Global / Pan-international

Russia Accuses Ukraine of Violating US-Brokered Three-Day Truce

10 May 2026

La carta que escribí a mi hija muerta después de perdonar al hombre que la mató

La madre de Ann Grosmaire, de 19 años, a la que su novio mató a tiros, explica por qué eligió la justicia restaurativa.

10 May 2026

En imágenes: la evacuación de los pasajeros del crucero afectado por el hantavirus en España

La nave fondeó aguas españolas la madrugada de este domingo.

10 May 2026

Iran sends its response to US proposal aimed at ending the war, IRNA says

DUBAI, May 10 (Reuters) - Iran has sent its response to a U.S. proposal aimed at ending the more than two-month war to mediator, Pakistan, Iran's IRNA news agency said on Sunday. According to Iran's proposal, the current phase of negotiations will focus exclusively on the cessation of hostilities in the region, a source familiar with the matter told IRNA.

10 May 2026

New opposition coalition rallies in Togo

A new coalition of major Togolese opposition parties and civil society groups held their first meeting Saturday, to relaunch protests against constitutional changes they say allow Faure Gnassingbe to consolidate power

10 May 2026

eLearning Industry

Cloud Vs. On-Premise LMS: Which One Is Secretly Bleeding Your Budget?

Choosing the right LMS hosting model isn't just technical—it directly impacts your cost, scalability, control, and long-term effort. Cloud LMS offers speed, flexibility, and low maintenance, making it ideal for growing and remote teams. This post was first published on eLearning Industry .

10 May 2026

War in the Middle East: latest developments

Here are the latest developments in the Middle East war: - Iran sends response - Iran has sent its response to a US proposal to end the war in the region via Pakistan, Iranian state media reported. "The Islamic Republic of Iran sent today (Sunday) through Pakistani mediators its response to the latest text proposed by the United States to end the war," the official IRNA news agency said, without offering details. - Drone attacks on ships -

10 May 2026

Iran sends response to US proposal via Pakistan, states agency says

Iran sends response to US proposal via Pakistan, states agency says Iran has sent its response to the latest US proposal through Pakistan, the official Islamic Republic News Agency reported on Sunday. It added that negotiations at this stage would focus on ending the war.

10 May 2026

Drones target Gulf vessels as Tehran warns US

Drones were launched at several targets in the Gulf on Sunday, with one hitting a freighter sailing towards Qatar, as Tehran warned the United States that it would no longer hold back from retaliatory strikes. The United Arab Emirates accused Iran of being behind an attack that targeted its territory, in what would be, if confirmed, only the second alleged strike on Gulf countries since the start of a month-old ceasefire.

10 May 2026

The Conversation Canada Education

Iran responds to US peace proposal as drones hit Gulf

Iran responded to Washington's latest peace proposal on Sunday, after drones threatened several Gulf region targets and Tehran warned it would not hold back from retaliating against any new US strikes. According to state broadcaster IRIB, Tehran's response, passed to Pakistani mediators, focuses on ending the war "on all fronts, especially Lebanon" -- where Israel has kept up its fight with Iran-backed Hezbollah -- as well as on "ensuring shipping security".

10 May 2026

No more ‘just say no’ — Canadian schools will soon have a roadmap to address student substance use

The message to students used to be simple: “Just say no.” But in today’s schools, that message is not only outdated, it may be part of the problem. Across Canada, student substance use is a growing concern. According to the most recent national student survey , 15 per cent of students in Grades 7-12 reported vaping in the past month, and 18 per cent identified using multiple substances at the same time. Many Grade 7 students could not identify the health risks of substances they can easily access. Schools want to respond more effectively. But many are doing so without a clear roadmap. New standard based on evidence A new cross-Canada standard , to be officially launched soon, aims to change that. It sets out what evidence-informed substance use prevention, education and intervention should look like from kindergarten through Grade 12 (K-12). Rather than prescribing a single program, it provides a shared, evidence-informed framework, outlining the principles, practices and structures that are most likely to make a difference. And it’s designed to complement what provinces, territories and districts are already doing. But the standard on its own won’t change what happens in schools. Without system-level support, even the best guidance risks sitting on a shelf. Our national survey of more than 200 K–12 administrators highlights the gap. Nearly 90 per cent reported frequent student substance use challenges in schools, with vaping as the top concern. While almost two-thirds said they were willing to change their approach, far fewer felt they had the evidence, resources or support to do so effectively. Without clear alternatives, many schools default to familiar responses, particularly zero-tolerance policies that can lead to suspension or expulsion — approaches that can sever the very connections that help buffer young people from substance use harms in the first place. This isn’t a failing of individual educators. It’s a systems problem. The new standard responds to the realities young people are navigating today, including the proliferation of vaping, the legalization of cannabis and an increasingly toxic drug supply. Without shared guidance, current approaches vary widely, and many still rely on scare tactics and abstinence-only messaging, which decades of research show don’t have a lasting impact . The challenge extends beyond the classroom. Our analysis of nearly a decade of Canadian news coverage found that youth substance use is often framed as an individual problem, with young people portrayed as a threat to themselves. Missing from these narratives are the broader social and structural factors that shape their substance use. This framing makes it harder for schools to adopt approaches that are more supportive, and ultimately, more effective. How the new standard is different The new standard was developed through a national partnership between Wellstream: The Canadian Centre for Innovation in Child and Youth Mental Health and Substance Use at the University of British Columbia, the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction and the Canadian Association of School System Administrators . Physical Health and Education Canada and the Students Commission of Canada joined to support a robust implementation strategy. Educators, researchers, health professionals and Indigenous interest holders all contributed. Young people also helped shape this work from the beginning. Youth were part of the technical committee and student voices are embedded as a guiding principle. Research shows that youth-partnered approaches are more relevant, more effective and better aligned with real-world experiences. Different ages, different strategies At its core, the standard recognizes a simple but often overlooked reality: What works for a 10-year-old will not work for a 17-year-old. The new standard is organized around developmental stages and tiers of support. Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all program, it outlines what effective practice looks like in terms of prevention, education and intervention — from building foundational social-emotional skills in early grades to providing targeted supports for older students who are already using substances. The evidence is clear that effective approaches must evolve with development. Younger children benefit most from building personal competencies. Early adolescents respond to social norms approaches. Older adolescents require strategies focused on social influence and navigating life transitions. Our own overview of systematic reviews and meta-analysis confirmed that existing programs tend to produce only modest effects, partly because success is often defined too narrowly as abstinence. The new standard broadens this lens, emphasizing outcomes such as well-being, school connectedness and help-seeking. Read more: Vaping in schools: Ontario’s $30 million for surveillance and security won’t address student needs It also calls for a shift away from punitive responses. When a student is found vaping, suspension may remove the behaviour temporarily, but it doesn’t address the underlying issue and can push them further away from help. In fact, long-term research shows that practices such as exclusionary discipline and increased police presence in schools are associated with higher rates of substance use over time. Instead, the new standard emphasizes restorative approaches and support plans that prioritize health, safety and continued engagement in school. What schools need to make this work Even the strongest standard cannot succeed without the right conditions for implementation. Educators are already stretched thin . Without dedicated time, resources and training, this risks becoming another well-intentioned but underused initiative. Read more: Solving teacher shortages depends on coming together around shared aspirations for children To support implementation, the standard is accompanied by a self-assessment tool that helps schools identify where their existing practices align with the evidence and where there are opportunities to grow. Rather than functioning as an audit, it’s designed to support continuous improvement, allowing schools to set priorities based on their own context. But meaningful change will require new tools and investment: time for professional learning, dedicated staff roles and stronger partnerships between education and health systems. Supporting materials are in development to help bridge this gap. They include training resources, informational materials for school boards, families and students, a network of experienced practitioners and briefs showing how the standard connects to existing international, national and provincial frameworks. The message to students can no longer be reduced to “just say no.” Supporting young people today requires approaches that reflect the complexity of their lives — grounded in evidence, connection and care. Schools are ready to move beyond outdated responses. Now education systems must support them in doing so. Reg Klassen, executive director at Canadian Association of School System Administrators and Ryan Fahey, manager, programs and education, at Physical and Health Education Canada co-authored this story. This initiative was supported by funding from the Canadian Institutes for Health Research and the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction through its federal funding. The standard was developed under the management of CSA Group. Emily Jenkins receives funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research through their Canada Research Chairs program.

