Stories that are getting the most attention from our readers in the last 24 hours.
A multi-industry pilot in Germany tested a four-day workweek with full-time pay, revealing no drop in productivity and surprising boosts to staff morale. As many as 73% of participating companies have now adopted the shorter schedule permanently. Japan’s Tokyo Metropolitan government recently followed suit, announcing an optional four-day week for public employees. These international successes illustrate how a condensed schedule can support employee retention and mental well-being without sacrificing output. Skeptics warn that certain sectors may struggle to compress workloads into fewer days. Still, the growing body of evidence suggests a broader rethinking of standard 9-to-5 patterns might be on the horizon.
Lt. Gen. Yaroslav Moskalik, tied to Russia’s Ukraine operations, was killed by a car bomb near Moscow—an exceptionally rare act in a city known for heavy surveillance. Security footage shows him inspecting a parked vehicle before it detonated. This high-profile assassination, happening just as Western diplomats arrive to discuss a possible Ukraine ceasefire, raises suspicion about either internal dissent or foreign infiltration. The Kremlin brands it terrorism, fueling fears of an intensified clampdown on perceived enemies. Moscow’s residents brace for stricter checkpoints, while global observers worry about derailed peace efforts and potential escalation. The government has not publicly identified suspects, leaving speculation that rival factions or anti-war insurgents might be involved.
Russia declared a three-day unilateral ceasefire in Ukraine (May 8–11) citing WWII Victory Day commemorations, asking Kyiv to reciprocate. However, Ukrainian authorities dismissed it as insufficient, demanding a longer break in hostilities. Meanwhile, Canada held a snap federal election overshadowed by US-Canada trade tensions and provocative statements from President Trump about Canada possibly becoming a “51st state.” Early results suggest Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal Party will form a minority government, maintaining power but lacking a full parliamentary majority. Both events underscore the fragility of global politics: the fleeting pause in Ukraine highlights unresolved conflict, and Canada’s election reveals the significant impact of external trade threats on domestic politics.