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The number of Americans applying for Irish citizenship through their Irish family roots has greatly increased over the past decade, reaching a new high in 2025. At the same time, more people moved from the U.S. to Ireland last year than from Ireland to the U.S., marking a notable change in migration patterns.
Key Facts
Irish citizenship applications by U.S. citizens grew from about 2,000 in 2015 to nearly 19,000 in 2025.
The biggest increases happened between 2023-2024 and 2024-2025.
More Americans are seeking a second passport from Ireland as a backup plan amid political and economic uncertainty.
From April 2024 to April 2025, nearly 9,600 people moved from the U.S. to Ireland, almost double the number from the previous year.
In the same period, about 6,100 people moved from Ireland to the U.S., which is less than the number going to Ireland.
The U.S. experienced more people leaving than arriving last year, according to the Brookings Institution.
Some Americans are drawn to Ireland for financial reasons and political changes at home.
Personal stories include individuals moving for opportunities or family reasons, such as a couple relocating to Ireland for work and education.
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Democrats on the House Homeland Security Committee are pressing Secretary Markwayne Mullin to provide a list of contracts signed by his predecessor, Kristi Noem, that he plans to cancel. Mullin had promised to share this information but has not yet done so, causing frustration among committee Democrats.
Key Facts
Secretary Markwayne Mullin promised to review and share a list of contracts signed by former Secretary Kristi Noem.
The contracts in question are those Mullin considers canceling.
Democrats on the House Homeland Security Committee want this list to understand the cancellations.
Mullin appeared before the committee earlier this month.
The committee Democrats say they are running out of patience due to delays.
The issue involves oversight of government contracts within the Department of Homeland Security.
The request relates to accountability and transparency in contract management.
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Several U.S. states have decided not to send official delegations to the "Great American State Fair," a major event celebrating America's 250th anniversary held on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Most of the states opting out are led by Democratic governors, citing budget issues, scheduling conflicts, or concerns about the event becoming politically biased.
Key Facts
The "Great American State Fair" runs from June 25 to July 10 on the National Mall.
The event is organized by Freedom 250, a nonprofit group aligned with President Donald Trump.
At least 10 states, including Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Pennsylvania, confirmed they will not officially participate.
Reasons for not participating include budget problems, busy schedules, and concerns about partisanship.
Most states skipping the event have Democratic governors; Vermont is the only Republican-led state opting out.
Organizers say all states will still be represented by tourism boards, companies, or cultural groups, even if their governments do not officially join.
Some artists originally set to perform canceled their participation, saying the event was not as nonpartisan as they expected.
Pennsylvania's governor, Josh Shapiro, criticized the event, saying patriotism should not be tied to politics or a single president.
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The United Nations nuclear agency says Iran’s promise not to build nuclear weapons needs very strong checks to make sure it is true. Iran and the United States are negotiating a lasting peace deal after a recent war, with talks focusing on Iran’s nuclear program and allowing UN inspectors access to nuclear sites.
Key Facts
The UN nuclear chief, Rafael Grossi, says verification is needed to ensure Iran is not making nuclear weapons.
Iran and the US signed a preliminary deal last week to end the conflict that began in February.
There is disagreement between Tehran and Washington about whether UN inspectors can visit Iran’s nuclear facilities.
Before the war, Iran had 440 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60%, below the amount needed for a bomb.
The US and Israel bombed Iranian nuclear sites last year, which affected Iran’s uranium stockpile.
Iran previously agreed to a nuclear deal in 2015 but stopped cooperating after the US and Israeli attacks.
Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz during the war, a key passageway for global energy shipments.
An attack in the Strait of Hormuz recently caused the UN to halt evacuation efforts for stranded sailors.
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The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief, Rafael Grossi, said a strong system to check Iran’s nuclear program is needed to ensure Iran does not develop nuclear weapons after the ongoing Middle East conflict ends. Iran and the United States recently signed a preliminary deal to stop the war and plan to negotiate further, but disagreements remain about how much access UN inspectors will have to Iranian nuclear sites.
Key Facts
IAEA head Rafael Grossi says Iran must have strict nuclear inspections to prevent weapon development.
Iran and the US signed a preliminary deal aimed at ending the conflict in the Middle East.
The war began in February after large US and Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.
Iran declared it does not intend to develop nuclear weapons, but verification is necessary.
The IAEA wants Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile to be reduced under its supervision.
Before the war, Iran had about 440 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60%, below weapons level.
Iran stopped cooperating with the IAEA last year after US and Israeli attacks.
US President Trump said Iran agreed to allow UN inspectors to return, but Iran denies this.
