Police in Surrey said they have not found any evidence supporting reports of a gang-rape in Epsom on April 11. The investigation is ongoing, and no suspects have been identified or linked to asylum seekers or immigrants.
Key Facts
A woman in her 20s reported being raped by a group of men after leaving a nightclub in Epsom between 2am and 4am on April 11.
Police reviewed a large amount of CCTV footage and interviewed witnesses, but have found no evidence to confirm the offence.
No descriptions of suspects have been released due to limited information.
Police have clarified that there is no evidence asylum seekers or immigrants were involved.
Protests demanding more information and suspect details were held in Epsom, with police attending in protective gear.
The protests were promoted by Danny Tommo, a former ally of far-right activist Tommy Robinson.
A local church minister called the protests intimidating and organized an event promoting community unity.
Police urged anyone with information to come forward and announced extra police patrols in Epsom.
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Ecuador’s Constitutional Court recently ruled that transgender teenagers can legally change their name and gender on official documents. This decision follows a 2024 reform allowing adults to do the same and opens new legal pathways for transgender youth in a country where conservative opposition remains strong.
Key Facts
A transgender teenager named Amada won the right to change her legal documents to match her gender identity.
Amada’s family faced years of challenges, including being turned away from 14 schools because her documents did not match her gender.
Ecuador’s courts have historically led LGBTQ+ rights progress, including decriminalizing homosexuality in 1997 and legalizing same-sex marriage in 2019.
Conservative groups and the Catholic Church have opposed the court rulings on transgender rights, especially for adolescents.
President Daniel Noboa has made few public statements on transgender issues and has shown limited support for LGBTQ+ rights.
Legal experts say Ecuador’s political institutions often overlook LGBTQ+ concerns, forcing people to seek justice through courts instead of lawmakers.
Transgender activists report ongoing social and institutional discrimination despite legal victories.
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Hungary’s recent election ended the 16-year rule of Viktor Orbán’s authoritarian government, bringing a new prime minister, Péter Magyar, from the centre-right. This change is expected to reopen EU support to Ukraine and reduce leaks of European Council information.
Key Facts
Viktor Orbán’s hard-right government in Hungary was defeated after 16 years in power.
Péter Magyar, a centre-right politician, became Hungary’s new prime minister.
The European Union’s €90 billion loan to Ukraine had been blocked by Orbán’s government and will now proceed.
Information leaks from the European Council to Russia’s Vladimir Putin are expected to stop.
U.S. Vice-President JD Vance visited Hungary to support Orbán just before the election, but this intervention may have reduced Orbán’s support.
Nigel Farage praised Orbán in the past but has faced changing political fortunes in his own party, Reform.
The news highlights a rare positive political development amid global conflicts and crises.
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India’s parliament did not pass a bill that aimed to increase women’s seats in parliament to one-third. The bill also included changes to redraw electoral boundaries based on population, which caused strong disagreement among politicians, especially from southern states.
Key Facts
The bill proposed reserving one-third of parliamentary seats for women.
It combined women’s representation with a redrawing of electoral districts called delimitation.
Delimitation would increase the number of members in the lower house from 543 to about 850.
This was the first constitutional amendment proposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP government that failed in 12 years.
The bill needed a two-thirds majority but received 298 votes for and 230 against, failing to pass.
Opposition parties united against the bill, claiming delimitation favored northern states and hurt southern states.
Southern states like Tamil Nadu and Kerala worry delimitation will reduce their political power due to lower population growth.
The previous redrawing of electoral boundaries was done in 1971, and southern states want to keep those boundaries frozen.
The BJP argued the bill was important for women’s empowerment and fair representation based on population.
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The U.S. government is planning to send senior officials, including Vice President JD Vance, back to Pakistan soon to try and restart talks with Iran. These talks aim to reach a long-term peace agreement amid ongoing tensions and a U.S. naval blockade near the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil shipments.
Key Facts
The U.S. is considering sending Vice President JD Vance and special envoy Steve Witkoff to Pakistan for further talks with Iran.
These discussions hope to resolve disputes over Iran’s nuclear program and the war that started in February.
Talks could resume as early as Monday, but no official date is set yet.
