World News: Wildfires rage near Jerusalem, roads closed, communities evacuated

This is the World Now, bringing you the latest stories from around the globe.

In the Middle East, massive wildfires broke out near Jerusalem on Wednesday morning, leading to widespread evacuations and prompting the declaration of a national emergency.

The fires erupted in a forested area between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, rapidly spreading due to high temperatures and strong winds.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned the blazes could reach Jerusalem itself.

This has forced the evacuation of several communities and the closure of major roads.

Memorial Day ceremonies and Independence Day celebrations planned for Thursday have also been canceled.

The Israel Fire and Rescue Services declared their highest alert level, mobilizing over 120 firefighting teams, including assistance from the Israel Defense Forces.

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar has also sought additional firefighting aid from over a dozen countries.

At least 16 people have reportedly been hospitalized for smoke inhalation, although no fatalities have been reported.

In Sweden, police have arrested a teenager following a shooting that killed three people in the city of Uppsala on Tuesday.

The incident has raised concerns about escalating gang-related crimes in the country.

On Wednesday morning, local time, the authorities apprehended a 16-year-old suspect, with the Swedish Prosecution Authority confirming that the teen was being held on suspicion of murder.

On Tuesday, around 5 p.m., a shooting at a hair salon in Uppsala killed three men aged between 15 and 20.

While the motive remains unclear, the authorities are exploring a potential gang-related connection, as one victim reportedly had ties to organized crime.

Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson called the shooting "a terrible act," and lamented that "brutal and ruthless violence" was shaking the country.

Sweden has seen a rise in violent crime in recent years, with its worst mass shooting --leading to 10 deaths --occurring in February.

In the United States, Columbia University student and Palestinian activist Mohsen Mahdawi was released from U.S. immigration detention on Wednesday, local time, after a federal judge ruled his arrest was unjustified.

Mahdawi, a 34-year-old who has permanent U.S. residency or "green card" status, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement on April 14, during a naturalization interview in Vermont.

The Trump administration attempted to deport Mahdawi under a rarely used statute, alleging his advocacy for Palestinian rights threatened U.S. foreign policy.

However, U.S. District Judge Geoffrey Crawford found no evidence that Mahdawi posed a flight risk or danger and ordered his release.

On Wednesday, Guinness World Records revealed that the world's tallest and shortest dogs met for the first time in early April.

Facilitated by GWR, Reggie, a seven-year-old Great Dane from Idaho standing at approximately 1 meter, and Pearl, a four-year-old Chihuahua from Florida, measuring just over 9 centimeters in height, met as part of the institution's 70th-anniversary celebrations.

Despite a huge height difference, the two dogs quickly bonded at Reggie's home, where the event took place.

Reggie, known for his gentle demeanor, was cautious around the tiny Pearl, who, according to the owner,

is unfazed by larger dogs and enjoys their company.

Choi Chi-hee, Arirang News.