10 May 2026

The Conversation Canada Education

Qatar’s foreign ministry urges freedom of navigation in call with Iranian counterpart

Qatar’s foreign ministry urges freedom of navigation in call with Iranian counterpart Qatar's foreign minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani held a phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to discuss ongoing mediation efforts aimed at ending the war, Doha said on Sunday. Al Thani stressed that freedom of navigation must not be compromised, warning that using the Strait of Hormuz as a pressure tool would deepen the crisis and increase regional risks. رئيس مجلس الوزراء وزير الخارجية @MBA_AlThani_ يجري اتصالاً هاتفياً مع وزير الخارجية الإيراني الدوحة | 10 مايو 2026 أجرى معالي الشيخ محمد بن عبد الرحمن بن جاسم آل ثاني، رئيس مجلس الوزراء وزير الخارجية، اتصالاً هاتفياً، مع سعادة السيد عباس عراقجي، وزير الخارجية بالجمهورية… pic.twitter.com/omvPYnkIwl — الخارجية القطرية (@MofaQatar_AR) May 10, 2026

10 May 2026

Is an A still an A? The truth behind grade inflation

Recently, a spate of news coverage has raised concerns about grade inflation in schools across Canada . These concerns stem in part from policies stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, when there was widespread cancellation of large-scale tests, freezing of grades during school closures and “compassionate” grading practices that accounted for students’ personal situations. Read more: What will happen to school grades during the coronavirus pandemic? Together, these changes led to a spike in average student grades and spurred ongoing worries about grade inflation. But these concerns aren’t new. Grades have been steadily rising in the United States and Canada for decades. Harvard University’s grade point average, for example, has risen almost every year since the 1950s. So just how serious is post-pandemic grade inflation? What is grade inflation? Grade inflation refers to the tendency for students to receive higher grades over time, on average. Put simply, work that might have been awarded an 85 per cent in 1990 might now receive 90 per cent. The implicit assumption is that this rise in grades is unearned and that student performance has not actually improved. If grades lose their signalling power — that is, if students, families, universities and employers cannot trust grades or no longer know what they mean — then selection, promotion and other important decisions get undermined. The facts behind grade inflation Most studies about grade inflation find that students’ average grades have increased steadily over time . Grade increases during the pandemic are also well-documented. For example, between 2019 and 2021, average grades for Grade 12 students in the Toronto District School Board increased six per cent . Between 2016 and 2021, the percentage of A-level students taking the ACT, a standardized test for U.S. college admissions, rose more than 13 per cent . Our search for published studies that document grade inflation in Canada since the pandemic did not yield any findings: there has been no concrete data from Canadian elementary or secondary schools on grades being inflated since 2021. Current conversations about grade inflation often zero in on the role of grades in college and university admissions because most post-secondary programs use students’ grades in the admissions process . As a CBC investigation of data from the Council of Ontario Universities has shown, entry averages for Grade 12 students have been rising for some time. Data from the council show that across 16 universities, the median entry grade rose from 81.4 per cent in 2006 to 88.2 per cent in 2021 . The Winnipeg Free Press reports that at the University of Manitoba, 40 per cent of high school students admitted in 2024 had a grade of at least 95 per cent . Post-secondary supply and demand But a rising admissions average is different than grade inflation in elementary and secondary school. Increases in university admission averages are a function of multiple factors, most directly supply and demand. Let’s take the Ontario data as an example. Between 2005 and 2022, the number of applications to Ontario’s universities rose 86.5 per cent. That’s 344,000 more applications. At the same time, the number of students who went on to register also rose, but only by 31.2 per cent. That means that even if average grades had stayed the same, students with lower grades were increasingly less likely to get admitted because they are competing with more applicants. Demand is outpacing supply. Avoiding difficult courses The current supply and demand issue has real consequences on students’ pressure to get higher grades in secondary school. Sixty-one per cent of American teenagers say they feel pressured to get good grades . That focus on grades increases student anxiety and makes students more likely to avoid difficult courses . Teachers and university instructors also report pressure to give good grades, especially when grades and graduation rates are used to evaluate performance. These pressures are longstanding — there has always been pressure on students to perform and on teachers to award high grades — but the increased competition for seats in post-secondary provides additional fodder for grade inflation. Providing additional provincial funding to increase spaces at universities and colleges could help address these pressures. Why have grades increased? There are multiple reasons grades increase. First, in almost every province, the share of people graduating high school has been increasing for years . More high school graduates means more passing grades, which typically results in higher average grades. And we want students to learn and achieve. On average, secondary school graduates live longer , earn more money and are less likely to be incarcerated . Shifts in assessment policies, teaching Second, teachers’ use of evidence-based teaching and assessment strategies is supporting better learning. Shifts in school assessment policies over the past 20 years help students better understand what the learning goals are and what success looks like. These also encourage feedback to close the gap between where students are and their learning goal. Assessment policies have also separated assessing learning skills and habits from assessing curriculum content knowledge. Manitoba’s assessment policy , for example, tells teachers to base grades on students’ actual achievement, not on things like effort, participation or attitude. Such policies acknowledge that docked marks or zeroes are sometimes needed for late or missing work, but caution that such practices may misrepresent student achievement. If grades and behaviour aren’t reported separately, it becomes difficult to know what a “B-” grade represents, for example. It may mean proficient achievement, or it may mean “C-level work with A-level effort,” “A-level work that’s late” or something else. Schools have also made evidence-based teaching advances, such as using differentiated instructional strategies and culturally responsive teaching . One expected result from these changes should be higher grades. Is an A still an A? The purpose of grades is to communicate student achievement . While that purpose is less important than the main purpose of assessment — to improve student learning — students, parents and other stakeholders still depend on grades to make decisions. Importantly, and contrary to many people’s understanding, teachers don’t grade on a bell curve . There is no limit to the number of As and the quality of learning it represents . In fact, having more students achieving higher grades is good, if the grades are warranted and accurately reflect what students know and are able to do. Should we be concerned? Even though the pandemic created a spike in grades, the lack of research since means we do not accurately know the current state of grade inflation or how grades may be assigned differently across different groups of students (for example, across family income, race or gender). Read more: Are ‘top scholar’ students really so remarkable — or are teachers inflating their grades? While grades are increasing, they continue to hold their signalling power. Grades can still be trusted alongside other measures to make important decisions. Even when grades rise, we shouldn’t assume that every rise is unearned or indefensible. The full picture is messier than that. The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

10 May 2026

Israel kills two paramedics in southern Lebanon

Israel kills two paramedics in southern Lebanon The Israeli army killed two medics and wounded five others in bombings targeting the Islamic Health Committee in southern Lebanon on Sunday. In Qlaouiyeh, in the Bint Jbeil district, one medic was killed and three others were wounded. Separately, in Majdal Selem, also in Bint Jbeil, Israeli warplanes struck an ambulance post, killing another medic and injuring two more.