President Donald Trump mentioned that the negotiation team might also include Jared Kushner.
Iran has shown some willingness to talk but wants concessions the U.S. has not yet agreed to.
A high-level meeting is taking place in Paris with European leaders to protect freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait of Hormuz is vital since it carries about 20% of the world’s oil shipments.
There are underwater mines placed by Iran in the Strait, making navigation risky for commercial ships.
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CBS News took a two-hour boat trip into the Strait of Hormuz to observe the situation firsthand amid tensions between the United States, Iran, and Israel. Despite a ceasefire, many oil tankers and cargo ships were backed up, reflecting ongoing control efforts by Iran and the U.S. in this key shipping route.
Key Facts
The Strait of Hormuz is a crucial passage where about 20% of the world’s oil passes through.
Recently, there has been a conflict involving the U.S., Iran, and Israel over control of the strait.
A ceasefire brokered by Pakistan was largely holding when CBS News made the trip.
Iran has tried to control which ships can pass and has reportedly placed mines in some areas.
The U.S. has set up a naval blockade to restrict ships going to or from Iranian ports.
Many ships are waiting, stuck, or turning back, causing delays and economic concerns.
Journalists are usually not allowed in this area, so CBS News used local contacts and posed as tourists to get on a small traditional boat.
The sea looked calm, with dolphins nearby, but the heavy presence of idle ships and a police vessel showed the tense situation.
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The United Kingdom and the United States have shared a special relationship for more than 80 years. To keep this strong partnership going, the U.K. needs to build up its own power through better defense, diplomacy, and international development.
Key Facts
The U.K. and the U.S. have had a special relationship for over 80 years.
This relationship is valuable because of strategic benefits to both countries.
Recent tensions have tested the strength of this partnership.
For the relationship to last, the U.K. should increase its own national power.
This includes improving the U.K.’s defense capabilities.
The U.K. also needs a stronger diplomatic approach.
Enhanced international development efforts are important for the U.K.
The relationship’s survival is not guaranteed without these changes.
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Astronaut Victor Glover, pilot of the Artemis II mission, shared his experience flying NASA’s Orion spacecraft on a trip around the Moon. He said the real controls and handling were better than the simulations and highlighted the mission’s success in testing important spaceflight skills for future Artemis missions.
Key Facts
Victor Glover piloted the Orion spacecraft during the Artemis II lunar mission.
Artemis II returned to Earth six days before the interview at NASA’s Johnson Space Center.
The Orion spacecraft used traditional, hands-on controls, different from the touchscreen controls on SpaceX’s Crew Dragon.
Glover said Orion’s real controls were more responsive and stable than expected from Earth-based simulations.
He praised the work of engineers and teams who built and programmed Orion.
Artemis II tested critical skills for future missions like Artemis III and IV, which will include docking and lunar landing operations.
Manual spacecraft control, as practiced by Glover, may only be used if automated systems fail.
The mission gave future Artemis crews confidence about the spacecraft’s performance in space.
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French singer and actor Patrick Bruel faces multiple accusations of rape and sexual assault, with alleged incidents dating back to the 1990s. Several women have come forward with claims, and formal investigations are ongoing, while Bruel denies any wrongdoing.
Key Facts
Patrick Bruel is a 66-year-old French singer and actor known for his success since the early 1990s.
Allegations include sexual assault and rape, with incidents reportedly happening between 1992 and 2019.
At least eight women spoke to the news outlet Mediapart about inappropriate behavior by Bruel.
Four additional women were interviewed by Elle magazine with accusations of rape and sexual assault.
Three official charges for rape or attempted rape have been filed against Bruel by women in France and Belgium.
Bruel’s lawyer says he denies forcing anyone into sex or ignoring refusals.
Bruel has previously faced dropped legal inquiries related to sexual misconduct.
Investigations are active in several French cities, and new complaints have recently emerged.
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Julius Malema, leader of South Africa's Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), was sentenced to five years in prison for unlawfully owning and firing a gun in public. He will remain free during appeals and can continue to serve in parliament and lead his party in upcoming local elections.
Key Facts
Malema was convicted for unlawful possession of a firearm, firing it in public, and reckless endangerment.
He received a five-year prison sentence but is allowed to appeal both the conviction and sentence.
