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Pretzel, a poodle rescued from a puppy mill where he faced neglect and isolation, is now learning to enjoy life with care and love from his new owner, Sarah Pawlak. Pretzel’s recovery, including experiencing many new things for the first time, has been shared online and gained a lot of support.
Key Facts
Pretzel was found in a puppy mill in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where he spent his life isolated and neglected.
His exact age is unknown; the breeder said 18 months, but a vet estimates 5 to 7 years old.
Pretzel was very underweight, had matted fur, lost 25 teeth, and showed signs of emotional trauma when rescued.
Sarah Pawlak from New Jersey adopted Pretzel in February and has been helping him recover emotionally and physically.
Pretzel is learning new experiences like walking outside, playing with toys, and sleeping in a bed for the first time.
He has separation anxiety and worries when Pawlak leaves the room, so she works with experts to support him.
A video of Pretzel’s progress has been shared on TikTok, gaining over 26,800 views and many positive comments.
Pawlak hopes Pretzel’s story will help educate people about the poor conditions in puppy mills and encourage careful dog adoption.
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Parts of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park were closed after several black bears acted aggressively toward visitors, including chasing and biting some people. Rangers responded to incidents on two popular hiking trails, temporarily closing one area to monitor bear activity.
Key Facts
Six bear incidents happened over the weekend on Ramsey Cascades and Abrams Falls hiking trails.
Bears chased visitors, took backpacks, and one bear bit a person who entered a closed area.
Ramsey Cascades Trail and its access road remained closed to monitor the bears, while Abrams Falls Trail was reopened after no recent bear activity.
The park is home to about 1,900 black bears and is the most-visited national park in the U.S.
Spring is a sensitive time as mother bears with cubs look for food, increasing bear activity.
Visitors are advised to keep distance from bears, store food and trash properly, and not feed the animals.
Feeding bears can make them dependent on humans, risking safety for both visitors and bears.
Last summer, a visitor received a citation for feeding a mother bear and her cubs in this park.
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A grandfather and his 10-year-old grandson sang together on Britain's Got Talent, creating a special moment for both. They performed the song "History" by One Direction and received a standing ovation from the audience.
Key Facts
The grandson, Lucciano, has been singing since he was five years old.
Lucciano said he learned to love singing by performing at care homes with his grandfather, Frankie.
Lucciano surprised his grandfather by joining him on stage during the show.
They sang "History" by One Direction on Britain's Got Talent.
Their performance received a standing ovation from the audience.
Frankie said singing with his grandson was one of the greatest moments he will always remember.
Marisa Billitteri, Lucciano’s mother, was emotional watching her son perform and noted it was a proud moment.
Marisa had previously performed on a talent show judged by Simon Cowell, the same judge on Britain's Got Talent.
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Robert Albon, a man who says he has fathered 180 children through unregulated sperm donation, was denied the right to have his name on one child's birth certificate by a Family Court judge. The child’s mother, in a lesbian relationship whose partner now identifies as a trans man, chose to list the partner as the father, and the court ruled that including Albon on the birth certificate would go against public policy.
Key Facts
Robert Albon, also known as Joe Donor, claims to have fathered 180 children worldwide through informal sperm donations.
Albon offered sperm donations on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram.
The Family Court judge, Sir Andrew McFarlane, dismissed Albon’s request to be named on a child’s birth certificate.
The child’s mother was in a lesbian relationship and inseminated with Albon’s sperm after paying him £100 cash and a £150 Amazon gift card.
By the time the child was born, the mother’s partner identified as a trans man and was registered as the father on the birth certificate.
The mother and partner did not want Albon involved in the child’s life.
The court expressed concern about Albon potentially seeking parental involvement against the mother’s wishes, based on past cases.
This case is the third legal judgment involving Albon’s sperm donation and disputes over legal parentage.
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A shooting happened at the Teotihuacán pyramids in Mexico, resulting in one Canadian tourist's death and 13 people getting hurt. Mexican officials confirmed these details.
Key Facts
The shooting took place at the famous Teotihuacán pyramids in Mexico.
