Arson at Pennsylvania Governor’s Residence Sparks Federal Investigation

A 38-year-old man, Cody Balmer of Harrisburg, is in custody facing attempted homicide and aggravated arson charges after allegedly setting fire to Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s official residence early Sunday morning. Authorities said Balmer climbed over a fence with homemade incendiary devices, managed to elude security, and ignited a blaze inside the residence before fleeing. State police evacuated Shapiro and his family around 2 a.m., and no injuries were reported. Visible burn marks remained on the mansion. The motive behind the attack is currently unknown, though it came hours after Shapiro shared a social media post celebrating the first night of Passover with his family. Federal agencies, including the FBI, are now involved in the investigation, and a comprehensive review of security protocols is underway.

Wisconsin Teen Accused of Killing Parents in Plot to Assassinate Trump

A 17-year-old Wisconsin teenager, Nikita Casap, faces both state and potential federal charges after allegedly murdering his parents as part of a broader plot to assassinate President Donald Trump and incite a white supremacist revolution, according to court filings. Casap was arrested in March and charged with first-degree murder and other offenses including hiding corpses and theft. Federal authorities are pursuing additional charges, including conspiracy to assassinate a former president and use of weapons of mass destruction. Investigators allege Casap was influenced by the extremist group “The Order of Nine Angles,” and had communicated with others who supported or facilitated his plans. Authorities also claim Casap used stolen funds to purchase explosives and a drone, which he intended to use in a future attack. He remains in custody and is due in court again on May 7.

Trump Administration Temporarily Eases Tech Tariffs, But Signals Broader Crackdown Ahead

Just two days after granting a temporary reprieve on electronics tariffs, President Trump announced plans to impose new levies on semiconductors and potentially other key technologies, citing national security concerns. The Friday exemption, issued via Customs and Border Protection, excluded devices like smartphones, modems, and flash drives from steep tariffs on Chinese imports, benefiting tech giants such as Apple. However, by Sunday, the administration pivoted, framing the move as a short-term measure while preparing for a new wave of targeted tariffs. Officials confirmed that an investigation into the national security risks of semiconductor imports would begin as soon as next week, potentially leading to even more restrictions. The shifting stance has rattled the tech industry and investors alike, heightening uncertainty in an already volatile trade environment between the U.S. and China.

Russian Missile Strike in Ukraine Kills 34, Heightens Fears of Spring Offensive Amid Stalled Peace Talks

A deadly Russian missile attack on the Ukrainian city of Sumy killed at least 34 people and injured more than 100 on Palm Sunday, marking one of the deadliest single assaults on civilians in weeks. The strikes, which included two ballistic missiles, hit near a university and a populated street area at mid-morning, reportedly as people gathered for religious observances. Ukrainian authorities claim cluster munitions may have been used, a claim not independently verified. The attack comes shortly after a similar missile strike killed 20 in President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's hometown of Kryvyi Rih. Global leaders condemned the violence, with French President Emmanuel Macron stating it undermines U.S.-led peace efforts. The escalation also follows accusations from both Ukraine and Russia of violating a tentative ceasefire on energy infrastructure, agreed to as part of diplomatic talks. Fears are growing that Russia may be preparing a renewed spring offensive to gain leverage in ongoing negotiations.

UK Government Seizes Control of Last Steel Plant to Avert Industrial Crisis

In a rare emergency session on Saturday, the UK government assumed effective control over British Steel’s Scunthorpe plant to prevent the closure of the country’s last blast furnaces capable of producing virgin steel. The move, backed by new legislation swiftly passed by Parliament and signed into law by King Charles III, overrides the authority of the Chinese-owned Jingye Group, which had planned to shut down operations due to heavy financial losses and rising environmental costs. The plant, employing 3,000 workers, was deemed vital for national security and industrial independence. Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized the historic and economic importance of preserving the UK's steelmaking capabilities, warning that closure would leave the UK as the only G7 nation without domestic capacity to make steel from raw materials.

Apple Eyes Smart Glasses as Stepping Stone to Ultimate Goal

Apple CEO Tim Cook is reportedly fixated on bringing true augmented reality (AR) glasses to market, with Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reporting that Cook “cares about nothing else” in the realm of product development. However, the technological and manufacturing challenges of creating high-quality, consumer-ready AR glasses mean the vision remains years away. As an interim step, Apple is said to be developing smart glasses with built-in cameras and microphones—akin to Meta’s Ray-Ban offering—but with more stringent privacy considerations. This stopgap product will integrate tightly with Siri and Apple’s expanding Visual Intelligence initiatives, playing a role in the company’s broader AI ambitions. Cook is reportedly “hell-bent” on beating Meta to market with a flagship AR product, despite both companies grappling with similar challenges such as display tech, chip efficiency, battery life, and scalable production.