Keeping up with the news is hard—so hard, in fact, that we’ve decided to save you the hassle by rounding up the most mind blowing events each week.
11 French Presidential Candidate, Macron, May Be Hiding Tax Evasion
Breaking news suggests that Emmanuel Macron, the investment‑banker‑turned‑presidential hopeful, may be stashing funds in a Cayman Islands account to dodge taxes. A pseudonymous writer for GotNews examined the documents and concluded there’s no reason to think they’re fabricated. The writer even recommended that French investigators obtain a warrant to scrutinize Macron’s personal papers and digital correspondence.
Macron has responded by launching a slew of lawsuits against anyone who repeats the allegations, including rival Marine Le Pen. French police have also sent requests to online hosts of the documents, hoping to trace the original leak, though only French residents are compelled to comply. Whether the claims hold water remains to be seen, but the scandal could seriously affect his presidential bid.
Breaking: 4chan’s /pol/ allegedly leaked thousands of private Macron campaign emails that hint at possible collusion with other EU states to disrupt the French election. The French government has since blocked citizens from accessing 4chan, and other documents suggest coordination between French police and the campaign to stir up protests against Le Pen.
10 The Search For Kony Was Finally Called Off
Why This Is Mind Blowing
Remember Joseph Kony, the infamous warlord behind the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA)? The LRA, often described as a Christian‑styled ISIS, once terrorized Uganda, the DRC, CAR, and what is now South Sudan, killing roughly 100,000 civilians. Their brutal tactics included razing villages, raping and mutilating women, and abducting children to turn them into soldiers.
Back in 2011, President Obama pledged a U.S. task force to help Ugandan forces track Kony down. Six years later, that hunt was officially called off, leaving Kony still at large. Experts warn that ending the search could give the LRA a chance to regroup; they still field over 120 armed fighters and carried out about 150 abductions in 2017 alone. If they regroup, the region could face a renewed threat.
9 Macedonia Teetered On The Brink
In 2001, Macedonia narrowly avoided a civil war when an ethnic Albanian insurgency claimed around 200 lives. Tensions have simmered ever since. Late April 28‑29, masked protesters stormed the Macedonian parliament, beating opposition MPs while police looked on. Days later, revelations hinted that state security forces may have colluded in—or even organized—the assault.
The ruling VMRO party lost the December election to the largely Albanian SDSM, but refused to step down, allegedly using police intimidation to cling to power. With Serbia, Russia, the U.S., and the EU all holding stakes in Macedonia, the situation could easily ignite into broader violence.
8 Eminem Sued The New Zealand Government
On May 1, rapper Eminem (Marshall Mathers) announced plans to sue New Zealand’s right‑wing National Party for using a track that sounded strikingly like his hit “Lose Yourself” without permission. The ad actually featured a composition titled “Eminem‑esque” created by Beatbox, a company that crafts songs that hover just close enough to famous hits to avoid copyright claims.
Mathers’ legal team disagreed, arguing the track infringed on his rights. If he wins, the case could upend the whole licensing industry, forcing political parties and businesses to rethink how they source background music for ads.
7 Indonesia Released Crazy Plans To Relocate Its Entire Capital
Jakarta, home to 13 million people, is plagued by endless traffic jams, severe pollution, and a sinking problem—north Jakarta is sinking at roughly 25 cm (10 in) per year. In response, Indonesia’s government unveiled an ambitious scheme to move the nation’s capital entirely.
While Brazil built a new capital in the 1960s and Kazakhstan’s former ruler turned a desert village into a futuristic hub, Jakarta’s plan would be one of the largest relocation projects in Asian history, shifting ministries, businesses, and parliament to a new site. Early stages are still underway, but the urgency is clear: the city is literally sliding toward the sea.
