod Region

Two paramilitary groups crossed from Ukraine into Russia's Belgorod region on Monday, overrunning a border checkpoint in the settlement of Kozinka, resulting in armed clashes that injured a number of civilians.

Suspect Detained After Truck Crashes Near White House

Sai Varsith Kandula, a 19-year-old from Chesterfield, Mo. who allegedly repeatedly crashed his truck into security barriers in Lafayette Square near the White House, has been charged with multiple crimes, including threatening to kill or harm the US president.

Germany: Police Raid Multiple Climate Activist Properties

On Wednesday, German police raided 15 properties across seven states linked to members of the Last Generation climate activist group.

Israel: Parole Hearing Delayed for Ill Palestinian Activist

On Wednesday, an Israeli court postponed the parole decision for Palestinian writer and activist Walid Daqqa to May 31; Daqqa was transferred to a Tel Aviv hospital on Monday to receive treatment for advanced-stage bone marrow cancer.

Australia, India Strike Migration Deal

On Wednesday, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi announced a bilateral migration deal to boost the two-way mobility of students, graduates, academic researchers, and business people.

EU Seeks Court Backing in $14B Apple Tax Fight

EU competition regulators appealed to the union's highest court on Tuesday to override a lower court decision and make Apple pay €13B (US$14.3B) in Irish back taxes.

ICC: Malian Jihadist Led Reign of Terror in Timbuktu

On Tuesday, prosecutors at the International Criminal Court (ICC) stated in the closing arguments of a trial that Islamist rebel Al Hassan Ag Abdoul Aziz was an "enthusiastic and jubilant" participant in war crimes committed in Timbuktu, in northern Mali.

Thai Elections: Opposition Signs MoU to Form Government

On Monday, Thailand's eight prominent political parties signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to form a coalition government under the progressive Move Forward party, the top recipient of votes in the May 14 general election.

Portuguese Police Probe Reservoir in Madeleine McCann Case

A search led by German police has begun in the area around a Portuguese reservoir, as part of the continued investigation into the disappearance of British child Madeleine McCann 16 years ago.

Trump Hush Money Trial Set for March 2024

Manhattan Judge Juan Merchan on Tuesday set a trial date of March 25 for the hush-money criminal case against former Pres. Trump, prompting the defendant to criticize the timing as "election interference" as it aligns with pivotal Republican primaries.

Vinícius Jr. Racial Abuse Prompts Arrests, Stadium Closure

In the wake of racist abuse directed at Real Madrid soccer star Vinícius Jr. over the weekend, Spanish police on Tuesday said they arrested a total of seven people on hate crime charges in connection with multiple incidents.

Rock Icon Tina Turner Passes Away

Legendary singer Tina Turner passed away at 83 on Wednesday at her home in Küsnacht, Switzerland, according to her publicist Bernard Doherty. Though he didn't provide the cause, she had faced a number of health issues in recent years, including a stroke and kidney disease.

UN: World Failing Civilians Caught in Conflicts

UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, warned the Security Council that "the world is failing to live up to its commitments to protect civilians" as the UN recorded a 53% increase in civilian deaths last year compared to 2021, with nearly 17K civilian casualties recorded across 12 conflicts.

France Bans Some Short-Haul Flights

Coming two years after French lawmakers voted to end flight routes that could be conducted by train in under 2.5 hours, France officially banned short-haul air travel between Paris and cities including Nantes, Lyon, and Bordeaux on Tuesday.

Study: Middle East Faces Extreme Heat Risk

A new study published in Nature Sustainability on Monday has warned that countries across the Middle East and Gulf Region are highly vulnerable to climate change-related extreme heat, with poorer populations particularly at risk in the coming decades.

Report: 50M Trapped in Modern Slavery

The Global Slavery Index 2023, released on Wednesday, reveals that in 2021, some 50M people worldwide were living in conditions that qualify as modern slavery — an increase of 10M over a five-year period.

OpenAI Leaders Call for Regulation

Co-founders of ChatGPT developer OpenAI, Greg Brockman and Ilya Sutskever, as well as CEO Sam Altman, have called for the regulation of "superintelligent" artificial intelligence (AI), specifically pointing to the need for a global body like the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Report: Nearly 2K Children Abused by Catholic Church

An investigation released Tuesday by the Illinois attorney general's office found that nearly 2K children were abused by 451 Catholic clergy members between 1950 and 2019 in the state, more than previously reported.

DeSantis to Launch Presidential Campaign on Twitter

Twitter CEO Elon Musk announced he will join Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis virtually via Twitter Spaces on Wednesday at 6 pm EDT when the governor is expected to launch his 2024 presidential election campaign.

JPMorgan Claims Virgin Islands Enabled Epstein in Lawsuit Defense

In a heavily redacted Manhattan federal court filing, JPMorgan Chase accused the US Virgin Islands of enabling the now-deceased Jeffrey Epstein to abuse women and girls for decades.

UK: Inflation Rate Falls but Concerns Remain

The UK’s Office for National Statistics has revealed that, as calculated by the consumer price index, the rate of annual inflation fell to 8.7% in April.

Canada: Public Probe Into Alleged Chinese Election Meddling Ruled Out

Special rapporteur David Johnston on Tuesday expressed his opposition to a public inquiry into allegations that China attempted to meddle in Canadian elections, instead calling for public hearings. PM Justin Trudeau said he would adhere to these recommendations.

Report: Recycling Plastic Can Increase Toxicity

According to a Greenpeace report published on Wednesday, recycling actually increases the toxicity of plastics and should not be considered a solution to the pollution crisis.

South Africa: Govt Faces Criticism Amid Cholera Outbreak

As South Africa grapples with an outbreak of cholera — with the death toll reportedly rising to 17 in the Hammanskraal region as of Wednesday — citizens are criticizing the government, citing a lack of clean water for the current situation.

Elderly Australian Taser Victim Passes Away

Clare Nowland, the 95-year-old woman who last week was tased by police at her Australian care home, has died. Police said she died “surrounded by family and loved ones.”

South Carolina Senate Passes 6-Week Abortion Ban

On Tuesday, the Republican-majority South Carolina Senate approved a bill to ban most abortions after approximately six weeks of pregnancy, restoring a 2021 ban that went into effect after SCOTUS overturned Roe v. Wade last year.

US Surgeon General: Social Media May Harm Kids

US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy on Tuesday released a report warning that social media can have a “profound risk of harm to the mental health and well-being of children.”

Guam Braces for 'Direct Hit' from Super Typhoon Mawar

Guam — the remote Pacific Island territory of the US — is bracing for a direct hit from the intensifying Super Typhoon Mawar. On Tuesday, the cyclone was 195 miles southeast of the island and is expected to make landfall as a Category 4 storm packing up to 150 mph (241 kph) winds.

Turkey Elections: Oğan Endorses Erdoğan in Runoff

At a press conference in the Turkish capital of Ankara on Monday, Turkey's third-place presidential candidate Sinan Oğan announced his endorsement of incumbent Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in the May 28 runoff election.

Report: US Bombs Unlikely to Reach Underground Iran Nuclear Site

In the Zagros Mountains region of central Iran, workers are reportedly building a nuclear facility so deep underground that it's unlikely to be destroyed by conventional US weapons designed to destroy such sites, according to experts and the Associated Press.

Colombia Suspends Ceasefire With EMC-FARC Rebels

Colombia's Pres. Gustavo Petro has unilaterally suspended a ceasefire with the rebel group Estado Mayor Central (EMC), a dissident offshoot of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), allowing the military to resume operations in four southern provinces.

Carroll Seeks New Damages After Trump Town Hall

On Monday, writer E. Jean Carroll filed an amendment to her 2019 defamation lawsuit against former Pres. Donald Trump, seeking a further $10M in damages over comments he made during a CNN televised town hall on May 10.

Italy: Meloni Govt. Accused of 'Ruthless' Influence Over State Media

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's right-wing government has been accused of trying to bend Italy's public broadcaster RAI [Radiotelevisione Italiana] to its will after a series of high-profile departures, including left-leaning talk show hosts Fabio Fazio and Luciana Littizzetto.

Florida Sued for Chinese Citizens Property Ban

Following Gov. Ron DeSantis's (R-FL) signing of a bill that restricts people from China and six other countries from buying property in Florida earlier this month, a group of Chinese Florida residents filed a lawsuit, arguing that the bill is unconstitutional and violates the Fair Housing Act.

WhatsApp to Allow Users to Edit Messages

On Monday, the popular messaging app WhatsApp introduced the highly requested feature of allowing users to edit their messages up to 15 minutes after sending them.

2024 Olympics: France to Deploy 35K Security Personnel

Citing concerns of novel drone threats, French interior minister Gérald Darmanin announced the deployment of 35K security and military troops to protect the 2024 Olympics opening ceremony that will proceed along the River Seine in the heart of Paris.

Twitter Buyout: Judge Throws Out Shareholder Lawsuit Against Musk

US District Judge Charles Breyer in San Francisco, Calif. ruled Monday to dismiss a class-action lawsuit against Twitter owner Elon Musk. The lawsuit claimed Musk cheated shareholders several times last year in the course of buying the social media company for $44B.

UK Declines To Return Ethiopian Prince's Remains

Buckingham Palace has reportedly denied requests to return the remains of an Ethiopian prince who was buried in the catacombs of St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle in the 19th century.

NAACP Issues Travel Warning For Florida

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), a longtime advocate for Black Americans, has issued a travel advisory for the US state of Florida.

US States Sign Colorado River Conservation Deal

California, Arizona, and Nevada have agreed to cut their consumption of water from the Colorado River over the next four years to preserve water levels at Lake Mead and Lake Powell, America's largest freshwater reservoirs.

Papua New Guinea, US Sign Security Pact

On Monday, US Sec. of State Antony Blinken signed a defense and maritime surveillance agreement on behalf of the US with Papua New Guinea (PNG). The pact bolsters military cooperation, increases the Pacific island nation's defense capabilities, and protects its economy from illegal fishing.

Soccer: Real Madrid’s Vinícius Jr. Accuses Spanish League of Racism

Real Madrid’s Vinícius Jr. has accused the Spanish soccer league, La Liga, of racism after a portion of fans were seen directing racist abuse at the Brazilian forward on Sunday. The incident has been widely condemned.

UN: Climate Change Caused 2M Deaths, $4.3T Damages in Last 50 Years

On Monday, the UN's World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reported that, over the last 50 years, nearly 12K extreme weather events linked with climate change have killed over 2M people and racked up more than $4.3T in damages.

Report: Jeffrey Epstein Blackmailed Bill Gates Over Alleged Affair

According to a Wall Street Journal (WSJ) report, convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein tried to blackmail Bill Gates over a 2010 extramarital affair the Microsoft co-founder had with Russian bridge player Mila Antonova.

EU Fines Meta $1.3B Over Data Privacy

On Monday, the European Union fined Meta's Facebook a record €1.2B ($1.3B) for "systematic, repetitive, and continuous" transfers of users' data from Europe to the United States.

Three Palestinian Militants Killed in Israeli Raid Near Nablus

During a large-scale raid on the Balata refugee camp outside the northern West Bank city of Nablus early on Monday, Israeli forces killed three Palestinian militants affiliated with the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, which is the armed wing of Palestinian Pres. Mahmoud Abbas's ruling Fatah party.

Report: Trump was Warned About Keeping Classified Documents

As special prosecutor Jack Smith investigates why former Pres. Donald Trump didn’t comply with a subpoena related to classified documents, a new report claims he was warned by Evan Corcoran, his lawyer, about keeping classified documents that had been subpoenaed for return last year.

Zelenskyy Denies Bakhmut Has Fallen, Disputes Wagner Chief's Claims

Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelensky has denied that Russia has taken control of Bakhmut, despite saying that brutal fighting for control of the city has left it completely destroyed. His stance contradicts that of Russian paramilitary group Wagner, which claimed to save captured Bakhmut on Saturday.

Beijing Summons Japanese Ambassador Over 'Anti-China' G7 Summit

Chinese deputy foreign minister Sun Weidong has summoned Japan's ambassador Hideo Tarumi to register an official protest over alleged "hype around China-related issues" at the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Hiroshima.

Modi Documentary: BBC Issued With Summons by Indian Court

As part of an ongoing defamation case over a documentary created by the BBC about Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the broadcaster has received a summons from Delhi's high court.

SpaceX Sends Saudi Astronauts to ISS

The second-ever private mission to the International Space Station (ISS) took off aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. on Sunday.

Greece Elections: Ruling Conservatives Win Majority

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis's center-right New Democracy party won 40.8% of the vote in Sunday's elections but fell short of the absolute majority needed to form a government on its own.

Russia Warns US Over Ukrainian Attacks On Crimea

Anatoly Antonov, Russia's ambassador to the US, has warned America against permitting Ukraine to strike Crimea — the Black Sea peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014.

China Bans US Chipmaker Micron From Infrastructure Projects

A PRC regulator has announced that US computer chip manufacturer Micron has been banned from use in domestic infrastructure projects.

Report: FBI Misused Database for Jan. 6, Racial Protests

According to an opinion from the US Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISA), which oversees US spy agencies, the FBI improperly searched an intelligence database for information on suspects in the Jan. 6, 2021, riots and those arrested during the 2020 George Floyd protests.

El Salvador Soccer Stadium Stampede Leaves at Least 12 Dead

At least a dozen people were killed and hundreds injured in a stampede at Monumental Stadium [Estadio Cuscatlán] in El Salvador on Saturday, where soccer clubs Alianza and FAS were playing a national league quarterfinal game.

Global Warming Set To Break 1.5°C Limit By 2027

According to a new report by the World Meteorological Organization, there is a 66% chance that the world will breach the 1.5°C global warming limit before 2027 and, research suggests, with increasing frequency in the years afterwards.

Guyana: At Least 19 Children Dead In School Dormitory Fire

At least 19 children have died, with several more people injured, after a fire broke out overnight on Sunday in a secondary school dormitory in the central Guyanese mining town of Mahdia.

Turkey: Opposition Questions Fairness of Sunday's Polls

On Wednesday, Turkey's main opposition party said it had filed complaints over suspected irregularities over thousands of ballots in Sunday's elections, in which Pres. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan performed better than expected.

US Debt Ceiling Talks On 'Pause'

After both US Pres. Joe Biden and GOP leaders expressed optimism earlier this week, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy's (R-Calif.) lead negotiator, Rep. Garret Graves (R-La.), said Friday they've "decided to press pause" on debt-ceiling negotiations as "it's just not productive."

India to Withdraw 2K-Rupee Notes from Circulation

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said Friday that the nation will begin withdrawing its 2K-rupee ($24.5) banknote, with the head of the finance ministry, T.V Somanathan, saying it would not cause disruption "either in normal life or in the economy."

China Shuts Down 100K Fake Social Media Accounts

The Chinese government has reportedly ramped up efforts to eliminate fake news and rumors from spreading online, shutting down over 100K accounts over the past month that allegedly mischaracterized news anchors and media agencies.

US Congress Report: FBI Revoked Whistleblower Clearances

The GOP-led House Judiciary Committee and Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government on Thursday released an interim report, stating that the FBI has been targeting conservative agents and retaliating against whistleblowers.

US, Taiwan Reach Trade Pact

On Thursday, the US and Taiwan agreed to the first stage of a bilateral trade initiative, which was unveiled last June, marking their first official trade deal during the Biden admin., in a move that draws them closer amid mounting pressure from mainland China.

Deutsche Bank To Pay $75M To Epstein Victims

On Wednesday, the lawyers for women who claim billionaire sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein sexually abused them said Deutsche Bank has agreed to pay $75M to settle a lawsuit that had been set to go to trial in September.

HIV-Prevention Drug to Be Made in South Africa

The Indian drug company Cipla has confirmed that an affordable generic version of its HIV drug cabotegravir (CAB-LA) will be manufactured in South Africa for the first time. The twice-monthly jab is expected to lower the risk of contraction for millions of at-risk Africans.

