New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani asked King Charles III to return the Koh-i-Noor diamond, a large gem taken from India and now part of Britain's crown jewels. The diamond’s ownership is disputed by several countries, but it remains in the Tower of London.
Key Facts
The Koh-i-Noor diamond weighs about 106 carats and is part of the British crown jewels.
It was mined in India and came to Britain in 1849 after the Kingdom of Punjab gave it to Queen Victoria as part of a peace deal.
India and other countries like Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan have claimed ownership of the diamond.
Mayor Mamdani made the request during King Charles III's state visit to New York.
Mamdani expressed this opinion before meeting the king at a 9/11 memorial event.
It is unclear if Mamdani actually spoke about the diamond directly with King Charles.
The Koh-i-Noor is currently displayed in the Tower of London.
Some people in the UK criticized Mamdani’s call, saying the diamond should stay in Britain.
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King Charles gave a speech during his state visit to the United States that was well received by many people, including both supporters and critics. The speech earned him standing ovations and positive comments from US politicians across party lines, helping improve the image of the British royal family.
Key Facts
King Charles gave a speech at the US Congress during a state visit.
He received 12 standing ovations during the speech.
The speech addressed topics like Ukraine, NATO, climate change, and the Royal Navy.
US politicians from both parties praised the speech for its wit and unity.
The visit came after months of negative headlines about the royal family.
Public opinion polls before the visit showed low expectations for its success.
The state visit was compared to a significant visit by King George VI in 1939.
The speech was described as uplifting, unifying, and unexpectedly successful.
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President Donald Trump said the US is considering reducing the number of troops stationed in Germany. This came after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz criticized the US approach to talks with Iran, calling it a humiliation, prompting a tense exchange between the two leaders.
Key Facts
The US has more than 36,000 troops stationed in Germany as of December last year.
President Trump announced on social media that the US is reviewing a possible troop reduction in Germany.
German Chancellor Merz said the US has no clear strategy in dealing with Iran and called the outcome humiliating.
Trump accused Merz of supporting Iran having nuclear weapons and criticized Germany's economic situation.
Merz responded that his personal relationship with President Trump remains good despite the disagreements.
President Trump has also threatened to withdraw the US from NATO, calling it ineffective.
A leaked Pentagon email suggested possible US penalties for NATO allies not supporting US policies on Iran, including suspending Spain from NATO, which NATO says is not allowed by its rules.
NATO currently has 32 members and no process for suspending or expelling members according to its founding treaty.
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U.S. prosecutors charged Mexico’s Sinaloa state Governor Ruben Rocha Moya and nine others with working with the Sinaloa drug cartel to traffic drugs into the United States. The indictment claims the cartel helped Rocha Moya win his 2021 election by pressuring opponents and stealing votes.
Key Facts
Ruben Rocha Moya, Sinaloa’s governor, and nine officials are charged with links to the Sinaloa drug cartel.
They allegedly helped move large amounts of narcotics into the United States.
The cartel supported Rocha Moya’s 2021 election campaign by intimidating opponents and tampering with ballots.
Enrique Diaz Vega, Rocha Moya’s secretary, gave the cartel a list of political opponents’ names and addresses.
The cartel is connected to the sons of Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, a jailed drug lord in the U.S.
Rocha Moya denies the charges and calls them politically motivated and without evidence.
The Mexican government says U.S. extradition requests lack enough proof.
This case may show a new U.S. strategy to target active Mexican officials linked to organized crime.
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Brenton Tarrant, who killed 51 people in a 2019 mosque attack in Christchurch, New Zealand, tried to appeal his guilty pleas, saying prison conditions harmed his mental health. New Zealand’s court rejected his appeal, saying his claims were not supported by evidence and that he made a clear, informed decision to plead guilty.
Key Facts
Brenton Tarrant committed the deadliest mass shooting in New Zealand’s history in 2019, targeting two mosques and killing 51 Muslim worshippers.
He pleaded guilty in March 2020 to 51 counts of murder, 40 counts of attempted murder, and a terrorism charge.
Tarrant was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of release, the first such sentence in New Zealand.
He appealed his guilty pleas in 2022, citing mental health problems caused by solitary confinement and harsh prison conditions.
The court found Tarrant’s evidence on his mental state inconsistent and said he was not pressured to plead guilty.
