Poland and Ukraine helped each other at the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, especially with Poland supporting Ukrainian refugees. However, their relationship has worsened due to a fight about history involving a Ukrainian army accused of killing many Poles during World War II, which Poland calls genocide. This dispute has led Poland to threaten blocking Ukraine from joining the European Union.
Key Facts
Poland supported millions of Ukrainian refugees after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.
A historical conflict involves the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), which killed about 100,000 Poles in 1943 in an area that was then part of Poland.
Ukraine honors UPA members as heroes for fighting Soviet rule, while Poland condemns them for the killings.
Polish President Karol Nawrocki removed a Polish state award from President Zelenskyy because of Ukraine honoring the UPA.
In response, some Ukrainian officials returned their Polish awards, and Ukraine plans to continue honoring UPA members.
The dispute has caused strong anger and harsh public statements from both countries.
Poland has threatened to block Ukraine’s entry into the European Union over these historical disagreements.
Both countries’ leaders have used this issue to appeal to domestic audiences, affecting their political positions.
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On Bastille Day in Paris, more than 6,500 soldiers and 300 military vehicles took part in a parade on the Champs-Élysées. The event aimed to show new military strength and cooperation in Europe, with troops from countries including Germany and Ukraine participating.
Key Facts
The parade included 6,500 soldiers and over 300 military vehicles.
Troops from the Coalition of the Willing, including Germany and 25 Ukrainian soldiers, marched together.
The parade took place on the Champs-Élysées, a famous street in Paris.
French President Emmanuel Macron attended his tenth and final Bastille Day parade before the 2027 presidential election.
Many international leaders stayed in Paris after meetings about the situation in Ukraine.
The parade aimed to signal Europe’s renewed military focus and cooperation.
Separately, Albania, Moldova, Montenegro, and Ukraine made progress in talks to join the European Union.
EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos called it a historic day for accession talks, with four countries holding conferences in one day.
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A fire at a music bar in Bangkok, Thailand, has killed 30 people and injured many others. Officials are investigating whether safety rules were ignored and plan to increase safety checks in public places.
Key Facts
The fire happened at Rong Beer Na Ladprao bar in Bangkok’s Chatuchak area.
Firefighters took about 30 minutes to control the blaze on Sunday night.
30 people died, and 24 remain in serious condition in hospital.
Police are checking if the bar followed safety regulations and if exits were blocked or hard to use.
An electrical short circuit in a ceiling air conditioner may have started the fire.
One exit near the restrooms was blocked by a table, and another exit had a damaged sign and missing door handle.
Authorities are also looking into whether gas canisters stored in the kitchen made the fire worse.
The bar had passed a safety inspection in April before the fire occurred.
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A report from the Education Policy Institute (EPI) shows that children from low-income families in England are falling further behind their better-off peers at school. The gap in learning is especially large in early years and at the stage when students take their GCSE exams, despite some improvements after the Covid-19 pandemic.
Key Facts
The achievement gap between poorer pupils and wealthier pupils has grown since the Covid pandemic.
This gap is wider at every school stage than before the pandemic, with the biggest differences in early education and at Key Stage 4 (GCSE year).
By Key Stage 4, disadvantaged pupils are about 19 months behind their better-off classmates on average.
Children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) who have formal support plans face the largest recorded gaps.
Pupils eligible for free school meals are used as a key measure of disadvantage.
Disadvantaged children in London perform better than similar children in other regions of England.
The government aims to halve this achievement gap by the time the current generation finishes secondary school.
Recommendations to close the gap include expanding free childcare access and increasing school funding for disadvantaged pupils.
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Pakistan helped the US and Iran sign an agreement to extend a ceasefire and work toward peace in June. However, fighting between the two countries resumed soon after, with recent attacks escalating tensions and raising doubts about future talks. Pakistan and other mediators like Qatar continue diplomatic efforts to restore dialogue.
Key Facts
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the US and Iran on June 17.
The MoU aimed to extend a ceasefire and create a path toward long-term peace.
Fighting resumed less than four weeks later, including missile and drone attacks in the Gulf region.
The US launched new strikes on Iran, which responded by attacking Gulf and Arab nations hosting US bases.
Iranian officials say mediators including Pakistan, Qatar, and Oman remain engaged despite ongoing hostilities.
Pakistan's officials, including Deputy PM Ishaq Dar and Prime Minister Sharif, continue to urge dialogue as the only way to solve the conflict.
The renewed fighting broke earlier ceasefires agreed upon since April and has caused casualties and damage in Iran and neighboring countries.
