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The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum began amid Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian oil and naval facilities in the city. The strikes caused large explosions and smoke, but no deaths were reported. Russian officials said they defended against many drones and promised strong responses.
Key Facts
The forum in St. Petersburg hosts about 20,000 guests from 130 countries.
Ukrainian drones targeted a large oil storage facility and a naval base near St. Petersburg.
The oil terminal handles about 12.5 million tons of fuel yearly and is key to Russian exports.
Russian air defenses claim to have shot down 59 drones during the attacks.
The strikes caused black smoke and fireworks of explosions but no casualties.
Ukraine called the strikes "long-range sanctions" as they hit deep inside Russia.
The forum includes some foreign attendees, including a U.S. official and far-right politicians.
Moscow responded with heavy strikes on Ukrainian cities, resulting in at least 21 deaths.
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This podcast episode covers the Makerfield by-election in the UK, featuring interviews with candidates and analysis of their campaign messages and challenges. It discusses how candidates from Reform UK, Labour, Conservative, Liberal Democrats, and Green parties are performing and responding to voters and controversies.
Key Facts
Chris reports from the Makerfield by-election, focusing on candidate Robert Kenyon from Reform UK and Andy Burnham from Labour.
The program looks at reactions to Robert Kenyon’s past comments about women.
Andy Burnham’s campaign slogan is “Change Labour. Keep The Faith.”
Candidates from the Conservative, Liberal Democrats, and Green parties also take part in interviews.
Sarah Lester from Manchester Evening News and Kevin Fitzpatrick from BBC Radio Manchester join the discussion.
More details about the by-election and candidates can be found on the BBC website link provided.
Newscast is a daily BBC podcast offering political news analysis.
The episode was presented by Adam Fleming and produced by a BBC team.
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London Underground drivers from the RMT union will strike for a second day, causing major transport problems on Thursday. The strike is about changes to a proposed four-day working week, which TfL says are voluntary, while RMT opposes them; some lines will have no service, but other rail and bus services will run normally.
Key Facts
The RMT union is holding a 24-hour strike on Thursday, the second this week.
The strike disrupts London Underground, with some lines completely closed and others running less often.
TfL says about 60% of drivers still worked during Tuesday’s strike.
The dispute is over a proposed four-day workweek change, supported by the rival Aslef union but rejected by RMT.
Other services like the Elizabeth line, London Overground, and buses will run but are expected to be crowded.
TfL reports fewer tube journeys (down 41%) but more bus and rail passengers on strike days.
Talks between TfL and RMT have paused but are expected to resume next week.
No new strikes are currently planned beyond Thursday.
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Peter Magyar defeated Hungary's leader Viktor Orban in an election, showing that authoritarian leaders can be beaten. The key to this victory was focusing on unity and a shared future for the people.
Key Facts
Viktor Orban is the current leader of Hungary known for authoritarian rule.
Peter Magyar won against Orban in a recent election.
Magyar's campaign focused on bringing people together.
The victory suggests that authoritarian leaders can be overcome.
The example from Hungary is seen as a lesson for other countries.
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Sir Alex Younger, who led the British intelligence agency MI6 from 2014 to 2020, has died at the age of 62 after cancer treatment. He had a career in intelligence for nearly 30 years and served in various roles in Europe, the Middle East, and Afghanistan before retiring.
Key Facts
Sir Alex Younger was the head of MI6 from 2014 to 2020.
He died at the age of 62 after being treated for cancer.
He worked in British intelligence for almost 30 years, starting in 1991.
Before his intelligence career, he was an officer in the British Army.
Younger worked in locations including Europe, the Middle East, and Afghanistan.
After retiring, he became a commentator on global security issues.
In 2016, he said the fictional spy James Bond would not pass MI6’s recruitment process.
He focused on modernizing recruitment to address new global security challenges.
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The St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) is a major annual event in Russia that brings together thousands of guests from over 130 countries to discuss economic and political issues. Despite tensions due to the war in Ukraine and Western sanctions, the forum continues as a platform for Russia to strengthen ties with countries outside the West, with notable participants including an official US representative appointed by President Trump.
Key Facts
SPIEF is held annually in St Petersburg, Russia, attracting about 20,000 guests from more than 130 countries.
This year’s forum occurs amid the ongoing war in Ukraine and Russia’s strained relations with Western countries.
Ukrainian drone strikes near St Petersburg caused temporary disruptions but did not stop the event.
SPIEF started in 1997 to attract investment to post-Soviet Russia and has grown into a broad platform for economic and political discussions.
The forum showcases Russia’s efforts to build connections with countries in the Global South amid Western sanctions.
For the first time since the Ukraine war began, an official US delegation is attending, appointed by President Donald Trump.
Key foreign attendees include leaders from Uzbekistan, Tanzania, China, and Saudi Arabia’s energy minister.
The event also features former politicians and media personalities, reflecting a mix of political and cultural dialogue.
