While You Were Sleeping: 5 stories you might have missed, May 1, 2025
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US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announcing the signing of the agreement on his X account.
SCREENSHOT: X/@SECSCOTTBESSENT
US, Ukraine sign long-awaited resources agreement
The US and Ukraine reached a deal over access to Ukraine’s natural resources on April 30, according to a person familiar with the accord, a move that Kyiv sought to solidify President Donald Trump’s backing in ceasefire talks with Russia.
The deal will grant the US privileged access to new investment projects to develop Ukraine’s natural resources including aluminum, graphite, oil and natural gas.
It has been seen as critical to nurturing Mr Trump’s goodwill towards Kyiv as his administration pushes to end the war that began when Russia mounted its full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than three years ago.
After weeks of Ukrainian and US officials wrangling over the text, momentum towards a breakthrough was building early this week, with Ukrainian negotiators visiting Washington to iron out final details. The two sides had agreed on the main accord but were discussing technical details spelled out in separate texts.
Israel’s Netanyahu warns wildfires could reach Jerusalem
REUTERS
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned on April 30 that rapidly spreading wildfires near Jerusalem could reach the city, as he declared the situation a national emergency.
Thick plumes of smoke billowed above highways near Jerusalem as firefighters rushed to control wildfires that have injured several people and prompted the military to deploy troops to help the firefighters.
Israel’s Magen David Adom (MDA) rescue agency reported that hundreds of civilians were at risk from the worst brushfires in years.
India closes airspace to Pakistan airlines as tensions rise
REUTERS
India shut its airspace to Pakistani airlines on April 30, the government said, days after its nuclear-armed neighbour banned Indian airlines from flying over its territory following the killing of 26 men in an attack on tourists in Kashmir.
The ban will last from April 30 to May 23, the Indian government said in a notice.
The impact of the ban on Pakistan’s airline industry is likely to be smaller than on India’s, since only Pakistan International Airlines operates routes to Kuala Lumpur using Indian airspace.
Sweden arrests teen after triple killing
VIA REUTERS
Swedish police have arrested a teen suspect after three youths aged from 15 to 20 were killed in a shooting at a hair salon, authorities said on April 30, with rising concern over gang violence in the Scandinavian nation.
The April 29 shooting took place in broad daylight in the university city of Uppsala, a day before it hosted the Valborg spring festival, which draws more than 100,000 people for bonfires and celebrations in the streets, many of them students.
“One person has been arrested suspected of murder,” police commander Erik Akerlund told reporters, with prosecutors saying the suspect was 16.
UK scientists fear insect loss as car bug splats fall
REUTERS
A UK-wide decline in bug splats recorded on car number plates indicates an “alarming” fall in the number of flying insects, UK scientists said in a survey published on April 30.
The 2024 Bugs Matter report revealed the number of flying insects found stuck to vehicle number plates had dropped by nearly 63 per cent since 2021.
Flying insects play a vital role in maintaining a healthy environment, as a food source for birds and other wildlife species, as well as acting as pollinators for crops and keeping pests under control.
