Merlin's Chess Adds a Fantasy Twist to the Classic Game with its upcoming launch on May 22 for the Meta Quest platform. Developed by Teleporter Realities, this reimagined version of chess features animated pieces that come to life and battle directly on the board. The game supports voice commands, hand tracking, and Touch controllers, offering both solo play against AI opponents and online matchmaking. With multiple game modes including Casual and Ranked options, customizable avatars, seasonal themes, and spectator features, Merlin's Chess brings a fresh, immersive dimension to the traditional strategy game. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is set to promote European unity during his first foreign trip since taking office, just one day after his historic defeat in the initial round of voting in the Bundestag. Sweden has increased its procurement of the Torped 47 system to bolster defense capabilities in the Baltic Sea region. Saab has secured a SEK 1.3 billion ($135 million) contract from the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) to deliver its Saab Lightweight Torpedo (SLWT) system, which includes torpedoes and launch tubes. Deliveries are set to begin in 2026. During the latest session of Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs), the range of voices posing questions to the Prime Minister reflected a predominantly Labour presence, with contributions from Matt Bishop, Matt Western, Jack Abbott, Michelle Scrogham, Meg Hillier, Elaine Stewart, Connor Naismith, Maureen Burke, and Kirsteen Sullivan. Liberal Democrats Tessa Munt and Roz Savage, Green Party’s Sian Berry, Independent Shockat Adam, and Conservatives Matt Vickers and Aphra Brandreth also presented their queries, highlighting the breadth of political scrutiny across party lines. Emmanuel Macron's five-day strategy to influence post-Brexit Britain is under renewed scrutiny as tensions rise ahead of the 'Great EU Reset' Summit on May 19. In late 2021, Macron's government threatened to cut off electricity to Britain and the Channel Islands amidst a dispute over fishing licences, attempting to pressure the UK into surrendering access to its waters while offering little in return. Despite Britain issuing nearly 1,700 licences to EU vessels—more than 700 of which went to French boats—France continued to claim unfair treatment, even though the majority of refusals involved vessels unable to prove historical fishing activity in British waters. With Keir Starmer set to negotiate closer UK-EU ties at the summit, concerns are mounting that concessions on fishing rights could again be on the table, potentially in exchange for access to the EU’s new €150 billion defence fund. Critics fear a repeat of past compromises that could undermine British sovereignty over its maritime resources. US and French forces recently conducted live-fire drills off the Atlantic coast as part of Exercise Chesapeake 2025. The joint training operation involved Marines and Sailors from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit and Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261, in coordination with the U.S. Navy and French armed forces. The exercise was conducted under the Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force – Alert Contingency MAGTF, enhancing interoperability and rapid response capabilities between the allied nations. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear is actively positioning himself for a potential 2028 presidential run, meeting privately with donors, recording a podcast, and making frequent appearances at national events. With a former Kamala Harris communications staffer now consulting for him and a speaking engagement set at the Future Forward donor summit in California, Beshear is building momentum. Widely seen as a Democrat who can win in Trump-leaning states, his challenge lies in overcoming national obscurity as he prepares for broader ambitions.