GOP Delays Vote on Santos Expulsion

On Wednesday, the Republican-controlled US House of Representatives voted along party lines to refer to the House Ethics Committee a resolution on whether Rep. George Santos (R-NY) should be expelled from office.

Japan, UK Renew Security Ties

The UK and Japan have signed a new agreement, called the Hiroshima Accord, that is focused on strengthening security ties between the two countries and promoting economic and technological cooperation.

Colombia: 4 Children Possibly Found Alive After Plane Crash

On Wednesday, Colombian Pres. Gustavo Petro made a statement that four children had been found alive more than two weeks after the plane they were traveling in crashed into the dense jungle of the Caqueta province.

SCOTUS Declines to Block Enforcement of Illinois Gun Law

The US Supreme Court (SCOTUS) on Wednesday denied a request by the National Association for Gun Rights and a firearms retailer to place an injunction on enforcement of a Democrat-backed state ban on assault-style rifles and large-capacity magazines in Illinois.

Syria Returns to Arab League After 12 Years

On Friday, Syria was welcomed back into the Arab League after more than a decade of isolation following the start of a brutal civil war in 2011.

Prince Harry, Meghan In "Near Catastrophic" Paparazzi Chase

Prince Harry’s spokesperson has told the New York Police Department (NYPD) that the Prince and his wife Meghan Markle were involved in a “near catastrophic car chase” that “resulted in multiple near collisions” with other drivers, pedestrians, and two NYPD officers.

NASA Picks Bezos' Blue Origin To Build Moon Lander

On Friday, the US space agency NASA announced it had awarded a $3.4B contract to Jeff Bezos' rocket company Blue Origin to build a lunar lander for its Artemis program scheduled to launch in 2029.

UN: Sahel Fast Becoming World's Terror Hotspot

On Tuesday, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Africa, Martha Pobee, said that global efforts to combat armed groups like ISIS and al-Qaeda have failed to halt their expansion in Africa's Sahel region.

Belarus Pardons Journalist Roman Pratasevich

On Monday, the Belarusian government pardoned Roman Protasevich, an opposition activist, who was arrested in 2021 after the government forced his Ryanair overflight to land in Minsk. Protasevich had earlier this month been sentenced to eight years in prison.

Lebanon Receives Interpol Notice for Central Bank Governor

Interpol issued a "Red Notice" for Lebanon’s central bank governor Riad Salameh on Wednesday, which the country’s interior ministry received the following day and forwarded to the judiciary. Salameh is accused of embezzling hundreds of millions of public funds, which he denies.

Italy: 36K Displaced By Worst Floods In A Century

On Saturday, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni made an early departure from the G7 summit in Japan to deal with the worst flooding seen in the country in a century; at least 14 people have been left dead and more than 36K homeless.

Ukraine's Zelenskyy in Japan for G7 Summit

A day after addressing the Arab League in Saudi Arabia, Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in the Japanese city of Hiroshima on Saturday. There, he held talks with leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) countries as his country's war with Russia approached the 15-month point.

Tim Scott Announces 2024 US Presidential Run

On Friday, South Carolina Senator Tim Scott — the US Senate's only Black Republican — officially entered the 2024 Presidential race, according to a filing with the Federal Election Commission.

Pentagon Says It Made $3B Accounting Error In Ukraine Weapons Shipments

The Pentagon said on Thursday that it had overestimated the value of weapons sent to Ukraine by at least $3B, meaning the Defense Dept. can ship more weapons to the country without asking Congress for additional funds.

Sudan Army, RSF Sign 7-Day Ceasefire

On Saturday, the Sudanese army (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) signed a seven-day ceasefire to restore essential services following weeks of violence. The peace will reportedly be enforced by a US-Saudi "ceasefire monitoring mechanism."

Pentagon: US Drone in Syria May Have Killed Civilian, Not Terrorist

US Central Command on Friday said that the Pentagon is investigating a drone strike targeting a senior al-Qaeda leader in northwest Syria on May 3 that "may have unintentionally resulted" in a civilian casualty instead.

Twitter Accuses Microsoft of Misusing its Data

On Thursday, Elon Musk's Lawyer, Alex Spiro, sent a letter to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella accusing his company of violating "multiple provisions" of Twitter's developer agreement "for an extended period of time."

Russia Agrees to Extend Black Sea Grain Agreement

Turkish Pres. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced on Wednesday that the Ukraine Black Sea grain deal was extended for two more months — just one day before Russia could have exited the agreement that allows Ukraine to ship grain across the Black Sea to other countries

Montana Passes Complete TikTok Ban

Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte on Wednesday signed a bill making Montana the first US state to completely ban the social media app TikTok.

Report: Myanmar Military Has Imported $1B in Weapons Since Takeover

On Wednesday, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Myanmar, Tom Andrews, released a report stating that Myanmar's military has imported arms worth at least $1B since assuming the country's leadership in February 2021.

Colombia: Ex-Paramilitary Leader Testifies About Alleged Assassinations

Former Colombian paramilitary leader of the late 1990s and early 2000s, Salvatore Mancuso, testified this week before the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP) tribunal, where he discussed alleged assassination programs orchestrated during the country’s decades-long internal conflict.

Report: NYC Sinking Due to Skyscraper Weight

According to a report published in the journal Earth's Future, New York City is sinking approximately 1-2mm each year on average, with some parts sinking twice as fast, due to the weight of its high-rise buildings.

Tennis Star Nadal to Miss French Open

Tennis star Rafael Nadal announced Thursday that a hip injury would keep him from competing in the 2023 French Open later this month, and he expects the 2024 tennis season to be his last.

Report: Rohingya Repatriation Plan Poses 'Grave Risks'

[Non-governmental organization] Human Rights Watch is criticizing a proposed plan to repatriate Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh back to Myanmar, stating that it poses "grave risks" to life and freedom.

Iran Executes 3 Men Linked To Anti-Government Protests

Iran on Friday reportedly carried out the execution of three men over their alleged role in a shooting attack that killed three security personnel in Isfahan in November last year amid nationwide anti-government protests.

G7 Summit Kicks Off in Hiroshima

The annual Group of 7 (G7) summit began Friday in Hiroshima, Japan as the seven leading countries — the US, UK, Japan, Canada, Germany, Italy, and France — along with multiple other nations convened to discuss global economic and political issues.

Study: Most of Earth's Largest Lakes Are Drying Up

According to a study published Thursday in the journal Science, more than half of the world's largest lakes and reservoirs have lost considerable amounts of water over the past three decades.

Australia: 95-Year-Old Woman Tased By Police

The police department in the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) is facing criticism after an officer used a Taser on 95-year-old Clare Nowland, who is now in the hospital in critical condition and is not expected to survive

Mexico Issues First Non-Binary Passport

Mexico issued its first non-binary passport Wednesday in conjunction with International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia.

Telecom Giant to Cut 55K Jobs by 2030

The UK's largest broadband and mobile provider, BT Group, has said that it will cut up to 55K jobs — potentially more than 40% of its workforce — by 2030 as it completes its fiber network rollout and adapts to emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI).

DoJ: Military Left Pentagon Leaker in Job After Catching Him

The US Dept. of Justice (DOJ) says the military warned Jack Teixeira, the 21-year-old Air National Guard member accused of leaking classified US military assessments, multiple times about his handling of classified information.

Report: DeSantis to Enter 2024 Presidential Race Next Week

Next week, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will reportedly file formal paperwork with the Federal Election Commission declaring his much-anticipated candidacy for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.

SCOTUS Dismisses Social Media Liability Cases

In two SCOTUS decisions Thursday — Twitter v. Taamneh and Gonzalez v. Google — the US high court ruled that social media companies don't need special protections to avoid liability for hosting terrorist content.

World Leaders Push For Russia, Ukraine Peace Deal

As the Russia-Ukraine war approaches the 15-month mark, leaders from across the world this week pushed for a diplomatic solution to bring the conflict to a close.

Disney Cancels Building of $1B Florida Facility

Amid its current battle with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Disney has decided to scrap plans to build a $1B office complex within the state.

1,100-Year-Old Hebrew Bible Fetches $38.1M At Auction

On Wednesday, the Codex Sassoon, one of the world's oldest surviving nearly-complete biblical manuscripts, sold for $38.1M at the Sotheby's auction house in New York.

Maryland Signs New Laws on Concealed Carry, Handguns

In response to a US Supreme Court ruling last June that limited the power of states to restrict the concealed carrying of firearms, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, a Democrat, signed into law Tuesday new restrictions on the concealed carry of firearms in the state and handgun licensing.

Publisher Sues Florida School District Over Book Bans

Publisher Penguin Random House and PEN, a literary advocacy group, are suing the County School District of Escambia, Florida over its removal of 10 books related to race and gender issues from libraries.

Ecuador: Pres. Lasso Dissolves Congress, Calls for Elections

Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso on Wednesday announced the unprecedented triggering of a constitutional "mutual death" clause to dissolve the legislature and call for snap general elections, which will take place in the coming months.

Italy: At least 13 dead and 20K Homeless in Flooding

As of Thursday, at least 13 people have been killed and 20K displaced as Italy experiences its worst flooding in nearly a century.

Turkey: Opposition Questions Fairness of Sunday's Polls

On Wednesday, Turkey's main opposition party said it had filed complaints over suspected irregularities over thousands of ballots in Sunday's elections, in which Pres. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan performed better than expected.

Report: Albanian Prisoners Paid by UK Govt to Return Home

According to the BBC — which spoke to Albanian prisoners sent home by the UK — the government allegedly offered some £1.5K ($1.8K) to leave the country.

Study: 81% of 10-Year-Old South Africans Battle to Read

According to a study published Tuesday, which tested the reading ability of 400K students globally, 8 out of 10 10-year-old school children in South Africa struggle with reading comprehension.

Pakistan: Pro-Khan Protesters to Be Tried Under Military Laws

During a meeting of Pakistan's National Security Committee chaired by PM Shehbaz Sharif, military and civilian leaders announced that the rioters and their backers who demonstrated on May 9 to protest the arrest of former PM Imran Khan will be tried under army laws.

North Carolina GOP Overrides Veto of 12-Week Abortion Ban

North Carolina’s Republican-controlled Generally Assembly on Tuesday voted to override Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto of a bill that would ban most abortions after 12 weeks of pregnancy, reduced from a prior 20-week restriction

CIA Releases Video Recruiting Russian Spies

The CIA has reportedly released a professionally produced video to multiple social media platforms aimed at recruiting Russian citizens – specifically military officials, intelligence agents, diplomats, and scientists – to reveal information about their country’s economy and government.

UK, Netherlands Agree on 'International Coalition' for Ukraine Fighter Jets

The leaders of Britain and the Netherlands, Rishi Sunak and Mark Rutte, have agreed to build an "international coalition" to help Ukraine acquire F-16 fighter jets, the British government announced late on Tuesday.

Report: Wealthy Nations Owe $13T in Climate Pledges

On Wednesday, the British nonprofit Oxfam said wealthy nations owe poorer nations $13T in development aid to combat the effects of climate change. Instead of paying the debt, wealthy nations are demanding these nations pay $232M per day in debt payments owed.

Report: IRS Removes Entire Team Probing Hunter Biden's Tax Returns

Attorneys for an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) whistleblower — who recently alleged a cover-up in the long-running tax fraud probe of Hunter Biden — told Congress on Monday that the entire investigative team have been removed from the case at the request of the Dept. of Justice.

Biden Admin. Grants Mountain Valley Pipeline Permit

On Monday night, the Biden administration permitted the $6.6B Mountain Valley natural gas pipeline to run through the Jefferson National Forest which runs between West Virginia and Virginia.

Amnesty: Executions Reach Highest Total in 5 Years

Amnesty International on Tuesday issued its annual report on the death penalty, revealing that the number of recorded executions in 2022 was 883 people, the most in a half-decade.

Florida: DeSantis Ends Public Funding for College DEI

On Monday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation that bans state colleges from using tax dollars to fund diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, as well as a host of other educational reforms to higher education.

US and Micronesia to Renew Strategic Pacific Pact

The US is scheduled to sign strategic pacts with Papua New Guinea and Micronesia next week as it seeks to counter Chinese influence in the Asia-Pacific region.

Report: UK Visa Scammers Offer Men £10K To Pose As Fathers

A BBC Newsnight investigation has revealed that multiple British men have taken payments of thousands of pounds to add their names to birth certificates of migrant women's babies, helping the child to get UK citizenship and the mother a residency route.

Ex-Aide Sues Rudy Giuliani Alleging Sexual Assault

On Monday, Rudy Giuliani — the formerly both New York City mayor and Donald Trump's personal lawyer — was sued for $10M by Noelle Dunphy over allegations of sexual assault, harassment, wage theft, and other offenses.

Tunisian Opposition Leader Jailed

A Tunisian court sentenced Rached Ghannouchi, leader of the opposition Ennahda party, to a year in jail and a fine of 1K dinars (~$300) on charges of plotting against state security. Ghannouchi has said that the proceedings against him have been fabricated.

Virginia Rep. Connolly's Staff Attacked With Baseball Bat

On Monday, US Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) announced that a man armed with a baseball bat had walked into his district office in Fairfax and violently attacked two of his staff members.

South Africa's Army Chief Visits Moscow For Bilateral Talks

On Monday, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) confirmed that the commander of South African ground forces is visiting Moscow for bilateral talks between the two countries' militaries.

Durham Releases Final Report on FBI Trump-Russia Probe

On Monday, special counsel John Durham released his report after a four-year investigation into the origins of the FBI investigation of then-presidential candidate Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign’s potential ties to Russian operatives.

Ukraine: Air Defense Thwarts Further Russian Missile Attack on Kyiv

In the early hours of Tuesday, for the eighth time this month, Russia launched a wave of missiles and drones at Kyiv.

Head of Ukraine's Supreme Court Arrested After Alleged $3M Bribe

The chairman of Ukraine's Supreme Court, Vsevolod Kniaziev, was reportedly arrested on corruption allegations, local sources said on Monday.

EU Foreign Policy Chief: Curb Russian-Origin Indian Oil

Josep Borrell, the EU's foreign policy chief, has said that while the bloc did not mind increased oil trade between Russia and India, it will curb importing Indian petroleum products that use Russian oil, including diesel.

AI Congress Hearing: OpenAI CEO Calls for AI Licenses

On Tuesday, Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, the company behind the artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot ChatGPT, testified before the US Senate Judiciary Committee's subcommittee on Privacy, Technology & the Law to call for safeguards on powerful AI like the kind underpinning his chatbot.

Former French Pres. Sarkozy Loses Appeal Against Graft Conviction

A French appeals court on Wednesday upheld former French Pres. Nicolas Sarkozy's one-year sentence on a conviction for corruption and influence peddling. He was first convicted in 2021 of attempting to bribe a magistrate in exchange for information about a legal case in which he was implicated.

US Debt Ceiling: Biden, GOP Hopeful Of A Deal

On Wednesday, US Pres. Joe Biden and Republican lawmakers expressed optimism that a deal to raise the US debt ceiling could be reached by the end of the week, following emergency talks at the White House.

Truss Visits Taiwan, Urges West to Counter China

Former British Prime Minister Liz Truss on Wednesday called for the West to choose between appeasing Beijing or taking action to prevent war, arguing that a new Cold War has already started.

Nigeria: 4 Killed In Attack On US Embassy Convoy

On Tuesday, gunmen attacked a convoy of US embassy staff near the town of Atani in Nigeria’s southeastern Anambra State, killing four people and abducting three others, according to local police and US officials.

Warren Buffett Sells Stake in Taiwan Chipmaker

According to a Monday filing, American business magnate Warren Buffett’s conglomerate, Berkshire Hathaway, has sold all its shares in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) over worries about Taiwan's "uncertain" future.

Poll: Biden Leads Over Potential GOP 2024 Candidates

According to the latest Reuters/Ipsos survey, which polled 4,410 US adults nationwide, Pres. Joe Biden holds an advantage over potential Republican challengers Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis in early 2024 Presidential Election matchups.

