Mali leader Goita takes defence post after minister killed
Military leader Assimi Goita has promoted himself to the position of Defence Minister after his predecessor was killed in attacks linked to al-Qaeda and Tuareg separatists. Al Jazeera reports that about 150 people are st...
Modi's Party Takes Control of India's West Bengal
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's party has taken control of the key state election in India's West Bengal, according to multiple sources. NPR reports that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won a majority of seats....
2026 Pulitzer Prize Winners Announced
Award winners include authors Daniel Kraus, Jill Lepore and Yiyun Li, opinion writer M. Gessen and staffers and contributors at The New Yorker. NPR reports on the notable winners....
Russia Orders 2-Day Ceasefire in Ukraine War
President Vladimir Putin ordered a two-day ceasefire in the conflict with Ukraine on May 8 and 9 to mark Russia's World War II victory anniversary. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky proposed an earlier pause in figh...
China Consul Calls Protectionism a 'Dead End'
China's top diplomat on the US-Mexico border denounced protectionism as a dead end, delivering a pointed defence of open trade just weeks before Mexico reviews the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement....
Emirates Flight Held at Heathrow During UAE Air Strikes
An Emirates flight was held at Heathrow airport due to UAE air strikes. Euronews reports that the atmosphere in the cabin remained calm, with passengers having no concerns about safety....
Dolly Parton cancels Las Vegas residency citing ongoing health issues
The Guardian reports that 80‑year‑old Dolly Parton has cancelled her Las Vegas residency, citing ongoing health problems that require further treatment. She assured fans she is improving each day, and the September dates...
Britney Spears pleads guilty to reckless driving, avoids jail in California
The South China Morning Post reports that pop star Britney Spears pleaded guilty to reckless driving involving alcohol, a plea deal that allows her to avoid jail time. The case follows her March arrest for erratic drivin...
Victoria posts $700 million surplus, first state budget black since pre‑COVID
Labor’s 2026‑27 budget shows the Australian state of Victoria recorded a $700 million surplus, the first such result since before the pandemic, and forecasts back‑to‑back surpluses. The financial health is presented as a...
Labour ministers warn MPs against attempting to oust leader Keir Starmer
Senior Labour cabinet members cautioned rebellious MPs that any move to remove Prime Minister‑designate Keir Starmer after poor local election outcomes could plunge the party into chaos. The warning follows growing specu...
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signs new gerrymandered congressional map favoring Republicans
The Guardian notes that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a new congressional map that gives Republicans an advantage in four additional races for the upcoming midterm elections. Critics say the redistricting represen...
Fire causes substantial damage to New York’s Book of Mormon theater, forcing temporary closure
The Guardian reports a deep‑seated fire causing substantial damage to the Book of Mormon production at New York’s Eugene O’Neill Theatre, forcing the long‑running musical to close temporarily. No injuries were reported, ...
Chloe Zhao, Stellan Skarsgård and Demi Moore join Cannes Film Festival jury
The South China Morning Post announces that director Chloe Zhao, actor Stellan Skarsgård and actress Demi Moore have been named among the nine members of this year’s Cannes Film Festival jury. The festival, opening next ...
Mali junta leader appoints himself defence minister after former minister killed
After former Defence Minister Sadio Camara was killed in a massive offensive by jihadist and separatist forces, the junta chief took over the defence portfolio. The move consolidates power amid a worsening security crisi...
Kid Cudi drops MIA from tour after her on‑stage Republican remarks spark boos
The Guardian says rapper Kid Cudi removed artist MIA from his tour after she was booed for delivering a Republican‑leaning rant on stage in Dallas. The incident ignited debate over political expression in music performan...
SUV driver ploughs into crowd in Leipzig, killing two and injuring several
At least two people were killed and multiple others wounded when a driver in an SUV drove into pedestrians in Leipzig’s city centre. Police have detained a suspect, though investigators have not yet determined a motive....
US‑Iran Strait of Hormuz tensions heighten as Trump plan sparks shipping concerns and Treasury urges China to act
The Guardian reports that shipping companies are doubtful about safely navigating the Strait of Hormuz after President Donald Trump announced a naval operation, noting that an Iranian warship was reportedly hit. In a sep...
Modi’s BJP wins West Bengal election, first victory in state
The Bharatiya Janata Party secured a decisive win in West Bengal, marking its first assembly victory in the traditionally opposition‑led state. Analysts say the result strengthens Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s national ...
New evidence suggests intentional fuel cut‑off in 2022 China Eastern Airlines crash
Recently released investigative material, cited by the US NTSB, indicates that the levers controlling fuel flow on the China Eastern flight that crashed in 2022 were deliberately shut, supporting theories of sabotage. Ch...
Diplomats praise reconstruction of Azerbaijan’s Karabakh region after 2025 peace deal
European Union and US diplomats surveyed reconstruction efforts in the disputed Nagorno‑Karabakh area, expressing support for the peace settlement between Armenia and Azerbaijan that ended decades of conflict in 2025. Th...