Since the war in the Middle East began in late February, tourism in Jordan has fallen sharply, especially at the famous ancient city of Petra. Many tourists have stopped visiting because of the conflict in the region.
Key Facts
The Middle East war started in late February 2026.
Jordan’s ancient city of Petra, usually crowded with tourists, is now nearly empty.
Tourism across Jordan has collapsed due to the ongoing conflict.
The war involves multiple countries in the Middle East.
The decline in tourism affects Jordan’s economy and local businesses.
The situation reflects broader instability in the region linked to the Iran conflict.
Other recent events include exchanges of fire between the US, Iran, Israel, and Hezbollah.
The article includes related news about ceasefires and regional tensions as of May 2026.
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Texas Roadhouse is testing handheld tablets for servers to take orders directly at the table, aiming to make ordering faster and more accurate. The company is slowly considering expanding this technology across its U.S. restaurants while keeping the casual dining atmosphere.
Key Facts
Texas Roadhouse CEO Jerry Morgan announced a pilot program using handheld tablets for servers in select locations.
The tablets let servers enter orders at the table instead of walking to a central computer.
Using tablets could speed up order delivery to the kitchen and reduce mistakes.
Early feedback from customers and staff has been mostly positive.
The company is also using kitchen display systems and table-based payment options to improve operations.
Servers can choose to use the tablets or stick with traditional methods during the trial.
No firm date has been set for a full rollout across all restaurants.
Texas Roadhouse wants to keep its relaxed dining feel while improving behind-the-scenes efficiency.
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The Gaza Genocide Tapestry is an art project displayed at the Venice Biennale, made by Palestinian women using embroidery to document the destruction and suffering in Gaza. This project shows powerful images from the war that words cannot fully express, preserving stories that might otherwise be forgotten.
Key Facts
The tapestry is created by Palestinian women in Palestine, Lebanon, and Jordan.
It consists of 100 embroidered panels, each with about 55,000 stitches.
The project aims to record the serious damage and human loss in Gaza during the ongoing conflict.
It is part of the larger Palestine History Tapestry Project, started in 2011.
The movement follows traditional Palestinian embroidery called tatreez.
The project honors real people and moments, such as a journalist mourning his child and a man disappearing after following Israeli orders.
The project’s inspiration comes from historic tapestries like the Bayeux Tapestry and others that tell national stories through needlework.
Jan Chalmers, a British nurse and embroiderer, helped start the project after her experience working in Gaza.
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Two men from west London have been charged with religiously aggravated harassment after they allegedly filmed antisemitic TikTok videos in a mainly Jewish area of north London. They are due to appear in court soon, and prosecutors said there is enough evidence to proceed with the case.
Key Facts
Adam Bedoui (20) and Abdelkader Amir Bousloub (21) are charged with harassment offenses.
They allegedly traveled to Stamford Hill, a mostly Jewish neighborhood in north London.
They are accused of approaching and harassing Jewish people while filming for social media.
The charges include religiously aggravated intentional harassment under UK law.
The case is being handled by the Crown Prosecution Service and the Metropolitan Police.
Both men are set to appear at Thames Magistrates’ Court on Saturday.
Prosecutors confirmed it is in the public interest to move forward with criminal charges.
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Peter Magyar arrived at the Hungarian Parliament to be sworn in as the country's new prime minister. His appointment ends Viktor Orban's 16-year leadership in Hungary.
Key Facts
Peter Magyar is set to become Hungary’s new prime minister.
Magyar arrived at the Parliament building for the swearing-in ceremony.
Viktor Orban led Hungary for 16 years before Magyar’s appointment.
Orban's rule was described as autocratic, meaning he had strong centralized control.
This change marks a significant political shift in Hungary.
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Russia held a smaller Victory Day parade in Moscow due to security concerns from the ongoing conflict with Ukraine. The parade showed military equipment on screens instead of in person, while soldiers marched and President Vladimir Putin promised victory in the war.
