Daily Briefing

Aid trucks begin moving through a temporary US-built pier off the Gaza Strip, China unveils 'historic' steps to stabilize its crisis-hit property sector and Donald Trump wants to control the Justice Department and FBI.

Plus, some of our best photos from around the world this week.

By Kate Turton

Today's Top News

A satellite image shows what appears to be a damaged MiG29 fighter following an attack at Belbek Airbase. May 16, 2024. Maxar Technologies/Handout via REUTERS

A long-range Ukrainian strike on the Moscow-controlled Belbek airbase in occupied Crimea destroyed three Russian warplanes and a fuel facility near its main runway this week, US commercial satellite company Maxar said.
French police in Rouen shot dead an armed man who set fire to a synagogue in the northwestern city. Police were called to the site because of smoke coming out of the building. The fire has been brought under control.
Taiwanese lawmakers shoved, tackled and hit each other in parliament in a bitter dispute about reforms to the chamber, just days before President-elect Lai Ching-te takes office without a legislative majority.
The US Supreme Court's decision safeguarding the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau - the nation's consumer finance watchdog - earned plaudits from supporters of robust federal regulation. But their praise for the court may prove short-lived.

WAR IN GAZA

Israel defended the military necessity of its Gaza offensive at the International Court of Justice after South Africa asked judges to order it to halt operations in Rafah and completely withdraw from the Palestinian territory. Meanwhile, the US says aid trucks began moving through a temporary pier off the Gaza Strip.
Israel's tanks pushed into the heart of Jabalia in northern Gaza, facing anti-tank rockets and mortar bombs from militants concentrated there, while in the south, its forces pounded Rafah without advancing, Palestinian residents and militants said.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

The annual Television "upfront" advertiser presentations this week were hardly about TV at all. Traditionally this is where media executives have pre-sold TV advertising amid familiar trappings including pop stars and celebrities. But this time it was ad tech and artificial intelligence getting all the attention.
As artificial intelligence creeps into every area of our daily lives, the world of sport is also looking for ways to harness its power. Sports reporter Iain Axon joins the Reuters World News podcast to explain how England's soccer teams are using AI to net future stars.

Business & Markets

A man rides a scooter past apartment highrises that are under construction near the new stadium in Zhengzhou. REUTERS/Thomas Peter/File Photo

China announced "historic" steps to stabilize the crisis-hit property sector, allowing local governments to buy "some" apartments, relaxing mortgage rules and pledging to deliver unfinished homes.
Tesla is pushing ahead with plans to power the global development of its self-driving system with data from China that could be processed within the country, part of a strategic shift by Elon Musk, according to people with knowledge of the work.
The outcome of a vote by workers at a Mercedes-Benz factory in Alabama will be a key referendum on whether the United Auto Workers can maintain momentum in the historically anti-union South.
President Joe Biden signed sweeping aviation legislation that will boost US air traffic controller staffing, increase funding to avert runway close-call incidents and speed up refunds for canceled flights.
British drugmaker GSK has raised $1.52 billion from a sale of its remaining stake in consumer healthcare company Haleon to institutional investors.

The Week Ahead

Markets are hoping for evidence that will solidify a brightening global economic outlook, though rising trade tensions are casting a cloud. AI darling Nvidia reports results, London has its sights on a revival in stock listings, while New Zealand's central bank is stuck in rut between lackluster growth and sticky inflation.
Here's your look at what's happening in markets this coming week.
G7 finance ministers and central bank governors meet in Stresa, Italy from May 23-25.
The 2023-2024 Premier League title race will be decided on the final day of the season, with Manchester City or Arsenal set to be crowned champions pending the outcome of Sunday's matches.

Donald Trump wants to control the Justice Department and FBI

Former president Donald Trump attends his trial at Manhattan Criminal Court. May 16, 2024. Victor J. Blue/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

Some of Donald Trump's allies are assembling proposals to curtail the Justice Department's independence and turn the nation's top law enforcement body into an attack dog for conservative causes, nine people involved in the effort told Reuters.

If successful, the overhaul could represent one of the most consequential actions of a second Trump presidency given the Justice Department's role in protecting democratic institutions and upholding the rule of law.

Read more about their plan.

And Finally...

Westminster Kennel Club dog show's Best in Show winner Sage. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly

View our pictures of the week here.

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