The Settle-Carlisle railway line in the UK is celebrating 150 years since it opened. It is famous for its beautiful countryside, survived a closure threat in the 1980s thanks to public support, and continues to be a popular scenic route.
Key Facts
The Settle-Carlisle line runs from Leeds through North Yorkshire to Cumbria.
It is known worldwide for stunning views of British countryside and landmarks like Pen-y-Ghent and Ribblehead Viaduct.
In the 1980s, the line was nearly closed, but many people and even a dog named Ruswarp helped save it.
The Ribblehead Viaduct has 24 arches and stands over 100 feet high, built with great effort and loss of workers' lives.
The railway offers passenger services, including regular trains, steam engines, and occasional mainline diversions.
Tickets were sold at 150p each to mark the 150-year anniversary.
The line promotes green travel and public transport as a way to reduce carbon emissions.
Some stations along the route are far from towns, requiring walking to reach local villages.
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A British couple, Lindsay and Craig Foreman, have been imprisoned in Iran’s Evin prison since January 2025, accused of spying, which they deny. They face a 10-year sentence and continue to communicate with their family under difficult conditions while coping with the challenges of prison life during a recent war involving Iran.
Key Facts
Lindsay Foreman is 53 years old and Craig Foreman is 52.
They were arrested in Iran on suspicion of espionage while on a motorcycle trip around the world.
Their 10-year prison sentence was given in February 2025.
The couple is held separately in Evin prison and has limited contact with each other and their family.
Their son, Joe Bennett, now receives regular phone calls from them via the British Foreign Office.
The British embassy in Iran is temporarily closed due to war, so consular visits do not happen.
The couple endured fear during recent US-Israel attacks on Iran but now live through the routine of prison life.
Lindsay reads books from the prison library to keep her spirits up, and Craig finds support among other foreign prisoners.
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A man named Simon White returned three small pieces of medieval floor tiles to Wenlock Priory in Shropshire, England, nearly 60 years after taking them as a child. The tiles date from the late 1200s to early 1300s and one shows a dragon design that was previously unknown at the site.
Key Facts
Simon White took the tile fragments as a souvenir when he was nine years old during a family visit in the late 1960s.
The tiles were kept in a toffee tin and rediscovered by White recently during a house move.
White contacted English Heritage, the organization that manages the priory, to return the fragments.
Experts confirmed the tiles likely came from Wenlock Priory because similar tiles were known only at three sites in Shropshire.
One tile has a dragon design, which had not been seen before at this location.
Another tile shows a face that might be a lion or a grimacing expression.
The tiles will be kept in an archaeology store for study and will not be replaced on the priory floor.
English Heritage welcomed the return and encouraged others with old souvenirs from historic sites to come forward.
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In the upcoming UK elections on May 7, almost twice as many men as women are standing as candidates for local, mayoral, and devolved government positions. Women make up about one-third of all candidates, with no political party reaching equal numbers of male and female candidates.
Key Facts
About 34% of candidates in English local elections are women; no party has a 50/50 gender split.
Women make up 18% of mayoral election candidates, 38% in the Welsh Senedd elections, and 36% in the Scottish Parliament elections.
Labour has the highest proportion of female candidates in local elections at 42%; Reform UK has the lowest at 23%.
The 20 most common candidate first names for local elections are mostly male; only one female name, Sarah, appears.
In Scotland, some parties like the Scottish Greens (60% women) and Labour (50% women) have more female than male candidates.
The data comes from 26,813 candidates with gender identified by names or specification.
Campaigners say the lack of female candidates means women’s views may be underrepresented in local government decisions.
Online abuse is mentioned as a reason some women avoid standing for election.
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Banksy revealed a new sculpture in London showing a man stepping off a stone base, with his face covered by a flag. The installation appeared suddenly at Waterloo Place and was shared in a video by the artist known for political artwork.
Key Facts
The sculpture shows a man with his face hidden behind a flag.
It was placed overnight in Waterloo Place, London.
Banksy shared a video to reveal the new artwork.
Banksy is known for creating politically themed art.
The sculpture suggests the man is blinded by his own flag.
The installation attracted attention from fans of Banksy's work.
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Aung San Suu Kyi, a leader in Myanmar’s fight for democracy, has been under detention since a military coup in 2021 and was recently moved to house arrest. She has faced multiple criminal charges, which she denies, and has spent many years detained due to her political activism against military rule.
