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Comprehensive coverage of international news and global events
After weeks of dry, hot weather, slugs in England are coming out again because of recent heavy rain. These slugs pose a threat to early fruiting strawberry plants and other young vegetables in gardens.
Key Facts
Hot, dry weather forced slugs into hiding for several weeks.
Recent heavy rain and damp conditions have caused slugs to reappear in large numbers.
Strawberries are fruiting earlier than usual due to sunny weather, making them vulnerable to slug damage.
Slugs mainly harm the fruit and young seedlings, which can slow plant growth.
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) advises against killing slugs, as they are important for a healthy garden ecosystem.
Recommended slug control methods include using straw barriers, relocating slugs to compost heaps, and protecting seedlings.
Chemical slug pellets are discouraged because they can harm other wildlife.
The RHS now avoids calling slugs “pests” and highlights their role in planet-friendly gardening.
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Ghana’s parliament passed a bill that would criminalize LGBTQ+ activities and require people to report such acts to the police. President John Mahama said his legal team will review the bill carefully before it is officially approved, noting that there were some procedural issues in how it passed.
Key Facts
The bill would punish people identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer with up to three years in prison.
The law includes a duty for citizens to report LGBTQ+ activities to police.
Health workers, media, and legal professionals are exempt when providing services or covering LGBTQ+ topics.
Supporters ("allies") of LGBTQ+ people could face prison under the bill.
The bill was passed by parliament as a private members' motion, not a government bill.
President Mahama said the bill will be reviewed by his legal council and could be referred to his advisors if needed.
Rights groups say the bill violates the rights of sexual minorities and have called for it to be dropped.
Similar laws have been passing in other African countries like Senegal and Uganda, with harsh penalties for same-sex acts.
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The European Union has agreed on new rules to strengthen deportations of undocumented migrants. The rules include allowing home raids, longer detention periods, and setting up offshore centers to hold migrants awaiting return to their home countries.
Key Facts
EU politicians have approved a law to increase deportations of people without legal permission to stay.
National authorities will be able to search homes and seize belongings to enforce deportation orders.
Detention for migrants can last up to two years, extendable to 30 months, longer than the previous maximum of 18 months.
Offshore return hubs outside the EU may be created to hold migrants before sending them back to their countries.
Unaccompanied children and families can be detained only as a last resort and for the shortest time needed.
People seen as security risks may get a lifetime ban from entering the EU, instead of the current 10-year limit.
Critics say the EU’s approach resembles the harsh policies of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement under President Trump.
The center-right European People’s Party joined far-right groups in the European Parliament to pass the tougher measures.
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The UK government has released over 1,500 pages of documents about Lord Mandelson’s time as UK ambassador to the US, focusing on his appointment and relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. However, some key information, like personal messages, vetting forms, and Mandelson’s answers about Epstein, remain undisclosed due to missing phones, police investigations, and national security concerns.
Key Facts
MPs voted to release documents about Lord Mandelson’s US ambassador role after his dismissal last year linked to Epstein.
Over 1,500 pages of documents were published, including some messages between Mandelson and officials.
Mandelson did not provide messages from his personal phone, which officials requested.
Some officials’ phones were stolen (e.g., Morgan McSweeney, former chief of staff to Sir Keir Starmer), so some messages are missing.
Certain parts of the documents were redacted for national security or diplomatic reasons.
Security vetting officials had recommended against giving Mandelson clearance, but the Foreign Office approved it anyway without ministers’ knowledge.
The full vetting form and Mandelson’s completed declaration of interests were not released.
Mandelson’s responses about his relationship with Epstein were withheld due to an ongoing police investigation; he denies wrongdoing.
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Inflation in Iran has reached its highest level since World War II, causing severe economic difficulties for ordinary people. The increase is partly due to the ongoing war tensions with Israel and the United States, economic mismanagement, government corruption, and a U.S. naval blockade.
Key Facts
Iran’s inflation rate in May rose to 77.2% compared to the previous year, the highest since World War II.
The rise in prices for daily needs like medicine, taxi rides, and communication reached 113.8% year-on-year.
Inflation increased by 8.5% from April to May 2026.
Iran’s rial currency has weakened dramatically, dropping from 32,000 to 1 U.S. dollar in 2015 to over 1.7 million to 1 dollar now.
