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Norway, the biggest donor to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), has paused its funding before UNEP’s revised budget is set on May 12. This pause raises worries about the progress of international talks to create a global treaty to reduce plastic pollution.
Key Facts
Norway has been UNEP’s largest donor recently, giving about $12 million each year through 2025.
Norway also gave extra millions to the Planetary Fund and specific projects fighting plastic pollution.
The funding pause comes just before UNEP’s budget is finalized on May 12.
Norway is a co-leader in a coalition pushing for a strong, legally binding plastic treaty.
Talks on the plastic treaty have been difficult, with no agreement after six rounds since 2022.
UNEP’s leader was informed by Norway that all funding agreements are on hold until budget decisions are made.
An email from Norway’s aid agency told NGOs it is postponing funds for projects helping developing countries fight plastic pollution.
Norway’s shift in funding happens while its government debates environmental spending and continues some fossil fuel projects.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested that former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder could help coordinate peace talks between Russia and the European Union to resolve the war in Ukraine. Schroeder, who has close ties with Putin, has been a controversial figure in Germany due to his long-standing relationship with Russia and criticism over the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Key Facts
Putin proposed Gerhard Schroeder as a mediator for peace talks involving the EU and Russia over Ukraine.
Schroeder was Germany’s chancellor from 1998 to 2005 and has maintained strong ties with Putin since then.
Putin said the war in Ukraine might be “coming to an end” and expressed readiness to meet Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy after peace terms are agreed.
Schroeder worked in Russian energy projects after leaving office, including roles in Nord Stream pipelines and on the board of Rosneft (resigned in 2022).
Schroeder has faced criticism in Germany for not condemning Russia’s 2022 invasion and lost state privileges usually given to former chancellors.
Putin has praised Schroeder and sees him as a trustworthy figure for negotiating with Europe.
European Union officials have shown skepticism about Schroeder’s role in peace talks.
The war’s ceasefires around Victory Day (May 8-9) were short and both sides accused each other of violating them.
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A large data breach in Alberta, Canada, exposed personal information of about 2.9 million voters to a far-right separatist group. This has caused concerns about election security and unfair use of voter data for political campaigns. Authorities in Alberta and Canada have launched investigations into the breach and the misuse of this data.
Key Facts
Personal voter information, including names and addresses, was illegally accessed in Alberta.
The breach involved a far-right separatist group linked to efforts for Alberta's independence.
The data came from Alberta’s official voter list, which has about 2.9 million entries.
The Centurion Project, a political group using new digital tools, was involved in using the data.
The voter data was originally legally obtained by a fringe right-wing party but then shared improperly.
Journalists found the data was exposed online without security, allowing anonymous access.
Elections Alberta and federal investigators, including the RCMP, are looking into the breach.
Alberta uses fake names in voter lists to detect illegal sharing, which helped trace this incident.
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Iran insists it has only asked for its legitimate rights in response to the latest U.S. peace offer. President Donald Trump called Iran's response "totally unacceptable" and plans to ask China to pressure Iran during an upcoming visit to Beijing.
Key Facts
Iran says it demands no concessions, only its legitimate rights in peace talks.
Iranian leaders state they will defend their national interests and refuse to surrender.
Iran's foreign ministry says it will fight if needed but also use diplomacy when appropriate.
President Trump rejected Iran’s reply to the U.S. peace proposal as unacceptable.
Oil prices rose with Brent crude passing $100 a barrel after the peace proposal rejection.
Trump plans to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss Iran and try to get China to influence Iran.
The U.S. has criticized China for continuing trade with Iran despite U.S. sanctions.
Iran hopes China will support Tehran’s position rather than U.S. demands in the talks.
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President Donald Trump said Iran's reply to a U.S. peace offer is unacceptable. Iran responded with conditions and warned it would defend itself against any new U.S. attacks or foreign ships near the Strait of Hormuz.
Key Facts
President Trump called Iran's terms for peace "totally unacceptable."
