The United States and Israel have been engaged in a conflict with Iran for 60 days, causing serious disruptions to oil shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. This has driven global oil prices higher and increased inflation in the US and worldwide. Negotiations to resolve the conflict are currently stalled, and experts warn that economic impacts will last a long time.
Key Facts
The US and Israel started a war on Iran on February 28.
Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil shipping route, which carries about 20% of the world’s oil exports.
The US imposed a blockade to stop ships carrying Iranian oil.
Oil prices have risen sharply since the conflict began, with US crude oil going over $100 a barrel.
Petrol prices in the US have risen to nearly $4.18 per gallon, the highest in almost four years.
The United Arab Emirates will leave OPEC, aiming to produce more oil, but this is limited by the Strait closure.
Inflation in the US reached 3.3% annually, driven largely by rising energy costs.
Economic forecasts have been lowered due to ongoing disruptions in shipping and energy production caused by the conflict.
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Ukrainian soldiers used a robot to rescue an elderly woman from a damaged village on the frontline. The robot was guided by a drone that spotted her and brought the message "grandma, sit down" to help her safety.
Key Facts
The rescue happened in Ukraine's war zone during active conflict.
The woman was alone and trying to leave her village, which was wrecked.
Ukrainian forces used a drone to find her and send a robot to assist.
The robot delivered a simple message telling her to rest.
The woman said she felt she would not survive and was very weak.
Ground drones have become important tools to rescue or supply people on the frontlines.
The footage of the rescue was shared by Ukraine’s 3rd Army Corps.
This incident shows how technology is used in wartime to help civilians.
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The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has left the OPEC oil group due to disagreements with Saudi Arabia. An energy expert says this move shows the UAE's unhappiness with Saudi Arabia's role in the group.
Key Facts
The UAE recently decided to leave the OPEC oil cartel.
OPEC is a group of oil-producing countries that coordinate oil production.
The expert, Giacomo Luciani, teaches geopolitics of energy in Geneva.
He said the UAE’s departure reflects dissatisfaction with Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia is a leading member of OPEC and influences decisions.
The issue relates to how countries manage their oil interests and production.
The departure highlights tensions within OPEC members about control and priorities.
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Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer won a vote in the UK Parliament that stopped an inquiry into his handling of Lord Mandelson's appointment as US ambassador. Though he avoided an investigation, some Labour MPs criticized his leadership and the government's efforts to secure support.
Key Facts
Parliament voted against referring Sir Keir Starmer to a committee for investigation over statements about Lord Mandelson's US ambassador appointment.
Starmer won the vote with a clear majority, but some Labour MPs opposed him.
The government worked hard to get its MPs to support Starmer, including calls from cabinet ministers and former Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
14 Labour MPs voted against the government, many of whom had criticized Starmer before.
Opponents accused Downing Street of trying to cover up details about the Mandelson appointment process.
Some Labour MPs expressed frustration that the issue took up parliamentary time instead of other topics.
The government avoided a parliamentary committee that had helped bring down former Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
The vote showed some division within Labour but was seen by insiders as keeping the party together for now.
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Global military spending has increased for the 11th year in a row, according to a new report from SIPRI, a research institute that tracks arms and security. The report is based on information that is publicly available, so some military expenses might not be included.
Key Facts
Military spending worldwide has grown every year for the past 11 years.
The data comes from SIPRI, which studies global arms and security.
The report relies on open or public data sources.
Some military costs may not be included because they are not publicly reported.
This ongoing increase in spending reflects continued investment in defense by countries around the world.
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King Charles III spoke to a joint meeting of the United States Congress on Tuesday. He is only the second British king to address Congress in this way.
Key Facts
King Charles III gave a speech before the U.S. Congress.
This event took place on a Tuesday.
Only one other British monarch has ever spoken to Congress before.
The speech was covered by CBS News.
Amanda Foreman, a royal expert, provided analysis on the speech.
The address was part of a special joint meeting of both the House and Senate.
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King Charles III gave a speech to a joint meeting of the U.S. Congress, highlighting the common values between the United States and the United Kingdom. He emphasized that countries need to work together to solve big global problems.
Key Facts
King Charles III spoke to both houses of the U.S. Congress together.
He focused on the shared values of the U.S. and the U.K.
The King said that global challenges are too big for one country to handle by itself.
He called for increased international cooperation and service.
This speech was historic because it was a rare event for a British monarch to address the U.S. Congress.
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Fighting continues in Lebanon despite a ceasefire arranged by the United States. Israeli forces are occupying parts of southern Lebanon and destroying structures they say belong to Hezbollah, while Hezbollah continues to attack Israeli troops and northern Israel. These clashes have forced 1.2 million people to leave their homes.
Key Facts
A U.S.-brokered ceasefire is in place but hostilities have not stopped.
Israeli troops occupy a strip in southern Lebanon.
