[QUICKREADS]
A sperm donor, who used fake names to father more than 60 children in Australia, has been exposed after the new parents in a get-together noticed that their babies look similar. The man, whose identity has not been revealed yet, used four different aliases to donate sperm to members of the LGBTQ community, The Mirror reported. Informal donations are on a rise because of online forums like Facebook groups connecting donors and childless parents.
St. Joseph's Children's Hospital Foundation received a $50 million gift from the Pagidipati family of Tampa. The donation will support a new pediatric facility named "Pagidipati Children's Hospital at St. Joseph's." The family's generosity aims to enhance pediatric health care in the Tampa Bay community and honor their parents' legacy. The investment will help BayCare continue providing high-quality care for children.
Jeffrey Gibson's vibrant U.S. pavilion at the Venice Biennale celebrates color, pattern, and craft as the first Native American solo representative. His exhibition tackles U.S. history, calling for greater inclusion and highlighting broken promises of equity. Gibson's art, a mix of tradition and innovation, aims to spark reflection and action. The pavilion runs alongside the Biennale from April 20-Nov. 24.
A recent study by the World Weather Attribution (WWA) group found that the deadly heatwave in Africa's Sahel region in early April, which caused many deaths, was directly linked to human-induced climate change. The extreme temperatures in Mali and Burkina Faso, exceeding 45 degrees Celsius, were attributed to global warming. The heatwave would have been 1.4C cooler without human influence, and such events are expected to increase with future warming.
Nine people are facing charges in the largest gold theft in Canadian history at Toronto's Pearson International Airport. 6,600 gold bars worth over 20 million Canadian dollars and 2.5 million in foreign currencies were stolen and melted down to buy illegal firearms. Arrests include an Air Canada employee, a former manager, and a jewelry store owner. Only $90,000 of the stolen funds have been recovered.
China reaffirmed its commitment to prevent one-sided moves in the yuan amid a strong dollar and poor risk sentiment in Asia. The People's Bank of China stated it would resolutely stabilize the yuan and avoid excessive volatility. The central bank's goal is to maintain the basic stability of the yuan's exchange rate through supply and demand. Analysts remain skeptical about the sustainability of China's strong defense of the yuan.
Two South African engineers were arrested in Equatorial Guinea for cocaine trafficking after the country's Vice President had his yacht seized in South Africa. The arrests are seen as part of the VP's impulsive behavior, putting the country's stability at risk. The engineers were working in the oil sector, which has been declining in Equatorial Guinea. Exxon Mobil is exiting the country, citing a long-term strategy.
Donald Trump and Polish President Andrzej Duda met at Trump Tower to discuss Ukraine, the Middle East, and NATO defense spending. Duda praised the meeting as "friendly," while Trump hinted at a possible second term. Congress is set to vote on aid for Ukraine and Israel amid Republican opposition. Duda's close ties with Trump have caused tensions in Poland.
A boy accused of stabbing two Christian clerics during a Sydney church service had anger management issues but showed no signs of radicalization. The boy spoke about the Prophet Muhammad being insulted after the attack, which authorities declared a terrorist act. The bishop forgave the attacker, who apologized and showed remorse. The family had relocated to avoid retaliation, and the boy had a history of offenses. Police say he may not be charged with terrorism offenses.
Cloud seeding does not cause extreme flooding like what hit the UAE recently. Meteorologists say the heavy rainfall is more likely due to climate change. While cloud seeding can enhance rainfall marginally, it is not a major factor in extreme weather events. The method remains controversial, with scientists debating its effectiveness. Despite this, governments in drought-prone regions invest in cloud seeding technology in hopes of boosting water supplies.
Belarus suspends participation in the Conventional Forces in Europe treaty, a move that could allow the country to expand its military. The treaty, abandoned by Russia last year, aimed to maintain military balance in Europe. Belarus, a key ally of Russia, now awaits President Lukashenko's signature for the bill to become law. The move could potentially increase Belarus' army strength and weapon arsenal, though not guaranteed.
French President Macron calls for EU to increase sanctions against Iran after attack on Israel. Leaders discuss expanding sanctions to target those producing missiles and drones used in the attack. EU also focuses on war in Ukraine, ceasefire in Gaza, and economic competitiveness. US preparing new sanctions on Iran's missile and drone program. EU leaders expected to renew calls for immediate ceasefire in Gaza and increased humanitarian aid for Palestinians.
The US and Italy agreed to work together to combat foreign misinformation and fake news. The pact, signed by Blinken and Tajani, aims to promote transparency in media financing, counter information manipulation by foreign states, and assist other countries in safeguarding their elections. Both nations plan to invest in AI tools to address fake news and create a shared database on manipulation activities.
The European Data Protection Board (EDPB) criticized Facebook owner Meta for its "pay or consent" model, where users pay for data protection rights. The EDPB stated that users should have a genuine choice for data protection, not a binary one. Privacy advocates support this opinion, while tech lobby group CCIA warns of negative consequences. Meta awaits a decision from Irish regulators on its subscription model.
Indonesian authorities issue a tsunami alert after eruptions at Ruang volcano in Sulawesi. Over 11,000 people evacuated as volcano had five major eruptions in 24 hours. Officials fear possible collapse into the sea. Residents are being relocated to Manado. Indonesia, with 120 active volcanoes, sits along the "Ring of Fire."
Opposition parties in the Maldives demand a probe and impeachment of President Mohamed Muizzu ahead of parliamentary elections following leaked corruption allegations from 2018. President dismisses charges, sparking political storm. Calls for investigation from Maldivian Democratic Party and People's National Front. President denies allegations, opposition insists on accountability. Elections on Sunday will decide fate of Muizzu's presidency. 368 candidates vying for 93 seats.