The UK government plans to require students to have minimum grades, like a pass at GCSE level, to qualify for student loans in England. This change will reduce funding for some universities, especially those that admit many students without formal qualifications, and could limit access to higher education for certain groups.
Key Facts
About 33,000 students enrolled in English universities last year without any GCSE or similar qualifications.
New rules will require students to have at least one GCSE pass to get student loans.
Losing student loans could cause universities to lose over £200 million a year in tuition fees.
Some universities work with private companies to teach students and share tuition fees.
Six English universities admitted over half their UK students without GCSEs in 2024-25, including Bath Spa and Leeds Trinity.
Groups representing technical and professional universities say the new rules could hurt disadvantaged and mature students.
Universities offering flexible paths help people returning to study or changing careers.
The changes may reduce opportunities for students who want to study but lack traditional qualifications.
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India temporarily banned the messaging app Telegram before a major medical exam due to fears that leaked exam papers were shared on the platform. Telegram has challenged the ban in court, arguing it punishes millions of users and does little to stop cheaters.
Key Facts
Telegram has over 150 million active users in India.
The Indian government blocked Telegram to stop the spread of leaked exam papers for the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET).
NEET is India’s largest medical entrance exam, canceled last month after a paper leak was discovered.
Telegram’s CEO, Pavel Durov, says the ban was a mistake and the platform removed hundreds of channels sharing leaks.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is investigating the leak and has arrested more than a dozen people.
The exam retake is scheduled for Sunday, with special transport planned to secure exam papers.
The government used an IT law allowing it to block platforms to protect the country’s "sovereignty and integrity."
Telegram is also used for educational content, and many users rely on it for free study materials.
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A 2025 World Bank report says the world loses about 324 trillion liters of freshwater every year because of droughts and bad water management. Satellite images show 10 places worldwide where lakes, rivers, and wetlands are shrinking or drying up due to these issues and climate change.
Key Facts
The world loses enough freshwater each year to supply 280 million people.
The Parana River in South America has dropped water levels, harming shipping and electricity production.
Bolivia’s Lake Poopó has nearly vanished, turning into a salt flat and harming local communities.
Botswana’s Lake Ngami varies greatly in size, sometimes drying up due to drought and water changes.
Chile’s Laguna de Aculeo dried up from long drought and water stress, affecting local recreation and residents.
Iran’s Lake Urmia has shrunk to less than 10% of its size from the 1990s due to drought and water use.
Iraq’s al-Chibayish Marshes dried in the 1990s but show some recovery after rain and restoration work.
Southern Madagascar faces a strong ecological crisis with water shortages harming farming and livestock.
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The article discusses how history judges some groups labeled as terrorists differently over time. It explores who makes these decisions and why some movements are later seen as positive forces for change.
Key Facts
Different groups labeled as terrorists in the past are sometimes remembered as heroes later on.
History’s view of a movement can change depending on perspective and time.
The article questions who decides which movements are good or bad.
It highlights that these labels are not fixed and can be debated.
Understanding these distinctions helps explain how history shapes our views of activism and conflict.
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UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the world has not done enough to help Haiti as gang violence worsens. This year, more than 2,300 people have died, and many families have lost their homes while important services have stopped working.
Key Facts
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spoke about the crisis in Haiti.
Gang violence in Haiti has become more severe.
Over 2,300 people have died in Haiti this year due to violence.
Many families have been forced to leave their homes.
Essential services, like healthcare and water, have been disrupted.
Guterres said the global community has failed Haiti by not providing enough support.
The situation remains urgent and needs international attention.
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Ten years after MP Jo Cox was killed by a right-wing extremist, her sister Kim Leadbeater, now an MP, said political hatred in Britain has grown worse. Experts warn that far-right groups use social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), owned by Elon Musk, to spread hate and organize real-world violence in the UK.
Key Facts
Jo Cox, a British MP, was murdered by a right-wing extremist before the Brexit referendum, and her sister Kim Leadbeater is now an MP.
Kim Leadbeater says hatred in British politics is louder and more dangerous now than when her sister was killed.
Elon Musk owns X, a major social media platform with 240 million users, and reinstated a top British far-right figure on it.
Far-right groups use social media to spread misinformation and plan protests that lead to street violence and attacks on ethnic minorities.
