Friday, May 01
Heavy rains triggered flash floods in Wichita, Kansas, prompting emergency rescues of stranded drivers. Sedgwick County saw up to 7 inches of rain, leading Governor Kelly to declare a disaster emergency. In El Dorado, the Walnut River overflowed, inundating homes. Severe storms also impacted Kansas City, with strong winds causing damage.
Pakistan's deportation campaign has led to over 200,000 Afghans leaving since April, while Iran has also increased expulsions, raising concerns about Afghanistan's capacity to manage the influx. Pakistan's actions target undocumented migrants, accusing them of links to terrorism, a charge the Taliban denies. The IOM has urged a halt to forced returns, citing Afghanistan's fragile infrastructure.
China rebuked US Secretary of State Marco Rubio for his Tiananmen Square crackdown anniversary remarks, calling them a distortion and interference. Lin Jian stated China lodged a protest with the US. Security tightened in Beijing, Hong Kong, while activist Chow Hang-tung protested with a hunger strike. Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te contrasted democracy with authoritarianism.
Ivory Coast's upcoming presidential election faces controversy as four prominent opposition figures, including Tidjane Thiam and ex-president Laurent Gbagbo, are excluded from the final electoral list. Thiam's nationality is under question, while Gbagbo and others are barred due to past convictions. The electoral commission insists on respecting court decisions, while the opposition alleges a lack of democracy. With 8.
Canada's Strong Borders Act aims to bolster border security and curb fraudulent asylum claims, particularly from international students. The bill introduces stricter timelines for asylum applications and enhances information sharing between immigration authorities and other government bodies. These measures respond to rising migration pressures and seek to protect the integrity of Canada's immigration system amid increasing backlogs and policy changes.
The UAE has implemented a comprehensive media law on May 29, 2025, setting strict regulations for both traditional and digital platforms. Fines for violations range up to Dh1 million, doubling for repeat offenses. The law focuses on accountability, respect, and professionalism, covering misinformation, moral violations, and threats to national security.
UAE's Ministry of Education and KHDA have released the academic calendars for 2024-25 and 2025-26. Final exams for all grades in the current academic year will be held from June 10-19, 2025, with summer break commencing on June 30. The 2025-26 academic year starts on August 25, 2025, ensuring a minimum of 182 instructional days across all curricula.