Qatar has been affected by missile debris, highlighting the risk to mediators and their populations.
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A former church building in Sydney that was turned into an LGBTQ+ arts venue called Divine Playhouse has had to stop its events after religious groups protested. The landlord sent a notice demanding the venue cease what it called “offensive trade,” leading to canceled events and uncertainty about the venue’s future.
Key Facts
Divine Playhouse is located in a 150-year-old building in Sydney’s central business district, formerly a church and later a school and theatre.
The venue was created as a safe, inclusive space for LGBTQ+ artists to perform and connect with audiences.
Religious groups, including a Catholic men’s group and a Christian brotherhood, protested the venue’s opening, claiming it mocked Christian faith.
About 70 supporters rallied against the venue and demanded the government withdraw a $100,000 arts grant it had received.
The landlord issued a legal notice accusing the venue of insulting religious beliefs and gave two days to stop operations.
The venue canceled weekend events and removed its social media accounts due to complaints.
Supporters argue that queer artists have the right to create challenging and expressive art, while others emphasize the right to protest peacefully.
Sydney’s deputy lord mayor praised the venue as a community space promoting inclusion and strength through diversity.
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France’s 2026 Bastille Day parade will include troops and aircraft from 11 European countries to show support for Ukraine’s security after the war. Ukrainian President Zelensky will join French President Macron, who is attending his last Bastille Day as president, along with about 30 other leaders.
Key Facts
The parade on July 14 features about 6,800 troops, the largest number ever, including 500 from countries supporting Ukraine’s post-war security.
Military aircraft from Germany, the UK, Croatia, Poland, Denmark, Greece, Sweden, Norway, Spain, and Italy will participate.
Ukrainian troops will march, and two Mirage fighter jets with Ukrainian co-pilots trained in France will fly in the parade.
President Macron is hosting some 30 other world leaders for the event.
Bastille Day celebrates the 1789 storming of the Bastille prison, a key moment in the French Revolution.
Large forest fires and a heatwave in France have caused cancellations of fireworks and related celebrations in some areas.
The parade route is the Champs-Élysées in Paris, passing under the Arc de Triomphe.
The event aims to show European unity and strength amid tensions involving Russia and messages directed to Presidents Putin and Trump.
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The UK Home Office is closing hotels used to house asylum seekers and moving people into military barracks or shared housing. Many asylum seekers, including families with medical needs, say the moves happen quickly with little notice and result in worse living conditions, raising legal concerns about how the government assesses individual needs.
Key Facts
The UK government is closing hotels used for asylum seekers, moving them into military barracks or other shared housing.
On June 25, the Home Office announced the closure of 20 hotels, following 11 closures earlier in the year.
Some families are moved with only a few days’ notice and face cramped, inadequate accommodation.
A child with epilepsy, a heart condition, and wheelchair needs was moved to a hotel without proper space or cooking facilities.
Legal challenges have been launched, arguing the government did not properly assess vulnerable individuals before evictions.
A court cited doubts that the home secretary considered if the new housing was adequate.
Support groups say families are separated from communities and vital care due to sudden moves.
Some asylum seekers with serious health problems have been moved far from their medical treatment.
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French firefighters are battling two wildfires that have destroyed over 1,900 hectares of the Fontainebleau forest near Paris. Police arrested two people suspected of starting the fires, which forced about 1,000 residents to leave their homes.
Key Facts
The Fontainebleau forest is a UNESCO biosphere reserve located around 60 kilometers southeast of Paris.
Wildfires began on Sunday and spread quickly during a heatwave in northern France.
The fires damaged more than 1,900 hectares (about 4,700 acres) of forest land.
About 1,000 people were evacuated from areas near the fires.
Police arrested two suspects, including an 18-year-old man with no criminal record found with a lighter and soot on his hands.
Firefighters used four Canadair planes, two Dash planes, and three helicopters to drop water and fight the fire.
Around 600 firefighters continued working in shifts to control the blaze.
Officials suspect the fires may have been started on purpose due to multiple ignition points found near each other.
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A new British law is set to make it a crime for public officials and bodies to lie to the public, inspired by the Hillsborough disaster where police falsely blamed football fans. The law, pushed by Keir Starmer’s Labour government, aims to help people fight authorities and ensure honesty, and it is close to final approval in the UK Parliament.
Key Facts
The Hillsborough disaster in 1989 caused 97 deaths due to a crush at a football stadium.
Police wrongly blamed Liverpool football fans for the tragedy, hiding their own mistakes.
After long campaigns, families of victims pushed for a law requiring public officials to be truthful (called the "duty of candour").