The conflict’s resolution also involves disputes over strategic locations like the Strait of Hormuz.
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President Trump is facing roadblocks in his efforts to combat alleged voter fraud before the November midterm elections. His executive orders and legislative attempts, such as the SAVE America Act requiring proof of citizenship to vote, have been blocked by courts and Senate Republicans.
Key Facts
Senate Republicans do not support the SAVE America Act and say they lack enough votes to pass it.
Courts have blocked Trump's attempts to expand a database to check voter files for noncitizens and to require citizenship verification at registration.
The administration plans to appeal these court decisions, which could reach the Supreme Court.
President Trump called the passage of the SAVE America Act a "national emergency."
The White House wants laws enforcing photo ID for voting, banning no-excuse mail-in voting, and stopping ballot collection by others ("ballot harvesting").
Experts say voter fraud cases are rare, but federal agencies are actively investigating and requesting voter information from local officials.
The Department of Homeland Security assigned an election integrity activist to a leadership position focused on voter roll accuracy.
The Department of Justice is suing states to access their voter rolls.
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BBC Radio 2 DJ and presenter Trevor Nelson is taking a break from work due to health issues. He shared that he is focusing on getting better after some follow-up medical tests.
Key Facts
Trevor Nelson is a DJ and presenter on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio 1Xtra.
He has worked at the BBC for 30 years, promoting R'n'B music in the UK.
Nelson has been off air recently and is taking time off on doctor's orders.
He had a routine check-up that led to further tests for his health.
Nelson asked fans and listeners to avoid speculation and focus on facts.
BBC’s director of music, Lorna Clarke, wished him a speedy recovery.
He was honored with a special award at the Television and Radio Industries Club awards this week.
Nelson expressed his hope to return to work once fully recovered.
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People from Venezuela living in Doral, Florida, have organized to send help to Venezuela after two earthquakes hit the country. Many Venezuelans in Doral fled their home country due to economic problems and insecurity.
Key Facts
Doral, Florida has the largest number of Venezuelan residents in the US, with over 40% of its population being of Venezuelan origin.
Two earthquakes occurred in Venezuela on a recent Wednesday.
The Venezuelan community in Doral is collecting aid to send to Venezuela.
Simón Peña, a member of the community, donated drinking water while hoping to hear news about missing family members.
Many Venezuelans left their country after President Nicolás Maduro took office in 2013, following years under former President Hugo Chávez.
The aid effort is driven by people wanting to support those affected from outside Venezuela.
The video report was produced by Jose Rodero and Ayelén Oliva for BBC Mundo.
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In 2026, many Western countries face a serious housing affordability problem, with rising rents and home prices outpacing wages. Governments in the UK, Europe, and the US are introducing new laws and plans to increase affordable housing and protect renters.
Key Facts
England and Wales started a new renters’ law on May 1, ending “no-fault” evictions.
The European Commission and Parliament are focusing on making housing more affordable.
The US Senate passed a bipartisan bill to reduce building barriers and increase affordable homes.
Housing costs have been rising faster than incomes in many cities like London, Berlin, Toronto, and Sydney.
Housing is considered unaffordable when it costs more than 30-40% of household income.
Governments and experts debate whether housing should be a basic need or treated as an investment.
Some Western countries reduced public spending on social housing since the late 1970s and 1980s, making the crisis worse.
The Netherlands plans to build 100,000 new homes yearly to address the problem.
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Paris and much of mainland France are experiencing an extreme heatwave with record-high temperatures. Many popular tourist sites like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre have closed early to protect visitors as a red alert for severe heat covers most of the country.
Key Facts
France is facing a historic heatwave with temperatures hotter than any since 1947.
About 75% of mainland France is under the highest level of heat alert, called the "red" alert.
Tourist attractions in Paris, including the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre museum, have closed early because of the heat.
Parisians are seeking relief by going to places like canals to escape the hot weather.
The heatwave has affected vulnerable groups, such as homeless migrants, who are struggling with the extreme temperatures.
Experts warn that such intense heat may become more common in future years.
Coastal waters around France have also seen a rise in temperature linked to the heatwave.
French officials say the country is one of the best prepared in Europe to handle heatwaves.
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Apple and Microsoft have raised prices on their devices because AI technology is increasing the cost of key parts like memory chips. This price rise affects not only computers and tablets but also gaming consoles, as companies face higher costs they cannot absorb.
Key Facts
Apple increased prices by up to 25% on MacBook and iPad models due to higher memory chip costs linked to AI demand.
Microsoft raised Xbox console prices by up to $150 for the same reason.
