reuters.com, as data

Taiwan troops rehearse sealing off key bridge at strategic chokepoint during war gamesNew Zealand's ruling coalition holds razor-thin majority in poll, new centrist party gains ground## United StatesUS scrutinizes more schools over admissions practices, diversity and pro-Palestinian protestsPresident Donald Trump's administration targeted more universities on Thursday over issues like race and diversity in admissions ‌and pro-Palestinian protests, marking the federal government's latest crackdown against U.S. schools.Republican US Senator Rand Paul asks Justice Department to prosecute Fauci after contempt voteTrump unveils trade actions to compete with China on solar and chipsUS to vet social media of foreign journalists applying for visas, report says## MarketsJapan's April yen-buying intervention sets fresh daily recordGold heads for strongest week since January, US payrolls data in focusOil rises on concerns over Strait of Hormuz reopening plansStocks close lower as investors eye Mideast talks, earnings## HealthMexican jalapenos tied to Salmonella outbreak in 27 US statesU.S. health officials are investigating a Salmonella outbreak linked to Mexican jalapeno peppers that has sickened 345 people, prompting supplier ​Coast Citrus Distributors to recall peppers sent to restaurants including Chipotle Mexican Grill and ‌QDOBA.Michigan eases lettuce advice as state health department says cyclosporiasis reports declineThe state health department lifted its broad precautionary recommendation to avoid bagged salad mixes, but continued to advise avoiding recalled lettuce.## Ukraine and Russia at WarIn Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia, Russia spreads fear with 'safari' strikes on civiliansWhen two Russian bombs hit Kateryna Lahuta's seafood business in Ukraine's southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia last month, they shattered the last semblance of security for the 41-year-old entrepreneur.