The peace proposal aims to end the war in the Middle East.
Iran replied with conditions that the U.S. did not accept.
Iran threatened to retaliate against any new U.S. military strikes.
Iran warned it would not allow more foreign warships in the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway.
Negotiations had been ongoing for weeks before this response.
The risk of more conflict has increased after Iran’s reply and Trump’s rejection.
The situation involves U.S. and Iran tensions in the Middle East region.
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Two passengers from a cruise ship linked to a hantavirus outbreak have tested positive for the virus. Emergency teams, including paratroopers, have been sent to a remote island to provide medical help after a suspected hantavirus case there.
Key Facts
A hantavirus outbreak is linked to a Dutch-flagged cruise ship.
Two passengers from the ship tested positive for hantavirus.
Americans and other nationals have been evacuated from the ship.
Emergency forces parachuted medical supplies onto a remote inhabited island.
A British passenger on the island is in stable condition and isolating.
The situation prompted urgent medical response because hantavirus can be serious.
The outbreak is affecting multiple nationalities including U.S. and French citizens.
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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing pressure within his Labour Party after poor local election results. Meanwhile, Iranian Nobel Prize winner Narges Mohammadi has been released on bail due to poor health, and Cuba is experiencing a significant drop in tourism and population since the pandemic.
Key Facts
Keir Starmer's Labour Party performed badly in recent UK local elections.
Labour rivals, including former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner, are demanding immediate changes or threatening leadership challenges.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting has said he is ready to challenge Starmer’s leadership.
Iranian Nobel laureate Narges Mohammadi was released on bail for medical reasons after being imprisoned since December 2025.
Iran has increased repression against dissidents, including those living abroad.
Iran’s government-imposed internet shutdown has caused mass layoffs in the digital sector.
Cuba’s visitor numbers have dropped by nearly 50% compared to 2025, with 2 million people leaving the country since the Covid-19 pandemic.
FC Barcelona won the 2026 Spanish La Liga championship.
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An American and a French passenger evacuated from a cruise ship infected with hantavirus have tested positive for the disease. Authorities continued to safely move people off the MV Hondius ship, which is docked in the Canary Islands.
Key Facts
The MV Hondius cruise ship had a hantavirus outbreak onboard.
94 people from 19 countries were evacuated from the ship.
Among those evacuated, one American and one French person tested positive for hantavirus.
The ship is located in the Canary Islands, a Spanish territory.
Spanish officials stated their health and safety procedures during the evacuation were thorough.
The situation required a complex international repatriation effort.
Hantavirus is a serious infectious disease often carried by rodents.
The evacuation and testing process was ongoing as of May 11, 2026.
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Iranian Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi was released on bail due to serious health concerns. She was moved to Tehran to receive medical treatment after suffering two suspected heart attacks in prison.
Key Facts
Narges Mohammadi won the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize for her work campaigning for human rights in Iran.
She was held in a prison in Zanjan, Iran.
Mohammadi experienced two suspected heart attacks while in prison.
Due to concerns about her health, Iranian authorities released her on bail.
After release, she was transferred to Tehran for medical care.
Her supporters had raised alarm about her risk of dying in prison.
The announcement was made on Sunday.
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Iran and the United States have not reached an agreement to end their ongoing conflict, and their ceasefire is becoming less stable. Russia and China publicly call for reducing tensions but are believed by Western observers to be supporting Iran, helping it continue in the conflict.
Key Facts
Iran and the U.S. remain stuck without a deal to end their war.
The ceasefire between Iran and the U.S. is weakening.
Russia and China say they want to lower tensions.
Western countries say Russia and China are helping Iran stay strong.
This support helps Iran keep fighting in the conflict.
The situation in the Middle East is causing global concern.
Regional watchers credit Iran’s strength partly to Russia and China’s support.
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A French woman who was on a cruise ship affected by hantavirus has tested positive for the disease. She is one of five French passengers who were brought back to Paris and placed in isolation.
Key Facts
The cruise ship involved is named MV Hondius.
