Pope Leo XIV will visit France from September 25 to 28, 2026, where he plans to meet survivors of clergy sexual abuse and visit several important sites. His trip will also include meetings with French bishops, a visit to UNESCO headquarters, and an interreligious gathering in Metz.
Key Facts
Pope Leo XIV will meet with survivors of clergy abuse in France during a four-day visit.
The survivors will help prepare for this meeting; the exact time and place will be announced later.
A 2021 report said about 330,000 children in France were abused by church personnel over 70 years.
During the trip, the pope will meet French bishops in Lourdes and participate in an interreligious meeting in Metz.
He will visit UNESCO headquarters in Paris and meet President Emmanuel Macron.
The pope’s visit includes prayer services and events focused on social inclusion and church participation.
This will be Pope Leo’s fourth trip abroad in 2026; he will later visit Latin America for the first time as pope.
The Vatican appointed French Bishop Thibault Verny to lead its child protection advisory commission.
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Iran is using a slow negotiation process with the United States to keep President Trump involved in the conflict until the U.S. midterm elections. Tehran hopes this will weaken Trump’s political standing by prolonging tensions over Iran’s nuclear program and economic sanctions.
Key Facts
Iran wants the U.S. to lift sanctions, stop blocking its ports, and unfreeze assets before advancing nuclear talks.
Iranian officials aim to delay progress until after the November midterm elections in the U.S.
President Trump withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal in 2018 and ordered the killing of Iranian military leader Qassem Suleimani.
Iranian media see Trump’s declining approval ratings as linked to the ongoing conflict and high oil prices.
Iran plans a phased negotiation approach, with the second stage on nuclear talks expected two to four months after reopening commercial shipping.
Iranian leaders and media suggest the war’s outcome will influence not just battlefields but U.S. elections and policies for years ahead.
Some inside Iran believe Trump’s Iran strategy is influenced heavily by the goal of maintaining political support before the midterms.
Tehran shows skepticism toward Trump’s claims that the midterms do not affect his Iran policy.
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Shakib Al Hasan, a famous Bangladeshi cricket player and supporter of ousted leader Sheikh Hasina, says he is ready to return to Bangladesh to face trial on serious charges if the government guarantees his safety. He has been living in the United States since Hasina’s government was removed in 2024 and hopes to play a farewell cricket series and represent Bangladesh in the 2027 World Cup.
Key Facts
Shakib Al Hasan is a well-known Bangladeshi cricket player and former captain.
He has been living in the United States since August 2024 after the government of Sheikh Hasina was toppled.
Shakib faces charges including murder but says he is innocent and ready to face trial if his safety is assured.
He wants to return to Bangladesh, play a final cricket series, and play in the 2027 Cricket World Cup.
Sheikh Hasina and other allies have also been sentenced or charged and plan to return to Bangladesh in December 2024.
Shakib’s previous attempts to return home were blocked by the government, including after a birthday message for Hasina on social media.
His return would test the current government’s willingness to accept figures from the previous ruling party.
Shakib currently plays franchise cricket and plans to retire from international cricket soon because of his age.
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Westminster City Council in London proposed a plan to reduce "vertical drinking," which means drinking while standing, to lower noise and disorder. This idea has faced strong criticism from local pub owners and politicians who say standing and socializing is an important tradition at pubs.
Key Facts
The proposal aims to encourage pubs to offer more seating and table service instead of large areas for standing drinks.
Westminster City Council says the plan is part of a draft policy open for public feedback.
The council’s goal is to improve safety and reduce excessive drunkenness and noise.
Pubs in Westminster serve more people while standing than in any other UK area.
Many politicians, including Prime Minister Andy Burnham and London Mayor Sadiq Khan, oppose the proposal.
Pub owners argue that standing and socializing is a key part of British pub culture and helps business.
The hospitality industry in the UK is still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Westminster Council stresses balancing the local economy with making the area a good place for residents.
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The conflict in northern Ethiopia involves changing alliances between the Ethiopian federal government, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), Eritrea, and Amhara militias called Fano. Recently, Ethiopia’s government has accused its former allies, Eritrea and Fano, of supporting the TPLF against it, while the TPLF denies these claims, and Eritrea rejects accusations of involvement.
