London’s iconic G-A-Y Bar, owned by Jeremy Joseph, is up for sale as Soho faces a decline in vibrancy as an LGBTQ+ hub. Joseph called the decision “tough,” citing financial and mental strain after the temporary closure of his nightclub Heaven last year, following an alleged rape incident involving a staff member. He criticized Westminster Council and the Met Police for resistance to nightlife-friendly measures like late licences. Joseph also lamented Soho's fading identity as an “LGBT capital.” Despite the sale, Joseph hopes G-A-Y Bar will remain an LGBTQ+ venue, possibly via franchising. The Met pledged ongoing support for nightlife safety.

The US State Department has paused most foreign aid after President Trump’s executive order for a 90-day review. Emergency food aid and military funding for Israel and Egypt are exceptions. The halt affects global development and military assistance programs, including water and sanitation projects. The review aims to ensure aid aligns with Trump’s policy of making America "stronger, safer, or more prosperous." Critics warn of severe impacts, with projects worldwide at risk. Former USAID officials say this pause is unprecedented in scale, potentially affecting humanitarian efforts in Gaza and Ukraine. A full review is expected within 85 days.

Hamas released four Israeli women soldiers as part of a second exchange under a ceasefire deal. The soldiers, captured during the October 7, 2023 attack, were handed over to the Red Cross and reunited with their families in Israel. Crowds gathered at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv, cheering and crying with joy. In return, Israel is expected to release 200 Palestinian prisoners. The fragile ceasefire, mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the US, aims to end the war in Gaza. However, displaced Gazans returning home found their houses destroyed. Talks for a permanent ceasefire and Gaza’s reconstruction are ongoing.

Four Israeli women soldiers held captive by Hamas for 477 days were released as part of a truce deal in the ongoing Gaza conflict. The hostages—Liri Albag, 19; Daniella Gilboa, 20; Karina Ariev, 20; and Naama Levy, 20—were handed over to the Red Cross in Gaza. Emotional footage shared by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) showed their families celebrating their return. Crowds gathered in Tel Aviv's "Hostage Square" to watch the release, waving Israeli flags and cheering. The women reunited with their families in southern Israel and are undergoing medical assessments. The October 2023 attack had claimed over 1,200 lives.

A United Airlines Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner en route to Washington made an emergency landing at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport due to a technical issue. The sharp descent caused chaos, leaving 4 passengers and 2 crew members seriously injured, while 32 others sustained minor injuries. Passengers described terrifying moments as the cabin lost pressure and the plane dropped multiple times. Emergency services promptly treated the injured. Videos of the aftermath showed scattered belongings inside the aircraft. United Airlines is cooperating with local authorities to investigate the cause of the incident. All 245 passengers and 11 crew members disembarked safely.

Four Israeli female soldiers, held hostage by Hamas since October 7, have been released and returned to Israel. The handover took place in Gaza City, where crowds gathered in Palestine Square as the hostages were transferred to Red Cross vehicles. In exchange for the hostages' release, Israel will free 200 Palestinian prisoners, with 70 deported. However, the Israeli government accused Hamas of breaching the ceasefire deal by not releasing civilian Arbel Yehud. While Israel celebrates the return of the four women, the IDF reiterated its commitment to bring home the remaining 90 hostages in Gaza.

A 34-year-old Romanian woman, Adriana Neagoe, was found dead under shocking circumstances in her Bucharest apartment. After being unresponsive for days, family members alerted authorities, who discovered her lifeless, half-eaten body with her two pugs by her side. The dogs had begun eating her corpse due to being unfed, police reported. While no signs of violence were found, an autopsy is underway to determine the cause of death. The pugs were taken to a shelter. Neagoe's family confirmed her death with heartfelt tributes, and her funeral will be held at a local chapel.

Four young Israeli female soldiers—Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy, and Liri Albag—are set to be released by Hamas under the ongoing Gaza ceasefire deal. In exchange, Israel will free 180 Palestinian prisoners. The soldiers, aged 18-20, were captured during the October 7, 2023, attack at Nahal Oz army base. Their release follows the recent freeing of three hostages under the same agreement. The six-week ceasefire aims to free a total of 33 Israeli hostages. While families await their return, the conflict has left 1,200 Israelis and over 47,200 Palestinians dead, highlighting the heavy toll on both sides.

Polio cases have surged to 73 in Pakistan in 2024, up from six in 2023, reigniting global health concerns. Experts link the resurgence to virus spillover from Afghanistan, where ongoing conflict, poor sanitation, and Taliban restrictions hinder vaccination efforts. Renowned immunisation expert Zulfiqar Bhutta warns that uneven vaccination rates—85% in Punjab and 30% in Balochistan—pose significant challenges. Pakistan has spent $10 billion since 2011 on immunisation programs but struggles to achieve nationwide coverage. Health experts stress the need for improved strategies and collaboration with Afghanistan's Taliban government to address polio and other infectious diseases effectively.

President Donald Trump toured the devastation caused by recent wildfires in Los Angeles, after the fires destroyed neighborhoods and killed at least 28 people. Trump, accompanied by Governor Gavin Newsom, criticized California's emergency response and expressed concerns over aid distribution, particularly regarding the state's water policies and voting laws. Despite political differences, Trump vowed full federal support for recovery efforts. As new fires ignited across Southern California, officials continued battling extreme weather conditions. Governor Newsom announced a $2.5 billion state-level aid package, while Trump suggested states should manage disaster relief independently.