President Donald Trump said the United States is reviewing the possibility of reducing the number of U.S. troops in Germany. This comes after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz criticized the U.S. approach to Iran and called it humiliating, increasing tensions between Washington and Berlin.
Key Facts
President Trump announced that a decision on cutting U.S. troops in Germany will be made soon.
German Chancellor Merz accused the U.S. of having a weak strategy in Iran negotiations and said Germany feels humiliated by Iranian leadership.
The U.S. has had a large troop presence in Germany since World War II, with current bases playing key roles in U.S. military operations in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
Germany hosts important U.S. military commands like the European Command and Africa Command headquarters.
President Trump has previously criticized Germany for not paying enough for its defense and ordered troop reductions during his first term, although those plans were paused by the Biden administration.
The Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil shipping route, remains blocked, causing global energy market tensions.
Any reduction of U.S. forces in Germany may affect NATO’s unity and European security.
President Trump also criticized Chancellor Merz’s comments, saying he does not know what he is talking about.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Samsung is South Korea’s largest family-owned business, controlled by the Lee family since it started in the 1930s. Lee Jae-yong, the grandson of Samsung’s founder, became acting chairman after his father’s heart attack but faced legal troubles for bribery linked to a merger that secured his control over the company. This scandal also led to the impeachment of South Korea’s president and sparked mass public protests.
Key Facts
Samsung is South Korea’s biggest family-owned conglomerate, called a chaebol.
Lee Jae-yong is the grandson of Samsung’s founder and the current acting chairman.
He went to jail in 2017 for bribery related to a merger designed to increase his control over Samsung.
The merger combined Samsung C&T and Cheil Industries, key parts of the Samsung empire.
The bribery scandal was connected to Choi Soon-sil, a close aide to former President Park Geun-hye.
The scandal caused millions to protest and led to the impeachment and removal of President Park.
Succession in Samsung is complicated because the company has many interlinked parts and owes a large inheritance tax.
Lee Jae-yong was prepared for decades to run Samsung but still faced questions about his leadership.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
CBS News shared an old radio recording from 1933 of Big Ben in London ringing in the new year. This was done to honor King Charles and Queen Camilla’s visit to the United States.
Key Facts
CBS News aired a flashback clip from CBS News Radio dated 1933.
The clip features the sound of Big Ben, London’s famous clock tower, marking the start of the new year.
The broadcast was presented by Major Garrett, CBS News’ chief Washington correspondent.
The replay was made as a tribute to King Charles and Queen Camilla’s current visit to the U.S.
Big Ben is a well-known symbol of London and is often used to mark special occasions.
The clip is available to watch on the CBS News app and website.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney took office during rising tensions with the United States under President Donald Trump, who imposed tariffs on Canadian goods and threatened closer U.S. control. Carney has focused on strengthening Canada’s foreign relations beyond the U.S. by improving ties with other countries like India, China, Japan, and Europe, while managing internal political challenges.
Key Facts
President Trump imposed tariffs on Canadian exports soon after taking office.
The U.S. is Canada’s main trading partner, receiving nearly 80% of its exports.
Carney avoided rushing into a trade deal with the U.S. despite pressure.
He called global rules-based order “ruptured” and pushed for Canada to take a bigger strategic role.
Carney improved relations with India by inviting Prime Minister Modi to a G7 meeting.
He worked on recalibrating ties with China following earlier tensions over a Huawei executive’s arrest.
Carney strengthened partnerships with Japan, South Korea, Australia, and Europe.
Domestically, Carney positioned himself as a moderate, distinct from former Prime Minister Trudeau.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Experts say governments in Europe should raise taxes on alcohol and unhealthy foods to reduce liver disease deaths, which total 284,000 per year. They recommend strong health warnings on alcohol products and stopping ads targeting people under 18 to help lower disease rates and healthcare costs.
Key Facts
Liver disease causes 284,000 deaths yearly in Europe.
