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The film "La Bola Negra," starring Penélope Cruz and Glenn Close, is set during the Spanish Civil War and tells the story of three gay men facing desire and repression across generations. It premiered at the Cannes Film Festival alongside other films exploring themes like courage and identity.
Key Facts
"La Bola Negra" is a Spanish-language film featuring Penélope Cruz and Glenn Close.
The story takes place partly during the Spanish Civil War.
The film follows three gay men across different generations.
Themes include desire, repression, and inherited trauma.
Glenn Close also stars in the film.
The movie is from the creators of "La Mesías."
Other films at Cannes include "Coward," about World War I and the meaning of courage.
The Cannes Film Festival is showcasing films focused on culture and identity.
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A UK Lords committee heard that the Domestic Abuse Act does not fully address abuse involving technology, such as tracking devices and hidden software used to control victims. Experts say tech abuse is common in domestic violence cases and causes serious harm, but it is not clearly listed in the law’s definition of domestic abuse.
Key Facts
Tech abuse means using digital tools like phones, apps, and devices to harass, monitor, or control someone.
Examples include hidden tracking devices (like AirTags), spyware on phones, and using smart home devices to cause distress.
The 2021 Domestic Abuse Act covers many abuse types but does not explicitly mention tech abuse.
Tech abuse often fits under coercive or controlling behavior but can be missed by services because it’s seen as an online safety issue.
A report found 45% of people worldwide experienced tech abuse in the past year.
Young people often see tracking in relationships as normal, increasing their risk of abuse.
Studies found significant numbers of teenagers have been tracked by a partner’s phone or location.
Experts call for the law to clearly include tech abuse to better protect victims and inform services.
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The Sandy Fire in Simi Valley, California, has burned over 2,000 acres and forced evacuations near the Santa Susana Field Laboratory, a former nuclear and rocket testing site with known toxic contamination. Firefighters are monitoring air quality closely because if the fire reaches the site, dangerous materials could spread through the smoke.
Key Facts
The Sandy Fire started on Monday in Ventura County, California.
Over 2,115 acres have been burned, with about 30% containment as of Thursday.
More than 1,100 firefighters are working to control the fire.
Evacuations are in place for parts of Ventura and Los Angeles counties, including Simi Valley and Bell Canyon.
The fire is close to the Santa Susana Field Laboratory, a site with radioactive and chemical contamination from past nuclear and rocket tests.
Officials say the fire has not yet entered the laboratory property.
Air quality monitoring equipment is being used to check for hazardous materials in the smoke.
The fire is burning in steep, dry terrain, which complicates firefighting efforts.
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A group of women activists at a far-right rally in the UK wore niqabs and long dresses while telling the crowd to criticize their clothing. This action led to public controversy. A journalist from Al Jazeera explains the situation.
Key Facts
The activists dressed in niqabs, which cover most of the face, and long dresses.
They appeared at a far-right rally in the United Kingdom.
The activists asked the crowd to condemn their clothing style.
This event caused a negative reaction from observers.
Al Jazeera journalist Ava Warriner reported on the incident.
The event raises questions about the link between Islamophobia and feminism.
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The article reports on the Cannes Film Festival, focusing on predictions from attendees about which film will win the Palme d’Or, the festival’s top prize. It mentions various films and artists featured at the festival and highlights ongoing cultural events linked to Cannes.
Key Facts
The Cannes Film Festival is currently happening in France.
The Palme d’Or is the main award given to the best film at the festival.
Festivalgoers shared their opinions on which movie might win the prize.
Several notable films and actors are featured, including those related to the Spanish civil war and the AIDS crisis.
Famous actors like Penélope Cruz, Glenn Close, Rami Malek, and Andy García are involved in films at Cannes.
The article mentions cultural events such as an art installation transforming the oldest bridge in Paris.
Former football star Eric Cantona appeared twice during the festival.
French and Algerian officials are promoting better cooperation during this time.
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The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) in the UK has issued a new code of practice stating that single-sex toilets and changing rooms must be based on biological sex, excluding transgender people from these spaces. The guidance also advises businesses to provide gender-neutral toilets as an alternative for those who do not want to use facilities based on biological sex.
Key Facts
The EHRC code applies to England, Wales, and Scotland.
