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Fab 5 Freddy, born Fred Brathwaite, has penned a memoir that serves as an 'all-access pass' to the creative explosion of New York in the 1970s and 80s. The book, 'Everybody's Fly: A Life of Art, Music, and Changing the Culture,' chronicles Brathwaite's journey from a young man in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, to becoming a pivotal figure in connecting Black art forms like graffiti and hip-hop with the predominantly white downtown art world.Brathwaite's story is intertwined with that of Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring, other street artists whose work has become iconic. The memoir also features appearances by Blondie, Andy Warhol, and the Clash, highlighting the era's cross-cultural pollination.The book offers a firsthand account of legendary venues like CBGB and Paradise Garage, where Brathwaite experienced the raw energy of punk and dance music. He recalls visiting CBGB as a 'Black secret agent on a mission' and describes Paradise Garage as a 'transformational experience.'While reading Brathwaite's story in 2026 is bittersweet, it also offers a hopeful message. New York, despite being in dire economic straits at the time, gave birth to magnificent cultural movements. For Fab 5 Freddy, rap and punk represented 'urban youth going against the grain, inventing their own culture, creating their own fun, responding to the world as it was.'The enduring legacy of this era is that subcultures can emerge and thrive even in challenging times, leaving a lasting impact on art, music, and culture. As Brathwaite puts it, 'everybody's fly' – a testament to the power of creative expression and community.

Ten years after the groundbreaking Panama Papers investigation, the revelations about hidden offshore accounts and shell companies continue to reverberate across the globe. The leak, which exposed the financial maneuvers of politicians, celebrities, and corporations, sparked a wave of regulatory scrutiny and public demand for greater transparency. In the decade since, governments have introduced stricter anti‑money‑laundering rules and enhanced reporting standards, yet the challenge of tracking illicit wealth persists. Analysts note that the papers highlighted systemic weaknesses in the international financial system, prompting ongoing debates about the balance between privacy and accountability. Beyond policy changes, the Panama Papers underscored the power of investigative journalism to uncover complex financial networks. Their legacy endures as journalists and watchdog groups continue to probe offshore activities, reinforcing the role of a free press in safeguarding democratic institutions. As the world reflects on this milestone, the conversation has shifted from the initial shock of the disclosures to a broader assessment of how such leaks shape global financial governance and influence future reforms.

In the devastated streets of Gaza City's Tuffah neighborhood, residents are taking matters into their own hands to rebuild their homes. Mohammed al-Jadba, a 31-year-old father of 10, is using stones from the rubble of his destroyed house and mud to construct a new shelter. His home, once a four-storey building, was reduced to rubble during Israel's genocidal war on Gaza.With Israeli restrictions on imports preventing the entry of essential construction materials like cement, Gaza residents are forced to get creative. Mohammed has been collecting iron, window frames, and door frames from his old house to use in his new build. The mud, mixed with human hair collected from barbershops, is being used to stick everything together.The United Nations estimates that it will cost $70bn to fully reconstruct Gaza, with 92% of residential buildings damaged or destroyed. An urgent $20bn is needed within the first three years to initiate basic recovery and restore essential services. However, reconstruction efforts have been hindered by continued Israeli restrictions on the entry of construction materials and heavy machinery.As a result, Palestinians in Gaza have focused on partial reconstruction, using available materials to make damaged homes habitable. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has worked on over 230 housing units, benefiting more than a thousand people. However, these interventions are temporary solutions, and the real solution remains elusive.Abdel Nasser al-Jalousi, a 55-year-old resident of Khan Younis, has benefited from partial rehabilitation projects. His heavily damaged home has been made habitable with tarpaulins used as substitutes for walls, doors, and room partitions. However, he stresses that these materials are not a long-term fix and will need to be replaced every season.The scale of the crisis remains severe, with over 213,000 families living in tents and widespread damage during winter storms. The situation highlights the need for political will and massive resources to rebuild Gaza and provide sustainable solutions for its residents.

