“North Korea denied allegations that it was behind recent international cryptocurrency hacking and cybercrime cases, calling the claims ‘false information’ and warning that it would not tolerate them. A spokesperson for North Korea’s Foreign Ministry issued the statement Sunday in response to a question from the Korean Central News Agency. The ministry called the allegations ‘absurd slander’ aimed at damaging North Korea’s image for political purposes. … The international community has repeatedly identified North Korea-linked hacking groups as suspects in major cyberattacks and cryptocurrency thefts. The Lazarus Group, believed to be linked to North Korea, has been cited as a possible actor behind an April 18 hack of decentralized finance platform KelpDAO that reportedly involved about $290 million in cryptocurrency.” (05/03/26)
“A drone hit a residential tower in an upscale Moscow district in a rare strike near the city centre ahead of the traditional World War II Victory Day parade. Moscow air defences repelled an attack by two Ukrainian drones, and one hit the building on Mosfilmovskaya Street, according to a post on Monday by Mayor Sergei Sobyanin. Emergency services were sent to the scene, and there were no reports of casualties. Mosfilmovskaya is about 6-8km (about 4-5 miles) from the Kremlin, and local media showed damage to the upper floors of a high-end residential building.” (05/04/26)
“Japan’s prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, has called for ‘advanced discussions’ on revising the pacifist constitution, as large demonstrations were held nationwide to oppose any changes to the country’s supreme law. … Revisionists have set their sights on article 9 – the co-called ‘pacifist’ clause – which forbids Japan from threatening or using military force to settle international disputes. … On Sunday – constitutional memorial day – an estimated 50,000 people gathered at a park in Tokyo in support of the document, whose wording has remained unchanged since it went into effect on 3 May 1947. … Demonstrations were held in dozens of other towns and cities on Sunday – a public holiday – attended by people old enough to recall how the postwar constitution had brought peace and stability to a country ravaged by conflict.” (05/04/26)
“President Trump said the U.S. Navy will start guiding ships from foreign countries through the Strait of Hormuz from Monday and warned that if Iran tries to disrupt the process, the American military will use force. … It was not immediately clear whether this move was coordinated with Iran in any way. … The U.S. sent on Sunday another amended draft for an agreement to end the war in response to Iranian officials’ latest proposal, sources said.” (05/03/26)
“Three people have died and three are ill after a Netherlands-based cruise ship was hit by a suspected outbreak of hantavirus, a rodent-borne virus that can cause fatal respiratory illness, authorities and media reports said on Sunday. Netherlands-based Oceanwide Expeditions said in a news release it was ‘managing a serious medical situation’ on a polar expedition ship, the MV Hondius, which was off Cape Verde, an island nation in the Atlantic west of Africa. The cruise departed from Argentina about three weeks ago with around 150 passengers and stopped in the Antarctic and other locations on its way to Cape Verde, according to media reports. A Dutch Foreign Ministry spokesperson confirmed that two Dutch passengers had died, but gave no further details.” (05/03/26)
“President Donald Trump said on Saturday that the U.S. will significantly reduce its troop presence in Germany, escalating a dispute with Chancellor Friedrich Merz as he seeks to scale back America’s commitment to European security. The Pentagon on Friday had initially announced it would pull some 5,000 troops out of Germany, but when asked Saturday about the reason for the move, Trump didn’t offer an explanation and said an even bigger reduction was coming. ‘We’re going to cut way down. And we’re cutting a lot further than 5,000,’ Trump told reporters in Florida. Earlier on Saturday, Germany’s defense minister appeared to take in stride the news that 5,000 U.S. troops would be leaving his country.” [editor’s note: Yet another thing we libertarians have been agitating for for decades? Or just another ploy? – SAT] (05/02/26)
“President Donald Trump has suggested the Pentagon is preparing to release ‘very interesting’ UFO files uncovered by his administration, sparking a mix of buzz and scepticism about potential revelations concerning alien life. Trump first ignited interest in extraterrestrial matters in February, directing federal agencies to declassify records related to UFOs and alien encounters. He has since built suspense with tantalising updates, teasing an imminent disclosure of documents never before shared by the US government. … In online communities devoted to UFOs, some see Trump’s promise as a step in the right direction; others believe it will come to nothing.” (05/03/26)
“Following the recitation of Sunday’s Regina Caeli, Pope Leo XIV recalled that today May 3rd marks World Press Freedom Day, the annual day promoted by UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. The Pope remarked that unfortunately, freedom of the press is often violated, sometimes blatantly and sometimes in subtle ways. He said: ‘Let us remember the many journalists and reporters who have fallen victim to wars and violence.'” (05/03/26)
“A Texas judge on Friday temporarily paused the state’s ban on smokable hemp products, such as flower and joints, after three industry groups and multiple companies based in the state sued over it. The state in March expanded its limit on THC in hemp products from 0.3% levels of Delta-9 THC to cover any form of THC beyond the state’s previous limit of 0.3% total THC in dry weight of the intoxicating group of chemicals. … The groups that [sued] the state contend that the health department overstepped their constitutional authority and that the new rules have done irreparable harm to the Texas hemp industry, CBS Austin reported.” (05/02/26)
“Police in Australia’s Northern Territory (NT) have charged a man with murder and two counts of sexual assault following the death of a five-year-old girl. The body of the girl, who is identified only as Kumanjayi Little Baby for cultural reasons, was discovered on Thursday following severals days of a major police search. Jefferson Lewis, 47, was charged with her murder on Saturday night and has been scheduled to appear in a Darwin court on Tuesday. Five people have been arrested over violent riots in Alice Springs sparked by the child’s death. Northern Territory Police Commissioner Martin Dole announced the charges against Lewis on Sunday morning.” (05/02/26)