The guidance follows a Supreme Court ruling that "sex" in equality law refers only to biological sex.
Single-sex spaces must exclude transgender men and women in line with this ruling.
Businesses and service providers should offer gender-neutral toilets or alternatives.
In healthcare, trans patients must be placed in wards matching their biological sex if mixed wards are unavailable.
Using gender identity to admit trans people changes the legal status of a "single-sex" service and could lead to legal challenges.
The EHRC chair, Mary-Ann Stephenson, emphasized focusing on practical solutions for different needs beyond just which toilets trans women can use.
Reactions to the guidance are mixed, with some groups supporting it as protecting women's rights and others concerned it marginalizes transgender people.
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Two young French boys under five were found alone and crying by a road in southern Portugal. Their mother and stepfather were arrested while police from Portugal and France continue to investigate the situation.
Key Facts
The boys were discovered near Alcacer do Sal, Portugal, carrying backpacks with food and water but no ID documents.
Their father reported them missing from their home in Colmar, France, on May 11.
France issued a pan-European alert to find the children.
Portuguese police arrested a 41-year-old woman and a 55-year-old man suspected to be the mother and stepfather.
The arrests happened in Fatima, about 180 km north of where the children were found.
The couple is being investigated for domestic violence, exposing the children to danger, and abandonment.
The driver who found the boys gave them food before calling the police.
Police investigations in both countries are ongoing with no final conclusions yet.
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The UK government has started a program called "Great British Summer Savings" to help families save money on children’s meals and summer activities from June 25 to September 1, 2026. They will temporarily cut a tax called VAT from 20% to 5% on various family-related tickets and services to lower prices and support businesses.
Key Facts
The scheme aims to reduce costs for children’s meals and summer activities like theme parks, theatres, museums, and more.
VAT (value-added tax) will be cut from 20% to 5% between June 25 and September 1, 2026.
Children aged 5 to 15 can travel free on local buses throughout August.
The program is expected to cost the government about £300 million ($403 million).
The tax reduction applies to children’s menus, family tickets for cinemas, theatres, concerts, and admission to attractions like amusement parks, fairs, museums, and zoos.
This program aims to support both families and struggling businesses in the leisure and hospitality sectors.
Rising fuel costs, linked to the war in Iran, are causing higher living expenses for many families in the UK and Europe.
The announcement comes after recent local election losses for Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour Party.
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This weekly quiz covers recent world events including President Donald Trump warning Taiwan not to declare independence, the rising death toll from an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Sir David Beckham becoming the UK's first billionaire sports star. It also highlights the UK's participation in the Eurovision Song Contest.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump warned Taiwan against declaring independence.
The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has caused an increasing number of deaths.
Sir David Beckham is the first sportsman from the UK to become a billionaire.
The article includes a quiz about recent global events.
The UK's Eurovision Song Contest entry received only one point in the recent contest.
The quiz encourages readers to review world news from the past week.
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Soubhiye Zeiter, a woman who lost her home due to war, decided to help by baking bread for her community. She began by baking 200 loaves daily and increased her effort to 3,000 loaves each day to support those affected by the conflict.
Key Facts
Soubhiye Zeiter is a displaced woman from Lebanon.
She vowed to help feed people affected by war after losing her home.
She initially baked 200 mana’eesh (a type of bread) daily.
Her baking efforts grew to 3,000 loaves of bread each day.
The bread supports the local community impacted by war.
Soubhiye’s work is focused on providing food in a difficult time caused by conflict.
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A recent U.S. Drought Monitor map shows large parts of the country facing severe to extreme drought conditions, especially in the West, Plains, South, and Southeast regions. The drought is linked to record warm temperatures in the last year, with expert forecasts predicting drought will continue or worsen in many areas through the summer.
Key Facts
The U.S. Drought Monitor uses five levels to rate drought severity, with “exceptional” (D4) as the worst.
Parts of Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Nebraska, Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas are facing “exceptional” drought.
“Extreme” drought (D3) affects many states including Oregon, Montana, Wyoming, Arizona, New Mexico, Kansas, Louisiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia.
The last 12 months were the warmest on record for the contiguous U.S., with April being the third warmest on record.
More than 40% of the lower 48 states suffer from severe to exceptional drought, with the Southeast at its largest extent of drought ever recorded.
