Swedish police arrested a teenager for a triple shooting in Uppsala, linked to gang crime. The victims, aged 15-20, were shot in a hair salon. One victim was involved in a police investigation related to gang leader Ismail Abdo. Sweden faces rising teenage gang crime, prompting proposed legislation for wiretapping minors and tightening gun laws. Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer acknowledged privacy concerns but emphasized the need to prevent child recruitment into gangs. Penelope Kingsley 30/04/2025 12:00 pm
A major power outage affected Spain and Portugal, disrupting critical infrastructure and impacting millions. The outage began Monday afternoon, with Spain losing 15 gigawatts of electricity, about 60% of its demand. Two significant disconnection events preceded the outage, with the second causing a massive disconnection involving France’s electrical system. Prior to the outage, sensors detected voltage fluctuations, indicating grid instability. Authorities are investigating the cause of the failure. Penelope Kingsley 30/04/2025 12:00 pm
China’s navy conducted a patrol in the South China Sea, accusing the Philippines of creating disturbances amid joint U.S.-Philippines air force missions. China claims most of the sea and is in a tense standoff with the Philippines over sovereignty. The Chinese military emphasized vigilance and defense of territorial rights. Meanwhile, the Philippines and U.S. conducted a joint patrol involving fighter jets and bombers, highlighting ongoing defense cooperation. Penelope Kingsley 30/04/2025 12:00 pm
A blackout in Spain and Portugal left ski lifts and public transport halted, trapping people in gondolas and lifts. In Granada’s Sierra Nevada, rescuers used ropes to help skiers rappel to safety after four hours. In Eibar, 11 people, including children, were stuck in a lift for over three hours. Rescuers eventually provided air and water. The blackout also disrupted flights, trains, and mobile communications, leading people to gather in bars and walk long distances home. Noah Prescott 30/04/2025 8:30 am
Thousands in Ho Chi Minh City celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War’s end, marking the reunification of Vietnam on April 30, 1975. The event featured a grand parade, air show, and patriotic songs. Communist leader To Lam hailed it as a “victory of justice over tyranny.” The fall of Saigon ended a 20-year conflict, with images of U.S. helicopters evacuating people as North Vietnamese tanks approached, remaining iconic. Ava Sinclair 30/04/2025 8:30 am
Cardinal Chibly Langlois, bishop of Les Cayes, will be the first Haitian prelate to participate in a papal conclave following Pope Francis’s death. Langlois praised Francis for his focus on mercy and solidarity, especially towards Haiti. He will join Cuban Cardinal Juan GarcĂa RodrĂguez in the conclave starting May 7 to elect the 267th pope. Elevated by Francis in 2014, Langlois has served in various Vatican roles and was previously president of Haiti’s Episcopal Conference. His episcopal motto is “Servire Cum Caritate” (“To Serve with Charity”). Penelope Kingsley 30/04/2025 5:00 am
Cardinal Angelo Becciu withdrew from the upcoming conclave to elect a new pope, citing the “good of the church.” Becciu, involved in a Vatican financial misconduct trial, had initially claimed his right to participate but decided to respect Pope Francis’ wishes. Despite being under 80 and technically eligible, the Vatican never considered him a voting elector. His withdrawal doesn’t affect the conclave’s official statistics, which now has 133 electors due to health-related absences. Becciu maintains his innocence and is appealing his conviction and sentence. Noah Prescott 30/04/2025 5:00 am
Vietnam marked 50 years since the end of the war with the U.S. and its reunification with a military parade in Ho Chi Minh City. Thousands gathered to watch, celebrating with floats and military displays. The event emphasized peace and reconciliation, reflecting Vietnam’s focus on future global economic and geopolitical changes. Leaders from Cambodia and Laos attended, highlighting regional ties. Vietnam Communist Party General Secretary To Lam acknowledged past allies and stressed building a peaceful future. Analyst Nguyen Khac Giang noted the war’s ongoing influence on national unity and unresolved divides. Penelope Kingsley 30/04/2025 5:00 am
Tensions between India and Pakistan have intensified after Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar claimed credible intelligence of an imminent Indian military action. This follows a militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, which India blames on Pakistan, a claim Pakistan denies. Both the U.S. and China have urged restraint. The region, a longstanding flashpoint, has seen three wars between the nuclear-armed neighbors. India’s Prime Minister Modi faces pressure to retaliate, reminiscent of the 2019 airstrikes following a similar attack. Penelope Kingsley 30/04/2025 5:00 am
A 27-year-old Chinese student living in Japan was rescued twice from Mount Fuji in a week after suffering altitude sickness. He first fell ill after reaching the summit and was rescued again while retrieving belongings. His life is not in danger. The rescues occurred outside the official climbing season, which has led to new rules for 2025, including a 4,000 yen permit and online booking to manage overcrowding. These measures aim to preserve Mount Fuji for future generations. Ava Sinclair 30/04/2025 5:00 am
