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Comprehensive coverage of international news and global events
Vivid Sydney cancelled all its drone shows after 83 drones fell into Darling Harbour during a performance. The decision follows a full safety review due to technical problems that caused the drones to lose control.
Key Facts
During the Star-Bound show, 83 drones fell into Cockle Bay and six landed on a boardwalk.
No one was hurt during the drone crash.
Four shows were cancelled initially, then all remaining drone shows were cancelled for two weeks.
Organizers are doing a full technical and safety review to understand what went wrong.
The UK company Skymagic operates the drone shows and said a sudden change in radio signals caused the problem.
Early checks found no evidence of sabotage or foul play.
Drones hit a safety boundary called a geofence, and some shut down to keep people safe, which caused them to fall.
Vivid Sydney will replace drone shows with fireworks as part of the event running until 13 June.
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The top U.S. military leader for the southern region, General Francis L. Donovan, met with high-ranking Cuban military officials near the U.S. naval base at Guantánamo Bay. This meeting happened while President Donald Trump increased pressure on Cuba amid ongoing tensions between the two countries.
Key Facts
General Francis L. Donovan leads the U.S. Southern Command (Southcom).
Donovan met with Cuba’s First Deputy Minister of the Chief of the General Staff, Roberto Legrá Sotolongo, and other Cuban military leaders.
The meeting took place near the U.S. naval base at Guantánamo Bay in Cuba.
This visit occurred during a period of rising tensions between the U.S. and Cuba.
President Donald Trump has recently increased pressure on the Cuban government.
Southcom officially announced the meeting.
Guantánamo Bay is a key U.S. military installation located on the island of Cuba.
The encounter reflects ongoing military and political interactions despite strained relations.
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The US military conducted another strike on a boat in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing three people and raising the total death toll from recent attacks above 200. The strikes target boats accused of smuggling drugs, but the US government has not provided clear evidence to support these claims, leading to questions about the legality of the operations.
Key Facts
The US military carried out a third strike in one week against a boat accused of drug smuggling.
The latest strike killed three men and increased the death toll in these operations to 202.
The US Southern Command said the boat was linked to a designated terrorist organization but did not show evidence.
The strike was ordered by General Francis L. Donovan, the top US military leader in Latin America.
Video of the attack was released in color for the first time, showing the boat catching fire and debris in the water.
The US government claims to be in armed conflict with Latin American drug cartels.
Human rights groups like Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International call the strikes unlawful killings.
The American Civil Liberties Union says the US government’s claims about these boats are unproven and create fear.
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Ukraine is using new AI-powered drones to attack Russian supply trucks carrying food, fuel, and ammunition on key routes in occupied southern Ukraine. These drone strikes aim to disrupt Russia’s ability to supply its troops and have forced Russia to shorten its convoy routes.
Key Facts
Ukraine has targeted at least 14 supply vehicle convoys of Russian forces recently using AI drones.
The attacked convoys include trucks carrying food, fuel, and ammunition to Russian troops.
The strikes occur mainly on routes between Russia’s border and occupied cities like Mariupol and Melitopol.
Ukraine’s AI drones, such as the Hornet system, can identify and strike targets with high accuracy at distances over 100 km (62 miles).
These drones use AI trained on hours of Russian military videos and connect via the Starlink satellite network.
Russian forces have shortened their convoy lengths to reduce losses from these drone attacks.
Ukraine’s strategy is to block supplies to weaken Russian military operations on the battlefield.
Experts estimate some Russian brigades need up to 1,000 tonnes of supplies daily, making these strikes significantly disruptive.
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Ghana’s parliament has passed a new law that makes homosexuality and supporting LGBTQ+ activities illegal, with punishments of up to three years in prison. The bill also requires people to report such acts to the police and still needs approval from President John Dramani Mahama.
Key Facts
The new bill criminalizes identifying as LGBTQ+ and supporting LGBTQ+ rights.
People caught under the law can be sentenced to up to three years in prison.
The law creates a "duty to report" any prohibited LGBTQ+ acts to the police.
