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A young woman in Canada died of cardiac arrest soon after donating blood plasma at a clinic operated by the Spanish company Grifols. Patient advocates are calling for a fresh investigation into her death because of potential safety problems and poor staff training at plasma donation centers.
Key Facts
Rodiyat Alabede, a University of Winnipeg student, died in October 2025 after donating plasma.
Health Canada’s first investigation found no connection between the donation and her death.
Advocates say there are major differences between her autopsy, which showed an enlarged heart, and Health Canada’s report.
Inspection reports showed Grifols had poor staff training and failed to follow safety rules.
Staff often failed to stop plasma collection when machine alarms sounded.
Grifols allowed multiple quiz retakes for staff before fixing knowledge gaps, with quizzes largely unchanged.
Health Canada described Grifols’ reporting as incomplete and inaccurate.
Advocates want Prime Minister Mark Carney to reopen the investigation and suspend Grifols’ license temporarily.
Plasma is used to make medicines for bleeding disorders and burn victims.
Deaths from plasma donation in Canada are very rare; only three occurred in the last ten years, all in Manitoba.
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The U.S. military boarded an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman that was flagged by Iran but flying Aruba's flag. The tanker was suspected of attempting to break a U.S. naval blockade by heading to an Iranian port.
Key Facts
The tanker is called M/T Celestial Sea and is over 120 meters long.
It was flagged as an Iranian ship but sailing under Aruba's flag.
U.S. Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit carried out the boarding.
The incident happened in the Gulf of Oman.
The boarding was part of enforcing a U.S. naval blockade.
The ship was suspected of trying to reach an Iranian port against the blockade rules.
The U.S. considers the blockade necessary for political or security reasons related to Iran.
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The UK government has eased some sanctions on Russian oil as fuel prices rise, partly influenced by the Iran conflict. The discussion also includes a cut in fuel tax and a resignation speech by Wes Streeting, with a report on UK climate adaptation by Emma Pinchbeck.
Key Facts
The UK has reduced the strictness of sanctions on Russian oil.
Fuel prices in the UK are increasing due to the war in Iran.
The UK government has cut fuel duty (tax) to help ease costs.
Wes Streeting gave a resignation speech in the House of Commons.
Emma Pinchbeck, CEO of the Climate Change Committee, discussed a new UK climate adaptation report.
The topics were discussed on a BBC political podcast called Newscast.
The podcast is hosted by Adam Fleming and produced by a BBC team.
Listeners can access Newscast on smart speakers and through BBC Sounds online.
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A UK radio station, Radio Caroline, mistakenly announced King Charles had died due to a computer error. The station apologized for the mistake and any upset it caused. The incident happened while the king and queen were visiting Northern Ireland.
Key Facts
Radio Caroline accidentally broadcasted an announcement that King Charles had died on Tuesday afternoon.
The mistake was caused by a computer error activating a pre-prepared monarch death procedure.
The station manager apologized publicly to King Charles and listeners.
Radio Caroline momentarily went silent after the error before restoring normal programming.
The king and queen were in Northern Ireland during the incident, attending cultural events in Belfast.
Radio Caroline was originally a pirate radio station operating from ships off England’s coast since 1964.
The BBC also apologized for a separate scheduling mistake on Elaine Paige’s radio show the same week.
Radio Caroline inspired the 2009 film "The Boat that Rocked," about offshore pirate radio DJs.
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The U.S. government has charged former Cuban President Raúl Castro in connection with the shooting down of civilian planes in 1996. This step reflects increased pressure from President Donald Trump’s administration on Cuba’s government.
Key Facts
U.S. federal prosecutors announced charges against Raúl Castro on May 20, 2026.
The charges relate to the 1996 attack on civilian aircraft flown by Miami-based Cuban exiles.
The planes were shot down while allegedly carrying out missions against Cuba.
The announcement comes during President Donald Trump’s administration, which is increasing pressure on Cuba’s socialist government.
Raúl Castro is the former president and brother of Fidel Castro.
The incident has received ongoing attention in U.S.-Cuba relations for decades.
The charges may affect diplomatic ties and future interactions between the two countries.
