Elon Musk to Reduce Involvement with Trump Amid Tesla's Profit Decline

Elon Musk has announced plans to significantly scale back his involvement in political activities related to Donald Trump starting in May, as he aims to refocus on his responsibilities at Tesla. The company has recently experienced a staggering 71% drop in profits, prompting Musk to prioritize the development of self-driving vehicles as a potential turnaround strategy.

In a related issue, concerns have arisen regarding the safety of imported nuts from the United States, which is Europe's largest supplier of such products. The current political climate and regulatory changes under Trump have raised alarms about potential health risks associated with these imports. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), responsible for ensuring food safety, has faced severe budget cuts since Trump took office, leading to diminished oversight of food quality across approximately 170 laboratories located throughout the country.

As a consequence, there is a growing worry that food safety inspections will no longer be conducted systematically, which could lead to an increase in foodborne illnesses linked to contaminated products.

Meanwhile, the jury selection for the retrial of Harvey Weinstein, the former film mogul accused of sexual crimes, has concluded. A total of twelve jurors, including seven women and five men, have been chosen from a pool of nearly 300 candidates. This high-profile case is expected to unfold over the next five weeks as it revisits serious allegations against Weinstein.

In the political arena, today marks the final opportunity for voters in Vienna to apply for mail-in ballots for the upcoming elections. Written requests for ballots must be submitted by midnight, while verbal requests can be made until noon on Friday. This will allow voters to participate either from abroad or at different polling locations.

Additionally, as the world mourns the passing of Pope Francis, the faithful can begin paying their respects in St. Peter's Basilica. His body will be transported from the Santa Marta residence to the Vatican Basilica for a public procession, with tens of thousands expected to attend the memorial. The Pope's funeral is scheduled for Saturday.

In the aftermath of the Pope's death, Cardinal Kevin Farrell has emerged as a key figure in the Vatican. As the Camerlengo, he has announced the Pope's passing and is now responsible for organizing the upcoming conclave to elect his successor. Farrell, a Cardinal of both Irish and American descent, is now at the center of attention in the Holy See.