Iniaes

In Beijing

Donald Trump and Xi Jinping have begun high-stakes talks in Beijing, focused on tariffs, competition, and a general attempt to keep the world’s two largest economies from turning every disagreement into a global accessory.

In public health

Health authorities are tracking a cruise ship-linked hantavirus outbreak that has confirmed 11 cases and three deaths. More than 150 passengers and crew are being monitored across several countries after possible exposure.

In the courts

A Utah children’s book author, Kouri Richins, has been sentenced to life in prison without parole after being convicted of murdering her husband. The case drew wide attention amid allegations of poisoning, financial motive, and a fatal fentanyl overdose.

In Britain, hospital worker Lydia-May Green has been jailed for 28 months after pleading guilty to seven charges over a sexual relationship with a man detained under the Mental Health Act. Prosecutors said the relationship may have harmed the patient psychologically and delayed his discharge.

In North American politics

An Alberta judge has blocked a separatist push for an independence referendum, ruling that the provincial government must consult First Nations before signatures can be collected. The decision is a setback for western Canada’s independence movement.

On the Iran standoff

U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has criticized Britain and other NATO allies for not backing American operations against Iran, calling their refusal “unconscionable” and warning of consequences for allies that do not step up. Britain says it is sending mine-hunting equipment, anti-drone systems, and Typhoon jets to the Strait of Hormuz.

In Washington

Kevin Warsh has been confirmed by the Senate to replace Jerome Powell as Federal Reserve chair, in a vote divided along party lines. The central bank now has a new boss and a fresh reminder that even monetary policy can become a stress test for Congress.

The White House says Donald Trump will have another public medical exam on May 26, his fourth of the term and one coming just before his 80th birthday. The administration is also offering Cuba $100 million in aid, but only if Havana agrees to reforms, which is a fairly direct way of saying the check comes with a ledger.

In Europe and the Ukraine war

Hungary’s new prime minister, Péter Magyar, has condemned a major Russian drone attack near the Hungarian border and summoned the Russian ambassador, a notable break from Budapest’s earlier pro-Moscow line. Russia said it fired at least 800 drones across about 20 regions of Ukraine, Poland scrambled fighter jets as a precaution, and supporters of a Ukraine aid and sanctions bill in Washington have now reached the signatures needed to force a House vote.

Russian authorities are also moving to restrict publication of photos and videos showing the aftermath of drone strikes. The usual confidence in controlling the narrative is doing a lot of work there.

In markets and the cost of living

Higher fuel costs tied to the Iran war are starting to ripple through the economy. Consumers in hard-hit parts of Asia are turning to rooftop solar, Europe’s airline industry says fares are headed up if oil stays expensive, South Korea’s employment rate fell for the first time in 16 months, and estate agents in England and Wales say the housing market has turned more cautious as buyers worry about inflation and mortgage rates.

In China and trade

China is reportedly adjusting the Chinese spelling used for Marco Rubio’s name during his visit to Beijing, a workaround aimed at avoiding its own sanctions rules. Trump is in Beijing and is due to meet Xi Jinping, with trade and the Iran war on the agenda, which is a tidy little itinerary for a trip nobody will be calling relaxed.

In health care

England’s NHS has approved two treatments for children with spinal muscular atrophy, opening access to drugs that can improve survival for hundreds of patients. For families facing that diagnosis, the decision is being described, quite rightly, as a lifeline.

In U.S. news

U.S. wholesale prices rose 6% last month, a sharp jump that adds pressure on companies already dealing with weak demand and squeezed customers. If that cost starts moving through the system, shoppers will feel it next. The Senate also confirmed Kevin Warsh as the new Federal Reserve chair, replacing Jerome Powell after months of Trump criticism.

In politics

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has called a special legislative session for June 17 to redraw the state’s legislative and congressional maps, with the state moving ahead after the Supreme Court’s Louisiana v. Callais decision weakened parts of the Voting Rights Act framework. In North Carolina, Rep. Chuck Edwards faces accusations that a female staffer feared retaliation after she declined a dinner invitation from him. The details are still unfolding, but the pattern is depressingly familiar.