Recent events like riots in Belfast, Glasgow, Southampton, and Southport were fueled by online false claims linked to far-right narratives about immigration.
Far-right organizers use messaging apps like Telegram for private planning and social media like X and Facebook to recruit supporters and promote events.
Musk has publicly shared details of far-right demonstrations in the UK, increasing their visibility.
Experts express concern about how online hate speech is causing real-life harm and making communities feel unsafe.
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Lesley Goodburn was diagnosed with lobular breast cancer after her dog, Gertie, bumped into her chest and helped her notice an unusual ridge. Lobular breast cancer is a type of breast cancer that often does not form a lump and can be harder to detect with mammograms. Goodburn has recovered and now raises awareness about this cancer type.
Key Facts
Lesley Goodburn was diagnosed with lobular breast cancer two years ago.
Her dog Gertie bumped her chest, helping Lesley notice a ridge, which was a symptom.
Lobular breast cancer affects the milk-producing lobules and often doesn’t form a lump.
Symptoms can include itching, tingling, pulling sensations, and skin changes.
Lobular breast cancer can be hard to detect on mammograms.
About 8,400 people are diagnosed with lobular breast cancer each year in the UK.
Lesley underwent chemotherapy, surgery, and radiotherapy and is now in remission.
She has raised significant funds for cancer charities and encourages people to get checked if they notice unusual symptoms.
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Jeremy Clarkson, a TV presenter, announced on his show Clarkson's Farm that he has been diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer. He shared that he had a biopsy and part of his prostate removed as treatment and expects to be out of action for a short time.
Key Facts
Jeremy Clarkson revealed his cancer diagnosis in an episode of Clarkson's Farm aired in 2024-2025.
He described the cancer as aggressive but said it was caught very early.
A portion of his prostate was removed as part of his treatment.
Clarkson said he found out about the diagnosis in May.
He told close colleagues on the show and reassured them he would be fine.
Clarkson warned fans that upcoming episodes would be difficult to watch.
Earlier in 2024, he also had a heart procedure where a stent was fitted to open blocked arteries.
He is known for hosting other shows like Top Gear and The Grand Tour.
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A 14-year-old girl in New South Wales, Australia, killed a 10-year-old child while in a state of severe mental illness. An inquest revealed the girl had schizophrenia and was experiencing psychosis at the time, and her mother did not recognize the need for mental health support before the tragedy.
Key Facts
The 14-year-old confessed to her mother that she often thought about killing people two weeks before the killing.
The victim, 10-year-old Biddy Porter, died from multiple injuries in July 2020.
The girl was found not criminally responsible due to mental illness by the NSW Supreme Court in 2021.
Psychiatrists diagnosed the teenager with schizophrenia and acute psychosis during the incident.
The mother did not seek mental health help initially and consulted a naturopathic herbalist instead.
A referral to a psychiatrist was made but overlooked by the mother until after the inquest began.
The teen had shown warning signs like self-harm, fascination with knives, and killing chickens before the incident.
The inquest is investigating possible early warning signs and system failures related to the case.
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People in Bolivia’s capital are facing food shortages and transport problems caused by ongoing protests. These issues have led to fights and long lines outside supermarkets as residents try to buy limited food supplies.
Key Facts
Bolivia’s capital is experiencing food shortages.
Protests with roadblocks have been happening for weeks.
The roadblocks have stopped transportation and delivery of goods.
Supermarket shelves have limited food supplies.
Shoppers have had fights and long waits to get food.
The situation is causing growing tension among residents.
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A BBC presenter, Ashley Cain, who hosts a show on BBC Three, has been found to have a history of making abusive and disrespectful comments about women on his social media. The BBC said it was unaware of these past posts and is reviewing the hiring process and behavior standards.
Key Facts
Ashley Cain presents a BBC Three documentary series called "Ashley Cain: Into the Danger Zone."
Before working at the BBC, Cain made many offensive and insulting posts about women on social media.
His posts included abusive language, jokes about violence against women, and degrading comments.
The BBC was reportedly unaware of Cain’s past social media activity when he was hired.
Cain’s social media account was removed after the story came out.
The BBC is checking how thoroughly Cain’s background was reviewed before he was hired.
Cain has appeared on other TV shows, including Celebrity MasterChef.
The BBC emphasizes it expects high behavior standards from its workers and is investigating the matter.
