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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Yemen’s Houthi group said they fired missiles and drones at Saudi Arabia’s Abha airport. This was in response to an attack on Sanaa’s international airport, which the Yemeni government said it carried out.
Key Facts
The Houthis attacked Abha airport in Saudi Arabia using missiles and drones.
They said this attack was retaliation for a strike on Sanaa’s international airport in Yemen.
The Yemeni government claimed responsibility for the strike on Sanaa airport.
The Houthis blamed Saudi Arabia for the strike on Sanaa airport.
The Houthis warned airlines to avoid flying over Saudi Arabian airspace.
Abha airport is located in Saudi Arabia near the Yemen border.
Sanaa is the capital of Yemen where the international airport was targeted.
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Brazil’s Supreme Court has banned Flavio Bolsonaro from visiting his father, former President Jair Bolsonaro, for 90 days because they broke the rules of Jair Bolsonaro’s house arrest. The court’s decision came after Flavio read a letter from his father on social media, which Jair Bolsonaro is not allowed to do while under house arrest.
Key Facts
Flavio Bolsonaro is a presidential candidate and son of former President Jair Bolsonaro.
Jair Bolsonaro is under house arrest after being sentenced for trying to overturn the 2022 election results.
The court ruled that Flavio and Jair Bolsonaro violated house arrest rules by sharing a letter publicly.
The 90-day ban on visits will last through most of Brazil’s presidential election campaign.
Jair Bolsonaro is prohibited from using social media or communicating through others during house arrest.
The court asked Jair Bolsonaro’s lawyers to explain if he knew the letter would be posted online.
Flavio Bolsonaro criticized the ruling as unfair and said it interferes with the election.
Jair Bolsonaro has endorsed Flavio as his political successor despite his conviction and house arrest.
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A nearly complete Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton named “Gus” is being auctioned in New York with an estimated price of $20 million to $30 million. Scientists are concerned because fossils sold to private buyers may become unavailable for study, which can hurt scientific research.
Key Facts
The T rex skeleton is about 67 million years old and stands 3.8 meters tall.
It was found on private land in South Dakota and excavated from 2021 over three years.
The skeleton is expected to sell for $20 million to $30 million at Sotheby’s auction.
High auction prices make it difficult for museums and scientists to acquire fossils.
In the USA, fossils found on private land can legally be sold by their owners.
Some scientists worry that fossils sold privately are lost to public research.
A stegosaurus named Apex was sold for $44.6 million and loaned to a museum afterward.
Previous famous T rex fossils, like Sue, were bought by museums with private and corporate support.
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In Sweden’s upcoming general election, there is a growing difference between how men and women plan to vote. More women support the left-leaning Social Democrats, while more men back the right-leaning Sweden Democrats, a party with far-right roots. This voting gap is the widest seen so far, despite Sweden being known for gender equality.
Key Facts
Sweden’s first female prime minister, Magdalena Andersson, leads the Social Democrats who focus on education, housing, and free dental care.
The Sweden Democrats, with a history linked to neo-Nazism, promise lower taxes, better public safety, and making “anti-Swedishness” a hate crime.
Polls show the Social Democrats and Sweden Democrats are expected to get over half of the votes combined.
Twice as many men as women support the Sweden Democrats, while 10% more women than men support the Social Democrats.
If only women voted, the left-wing bloc would win 64% of the vote; if only men voted, right-wing parties would get 51%.
Research shows men tend to vote for parties favoring lower taxes and less immigration, while women prefer parties supporting welfare, partly because women often care for family members.
Some voters believe men focus mainly on economic benefits like high salaries and low taxes when choosing their party.
The centrist Moderates party has less difference in gender support but holds less than 20% of total voter support.
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The United States launched strikes against Iran for the third night in a row, targeting Iranian military capabilities in the Strait of Hormuz. In response, Iran struck two oil tankers near the UAE, causing casualties, while tensions increased as the U.S. announced a blockade and new fees on ships passing through the strategic waterway.
Key Facts
The US carried out three consecutive nights of strikes against Iran, directed by President Trump.
Two Emirati oil tankers were hit by Iranian cruise missiles in the Strait of Hormuz, killing one crew member and injuring eight.
President Trump announced the US would reinstate a blockade on Iranian shipping and charge a 20% fee for ships passing through the strait.
Iran's military said the US has no role in controlling the strait and will not be allowed to intervene.
Explosions occurred in several locations in Iran, including Bandar Abbas and nearby islands, following US strikes.