In crime and public safety

Police in Columbus, Ohio, say 28-year-old Markus Say Yeanay killed his neighbor, wrapped the body in a rug, and buried it under mulch in his yard. He has been charged with murder and tampering with evidence, and investigators say they recovered blood and possible weapons from the home.

In Arkansas, health officials say a death has been linked to a new opioid that is even stronger than fentanyl, and the drug has already shown up in several other states, including Tennessee, where it has been tied to more than 40 overdose deaths. That is not the kind of product line anyone should be scaling.

In courts and international affairs

An alleged administrator of the Dream Market criminal marketplace has been arrested in Germany after a U.S. indictment. Dream Market, launched in 2013, grew into one of the largest online criminal bazaars before law enforcement caught up with the alleged operator.

In Britain, Elias Calocane’s brother told an inquiry he felt powerless over his brother’s mental health crisis and believed violent messages were about suicide, not harm to others. Valdo Calocane, who had been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, killed Barnaby Webber, Grace O’Malley-Kumar and Ian Coates in Nottingham in 2023 and seriously injured three others.

Separately, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a secret visit to the UAE during the war with Iran and met with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, according to his office.

In U.S. politics

Democratic challengers in Massachusetts and Connecticut are making age the issue in primaries against longtime incumbents, arguing the party needs a generational reset. Rep. Seth Moulton is pressing Sen. Ed Markey to step aside, while former Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin won the Connecticut party endorsement over Rep. John Larson after questions about Larson’s health and how long he can keep serving.

In the courts

Sam Altman testified in a California courtroom that Elon Musk repeatedly sought long-term control of OpenAI, including asking for power that could, in Musk’s telling, pass to his children if he died. The dispute has now reached the stage where even Silicon Valley power struggles need a judge to keep score.

Blake Lively has lost ground in her bid to collect more money from Justin Baldoni, after Judge Lewis J. Liman limited her ability to seek additional financial penalties in the Manhattan federal case. Elsewhere, Nigel Farage is facing a parliamentary investigation over a gift worth nearly $7 million, and Alex Murdaugh’s murder convictions have been overturned, with a new trial ordered over the 2021 killings of Paul and Maggie Murdaugh.

In Southern California, a woman known for her OnlyFans fetish content has pleaded guilty in a plea deal over the death of a client during a private session, after prosecutors said the encounter went beyond consensual role play and ended in suffocation.

In business and the economy

U.S. wholesale prices rose 6% in April from a year earlier, the biggest annual jump since 2022. Fox Business host Larry Kudlow called the latest inflation reading “lousy” while the Trump administration tries to defend its economic record. Not exactly the kind of number that inspires a victory lap.

A new study in Nature Communications says diabetes could reduce global economic output by more than 5.177 trillion international dollars between 2021 and 2050, with losses spread across 190 countries and territories. The researchers warn it could become a long-term drag on growth, work, and public finances.

In British politics

The Parliamentary Standards Commissioner has opened an inquiry into Reform leader Nigel Farage over a reported £5 million gift, according to the BBC.

Separately, Keir Starmer is under heavy pressure after Labour’s election losses, with a revolt building inside the party and questions now hanging over his grip on No. 10.

In the UK economy

UK government borrowing costs have climbed above 5%, renewing concerns among economists and investors about a prolonged period of fiscal strain. The rise has prompted comparisons with the market turmoil after the Truss mini-budget, and traders are watching closely for signs of deeper stress.

In business and travel

Tesco says about £17 million in Clubcard vouchers will expire at 11.59pm on May 31, and is urging customers to check their accounts. The vouchers were issued in May 2024, and unused balances can be spent in store or with reward partners.

TUI says summer sales are down 10% as UK customers delay holiday bookings, with uncertainty linked to the war in Iran making travelers more cautious.

In France

French authorities have confined more than 1,700 passengers and crew aboard a cruise ship docked in Bordeaux after a 90-year-old British passenger died from suspected norovirus. Around 50 people on board have shown symptoms, and officials say enhanced sanitation measures are in place while health authorities monitor the situation.

In international news

U.N. rights chief Volker Turk has called for an “all hands on deck” response to North Korea’s human rights crisis, saying any engagement with Pyongyang should be centered on rights.