Experts and witnesses said Tarrant was fit to enter his pleas and disputed his mental health claims.
The court described his appeal as “utterly devoid of merit” and rejected it.
Following the attack, New Zealand banned military-style semi-automatic rifles and created a firearms registry.
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Actress Rebel Wilson is testifying for a third day in a defamation trial brought by Charlotte MacInnes, who says Wilson's social media posts falsely claimed MacInnes lied about a sexual harassment complaint. Wilson denies involvement in creating smear websites against the film’s co-producer and maintains that MacInnes did make, then withdrew, a complaint.
Key Facts
Rebel Wilson is involved in a defamation lawsuit with Charlotte MacInnes, who starred in the film The Deb.
MacInnes claims Wilson falsely accused her of lying about a sexual harassment complaint to advance her career.
Wilson says MacInnes told her feeling uncomfortable about a co-producer’s shower request but then took back the complaint.
MacInnes denies making or withdrawing any complaint.
Wilson denies any role in smear websites calling the co-producer an “Indian Ghislaine Maxwell” and a sex trafficker.
Wilson’s former US lawyer hired a PR firm called The Agency Group, but Wilson says she did not personally hire them.
The Agency Group is also accused of attacking actor Blake Lively for a different client.
Wilson agreed in a document to pay The Agency Group $25,000 per month for services, but she says the letter was sent to her lawyer, not her directly.
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Israeli forces stopped about a dozen aid boats heading to Gaza in international waters near Crete, which is over 1,000 kilometers from Israel. The boat organizers said this was an unlawful attack on civilians in open seas.
Key Facts
Israeli forces intercepted around twelve boats from the Global Sumud Flotilla.
The boats were carrying aid intended for Gaza.
The interception happened near the Greek island of Crete.
Crete is more than 1,000 kilometers away from Israel.
The waters where the boats were stopped are international waters, meaning they are not owned by any country.
The organizers of the flotilla described Israel’s action as an illegal attack against civilians.
The event highlights ongoing tensions related to aid reaching Gaza.
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Federal authorities said the man who carried out a deadly shooting at Brown University in December acted alone and was motivated by personal frustrations. The gunman targeted people and places he blamed for his struggles before killing himself after the attacks.
Key Facts
Claudio Manuel Neves Valente, 48, killed two students at Brown University and injured nine others in December.
He also killed MIT professor Nuno Loureiro in a separate shooting at Loureiro’s home near Boston.
Neves Valente died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after a manhunt.
He made videos and audio recordings confessing to the attacks without showing remorse.
The FBI said Neves Valente planned the Brown shooting since 2022 and acted alone.
His victims were symbolic to him, representing people and institutions linked to his past failures.
Neves Valente attended Brown University around 20 years ago but left in 2001.
He became a legal permanent resident of the US in 2017 and was unemployed at the time of the shootings.
The FBI said his problems worsened over time, increasing his paranoia and mental illness.
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The BBC visited a military base in Iraq where British and American forces work together. The base has been attacked up to 28 times a day by drones during the conflict involving Iran, even though a fragile ceasefire was announced.
Key Facts
British and US forces share a military base in Iraq.
The base has faced up to 28 drone attacks in a single day before a ceasefire.
The US announced an extended but fragile ceasefire in the conflict involving Iran and Israel.
British forces maintain a defensive role at the base.
The US and UK forces have cooperated closely for many years, including fights against Islamic State.
Armed Forces Minister Al Carns praised the close cooperation between the two militaries.
Air Chief Marshal Sir Harvey Smyth reported strong relations and mutual praise between UK and US commanders.
Despite military cooperation, political relations between Washington and London over the Iran conflict remain tense.
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Hundreds of people gathered in Tehran, Iran, to call for an end to threats from the United States and the blockade of Iranian ports. The blockade has worsened Iran’s economic problems by making its currency lose more value.
Key Facts
Hundreds attended a rally in Tehran, the capital of Iran.
The protesters asked the United States to stop threats against Iran.
They also demanded an end to the blockade of Iranian ports.
The blockade has contributed to the drop in value of Iran’s currency.
The country’s currency was already weak before the blockade.
The rally was a show of support for the Iranian government’s position.