10 May 2026

Hantavirus: First passengers disembark stricken cruise ship

Spanish nationals were the first to leave the ship, which was anchored off Tenerife. They will be under quarantine when they reach Madrid, Spanish health authorities say

10 May 2026

Israeli soldiers say orders were to kill any man encountered in Gaza

Israeli soldiers say orders were to kill any man encountered in Gaza Submitted by Nadav Rapaport on Sun, 05/10/2026 - 11:07 Troops admitted Palestinian men were shot regardless of age, whether they were armed and while holding white flags A soldier stands behind a mounted machine gun in Gaza City on 3 October 2025, in a photo taken during an Israeli army-controlled embed tour and edited under military supervision (AFP/Jack Guez) Off Israeli soldiers said the army ordered troops to kill any man they encountered in Gaza during the genocide that began in 2023. “A man, no matter what age, don’t play games with it; kill immediately,” one soldier said, describing the orders they received. “They even told us that if it’s a woman or a child, use your judgment, because things happen,” he added, saying similar instructions were given regarding donkeys. His testimony was given to Iris Haim, the mother of an Israeli captive killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, and aired on Channel 13’s investigative programme on Thursday. In December 2023, Israeli soldiers killed three Israeli captives in Gaza City’s Shujaiya neighbourhood despite them being shirtless, waving a white flag and posing no apparent threat. The incident sparked widespread criticism of Israel’s rules of engagement in Gaza, which have led to indiscriminate killings of Palestinians near homes, aid sites and "buffer zones". In the Channel 13 investigation, the soldier, who spoke anonymously, said he was the one who shot one of the captives during the incident. Describing his mindset at the time, he said: “I fire 500 bullets a minute. I blow things up. I don’t care. I’m here to kill terrorists.” Recalling the shooting, the soldier said: “There are three terrorists, I’ll kill them. Then I realised two had already been killed, and one had escaped.” That captive, he later understood, was Yotam Haim. According to the investigation, a commander instructed Yotam to approach the building where Israeli troops were stationed. As he approached, soldiers opened fire. 'There was a situation where a person came out with a white flag and was shot on the spot' - Israeli soldier “I fired one bullet, and he didn’t die,” the soldier told Yotam's mother. He said his weapon then jammed before another soldier told him: “Let me finish it.” Iris, who has remained in contact with Israeli military officials since the incident, told Channel 13 that soldiers had effectively been ordered to “kill every person walking on two legs”. “If a terrorist moves toward me, I try to kill him. I do not try to arrest him,” the brigade commander involved in the incident told her. Asked whether unarmed individuals were also shot, the commander replied: “Of course, we need to kill him - yes, even if he is completely unarmed.” Another soldier told Channel 13 that troops were taught to view anyone as a potential threat. “Even an old man can blow himself up with an explosive device. The protocol was to shoot them,” he said, adding that “there was a situation where a person came out with a white flag and was shot on the spot”. According to the soldier, the commander who shot the captives said it was impossible to distinguish between Hamas fighters and civilians in Gaza. The commander was later promoted by the Israeli army's chief of staff, Eyal Zamir, with the military describing him as “an outstanding officer”. Military ‘cover-up’ The Channel 13 report said the soldiers’ testimonies contradicted the findings of the army’s official investigation. According to the soldiers, no order to halt fire was given at the time, contradicting the army’s claim that all troops heard the command. Raviv Drucker , the journalist who conducted the investigation, said the captives' families approached the army "to receive a real investigation, and not what was presented to them, which in their eyes, and in mine as well, was a cover-up and a whitewash". Exclusive: Gaza grandmother shot and killed by Israeli sniper as child waved white flag Read More » The investigation also found that five days before the captives were shot dead, Israeli forces fired a missile at a building in northern Gaza where the captives hid after troops exchanged fire with Hamas fighters nearby. The captives survived and later moved between houses in Shujaiya, hanging signs asking for help, but the report said military intelligence ignored information from troops on the ground. Of the 251 people taken captive during the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel in 2023, 85 were either taken dead or later died in various, often contested circumstances during captivity. Although Israel denies or refuses to comment on accusations that its attacks have killed captives, several reports indicate that military actions have directly or indirectly harmed Israelis held in Gaza. Israeli newspaper Maariv reported in October 2025 that, according to Israeli officials, many captives were killed by Israeli attacks, especially in the early stages of the war. On 7 October 2023, the Israeli army invoked the Hannibal Directive , a controversial military protocol designed to prevent the abduction of Israelis by firing on captives even at the risk of harming them. Israeli forces have killed more than 72,700 Palestinians in Gaza during the two-year genocide, including 850 since a ceasefire was declared in October 2025. Thousands more remain missing and are believed to be buried beneath the rubble. Israel's genocide in Gaza Tel Aviv, Israel News Post Date Override 0 Update Date Mon, 05/04/2020 - 21:19 Update Date Override 0

10 May 2026

Qatar Says Cargo Vessel Coming from Abu Dhabi Attacked in its Waters

10 May 2026

UAE says it intercepted two Iranian drones

UAE says it intercepted two Iranian drones The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Defence said on X that its air defence systems intercepted two drones from Iran on Sunday morning. No injuries or casualties were reported. The announcement came shortly after Kuwait’s defence ministry said it had detected “hostile drones” in its airspace earlier the same day. The UAE military also said its air defence systems had engaged 2,265 UAVs, 29 cruise missiles and 551 ballistic missiles since the start of the war on Iran. UAE Air Defenses engaged 2 UAV’s. The Ministry of Defense announced that on May 10, 2026, UAE air defense systems successfully engaged 2 UAV’s launched from Iran. Since the onset of these blatant Iranian attacks, UAE air defenses have engaged a total of 551 ballistic missiles,… pic.twitter.com/yvruj6d3om — وزارة الدفاع |MOD UAE (@modgovae) May 10, 2026

10 May 2026

Macron tours East Africa in break with 'Francafrique' strategy

President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday embarks on a visit to Africa aimed at renewing France's engagement with the continent after years of strained ties with former French‑speaking colonies

10 May 2026

Qué revela el mayor mapa en 3D del universo que jamás se haya hecho (y qué nuevas pistas da sobre la misteriosa energía oscura)

Un mapa que se expande a lo largo de 11 mil millones de años luz, muestra la mayor cantidad de galaxias que hasta ahora se hayan registrado. Además, sugiere que la materia oscura se comporta distinto a lo que hasta ahora se cree.

