Reform UK is now the official opposition in the Welsh parliament (Senedd) after the 2026 elections, where Plaid Cymru won and Labour lost its long-standing dominance. Since taking their seats, some Reform UK members have caused controversy by making divisive comments and voting against their own party.
Key Facts
Plaid Cymru won the May 2026 Welsh elections, ending 100 years of Labour rule in Wales.
Reform UK came second and increased its vote share from 1% in 2021 to 29% in 2026.
Reform UK holds more than a third of the seats in the expanded Senedd, its largest platform so far.
Some Reform UK members made controversial statements about refugees and jobs, upsetting other parties.
Labour MS Shav Taj became emotional when responding to Reform UK’s comments on immigration.
Reform UK’s chief whip said that controversial remarks are now the “new norm” in the Senedd.
Some Reform UK members voted against their own party on a childcare motion, possibly by mistake.
Plaid Cymru’s minority government faces a tough challenge passing a supplementary budget soon.
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Iran attacked U.S. military bases in Kuwait and Bahrain after the United States carried out strikes on Iranian coastal sites. These attacks and statements from President Trump have increased worries about rising conflict and the failure of peace talks.
Key Facts
The U.S. launched a second round of strikes targeting Iranian coastal locations.
Iran responded by attacking U.S. bases located in Kuwait and Bahrain.
President Donald Trump warned the U.S. would "complete the job" against Iran.
These events have raised concerns about escalating military conflict in the Gulf region.
Peace negotiations between the U.S. and Iran are at risk of failing due to these actions.
The attacks took place in countries that are part of the Gulf region.
Al Jazeera reported from Washington DC on the developments.
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Dry and windy weather has caused large wildfires to grow quickly across the western United States, especially in Utah and Arizona. The biggest fire, the Cottonwood Fire in Utah, has burned over 144 square miles, destroying buildings and making firefighting difficult due to steep terrain.
Key Facts
The Cottonwood Fire in southwest Utah is the largest wildfire currently burning in the U.S.
It has spread over 144 square miles, damaging parts of a ski resort and summer cabins.
Hot, dry, and windy weather with low humidity is helping fires grow faster.
Utah recently experienced its warmest winter and record-low snow levels, increasing wildfire risk.
Hundreds of firefighters are working to control multiple fires in the region.
Nearly 3 million acres have burned across the country this year, more than the 10-year average.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox declared a state of emergency and banned fireworks before July Fourth.
Rough terrain with cliffs and steep slopes makes firefighting efforts slower and harder.
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The US military carried out strikes on 10 Iranian military targets near the Strait of Hormuz after an Iranian drone attacked an oil tanker. These attacks, ordered by President Donald Trump, happened despite a fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran. The situation shows rising tensions and risks of the conflict escalating again.
Key Facts
The US struck 10 Iranian military sites including surveillance, communication, and drone storage facilities.
The strikes were directed by President Donald Trump as a response to an earlier Iranian drone attack on the oil tanker Kiku.
The Kiku was carrying over two million barrels of crude oil and sailing near the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran and the US had a fragile ceasefire and were working on a final agreement to end the conflict.
President Trump warned that the US might take stronger military action if Iran continues to violate the ceasefire.
Bahrain reported attacks by multiple Iranian drones but no damage was reported.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard claimed to have targeted US military sites in the region but did not specify locations.
A new maritime route near Oman is being expanded for oil tankers, which may cause more tensions with Iran.
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Prince Harry is reconsidering bringing his wife Meghan and their two children to the UK next month after his request for police protection was denied. They were planning a family visit and to take part in public events, but without official UK security support, the trip’s details are still uncertain.
Key Facts
Prince Harry, Meghan, and their children Archie and Lilibet planned their first UK visit in four years.
They requested police protection funded by taxpayers, which was denied just days before the trip.
The Royal and VIP Executive Committee (Ravec) decided not to provide police security for the family.
The family would have police security only while staying on a royal estate offered by King Charles.
Outside the royal estate, they would rely on private security from California.
Meghan planned to attend public events in London and the Midlands, including the Invictus Games countdown.
Prince Harry previously lost a legal case to secure regular police protection in the UK.
The final decision on the trip and whether Meghan and the children will come is expected soon.
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New Caledonia, a French territory in the Pacific, held provincial elections for the first time since 2019. The vote will decide local leaders ahead of talks with France about the territory's political future, especially the question of independence.
Key Facts
About 192,000 voters will elect 76 councillors for three provincial assemblies in New Caledonia.
Fifty-four elected councillors will join the territory’s congress, which can make local laws.
The congress members then choose up to 11 people for the executive government.
The main pro-independence group rejected a deal with France that would have created a Caledonian state but ended future independence votes.
Past referendums (2018, 2020, 2021) showed most voters want to stay with France; however, some pro-independence groups boycotted the last vote.
New voting law added about 10,575 native-born residents, including indigenous Kanaks, to the voter list.
Riots in 2024 over voting rights changes resulted in 14 deaths and large property damage.
