Rain

• US-Senator hält Diskussionsrunde mit führenden chinesischen Wissenschaftlern ab und warnt vor Risiken für die Gesellschaft, sofern die neue Technologie nicht reguliert wird • Der US-Senator Bernie Sanders betonte am Mittwoch bei einer Expertenrunde auf dem Capitol Hill gemeinsam mit zwei führenden chinesischen Wissenschaftlern die Bedeutung internationaler Zusammenarbeit bei der Regulierung von KI. • Während Startups und Tech-Giganten, allen voran im Silicon Valley und Beijing, um die Weiterentwicklung und Skalierung ihrer künstlichen Intelligenz wetteifern, gehört Sanders zu den KI-Skeptikern, die sich für Schutzmaßnahmen einsetzen.

Russischer Präsident begrüßte Entscheidung zur Verlängerung des Iran-Waffenstillstands in einem, wie der US-Präsident sagte, „sehr guten Gespräch“. Vladimir Putin und Donald Trump besprachen den Krieg im Iran und brachten in einem Telefonat am Mittwoch einen vorübergehenden Waffenstillstand in der Ukraine zur Sprache. In dem Telefonat, das mehr als 90 Minuten dauerte, sagte der russische Präsident laut Yuri Ushakov, Putins außenpolitischem Berater, Moscow betrachte die Aussicht auf eine US-Bodenoperation im Iran als gefährlich, während er Trumps Entscheidung zur Verlängerung eines Waffenstillstands in der Region begrüßte. Weiterlesen...

Die Anschuldigung, das Schiff enthalte Getreide, das aus russisch besetzten Gebieten geplündert wurde, löste einen diplomatischen Streit zwischen beiden Nationen aus.

• Der Führer erwähnt zum ersten Mal die extremen Maßnahmen, zu denen Truppen greifen, um nicht in feindliche Hände zu fallen, während sie für Russland kämpfen. • Kim Jong-un hat nordkoreanische Soldaten gelobt, die sich mit Granaten selbst sprengten, um eine Gefangennahme durch ukrainische Streitkräfte in der westlichen russischen Region Kursk zu vermeiden, womit er die Existenz dieser extremen Schlachtfeldpolitik bestätigte. • Zunehmende Belege, darunter Geheimdienstberichte und Aussagen von Überläufern, weisen darauf hin, dass nordkoreanischen Soldaten explizit befohlen wird, zur Selbstdetonation oder anderen Formen des Suizids zu greifen, um nicht in die Hände des Gegners zu fallen.

• Die jährliche Veranstaltung auf dem Roten Platz wird zum ersten Mal seit zwei Jahrzehnten ohne Panzerfahrzeuge oder Raketensysteme stattfinden. • Russland wird am 9. Mai eine reduzierte Victory-Day-Parade in Moskau abhalten, bei der aus Angst vor einem Fernangriff durch ukrainische Drohnen erstmals seit fast zwei Jahrzehnten auf Militärgerät verzichtet wird. • Das Verteidigungsministerium gab unter Verweis auf „die aktuelle operative Lage“ bekannt, dass während der Parade, die den sowjetischen Sieg über Nazi-Deutschland markiert, keine Panzerfahrzeuge oder Raketensysteme über den Roten Platz rollen werden.

• MIT-Forscher entdeckten, dass sich chaotisches Laserlicht unter präzisen Bedingungen zu einem hochfokussierten „Bleistiftstrahl“ selbst organisieren kann, was eine schnelle 3D-Bildgebung der Blut-Hirn-Schranke ermöglicht. • Die neue Methode bildet mit Geschwindigkeiten ab, die 25-mal schneller sind als aktuelle Techniken, und verfolgt die Bewegung von Medikamenten in Gehirnzellen in Echtzeit. • Dieser Durchbruch könnte die Behandlung neurologischer Erkrankungen beschleunigen, indem er eine hochpräzise Beobachtung der Proteinabsorption in Zellen ermöglicht.

Bemerkungen zum 250. Jahrestag der amerikanischen Unabhängigkeit sagen US-Gesetzgebern: „Die Taten dieser großen Nation zählen“

The late-night crash in Bekasi, just outside Jakarta, involved a commuter train and a long-distance train.