10 May 2026

Qué revela el mayor mapa en 3D del universo que jamás se haya hecho (y qué nuevas pistas da sobre la misteriosa energía oscura)

10 May 2026

Iran's Supreme Leader Briefs Military Chief on 'New Guiding Measures'

10 May 2026

How the smear campaign targeting the Green Party and Muslim voters failed

How the smear campaign targeting the Green Party and Muslim voters failed Submitted by Peter Oborne on Sat, 05/09/2026 - 20:08 The Greens, which made enormous gains in the local elections, were repeatedly accused by their rivals and sections of the media of engaging in 'Muslim sectarianism' For the last six weeks, the UK 's Green Party has been the victim of a sustained smear campaign. Leader Zack Polanski has been accused of being an antisemite, a liar, a fabricator and a hypocrite. His supporters have been painted as crazed Islamists obsessed by foreign policy at the expense of day-to-day issues. The smears have come from Labour, the Conservatives and Reform. But it has also been led by sections of the British media, which went to the lengths of hunting down Polanski's distant relatives in order to discredit the Green Party champion as an antisemite. Four national newspapers published cartoons of Britain's only Jewish leader, which have been widely criticised as antisemitic. As the final votes were counted yesterday, it became obvious that the attempt to destroy Polanski and the Greens had failed. Reform was the winner of the elections. Nigel Farage's party turned its long-running dominance in the polls into actual results, winning more than 1,400 council seats and fourteen councils. But the Greens won a series of remarkable victories, including four councils. Particularly striking was the party's near triumph in the north London borough of Haringey. Last March, cabinet minister and local MP David Lammy boasted : "I can 100 percent tell you, knowing my seat as I do, that there is no prospect of the Greens taking my constituency". This week, the Greens surged to 28 council seats, comfortably overtaking Labour and coming very close to achieving overall control. In east London, the newly elected Green mayor of Lewisham Lewis said on Saturday that he "would like to explore twinning with a Palestinian town". So far, the BBC 's projection of national vote share shows the Greens in second place. This is a major achievement for a party that, for many years, was consigned to near irrelevance in the polls. The famous pollster Sir John Curtis noted that the Greens had inflicted far more damage on the Labour vote than Reform. Prime Minister Keir Starmer's political strategy, guided by his now-departed chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, proved disastrous in driving away millions of traditional Labour voters. Greens compare Reform UK's detention centre pledge to racist 1960s Tory campaign slogan Read More » Hence, the special importance of this week's local election results. The collapse of Starmer's authority has created a vacuum. The party is now paying a terrible price for the prime minister's decision to block Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, from running in the Gorton and Denton by-election, which the Greens won in February. Burnham, who remains highly popular in the party, is seen as a leading contender to replace Starmer as prime minister if he resigns or is deposed. Starmer's attempt at self-preservation now looks like the political equivalent of a dying man refusing to call an ambulance. Which way for Labour? Labour has reached a turning point. It can stick with the old strategy of chasing the Reform vote even further to the right. Expect this approach to be championed by the cabinet remnants of the Labour Together clique that propelled Starmer to power, in particular by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and Communities Secretary Steve Reed. Or Labour can respond to the Green insurgency by moving back to its traditional roots on the left. Given the collapse of Starmer’s authority, along with his general lack of direction, we can probably expect both policies to be tried at once. Labour will most likely continue to implement tougher immigration policies to try to dent Reform’s popularity. But we anticipate a simultaneous attempt to appease Labour’s lost left-wing constituency. This will include a stronger response to Israeli war crimes. Some moves, long put off by Starmer for fear of offending US President Donald Trump, are obvious. Labour is likely to ramp up criticism of Israel, with which Britain still cooperates militarily. We expect Labour, for example, to finally take the step of sanctioning goods from the illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank. Supposing a leadership election takes place, the whole subject of Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon will open up. Starmer has refused to accuse Israel of apartheid or even to state that Israel has committed war crimes in Gaza. All candidates for the leadership will be obliged to declare their hand on Starmer’s handling of Gaza. Is Gaza just a Muslim issue? A series of lies and misconceptions were exposed by the local elections. Firstly, that only Muslims care about Gaza and that the Greens have ignored domestic and local issues. Consider Areeq Chowdhury, 33, who stood as the Green candidate for mayor of Newham and came third with 18,999 votes. Dressed in a slick black suit with a blue tie and green rosetta, Chowdhury told Middle East Eye last month that, as well as caring about local issues, people were also "disillusioned" with the national government. "They didn't stand up strongly enough against the genocide in Gaza. But they've also U-turned on many of their policies. They've cut welfare benefits for disabled people. People are ready for change." Rather than being a religious issue disconnected from politics proper, Chowdhury presented British cooperation with Israel as a political issue intertwined with others. He argued that for many voters in Newham, Labour’s perceived weakness on Gaza was a "trigger for people to look elsewhere". Meanwhile, Eva Tabbasam, 35, was elected as a Green councillor for the ward of Cann Hall in Waltham Forest, another borough in east London where the Greens made major gains. 'It's Green all the way, darling': The coming political earthquake in East London Read More » While campaigning, she told MEE that voters were raising local and national issues. "They go hand in hand," she said. It was often non-Muslims who brought up Gaza, Tabbasam added. "We get a mixture of big things, like the illegal war on Iran. We also get told about what's happened in Palestine and the government's complicity in that." Chowdhury, the Newham mayoral candidate, described accusations that the Greens have engaged in "sectarian" politics in campaigning on Gaza as "completely racist". "The Green Party is at the same time an Islamist party and a super LGBT party? Right. The reality is that we're a coalition of progressive voices [that] wants to build a better society." Meanwhile, Faaiz Hasan, a national elections coordinator for the Green Party, framed the political debate in terms of class. He told MEE last month that "this is the moment that we can actually start putting forward an alternative vision for the country that is not based on blaming migrants, is not based on blaming people of colour or others, but identifies that the real issue is not race, it's class, and the concentration of wealth and power in a very tiny group of people". Muslim politicians like Chowdhury have opposed Israeli actions in Gaza on the same basis - support for international law and human rights - as non-Muslim Green politicians have. This has also been the case for most independent candidates, including those associated with the Jeremy Corbyn-led Your Party. They have been standing up for the rules-based order promoted by British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and US President Franklin Delano Roosevelt when they agreed to the Atlantic Charter in 1941. Foreign policy - a local elections issue? Another false narrative that has been shattered is that foreign policy cannot be discussed in local elections and that doing so is sectarian. Wes Streeting, the health secretary and a potential contender to replace Starmer, repeatedly raised the alarm on what he called "sectarian politics" in the east London borough of Redbridge during the campaign. Streeting's seat is in Redbridge, the Labour stronghold where the Redbridge Independents - backed by Your Party - have won nine seats. Redbridge has 22 wards and around 300,000 residents. It is highly ethnically diverse, with more than 47 percent of the population identifying as Asian or Asian British, and a large Muslim population of over 30 percent. MEE reported in March that Streeting sent a letter to residents of his seat accusing the Redbridge Independents, a local party backed by Your Party, of being "a divisive political party that aims to only represent some of us, more focused on foreign conflicts than on fixing potholes". Then, in April, Streeting told The Times : “We’re voting for Redbridge council, not the UN Security Council. Who you choose to run your local council matters and the Redbridge Independents represent a divisive brand of sectarian politics.” 