Harvard University has announced that former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will be joining the school later this year. Douglas Elmendorf, Dean of the Harvard Kennedy School, praised Ardern for her “strong and empathetic political leadership” and said her presence at the school will “generate vital conversations about the public policy choices facing leaders at all levels of government.” Ardern’s appointment to Harvard is a testament to her leadership and commitment to public service.
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A senior administration official has confirmed that the mastermind behind the deadly August 2021 attack at Kabul International Airport, which claimed the lives of 13 U.S. service members and more than 150 Afghans, has been killed by the Taliban in Afghanistan. The U.S. has intelligence and other sources confirming his death, and the death of the ISIS leader is a major victory for the U.S. and its allies in the fight against terrorism. It is hoped that his death will bring some measure of justice to the families of the victims of the attack.
Prince William has reportedly received a "very large sum of money" in a 2020 settlement with Rupert Murdoch's media empire for phone hacking. The lawsuit, brought against News Group Newspapers, alleges the newspapers unlawfully gathered information in a scandal dating back two decades. Prince Harry's lawyer revealed the settlement in a summary of arguments why his lawsuit against the publisher of The Sun and News Of The World should not be thrown out. The amount of money received by Prince William has not been disclosed, and the outcome of the case is expected to have a significant impact on the ongoing phone hacking scandal.
Thousands of foreign nationals, including 16,000 Americans, remain trapped in Sudan as the violence continues to escalate and the US government scrambles to evacuate diplomats and provide assistance to those in need. A travel writer from Massachusetts is among those desperately trying to find a way out of the country, as the US State Department urges all US citizens to leave Sudan as soon as possible.
The Supreme Court has ruled that lawsuits brought by municipalities against major oil companies can move forward in state courts, allowing environmental advocates to hold the companies accountable for the effects of climate change. The ruling is a blow to the oil companies, who had been trying to avoid trials in state courts, and is a major setback for them. The outcome of the trials remains to be seen.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is currently on a four-nation trade mission to Japan, where he met with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Monday. The trip is seen as an attempt to raise DeSantis' diplomatic profile ahead of an expected 2024 presidential run, and the two discussed strengthening Japan-U.S. ties. DeSantis is seen as the biggest challenger to former President Donald Trump in the 2024 race, and his trip to Japan is a sign that he is taking the competition seriously.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced that he will meet with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis during a trade mission, as DeSantis considers a presidential bid. Netanyahu has also addressed the backlash sparked by his government's controversial judicial reforms, saying that the criticism is an "internal matter" and that there is a "broad consensus" that corrections need to be made. The reforms include an "override clause" which has been criticized as undemocratic, and Netanyahu has said he will meet with both Republican and Democratic governors to maintain bipartisan support.
Kenyan police have discovered thirty-nine bodies in shallow graves on land owned by Pastor Paul Makenzi, who was arrested on April 14th for allegedly telling his followers to fast to death. When police raided Makenzi's property in Malindi, they found fifteen emaciated people, including four in critical condition. Local residents have expressed shock and outrage, and the Kenyan government has yet to comment on the situation. Investigations are ongoing to determine the fate of Makenzi and his followers.