Experts urge separate tracks for long-distance and commuter trains, among other measures, in the wake of Monday’s (Apr 27) train collision that killed 15 people and injured dozens.

Rescuers finished removing victims from a damaged commuter train car on Tuesday, confirming that the crash outside Indonesia's capital killed 15 people, all of whom were women.

Ukraine commemorated the 40th anniversary of the Chornobyl disaster on Sunday, amid fears that Russia's four-year war could spark a repeat of the world's worst nuclear accident that led to thousands of deaths and devastating environmental consequences.

An Israeli airstrike killed Amal Khalil on Wednesday and injured her colleague in the south of Lebanon. The journalist's colleagues accuse Israel of targeting her deliberately and obstructing first responders from reaching her in time to save her life, which Israel denies.

• NTT launched Scale Academy as part of its enterprise AI and security initiatives during the two-week period beginning April 13, 2026. • The academy program targets organizations seeking to develop internal capabilities around artificial intelligence adoption and implementation. • The initiative reflects growing enterprise demand for structured training programs to build AI competency across workforce and organizational functions.

Efforts continue to free two trapped passengers in wreckage after long-distance train collides with commuter train outside Jakarta, injuring 81Rescuers were racing to reach survivors on Tuesday morning outside the Indonesian capital of Jakarta after two trains collided overnight, killing at least seven people and injuring scores.Rescuers were working to get to two people still trapped alive in the wreckage, a spokesperson for the state-owned KAI rail company told local television in the early hours. Continue reading...

• Ukrainian officials acknowledged on Monday that Russian forces have captured additional territory in eastern Donbas region despite increased deliveries of Western arms and ammunition over the past 30 days. • Kyiv's military command reported that Russian forces are attempting encirclement operations near Bakhmut and Popasna, forcing Ukrainian units into tactical withdrawals in select areas. • The Pentagon reaffirmed commitment to Ukraine, announcing a $500 million weapons package including air defense systems and precision munitions, with U.S. officials emphasizing the long-term nature of support.

Pineland Road fire and Highway 82 fire have destroyed over 100 homes, and are part of large number of wildfires this spring in the US southSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxHeavy rain slowed the progress of two sprawling southern Georgia wildfires over the weekend, allowing crews to make some progress in containing the blazes that have destroyed more than 100 homes.Although the rain helped the firefighting efforts, it wasn’t “nearly enough to put the fires out” and crews responded to 10 new blazes throughout the drought-stricken state Sunday, the Georgia Forestry Commission said Monday. Continue reading...

• Nearly 1,300 people in Pittsburgh learned Hands-Only CPR during day two of the NFL Draft on April 24, 2026, at Acrisure Stadium, setting a Guinness World Record for the largest such training session in one hour. • The event, organized by the American Heart Association, NFL, Damar Hamlin, and Doctor Mike, supports the Nation of Lifesavers movement aiming to double sudden cardiac arrest survival rates by 2030. • More than half of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest victims do not receive CPR before emergency responders arrive, highlighting the critical need for widespread bystander training to improve survival odds.

Heatwaves reach 45C across India as unseasonably cold weather affects parts of central CanadaWidespread heavy rain is sweeping over southern China. By Wednesday, rainfall totals are expected to exceed 100mm across many parts of Guangxi, Guangdong, Fujian, Zhejiang, Jiangxi and Hunan provinces, and in some areas as much as 150-200mm.As a result, the Office of the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters and the Ministry of Emergency Management have been holding meetings with meteorological and hydrological departments to emphasise the importance of reinforced patrols and emergency responses to mitigate against the probable flooding that the intense rainfall is expected to bring. In particular, reservoirs with known safety concerns must remain empty during the period, as well as through the coming rainy season. Continue reading...

Across country, more than 10 people have been injured as Ukrainian prime minister Julia Svyrydenko prepares to visit PolandAnother night of Russian drone attacks on Ukraine overnight left more than 10 people injured, particularly damaging residential buildings in the Odesa region.The strikes caused the biggest damage in the central Prymorskyi district, where residential buildings, a hotel and facilities in the center of the city were damaged, Serhiy Lysak, the head of the local military administration, said on Telegram in comments reported by Reuters. Continue reading...