Oil prices rose to their highest levels in four weeks amid uncertainty about energy flow through the strait.
The International Maritime Organisation stated that passage through the Strait of Hormuz should remain free of tolls under international law.
The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen intercepted missiles launched by Iran-aligned Houthis; tensions rose after attacks on Sana’a airport.
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Police arrested a 20-year-old man in Melbourne who they say led a series of arson attacks and other crimes linked to organized crime. Authorities believe he directed offenders through encrypted messages and is connected to an overseas crime leader.
Key Facts
A 20-year-old man was arrested in north-west Melbourne on Tuesday.
Police say he is a high-ranking member of an organized crime group linked to a leader overseas.
He allegedly used encrypted apps to instruct others to commit crimes like arson, kidnapping, and home invasion.
A mistaken-identity kidnapping occurred in Malvern on 14 April where a man was assaulted and taken from his home, then later released near a hospital.
Four men have been charged for the assault related to that kidnapping.
The suspect is also linked to an attempted aggravated home invasion in Doncaster on 28 April.
These crimes are part of Operation Eclipse, targeting criminal groups behind attacks on hospitality venues.
Police called this arrest the most important action since starting Operation Eclipse and said the crimes show how organized groups hire offenders to intimidate others.
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A small plane crashed in the Bahamas on Friday, killing all 10 people on board. Some members of the Bahamian music group Da Pond Band survived and have spoken about the loss of their friends and bandmates.
Key Facts
The plane was operated by Flamingo Air.
The crash happened in the Bahamas.
All 10 people on the plane died.
Some members of Da Pond Band survived the crash.
The surviving band members have spoken publicly after the accident.
The group is well-known and beloved in the Bahamas.
The accident occurred recently, on a Friday.
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Thai police are investigating a deadly fire at a Bangkok bar that killed at least 28 people and injured many others. Early reports suggest the fire spread quickly due to flammable decorations and locked or blocked emergency exits, causing many victims to become trapped.
Key Facts
The fire started near the stage, possibly caused by a short circuit in an air conditioner.
At least 28 people died, many found near locked restrooms where they tried to escape.
Emergency exit doors were locked or partially blocked by furniture.
The bar used highly flammable materials like plastic flowers and foam decorations.
The bar was registered as a "restaurant with live music," so it was not required to use fire-resistant materials.
Survivors said the bar was dark and exit signs were missing or not lit.
Fire safety experts noted toxic smoke likely caused many deaths before burns occurred.
The bar owner previously had another pub that burned down in 2019 without casualties.
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Australian police have released new photos related to the 2001 murder of British backpacker Peter Falconio in the Northern Territory. Falconio’s body has never been found, and authorities hope the images will help uncover new information.
Key Facts
Peter Falconio was shot and killed near Barrow Creek, Northern Territory, on July 14, 2001.
His body has never been located despite police efforts.
Bradley Murdoch was convicted of Falconio’s murder and died in jail in 2023 without revealing the body’s location.
Falconio’s girlfriend, Joanne Lees, escaped the attack and alerted two truck drivers for help.
Police released unseen photos including images of Murdoch, Lees, the abandoned van, and the crime scene.
A reward of up to 500,000 Australian dollars is offered for information leading to Falconio’s remains.
Authorities remain committed to finding Falconio’s body to provide closure to his family.
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Martha Lillard was the last person in the United States to use an iron lung, a machine that helps people breathe when their lungs are weak. Despite her illness from polio, she lived an active and creative life until she passed away at age 78, mainly due to post-polio syndrome and lung problems.
Key Facts
Martha Lillard used the iron lung for about 73 years to help her breathe after contracting polio as a child.
The iron lung works by creating a vacuum that helps the lungs expand and contract for breathing.
Lillard lived in Oklahoma and was able to drive a specially adapted car, paint detailed landscapes, and use technology despite limited arm movement.
She married her partner, Baha Salh, in February 2026 after he moved from Egypt to the US.
Polio mostly affected children and caused paralysis; one in 200 infections lead to permanent paralysis, and many died if their breathing muscles were affected.
The polio vaccine was introduced in 1955 and helped eliminate the disease in the US by 1979.
Today, there are concerns about vaccine hesitancy, which means some people delay or refuse vaccines.
Martha Lillard’s death was linked to long-term effects from polio and possibly complications from long Covid-19.