Key Facts
From 2020 to 2022, the TPLF fought against Ethiopia’s federal government and its allies Eritrea and Fano militias.
In early 2025, Tigray Defence Forces seized control of key towns including Mekele and parts of the Eritrean border.
Ethiopia’s government accuses Eritrea and the TPLF of supporting Fano militias in attacks on the Amhara region.
Fano is an irregular militia group from the Amhara region with no central leadership, initially allied with the government against the TPLF.
Ethiopia’s government claims Eritrean forces stayed in Ethiopia despite peace agreements requiring withdrawal.
Eritrea denies involvement in the conflict and rejects accusations of war crimes or support for militias.
The TPLF denies Ethiopia’s accusations and says the federal government is destabilizing Tigray by training new militias.
The conflict reflects shifting and complex alliances among Ethiopia’s political and ethnic groups and neighboring Eritrea.
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Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan have signed a joint defense agreement. The pact says if one of these countries is attacked, it will be seen as an attack on all three.
Key Facts
The agreement was signed during a meeting in Mecca with leaders from all three countries.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif were present at the signing.
The pact comes amid ongoing conflict between the US and Iran.
The countries want to strengthen security as regional tensions affect shipping routes like the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea.
Saudi Arabia and Pakistan had already signed a defense pact last year.
The agreement means the three countries will support each other in case of an attack.
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President Donald Trump said the war with Iran is close to ending and that petrol prices will fall after the conflict. Iran and Oman agreed on shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz and are in talks to manage control of the strait, but Iran denies having direct talks with the US.
Key Facts
President Trump told reporters the war with Iran "can’t go much longer" and he is involved in negotiations with Tehran.
Iran’s Fars news agency reported a bill is being reviewed to bar US, Israeli, and other “hostile” vessels from the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran and Oman agreed on coordinates for shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz, which is crucial for global energy supply.
Talks between Iran and Oman are ongoing to resolve disagreements about control of the strait.
Iran denies direct talks with the US, saying it only communicates with Oman about the strait.
Last week, President Trump canceled a planned large military strike on Iran, citing a potential diplomatic breakthrough.
Experts say the US military faces missile shortages in the region, making operations more dangerous.
Analysts note that even if the strait issue is resolved, broader US-Iran peace talks still need to happen.
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Houthi forces in Yemen launched missile and drone strikes on government military camps, killing at least 30 soldiers and injuring 15. This attack signals a major increase in fighting after years of reduced conflict, raising fears of a wider war in Yemen.
Key Facts
Houthi missiles and drones hit military sites in Hadramout and Marib on Thursday.
At least 30 government soldiers were killed and 15 wounded in the attack.
The Houthis claimed they killed hundreds and destroyed many camps and depots.
The Houthis said the strikes responded to a large Saudi military buildup.
Yemen’s civil war began after the Houthis took the capital, Sanaa, in 2014.
Saudi Arabia and allies have supported the government forces since 2015.
Fighting had eased after a 2022 United Nations-backed truce.
Analysts warn the recent attacks make full-scale war more likely again.
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Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkiye have signed a joint defense agreement that says if one country is attacked, all three will treat it as an attack on themselves. This deal aims to strengthen security cooperation amid growing military tensions in the Middle East.
Key Facts
The defense agreement involves Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkiye.
An attack on any one of these countries will be considered an attack on all three.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and army chief Asim Munir visited Saudi Arabia recently.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also traveled to Saudi Arabia to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The agreement comes amid ongoing conflicts involving Iran and its allies in the region.
Saudi Arabia has faced repeated attacks from Iranian-backed groups since a US and Israeli strike on Iran on February 28.
The three nations aim to boost security cooperation during rising military tensions in the Middle East.
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University of Chicago Professor Robert Pape explains that President Donald Trump is facing a difficult situation with Iran, where he must either stop escalating tensions and allow Iran to grow stronger or increase military conflict to try to achieve a symbolic win before the US midterm elections.