Key Facts
Russia’s Victory Day parade in Moscow was scaled down compared to previous years.
The parade commemorates the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II and honors 27 million Soviet citizens who died.
No tanks or heavy military vehicles were shown in the parade this year.
Weapons systems like missiles, a nuclear submarine, fighter jets, and drones were displayed on large screens instead of in person.
Soldiers who have served in Ukraine participated, along with North Korean troops reportedly fighting in Russia’s Kursk region.
Fighter jets flew over the Kremlin during the event.
President Putin gave a speech promising victory in Ukraine and described the conflict as a fight against NATO-supported forces.
The parade was held on May 9 at Red Square, a traditional venue for this national holiday.
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President Donald Trump is planning to fire Marty Makary, the head of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), after several controversial decisions and political conflicts harmed the agency’s reputation and staff morale. The FDA has faced criticism for pulling back research on vaccine safety, approving flavored vaping products under pressure, and showing instability, which has led to a drop in public trust.
Key Facts
President Trump is considering firing FDA commissioner Marty Makary due to controversial decisions and political clashes.
Makary’s time at the FDA involved disputes over vaccines, drugs, abortion, and vaping policies.
The FDA delayed or blocked research publications supporting the safety of Covid and shingles vaccines.
Trump pressured the FDA to approve fruit-flavored vapes, which were otherwise halted by agency scientists.
The FDA’s reputation for stability and predictability has declined sharply, damaging public trust.
Internal FDA staff morale has fallen due to layoffs and controversial leadership choices.
Experts warn that political interference in FDA decisions risks public health and trust.
The agency’s recent actions reflect a pattern of leadership overriding expert advice.
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Republicans are gaining an advantage in the U.S. House of Representatives after recent court rulings and redistricting efforts favored their party. Democrats have faced several legal setbacks over new voting maps, making it harder for them to regain control of the House.
Key Facts
Democrats lost three key redistricting battles in 12 days, weakening their chances to win the House.
Virginia’s Supreme Court struck down new district maps that favored Democrats, giving Republicans a clearer edge.
Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis released new maps increasing Republican seats from 12 to 16.
The U.S. Supreme Court’s weakening of parts of the Voting Rights Act may add 4-5 Republican seats in the South.
Democrats have spent $65 million on redistricting efforts that have not succeeded.
Despite setbacks, some Democrats feel confident about winning in certain districts in the November 2024 elections.
Democratic candidates have done well recently in special elections, often outperforming past results.
Republicans express optimism and credit court decisions with their growing momentum ahead of the elections.
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The Virginia Supreme Court canceled a new congressional map that would have helped Democrats gain more seats in the House of Representatives. This decision reduces Democrats’ chances of winning a bigger majority in the upcoming midterm elections.
Key Facts
The Virginia Supreme Court made the decision on a Friday.
The court threw out a redistricting referendum.
The new map was designed to increase Democratic seats from 6-5 to 10-1.
The ruling removes the expected advantage Democrats would have gained.
The ruling does not completely end Democrats’ chances to flip the House.
Redistricting is the process of redrawing voting district boundaries.
The midterm elections will take place later this year.
The decision affects political strategies in Virginia and possibly nationally.
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A federal court struck down a 10 percent tariff that President Donald Trump had placed on many imports entering the United States. This decision affects Trump's efforts to enforce his trade policies. It also raises questions about how he will respond to this setback.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump imposed a 10 percent tariff on many imported goods.
A federal court recently ruled that this tariff is not legal.
This tariff was meant to replace an earlier tariff that was also removed by the courts.
The court decision challenges President Trump's trade agenda.
It is unclear what steps President Trump will take next regarding these tariffs.
Tariffs are taxes added to imported goods, used to protect domestic businesses or respond to trade disputes.
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President Donald Trump is trying to maintain a partial peace with Iran while working toward a permanent agreement to end a war that started 10 weeks ago. He and his top advisers have been cautious and unclear about when or how a ceasefire might happen.
Key Facts
President Trump began the war with Iran 10 weeks ago.
