The U.S. military struck听补苍辞迟丑别谤 suspected drug-smuggling boat in the eastern Pacific, killing two people, in the 39th such operation since September. The strikes had slowed following the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicol谩s Maduro last month. The Trump administration has defended the operations as necessary for its anti-narcotics campaign, even as calls for greater accountability have grown. Separately, U.S. forces intercepted a sanctioned oil tanker in the Indian Ocean after tracking it from the Caribbean.
San Francisco public schools remain closed today as thousands of teachers continue the union鈥檚 first strike in nearly fifty years. The walkout began yesterday after nearly a year of stalled negotiations on pay and health benefits. 鈥淚 know many really good educators who had to leave simply because they couldn鈥檛 afford to live here,鈥� one teacher-librarian told The San Francisco Standard. The union is pushing for a 9% raise over two years. The last strike, in 1979, lasted seven weeks.
Thailand鈥檚 election signaled a turn toward security, with the conservative Bhumjaithai Party defeating the progressive People鈥檚 Party in a result that defied pollsters. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul鈥檚 military-aligned party appeared to benefit from a surge of nationalism tied to a border dispute with Cambodia. Now tasked with forming a coalition government, Mr. Anutin has pledged to strengthen the armed forces and build a wall along the Cambodian border.
Sweden announced stricter citizenship rules as tensions over immigration have intensified in recent years. Once among Europe鈥檚 most open countries, Sweden has gradually tightened immigration policy amid concerns over organized crime and integration. The latest changes, set to take effect in June, require migrants to wait eight years before applying for citizenship, meet an income threshold, and pass a language and culture test.
Oklahoma became the latest state to curb tenure for college professors. Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt signed an executive order last week eliminating tenure at public colleges and 13 community colleges, citing taxpayer accountability. Some public research universities may still offer tenure, subject to post-tenure review and remedial action. The move mirrors efforts in other GOP-led states, which some see as part of wider pushback on so-called 鈥渨okeness.鈥� Critics say it threatens academic freedom.
Nigeria is moving to build what officials say would be Africa鈥檚 first electric vehicle factory, following a recent deal with South Korea鈥檚 Asia Economic Development Committee. The project is expected to generate 300,000 vehicles annually, create some 10,000 jobs, and support a nationwide charging network, Business Insider reports. Nigeria currently imports hundreds of thousands of EVs each year. Officials say local manufacturing could reduce that reliance, though critics warn that unreliable electricity may limit growth.
鈥� From Monitor writers around the globe
