Iniaes

In U.S. politics

Deputy Assistant to the President Sebastian Gorka said President Trump keeps a letter for the vice president in a drawer of the Resolute Desk, to be opened if Trump dies. It is a fairly unusual way to organize succession planning, though the drawer does at least seem to be pulling more than its weight.

Separately, the Trump administration has unveiled a $1.776 billion taxpayer-funded compensation pool for political allies who say they were wrongly targeted by the Biden administration. Democrats and ethics watchdogs criticized the move, while Trump defended the recipients as people who were “horribly treated.”

In Europe and the Middle East

Estonia’s defence minister said a NATO jet shot down a drone that had strayed into Estonian airspace. On the same day, Ukraine and Latvia rejected Moscow’s claims that Ukraine was preparing attacks on Russia from Latvian territory.

Organizers of a Gaza aid flotilla say 41 boats have been intercepted and 10 are still heading onward. Foreign ministers from 10 countries called Israel’s action against the flotilla a blatant violation of international law.

Iran’s army warned it would “open new fronts” against the US if attacks resume, after Donald Trump said he had called off a planned strike so peace talks could continue. Iranian state TV also aired weapons training that included simulated shooting at Trump, Netanyahu and the UAE flag, while the IRGC has begun recruiting children as young as 12 to staff checkpoints.

In business and tech

A former OpenAI researcher turned hedge fund manager, Leopold Aschenbrenner, has reshaped his portfolio around the idea that artificial general intelligence matters more than AI chips. His latest disclosed move includes short positions in Nvidia and Oracle, alongside a reported $13.6 billion AI-crypto bet.

Portugal’s postal service operator CTT is facing an alleged data breach that may affect more than 468,000 customer records, including names, phone numbers and parcel tracking codes. The company has not publicly acknowledged the attack.

Separately, an EU lawmaker warned that EU-US trade talks could fail if the two sides cannot bridge Washington’s “ideological fights” and Europe’s slower procedures.

In Asia-Pacific

Thailand is set to introduce a new tiered visa system that will shorten visa-free stays for tourists, moving away from one of the region’s more permissive entry policies.

The Philippine president said his country would likely be drawn into any conflict over Taiwan, a comment that could irritate Beijing as regional security tensions continue to rise.

In local news

Rescue crews are still searching for a 19-year-old swimmer reported missing Monday near 10th Street Beach in Ocean City, New Jersey. The swimmer was last seen boogie boarding, and another person was rescued nearby.

In West Philadelphia, a 44-year-old man was stabbed in the neck after a fight and was taken to hospital in stable condition. Police say a suspect has been arrested as the investigation continues.

In Britain

Police in Kent are investigating after a car left the road and crashed in woods near Pembury, killing a man and a woman. Officers say enquiries are ongoing and want witnesses to come forward.

Separately, UK unemployment has risen unexpectedly and vacancies have fallen to a five-year low, a sign the labour market is softening. The same feed also brings another reminder that smugglers are willing to use anything with a company number, a former Met officer says, after a BBC investigation found UK-registered businesses being used to move money for Channel crossings. The Home Office says it is setting up a new unit to target those “dodgy shops” and seize cash.

And in Crowborough, Wealden District Council has rejected a retired couple’s plan for a new four-bedroom house in open countryside, saying it would damage the area’s character. Nearby, the former military camp has been turned into emergency accommodation for 350 single men seeking asylum, after the Home Office sidestepped the usual planning route.

In world news

China’s Xi Jinping is hosting Vladimir Putin in Beijing less than a week after Donald Trump’s visit, underscoring Beijing’s effort to keep both Washington and Moscow in play. It is a delicate balancing act.

The United States has imposed fresh sanctions on Cuba, increasing pressure on Miguel Diaz-Canel’s government as tensions in the Caribbean rise. In Bolivia, protests, roadblocks and clashes with police are spreading as shortages and inflation deepen the country’s economic crisis.

Briefly

Sony is raising PlayStation Plus prices from May 20, especially for monthly and three-month plans. The company blamed market conditions and gave no further detail.

In global health

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has killed at least 118 people, and the World Health Organization has declared it an international emergency. WHO is also sending health experts and supplies to help contain what it calls a complex and difficult outbreak.

In U.S. news

Alex Saab, the Colombian businessman and longtime ally of Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro, appeared in a Miami federal courtroom on a money laundering charge. In a separate case, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has opened an investigation into the Southern Poverty Law Center over claims that it funded extremist groups, while a federal grand jury in Alabama has recently indicted the group on wire fraud and bank fraud charges.

