Creative Minds Legacy

Tom Hanks writes novel to escape movie-making pressures Tom Hanks, a two-time Oscar winner, has written his first novel, inspired by his own screen career. The book, entitled "The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece," is about the making of a multi-million dollar superhero action movie. It features a cast of characters, including an eccentric director and a self-important male actor who disrupts and delays filming. In an interview with the BBC, Hanks said that he wrote the book as a "release from the never-ending pressure" of making movies. He has "always" written "in some form or another" and began writing the 448-page novel in 2018. Hanks' debut novel has been published without going through the usual trial of rejections from publishers. However, he is unapologetic and knows the book will ultimately "live and die based on its own ability to entertain and enlighten an audience." Have you ever read a novel written by a celebrity? If so, who was the author, and what did you think of the book?

New Zealand's largest city Auckland has declared a state of emergency Following torrential rain that led to widespread flooding, causing disruption and damaging properties. The heavy rain stranded vehicles, flooded basements and topple trees. Disaster response services have been mobilised in response What are the precautions to be taken during floods?

Israeli airstrikes kill 13 Palestinians, including three Islamic Jihad commanders in Gaza Israel launched airstrikes on Gaza on Tuesday killing at least 13 Palestinians, including three commanders of the militant group, Islamic Jihad. Six women and four children were also among the dead, with another 20 people injured. Israel said the operation was launched to target militants who posed an imminent threat to its citizens. Islamic Jihad has vowed revenge and Gaza-based militants are expected to respond with rocket fire into Israel. Israel officials are said to be preparing for days of fighting. The strikes were the deadliest since three days of fighting between Israel and Islamic Jihad last August. What has caused the flare-up between Israel and Gaza-based militants? Israel launched airstrikes on Gaza on Tuesday killing at least 13 Palestinians, including three commanders of the militant group, Islamic Jihad. Six women and four children were also among the dead, with another 20 people injured. Israel said the operation was launched to target militants who posed an imminent threat to its citizens. Islamic Jihad has vowed revenge and Gaza-based militants are expected to respond with rocket fire into Israel. Israel officials are said to be preparing for days of fighting. The strikes were the deadliest since three days of fighting between Israel and Islamic Jihad last August. What has caused the flare-up between Israel and Gaza-based militants?

EU cancels Israel event over far-right minister's plan to attend EU cancels Europe Day diplomatic event in Israel over the planned participation of the far-right Israeli minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir. EU ambassadors were taken by surprise when the Israeli Government Secretariat put forward Mr Ben-Gvir's name. The EU said it didn't want to "offer a platform" to someone whose views contradicted its values. The Israeli government's designated representative, Mr Ben-Gvir, insisted he would give the customary speech at the ceremony. Several EU representatives threatened not to attend if Ben-Gvir participated in the event. What impact will the EU's decision to cancel the diplomatic event for Europe Day have on EU-Israel relations?

MTV awards: Hollywood stars stand with striking writers at pre-recorded ceremony Hollywood stars pay tribute to writers in acceptance speeches amid the first major writers' strike in 15 years. The MTV Movie & TV Awards cancelled its live event at the last minute due to the strike, which calls for better pay and working conditions in the streaming era. Jennifer Coolidge and Pedro Pascal were among the stars who acknowledged the writers' efforts for fair wages and working conditions, with Coolidge saying that she stood "side by side" with them. The strike began last week after the breakdown of talks with major studios, with over 11,000 members of the Writers Guild of America downing tools. What are the demands of the Writers Guild of America in the current strike?

Police defend shooting of dogs and Taser use in East London The Metropolitan Police have defended their actions in an incident in which two dogs were shot dead and a man was Tasered. The force said it was called to reports of a woman being attacked by a dog in Commercial Road, Poplar, east London. Footage on social media showed a man holding two dogs on nearby Limehouse Cut before he was Tasered and the dogs shot. The police said the aggressive behavior of the dogs posed a significant threat to them. One video showed a group of officers approaching the man and the dogs as he appears to walk away from them. The police can be heard trying to persuade the man to surrender the dogs. The situation appears to become increasingly heated before the two dogs were shot. What is your opinion on the police using a Taser and shooting the dogs?