In U.S. security

The United States has imposed visa restrictions on 13 people linked to a U.S.-sanctioned online pharmacy based in India that is accused of selling Americans pills laced with fentanyl. It is another reminder that the drug crisis now comes with a supply chain.

In Europe

EU ministers met in Brussels to discuss how Ukraine could use a proposed €90 billion loan to help repel Russian forces, with Estonia’s defence minister insisting the money must not be mishandled. Corruption concerns in Ukraine continue to shadow the talks, even as the need for funding remains urgent.

In a separate development, French and EU officials are dealing with a hantavirus case linked to the expedition cruise ship MV Hondius. A French woman infected in the outbreak is in critical condition in Paris, while 22 passengers and crew are expected to leave isolation in Merseyside after precautionary monitoring.

In trade

The European Union and Australia have signed a free trade agreement in Canberra after nearly a decade of negotiations. The deal is meant to remove more than 99% of tariffs on EU goods and deepen cooperation between the two sides.

In business

JPMorgan chief executive Jamie Dimon has warned the bank could rethink its planned £3 billion London headquarters if Britain turns more hostile to banks. He said political instability alone would not derail the project, but higher taxes or a tougher stance on banking could.

Amazon has launched its 30-minute grocery delivery service, Amazon Now, in dozens of U.S. cities. The service promises groceries, household essentials and electronics, while leaning on gig drivers and small warehouse sites to make speed look like a strategy.

In politics

Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to meet rival Wes Streeting as ministerial resignations mount and pressure builds on his government. Starmer says he intends to keep governing, at least for now.

In China-U.S. relations

Donald Trump is heading to China for talks with Xi Jinping later this week, joined by more than a dozen U.S. executives including Elon Musk and Jensen Huang. Trump says he will press Xi to open up China, which is the sort of promise leaders always make right before discovering how closed a market can be.

In health and public safety

Health authorities in Europe, Africa, North America, and parts of the South Pacific are working to contain a widening hantavirus outbreak linked to the expedition cruise vessel MV Hondius. In France, President Emmanuel Macron said the situation is under control there and urged EU countries to adopt common protocols with the highest standards.

In U.S. news

Four people were injured in a shooting in Philadelphia after investigators say at least six shots were fired, with some rounds hitting Kelvin Kelly’s SUV. In South Jersey, police are also investigating what they believe may have been a targeted arrow attack, with a 65-year-old victim found Sunday morning near Cooper Street.

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said he will keep campaigning after a bomb scare in Macon.

In sports

Former NBA center Jason Collins has died at 47 after battling brain cancer. Collins made history as the first openly gay player in one of the four major U.S. sports leagues, a landmark moment that reached well beyond basketball.

In South America

Organizers say about 600,000 students, university staff, union members, and opposition supporters joined a protest in Buenos Aires against President Javier Milei’s cuts to university funding.

In the Middle East

Residents of Rmeich, a mostly Christian town in southern Lebanon, say they protected their community by refusing to let Hezbollah use it as a launch point for attacks. The town has largely avoided the destruction seen nearby, while locals say they have faced pressure and accusations of collaboration for resisting Hezbollah’s role in the south.

In business and energy

Rising cooking gas prices across parts of Asia are pushing families toward firewood and other dirtier fuels, raising air pollution and health concerns. In south Delhi, one woman reportedly spent hours gathering kindling from urban forests and parks just to cook.

Elsewhere

Nauru’s parliament has agreed to change the country’s name to Naoero, in a break from its colonial past. The constitutional change now goes to a referendum.

In U.S. politics

President Trump spent part of the week doing what he does best: posting a fake quote attributed to Sen. John Kennedy, then insulting a reporter when asked about ballooning ballroom renovation costs. The quote about Barack Obama and Obamacare was baseless, and Kennedy never said it. The White House exchange, caught on camera, was another reminder that the press corps is still expected to take the hit while asking the questions.

Separately, Pennsylvania State Police say a Lebanon County man was arrested after allegedly posting violent threats online against 20 state lawmakers, all Democrats. Investigators say the posts included a hit list and references to shooting. He’s due in court Thursday.