Iranian military units have launched a coordinated search for the two pilots of a United States F‑15 fighter jet that was struck by an Iranian air‑defence system over the country's southwest region. The operation, reported by the state‑run Fars news agency, is the first documented crew‑recovery effort since the US‑Israeli war with Iran began on 28 February. State media released images showing the aircraft's wreckage, including an ejection seat attached to a parachute, underscoring the seriousness of the incident. Reuters cited two U.S. officials confirming that a fighter jet was downed and that a search‑and‑rescue mission is underway for any survivors. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad‑Bagher Ghalibaf used the event to mock President Donald Trump’s repeated claims of victory, posting on social media that the conflict had been reduced from "regime change" to a plea for the location of the pilots. According to Iranian reports, the downed aircraft was an F‑15 likely crewed by two pilots. The Pentagon and U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) have not issued an immediate comment, a pattern consistent with past Iranian claims that CENTCOM swiftly denied. Local Iranian television broadcast footage of the jet's debris, and officials appealed to civilians to remain vigilant for any survivors. The governor of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer‑Ahmad province announced that anyone who captures the crew would receive special commendation, as relayed by the semi‑official ISNA news agency. U.S. lawmakers responded with statements of support. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer posted on X, "I’m praying for the safe return of the crew aboard the fighter jet and all of those working to rescue them in these dangerous conditions." Since the war's onset, the United States has reported the loss of three F‑15s in a friendly‑fire incident over Kuwait and a refuelling aircraft that crashed in Iraq, killing six crew members. Iran, meanwhile, claims to have downed dozens of U.S. drones and continues to assert that its new air‑defence system, introduced after the 12‑day war, remains operational. While President Trump and his advisers repeatedly assert that the United States has neutralised Iran’s air‑defences, the downing of the jet and the ensuing search highlight the ongoing volatility of the conflict.

A Malta‑flagged container ship named Kribi, owned by French shipping giant CMA CGM, successfully navigated the Strait of Hormuz on April 2. This marks the first time a Western‑registered vessel has traversed the strategic waterway since Iran began restricting traffic following the US‑Israeli war that started on February 28.According to vessel‑tracking data from Marine Traffic, the Kribi is the first French‑owned ship to make the passage in the current conflict. The ship, sailing south along Oman’s coast, altered its declared destination to “Owner France” in LSEG shipping data, a move interpreted as a signal to Iranian authorities about its national affiliation before entering Iran’s territorial waters.The vessel was originally bound for Pointe‑Noire, Republic of the Congo, but the change in routing facilitated the safe crossing. No immediate comment was received from CMA CGM regarding the maneuver.Since March 1, only about 150 vessels—including tankers and container ships—have transited the strait, according to Lloyd’s List Intelligence. The majority were linked to Iran and to regional partners such as China, India and Pakistan. Beijing publicly expressed gratitude after three Chinese ships, including two Cosco‑owned container vessels, passed through the waterway earlier in the week.The strait historically carries roughly one‑fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments. Its effective blockage has contributed to a sharp rise in worldwide fuel prices, intensifying the ongoing energy crisis.U.S. President Donald Trump asserted that gasoline prices would drop quickly once hostilities end, but offered no concrete plan to reopen the passage, instead urging skeptical allies to take action themselves. French President Emmanuel Macron cautioned that a military operation to force open the strait would be unrealistic, emphasizing that only diplomatic efforts could restore free navigation.Macron is coordinating with European and other partners to form a coalition that would guarantee safe passage after the conflict subsides. In a commentary for *Foreign Affairs*, former Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif suggested Tehran could negotiate a deal with the United States—curbing its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief and the reopening of the strait—thereby ending the war and preventing future confrontations.

Myanmar's coup leader, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, has been elected as the country's president by a pro-military parliament, securing 429 out of 584 votes. This move formalizes his control over the war-torn nation, marking a significant shift in the country's political landscape.The 69-year-old general, who orchestrated a 2021 coup against the administration of Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi, has long sought the presidency. His ascent follows a lopsided election in December and January won by an army-backed party, which critics and Western governments have deemed a sham.The pro-military Union Solidarity and Development Party secured more than 80 percent of parliamentary seats in the election. With serving members of the armed forces occupying unelected seats, making up a quarter of the total, the party's dominance is clear.Min Aung Hlaing's rise to the presidency is seen as a strategic pivot to consolidate his power as head of a nominally civilian government and gain international legitimacy. However, the ongoing civil war in Myanmar and the formation of a new combined front by anti-military groups pose significant challenges to his administration.

