Independent

Three Maori Party MPs will be temporarily banned from New Zealand’s parliament for protesting a proposed law change with a haka. A parliamentary committee has recommended the penalties, understood to be the harshest ever for New Zealand MPs. They said that the haka – a ceremonial Maori dance made world-famous by the country’s men’s rugby team, the All Blacks – could have intimidated other politicians and constituted contempt of parliament. #news #newzealand #haka #nzparliament #fyp

Arnold Schwarzenegger told environmentalists critical of Donald Trump’s administration: “Stop whining and get to work.” The former Republican governor of California’s call came after Energy Secretary Chris Wright said he canceled nearly $4 billion in project grants, in another massive blow to clean energy and greenhouse gas emissions reduction efforts in the US under the 47th president’s administration. #trump #schwarzenegger

Doorbell cam catches moment dog ‘drives’ into parked car 🐶 🚗 #dog #animals #cars Originally published in December 2022.

New Zealand legislators voted Thursday to enact record suspensions from Parliament for three lawmakers who performed a Māori haka to protest a proposed law. Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke received a seven-day ban and her colleagues from Te Pāti Māori, the Māori Party, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi, are barred for 21 days. Three days had been the longest ban from New Zealand’s Parliament before.

Donald Trump lashed out at an ABC News reporter questioning him on plans to accept a gift of a $400m jet from the Qatari royal family, to be used as the new Air Force One.  Speaking on Monday, May 12, the president said only a “stupid person” would say no to a “free, very expensive aeroplane”.  Trump faces a backlash for his plan from ally Laura Loomer, who said it would be a “stain” on the administration, while Democrats have called it “bribery”. #Trump #Qatar #luxury #jet

An elderly scooter ride was buried with a tidal wave of cow manure after pulling out in front of a truck carrying the waste.

Lightning strikes British Airways flight before take-off. Originally published in January 2025.

Bear wakes from nap at animal sanctuary looking dishevelled 🐻 💤 #nature #world #bear #animals Originally published in May 2023.

A hairy situation turned bloody at a barbershop in Baton Rouge, Louisiana after a hairdresser started chopping off a girl’s new braids after mother allegedly refused to pay a $25 late fee. An 11-year-old girl had an appointment to get her hair braided last Tuesday at 5 p.m. but she and her mother showed up 10 minutes late, the girl’s grandmother Conchota Singleton said in a social media post. Click the link in bio for more 🔗

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt was left scrambling when she was asked if President Trump had a reaction to the recent election in South Korea. Click link for more info 🔗

Footage has been released of Bridgerton actor Genevieve Chenneour fighting off a thief who tried to steal her phone in London. The 27-year-old played the gossiping Miss Clara Livingston in season three of the Netflix period romance. She was with a friend in a Joe & the Juice coffee shop when a man, 18-year-old Zachariah Boulares, allegedly attacked her at the coffee shop in Kensington high street.

Pro-Palestinian protesters dyed water in a Paris fountain blood-red to “denounce the ongoing massacres in Gaza”. Greenpeace France, Oxfam France and other NGOs poured several litres of red food colouring in the Fountain of the Innocents on Wednesday (28 May). Standing in and around the fountain, demonstrators can be seen holding banners reading: “GAZA: STOP THE BLOODBATH”, “MACRON MUST (FINALLY) ACT” and “CEASEFIRE”. In a statement, Greenpeace France said: “This operation aims to denounce France's slow response to the dire humanitarian emergency facing the people of Gaza today.” Click the link in bio for more 🔗

Donald Trump said he did not know who created the now-infamous AI image of him as the Pope but insisted that “Catholics love it,” despite widespread outrage both at home and abroad. The president said that those that were offended by the image couldn’t “take a joke” and that his wife – First Lady Melania Trump – thought the image was “cute.” Click the link in bio for more 🔗

French President Emmanuel Macron appeared to reference the viral "slap" by his wife Brigitte Macron with a brief hand gesture during his welcome ceremony in Jakarta. Arriving in Indonesia on 27 May, only President Macron's hand can be seen waving from the aircraft, before he appears in front of the cameras laughing. He is then joined by his wife as they walk down the steps arm in arm. The Élysée Palace has downplayed the incident, but Macron’s wave appears to offer a lighthearted response.

Is the bromance over? White House reacts after Elon Musk goes scorched earth on Donald Trump's 'one big, beautiful bill' just days after leaving the administration. Click link for more 🔗

Hank Azaria used iconic voices he provides to The Simpsons to try and make a King’s Guard guard laugh during a visit to London. Originally published in July 2024. #hankazaria #thesimpsons #kingsguard

JD Vance met briefly with Pope Francis on Easter Sunday as the pontiff recovers from pneumonia. The vice president and the pontiff met for a few minutes at the Domus Santa Marta "to exchange Easter greetings," the Vatican said. Click the link in bio for more 🔗

A clip of a protester accusing the National Guard of being ‘on the wrong side of history’ over the ongoing LA protests went viral - it turns out for the wrong reason. Social media users on left and right were convinced the footage of a man railing against authority in a baseball cap was Hollywood actor Wyatt Russell. Russell, the son of Hollywood legends Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn, most recently starred in the new Marvel movie Thunderbolts*. But despite the passing resemblance with the protester, a spokesperson for the actor has confirmed it was definitely not him.

Pope Leo XIV celebrated his first Mass as the leader of the Catholic Church while congratulatory messages poured in for making history as the first American-born pontiff. He called on the gathered cardinals and the faithful watching to “recognise the marvels the Lord has done”.

Donald Trump made a few World War II jokes during a meeting the Germany's chancellor, Friedrich Merz, in the Oval Office on Thursday, 5 June, amid negotiations over tariffs. Mr Merz went into the meeting hoping to keep Western support for Ukraine, make progress on trade, and bolster German military spending. During the meeting the Chancellor mentioned Germany will be observing D-Day on June 6th. To which Trump replied, "That was not a pleasant day for you", referring to Germany losing the war.