In Britain

An investigation has found that repeat drug-driving offences are almost five times more common than repeat drink-driving offences, prompting calls for a national rehabilitation scheme. That points to a problem that is being punished, but not yet meaningfully broken.

Separately, Transport for London staff failed to spot suspicious packages in covert security tests 22 times out of 63 over the past year, according to an internal document. The Department for Transport inspections took place at railway stations, and Conservatives are now calling for an urgent review of TfL’s security procedures and for the full findings to be published.

In business

Standard Chartered says it plans to cut thousands of jobs as it expands its use of artificial intelligence, though some staff may be moved elsewhere in the bank.

In New York transit

The MTA and unions representing thousands of Long Island Rail Road workers have reached a tentative agreement, ending the three-day strike.

In local government and planning

A Planning Inspectorate decision to overturn Durham County Council’s rejection of a solar farm near Burnhope has angered local residents and campaigners, who say the scheme would damage green fields, curlew nesting sites and local access. The developer says the project was designed to limit harm, while the council says it will keep pressing the issue, though another legal challenge appears unlikely to work.

In brief

Pennsylvania SPCA investigators are looking into a video that appears to show a woman pouring a substance believed to be bleach onto cat food in Chester. No animals were reported harmed, and charges could follow if lab tests confirm the material was toxic.

In Washington

President Trump is pushing Senate Republicans to fold a new security funding request into a broader bill tied to his East Wing renovation and proposed ballroom. The ask is for about $1 billion in new Secret Service money, including $200 million connected to demolishing part of the East Wing. A Senate rules official has already blocked the fast-track route he wanted, and critics say the bigger fight is not just the project itself, but whether anyone can get into court before any money starts moving.

In tech and the courts

A jury threw out Elon Musk’s lawsuit against OpenAI, Sam Altman, and Greg Brockman, ruling that the claims were filed too late. That ends one more chapter in Musk’s ongoing attempt to litigate his way through Silicon Valley. Mixed results, which is one way to describe it.

In California

A wildfire on Santa Rosa Island in Channel Islands National Park has burned more than 10,000 acres, making it the state’s largest fire so far this year. Officials say it has destroyed historic structures and threatened rare plant communities. About a dozen firefighters are working the blaze, but strong winds and no containment are slowing them down.

In Britain

Tommy Robinson’s “Unite the Kingdom” rally in London drew Christian symbolism, anti-Islam activists, and far-right supporters, while police kept a large force in place to separate it from a parallel Nakba Day protest. Robinson called for peace, but the day still delivered the familiar mix of grievance and spectacle, plus one arrest.

In court history

Mark Fuhrman, the former LAPD detective who found the bloody glove in the O.J. Simpson murder investigation, has died at 78. The glove became one of the most infamous pieces of evidence in the case that gripped the country for years.

Overseas

The United States and China say they still share a goal of denuclearizing North Korea, following last week’s summit between President Trump and President Xi.

A former British soldier held by Russia in occupied Ukraine, Hayden Davies, says in letters to the BBC that he feels abandoned and has had no contact with British authorities.

In U.S. news

A new analysis says more than 100,000 children were separated from their parents during the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, and roughly three-quarters of them are likely U.S. citizens.

Trump is also moving to set up a $1.7 billion taxpayer-funded compensation fund for political allies and people charged in connection with the January 6 Capitol attack. Separately, he is considering adding a helipad to the White House South Lawn so Marine One no longer tears up the grass.

And in another move drawing fire, the Trump administration has cleared the way for lethal cyanide wildlife devices to return to huge stretches of public land, despite a record of killing endangered animals, family pets, and nearly a child.

In the Middle East

Trump says he called off a planned strike on Iran after requests from Gulf states, and that serious negotiations with Tehran are underway. At the same time, Iran’s parliament is drafting legislation to fund a reward for anyone who assassinates him, a threat that marks a dangerous escalation. Reports also say there was a drone strike fire near a nuclear plant, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz remains at odds with Trump over the crisis.

In California

Police in San Diego responded to a shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego, with officials saying people were believed to have been shot and urging the public to avoid the area. In a separate report, authorities said at least one person was killed in what was described as an active shooter incident at the same mosque.

In the U.K.

Metropolitan Police are treating an assault on a Jewish man in Golders Green as an antisemitic hate crime.

