Wednesday, April 23
Anti-Islam activist Michael Stürzenberger, recently attacked by an Afghan refugee in Mannheim where a policeman died, has been fined €3,600 for inciting hatred. A Hamburg court convicted him for remarks made at a 2020 rally, reducing a prior prison sentence due to the assassination attempt.
New Zealand's parliament witnessed dramatic scenes as a controversial bill proposing to redefine the country's founding treaty between Māori and the British Crown passed its first vote. The bill, facing widespread opposition and protests, aims to apply the treaty's principles to all New Zealanders, a move critics argue could fuel racial tensions.
A Russian attack on the Ukrainian port city of Odesa has left one person dead and 10 others injured. The strikes, which took place overnight, caused damage to residential buildings, churches, and educational institutions. The attack also damaged the main heating pipeline, leaving tens of thousands of residents without heat as temperatures drop.
Elon Musk defended the efficiency of the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), stating that neither he nor Vivek Ramaswamy are being paid for their leadership roles. Musk highlighted DOGE's mission to streamline government operations and reduce waste, emphasizing its potential to benefit the American people.
In a surprising move, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has tapped environmental activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to head the Department of Health and Human Services. Kennedy, known for his controversial stance on vaccines, has outlined his health priorities, including tackling chronic diseases and reforming the FDA.
The FBI searched the Manhattan apartment of Shayne Coplan, CEO of prediction market platform Polymarket, as part of an investigation into whether the platform operated as an unlicensed commodities exchange. The investigation centers around Polymarket's allowance of US users to place bets, potentially violating a previous settlement with the US government.
Donald Trump has chosen former Democratic Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard for a surprising role as Director of National Intelligence. Trump praised Gabbard, now identifying as a Republican, for her two decades of service and broad support. Gabbard, who represented Hawaii's 2nd congressional district, left the Democratic Party in 2022, criticizing its stance on war and military intervention.
British actor Timothy West died at 90. He was known for his roles in theatre, television, and film. Some of his notable works include Not Going Out, Bleak House, and Gentleman Jack. West's acting career began at the Wimbledon Theatre. He gained recognition in the 1960s for his performances in Richard II and Edward II.
Volcanic eruptions from Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki in Indonesia forced international airlines to suspend services to and from Bali due to safety concerns over volcanic ash clouds. Thousands of travelers were stranded as flights were canceled, leaving many frustrated and seeking alternative routes home.
Donald Trump Jr. suggested that his father's administration would take a strong stance on sex trafficking allegations against rapper P. Diddy. This comes after a report surfaced alleging the presence of minors at Diddy's private parties known as "Freak-Offs," where sexual misconduct was alleged to have taken place. "We want the whole list of who was there. Sunlight is the best disinfectant!!" he posted.