US Debt Ceiling Negotiations Continue

US Pres. Joe Biden is set to resume talks with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) Tuesday regarding raising the federal debt ceiling.

Florida Scientist Breaks Record for Time Spent Underwater

US Navy veteran Joe Dituri, an associate professor at the University of South Florida self-styled "Dr. Deep Sea," announced on Sunday that he has broken the record for the longest time lived underwater.

US Appeals Court Orders Musk to Abide by SEC Tweet Settlement

The US Second Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan on Monday ruled that Elon Musk cannot back out of the settlement he agreed to with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) following his 2018 tweets that claimed he had the funding to take Tesla private.

US Supreme Court to Hear Dispute Over Trump Documents

The US Supreme Court has decided to take up a case concerning whether Democratic Party lawmakers should be allowed to sue to obtain documents surrounding the former Washington, D.C., hotel owned by former Pres. Trump.

NYC to Open Asylum-Seeker Center for Migrants

New York City Mayor Eric Adams said on Saturday that the city will use the historic Roosevelt Hotel as an arrival center to provide as many as 1k rooms for migrants expected to arrive in the coming weeks following the expiration of Title 42.

SCOTUS to Hear South Carolina Gerrymandering Case

On Monday, SCOTUS agreed to hear the South Carolina Republican Party's challenge of a lower court ruling that found a congressional district was gerrymandered to exclude black voters. The case will be Alexander v. South Carolina Conference of the NAACP.

Google: AI Shouldn't Be Considered An 'Inventor'

Google in a new filing has urged the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) not to consider artificial intelligence (AI) technology an “inventor” under patent law.

India: Gandhi’s Congress Defeats Modi’s BJP in Karnataka

On Saturday, voters overwhelmingly backed India's main opposition party in a crucial Assembly election in the southern state of Karnataka, in a blow to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that has been ruling the country since 2014.

Study: Talking to Babies May Help Shape Brain

A study has found that toddlers who hear more speech in everyday life have more myelin in language-related areas of their brains. The more one speaks to a toddler, the more it helps their brains to develop in early childhood the study claims.

China Launches 'New-Era' Marriage and Childbearing Initiatives

China’s Family Planning Association, the state body for fertility and population measures, has announced it will pilot a project in more than 20 cities to create a “new era” of family and childbearing culture.

US Begins First Human Trial of Dirty-Bomb Antidote

The US National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced Monday that the first-in-human trial of an experimental drug designed to remove radioactive contaminants from the human body, known as HOPO 14-1, has begun.

Backlash As Qatar Allowed To Chair ILO Meet

The UN’s labor rights watchdog, the International Labour Organization (ILO), is being criticized for nominating Qatar’s minister of labor, Ali bin Saeed bin Samikh al-Marri, to preside over its upcoming annual conference in Geneva.

Canada's Trudeau Visits South Korea

Canadian PM Justin Trudeau arrived in Seoul for his first official visit to South Korea on Tuesday, with China and economic security set to top the agenda.

New Zealand Hostel Fire Kills at Least 6, More Missing

At least six people died after the four-story Loafers Lodge hostel in Wellington, New Zealand caught fire just after midnight local time on Monday. Police say more than 50 people have been rescued but 11 still remain unaccounted for.

UK: Tory Donor Javad Marandi Named In Money Laundering Probe

On Tuesday, Javad Marandi, a multi-millionaire Conservative Party donor, lost a 19-month legal battle against the BBC to remain anonymous in an investigation concerning global money laundering.

US: Border Crossings Drop After Title 42 End

Chief Operating Officer at US Customs and Border Protection Blas Nuñez-Neto said Wednesday that migrant crossings remain at a 56% decrease since last week’s end of Title 42, the pandemic-era public health policy, with border encounters now averaging 4K per day compared to 10K.

Vice Media Files For Bankruptcy

On Monday, Vice Media Group (VMG) filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the Southern District of New York to facilitate its sale to a group of its lenders.

Turkey: Erdoğan, Kılıçdaroğlu Face Unprecedented Runoff

Turkey's Supreme Election Council on Monday announced that the presidential election is going to a runoff for the first time in history, as incumbent Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his challenger Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu failed to pass the threshold of 50% of the vote.

IRS Considering Government-Run Tax Filing System

The Biden admin. is considering whether to create a government-run alternative to companies like TurboTax and H&R Block, with Democrats and consumer advocates pushing for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to offer free online tax filing on its website.

Belarus: Lukashenko Absence After Health Report

Longtime Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko was absent from the country's annual "National Flag, Emblem and Anthem Day" celebration on Sunday, fueling speculation on his health.

Cyclone Mocha: 5 Dead, 700 Injured in Myanmar

At least five people have died in Myanmar after Cyclone Mocha ripped through the Myanmar-Bangladesh coasts on Sunday, destroying hundreds of makeshift Rohingya shelters at the world's largest refugee camp in Bangladesh's Cox's Bazar.

India Calls Film on Modi's Role in Gujarat Riots 'Propaganda'

The Indian government on Thursday termed a BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi — which reportedly questions his leadership during the 2002 Gujarat riots — a "propaganda piece" designed to push a "discredited narrative."

Armenia Reports New Border Clashes with Azerbaijan

Following border clashes on Thursday which left one Azerbaijani soldier dead and four Armenian troops injured, Armenia claimed that clashes again erupted on Friday morning as recent escalations threaten to derail EU-led weekend peace talks between the Caucasus rivals.

Israel, Gaza Militants Agree to Ceasefire

Israel and the Gaza-based Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) militant group on Saturday confirmed they agreed to an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire, which went into effect at 10 p.m. after nearly five days of deadly fighting.

Zelenskyy Pushed for Attacks Inside Russia, Leaked Documents Reveal

Despite assurances to Western countries that Ukraine wouldn't use its weapons shipments to attack territory inside Russia, Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelenskyy reportedly pushed for such attacks in private talks.

EU Commission Approves Microsoft's $69B Activision Deal

EU regulators on Monday approved Microsoft’s $69B deal for the purchase of gaming company Activision Blizzard, which produces popular console and PC games such as the Call of Duty franchise and World of Warcraft.

BBC Report: Private UK Clinics Misdiagnosing ADHD

According to a report released on Monday, patients in at least three private clinics in the UK are being diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and prescribed powerful drugs based on unreliable online assessments.

Moscow Denies Reports of Ukrainian Bakhmut Breakthrough

Russia's defense ministry has denied that Ukraine made any front-line breakthroughs in the "engagement line" [near Bakhmut] — in the Donetsk region.

Portugal Legalizes Limited Euthanasia

Portugal on Friday approved a law legalizing euthanasia for nationals and legal residents aged over 18 who are suffering "lasting and unbearable" pain and are deemed mentally fit to make such a decision in cases where a physical disability of the patient hinders a medically assisted suicide.

George Santos Admits to Theft in Brazilian Court

Republican congressman George Santos (R-N.Y.) has signed a deal with Brazilian authorities to confess to theft in order to drop the criminal charges from a case in 2008.

Astronomers Capture Largest Cosmic Explosion on Record

A remarkable cosmic explosion, first captured by astronomers in 2020, has been revealed as the largest cosmic explosion ever witnessed.

Audit Finds European Central Bank Not Adequately Assessing Credit Risk

The European Court of Auditors (ECA) released a report on the European Central Bank (ECB) on Friday, concluding that its supervisors are lax towards the highest-risk lenders, applying rules inconsistently and not clearly linking risks to the capital requirements imposed.

US, China Hold Talks to Move Beyond Spy Balloon Incident

The White House on Thursday publicized a two-day meeting between National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and senior Chinese diplomat Wang Yi in Vienna this week. The White House said both sides reportedly had "candid" and "constructive" discussions on wide-ranging key issues.

Pope Calls On Italians To Have More Kids, Fewer Pets

On Friday, Pope Francis urged young Italians to forgo "selfish, egotistical" decisions and have larger families as Italy faces its greatest population crisis due to a record low birth rate.

Ukraine Suspected of Firing New Long-Range Missile from Britain

Ukraine is believed to have started using a new long-range cruise missile delivered from Britain for the first time on Friday in a strike on the city of Luhansk.

Turkey Elections: Ince Withdraws Last-Minute

Just days before Turkey’s Sunday elections, presidential candidate Muharrem Ince announced he was dropping out of the race in a move that many believe will benefit Pres. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s main challenger, Kemal Kilicdaroglu.

Reports: 4 Russian Aircraft Crash Near Ukraine Border

Russian media reported that, on Saturday, two Russian fighter jets — a Su-34 and a Su-35 — and two Mi-8 military helicopters were shot down near the Ukrainian border in Russia’s Bryansk region.

Thai Elections: Opposition Dominates Vote

Thai voters on Sunday overwhelmingly backed the opposition parties in nationwide elections, in a blow to the military-aligned establishment that has been ruling Thailand since 2014.

Syria Extends Post-Quake Aid Access

On Saturday, Syria agreed to extend the authorization for the UN to utilize two additional border crossings for post-earthquake humanitarian assistance for three additional months.

Russia, Syria, Turkey, Iran Hold High-Level Talks In Moscow

The foreign ministers of Russia, Syria, Turkey, and Iran met in Moscow on Wednesday for talks on mending ties between Ankara and Damascus, which have been on opposing sides in Syria's 12-year civil war.

Suspected Jordanian Airstrikes Hit Southern Syria, Killing 7

Jordan conducted rare air strikes against targets in southern Syria on Monday — reportedly hitting an Iran-linked drugs factory near the Jordanian border and killing Marie al-Ramthan, an alleged drug smuggler, along with his wife and children while they were at home.

UK Software Company Co-Founder Extradited to US

Mike Lynch, co-founder of software firm Autonomy — and once called the "UK’s Bill Gates" — arrived in San Francisco, Calif. after being extradited to the US Thursday where he will face criminal charges related to Hewlett Packard’s (HP) $11B acquisition of his tech company.

Federal Handgun Age Limit Ruled Unconstitutional

On Wednesday, a federal judge in Virginia struck down a law prohibiting licensed federal weapons dealers from selling handguns to buyers under 21, ruling it violates their Second Amendment rights.

Japan: Data of 2M Toyota Customers Exposed

On Friday, Toyota revealed that the data of more than 2M customers in Japan was publicly accessible for over a decade due to human error, including details such as vehicle location, identification numbers, and footage recorded by the vehicle.

US Immigration: Title 42 Ends

On Thursday, Title 42, the COVID-era public health order that was used 2.8M times to turn away migrants at the US border since it was first instituted in March 2020, expired.

Trump Appeals Civil Verdict

Attorneys for former US Pres. Donald Trump on Thursday filed an appeal of Tuesday’s jury verdict that found him liable for sexually abusing and defaming writer E. Jean Carroll.

Ex-Marine Charged For Fatal NY Subway Chokehold

On Friday, 24-year-old Marine Corps veteran Daniel Penny appeared in court to be charged with second-degree manslaughter in connection with the death of homeless man Jordan Neely on a New York City subway. No plea was entered.

Elon Musk Picks a New Twitter CEO

After announcing on Thursday that he had found a new CEO to lead Twitter — which he bought last year for $44B — Elon Musk on Friday confirmed that Linda Yaccarino, the head of global advertising and partnerships at NBC Universal, would take over.

Philippines: Court Acquits Leila De Lima in Drug Case

A Philippine court on Friday dismissed one of the two remaining criminal charges against former Sen. Leila de Lima, a prominent critic of ex-President Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs.

NYC Passes Bill Banning Weight Discrimination

On Thursday, the New York City Council approved a bill making it illegal to discriminate against weight and height in employment, housing, and public accommodations.

US Transfers Seized Russian Funds to Ukraine

US Attorney General Merrick Garland on Wednesday approved the transfer of millions of dollars worth of assets seized from Russian oligarch Konstantin Malofeyev to aid war-ravaged Ukraine.

Israeli Strike Kills Another High-Level Islamic Jihad Commander

An Israeli strike early on Thursday reportedly killed the head of Palestinian Islamic Jihad's (PIJ) rocket launching force and two other militants in an apartment in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis. The Israeli military said his deputy was also killed in a separate strike.

Pakistan Ex-PM Khan Granted Bail

On Friday, Pakistan's Supreme Court granted former PM Imran Khan two weeks' bail after finding that his arrest on corruption charges by paramilitary troops — which prompted protests and deadly clashes — was unlawful.

FDA Finalizes New Blood Donation Guidelines

On Thursday, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommended new guidelines for blood donations that would ease restrictions on men who have intercourse with other men (MSM) in a move that's expected to alleviate blood supply shortages.

WHO: Mpox No Longer Global Health Emergency

On Thursday, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that the Mpox outbreak — formerly known as monkeypox — is no longer a global health emergency.

Italian Regulators Start Apple Antitrust Probe

Italy’s antitrust agency revealed on Thursday that it has begun a probe into Apple’s alleged abuse of its prominence in the app market.

UK Business Secretary Criticized for U-Turn on EU Laws Retention

British Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle scolded Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch before the Commons on Thursday for announcing the government’s decision to scale back its plan to revoke EU laws from the books via a Daily Telegraph article, rather than revealing the plans directly to MPs.

Bank of England Hikes Rates to 4.5%

The Bank of England (BoE) raised the interest rate for the 12th consecutive time on Thursday, bumping it from 4.25 to 4.5%. It is now the highest it has been since October 2008, with the cumulative increase over recent months marking the largest such rise since the late 1980s.

Italy: Explosion in Milan Sets Multiple Cars Ablaze

On Thursday, several cars and motorbikes went up in flames after a van carrying oxygen cylinders exploded in the center of Milan in northern Italy.

Trump's CNN Townhall Stirs Controversy

Former Pres. Donald Trump attended a CNN townhall in New Hampshire on Wednesday night in which he took questions from the public and rhetorically sparred with the moderator, Kaitlan Collins.

Nicaragua Orders Closure of Red Cross

On Wednesday, Nicaraguan lawmakers voted to dissolve the local branch of the Red Cross, a nonprofit humanitarian organization, as part of an alleged clampdown on groups seen as hostile to the government of Daniel Ortega.

Florida Gov. DeSantis Signs Immigration Bill

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law Wednesday a multi-faceted immigration bill while also taking the opportunity to criticize the Biden admin.'s border policy ahead of his expected announcement to run in the 2024 Republican Primary Election.

Air Strikes and Rocket Fire Continues Between Israel and Gaza

Following the killing of high-level Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) commanders, militants in the Gaza Strip fired barrages of rockets toward Israel on Wednesday, Thursday, and continuing into Friday morning.

FDA Panel Backs First Over-the-Counter Birth Control Pill

On Wednesday, a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) panel voted unanimously in support of making prescription birth control medication Opill available over the counter for the first time in the US.

House GOP Releases Memo on Biden Family Foreign Deals

US House Republicans on Tuesday released alleged records of $10M in payments received by members of the Biden family from foreign entities, with Oversight Committee Chair James Comer claiming they used the family name to enrich themselves and that the president was "involved."

Texas BLM Protest Shooter Sentenced

US Army Sergeant Daniel Perry has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for the murder of Garrett Foster at a Black Lives Matter (BLM) demonstration in Austin, Texas in 2020. The defense had requested a sentence of 10 years because of Perry's personal circumstances.

UK Unveils Deregulation Reforms, Scraps EU Labor Rules

UK Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch has unveiled a package of deregulatory reforms, including changes to the application of the EU working time directive in the country, as some 600 EU regulations are expected to be revoked by the end of the year.

Saudi Arabia, Syria to Resume Diplomatic Missions

On Tuesday, Saudi Arabia announced that it would reopen its diplomatic mission in Syria after withdrawing its representatives more than a decade ago, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Tunisia: Six Dead in Shooting Near Africa's Oldest Synagogue

The death toll of Tuesday's rampage near Ghriba Synagogue in Tunisia's Djerba island — where hundreds of Jewish pilgrims were gathering — has risen to six, after a police officer died on Wednesday from his injuries.

