NATO leaders met in Turkey where President Donald Trump first questioned the alliance’s loyalty but left more positive. In Iran, public mourning took place for the late Supreme Leader amid tensions with the U.S. France’s Marine Le Pen gained political momentum after a court ruling, and France’s football team advanced in the World Cup while player Kylian Mbappé responded to racist comments.
Key Facts
NATO held a summit in Turkey with important discussions on alliance loyalty and support for Ukraine.
President Trump showed initial doubts about NATO but ended the summit with a warmer stance.
Iran held several days of public mourning for its late Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.
Iran and the U.S. exchanged threats, causing uncertainty about a ceasefire in the Middle East.
A French appeal court ruling allowed Marine Le Pen to continue her bid for the 2027 presidential election.
France’s national football team won against Morocco to move closer to their third World Cup title.
Kylian Mbappé publicly confronted racist abuse from a Paraguayan senator during the World Cup.
Other topics included Middle East tensions, European politics, and international sports events.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Iranian officials privately told advisers to President Donald Trump that shooting at commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz was a mistake caused by a group within Iran trying to disrupt talks. The U.S. government is pushing Iran to admit this publicly and plans to continue negotiations in Oman while warning it will respond if Iran acts aggressively again.
Key Facts
Iranian officials admitted to Trump advisers that the attacks on ships were a mistake.
The attacks came from a hardline group in Iran trying to undermine peace talks.
The Trump administration wants Iran to publicly say it made a mistake.
President Trump has assigned a team including Vice President JD Vance and Jared Kushner to keep negotiating.
A meeting between U.S. and Iran is planned for Saturday in Oman.
The U.S. expects Iran to allow the Strait of Hormuz to stay open for trade as before.
If Iran does not cooperate, the U.S. may use military and economic pressure.
The U.S. remains cautious but willing to negotiate, focusing first on keeping the shipping lane open before addressing Iran’s nuclear program.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Dozens of students and teachers kidnapped from schools in southwestern Nigeria have been rescued after 56 days. President Bola Tinubu praised the security forces for the operation that ended the crisis, with several attackers arrested or killed.
Key Facts
On May 15, 46 students and staff were kidnapped from three schools in Oyo state, southwestern Nigeria.
The youngest abducted child was 2 years old, and the oldest was 16.
One teacher was killed soon after the abduction.
The Nigerian government blames the group Boko Haram for the kidnappings.
Eight attackers have been arrested; an unknown number were killed during the rescue.
All kidnapped students and teachers have now been safely freed, according to the presidential spokesperson.
Kidnappings for ransom are common in Nigeria and worsened by ongoing security problems linked to Boko Haram.
Defence officials said kidnappers wanted to exchange hostages for jailed commanders, but no such deal was made during the rescue.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A new expedition explored the shipwreck of the Quest, Sir Ernest Shackleton’s last ship, in the North Atlantic. Using advanced underwater vehicles, researchers took the first close-up photos of the wreck since it sank in 1962 and are creating a detailed 3D model of the site.
Key Facts
The Quest sank in 1962 and was recently found in the Labrador Sea.
The expedition was led by the Royal Canadian Geographical Society and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Researchers used the submersible Alvin, known for exploring the Titanic wreck, and a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) called Falcon.
This is the first time in over 60 years that humans have visited the Quest’s wreck site.
The team is making a digital 3D model of the ship to help study it over time.
Large fishing nets were found draped over parts of the wreck.
Despite the nets, the shipwreck has become a vibrant underwater habitat full of marine life.
The project connects modern technology with maritime history and environmental study.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A Ryanair flight had to make an emergency landing because a window came loose during the flight. A passenger was injured when part of their body was pulled toward the broken window. Robert Sumwalt, former chair of the National Transportation Safety Board, explained possible reasons for the window failure.
Key Facts
A Ryanair plane experienced a window failure while flying.
The window broke loose and caused part of a passenger’s head and shoulders to be pulled outside.
The plane made an emergency landing safely.
A passenger was injured because of the incident.