'Redbridge Council is not going to solve the problem in the Middle East' - Vaseem Ahmed, Redbridge Independents leader Launching Labour's local election campaign, Starmer himself turned foreign policy into an issue when he spoke about the Iran war, attacking his opponents, Reform leader Nigel Farage and Tory leader Kemi Badenoch. "Nigel Farage and Kemi Badenoch would have jumped into this war with both feet without thinking through the consequences," Starmer said. He argued that Britain would have been “in a war without a plan” had they been in power, adding that he “won’t be dragged in” to the US-Israeli war. On the day the war began, Badenoch said Starmer was “too scared to make foreign interventions for fear of upsetting a tiny section of the electorate”, implying that he was appeasing Muslim voters. This was false. Polling would soon show most of the British public opposed involvement in the war. Both Labour and the Tories, then, have used foreign policy to score political points against their opponents, with Labour doing so even during the local election campaign. Streeting's characterisation of the Redbridge Independents was also entirely inaccurate. A scan of the party’s campaign literature and social media output suggests it is focused on local issues and representing the local community. This is fused with a general discontent with the political establishment and the Labour government, as well as opposition to Labour's foreign policy. During the campaign, MEE spoke to the leader of the Redbridge Independents, Vaseem Ahmed, who runs a recruitment firm and has been involved in local community politics for years. "The biggest challenge in Redbridge right now is the cost of living," Ahmed told MEE. "Our manifesto is about that, and about managing priorities for the council budget. "Thirdly, it's about engagement with local residents who don’t seem to have a voice." Ahmed said "95 percent" of the party's platform was focused on local issues. A glance at the 20-page manifesto on its website confirms that. "When it comes to Gaza", Ahmed explained, "we're realistic and Redbridge Council is not going to solve the problem in the Middle East". However, he said Israel's war on Gaza and British cooperation with Israel are relevant to the council on issues such as divesting its pension fund from companies complicit in Israel's violations of international law. Far from promoting religious identitarianism or conflict, Ahmed said that the party was making a concerted effort to reach out to all sections of the local community and that its candidates were ethnically diverse. "Ordinary people like ourselves are rooted in the community," he told MEE. "We live here, we work here, we raise our families here, and we just want our voices to be represented. Right now, we just don't feel we have that." Ahmed also rejected suggestions that Muslim politicians only represent Muslim interests. "[It's] an Islamophobic trope that somehow, if you have Muslims who are in politics, that they're only going to be worried about fellow Muslims and nobody else," he said. "Whereas we live in a diverse community and we represent everybody. You know, if you get elected, you're not going to focus on one section of the community." Ahmed said that he previously served on the panel of local mosque committees but stepped down after entering politics because he doesn't "want there ever to be a conflict of interest". "I've got so many contacts there," he added. "I could walk into those mosques and just stand there with a mic and say, vote independent. "But I won't do that because they're charities and I don't want to put them at risk. I'll never do that, because they do so much other good work outside of politics." Last week, The Times apologised to the Redbridge Independents for falsely reporting that the party included a “recently suspended councillor who attributed a string of antisemitic social media posts to his struggles with back pain”. In reality, the councillor had never been part of the party. Rise of the independents Elsewhere, in east London's Newham borough, MEE spoke to Councillor Mehmood Mirza, who was standing to be the council mayor for the Your Party-backed Newham Independents. Mirza came second to the Labour candidate on Friday. As in Redbridge, Mirza's campaign was heavily focused on local issues, but combined these with a general opposition to the political establishment and pro-Palestinian sentiment. "Labour has failed Newham residents," he told MEE. "When I got elected [as a councillor], the Muslim community came out to vote, but all different communities voted for me because people were fed up with the council’s performance. Streets were filthy. Things were not getting done. Council tax was on the rise." He campaigned on pension fund divestment, like the Redbridge Independents. "We stand with international human rights. And it's not just that we stand with Gaza, we stand with anybody oppressed across the world," he said. "We are not in favour of any war." Mirza was keen to stress that "we go to churches, we go to gurdwaras, we go to temples and we go to different people from the community. And we are reaching out and I think people agree with our policies". Not all independents are cut from the same mould. In Birmingham, the maverick criminal lawyer Akhmed Yakoob's Independent Candidates Alliance supported around 70 councillor candidates. Thirteen won seats on Friday. UK law professors set out why they signed open letter in support of Palestine Action Read More » Yakoob is facing trial on money laundering charges that he strenuously denies. His campaign rhetoric explicitly eschewed friendship with left-wing progressives on socially conservative grounds. He repeatedly attacked the Green Party throughout the campaign, saying Polanski was "not a good person" and "someone who, in the middle of London, is dancing on stage with a couple of naked men in broad daylight in front of children", referencing an event in Trafalgar Square in March. According to Yakoob, the Greens "want to lead our children into the path of drugs, sex and degeneracy". A Green source called these remarks "beneath contempt". He was filmed this week demeaningly shouting at journalist Lewis Goodall and trying to have him banned from the cafe where he was interviewing them. During the interview, Yakoob referred to himself in the third person, insisted he was a "great man" and compared himself to Nelson Mandela. Two Muslim MPs told MEE during the campaign that they were concerned some independent candidates, not facing any party selection process, would end up being "harmful" and would cause chaos. But 212 independent councillors were elected in these local elections. Blanket smears of Muslim sectarianism bear little resemblance to reality in many places. Increasing attacks on the Greens In the coming weeks and months, it is expected that attacks on the Greens and Muslims will continue. A useful indicator of how these attacks will likely play out is the fake "family voting" scandal, which Reform and Labour both used to attack the Greens after the party's candidate, Hannah Spencer, won the Gorton and Denton by-election in February. "Family voting" refers to the illegal practice of voters conferring, colluding or directing one another on how to vote at the polling station. Starmer, whose Labour candidate came third, said his left-wing rivals had engaged in "divisive, sectarian politics", while Reform's losing candidate, Matt Goodwin, declared that "the progressives were told how to vote", insisting that "Islamists and woke progressives came together to dominate the constituency". Reform politicians repeated claims that there were high rates of "family voting" in the multicultural Gorton and Denton seat, in which one in four voters is Muslim. Farage swiftly linked these claims to Muslims, saying : "This is deeply concerning and raises serious questions about the integrity of the democratic process in predominantly Muslim areas." He announced that Reform had "reported the many cases of 'family voting' to the Electoral Commission and Greater Manchester Police". Labour politicians issued statements of concern. Robert Jenrick, a former Conservative minister who defected to Reform earlier this year, decried "South Asian men instructing women how to vote at polling stations in modern Britain" and condemned what he called an "appalling level of sectarianism". Even Badenoch waded in, saying that "Labour created the monster of harvesting Muslim community bloc votes and… that monster came back to bite them". These claims were later proved false and a police investigation found no evidence of family voting or voter coercion. But by that point, Muslim voters had been smeared, and question marks placed over the Green win in Gorton and Denton. The Greens, it seems, will continue to be attacked and branded a divisive party whose success is driven by Muslim sectarianism. Yet, what these election results really demonstrate is not Muslim sectarianism but the final blow in the gradual death of the two-party system, as momentum goes to insurgent parties on the right and the left. UK Politics Imran Mulla The Big Story Post Date Override 0 Update Date Mon, 05/04/2020 - 21:28 Update Date Override 0

10 May 2026

Barcelona Need a Point Against Real Madrid to Win La Liga

10 May 2026

Iran's chief of armed forces 'briefs Khamenei on readiness'

Iran's chief of armed forces 'briefs Khamenei on readiness' The commander of Iran’s armed forces met the country’s Supreme Leader on Sunday to brief him on “new guiding measures to pursue military operations and firmly confront adversaries,” according to the Fars news agency. Ali Abdollahi, head of Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, informed Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei about the readiness of the country’s armed forces, the agency added. “The armed forces are ready to confront any action by the American-Zionist (Israeli) enemies. In case of any mistake by the enemy, Iran’s response will be swift, severe, and decisive,” Abdollahi said, according to Reuters.

