A 23-year-old German YouTuber has gone viral online after jumping from an airplane to attempt the extreme challenge of solving a Rubik's cube mid-air while skydiving, and successfully breaking the world record. The YouTuber in question is Tom Kopke, known online as @tooleko, who managed to solve the Rubik's cube in just 23.333 seconds while freefalling before safely deploying his parachute over Mossel Bay, South Africa last February. This achievement broke the previous world record of 28.25 seconds, which was set by Australian Sam Sieracki in 2023. Kopke revealed to Guinness World Records that he began practicing Rubik's cube solving at age 18 and trained continuously, eventually developing the idea to push his limits by attempting the puzzle mid-air. He explained that he had previously created unusual Rubik's cube challenge content and set a goal back then to eventually complete this mission while skydiving. However, this plan was delayed for a period since he didn't yet have a skydiving license, until he finally undertook serious training that culminated in this world record achievement. Kopke acknowledged that the greatest difficulty wasn't simply solving the cube itself, but rather controlling and holding it steady while descending from the sky, which carries a high risk of dropping it. He compared it to the baton pass in relay racing, where mistakes happen most easily.

CHIANG MAI — On May 1, 2026, police in northern Thailand arrested a 31-year-old serial killer who confessed to murdering three homeless men in separate incidents and burning one body to conceal the crime, according to authorities.

At a 10:30 press briefing on May 1, 2026, Provincial Police Region 5 commander Lt. Gen. Kritthaphon Yeesakhon announced that the suspect was captured on the evening of April 30, 2026, near Chang Phueak Market in Chiang Mai. The suspect, identified as Panhae Pooli, was arrested with items believed to have been used in the crimes, including clothing and personal belongings that appeared in surveillance footage.

The investigation began after Chang Phueak police station received a report at 8:15 on April 29, 2026, of a burned body discovered under Rattanakosin Bridge in Chiang Mai. The victim, a 51-year-old homeless man from Mae Hong Son province, had suffered a stab wound to the neck before being set on fire.

A second body was found at 11:13 on April 30, 2026, beneath Khrua Sali Wiang Ping Bridge in the same city. The 46-year-old homeless victim showed injuries and bleeding from the mouth.

Investigators connected these cases to an earlier killing on January 7, 2026, in Chiang Rai, where another homeless man was beaten to death near Singhaklai Road.

Police identified the suspect through CCTV footage showing a man wearing a black sleeveless shirt, red elephant-patterned trousers, and trainers near multiple crime scenes. He was later identified as also being homeless.

Authorities said the suspect confessed to all three murders. He faces charges of intentional murder and concealing a body to obscure the cause of death, and has been transferred to investigators for legal proceedings. Police said the investigation is continuing.

His Majesty the King has bestowed sacred water for the funeral rites of the late Phra Rajveeraphon (Saor Aphinan-o), the former provincial ecclesiastical advisor of Loei and former abbot of Wat Sri Boon Ruang, accompanied by a solid gold coffin decorated with insignia. The ceremony was held at the Sala Ruam Jai Pattana on the second floor of Wat Sri Boon Ruang in Kud Pong subdistrict, Muang district, Loei province, presided over by Phra Thammakunaphon (Keng Asapho), provincial ecclesiastical advisor for Region 8 at Wat Trimitvitthayaram. In attendance were Chaiyapoj Joroompong, Loei provincial governor; Lertsakdi Pattanachaigul, MP for Loei District 1 and second deputy speaker of parliament; and Brigadier General Prasert Singkhrakiao, commander of the 28th Military Region.

Phra Rajveeraphon (Saor Aphinan-o) was a venerable monk known for his exemplary conduct and compassionate heart, serving as a spiritual refuge for the Buddhist community of Loei. He was devoted to developing human resources through the principle of lifelong learning and was a true development monk who dedicated himself entirely to Buddhism.

Born on April 17, 1934, he was ordained at age 20 in 1954 at Wat Aran Waset in Roi Et province. A dedicated scholar who loved both worldly and religious texts, he earned numerous Buddhist education certifications including bachelor's, master's, and doctorate levels in Buddhist studies from Wat Chai Mongkol, as well as advanced Dharma studies from various institutions. He completed a degree in Buddhist Studies from Maha Chulalongkorn Buddhist University's Loei campus in 2005.

