A French anti-drugs activist, Amine Kessaci, is speaking out after the murder of his second brother by drug criminals in Marseille. The French government views the recent killing as a new level of violence in the country's drug wars. President Macron is taking steps to address drug-related crime through new legislation and special measures.
Key Facts
Amine Kessaci's younger brother, Mehdi, was shot dead in Marseille, likely as an intimidation tactic by drug gangs.
Mehdi is the second brother of Amine to be killed by drug criminals; his other brother, Brahim, was murdered in 2020.
Amine is an anti-drugs campaigner and had started his association, Conscience, to highlight the harm caused by drug gangs.
France's Interior Minister described Mehdi's murder as a significant escalation in drug-related violence.
President Emmanuel Macron introduced measures to tackle drugs, including setting up a special prosecutor's office for organized crime.
The drug trade in France is significant, involving an estimated 250,000 people and generating €7 billion annually.
There has been some success in reducing homicides in Marseille, with a decrease from 49 in 2023 to 24 in 2024.
Amine Kessaci continues his campaign despite threats to his own life, urging for government action and public courage.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Many Sudanese refugees are leaving their country due to a civil war, trying to reach Europe for safety. Their journey is dangerous, and many face legal and personal challenges when they arrive in Europe. The conflict in Sudan and Europe's response to the migration crisis are heavily affecting these refugees.
Key Facts
42 migrants, mostly Sudanese refugees, drowned in the Mediterranean Sea.
The civil war in Sudan began in April 2023 between the RSF and SAF.
Nearly 13 million people have been displaced by the war in Sudan.
Over 86,000 Sudanese refugees are currently in Libya, a significant increase from before the war.
From April 2023 to January 2024, nearly 10,000 Sudanese applied for asylum in the EU, double from the previous year.
Many Sudanese asylum seekers face harsh conditions and possible imprisonment in Europe.
Some EU states charge young Sudanese men with smuggling due to steering boats as part of their asylum journey.
The RSF originated from militias known for past war crimes, and Sudan received EU funds to help manage migration issues.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Sudan's city of el-Fasher is described as a "crime scene" by the United Nations' aid chief after its takeover by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The UN and human rights groups are calling for an investigation into reports of mass killings and other abuses in the area. The UN is seeking greater access to the region to aid civilians trapped there.
Key Facts
The UN aid chief described el-Fasher in Sudan as a "crime scene" after its recent capture by the RSF.
The RSF took control of el-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, in late October.
Reports indicate mass killings, kidnappings, and widespread sexual violence occurred during the takeover.
The UN Human Rights Council has ordered an investigation into atrocities in el-Fasher.
Many residents of el-Fasher are trapped without access to essential services, while over 100,000 have fled.
UN officials seek expanded access to the region to provide assistance to those affected.
Satellite images suggest RSF forces may be burying bodies in mass graves.
Intense military activity and deteriorating living conditions are reported in the neighboring Kordofan area.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The UK Supreme Court ruled that the Christian-focused religious education (RE) in Northern Ireland schools is unlawful. This decision follows an appeal by a father and daughter who argued that the education did not respect their religious beliefs.
Key Facts
The UK Supreme Court ruled that the Christian-focused RE taught in Northern Ireland schools is unlawful.
An anonymous father and daughter from Northern Ireland challenged the legality of RE and collective worship in their primary school.
The case concerned whether the education provided was objective, critical, and pluralistic.
In 2022, the Belfast High Court initially ruled against the Christian-focused RE, but the Department of Education won an appeal before the decision was overturned by the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court's decision backs the view that religious education should not be indoctrination.
The family expressed that they support religious education as long as it aligns with diverse beliefs and does not promote a single worldview.
The decision emphasizes that state schools should not use withdrawal mechanisms to justify religious instruction that may not be inclusive.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A recent attack on a church in Nigeria resulted in at least two deaths and the kidnapping of the pastor and several worshippers. The Nigerian government disagrees with U.S. claims about a genocide against Christians in the country.