Until all appeals are exhausted, Malema will not go to prison and can keep his seat in parliament.
South African law disqualifies MPs only after a final sentence for over 12 months without a fine is confirmed.
Malema's EFF party is known for its red overalls and support mainly from young, working-class South Africans.
Analysts say Malema could still run for re-election in 2029 or make a political comeback after any prison sentence.
Malema is a controversial figure, criticizing Western influence and advocating the nationalization of land owned by white South Africans.
The appeals process could take several years, potentially going to South Africa’s Constitutional Court.
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A woman named Aubrey struggled for 10 years to bathe her adopted rescue dog because he would resist and try to escape. She recently discovered that the dog preferred much hotter water than expected, which made him calm and enjoy bath time.
Key Facts
Aubrey adopted a rescue doodle dog who is now 17 years old.
Bath time was always difficult, with the dog scratching, kicking, and trying to get away.
Aubrey thought the dog hated baths but found out the issue was the water temperature.
The dog preferred very hot water, described as "boiling," instead of lukewarm.
After switching to hotter water, the dog stayed calm and relaxed during baths.
Experts say dogs can stress from baths due to temperature, slippery surfaces, and past negative experiences.
Baths should be calming and predictable to reduce dogs’ anxiety.
The story received over 3.2 million views on TikTok and many people shared their own pet bath stories.
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Iran and President Donald Trump announced that the Strait of Hormuz will be open for passage. However, some questions remain about how traffic will be managed in this important waterway.
Key Facts
The Strait of Hormuz is a vital passage for global shipping, especially for oil transport.
Iran and President Trump made a joint announcement that the strait will be open.
Details about how ships will move through the strait have not been fully explained.
The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.
This waterway is strategically important for many countries' trade and energy supplies.
Previous tensions in the area have caused concerns about security and freedom of navigation.
The announcement aims to reduce fears of conflict and encourage safe passage for ships.
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President Donald Trump said that the Strait of Hormuz is open for shipping. However, he also stated that the United States will keep its blockade in the area.
Key Facts
President Trump posted on social media about the Strait of Hormuz.
He said the strait is "completely open" for passage.
Despite this, the U.S. will continue its blockade there.
The Strait of Hormuz is a key waterway for international shipping.
The U.S. blockade is meant to control movement through the strait.
CBS News reported on the situation with updates from their reporter Natalie Brand.
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The US Supreme Court ruled 8-0 in favor of oil and gas companies in a Louisiana lawsuit about damage to the coastline. The court decided the case should be handled in federal court, giving the companies another chance to fight claims that they harmed the environment during early oil production.
Key Facts
Louisiana has lost over 2,000 square miles of coastal land in the last 100 years.
Oil and gas infrastructure is a major cause of this land loss, according to the US Geological Survey.
Local lawsuits claim companies like Chevron and Exxon violated state laws by harming wetlands and failing to repair environmental damage.
A state jury previously ordered Chevron to pay more than $740 million for coastal cleanup.
The oil companies argue the case belongs in federal court because their activities began during World War II under federal contracts.
The Supreme Court’s decision lets the companies bring the case to federal court instead of state court.
Justice Samuel Alito did not participate due to owning stock in an oil company involved.
Louisiana’s coastal protection agency warns that the state could lose another 3,000 square miles of land in coming decades if the damage continues.
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A man named Paul Quinn has been found guilty of a 2003 rape and attack after another man, Andy Malkinson, was wrongly convicted and served 17 years in prison. Advances in DNA testing eventually led to Quinn’s identification, correcting a severe mistake in the justice system.
Key Facts
In 2003, a woman was raped and severely injured in Little Hulton, Salford.
Andy Malkinson was convicted in 2004 based on eyewitness testimony and spent 17 years in prison.
DNA evidence obtained in 2007 excluded Malkinson as the attacker, but no action was taken by police or prosecutors at that time.
A charity called Appeal re-examined the DNA and pushed for further investigation.
In 2022, a search of the National DNA Database identified Paul Quinn as the real attacker.
Paul Quinn was found guilty of rape, strangulation, and causing serious harm after a trial.
The case highlights flaws in the criminal justice system and the importance of DNA evidence.