He is currently seeking a lasting peace deal to end the conflict.
Trump and his administration are trying to keep an unstable partial peace with Iran.
There is uncertainty about when a formal ceasefire will be declared.
Senior officials in the Trump administration have been involved in managing the situation.
The approach to peace talks involves careful and complex negotiations.
The situation is described as having “crashing crosscurrents,” meaning conflicting pressures and difficulties.
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The White House is working to update its approach to artificial intelligence (AI) as new, stronger AI models emerge. President Trump’s administration has so far supported innovation with few rules, focusing on keeping the U.S. competitive in AI technology.
Key Facts
The White House is reconsidering its AI policies due to rapid advances in AI technology.
President Trump began his second term with a focus on encouraging AI innovation.
The administration prefers fewer regulations on AI to support U.S. competition worldwide.
New AI models are pushing officials to rethink safety and control measures.
Discussions about AI rules involve both the White House and Congress.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin led a smaller-than-usual Victory Day parade in Moscow, emphasizing Russia’s determination to win the conflict in Ukraine. The event took place under tight security and without the usual military displays, as concerns about Ukrainian attacks and public fatigue with the war increased.
Key Facts
Putin called Russia “always victorious,” linking the current conflict in Ukraine to World War II.
The parade was smaller and shorter than in past years, lasting about 45 minutes with no missiles or armored vehicles shown.
Heavy security included internet shutdowns in Moscow due to fears of Ukrainian drone and missile attacks.
A video highlighted Russia’s drone and nuclear weapons instead of a traditional military hardware display.
Foreign guests included officials from Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and North Korean soldiers, whose troops reportedly fight alongside Russia in Ukraine.
The parade happened after President Trump announced a three-day ceasefire and prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine.
Putin was protected carefully, showing the increased risks and challenges Russia faces in its war.
Russia’s economy is weakening due to the long war, with slow growth, rising inflation, and a growing budget deficit.
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Virginia’s highest court rejected a voter-approved redistricting plan because the process did not follow state constitutional rules. Democrats plan to appeal the decision to the U.S. Supreme Court as it affects control of Virginia’s congressional map ahead of the 2026 elections.
Key Facts
Virginia’s Supreme Court struck down a redistricting measure approved by voters in April.
The court ruled the legislature violated the state constitution by not following required steps before submitting the amendment to voters.
The legal dispute centers on when an "election" occurs for constitutional sequencing of votes, including early voting.
The current congressional map remains in place, keeping a narrow 6–5 Democratic advantage.
Democrats want the U.S. Supreme Court to review the case, citing a dissenting opinion about how elections are defined.
Republicans, including President Donald Trump, called the ruling a major win for their efforts to maintain control.
The ruling affects the political landscape and could influence control of U.S. House seats in Virginia in 2026.
The path to the Supreme Court is difficult because the issue involves state constitutional interpretation, which courts often avoid.
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Alyce Collins shares her childhood experience surviving hantavirus, a rare and serious illness caused by contact with infected rodents or their droppings. She was diagnosed with hantavirus hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome after severe symptoms, including bleeding and kidney problems, led to her hospitalization.
Key Facts
Hantavirus is caused by contact with infected rodents or their urine, droppings, or saliva.
There are two main types: hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (35-40% death rate) and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (1-15% death rate).
The author fell ill at age 5 with vomiting, weakness, bleeding, rash, and swelling.
Initial doctors misdiagnosed her illness as flu before hantavirus was identified.
She was hospitalized for about a week and treated in a children’s hospital.
The virus can cause fever, bleeding, kidney failure, and can be deadly.
Her case was studied for future reference because the disease is rare.
The author likely caught the virus by playing outside where infected rodents were present.
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The war that the United States and Israel started against Iran in February 2026 is likely to end with the U.S. pulling back. The plan to destroy Iran’s leadership and government did not work, and Iran has strengthened its military and political unity instead.
Key Facts
The U.S. and Israel began a war against Iran on February 28, 2026.
