SUMMARY: Tesla sales in several European countries plummeted in April, with Sweden, the Netherlands, and Denmark seeing declines over 60%, and France and Norway also experiencing sharp drops. Germany’s first-quarter sales fell 62%, signaling broader troubles amid protests and boycotts tied to Elon Musk’s political controversies. Analysts cite factors including Tesla’s aging models, rising competition like China’s BYD, factory shutdowns for Model Y upgrades, and delays in EU approval for self-driving features. Despite a 71% profit drop in Q1 and the sales slump, Tesla’s stock rose after Musk said he would reduce his Washington government duties to focus more on Tesla operations. Italy saw a modest 3% sales increase.

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SUMMARY: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has extended the USS Harry S. Truman’s deployment in the Middle East for another week, maintaining two U.S. carrier strike groups to counter Houthi rebels. The Truman’s deployment, which started in March, is part of an intensified campaign against Iran-backed Houthis, following increased strikes since mid-March. This is part of President Trump’s strategy to stop Houthi attacks on vital Red Sea shipping lanes. U.S. forces have hit over 1,000 targets in Yemen under Operation Rough Rider. The deployment has raised concerns about maintenance schedules and sailors’ extended time away from home.

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SUMMARY: Russell Brand, 49, was granted conditional bail by a London court after facing charges of rape and sexual assault involving four women. He did not enter a plea during his first hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court. Brand is required to report his whereabouts and attend future court appearances, with a hearing set for May 30. The charges relate to alleged offenses between 1999 and 2005 in Bournemouth and Westminster. Brand has denied the accusations, stating that he engaged in no non-consensual activity. The comedian has also built a significant online following in recent years.

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