The new pope, Leo XIV, wants to host Ukraine peace talks after a recent summit in Istanbul failed, following Russia’s President Putin’s absence. The Vatican called the summit’s outcome “tragic” and said the Holy See is ready to bring the two sides together to end the war. Leo XIV, elected last week, has made peace in Ukraine a key priority, appealing to both leaders to … Continue reading Pope Leo offers Vatican for Ukraine peace talks
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said all NATO members are expected to agree on a goal to reach 5% of GDP in defense spending within the next decade, ahead of the alliance’s summit next month. This follows President Trump’s push for increased military budgets, criticizing members for not meeting the 2% target. Most NATO countries are on track to meet or exceed 2% this year, … Continue reading Rubio: All NATO members to agree to 5% defense spending over next decade
Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani in Turkey—the first top-level U.S.-Syrian meeting in 15 years—as part of efforts to normalize relations following President Trump’s decision to begin lifting sanctions on Syria. Rubio announced the U.S. would start sanctions relief to help stabilize Syria, while emphasizing human rights and the need to end Iran’s influence. The Treasury Department is working to … Continue reading Rubio meets Syrian counterpart in latest step towards normalizing relations
Hadi Matar, 27, was sentenced to 25 years in prison for the 2022 stabbing attack on author Salman Rushdie during a lecture in New York. Rushdie, now 77, suffered serious injuries including partial blindness and nerve damage. Matar, who also injured a moderator, received an additional 7-year sentence to run concurrently. Prosecutors say the attack was motivated by a fatwa issued by Iran’s Ayatollah Khomeini … Continue reading Man who stabbed author Salman Rushdie sentenced to 25 years in prison
The historic Nottoway Plantation, the largest Antebellum mansion in the South, was destroyed by a fire on May 15 in White Castle, Louisiana. Built in 1859 by enslaved people, the 64-room mansion was a prominent landmark along the Mississippi River. The fire began in a bedroom, was briefly contained, then reignited and burned through the night. Though once considered for restoration, owners are now unsure … Continue reading The Largest Antebellum Mansion in the South is Destroyed by Fire
Former FBI Director James Comey was interviewed by the U.S. Secret Service on Friday over a social media post that Trump supporters claimed was a veiled threat against the former president. The post showed the number “8647” spelled out in seashells—interpreted by some as slang for “kill Trump,” the 47th president. Comey voluntarily met with agents and later took down the post, stating he opposed … Continue reading Ex-FBI director Comey meets with Secret Service over ‘8647’ post
At least four people were killed and several others injured after severe weather, including two possible tornadoes, struck St. Louis on Friday. The storms damaged about 20 square blocks, with search-and-rescue operations ongoing. One tornado was reported near Forest Park, with another possible touchdown still being investigated. Ten patients, including one in critical condition, were taken to St. Louis Children’s Hospital. Damage included collapsed buildings, … Continue reading At least 4 killed, 10 injured in suspected St. Louis tornadoes
Ten inmates escaped from a New Orleans jail early Friday, possibly with help from staff, according to the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office. One escapee, Kendell Myles, charged with attempted second-degree murder, was recaptured in the French Quarter. Nine remain at large, including four charged with murder. The inmates broke out through a wall behind a toilet and scaled a fence using blankets. Faulty locks and … Continue reading 9 men at large after escape from New Orleans jail including 4 charged with murder
A 21-year-old Ukrainian man, Roman Lavrynovych, has been remanded in custody after being charged with three counts of arson with intent to endanger life following fires at two properties and a car linked to UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. Arrested in Sydenham, Lavrynovych appeared in court but entered no plea. The incidents, investigated by the Counter Terror Command, include a fire at a home … Continue reading Man in court over fires at homes and car linked to Starmer
Israel launched dozens of airstrikes across Gaza on Friday, killing 108 people—mostly women and children—according to Gaza health officials, as part of an intensified effort to pressure Hamas to release hostages. Strikes also targeted Houthi-controlled ports in Yemen, killing at least one person. The attacks coincided with U.S. President Donald Trump’s regional visit, during which he expressed concern over Gaza’s humanitarian crisis, the Associated Press … Continue reading Israel expands attacks in Gaza and Yemen as Trump wraps up trip to region
The first direct Russia-Ukraine peace talks since early in the war ended in under two hours, resulting in a major prisoner swap agreement but little progress on key issues. Ukraine and its allies pushed for a ceasefire, but Russia did not agree. Both sides pledged to exchange 1,000 prisoners and share detailed ceasefire proposals, the Associated Press has reported. Ukrainian leaders urged continued pressure on … Continue reading Russia-Ukraine peace talks end after less than 2 hours with deal to swap POWs but no ceasefire
A bronze statue of Melania Trump has been stolen from a field near her hometown of Sevnica, Slovenia, after being cut off at the ankles. The life-size sculpture, created by American artist Brad Downey, replaced a wooden version that was burned in 2020. Police have launched an investigation, and Downey speculated the theft might be linked to Donald Trump’s election campaign, the New York Post … Continue reading Melania Trump statue cut off at feet, stolen from her native Slovenia
