International
UN watchdog ‘concerned’ about Ukraine nuclear plant access
AFP
UN nuclear watchdog head Rafael Grossi expressed “concern” Thursday about not having been able to access Europe’s largest nuclear plant in Ukraine since Russia seized it almost two months ago.
Russian forces captured the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine on March 4, sparking alarm when shelling caused a fire at a training facility.
They also seized the now-defunct Chernobyl plant right at the beginning of their invasion of Ukraine on February 24, though they have since retreated from there.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) head Grossi, who has just returned from a trip to Chernobyl, has been in talks with both Ukrainian and Russian authorities to try to ensure safety.
“Zaporizhzhia is at the top of my list of concerns when it comes to the situation of the nuclear facilities in Ukraine,” Grossi told reporters.
“There is a lot to be done there… we need to go back to Zaporizhzhia. It’s extremely important,” he said.
He said his agency was still checking on reports that missiles had flown low over Zaporizhzhia, adding this would be “extremely serious” if confirmed.
Grossi said at Chernobyl the IAEA had recorded “an increase in the levels” of radiation during their visit after Russian forces moved with heavy vehicles and dug trenches around the plant.
“But the situation is not one that could be judged as posing a great danger to the environment and to people at the moment we were taking these measures,” he added.
Ukraine has 15 reactors in four operating plants, as well as waste repositories such as Chernobyl — the site of the world’s worst nuclear accident in 1986.
International
Man arrested after deliberately driving into seven children in Osaka

Japanese police arrested a man on Thursday after he rammed his car into a group of seven schoolchildren in an apparent deliberate attack in the city of Osaka.
The children, who were on their way home from school, sustained injuries and were taken to the hospital. All seven remained conscious, according to local authorities.
An Osaka police officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the suspect is a 28-year-old man from Tokyo. The officer shared statements the man made after his arrest: “I was fed up with everything, so I decided to kill people by driving into several elementary school children,” the suspect reportedly said.
The man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
The injured children, aged between seven and eight, included a seven-year-old girl who suffered a fractured jaw. The six other children—all boys—suffered minor injuries such as bruises and scratches and were undergoing medical evaluation.
Witnesses described the car as “zigzagging” before hitting the children. One witness told Nippon TV that a girl was “covered in blood” and the others appeared to have scratches.
Another witness said the driver, who was wearing a face mask, looked to be in shock when school staff pulled him from the vehicle.
Violent crimes are rare in Japan, though serious incidents do occur from time to time. In 2008, Tomohiro Kato drove a two-ton truck into pedestrians in Tokyo’s Akihabara district, then fatally stabbed several victims. Seven people were killed in that attack.
Internacionales
Clashes erupt during may day protests across France amid calls for better wages

May Day protests in France were marked by a heavy police presence and clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement in several cities.
In Paris, Lyon, and Nantes, thousands took to the streets to demand better wages, fairer working conditions, and to voice their dissatisfaction with President Emmanuel Macron’s government.
While the majority of the demonstrations remained peaceful, isolated confrontations broke out in some areas. Protesters threw objects at the police, prompting the use of tear gas and resulting in several arrests.
Videos showing police crackdowns circulated widely on social media, drawing criticism from labor unions and human rights advocates, who denounced the authorities’ response to the protests.
International
Kristi Noem credits Trump for mass migrant deportations by mexican president

U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem claimed that Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has deported “more than half a million” migrants due to pressure from former President Donald Trump.
During a cabinet meeting highlighting the “achievements” of Trump’s administration in its first 100 days, Noem asserted that under the Republican leader’s influence, “Mexico has finally come to the table” to negotiate on migration and fentanyl trafficking.
“The president of Mexico told me she has returned just over half a million people before they reached our border,” Noem stated, criticizing media reports that suggest the Biden administration deported more migrants than Trump’s.
“I wish those deportations were counted,” Noem added, “because those people never made it to our border—she sent them back because you made her.” She went on to thank Trump: “They never made it here because they got the message—because you were so aggressive.”
Noem has made controversial claims about Sheinbaum in the past, prompting the Mexican leader to refute them.
On April 1, Sheinbaum responded to one such statement by declaring, “The president answers to only one authority, and that is the people of Mexico,” after Noem said on Fox News that she gave Sheinbaum “a list of things Trump would like to see” and that Mexico’s actions would determine whether Trump granted tariff relief.
-
International3 days ago
Colombia sees deadliest surge in violence since FARC peace deal
-
International4 days ago
Nine dead after driver runs over crowd at Vancouver Street Festival
-
Central America3 days ago
Guatemala sees road blockades amid protests against lawmaker pay hikes
-
International3 days ago
Conclave to choose pope Francis’ successor could begin in early may
-
International4 days ago
King Charles III expresses deep sadness after Vancouver festival tragedy that left nine dead
-
International3 days ago
Spain’s PM calls for calm and patience amid ongoing blackout
-
International3 days ago
Mexican activist who exposed pornography ring found dead in Veracruz
-
International3 days ago
Madrid carries out 286 elevator rescues amid massive blackout
-
International1 day ago
Vatican releases special “Sede Vacante” stamps ahead of papal transition
-
International1 day ago
Kristi Noem credits Trump for mass migrant deportations by mexican president
-
Internacionales6 hours ago
Clashes erupt during may day protests across France amid calls for better wages
-
International6 hours ago
Man arrested after deliberately driving into seven children in Osaka