Some professionals, like media and healthcare workers, are exempt if they report or provide services.
President Mahama has expressed support for the bill and has yet to officially approve it.
Ghana already banned same-sex relationships under colonial-era laws.
Similar anti-LGBTQ+ laws have been passed recently in other African countries like Senegal and Uganda.
Human Rights Watch and other groups have criticized the bill, warning it puts LGBTQ+ people at risk and encourages spying on neighbors.
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A borough in Merseyside called Sefton is successfully reducing youth unemployment and school dropouts by giving early, one-on-one support to young people under 16 who are at risk of not being in education, work, or training (called "Neet"). Similar programs have started elsewhere, like in Leeds, to help younger students learn about jobs and build skills to stay engaged in school and improve their future chances.
Key Facts
Sefton Council began early support for under-16s at risk of becoming Neet about seven years ago.
The program provides personal careers advice through a charity called Career Connect.
The Neet rate for 16- to 17-year-olds in Sefton has dropped by half since the program started, now at 3.8%.
Chloe, a 16-year-old with severe anxiety, was helped by a careers adviser to attend college and pursue a childcare career.
A national review warned that over one million young people in the UK aged 16 to 24 are not in work, education, or training, risking a "lost generation."
Leeds schools are piloting a program with the Ahead Partnership to support students aged 12 and older with risk factors by visiting local businesses and building skills.
The Leeds pilot aims to motivate students to improve attendance and remain engaged in school.
Early support helps young people plan their next steps and build confidence to enter training or jobs.
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Voters in Colombia will choose a new president in an upcoming election. The result could change Colombia’s politics for the next four years and affect its relationship with the United States.
Key Facts
Colombia’s presidential election is scheduled for Sunday.
The president elected will serve a four-year term.
The election could lead to major changes in Colombia’s political direction.
The outcome may influence U.S.-Colombia relations.
CBS News correspondent Lilia Luciano reported on the election and its effects.
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At an important defense meeting in Singapore, Vietnam's leader said that the conflict near the Strait of Hormuz shows how a local dispute can affect the whole world. He urged the U.S. and China to follow international rules to avoid a global crisis as they compete for influence in Asia.
Key Facts
The meeting is called the Shangri-La Dialogue, a key defense summit in Asia.
Vietnam’s leader, To Lam, gave the main speech at the event.
The speech was heard by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and a top Chinese delegation.
To Lam referred to the Strait of Hormuz conflict involving Iran as an example of how local issues can cause global problems.
He emphasized that the U.S. and China should obey international law to prevent conflicts.
The U.S. and China are competing for power in the Asia-Pacific region.
This event highlights concerns about U.S. priorities and China’s growing influence in Asia.
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Divers in Laos rescued the first of five villagers trapped in a flooded cave for more than a week. The men had entered the cave to search for gold when sudden floods blocked their way out, and two villagers remain missing.
Key Facts
Five villagers entered a cave in Laos to look for gold.
Flash floods trapped them inside the cave for over a week.
Divers have rescued one of the trapped villagers so far.
The rescue operation is ongoing.
Two of the five villagers are still missing inside the cave.
The incident shows the dangers of entering caves during rainy conditions.
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The first man trapped in a flooded cave in Laos has been rescued after spending more than a week underground. He emerged covered in mud after traveling through water-filled and narrow spaces inside the cave.
Key Facts
Five men were trapped inside a flooded cave in Laos.
The first rescued miner spent over a week trapped underground.
His rescue involved moving through muddy water and tight passages.
The rescue operation was reported by CBS News and Matt Gutman.
The rescue is part of an ongoing effort to save all the men inside the cave.
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The top U.S. military commander in Latin America met Cuban military leaders near the U.S. Navy base at Guantanamo Bay to discuss security issues. This meeting happens amid increased pressure from President Donald Trump’s administration on Cuba, including sanctions and military presence in the Caribbean.
Key Facts
The meeting was a brief exchange about operational security matters near Guantanamo Bay.