Storage and memory costs have more than doubled since last fall.
Gaming consoles are often sold at a loss or very low profit, so higher component costs lead directly to price hikes.
The AI boom is driving up demand for resources like electricity, water, and data center space.
Consumer electronics prices, which usually fall over time, are now rising because of AI-related cost increases.
Computer software and accessories prices jumped a record 14.5% in May compared to last year.
AI’s effect on jobs is still uncertain, but its impact on product prices is already visible to consumers.
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Venezuela was hit by two powerful earthquakes on Wednesday evening, killing at least 235 people and injuring more than 4,000. Rescue teams and residents are searching through rubble for survivors, while the government has declared a state of emergency and set up a fund to help rebuild damaged hospitals and homes.
Key Facts
Two earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 occurred less than 40 seconds apart in northern Venezuela near Caracas.
At least 235 people have died, and thousands are missing after the earthquakes.
The La Guaira region, which has the country's main airport, suffered severe damage with over 100 buildings collapsed.
The Venezuelan government declared a state of emergency and created a $200 million fund for reconstruction.
A senior U.S. military official, Maj Gen Kevin Jarrard, arrived in Caracas to help coordinate U.S. relief efforts.
The United Nations reported many buildings, including apartment blocks and hotels, collapsed in the affected areas.
The U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the U.S. Department of Defense will assist with search and rescue operations.
The Simón Bolívar international airport was closed due to damage, making it harder to get aid into the region.
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A strong heatwave is causing temperatures to rise above 40°C (104°F) in Germany and Poland this weekend. The heatwave is also affecting parts of Europe and Asia, bringing severe thunderstorms, tornadoes in Russia, and heavy rain in southern China.
Key Facts
Temperatures in Germany and Poland could reach or exceed 40°C on Saturday and Sunday.
The Austrian Grand Prix has declared a heat hazard due to unusually warm weather, with race temperatures nearly 10°C above normal.
Severe thunderstorms have caused damage and injuries in parts of Europe, including a tornado in Russia’s Sverdlovsk region.
The tornado in Kushva, Russia, injured 16 people and damaged about 100 buildings.
Storm warnings remain active in southern Russia.
Southern China experienced intense rainfall during its Meiyu (plum rain) season, with over 100mm of rain in three hours recorded near Guangzhou.
Heavy rain can cause flash floods, mudflows, and landslides in affected areas.
Scientists link the increasing extreme weather events to climate change.
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A British woman was strangled by a US fighter pilot while in the UK, and the case was handled by the US military justice system instead of British courts. The UK Ministry of Justice is reviewing the situation because British police usually handle crimes committed on UK land, but this case highlights how authority was given to the US military.
Key Facts
Sarah Steele, a British academic, was strangled by US Air Force Captain Jacob Wulfson in Cambridge, UK, in late 2023.
The assault happened after they met on a dating app.
US military police took over the investigation and trial instead of British authorities.
Wulfson was court-martialed at RAF Lakenheath, a US base in the UK.
He was found guilty of strangling Steele but not guilty of sexual assault.
Wulfson was sentenced to six months in a military corrections facility and dismissed from the Air Force.
UK justice minister Jake Richards called the case "really serious" and said the Ministry of Justice will examine it.
The case raises questions about how UK courts and US military courts share authority over crimes involving US personnel in the UK.
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Three women entrepreneurs say that having a strong and sometimes unrealistic belief in their ideas helped them start and grow successful businesses. They faced doubts and challenges but kept pushing forward by trusting themselves. Experts say such confidence is common among entrepreneurs in the early stages.
Key Facts
According to a Shopify-Gallup study, 62% of U.S. adults want to be their own boss, and 52% are willing to take financial risks.
Jelena Skene left a stable job making nearly $80,000 a year to start a marketing agency and a PR platform called Pressflow.
Jessica Strickland quit a $100,000 boutique matchmaking job to launch Matchmaker AI, a professional dating platform using artificial intelligence.
Zakia Moulaoui Guery started Invisible Cities, a social enterprise that trains homeless people to lead city tours and share their stories.
All three women describe a kind of “delusional confidence” as key to overcoming fear and doubt in starting their businesses.
Career expert Abi Hall says this confidence helps founders believe in their idea before there is proof it will work.
More than half of business founders credit support from family or friends as important to their success.
The phrase “fake it until you make it” reflects a common mindset among entrepreneurs facing uncertainty.
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North Korea tested new weapons near its southern border to improve its military power and warn South Korea. In response, South Korea is preparing a large group of soldiers trained to use drones for defense and attack.
