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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 The repeal aims to acknowledge this outdated law that classified enslaved people as property and is part of a larger effort to address France’s colonial history.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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A rare strain of the Ebola virus called Bundibugyo has caused deaths and many suspected cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda. Several countries, including the DRC, Uganda, Canada, the Bahamas, and the US, have imposed travel restrictions and border controls to try to stop the virus from spreading.
Key Facts
Since mid-May, 10 deaths and 220 suspected deaths from the Ebola Bundibugyo strain have been confirmed in the DRC.
Uganda has reported five confirmed Ebola cases and one death.
The DRC suspended all flights to and from Bunia, one of the affected areas, but allows some special flights like medical emergencies.
Uganda has stopped all direct flights to the DRC and closed bus and boat border crossings for four weeks, while still allowing essential goods to cross.
Canada and the Bahamas have temporarily banned travelers from the DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan for 90 and 30 days, respectively.
The US banned non-citizens and green card holders who recently visited the affected countries and requires US citizens returning from these areas to use certain airports with health screenings.
The US plans to send health officers to Kenya to manage a quarantine facility for exposed or infected Americans.
No Ebola cases have been reported in Canada, the Bahamas, or the US so far.
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A woman named Joanna Brittan says she was raped and trafficked in the 1990s by Ahmed Obaidly, a UAE diplomat linked to businessman Mohamed Al Fayed. Her case is now being reviewed by the UK government to identify victims of modern slavery, and police continue to investigate others who may have helped enable the abuse.
Key Facts
Joanna Brittan reported being raped multiple times by Ahmed Obaidly, a UAE diplomat, in 1990.
She also alleges she was trafficked to Mohamed Al Fayed, a businessman, and pressured into unwanted roles.
Both Ahmed Obaidly and Mohamed Al Fayed have died since the reported events.
Joanna waived her right to anonymity to encourage other possible victims to come forward.
Her case is under review by the National Referral Mechanism (NRM), which looks for modern slavery victims in the UK.
The Metropolitan Police are actively investigating whether others helped enable the abuse and are asking for public information.
Joanna first told police about the allegations in 2017 after seeing a TV documentary about Al Fayed.
Joanna described threats and coercion used against her, including being forced to take medical tests and sign a non-disclosure agreement.
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Before Armenia’s parliamentary elections on June 7, there has been a big rise in false information shared online. Both the government and opposition, as well as foreign groups like Russia, have been involved in spreading fake news, including AI-made videos and fake social media accounts.
Key Facts
Since early May, misinformation in Armenia has increased about ten times, according to the Media Diversity Institute.
Fake social media accounts supporting the government or attacking opponents use AI-generated images or unrelated photos.
An Armenian news channel connected a fake news website to a top aide of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who denied involvement.
Misinformation appears on platforms like Telegram, TikTok, and Facebook, sometimes as fake interviews or videos.
Diplomatic events, like the EU-Armenia summit in early May, have coincided with spikes in fake content.
Some false stories accuse Pashinyan of things like buying a luxury mansion in France, which is untrue but widely shared.
A leaked report suggests Russia’s government is helping spread misinformation in Armenia and other countries.
These fake stories often target Armenian national identity or historical and religious issues to influence voters.
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Alicia-Adele Axiak, an 11-year-old girl from Wales, was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive brain tumour called diffuse midline glioma (DIPG) and died 13 days after diagnosis. Her mother, Amanda Axiak, is campaigning to improve research funding and awareness for brain tumours, which currently receive very little funding despite being a leading cause of cancer death in young people.
Key Facts
Alicia woke up one day with a numb arm that soon spread to her face and leg.
Doctors suspected a stroke and performed an MRI scan, which diagnosed her with an incurable brain tumour (DIPG).
Alicia was previously healthy and active in sports like netball, gymnastics, and dance.
The tumour was inoperable, and Alicia died peacefully surrounded by family 13 days after diagnosis.
Brain tumours get only about 1% of UK cancer research funding, despite being a top cancer killer for people under 40 in Wales.
Only 17.2% of brain tumour patients in Wales survive five years after diagnosis, much lower than the 61.5% survival rate for all cancers.
Amanda started a charity group called Alicia-Adele’s Angels to raise money and awareness for brain tumour research.
The Welsh government plans to focus more on cancer research, innovation, and clinical trial access in its new cancer plan.
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Xiaoman, meaning “small fullness,” is a Chinese solar term in late May that marks a key time for growing crops and silk production. Farmers in China hope for heavy rain during this period to fill rice fields and ensure healthy harvests, while traditional signs and customs are linked to weather and protecting silkworms.
Key Facts
Xiaoman occurs in the last two weeks of May and means “small fullness” or “grain buds.”
In northern China, it refers to growing wheat grains; in southern China, it relates to rivers filling with rainwater.
The weather during Xiaoman is usually warm and humid.
Chinese farmers wish for heavy rain to fill rice paddies, as dry fields then may lead to problems later in summer.
Frogs croaking loudly and low-flying bees or flies are traditional signs that rain is coming.
Xiaoman is important for silk production and is celebrated as the birthday of the silkworm goddess Leizu.
Thunder was thought to harm silkworms, so farmers would bang drums to help silkworms get used to loud sounds before storms arrived.
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A food truck in the Netherlands called WasteBar lets people trade cigarette butts and plastic litter for food and drinks at festivals. This idea aims to reduce litter by encouraging people to pick up trash and think differently about waste in their environment.
Key Facts
Cigarette butts are the most common plastic waste worldwide, with over 4.5 trillion produced each year.
In the Netherlands, hundreds of millions of cigarette butts end up as litter annually.
WasteBar accepts 20 cigarette butts in exchange for a plate of poffertjes (small Dutch pancakes).
The truck also accepts plastic pieces as payment for food and drinks.
Dutch local governments spend around €36 million yearly cleaning up cigarette butts.
The WasteBar concept started in Goa, India, and was brought to the Netherlands in 2022 by Dutch entrepreneur Noreen van Holstein.
The project has collected over 500,000 cigarette butts through more than 50 events.
WasteBar aims to create a social change by making litter collection a visible and collective activity.
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Around 300 Ghanaians have returned to Ghana after being evacuated from South Africa due to violence against foreign nationals. The Ghanaian government is helping them settle back with support and transportation.
Key Facts
About 300 Ghanaians were evacuated from South Africa because of attacks linked to anti-immigrant tensions.
The first flight carrying these evacuees arrived in Accra, Ghana’s capital.
Ghanaian authorities welcomed the returnees upon arrival.
The government is providing reintegration support to help them adjust back home.
Transportation assistance is available for those who need help moving after they land.
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An 87-year-old woman in Norwich kept a practice bomb in her garden for 66 years, allowing guests to handle it during gatherings. After a gardener spotted the device and alerted police, the area was evacuated, and the bomb was safely detonated. The bomb was confirmed to be a harmless practice device used for flare signals.
Key Facts
Valerie Smith kept a rusted bomb in her garden for 66 years.
The bomb came from her son and was inspected by her ex-army husband, who said it was just a shell.
Neighbours were allowed to handle the bomb during social events.
A gardener named Ewan Barnard noticed the device and called the police.
Police evacuated the neighbours and carried out a controlled explosion to destroy the device.
The bomb was identified as a practice bomb used to release flares 20,000 feet in the air.
Valerie Smith refused to leave her home when told to evacuate.
The gardener was cautious but not panicked after discovering the bomb.
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