Key Facts
Professor Robert Pape is from the University of Chicago.
He describes President Trump as being in an "escalation trap" with Iran.
Trump has two main options: surrender or escalate the conflict.
Surrender means allowing Iran to become more powerful.
Escalation means increasing the war with Iran.
Escalating might aim for a symbolic victory before US midterm elections.
This situation involves complex choices about how the US handles its conflict with Iran.
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This article discusses postpartum psychosis, a serious mental health condition affecting some new mothers that can cause delusions and confusion related to their baby. Experts explain its symptoms, risks, and the importance of early treatment to help mothers recover and safely care for their children.
Key Facts
Lindsay Clancy, a mother on trial for killing her three children, is believed to have had postpartum psychosis.
Postpartum psychosis is a break from reality with symptoms like delusions and hallucinations focused on the baby.
It is a medical emergency requiring hospitalization and safety measures for the baby.
Most women recover fully with prompt and proper treatment.
Postpartum psychosis affects about 1 to 2 in 1,000 new mothers, much rarer than perinatal depression.
Perinatal mood disorders include depression and anxiety, affecting up to 1 in 5 women around pregnancy and the first year postpartum.
Early warning signs ("pink flags") can include severe sleep problems and unusual fears related to the baby.
Timely diagnosis and compassionate care improve outcomes for both mother and child.
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China is changing the way it tries to influence other countries by focusing on America’s debates about building technology infrastructure like data centers. This approach aims to slow down the growth of U.S. technology development.
Key Facts
China is adapting its influence tactics.
It targets debates within the United States about AI infrastructure.
Examples of infrastructure include data centers that store and process data.
The goal is to slow down the U.S. technological build-out.
Influence operations are actions taken to affect opinions or decisions in another country.
This strategy uses existing divisions or debates inside the U.S. rather than direct confrontation.
The focus is on technology and infrastructure related to artificial intelligence development.
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A woman in Wales tried to show her daughter that thunderstorms are not scary, but their house was struck by lightning during a storm. They captured the lightning hit on video, which damaged part of their home, but no one was hurt.
Key Facts
Emma Lewis, 41, lives in Pembrokeshire, Wales.
She was teaching her daughter to enjoy thunderstorms and not be afraid.
On May 27, during a storm, their house was directly hit by lightning.
A video recorded the moment the lightning struck, showing a bright flash and loud noise.
Lightning damaged electrical plugs and switches inside their home.
No one was injured in the lightning strike.
Lightning strikes on homes are rare but can be dangerous.
In the U.S., lightning caused 14 deaths in 2024 and 4 so far in 2026.
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A 14-year-old student in Thailand killed his grandparents at home before carrying out a shooting at a school near Bangkok. The teenager then took his own life, and the shooting is one of the deadliest mass attacks in Thailand since 2022.
Key Facts
The gunman was a 14-year-old student.
He first shot his grandparents at their home.
The gun used belonged to his grandfather.
The student fired 26 bullets during the attack.
Police found 34 extra rounds of ammunition on him.
The teenager killed himself after the shooting.
Authorities have not identified a motive for the attack.
The incident occurred near Bangkok, Thailand.
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Houthi rebels in Yemen have launched new missile and drone attacks on Saudi-backed government forces in the city of Marib, following previous strikes that caused many casualties. The Saudi-led coalition reported civilian injuries from Houthi attacks on Saudi territory and condemned the targeting of civilians.
Key Facts
Houthi rebels attacked Saudi-backed troops in Marib, Yemen, using missiles and drones.
The attacks killed and wounded dozens of government soldiers, with casualty numbers varying between 17 and at least 58.
Yemeni forces shot down several Houthi drones during the attacks.
The Saudi-led coalition reported 11 civilians wounded in attacks on the southern Saudi city of Najran.
Coalition officials accused the Houthis of targeting civilian areas, violating international humanitarian law.
Houthi military claimed they destroyed Saudi military camps and equipment in eastern Yemen.
Senator Ted Cruz called for the U.S. to increase pressure on Iran, including arming Iranian protesters, aiming for regime change.
