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Alan Valkeith, a 78-year-old man from March, Cambridgeshire, rides his motorbike with his St Bernard dog, Louis, who sits in a specially adapted sidecar. The pair attract attention and smiles from people, and Valkeith is now building a small caravan for Louis to travel and rest in safely.
Key Facts
Alan Valkeith rides a Honda GL1500 Gold Wing motorbike with his dog Louis in a sidecar.
Louis is an eight-year-old St Bernard that Valkeith adopted six years ago after he was found abandoned.
The sidecar has been adapted especially for Louis to travel comfortably and safely.
People often stop to take pictures of the man and his dog riding together.
Police officers have also stopped to take photos three times.
Valkeith is building a small caravan to give Louis a safe place to sleep when traveling.
Valkeith has owned four St Bernards, all of whom enjoyed riding in the sidecar.
The Highway Code says dogs must be secured in a vehicle to avoid distractions or injury during travel.
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EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas warned EU ministers not to focus on who leads talks with Russia but on the main issues, saying Russia wants to distract the EU by discussing personalities. EU ministers met in Cyprus to plan their demands in any peace talks, while concerns continued over Russia's ongoing attacks in Ukraine.
Key Facts
Kaja Kallas cautioned against focusing on personal leadership in talks with Russia and stressed the importance of substance.
EU foreign ministers gathered in Cyprus for informal talks about peace negotiations with Russia.
Russia aims to shift the discussion toward who leads talks, a tactic Kallas called a “trap.”
Kallas criticized Russia’s repeated threats of further attacks on Kyiv as attempts to create fear.
Hungary’s new prime minister started talks in Brussels about EU funds, though key discussions are still pending.
Romania’s president is also in Brussels discussing how to save unused EU funds before they expire in August.
Some EU ministers suggest appointing a single or a group of negotiators for Russia talks, but opinions differ.
Austria and Luxembourg ministers discussed the need for an EU negotiator not directly involved in the conflict with Russia.
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President Donald Trump is trying to make a peace deal with Iran by asking Gulf countries to recognize Israel through the Abraham Accords. However, his request is being met with laughter, silence, and rejection from US allies in the Gulf region.
Key Facts
President Trump wants Arab nations like Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar to sign the Abraham Accords as part of an Iran peace deal.
US allies in the Gulf have responded mostly with laughter, silence, or dismissal toward Trump's demands.
The Iran conflict has changed the Gulf region, with countries unwilling to support just one power.
Trump’s negotiation approach is reported to face setbacks and rejection in discussions with allies.
The Abraham Accords are agreements that normalize relations between Israel and some Arab countries.
Trump’s goal includes preventing any country from controlling the strategic Hormuz Strait in any future Iran deal.
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Botswana's President Duma Boko seeks to improve trade with the United States, focusing on Botswana's diamond industry. Despite tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump's administration, Botswana aims to negotiate lower or zero tariffs to benefit both countries.
Key Facts
Botswana is the world's largest diamond producer by value and second largest by volume.
Botswana's diamond industry accounts for about 80% of its export revenue.
The U.S. had imposed a 37% tariff on Botswana diamonds, later reduced to 15%.
President Boko expects ongoing talks to eventually eliminate U.S. tariffs on Botswana diamonds.
Botswana has recently discovered rare earth minerals and critical mineral deposits.
President Boko said both Botswana and the U.S. prioritize their national interests but can find common ground.
The U.S. is focusing on Africa as part of its critical minerals strategy.
Botswana seeks greater U.S. investment, technology, and knowledge exchange to support its economy.
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Plans for an international force to stabilize Gaza after the Israel-Hamas war are uncertain because the countries that promised troops have not sent significant numbers. Indonesia, which pledged the most troops, put its contribution on hold due to concerns about U.S.-Iran conflict and lack of clear guidance.
Key Facts
The Gaza International Stabilization Force was announced by President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace in February 2026.
The force was planned to have 20,000 troops to support peace and rebuilding after the Israel-Hamas war.
None of the five countries that pledged troops (Indonesia, Morocco, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Albania) delivered large troop numbers as planned.
Indonesia pledged 8,000 troops but suspended its commitment in March due to rising tensions between the U.S. and Iran and unclear instructions.
The ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict has complicated cooperation from Arab and Muslim countries.
Economic problems and public opposition in Indonesia also influenced the decision to pause troop deployment.
Indonesia previously lost four peacekeepers in Lebanon during conflicts involving Iran-backed Hezbollah, worsening public opinion about sending troops abroad.
Hamas has not disarmed, and Israel continues military actions, which keeps the ceasefire fragile.