U.S. Gen. Francis L. Donovan attended the meeting and also reviewed base security and readiness.
President Trump has increased pressure on Cuba after the U.S. captured Venezuela’s leader, Nicolás Maduro, earlier this year.
The U.S. has imposed an oil blockade on Cuba and maintains naval ships in the Caribbean Sea.
Top U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and CIA chief John Ratcliffe, have held talks with Cuban officials but were not encouraged.
The U.S. still controls the naval base at Guantanamo Bay despite long-term tensions with Cuba.
A new group of 1,300 sailors and Marines will soon replace the current Marine unit stationed in the region.
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The UK head of Wizz Air advised British travelers to arrive three hours early at European airports for return flights because new border checks are causing long queues. The Entry Exit System (EES) requires biometric scans like fingerprints, which has led to delays despite some countries suspending the checks to ease travel.
Key Facts
Wizz Air's UK boss, Yvonne Moynihan, warned of long passport control queues at European airports.
The Entry Exit System (EES) records biometric data, such as fingerprints, from travelers entering and leaving many European countries.
Since October, nearly 80 million entries and exits have been recorded, with 35,000 refusals of entry.
EES is fully in use from April 10 at borders within the Schengen zone, including airports.
Greece has paused biometric checks for UK travelers to avoid summer travel disruptions.
Airports in Spain, Portugal, and France are reported to have the longest queues.
Some airports report wait times up to three and a half hours due to EES.
Portugal plans to add 360 border officers in July to reduce delays.
The European Commission says member countries must ensure the system works well and staff are sufficient.
Travelers are advised to bring items like portable chargers and water, and allow extra time for connecting flights.
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President Trump is not expected to have a phone call with Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te before Chinese President Xi Jinping’s possible visit to the U.S. this fall. The issue involves concerns over arms sales to Taiwan and managing delicate diplomatic relations with China.
Key Facts
President Trump indicated earlier that he might speak with Taiwan’s President Lai before approving new military arms sales to Taiwan.
No sitting U.S. president has talked directly with a Taiwanese leader since 1979 due to the sensitive relationship with China.
China opposes official talks between the U.S. and Taiwan and is against U.S. arms sales to Taiwan.
During a recent visit to China, President Trump discussed arms sales with President Xi and said he might delay the sale depending on China’s actions.
A $14 billion arms sale package to Taiwan has been under review since January but has not yet been approved.
Taiwan’s representative in the U.S. has said Taiwan wants to share its story of resilience against Chinese pressure.
The U.S. supports maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait while holding communication with Taiwan.
President Trump invited Xi to visit the U.S. on September 24; China has not yet responded.
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Two large studies suggest that poor sleep may be linked to the rise in cancer cases among people under 50 worldwide. Researchers found that people with irregular sleep patterns have a higher chance of developing certain cancers, but more research is needed to understand the connection fully.
Key Facts
Early-onset cancer cases rose from 1.82 million in 1990 to 3.26 million in 2019 globally.
Cancer deaths in people aged 40 and under increased by 27% during the same time.
Studies analyzed data from more than 18 million adults in the US aged 18 to 50.
Poor sleep was linked to higher risks of bowel, breast, uterine, and ovarian cancers.
People under 50 with insomnia were up to three times more likely to get cancer within five years.
Experts say poor sleep might affect the immune system, which could influence cancer risk.
Other lifestyle factors linked to poor sleep, like smoking and obesity, may also raise cancer risk.
More research is needed to confirm if and how sleep problems directly cause cancer.
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A Kenyan court has temporarily stopped the U.S. government’s plan to set up an Ebola quarantine center in Kenya. This center was meant to treat Americans who might have been exposed to or infected with Ebola during the outbreak in Central Africa.
Key Facts
There is an Ebola outbreak in Central Africa with over 900 suspected cases.
The U.S. government, under President Trump, planned to open a quarantine center in Kenya.
The purpose of the center was to treat Americans exposed to or infected with Ebola.
A Kenyan court has blocked this plan temporarily.