In tech and entertainment

A federal jury in Oakland found Sam Altman, OpenAI, and OpenAI president Greg Brockman not liable in Elon Musk’s lawsuit, which alleged they broke a founding contract and unjustly enriched themselves when they launched the startup. Meanwhile, Marvel Comics is reshuffling leadership, with Brad Winderbaum taking on publishing duties, veteran executive Dan Buckley leaving, and David Abdo moving over from Disney’s music group to become general manager for comics and franchise.

In global health

The World Health Organisation has declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda a public health emergency of international concern. Officials say there have been at least 88 deaths and 336 suspected infections, with the rare Bundibugyo strain spreading into Kinshasa and Kampala. The outbreak has been difficult to contain amid conflict in the region, and there is still no licensed vaccine made specifically for this strain.

In U.S. government

FBI director Kash Patel is under new scrutiny after reports that he used government resources to fly his girlfriend on an FBI jet to a luxury concert suite. The claims follow earlier reporting from The New York Times on perks tied to the couple. The ethics file, at this point, seems to be writing itself.

Meanwhile, the FDA’s top drug regulator, Tracey Beth Høeg, has been removed amid continued upheaval in the agency’s senior ranks. She had been serving as acting director of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research since December, making her the fifth head or acting head of the division since the start of the year.

In science and climate

Scientists at the British Antarctic Survey say the eastern ice shelf of Antarctica’s Thwaites Glacier is close to detaching, and they have already drafted a press release for the eventual collapse. The glacier is about the size of Britain and already contributes roughly 4 percent of global sea level rise. Researchers warn that if its retreat continues, it could destabilize part of the West Antarctic ice sheet, with major sea-level impacts likely over the coming decades.

In sports

The Seattle Mariners have called up top prospect Colt Emerson for his MLB debut, with the 20-year-old learning the news while driving to Seattle on Sunday. The move comes as the team deals with an injury crisis.

In U.S. news

President Trump is escalating his fight with Rep. Thomas Massie, saying the Kentucky Republican “must be thrown out of office.” In Washington, officials are also discussing a Trump-linked Truth and Justice Commission that could set up a fund worth nearly $1.13 billion for people who say they were wrongly targeted by the Justice Department.

In Chester, Delaware County, a woman was shot and taken to hospital. Her condition has not been released.

In business

Bill Ackman has sold his entire Alphabet stake and is buying Microsoft instead, putting about $2.09 billion behind what he calls one of the most attractive entry points he has seen in a decade. Berkshire Hathaway has also made a $2.6 billion first-quarter bet on Delta Air Lines, a notable return after exiting the stock years ago.

UzNIF has listed in London in Uzbekistan’s first international IPO, raising about $603 million after drawing more than $2.8 billion in demand.

Ford says it will launch seven new vehicles in Europe over the next three years, including a new Bronco, a small electric hatchback, and fresh commercial models, even after its hefty £14.6 billion EV writedown. Ryanair says summer flights are secure and fuel shortages are less of a worry, though late bookers may still pay more.

In health and international security

The World Health Organization says a rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola is behind a deadly outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. The outbreak has been declared a public health emergency of international concern, and travel warnings are now in place.

The cruise ship MV Hondius has docked in Rotterdam after being tied to a deadly hantavirus outbreak. Nine passengers have been confirmed infected, two more cases are suspected, and three passengers have died. Health officials say the remaining crew will disembark in stages before the ship is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.

In the Middle East and Europe

Iran’s deputy housing minister used the World Urban Forum in Baku to seek international help rebuilding 150,000 homes damaged in the war. In Britain, Conservatives plan to force a vote to overturn Labour’s ban on new North Sea oil and gas licences and want ministers to approve stalled drilling projects at Rosebank and Jackdaw, as Labour argues its Energy Independence Bill will help lower bills over time.

In the Midwest

A dangerous multi-day storm system is sweeping across the central United States, bringing destructive tornadoes and giant hail. The National Weather Service has placed major population centers in Nebraska, South Dakota, Iowa, and Minnesota under the highest alert level, and millions are being told to take shelter.

In international security

North Korea says Kim Jong Un wants frontline forces along the border with South Korea strengthened into an “impregnable fortress.” In the same part of the world, Japan is moving toward radar-equipped early-warning drones over the Pacific, with the MQ-9B SeaGuardian the leading candidate, as Tokyo tries to tighten surveillance of Chinese military activity.