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A man in Austria who admitted to planning an attack on a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna is awaiting a court verdict. The planned attack was stopped, but the concert was canceled, and the man faces charges including terrorism and membership in a terrorist group.
Key Facts
The attack plot targeted Taylor Swift’s concert at Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna.
The man, 21-year-old Austrian citizen Beran A., pleaded guilty to charges related to the concert attack.
He faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
The plot involved knives or homemade explosives aimed at concertgoers outside the stadium.
Taylor Swift’s three performances in Vienna in August 2024 were canceled due to the threat.
Beran A. is also on trial with another man, Arda K., for planning attacks in Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the UAE.
The attacks were allegedly planned for Ramadan 2024 and linked to the Islamic State group.
Only Beran A. was charged for the concert plot; he denies involvement in other planned attacks.
The court still needs to hear expert testimony and closing arguments before giving a verdict.
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A new United Nations report says there is a high chance that the average temperature on Earth will rise above the safety limit set in 2015 over the next five years. This increase will break temperature records and cause harmful effects like severe droughts, wildfires, and damage to important natural environments.
Key Facts
There is a 75% chance that average global temperatures from 2026 to 2030 will exceed 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
The 1.5 degrees Celsius limit was set in the 2015 Paris climate agreement as the safe limit for global warming.
There is a 91% chance that at least one year between 2026 and 2030 will pass this 1.5-degree mark.
There is an 86% chance that one of these years will become the hottest year ever recorded on Earth.
The Arctic is expected to warm nearly 3 degrees Fahrenheit (1.66 degrees Celsius) by 2030.
The Amazon region faces dangerous drought and possible wildfires, threatening a key natural area that helps reduce climate change.
Even small temperature increases can have serious impacts on ecosystems like coral reefs and glaciers.
Rising temperatures will likely cause more extreme weather events, including heat waves, floods, and droughts, affecting agriculture, city planning, and human health.
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Australia charged a 34-year-old woman with links to the ISIS group after she returned from Syria. She and other returnees face various terrorism-related charges while authorities continue investigating all adults who came back from detention camps in Syria.
Key Facts
A 34-year-old woman arrived in Australia in September and faces charges of being part of a terrorist group and entering a conflict zone.
She traveled to Syria in 2013 or 2014 and was detained by Kurdish forces before being held in the al-Hol camp.
Charges related to these offenses can lead to up to 10 years in prison.
More women and children have recently been brought back from the Roj camp in northeast Syria without formal legal trials.
Some returnees, including three women, face serious charges such as crimes against humanity and enslavement.
Australian officials stress investigations are ongoing for all adult returnees, even when no immediate charges are made.
ISIL controlled significant parts of Syria and Iraq at its peak in 2015, about the size of the UK.
The repatriation of these Australians has sparked political debate about the government’s role and the rights of citizens to return.
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Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) attacked a base used by U.S. forces after the U.S. struck an Iranian target near the Strait of Hormuz. President Donald Trump rejected reports of a deal to manage shipping in the strait and said no sanctions on Iran would be eased, warning that no country would control the waterway.
Key Facts
The IRGC said it hit a U.S. air base around 4:50 am local time in response to an early morning U.S. attack near Bandar Abbas airport.
The U.S. military shot down four Iranian drones and targeted a control station in Bandar Abbas believed to be launching a fifth drone.
Both sides say the ceasefire is still in place despite recent military clashes.
President Trump dismissed reports of a draft agreement with Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping and jointly manage traffic with Oman.
Trump stated the strait is international waters and warned Oman to behave or face consequences.
The U.S. is not considering easing sanctions on Iran at this time.
Oil prices rose after the renewed fighting and Trump’s comments.
Iranian officials say Trump’s threats will not force Iran to give up its demands, including uranium enrichment and control over the strait.
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A fire at a girls' boarding school in Gilgil, Kenya, killed sixteen students and injured seventy-four others. The fire started early Thursday morning while the students were asleep, and authorities are still investigating the cause.
Key Facts
The fire occurred at Utumishi Girls school in Gilgil, about 120 km west of Nairobi.
Sixteen students died in the fire.
Seventy-four students were injured and are being treated in hospital.
The fire started around 1:00 a.m. local time when students were sleeping.
About 220 students lived in the dormitory block that caught fire.
Some students jumped from higher floors to escape, causing injuries.
Police and rescue teams are investigating and managing the scene.
Fires in Kenyan boarding schools have happened before, often linked to overcrowding and safety issues.
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French lawmakers are set to vote on repealing the Code Noir, a colonial-era law that regulated slavery and was never officially abolished after slavery ended in 1848. The repeal aims to acknowledge this outdated law that classified enslaved people as property and is part of a larger effort to address France’s colonial history.