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The United States has charged former Cuban President Raul Castro in connection with the shooting down of two civilian planes in 1996. This legal action increases tensions between the US and Cuba during President Donald Trump’s administration.
Key Facts
US prosecutors indicted Raul Castro for the 1996 downing of two civilian planes.
The planes belonged to a Miami-based exile group opposed to the Cuban government.
The incident happened in 1996 and involved shooting down civilian aircraft.
The indictment was announced with applause from US officials.
This move adds to the strained relations between the US and Cuba.
President Donald Trump has increased pressure on Cuba during his term.
Raul Castro is a former president of Cuba.
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Forecasters warn that the U.S. coasts could face early tropical storms before the official June 1 Atlantic hurricane season starts because a strong El Niño is developing. While El Niño usually reduces hurricane activity in the Atlantic, it can allow weaker, early storms that still cause flooding and tornadoes, especially near the Gulf Coast and Florida.
Key Facts
The official Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30.
A "super" El Niño, a strong warming of Pacific Ocean waters, is likely to form between May and July 2026.
El Niño typically lowers Atlantic hurricane activity by creating stronger upper-level winds that disrupt storms.
Despite this, early-season tropical storms may still happen before El Niño's full effects begin.
Early storms can form near the U.S. coast and cause significant impacts like flooding and tornado outbreaks.
The National Hurricane Center currently does not expect tropical storms in the next week.
NOAA predicts the El Niño event will continue through winter 2026-27.
El Niño affects hurricane formation by increasing wind shear and causing less favorable conditions for storms to grow.
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Sierra Leone has received nine migrants deported from the United States under President Donald Trump’s immigration policies. These migrants, from several West African countries, were temporarily housed in Sierra Leone before being sent back to their home nations.
Key Facts
Nine migrants from Ghana, Guinea, Senegal, and Nigeria arrived in Sierra Leone from the US.
They experienced trauma from detention conditions in the US.
Migrants were arrested in various places, including workplaces and even while playing football.
Sierra Leone will hold them for up to 90 days before returning them to their home countries.
The US provided $1.5 million to Sierra Leone for humanitarian and operational costs related to the deportation agreement.
Similar deportation agreements exist between the US and at least eight other African countries.
Human Rights Watch criticized these deals, calling them secretive and violations of international human rights law.
The US policy comes amid broader restrictions on trade, aid, and migration affecting these African countries.
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David Letterman talked in 1993 about starting his new show called "The Late Show" on CBS. He shared why he left his old show and explained what people could look forward to on his new program.
Key Facts
David Letterman was preparing to launch "The Late Show" on CBS in August 1993.
He had a previous late night show before moving to CBS.
In an interview, he discussed the reasons for his change.
Letterman described what viewers might see on the new show.
The interview was featured on "CBS This Morning."
This information comes from a CBS News archive segment.
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A county commission in Las Vegas approved a request by rapper Flavor Flav to hold a parade and several days of events honoring female athletes. The events, called “SHE Weekend,” will feature activities like a concert and a parade.
Key Facts
The county commission in Las Vegas approved the event request.
The events are planned to last multiple days.
The parade and events are to celebrate female athletes.
Flavor Flav, a 67-year-old rapper whose real name is William Drayton, proposed the idea.
The “SHE Weekend” will include a concert along with the parade.
The goal is to honor women in sports through these celebrations.
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Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche announced charges against former Cuban leader Raúl Castro and five others for their involvement in the Cuban military shooting down two planes 30 years ago. The incident caused deaths, and the indictment addresses those events.
Key Facts
Todd Blanche is the Acting U.S. Attorney General who announced the indictment.
Raúl Castro, a former leader of Cuba, has been charged.
Five other individuals are also charged related to the case.
The charges involve the Cuban military shooting down two planes.
The shooting happened about 30 years ago.
The incident resulted in fatalities.
The announcement was made during a question-and-answer session with the media.
CBS News reported and provided additional coverage of the event.
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Scientists studied Neptune’s moon Nereid using NASA’s Webb Space Telescope and found it may be one of Neptune’s original moons. Nereid likely survived the arrival of Neptune’s big moon Triton, which disrupted many other moons, by moving into its strange, stretched-out orbit.
