[QUICKREADS]

One dead, six missing after luxury yacht sinks off Sicily
A luxury yacht sank off Palermo, Sicily, during a violent storm, resulting in one death and six missing persons, including British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch. The 56-meter-long yacht Bayesian had 22 people on board; 15 were rescued. The missing are of British, American, and Canadian nationality. An investigation is underway.

Who was Rep. Raúl Grijalva? Arizona congressman dies at 77 after cancer battle
Democratic U.S. Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva of Arizona passed away at 77 from cancer treatment complications. A prominent advocate for environmental protection, he served 12 terms in Congress and chaired the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee. Grijalva's office highlighted his commitment to community-driven initiatives, including the protection of the Grand Canyon and the Affordable Care Act.

John Feinstein family: All about wife Christine and children
John Feinstein, the acclaimed sports columnist and author, passed away at 69 in McLean, Virginia. Known for his tenure at The Washington Post and contributions to NPR and ESPN, Feinstein wrote 48 books, including the bestseller 'A Season on the Brink.' He is survived by his wife, Christine, and three children. Tributes highlight his significant impact on sports journalism.

Portugal to hold snap election on May 18 after government ousted
Portugal will hold an early election on May 18 after Prime Minister Luis Montenegro's government was toppled in a confidence vote. This marks the country's third election in three years, potentially delaying key decisions like the privatization of TAP SA. Montenegro faces a close race against Socialist leader Pedro Nuno Santos, as political instability grows amidst rising support for the far-right party Chega.

Miami Beach mayor wants to end lease of independent theater that screened Palestine documentary
Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner aims to terminate a lease and financial support for O Cinema after it screened the Oscar-winning documentary "No Other Land," which he labeled antisemitic. The film, focusing on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, has sparked controversy. City commissioners will discuss the resolution, which seeks to halt $80,000 in city grants to the theater.

UN: Sudan war is world's worst humanitarian crisis: 30 million need aid, 16 million of them kids
The war in Sudan has resulted in a humanitarian crisis affecting over 30 million people, with 16 million children in dire need of aid, according to UNICEF. The ongoing conflict has led to widespread violence, famine, and severe malnutrition among children. Reports indicate a significant increase in sexual violence, impacting millions. Urgent action and funding are needed to address the crisis.

UAE to push for easier access to US chip technology, Blooomberg News reports
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE's national security adviser, plans to visit Washington to seek easier access to American technology and discuss investments. His meetings with U.S. officials, including members of President Trump's cabinet, come after the U.S. tightened export restrictions on AI technology, raising concerns about the UAE's ties with China.
Donald Trump on Greenland annexation: 'I think it will happen'
President Trump expressed his intention to annex Greenland for "international security," citing rising Chinese and Russian activities in the Arctic. Despite his enthusiasm, NATO Chief Mark Rutte distanced the alliance from the annexation discussion. Following Greenland's recent elections favoring independence, Rutte emphasized the importance of cooperation among Arctic nations to maintain regional safety.

Judge orders Trump to reinstate probationary workers fired across multiple agencies
A federal judge ordered the reinstatement of thousands of probationary federal workers fired by the Trump administration, deeming the terminations unlawful. U.S. District Judge William Alsup criticized the government's actions as deceptive and lacking proper authority. The ruling came amid a lawsuit from labor unions challenging the mass firings, which affected numerous agencies.

IRS swaps chief counsel for a lawyer friendly with DOGE, AP sources say
William Paul has been removed as the IRS's acting chief counsel and replaced by Andrew De Mello, amid tensions over sharing tax information. The IRS is also planning significant workforce cuts, with thousands laid off recently. This change reflects a broader trend of officials resisting access to sensitive data amid concerns over government efficiency initiatives.

UN atomic chief visits uranium-mining Niger
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi visited Niger, urging enhanced cooperation amid the junta's push for control over uranium resources. Niger, a major uranium producer, is in a standoff with France's Orano over mining rights. Grossi emphasized the importance of nuclear technology for development and assured continued support from the IAEA despite Niger's pivot towards new partnerships with Russia and Iran.

Jewish group fills Trump Tower's lobby to protest effort to deport pro-Palestinian Columbia activist
Demonstrators from Jewish Voice for Peace protested at Trump Tower against the immigration arrest of Columbia University activist Mahmoud Khalil, who faces deportation. Supporters argue his arrest attacks free speech. Khalil, a permanent U.S. resident and pro-Palestinian activist, was taken into custody despite not being charged with any crime, prompting widespread protests.

US imposes sanctions on Iranian oil minister, shadow fleet
The U.S. imposed sanctions on Iran's Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad and several Hong Kong-flagged vessels aiding in disguising Iranian oil shipments. This is part of President Trump's "maximum pressure" policy aimed at reducing Iran's oil exports to prevent nuclear weapon development. The Treasury stated that Iran uses oil revenue to fund destabilizing activities while designating additional vessels and entities involved in these operations.

Court upholds jail terms for relatives of murdered UK-Pakistani girl
A UK court upheld the lengthy prison sentences of Urfan Sharif and his wife, Beinash Batool, for the murder of their 10-year-old daughter, Sara, who suffered years of abuse. Despite appeals, Sharif received 40 years and Batool 33 years in prison. Sara's tragic case raised significant concerns about failures in child protection by authorities.

Israel to ease import regulations for US goods
Israel has relaxed import regulations to facilitate the entry of U.S. goods, aiming to reduce living costs. Economy Minister Nir Barkat stated that adopting U.S. standards will promote competition and lower prices for consumers. This move follows a 2021 plan to align with international standards, enhancing product availability while maintaining safety and environmental protections. Israel's inflation rate is currently 3.8%.

Pentagon leaker Jack Teixeira pleads guilty to obstructing justice
Jack Teixeira, the Pentagon secrets leaker, pleaded guilty to military charges of obstructing justice at his court-martial, resulting in a dishonorable discharge. While already sentenced to 15 years in prison for espionage, the plea deal dropped additional charges. His leaks revealed sensitive U.S. military information regarding the Ukraine conflict and other national security matters.