US Panel: Breast Cancer Screenings Should Begin at 40

On Tuesday, the US Preventive Services Task Force issued draft guidance advising women with an average risk of breast cancer to begin receiving biennial screenings at age 40, a decade earlier than its previous recommendation of 50.

UK National Pleads Guilty to 2020 Twitter Hack

23-year-old UK citizen Joseph James O'Conner has pled guilty to participating in the 2020 hack of numerous high-profile Twitter accounts and other cybercrime incidents. He was arrested in Spain in 2021 and was extradited to the US last month.

Report: Myanmar Used Fuel-Air Explosive Against Civilians

Human Rights Watch on Tuesday alleged that Myanmar's military dropped a fuel-air explosive — also known as a thermobaric or vacuum bomb — in an airstrike that killed over 160 civilians last month, violating international humanitarian law and possibly amounting to a war crime.

US Govt Says FBI Disrupted Russian Malware Network

The US Dept. of Justice said on Tuesday that — together with the FBI, the NSA, and partner intelligence agencies from abroad — it executed a court-approved operation to disable a "premier" Russian spying tool.

G7 Agrees To Diversify Supply Chains, Reduce Inflation

On Saturday, finance chiefs of the Group of Seven (G7) nations agreed to build more stable, diversified global supply chains to develop clean energy sources and "enhance economic resilience globally against various shocks."

Report: 71M Internally Displaced by War, Disasters Worldwide

According to the Geneva-based Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre on Thursday, the number of people internally displaced by conflicts and natural disasters has risen 20% since 2021, hitting a record high of 71M people fleeing in search of safety and shelter in 2022.

Google Unveils AI-Powered Search Engine

Google on Wednesday announced plans to infuse its search engine with more advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technology, three months after Microsoft’s Bing search engine began using similar technology.

Health Experts Warn of AI's Existential Threat

According to health professionals from the UK, US, Australia, Costa Rica, and Malaysia writing in the journal BMJ Global Health, more advanced artificial intelligence could harm millions. The experts called for a halt in its development until the technology is regulated.

UK: Sunak Names First 'Free Speech Czar'

UK PM Rishi Sunak has reportedly appointed Cambridge philosophy professor Arif Ahmed as the country's free speech czar to combat "cancel culture" at universities. This is the first position of its kind in the nation.

UN: 1M Premature Babies Die Yearly

The UN on Wednesday released its “Born Too Soon” report, stating that premature births — which claim the lives of 1M babies annually —are the leading cause of child mortality in the world, with no progress having been made in reducing preterm births for a decade.

Scientists Find Microbes That Digest Plastic at Low Temperatures

Scientists from the Swiss Federal Institute WSL have discovered fungal and bacterial microbes that can digest plastic at 15°C (59°F) and even lower temperatures. Existing microorganisms can only do so at 30°C (86°F).

US Might Force Airlines to Compensate Travelers for Flight Delays, Cancellations

On Monday, US Pres. Joe Biden unveiled plans to launch new regulations mandating all US airlines to compensate passengers in cases of carrier-caused flight cancellations or delays.

Tucker Carlson to Relaunch Show on Twitter

Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson is reportedly in talks to relaunch his show on Twitter, after being pulled off the air from Fox News last month. In a video posted to the platform on Tuesday, he stated that his show is coming back soon in “a new version,” this time on the social media site.

Report: US to Release Migrants as Title 42 End Nears

Following a surge of more than 11K migrants crossing the southern border on Tuesday, the Biden admin. is reportedly working on a memo to instruct Customs and Border Protection to release migrants into the US without court dates or the ability to track them.

Pakistan: Imran Khan Indicted on Bribery Charges

Former Pakistani PM Imran Khan was indicted Wednesday for allegedly selling gifts given by foreign dignitaries from Pakistan’s gift depository without disclosing the assets to the Election Commission.

EU to Consider AI Facial Recognition Ban

A European Parliament (EP) committee is set to finalize its landmark Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act on Thursday before sending it for discussion between member states, Parliament, and the 27-member bloc's executive Commission.

Fla. Rejects 35% of Social Studies Textbooks

The Florida Department of Education on Tuesday announced it rejected 35% of social studies textbooks that were submitted.

UK: Iranian Activist Given Police Protection

On Tuesday, Masih Alinejad, a prominent US-based Iranian activist and journalist, was put under Metropolitan Police protection in the UK following her appearance on the TV show 'Piers Morgan Uncensored.'

Kenya: Autopsies Reveal Missing Organs in Cult Deaths

Court documents filed on Monday indicate that autopsies on corpses found in mass graves linked to a religious cult in Kenya have revealed missing organs, raising suspicion they could have been victims of a well-coordinated organ trafficking ring.

Pakistan: Ex-PM Imran Khan Arrested, Sparking Protests

On Tuesday, Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan — who was ousted in April last year and has since campaigned for early elections— was arrested on corruption charges, prompting his supporters to stage massive protests across the country in response.

'Real War' Unleashed on Russia, Putin Says in Victory Day Address

Marking the 1945 defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II in Russia's annual Victory Day parade, Russian Pres. Vladimir Putin on Tuesday attempted to evoke the conflict in connection to the war in Ukraine.

Report: DOJ Contacted in 2018 About Alleged Biden Ukraine Bribery

Interviews and documents obtained by Just the News reportedly reveal that former federal prosecutor Bud Cummins contacted the US Dept. of Justice (DOJ) in 2018.

Sudan: Al-Burhan Says No Benefit in Peace Talks Without Truce

On Monday, Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Sudan's military leader, said US-backed peace talks with Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) that began Saturday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, will have no benefit without a truce.

Study: Blood Test to Make it Easier to Prosecute Drowsy Drivers

Researchers at Melbourne's Monash University have said that biomarker-based blood tests — which could help law enforcement detect whether drivers are sleep-deprived — may be available in five years.

UK: First Baby Born From Three People's DNA

The first baby with DNA from three people has been born in the UK through a special in vitro fertilization procedure known as mitochondrial donation treatment, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority confirmed on Tuesday.

Goldman Sachs Settles Gender Discrimination Suit

Goldman Sachs announced Monday it has agreed to pay $215M to settle a class action lawsuit alleging widespread bias against women in pay and promotions, pending approval by a New York judge.

Phoenix to Start Clearing Downtown Homeless Camp

Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Scott Blaney ruled Monday that city officials must act quickly to find accommodation for the hundreds of homeless camping out in a large stretch of downtown Phoenix, commonly known as “The Zone.”

China Launches Investigation of Capvision Offices

Chinese authorities have launched an investigation into the Shanghai and New York-headquartered consulting firm Capvision, Chinese media reported Monday. This comes as Beijing tightens its scrutiny of foreign consulting and advisory firms.

Musk Says Twitter Will Purge Inactive Accounts

Twitter CEO Elon Musk on Monday announced the platform will begin “purging accounts that have had no activity at all for several years.”

EU Cancels Israeli Europe Day Reception Over Ben-Gvir Attendance

On Monday, the EU delegation in Israel announced the cancellation of a diplomatic reception to mark Europe Day in Tel Aviv due to take place on Tuesday over concerns the country's right-wing national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, would be in attendance as Israel's official representative.

Biden, McCarthy Deadlocked in Debt-Ceiling Meeting

Congressional leaders, including House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), met with Pres. Joe Biden on Tuesday to try to resolve disagreements over raising the debt ceiling, but to no avail. Another meeting is expected to take place on Friday.

Canada, China Escalate Diplomatic Row

On Tuesday, China escalated diplomatic tensions with Canada by classifying Shanghai-based consul Jennifer Lynn Lalonde as a "persona non grata," demanding she leaves China by May 13.

Israeli Defense Forces Kill Two Palestinians in West Bank

On Wednesday, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) conducting raids in Qabatiya in the occupied West Bank reportedly killed two young Palestinians.

Rep. Santos Facing 13 Federal Charges

US Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) on Wednesday was arrested on 13 federal charges — seven counts of wire fraud, three counts of money laundering, one count of theft of public funds, and two counts of making materially false statements to the US House of Representatives.

UN: Female Afghan Employees Detained Since Taliban Ban

In a report published on Tuesday, the UN claimed that some of its female staff members had been detained, harassed, and had restrictions placed on their movements since being banned by the Taliban from working for the world body last month.

Texas House Panel Votes to Raise Age Limit on Guns

A Texas House committee Monday voted 8-5 in favor of a bill that would raise the minimum age to purchase AR-15-style semiautomatic rifles from 18 to 21 years old.

Trump Found Liable For Sexual Abuse

After two-and-a-half hours of deliberations, a Manhattan, N.Y., jury found former Pres. Donald Trump liable for sexually abusing and defaming former Elle Magazine columnist E Jean Carroll in 1996. However, they returned a not-guilty verdict for rape.

LinkedIn To Cut Over 700 Jobs, Close China App

Citing slower revenue growth and changing customer behavior, LinkedIn announced Monday that it will cut 716 jobs globally, discontinue its professional networking services and product and engineering teams in China, and downsize its sales and marketing functions in the country.

EU Proposes Sanctions on Chinese Firms for Allegedly Helping Russia

Diplomatic sources have confirmed the EU on Wednesday will begin discussing sanctions against eight Chinese companies for allegedly aiding the Russian war effort in Ukraine. It would be the first time the 27-member bloc sanctioned China in relation to the conflict.

Peru: Gold Mine Fire Kills at Least 27

In one of the country's worst mining accidents in recent history, at least 27 workers were killed Saturday after a short circuit sparked a fire at the "La Esperanza 1" mine in the southern Peruvian region of Arequipa.

US Congress Threatens Blinken with Contempt

US House Foreign Affairs Committee chair Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) is threatening to hold US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in contempt of Congress if he refuses to hand over May 11 diplomatic cables relating to the 2021 US withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Mystery Chinese Spacecraft Returns to Earth After 276 Days

On Monday, China's state media reported that an experimental spacecraft had returned to Earth after remaining in orbit for 276 days. The unmanned spacecraft reportedly completed an unprecedented mission to test the country's reusable space technologies.

Eight Dead After Car Strikes Crowd in Texas

A driver ran into pedestrians standing at a bus stop outside a migrant shelter in southern Texas on Sunday, killing at least eight people and injuring ten, in an incident that police are investigating as being possibly intentional.

Texas Governor Activates 'Tactical Border Force'

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced Monday the state will deploy a new "Texas Tactical Border Force"' ahead of the looming expiration of the Title 42 public health order in response to what he deemed Pres. Joe Biden’s “reckless border policies.”

Iran Hangs Two Men on Rare Blasphemy Charges

On Monday, Iran executed Yousef Mehrdad and Sadrollah Fazeli Zare. The two were convicted of burning the Quran and insulting the Prophet of Islam, according to the country's judiciary.

Russia Steps Up Attacks on Ukraine Ahead of Victory Day Parade

Russia continued to step up attacks against Ukraine on Monday, launching a wave of drone, missile and air strikes into Kyiv and the regions of Kharkiv, Kherson, Mykolaiv, Odesa, and Zaporizhzhia.

Trump Won't Testify at Civil Trial

On Sunday it was confirmed that the deadline had passed for former Pres. Donald Trump to request to testify in the civil trial concerning accusations he raped writer E. Jean Carroll in the 1990s and subsequently defamed her.

Russia Says it Repelled Ukrainian Drone Attack on Crimea

Mikhail Razvozhaev, governor of the Crimean port city of Sevastopol, claimed on Sunday that Russian air defense forces and electronic warfare units fended off at least three of ten Ukrainian drones sent to the Crimean city of Sevastopol overnight.

Rochelle Walensky to Step Down as CDC Director

US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky announced Friday that she will leave the agency at the end of June, thanking Pres. Biden for her appointment to the position in her resignation letter.

India: At Least 22 Dead After Tourist Boat Capsizes

At least 22 people, including children, lost their lives when a double-decker tourist boat capsized in an estuary in Malappuram, in the southern Indian state of Kerala, on Sunday night.

100+ Wildfires in Canada Displace Thousands

As of Saturday morning, at least 103 wildfires were burning across the province of Alberta, Canada, displacing thousands of residents and livestock. According to the Alberta Emergency Management Agency, 37 of the wildfires are burning out of control.

China, Pakistan, and Afghanistan Ministers Hold Talks

The foreign ministers of China, Afghanistan, and Pakistan pledged to further strengthen trilateral cooperation on security and counterterrorism during the China-Pakistan-Afghanistan trilateral foreign minister's dialogue in Islamabad on Sunday.

Eight Killed in Texas Mall Shooting

At least eight people were killed and multiple others were injured Saturday after a gunman opened fire at a crowded outlet mall near Dallas, in Allen, Texas.

Chile Elections: Conservatives Win Majority to Draft New Constitution

Conservative Chilean parties won a majority of the vote in Sunday’s elections to determine the members of a 50-seat Constitutional Council tasked with drafting a new constitution. The elections represent a strong pushback against progressive Pres. Gabriel Boric, who took over last March.

Biden Aide Discusses Yemen with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince

US national security adviser Jake Sullivan met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Sunday to discuss what the White House called "significant progress" in Yemen peace efforts as negotiations between the kingdom and the Houthi rebels progress.

Arab League Readmits Syria After 12-Year Suspension

The Arab League's foreign ministers, meeting in Cairo on Sunday, agreed to restore Syria's membership in the pan-Arab bloc after Damascus was suspended following the civil war that broke out in the country more than a decade ago.

Russia Relieves Wagner Forces in Bakhmut After Prigozhin Video

Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the Russian mercenary group Wagner PMC, launched an expletive-filled video tirade at Russia's top two defense officials late on Thursday.

WHO Ends COVID Global Health Emergency

The World Health Organization (WHO) downgraded the threat level of COVID on Friday, saying it no longer qualifies as a global emergency.

Atlanta Active Shooting: At Least 1 Dead, Search for Suspect Underway

At least one person is dead and four others were taken to the hospital Tuesday after a gunman, suspected to be 24-year-old Deion Patterson, shot multiple people at Northside Hospital Medical in Midtown Atlanta, Ga.

GOP Donor Paid Tuition For Justice Thomas’ Grandnephew

On Thursday, a lawyer for SCOTUS Justice Clarence Thomas acknowledged a ProPublica report that billionaire Harlan Crow paid two years of tuition for the justice's grandnephew, Mark Martin, who attended two private boarding schools in Georgia and Virginia.

Scotland: Police Ordered To Shave Beards

Police Scotland is instituting a new clean-shaven policy for frontline officers and civilian staff so that they can use a particular type of face-fitted mask designed to protect the respiratory system.

US Labor Report: 253k Jobs Added in April

On Friday, the US Dept. of Labor released its monthly job report for April, as the economy beat expectations by recording a 53-year low 3.4% unemployment rate, with nonfarm jobs increasing by 253K — vastly outpacing the projected 180K.

UN: Child Marriages Decline But Will Take 300 Years to Eradicate

A new UNICEF report shows the percentage of women aged 20-24 who were married in their childhood fell from 23% to 19% in the past decade, though 12M girls each year across the world are still married before the age of 18.

World Food Prices Rise for First Time in a Year

The UN's Food and Agriculture Organization's (FAO) world price index rose in April for the first time in a year but is still some 20% lower than its March 2022 record high. The high occurred when Russia invaded Ukraine.

HSBC Asia Spin-Off Proposal Rejected

On Friday, a proposal to spin off UK banking giant HSBC's more profitable Asian operations was defeated at the bank’s annual general meeting. The "strategic reorganization" was one of the proposed reforms backed by the Ping An Insurance Group, HSBC’s single largest shareholder with 8% of stock.

India: At Least 13 Killed as Violence Erupts in Manipur

Indian authorities on Thursday deployed the army and paramilitary forces, imposed a curfew, suspended mobile internet services, and issued "shoot-at-sight" orders, after violence erupted in the country's north-eastern state of Manipur.

Canada Summons Chinese Ambassador, Mulls Expelling Diplomats

Canada's Foreign Minister, Melanie Joly, announced on Thursday the summoning of the Chinese ambassador, Cong Peiwu, to assert that Ottawa "will not tolerate" foreign interference.

