Shifting Alliances: Greenland’s Independence, Ukraine’s NATO Bid, and L.A.'s Devastating Fire

Good Morning,

Greenland may pursue independence but is unlikely to become a U.S. state, Denmark's foreign minister stated, Ukraine has offered to replace Hungary in the EU and NATO, and the Palisades fire in Los Angeles, the most destructive in the city's history, overwhelmed the water system, leaving hydrants dry and hindering firefighting efforts.

Top Stories

• Takeaways from Trump’s Mar-a-Lago press conference (AP)

• Greenland independence is possible but joining the US unlikely, Denmark says (RT)

• Ukraine says ready to replace Hungary in EU and NATO (AJ)

• S&P 500 ekes out narrow gain as investors shake off Fed’s inflation warning: Live updates (CNBC)

• Fire hydrants ran dry in Southern California just when they were needed most (AP)

• With Stakes High, Lebanese Lawmakers to Try Again to Choose a President (NYT)

• Iran Releases Italian Journalist Cecilia Sala (WSJ)

• Sudan’s military pushes back rebels in second city of Omdurman (AJ)

• Raging wildfires in Los Angeles area kill at least 5 and destroy thousands of structures (CNN)

• NATO membership only credible security guarantee for Ukraine, Finnish foreign minister says (RT)

• Ex-FBI informant who fabricated bribery story about Biden and his son Hunter gets 6 years in prison (AP)

• Israel Says Dead Hostage Found Beside the Bodies of His Captors in Gaza (WSJ)

• Taiwan, China trade barbs over undersea cable damage (RT)

• Tents arrive for survivors of a quake that killed 126 in freezing, high-altitude Tibet (AP)

United States and Canada

• New Orleans hires former New York police czar amid investigations into security after terror attack (AP)

• US weekly jobless claims at 11-month low amid labor market stability (RT)

• Water Outage in Richmond, Va., Is Expected to Last Until Friday (NYT)

• Gov. Andy Beshear rails against acrimony of national politics in calling for commonsense governing (AP)

• San Francisco Gets a New Mayor and an Emergency Plan for the Fentanyl Scourge (NYT)

• Newborn babies at a Virginia hospital have been suffering mysterious injuries. A nurse now faces abuse charges (CNN)

• US Fed officials expected slower rate cuts in 2025, say December minutes (AJ)

• West Virginia lawmakers oust delegate-elect on house arrest who made terroristic threats (AP)

• George Santos' fraud sentencing delayed after he asked to make more podcasts (RT)

Africa

• 6 soldiers and 34 extremist rebels die in a clash in northeastern Nigeria, military says (AN)

• Libya's eastern parliament approves transitional justice law in unity move, MPs say (RT)

• Gunshots are heard near Chad’s presidential palace. Foreign minister says it’s under control (AP)

• A photo captures rescue of a baby born on dangerous sea crossing to Spain’s Canary Islands (AP)

• How to end the conflict in eastern DRC? (AJ)

• Congo rebels muddy minerals market with illegal Rwanda exports, says UN report (RT)

• Azerbaijan protests to Eritrea over detention of three vessels and crews (RT)

Middle East

• Israeli military tightens media rules over war crimes prosecution concern (RT)

• EU could lift some Syria sanctions quickly, France says (RT)

• Turkiye threatens military action against Kurdish forces in Syria (AJ)

• Israel to conceal soldiers’ identities after Brazilian probe into war crimes allegations (CNN)

• Iran Was ‘Defeated Very Badly’ in Syria, a Top General Admits (NYT)

• Hamas armed wing claims responsibility for Monday West Bank shooting, statement says (RT)

• Former Assad military officers reconcile with Syria’s new authorities (AJ)

Indo-Pacific

• Japanese crime boss admits to conspiring to sell nuclear material to Iran (AJ)

• As Trump talks up trade war with China, fears rise for rare earths supply (AJ)

• Visiting Dissident Is Gunned Down in Bangkok (NYT)

• India stampede: Six dead as thousands gather for free pass to visit Hindu temple (RT)

• Thai central bank seen cutting key rate by 50 bps in 2025, bond market group says (RT)

• What is HMPV, the respiratory virus surging in China? (AJ)

• Biden to meet virtually with Japanese and Philippine leaders, White House says (RT)

Europe

• Romania to rerun presidential election on May 4, ruling coalition party says (RT)

• EU blasts Russia for weaponising gas in Moldova (AJ)

• U.K. Special Forces Allowed to ‘Get Away With Murder’ in Afghanistan, Inquiry Told (NYT)

• Jewish homes and businesses defaced with antisemitic graffiti in France (CNN)

• Germany’s leader says all countries must respect existing borders, in a rebuttal of Trump (AP)

• Zelenskiy, Moldova's Sandu discuss Ukrainian coal to ease Transdniestria energy crisis (RT)

• Italy defence minister dampens talk of Starlink deal for secure communications (RT)

Latin America

• Argentina privatizes state metal firm in Milei era first (RT)

• Edmundo González suma apoyo en Panamá. Deja en custodia actas electorales como prueba de su triunfo (AP)

• Presidente Petro revela si romperá relaciones, o no, con el régimen de Maduro tras reconocer que no hubo elecciones libres (SM)

• Brazil's Azul inching closer to merger with Gol, says local media (RT)

• Brazil marks the anniversary of the January 8 attack on its capital (AJ)

• El Gobierno de Milei desalojará a un grupo mapuche que usurpa tierras en el Parque Nacional Los Alerces (CA)

• Excarcelan a preso político que estaba en huelga de hambre (LN)