A 38-year-old woman died in Thessaloniki, Greece, after a bomb she was carrying detonated prematurely. The device was intended for a nearby bank ATM. The explosion caused damage to nearby businesses and vehicles. Police are investigating the woman’s known involvement in past robberies and potential links to extreme left-wing groups. Further details are pending.
Following the implementation of a new NSF policy mandating grant alignment with agency priorities, a funding freeze affecting all new and existing grants was enacted. This freeze, coupled with the recent termination of approximately 1,040 grants totaling $739 million, has caused widespread concern and uncertainty within the scientific community. The policy, described as potentially detrimental to the established merit review process, has prompted at least one program officer to resign. Scientists fear the long-term consequences of this funding disruption, particularly given proposed drastic budget cuts in future years.
Apple will significantly increase iPhone production in India, making it the primary source for US iPhones starting in the June quarter. This shift, along with Vietnam becoming the main source for other Apple products sold in the US, aims to mitigate potential tariff impacts from China. Simultaneously, Apple plans to expand its retail presence in India with new stores opening later this year, reflecting the country’s strong sales growth. Despite tariff uncertainties costing the company an estimated $900 million this quarter, Apple reported strong overall financial results.
Ukrainian forces are actively engaged in military operations within Russia’s Kursk and Belgorod oblasts, a confirmation from President Zelenskyy. Simultaneously, accelerated development of domestic ballistic missile systems is underway, though Ukraine remains reliant on Western partners for long-range capabilities. Zelenskyy also addressed the ongoing F-16 fighter jet program, encompassing delivery, training, and deployment. Despite Russian claims of victory in Kursk, Ukrainian officials maintain ongoing combat operations there, with the focus also remaining on holding key areas in Donetsk Oblast.
The Trump administration’s first 100 days have seen relentless attacks on America’s 640 million acres of federal public lands, jeopardizing a unique national asset. Efforts to boost resource extraction, sell off lands for housing, and purge land management agency staff threaten decades of conservation efforts and bipartisan public support for protecting these lands. This assault utilizes manufactured “emergencies” to justify weakening environmental protections and circumventing public input. The current campaign surpasses previous attempts at privatization in its speed, scope, and disregard for public opinion.
Following a briefing on Ukraine’s military capabilities, President Zelensky emphasized the urgent need to expedite the development of domestic ballistic missile systems. This acceleration is crucial for bolstering Ukraine’s long-range capabilities, a key element in its defense against Russia. While Ukraine has received some Western-supplied long-range missiles, supply limitations and past restrictions highlight the importance of self-reliance in this critical area. The successful testing and production of a domestically-made ballistic missile last year represents a significant step towards this goal.
Germany’s domestic intelligence agency classified the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party as a right-wing extremist organization, prompting strong criticism from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Rubio condemned the decision on X, arguing it represented tyranny and that the AfD’s opposition to open border policies, not the party itself, was extremist. This classification follows a three-year investigation and a 1,000-page report detailing the AfD’s violations of constitutional principles. Despite this, the AfD, which won 20% of the vote in recent elections and enjoys support from figures like Elon Musk and Donald Trump, remains a significant political force in Germany.
Carlos Cartagena López, a prominent El Salvador gang leader, gave an interview detailing his gang’s secret pact with President Nayib Bukele, revealing how they allegedly helped Bukele rise to power in exchange for favors. This pact, involving warnings of police operations and community projects, allegedly included gang intimidation of political opponents to secure Bukele’s electoral victories. López’s release from prison, despite accusations of homicide and extortion, further underscores the clandestine nature of this relationship. The revelation comes amidst a brutal government crackdown resulting in tens of thousands of arrests under inhumane conditions and hundreds of deaths, highlighting the ongoing consequences of this political alliance. The interview adds crucial details to existing evidence of Bukele’s dealings with gangs, underscoring the urgent need for further investigation into this complex situation.
In response to data transfer violations to China, diverging from EU standards, TikTok received a €485 million fine from the Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC). An additional €45 million fine was levied for transparency failures concerning data transfers between 2020 and 2022. This constitutes the third-largest GDPR fine ever issued. Further regulatory action is under consideration following TikTok’s admission of storing limited EEA user data on Chinese servers, despite prior claims to the contrary.
Recent photographs reveal that high-ranking White House officials, including the former national security advisor Mike Waltz, are using a modified version of the Signal app called TM SGNL. This modified app, created by TeleMessage, allows for message archiving, potentially compromising the end-to-end encryption of the original Signal app. The use of TM SGNL may be an attempt to comply with record-keeping laws, but raises concerns about the security of sensitive communications. Following the publication of the photographs, Waltz was removed from his position as national security advisor.
John Q. Hosedrinker