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The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has reported that Iranian forces attacked two of its oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, resulting in the death of one crew member. The UAE defense ministry said the tankers, named Mombasa and Al Bahiyah, were hit by Iranian cruise missiles while passing through a key shipping route.
Key Facts
Iran fired cruise missiles at two UAE oil tankers.
The attacked ships were named Mombasa and Al Bahiyah.
The incident happened in the Strait of Hormuz, an important waterway for global oil shipments.
One crew member was killed during the attack.
The UAE Ministry of Defence publicly confirmed the missile strikes on social platform X.
The tankers were traveling through the southern lane of the Strait of Hormuz.
The event highlights tensions between the UAE and Iran in the region.
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A wildfire in southeastern Spain's Almeria province has killed 13 people, including several foreign nationals. The fire destroyed rural areas but is now mostly under control, allowing some evacuated residents to return home.
Key Facts
The wildfire in Almeria, Spain, has caused 13 deaths.
Among the victims are five British nationals, three Belgians, one French, and one Spanish person.
Some bodies were badly burned and needed DNA testing for identification.
About 7,000 hectares (17,300 acres) of land were burned.
Firefighters have mostly controlled the fire due to calmer winds and cooler weather.
Around 1,500 people were evacuated but many have returned home.
Officials are still confirming the number of missing people.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez emphasized improving fire prevention due to increasing wildfire risks linked to climate change.
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Hungary’s parliament passed a constitutional amendment to remove President Tamas Sulyok from office, allowing a new president to be elected. This move follows the election of Prime Minister Peter Magyar’s Tisza Party, which aims to reduce the influence of former Prime Minister Viktor Orban and implement judicial and institutional reforms.
Key Facts
Hungary’s parliament voted 139 to 6 to amend the constitution to remove President Tamas Sulyok.
The amendment ends Sulyok’s term immediately and enables the election of a new president.
Sulyok has five days to sign the amendment, or parliament will start impeachment proceedings.
New Prime Minister Peter Magyar’s Tisza Party won a large majority in April, ending Orban’s 16-year rule.
The amendment includes judicial reforms, a new anticorruption body, and a 12-year limit on lawmakers’ terms.
Sulyok was elected president in February 2024 and is seen as linked to the former Orban government.
Magyar has called Sulyok unfit to represent the nation and aims to remove Orban-era officials.
The presidency mainly has symbolic powers but can approve laws and send them to the Constitutional Court for review.
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President Donald Trump said the United States should receive payment from wealthy oil-producing countries in the Gulf region for protecting the Strait of Hormuz from Iran. He also announced that the US is planning another major military action against Iran.
Key Facts
President Trump wants Gulf countries to pay the US for protecting the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait of Hormuz is a key waterway used to transport oil.
The Gulf nations mentioned are rich because of their oil production.
Trump made these statements during a news conference in the Oval Office.
He said the US is preparing a new major attack on Iran.
The US has been involved in tensions with Iran over regional security.
Protecting the Strait of Hormuz helps keep oil shipments safe and global markets stable.
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A strong El Niño weather pattern is developing quickly and could cause severe floods, droughts, and health problems in vulnerable parts of East Africa and Asia. Countries like Kenya, Somalia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan face high risks, with some already experiencing emergency conditions.
Key Facts
El Niño is a natural change in Pacific Ocean temperatures that happens every 2-7 years, affecting weather worldwide.
The US Climate Prediction Center says there is an 81% chance this El Niño will be one of the strongest since 1950.
East Africa and parts of Asia are expected to have unusual weather, including heavy rains and flooding followed by drought.
Somalia and Kenya have already seen floods, and Kenya has started its disaster plan for more rain later this year.
In Bangladesh, floods and landslides have killed at least 15 Rohingya refugees and displaced over 10,000 people.
Pakistan may face drought with the risk of sudden floods from melting glaciers in its mountains.
The World Bank warns rice crops could drop by 20% to 50% in affected areas, which could worsen food shortages.
Aid groups are asking for funding now to help prevent disasters instead of waiting for damage to increase.
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The United States has carried out airstrikes against targets in Iran for three nights in a row. These actions are part of ongoing military operations involving U.S. forces and Iran.
Key Facts
The U.S. conducted airstrikes in Iran for the third consecutive night.
The strikes targeted locations inside Iran, but specific targets were not detailed.
The information comes from CBS News and their national security analyst Aaron MacLean.
These strikes are part of ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Iran.
The situation reflects continuing military activity in the region.
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