Key Facts
Aung San Suu Kyi was detained following a military coup in Myanmar in 2021.
She has recently been shifted from prison detention to house arrest.
She faces several criminal charges, including corruption, which she denies.
She won national elections in 1990, but the military junta refused to give up power.
Suu Kyi has spent nearly 15 years in detention previously between 1989 and 2010.
She is known internationally for promoting peaceful democratic reform and has received the Nobel Peace Prize.
Her international reputation suffered after defending Myanmar against accusations of genocide related to the Rohingya crisis.
Suu Kyi is the daughter of Myanmar’s independence hero, General Aung San, and has a long history of political activism inspired by leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi.
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The war involving Iran is causing fertilizer prices to rise and supplies to shrink, which may lead to food shortages and higher food costs in some poor African countries. The boss of the world’s largest fertilizer company warned that without global action, vulnerable nations could lose access to needed fertilizer, affecting their food production.
Key Facts
The conflict involving Iran has disrupted supplies of key fertilizers like urea and ammonia.
Fertilizer prices, especially urea, have risen by 60-70% since February due to the war.
Africa depends heavily on imported fertilizer, with countries like Ethiopia and Kenya especially at risk.
Reduced fertilizer supply could cause food shortages and higher prices in poor African communities.
Yara International, a large fertilizer company, says global competition for fertilizer may leave the poorest countries without enough.
Ammonia production has been cut or paused in some places for safety reasons during the conflict.
European farmers receive some government support to handle rising fertilizer costs, but African farmers do not.
Fertilizer is needed soon for planting seasons in sub-Saharan Africa, making the timing critical.
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The United Nations has raised concerns that Denmark’s removal of a Greenlandic mother’s newborn after parenting tests may be ethnic discrimination. The UN is asking Denmark to explain the treatment of Greenlandic families and stresses that those affected by these tests should receive justice.
Key Facts
Keira Alexandra Kronvold’s baby was taken away two hours after birth in November 2024 following parenting competence tests called FKU.
Kronvold was told the test measured if she was “civilised enough.”
Denmark banned the use of these parenting tests in May 2024 after public backlash.
Dozens of Greenlandic (Inuit) women in Denmark remain separated from their children due to these tests.
UN officials said these parenting assessments might be ethnic discrimination, disproportionately targeting Greenlandic parents.
Greenland was a Danish colony until 1953, and many Greenlandic people in Denmark report ongoing systemic discrimination.
The UN special rapporteur on violence against women and other special rapporteurs wrote to Denmark seeking responses on human rights violations.
Kronvold is still fighting in Danish court to regain custody, while her daughter lives with a Danish foster family and she sees her only during supervised visits.
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Brazil’s Congress voted to override President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s veto and passed a law that reduces the prison sentence of former President Jair Bolsonaro for his role in a failed coup attempt. The new law could cut Bolsonaro’s 27-year sentence by about 20 years, though it is expected to face legal challenges in court.
Key Facts
Congress overrode President Lula’s veto to reduce Bolsonaro’s prison sentence.
Bolsonaro was sentenced to 27 years for plotting a coup attempt in Brazil.
The new law could shorten his sentence by roughly 20 years.
Bolsonaro has been under house arrest since November.
The law also reduces sentences for other crimes related to attacks on democratic rule, affecting Bolsonaro’s supporters.
Lula’s political position is weakened ahead of the October presidential election.
Legal experts say the law will likely be challenged in Brazil’s Supreme Court.
Bolsonaro’s allies in Congress include conservatives and some centrists who voted against Lula’s veto.
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Police in Alice Springs arrested a man named Jefferson Lewis in connection with the death of five-year-old Kumanjayi Little Baby. After the arrest, violence broke out at the local hospital and in the town, leading to damage and arrests, but community leaders called for calm and respect during the grieving period.
Key Facts
Kumanjayi Little Baby, age five, was found dead 5km from where she was last seen alive.
Jefferson Lewis, 47, was arrested in relation to her death and was attacked by a crowd afterward.
Police had to intervene to stop the assault on Lewis and protect emergency workers.
A crowd of about 400 people gathered at Alice Springs hospital, leading to fires, damaged vehicles, and injuries.
Police used non-lethal weapons and chemical sprays to manage the unrest.
The police transferred Lewis to Darwin for safety reasons after medical treatment.