Cuba’s government declared a humanitarian amnesty for 2,010 prisoners ahead of Easter’s Holy Week, a decision it says follows a careful review of each inmate’s conduct, health, and time served. The announcement, made by state media on Thursday, represents the second such amnesty this year and the fifth large‑scale pardon since 2011, bringing the total to more than 11,000 released individuals. While Havana officially denies acting under U.S. pressure, the timing aligns with what analysts describe as the most aggressive Washington campaign against the island in decades. The move comes a day after Cuba’s top diplomat in Washington invited the United States to assist in overhauling the island’s “crippled” economy, part of ongoing talks that have yet to produce concrete outcomes. U.S. officials, including President Trump’s administration, have repeatedly called for a change of government in the communist‑run state, with the president even musing about “taking” the island. Yet recent diplomatic exchanges suggest a nuanced shift: both sides have held talks, and scholars note that the amnesty could be a tangible sign of progress, however modest. University of Miami Cuban‑studies chair Michael Bustamante told AFP, “It seems not far‑fetched to think that this is a sign that some of the conversation between both governments is advancing… To where? Unclear.” He added that the political significance will depend on the profile of those released. The Cuban presidency did not disclose the names or crimes of the pardoned individuals, but indicated the group includes young people, women, and inmates over 60 who are slated for early release within the next six to twelve months. Foreign nationals and Cuban expatriates are also among those granted clemency. Importantly, the amnesty excludes anyone convicted of murder, sexual assault, drug‑related offenses, theft, illegal livestock slaughter, or crimes against state authority. Earlier in March, the government freed 51 prisoners as a “good‑will” gesture toward the Vatican, which often mediates between Washington and Havana. The current pardon is framed as part of the “humanitarian legacy of the Revolution” and is presented as customary practice during Holy Week. The release coincides with Russia’s announcement of a second oil tanker bound for Cuba, following a recent easing of the U.S. oil blockade that allowed the first shipment. Bustamante speculated that the timing may not be coincidental, suggesting a possible link between U.S. policy shifts and Cuba’s diplomatic overtures. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a Cuban‑American critic of Havana, reiterated on Fox News that Cuba’s economic woes cannot be solved without political reform, warning that the island faces “a lot of trouble.”

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth instructed Army Chief of Staff General Randy A. George to step down with immediate effect, a move announced on X by Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell on Thursday. The statement said George would "retire from his position" but offered no explanation, a notable omission given the ongoing US‑Israel war against Iran.The abrupt removal adds to a string of high‑profile dismissals that have occurred since Hegseth assumed office in January. CBS first reported the decision, citing a source who said Hegseth seeks a leader who will execute his and President Donald Trump's strategic vision for the Army.Appointed in 2023 under former President Joe Biden, the 61‑year‑old General George brought extensive combat experience from Iraq and Afghanistan. During his tenure he was praised for cutting redundancies and championing new technologies such as low‑cost missile‑interceptor drones and artificial‑intelligence‑driven targeting systems.According to The New York Times, the firing may be tied to a dispute over Hegseth’s decision to block the promotion of four officers from a list of 29. While most of the blocked officers were white men, the two remaining were Black and two were women, prompting senior officers to question whether racial or gender bias influenced the action. When General George sought a meeting with Hegseth to discuss the matter, the defense secretary reportedly refused.In addition to George, Hegseth dismissed two other senior officials on Thursday: General David M. Hodne, head of the Army’s Transformation and Training Command responsible for modernization efforts, and Major General William Green Jr., the Army’s chief of chaplains. The Pentagon has not formally confirmed these removals, though the Joint Chiefs of Staff issued a tribute praising George’s decades of service.The personnel shake‑up unfolds against a broader backdrop in which US and Israeli officials have framed the Iran war as a religious undertaking. The Military Religious Freedom Foundation reported receiving complaints that senior commanders described the conflict as aiming to bring about “Armageddon” or the biblical “end times.”Earlier, in October, former Army Vice Chief of Staff General James J. Mingus retired a year ahead of schedule, with no reasons disclosed, adding to speculation about internal turbulence within the Pentagon.

The ongoing conflict between Iran and the US-Israeli alliance has sent shockwaves through global oil markets, with Brent crude prices surging 5% to $106.16 per barrel on Thursday morning. Despite being heavily reliant on Iranian oil, China appears to have largely insulated itself from the crisis.China's strategy involves utilizing 'teapot refineries,' small, privately owned oil refineries primarily based in Shandong province. These facilities have been importing discounted Iranian and Russian oil, accounting for one-quarter of China's processing capacity. This approach allows China to circumvent US sanctions and maintain a stable oil supply.China's teapot refineries have been stockpiling oil reserves, providing a buffer against potential supply disruptions. According to Muyu Xu, a senior crude oil analyst at Kpler, China's seaborne crude imports in March stood at 10.19 million barrels per day (mbd), down from 11.51mbd in February but still in line with the 2025 average of 10.41mbd.The US has previously imposed sanctions on some of these teapot refineries for importing Iranian oil. However, China's tolerance of this independent system has proved strategically useful, allowing the country to maintain a flexible buffer for bargain barrels during crises.Experts note that while China's measures will not completely immunize the country from rising fuel prices, they do provide Beijing with more flexibility to survive a crisis compared with other nations. China's approach involves aggressive stockpiling, tolerating shadow networks, and keeping flexible buffers, demonstrating its preparedness for energy shocks.