Welcome to the roundup of the 10 mind blowing moments that defined this hectic week—where the pandemic wasn’t the only headline‑grabber. From diplomatic snubs to daring train derailments, royal money moves, and even medieval bells echoing across Lake Geneva, we’ve gathered the stories that deserved a louder megaphone.
10 Mind Blowing Highlights of the Week
10 The WHO Hung Up On Journalist Asking About Taiwan
Taiwan sits in a diplomatic quagmire: mainland China claims the island as its own, yet Taiwan operates under the name Republic of China and remains outside the United Nations. This geopolitical tug‑of‑war creates headaches for any organization that wants to keep China happy, the World Health Organization included.
On March 28, a reporter from Hong Kong’s RTHK pressed Bruce Aylward—WHO’s top envoy who had just toured Wuhan—about whether the agency would rethink Taiwan’s membership. Aylward pretended not to hear the question, then tried to steer the interview elsewhere before abruptly hanging up. The clip went viral, prompting WHO to issue a statement clarifying that its staff have no say in which nations join, while also praising Taiwan’s low infection rates and confirming a point of contact inside the island.
A flurry of tweets followed, including a Japanese official’s jab that the WHO should be renamed the “Chinese Health Organization” to reflect perceived bias. The episode added fuel to the fire surrounding WHO director Tedros Adhanom, who some critics link to controversial political groups, and sparked a broader debate over the agency’s independence.
9 Prime Minister Viktor Orban Of Hungary Officially Becomes Dictator
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban received sweeping emergency powers to combat COVID‑19, but the measures risk reshaping the nation’s democratic fabric. The new law extends the state of emergency indefinitely, suspends Parliament, and imposes up to five‑year prison sentences for anyone deliberately spreading misinformation that could hinder the government’s response.
Critics warn that these open‑ended powers could cement Orban’s control well beyond the health crisis, drawing parallels to Julius Caesar’s lifetime dictatorship and Germany’s 1933 Enabling Act. Already, Orban has used his newfound authority to erase the legal concept of “gender,” replacing it with “sex at birth,” sparking outrage from transgender advocates and accusations of EU expulsion.
The situation mirrors historical examples where leaders seized crises to entrench autocratic rule, raising alarms that Hungary’s democratic institutions may be irreversibly altered.
8 19 Is A “Psychosis,” Leaves Country Open
While many nations shuttered schools and bars, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko dismissed the global pandemic response as a collective “psychosis.” He argued that lockdowns were unnecessary, insisting that the virus didn’t exist in his country.
Defying WHO recommendations, Lukashenko kept businesses and professional sports running, even stepping onto the ice in Minsk to play amateur hockey while delivering a televised interview. He claimed that saunas and vodka were effective cures and that the arena‑like environment was “the best thing for your health.”
Despite his bravado, Belarus reported its first COVID‑19 case on February 28, and the virus has since spread. Lukashenko’s refusal to enforce standard health measures has drawn international criticism and highlighted the stark contrast between his rhetoric and the unfolding reality.
7 Man Intentionally Derailed A Train To Hit A Hospital Ship
On April 1, California engineer Eduardo Moreno deliberately accelerated his freight train toward the USNS Mercy, a Navy hospital ship docked at the Port of Los Angeles. Moreno told police he believed the vessel was part of a covert government takeover and needed to be stopped.
Police footage captured the locomotive barreling through a series of concrete and steel barriers, tearing through chain‑link fences, and careening across two parking lots before finally stopping about 250 yards short of the ship. Moreno has since been charged with train‑wrecking, a federal offense that can carry up to 20 years in prison.
The incident underscores the heightened anxiety and conspiracy‑theory‑driven actions that have surfaced during the pandemic, illustrating how fear can manifest in extreme, violent attempts to intervene.
6 ‘Rick and Morty’ Is Coming Back — Or Is It?
Fans of the cult‑hit animated series “Rick and Morty” were treated to two teasers this week hinting at the show’s return. One trailer announced that five new episodes would drop on May 3, while a short anime‑style clip also surfaced.
