Carlo Acutis, soon to be canonized as a saint, is at the center of controversy after an attempt to auction his hair online. Archbishop Domenico Sorrentino condemned the sale, emphasizing that canon law prohibits selling relics. He filed a police complaint, highlighting the issue of relic trading online. Sorrentino stressed that relics can be given away but never sold, and significant relics require Vatican permission. Acutis, who died in 2006, is seen as a model for young Christians and may become a “patron saint of the internet.” Ava Sinclair 05/04/2025 5:00 pm
Palestinian officials released video evidence contradicting Israel’s claims about the killing of 15 rescue workers in Gaza. Israel initially stated that vehicles approached troops suspiciously, prompting gunfire. However, the video shows clearly marked rescue vehicles with lights on. The Israel military is conducting a high-level investigation to determine if a criminal probe is needed. The bodies of 14 Palestinian responders and a UN staffer were found buried under sand. The incident is under scrutiny to understand the events and handling of the situation. Ava Sinclair 05/04/2025 5:00 pm
India, the UAE, and Sri Lanka agreed to develop an energy hub in Sri Lanka, enhancing India’s competition with China. The pact was signed during Indian PM Modi’s visit, marking the first by a global leader since Sri Lankan President Dissanayake took office. This agreement follows India’s $4 billion aid to Sri Lanka during its 2022 financial crisis. The UAE is seen as a strategic partner for India in energy. Additionally, India and Sri Lanka concluded their debt restructuring, and signed agreements on power, digitalisation, security, and healthcare. Penelope Kingsley 05/04/2025 5:00 pm
Mobile phone footage challenges Israel’s account of a March 23 incident where IDF soldiers fired on a convoy of ambulances, killing 15 rescue workers. The video, released by the Palestine Red Crescent Society, shows the vehicles with lights on before being attacked, contradicting IDF claims that the vehicles approached without signals. A surviving paramedic confirmed the ambulances were clearly marked. The footage, found on a deceased paramedic’s phone, was shown to the UN Security Council. Israel maintains militants were targeted but hasn’t provided evidence. Ava Sinclair 05/04/2025 1:30 pm
Iran’s rial hit a record low against the U.S. dollar, trading at over 1 million rials per dollar, amid tensions with Washington. The currency’s value dropped further to 1,043,000 rials as traders resumed work after Nowruz. Economic sanctions, especially after the U.S. withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal, have severely impacted Iran’s economy. Traders in Tehran expressed uncertainty about the rial’s future, with some turning off electronic rate displays. Despite attempts for dialogue, direct talks between Tehran and Washington remain stalled. Penelope Kingsley 05/04/2025 1:30 pm
In Kharkiv, Ukraine, Arkadii Rubin avoids waking his wife during air raid sirens, prioritizing her sleep over alerting her to potential threats. Hanna Rubin removed the air raid app from her phone, choosing rest over constant vigilance. Psychologist Yuliia Krat from East SOS notes that sleep issues are widespread among Ukrainians due to the ongoing war. Her advice includes avoiding phone distractions, but nighttime Russian attacks make this challenging. Many Ukrainians face sleep disturbances and depression, whether evacuated, displaced, or local residents. Noah Prescott 05/04/2025 1:30 pm
The Trump administration imposed a 50% tariff on Lesotho, a small, impoverished African nation known for exporting denim to the U.S. Other African countries, including Madagascar, Algeria, and South Africa, also faced steep tariffs, exceeding 30%. These measures follow the administration’s justification that the global trading system exploits the U.S. The tariffs coincide with the recent cessation of significant U.S. aid to Africa, impacting health care and disaster relief. Lesotho’s trade with the U.S. is minimal, with $240 million in exports last year. Noah Prescott 05/04/2025 1:30 pm
Three U.S. aid workers in Myanmar were laid off amid the Trump administration’s cuts to foreign aid, affecting disaster response efforts. Despite pledging $9 million after a devastating earthquake, USAID’s capacity is hindered by funding reductions. The workers, part of a team focused on humanitarian aid, were informed of their termination, which is demoralizing, according to Marcia Wong, a former USAID official. The administration, under Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, is cutting staff and funding, while other nations provide assistance. Penelope Kingsley 05/04/2025 1:30 pm
Amid intense Israeli bombings in Gaza, Palestinians are using social media to share farewell messages, fearing they won’t survive. Posts expressing hopelessness have surged, with many documenting attacks and daily life under siege. Accusations of censorship by media and platforms are prevalent. Recent Israeli strikes have resulted in high casualties, with at least 112 Palestinians killed in one day. Calls for global attention and action are growing, as Gazans face both bombings and starvation due to blockades. “Bombs above, hunger below,” one post reads, urging immediate international intervention. Noah Prescott 05/04/2025 10:00 am
The European Union’s commitment to the “rules-based international order” is questioned due to its selective application of standards, particularly regarding the International Criminal Court (ICC). While the EU encourages nations to support the ICC, its response to Hungary’s announcement of withdrawal, amid an ICC arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has been muted. Hungary’s withdrawal, if ratified, could take months, but it currently has an obligation to arrest Netanyahu. The EU’s reaction has been limited to expressing “deep regret” over Hungary’s potential exit. Penelope Kingsley 05/04/2025 10:00 am