New butterfly genus named after Lord of the Rings villain Sauron The Natural History Museum in London has named a new group of butterflies after the all-seeing villain Sauron from JRR Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings novels. The name Saurona was chosen by Dr Blanca Heurtas, the museum’s curator of butterflies, to draw attention to the species and promote research. The black rings on the butterfly's orange wings reminded scientists of the all-seeing eye from the novels. Two butterfly species, Saurona triangular and Saurona aurigera, are the first members of the group, but more are expected to be added. Another genus, Argenteria, has also been named due to the silver scales on its wings. Do you think it is appropriate to name newly discovered species after characters or objects from popular culture? Why or why not?

Alberta declares state of emergency as wildfires force thousands to flee Over 100 wildfires spread across the Canadian province of Alberta, forcing nearly 25,000 people to evacuate their homes. Alberta's Premier Danielle Smith called the situation "unprecedented" due to the hot and dry spring, which has created a lot of kindling. The fires have burned around 122,000 hectares (301,000 acres) so far, and many are out of control due to strong winds. Firefighting helicopters and air tankers have been deployed, and the federal government has offered assistance from Ottawa. What measures can be taken to prevent or mitigate the impact of wildfires?

Gunman kills eight people at Texas mall in shooting spree A gunman has killed eight people in a shooting spree at a shopping mall in Allen, north of Dallas, Texas, on May 6. Police officer on an unrelated call killed the gunman after hearing shots. Some of the victims are reported to be children. The mall was evacuated, and hundreds of people were seen running for cover across a car park as a series of shots rang out. Texas Governor Greg Abbott described the shooting as an "unspeakable tragedy" and offered any assistance to local authorities. According to the Gun Violence Archive, there have been at least 198 mass shootings in which four or more people were killed or wounded in the US so far this year, the most since at least 2016. What measures should be taken to prevent gun violence in the US?

King and Queen Celebrate Coronation with Flypast at Buckingham Palace's Balcony The King and Queen were joined by senior royals for a flypast at Buckingham Palace's balcony after a day of coronation celebrations, which included a ceremony at Westminster Abbey. Notably missing from the balcony was Prince Harry, who attended the coronation at Westminster Abbey, but was not invited to appear on the balcony. About 2,200 people, including the Royal Family, celebrities, faith leaders, and heads of state, witnessed the coronation ceremony full of pageantry and symbolism. The long weekend celebrations include nationwide street parties, a Coronation Concert with musical royalty like Lionel Richie, and a call to action for public volunteering through the Big Help Out. What events are planned for the long weekend following the Coronation celebrations?

Ex-Marine who placed subway passenger in a deadly chokehold claims self-defense Daniel Penny, a 24-year-old ex-Marine, has defended his actions and those of other passengers who restrained New York City subway passenger Jordan Neely in a chokehold that resulted in Neely's death. Penny expressed condolences to Neely's family and claimed that he and other passengers acted in self-defense. Lawyers representing Penny said Neely had a history of violent and erratic behavior due to untreated mental illness and had been aggressively threatening Penny and others before they acted to protect themselves. The Manhattan prosecutor and police are deciding whether to press charges. The incident has sparked protests calling for an arrest to be made and for action to address the mental health crisis on the city's streets and subways. What has the incident in New York City highlighted about crime and homelessness on public transport?

Iran executes Swedish-Iranian for alleged terrorism Iran executes a Swedish-Iranian man for his alleged involvement in a 2018 attack on a military parade that killed 25 people. Habib Chaab was a founder of a separatist group calling for independence for ethnic Arabs in Iran's Khuzestan province. Iran accused Chaab of leading Harakat al-Nidal, a terrorist group behind attacks in the southwestern part of the country. The execution has been criticized by Sweden and the European Union. Iran has arrested dozens of people with dual nationality or foreign permanent residency in recent years, mostly on spying and national security charges. What are the implications of Iran's recent execution of people with dual nationality or foreign permanent residency on diplomatic relations with other countries?