215,000 people die from liver cirrhosis, often linked to alcohol, and 69,400 from liver cancer every year in Europe.
Experts want much higher taxes on alcohol and junk food to cover health, social, and justice system costs.
Alcohol products should have health warnings, and ads aimed at under-18s should be banned.
Four main causes of liver deaths are alcohol, poor diet, obesity, and viral hepatitis.
Reducing risky behaviors like heavy drinking and unhealthy eating could halve liver disease rates.
Suggested alcohol tax increases could raise prices significantly, similar to Scotland’s pricing rules.
Industry groups suggest promoting responsible drinking instead of large tax hikes.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A trial tested a new, non-invasive scan using a radiotracer called maraciclatide to detect endometriosis. The scan successfully identified endometriosis in most patients and could speed up diagnosis, which currently often requires surgery and takes many years.
Key Facts
Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the womb lining grows outside the womb, causing pain and fertility problems.
Women in England wait on average over 9 years for an endometriosis diagnosis, with longer waits for ethnic minorities.
Current imaging methods usually miss early-stage endometriosis, especially peritoneal endometriosis, the most common form.
The trial involved 19 women who were about to have surgery for endometriosis; they received an injection of maraciclatide and then had a Spect-CT scan.
The scan results matched surgical diagnosis in 16 out of 19 cases with no false positives.
Maraciclatide works by binding to tissue making new blood vessels, which is common in endometriosis lesions.
The trial was led by researchers at the University of Oxford and the results are published in The Lancet.
Larger trials are planned to confirm these findings and possibly make diagnosis faster and less invasive.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A couple in Michigan found a simple way to help their dog, Franklin, take his medicine by mixing it with whipped cream. This approach makes it easier for dogs to take medicine without fuss.
Key Facts
The story is about dog owners in Michigan.
Their dog’s name is Franklin.
Franklin needed to take medicine.
The owners used whipped cream to hide the medicine.
This method helped Franklin take his medicine more easily.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The Artemis II astronauts, who recently completed a record-breaking mission around the moon, will join a live special on "CBS Mornings" on Friday morning. They will answer questions from young space fans and share stories from their journey.
Key Facts
The Artemis II mission lasted 10 days and involved flying around the moon.
The crew includes commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, and mission specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen.
During the mission, the astronauts named a crater after the commander's late wife.
The special event is called "Artemis II: A Celebration of Heroes."
It will air live on Friday, May 1, from 7:30 a.m. ET/PT on CBS and Paramount+.
Students will get the chance to ask the astronauts questions during the town hall.
Notable guests include director Ron Howard and science educator Bill Nye.
The event can also be watched later online on CBSNews.com, CBS News YouTube channel, and Paramount+.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Israel’s military is stopping aid boats heading to Gaza in waters near Greece, far from Israeli territory. The aid group says their communications were blocked and they sent an emergency call for help.
Key Facts
The aid mission is called the Global Sumud Flotilla.
Israeli military speedboats intercepted the flotilla west of the Greek island of Crete.
This location is over 1,000 kilometers away from Israel.
The aid boats are carrying supplies intended for Gaza.
Crew members reported their radios and communications were jammed.
An SOS distress signal was sent by the aid mission during the interception.
The flotilla organizers confirmed it was the Israeli military involved in stopping their boats.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The Metropolitan Police shared video from officers’ body cameras showing the arrest of a man suspected of stabbing two people in Golders Green, north London. The footage shows the officers ordering the man to drop a knife before using a Taser to detain him.
Key Facts
The incident took place in Golders Green, north London.
Two people were stabbed before police arrived.
Officers used Tasers and verbal commands to stop the suspect.
The suspect was restrained on the ground after the Taser deployment.
Police Commissioner Mark Rowley praised the officers for preventing more harm.
The police have classified the stabbing as a terrorist incident.
The footage was released publicly by the Metropolitan Police.