Israel is destroying homes identified as Hezbollah infrastructure.
Hezbollah continues attacks on Israeli forces and northern Israel.
About 1.2 million people have been displaced due to the conflict.
The humanitarian situation in Lebanon is very serious.
Both Israel and Hezbollah accuse each other of breaking the ceasefire.
The conflict is causing widespread destruction in southern Lebanon.
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King Charles gave a historic speech to the US Congress in Washington, stressing the importance of the UK-US partnership in a dangerous and uncertain world. He called for support of NATO, backing Ukraine, and increased defense spending, while also promoting understanding between different faiths and condemning violence.
Key Facts
King Charles spoke at the US Capitol, receiving many standing ovations.
He described the UK-US partnership as "indispensable" amid global conflicts in Europe and the Middle East.
The King urged support for NATO and defense of Ukraine.
He highlighted the UK's commitment to the largest defense spending increase since the Cold War.
The speech included messages promoting religious understanding and condemning extreme violence.
References were made to social issues, including abuse, without naming specific cases.
Security was heightened in Washington due to a recent gun attack targeting President Trump.
This was the first speech by a British monarch to a joint session of Congress since Queen Elizabeth II in 1991.
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Mali’s leader, Assimi Goïta, appeared in a video to tell the nation that the situation after recent coordinated attacks is now under control. Meanwhile, violence continues in other parts of Africa, including an attack by the Islamic State in Nigeria that killed at least 29 people.
Key Facts
Assimi Goïta, Mali’s leader, spoke in a video after coordinated attacks in the country.
He said the situation in Mali is under control.
Islamic State claimed responsibility for an attack in Adamawa State, Nigeria.
At least 29 people died in the Nigerian attack.
There are concerns that the war in Sudan is not getting enough attention.
Conflicts in the Middle East and Africa are ongoing and causing serious problems.
The report comes from the news program "Eye on Africa" by France 24.
The date of the report is April 28, 2026.
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King Charles III spoke to the US Congress, urging unity in NATO and support for Ukraine amid Russia’s invasion. He highlighted the close relationship between the UK and US, called for continued cooperation in security and trade, and touched on global environmental concerns.
Key Facts
King Charles III gave a speech to the US Congress during his visit to the United States.
He called for NATO member countries to stay united and support Ukraine against Russia’s invasion.
Charles praised the shared history and values between the UK and the US.
He mentioned NATO’s collective defense treaty, invoked after the September 11 attacks.
Charles stressed the need for continued funding and support for Ukraine’s defense.
He noted strong trade links between the US and UK, including $430 billion in annual trade.
Charles spoke about the importance of protecting the environment for security and prosperity.
The speech referred indirectly to current political tensions, emphasizing the rule of law and checks on executive power.
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King Charles III spoke to the U.S. Congress to help improve the relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States, which has been tense lately. He acknowledged problems both countries face and spoke about the importance of their partnership, receiving positive reactions from lawmakers, including Democrats.
Key Facts
King Charles III gave the first royal address to the U.S. Congress since Queen Elizabeth II in 1991.
The King's visit aimed to celebrate 250 years of U.S. independence and cooperation between the UK and U.S.
Relations between the U.S. and UK are strained partly due to disagreements over shared actions against Iran.
King Charles recognized current global uncertainties and recent conflicts in the Middle East and Europe.
He highlighted the British tradition of checks and balances on government power, which was well received by Democratic lawmakers.
President Donald Trump spoke positively about the King following their meeting.
The King's comments reflected both challenges and the potential for renewed cooperation between the two countries.
Some parts of the speech resonated differently with political groups in the U.S., indicating mixed reactions.
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Two oil businessmen have denied paying bribes to former Nigerian oil minister Diezani Alison-Madueke. She also denies accepting bribes and says any costs paid for her during official work were later repaid.
Key Facts
Oil executives Kevin Okyere and Igho Sanomi denied bribing former Nigerian oil minister Diezani Alison-Madueke in a UK court.
Alison-Madueke faces charges of accepting bribes and conspiring to commit bribery, which she denies.
Okyere said he paid £3,900 for Alison-Madueke at a store but was later reimbursed in cash by her.
Sanomi explained that difficulties with foreign currency in Nigeria led him to buy items on her behalf, also reimbursed later.
Former Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan said it was normal for ministers to receive help from third parties abroad if properly recorded and repaid.
Allegations include oil tycoons paying for private jets, luxury homes, and expensive goods for Alison-Madueke.
Alison-Madueke said she has been detained by UK authorities since 2015 and hasn’t been allowed to return to Nigeria for 10 years.
She denies receiving improper benefits or influencing contracts and claims political opposition in Nigeria has hurt her defense.
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Mostafa Salameh, a Palestinian-Jordanian climber, is climbing Mount Everest with handwritten letters from children in Gaza. His goal is to draw world attention to the difficulties these children have experienced.