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The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) warned that El Niño could cause another global coral bleaching event this summer, just one year after the last one ended. Coral reefs, which support many marine animals, are at high risk of losing color and health due to warmer ocean temperatures caused by El Niño and climate change.
Key Facts
NOAA predicts a high risk of coral bleaching in the northern Pacific, including Hawaii, and possibly in Florida and the Caribbean during summer.
This would be the fifth global coral bleaching event in recorded history.
Coral bleaching happens when higher ocean temperatures stress corals, causing them to lose their color.
The last global bleaching event affected 84% of the world’s reefs and ended around mid-2025.
El Niño is linked with warmer ocean waters and has caused all strong global bleaching events since 1998.
Scientists expect El Niño to arrive before fall 2026 but are not sure when or how strong it will be.
Some coral reefs showed resilience and did not bleach during the last event despite the heat.
NOAA is researching coral heat tolerance to help improve protection and restoration of reefs.
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A Nigerian court sentenced four men to death for attacking a Catholic church in Ondo state in 2022, killing 41 worshippers and injuring over 100 others. The men were also given 20-year prison sentences for being part of a terrorist group, while a fifth defendant was acquitted due to lack of evidence.
Key Facts
The attack happened at St Francis Catholic church in Owo during a Pentecost service in 2022.
Forty-one people were killed and more than 100 injured in the shooting and bombing.
Four men—Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, and Abdulhaleem Idris—were found guilty and sentenced to death.
They also received 20-year sentences for belonging to a terrorist group.
A fifth man, Momoh Otuho Abubakar, was acquitted for lack of evidence.
The judge said the evidence was strong and witnesses saw the attackers.
The death sentence requires the Nigerian president’s approval before it can be carried out.
The accused claimed they were tortured while in custody and plan to appeal the verdict.
Nigerian security challenges, including attacks on churches, have increased since the Owo attack.
President Donald Trump criticized Nigeria for not protecting Christians and the US conducted airstrikes against jihadist camps in Nigeria.
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Months after Iran’s government violently stopped anti-regime protests in December 2025 and January 2026, many families are still searching for missing loved ones. The crackdown caused thousands of deaths and detentions, and ongoing internet restrictions and a new war with the US and Israel have made it harder to find out what happened to detainees.
Key Facts
Anti-regime protests in Iran took place from December 2025 to January 2026.
The government used military weapons to suppress protests, killing thousands.
Many protesters and others remain missing or detained in prisons and juvenile centers.
Internet access was cut across Iran to restrict information during and after protests.
A US-Israel war on Iran began on February 28, 2026, worsening repression and communication difficulties.
Iranian families continue searching for missing relatives without official confirmation.
Human Rights groups report at least 6,488 confirmed protester deaths, with many more cases unverified.
Two protesters arrested in January were executed on June 1, accused of crimes against national security.
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Owain Rhys Davies, an actor known for roles in "Twin Peaks: The Return," "The OA," and Disney’s live-action "Alice in Wonderland" sequel, has died at the age of 44. His family shared the news of his sudden passing this week.
Key Facts
Owain Rhys Davies was an actor.
He appeared in the TV show "Twin Peaks: The Return."
He also acted in the series "The OA."
He was part of Disney’s live-action sequel to "Alice in Wonderland."
Davies died suddenly at the age of 44.
His family made the announcement about his death this week.
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Three men were seen on security video opening a manhole in Astoria, Queens, New York. They used an unknown tool to remove the manhole cover and then entered the sewer system. Residents want to know why the men went underground.
Key Facts
The incident happened on a Sunday in Astoria, Queens, New York.
Three men worked together to lift the manhole cover.
They used an unknown object or tool to open the manhole.
The men disappeared into the sewer system beneath the street.
Surveillance cameras recorded the event.
Local residents are curious and concerned about the reason for this action.
The identity and purpose of the men remain unknown.
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The United States is planning to restart funding for an international vaccine program that helps provide vaccines globally. This reverses a previous hold on the funds made by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. due to concerns about vaccine safety.
Key Facts
The U.S. will likely resume financial support for a global vaccine alliance.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had paused the funding over vaccine safety worries.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the State Department is taking back control of the funding decision.
The announcement came during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee meeting.
The vaccine program focuses on humanitarian aid and global health.
The funding hold was a recent policy change now being reversed.
Resuming funding shows the U.S. commitment to global health partnerships.
This move may affect international cooperation on vaccines and disease prevention.
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Ukraine attacked a Russian oil terminal and a Russian warship as fighting between the two countries increased. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced these strikes on Wednesday.
Key Facts
Ukraine carried out strikes on a Russian oil terminal.
Ukraine also targeted a Russian warship.
The attacks represent an increase in conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shared the news publicly.
These events are part of ongoing military clashes between the two countries.
The strikes may impact Russian military and energy resources.
The situation continues to develop with both sides launching attacks.