Report: US Regulators Assessing 'Manipulation' of Banking Shares

US federal and state officials are reportedly analyzing whether a possible "market manipulation" was behind the recent volatility in regional banking shares, as the White House vowed to monitor "short-selling pressures on healthy banks."

Italy's FM Calls Off Paris Trip Amid Diplomatic Row

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani on Thursday called off a trip to Paris, citing comments from French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin on Rome's migration management that he said were offensive and a "stab in the back."

US Jobless Rates Claims Rise

On Thursday, the US Labor Dept. reported that Americans filing first-time claims for unemployment benefits rose by 13K to a seasonally adjusted total of 242K for the week ending April 29, rising more than economists' forecasts of 240K. Unadjusted claims fell by 5,518 to 219,619.

Canada: Govt, Union Reaches Tentative Deal to End Public Sector Strike

The Canada Revenue Agency on Thursday revealed it has struck a "tentative" deal with the Public Service Alliance of Canada's Union of Taxation Employees, ending a two-week strike of more than 35K workers.

Taiwan Says F-16 Deliveries Delayed, Working to Minimize Damage

Taiwan Defence Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng said on Thursday that the delivery of 66 advanced new F-16Vs from the US has been delayed due to supply chain disruptions.

South Africans Ask UK to Return Diamond in Crown Jewels

Some South Africans have called for Britain to repatriate the Star of Africa — the world's largest diamond — which is currently set in the royal sceptre and will be used in the coronation of King Charles III on Saturday.

DR Congo: Flash Floods Leave Nearly 200 Dead

At least 176 people lost their lives after heavy rains caused flash floods and landslides in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo's (DRC) South Kivu province, governor Théo Ngwabidje Kasi said on Friday.

Ukraine Says it Downed Russian Hypersonic Missile With US Patriot System

Mykola Oleshchuk, head of Ukraine's air force, claimed on Saturday that Ukraine had successfully downed a Russian hypersonic missile over Kyiv using newly acquired American Patriot missile defense systems.

FDA Recalls Over 500K COVID Tests Over Bacteria Risk

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recalled more than half a million COVID tests over bacterial contamination concerns.

US Senate Votes to Lift Biden’s Solar Panel Tariff Pause

The US Senate on Wednesday voted 56-41 to reinstate tariffs that Pres. Joe Biden last year paused on solar panels from several Southeast Asian countries, with nine Democrats voting in favor and only one Republican against the measure.

Report: China Phone Monitoring Targets Uyghurs

According to a Human Rights Watch (HRW) report published on Thursday, Chinese authorities monitor the phones of ethnic minority Uyghurs, with a list of 50K known multimedia files used to flag violent extremism. Possession of the Quran is reportedly enough to trigger a police interrogation.

King Charles III Crowned in Historic Ceremony

Britain's King Charles III and his consort, Queen Camilla, were coronated on Saturday in a grand ceremony at Westminster Abbey in London, where royal fans crowded all the viewing areas along the 1.3-mile procession route.

Iran Seizes Second Oil Tanker in a Week Amid US Confrontation

Iran seized a Panamanian-flagged oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, claiming the vessel violated Iranian waters as tensions between Tehran and Washington continue to escalate.

Israeli Raid Kills 3 Palestinians Accused of Deadly Settler Attack

During a raid into the northern West Bank city of Nablus, Israeli forces on Thursday killed three Palestinian fighters, two of which Israel said shot dead a British-Israeli settler in the West Bank and her two daughters in April.

USAID Halts Food Aid to Ethiopia’s Tigray Region

The US Agency for International Development (USAID) has announced its suspension of food shipments to the war-torn Tigray region of northern Ethiopia after discovering its food supplies were sold on the local market.

Report: Peruvian Government Crackdown On Protesters May Have Been 'Massacre'

On Wednesday, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) published a report claiming that the Peruvian government's response to nationwide protests following the arrest of former Pres. Pedro Castillo in December may qualify as a "massacre."

Senate Democrats Launch Renewed Effort to Counter China

Senate Democrats on Wednesday launched a renewed effort to develop new bipartisan legislation to bolster US competitiveness with China, building on the "strong foundation" set last year by the "Chips and Science" Act.

Fed Raises Interest Rate Again, Hints at Potential Pause

The US Federal Reserve (Fed) is staying true to its strategy in the fight against inflation as it raised its key interest rate by a quarter of a percentage point on Wednesday. The now roughly 5.1% rate is the central bank’s 10th consecutive hike and a 16-year high.

Serbia: 8 Dead in Second Mass Shooting in 2 Days

On Friday, Serbian police — after an overnight manhunt — arrested a suspect who killed at least eight people and critically wounded 14 others in a series of shootings south of Belgrade late on Thursday.

Iran Executes Swedish-Iranian Dual National

On Saturday, Sweden summoned Iran's acting ambassador to protest the execution of Swedish-Iranian dual citizen Habib Chaab [also spelled "Cha’ab"] earlier in the day.

Indigenous Leaders Demand Apology, Reparations From King Charles

On Friday, the eve of King Charles' coronation, 12 Indigenous advocacy groups from former British colonies signed a letter demanding the new king "acknowledge the horrific impacts on and legacy of genocide and colonization.”

Italy's Napoli Wins First Serie A Title in 33 Years

Italian soccer club Napoli won its first Serie A title in 33 years after its 1-1 draw at Udinese on Thursday, having only needed a tie to secure a 16-point lead with five games left and clinch the Scudetto.

Biden Signs Order to Levy Sanctions Related to Sudan Crisis

US Pres. Joe Biden signed an executive order on Thursday that authorizes future sanctions against individuals involved in Sudan's current conflict, saying that the fighting that started last month between the country's military and a powerful paramilitary force "must end."

N.Y., Calif. Announce NFL Workplace Discrimination Probe

New York Attorney General Letitia James and California Attorney General Rob Bonta on Thursday announced a joint investigation into the workplace culture of the National Football League (NFL) related to several accusations of racial discrimination and sexual harassment.

UK Conservatives Sustain Major Local Election Losses

The UK's governing Conservative party faced a bleak set of local election results on Friday, with voters reacting to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his party within the context of political scandals, surging inflation, and stagnant economic growth.

Russian Drones Marked 'For the Kremlin' Strike Odesa in Ukraine

In a week marked by frequent attacks, Russia again launched a swarm of kamikaze drones over Ukraine in the early hours of Thursday — a day after it accused Ukraine of attempting to assassinate its president in a drone attack on the Kremlin.

4 Proud Boys Charged with Seditious Conspiracy

Proud Boys members including leader Enrique Tarrio, as well as Ethan Nordean, Joseph Biggs, and Zachary Rehl, have been convicted of seditious conspiracy for their involvement in the Jan. 6, 2021, US Capitol riots.

Maryland Rep. Trone Launches 2024 Senate Bid

On Thursday, Democratic US Rep. David Trone, who represents Maryland's 6th Congressional District, announced he would run for the Senate seat of retiring fellow Democrat Ben Cardin, who has held the seat since 2006.

Report: US Students' History, Civics Hit Record-Low

Data released Wednesday by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) shows that in 2022, only 13% of eighth-grade students in the US scored proficient or above in history, while only 22% were proficient or above in civics.

Lawmakers Hold Hearing on SCOTUS Ethics Concerns

The US Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday clashed over the possibility of imposing ethical standards on SCOTUS following recent reports surrounding the actions of Justices Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch.

White House Hosts CEOs to Discuss AI Policy

US Pres. Biden and Vice President Harris met with the CEOs of major tech companies, including Google and Microsoft, on Thursday to discuss the potential risks of artificial intelligence (AI) and how governments can properly address them.

Belarusian Activist Protasevich Sentenced to 8 Years in Jail

Dissident journalist Roman Protasevich, 27, who stands accused of committing 1,586 crimes including organizing mass riots and calling for sanctions against Belarus, was sentenced by a Belarusian court on Tuesday to eight years in prison, BELTA news agency has reported.

Report: India, Brazil Among the Most Dangerous Places for Activists

According to a report released on Wednesday, India, Brazil, Mexico, and Cambodia are among the most dangerous places on the globe for human rights defenders.

Brazil: Bolsonaro Home Raided in Vaccine Records Probe

Brazilian Federal Police on Wednesday raided the home of former Pres. Jair Bolsonaro as part of a probe into the suspected criminal efforts to forge his family's COVID vaccination records to travel to the US. Police seized his phone and the phone's password.

Myanmar To Free Over 2K Political Dissidents

On Wednesday, local news agency Myanmar Now reported that the country's ruling military council announced that 2,153 people jailed for "incitement" would be released on "humanitarian grounds" to mark Wesak, a major Buddhist holiday.

Judge Denies Trump's Mistrial Motion in Rape Case

On Monday, Manhattan federal Judge Lewis Kaplan denied a motion submitted by former Pres. Donald Trump's attorney Joe Tacopina to declare a mistrial in columnist E. Jean Carroll's civil rape case against his client.

Russia Accuses Ukraine of Attempting to Kill Putin in Kremlin 'Drone Attack'

Russia on Wednesday accused Ukraine of launching an attempted drone attack on the Kremlin residence, stating: "We consider these actions to be a planned terrorist attack and attempt on the life of the President."

Texas Shooting Suspect Captured

A days-long manhunt for a gunman who fatally shot five neighbors, including a nine-year-old boy, in Texas ended Tuesday evening, with authorities announcing they had arrested the suspect, Francisco Oropesa.

Report: China Frees COVID 'Citizen Journalist' After 3 Years

Fang Bin, a Chinese citizen journalist who disappeared after reporting on the COVID outbreak in Wuhan, was released on Sunday after three years of detention, according to multiple reports citing people familiar with the matter.

DeSantis Board Approves Countersuing Disney

In response to Disney's lawsuit against the board of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District filed last week, the newly-established board on Monday unanimously voted to file a countersuit against the media company, as its members were named in the original lawsuit.

Gaza: IDF, Palestinian Groups Agree to Ceasefire

On Wednesday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Palestinian armed groups in Gaza reportedly agreed to a ceasefire after a night of violence was prompted by the death of a Palestinian hunger striker in Israeli custody.

NYC Subway Death Ruled a Homicide

On Wednesday, New York City’s medical examiner announced that the death of Jordan Neely, a man who had been shouting at people on a subway train Monday, was a homicide. Neely died from compression of his neck after a fellow rider put him in a lengthy chokehold.

Astronomers Spot Star Potentially Swallowing Own Planet

In a study published in Nature on Wednesday, a multi-university team of scientists revealed that they may have caught a star swallowing a planet in its orbit — a phenomenon that has not been directly observed before.

FDA Approves World's First RSV Vaccine

On Wednesday, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Arexvy, the world's first Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine for adults 60 and older.

Ukraine Forms Eight 'Storm' Brigades for Spring Counteroffensive

Ukraine's interior ministry said on Tuesday that it had "fully formed" eight new "storm" brigades, made up of 40K soldiers, for fighting in its spring counteroffensive amid speculation about its timing and whether it can succeed.

Rwanda: Floods and Landslides Kill At Least 130

On Wednesday, Rwandan authorities said at least 130 people have been killed in the country's northern and western provinces from extreme flooding and landslides, with six deaths reported in neighboring Uganda.

Syria: Israel Launches Air Strike On Aleppo Airport

On Monday, Israeli airstrikes targeted the international airport in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo, killing one Syrian soldier, state news media said on Tuesday.

Eight Killed in Pakistan School Shootings

Seven school workers allegedly part of Pakistan’s minority Shiite community were killed in a shooting in Pakistan’s northwestern Kurram district, according to officials. This comes hours after a Sunni staff member at the same school was shot earlier on Thursday in a separate incident.

George Floyd: Ex-Officer Convicted of Manslaughter

On Monday, Tou Thao, one of the four former Minneapolis officers charged with George Floyd's death, was found guilty of aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter.

Kier Starmer U-Turns on Labour's University Fee Abolition Pledge

Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer has confirmed that he is set to u-turn on his previous campaign promise to abolish university tuition fees.

Poll: Europeans Want Climate Action, But Less So If It Changes Lifestyles

A YouGov survey in seven European countries found that many people support government efforts to combat climate change, but the more a measure would change their lifestyle, the less they support it.

Debt Ceiling: Yellen Warns US Could Default by June

On Monday, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen wrote to Congress urging it to raise the debt ceiling "as soon as possible," claiming that the US may run out of cash by June 1 if Washington fails to reach an agreement.

Khader Adnan Dies in Israeli Prison After Hunger Strike

Khader Adnan, a senior member of the militant Palestinian group Islamic Jihad who was charged and indicted with belonging to a terrorist organization, died Tuesday in an Israeli prison after 87 days [also reported as 86 days in some outlets] on hunger strike.

3 McDonald's Franchises Fined For Child Labor Violations

Three separate McDonald's franchises have been fined $212,754 for child labor violations following a US Labor Dept. investigation that found minors working illegally at 62 locations across Kentucky, Indiana, Maryland, and Ohio.

Soccer: Messi to Face Disciplinary Action Over Saudi Trip

Superstar forward for the French soccer team Paris St Germain (PSG), Lionel Messi, will reportedly not have his contract renewed after he took an unauthorized trip to Saudi Arabia. Messi had signed an optional third-season clause in the contract, but team officials won't activate it.

US Set to Open Embassy in Tonga

Daniel Kritenbrink, the top US diplomat for East Asia, told a Senate Foreign Relations subcommittee Tuesday that the US will open a new embassy in Tonga later this month.

Hollywood Writers Strike After Negotiations Stall

After negotiations between the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and several studios failed to reach a deal over pay, staffing, and concerns about artificial intelligence (AI), over 11K film & TV writers went on strike Tuesday, forcing production to halt for film and scripted TV.

Report: UN Approves Taliban FM Meeting With Pakistan, China

Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Taliban’s interim foreign minister, has reportedly received permission from a UN Security Council committee to travel from Afghanistan to Pakistan May 6-9 for meetings with his counterparts from Pakistan and China.

FIFA Threatens Europe with Women’s World Cup Broadcast Blackout

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has threatened a blackout of the Women's World Cup in major European markets after criticizing broadcasters for offering to pay too little to screen the tournament.

White House to End Most COVID Vaccine Mandates

The Biden admin. announced Monday that it will end most vaccine requirements for federal workers, international travelers, contractors, Head Start employees, and healthcare workers at many hospitals on May 11.

Eli Lilly: Alzheimer's Drug 'Significantly' Slows Cognitive Decline

Eli Lilly, the drug developer behind the experimental Alzheimer's drug "donanemab," has announced that the drug slowed patients' cognitive decline by as much as 35% when compared to taking a placebo during clinical trials.

Korean Student Eats $120K Banana Artwork

A South Korean art student has eaten a $120K art installation featuring a banana that was duct-taped to a wall at the Leeum Museum of Art in Seoul— a piece created by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan known as "Comedian" and presented in his "WE" exhibit.

NGO: Global Risks to Journalists Increasing

On the eve of the 30th World Press Freedom Day, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned of a worldwide attack on media and journalists, calling for an end to the targeting of truth and stressing freedom of the press to be “the foundation of democracy and justice.”

Iran's President Raisi Begins Landmark Visit to Syria

Iranian Pres. Ebrahim Raisi arrived in Damascus on Wednesday in an effort to bolster bilateral ties in the first visit by an Iranian head of state to Syria since the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011.

France: Hundreds Arrested, Police Officers Injured in May Day Protests

France's interior minister Gérald Darmanin on Monday stated that at least 108 police officers have been wounded — 25 of them in Paris — and 291 people detained across the country.

US Surgeon General Declares Loneliness An Epidemic

On Tuesday, US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy released an advisory warning that the country is facing an epidemic of loneliness, claiming it's as lethal to physical health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

US Believes 20K Russians Killed Fighting in Ukraine Since December

Russia is estimated to have suffered at least 100K casualties, including 20K killed, in only five months of fighting since December, the White House said on Monday.