Key Facts
Mostafa Salameh is both Palestinian and Jordanian.
He is a professional mountaineer.
He is carrying letters from children living in Gaza.
These letters are handwritten by the children.
The climb is to the top of Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world.
The mission aims to raise global awareness about the struggles faced by children in Gaza.
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An armed group linked to al-Qaeda called JNIM has declared a full siege on Bamako, the capital of Mali. They warned people to avoid the conflict zone, and a fight between the group and Mali’s army is expected soon.
Key Facts
The group JNIM is connected to al-Qaeda.
JNIM announced a "total siege" on Bamako, Mali’s capital.
They warned civilians not to get involved or they may be targeted.
A conflict between JNIM fighters and the Malian army is likely to happen soon.
Bamako is the main city and the seat of government in Mali.
The announcement indicates a serious security threat in the region.
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Beverley Martyn, a British folk singer known for her solo work and collaborations with her husband John Martyn, has died peacefully at age 79. She was active in the 1960s folk music scene and later returned to music with a solo album in 2014 after years away from the spotlight.
Key Facts
Beverley Martyn was born Beverley Kutner near Coventry, England, in 1947.
She learned guitar from folk musician Bert Jansch and played in the London folk scene in the early 1960s.
Beverley recorded solo songs and collaborated with well-known musicians like Jimmy Page and Donovan.
She was briefly involved with Paul Simon and appeared on a Simon & Garfunkel album.
Beverley married fellow musician John Martyn and recorded two albums with him in 1969-70.
Her marriage ended due to John Martyn’s struggles with alcohol and drugs.
After years mostly away from music, she released a solo album, The Phoenix and the Turtle, in 2014.
In 2018, she put out a collection of her songs from the 1960s called Where the Good Times Are.
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King Charles III spoke to the U.S. Congress, emphasizing the strong and historic friendship between the United Kingdom and the United States. His speech was warmly received by members of both political parties and avoided controversial topics, focusing instead on shared history and values.
Key Facts
King Charles III addressed the U.S. Congress for the first time as a British monarch.
His speech marked the 250th anniversary of the American Declaration of Independence.
The speech highlighted the long-standing relationship between the UK and the US.
King Charles used humor and historical references to connect with the audience.
Congress members from both parties gave the king a standing ovation.
King Charles avoided discussing contentious issues like Iran, Israel, immigration, or climate change.
Vice President JD Vance and other prominent political figures attended the speech.
Queen Camilla accompanied King Charles during the visit.
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A tornado warning was issued in north-central Texas on Tuesday afternoon after a tornado was seen in a nearby county. The National Weather Service told people in affected areas to take cover immediately to stay safe from the storm.
Key Facts
A tornado warning was issued at 3:35 p.m. for southern Jack County, Texas, including the city of Jacksboro.
The warning followed a tornado sighting on the ground earlier in Montague County.
The storm was moving southeast at about 30 miles per hour.
Residents were advised to go to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building and avoid windows.
The storm could produce large hail, flying debris, and damage to homes, vehicles, and trees.
Several locations, including Jacksboro and Lake Bridgeport, were at risk of storm impact.
Emergency officials are actively monitoring the fast-developing storm.
The tornado warning was set to last until 4:15 p.m. local time.
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King Charles addressed the U.S. Congress, urging continued commitment to the historic U.S.-U.K. alliance. He emphasized that their partnership is essential today amid global conflicts and called for cooperation to face current challenges.
Key Facts
King Charles was the first British monarch in 35 years to speak to the U.S. Congress.
He highlighted a relationship between the U.S. and U.K. that spans over four centuries.
The king called the U.S.-U.K. alliance "one of the most consequential alliances in human history."
He spoke about ongoing global conflicts and said no country can face these challenges alone.
King Charles urged the two nations not to rely only on past successes but to build stronger partnerships.
He mentioned the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting and condemned violence, praising unity in protecting democracy.
The king referenced NATO and joint defense projects like the F-35 fighter jets and submarine cooperation.
The speech occurred during King Charles’ state visit to the U.S., amid some political tensions between President Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
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President Donald Trump criticized German Chancellor Friedrich Merz after Merz said the United States was being "humiliated" by Iran. Trump disagreed with Merz's comments about Iran having nuclear weapons and said Merz does not understand the situation.
Key Facts
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the U.S. was being "humiliated" by Iran.
Merz implied concerns about Iran possibly having nuclear weapons.
President Trump responded on Truth Social, disagreeing with Merz's views.
Trump stated that Merz thinks it is acceptable for Iran to have a nuclear weapon.
Trump insisted that Merz does not fully understand the issue with Iran.
The exchange shows tensions between U.S. and German leaders over Iran policy.
The discussion is connected to global security and nuclear weapons concerns.
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