10 May 2026

Anna Jarvis, la mujer que inventó el Día de la Madre y se arrepintió

Jarvis impulsó una campaña para lograr oficializar la fecha tras la muerte de su madre.

10 May 2026

Qatar says cargo ship hit by drone off its coast

Qatar says cargo ship hit by drone off its coast Qatar Ministry of Defence said a fire broke out on a cargo vessel off its waters on Sunday morning after it was struck by a drone. No injuries were reported and the fire was brought under control. The vessel had departed from Abu Dhabi and is continuing its journey toward Qatar’s Mesaieed Port. تعلن وزارة الدفاع القطرية عن تعرض سفينة بضائع تجارية في المياه الإقليمية للدولة، شمال شرق ميناء مسيعيد، قادمة من أبو ظبي، صباح اليوم الأحد، لاستهداف بطائرة مسيّرة، مما تسبب في اندلاع حريق محدود في السفينة، دون وقوع أي إصابات، وتابعت السفينة رحلتها باتجاه ميناء مسيعيد بعد السيطرة… pic.twitter.com/p6wC7M3Iig — وزارة الدفاع - دولة قطر (@MOD_Qatar) May 10, 2026

10 May 2026

Iran Ceasefire Tested as Cargo Ship Catches Fire and Kuwait Reports Drone Attack

10 May 2026

Benin opposition joins ruling coalition

The Cowry Forces for an Emerging Benin (FCBE), which is considered a moderate party, was the only opposition group in the election running against the outgoing majority

10 May 2026

Kuwait says 'hostile drones' detected in airspace

Kuwait says 'hostile drones' detected in airspace Kuwait Armed Forces said on X on Sunday that several “hostile drones” were detected in Kuwaiti airspace and were dealt with in accordance with established procedures. بيان رقم (61) صرّح المتحدث الرسمي لوزارة الدفاع العقيد الركن سعود عبدالعزيز العطوان بأن القوات المسلحة رصدت، فجر اليوم، عددًا من المسيّرات المعادية داخل المجال الجوي الكويتي، وتم التعامل معها وفق الإجراءات المعتمدة. وتؤكد القوات المسلحة جاهزيتها الكاملة للحفاظ على أمن الوطن… pic.twitter.com/9AVrzwHBUy — KUWAIT ARMY - الجيش الكويتي (@KuwaitArmyGHQ) May 10, 2026

10 May 2026

Israeli air strikes hit southern Lebanon

Israeli air strikes hit southern Lebanon Israeli air strikes targeted several areas in southern Lebanon on Sunday morning, reportedly wounding multiple people. Among the sites hit were a poultry feed factory in the Tyre district and another in Marjayoun, both struck by Israeli drones. Later, an Israeli strike targeted a building belonging to the Islamic Health Committee in Bint Jbeil. In a separate attack, another home in the district was also hit.

10 May 2026

Sisi, Macron Hold Strategic Talks amid Escalating Regional Crises

10 May 2026

Aramco CEO says world lost 1bn barrels of oil in two months

Aramco CEO says world lost 1bn barrels of oil in two months Saudi Aramco CEO Amin Nasser said on Sunday that the world had lost around one billion barrels of oil supply over the past two months, according to Reuters. The comments came after Aramco reported a 25 percent rise in first-quarter net profits. Nasser added that global energy markets would need time to stabilise even if the Strait of Hormuz were reopened and commercial shipping resumed.

10 May 2026

Israeli strikes in Gaza kill three, medics say, testing fragile ceasefire

CAIRO, May 10 (Reuters) - Israeli strikes killed at least three Palestinians in Gaza on Sunday, including two members of the Hamas‑run police force, health officials said, in violence that underscored the fragility of a U.S.‑brokered ceasefire. Medics said an air strike killed one person in the Maghazi refugee camp in the Gaza Strip, while another killed the head of the criminal police force in Khan Younis, Wessam Abdel‑Hadi, and his aide, according to Gaza’s Hamas‑run interior ministry.

10 May 2026

Israeli Strikes in Gaza Kill Three, Medics Say, Testing Fragile Ceasefire

10 May 2026

Aramco CEO Warns 1 Billion Barrels Lost Will Slow Oil Market Recovery

10 May 2026

Report: Efforts Underway to Bring Gaza Administration Committee into Strip Before Eid al-Adha

10 May 2026

Comienza en Tenerife la operación para evacuar el crucero afectado por el hantavirus

La periodista de la BBC Sarah Rainsford informa desde el puerto de Tenerife, donde el MV Hondius atracará tras un brote mortal de hantavirus.

10 May 2026

US Secretary of State Rubio and Qatari PM discuss Iran mediation in Miami

US Secretary of State Rubio and Qatari PM discuss Iran mediation in Miami US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in Miami on Saturday evening to discuss regional developments and mediation efforts related to the war on Iran. According to Mohammed bin Abdulrahman, the talks focused in part on Pakistani-led efforts to help de-escalate the conflict. US State Department spokesperson Thomas Pigott thanked Qatar for its role as a key intermediary for Washington, particularly as the US awaits Tehran’s response to a proposed peace initiative. He added that the two sides also discussed US support for Qatar’s defence sector. Mohammed bin Abdulrahman stressed “the necessity for all parties to engage positively with ongoing mediation efforts” in a way that could address the roots of the crisis through dialogue and lead to “a comprehensive agreement that achieves lasting peace in the region”.

10 May 2026

Condemnation and support after Niger bans French broadcasters

The National Observatory of Communication, the West African nation's media regulatory authority, said in a statement late Friday that the suspension of France 24, RFI, France Afrique Média, LSI Africa, AFP, TV5 Monde, TF1 Info, Jeune Afrique and Mediapart was necessary to “preserve peace''

10 May 2026

Ukraine Reports Battlefield Clashes, Drone Strikes Despite Ceasefire

10 May 2026

Oil giant Saudi Aramco says quarterly profits up as crude prices surge

Saudi oil giant Aramco said Sunday its net profit rose by 25.5 percent in the first quarter compared to the same period last year, after the Middle East war sent oil and gas prices soaring. The result comes as uncertainty plagues global markets over the conflict's trajectory, with Iran restricting the passage of hydrocarbons through the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

10 May 2026

Israeli air strikes kill two Palestinians in Khan Younis

Israeli air strikes kill two Palestinians in Khan Younis Israeli air strikes targeted a police vehicle in the al-Amal neighbourhood of Khan Younis in southern Gaza on Sunday, killing two people and wounding several others. According to local reports, those killed were Wissam Fayez Abdel-Hadi, head of investigations in the Khan Younis police department, and his aide, Fadi Abdel-Moati Heikal. The attack marks another Israeli ceasefire violation. Since October 2025, Israeli strikes in Gaza have killed more than 800 Palestinians.