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An exhibition at the National Library of Scotland in Edinburgh celebrates rain as an important part of Scottish life. It features historical documents, literature, maps, and cultural items showing how rain has shaped Scotland’s history and identity.
Key Facts
The exhibition honors James Hutton, a Scottish scientist who studied rain and developed a theory about it in 1784.
Scotland receives between 100 billion and 160 billion cubic meters of rain yearly.
Items on display include literary works by Robert Burns, witches’ texts like Daemonologie, and comics featuring Minnie the Minx educating readers about storms.
The exhibition features samples of Mackintosh rainproof fabric invented in 1823.
Early rain maps, some more than 100 years old, show rainfall patterns across Scotland.
Edinburgh, often thought to be very rainy, is actually one of the drier cities in the UK; Rome gets more rain each year.
Visitors can interact with a weather forecast wall to simulate predicting rain using symbols.
Heather Reid, a well-known Scottish TV weather presenter, officially opened the exhibition.
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Fatima Maada Bio, Sierra Leone’s first lady, said she does not support female genital mutilation (FGM) but will not condemn it without “reliable data” showing harm. Her comments have caused concern among activists, health workers, and politicians who fear her stance could weaken efforts to ban FGM in Sierra Leone, where the practice remains common.
Key Facts
Fatima Maada Bio is the wife of Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio and leads the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (Oaflad).
She said she needs clear evidence of harm before condemning FGM, a practice banned globally by the UN but common in Sierra Leone.
More than 20 activists, politicians, and survivors wrote to Oaflad asking for clarification on her statements, worried they might undermine anti-FGM efforts.
Sierra Leone has one of the highest rates of FGM, with 83% of women affected as of 2019, often before age 15.
FGM involves removing part or all of the external female genitalia and can cause serious health problems and death.
There is no law banning FGM in Sierra Leone; the practice is linked to secret women’s societies involved in initiation rituals.
Maada Bio has said her words were taken out of context and that she opposes forced circumcision.
She shared a post criticizing global anti-FGM campaigns for their approach, reflecting ongoing debate in the country.
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Bernard Arnault, the owner of the luxury group LVMH, has been criticized by journalists' unions and press freedom groups in France for controlling most of the country’s business news media. His media acquisitions include the business weekly Challenges, the economic daily Les Echos, and other outlets, raising concerns about limited media diversity and competition in France.
Key Facts
Bernard Arnault owns LVMH, a luxury company with brands like Louis Vuitton, Dior, and Tiffany.
Arnault has acquired several major French business news outlets, including Challenges, Les Echos, and L’Agefi.
Reporters Without Borders stated that Arnault has a “stranglehold” on the main business press in France.
Journalists’ unions and press freedom groups have filed complaints about Arnault’s media purchases.
France’s council of state is reviewing whether authorities properly examined Arnault’s media ownership.
The competition watchdog is investigating claims that LVMH unfairly dominated the media market.
Arnault said he buys media to protect important news titles and keep them alive.
Other French billionaires, like Vincent Bolloré and Rodolphe Saadé, also own significant media outlets, affecting the media landscape before the next presidential election.
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Ghana is hosting a conference in its capital, Accra, to push forward efforts for reparatory justice related to the transatlantic slave trade. This event is the first major meeting since the United Nations passed a resolution calling the trafficking of enslaved Africans the gravest crime against humanity. Leaders and experts from over 80 countries will discuss ways to make the resolution's goals into actions.
Key Facts
Ghana is hosting a three-day conference called "Next Steps" starting in Accra to advance reparations for the transatlantic slave trade.
The UN passed a resolution recognizing the trafficking of enslaved Africans as a grave crime, with 123 countries voting in favor, while the US, Israel, and Argentina voted against it.
The conference includes heads of state, ministers, historians, civil society members, and legal experts from more than 80 countries.
A special event on June 19 at Osu Castle will honor Juneteenth, which marks the end of slavery in the US.
The conference aims to create a framework and global panels to advance reparatory justice and restitution worldwide.
The transatlantic slave trade lasted roughly 400 years, from the early 1500s to the late 1800s.
The event builds on previous African efforts for reparations, marking a shift toward dialogue and justice rather than symbolic gestures.
Recent related developments include France discussing reparations for its role in slavery and the Vatican apologizing for its past role in supporting slavery.