One Canadian tourist was killed during the incident.
Thirteen other people were injured.
Mexican officials provided the information about the attack.
The pyramids are a well-known tourist attraction.
The motive or suspects involved were not mentioned in the report.
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Six people in Nigeria, including a retired major general and a police inspector, have been charged with treason for allegedly trying to overthrow President Bola Tinubu in a coup last year. The accused will face charges in a court in Abuja, while a former governor named in the case is still at large.
Key Facts
The coup plot was linked to the cancelled Independence Day parade in October 2025, which the government said was due to security threats.
Charges were filed by the Attorney General at the Federal High Court in Nigeria's capital, Abuja.
Those charged include retired military officers, a current police inspector, an electrician, a civilian, and an Islamic cleric.
A former governor and oil minister, Timipre Sylva, is named but has not been arrested.
The accused allegedly conspired to overthrow President Tinubu by trying to "levy war against the state."
The charges also include terrorism, money laundering, and failure to report intelligence about the plot.
Nigerian law treats treason as a very serious crime, punishable by life in prison.
Nigeria has had uninterrupted civilian rule since 1999, and the military has publicly committed to respecting civilian leadership.
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Sir Olly Robbins, a former senior UK civil servant, gave evidence about Peter Mandelson’s security vetting process. Robbins said he was told UK Security Vetting (UKSV) considered Mandelson a risky case and leaned toward denying clearance, but Robbins granted clearance without seeing the full vetting file, which was kept highly confidential.
Key Facts
Sir Olly Robbins was recently dismissed as permanent secretary at the UK Foreign Office.
Robbins testified that he never saw UKSV’s full vetting file on Peter Mandelson.
He said UKSV described Mandelson’s case as “borderline” and leaned toward denying security clearance.
Robbins was briefed orally by Foreign Office security officials about the risks the day after UKSV’s recommendation.
MPs reviewed parts of the UKSV vetting file, which showed high concern and recommended denial of clearance.
The vetting file used color codes: green for low, yellow for medium, and red for high concern.
Robbins said he needed a strong national security reason to view the vetting file but did not pursue this.
Robbins acknowledged that UKSV and the Foreign Office had ongoing discussions about Mandelson’s vetting status.
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Seven more people have been arrested in London for suspected involvement in arson attacks on Jewish sites. Police are investigating whether paid criminals are carrying out these attacks and are using counter-terrorism laws to pursue those responsible.
Key Facts
Seven individuals were arrested within 48 hours for allegedly planning another arson attack in London.
Since late March, there have been arson attacks on Jewish ambulances, synagogues, and a former charity.
A drone incident near the Israeli embassy involved jars with non-hazardous material.
A total of 23 people have been arrested related to these attacks so far.
One suspect was held under the Terrorism Act allowing arrest without a warrant.
Police are exploring if people are being paid to carry out these crimes.
Counter-terrorism police resources have been deployed to protect Jewish sites and businesses.
The police urge the public to report anything suspicious to help prevent more attacks.
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Pakistan is working quickly to convince Iran to return to peace talks with the United States as a two-week ceasefire in their ongoing conflict is about to end. Although Iran publicly refuses to negotiate and accuses the US of threatening actions, the US Vice President JD Vance and his team are traveling to Islamabad to attempt to restart talks.
Key Facts
The US and Iran have been in conflict for eight weeks following US-Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28.
Pakistan is mediating to bring Iran back to the negotiating table before a ceasefire expires on Wednesday night US time.
US Vice President JD Vance, along with special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, are flying to Islamabad for talks.
Iran publicly states it will not negotiate under threat and is preparing for possible further US attacks.
Recent US military actions include firing on and boarding Iranian-linked cargo ships in the Gulf of Oman and the Asia Pacific.
Iran views the US naval operations as violations of the ceasefire and threats to its national interests.
Despite tensions, some experts believe the release of the boarded ship’s crew could open a chance for renewed talks.
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A Husky and Border Collie mix named Roxy has spent over 170 days waiting in a shelter in Fresno, California, for a family to adopt her. Despite the stressful environment, she remains hopeful and needs an active home where she can be loved and cared for.