The goal was to weaken Iran’s leadership and nuclear program to create a friendly government.
This plan was promoted to President Donald Trump by Israeli leaders.
The U.S. used a similar strategy successfully in Venezuela in January 2026.
Iran did not collapse but instead strengthened its military and political control.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps increased its power after the attacks.
Iran has advanced military technology, including missiles, drones, and missile defenses.
The high cost of military action and strong Iranian resistance make continued U.S. military efforts unsustainable.
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A leading Buddhist monk in Sri Lanka, Pallegama Hemarathana, was arrested for allegedly sexually abusing an 11-year-old girl in 2022. The monk and the victim’s mother, who is accused of helping him, were both taken into custody as the police continue their investigation.
Key Facts
Pallegama Hemarathana is a 71-year-old senior Buddhist monk from Colombo.
He is accused of sexually abusing a child at a respected temple in Anuradhapura.
The victim’s mother was also arrested for assisting the monk.
Hemarathana was arrested at a private hospital in Colombo while undergoing treatment.
He holds leadership roles in eight important temples and is custodian of a sacred Bodhi tree sapling.
A court ordered police to arrest him without delay after concerns about a slow response.
There have been previous cases of child abuse by clergy in Sri Lanka, but this is the highest-ranking monk involved.
Recently, 22 monks were arrested at Colombo airport for drug smuggling, showing ongoing issues in the religious community.
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Reform UK has gained many local government seats in England, Scotland, and Wales, challenging established parties like Labour and the Conservatives. The party’s home affairs spokesman, Zia Yusuf, said they will not take voters for granted and will welcome scrutiny of their record.
Key Facts
Reform UK gained over 1,400 councillors across England.
The party won control of several councils previously held by Labour and Conservatives.
In Wales, Reform UK came second behind Plaid Cymru in the Welsh Parliament elections.
In Scotland, Reform UK tied with Labour for second place in the Scottish Parliament.
Reform UK leader is Nigel Farage, who aims to make the party a national alternative.
The party focuses on priorities like secure borders, cost of living, and law and order.
Reform UK did best in areas that voted strongly in favor of Brexit in 2016.
The party has faced increased scrutiny but claims voters support their local government record.
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One Nation is leading early results in the Farrer byelection, which could give the party its first seat in the lower house of the Australian parliament. The Liberal and independent candidates are trailing, while Labor did not run in the race.
Key Facts
One Nation’s candidate David Farley is ahead in early voting in the Farrer byelection.
Winning Farrer would be One Nation’s first lower house seat from an election or byelection.
The Liberal Party vote dropped compared to last year’s federal election.
Independent Michelle Milthorpe is the main challenger but is behind in early counts.
Labor chose not to contest the byelection.
Nationals frontbencher Bridget McKenzie indicated willingness to work with One Nation in the future.
Independent MP Helen Haines blamed preference deals by the Coalition for One Nation’s strong performance.
David Farley was previously a member of the Nationals and had considered Labor before running for One Nation.
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A Frontier Airlines plane hit a person who was on the runway at Denver International Airport while preparing to take off to Los Angeles. The plane stopped, passengers evacuated safely, and emergency crews dealt with a brief engine fire. Investigations by Frontier, the airport, and the National Transportation Safety Board are ongoing.
Key Facts
The incident happened late Friday night just after 11:15 p.m. on Runway 17L at Denver International Airport.
The person hit was on the runway for unknown reasons during the plane's takeoff.
The flight was Frontier Flight 4345, an Airbus A321 with 224 passengers and 7 crew members on board.
Smoke was reported inside the plane, prompting pilots to cancel takeoff and evacuate passengers using slides as a safety measure.
No injuries were reported to passengers or crew, but a pedestrian was struck by the plane.
Denver Fire Department put out a brief engine fire caused by the incident.
Passengers were taken back to the terminal and the flight was rescheduled for the next morning.
Runway 17L remains closed during the investigation by Frontier, the airport, and the National Transportation Safety Board.
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