Meanwhile, President Trump is again warning Iran that time is running out as nuclear talks stall, and reports from the region say fear of renewed U.S. strikes is growing. The broader picture remains tense, with Tehran saying it is ready to respond to any aggression.

In the United States

Two Navy jets collided and crashed during an air show in western Idaho on Sunday. Officials say all four crew members ejected safely, which is the important part when aircraft start introducing themselves to the ground.

In the UK

The Southbank Centre’s chair, Misan Harriman, is facing calls to resign after criticism of social media comments about the Golders Green knife attack and Reform UK voters. Critics say the posts were divisive and damaging, while the venue says it condemns antisemitism and discrimination and that board members are entitled to personal views within the law.

In sport

Aaron Rai has won the PGA Championship after a final-round 65 at Aronimink left him three shots clear. It was a composed finish from a player whose wife says his relentless work ethic and calm under pressure always pointed toward this kind of result, and the first English win of the Wanamaker Trophy since 1919.

In U.S. news

Four crew members are safe after two U.S. Navy EA-18G Growlers collided and crashed during an air show at Mountain Home Air Force Base in western Idaho. The base was locked down after the incident, and officials said the aircraft were from Electronic Attack Squadron 129 in Whidbey Island, Washington.

In New Jersey, family, friends, and first responders held a vigil for 7-year-old Hunter Smith, who was struck and killed by a school bus in Greenwich Township. Police say he was getting off the bus near Bennett Avenue and Ashton Drive when he was hit. Neighbors tried CPR before he was taken to a hospital, where he died. The investigation is ongoing.

In Austin, police say four people were injured in multiple shootings across the weekend, and three suspects are in custody. A shelter-in-place order for south Austin was issued during the response and later lifted Sunday afternoon.

In West Philadelphia, a 14-year-old boy is in extremely critical condition after being shot Sunday night near Master and Allison streets. Police say he was hit in the chest and hand, and investigators are still searching for surveillance footage and other evidence. No arrests have been made.

In international politics

Donald Trump said Iran has little time left to accept a nuclear deal with the United States, warning that if it does not move quickly, there may be little left of the country. He said the goal would be a permanent end to hostilities as fears grow of another U.S.-Israel war involving Tehran.

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te said Taiwan will not provoke conflict and will not give up its sovereignty, in his first direct response to the Trump-Xi meeting where Taiwan independence was discussed.

The White House says China will buy at least $17 billion worth of U.S. agricultural goods each year after talks between Trump and Xi.

In tech and security

Samsung has pushed an update after its weather app incorrectly labeled Dokdo as part of North Korea, setting off backlash in South Korea. The company blamed map data from The Weather Channel.

Separately, Bitdefender says it found evidence of a China-backed campaign targeting an Azerbaijani oil and gas company. China is also reportedly steering buyers away from Nvidia’s H200 chips, while India’s smartphone shipments fell 4.1 percent in the first quarter of 2026 as rising memory costs squeeze the low-end market.

In the UK

The Metropolitan Police have apologised to writer Graham Linehan after his arrest over gender-critical social media posts. A five-month internal review said the service provided was not acceptable, and that officers focused too much on the posts’ content and not enough on the alleged incitement to violence. The Met said the arrest was lawful, but that parts of the investigation were flawed and poorly supervised. It also says it will no longer investigate non-crime hate incidents, though it will continue recording them to assess possible community tensions.

In the UK

Sheffield schools are facing backlash after drawing up anti-racism lessons for primary pupils that say white children may benefit from white privilege and should help challenge racism. The materials, aimed at children as young as seven, have been condemned by Conservative figures as divisive, while the schools alliance says it is trying to address systemic racism.

Justice secretary David Lammy is set to publish a youth justice white paper promising to cut by a quarter the number of children held in jail before trial. The plan could also change rules so under-18s no longer face lifelong criminal records.

Campaigners are also threatening legal action over part of the UK-U.S. drug pricing deal, arguing it could push NHS treatment costs higher and amount to an unlawful shift in how medicines are approved.

In the Middle East

Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Iran as nuclear talks stall, suggesting possible military strikes if diplomacy fails.

In business

UK employers say war-driven costs are forcing them to cut investment and hiring, with surveys showing firms shifting from growth to caution and April vacancies down 7.7%.

In sport

Aaron Rai won the PGA Championship with a final-round 65, sealing victory with a 68-foot birdie putt on the 17th. He became the first English winner of the event since 1919.