A high-ranking Swedish diplomat under suspicion of espionage has been found dead, days after being arrested and released by Sweden’s Säpo intelligence agency. Authorities say there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death. The diplomat had denied any wrongdoing and had filed a complaint of excessive force during his arrest. Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard expressed sorrow, while prosecutors confirmed the espionage investigation remains ongoing, … Continue reading Shock in Sweden at death of diplomat questioned for spying
A massive solar filament stretching nearly 600,000 miles erupted on May 12-13, unleashing a dramatic coronal mass ejection (CME) across the sun’s northern hemisphere. Though visually striking, the eruption is not expected to impact Earth. Aurora watchers described the blast as one of the largest recent filament eruptions, but preliminary models show the CME is heading north and will miss our planet, Space.com has reported. … Continue reading Sun unleashes 600,000-mile-long eruption in fiery outburst
SpaceX set a new rocket reuse record as a Falcon 9 booster completed its 28th launch on May 13, carrying 28 Starlink satellites from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. The booster, B1067, landed successfully on a drone ship just eight minutes after liftoff. This mission followed another Falcon 9 launch just hours earlier from California, underscoring SpaceX’s rapid launch pace, Space.com has reported. The Starlink network … Continue reading SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches 28 Starlink satellites to orbit
Burberry plans to cut up to 1,700 jobs—nearly 20% of its global workforce—by 2027 as part of a cost-cutting strategy following a £66 million loss last year. Most cuts will affect head office staff, mainly in the UK, and night shifts at its Castleford factory will be eliminated. The company aims to save £100 million annually by improving efficiency across operations, procurement, and real estate, … Continue reading Burberry to cut 1,700 jobs as designer suffers heavy losses
Nvidia and AMD have partnered with Saudi AI firm Humain to supply chips for a massive AI data center project backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. The $10 billion initiative aims to establish the Kingdom as a global AI leader by deploying 500MW of computing power over five years, including tens of thousands of Nvidia GPUs and AMD-based systems. The first phase includes an … Continue reading Nvidia and AMD partner with Humain to develop AI data centres
Egg prices dropped 12.7% in April—the first decline in months—after surging due to a historic avian flu outbreak that has affected 168 million birds since 2022. Prices had spiked to over $6 a dozen in March but fell to about $5.12 in April, still far above the $2.86 seen last year. The crisis became a major political issue during the 2024 election, with then-candidate Trump … Continue reading Egg prices decline for first time in months
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he is only willing to meet directly with Vladimir Putin to end the war, rejecting talks with any other Russian officials. He plans to travel to Turkey on Thursday for potential peace talks, encouraged by U.S. President Trump, though it’s unclear if Putin will attend. The U.S. will send top officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, while Trump may … Continue reading Zelensky insists he will only join Ukraine-Russia talks in Turkey this week if Putin is present
During a high-profile visit to Saudi Arabia, President Trump praised the kingdom as America’s strongest partner and announced a $142 billion arms deal, with broader investments possibly reaching $1 trillion. He pledged to lift all U.S. sanctions on Syria to support its reconstruction under a new transitional government. Joined by business leaders like Elon Musk and Sam Altman, Trump pushed for economic partnerships and AI … Continue reading GOP moves to boot Democrats off committees over ICE scuffle
During a high-profile visit to Saudi Arabia, President Trump praised the kingdom as America’s strongest partner and announced a $142 billion arms deal, with broader investments possibly reaching $1 trillion. He pledged to lift all U.S. sanctions on Syria to support its reconstruction under a new transitional government. Joined by business leaders like Elon Musk and Sam Altman, Trump pushed for economic partnerships and AI … Continue reading Trump pledges to lift Syria sanctions as he seals $142bn arms deal on Saudi visit
President Trump will appoint Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, who defended him in his hush money trial, as acting Librarian of Congress. The move follows Trump’s removal of Carla Hayden, the first woman and Black American in the role, amid a broader purge of officials linked to diversity efforts. Blanche’s appointment is part of a pattern of Trump placing loyalists and former personal lawyers in … Continue reading Trump naming his former defense attorney as acting Librarian of Congress
A House Republican bill proposing major tax cuts and Medicaid spending reductions faces strong opposition in the Senate, where GOP lawmakers from rural states warn it could harm hospitals and strip millions of Americans of health coverage. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the bill could cause 8.6 million to lose insurance. Senators are also concerned about phasing out clean energy tax credits, which support thousands … Continue reading GOP senators raise red flags over House’s ambitious Trump legislative package
In Richmond, California, a disturbing mystery is unfolding as residents report multiple birds dying violently, with some appearing to “explode” after landing on power lines. Security footage showed one bird falling to its death following a loud pop. Necropsies on two birds revealed trauma consistent with pellet guns or slingshots, but the exact cause of the deaths remains unclear. At least 13 birds have been … Continue reading Mystery of ‘exploding birds’ deepens in California city
A rock climber, Anton Tselykh, survived a fall of hundreds of feet in Washington’s North Cascades mountains that killed his three companions. After suffering internal bleeding and head trauma, Tselykh managed to extricate himself from tangled equipment and hiked for hours to a pay phone to call for help. The group had been descending the Early Winters Spires when their anchor, a piton, was dislodged, … Continue reading Climber survives 400-foot fall that killed 3 friends in Washington state
B.C. Begley 