Report: Musk's Twitter More Compliant With Gov't Demands

According to tech publication Rest of World, Twitter’s self-reported data shows the company has fully complied with over 80% of government requests to censor posts since Elon Musk took over six months ago, a significantly higher rate than the prior leadership's approximate 50%.

Australia To Ban Recreational Vaping

On Tuesday, Australia announced a sweeping crackdown on vaping under its biggest anti-smoking reforms in over a decade.

US Religious Freedom Panel Recommends India for Blacklist

The independent US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) for the fourth year in a row has requested the State Department to designate India as a "country of particular concern" regarding its treatment of religious minorities.

Kuwaiti Parliament Dissolved by Royal Decree for a Second Time

Kuwait's Crown Prince Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Sabah issued an Emiri decree on Monday that dissolved the country's parliament, which was only recently reinstated in March based on a Constitutional Court ruling after a prior dissolution last year.

Russia Continues Missile Attacks to Slow Ukrainian Counteroffensive

Russia launched its second large missile attack into Ukraine in recent days, striking the Dnipropetrovsk city of Pavlohrad early on Monday. Ukrainian officials said Russia fired a total of 18 missiles over Ukraine, but that 15 were shot down by air defenses — including all fired at Kyiv.

JPMorgan Buys Failed First Republic Bank

JPMorgan Chase on Monday purchased all of troubled First Republic Bank’s deposits, and most of its assets, after regulators seized it in an effort to head off further US banking turmoil.

Elite School Says Actions 'Tragically Short' After Student's Suicide

Lawrenceville School — an elite boarding school in New Jersey — has issued an apology over the death of 17-year-old Jack Reid. The student committed suicide after enduring a year of bullying, which included allegations he was a rapist.

"Godfather of AI" Quits Google, Warns About Dangers of AI

Geoffrey Hinton — a computer scientist who has been dubbed “The Godfather of AI” — told The New York Times on Monday that he's quitting his part-time position at Google and will instead devote his time to warning the world about the potential threat of artificial intelligence.

Paraguay: Santiago Peña Wins Election

Economist and former finance minister under Pres. Horacio Cartes, Santiago Peña, has won Paraguay's general election, continuing the conservative Colorado Party's seven-decade-long reign. He defeated Efrain Alegrem of the left-wing Concertacion coalition by 15 percentage points.

S. Korea's Exports Down Again in April

South Korea's trade ministry on Monday released preliminary data showing that the country's exports fell 14.2% from a year earlier in April, marking the seventh straight month of decline and its longest losing streak in more than three years.

Pope: Vatican Involved in Russia-Ukraine Peace Mission

On Sunday, Pope Francis said the Vatican was engaged in a secret peace mission in an attempt to bring an end to the Russia-Ukraine war.

Report: US Installs Radiation Sensors Across Ukraine

The Biden administration is setting up a network of atomic sensors across Ukraine that can detect potential bursts of radiation from a nuclear weapon or a dirty bomb and identify the origin, The New York Times reported on Friday.

India: Protesting Wrestlers Demand WFI Chief's Arrest

On Sunday, Indian wrestlers staged a sit-in protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to listen to their grievances and initiate a probe against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

Japan Approves Abortion Pill for the First Time

On Friday, Japan's health ministry approved the country's first abortion pill to terminate early-stage pregnancies amid calls for progress in women's reproductive rights.

N. Carolina Supreme Court Reverses Key Voting Decisions

On Friday, the North Carolina Supreme Court, which gained a Republican majority this year following the election of two GOP justices, reversed previous rulings it had made against voting maps and on other voting-related issues.

US Army Grounds Aviators After Fatal Helicopter Crashes

On Friday, the US Army’s chief of staff grounded all aviators except the ones involved in critical missions until they complete the required training.

Philippines Alleges 'Confrontation' With Beijing in South China Sea

On Friday, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) accused the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) of engaging in "dangerous maneuvers" in the South China Sea close to the Philippine-held Second Thomas Shoal on April 23.

At Least 33 Soldiers Killed In Burkina Faso Attack

On Thursday, at least 33 soldiers were killed and a dozen others wounded in a suspected jihadist assault on a military detachment in east Burkina Faso's Gourma province, the government said.

Japan: 30% Of Top Executives To Be Women By 2030

On Thursday, Japanese PM Fumio Kishida announced plans to increase the number of top women executives in the country’s major companies to at least 30% by the end of the decade.

Taiwan Claims Chinese Combat Drone 'Encircled' Island

The Taiwanese defense ministry said Friday that a long-range TB-001 Chinese combat drone had circled the island as 38 warplanes and six navy vessels were detected around Taiwan in 24 hours from Thursday morning.

Mike Pence Testifies in Trump Investigation

Former US Vice President Mike Pence testified in Washington, D.C. Thursday before a special grand jury as part of special counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into former Pres. Trump and his actions in the aftermath of the 2020 election.

Palestinians Condemn EU's Von Der Leyen for 'Racist Trope' in Message to Israel

The Palestinian Authority (PA) on Wednesday stated that European Commission Pres. Ursula von der Leyen's congratulatory message on Israel's 75th year of independence, which also provoked ire among Palestinian social media users, was "an anti-Palestinian racist trope."

Meta Q1 Profits Exceed Expectations

On Wednesday, Meta, the parent company of both Facebook and Instagram, reported first-quarter revenues of $28.6B and profits of $5.7B, surpassing market expectations after heavy job cuts.

European Orgs Call for Research into Racism's Health Impact

A network of health organizations and three members of the European Parliament signed a statement last month calling for the European Commission to recognize racism as a key factor that can negatively affect health. They urged for prioritization of the issue for research funding.

Jordan Hosts Arab Normalization Talks With Syria

Jordan hosted a landmark meeting between Syria, Egypt, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia in Amman on Monday as the Arab countries consider normalizing ties with Damascus, which has been diplomatically isolated by the Arab world since 2011 following anti-government protests and the onset of civil war.

NY Gun Buyback Program Nets Over 3K Firearms

Over 3K firearms in New York state were exchanged for gift cards over the weekend as part of a gun buyback program organized by the state attorney general's office. New Yorkers could turn in guns with no questions asked at nine locations across the state.

Uzbekistan Approves Constitutional Reforms Extending President's Rule

The Uzbek Election Commission on Monday announced that voters approved constitutional amendments that will extend presidential terms from five to seven years and allow Pres. Shavkat Mirziyoyev — who has been in office since 2016 — to remain in power until 2040.

Texas Police Search for Shooter Who Killed 5

A widening manhunt for a Texas gunman who fatally shot five neighbors, including a nine-year-old boy, continued on Monday, as the FBI says it has no leads.

UN Sending Relief Chief to Sudan Over ‘Unprecedented’ Situation

Antonio Guterres, the UN secretary-general, is sending his emergency relief chief, Martin Griffith, to Sudan amid the "unprecedented" situation there, as warring parties continue fighting despite agreeing to extend a 72-hour ceasefire originally set to end at midnight Sunday.

Report: Epstein's Contacts Included CIA Chief

According to a Wall Street Journal report, Jeffrey Epstein's private calendar shows he met with a number of high-profile individuals after he was convicted as a sex offender — including political activist Noam Chomsky and CIA chief William Burns.

UK Chip Giant Arm Files for US Share Listing

British microchip firm Arm has officially filed to sell its shares in the US, having stated in March this year that it did not plan to list its shares in London.

Turkey Claims IS Leader Killed in Syria

Turkish Pres. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan claimed on Sunday that the alleged Islamic State (IS) group leader Abu Hussein al-Qurayshi was killed in an operation by Turkey's intelligence agency in Syria.

Philippine Pres. Marcos Jr. in DC for Biden Meetings

Philippine Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is set to meet with US Pres. Joe Biden this week as part of a multi-day visit to Washington, DC as tensions grow with Beijing.

Biden Jokes, Strikes Solemn Tone in White House Correspondents' Speech

US Pres. Joe Biden on Saturday made the requisite jokes during his speech at the annual White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) dinner, but also struck a solemn tone while speaking about attacks on journalism occurring around the world.

Scientists Release Sharpest Supermassive Black Hole Image

On Wednesday, scientists released the sharpest-ever image showing the violent events unfolding around black holes, including the launching point of a huge jet of high-energy particles shooting outward into space.

Abortion Bans Fail in Nebraska and S. Carolina

Two bills restricting abortion in South Carolina and Nebraska failed to advance through their state's respective Republican-dominated legislatures on Thursday.

At Least 23 Killed in Russian Strikes Across Ukraine

At least 23 people were killed after Russia launched pre-dawn drone and missile attacks on Ukraine on Friday. Most of the victims came in the central city of Uman — located 134 miles (215 km) south of Kyiv — after two missiles struck an apartment building.

Thousands Rally in Support of Israel’s Judicial Overhaul

Tens of thousands of Israelis demonstrated in Jerusalem on Thursday in support of a contentious judicial overhaul bill spearheaded by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing coalition government that would see the power of the country's highest court considerably downsized.

Report of Actor Dying of Cosmetic Surgery Appears to be AI Hoax

A report that 22-year-old Canadian-Portuguese actor, singer, and songwriter, Saint Von Colucci, died after undergoing 12 plastic surgeries — worth over $200k — to look like K-pop star Jimin appears to be a hoax.

Fire at Crimean Fuel Tanker After Alleged Drone Attack

A blaze engulfed a Crimean fuel storage site in the port city of Sevastopol after it was allegedly targeted by a Ukrainian drone attack on Saturday.

Iran Seizes Oil Tanker Headed for Texas

Iran's navy on Thursday seized a Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker in international waters in the Gulf of Oman, according to the US Navy — the latest in a series of recent incidents in the conflict-prone Gulf waters.

US Senate Fails to Advance Equal Rights Amendment Resolution

By a vote of 51-47, the US Senate on Thursday failed to pass the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), a proposal to ratify the Constitution to include an amendment that would prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex.

Erdoğan Cancels Third Day of Election Appearances

Turkish Pres. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who is seeking a third presidential term in the country's May 14 elections, canceled his election appearances for a third day Friday after falling ill reportedly with a gastrointestinal infection.

BBC Chairman Resigns Amid Boris Johnson Cronyism Allegations

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) chairman Richard Sharp resigned on Friday after an independent report claimed he didn't adequately disclose a potential conflict of interest in his role in securing a loan for former PM Boris Johnson prior to his appointment.

Poll: Support of British Public for Monarchy at Historic Low

Britain's public support for a monarchy is the lowest it's ever been on record, according to a new poll released on Friday.

Tucker Carlson Breaks Silence After Fox Departure

Two days after surprisingly parting ways with US cable network Fox News, Tucker Carlson broke his silence, posting a video on Twitter that instantly topped Fox’s primetime show by generating 1.8M views in less than an hour and 57.8M as of Thursday afternoon.

US to Open Migrant Centers in Latin America, Expedite Deportations

As the Title 42 COVID restrictions on immigration are set to expire next month, the US will establish regional processing centers for migrants in Colombia and Guatemala to reduce arrivals at the southern border.

Musk to Face Deposition in Lawsuit Over Fatal Autopilot Crash

On Thursday, a California judge ordered a three-hour deposition of Tesla CEO Elon Musk to authenticate specific statements he reportedly made about Tesla's Autopilot feature in 2016.

UNICEF: Digital Divide Hits Women Harder in Poorer Countries

A new UNICEF report published on Wednesday found that about 90% of young women and teenage girls in the world’s poorest countries don't have access to the internet after analyzing data usage in 54 mostly low-income nations.

House Republicans Pass Bill to Raise Debt Ceiling

In an effort to spark negotiations with Pres. Biden before the US defaults on its debt, the House Republicans passed a bill by a vote of 217-215 — with all Democrats and four Republicans voting against — to raise the national debt ceiling in exchange for deep cuts in government spending.

Vice Media Cancels Flagship Show, Announces Layoffs

Vice Media Group (VMG) announced on Thursday that its popular TV program "Vice News Tonight" will be taken off the air as part of a broader restructuring that will result in layoffs across the digital media firm's global news business.

South Africa Backtracks On ICC Withdrawal, Blames Communications Error

South Africa's presidential office late on Tuesday cited a communication error from the ruling African National Congress (ANC) to explain a backtrack on comments made earlier by Pres. Cyril Ramaphosa, who suggested the country was planning to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC).

UK: China's Military Buildup Risks ‘Tragic Miscalculation'

British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly on Tuesday called on China to be more transparent about its military moves, warning that maintaining secrecy about its activities could lead to a "tragic miscalculation" amid rising regional tensions.

Congress Considers Paying Developers of New Antibiotics

It has been reported that a bipartisan group of US lawmakers plans to introduce legislation aimed at incentivizing drugmakers to develop antibiotics and antifungal drugs.

Bud Light VPs Placed On Leave Over Trans Influencer Tie-Up

On Tuesday, Anheuser-Busch InBev, the world's biggest brewer, placed two senior marketing executives — Alissa Heinerscheid and Daniel Blake — on leave following uproar over Bud Light's marketing partnership with transgender social media influencer Dylan Mulvaney.

Longtime Talk Show Host Jerry Springer Dead at 79

Jerry Springer, the former politician-turned-host of the controversial "The Jerry Springer Show," died on Thursday in suburban Chicago at the age of 79. His death was confirmed by Jene Galvin, a family friend and executive producer of Springer’s podcast.

Xi and Zelenskyy Hold First Call Since War Began

The leaders of China and Ukraine, Xi Jinping and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, on Wednesday had their first known phone call since Russia invaded Ukraine more than 14 months ago.

Pope Allows Women to Vote at Bishops Meeting

Pope Francis has approved historic changes to the norms governing the Synod of Bishops. This will see women given the right to vote at the next scheduled bishops' meeting for the first time in October this year.

UK House of Commons Approves Controversial Asylum Bill

On Wednesday, the UK's House of Commons voted 289 to 230 in favor of the controversial Illegal Migration Bill, after the British government adopted several amendments from Conservative lawmakers despite criticism from the UN and refugee organizations.

Study: Diabetes Drug Leads to Significant Weight Loss

On Thursday, Eli Lilly, makers of Tirzepatide — approved to treat Type 2 diabetes under the brand name "Mounjaro" — announced the results of their study, claiming the injectable drug helped obese people with diabetes lose weight and reduce their blood sugar.

US Consumer Confidence Hits 9-Month Low

According to a Conference Board survey released Tuesday, US consumer confidence dropped to a nine-month low in April as worries about the future mounted, further heightening the risk that the economy could fall into recession this year.

US Sanctions Sri Lankan Governor Over Alleged Civil War Killings

On Wednesday, the US announced that it will refuse visas to Sri Lankan provincial Gov. Wasantha Karannagoda and his wife on human rights grounds.

Uyghur Refugee Dies After 9 Years of Thai Detention

Following the reported death of a second asylum seeker from China’s Muslim Uyghur minority in Thai custody within two months, human rights groups urged Thailand on Thursday to improve conditions in its immigration detention facilities.

Chinese Police Question Bain & Co. Staff

On Thursday, US consultancy firm Bain & Company confirmed that Chinese police visited its office in Shanghai, which has been open in the city's central business district since 2004, and questioned staff.

Iran: Court Orders US To Pay $313M For 2017 Attacks

On Wednesday, an Iranian court ordered the US government and eight US officials and entities — including former presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, as well as the CIA — to pay $312.95M over the 2017 twin attacks in Tehran.

Sudan's Army Claims Ousted al-Bashir Held in Military Hospital

Sudan's army on Wednesday stated that the country's deposed former Pres. Omar al-Bashir is being held in Aliaa military hospital under police custody amid rumors about his whereabouts after thousands of inmates escaped from the Kober prison, where he has been detained since 2019, over the weekend.

Trump Civil Rape Trial Begins

The civil trial over allegations that former Pres. Donald Trump raped former Elle Magazine advice columnist E. Jean Carroll at the NYC Bergdorf Goodman store in the 1990s began in New York on Tuesday.