Five French passengers from the ship were flown back to France.
These passengers have been isolated in Paris as a safety measure.
A French woman among them started feeling very sick on Sunday night.
Tests confirmed she has hantavirus, a rare disease.
This is France's first case of hantavirus linked to this outbreak.
The information was shared by France's Health Minister, Stephanie Rist.
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Jewish musicians told a royal commission in Australia that they faced abuse and boycotts because of their support for Zionism, the belief in a Jewish homeland in Israel. The commission heard that criticism of Israel is not always antisemitic, but some attacks use old harmful stereotypes about Jews.
Key Facts
Jewish musicians Deborah Conway and Joshua Moshe said they were targeted for their Zionist beliefs.
Their private group chat was leaked, exposing personal information and leading to online abuse.
Zionism is described as the belief that Jews have a right to live in their ancestral homeland, Israel.
Conway said opposing Zionism can be a form of hatred against Jews.
Moshe lost music opportunities and his business faced boycotts because of his views.
The commission is studying what counts as antisemitism and noted not all criticism of Israel is antisemitic.
Using Nazi or anti-Jewish stereotypes in criticism of Israel is seen as antisemitic.
Antisemitism in Australia has been increasing for over ten years, especially rising sharply since October 7, 2023.
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A ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, arranged by U.S. President Donald Trump, ended without fully stopping the fighting. Both sides blamed each other for violating the agreement, and there is no clear progress toward peace talks or resolving the conflict.
Key Facts
The U.S.-brokered ceasefire lasted 72 hours and was meant to mark Russia's Victory Day.
Ukraine reported Russian attacks killed at least two civilians and wounded seven during the ceasefire.
Russia accused Ukraine of more than 1,000 ceasefire violations.
Previous ceasefires since the war began over four years ago have also failed.
There is no agreement on key issues: Putin wants control of the Donbas region, which Zelenskyy refuses to surrender.
Zelenskyy proposed a ceasefire and talks with Putin, but Putin wants talks only near the end of a settlement.
Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder was suggested as a mediator, but Germany and the EU rejected this.
The EU wants to clarify its goals before talking with Russia, while Ukraine looks to U.S. leadership for peace efforts.
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Keir Starmer gave a speech described as a crucial moment to save his leadership as Labour leader in the UK. He spoke about the need for change, showed determination to stay in charge, and addressed Brexit’s impact, but offered few new policy ideas.
Key Facts
Starmer said the British people want change and are tired of the current situation.
He promised not to give up his leadership despite pressure.
He blamed the Conservative Party for causing chaos in the country.
New policies he mentioned included a youth experience scheme and nationalizing British Steel, but they were not new ideas.
The Labour Party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) controls if Andy Burnham can run for a parliamentary seat, which could lead to a leadership challenge.
Starmer acknowledged Brexit has made the UK poorer and less secure but kept firm on refusing EU single market membership.
Some Labour members want stronger, new policies to support Starmer, but he mostly repeated old ones.
Starmer warned that if Labour fails, it could lead the country down a “very dark path.”
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The former Prime Minister of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani, said that the war between the United States, Israel, and Iran is part of a long-term plan by Israel to change the Middle East. He warned about Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s goals to expand Israel’s borders and highlighted the danger Iran poses by controlling the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route.
Key Facts
Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani described the US-Israel conflict with Iran as a result of a long-term Israeli plan, not a sudden event.
He criticized Netanyahu for pushing the US into a war with Iran, promising a quick victory that did not happen.
Sheikh Hamad said the current conflict hurt Gulf states more than the US, especially through attacks on energy and infrastructure.
Iran has used control over the Strait of Hormuz to its advantage, which is a dangerous development for global trade.
The former Qatari leader called for Gulf countries to work together on defense and to pursue united talks with Iran.
He claimed the war has allowed Netanyahu to promote the idea of “Greater Israel,” expanding Israeli territory into neighboring Arab lands.