Key Facts
Neptune has 16 known moons orbiting the planet.
Triton is Neptune’s largest moon and arrived from far away, disturbing many original moons.
Nereid was discovered 40 years before Voyager 2 visited Neptune in 1989.
Nereid is about 220 miles (350 kilometers) wide.
Its orbit is very stretched, taking almost one Earth year to circle Neptune.
Scientists found Nereid’s surface has more ice than moons that came from the Kuiper Belt, showing it likely formed near Neptune.
The findings suggest many of Neptune’s inner moons are leftovers from the original moons broken apart by Triton.
More space missions could help confirm Neptune’s moon history, but none are planned now.
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A pony was rescued after it got stuck inside a large tractor tyre in a field in Stoke-on-Trent. The RSPCA carefully freed the pony without causing injury, and the animal was monitored until it recovered.
Key Facts
The pony was found trapped inside a large tractor tyre lying on its side.
Local residents contacted the RSPCA after discovering the pony.
Rescue officer Nicola Riley freed the pony in stages, first its front feet, then its shoulder, and finally its neck.
The pony was unmoving but uninjured and was monitored for about an hour after the rescue.
The tyre was moved to prevent other animals from getting trapped.
The pony soon returned to normal activity by grazing and walking in the field.
It is not clear how the pony got stuck inside the tyre.
The rescue was described as delicate due to the pony's distress and position.
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Israel’s national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, released a video showing Israeli forces mistreating international activists detained while trying to deliver aid to Gaza. The video caused strong protests from multiple countries, including the UK, Canada, Germany, and others, leading Israel’s prime minister to criticize Ben-Gvir and order the activists’ deportation.
Key Facts
Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel’s far-right national security minister, published footage of activists being abused after trying to sail to Gaza with aid.
The detained activists came from over 40 countries, with more than 400 people on about 50 ships.
The video showed activists kneeling with zip-tied hands, while Ben-Gvir mocked them and waved an Israeli flag.
Many countries, including Italy, Spain, the UK, Canada, Germany, and South Korea, condemned the treatment and demanded the release of their citizens.
Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said Ben-Gvir’s actions did not reflect Israel’s values and ordered the activists to be deported quickly.
Israel’s foreign minister also criticized Ben-Gvir sharply, saying he harmed Israel’s reputation.
The activists were intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters and taken to Israel.
Human rights groups say mistreatment of Palestinians and detainees has been widespread during the Gaza conflict.
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More than 30 years ago, Cuban military jets shot down two planes flown by Cuban exiles near Florida, killing four people. The attack is now part of criminal charges against former Cuban leader Raúl Castro and worsened U.S.-Cuba relations.
Key Facts
The attack occurred over 30 years ago when Cuban fighter jets shot down two civilian planes near Florida.
Four people died in the attack, all except one were U.S. citizens.
The planes were owned by Cuban exiles from Miami and part of a group called Brothers to the Rescue.
Brothers to the Rescue initially searched for Cuban migrants at sea and dropped supplies but later flew over Cuban airspace dropping leaflets.
Cuba called the group terrorists and claimed the flights threatened their security.
Raúl Castro was Cuba’s armed forces minister at the time of the attack.
The incident led the U.S. to increase sanctions on Cuba and stop talks between Cuba and U.S. President Bill Clinton’s government.
Raúl Castro stepped down from Cuba’s presidency in 2021 but remains influential.
Cuba is currently facing economic problems and shortages following pressure from the U.S. and loss of support from Venezuela.
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Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche announced murder and conspiracy charges against former Cuban leader Raúl Castro and five others. The charges are related to the 1996 shooting down of two planes.
Key Facts
The announcement was made by Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche.
Raúl Castro, former leader of Cuba, faces murder and conspiracy charges.
Five other individuals are also charged in connection to the case.
The charges stem from the shooting down of two planes in 1996.
The incident involved the deaths of people on those planes.
This case is a continuation of legal actions related to past events between the U.S. and Cuba.
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Reports say the US and Israel once considered Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, former president of Iran, as a leader to replace Iran’s current regime after its possible collapse. Ahmadinejad, known for his anti-Western and anti-Israel views, was reportedly injured during Israeli strikes intended to free him from house arrest, but his current location is unknown.