Officers arrived on the scene within minutes of the attack.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Israeli military forces stopped a group of aid boats called the Global Sumud Flotilla in the Mediterranean Sea. They used technology to block communications and sent armed teams to board the ships, which were heading to Gaza with humanitarian aid.
Key Facts
Israeli military intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla near the Greek island of Crete.
They used jamming technology to block the boats' communications.
Armed Israeli speedboats boarded the aid ships, ordering people on board to comply.
The flotilla included 58 vessels, with seven reportedly seized by Israeli forces.
Activists on the boats said the interception happened hundreds of miles from Israel in international waters.
The Israeli military warned the flotilla to turn back and threatened to stop their arrival by any means.
Organizers called the actions illegal under international law and called for governments to protect the civilians on board.
Gaza has been heavily damaged by conflict causing many casualties among Palestinians.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Two Jewish men were stabbed in Golders Green, north London, in a violent incident now declared terrorist-related by the police. A 45-year-old man was arrested after being tasered by officers, and both victims are in stable condition in hospital.
Key Facts
The stabbing happened in Golders Green, north London, and involved two Jewish men aged 76 and 34.
Police declared the attack a terrorist incident.
A 45-year-old British man born in Somalia was arrested for attempted murder after being tasered by police.
The suspect tried to stab responding officers but no officers were hurt.
The suspect has a history of serious violence and mental health issues.
Police believe the suspect was involved in an earlier violent incident in south-east London.
Local Jewish security volunteers arrived first and helped detain the suspect.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called the attack antisemitic and condemned it strongly.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The movie "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie" will be available to rent or buy on streaming platforms starting May 5, 2026. Later in the year, it will be included on the Peacock streaming service and then move to Netflix. The film made $833 million worldwide after its theater release in April.
Key Facts
"The Super Mario Galaxy Movie" premiered in U.S. theaters on April 1, 2026.
The film earned $833 million globally with a $110 million production budget.
It will be available for digital purchase for $24.99 or rental for $19.99 on Apple TV, Prime Video, YouTube, and Fandango at Home starting May 5, 2026.
Universal Pictures plans to keep films in theaters at least five weeks before video-on-demand release.
Later in 2026, the movie will stream with a subscription on Peacock.
After four months exclusively on Peacock, it will stream on Netflix for about ten months, likely starting winter 2026.
The movie is a sequel to "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" from 2023.
The cast includes Chris Pratt (Mario), Anya Taylor-Joy (Princess Peach), Charlie Day (Luigi), Jack Black (Bowser), and others.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Trump advised Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to use precise, limited military actions in Lebanon to avoid wider conflict. Despite a ceasefire brokered by the U.S., fighting between Israel and Hezbollah continues, and peace talks have not advanced.
Key Facts
President Trump told Netanyahu to avoid broad attacks in Lebanon and focus on "surgical" strikes.
The ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon is only partly followed and may collapse before it officially ends in mid-May.
Israeli forces have continued to occupy parts of southern Lebanon and destroyed houses linked to Hezbollah.
Hezbollah has launched rocket and drone attacks against Israeli positions and nearby villages.
Israel has increased airstrikes in response but faces pressure to escalate further, which the Trump administration resists.
U.S. officials say Hezbollah is not part of the ceasefire and aims to undermine peace talks.
Lebanon’s government faces pressure both from the U.S. to isolate Hezbollah and from local groups opposing Israel’s military actions.
A planned peace summit with leaders from Israel, Lebanon, and the U.S. is uncertain due to ongoing conflict and political tensions.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Russia will hold a smaller World War II victory parade on May 9 without showing military vehicles in Red Square. The Kremlin said this is a safety step because of possible attacks from Ukraine amid the ongoing war between the two countries.
Key Facts
The Victory Day parade usually shows off Russia’s military strength with weapons and vehicles.
This year, no military hardware will appear in the parade.
The decision relates to concerns about Ukrainian retaliatory strikes.
Russia and Ukraine have been at war for over four years.