Community leaders asked for calm, respect, and time to mourn while justice takes its course.
The Northern Territory Chief Minister said the violence was unacceptable and not representative of the community.
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Iran’s supreme leader pledged to protect the country’s nuclear and missile programs during ongoing tensions with the United States, which seeks to limit these capabilities. The U.S. government claims the war with Iran has paused due to a ceasefire and says it does not yet need Congress’s approval for continued military action.
Key Facts
Iran’s supreme leader vowed to defend nuclear and missile capabilities despite U.S. efforts to stop them.
President Donald Trump wants to reduce Iran’s military programs through airstrikes and negotiations.
The Trump administration says the war with Iran ended when a ceasefire started in early April.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testified that the ceasefire paused hostilities, avoiding the need for congressional approval under U.S. law.
Since the ceasefire began on April 7, there have been no direct military exchanges between U.S. forces and Iran.
Iran’s economy is suffering, partly due to a U.S. naval blockade that restricts its oil exports.
The Strait of Hormuz, a key route for one-fifth of the world’s oil, remains controlled by Iran, causing oil prices to rise above $126 per barrel.
Recent conflicts include Israeli military actions in Lebanon and regional travel bans by the United Arab Emirates.
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Israel intercepted boats carrying aid to Gaza in international waters and detained hundreds of people on board, including journalists from Al Jazeera. Many world leaders, human rights groups, and media organizations are calling on Israel to free the detained individuals.
Key Facts
Israel stopped aid boats heading to Gaza in international waters.
Hundreds of people aboard these boats were detained by Israel.
Among those detained are journalists from the news outlet Al Jazeera.
The boats belong to the Global Sumud Flotilla, a group delivering aid.
International leaders, human rights organizations, and media advocates are condemning Israel’s actions.
These groups want Israel to release the people detained from the flotilla.
The interception and detention have caused global criticism of Israel.
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The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has decided to leave OPEC, the group of major oil-exporting countries. President Donald Trump supported the UAE's choice to exit the organization.
Key Facts
OPEC stands for the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries.
OPEC is a group that coordinates oil production policies among oil-producing nations.
The UAE recently announced it will leave OPEC.
President Donald Trump publicly endorsed the UAE’s decision.
The decision affects global oil markets as OPEC controls a large share of world oil supply.
The news was shared by CBS News.
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Groups of mostly young people have been rushing into the Church of Scientology’s main building in Hollywood, Los Angeles, and posting videos of it online. The church says these actions are trespassing and have caused injuries to staff, while police are investigating but have not made any arrests.
Key Facts
Young people are rushing into Scientology’s headquarters on Hollywood Boulevard and sharing videos on TikTok.
The videos have gained millions of views and some users have made building blueprints from these clips.
The Church of Scientology called these actions trespassing, harassment, and disruptive to their religious facility.
The church reported injuries to staff and has contacted law enforcement for help.
The Los Angeles Police Department has received five trespassing reports linked to these incidents.
No arrests have been made so far.
An 18-year-old known as Swhileyy started the trend but later said he does not support it.
Actress Leah Remini, a former Scientology member, said the stunt could make church members more devoted instead of exposing problems.
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A 62-year-old Australian woman named Denise Ann Williams has been missing for over two weeks in Cape Breton Highlands National Park in Nova Scotia, Canada. Search teams are using air, ground, and dog units to find her after her car was found at the park's visitor center near a hiking trail.
Key Facts
Denise Ann Williams was last heard from on April 15 when she said she was heading to Chéticamp in Nova Scotia.
Her rental car was found at the start of the Acadian trail, an 8.4 km loop in Cape Breton Highlands National Park.
The Acadian trail is moderately difficult and takes about 3 to 4 hours to complete.
The area has animals like moose, coyotes, and black bears that could be dangerous.
Phone reception is spotty in the park, making communication difficult.
Police described Williams as 5 feet 4 inches tall, with greyish blonde hair, and wearing a dark jacket, powder-blue hat with "Antarctica" written on it, orange and blue scarf, and glasses.
Search efforts involve the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, air and ground teams, police dogs, and other groups.
Temperatures in the park have been between 0°C and 14°C during the day and as low as -5°C at night, with some snow still present.
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Oscar winner Pavel Talankin was stopped by airport security at New York’s JFK Airport and forced to check his Academy Award statuette as luggage. When he arrived in Germany, the Oscar was missing, and the airline Lufthansa is conducting a search to find it.