The event highlighted ongoing tensions between Iran and the US.
The blockade affects Iran’s ability to trade and receive goods through its ports.
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Travis Kelce responded to a joke made by actress Meryl Streep about walking in high heels on cobblestone streets. Kelce said he respects Streep and does not want any conflict, adding he might try to take on the challenge if he visits Italy.
Key Facts
Meryl Streep joked about the difficulty of walking in stilettos on Milan’s cobblestones during a press tour.
Streep mentioned Travis Kelce, saying she’d like to see him try walking in stilettos on those streets.
Travis Kelce, 36, said he is a fan of Meryl Streep and does not have any “beef” or conflict with her.
Kelce admitted walking in stilettos is not his skill but joked about trying if he visits Italy in the future.
The conversation happened on Travis Kelce’s “New Heights” podcast, with his brother Jason Kelce also participating.
Travis Kelce is also known for his relationship with singer Taylor Swift, with plans to marry in July 2026.
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A royal commission investigating the Bondi Beach shooting has recommended prioritizing gun law reforms and expanding police protection for Jewish festivals. The shooting, which killed 15 people, led to 14 recommendations focusing on national firearms policies and counter-terrorism measures.
Key Facts
The royal commission was set up after two gunmen attacked a Jewish event at Bondi Beach, killing 15 people.
The interim report made 14 recommendations, with 5 kept secret for national security reasons.
It calls for a nationally consistent gun law update and a gun buyback program.
Police protection used during Jewish high holy days should be extended to other high-risk Jewish festivals.
The commission suggests reviewing joint counter-terrorism teams and involving top officials in counter-terrorism exercises after elections.
The accused attacker, Naveed Akram, faces 59 charges including murder and terrorism.
Public hearings will start soon to examine antisemitism and related issues in society.
The final report will be released on the anniversary of the shooting.
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A portrait of actor Jacob Collins by Sean Layh won the Packing Room prize, chosen by the Art Gallery of NSW staff. The Archibald Prize finalists, including well-known artists and public figures, were announced ahead of the main prize awards on May 8.
Key Facts
Sean Layh painted a portrait of actor Jacob Collins called The tragicall historie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke.
Layh won the Packing Room prize, decided by gallery staff who unpack and hang the artworks.
The prize is worth $3,000.
The Archibald Prize received more than 1,000 entries, narrowed down to 59 finalists.
Finalists include portraits of Ahmed al-Ahmed, Virginia Trioli, Jan Fran, Layne Beachley, and others.
The main Archibald Prize is $100,000 and will be awarded on May 8.
The main prize is for the best portrait of a notable person in art, letters, science, or politics.
Other awards, the Wynne prize ($50,000) and Sulman prize ($40,000), will also be announced on May 8.
All finalists’ works will be displayed at the Art Gallery of NSW starting May 9.
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Hundreds of Ultra-Orthodox Jews protested in West Jerusalem against Israel’s rule requiring religious students to serve in the military. Police tried to clear the protesters from the main road they were blocking.
Key Facts
The protest involved hundreds of Ultra-Orthodox Jewish people.
They blocked a main road in West Jerusalem.
The protest was against Israel’s mandatory military service for religious students.
Israeli police tried to disperse the crowd.
The demonstration reflects opposition to the draft law affecting Ultra-Orthodox communities.
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King Charles III and Queen Camilla spent their last full day of a state visit in New York City. They visited the 9/11 memorial, supported child literacy, engaged with a Harlem community group, and celebrated the 50th anniversary of the King’s Trust charity.
Key Facts
The King and Queen visited the 9/11 memorial in downtown New York City.
Queen Camilla read the story "Winnie the Pooh" to children at the New York Public Library.
King Charles III visited a community organization in Harlem and fed chickens.
They ended their visit by celebrating 50 years of the King’s Trust charity at Rockefeller Center.
Lionel Richie, a music ambassador for the charity, spoke at the event.
The visit was part of a state visit to the United States.
The events highlighted charity work and cultural engagements.
The state visit took place over multiple days, with this being the final full day.
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Court documents state that singer d4vd is accused of killing a teenager named Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Prosecutors say he did this to stop her from revealing their sexual relationship, which he feared would damage his music career.
Key Facts
The accused is a singer known as d4vd.
