Monday, April 21
Former house speaker Nancy Pelosi, 84, underwent successful hip replacement surgery in Germany after an injury during a Luxembourg visit. Injured during a WWII commemoration event, she was initially treated in Luxembourg before being transferred to a US military hospital. Pelosi is recovering well and expressed gratitude for the medical care, while continuing her congressional duties remotely.
The Scripps National Spelling Bee is facing criticism for including "womyn" as an acceptable spelling of "women" in its third-grade study list. Critics argue this reflects a political agenda, while Scripps defends its decision, citing Merriam-Webster's recognition of the term.
A US House committee has given Alphabet and Apple a January 19 deadline to remove TikTok from their app stores. This follows a court ruling upholding a law requiring TikTok's Chinese owner, ByteDance, to divest or face a ban. Lawmakers are urging a sale, while TikTok warns the ban would render the app unusable for millions of Americans.
A Buckingham Palace staff member was arrested following a fracas at a London pub after a pre-Christmas gathering. Police responded to reports of a woman smashing glasses and attempting to assault bar staff. The incident occurred during an informal social event involving around 50 palace employees, who had earlier attended a reception at the palace. An internal investigation is underway.
Luigi Mangione, 26, accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, was not a client of the company. Police suggest Mangione's motive stems from animosity towards the healthcare industry following a debilitating spinal injury. He was found with a ghost gun, silencer, and a manifesto detailing his plans. Mangione awaits extradition to New York to face murder charges.
Mysterious drone sightings across multiple states, including near sensitive areas, have prompted concern and calls for federal action. Governors Hogan and Murphy criticized the federal response as inadequate, citing a lack of transparency and answers. While the FBI investigates, the origin and purpose of the drones remain unknown, fueling public anxiety.
Kari Lake, newly appointed Director of Voice of America (VOA), vows to combat "fake news" and overhaul media norms. Her controversial appointment by President-elect Trump sparks concerns about the potential politicization of the federally funded broadcaster, given Lake's history of criticizing journalists and advocating for unbiased reporting.
A migrant boat capsized off Crete, Greece, leaving five dead and around 40 missing. Thirty-nine survivors, all men, were rescued. Separate rescue operations near Gavdos saved an additional 135 migrants. Greece has experienced a surge in migrant arrivals this year, with several similar tragedies occurring recently.
