World

Indigenous communities across North America are calling for sustained action against violence, particularly towards women and girls, highlighted during Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day. Through various activities, including prayer walks and self-defense classes, they advocate for improved law enforcement cooperation to address the 4,300 open FBI cases related to missing individuals. The urgency is underscored by personal stories of loss and the need for education on bodily autonomy and safety in a context where Indigenous women face homicide rates more than twice the national average. Full Article

Rose Brady, a police officer with the Baltimore Police Department since 1978, transitioned from the homicide unit to lead the sexual offences team in 2004, where she noticed substantial disparities in resource allocation and treatment of cases. A chance conversation with a friend revealed a treasure trove of biological evidence from rape exams dating back to 1977, allowing her team to investigate unsolved cases using a new DNA database. This led to the arrest and conviction of notorious rapist Thaddeus Clemons, whom Rose had first encountered as a young officer, ultimately helping her understand the patterns of serial offenders. Full...

Ten people have died after sudden strong winds capsized four tourist boats in Guizhou province, China, resulting in 84 people being thrown into a river. The last missing individual was found without vital signs, while 74 others were rescued, and 70 people were hospitalized for non-life-threatening conditions. In response, nearly 500 rescue workers were deployed, and Chinese President Xi Jinping urged authorities to improve safety measures to prevent such accidents at tourist sites and public venues. Full Article

Skype, once a leading video-calling platform, is set to shut down on May 5 after nearly 22 years of operation, following its acquisition by Microsoft in 2011 for $8.5 billion. The platform, which revolutionized internet communication with free voice and video calls, saw a decline in popularity due to competition from services like WhatsApp and Microsoft Teams. Users are encouraged to transition to Teams, with all Skype chats and contacts accessible through the same login until January 2026, when data will be permanently deleted. Full Article

SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lawrence Wong confirmed on May 5 that Workers’ Party (WP) chief Pritam Singh will continue as Leader of the Opposition, providing him with staff and resources to fulfill his duties. Singh had previously expressed uncertainty about his position following the general election, where the WP retained key constituencies and increased its parliamentary presence. Wong acknowledged the WP's strong performance and looks forward to their contributions in parliament. Full Article

Starbase Becomes Official CityElon Musk's SpaceX facility in South Texas has officially been designated as the city of Starbase following a decisive vote, with 212 in favor and 6 against. The city, primarily populated by SpaceX employees, aims to streamline operations for rocket launches, although critics express concerns over Musk's potential control and the authority to close local beaches and parks. As SpaceX seeks to increase launch frequencies, local protests have emerged, emphasizing community access to the area, particularly Boca Chica Beach, which holds cultural significance for residents. Full Article

Iran revealed a new ballistic missile named Qassem Basiar, claiming it has a range exceeding 1,200 kilometers and is resistant to electronic warfare, amid rising tensions with Israel following a Houthi missile strike. Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh stated the missile can bypass anti-ballistic systems and warned that Iranian bases would be targeted if attacked, particularly American bases. In response to the Houthi missile that struck near Ben-Gurion Airport, the IDF attempted to intercept it with U.S. and Israeli missiles, but both failed due to a technical error, not human error. Full Article

When Italian lawyer Mario Franzosi coined the term “Italian torpedo” in 1997, he described a tactic of preemptively filing lawsuits in slow Italian courts to impede opponents' legal actions. This practice has resurfaced in post-Brexit Britain, as EU regulations no longer apply, allowing litigators to exploit it again, particularly in financial derivative disputes between Italian municipalities and banks. As the UK prepares to sign the 2019 Hague Convention in 2025, the strategic filing of claims in favorable jurisdictions may further entrench the use of the Italian torpedo, allowing parties to delay enforcement of judgments. Full Article

Summary Erin Patterson has been charged with three counts of murder following the deaths of her former in-laws and their sister, believed to be caused by poisonous mushrooms in a meal she prepared in July 2023. A witness described Patterson as a true crime enthusiast, sharing her background in a Facebook forum where she was regarded as a diligent researcher. The only survivor, Heather’s husband Ian, was also allegedly targeted for attempted murder after experiencing similar symptoms consistent with mushroom poisoning. Full Article

Warren Buffett will step down as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway at the end of the year, marking a significant moment in his legacy. The recent US jobs report revealed an addition of 177,000 jobs, exceeding expectations, and maintaining an unemployment rate of 4.2%, prompting a positive market reaction, though revisions indicated potential underlying weakness. Meanwhile, China is signaling openness to trade talks with the US, amid mixed economic data suggesting its growth may be faltering, particularly as it seeks new buyers to offset potential declines in US demand. Full Article