The victim is Celeste Rivas Hernandez, a teenager.
Prosecutors claim d4vd killed her to keep her from exposing a sexual relationship.
The motive was to protect d4vd’s music career from harm.
The information comes from court filings presented on Wednesday.
The case was reported by CBS News and their Los Angeles correspondent Hunter Sowards.
The allegations are part of an ongoing legal process.
The sexual relationship and the killing are central to the prosecutors' case.
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The US Justice Department charged the governor of Mexico’s Sinaloa state and nine other officials with helping the Sinaloa drug cartel smuggle drugs into the United States. The governor denies the charges, calling them false, while Mexico’s government has yet to respond officially.
Key Facts
The governor of Sinaloa, Rubén Rocha Moya, and nine other current and former officials face drug trafficking charges in a Manhattan court.
They are accused of working with the Sinaloa cartel to import fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine into the US.
The indictment claims the cartel helped Rocha Moya get elected by intimidating political opponents.
Rocha Moya denies all charges, calling them baseless and a violation of Mexico’s sovereignty.
The US ambassador to Mexico emphasized cooperation on fighting crime and corruption between the two countries.
Mexico’s foreign relations office said it received US extradition requests and will review evidence to decide on detentions.
The Sinaloa cartel is designated a terrorist organization by the US government, along with seven other Latin American crime groups.
Mexico has increased arrests, drug seizures, and operations against cartels under pressure from President Trump’s administration.
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King Charles III visited the 9/11 memorial in New York to show lasting support for Americans 25 years after the terror attacks. His visit aims to improve relations between the UK and the US amid recent tensions, and included meetings with President Donald Trump and other leaders.
Key Facts
King Charles III and Queen Camilla visited the 9/11 memorial on April 29, 2026.
They laid white roses and left a note honoring the victims of 9/11.
The visit is part of a four-day US trip to strengthen UK-US ties.
President Donald Trump personally greeted the royal couple in Washington.
The visit included talks about UK investment opportunities with US business leaders.
Charles attended a cultural gala highlighting UK-US connections and his youth charity.
Security was tight due to a recent attempted attack on President Trump.
Queen Camilla celebrated Winnie the Pooh’s 100th birthday by reading to children in New York.
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The biggest new movie coming to streaming in May 2026 is "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie," which has earned nearly one billion dollars worldwide. Prime Video will also release new seasons and episodes of shows like "Good Omens" and "Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan: Ghost War," plus the live-action debut of Nicolas Cage as "Spider-Noir."
Key Facts
"The Super Mario Galaxy Movie" was released on April 1, 2026, and is now available to rent on streaming platforms.
The movie has earned close to one billion dollars globally, despite mixed reviews.
Prime Video subscribers can watch the final season of "Good Omens," releasing a 90-minute episode on May 13.
"Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan: Ghost War" with John Krasinski premieres on May 20.
Nicolas Cage stars as Spider-Noir in a live-action Marvel movie on May 27.
Other May 2026 Prime Video releases include the documentary "Confessions of a Serial Killer: Levi Bellfield" on May 25 and “Hunting Season” on May 17.
Sports content on Prime includes the UEFA Champions League semi-final on May 5 and NBA Conference Finals starting May 19, times to be confirmed.
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US prosecutors have charged Rúben Rocha Moya, the current governor of Sinaloa, Mexico, with working alongside a drug cartel to traffic drugs into the United States. Nine other Mexican government officials, both current and former, are also accused of helping the cartel. The Mexican government says the US has not provided enough evidence for arrests or extradition.
Key Facts
Rúben Rocha Moya, governor of Sinaloa, is accused of conspiring with the Sinaloa Cartel.
The indictment claims Rocha Moya used his role to protect a cartel faction called Los Chapitos.
Nine other Mexican leaders, including a policeman, senator, and mayor, face charges alongside him.
The Sinaloa Cartel is described by US officials as a terrorist organization involved in drug trafficking.
US agencies state corrupt Mexican officials help the cartel operate and send drugs to the US.
Mexico’s Foreign Ministry says the US evidence is insufficient for arrests or extradition requests.
The charges come amid the Trump Administration’s push to fight drug cartels and corruption in Mexico.
This is an unusual move since it involves charging a sitting governor from Mexico’s ruling party.
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