Killhouse is based on real-life story of civilian couple saved from battlefield by Ukrainian drone operatorsIt is being billed as Ukraine’s answer to Saving Private Ryan, updated for an age of drones.The war movie Killhouse is an action thriller which shows off the latest in battlefield technology. Released this week, it features cameos by figures well known in Ukraine, including the nation’s former military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov. One missing person is Donald Trump. The film is conveniently set in 2024, when Washington and Kyiv were allies. Continue reading...

• North Korea has deployed an additional 10,000 troops to support Russian forces in Ukraine, escalating foreign involvement in the conflict as fighting intensifies along multiple fronts. • South Korean intelligence reports indicate the troops are equipped with advanced weaponry and are positioned in the Kursk region; this represents a significant expansion of Pyongyang's military commitment to Moscow. • The deployment raises concerns among US and allied officials about the global implications of expanding proxy conflicts and potential technology transfers between Russia and North Korea.

• A new clinical trial launched April 24, 2026 (NCT07549529), examines postural motor activation deficits following mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) in US patients. • The study translates lab findings into physical therapy protocols for concussion rehabilitation, focusing on vestibular and balance impairments. • Affecting millions annually, mTBI recovery gaps could improve with targeted interventions, potentially reducing long-term disability rates by 30%.

• The European Union announced a €2.1 billion emergency aid package for Ukraine on Friday, aimed at supporting reconstruction efforts and civilian needs amid Russia's intensified spring offensive across multiple fronts in eastern Ukraine. • EU officials stated the funds would prioritize healthcare infrastructure, food security, and electricity grid repairs, with disbursement beginning within two weeks pending parliamentary approval scheduled for April 30. • Ukraine's finance minister praised the commitment but warned that current assistance levels remain insufficient to offset projected $14 billion in war-related economic losses this year alone.

Dnipro bore the brunt of the attacks but Odesa and Kharkiv were also targeted in largest onslaught for several daysRussian drone and missile strikes across Ukraine killed at least seven people overnight, including five in the city of Dnipro, Ukrainian local authorities have said.Reports say that at least 34 people have been injured in the strikes, which lasted “practically all night”, according to the Dnipropetrovsk regional head, Oleksandr Hanzha. The bodies of four people were found in the ruins of a house destroyed in the attacks, and workers continued to search for bodies on Saturday morning. Continue reading...

• Nvidia launched Blackwell Ultra B300 GPUs on April 25, 2026, at GTC US, delivering 20 petaflops FP4 performance for training models up to 10 trillion parameters. • New chips feature 4.5TB HBM4 memory and NVLink 6 interconnect, reducing training costs by 40% for hyperscalers like Microsoft Azure. • Announcement bolsters Nvidia's 92% AI accelerator market dominance amid US export controls on China sales.

Top commander fired after wife of one malnourished soldier posted shocking images on social mediaUkraine’s defence ministry has fired a top commander after photos emerged of a group of emaciated soldiers who have been left on the frontline for months without proper food and water.The scandal erupted after the wife of one of the soldiers, Anastasiia Silchuk, posted the images on social media. The four men appear to be pale and visibly malnourished, with prominent ribcages and thin arms. Continue reading...

With the EU approving a €90bn loan for Ukraine, a surprise visit from Prince Harry, and data suggesting Russian troops made almost no territorial gains in March – are there reasons for optimism in Kyiv? Lucy Hough speaks to senior international correspondent Luke Harding – watch on YouTube Continue reading...

Leaders will discuss how to respond to surging energy prices amid the war in the Middle EastEurope live – latest updatesEU leaders have welcomed the end of diplomatic deadlock over a long-awaited €90bn (£78bn) loan for Ukraine, after the bloc finalised the agreement along with a 20th package of sanctions against Russia.After weeks of delay, the EU signed off on the loan on Thursday, in time for summit talks in Cyprus that are scheduled to begin in the evening and will include talks over a dinner with the Ukrainian leader, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Continue reading...