France bans garden swimming pool sales in drought-hit region France's Pyrénées-Orientales district has banned the sale of garden pools due to worsening water shortages. The area will be officially declared at drought "crisis" level from May 10, and bans on car-washing, garden-watering, and pool-filling will kick in from the same date. Other districts, accounting for almost half of the country, are at "alert" or "vigilance" levels, predicting even worse shortages than last year. President Emmanuel Macron has recently announced a nationwide water program to increase recycling, curb leaks, and introduce a "progressive water tariff." What measures can individuals and governments take to address worsening water shortages due to climate change?

WHO declares Covid-19 no longer a "global health emergency" This statement indicates a significant step in bringing an end to the pandemic, and it comes after three years since the highest level of alert was first declared by the WHO. The officials reported that the virus's death rate had reduced from a peak of over 100,000 individuals weekly to only 3,500 individuals on April 24th. Vaccines have played a significant role in the pandemic, with 13 billion doses administered worldwide. What factors contributed to the decrease in the death rate from Covid-19, and what should be the course of action for countries after the pandemic's highest level of alert has been lifted?

Vietnam Protests Against Australia’s Yellow Flag Commemorative Coin Vietnam has strongly protested against Australia's issuance of a coin featuring the flag of the former South Vietnam, calling for the circulation to be halted. The country urged Australia to respect the positive trends in bilateral ties. The limited edition two-dollar coin was issued to commemorate 50 years since Australia pulled out its forces from Vietnam. The yellow flag in the coin design, contained in a ring, is based on ribbon colours awarded to Australian veterans. The design has sparked controversy in Vietnam as it is considered sensitive. Should countries consider the potential cultural and political sensitivities of commemorative items before issuing them?

French interior minister's migration comments spark diplomatic row with Italy French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin's comments about Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's handling of migration problems have caused a diplomatic conflict. Italy's Foreign Minister cancelled a scheduled trip to Paris following Darmanin's remarks, calling them "unacceptable". Italy has seen a sharp rise in sea arrivals from Tunisia this year, and most of the 42,000 people arriving from North Africa have come from Tunisia, leading Italy to declare a state of emergency. The French Foreign Ministry has sought to defuse the tension by saying it wants to work with Italy on common challenges. How have Italy's recent migration pressures affected the country and its government?

Gunmen kill seven, including teachers, at school in Pakistan Multiple gunmen attacked Government High School Tari Mangal in Pakistan's Kurram district, killing seven people in the staffroom. Police believe the shooting was linked to another earlier in the day when a man was shot in his car in the same district. At least four of the seven killed were teachers, while three police officers were injured. Details about the motive are still unclear, and the suspects remain on the loose. What measures do you think should be taken to prevent attacks on schools and educational institutions in countries with high levels of violence and instability?

Ed Sheeran wins Thinking Out Loud copyright case US court rules Ed Sheeran did not copy Marvin Gaye's song "Let's Get It On" for his hit "Thinking Out Loud". The trial was brought by the heirs of Gaye's co-writer, who claimed Sheeran, Warner Music Group, and Sony Music Publishing owed them money for copyright infringement. Sheeran denied the accusations and said he would retire if found guilty. The jury ruled that Sheeran "independently" created his song, freeing him from the allegations of copying. Sheeran's lawyer argued that the chord progressions and rhythms were "the letters of the alphabet of music" and that songwriters must be free to use them. What was the reason for the trial brought against Ed Sheeran, Warner Music Group and Sony Music Publishing?

Belarusian dissident Roman Protasevich sentenced to eight years Belarus opposition activist Roman Protasevich has been sentenced to eight years in prison for charges including inciting unrest and conspiring to seize power. Protasevich was arrested in May 2021 after Belarusian authorities forced his Ryanair flight to land in Minsk. Among the charges Protasevich faced were organizing mass riots and calling for sanctions against Belarus. The arrest and sentencing have been met with international condemnation, with Western countries accusing Belarus of hijacking the Ryanair plane. Protasevich's girlfriend, Sofia Sapega, was also sentenced to six years in jail for inciting discord in May 2022. Do you think the international community's condemnation of Belarus for the forced landing of the Ryanair flight and Protasevich's sentencing will impact the country's leadership?

