David Summers-Smith, diagnosed with schizophrenia, has been declared mentally unfit for the murder trial of British tourist Royce Mallett in Albury, New South Wales. The court found Summers-Smith committed the act but cannot be held criminally responsible, ordering his indefinite detention in a mental health facility.
Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are travelling to Pakistan for discussions with Iranian officials, the White House confirmed. Iran stated no direct meeting with the US is planned, with its observations to be conveyed via Pakistan.
Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD states it can thrive globally without the US market, focusing on increasing demand in regions like Europe and Brazil. The company, which surpassed Tesla in EV sales last year, highlighted its new 'flash charging' technology and expanding brand recognition, particularly in the UK, at the Beijing Auto Show. This strategy unfolds amidst US tariffs and regulatory scrutiny on Chinese EV manufacturers, with BYD also confronting intense domestic competition.
Pirates seized the oil tanker Honour 25, carrying 18,500 barrels of oil and 17 crew members, approximately 30 nautical miles off the Somali coast. The vessel, en route to Mogadishu, was overtaken by six gunmen, with five additional armed men subsequently boarding. This incident marks a resurgence of piracy in a region once notorious for such activity.
A court in Pristina has sentenced two Kosovo Serbs to life imprisonment and another to 30 years for their roles in the September 2023 Banjska incident. The attack, which left a police officer and three armed Serbs dead, further strained relations between Pristina and Belgrade.
Israeli police in Modiin detained British-Israeli academic Alex Sinclair, confiscated his kippah featuring both Israeli and Palestinian flags, and returned it with the Palestinian flag excised. This incident, now under internal police investigation, has prompted criticism from civil liberties groups and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
The UK government plans new anti-terror legislation, enabling the proscription of state-backed entities like Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC). This move, expected by the King's Speech on 13 May, will criminalise support for such groups, following calls from Labour MPs and a history of alleged IRGC involvement in UK incidents.
The European Anti-Fraud Office (Olaf) has launched a formal investigation into Lord Peter Mandelson regarding alleged misconduct during his tenure as European trade commissioner from 2004 to 2008. This follows earlier revelations of email exchanges between Mandelson and the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Eighteen wolves have been found dead in Italy's Abruzzo, Lazio, and Molise National Park, with laboratory tests confirming the presence of agricultural pesticides in thirteen carcasses. This development suggests widespread poisoning, prompting condemnation from the Environment Minister and raising concerns among conservationists regarding wildlife protection and public safety.
The US Justice Department has concluded its investigation into Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell regarding alleged building cost overruns. The probe will now transition to an internal review by the central bank's inspector general, coinciding with Senate consideration of Kevin Warsh as Powell's successor.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly undergone surgery for early-stage prostate cancer, a disclosure delayed by his office. This comes as he faces an International Criminal Court warrant for alleged war crimes.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has acknowledged a "growing concern" regarding state-backed proxy attacks within the UK, specifically following a series of arson incidents targeting Jewish community sites, including a petrol bombing at Kenton United Synagogue. He committed to expediting legislation to proscribe Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Downing Street has stated that sovereignty over the Falkland Islands 'rests with the UK' following reports of an internal Pentagon email suggesting the US might review its stance on the territory. The email, reported by Reuters, also proposed suspending Spain from NATO for its opposition to the US-Israel war in Iran, which began on 28 February, targeting Iranian civilians and infrastructure.