6 An Indian State Fought Domestic Abuse With … More Domestic Abuse
India grapples with one of the world’s highest domestic‑violence rates. While some states link anti‑violence measures to alcohol bans, Madhya Pradesh chose a different path. On April 30, State Minister Gopal Bhargava unveiled a program handing free bats to wives so they could defend themselves against drunken husbands.
Over 700 brides received bats at a mass wedding ceremony, and another 10,000 are ready for distribution. The bats are sturdy enough to cause serious harm, and each bears the inscription “the police won’t intervene,” a promise the minister appears intent on keeping. The initiative sparks debate: empowering women is vital, yet encouraging private violence and sidelining police involvement raises serious concerns.
5 Hamas Grew Marginally Less Radical
Hamas, the militant group that also governs Gaza, has long called for Israel’s destruction. Last week, however, the organization released a new guiding document that surprisingly accepts the 1967 borders between Palestine and Israel.
While the charter still refuses to name Israel directly—likely to avoid an even harsher backlash—acknowledging the 1967 lines signals a tentative move toward moderation. For observers, it’s a small but notable step, suggesting Hamas might be willing to entertain a two‑state reality, even if the path forward remains fraught.
4 Britain’s Prince Philip Announced His Retirement
Prince Philip, the long‑standing consort of Queen Elizabeth II, has been a fixture of British public life for nearly seven decades. Known for his off‑color remarks—once telling a group of British students in China they’d all be “slitty‑eyed” if they stayed longer—he finally announced his retirement on May 4.
While he remains a prince, Philip will step away from all public engagements, speaking events, and informal meetings with heads of state. At 95 and reportedly in ill health, his withdrawal signals the end of an era that has shaped British royal dynamics for a generation.
3 Nigeria’s President Went Missing
President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria has been officially listed as missing after skipping his third consecutive cabinet meeting, Friday prayers, and a key Labor Day speech. Though he’s reportedly holed up at his residence, his absence fuels fears of a power vacuum.
Buhari’s health has been shaky all year, including a seven‑week medical leave in the UK. With Nigeria’s economy contracting for the first time in 25 years, Boko Haram active in the north, and crumbling energy infrastructure, the perception of instability could trigger capital flight and exacerbate the nation’s challenges. Nigeria also has a history of coups—the last in 1999—so the mystery adds a layer of political tension.
2 Republicans May Have Finally Repealed Obamacare
The Affordable Care Act, known as Obamacare, has been a lightning‑rod for Republicans for seven years. After a failed attempt to pass the American Health Care Act in March, the House finally cleared a new repeal bill.
The bill still faces the Senate, where moderate Republicans could stall it. If it becomes law, it will reshape American healthcare: critics warn of higher uninsured rates and increased deficits, while supporters argue it will lower costs for younger buyers and reduce taxes overall. The outcome will soon reveal who was right.
1 Venezuela’s Crisis Reached The Tipping Point
In the past month, 34 people have died amid protests sweeping Venezuela. The nation has been mired in crisis for years—malnutrition, shortages of basic goods, and hyperinflation have devastated millions. Earlier this year, President Maduro seized power by sidelining the opposition‑controlled parliament and taking over the judiciary.
Now he’s taken another bold step: announcing plans to rewrite the constitution in a way that would effectively cement a dictatorship. Regional allies accuse Maduro of “pouring gasoline on the fire,” while reports suggest security forces are arming pro‑government neighborhoods and banning firearms elsewhere, hinting at a potential crackdown or even civil war.
0 The Search For Kony Was Finally Called Off
Remember Joseph Kony? The star of the viral “Kony 2012” campaign, he leads the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), a brutal group that once terrorized parts of Central Africa, killing about 100,000 civilians. In 2011, President Obama pledged a U.S. task force to help Uganda track him down. Six years later, that hunt was called off, leaving Kony still at large.
Experts warn the end of the search could let the LRA regroup; they still field over 120 armed fighters and carried out roughly 150 abductions in 2017 alone. If they regroup, Central Africa could face a renewed threat.