The U.S. naval blockade targets Iran’s oil shipments, cutting off a key source of money for the government.
Economic mismanagement and corruption also contribute to the worsening economy in Iran.
Past economic pain in Iran has led to large protests, and experts warn new demonstrations could happen again this summer.
During World War II, inflation was higher due to foreign invasions and food shortages, causing famine and disease.
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The European Union has agreed on a new migration policy to speed up deportations and create detention centers outside the EU. This plan involves deals with other countries, mainly in Africa, to hold migrants before returning them to their home nations.
Key Facts
The EU aims to increase the number of migrants deported who do not have the right to stay.
Only 28% of asylum seekers rejected in the EU currently leave and return home.
The new policy was agreed upon by the EU’s main institutions: the European Commission, Council, and Parliament.
Several EU countries, including Germany, Austria, and Greece, are negotiating deals to build migrant detention centers abroad.
The regulation removes the need for court warrants for police raids on private or public places like hospitals.
Rights groups compare this policy to the U.S. Trump administration’s strict immigration enforcement and have raised concerns.
The policy is expected to be approved quickly by EU lawmakers and governments.
EU officials say the rules will respect international law and fundamental human rights.
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Ceasefires have been declared in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran, but fighting continues in all these areas. Israeli forces have advanced and carried out strikes in both Gaza and Lebanon, while exchanges of fire between the United States and Iran persist despite ceasefire agreements.
Key Facts
Israeli forces captured more land in Gaza and killed two top Hamas leaders recently.
In Lebanon, Israeli troops took control of a historic fortress during their deepest attack in 26 years.
Hezbollah continues to fire rockets into northern Israel.
President Donald Trump announced that both sides in Lebanon agreed to de-escalate, but fighting keeps going.
The U.S. and Iran have exchanged attacks while negotiating a longer-term truce.
Iran controls the Strait of Hormuz, affecting global fuel supplies.
The U.S. enforces a naval blockade on Iranian ports as part of the conflict.
Despite ceasefires, violence and military actions have not stopped in these regions.
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Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano started its 48th eruption episode on Monday. This means the volcano is releasing lava or volcanic materials again after previous activity.
Key Facts
Kilauea is an active volcano located in Hawaii.
The volcano began its 48th eruption episode on Monday.
An eruption episode means the volcano is actively releasing lava or volcanic gases.
Kilauea has had many eruptions in the past, making it one of the most active volcanoes in the world.
Volcanic activity can affect local communities, wildlife, and air quality.
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Rachel Smith, a single mom from Texas, went to the hospital for severe back pain after helping a child at a birthday party. A scan showed she had a slipped disc and also found a small mass on her lung, which might be related to her previous breast cancer or other conditions, but the exact cause is still unclear.
Key Facts
Rachel Smith injured her back after helping a child stuck in a soft play facility at a birthday party.
She experienced severe pain and could barely walk the day after the injury.
At the hospital, a CT scan showed she had a slipped disc and a small mass in the lower part of her left lung.
Smith is a breast cancer survivor and worried the lung mass could be related to cancer again.
Further tests ruled out breast, reproductive, and thyroid cancers, but lung cancer has not been confirmed or ruled out.
The lung mass is about one centimeter, making a biopsy difficult but ongoing.
If the lung mass is cancer, it is likely at an early stage and could be removed.
Smith also has other medical conditions like Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and POTS, which affect her health.
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Melissa Rein Lively, a U.S. national and supporter of President Donald Trump, admitted to pulling a woman’s hair in an assault at Bond Street Underground station in London on October 11. She accepted a conditional caution and agreed to pay compensation, while her partner Philipp Ostermann denied related public order charges.
Key Facts
The incident happened at Bond Street station on October 11.
Melissa Rein Lively admitted to the hair-pulling assault but the assault by beating charge was dropped.
She accepted a conditional caution and agreed to pay £910 in compensation, which is due in July.
Rein Lively was not present in court when the case was heard.
Her partner, Philipp Ostermann, denies charges of racially aggravated public order offenses and will face trial on November 17.
The victim and her sister were walking with two children, one in a pushchair, when the incident occurred.
Ostermann allegedly used a racist slur during the incident, which he denies.
Melissa Rein Lively runs a public relations firm called America First Public Relations that opposes "woke" culture.