Report: Half of NYC Households Face Cost Of Living Crisis

According to a report released on Tuesday, half of the working-age households in New York City don't make sufficient income to pay for their basic needs.1

Montana House Censures Trans Rep. Zephyr

On Wednesday, the Montana House of Representatives voted 68-32 to censure transgender state Rep. Zooey Zephyr (D) for allegedly encouraging demonstrators and disrupting proceedings following comments made by the lawmaker in response to a GOP-led bill to ban puberty blockers for minors.

EU Sanctions Relatives of Syria’s al-Assad Over Alleged Drugs Trafficking

The EU has imposed sanctions on relatives of Syrian Pres. Bashar al-Assad over their alleged involvement in the illicit production and trafficking of drugs, specifically Captagon, a synthetic amphetamine that has commonly been found in the Middle East in recent years.

Afghanistan: Taliban Kills Islamic State Group Leader

US officials confirmed on Tuesday that Afghanistan's ruling Taliban has killed the Islamic State group (IS) leader who reportedly planned the deadly bombing at Kabul airport during the US withdrawal in 2021. The bombing killed 170 civilians and 13 US soldiers as people tried to flee the country.

Singapore Executes Man Over 2.2 Lbs of Cannabis

On Wednesday, 46-year-old Tangaraju Suppiah was executed at Singapore’s Changi prison complex, having previously been arrested for the intention to smuggle approximately 2.2 lbs of cannabis.

Disney Sues DeSantis Over Loss of Special District

Walt Disney Co. sued Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday, alleging the Republican has waged a “relentless campaign to weaponize government power” against the company amid a long-standing battle sparked by DeSantis’ bill.

Biden Threatens to Veto GOP Debt Ceiling Bill

The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on Tuesday warned that Pres. Joe Biden would veto the House GOP debt ceiling bill if it were to land on his desk, stating that he will not accept legislation imposing conditions to address the debt limit.

British American Tobacco Settles with US Over Business in North Korea

British American Tobacco (BAT) — the maker of Lucky Strike, Dunhill, and Pall Mall cigarettes — has agreed to pay the largest penalty ever levied on a company for violating US sanctions on North Korea

Pakistan: At Least 17 Killed in Explosions at Police Station

At least 17 people were killed and more than 50 injured after explosions rocked a counter-terrorism office in northwest Pakistan on Monday, local officials have said.

Spain Exhumes Remains of Fascist Leader Primo de Rivera

On Monday, the Spanish government dug up and reburied the remains of José Antonio Primo de Rivera, who founded the fascist Falange movement that supported Gen. Francisco Franco's dictatorship.

Bank of England: People Need to Accept Economic Stress

The Bank of England's chief economist, Huw Pill, said British households and businesses must accept they're poorer and stop seeking pay increases or pushing prices higher.

Chief Justice Won't Testify Before US Congress Over Ethics Concerns

On Tuesday, SCOTUS Chief Justice John Roberts declined an invitation from the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), to testify in May concerning ethical standards and rules in America's highest court.

Sudan: WHO Warns of 'High Risk of Biological Hazard' After Lab Seized

The WHO warned on Tuesday of a "high risk of biological hazard," after one side in the nation's conflict seized a central public laboratory with samples of measles and polio, reportedly creating an "extremely, extremely dangerous" situation.

Prince William Made Secret Settlement with Murdoch Firm

In documents submitted to the UK's High Court on Tuesday, Prince Harry claimed that his brother Prince William was paid a "very large sum" by News Group Newspapers (NGN) — the owners of the Sun and the now-closed News of the World — to settle phone-hacking claims.

Over $100B Withdrawn from First Republic Bank in 2023

It has been revealed that First Republic Bank customers withdrew more than $100B from their accounts in the first three months of 2023, amid concerns about the health of the global banking system.

Study: EU Plan to Ban Toxic Chemicals Proving Ineffective

According to a study released on Tuesday, the European Commission's plan to ban up to 7K of the most dangerous chemicals by 2030 is failing badly.

Swedish Research Rocket Accidentally Lands in Norway

A research rocket launched by Sweden Space Corp (SSC) on Monday from the Esrange Space Center in the country's north malfunctioned, landing 15 km (9.32 miles) inside neighboring Norway.

US, S. Korea Announce Nuclear Agreement

The US has agreed to give South Korea more input on a potential American nuclear response to a North Korean attack in return for an agreement that the country will not develop its own nuclear weapons.

Report: Climate Change Fuelling Rapid Ocean Warming

In a recent international multidisciplinary study published in the journal Earth System Science Data, scientists said the world's oceans have absorbed about 89% of the planetary warming in the last 49 years.

S. Korea Restores Japan's Place On Export 'White List'

South Korea's ministry of trade, industry, and energy on Monday announced Japan's reinstatement to its "white list" of trusted trading partners, which grants simplified procedures for countries buying sensitive goods that can be diverted to military use.

Kenya: Death Toll Passes 70 as Police Investigate Starvation Cult

Kenyan police on Monday recovered 73 bodies, mostly from mass graves in an eastern Kenya forest, as the death toll of alleged followers of a Christian cult — who believed they would go to heaven if they starved themselves — continues to rise.

UK: Microsoft's $75B Activision Blizzard Purchase Rejected

On Wednesday, the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) rejected Microsoft's $75B deal to buy video game maker Activision Blizzard Inc., arguing that the proposed acquisition poses a threat to competition in the UK’s gaming industry.

Twitter's Blue Tick Restored to High Profile Accounts

In a U-turn over its verification policy, Twitter is restoring the blue tick to media, celebrity, and other high-profile accounts on the social network for free.

CNN Host Don Lemon Out at Network

On Monday, US cable news network CNN announced it had parted ways with Don Lemon after 17 years, with the former host having appeared on his show the very same morning the news was revealed.

North Dakota Passes Abortion Ban

North Dakota's Republican Gov. Doug Burgum signed legislation Monday limiting most abortions throughout pregnancy, with some exceptions up to six weeks gestation.

Report: US Talked Ukraine Down from Attacking Moscow

Fearful of severe Russian retaliation, US officials talked Ukraine down from a plan to attack Moscow, according to a new Washington Post report. The attacks were planned to coincide with the one-year anniversary of the war.

Report: US COVID Response Exposed 'Collective National Incompetence'

A group of crisis experts and federal advisors, called the COVID Crisis Group, released a report Tuesday detailing the US' alleged lack of disaster preparedness and coordination that it claims led to an unraveling of the nation's pandemic response.

Nepal Issues Record Number of Everest Permits

On Monday, Nepali officials announced they had issued a record 454 permits for climbers to summit Mount Everest between April and May — peak climbing season in Nepal — that will allow over 900 climbers to attempt the trek.

Indian Ministers Rebuke Der Spiegel for ‘Racist’ Cartoon

A cartoon in the German magazine Der Spiegel caricaturing India as it becomes more populous than China has been criticized as being “racist” by Indian ministers.

Russia Hosts Talks Between Turkey, Syria

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on Tuesday met with his counterparts from Turkey, Syria, and Iran in Moscow in a bid to rebuild Turkish-Syrian ties after years of bilateral tensions over the Syrian Civil War.

Haiti Crisis: Mob Burns Suspected Gang Members to Death

Thirteen suspected gang members were burned to death Monday by a mob in Haiti's capital after being seized while police searched their vehicle. The suspects were reportedly beaten with gasoline-soaked tires before being set alight in Port-au-Prince.

UN: India's Population to Surpass China This Week

According to a new report released by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) on Monday, India is set to overtake China to become the world's most populous country by the end of the month.

US Pres. Biden Announces Re-Election Bid

US Pres. Joe Biden on Tuesday officially announced his candidacy for re-election in 2024 with a three-minute video, coming on the fourth anniversary of declaring his candidacy for the White House in 2019 and promising to heal the "soul of the nation."

Ron DeSantis Praises "Strong Japan" in Overseas Tour

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a potential Republican US presidential candidate, kicked-off his four-nation tour on Monday by meeting with Japanese PM Fumio Kishida.

Tucker Carlson Out at Fox News

Fox News said Monday that talk show host Tucker Carlson and the network have "agreed to part ways," adding that last Friday was the last showing of Carlson's show and thanked "him for his service to the network."

Israel: Man Shot Dead in Jerusalem After Ramming Car into Civilians

A Palestinian man was shot dead on Monday by a passerby in Jerusalem after driving his car into a crowd on a street, reportedly injuring at least five people, including an elderly man who was said to be in a serious but stable condition as of Monday.

Russia Threatens To Scrap Black Sea Grain Deal

Former Russian president and deputy chair of the Security Council of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev warned on Sunday that Moscow would terminate the Black Sea Grain deal if the G7 countries moved to ban exports to Russia.

Credit Suisse Says it Lost $68B in Assets Last Quarter

Credit Suisse said Monday it lost 61B Swiss francs (US$68B) in assets during the first quarter of this year, with customer deposits also declining by 67B Swiss francs during the same period.

UK: Diane Abbott Suspended as Labour Lawmaker

UK Labour MP Diane Abbott has been suspended by her party pending an investigation into a letter written to and published by media outlet The Observer on Sunday that concerned the topic of racism.

Global Military Spending Reaches All-Time High

Military spending worldwide reached an all-time high of $2.24T last year, a leading defense think tank said in a new report issued Monday.

Diplomats, Foreign Nationals Evacuated From Sudan

On Monday, a growing list of countries — including European nations, China, and Japan — evacuated diplomats and citizens from Sudan as the UN warned of the risk of "a catastrophic conflagration."

China Envoy Under Fire After Remarks on Ex-Soviet States

China's ambassador to France, Lu Shaye, came under fire this weekend after questioning the sovereignty of former Soviet states in an interview on French television.

Dominion Lawsuit: Murdoch Says Fox Hosts Endorsed False Election Claims

Fox News' controlling owner, Rupert Murdoch, admitted that some of the network's broadcasters endorsed false claims regarding the 2020 Election results. Dominion Voting Systems is suing Fox for $1.6B.

Peru: Ex-President Toledo Extradited From US

On Sunday, Peruvian authorities imprisoned former Pres. Alejandro Toledo hours after he landed in the capital Lima. He was in the custody of Interpol officers following extradition from the US.

At Least 60 Civilians Killed in Burkina Faso Attack

Around 60 civilians were killed in the village of Karma in northern Burkina Faso near the border with Mali, a local prosecutor said on Sunday, citing police sources.

Australia Unveils Biggest Defense Overhaul Since WWII

On Monday, Australian PM Anthony Albanese unveiled the most significant shakeup of the country's defense spending since World War II — designed to increase the preparedness of the Australian Defense Force (ADF) amid fears about China's intentions in the Indo-Pacific.

India: Fugitive Sikh Separatist Arrested, Ending Manhunt

On Sunday, Amritpal Singh, a Sikh separatist preacher who has been on the run since March 18, was arrested in the northern Indian state of Punjab.

SCOTUS to Review Whether Public Officials Can Block Users on Social Media

On Monday, the Supreme Court of the US (SCOTUS) agreed to take up two cases on whether public officials blocking people on social media violates the First Amendment — a recurring legal question that was left unresolved in a previous case involving former Pres. Trump's Twitter account.

Report: Julie Chavez Rodriguez to be Biden 2024 Campaign Manager

US Pres. Joe Biden's team has reportedly picked Julie Chavez Rodriguez, director of the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs and 2020 deputy campaign manager, to manage the president's 2024 re-election campaign.

Mali: At Least 10 Killed, 60 Injured In Latest Attacks

On Saturday, at least ten civilians were killed and more than 60 injured after suspected Islamist extremists detonated car bombs in Sevare in the central Mopti region.

Report: Alleged Pentagon Leaker May Have Shared Intel from Start of Russia-Ukraine Conflict

Jack Teixeira, the Massachusetts Air National Guardsman accused of disseminating dozens of classified US military documents, may have begun circulating secret documents much earlier — and to a wider audience — than previously known, according to a report in the New York Times on Friday.

US: World’s First Smart Gun Goes On Sale

One of the world's first commercially-available smart guns, operating on facial recognition and a fingerprint unlocking system, has officially hit the US market, with pre-orders of the first version expected to be filled by Q4 of this year.

SCOTUS Upholds Access To Abortion Pill

The US Supreme Court on Friday ruled that mifepristone, a widely used abortion pill, would remain on the market while a lawsuit in a lower court plays out.

Orban Casts Doubt on Long-Term Ukraine NATO Membership

Following NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg saying Friday that "all Nato [sic] allies have agreed that Ukraine will become a Nato member," Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban has cast doubt on Ukraine's aspirations, tweeting "What?!" in response.

US Jury Clears Tesla in Autopilot Crash Lawsuit

On Friday, a California state court jury ruled that Tesla isn't responsible for a 2019 crash involving its partially automated driving software, Autopilot.

US Airlifts Diplomats From Sudan

On Saturday, Pres. Joe Biden said the US military safely evacuated American diplomats and their families from war-torn Sudan.

Canadian Convicted in 1980 Paris Synagogue Bombing

On Friday, a Paris court found Lebanese-Canadian professor Hassan Diab guilty in absentia of the 1980 Paris synagogue bombing that killed four people and injured 46 others, sentencing him to life in prison.

Radio Host Larry Elder Announces 2024 US Presidential Bid

Conservative talk radio host Larry Elder announced his 2024 presidential campaign on Tucker Carlson's show Thursday, citing goals to secure the border, push back against Democrats labeling the country "systemically racist," and address a "lack of fathers in the home."

10 Family Members Killed in South Africa Shooting

On Friday, gunmen stormed a homestead in a township outside the South African city of Pietermaritzburg, in the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province, and ambushed a family, killing 10 people, police said.

WSJ Poll: Trump Leads DeSantis in GOP Presidential Field

Former Pres. Donald Trump has taken the lead over Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in a hypothetical GOP presidential nomination race, a new Wall Street Journal poll finds.

Sudan: Fighting Continues Despite Eid Three-Day Truce

Bombing, shelling, and gunfire continued in the streets of the Sudanese capital Khartoum on Friday despite a three-day cease-fire having reportedly been agreed between Sudan's army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to mark the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr.

Soccer: Juventus' 15-Point Deduction Overturned

On Thursday, the Italian Olympic Committee, the country's highest sporting court, overturned a 15-point penalty previously given to soccer team Juventus for financial violations — pending a final decision by the Italian Football Association's appeals court.

Twitter Drops ‘State-Affiliated,’ ‘Government-Funded’ Labels

As of Friday, Twitter dropped its "state-affiliated" and "government-funded" labels for media outlets in the latest sweeping change at the influential platform. Outlets like the PRC's Xinhua and Global Times, and Russia's RT were no longer identified as state-affiliated media.

Uganda's President Returns LGBTQ+ Bill to Parliament

Ugandan Pres. Yoweri Museveni's office announced late Thursday that he decided not to sign a controversial, hardline LGBTQ+ bill into law, requesting lawmakers to look into "the issue of rehabilitation."

Biden Hosts Colombia Leader Petro At White House

On Thursday, US Pres. Joe Biden hosted his Colombian counterpart Gustavo Petro for talks amid mounting differences on drug policy and Venezuela but with a common goal of enhancing cooperation on areas such as climate change and migration.

Buzzfeed to Close News Division, Cut 15% of Staff

In a memo sent to staff on Thursday, BuzzFeed CEO Jonah Peretti revealed that BuzzFeed News, the Pulitzer Prize-winning news division of BuzzFeed.com, will shut down as the company can no longer continue to fund it as a standalone organization.

Canadian Police Investigating $15M Heist at Toronto Airport

Canadian police are investigating a major heist at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport in which approximately CAD $20M (US $14.8M) of gold and other valuable assets vanished on Monday.

Sri Lanka: Protests on Fourth Anniversary of Easter Bombings

Thousands of Sri Lankans held a protest Friday in the capital city of Colombo to demand justice for Apr. 21, 2019, Easter Sunday bombings that killed 269 people and wounded some 500 more.