France has sent 2,400 law enforcement officers to maintain order during the election period.
Negotiations on New Caledonia’s political status with France are set to resume next month aiming for an agreement by year-end.
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The U.S. military is sending extra help to Venezuela after two strong earthquakes caused many deaths and missing people. A special team is being sent quickly to assist with the disaster response.
Key Facts
Two powerful earthquakes hit Venezuela recently.
The quakes have caused many deaths and left tens of thousands missing.
The U.S. military is sending more resources to help Venezuela.
U.S. South Command (Southcom) announced the deployment on Saturday.
A specialized rapid response unit is being sent to assist with rescue and aid efforts.
The goal is to support Venezuela in managing the aftermath of the earthquakes.
The situation remains critical with many people affected by the disaster.
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Bad Bunny, a Puerto Rican rapper, became the first Latin American artist to headline a stadium show in the UK, performing to about 50,000 fans at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. His concert celebrated Latin American culture and included messages of support for Venezuela after recent earthquakes.
Key Facts
Bad Bunny is performing his Debí Tirar Más Fotos (DTMF) world tour.
The concert was held at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London with around 50,000 attendees.
He is the first artist from Latin America to headline a UK stadium show.
The show featured a mix of modern Latin rap, salsa, and traditional music with a live band.
The stage design included a Puerto Rican-style home to create a community and intimate feel.
The album DTMF was the first entirely Spanish-language album to win the Grammy Award for Album of the Year.
Bad Bunny dedicated part of the show to express solidarity with Venezuela after recent earthquakes.
The audience included fans from various Latin American communities as well as celebrities like Adele and Novak Djokovic.
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Andy Burnham plans to give more power and money to regional leaders if he becomes Prime Minister. He and his allies want to change taxes and government borrowing rules to boost the economy. The UK government is also shifting defense spending from traditional forces like the navy to drones and autonomous vehicles.
Key Facts
Andy Burnham will pledge more power and investment for regional leaders in his upcoming economic speech.
Burnham’s ally Louise Haigh supports raising capital gains tax and loosening borrowing rules.
Burnham plans a major redesign of the tax system to renew the economy.
Outgoing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer canceled plans to replace old Royal Navy ships.
Starmer and Burnham favor investing in drones and autonomous military vehicles instead of traditional forces.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson is involved in debate over council tenants’ right to buy homes.
The UK experienced a record-breaking heatwave prompting experts to warn about future climate risks.
English football fans want American-style cheerleaders and halftime shows after enjoying the World Cup atmosphere.
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New South Wales (NSW) will expand drone patrols for sharks at 70 beaches year-round, flying drones from dawn to dusk to spot sharks early and warn swimmers. The $34 million program aims to improve safety after recent shark attacks and will include trials of artificial intelligence to help detect sharks automatically.
Key Facts
The program covers 70 beaches, including all 38 Sydney ocean beaches and 32 others around NSW.
Drones will operate daily from July 1 throughout the year, with increased flights in summer and weekends year-round.
Surf Life Saving NSW will manage the drone patrols, having already conducted over 100,000 flights this year and prevented over 2,000 shark encounters.
New AI shark detection technology will be tested to support automated drone flights.
Shark culls are not planned for great white sharks, which are protected and travel large distances.
Bull sharks, not protected, are under review with an audit of their numbers in Sydney Harbour.
Experts highlight drones help monitor sharks but do not eliminate risk, and shark culls have no proven safety benefit.
The goal is to warn people early about sharks to reduce harmful encounters without harming shark populations.
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More women in the UK are choosing not to have children. Research shows financial concerns, career goals, social pressures, and personal feelings influence this decision, leading to fewer births.
Key Facts
Around three million women aged 16 to 45 in the UK are likely to remain childfree.
Birth rates in England and Wales fell in 2025 to the lowest level in almost 50 years.
Reasons include high housing costs, delayed financial independence, later marriage, and career uncertainties.
Some women worry about financial instability, as seen with self-employed individuals like Jess King.
Concerns about climate change, career ambitions, travel desires, and more freedom also affect choices.
Online communities provide support and validation for women deciding not to have children.
Cultural expectations, such as in some African families, can challenge women's decision to stay childfree.
A survey found 38% of women not wanting children cite career advancement as a key reason.
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Taylor Swift has reportedly reserved Madison Square Garden for a large event that could be her wedding. An application was filed for an event on Friday with space for 999 people, fueling speculation about her possible marriage to Travis Kelce.
Key Facts
Taylor Swift rented Madison Square Garden for a large event.
The event is planned for Friday.
The application allows up to 999 people to attend.
The location is Madison Square Garden in New York City.
There is speculation the event could be Swift’s wedding to Travis Kelce.
The information comes from sources at City Hall.
The news was reported by CBS News and Ali Bauman.
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Rescue teams are working quickly in Venezuela after earthquakes occurred almost three days ago. Aid workers from the United States, specifically Virginia and California, have arrived to help find and rescue survivors.
Key Facts
Earthquakes hit Venezuela nearly three days ago.