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UK Athletics was fined £350,000 after a Paralympic athlete died when sports equipment fell on him during training in London. The athlete, Abdullah Hayayei, was killed when a metal cage collapsed while he was preparing for the 2017 World Athletics Championships.
Key Facts
Abdullah Hayayei, a Paralympic shot-putter, died in 2017 due to a metal cage collapsing on him.
The accident happened at a UK Athletics training ground in east London.
Hayayei had competed for the United Arab Emirates in javelin and shot put at the Rio Paralympics.
UK Athletics was fined £350,000 and must pay £44,000 in costs.
The former Head of Sport, Keith Davies, was given 175 hours of community service.
The equipment was missing important base plates that led to the collapse.
The judge called the death "tragic, untimely and wholly avoidable."
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A bear attacked and injured four people in Fukushima, Japan, moving through two factories and a residential area. Japan has seen more bear attacks and sightings recently, as hungry bears come out of hibernation and expand into areas with fewer people.
Key Facts
Four people were injured by a bear in Fukushima City at a car parts factory, an electronic equipment manufacturer, and a nearby residential area.
One person was seriously hurt, and the others had mild injuries.
Last year, a record 13 people died from bear attacks in Japan.
Nationwide bear sightings reached over 50,000 last fiscal year, more than double the previous record.
Bears have been seen in unusual places like airports, golf courses, schools, supermarkets, and hot spring resorts.
The U.S. State Department warned Americans in Japan to be alert for bears in 2023.
The rising bear attacks are linked to more bears and fewer people living in rural Japan, allowing bears to roam widely.
A Japanese company is selling animatronic "Monster Wolf" devices to scare bears away using sounds and flashing lights.
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In December 2024, the author received an unexpected email from someone claiming a connection to their late grandfather who was killed in Auschwitz during World War II. The email included personal questions to confirm identity, leading the author to reflect on the importance of remembering and confronting past crimes.
Key Facts
The author got an email in December 2024 while at home near Jerusalem.
The email mentioned the author's grandfather, who died in Auschwitz in May 1944.
Auschwitz was a Nazi concentration and extermination camp during World War II.
The email had three personal questions that the author answered positively.
This message prompted thoughts about historical crimes and responsibility.
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Spanish airline Iberia has stopped its direct flights to Havana, Cuba, from June to October due to a sharp drop in demand and problems on the island. Cuba is facing serious fuel shortages caused by a U.S. blockade, which has led to blackouts and a collapse in tourism.
Key Facts
Iberia canceled direct flights to Havana between June 1 and October 24.
Travelers affected by the cancellations can seek refunds or change their flight plans.
Cuba has faced a fuel blockade from the U.S. since early 2026, causing long power outages.
Tourist arrivals in Cuba dropped by 48% in the first three months of 2026 compared to 2025.
Other airlines from Canada and Russia also stopped or reduced flights to Cuba due to fuel shortages.
Cuba’s airport in Havana reported running out of a common type of jet fuel needed for planes.
The Cuban government announced a shortage of diesel and fuel oil, impacting essential services.
U.S. sanctions, heightened after the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, have worsened Cuba’s energy crisis.
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In 2026, many world leaders visited China, with British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper being the 26th senior foreign official to do so this year. Leaders from 23 countries across all major regions met with Chinese officials to discuss trade, technology, and diplomatic cooperation, while Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted most visits at home instead of traveling abroad.
Key Facts
British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper visited China for meetings in Beijing and Shenzhen focused on science and technology.
A total of 26 foreign leaders or senior officials from 23 countries visited China in 2026.
Countries with visiting leaders include the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Russia, Canada, South Korea, and many others from Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, North America, and Latin America.
Notable visitors include US President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
President Xi Jinping stayed mostly in China, hosting foreign leaders instead of traveling abroad.
Visits focused on seeking investment, expanding trade, and cooperation in manufacturing, technology, energy, and infrastructure.
Europe had the highest number of countries represented, with 10 European nations sending leaders.
China’s total foreign trade reached $6.5 trillion in 2025, making it the world's largest trading nation in goods for the ninth year.
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New cases of genital herpes have increased by 3% in England in 2025, despite an overall 8% drop in sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Experts advise people to get tested regularly, especially after sex with new partners, as many STIs can spread without symptoms.
