U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained Khaby Lame, the most-followed TikTok creator, at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas on Friday. ⁠
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ICE stated that Lame, an Italian citizen originally from Senegal, had overstayed his visa. He was reportedly offered the option to leave voluntarily and chose to depart the country.⁠
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Lame, 25, rose to global prominence during the pandemic with silent reaction videos mocking overcomplicated internet “hacks.” He has served as an ambassador for Boss, Binance, and UNICEF. Despite living in Italy since childhood, he did not receive Italian citizenship until 2022.⁠
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The detention occurred amid President Donald Trump’s broader immigration enforcement campaign, which has included ICE operations at airports and workplaces. During his campaign, Trump pledged to pursue mass deportations across the United States.⁠
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A global survey conducted by Nira Data for the Alliance of Democracies Foundation found that international perceptions of the United States have dropped below those of China for the first time in the poll’s history. The net perception rating of the U.S. declined to -5% from +22% last year, with only 45% of countries holding a positive view. In contrast, China’s rating rose to +14% from +5%.⁠
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Alliance founder Anders Fogh Rasmussen attributed the shift to President Donald Trump’s foreign policy. “President Trump has triggered a trade war, scolded Ukraine’s president in the Oval Office, left allies feeling vulnerable and enemies emboldened,” he said. “It’s no surprise that opinions have slipped even among people like me who spent their lives admiring the United States and what it stood for.”⁠
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The survey included responses from over 111,000 people across 100 countries. Trump was viewed negatively in 82 countries, compared to 61 for Russian President Vladimir Putin and 44 for Chinese President Xi Jinping. ⁠
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Marie Ange Blaise, a 44-year-old woman from Haiti, died on April 26 at the Broward Transitional Center in Pompano Beach, Florida, while in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody. ⁠
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According to ICE, she was pronounced dead at 8:35 p.m. by on-site medical staff. The cause of death remains under investigation. ⁠
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Blaise was first detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection on February 12 at the airport in Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, where authorities said she attempted to board a flight to Charlotte, North Carolina without valid immigration documents.⁠
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ICE stated that individuals in its custody receive medical, dental, and mental health screenings, along with 24-hour access to emergency care. In a public statement, the agency said, “At no time during detention is a detained illegal alien denied emergent care.”⁠
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Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, speaking on the House floor, said Blaise had complained of chest pain before her death and was reportedly given pills and told to lie down. ⁠
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She has called for a “full, independent investigation.” Rep. Frederica Wilson also urged greater congressional oversight of ICE detention facilities. ⁠
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ICE data shows Blaise is the seventh individual to die in its custody during the current fiscal year.⁠
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A ship carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza was struck by drones in international waters near Malta early Friday, according to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition. The vessel, Conscience, suffered damage to its generator and hull, leaving it without power and stranded. A nearby tugboat helped extinguish the fire, and Malta confirmed that 16 people aboard were safe, with no serious injuries. The coalition accused Israel of carrying out the strike but offered no direct evidence. Israel has not commented.⁠
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Video shared by activists showed fire and damage to the ship’s deck, with smoke rising and holes visible. Codepink activist Tighe Barry said the vessel had lost its flag prior to the attack and was at risk of being impounded by authorities in Malta, Greece, or Turkey. The captain reportedly requested re-entry into Maltese waters, warning of a “huge risk to life.” The ship had departed from Tunisia and was due to be joined by more volunteers in Malta, including climate activist Greta Thunberg, who did not board and remains safe.⁠
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The incident comes amid a worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza, where Israel has blocked all aid since March. Over 52,000 Palestinians have been killed in the conflict, according to Gaza health officials. The International Committee of the Red Cross warned Friday that critical food and medical programs could shut down within weeks without renewed access. Turkey condemned the strike and pledged to pursue accountability, calling it an attack on maritime security.⁠
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