Key Facts
Roxy is a mixed breed dog (Husky and Border Collie) at the Valley Animal Center in Fresno, California.
She has been waiting for adoption for more than 170 days.
Roxy is described as high-energy and needs an active family who enjoys outdoor activities.
She is friendly with people, likes dogs (especially males), and can live with cats after slow introduction.
The shelter environment is stressful and makes it harder for her to relax.
Roxy is spayed, microchipped, vaccinated, and her adoption fee is $75.
A volunteer shared a TikTok video of Roxy that gained thousands of views and likes, raising awareness about her situation.
Volunteers emphasize the importance of finding her a home as soon as possible to improve her quality of life.
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A TikTok video shows a cat demanding milk during breakfast because he was given leftover milk as a kitten. Experts warn most cats are lactose-intolerant and drinking regular cow’s milk can cause stomach problems for them.
Key Facts
A cat featured in a viral TikTok video insists on having milk during breakfast because he used to get leftover milk as a kitten.
The video has over 126,000 views and nearly 17,000 likes.
Most cats stop producing lactase, the enzyme needed to digest lactose, after they are weaned at 6 to 12 weeks old.
Without lactase, undigested lactose causes stomach pain, bloating, diarrhea, and other digestive issues in cats.
Persistent diarrhea in cats can lead to serious health problems like dehydration and malnutrition.
Cow’s milk has more lactose than mother cat’s milk, making it harder for kittens and cats to digest.
Kitten milk replacers are recommended if supplemental feeding is needed instead of cow’s milk.
Some cats may also be allergic to milk or dairy products, though this is less common.
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Eight people have been arrested in connection with recent arson attacks in London. Most arrests relate to a suspected plot to commit another arson attack targeting the Jewish community.
Key Facts
Eight individuals were detained following a series of arson attacks in London.
Seven arrests are linked to a suspected plan for another arson attack impacting the Jewish community.
Three men aged 24, 25, and 26 were arrested in Harpenden and later released on police bail.
Additional arrests include a 25-year-old man in Stevenage, a 26-year-old man and two women in Birmingham, and a 39-year-old man in Ealing.
The 39-year-old arrest relates to an investigation of jars containing a non-dangerous substance found in Kensington Gardens on April 17.
All arrested people are currently held at a London police station.
The investigation is ongoing and more information will be shared as it becomes available.
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El Salvador has started a large trial of 486 people accused of leading the MS-13 gang. They face charges for thousands of crimes, including murder and drug trafficking, linked to gang violence from 2012 to 2022. The government says it has strong evidence and aims to give harsh punishments.
Key Facts
486 suspected MS-13 gang leaders are on trial in El Salvador.
The accused are linked to more than 47,000 crimes from 2012 to 2022, such as murder, extortion, drug and arms trafficking.
The trial includes suspects involved in a deadly gang violence spike in March 2022 that killed 87 people in one weekend.
413 suspects are in custody; 73 are being tried in their absence as arrest warrants were issued.
MS-13 was founded in Los Angeles in the 1980s by Salvadoran immigrants and is now mainly active in Central America.
The Salvadoran government declared a "war on gangs" in 2022 and has put a state of emergency in place, allowing mass arrests and trials.
Human rights groups have raised concerns about arbitrary detentions during this crackdown.
Charges include murder, femicide (killing of women because of their gender), disappearances, and rebellion to control territory like a parallel state.
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Spain’s foreign minister said the European Union could lose trust if it treats Israel’s conflict in the Middle East differently from how it views Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. He called for the EU to have a united approach and respect human rights rules in agreements with Israel, while criticizing violence in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon.
Key Facts
Spain’s foreign minister spoke about the EU’s role in the Israel conflict.
He compared the EU’s policies on Israel to those on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The minister warned that the EU risks losing credibility without consistency.
He mentioned human rights clauses in agreements between the EU and Israel.
The ongoing violence in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon was criticized.
He urged the EU to take a unified and consistent position on Israel.