Robert Sumwalt, who used to lead the U.S. safety board for transportation, talked about what might have caused the window to break.
The National Transportation Safety Board is a U.S. agency that investigates accidents and safety problems on planes and other transport.
Such incidents are rare but can be very serious due to rapid changes in air pressure during flight.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A passenger on a flight from Greece to Germany was partly sucked out of a broken window but was pulled back inside by other travelers. The plane returned to Thessaloniki safely after the incident, and the injured man received medical help.
Key Facts
The flight was from Thessaloniki, Greece, to Memmingen, Germany, operated by Malta Air, a Ryanair subsidiary.
A window became dislodged during the flight, causing a sudden loss of cabin pressure.
Oxygen masks dropped, and the plane quickly lost altitude after a loud bang was heard.
A 61-year-old man was partially sucked out of the window; passengers near him pulled him back inside.
The injured man suffered neck and shoulder injuries and friction burns.
The plane returned to Thessaloniki, where the passenger received medical assistance.
The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) was notified and is ready to assist in the investigation led by North Macedonia’s aviation safety committee.
The aircraft involved was a Boeing 737-800 delivered to Ryanair in 2008.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Rapper Pitbull and his fans set a new Guinness World Record in London for the largest group of people wearing bald caps at a concert. Over 22,000 attendees at the BST festival in Hyde Park wore tight bald caps, white shirts, black ties, and sunglasses to mimic Pitbull’s look, making it a fan-driven event that gained official recognition.
Key Facts
22,141 people wore bald caps at Pitbull’s concert in Hyde Park to set the record.
Pitbull himself, who is naturally bald, wore a bald cap to count towards the total.
Guinness World Records verified the count using volunteers and drone footage.
The idea came from a fan’s viral TikTok video, not from Pitbull or organizers.
The fan community started dressing like Pitbull in 2021 and grew through social media.
Pitbull calls his fans the “baldies” and sells official bald caps and kits online.
Many concertgoers bought out costumes from fancy dress shops due to high demand.
The record was seen as a chance for many people to join in breaking a world record together.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Pitbull and his fans set a new Guinness World Record for the largest group of people wearing bald caps at his BST Hyde Park concert in London. Over 22,000 fans dressed in Pitbull’s signature style joined the event, celebrating the rapper’s music and global influence.
Key Facts
The record is for the largest gathering of people wearing bald caps.
22,141 people participated at the BST Hyde Park show.
Fans wore suits, sunglasses, and bald caps, inspired by Pitbull’s signature look.
Pitbull, born Armando Christian Perez, said it was an honor and thanked his fans, calling them his "number one" support.
The idea was started by BBC Radio 1’s Greg James and content creator Jack Remmington.
The event took place under hot weather, about 32°C in London.
Pitbull is a Grammy-winning artist with over 25 million albums sold worldwide.
Other performers at the festival included Kesha, Tinie Tempah, and Lil Jon.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Israeli air strikes in southern Lebanon have caused severe damage, including harm to historic landmarks. The ancient city of Tyre, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the oldest cities continuously lived in, was among the sites affected.
Key Facts
Israeli air strikes targeted southern Lebanon.
The strikes led to widespread destruction in the region.
Historic landmarks were damaged by the air strikes.
The ancient city of Tyre was notably affected.
Tyre is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage site.
Tyre is one of the world’s oldest cities continuously inhabited by people.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
British police arrested a 26-year-old man on suspicion of killing Ann Widdecombe, a former UK Conservative minister and Reform UK politician. Police said the killing does not appear to be linked to terrorism or political reasons.
Key Facts
Ann Widdecombe, aged 78, was found dead in her home in southwest England with serious injuries.
A 26-year-old White British man was arrested in Newton Abbot, near Widdecombe’s home.
Police said there is no information suggesting the murder was politically motivated or related to terrorism.
Widdecombe was known for her socially conservative views and roles in UK politics under the Conservative Party and Reform UK.
Police arrived at her home shortly after midday on Thursday and have conducted forensic examinations.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer paid tribute to Widdecombe’s long public service.
