Jay Slater: search continues as conspiracy theories escalate
The search for 19-year-old Jay Slater, missing since 17 June, continues in Tenerife with a multi-agency effort marked by silence from authorities. Despite the intense search in the rugged terrain of the Rural de Teno national park, involving the Civil Guard, specialist sniffer dogs, and drones, agencies have been reluctant to comment, fuelling online conspiracy theories. The operation, initially sprawling, has now focused on a specific ravine with a water source. Officers start their search at 8 am, navigating difficult terrain with special equipment. Weather conditions have varied, complicating the search efforts. As each day ends without answers, the lack of updates adds to the anguish of Jay's loved ones, who continue to wait for news. His family remains hopeful; his mother, Debbie Duncan, is urging the public to pray for her son and expressing faith in the search teams.
Parkinson's disease: 'miracle treatment' offers hope to sufferers
A groundbreaking non-invasive procedure, ultrasound thalamotomy, has given hope to Parkinson’s patients by significantly reducing tremors. Ian Keir, 63, diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2018, experienced uncontrollable tremors that hindered everyday tasks. After undergoing the procedure, Keir can now write, cut food, and perform tasks independently. He describes the outcome as miraculous. The procedure uses high-intensity focused ultrasound to create a lesion in the thalamus, the brain region controlling movement. A consultant at the University of Dundee has hailed the procedure as a milestone for Scottish medicine, emphasising its life-changing impact. Despite the technology's limited availability, the success in treating Parkinson’s symptoms marks significant progress.
France: Macron’s gamble looks like backfiring
France's political future is uncertain as Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally (RN) leads opinion polls ahead of parliamentary elections on 30 June. Emmanuel Macron faces potential ‘cohabitation’ with an opposing prime minister, or a fragmented chamber unable to form a stable majority. The polls give RN at least 35% in the first round, with a left alliance at 29% and Macron's centrists around 20%. A high turnout is expected. RN could possibly win more than half the 577 seats being contested. Le Pen is already planning to challenge Macron's authority, especially regarding military decisions: her candidate for prime minister, Jordan Bardella, opposes sending long-range missiles to Ukraine. Current prime minister Gabriel Attal is seeking to highlight RN's divisiveness and the left’s sectarian policies. A final debate offers a last chance to sway voters.
Russia: 20+ killed in terrorist attacks
At least twenty people have been killed in a series of shootings in Dagestan on 24 June. The attacks targeted a synagogue, an Orthodox church, and a traffic police post. Among the victims were fifteen law enforcement officers and civilians, including an Orthodox priest. The synagogue and church were set on fire before the attackers fled. The authorities say that five gunmen were later shot dead, and two sons of a local district head were arrested. The regional governor called it a ‘day of tragedy’ and declared three days of mourning in the predominantly Muslim region. Russia's national anti-terrorism committee attributed the attacks to ‘terrorists’, though no group claimed responsibility. This incident follows a major attack on a concert hall in Moscow three months ago, which killed 145 people.
Kenya: president backs down after protesters killed or injured
Following violent protests in which 22 people were killed, president William Ruto has announced he will not sign a finance bill proposing new taxes. The bill, which aimed to raise funds to pay off debt, has faced widespread opposition from Kenyans struggling economically. On 25 June thousands of protesters stormed parliament, an action which Ruto called ‘treasonous’. In the chaos which ensued, the police and military were accused of brutality, with human rights groups reporting abductions and hundreds of injuries. Acknowledging the ‘widespread dissatisfaction’, Ruto admitted the need for a national conversation on managing the country's affairs together. The high court has suspended the military deployment and ordered the release of all protestors. Many young voters who supported Ruto in 2022 now oppose his reforms, feeling betrayed by the economic hardships. He has been criticised for not adopting a more conciliatory approach, and widespread protests continue: see
Iran: Khamenei warns reformist presidential candidate
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has issued a veiled warning to reformist presidential candidate Masoud Pezeshkian, criticising those who believe progress depends on the USA. Pezeshkian supports restoring the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, unlike his hard-line opponents who demand terms favouring Iran. Khamenei has also urged high voter turnout for the election on 28 June, which analysts say could benefit Pezeshkian. There was a record low turnout in the parliamentary elections in March, and voters have expressed widespread apathy as Iran faces an economy crushed by Western sanctions and after widespread anti-government protests in recent years. Pezeshkian, previously unknown to the public, has garnered significant support. However, hard-liners remain critical, especially after the collapse of the nuclear deal in 2018. If no candidate wins over 50% of the vote, a runoff may be required.