10 May 2026

Boeing: Building a Strategic Partnership to Cement Saudi Arabia as a Global Aviation, Tourism Hub

10 May 2026

Two Tehrans: The parallel lives of a city

Two Tehrans: The parallel lives of a city Submitted by MEE correspondent on Thu, 05/07/2026 - 14:38 Power on display, uneven hardship, and divergent perceptions of life in post-war Iran An Iranian couple walks along a busy street in Tehran on 25 April 2026 (AFP) Off On a recent evening on a central street in Tehran, a street vendor knelt beside a set of clothing spread across the pavement, arranging small household items under the glare of passing headlights and honking cars. He murmured quietly, more in complaint than conversation: “Look, this is our life now.” Foot traffic moved unevenly around him, some slowing to look, others stepping past without pause. A few metres away, across the same street, a crowd had been gradually gathering along the street, loudspeakers blaring. Flags were raised, music played, and slogans directed against the United States and Israel, alongside often patriotic songs, echoed into the night. The two scenes unfolded simultaneously, in the same place. Yet they offered starkly different impressions of what life in Tehran currently looks like against a backdrop of rapid and disorienting escalation in recent months. Last June, Iran experienced a 12-day war with Israel , later involving the United States, the most direct large-scale confrontation in decades. That episode was followed by an eruption of nationwide protests that were met with a violent crackdown and almost a month of near-total internet shutdown in January. Iranians again experienced a 40-day cycle of escalation only months later. For years, Iranians' worries had centred on prolonged economic decline and tightening restrictions rather than sudden escalation into open conflict and sustained instability. Together, these developments have altered not only daily life but the boundaries of what people believe can happen next. First the protests, then the war “Before all of this – the war, the destruction, seeing civilians caught up in it – we thought we just had to struggle with economic pressure, rising prices and growing restrictions,” Nafiseh, a language teacher, told Middle East Eye. “Life was already difficult, but we never imagined it could reach this point, or God forbid, even get worse.” US-Israeli strikes on Iran's oil and gas could poison people and environment for decades Read More » When a fragile pause or ceasefire took hold in April, the economic impact remained visible. Strikes on industrial and petrochemical facilities, alongside broader instability, contributed to a more immediate sense of economic strain. Residents describe the effects in practical terms: rising prices for basic goods, increasing costs of food and medicine, and shrinking purchasing power. At the same time, job losses have risen sharply. Some businesses were affected by damage to industrial sites or broader disruptions linked to the conflict period, while others struggled under prolonged internet restrictions – the world’s longest blackout – pushing parts of the workforce out of stable employment. A small business owner in the manufacturing sector, whose customer base had previously been concentrated on Instagram, described a steady decline in business and increasing difficulty covering basic expenses following the instability of recent months. “These past months have been heavy,” he said. “First the protests, then the war. After that, everything slowed down. Some days pass so slowly it feels like they never end.” The latest war appears to have further strained an already deteriorating economy, leaving incomes increasingly unstable and making everyday life planning more uncertain. That uncertainty is not only economic. It is also shaping how people think or react to the future. A ride-hailing driver described how his 10-year-old daughter now follows international news about the possibility of renewed conflict. “A child should be thinking about games,” he said, his tone shifting between frustration and disbelief, “not about war.” War of narratives Nearby, at one of the recurring public gatherings that have expanded significantly over the past two months since the escalation period began, a woman holding a photograph of Iran’s new leadership urged people during an on-camera interview to endure hardship in order to protect national independence. Similar messages framed the current moment not as a crisis, but as a test of “the true believers” resilience. When the US and Israel bombed Tehran, I did not flee. Here’s why Read More » These gatherings are widely understood as part of a broader effort by the establishment to maintain a visible presence in public spaces and project a sense of cohesion and control both domestically and externally. They are largely organised or supported through state-linked institutions and networks, often accompanied by music, speeches, and distribution of food, combining logistical coordination with cultural and religious messaging. Their meaning, however, is interpreted differently: for supporters, they represent unity and resistance. For them, the current situation is framed as temporary, manageable, or justified within a larger national or religious context. “We won’t give in to pressure from the US or people like [Donald] Trump,” said one participant. “This is not just politics for us. It’s about defending our country and what we believe in. Being here is our way of showing support for those on the front line. We stand by our Nezam (system).” For other residents, they are seen as staged displays of endurance under pressure and increasing strain in meeting everyday needs. These differences are not only material, but perceptual, shaping how people understand hardship, stability, and what it means to endure. Uneven access to information In the meantime, access to information has also become uneven, with most residents facing heavy restrictions on connectivity except for heavily controlled domestic platforms or, more recently, getting access via VPN packages with astronomical prices. Still, a smaller group, often with authorised or privileged access, retains more stable connectivity, allowing them to remain active in online spaces where events are debated, producing different informational environments within the same city. 'These past months have been heavy. First the protests, then the war, after that, everything slowed down. Some days pass so slowly it feels like they never end' - Business owner In this context, everyday life continues, but often under tension. In many parts of the city, signs of relative stability remain visible: traffic continues to flow, restaurants are operating, and social life carries on. In markets and malls, people still circulate, though in smaller numbers. A shopkeeper at a mall in northern Tehran described the change as something that has become more noticeable since the beginning of the year. “People come in, they look, but they don’t buy like before,” he said. Passersby occasionally challenge participants in public gatherings, questioning the disconnect between the displays of support and economic pressures felt elsewhere. Open expressions of frustration are rare in public, shaped by a climate of caution and security presence. Online, however, they often surface more clearly, even on state-approved platforms, where many users have been reluctantly driven by restrictions on access to global messaging apps. “Politics needs thinking, not street slogans,” one user wrote. “What’s the point of standing in the streets shouting? If things go on like this and these people refuse to see reality, it’s our own lives that get smaller.” Such remarks reflect not only disagreement, but fundamentally different ways of interpreting the same conditions. Resilience: An everyday practice As concerns about possible further escalation circulate, some try to push back against the growing anxiety. “I know it’s hard,” said Hamid, an entrepreneur. “But worrying won’t change anything. We just have to get on with our lives.” For many, this kind of adjustment has become routine. It does not resolve the tensions visible across the city, but it allows life to continue. From a distance, the city appears continuous. Up close, it is composed of overlapping experiences. The same street can hold both strain and affirmation. In Tehran today, life goes on – not as a single shared condition, but as parallel realities unfolding within the same space. War on Iran Tehran News Post Date Override 0 Update Date Mon, 05/04/2020 - 21:19 Update Date Override 0

10 May 2026

Syria: Trial of ‘Daraa Criminal’ Atef Najib Resumes on Sunday

10 May 2026

The Conversation Africa

Cameroon’s sacred and royal animals: could literature and futures thinking help save them?

