Helicopter Crash, Prisoner Swap, and Global Crises

A helicopter crashed into the Hudson River in New York City on April 10, resulting in six fatalities and several hospitalizations. The individuals were rescued from the water shortly after the incident.

A US-Russia prisoner swap led to the release of an American-Russian ballerina who had been imprisoned in Russia. Ksenia Karelina was arrested in January 2024 and sentenced to 12 years for "financing extremism" due to a $51 donation to a Ukrainian aid group. She was exchanged for Alexei Temnikov, a Russian pilot convicted of smuggling in the US.

Between March 18 and April 9, at least 36 of approximately 224 Israeli strikes on Gaza resulted in the deaths of only women and children, according to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Ravina Shamdasani. She cited a specific strike on a residential building in Deir al Balah, which reportedly killed one girl, four women, and a four-year-old boy.

In a leaked recording from AIPAC’s 2025 Congressional Summit, CEO Elliot Brandt described top officials from a previous US President's administration as "lifelines" for the pro-Israel lobbying group.

The US government announced exemptions from steep tariffs on smartphones, laptops, chips, and related electronics. This shift aims to alleviate pressure on US tech companies. US Customs and Border Protection confirmed that items like smartphones, hard drives, flat-panel monitors, and some chips would be exempt from the current tariffs.

Israel has stated it has encircled Rafah, continuing its invasion of Southern Gaza since the ceasefire agreement was broken on March 18. The Netzarim corridor has already cut off northern and central Gaza.

Two Israeli air strikes on al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City have rendered the facility unusable. Israel has alleged the hospital was being used by Hamas, without providing any evidence. One child reportedly died outside the hospital due to the cold weather.

UNICEF revealed that a child is raped every half an hour in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. The briefing described the horrifying scale of sexual violence in the ongoing conflict, with girls and toddlers being targeted. Survivors are increasingly without access to basic medical care.