The statement highlights concerns about EU policy balance in international conflicts.
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Two Southwest Airlines planes came very close to each other, within 500 feet, near Nashville airport. The FAA is investigating because air traffic control gave instructions that caused one plane to fly toward the other.
Key Facts
Two Southwest flights nearly collided midair near Nashville airport.
The planes came within 500 feet of each other.
The FAA is looking into what happened.
Air traffic control instructions were a factor in the close call.
No collision occurred, and the planes avoided each other.
The incident is being studied to improve safety.
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A mom named Celeste saw on her baby monitor that her husband Drew had fallen asleep while putting their 2-year-old son Baker to bed. The video showed Baker exploring his dad’s smartwatch, which was the child’s first time using a screen, and the moment became popular online.
Key Facts
Celeste and Drew have two children: 2-year-old Baker and a 9-week-old baby named Callen.
Celeste usually puts the baby to sleep, while Drew handles bedtime for Baker.
Drew often falls asleep during bedtime because he wakes up early for work.
The baby monitor footage showed Baker tapping and scrolling on Drew’s smartwatch.
Baker does not normally play on tablets or phones, so this was his first experience with a screen.
Celeste recorded the moment to share it with Drew when he woke up.
Baker fell asleep about 10 minutes later next to his dad.
The video has been viewed over 3.9 million times on Instagram and received many comments.
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This article features an interview with Renata Portasio, the private chef for the Brazilian ambassador to France. She explains how cooking as a private chef differs from working in a regular kitchen and shares advice for young chefs.
Key Facts
Renata Portasio is the private chef to the Brazilian ambassador in France.
The article focuses on the unique role of a private chef in a diplomatic household.
Portasio discusses how her job differs from traditional chef roles.
She gives advice to young chefs starting their careers.
The article is part of a program called "Entre Nous" on France 24.
The content highlights a blend of diplomacy and gastronomy (the art of cooking and food).
Related topics include other cultural food stories and cooking traditions.
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President Trump said the war with Iran is almost over and that Iran is ready for new peace talks. However, Iran’s parliament speaker said they will not negotiate if there are threats involved, showing doubt about joining another round of talks.
Key Facts
President Trump stated that the conflict with Iran is close to ending.
He claimed that Iran is willing to enter peace talks.
Iran’s parliamentary speaker rejected negotiations under threat.
There is uncertainty about whether Iran will join new peace talks.
The information comes from CBS News reporting on the situation.
The talks aim to resolve ongoing conflicts between the U.S. and Iran.
Both sides have expressed different views on the possibility of negotiations.
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A woman visiting Bali found a tiny puppy alone and scared in the bushes. She decided to take care of the puppy, named Mimi, and later brought her home to Prague after several months of care and preparation.
Key Facts
A woman found a small, frightened puppy alone in a remote area of Bali, Indonesia.
The woman waited for the puppy’s mother but saw no sign of her.
She took the puppy, named Mimi, to a vet and cared for her during her stay in Bali.
Mimi stayed at a dog hotel until the woman could return to Bali months later.
After about five and a half months, the woman returned to Bali and brought Mimi back to Prague.
The Bali Street Dog population has dropped due to a rabies outbreak and culling from 600,000-800,000 to about 150,000-160,000.
The story was shared in a TikTok video that gained more than 24,000 views.
The woman’s care and dedication received praise from viewers online.
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Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Tracy K. Smith, who is also a Harvard professor, says poetry should be seen as a helpful tool in difficult times rather than a puzzle to solve. She discussed her book "Fear Less: Poetry in Perilous Times" during an event in Paris.
Key Facts
Tracy K. Smith won the Pulitzer Prize for her poetry collection "Life on Mars."
She served as the U.S. Poet Laureate, an official poet appointment.
Smith is currently a professor at Harvard University.
Her recent book is titled "Fear Less: Poetry in Perilous Times."
She spoke about the importance of poetry as a way to face fears and hard times.
The discussion took place in Paris on April 21, 2026.
Smith encourages people to embrace poems as meaningful, not just difficult puzzles.
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