William Brangham spoke with Dr. Craig Spencer, who had Ebola in the 2014 outbreak, for more insight.
Kenyan authorities are involved in managing the Ebola outbreak.
The quarantine center plan is part of the U.S. response to health risks abroad.
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A platform called “Not a Wedding Crasher” connects couples with strangers who are willing to attend their weddings as invited guests. Founders Karina and Jeff Besen explained how this service works during an interview with ABC News.
Key Facts
The platform helps couples invite strangers to their wedding celebrations.
Strangers join weddings as if they were invited guests.
The idea is to include more people and create a lively event.
Karina and Jeff Besen started “Not a Wedding Crasher.”
They discussed the platform on ABC News.
The concept is different from traditional "wedding crashing," where people show up uninvited.
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A Russian drone hit an apartment block in Romania, injuring two people and increasing tensions between Russia and NATO. Meanwhile, scientists have developed a new breast cancer test that could reduce the need for chemotherapy in many women.
Key Facts
A Russian drone struck a block of flats in Galati, Romania, causing a fire and injuring two people.
NATO leaders and European officials condemned the attack and said they are ready to defend allied countries.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer warned that Russian aggression threatens Europe’s security.
Scientists developed a genomic test that can identify which breast cancer patients need chemotherapy and which do not.
The test results could change health guidelines worldwide and help millions of women avoid unnecessary treatment.
A US study found that women with insomnia have a higher risk of developing breast and uterine cancer within five years.
US President Donald Trump announced plans to lift the blockade of Iranian shipping in the Strait of Hormuz as a step toward peace talks.
Oil prices fell to a six-week low after Trump’s announcement and his demands to Iran for extending a ceasefire.
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Mahjong, a traditional tile game, is becoming popular again in the United States. People of many ages are playing to enjoy both the challenge of the game and the social time it offers.
Key Facts
Mahjong is a game played with tiles.
It was once seen as old-fashioned by some people.
Recently, the game has become popular across the country.
Players include people of different ages.
The game combines strategy and social interaction.
Mahjong gatherings happen in many places from coast to coast.
The game’s revival is linked to its community and connection aspects.
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South Korea's Supreme Court recently ruled that tattooing is no longer classified as a medical procedure, making it legal for non-medical professionals to work as tattoo artists. This decision ends a decades-long struggle by tattoo artists who faced fines, arrests, and social stigma for their work in a country where tattoos were once linked to crime.
Key Facts
Tattooing in South Korea was illegal for 34 years unless done by licensed doctors.
The law was originally meant to ensure hygiene and safety but also reflected conservative social attitudes.
The Supreme Court overturned the 1992 ruling, and lawmakers legalized tattooing by non-medical people in September.
About 350,000 tattoo artists practice in South Korea despite the legal risks.
The Tattoo Union helped provide legal support to at least 50 tattooists each year.
Tattoo artists often faced harassment, blackmail, and violence but feared reporting problems due to the risk of being prosecuted.
Many tattooists used pseudonyms and worked underground before legalization.
Tattoo artists and supporters held a public celebration called Ink Bomb for the first time since 2014 after the ruling.
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A rare blue moon, which is the second full moon in one month, will occur this weekend. This blue moon will also be a micromoon, meaning it will appear slightly smaller because it is farther from Earth. People across many continents will be able to see it depending on local time and weather.
Key Facts
A blue moon happens when two full moons occur in the same calendar month.
This is the only calendrical blue moon of the year 2026.
The blue moon will be a micromoon, about 10% smaller than an average full moon, because it is at its farthest point from Earth (about 252,334 miles away).
The best time to see the blue moon is at moonrise during dusk when it appears orange near the horizon.
The moon will reach peak fullness at 4:45 a.m. Eastern Time on Sunday.
Good viewing spots have a clear view of the eastern horizon, preferably elevated or near open water.
The previous calendrical blue moon was in 2023 and it was a supermoon, appearing larger because it was closer to Earth.
Blue moons usually follow a two-to-three-year cycle, with the next one after 2026 expected several years later.
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