Key Facts
North Korea conducted tests of missiles, rocket launchers, and guns near South Korea.
Leader Kim Jong Un called for a strong, offensive military approach to deter enemies.
The new weapons aim to hit key targets like airfields, ports, and power plants.
North Korea is working on precise, long-range weapons and nuclear-armed warships.
The United States has about 28,500 troops stationed in South Korea.
South Korea plans to train 500,000 “drone warriors” to use drones as weapons.
South Korea is increasing its drone numbers and range to counter North Korea’s threat.
South Korea aims to develop five defense companies with $650 million investment by 2030.
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Heathrow Airport expects fewer passengers and lower profits this year because of the war in the Middle East, which is affecting global air travel. The airport also faces challenges with its plan to build a third runway, with government reports showing limited economic benefits and possible negative effects on local residents.
Key Facts
Heathrow expects passenger numbers to drop by 1.1% to 83.6 million this year due to the Middle East conflict.
Passenger numbers increased by 0.7% to 32.8 million in the year up to May, partly because travelers use Heathrow as a connection when other airports are affected.
Heathrow forecasts profits will fall by £147 million compared to last year, and by £60 million compared to its previous forecast.
The company is working with the Civil Aviation Authority about the costs related to building a third runway.
Government analysis estimates the third runway will increase the UK’s GDP by only up to 0.05%, much less than earlier predictions of 0.5%.
The report warns the runway could negatively affect the health and wellbeing of up to 3 million neighbors due to noise and air pollution.
The construction could also harm local housing, schools, healthcare, parks, and transport access.
Heathrow’s new chair has started talks with airlines and a major local landowner to try to resolve disagreements that could delay the runway project.
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Two strong earthquakes hit Venezuela, causing major damage and killing at least 235 people. Many are injured or trapped under rubble, and countries across the Americas, along with the United Nations, are sending rescue teams and aid to help survivors.
Key Facts
Two earthquakes measured 7.2 and 7.5 hit Venezuela on Wednesday.
At least 235 people have died and 4,300 are injured.
Many people are still trapped under collapsed buildings, especially in La Guaira state.
La Guaira’s main airport is closed due to damage.
About 70,000 families have been affected by the quakes.
Volunteers and neighbors are helping with rescue efforts amid overwhelmed official teams.
Countries including the US, Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Cuba, El Salvador, and Canada are sending rescue workers and aid.
The United States plans to send warships, planes, helicopters, and $150 million in aid to support the response.
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Alejandro Gertz Manero, Mexico’s new ambassador to the UK, disclosed owning many expensive assets, including 10 houses, two Rolls-Royces, and jewellery worth over $1 million. His wealth contrasts with the Morena party’s public commitment to helping the poor and promoting austerity.
Key Facts
Alejandro Gertz Manero was appointed Mexico’s ambassador to the UK by President Claudia Sheinbaum.
He owns 10 houses, seven cars (including two Rolls-Royces), jewellery worth over $1 million, and an art collection valued at nearly $500,000.
Gertz Manero has bank accounts in Mexico, the US, Spain, and Switzerland, and owns expensive properties in the US and Spain.
Many of his assets were reportedly inherited.
Morena, the political party he belongs to, promotes austerity and support for the poor as part of its main message.
The party has faced multiple scandals involving affluent politicians despite its anti-wealth position.
Previous Morena figures, including former president Andrés Manuel López Obrador and his family, have also faced criticism over luxury lifestyles.
Morena issued guidelines against luxury displays like expensive jewellery and high-value properties in 2023.
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The Department of Justice (DoJ) is investigating San Francisco Giants players who wore rainbow-colored baseball caps with Bible verses during Pride Month. Deputy Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is accused of opposing diversity in the military and promoting a vision of white, Christian leadership. The controversy marks part of broader political and cultural conflicts during President Donald Trump’s current term.
Key Facts
The New York Times reported minority military officers face blocked promotions due to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s policies.
California Governor Gavin Newsom announced a DoJ investigation into him and his wife for financial irregularities.
Three Giants pitchers protested Pride Night by wearing caps with Bible verses, drawing criticism from MLB.
The DoJ vowed to investigate whether the Giants players’ religious expression rights were violated.
The Giants were not punished or required to wear the rainbow caps; participation was voluntary.
Defense Secretary Hegseth’s department previously tried to remove Jackie Robinson’s military history but reversed the decision after backlash.
The article connects these events to a larger culture war emphasizing Christian values and claims that white, heterosexual men face discrimination.
Historically, the Giants have been active in supporting HIV/Aids awareness and represented San Francisco’s inclusive culture.
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