Germany arrests Kazakhstan citizen accused of spying for Russia
Prosecutors say the man, identified only as Sergej K, has been in 'continuous contact' with Russian intelligence.
Musk accuses Altman of stealing a charity as courtroom battle begins
The case over OpenAI's history and public commitments could have major implications for the future of AI.
First Thing: Justice department indicts ex-FBI director James Comey over Instagram seashells post
Comey, one of Donald Trump’s political enemies, charged with two felonies. Plus, Disneyland introduces facial recognition
Good morning.
The justice department filed new criminal charges against James Comey, the former FBI director, on Tuesday.
What has he been charged with? Two felonies: making a threat against the president, and transmitting that threat, via social media, across state lines.
What does the indictment say? That the seashell numbers were something a reasonable person “would interpret as a serious expression of an intent to do harm to the President of the United States”.
And how about Comey? He published a video of himself saying: “Well, they’re back. This time, about a picture of seashells on a North Carolina beach a year ago. And this won’t be the end of it, but nothing has changed with me. I am still innocent. I am still not afraid. And I still believe in the independent federal judiciary. So, let’s go.” He continued: “It’s really important that all of us remember – this is not who we are as a country, this is not how the Department of Justice is supposed to be, and the good news is we get closer every day to restoring those values. Keep the faith.”
Continue reading...DNA links Florida man in Philippines to 1989 child abduction
US suspect held in south-east Asia after genealogical DNA identified him in Tampa-area case involving 7-year-old girl
A man accused of kidnapping and sexually abusing a 7-year-old girl in Florida in 1989 was recently arrested in the Philippines, according to authorities.
Preserved DNA and genealogical research allowed investigators to identify Young Tom Talmadge, 69, as the suspect in the Tampa-area case, the Philippines’ government said in a statement.
Continue reading...CEOs of US’s top energy firms received average pay raise of $12.3m, review finds
Utility bills are up as much as 40% in some regions, and companies shut off power to customers 13m times in 2025
The US’s top utilities’ CEOs enjoyed a 16% pay raise last year – to an average of $12.3m – even as consumers shoulder the pain from high bills spurred by continuing inflation, the Iran war and datacenter growth, a new review of industry financial documents shows.
Utility bills are up as much as 40% in some regions since 2021, and, nationwide, utilities shut off power to customers 13m times last year, federal data shows.
Continue reading...Taiwan Leader’s Last-Minute Plea to Fly Via Europe Was Rejected – Bloomberg
- Taiwan Leader’s Last-Minute Plea to Fly Via Europe Was Rejected Bloomberg
- Beijing intensifies diplomatic isolation of Taiwan’s president Lowy Institute
- China & Taiwan Update, April 24, 2026 Institute for the Study of War
- Taiwan foreign minister arrives in Eswatini after president's trip blocked Reuters
- Handshakes and Humiliation: Beijing’s Play for Taiwan Becomes Clearer National Review
EU chief warns billions could be wasted if energy aid is not well targeted as the Iran war bites – AP News
- EU chief warns billions could be wasted if energy aid is not well targeted as the Iran war bites AP News
- Von der Leyen Warns Iran War May Damage Europe for Years Bloomberg.com
- Europe's energy crisis response avoids consumption curbs, for now Reuters
- 2026 European energy crisis fiscal response tracker Bruegel
- Consequences of Iran war ‘may echo for months or years to come,’ EU chief warns – as it happened The Guardian
In France, American Universities Lose Their Allure in the Trump Era – The New York Times
In France, American Universities Lose Their Allure in the Trump Era The New York Times
Afghan women’s refugee team allowed to play in FIFA tournaments
Afghan Women United can now represent Afghanistan at international football competitions, including the LA Olympics.
Exclusive: captured Hezbollah camera shows children with guns, tunnels, weapon caches – ynetnews
- Exclusive: captured Hezbollah camera shows children with guns, tunnels, weapon caches ynetnews
- WATCH: IDF destroys Hezbollah rocket launcher inside civilian building in southern Lebanon The Jerusalem Post
- IDF Carries Out Massive Strikes on Hezbollah Tunnels in Southern Lebanon Haaretz
- Video: Netanyahu says Israel destroyed ‘massive’ tunnel in Lebanon Middle East Eye
- Israeli Military Dismantles Hezbollah Tunnel Network in Southern Lebanon WSJ
Kyiv vows response as Russia ships stolen grain to multiple countries – Euronews.com
- Kyiv vows response as Russia ships stolen grain to multiple countries Euronews.com
- Israel halts Russian grain ship amid stolen Ukrainian wheat row Euronews.com
- Kyiv Says Russia Exported 850,000 Tons of Stolen Grain This Year Bloomberg
- Ukraine asks Israel to seize vessel it says is carrying grain stolen by Russia Reuters
- Ukraine asks Israel to seize ship carrying grain ‘stolen’ by Russia Al Jazeera
Palestinian football body appeals FIFA ruling on Israel at top sports court
Meanwhile, visa issues are affecting Palestinian and other delegations to the upcoming FIFA Congress.
Endangered antelopes flown to Kenya from Czech zoo in ‘historic homecoming’
The mountain bongo is a rare antelope endemic to Kenyan highland forests, with less than 100 in the wild.
Meta found in breach of EU law for failing to keep children off platforms
Commission says tech company does not have effective measures to keep under-13s off Facebook and Instagram
The tech company Meta has been found to be in breach of EU law for failing to prevent children under 13 from using its Facebook and Instagram platforms.
Issuing the preliminary findings of a nearly two-year investigation, the European Commission said on Wednesday that Meta did not have effective measures in place to stop under-13s accessing its services.
Continue reading...Trial begins for 4 Indonesian service members charged over acid attack on activist – AP News
- Trial begins for 4 Indonesian service members charged over acid attack on activist AP News
- Acid Attack in Indonesia Evokes Brutality of Suharto Era The New York Times
- Indonesia puts four soldiers on trial over acid attack on activist Al Jazeera
- Indonesia military court begins trial of officers allegedly behind acid attack on activist Reuters
- With attack on prominent dissident, observers say Indonesia continues democratic backslide Courthouse News
Ukraine targets Druzhba pipeline to sever Russian oil, influence in EU
Hungary and Slovakia are still buying Russian oil. Seeing weakness in Brussels, Kyiv means to stop that trade.
New IRA bombing fuels fears of global militant network tied to Iran, Hezbollah – New York Post
50-foot ancient snake discovered in India may be one of the largest ever – ScienceDaily
- 50-foot ancient snake discovered in India may be one of the largest ever ScienceDaily
- Ancient 50-foot snake found in India may rank among the largest ever discovered Yahoo
- 50-foot ancient snake discovered in India: Vasuki indicus could be one of the largest snakes ever found The Times of India
- Has the largest ancient snake ever been discovered? Digital Journal
Skies Turn Black in Perm Region After Ukraine Reportedly Strikes Oil Pipeline Facility – The Moscow Times
- Skies Turn Black in Perm Region After Ukraine Reportedly Strikes Oil Pipeline Facility The Moscow Times
- Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, April 28, 2026 Institute for the Study of War
- Another Russian oil facility burns as Zelenskyy touts Ukraine’s drone reach AP News
- Third Ukraine strike on Tuapse hits Russian oil refinery and prompts evacuations BBC
- Ukraine Hits Russia’s Oil Machine, but Struggles to Dent Its Economy WSJ
Two dead after small plane crashes into Australia airport hangar
The aircraft burst into flames after it crashed at Parafield Airport in Adelaide.