In his ecclesiastical career, he was appointed district sangha leader of Muang Loei in 1972, assistant provincial sangha leader in 1977, abbot of Wat Sri Boon Ruang in 2000, and provincial sangha leader of Loei in 2006. He served as provincial ecclesiastical advisor from 2016 onwards. He received the monastic title of Phra Ratchakana (Ordinary Grade) as Phra Ratnakaowi and was subsequently elevated to Phra Rajveeraphon (Royal Grade) in 2007.

In 1970, Phra Rajveeraphon moved to Wat Sri Boon Ruang in Kud Pong district to teach Pali Buddhist scriptures, as there was a shortage of qualified Pali instructors at that time. He maintained strict adherence to Buddhist discipline and monastic codes throughout his life, establishing regulations for the monks under his governance including daily morning and evening chanting and regular Uposatha ceremonies.

On November 1, 2025, a master goldsmith from a casting workshop released a statement regarding the case where a customer brought in a golden Buddha relic weighing nearly 50 baht for inspection, only to discover that the gold donated by relatives had turned into brass worth only 2-3% of the original weight. The artisan explained that around 2016, after completing an earlier Buddha statue casting, he proceeded to cast a new golden relic using approximately 50 baht of gold donated by local residents. However, due to insufficient gold to completely fill the mold on the day of the ceremony, he poured what he had and then gave the mold to the abbot for safekeeping. The Buddha statue was later returned to the workshop for finishing, and an additional brass relic was cast—the same piece now making headlines. The artisan then brought this back to the temple with a melting pot to remelt the gold that remained unfilled in the original mold and complete it properly, pouring the melted gold into the brass relic before sealing it with plaster and handing it to the abbot. The casting master stated he cannot understand why reports claim the workshop switched pieces with a counterfeit, and requested that the relic be cut open for internal inspection to verify whether it contains gold inside. If it is indeed the same piece, he believes the inspection would clear his name.

Actors Sky Wongravee and Nani Hiranyakrit are thrilled as their series "WU" approaches its premiere date. On April 30th, both appeared at the "Punthai Everything is Possible: Family Day" event at CentralWorld as the latest Punthai presenters, sharing their excitement about the upcoming release and thanking fans for their warm reception.

The series "WU" will premiere on May 5th, airing every Tuesday at 8:30 PM on GMM25, with same-day replays available on VIU at 9:30 PM. Both actors expressed gratitude to fans and the production team, noting they gave their full effort to action sequences to deliver the best possible work.

Sky shared a humorous account of his near-disaster during their China filming trip. He explained that his original passport went missing, so he rushed to get an emergency replacement. Just as he was heading to the airport for the flight to China, his old passport mysteriously reappeared. Realizing he'd brought the reported-lost passport by mistake, he had to rush back home to retrieve the correct one. He made it back to the airport at 9:30 AM for a 10 AM flight—barely in time.

Regarding the action sequences, Nani noted that his fighting scenes required precise timing and coordination, making it physically demanding. He emphasized that while they aimed for visually impressive choreography, safety remained the top priority. Sky's character involves different types of action, focusing more on ceremonial movements and mental concentration rather than intense physical combat. Both actors acknowledged significant physical soreness from the demanding action work, but expressed excitement about sharing the finished product with fans.

A South Korean woman in Seoul was rushed to the hospital after experiencing severe burning pain while using tissue paper in a public restroom at an office building. Police investigation revealed the tissue was contaminated with adhesive, believed to be connected to a hidden camera device.

Multiple South Korean news agencies reported that the Gwanak Police Station in Seoul announced on April 28 that the incident occurred on April 26 at approximately 9:00 PM in the women's restroom of an office building in the Shinlim-dong district.

The victim, a woman, used the restroom alone before experiencing severe pain immediately upon touching the tissue paper, prompting her to call for help. Emergency responders transported her to a nearby hospital urgently. She is currently safe with no life-threatening injuries.

Later, a man in his early 20s voluntarily surrendered to police. Based on his statement, officers seized a hidden camera device he had allegedly installed in the restroom. Police stated that while installing the device, the suspect used industrial-strength adhesive to secure it but accidentally contaminated the tissue paper in the restroom, resulting in the victim's injuries.

Police preliminarily explained that the case does not appear to be intentional assault or poisoning, but rather an accident stemming from the illegal act of installing a hidden camera. However, police have sent the tissue paper and related evidence to the National Forensic Service of South Korea for further investigation.