The Climate Prediction Center forecasts continued drought in northern and western areas, with possible improvement in the southern Four Corners region due to monsoons.
Rainfall may improve conditions in parts of Texas, the Lower Mississippi Valley, Florida, the coastal Southeast, and the Northeast.
The interior Southeast and south-central Plains will likely keep experiencing drought, while new drought conditions may develop in the northern Plains and Upper Midwest.
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Police on the Italian island of Stromboli stopped a party where Mick Jagger and cast members of a film were celebrating because music is banned on Wednesdays. The party was stopped after local residents complained, and the group accepted the order despite some confusion.
Key Facts
Mick Jagger was celebrating the end of filming for "Three Incestuous Sisters" on Stromboli.
Music is banned on Wednesdays on the island, leading police to stop the party.
Other actors at the party included Josh O’Connor, Jessie Buckley, Saoirse Ronan, Dakota Johnson, and Isabella Rossellini.
The music was played quietly from a small speaker, yet the party was stopped shortly before midnight.
Residents complained about the music, prompting police action.
The mayor of Lipari, the municipality including Stromboli, enforces the music ban.
A local tourism leader said the party stoppage showed a lack of support for the island’s tourism and economic benefits.
Jagger and the cast left Stromboli the next day, some by private helicopter.
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The International Court of Justice (ICJ), the United Nations' top court, issued an advisory opinion that the right to strike is protected under a major labor treaty. This opinion supports workers’ ability to stop working as part of their right to associate and organize, even though the treaty does not mention strikes directly.
Key Facts
The ICJ gave its opinion after being asked by the International Labor Organization (ILO) in 2023.
The advisory opinion is not legally binding but is influential worldwide.
The 1948 ILO convention on freedom of association covers the right to strike, according to the ICJ.
The convention has been ratified by 158 countries and influences many employment and trade agreements.
The United States is part of the ILO but has not ratified this specific convention.
The court noted that the right to strike can be limited in certain cases.
The decision is seen as a useful tool for workers facing legal challenges when striking.
During the ICJ hearings, most countries and organizations supported recognizing the right to strike.
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The U.S. Justice Department charged Raúl Castro at age 94 for allegedly ordering the shooting down of two civilian planes in 1996, killing four people. Raúl Castro, Cuba’s former president and brother of Fidel Castro, has played a large role in maintaining Cuba’s communist government despite decades of U.S. efforts to isolate the country.
Key Facts
Raúl Castro is 94 years old and was charged by the U.S. for the 1996 downing of two civilian planes from a Cuban-American group.
Four people died in the attack, including three Americans, when Cuban fighter jets shot the planes down in international airspace.
Raúl Castro served as Cuba’s head of state from 2006 to 2018 and remained influential after stepping down.
He participated in Cuba’s 1950s revolution alongside his brother Fidel, combining military and political leadership.
The U.S. has long tried to pressure Cuba through actions like the 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion and a trade embargo that lasted decades.
Raúl Castro marched publicly in 2024 alongside the current Cuban president during protests against increased U.S. sanctions.
Cuba views these U.S. actions as attacks on its sovereignty and independence, tied to a history of resistance.
Some experts see the indictment as part of the Trump administration’s effort to intensify pressure on the Cuban government.
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The UK Labour party is facing a potential leadership race with key figures showing different political approaches. Andy Burnham is focusing on winning over voters concerned about migration and economic issues, while Wes Streeting is promoting policies like higher taxes on wealth. Both are trying to appeal to different parts of the party and voters ahead of possible future elections.
Key Facts
The Labour party is considering a leadership contest that may or may not happen.
Andy Burnham is a left-wing candidate who wants to show he can manage the economy and address migration concerns.
Wes Streeting, viewed as a right-wing figure in the party, supports higher wealth taxes and opposes racism and far-right groups.
Burnham has been seen as business-friendly and focused on economic growth as Manchester’s mayor.
Streeting has recently made his left-wing views more public, including early support for recognizing a Palestinian state.
Labour lost more voters to the Greens than to the Reform UK party in recent local elections.
The party is trying to balance appealing to different voter groups to avoid losing seats in future elections.
Both potential leaders are adjusting their messages to connect with voters and party members.