Key Facts
Gunmen attacked a church in Nigeria during a service.
At least two people died in the attack.
The pastor and several worshippers were kidnapped.
A video captured the initial moments of the attack.
The Nigerian government denied U.S. accusations of a genocide against Christians.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump proposed a plan to end the conflict in Ukraine, which involves giving Russia more control in certain areas in exchange for security guarantees for Ukraine and Europe. This idea has caused differing opinions among officials from various countries. Ukraine's President Zelenskyy stated that Trump is key to ending the war, and Turkey is actively helping in diplomatic efforts.
Key Facts
President Trump proposed a plan offering Russia more control over eastern Ukraine as part of a peace settlement.
Russia would gain full control of the Luhansk and Donetsk regions, with certain areas becoming demilitarized zones.
Crimea and Donbas would be internationally recognized as Russian territory, but Ukraine would not formally acknowledge this.
Ukraine's military would have limitations in exchange for U.S. security guarantees.
Qatar and Turkey are involved in mediation efforts for peace talks.
Planned talks in Ankara were delayed as Ukraine seeks more European involvement.
President Zelenskyy expressed support for Trump's leadership in resolving the conflict.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump's special envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, plans to leave the administration in January. Kellogg's departure could upset Ukrainian and European officials because he was seen as one of the few senior figures willing to stand up to Russia.
Key Facts
Keith Kellogg is President Trump's special envoy for Ukraine.
Kellogg plans to leave his position in January.
His position was temporary and would require Senate confirmation to continue.
Kellogg is a retired lieutenant general.
He is seen as a strong advocate for Ukraine in the Trump administration.
Ukrainian and European officials may be concerned about his departure.
There are internal divisions in the administration over Ukraine policy.
President Trump's approach to the war in Ukraine is changing.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Marciano Brunette from "Vanderpump Villa" faces allegations of sexual assault by Demi Engemann. Engemann claims Brunette acted without her consent, while Brunette denies any misconduct, stating everything was consensual. Lisa Vanderpump, associated with Brunette, reportedly supports him amidst these allegations.
Key Facts
Marciano Brunette is accused of sexual assault by Demi Engemann from "Secret Lives of Mormon Wives".
Engemann alleges Brunette grabbed her inappropriately.
Brunette denies any wrongdoing, stating interactions were consensual.
Lisa Vanderpump, related to the show "Vanderpump Villa", reportedly supports Brunette.
Engemann claims she spoke with other women about the incident to share her side.
Some people involved in the show doubt Engemann's claims due to previous conversations.
Engemann maintains her accusation despite others questioning it.
Brunette believes the accusations are to protect Engemann’s public image.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A woman named Jarnell Garland went to buy batteries but instead came home with a free French bulldog she found in a parking lot. The dog, now named Prince, was part of a group of French bulldogs being given away for free by a man who just wanted them to find loving homes.
Key Facts
Jarnell Garland went to a store to buy batteries and unexpectedly got a French bulldog for free.
The dog was part of a group of French bulldogs with a sign saying they were free to a loving home.
French bulldogs usually cost between $1,500 and $3,500.
Garland shared the story on TikTok, where it went viral with over 8 million views.
The dog, named Prince, has adjusted well to his new home.
Viewers on TikTok had mixed reactions, with some concerned about the dogs being free.
Garland assured viewers that Prince is healthy, with only minor allergies.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Mount Semeru, a volcano in East Java, Indonesia, erupted, sending a cloud of volcanic gases into the air. Indonesia’s volcanology agency raised the alert level to its highest point after the eruption.
Key Facts
Mount Semeru is the tallest mountain in Java, Indonesia.
The volcano erupted, releasing a pyroclastic cloud, which is a fast-moving flow of hot gas and volcanic matter.
The eruption led to the agency raising the alert level to the highest warning.
Video footage showed the pyroclastic cloud hitting a bridge in East Java.
The eruption occurred on a Wednesday.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
MP Clive Lewis has offered to step down from his seat in Norwich South to let Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, run for the leadership of the Labour Party. Burnham would need to become a Member of Parliament to challenge current Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer. Lewis supports Burnham's potential candidacy, emphasizing priorities like "country before party."