Key Facts
In 2025, nearly 29,000 people in England were diagnosed with genital herpes, up 3% from the previous year.
Overall STI diagnoses fell from about 364,000 to 334,000, an 8% decrease.
Herpes spreads easily through skin-to-skin contact, including vaginal, anal, and oral sex, even without visible sores.
STI rates are still high among young people and gay and bisexual men.
Syphilis diagnoses dropped 19% in gay and bisexual men but rose 5% in heterosexual women.
Chlamydia is the most common STI, making up about half of all cases.
Testing for STIs, especially chlamydia, has declined, which is a concern for health officials.
Condoms and avoiding sex during herpes outbreaks can help prevent spreading infections.
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At least five people were killed in Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon hours after President Donald Trump announced an agreement to reduce fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. Despite the announcement, neither side has officially confirmed the deal, and violence, including drone strikes and military incursions, has continued.
Key Facts
Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon killed at least five people, including two Syrians and others targeted by drone strikes.
President Donald Trump said he had phone talks with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Hezbollah leaders about de-escalating the conflict.
The agreement reportedly includes Hezbollah stopping attacks on Israel in exchange for Israel ceasing strikes on Beirut suburbs.
Both Israel and Hezbollah have not publicly accepted the deal yet, and attacks have continued.
Israeli troops recently took control of Beaufort Castle, a strategic location in southern Lebanon.
Hezbollah has attacked Israeli troops in southern Lebanon but denied cross-border strikes after the announcement.
The situation remains tense and unstable despite efforts to stop the fighting.
Trump emphasized that no Israeli troops will advance into Beirut and expressed hope for lasting peace between Israel and Hezbollah.
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President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Hezbollah have agreed to stop attacking each other after indirect talks. He said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hezbollah representatives agreed to halt shooting and military actions. However, Israel warns it may strike Beirut again if Hezbollah attacks continue.
Key Facts
President Trump said Israel and Hezbollah agreed to stop all attacks after indirect talks through intermediaries.
No previous US president has communicated with Hezbollah, a group labeled as a terrorist organization by the US.
The agreement involves Hezbollah stopping attacks on Israel in exchange for Israel halting strikes on Beirut and southern Lebanon.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu said Israel would continue attacking if Hezbollah fires rockets again.
Since early March, Israel has attacked Lebanon regularly, causing thousands of casualties and displacing over one million people.
Hezbollah started firing on Israel after US-Israeli strikes on Iran in late February.
Iran wants Israel to withdraw from Lebanon as part of any agreement to end conflict with the US.
Previous ceasefires between Israel and Lebanon have failed to stop fighting for long.
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Social media in Africa has changed how people share their lives and work, turning many into content creators and influencers who earn money through brand partnerships. Mobile phones and social media platforms like Instagram, X, TikTok, and Facebook are central to daily life, spreading a mix of news, entertainment, and advertisements across urban centers.
Key Facts
Many Africans use social media to share their personal lives, not just their work or art.
Brands offer contracts to influencers to include their products in daily content.
Mobile phones are the first thing many people check in the morning to get information and entertainment.
Social media carries a wide variety of content, from news and memes to political content and advertisements.
Marketing budgets have shifted online because social media is where most audiences spend time.
Social media algorithms change frequently to capture users’ attention, which is valuable like currency.
Social media helped organize social movements and responses to crises in African countries, such as Kenya’s famine relief efforts and South Africa’s #FeesMustFall protests.
Some users feel social media encourages capturing moments for sharing rather than fully living them.
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Joe Cole, an actor from "Peaky Blinders," and director Clio Barnard discuss their new film "I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning," which explores the lives of five childhood friends from working-class Birmingham. The film shows how success does not always free people from their background and looks at themes like class, masculinity, and the gap between youth dreams and adult reality.
Key Facts
The film "I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning" is based on a novel by Keiran Goddard.
It premiered in the Directors' Fortnight section at the Cannes Film Festival.
Joe Cole plays Rian, a character who left Birmingham and found financial success.
The story focuses on five friends whose lives ended up very different from what they hoped as kids.
The film explores issues of class, identity, and modern ideas about masculinity.
It shows how success does not always change where someone comes from.
The discussion took place during the Cannes Film Festival.
The themes include mourning lost dreams and facing adulthood realities by age 30.
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