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Stephen Colbert will air the final episode of The Late Show on May 21 after nearly 11 years. CBS canceled the show less than a year ago and will not replace Colbert with a new host, ending a major late-night TV franchise.
Key Facts
Stephen Colbert started hosting The Late Show in September 2015 after David Letterman retired.
The final episode will air on May 21 at 11:35 p.m. ET on CBS and stream on Paramount+.
Guests in the last weeks included Oprah Winfrey, former President Barack Obama, David Letterman, Jon Stewart, and other late-night hosts.
The show remained the most-watched program in its time slot despite declining overall late-night TV viewership.
Colbert averaged about 2.4 to 2.8 million viewers per episode in recent seasons.
CBS said the cancellation was due to financial reasons and a tough late-night market, not rating problems.
Some critics believe the cancellation was influenced by political pressures related to the Trump administration.
The series concludes a franchise that started in 1993 and was influential in late-night comedy.
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Cuban human rights activist Rosa María Payá spoke to CBS News about the recent legal charges against Raúl Castro. She shared her views on what this indictment means for Cuba’s future.
Key Facts
Raúl Castro, a former Cuban leader, has been officially indicted.
Rosa María Payá is known for her work in promoting human rights in Cuba.
The interview was broadcast on CBS News 24/7.
Payá discussed the impact of the indictment on Cuba’s political situation.
The article focuses on reactions surrounding Cuba’s leadership and legal actions.
The news highlights ongoing concerns about human rights in Cuba.
This coverage is part of broader international news about Cuba’s government changes.
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The US has banned travellers who recently visited the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Uganda, or South Sudan due to an Ebola outbreak. Health experts and officials say this ban may harm efforts to control the outbreak and suggest focusing on support and cooperation instead.
Key Facts
The Ebola outbreak is declared a global public health emergency and continues to spread in the DRC and neighboring countries.
The US travel ban applies to non-US citizens who have been in the DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan within the past 21 days.
The ban disrupted the DRC men’s football team’s World Cup preparations and caused a flight to divert in the US.
Africa CDC states that travel bans can cause fear, harm economies, and make health efforts harder, possibly increasing risk.
The Ebola strain (Bundibugyo) causing the outbreak has no vaccine or specific treatment available.
Africa CDC highlights that this strain was discovered 20 years ago, but no vaccines exist because it mainly affects poorer countries.
Uganda says it has the ability to control Ebola cases and considers the US travel ban an overreaction.
So far, about 139 deaths and 600 suspected Ebola cases are reported, mostly in the DRC’s Ituri and North Kivu provinces, with new cases in rebel-controlled regions.
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James Roscoe, a senior British diplomat in Washington, left his position suddenly this week without explanation. He was recently honored by King Charles for his work related to the royal visit to the United States. An investigation is underway into a leak of secret UK national security council discussions.
Key Facts
James Roscoe served as deputy head of the British embassy in Washington since 2022.
He stepped in as interim ambassador after Peter Mandelson was dismissed.
No official reason was given for Roscoe’s sudden departure.
Roscoe was made a lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order (LVO) by King Charles on April 30.
The honor recognizes personal service to the monarch and was connected to the recent royal US visit.
An investigation is happening into leaks of secret discussions about US use of British bases for strikes against Iran.
The leaked talks are protected by the Official Secrets Act, making the breach serious.
Roscoe was once a chief press officer for UK Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown before joining diplomatic roles in Sierra Leone and Iraq.
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Net migration to the UK dropped by nearly half in 2025, reaching levels not seen since before new post-Brexit immigration rules started in 2021. The UK government has introduced stricter immigration policies to reduce arrivals and focus on skilled workers who contribute to the country.
Key Facts
Net migration fell to 171,000 in the year ending December 2025, down from 331,000 the year before.
The drop continues a larger fall from a record 944,000 in 2023.
New immigration rules started in 2021 after Brexit, making it harder to come to the UK legally.
The government banned most international students from bringing dependents and raised salary limits for skilled worker visas from 2024.
The Labour government has tightened immigration further, aiming to control borders and reduce numbers.
Policies include ending overseas recruitment for care workers and making refugee status temporary.
Some groups, like far-right activists, held marches against immigration, spreading hate leaflets.
Employers and economists warn that fewer migrants may cause worker shortages in areas like care and hospitality.
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