Rescue workers are trying to save people trapped or injured.
Teams from Virginia and California have come to assist.
The situation is urgent, with time being critical for survivors.
The rescue effort involves local and international helpers.
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Four people died in Kentucky due to flooding caused by heavy rain from thunderstorms. The governor declared a state of emergency as more rain is expected and teams continue rescue efforts.
Key Facts
Four people have died in Kentucky from flood-related incidents.
Three deaths occurred in Madison County; one in Jackson County.
Flash flood warnings are active in parts of Kentucky and Indiana.
Some areas of southwestern Indiana have received 4 to 10 inches of rain.
Kentucky expects up to 7 inches of rain through late evening.
At least 12 state roads in Kentucky are closed due to flooding.
Rescue teams have conducted water rescues from vehicles and homes.
A precautionary evacuation was ordered in Bullitt County after a landslide near a dam, which remains stable.
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Several large wildfires are burning in Utah and other western U.S. states. Utah declared a state of emergency because high winds and very hot weather are making the fires spread quickly.
Key Facts
Multiple major wildfires are active in the western United States.
Utah is experiencing very hot temperatures that help fires grow.
Strong winds are pushing the flames and increasing fire danger.
Utah’s governor declared a state of emergency due to the wildfires.
Firefighters are working to control the fires, but conditions remain difficult.
The wildfires have caused threats to homes and communities in the area.
Weather forecasts predict continued hot and windy conditions.
The situation highlights the challenges of wildfire management in dry, hot climates.
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The U.S. military carried out new attacks near the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway. Earlier, Iran attacked a ship in the same area and targeted a U.S. ally.
Key Facts
The U.S. military struck several targets near the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait of Hormuz is an important route for global shipping and oil transport.
Iran attacked a ship in the Strait of Hormuz before the U.S. strikes.
Iran also targeted a country that is an ally of the United States.
The U.S. Central Command provided information about the U.S. military actions.
Tensions remain high between the U.S. and Iran in this region.
The White House is closely monitoring the situation.
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Tidying expert Dilly Carter shares common cluttering mistakes and tips to organize homes better. She emphasizes keeping kitchen counters clear, folding clothes so they are visible, and using multiple small toy boxes instead of one large box for children’s toys.
Key Facts
Dilly Carter is a tidying expert who started organizing homes while working as a personal assistant.
She hosts a BBC podcast where she talks to celebrities about their favorite home items and gives decluttering advice.
Kitchen counters often get cluttered with many appliances; only keep items used regularly on display.
It’s better to buy kitchen gadgets that serve multiple purposes, like blenders over single-use juicers.
Clothes like shirts and blouses should be hung, while T-shirts can be folded and stored in a way that makes them easy to see.
Using one large toy box for children’s toys can make finding specific toys harder and create more mess.
Smaller, categorized toy boxes help children find toys more easily and keep the space tidier.
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A man named Marios spends up to 14 hours a day on his phone and is receiving therapy to reduce his phone addiction, which he compares to being like a drug. Experts and treatment centers in the UK report a rise in people seeking help for excessive phone use, although phone addiction is not officially recognized as a medical condition.
Key Facts
Marios, a personal trainer, can spend more than 14 hours daily on his phone, especially on Instagram.
He is undergoing a 12-session private therapy course to control his phone use, which he links to feelings of loneliness.
A survey by Deloitte found that 70% of 1,000 adults felt they spent too much time on their phones.
UK Addiction Treatment Centres (UKAT) report that one in three clients treated for drug addiction also show secondary phone dependency, up from one in ten in 2019.
Some clients refuse to give up their phones even when entering rehab for other addictions.
Steps Together rehab centers in the UK are now treating more people for phone addiction alongside other addictions like drugs, alcohol, and gambling.
The brain’s reward system releases dopamine when we get messages or social media likes, which can lead to compulsive phone use.
People from any background can develop phone addiction, and it can cause people to lose hours or days absorbed in their devices.
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In Venezuela, people are upset because the military is stopping them from entering areas hit hard by recent earthquakes. Many citizens want to help rescue survivors but have been blocked from doing so by the military.
Key Facts
Venezuela experienced two earthquakes on Wednesday.
Large areas were severely damaged by the earthquakes.
Many citizens traveled to the affected areas to help with rescues.
People do not trust the government to act quickly in saving survivors.
The military has stopped citizens from entering the disaster zones.
The restrictions have caused anger among the population.
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A man is working to help Americans remember and protect the history of the Underground Railroad as the United States approaches its 250th anniversary. The Underground Railroad was a network that helped enslaved people escape to freedom.
Key Facts
The U.S. is preparing to mark 250 years since the start of the Underground Railroad.
The Underground Railroad was a secret system used to help enslaved people escape slavery.
One individual is retracing the Underground Railroad route.
The goal is to preserve and honor this important part of American history.
CBS News covered the story to raise awareness about this effort.
The story was shared by journalist Jericka Duncan.
The Underground Railroad involved many people who risked their lives for freedom.
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