Iran and Oman are negotiating new arrangements for the Strait of Hormuz but no full reopening yet.
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Houthi forces in Yemen launched multiple missile and drone attacks on government-held areas, killing at least 30 soldiers. Saudi Arabia warned that further attacks, possibly targeting key sites like energy and ports, may occur under Iran's supervision.
Key Facts
Houthis, supported by Iran, fired missiles and drones at Yemeni government and Saudi coalition sites.
At least 30 Yemeni government soldiers died in attacks on Hadramout and Marib provinces.
11 civilians, including a child, were wounded in a Houthi attack on southern Saudi Arabia.
Saudi intelligence indicates new attacks might target energy infrastructure, ports, and airports.
The attacks are the deadliest in Yemen’s civil war in recent years and follow increased violence.
Yemen’s civil war began in 2014 when Houthis took control of the capital, Sanaa.
Saudi Arabia led a coalition against the Houthis from 2015 until a truce in 2022, but Houthis still control significant areas.
Yemeni government military units involved include Homeland Shield Forces and Emergency Forces, both backed or created with Saudi support.
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Europe is experiencing very low river levels due to drought and extreme heat this summer. This has uncovered World War II shipwrecks in the Danube River and left many boats stranded in rivers like the Rhine and Loire.
Key Facts
The Danube River’s water level has dropped so much that German World War II warship hulls are visible.
An ancient mammoth’s remains were found near the Danube riverbed in Romania.
Fishing boats have been stuck near the banks of the Rhine River in Germany because of low water.
Parts of the Loire River in France are partially dry, exposing riverbed areas.
The Romanian Navy used underwater explosives to remove rocks and improve water flow in the Danube.
Low water levels are caused by a summer drought combined with extreme heat.
Scientists link the drought to climate change, which increases the chance of such dry conditions in Europe.
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A new mother in Nebraska was diagnosed with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) after a CT scan revealed cysts on her kidneys soon after giving birth. She had severe postpartum preeclampsia, and her diagnosis came as a surprise because she had no family history of the condition.
Key Facts
Bethany Worthey-Williams, 24, experienced high blood pressure and other symptoms after childbirth.
She was initially treated for postpartum preeclampsia, a serious condition involving high blood pressure after delivery.
A CT scan showed multiple cysts on her kidneys and lesions on her liver.
The diagnosis was autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), a genetic disorder causing cyst growth on kidneys over time.
She has no known family history of ADPKD but tested positive for the ADPKD1 gene mutation.
Her daughters each have a 50% chance of inheriting the disease.
She experiences ongoing health issues like kidney stones, blood in urine, and chronic pain.
Worthey-Williams is focusing on healthy habits and hopes to support her children’s well-being.
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French farmers are facing serious challenges caused by climate change. These challenges affect their mental health and their income, as bad weather disrupts farming in southwestern France.
Key Facts
Climate change has become a direct and ongoing problem for farming in France in 2026.
Some farmers' production cycles were less affected because they ended earlier in the season.
Vegetable growers, livestock farmers, and fruit producers are struggling daily due to climate disruptions.
The French Basque Country farmer Jean-Mathieu Thévenot is a member of a farmers' union and an international farming movement.
Climate impacts include heatwaves, droughts, and wildfires that harm crops and land.
These problems cause economic losses and stress for farmers.
The situation is part of a broader climate crisis affecting many regions and industries.
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Abelardo de la Espriella has become Colombia's president and promised to fight drug gangs. He plans to strengthen ties with the United States and will take office on August 8, 2026.
Key Facts
Abelardo de la Espriella won Colombia's presidential election by a very small margin.
He is a right-wing leader, similar to Nayib Bukele of El Salvador and Javier Milei of Argentina.
De la Espriella pledges to start a war against drug gangs in Colombia.
He intends to improve Colombia's relationship with the United States.
His inauguration is happening in an unusual location.
The article mentions connections to Israel and military topics, but the main focus is on Colombia's leadership change.
The election run-off took place in June 2026.
Colombia faces ongoing issues with guerrilla groups and drug trafficking.
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