Certain animals, like the lion, carry deep cultural and spiritual significance. But they also face extinction. Library of Congress In the grasslands and highlands of western Cameroon, some animals are believed to be sacred. Within the region’s indigenous kingdoms (fondoms), many of these animals are also considered to be royal. They include wild cats (like cheetahs, leopards, lions, tigers), buffaloes, elephants, porcupines, cowries (sea snails), and a brightly coloured bird called the Bannerman’s turaco . These species carry deep cultural and spiritual significance. They are, for example, often used to decorate royals (kings, queens and queen mothers) or to award royal distinctions to deserving individuals. Their body parts can be used to make crowns, bedding, footstools, bangles or necklaces for royalty. Red feathers from the Bannerman’s turaco are used to distinguish warriors and hunters. Bannermann’s turaco. Henrik Grönvold Here, indigenous cultural practices can both sustain and decimate biodiversity. The names of some of these animals, especially wild cats, are used as praise names for kings. But custom dictates that when these animals are found, they must be killed and taken to the palace as a tribute. Most are either locally extinct or critically endangered. Except for cowries and porcupines, all these animals are included on the red list of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. Biodiversity loss caused by humans is accelerating at alarming rates around the world. This includes biodiversity hotspots like the Congo Basin in central Africa, which Cameroon is part of. Thousands of species have been identified in the basin, 30% of which are endemic (native). Read more: Nuer people have a sacred connection to birds – it can guide conservation in Ethiopia and South Sudan I am a scholar who works across disciplines. These include the arts, literature and cultural studies; environmental humanities; sustainability science; anticipatory governance and future generations; strategic foresight and futures studies. In a recent study , I explored how literary creativity combined with foresight workshops might help change how people view these animals. Could they offer more hopeful futures for these unique species? The role of literature Literary texts like plays, poems and novels offer insights into dealing with climate and ecological challenges in the Congo Basin. (Even in the case of less popular but highly important species such as insects.) This is the case in many works by anglophone Cameroonian authors, like Athanasius Nsahlai , Kenjo Jumbam , J.K. Bannavti , and John Nkengasong . Read more: ‘A healthy earth may be ugly’: How literary art can help us value insect conservation Their stories have the potential to warn against the destruction of royal and sacred animals. They can also help shape new visions for the future of biodiversity conservation. I draw on postcolonial ecocriticism (the relationship between literature, culture, the environment and history) and narrative foresight (what stories can reveal about the future) in my study. I analyse how these books engage with royal and sacred animals in ways that challenge environmentally unfriendly cultural practices, and how they propose new forms of relations between humans and other animals. Jumbam’s novella, Lukong and the Leopard , for instance, tells the story of a young man called Lukong. The son of an outcast from the Nso kingdom, he helps capture a lion. Surprisingly the king demands it be brought to his palace alive. Just as Lukong is to be decorated by the king, his father sneaks in. Fearing for his son’s life, he sets the lion free. In a sense, the story challenges the old cultural practice of killing royal animals. It invites readers to change how they see and relate with these animals in order to protect them. Workshops Stories like this can then be taken into foresight workshop sessions. Narrative foresight meets group participation to create what is called participatory foresight . Participants and stakeholders from diverse backgrounds are brought together to explore future scenarios, the challenges that shape them and what can drive change. As part of my research, I organised a day of participatory foresight workshops on #CongoBasinFutures and #RoyalAnimalsFutures in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Over 30 participants across a range of ages, genders and interests were brought together. They included teachers, researchers, environmentalists, farmers, nurses, writers, filmmakers, musicians, journalists, students, civil society workers, policymakers, and indigenous kings (fons). Using foresight tools , participants were asked to discuss motivations as well as historical barriers while envisioning more hopeful futures for royal and sacred animals. The workshops were designed to include literary narratives on the plight of these animals. They drew on current trends and signals of change, like climate change, biodiversity loss and indigenous cultural practices. They imagined new futures and then collectively proposed several policy interventions that could be practical solutions. Shaping better policies Cameroon does have environmental laws aimed at protecting biodiversity, but they are not effectively implemented. My study – and our workshop – seeks to complement these laws and contribute to their effective use in practice. Ideas coming out of the workshop include: Creative arts and education should be used to help raise awareness about protecting royal animals and biodiversity. This could include programmes like our workshop, creative competitions and updating educational curricula. Instead of decorating those who kill, local hunters should be rewarded when they spot and report the presence of royal animals for monitoring and preservation. The use of artificial animal parts for traditional ceremonies should be encouraged. Policy should encourage research into the controlled breeding of endangered royal and sacred animals and the promotion of ecotourism around these animals. Special parks and reserves could combine arts and royal animals to attract tourists. Revenue could improve livelihoods, sustain cultures, and promote environmental conservation. Environmental regulation should be strengthened through collaboration with all stakeholders, including indigenous authorities and local communities. Hunting of certain animals could be regulated. Hunting seasons and quotas for certain species could be in place. Indigenous leaders and communities could be engaged to adapt and modernise cultural practices in an era of environmental collapse. Read more: Literature from the Congo Basin offers ways to address the climate crisis But we must move from recommendations into action. Otherwise, ideas from studies like this will remain good on paper only, like most environmental laws in Cameroon. If so, royal animals and other species will continue to be threatened by extinction. Kenneth Nsah Mala receives funding from the University of Cologne (Germany), the British Council, and the School of International Futures (SOIF).

10 May 2026

Eurovision Fever Hits Host City Vienna

10 May 2026

Galatasaray Crowned Turkish Champions

10 May 2026

Mali: Hundreds rally to show support for beleaguered army leader

Hundreds of supporters of the Malian junta gathered at a stadium in the capital of Bamako on Saturday to reaffirm their support for Mali's transitional authorities

10 May 2026

Sevilla Strike Late to Boost Survival Hopes, Celta Edge Atletico

10 May 2026

Feared Iran Oil Slick Smaller, May Be from Infrastructure, Says Group

10 May 2026

Report: Israel Built and Defended a Secret Base in Iraq for Iran War

10 May 2026

Japan Lands Defending Champion Qatar in a Tough 2027 Asian Cup Group Draw

10 May 2026

Report: Iranian speedboat network poses challenge to US Navy operations

Report: Iranian speedboat network poses challenge to US Navy operations The Financial Times has reported the growing role of Iran’s so-called “mosquito fleet”, a network of fast attack boats operated by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps that has become a central part of Tehran’s strategy in confronting the United States in the Gulf. According to the report, the small vessels are designed to rapidly pressure commercial shipping and naval forces in and around the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy corridor. The newspaper reported that hundreds of Iranian speedboats are concealed in caves, tunnels and coastal inlets along Iran’s southern coastline, ready for quick deployment towards the Strait of Hormuz. Analysts quoted in the report said the fleet allows Iran to challenge larger naval forces through swarm tactics and threaten global oil and gas flows during periods of heightened tension and conflict in the region. Iranian Revolutionary Guards receive 110 high-speed combat vessels during a ceremony in Bandar Abbas, 28 May 2020 (Zuma via Reuters)

10 May 2026

Syria Sets First Cabinet Reshuffle Since Assad Ouster, State Media Reports

10 May 2026

14 Dead in Pakistan Suicide Attack. Pakistan Taliban Splinter Group Claims Blast

10 May 2026

Putin Says He Thinks Russia-Ukraine War is Coming to an End

10 May 2026

Japan’s Mitoma Injured as World Cup Looms

10 May 2026