Key Facts
The Code Noir was a law signed in 1685 by King Louis XIV to regulate slavery in French colonies.
Though slavery was abolished in 1848, the Code Noir was never formally repealed until now.
The law treated enslaved people as property, allowing harsh punishments and denying their rights.
French lawmakers plan to officially repeal the Code Noir in a vote at the National Assembly.
President Emmanuel Macron called keeping the law on record for so long a form of offense but did not apologize.
France’s overseas territories like Guadeloupe and Martinique still reflect the legacy of slavery and face high poverty and unemployment.
The repeal is seen by some as symbolic but important to recognize and restore dignity to descendants of enslaved people.
Max Mathiasin, a lawmaker from Guadeloupe, proposed the repeal and sees it as fulfilling France’s promise of liberty, equality, and fraternity.
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The United States launched new military strikes near Iran’s Bandar Abbas port, targeting perceived threats to its forces and shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Tensions remain high as Iran and the US continue diplomatic talks amid ongoing military actions in the Gulf region and conflict involving Israel, Lebanon, and Gaza.
Key Facts
The US carried out strikes near Bandar Abbas port, citing threats to its forces and maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian media reported no casualties or damage from the explosions near Bandar Abbas.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps accused the US of violating ceasefire and international law after firing on a US tanker.
President Donald Trump said Iran would not receive sanctions relief and demanded Iran surrender its enriched uranium stockpile.
The US Treasury added Iran’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority to the sanctions list to increase economic pressure.
Kuwait intercepted missiles and drones, triggering air defense alarms and urging residents to stay safe.
Israel ordered evacuations in southern Lebanon amid clashes with Hezbollah, which launched attacks on Israeli forces.
Hamas’s commander in Gaza, Mohammad Odeh, was killed in an Israeli strike, following the death of his predecessor.
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Many young Palestinians graduating from universities in the West Bank face a hard time finding jobs due to a weak economy and political problems. Unemployment is very high, especially after Israel froze many work permits, making the job market even harder for new graduates.
Key Facts
About 40% of young Palestinians with diplomas in the West Bank are unemployed.
Overall unemployment rose to 35.2% in early 2024, then slightly decreased to 27.5% by the end of 2025.
Israel stopped work permits for 115,000 Palestinians from the West Bank, limiting their ability to work in Israel.
Graduates often compete for very few jobs, and many jobs ask for work experience that new graduates do not have.
The Palestinian public sector, once a stable employer, is now unreliable because the Palestinian Authority struggles to pay salaries.
Since 2021, Israel has been holding back large amounts of Palestinian tax money, which worsened after October 2023.
Many graduates feel discouraged and question the value of their degrees due to the lack of job opportunities.
Students face additional challenges like military raids, roadblocks, and shifting between in-person and online classes due to political tensions.
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The US and Iran have exchanged military strikes, with the US attacking an Iranian base and shooting down drones, while Iran responded by targeting a US airbase in Kuwait. President Trump warned he might have to “finish the job” if a peace deal is not reached, amid ongoing violence in the region and increased tensions between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Key Facts
US forces shot down four Iranian attack drones near the Strait of Hormuz and struck a drone control station in Bandar Abbas, Iran.
Iran retaliated by targeting an American base in Kuwait with missiles and drones.
Kuwait confirmed its air defenses intercepted missile and drone threats early Thursday.
President Trump rejected a proposal for Iran and Oman to control shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Oil prices rose by 1.8% due to the rising conflict tensions, reaching nearly $96 a barrel.
Israel declared southern Lebanon a combat zone and warned residents to evacuate due to strikes on Hezbollah targets.
Israeli airstrikes killed the new military leader of Hamas and several civilians in Gaza.
Iran’s parliament security chief said Trump’s threats alternate with calls for agreement but did not change Iran’s stance on nuclear enrichment and sanctions.
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A former MI6 chief said it was impossible to manage security risks linked to Peter Mandelson's connections with senior figures from China, Russia, and Israel when Mandelson was UK ambassador to the US. Despite security officials recommending that Mandelson be denied high-level security clearance, the Foreign Office granted it after claiming management actions would reduce the risks, sparking criticism and calls for transparency.
Key Facts
Peter Mandelson had close ties to senior officials in China, Russia, and Israel.
Security officials recommended denying Mandelson developed vetting clearance in early 2025.
Olly Robbins, a former senior civil servant, approved Mandelson's clearance based on risk "mitigations."
Richard Dearlove, ex-head of MI6, said it would be impossible to effectively manage such security risks.
Mandelson reportedly received a £1 million loan to invest in an Israeli startup, raising further concerns.
The UK Security Vetting agency flagged Mandelson’s close relationship with a British individual as potentially compromising.