The new law also supports fair legal funding for people fighting public bodies, which families lacked in past inquests.
Andy Burnham first proposed the law in 2017 as a private member’s bill, but it stalled under the previous Conservative government.
When Labour returned to power in 2024, the law became a key promise and moved forward under Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
The new law has nearly completed its final stages in the House of Commons (the UK Parliament).
The law is seen as a legacy of the families’ long struggle for justice after the disaster.
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A fire at the Rong Beer Na Ladprao music bar in Bangkok has killed 30 people and injured more than 70, with 24 in critical condition. The fire started late Sunday and took firefighters about 30 minutes to control. Authorities are investigating the cause and whether safety rules were followed.
Key Facts
The fire happened in a music bar in northern Bangkok called Rong Beer Na Ladprao.
30 people have died, making it the deadliest fire in Bangkok in 17 years.
Over 70 people are in the hospital, and 24 are in serious condition.
Many victims were found trapped in windowless bathrooms while trying to escape.
The bar claimed it could hold up to 600 customers, but the actual number inside is unknown.
Firefighters took about 30 minutes to put out the fire.
Officials are still investigating how the fire started and if safety regulations were met.
Friends and others have left flowers and messages in different languages at the site to mourn the victims.
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Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson rented an entire cinema in Colchester, Suffolk, for 200 pupils from St Gregory Primary School and their families to watch a new live-action Moana movie. The event included treats for the children, a special video message from Johnson, and was arranged after he saw a video the students made asking to see the film.
Key Facts
The Rock booked all nine screens at a Vue cinema for the exclusive movie event.
About 700 people attended, including pupils, friends, and family members.
Each seat had sweets, popcorn, Moana cupcakes, and a signed poster from Johnson.
The screening was of a live-action remake of Disney’s 2016 animated movie Moana.
Pupils wore Moana costumes and T-shirts for the event.
Johnson first met about 50 students in London during a related Moana Experience trip.
The event followed a viral video made by the students asking Johnson to help them see the movie.
The head teacher said the event created lasting memories and was a positive experience for the children.
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India is investigating a film called Satluj, which tells the story of Jaswant Singh Khalra, a human rights activist who exposed illegal killings during a separatist conflict in Punjab in the 1980s and 1990s. The film was initially blocked and censored by Indian authorities and later removed from a streaming platform for security reasons.
Key Facts
Satluj is a movie about Jaswant Singh Khalra, who investigated forced disappearances and killings by police during the Punjab separatist conflict.
Khalra was arrested in 1995 and is believed to have been killed while in police custody; his body was never found.
The film was blocked for three years by India’s censor board, which demanded changes and cuts before allowing release.
Filmmakers refused to make the cuts and released the film online, but it was removed two days later due to security concerns.
The Punjab insurgency in the 1980s-1990s involved violent clashes between Sikh separatists wanting Khalistan and Indian security forces.
Human rights groups reported torture, secret killings, enforced disappearances, and unreported cremations during the crackdown on the movement.
The film stars Diljit Dosanjh as Khalra and has been praised by critics as a powerful drama.
The conflict included the 1984 Indian military attack on the Golden Temple, a major Sikh holy site, which resulted in many deaths.
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Free cooking classes in Guernsey helped parents learn how to prepare healthy and affordable meals for their families. The classes were led by a professional chef and supported by the Health Improvement Commission to make cooking fresh food easier for busy parents.
Key Facts
The classes were run by St Martin's Community Centre in partnership with the Health Improvement Commission.
A professional chef taught parents how to cook simple, fresh meals like stir fry costing about £2 per portion.
Parents said the classes gave them new ideas and confidence to cook healthy meals at home.
Many parents struggle to find affordable, quick, and healthy meal options due to busy schedules.
Learning to cook at home can help families save money and encourage children to try healthy foods.
More than 57% of adults in Guernsey are overweight or obese, and nearly a third of Year 5 children have excess weight.
Guernsey’s Healthier Weight Strategy includes promoting healthier eating as a key goal.
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President Donald Trump has warned that the United States might attack a well-protected underground nuclear site in Iran called "Pickaxe Mountain." This warning came after the US carried out three nights of military strikes and demanded a payment from shipping passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump threatened to attack an underground nuclear facility in Iran named "Pickaxe Mountain."
The facility is described as heavily fortified, meaning it is strongly protected.
The US has conducted military strikes in Iran for three consecutive nights.
The US demanded to receive 20% of the value of all cargo passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route.
These actions represent a rising tension between the US and Iran.