Key Facts
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was Iran’s president from 2005 to 2013 and known for his hostile rhetoric against Israel and the West.
US and Israeli officials reportedly planned to install Ahmadinejad as Iran’s leader if the current regime fell.
Israeli strikes on a security post aimed to free Ahmadinejad but instead killed some guards and injured him.
Ahmadinejad was placed under house arrest and later went into hiding, becoming disillusioned with the US-Israel plan.
Ahmadinejad’s past includes controversial statements calling for an end to Israel and denial of the Holocaust.
After leaving office, Ahmadinejad fell out with Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, who died at the start of a recent conflict.
Ahmadinejad unsuccessfully tried to run again for office but was blocked by Iran’s candidate vetting body.
Both Ahmadinejad and President Donald Trump share a populist style and have faced controversy over election results.
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In April, two Russian jets flew dangerously close to a British spy plane over the Black Sea while it was flying in international airspace. The British Ministry of Defence said the unarmed plane was performing routine surveillance to protect NATO’s eastern border, and the Russian actions risked causing a serious accident.
Key Facts
Two Russian fighter jets repeatedly flew close to a British Royal Air Force surveillance plane above the Black Sea in April.
The British plane was unarmed and carrying out routine spying missions in international airspace.
One Russian jet flew so close it triggered emergency alarms on the British plane.
Another Russian jet flew within 6 meters (less than 20 feet) of the British plane’s front.
The UK Ministry of Defence called the incident dangerous and said it could cause accidents or escalate tensions.
British officials officially protested to the Russian embassy about the incident.
This was the most dangerous Russian action against a UK surveillance plane since a missile was accidentally fired near another British plane in 2022.
The UK recently tracked three Russian submarines allegedly spying near critical Atlantic undersea cables and pipelines.
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The U.S. Justice Department has announced plans to indict Cuban leader Raúl Castro over his role in the 1996 shootdown of two planes operated by the Cuban exile group Brothers to the Rescue. The planes were shot down near Cuba, killing four men, in a long-standing conflict between the U.S. and Cuba involving airspace and refugee issues.
Key Facts
Brothers to the Rescue is a group founded by Cuban exiles in 1980 to help Cuban refugees by flying small planes to drop supplies and report locations.
In 1996, Cuban fighter jets shot down two unarmed Brothers to the Rescue planes near Havana, killing four members.
Raúl Castro was Cuba’s defense minister at the time and is now being indicted by the U.S. Justice Department for his role in the incident.
The incident deepened tensions between the U.S. and Cuba during decades of hostile relations.
The Clinton administration warned Brothers to the Rescue about flying close to Cuban airspace but did not stop the flights until after the shootdown.
U.S. intelligence uncovered Cuban agents infiltrating Brothers to the Rescue; some agents were arrested and later exchanged in a prisoner swap.
Two Cuban jet pilots and their commanding officer involved in the shootdown remain in Cuba and have not faced U.S. charges.
This situation is an example of the complex and troubled history between Cuban exiles, the Cuban government, and U.S.-Cuba relations.
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The U.S. military boarded an Iranian-flagged oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman, suspecting it was trying to break the American blockade of Iranian ports. This blockade aims to pressure Iran to allow free passage through the Strait of Hormuz and to negotiate an end to conflict.
Key Facts
The U.S. Central Command stopped and searched the M/T Celestial Sea for trying to reach an Iranian port.
This is at least the fifth ship boarded since President Trump’s administration began the blockade in mid-April.
President Trump postponed a planned military strike on Iran to allow more time for negotiations, following requests from Gulf allies.
Iran controls the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil shipments.
The U.S. blockade covers Iranian ports and nearby waters and also targets ships linked to Iran outside the region.
Approximately 1,550 vessels from 87 countries are stuck in the Persian Gulf due to the blockade.
The blockade and Iran’s earlier actions have caused big changes in global energy markets and increased gasoline prices in the U.S.
These energy and shipping disruptions could affect political support for President Trump’s Republican Party before the November congressional elections.
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