Saturday, April 26
Austrian President Alexander van der Bellen announced a meeting with far-right leader Herbert Kickl to discuss forming a government after Chancellor Karl Nehammer's coalition talks failed. The Freedom Party, which won the autumn national election, may now have a chance to take charge amid political uncertainties.
A 12-year-old boy from Tifton, Georgia suffered second-degree burns after friends poured hot water on his face during a sleepover prank. The boy is recovering at home post-surgery. The incident has led to financial difficulties for his family. The involved boys were released to their families and are awaiting court hearings next month.
A New Jersey man, Joseph Jorgenson, has pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder for killing and dismembering two women. The remains were found in storage units following his suspicious behavior. Jorgenson will serve two concurrent 40-year sentences for these heinous acts.
Tomiko Itooka, the world's oldest person from Japan, passed away at 116 in her nursing home in Ashiya. Born in 1908, she lived through major historical events. Japan now faces significant demographic challenges, with over 95,000 centenarians and nearly one-third of its population aged 65 or older.
In January 2018, Blaze Bernstein, a 19-year-old student, went missing after meeting Samuel Woodward, who was later arrested and convicted of his murder. Evidence revealed the killing was motivated by Woodward's neo-Nazi beliefs. Blaze's parents expressed relief at the life sentence given to Woodward.
During the swearing-in ceremony of new senators, Vice President Kamala Harris momentarily fumbled while reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, leading to widespread criticism from conservative commentators on social media users. People asked how she could miss a word of the pledge which was read every day in the school. "Kamala Harris not knowing all the words to the Pledge of Allegiance is her political career in a nutshell," one wrote.
In 2024, South Korea experienced its first rise in newborns in nine years, with 2,42,334 births marking a 3.1% increase over the previous year. Despite this, the country's total population has been declining since 2020. Additionally, South Korea has become a super-aged society, with 20% of its population aged 65 and older.