Sudan: Pentagon Prepares for Possible Evacuation of US Embassy

A spokesman for the US Dept. of Defense stated on Thursday that the US is carrying out "prudential planning" for several contingency operations, including a possible evacuation of American personnel from the US Embassy in Sudan.

UK: Dominic Raab Resigns as Deputy PM Over Bullying Probe

Dominic Raab on Friday resigned as the UK's deputy prime minister and justice secretary, after a months-long independent investigation found he had bullied multiple government officials across three different departments.

Scientists Discover Why Hair Turns Gray

According to a study published Wednesday in the journal Nature, scientists have discovered that “the loss of chameleon-like function" in melanocyte stem cells, or "McSCs," could be contributing to hair losing its color and turning gray during aging.

Schumacher’s Family to Sue Over Fake AI Interview

On Wednesday, the family of Michael Schumacher said they would file suit against the publisher of Die Aktuelle, a German magazine, for running a fake interview with the seven-time F1 champion that was created by artificial intelligence.

Russian Warplane Accidentally Bombed Own City

Russian Sukhoi-34 warplane accidentally bombed the Russian city of Belgorod late on Thursday, injuring three civilians. Regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov added that four cars and four apartment buildings were damaged.

Manslaughter Charges Against Alec Baldwin Dropped

On Thursday, New Mexico prosecutors announced that they are dropping involuntary manslaughter charges against actor Alec Baldwin over the fatal on-set shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins in October 2021.

Twitter Starts Removing Blue Ticks From Verified Users

After months of delays, Twitter on Thursday began removing blue ticks from verified users who did not sign up for its paid subscription service Twitter Blue.

Palestinian Leader Abbas Meets Saudi Crown Prince in Jeddah

As part of his trip to Saudi Arabia, Palestinian Pres. Mahmoud Abbas met with Saudi Crown Prince and PM Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah on Wednesday to discuss current developments in the Palestinian territories and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict

India: Rahul Gandhi's Plea For Conviction Stay Rejected

On Thursday, the district court of Surat in India's western state of Gujarat dismissed senior opposition leader Rahul Gandhi's appeal seeking a stay on his recent defamation conviction and two-year jail sentence.

House Passes Bill Banning Transgender Athletes from Women's Teams

The Republican-controlled US House of Representatives passed legislation that would ban transgender athletes who were born male from competing on girls' or women’s sports teams at federally supported schools and colleges.

Florida Expands 'Don't Say Gay' Bill to All Grade Levels

The Florida Board of Education on Wednesday approved an expansion of the Parental Rights in Education law, dubbed the "Don’t Say Gay" bill by opponents, to restrict teaching about sexual orientation and gender identity from kindergarten through 12th grade.

UNICEF: Drop in Childhood Vaccinations Amid COVID Disruption

According to the UN children agency's (UNICEF) annual State of the World's Children report, some 67M children globally either partially or completely missed routine vaccinations from 2019 to 2021 due to COVID lockdowns and the subsequent disruption of healthcare.

WHO Officially Launches mRNA Tech Hub in South Africa

The WHO on Thursday ceremonially launched the first mRNA vaccine hub in Africa. The facility was first established in Cape Town, South Africa in 2021 to help poor countries gain access to mRNA COVID vaccines.

Climate Scientists: El Niño Could Bring Record Temperatures in 2023

On Thursday, scientists from the EU's Copernicus Climate Change Service warned that, with the expected arrival of El Niño later this year, it's possible that Earth could reach a new average temperature record in 2023 or 2024, surpassing the previous hottest year recorded in 2016.

SpaceX Starship Launch Ends with Explosion

Elon Musk-owned SpaceX’s next-generation Starship spacecraft Thursday enjoyed a clean liftoff before exploding minutes later. The rocket made it just 23 miles into the air.

Soccer: 8 Healthcare Workers to Stand Trial over Maradona Death

Eight healthcare workers in Argentina will stand trial over the death of soccer legend Diego Maradona, facing charges of “homicide by negligence.” Three appellate judges in San Isidro rejected defense appeals for a lesser charge, upholding a year-old indictment by prosecutors.

UK Warns Beijing Against Intimidation of Foreign Nationals

Following a media report concerning a secret Chinese police station in London, the UK government has said it is unacceptable for any foreign nationals to be intimidated by China or any other country on British territory.

Seagate Fined $300M for Shipping Drives to Huawei

The US Commerce Department on Wednesday announced that Seagate Technology Holdings PLC has agreed to pay a $300M fine for shipping more than $1.1B worth of hard disk drives to Chinese tech company Huawei, in violation of US export control laws.

Mysterious Flash Over Kyiv Triggers Speculation

A bright flash briefly lit up the Kyiv sky on Wednesday night, triggering speculation as to whether a satellite or a meteorite was hurtling towards the surface of the Ukrainian capital.

Yemen: Stampede at Ramadan Event Kills at Least 85

On Wednesday, a stampede at a charity event in Yemen’s capital Sana’a killed at least 85 and left over 300 critically injured [with numbers in flux].

US Watchdog ‘Cannot Assure’ Afghanistan Aid Not Going to Taliban

John Sopko, the US Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), told the House Oversight Committee presiding over the 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan on Wednesday that US aid to the country may, at least partially, be funding the Taliban.

Fake Drake, The Weeknd Song Raises Questions on AI Copyright

A viral artificial intelligence (AI) song that replicates the voices of Drake and The Weeknd, called "Heart on My Sleeve," has been pulled from streaming platforms such as YouTube, Amazon, SoundCloud, Tidal, Deezer, and TikTok following a complaint from music label Universal Music Group (UMG).

Beijing: Death Toll Rises to 29 in Hospital Fire, 12 Detained

The death toll has climbed to 29 following a fire at a private Beijing hospital. Initial investigations point to the cause of the inferno being the ignition of flammable paint materials used during the renovation of the facility.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Launches 2024 Presidential Bid

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. — nephew of former US Pres. John F. Kennedy and son of former attorney general and 1968 presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, both killed in high-profile assassinations — launched his 2024 presidential bid in Boston on Wednesday.

Mexican President Accuses Pentagon of Spying

Following leaks in US media regarding tensions between Mexico's Navy and Army, Mexican Pres. Andrés Manuel López Orbrador on Tuesday accused the Pentagon of spying on his government and said he would begin classifying information from the armed forces.

US Debt Ceiling: Bipartisan House Group Unveils Plan To Avoid Default

The bipartisan House Problem Solvers Caucus, led by Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) and Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.), on Wednesday released a one-page blueprint for raising the debt ceiling, providing an alternative to the GOP plan.

US Charges 4 Americans, 3 Russians in 'Malign' Influence Campaign

The US Dept. of Justice (DOJ) on Tuesday filed new charges against four Americans and three Russians for allegedly working on behalf of Russia's Federal Security Service, the FSB, to "conduct a multi-year foreign malign influence campaign in the United States."

Ralph Yarl Shooting: Suspect Surrenders, Released on Bond

On Tuesday, 84-year-old Andrew Lester of Clay County, Mo., who was charged with first-degree assault and armed criminal action for shooting Black teenager Ralph Yarl, 16, surrendered to the county detention center and was freed on a $200K bond a few hours later, according to the Sheriff's Office.

McConnell Says Republicans Won't Help Replace Feinstein on Committee

Sen. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), alongside other senior Republicans, signaled opposition to any attempts by Democrats to temporarily replace Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) on the Senate Judiciary Committee as she recovers from shingles.

Amnesty Alleges 'Rights Crisis' in Nicaragua

On Tuesday, Amnesty International released a report alleging that the government of Nicaragua, led by Pres. Daniel Ortega, is consistently engaging in acts of repression and human rights violations.

Poll: Chinese-Australians Report Less Racism, Greater Belonging

The number of Chinese-Australians who reported being called offensive names dropped to 21% in 2022, compared to 31% in 2020, according to a new poll from the Sydney-based Lowy Institute.

Netflix Plans US Rollout of Limits on Password Sharing

In a letter to investors Tuesday, Netflix announced it would roll out its plan for limiting subscribers’ ability to share passwords outside of their households in the US by July. Limits on password sharing have been trialed in other countries.

One Dead, Several Injured in New York Parking Garage Collapse

On Tuesday, one person was killed while others remained trapped and injured following a parking garage collapse in lower Manhattan, New York City. All employees have been accounted for.

Biden Executive Order Expands Childcare Access

US Pres. Biden on Tuesday signed an executive order featuring more than 50 directives to increase access to childcare and to improve the work lives of caregivers without requiring new spending.

North Korea's Kim Orders Launch of First Spy Satellite

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un announced that his country had completed the development of its first military spy satellite and ordered its launch to proceed at an undisclosed date, the state-run KCNA news agency reported on Wednesday.

Alleged Upstate New York Shooter Charged With Murder

Washington County, N.Y. Sheriff Jeffrey Murphy on Monday announced at a press conference that Kevin Monahan, who has been arrested for allegedly shooting and killing Kaylin Gillis was charged with murder and is expected to appear in court.

Record 64M Americans Face Daily Spikes in Deadly Particle Pollution

According to the American Lung Association's (ALA) "State of the Air" report released Wednesday, unhealthy air pollution levels from 2019-2021 affected more than one-third of US residents — 17.6M fewer people than the ALA's last report.

Sudan: UAE Reportedly Arming RSF with Thermobaric Bombs

The Sudanese army (SAF) on Tuesday released footage showing the discovery and confiscation of a supply of deadly munitions from the opposition Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

UN May Exit Afghanistan Over Local Female Staff Ban

The UN Development Program Administrator, Achim Steiner, on Tuesday stated the organization is prepared to leave Afghanistan in May unless the Taliban lets local women work for the UN. Steiner noted that the course of action would be "heartbreaking."

China’s Economy Grows By 4.5% in Q1

China's National Bureau of Statistics on Tuesday reported that the country's GDP grew by 4.5% in the first quarter. The growth is the highest since the first quarter of last year and beat expectations of a 4% rise. The economy expanded 2.2% quarter-on-quarter.

DeSantis to Nullify Disney Deal That Avoided State Oversight

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday said the Fla. state legislature will revoke a development agreement that Disney, the state’s largest employer, made with outgoing members of an oversight board to avoid state supervision.

India: Top Court Hears Pleas To Legalize LGBTQ+ Marriages

On Tuesday, India's Supreme Court began hearing final arguments on a number of petitions from LGBTQ+ couples and activists seeking to legalize same-sex marriage in the country.

Sunak Faces Investigation Over Wife's Childcare Firm

On Monday, the UK Parliament's standards watchdog announced that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is under investigation over a potential failure to declare wife Akshata Murty's shares in a childcare firm.

UN: India Set to Become World's Most Populous Country

According to a report released by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) on Wednesday, India is set to overtake China to become the world's most populous country by mid-2023.

New Zealand Cancels Child Cat-Killing Contest Amid Outcry

On Tuesday, organizers of an annual hunting competition in New Zealand canceled a children's feral cat-killing event following massive backlash from animal rights groups.

Sony World Photography Winner Turns Down Prize For AI Creation

The winner of a prestigious photography competition is refusing the reward after he admitted, via his website, that the image was generated using artificial intelligence (AI).

Report: Kansas City Man Charged With Shooting Black Teen

A man has been charged with first-degree assault and armed criminal action over the shooting of Ralph Yarl, a 16-year-old Black teenager who accidentally went to the wrong address to pick up his younger siblings.

US Debt Ceiling: McCarthy Calls for 1% Federal Spending Cap

On Monday, US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) pledged to pass legislation to raise the nation's debt ceiling on the condition that future federal spending be capped at 1%.

Sudan: Clashes Continue Despite Ceasefire

On Tuesday, fighting between the Sudanese army and the country's Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia continued hours after an internationally-brokered truce was due to take effect at 6 p.m. local time, with both sides accusing each other of violating it.

Canadian Broadcaster Latest to ‘Pause’ Twitter Over Funding Label

The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) on Monday paused its use of Twitter following the social media platform's decision to label the public broadcaster as "government-funded media." CBC has stated that the label "undermines" the credibility of the organization's work.

Tunisian Police Detain Opposition Leader, Raid Party HQ

After Tunisian authorities on Monday arrested Ennahda Party leader Rached Ghannouchi, one of the most prominent critics of Tunisian President Kais Saied, police raided the party's main headquarters on Tuesday.

Dominion Settles With Fox News

Fox News and Dominion Voting Systems reached a $787.5M settlement agreement Tuesday afternoon, averting a high-profile trial putting one of the world's top media companies in the crosshairs over its coverage of highly controversial vote-rigging claims in the 2020 US election.

Study: Male Contraceptive Pill Could Be Available in 5 Years

Researchers at Washington State University say the development of a male contraceptive pill that disables a gene crucial for reproducing sperm may be available in five years. A breakthrough discovery of the so-called "Arrdc5" gene is enabling the new pill’s progress.

US Govt Report: China Began Working on COVID Vaccine Before Official Outbreak

A US Senate report on the origin of COVID has found that the pandemic was most likely the result of a "research-related incident" in Wuhan, China, adding that Chinese researchers may have begun developing vaccines in November 2019.

Suspected IS Militants Kill at Least 26 in Syrian Desert

At least 26 civilians and pro-government fighters were killed in a suspected Islamic State (IS) attack on Sunday in Syria's Hama Governorate, according to Syria's state-run Sana news agency.

Two Arrested Over Alleged Secret Chinese Police Outpost in NYC

The FBI on Monday announced the arrest of Lu Jianwang and Chen Jinping, two New York City residents who allegedly operated a secret Chinese government police station in Manhattan's Chinatown. They were expected to appear in a Brooklyn court later that day.

India: Ex-Legislator Atiq Ahmed, Brother Shot Dead On Live TV

On Saturday, Atiq Ahmed, a former member of India's Parliament turned criminal, was shot dead with his brother outside a hospital in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh while being taken for a medical test. The incident was captured on live television.

Four Killed, Many Injured in Alabama Shooting

Four people were killed and 28 others were injured on Saturday night in a mass shooting at a crowded birthday party in Dadeville, Alabama.

Myanmar's Junta Pardons Over 3K Prisoners For Buddhist New Year

Myanmar's military on Monday announced that 3,113 prisoners, including 98 foreigners, were pardoned to celebrate the country's traditional Buddhist New Year. If they are found violating rules again, they would have to serve the remainder of their sentence with an additional penalty.

US Warship Sails Through Taiwan Strait Following China Drills

The US Navy's 7th Fleet stated on Monday that the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Milius made a "routine" passage through the Taiwan Strait a day earlier, nearly a week after China ended its latest round of military exercises in the region.

US Officers in Jayland Walker Killing Won't Be Charged

Ohio Attorney General (AG) Dave Yost announced Monday that the eight officers who shot and killed 25-year-old Black man Jayland Walker last year won't face charges after an Ohio Grand Jury found they were legally justified in the fatal shooting.

Putin Visits Troops in Russian-Controlled Regions of Ukraine

In footage released by the Kremlin on Tuesday, Russian Pres. Putin visited troops in the regions of Kherson and Luhansk — two of four Ukrainian regions which Moscow claimed to have annexed last year.

Air France, Airbus Acquitted Over 2009 Rio-Paris Crash

On Monday, both Airbus and Air France were acquitted of manslaughter charges by a French court for their involvement in the 2009 crash of Flight 447. The aircraft was traveling from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to Paris, France. All 228 passengers and crew died in the accident....

Ex-Chancellor Merkel Gifted Highest German Honor

Former Chancellor Angela Merkel was decorated with Germany’s highest possible honor on Monday in recognition of her near-record 16 years at the helm of the country....

CENTCOM: US Conducts Raid on IS Leader in Northwest Syria

US Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Monday that its forces had launched a helicopter raid in northwest Syria which resulted in the 'probable death' of a senior Islamic State (IS) leader as well as two 'armed individuals.'...

India: Heatstroke Kills 11 at Government Event

On Sunday, 12 people died and many others were hospitalized from heatstroke after attending an hours-long government-sponsored award ceremony held in India's Maharashtra state....