Air travel chaos looms as US keeps 5G altimeter refit deadline US airlines face possible disruptions as a deadline to retrofit planes with new sensors to address 5G interference looms, despite concerns. Telecoms firms have previously delayed 5G rollout to allow airlines to adapt, and many airlines have warned they will not meet the 1 July deadline. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and aviation companies previously warned that 5G could interfere with aircraft altimeters. Major tech companies, including Verizon and AT&T, agreed to delay 5G technology until 1 July 2023 to allow airlines time to retrofit their altimeters. The International Air Transport Association has said that the decision not to extend the deadline makes summer disruptions more likely, estimating that the cost to upgrade planes is $638m. What is the potential impact of the US not delaying the deadline for airlines to retrofit planes with new sensors to address 5G interference?

Shooting at Belgrade School Leaves Nine Dead A 13-year-old student at a primary school in central Belgrade has been arrested after shooting dead eight students and a security guard, and injuring six pupils and a teacher. The suspect planned the attack a month in advance and carried a "priority list" of children to target and which classrooms to enter first. The shooter's father, who owned the guns used in the attack, has also been arrested, and legal measures will be taken against him. Although Serbia has strict gun laws, gun ownership is among the highest in Europe. What steps can be taken to prevent school shootings in countries with high rates of gun ownership?

Seven Bodies Found on Oklahoma Property during Search for Missing Teenagers The police have found seven bodies on a rural property in Oklahoma while searching for two missing teenagers. The girls had reportedly spent the weekend with Jesse McFadden, a registered sex offender, who police believe to be one of the dead. The police executed a search warrant for McFadden's home after he failed to show up on Monday morning to stand trial for charges he faced of soliciting a minor. Local officials have not provided any details about the other four bodies, which have still not been identified. How do authorities ensure the safety of teenagers who may be in contact with registered sex offenders?

South Korean art student eats Maurizio Cattelan's banana artwork in Seoul A student at the Leeum Museum of Art in Seoul ate part of an artwork by artist Maurizio Cattelan that was on display at an exhibition. The artwork, called "Comedian", was a ripe banana duct-taped to a wall. The student, Noh Huyn-soo, ate the banana, taped the peel back to the wall, and left. The museum has reportedly replaced the banana every two or three days. This is not the first time visitors have consumed the bananas used in Mr. Cattelan's works. In 2019, performance artist David Datuna ate one of the bananas at an exhibition in Miami. Mr. Noh saw the artwork as a rebellion against a certain authority, telling KBS that damaging an artwork could also be considered an artwork. What do you think of his statement?

International Rescue Efforts in Sudan Amid Escalating Crisis In the dead of night, HMS Al Diriyah approaches Sudan's coast with sweeping search lights to secure safe passage for their warship into a harbour rapidly transforming into a major evacuation and humanitarian hub in Sudan's deepening crisis. The Port Sudan is overwhelmed by people fleeing Khartoum and other places as fighting erupted there on 15 April, amidst very imperfect and partial ceasefires, pitched battle for power between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group. The international rescue effort is evacuating people of various nationalities, including Yemenis, Syrians, and Sudanese, from the embattled country, which is now becoming a major evacuation and humanitarian hub. Why has fighting broken out in Sudan? What are the major powers' interests and influence in Sudan?

Biden jokes about his age at White House Correspondents' Dinner President Biden pokes fun at age and critics who think he is too old to run for re-election. Biden compares himself to Harry Styles and says he is friends with one of the US founding fathers, James Madison. The White House Correspondents' Dinner is an annual event where the US President traditionally faces friendly jibes in front of journalists. What is the White House Correspondents' Dinner and why is it significant?