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Three hospitals in southern Lebanon have been hit by Israeli airstrikes within a week, causing injuries to more than 150 people and killing nine. The strikes damaged key medical facilities, forcing evacuations, and worsening access to healthcare in an already vulnerable area affected by conflict and displacement.
Key Facts
Three hospitals in southern Lebanon were attacked by Israeli forces in less than a week.
Nine people were killed and over 150 injured during these attacks.
One strike near Jabal Amel hospital killed four people and wounded 127, mostly medical staff.
The strikes damaged hospital buildings, knocked out electricity, and forced patient evacuations, including from intensive care units.
Lebanon’s health ministry rejects Israeli claims that Hezbollah used the hospitals, calling this a false accusation.
The World Health Organization said these attacks reduce critical healthcare access for vulnerable patients.
Since fighting began on March 2, over 130 medical workers and many ambulances and healthcare facilities have been hit.
Targeting medical facilities is considered a war crime under international law.
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Royal police officers were removed after reports of inappropriate behavior near Prince William and Kate’s home. One staff member said an officer tried to add her as a friend on Facebook, which she found unsuitable.
Key Facts
Police officers assigned to protect Prince William and Kate were taken off duty.
The removal followed claims of inappropriate conduct by the officers.
A staff member reported that an officer attempted to add her as a Facebook friend.
This social media request was seen as inappropriate by the staff member.
The incident took place near the home of Prince William and Kate.
The police officers involved were part of the royal security detail.
The situation prompted an internal review of the officers’ behavior.
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A new Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is spreading quickly and has crossed into other countries. This Ebola strain has no approved vaccine or treatment, making efforts to control the outbreak more urgent.
Key Facts
The Ebola outbreak is growing fast in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The virus has now spread to countries outside Central Africa.
This strain of Ebola does not have an approved vaccine or treatment.
Governments in the region are trying to respond and control the spread.
The outbreak raises concerns about a wider health emergency if not contained.
The report was provided by Catherine Soi, a correspondent for Al Jazeera.
The episode discussing this outbreak was produced and edited by a team at Al Jazeera.
The outbreak highlights ongoing challenges in managing infectious diseases in Central Africa.
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The ongoing conflict in the Middle East is creating two possible scenarios for the global economy: a mild slowdown if the war ends soon, or a severe downturn if it continues and causes more supply disruptions. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) warns both paths will slow growth and increase inflation worldwide, highlighting how relying on key supply points makes the economy vulnerable.
Key Facts
The conflict in the Middle East affects global economic growth and inflation in two possible ways depending on how long it lasts.
A quick resolution would slow global growth slightly, to about 2.8% in 2024, while a prolonged war could reduce growth to as low as 1.8% by 2027.
Inflation in the Group of Twenty (G20) countries is expected to reach 4% this year, but could rise more if the war continues.
Economies heavily dependent on Middle Eastern energy, especially many in Asia, would be hit hardest if the conflict drags on.
The U.S. economy is expected to grow about 2% in 2024, helped by strong investments in artificial intelligence (AI) and spending by wealthier households.
AI investment boosts the economy but also increases dependence on energy, semiconductor chips, and shipping routes, which are vulnerable to disruptions.
If the conflict lasts, AI investment and economic growth may weaken, and central banks might have to raise interest rates even as growth slows.
Governments may need to use fiscal policy (government spending and taxes) to support their economies, but rising debt and defense costs limit their options.
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Japan’s Soma Nomaoi samurai festival, a tradition lasting about 1,000 years, faces challenges from extreme heat caused by climate change. This natural threat puts the long-standing cultural event at risk.
Key Facts
The Soma Nomaoi festival in Japan has existed for around 1,000 years.
The festival has survived many hardships like wars, earthquakes, and a nuclear disaster.
Recently, extreme heat is threatening the continuation of the festival.
Extreme heat is linked to climate change, which brings hotter and more unpredictable weather.
This issue shows how climate change affects cultural traditions, not just the environment or economy.
The festival involves participants dressed as samurais, reflecting Japan’s historical heritage.
Preserving the festival is important to keep this part of Japanese culture alive despite new challenges.
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German director Wim Wenders announced he is withdrawing his 1975 film "Wrong Move" after actress Nastassja Kinski, who was 13 at the time of filming, protested a topless scene. Wenders apologized for not protecting Kinski and said his foundation will stop distributing the film until a solution is agreed upon.
Key Facts
"Wrong Move" is a 1975 film directed by Wim Wenders.
Nastassja Kinski appeared topless in the film when she was 13 years old.
Kinski has criticized Wenders for not protecting her during the filming.
Wenders apologized and takes responsibility for the situation.
The Wim Wenders Foundation, which owns the film, is halting all distribution.
A discussion with German film institutions will determine the film’s future.
Kinski’s lawyer said the decision was overdue and came after public pressure.
Wenders is an award-winning German director known for his influential work.
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