The conflict has caused many deaths and serious economic damage.
The parade date is May 9, a significant day for Russia to mark World War II victory.
The Kremlin announced the change on April 29, 2026.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Two Jewish men were stabbed in Golders Green, north London, in an attack declared a terrorist incident by police. A 45-year-old man was arrested, and both victims are in stable condition in hospital.
Key Facts
The stabbings happened on Highfield Avenue near Golders Green Road.
The victims are two Jewish men, aged 34 and 76.
The suspect, a 45-year-old British man born in Somalia, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
Police used a Taser to stop the suspect, who was reportedly violent and continued to pose a threat.
The attack followed recent arson attacks targeting Jewish properties in London.
Officers found the suspect involved in a separate knife incident earlier that day in Southwark.
Authorities are investigating whether the attack was aimed specifically at the Jewish community.
Senior leaders, including the Chief Rabbi, London’s mayor, and King Charles III, expressed concern and condemned the attack.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Canada has stopped Iranian soccer officials from entering the country before the FIFA Congress meeting in Vancouver. This meeting is happening weeks before the World Cup starts.
Key Facts
Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand announced the decision.
Iranian soccer officials were denied entry into Canada.
The event involved is the FIFA Congress meeting.
The FIFA Congress is scheduled to take place in Vancouver.
The meeting occurs weeks before the World Cup tournament begins.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A man was arrested after stabbing two Jewish people in Golders Green, north London. An Iran-linked group called Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia (HAYI) claimed responsibility online, but police say there is no clear proof Iran’s government directed the attack.
Key Facts
The attack happened in Golders Green, north London, and targeted two Jewish individuals.
The attacker was arrested and has a background of serious violence and mental health problems.
HAYI, a new Iran-linked group, claimed responsibility on Telegram shortly after the attack.
Police believe the group’s online claims may be opportunistic and not official orders from Iran.
HAYI has claimed other attacks on Jewish sites in Europe, including arson and bombings in Belgium and the Netherlands.
The group first appeared online in early March and claims to act against US and Israeli interests.
Authorities suspect HAYI may be a front for an Iranian state agency trying to spread fear.
This Golders Green claim is seen as an escalation because it involves physical harm rather than just property damage.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A Syrian court held the first hearing on Sunday for the trial of ousted leader Bashar al-Assad and top officials from his government. Experts say that trying these leaders, even when done without them being present, is important for Syria to heal from its civil war and the crimes that happened.
Key Facts
The trial involves Bashar al-Assad, Syria’s former ruler, and senior government figures.
This is the first hearing held by a Syrian court related to these trials.
Some of the accused appeared in person, but most are being tried in their absence (in absentia).
Transitional justice means dealing with past crimes to help a country move forward.
Experts from the International Crisis Group say these trials are key for Syria’s recovery after the civil war.
The civil war in Syria involved many atrocities and caused long-lasting conflict.
The trial is seen as a step to hold leaders accountable for their actions during the war.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A 10-year study found that a common knee surgery for meniscus tears does not help patients and may cause worse knee problems over time. Patients who had this surgery had poorer knee function and more arthritis compared to those who had fake surgery without any actual procedure.
Key Facts
The surgery studied is called partial meniscectomy, which trims damaged knee cartilage called the meniscus.
The meniscus is a rubbery pad in the knee that cushions the thigh and shin bones.
146 patients aged 35 to 65 from Finland were followed for 10 years after either meniscus surgery or fake surgery (sham surgery).
Patients with real surgery had worse knee function, more osteoarthritis, and more follow-up surgeries than those with sham surgery.
Many meniscus tears show up in MRI scans of healthy people without causing symptoms.
Recent medical guidelines now suggest waiting longer and trying physiotherapy before surgery.
Some knee problems with mechanical symptoms might still benefit from surgery, but pain alone is difficult to treat with surgery.
Organizations like the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons still recommend this surgery despite evidence of limited benefit.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