However, the timing raised eyebrows: the trailer was released on April Fools’ Day, a date the creators—Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon—have historically used for elaborate jokes. Reddit users pointed out that the first episode of season 3 was also released as a free‑stream on April 1, fueling speculation that the new trailer might be another prank.
Regardless of the prankster vibe, any news about “Rick and Morty” offers a welcome distraction amid a year dominated by grim headlines.
5 US Unemployment Rate Doubles To Highest Numbers In History
Weekly jobless claims in the United States surged to an unprecedented 3.3 million, a figure that doubled previous records. The data, released on April 2, covered claims filed between March 21‑28 and showed a total of 6.6 million new filings, with an additional 24,000 adjustments from the prior week.
Economists attribute the spike to the COVID‑19 shutdowns, noting that four years of job gains vanished in just two weeks. The stimulus package—over $2 trillion—has helped many newly unemployed individuals secure benefits, but the sheer scale of the claims marks the largest weekly surge since the early 1980s, when the previous high was 695,000.
The dramatic rise signals a deepening recession and underscores the massive economic upheaval caused by the pandemic.
4 Pakistani Court Overturns Conviction Of Killing Of Daniel Pearl
In a surprising legal turn, a Pakistani court on April 2 overturned the 2002 conviction of Ahmed Omar Sheikh for the kidnapping and murder of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl. The original death sentence was reduced to a seven‑year kidnapping term, with the murder charge dismissed due to insufficient evidence.
Three other men—Fahad Saleem, Syed Salman Saqib, and Sheikh Muhammad Adil—also saw their convictions overturned. All four had already served roughly 18 years of the revised sentence, meaning they are likely to be released shortly.
The decision reignites debate over the original case’s integrity, especially after a 2011 investigation cast doubt on the extent of Sheikh’s involvement.
3 Prince Charles Will Foot The Bill For Henry & Rachel’s Security Costs
After stepping away from royal duties, Prince Harry (Henry Windsor) and his wife Meghan (Rachel Markle) found themselves needing private security while residing in Los Angeles. President Trump publicly declared the United States would not cover their protection costs, reminding readers that the U.S. stopped funding the British crown back in 1776.
On April 2, Prince Charles announced a private contribution to help cover roughly half of the estimated £4 million (about $5 million) required for their round‑the‑clock security. The royal family clarified that the couple had already arranged privately funded protection, and that the Prince’s aid was more of a supplemental gesture.
Despite the media frenzy, the Duke and Duchess remain in L.A., with no immediate plans to relocate back to the United Kingdom or Canada.
2 Marvel Announces Social Justice Superheroes
Amid the pandemic‑driven slowdown of comic‑book publishing, Marvel unveiled a fresh lineup of characters aimed at championing social‑justice themes. The new heroes—Snowflake, Safespace, Screentime, B‑Negative, and Trailblazer—each embody progressive values, from non‑binary representation to body positivity.
Snowflake, a non‑binary warrior, wields shuriken‑shaped snowflakes and prefers the pronouns they/them. Safespace focuses on protecting vulnerable individuals from harassment, while Screentime boasts a perpetual internet connection via experimental gas. Trailblazer carries a “magic backpack” containing an infinite dimension and is notable for being the first plus‑size superhero in Marvel’s roster.
Critics have labeled the initiative a “virtue‑signalling disaster,” arguing that the emphasis on identity politics may alienate traditional readers, especially as the industry grapples with declining sales and a historic drop in box‑office revenue.
1 Plague Bells Ring Again
In a haunting throwback to medieval times, the city of Lausanne, Switzerland, has revived its 1518‑era plague alarm bell, ringing it nightly from the Cathedral’s belfry for three minutes after the watchman announces the hour. The resonant toll, drifting across Lake Geneva, serves as a somber reminder of mortality, echoing the Black Death’s historic warnings.
Not to be outshone, New York’s Empire State Building announced it would replace its iconic white lights with a pulsating red‑white siren, dubbing it “the heartbeat of America” to honor frontline workers. The eerie, spinning beacon has drawn comparisons to the Eye of Sauron, cementing its place as a post‑apocalyptic visual symbol.