These are the stories making headlines today.
President Trump welcomes 3 Americans freed by North Korea
The Americans — Kim Dong Chul, Kim Hak-song and Kim Sang Duk, also known as Tony Kim — were freed Wednesday while Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was on a visit to the North Korean capital of Pyongyang to discuss President Trump’s upcoming summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
CNN Poll: Three-quarters approve of Trump’s plans to meet with Kim Jong Un
About three-quarters of Americans (77%) approve of President Donald Trump’s decision to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, according to a new CNN poll conducted by SSRS. Trump’s approval rating for handling the situation with North Korea has jumped 10 points since late March.
Israel and Iran trade fire in most direct confrontation yet
The extended barrage of fire comes amid soaring tensions between Israel and Iran, two rivals battling for regional influence, and less than two days after the United States withdrew from the deal to curb Iran’s nuclear program. Israel said more than 20 rockets were launched by Iranian forces in Syria towards Israeli-claimed territory late Wednesday, often criss-crossing across the clear night skies.
Malaysia’s Mahathir Mohamad to become world’s oldest leader
In his triumphant return to front line Malaysian politics, Prime Minister-elect Mahathir — who also ruled the country from 1981 to 2003 — pledged to form a new government quickly, following a momentous night in which scandal-plagued incumbent Najib Razak was soundly beaten at the polls by his former mentor.
At least 20 people are dead after dam bursts in Kenya
Euloge Ishimwe, Africa region head of communications for the International Federation of Red Cross, told CNN that thousands of people could be displaced. Heavy rainfall and floods have hit East Africa in recent months with Kenya and Rwanda among the worst hit.
Americans are drinking less Bud. The rest of the world loves it
Anheuser-Busch InBev said Wednesday that overall sales were up slightly from a year ago and beat Wall Street forecasts. Sales of Budweiser fell 1.3% during the first quarter, largely because of the decline in the United States.
Alex Ferguson out of intensive care
Ferguson, 76, one of the most successful managers in soccer history, collapsed in his home on Saturday and is currently in Salford Royal Hospital. In a statement, the club said: “Sir Alex no longer needs intensive care and will continue rehabilitation as an inpatient.
‘I’m sad that I didn’t have sex until I was 37’
While the average person loses their virginity in their late teens, this is not true for everyone. “Joseph”, who is 60 and a widower, found it was a source of great shame and frustration. He got in touch with BBC Radio 5 live to share his story.
Woman ‘with 11 husbands’ stoned to death
A woman has been stoned to death in Somalia after a court run by al-Shabab convicted her of having several husbands, the militant group says. Shukri Abdullahi Warsame was accused of marrying 11 times, without divorcing her previous husbands. She was buried neck-deep and pelted to death with stones by al-Shabab fighters, say residents of the southern Sablale town.
Anger at sanitary pad election pledge
Women activists have criticised two of India’s major political parties who have made sanitary towels a key promise for upcoming state elections. India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress party, which rules the southern state of Karnataka, have promised free sanitary pads to all women if they are elected.
‘Huge destruction’ as Kenya dam bursts
A dam burst in Kenya on Wednesday night after heavy rain, causing “huge destruction” and killing at least 20 people, officials say. The breach happened on farmland near the town of Solai, 190km (120 miles) north-west of the capital, Nairobi. The Kenyan Red Cross says it has rescued some 40 people so far.
Losing their religion: The young Turks rejecting Islam
“This is the only thing left that connects me to Islam,” says Merve, showing me her bright red headscarf. Merve teaches religion to elementary school children in Turkey. She used to be a radical believer of Islam. “Until recently, I would not even shake hands with men,” she tells me in an Istanbul cafe.
Woman Alleges Rapper Young Lo Raped Her While She Was Trapped In Chris Brown’s Home
A woman filed a lawsuit on Wednesday against rapper Young Lo, singer Chris Brown and dozens of others, alleging that Young Lo raped her multiple times while he and other defendants held her against her will at Brown’s home last February.
Video Shows Sheriff’s Deputy Shooting Groundhog Blocking Traffic
What a bystander thought would be an adorable video showing a groundhog and a deputy turned gruesome when the officer shot and killed the animal in the middle of a busy street. Maryland resident Justyna Olkowska posted a video to Facebook on Sunday recorded from her vehicle on a road in Eldersburg.
J.K. Rowling Taunts ‘Haughty’ Trump With Handwriting Gibe
J.K. Rowling zinged President Donald Trump on Wednesday with a gibe about his handwriting. The Harry Potter author shared a screenshot of a tweet asking why Trump’s signature was “so big” next to one from a graphology website explaining the negative traits associated with people who have large handwriting.
Ryan Reynolds Warns Deadpool Fans: ‘Don’t Say A F**king Word’
Ryan Reynolds has a warning for fans ahead of ” Deadpool 2,” which hits theaters next week: Don’t spoil it. Reynolds tweeted a letter supposedly from Wade Wilson, his on-screen character, filled with the offbeat humor that fans of the “Merc With a Mouth” have come to expect: Lovingly, Wade.
Skyport designs for Uber’s flying taxis are ambitious, but unrealistic
Even Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi is hesitant about the ride-hailing company’s goals to have a flying taxi service airborne in five years. At the second day of the Uber Elevate Summit, Khosrowshahi spoke about UberAir, the company’s electric vertical take-off and landing (e-VTOLs) aircraft flight-sharing network, or flying taxis.
J.K. Rowling takes aim at Donald Trump’s massive signature on Twitter
It’s been a little while since J.K. Rowling took a shot at the President on Twitter. Maybe she felt as though she’d temporarily exhausted her supply of Trump-sults, or maybe she was just focussing on her latest book. Either way, the hiatus appears to be over.
Police hunt for missing ‘Iron Man’ suit
Someone check on the Vulture, there’s an Iron Man suit missing. Los Angeles police have confirmed they’re investigating a missing Iron Man suit, which disappeared from a prop warehouse in LA’s Pacoima neighborhood, reports the LA Times . The suit, worn by Robert Downey Jr.
Analyst fires back after Elon Musk shut him down in Tesla earnings call
The drama is heating up after Tesla CEO Elon Musk called a bunch of analysts’ questions boring. Well, this certainly isn’t boring: One of the analysts who asked about the electric car maker’s Model 3 reservations at last week’s unhinged earnings call wrote an open letter to Musk defending his “boneheaded” question.
12 tons of liquid milk chocolate spill onto Polish highway
It’s the Magic Shell from hell. A truck containing 12 tons of liquid milk chocolate overturned on a Polish highway on Wednesday, coating the road in sticky candy goop. Now, crews are struggling to clean it all up because it’s hardening onto the asphalt. Fun!