The Strait of Hormuz is an important waterway for global oil transport.
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The investigation into the death of Ann Widdecombe is now led by counter-terrorism police, prompting renewed public discussion about the safety of politicians in the UK. MPs and public figures are concerned about increasing threats, partly linked to violent language on social media, and the government is considering stronger measures to protect political figures.
Key Facts
Ann Widdecombe’s death investigation is now handled by counter-terrorism police.
MPs are discussing how to keep politicians both safe and accessible to the public.
Sir Bernard Jenkin said MPs face a higher risk of violent death than some armed forces or police members.
Many politicians say social media has increased violent language and threats against them.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood acknowledged more action may be needed to improve MPs’ security.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage expressed concerns about his own safety and refused a reduced government security offer.
Officials are challenged with assessing threats to current and former MPs, as well as active political figures outside Parliament.
There is worry about whether political careers will seem safe and attractive for future generations.
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Aaron Houghton, a blacksmith from Wales, worked as an armourer on the sets of the TV series House of the Dragon, helping to make weapons look real and authentic for fight scenes. He also teaches blacksmithing and continues to work on fantasy film sets using his metalworking skills.
Key Facts
House of the Dragon filmed its second and third series in north Wales.
Aaron Houghton worked full-time on the armoury team, making and repairing weapons.
The show is based on George RR Martin’s book series A Song of Ice and Fire.
The production received funding from Creative Wales to film in the region.
Aaron studied metalwork at Hereford College of Arts and now teaches blacksmithing.
Filming locations included the Trefor granite quarry, Dinorwig slate quarry, and Beaumaris.
Weapons for the show were made in Hertfordshire but finished on set.
Aaron’s interest in historical European martial arts helped him in his armourer role.
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A fire at a pub in Bangkok caused the deaths of 30 people, making it the deadliest fire in the city in 17 years. Police are investigating the cause, focusing on possible negligence and an electrical short circuit as the main factors.
Key Facts
The fire started early Monday morning at a pub in northern Bangkok.
Thirty people have died, and many others were injured, with 24 in critical condition.
Police believe an electrical short circuit in an air conditioner caused the fire.
The pub said it will fully cooperate with the investigation and apologized for the tragedy.
Several exit doors might have been locked or blocked, trapping victims inside.
Most victims were found in windowless bathrooms near a rear exit that was not used.
Officials are checking if flammable decorations and improper wiring contributed to the fire.
Some survivors escaped by luck, and at least one victim was identified as a migrant worker from Laos.
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Campaigners want the Greater London Authority (GLA) to create a common "Right to Grow" plan that would help London communities use unused public land for growing food. Some local councils already have similar policies, but many people on waiting lists want more allotments and gardens for food growing.
Key Facts
Some London boroughs, like Hounslow, Southwark, and Hackney, have started policies to turn unused land into food gardens and allotments.
The GLA is being asked to make a standard "Right to Grow" framework for all 32 boroughs and the City of London.
Around 30,500 people are on waiting lists for allotments in London, with some places having waits up to 12 years.
In Islington, only 106 allotment plots exist for about 17,000 households without gardens.
The campaign aims to improve food security and make London greener by 2035.
Deputy Mayor Mete Coban said increasing green space is important for social and environmental fairness.
City Hall has planted 640,000 trees and supports community projects with a £12 million Green Roots Fund.
City Hall has not confirmed if it will create the proposed Right to Grow framework.
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Mexico will ask U.S. courts to file criminal charges after more than a dozen Mexican citizens died in the custody of U.S. immigration authorities. This request follows the recent killing of Mexican citizen Lorenzo Salgado Araujo by an ICE agent during a raid in Houston.
Key Facts
Mexico plans to formally request criminal charges in U.S. courts regarding deaths of its citizens in ICE custody.
Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a Mexican citizen, was shot and killed by an ICE agent on July 7 in Houston.
Since President Donald Trump’s return to office last year, 17 Mexican nationals have died during immigration raids or while detained by U.S. authorities.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum called for national solidarity and stressed that Mexico should speak out against human rights violations even while maintaining relations with the U.S.
Mexican Foreign Minister Roberto Velasco announced the government’s plan to request criminal charges in the U.S.
Mexico’s action is its strongest response so far to deaths linked to President Trump’s immigration enforcement policies.
The situation occurs amid tense U.S.-Mexico relations, including disputes over tariffs, trade agreements, and U.S. intelligence actions against Mexican drug cartels.
Despite tensions, Mexico continues to cooperate with the U.S. on issues like drug trafficking and migration while emphasizing its sovereignty.
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