French President Macron’s office emphasized that any Ukraine ceasefire must “start from reality,” raising concerns Kyiv might cede territory to Russia. Talks in Paris included U.S. Secretary of State Rubio and envoys, with all sides agreeing on an immediate ceasefire. An ElysĂ©e official highlighted Russian-occupied territories, while envoy Witkoff mentioned Russia’s peace deal involving five Ukrainian regions. Kyiv rejects recognizing these as Russian. Macron’s office sees the talks as a “positive process,” with Europe advocating for solid security guarantees and a coalition supporting Ukraine. Noah Prescott 17/04/2025 11:00 pm
French President Emmanuel Macron acknowledged the historic injustice of Haiti’s forced indemnity to France for its independence 200 years ago. He announced a joint French-Haitian historical commission to examine their shared past but did not address reparations. The 1825 indemnity, initially 150 million gold francs, crippled Haiti, which paid it off until 1947. Experts link Haiti’s current struggles, including gang violence and poverty, to this past. Macron emphasized acknowledging history’s truth and proposed the commission to foster a more peaceful future. Noah Prescott 17/04/2025 11:00 pm
Israeli airstrikes on Gaza encampments for displaced Palestinians killed at least 40 people, including women and children, amid ongoing conflict with Hamas. Strikes in Khan Younis, Beit Lahiya, and Jabalia resulted in numerous casualties. Hamas accused Israel of using starvation as a weapon, following Israel’s blockade of humanitarian aid to Gaza. Israeli defense minister Israel Katz stated that aid would remain blocked to pressure Hamas into releasing hostages. The Israeli military claimed to target a Hamas “command and control” center, while Hamas condemned the actions as war crimes. Ava Sinclair 17/04/2025 11:00 pm
A U.S. citizen, Akinyela Sawa Taylor, allegedly hijacked a small plane in Belize with 14 passengers on board, demanding to leave the country and more fuel. Three Belizean passengers were injured with knife wounds. A passenger with a licensed firearm fatally shot Taylor. The plane, nearly out of fuel, landed safely. Police were in contact with a passenger providing updates via text. It’s unclear how Taylor boarded with a knife. Ava Sinclair 17/04/2025 11:00 pm
The British Army successfully used a Radiofrequency Directed Energy Weapon (RF-DEW) to shoot down a drone swarm in Wales, marking a UK first. Developed by Thales, RF-DEW employs high-frequency radio waves to disrupt drones’ electronics, offering a low-cost alternative to missile-based systems. The trial involved 100 drones, including the Boresight Raider and Parrot Anafi. Sgt Mayers praised the system’s ease of use and potential for future enhancements. This trial aligns with efforts to advance British defense technology amid evolving drone warfare, highlighted by the Ukraine conflict. Ava Sinclair 17/04/2025 11:00 pm
A blackout in Puerto Rico left 1.4 million without power and over 400,000 without water, affecting the airport, hospitals, and hotels. By Thursday, 51% had power restored, and 83% had water. Governor Jenniffer González returned from vacation, citing the island’s fragile system and promising to investigate the cause. This is the second island-wide blackout in four months. Residents are urging the government to end contracts with Luma Energy and Genera PR, responsible for power distribution and generation. González vowed to address these concerns. Ava Sinclair 17/04/2025 11:00 pm
Hamas rejected Israel’s ceasefire offer, seeking a “comprehensive” end to the war. The proposal included a 45-day truce, hostage exchanges, and Gaza disarmament, which Hamas opposes. Far-right Israeli lawmakers urged escalation. Hamas demands a permanent war end and Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, rejecting disarmament. The proposal included staged hostage releases and information exchanges, but Hamas insists on maintaining its weaponry as a right under occupation. Noah Prescott 17/04/2025 11:00 pm
Aid groups are alarmed by Israel’s blockade of Gaza, where no supplies have entered for over six weeks, leaving thousands of children malnourished. Most people eat one meal every other day, according to the UN. Israeli strikes have killed hundreds, including 23 overnight, as Israel pressures Hamas for hostage release terms. Nearly all of Gaza’s 2 million residents rely on charity kitchens, which can only provide 1 million meals daily. Other food programs have ceased due to supply shortages, with remaining stocks directed to charity kitchens. Noah Prescott 17/04/2025 7:30 pm
Palmyra, an ancient city and UNESCO World Heritage Site in Syria, bears the scars of ISIS attacks and the civil war. Once a key Silk Road stop, it now symbolizes hopes for reviving Syria’s archaeological legacy. Despite reopening to tourists after Bashar al-Assad’s fall, instability persists with ongoing conflict. Mahmoud Botman, a Syrian Free Army fighter, recalls ISIS’s 2015 destruction of the Baalshamin temple. Russian-backed forces retook Palmyra in 2016, finally ousting ISIS in 2017. The site remains largely deserted, with distant gunfire reminding of the region’s fragility. Noah Prescott 17/04/2025 7:30 pm
The British Army successfully tested a radio-wave weapon to neutralize drone swarms, marking a significant advancement in modern battlefield technology. Developed by Thales UK, the weapon uses high-frequency radio waves to disrupt drone electronics, causing them to crash. In trials, soldiers from 106 Regiment Royal Artillery immobilized over 100 drones. The system, costing 10 pence per shot, offers a cost-effective alternative to missile-based defenses. Effective up to 1 kilometer, it can protect sensitive areas like defense bases and airports from drone threats. Ava Sinclair 17/04/2025 7:30 pm