Two UK members of parliament have been murdered in the last decade: Jo Cox in 2016 and David Amess in 2021.
Widdecombe also appeared on the TV show "Strictly Come Dancing" and served as a member of the European Parliament for the Brexit Party between 2019 and 2020.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Ukraine has attacked Russia’s main oil refineries, leading to a widespread shortage of fuel in Russia. This shortage has caused long lines and conflicts at gas stations across the country.
Key Facts
Ukraine targeted several large oil refineries in Russia.
These attacks reduced Russia’s fuel supply.
Many fuel stations in Russia are experiencing shortages.
Long queues, sometimes miles long, have formed at gas stations.
There have been fights and unrest because of the fuel shortage.
The fuel shortage is affecting daily life for many people in Russia.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A small plane crashed in the Bahamas on Friday, killing several people while one person survived. The government has temporarily stopped flights by Flamingo Air as it investigates what caused the crash.
Key Facts
The plane crash happened in North Andros, near Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas.
Several people died, and one person survived the crash.
Bahamian Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis expressed sympathy and prayers for the victims and the survivor.
Flamingo Air’s flights were temporarily grounded as a safety precaution.
The suspension is related to two safety incidents that took place on the same day.
The Ministry of Energy, Utilities and Aviation is conducting the investigation.
No further details about the cause or the passengers have been released yet.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Twin earthquakes hit Venezuela last month, causing many buildings to collapse and leaving about 18,000 people homeless. Humanitarian groups and the United Nations are providing aid to help those affected, but diseases have increased due to crowded living conditions and poor sanitation.
Key Facts
The earthquakes caused 190 buildings to collapse and damaged 856 others.
Around 3,889 people died in the earthquakes.
Approximately 18,000 people lost their homes and are living in shelters, schools, streets, and public spaces.
There is a rise in health problems like skin diseases and diarrhea because of crowded spaces and poor water quality.
Many people with chronic illnesses like diabetes and high blood pressure need medication and medical care.
The United Nations asked for $300 million to help 1.3 million people in Venezuela.
The U.S. has provided most of the aid for earthquake relief efforts.
Half of the health workers in the hardest-hit area, La Guaira, were affected by the disaster, some died or could not work.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The European Parliament has asked European Union countries to officially label the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan as a terrorist group. This move responds to ongoing conflict and instability in Sudan caused by this armed group.
Key Facts
The European Parliament made the call to designate the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan as terrorists.
This request is directed at all European Union member states.
The Rapid Support Forces are an armed group involved in Sudan's conflict.
Sudan has experienced ongoing violence related to this group.
The call aims to increase international pressure on the Rapid Support Forces.
Other news mentioned includes Kenya's marijuana legalization case and Morocco’s World Cup loss to France.
The issue highlights ongoing instability in Sudan and concerns from international bodies.
The European Parliament's action reflects wider international attention on Sudan’s security situation.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A wildfire in southern Spain killed at least 12 people and left 23 missing in a remote expat community. The fire started near the Sierra de Los Filabres mountains in Almeria and is still burning, with over 3,200 hectares affected and many victims believed to be foreign nationals.
Key Facts
The wildfire broke out late Thursday in a semi-arid area of Almeria province, southern Spain.
At least 12 people died, 8 were injured, and 23 remain missing as of Friday.
Many victims ignored shelter warnings and tried to escape by car or on foot, some trapped in a dry riverbed.
Four victims were likely British nationals based on the type of vehicle involved.
About 150 firefighters and 220 soldiers are working to control the fire.
The fire spread quickly due to dry grass, scrubland, wind, and high temperatures.
Spain and much of Europe are experiencing severe heat waves, increasing wildfire risks.
France is also facing high wildfire risk during its third heat wave, with evacuations and fires affecting thousands of hectares.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The Quest shipwreck, a ship used by explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton on his last voyage, was discovered more than 60 years after it sank in 1962. The Royal Canadian Geographic Society has released the first images of the wreck, found off Canada’s Atlantic Coast in the Labrador Sea.
