- Pro-Palestinian Student Arrests at University of Texas: Dozens of pro-Palestinian students were arrested during a demonstration at the University of Texas on Wednesday. The protests, part of a wider movement against the ongoing conflict in Gaza, have been spreading across campuses throughout the country.
- Israeli Detainee Video Released: Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, released a video yesterday featuring an Israeli detainee urging the government to take action to secure their release. The video comes amidst ongoing tensions between Israel and Hamas.
- US Secretly Delivers Missiles to Ukraine: A US official revealed on Wednesday that the United States secretly delivered long-range missiles to Ukraine a few weeks ago. The missiles are intended to aid Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression and have reportedly been used twice since their delivery.
- Russian Court Orders Seizure of JPMorgan Funds: Russia’s TASS news agency reported today that a Russian court has ordered the seizure of $439.5 million worth of JPMorgan funds. This follows legal action by VTB Bank, a Russian government bank, seeking to recover all Russian funds held by JPMorgan.
- Russia Vetoes UNSC Resolution on Space Weapons: Russia exercised its veto power to oppose a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution aimed at banning the use of nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction in space. Despite widespread support from 13 of the 15 UNSC members, Russia’s veto blocked the resolution, with China abstaining from the vote.
- China Supports Russian Cargo Ships: Satellite images obtained by Reuters reveal that China is providing berths to Russian cargo ships subject to US sanctions. The ships have reportedly been involved in the transfer of North Korean military equipment to Russia, raising concerns about China’s support for Russia amidst its war with Ukraine.
- Xiaomi Receives Orders for Electric Sports Sedan: Xiaomi founder Lei Jun announced that the company has received over 75,723 orders for its SU7 series electric sports sedan as of April 24. Xiaomi aims to deliver more than 10,000 vehicles in June, signaling strong demand for electric vehicles in the market.
- USDOT Implements New Airline Fee Rules: The US Department of Transportation (USDOT) finalized new rules requiring airlines to disclose airline fees upfront. Additionally, airlines must promptly provide cash refunds for canceled flights and delayed luggage, as well as for certain unavailable services, such as on-board Wi-Fi internet.
- US Birth Rate at Lowest Level in 40 Years: Preliminary data from the National Health Statistics Office (NCHS) indicates that the US birth rate will drop to its lowest level in more than 40 years in 2023. This trend reflects a continuing decline in the number of children born to American families over the past two decades.
- US Government Mandates Avian Flu Testing for Dairy Cattle: The US government announced that it will require testing for avian flu on dairy cattle transported interstate, starting from next Monday (April 29). This measure aims to address concerns about the spread of bird flu and its impact on the US milk supply.
