Year: 2026

Mohamed Bakkali, involved in the November 2015 Paris attacks, has received approval for temporary prison leaves, igniting backlash in Belgium and France. Sentenced to 30 years in France and another 25 in Belgium, his potential parole raises concerns among victims’ advocates and lawmakers regarding justice.

EU UPDATE

This morning, key developments in Europe highlight ongoing economic discussions and fresh initiatives within the European Union.
Focus remains on trade, migration, and geopolitical challenges.

MALDIVES DIVING TRAGEDY
Italian divers died after taking a wrong turn while underwater this morning.
Authorities have seized their equipment amid ongoing investigations into the incident.

The Trump administration has implemented a new policy that significantly restricts the process for immigrants in the U.S. to obtain permanent residency, mandating that many must return to their home countries to apply for visas. This change may affect hundreds of thousands of individuals, particularly those on temporary visas.

Travel disruptions are expected across London over the late May bank holiday weekend due to multiple closures on London Underground and Overground lines, alongside a two-day rail strike affecting West Midlands Railway and London Northwestern Railway services. Passengers are advised to plan journeys carefully and consider alternative transport options.

Family members of an Ebola victim set fire to Rwampara Hospital in Congo after being denied access to the body, leading to injuries and military protection.

More than 3,500 film professionals, including stars like Javier Bardem and Juliette Binoche, signed a petition protesting Vincent Bolloré’s influence in France’s cinema industry. In response, Canal+ CEO Maxime Saada threatened to end collaborations with signatories, raising concerns over freedom of speech and workplace discrimination.

What’s happening?
A U.S. judge has dismissed the criminal indictment against Kilmar Abrego García, a Salvadoran migrant, citing the case as vindictive. Abrego García was previously accused of smuggling individuals across the border.

Coverage analyzed: The Washington Post | The New York Times | WBAL-TV | The Guardian
The Washington Post headlines it “Judge drops criminal case against Kilmar Abrego García, ruling it vindictive,” emphasizing the vindictive nature of the legal proceedings. In contrast, the New York Times opts for a more straightforward “Judge Dismisses Criminal Case Against Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia,” focusing solely on the dismissal without negative implications about motives. This reflects a difference in framing, with the former highlighting issues of judicial temperament and motivations, while the latter centers on the legal outcome itself.

Tulsi Gabbard announced her resignation as director of national intelligence, effective June 30, citing her husband’s recent diagnosis of a rare bone cancer. She emphasised the need to support him through his treatment, marking her departure as the fourth Cabinet exit this year amid ongoing intelligence community challenges.

Artificial intelligence is being utilised to translate ancient cuneiform tablets, significantly enhancing the efficiency of reading and reconstructing Hittite texts.