There are accusations that the government is withholding some vetting documents relating to Mandelson.
MPs and opposition leaders have criticized the government's handling of the clearance and document release process.
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The United States government is focusing more attention on Cuba, accusing it of military threats and charging former Cuban leader Raúl Castro with serious crimes related to a 1996 incident. Economic sanctions and blockades have caused severe hardships in Cuba, and some U.S. officials suggest that Cuba could pose a growing military threat, though experts see this as unlikely.
Key Facts
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio expressed a desire to see Cuba’s communist government fall, but admitted a deal is unlikely.
The U.S. has charged former Cuban president Raúl Castro with conspiracy and murder linked to the downing of two planes in 1996.
The Trump administration claims Cuba has bought over 300 military drones to potentially attack the U.S. naval base at Guantánamo Bay.
Cuba faces economic difficulties worsened by decades of U.S. sanctions and a recent oil blockade introduced by President Trump.
The USS Nimitz aircraft carrier recently arrived in the Caribbean for military exercises near Cuba.
Average Cuban monthly income is very low (around $16), while prices for essentials like fuel have greatly increased.
Many Cuban citizens are exhausted by economic struggles and uncertain about who is responsible, whether the government or U.S. sanctions.
Some U.S. officials believe increasing pressure might weaken the Cuban government enough to force change.
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President Donald Trump announced his support for Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan ahead of Armenia’s parliamentary elections on June 7, 2026. The election is important for Armenia’s shift away from Russia and closer ties with Western countries.
Key Facts
President Trump endorsed Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan for re-election in Armenia’s June 7, 2026 parliamentary vote.
The election is seen as a key test of Pashinyan’s efforts to reduce Armenia’s dependence on Russia.
Armenia is working to strengthen ties with Western countries like the United States.
The region recently experienced conflict when Azerbaijan took control of the Karabakh area in 2023, causing many ethnic Armenians to leave.
Armenia agreed to create a transit corridor connecting Azerbaijan with its Nakhchivan exclave, called the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP).
Trump highlighted that the U.S. and Armenia will soon start working on the TRIPP project together.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently visited Armenia and advanced deals between the two countries.
Pashinyan expressed gratitude for Trump’s endorsement on social media platform X.
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The UK is experiencing record high temperatures in May, reaching over 35°C in some areas. People living in hospitals, retirement homes, and regular households report difficulties coping with the heat, highlighting issues with public buildings that lack adequate cooling systems.
Key Facts
The UK saw temperatures above 35°C in parts of England in May.
More than 3,000 heat-related deaths occurred during the 2022 UK heatwave.
Older people, newborns, and those with health problems are most at risk during extreme heat.
Hospitals often struggle to keep rooms cool; one patient’s hospital room reached 29°C, above recommended levels.
NHS staff and volunteers are helping by providing fans, ice, and hydration reminders.
Campaigners say public buildings need better cooling systems to protect vulnerable people.
Some retirees suggest adapting by spending hot times in air-conditioned places like shopping centers.
Families adapt by sleeping outside during heat due to lack of indoor cooling.
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France’s National Assembly is set to repeal the Code Noir, a law from 1685 that governed slavery in French colonies and classified enslaved people as property. Although slavery was abolished in France in 1848, this law remained formally on the books until now, prompting debate about how France has dealt with its colonial past.
Key Facts
The Code Noir was a royal decree signed by King Louis XIV in 1685 to control enslaved people in French colonies.
The law treated enslaved individuals as movable property and allowed punishments like mutilation.
France officially abolished slavery in 1848 but never formally repealed the Code Noir until this recent bill.
The National Assembly is expected to approve the repeal in 2026.
President Emmanuel Macron called the continued presence of the law on the books an offense.
France was the third-largest participant in the transatlantic slave trade, transporting about 1.4 million Africans.
Former French colonies like Guadeloupe and Martinique became full French departments in 1946 and are fully governed from Paris.
The repeal is seen as a step toward addressing France’s colonial history, though full reckoning is ongoing.
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A fire broke out at Utumishi Girls School in central Kenya, killing at least 10 students, according to police. Authorities are still searching the school and trying to find all the students, but the cause of the fire is not yet known.
Key Facts
The fire happened early Thursday morning in the boarding area of Utumishi Girls School in Gilgil, Kenya.
At least 10 students died, according to the regional police commander.
Search teams have been sent to find and count all the students.
The cause of the fire has not been determined.
School fires in Kenya often happen due to arson or electrical problems.
Kenya’s deadliest school fire was in 2001, with 67 students dying in Machakos County.
In 2024, 21 students died in another school fire in central Kenya.
Past fires have led to official mourning and legal charges.
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