At around 21:00 p.m. local time, an armed individual shot and killed two Israeli embassy staffers—a couple soon to be engaged—outside the Capital Jewish Museum. The suspect, 30-year-old man from Chicago, was taken into custody after allegedly shouting "Free Palestine" during the arrest. Authorities stated that he had no prior criminal record and described the attack as a targeted act of violence. Rodriguez, who had been seen loitering near the museum, opened fire on a group of four people with a handgun, which he discarded before fleeing into the museum, where he was detained by security personnel. The weapon was later recovered by responding police officers. Deputy FBI Director Don Bongino stated that the investigation is focusing on a possible hate crime. The incident is expected to intensify political tensions surrounding the Gaza conflict and further polarize U.S. debate over antisemitism and pro-Palestinian protests.

At approximately 11:00 a.m. local time, a bomb detonated near a reproductive health clinic in Palm Springs, California, killing one person and injuring at least four others. The FBI has classified the incident as an “intentional act of terrorism.” The device was reportedly placed in or near a parked car outside the clinic, which is operated by American Reproductive Centers. The individual who died was near the vehicle that was destroyed in the blast. According to Akil Davis, assistant director of the FBI’s Los Angeles field office, authorities have identified a person of interest and are not actively searching for additional suspects. No further details were provided.

A police officer was moderately injured in a stabbing attack at the Chain Gate in Jerusalem’s Old City. The attacker stabbed the 25-year-old officer in the back during a security check after the officer became suspicious and attempted to search him. A Border Police officer at the scene shot and killed the assailant, identified as a 17-year-old Arab Israeli citizen from the Beit Hanina neighborhood in East Jerusalem. The wounded officer received initial treatment at the scene and was then evacuated to Shaare Zedek Medical Center in stable condition with injuries to his upper body.

Delegations from Russia and Ukraine are holding direct peace talks at Dolmabahçe Palace in Istanbul for the first time in over three years. The meeting, at Dolmabahce Palace, is closed to the press and includes only lower-level officials after Russian President Vladimir Putin declined to attend. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who insisted he would only meet Putin directly, is in Turkey for a separate meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara but will not participate in the negotiations. Putin appointed four negotiators and four, including Deputy Defense Minister Aleksandr Fomin and delegation head Vladimir Medinsky, a staunch nationalist. Also named was Igor Kostyukov, chief of Russian military intelligence. US President Donald Trump, who is visiting the Middle East, had expressed willingness to attend but opted out after Putin confirmed his own absence. However, US envoys Steve Witkoff and Keith Kellogg are expected in Istanbul. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha on May 14 in Antalya, where NATO ministers are gathered. Zelenskyy criticized Putin's decision not to attend, saying it showed a lack of interest in peace. Ukrainian officials stressed readiness to engage in any format but expressed distrust toward Russia’s intentions. Analysts and diplomats remain skeptical of progress, with some predicting the talks will be used by Russia to delay and prepare for further military action. Meanwhile, Russian drone and missile strikes continue across Ukraine. On May 14, three people were killed in Sumy.

The daughter and grandson of a French cryptocurrency entrepreneur narrowly escaped a kidnapping attempt by armed men in Paris. According to police, four masked assailants attacked the woman, her partner, and their child in the city’s 11th district. All three suffered minor injuries and were hospitalized. Surveillance footage showed three men exiting a van and trying to force the woman and her child inside. Her partner was beaten when he intervened. The woman resisted, disarming one of the attackers and throwing away his gun, while their screams drew the attention of bystanders. The attackers fled, abandoning their van nearby. The woman is the daughter of the CEO and co-founder of Paymium, a French cryptocurrency exchange. This attack follows the January kidnapping of David Balland, co-founder of Ledger, who was tortured and forced to pay a large cryptocurrency ransom. At least nine suspects, including the alleged ringleader, were arrested in that case. In another incident earlier this May, a man was kidnapped to pressure his crypto-millionaire son into paying a ransom. Police arrested seven suspects during the rescue operation. These incidents come amid rising organized crime in France. In May 2024, armed men killed two prison guards while freeing drug boss Mohamed Amra during a prison van ambush. Authorities have increasingly warned that cryptocurrency may be exploited for criminal and terrorist financing. (france24.com, 13 May 2025)

Father Valentin Mbaïbarem, parish priest of Saint-Jean-Baptiste Parish in Madingring under the Archdiocese of Garoua in northern Cameroon, was intercepted and kidnapped along the road between Carrefour Guidjiba and Tcholliré. In a press release, the Archbishop of Garoua, Monsignor Faustin Ambassa Ndjodo, confirmed the abduction and stated that the kidnappers are demanding a ransom for the priest's release. Local media reported that the demand amounts to 25 million FRS CFA. Northern Cameroon has experienced persistent insecurity, with numerous kidnappings in recent years, most of which have been carried out by the Nigerian terrorist group Boko Haram. No further information has been released regarding possible negotiations with the kidnappers.  (koaci.com, 12 May 2025 & mimimefoinfos.com, 12 May 2025)