Archbishop launches reconciliation programme for youth
Justin Welby has launched the Difference programme for church youth groups through his Reconciliation Ministry. This initiative aims to nurture a new generation of peacemakers, building on its success in churches, prisons, and secondary schools. Difference draws on Christ’s teachings and expert peacemakers' wisdom, equipping young people with three practical habits: Be Present, Be Curious, and Reimagine. These habits are designed to foster empathy, understanding, and resilience in building relationships and managing conflicts. The programme, developed with input from youth workers and education experts, includes immersive sessions which engage young people in meaningful dialogue and practical exercises. It was piloted in several churches across the country. To celebrate the launch, Archbishop Welby hosted over 400 guests at Lambeth Palace. The event featured a procession by young people highlighting global and local divisions, followed by activities and a performance by the Christ’s Hospital choir. The evening included football skills sessions, prayer activities, and opportunities to explore the Difference materials, emphasising the importance of reconciliation and peace.
London shooting: girl fighting for life, three adults wounded
A nine-year-old girl has been critically injured and three adults wounded by a drive-by shooting outside a Turkish restaurant in east London, on 29 May. Witnesses described a gunman on a motorcycle spraying bullets at diners before speeding away. Chaos erupted as customers dived for cover. The child remains in critical condition, while the adults' injuries are less severe. Business owner Ayo Adesina described the shooting as indiscriminate and reckless, noting that there are usually many families in the area. Another witness, Antonia, initially mistook the gunfire for car trouble until she saw people running. Emergency services quickly arrived, with police cordoning off the area. They are conducting fast-moving enquiries, and urge anyone with information to come forward.
Ukraine: Sweden and other EU countries pledge further military support
The Swedish government has announced a $1.23bn military aid package to Ukraine, including air defence systems, artillery ammunition, armoured vehicles, and two Swedish-made early-warning planes. This aid is crucial as Ukraine faces delays in receiving Western military assistance during Russia's third year of invasion. EU defence ministers have met in Brussels to bolster military support for Ukraine; a number of countries have pledged extra aid, including 30 F-16 fighter jets from Belgium and air defence missiles from Spain. However, approximately 6.5 billion euros ($7bn) in EU military aid remains blocked by Hungary, regarded as Russia’s staunchest ally in Europe. Meanwhile, US secretary of state Antony Blinken is visiting NATO allies in Europe to reinforce support for Ukraine, starting with a visit to Moldova on 29 May.
Green MEPs threaten to oppose von der Leyen’s bid for re-election
Green members of the European Parliament will oppose Ursula von der Leyen's bid for a second term as president of the European Commission if she aligns with hard-right nationalists, according to Terry Reintke, German Green MEP chair. Reintke stated that her group would ‘absolutely’ not support von der Leyen if she made a deal with the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), which includes Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni's group. She said that an alliance with the ECR, known for opposing EU green policies, would jeopardise the EU's climate action plans, potentially stalling or halting the Green Deal; this would be disastrous for both the climate and Europe's economic competitiveness against the USA and China. This announcement adds to von der Leyen's challenges, as the centre-left has also pledged not to support her if she collaborates with hard-right parties. To secure a second term, she needs an absolute majority of the 720 MEPs in the new parliament, requiring a broad coalition beyond her centre-right European People’s Party (EPP), which is expected to win around 175 seats.