Key Facts
The Quest was originally a Norwegian whaler renamed by Shackleton’s wife.
Shackleton used the Quest for an Antarctic expedition in 1921 but died on board in 1922.
The ship was retrofitted several times and used for scientific work, rescue missions, and military service during World War II.
Quest served as a minesweeper and cargo vessel for the Royal Canadian Navy in WWII.
After the war, it returned to commercial sealing (seal hunting).
The ship sank on May 5, 1962, during a sealing expedition off Canada’s Atlantic Coast.
The first images of the wreck were published by the Royal Canadian Geographic Society in 2024.
Shackleton’s earlier famous ship, the Endurance, was found in 2022 after it sank in 1915.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Reports say Israel shared intelligence with the U.S. about a new Iranian plan to assassinate President Donald Trump. Iran has threatened revenge for the killing of General Qassem Soleimani in 2020, and previous attempts to kill Trump tied to Iran have been uncovered by U.S. authorities.
Key Facts
Israel informed the U.S. about a fresh Iranian assassination plot against President Trump.
Iran wants to retaliate for the 2020 killing of General Qassem Soleimani, ordered by President Trump.
Details of the new plot are not clear, and U.S. officials had not tracked it before the Israeli warning.
In November 2024, the U.S. charged an Afghan national with being asked by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard to kill Trump.
A Pakistani man linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard was arrested in 2024 for trying to recruit killers to target Trump and others.
Iran often uses middlemen and local criminals instead of direct operatives to carry out such attacks.
Past assassination plots involving Iran have failed because U.S. law enforcement intervened.
There is concern whether Iran will change tactics and act more directly, which would be riskier.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla met Prince Harry and his family for the first time in four years during Harry’s visit to the UK. Harry came to mark the one-year countdown to the Invictus Games, an event for wounded veterans that he started.
Key Facts
Prince Harry, Meghan, and their children met King Charles III and Queen Camilla on Friday.
This was their first meeting in four years.
Harry arrived in the UK on Monday for the Invictus Games anniversary event.
Meghan and the children were initially not expected to come due to police protection issues.
Harry and Meghan have lived in California since 2020 and had not seen King Charles since 2022.
Harry recently lost a court case against the Daily Mail about privacy issues.
Another court hearing for Harry is scheduled for July 29-30.
Harry has had ongoing legal and family conflicts since stepping back from royal duties in 2020.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Prince Harry visited King Charles III with his wife Meghan and their children for the first time in four years. The family met at the king’s residence as part of efforts to improve their relationship after years of tension following Harry and Meghan’s move to the United States.
Key Facts
King Charles III and Queen Camilla met Prince Harry, Meghan, and their two children in the UK.
This was the first family meeting in four years.
Harry arrived in the UK to support the upcoming Invictus Games, which he founded.
Meghan and the children were initially not coming because of issues with police protection.
Harry and Meghan have lived in California since 2020 after leaving royal duties.
Harry recently lost a privacy lawsuit against the UK's Daily Mail tabloid.
The ongoing legal battles and media conflicts have added strain to Harry’s relationship with the royal family.
Harry has expressed a desire to reconcile with his father, King Charles III.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A 26-year-old man was arrested for the suspected murder of Ann Widdecombe, a former UK politician. Widdecombe’s body was found at her home in Devon with serious injuries, and police are investigating the case.
Key Facts
Ann Widdecombe was 78 years old and a former Conservative minister and Reform UK spokesperson.
Her body was found in her home in Haytor, Devon, on Thursday at about 11:40 BST.
Police arrested a 26-year-old white British man in Newton Abbot on suspicion of murder.
The case is not viewed as terrorism after initial counter-terror investigations.
Police are asking the public for any information or footage that could help the investigation.
Widdecombe served as a Member of Parliament for 23 years and was involved in UK politics and show business.
The investigation is at an early stage with a police cordon and forensic work ongoing.
Political leaders expressed shock and condolences following the news.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