Key Facts
Pavel Talankin won an Academy Award for his documentary "Mr Nobody Against Putin."
At JFK Airport, security said the Oscar could be used as a weapon and made him check it in.
Lufthansa packed the Oscar carefully in a box for the checked luggage compartment.
When Talankin landed in Germany, his Oscar had disappeared.
Lufthansa said they are urgently searching for the missing award.
Talankin often travels with his Oscar to events and screenings and has not had issues before.
The documentary exposes war propaganda in Russian schools after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.
Talankin now lives in exile in Europe for his safety; Russia has banned the documentary claiming it promotes extremism.
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The full Moon on May 1, 2026, called the Flower Moon, will appear in the night sky. This full Moon will be slightly smaller because it occurs when the Moon is farthest from Earth, a point called apogee. If people miss this, there will be another full Moon on May 31, known as a Blue Moon.
Key Facts
The Flower Moon will be full at 18:23 on Friday, May 1, 2026.
The name "Flower Moon" comes from May being the month when many flowers bloom.
This Flower Moon is a "micromoon," meaning it appears slightly smaller because the Moon is at its farthest distance from Earth.
The Moon’s distance from Earth varies because its orbit is elliptical, not a perfect circle.
The difference in distance between the closest point (perigee) and the farthest point (apogee) is about 43,000 km (26,000 miles).
The smaller size of the micromoon is hard to notice with the naked eye but is visible in photos.
Weather may bring clouds and showers in parts of the UK on May 1, but clearer skies are expected in some areas in the evening.
A second full Moon, called a Blue Moon, will occur on May 31, 2026, happening approximately once every two to three years.
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A war involving Iran has disrupted global fertilizer supplies, causing prices to rise sharply in Asia. This shortage threatens rice farmers in countries like Thailand and Vietnam, who now face tough decisions about planting their crops, risking food security in the region.
Key Facts
The war started on 28 February with attacks by the US and Israel on Iran, closing the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for fertilizer shipments.
About one-third of the world’s seaborne fertilizer trade passes through the Strait of Hormuz.
The price of urea fertilizer increased by over 40% shortly after the Strait closed.
China, the largest fertilizer producer and exporter, banned exports of several important fertilizers in March to protect its own supply.
China accounts for 25% of global fertilizer production and exports more than $13 billion worth annually.
Between 50% and 80% of China’s fertilizer exports are now restricted.
Many farmers in Southeast Asia report fertilizer shortages and higher costs, forcing some to consider not planting crops this season.
China’s move to restrict exports is linked to its domestic policy aimed at ensuring self-sufficiency in grain production.
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Jihadist fighters in Mali have called for a united uprising against the country’s military leaders and have started a blockade on roads into the capital, Bamako. This follows recent joint attacks on the military junta and raises concerns about growing instability in Mali.
Key Facts
Jihadist group JNIM, allied with Al-Qaeda, urged all groups in Mali to unite to remove the military junta.
The military junta has been in power since 2020.
JNIM and Tuareg separatists recently attacked the junta's positions.
JNIM started blocking key roads to Bamako, stopping many vehicles from entering.
People already inside Bamako are allowed to leave the city.
Mali’s defense minister, Sadio Camara, was killed in the recent attacks; a tribute was held under tight security.
Blockades have caused long vehicle lines at border points important for Mali’s economy.
Reports mention violent incidents on roads and possible deaths of some drivers, though these claims are not confirmed.
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Sir John Major, former UK Prime Minister, warned that frequently changing prime ministers harms the country and said politicians focus too much on media and their careers instead of solving long-term problems like healthcare, pensions, and climate change. He stressed the importance of leaders making tough decisions to leave a better future for the next generation.
Key Facts
Sir John Major served as UK Prime Minister from 1990 to 1997.
He criticized politicians for treating politics like a "game show" and avoiding difficult issues.
Major suggested having a fixed term for leaders, similar to the US system of two presidential terms.
He highlighted long-term challenges such as an ageing population, healthcare costs, pensions, and climate change.
Major warned that current leaders are passing difficult problems onto future generations.
He said politicians are too focused on winning votes and fear saying “no” to public demands.
Major noted that modern politicians, both Labour and Conservative, are often less connected to ordinary people and their communities than in the past.
He emphasized that politics should be about serving the public and addressing real problems, not personal career advancement.
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