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 Madagascar leader holds talks with Macron after expelling French diplomat Madagascan leader Michael Randrianirina said he spoke to French President Emmanuel Macron after the Indian Ocean island expelled a French diplomat over an alleged plot to destabilise the country. The former French colony off the southeast coast of Africa expelled a French diplomatic official this week, prompting Paris to summon the charge d'affaires of the Madagascan embassy in protest. Randrianirina had a phone call with Macron where they discussed the event "described as an isolated incident", the Madagascan president's office said, AFP reported. The president "reiterated that the decisions taken by Madagascar fall within the normal exercise of state sovereignty and are in accordance with the principles governing diplomatic relations", it said. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to ensure the episode does not derail bilateral cooperation, the office said. The expelled French n...

 Sinaloa governor, officials charged in US drug trafficking case  A U.S. federal indictment has charged the governor of Sinaloa and nine other current and former Mexican officials with drug trafficking and weapons offenses, alleging they played key roles in facilitating the flow of illegal narcotics into the United States. The charges, unsealed in New York, target a mix of political figures and law enforcement officials, including Sinaloa Governor Rubén Rocha Moya, who has led the state since 2021. Prosecutors allege the defendants conspired to import drugs and possessed prohibited weapons, offenses that could carry severe penalties, including life in prison. None of those charged were in custody, and Mexican authorities said they had received multiple extradition requests but did not specify how they would proceed. Several of the accused are linked to Mexico’s ruling Morena party, creating political pressure for President Claudia Sheinbaum as she navigates tensions with the T...

 Country singer-songwriter David Allan Coe, writer of Take This Job and Shove It, dies at 86 David Allan Coe, the country singer-songwriter behind the working-class anthem “Take This Job and Shove It” and hits including “You Never Even Called Me by My Name” and “The Ride,” has died at the age of 86. His wife, Kimberly Hastings Coe, confirmed his death on Wednesday, describing him as one of the most important singers and songwriters of his era and calling him her husband, friend, and confidant. A representative said he died around 5 p.m., with no cause of death immediately disclosed. Known for his outlaw image and outsider status in Nashville, Coe built a career spanning decades as both a performer and songwriter. He wrote major hits recorded by other artists, including Johnny Paycheck’s “Take This Job and Shove It,” Tanya Tucker’s “Would You Lay With Me (In a Field of Stone),” and was the first to record “Tennessee Whiskey,” later made famous by George Jones and Chris Stapleton. Hi...

 Trump urges Israeli president to pardon Netanyahu, calls Herzog a 'national hero' if he grants clemency President Donald Trump is again pressing Israeli President Isaac Herzog to pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying in an interview that Herzog could be seen as a “national hero” if he grants clemency in Netanyahu’s long-running corruption case. Trump said Netanyahu brought up his trial during a recent conversation and noted that the Israeli leader would be appearing in court again while the country is focused on the ongoing war with Iran. “In the middle of a war? Give me a break,” Trump said, arguing the proceedings distract from national security priorities. In the same interview, Trump confirmed he personally raised the idea of a pardon and shifted to a more conciliatory tone toward Herzog after months of criticism. “I like the guy, Herzog,” Trump said. “He will be a national hero if he gives Bibi a pardon. I will very much appreciate it.” Trump dismissed the corr...

 German tourist dies after snake-charming show bite in Egypt vacation incident A German tourist died in Egypt earlier this month after being bitten during a snake-charming performance at a hotel entertainment show in the Red Sea resort area of Hurghada, according to police in Germany. Authorities said the man, a 57-year-old from the Unterallgäu region of Bavaria, was visiting Egypt with family when they attended the early April performance, which was offered as part of hotel entertainment. During the show, two snakes—believed to be cobras—were used as part of the act and placed around audience members’ necks. Police said one of the snakes reportedly crawled into the man’s pants and bit him on the leg. He quickly developed severe symptoms consistent with poisoning and required resuscitation at the scene, according to investigators. He was transported to a local hospital, where he later died. The case is being investigated by a criminal police unit in Germany, and toxicology results ...

 Iran's supreme leader vows to protect nuclear and missile programs, threatens US presence in Persian Gulf, and control of Strait of Hormuz   Iran’s supreme leader issued a defiant warning Thursday, pledging to defend the country’s nuclear and missile programs amid ongoing U.S. pressure and military actions aimed at limiting Tehran’s capabilities. In a statement delivered on state television, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei said Americans have no place in the Persian Gulf and warned that “a new chapter” is unfolding in the region. He has not appeared publicly since assuming leadership following the killing of his father during the opening phase of the war. The remarks come as Iran faces severe economic strain, with its oil sector squeezed by a U.S. naval blockade targeting tanker movements. At the same time, Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz—through which roughly one-fifth of global crude oil flows—continues to unsettle energy markets. Brent crude briefly surged to as h...