Trump is also pushing to suspend the federal gas tax to ease fuel prices, but that would need Congress, and some Republicans are already skeptical. The Highway Trust Fund is not known for enjoying surprise dieting.

In South Korea

South Korea is facing pressure to align more closely with the U.S. on AI and security, rather than keep balancing between Washington and Beijing. That debate is playing out alongside the country’s own domestic strains, as depopulation leaves nearly 50 regions without enough doctors and lawyers to meet basic needs.

In business, Samsung Electronics is dealing with a growing labor dispute as its union demands bigger bonuses and criticizes the company’s HBM strategy, even as Samsung regains momentum in the global AI memory market. Hyundai Motor also reported a milestone in India, passing 13.5 million cumulative vehicle sales after 30 years in the market.

Health and science

A daily pill called orforglipron may help people keep weight off after stopping obesity injections. The drug is already available in the U.S. and could reach the U.K. soon.

In Europe and entertainment

Eurovision is heading into Vienna under heavy security, with five countries boycotting the contest over Israel and officials deploying counter-drone measures and an FBI task force. The event has also drawn backlash online over its no-bags policy, a controversy that says a great deal about modern fandom and almost as much about modern event planning.

In sports

Jason Collins, the NBA’s first openly gay player, has died after a cancer battle. Collins left a mark that went well beyond basketball, and for a lot of people, that’s the part that will endure.

In Washington

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer rejected President Trump’s push to suspend the federal gas tax, saying it would not do much for drivers facing higher fuel costs after the conflict with Iran. A few Republicans are backing the idea, but the math is not exactly dazzling. Separately, Texas Sen. John Cornyn introduced a bill to rename U.S. Highway 287 as Interstate 47 in honor of Trump, while Trump defended the White House ballroom expansion, said it was under budget, and called a reporter “dumb” for asking about it. FBI Director Kash Patel also denied under oath allegations of heavy drinking and unexplained absences, calling them baseless in a heated Senate hearing.

In global health and war

The World Health Organization says more hantavirus cases are likely after a deadly outbreak on the cruise ship MV Hondius, though the overall global risk remains low. Three people have died, nine infections have been confirmed, and two suspected cases are still under investigation. All passengers and crew were removed from the ship off Tenerife, and health authorities in several countries are monitoring possible linked cases. In a separate development, Ukraine says it struck Russian gas facilities far from the front in retaliation for Russian attacks that killed at least six people in Ukraine.

In Britain

Armed police in Bedford shot and killed a man in his 40s after an 11-hour standoff in a house on Aylesbury Road. Police said the man had threatened officers with a weapon after barricading himself inside, and nearby homes were evacuated before residents were allowed back. The case has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

In sports

Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke has died in Los Angeles at age 29. The basketball world is reacting to the loss of a player known for his energy on the court and quiet demeanor off it.

In the Middle East

Israel’s Knesset has unanimously passed a death penalty law covering Palestinians convicted of the worst crimes tied to the Oct. 7 attacks. The move is aimed at cases the government defines as genocide, and it lands in the middle of a war that has already turned lawmaking into another front.

Separately, Israeli authorities say they have charged at least 60 people with spying for Iran, with prosecutors alleging they were recruited through Telegram channels. And in Turkey, the renovated Halki Theological School is still waiting for permission to reopen, despite work expected to finish in September. The building may be ready. The approval, less so.

In health and science

The World Health Organization says more hantavirus cases are likely after a deadly outbreak aboard the expedition cruise ship MV Hondius. Health agencies are tracing passengers and monitoring possible exposures across several countries.

On a less grim note, scientists in China say they have engineered a bacteria-based plastic that can be broken down on command. The material uses dormant bacteria embedded in the plastic, which can be activated to reduce it to basic components under the right conditions. If it scales, that would be a rare development in plastics that does not involve simply blaming consumers for using them.

In Europe

Keir Starmer says he is not resigning, even as pressure builds in Westminster. Ministers have lined up behind him for now, while his team avoids answering the obvious follow-up: whether he would only go if forced into a formal leadership challenge.

In business

Lufthansa says it will raise its stake in ITA Airways to 90 percent in a €325 million deal, which would give the German airline majority control of the Italian carrier.