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The Liberal Democrats want the Labour Party to end its cautious approach to the European Union and support the UK rejoining the EU single market. Ed Davey, Liberal Democrat leader, will call for talks to create a closer economic and security relationship with the EU, including free movement of people.
Key Facts
The Liberal Democrats plan to push Labour to drop its strict limits on customs union and single market membership.
Ed Davey wants the UK to join the European free trade association, like Norway and Iceland, and form a new customs union with the EU.
Rejoining the single market would require accepting free movement of people between the UK and EU.
Labour has promised not to rejoin the EU, single market, or customs union before the next election.
EU officials have said joining the single market without free movement is not possible.
Brexit has led to economic problems and political crises in the UK, according to the Lib Dems.
Charles Michel, former European Council president, said the EU would respond positively if the UK seriously decided to rejoin.
The Lib Dem proposal includes a new UK-EU security council to address threats from Russia and uncertainty about U.S. relations.
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President Donald Trump is concluding the Group of Seven (G7) summit in France, where he has promoted a new agreement with Iran that he says will stop the country from having nuclear weapons. However, details of the deal have not been made public, leading to doubt among U.S. lawmakers and international partners like Israel.
Key Facts
President Trump attended the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, France.
He introduced a tentative agreement with Iran claiming it prevents Iran from developing or buying nuclear weapons.
The full text of the Iran deal has not been released by either the U.S. or Iran.
U.S. officials and Iranian representatives are scheduled to sign the agreement at a ceremony in Switzerland.
Some members of Trump’s own political party are skeptical about the strength of the deal.
Israel and other allies express concern about ending the conflict with Iran on these terms.
Trump promises the deal will reopen the Strait of Hormuz for oil tankers, a key global shipping route.
The G7 discussions also covered artificial intelligence and economic growth before Trump’s departure.
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A new Ebola outbreak has spread in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda, causing many infections and deaths. Authorities and health workers are trying to stop the virus, but it is affecting daily life and the local economy in places like Bunia.
Key Facts
The Ebola outbreak was officially announced on 15 May but likely started weeks earlier.
As of 10 June, there have been 676 confirmed cases and 136 deaths in the DRC; Uganda has reported 19 cases and 2 deaths.
The outbreak involves the Bundibugyo virus, a rare type of Ebola with no vaccine or approved treatment.
The virus spreads through contact with body fluids or contaminated objects and can cause severe illness and death.
Bunia is a city in Ituri province, DRC, where many fear the virus due to large crowds and public places like schools.
The local economy suffers as businesses like used-clothing stores close to avoid virus spread.
Health workers are building new Ebola treatment centers and taking strict measures to control the disease.
Past Ebola outbreaks in the region were large and deadly, and current predictions suggest this outbreak could become even worse.
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Two dogs met at a park and instantly showed strong interest in each other. Their owners discovered the dogs are siblings from the same litter, separated as puppies but reunited by chance.
Key Facts
A woman named Bhagya took her 1-year-old maltipoo, Daisy, to a dog park.
Daisy met a new dog and acted very excited and playful with her.
The other dog’s owner and Bhagya compared their dogs’ backgrounds.
They found out both dogs were born on the same day and came from the same breeder.
The two dogs had been littermates, separated when they were 8 weeks old.
Daisy recognized her sister after over a year apart, showing strong early-life familiarity.
Experts say dogs remember scents and early social bonds, but don’t recognize family like humans do.
Both dogs have since reunited and continue to play closely at the park.
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A dog owner named Alexa asked a groomer to give her dog Cash a faux hawk hairstyle with dyed fur. When she first saw Cash, the look was different from what she expected, but she later said she really liked it and praised the groomer. Experts say using pet-safe dyes is important to keep dogs safe when coloring their fur.
Key Facts
Alexa requested a faux hawk haircut with the top dyed a different color for her dog, Cash.
The groomer styled Cash's fur tall on top and dyed it black.
At first, Alexa thought the result looked different than she expected.
Alexa later said she loved her groomer and that the style looked good from other angles.
Creative grooming combines special cuts and pet-safe coloring for unique dog looks.
The American Kennel Club says creative grooming focuses on style and animal comfort.
Vets warn against using human hair dye on dogs because it can harm their skin and health.
Only pet-safe dyes should be used, and professional groomers are recommended for coloring.
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