Sheikh Hamad believes diplomatic talks earlier this year might have prevented the war.
He stressed that the Middle East is undergoing major changes that will affect the region for many years.
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People in Taiwan are joining self-defense classes because they worry China might try to take over the island by force. This concern has grown as President Donald Trump is set to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping soon.
Key Facts
Many Taiwanese civilians are signing up for self-defense training.
The training is driven by fears of a possible Chinese military action against Taiwan.
China claims Taiwan as part of its territory.
Taiwan operates as a separate government but is not widely recognized as independent.
There is concern in Taiwan that its future could be impacted by talks between President Trump and President Xi.
The Trump-Xi meeting is scheduled for Thursday.
The increase in self-defense training shows rising tensions in the region.
Taiwan is preparing its people in case of conflict.
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Shireen Abu Akleh was a well-known Palestinian journalist who reported on major events in Palestine for many years. After her killing in 2022, a campaign targeting Palestinian journalists increased, but young people like the article’s author were inspired to continue reporting despite the dangers.
Key Facts
Shireen Abu Akleh reported on key Palestinian events including the second Intifada and the 2014 Gaza war.
She was the first Arab journalist allowed to interview Palestinian prisoners in Ashqelon prison in 2005.
Shireen was killed on May 11, 2022, during an attack, and rescue efforts were hindered by Israeli fire.
Since her death, at least 260 media workers in Gaza have been killed.
Israel is now considered the biggest killer of journalists.
Despite these dangers, young Palestinians have continued to pursue journalism inspired by Shireen’s example.
The author, originally studying literature, switched to journalism after Shireen’s death to document the conflict.
Internet blackouts and ongoing violence have made reporting difficult but important for sharing the Palestinian experience.
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Iran and the United States are in talks to end a war but disagree on terms. Iran says the US demands are unfair, while President Trump calls Iran’s proposal unacceptable. The conflict has caused tensions in the Gulf region and affected global oil prices.
Key Facts
Iran’s foreign ministry calls US demands “unreasonable” and “one-sided” in negotiation talks.
Iran submitted its response to the US proposal to end the war through Pakistan.
President Donald Trump rejected Iran’s peace proposal as “totally unacceptable.”
Iran wants the war to end, US sanctions lifted, frozen Iranian assets released, and safe navigation of the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait of Hormuz, a key oil route, has been partly blocked by Iran since March, raising global oil prices.
More than 50 countries led by France and the UK plan to send warships to secure the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran warned European countries not to join US and Israeli actions against it.
A multinational meeting of defense ministers is scheduled to discuss restoring trade through the Strait.
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Sri Lankan police arrested a senior Buddhist monk, Pallegama Hemarathana, for allegedly sexually abusing an 11-year-old girl in 2022. The monk is the chief priest of a famous temple in Anuradhapura and is set to appear in court soon, while the victim’s mother was also arrested for helping him.
Key Facts
Pallegama Hemarathana, 71, was arrested at a hospital in Colombo during the investigation.
The alleged abuse happened at a well-known temple in Anuradhapura, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Hemarathana is the chief custodian of a sacred Bodhi tree and leads eight important temples on a Buddhist pilgrim route.
The victim’s mother is accused of aiding the monk and has been arrested.
The monk faces a court hearing scheduled for Tuesday, following a travel ban imposed by a local court.
This case is the highest-profile sexual abuse allegation against Buddhist clergy in Sri Lanka.
The arrest follows other recent crimes involving Buddhist monks in Sri Lanka and neighboring Thailand.
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The last passengers are leaving the ship MV Hondius on May 11 after some passengers tested positive for hantavirus. The ship will be cleaned before returning to the Netherlands.
Key Facts
Evacuation of passengers from the MV Hondius is ongoing into the second day.
At least two passengers tested positive for hantavirus after leaving the ship.
Hantavirus is spread by rodents and can be deadly.
There is no specific cure for hantavirus.
After evacuation, the ship will be disinfected before sailing back.
The situation started around early May 2026.
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