The victim was threatened by a man with a fake gun, attacked, and severely injured in a semi-rural area.
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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed anger after learning that Peter Mandelson, a former Labour Party minister, failed a security check before becoming the UK’s top diplomat in Washington. The information about Mandelson's denied clearance was kept secret from Starmer until recently.
Key Facts
Peter Mandelson did not pass a security vetting process before his appointment as the UK’s ambassador to the United States.
The vetting failure happened in early 2025 and was highly confidential.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was “furious” about not being informed earlier.
Mandelson is a former minister in the Labour Party.
The vetting issue has led to calls for Mandelson to resign from his diplomatic position.
The news was first reported by The Guardian newspaper.
The vetting process is meant to check if someone can be trusted with sensitive information.
Starmer’s reaction shows concern about transparency within the government.
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Irish police and Dubai authorities worked together to arrest Daniel Kinahan, an Irish man suspected of leading an international organized crime group. He was arrested in Dubai following a warrant from Irish courts and is now subject to legal processes that could lead to his extradition.
Key Facts
Daniel Kinahan, an Irish national, was arrested in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
The arrest relates to serious organized crime charges linked to an international criminal network.
Dubai police made the arrest on April 15th, after a search and surveillance operation.
Irish courts had issued a warrant for Kinahan’s arrest.
An official file describing Kinahan’s alleged crimes was sent from Ireland to Dubai.
Dubai Public Prosecution issued an arrest warrant to begin legal proceedings before extradition.
Kinahan was arrested less than 48 hours after the warrant was issued.
The arrest follows an extradition agreement between Ireland and the UAE.
Irish police view the arrest as a result of international cooperation to fight cross-border crime.
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Thierry Breton, former EU Commissioner for the Internal Market, said it is unfair that some EU countries profit from rising energy prices because they charge value-added tax (VAT) on them. He also spoke about recent political changes in Hungary and criticized the US travel ban placed on him, which he says targets Europe’s digital regulations.
Key Facts
Thierry Breton was EU Commissioner for the Internal Market from 2019 to 2024.
He helped create the Digital Services Act and the Digital Markets Act.
Breton believes EU member states should return extra money earned from high energy prices to those in need, like farmers and truck drivers.
He described the rise in energy prices as artificial.
Breton welcomed the election of Peter Magyar in Hungary, who he says will restore respect for the rule of law.
Breton criticized the US for placing a travel ban on him, linking it to his role in European digital regulations.
The Digital Services Act was approved by 90% of European lawmakers and all 27 EU countries.
Breton hopes relations between the US and Europe will improve regarding digital policies.
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Three people, including a 16-year-old boy, appeared in court for allegedly trying to set fire to the offices of a Persian media company in north-west London. The firebomb was thrown but went out quickly, causing no injuries or clear damage.
Key Facts
The suspects are Oisin McGuinness (21), Nathan Dunn (19), and a 16-year-old boy.
They face charges of arson with intent to endanger life.
The incident took place near the offices of Volant Media, which owns the Persian news channel Iran International.
The firebomb landed in a car park and went out immediately.
No one was hurt, and the suspects left in a black four-wheel-drive vehicle.
Nearby buildings were evacuated as a safety measure, but police saw no ongoing danger.
McGuinness is also charged with dangerous driving on the same day.
The youth was sent to local authority care and will have another court hearing on May 15, along with the other two suspects.
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Pope Leo XIV held an open-air Mass in Douala, Cameroon, attended by over 120,000 people during his 11-day tour of Africa. He spoke about peace, warned against violence and corruption, and encouraged young people to develop their talents and help their communities.
Key Facts
More than 120,000 people attended the open-air Mass in Douala’s Japoma Stadium.
The Pope arrived in Douala after visiting Cameroon’s Anglophone region, which has experienced a rebellion for ten years.
People camped overnight to secure good spots for the Mass.
Pope Leo XIV urged people to reject abuse, violence, and corruption.
The crowd included people of all ages, including priests.
Attendees used umbrellas and books to shield themselves from the heat during the outdoor event.
The Pope also visited St Paul Catholic Hospital in Douala during his trip.
His Africa tour includes stops in Algeria, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea.
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