Key Facts
Clive Lewis is a Labour MP for Norwich South.
He offered his seat to Andy Burnham to let him challenge Sir Keir Starmer for Labour leadership.
Burnham currently serves as the Mayor of Greater Manchester.
A person must be an MP to lead the Labour Party.
Lewis won his seat in 2015 and increased his majority last year.
Burnham stated he does not plan to leave Manchester but didn't completely rule out a leadership challenge.
Lewis has stated he prioritizes the country's interest and party over his ambitions.
If Lewis steps down, a selection contest and by-election would follow to fill his seat.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Jessi Draper, a participant in the reality show "Secret Lives of Mormon Wives," explained that her decision to use her maiden name is not due to issues in her marriage. She has been contemplating this change for some time and wants a name that is easy to remember and pronounce for her career. Draper and her husband, Jordan Ngatikaura, are working through challenges in their marriage and attending therapy together.
Key Facts
Jessi Draper is married to Jordan Ngatikaura and appeared in "Secret Lives of Mormon Wives."
Draper openly discussed having an affair and described her marriage as emotionally abusive.
She started using her maiden name, not due to marital issues, but for career reasons and personal preference.
Draper mentioned that her maiden name is significant because her family helped found a city with that name in Utah.
Although she uses her maiden name publicly, her legal name remains Jessi Draper Ngatikaura.
Draper and Ngatikaura are going to therapy to address their relationship challenges.
Draper's husband initially disliked her decision to revert to her maiden name publicly.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
David Carrick, a former officer of the Metropolitan Police, has been found guilty of sexually abusing a 12-year-old girl and a former partner. He was already serving a life sentence for multiple sexual offenses he admitted to over 17 years.
Key Facts
David Carrick is a former police officer from the Metropolitan Police.
Carrick was found guilty of abusing a 12-year-old girl and raping a former partner.
The offenses took place in the late 1990s and more than 20 years later.
He is already serving a life sentence with a minimum of 32 years in prison for previous sexual offenses.
Carrick admitted to 71 offenses of sexual violence over a 17-year period.
The verdict was delivered in the Old Bailey, a court in London.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A large fire destroyed over 170 buildings in a southwestern Japan neighborhood. Strong winds made it hard for firefighters to put out the fire, and people had to leave their homes. Officials are looking into what caused the fire.
Key Facts
A big fire affected more than 170 buildings.
The fire occurred in a southwestern area of Japan.
Strong winds made firefighting difficult.
People had to evacuate, meaning they left their homes for safety.
Officials are investigating to understand how the fire started.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
An Israeli attack on a Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon resulted in casualties, with many of the victims reportedly being children. Paramedics are looking for human remains in the aftermath of the attack.
Key Facts
The attack happened at a Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon.
Many of the victims were reportedly children.
The incident took place at a sports playground within the camp.
Paramedics are working to find and identify human remains.
This event has drawn attention to tensions in the region.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The Department of Justice increased the reward for capturing former Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding to $15 million. Wedding is accused of leading a vast drug trafficking ring connected to the Sinaloa Cartel and involved in multiple crimes, including murder and money laundering. He has been added to the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list.
Key Facts
The reward for capturing Ryan Wedding is set at $15 million.
Wedding is a former Olympic snowboarder for Canada.
He is charged with drug trafficking, murder, and money laundering.
The drug trafficking organization allegedly transported 60 tons of cocaine yearly.
Wedding and his group used encrypted communications to avoid law enforcement.
Four suspects, including Wedding, are still at large; ten have been arrested.
Wedding is linked to the Sinaloa Cartel.
He has appeared on the FBI's Top 10 Most Wanted list and is considered armed and dangerous.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Despite ceasefire agreements in Gaza and Lebanon, Israeli attacks on both regions continue. Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, states that the conflict is ongoing, while U.S. President Donald Trump previously announced peace in the Middle East. The recent violence includes airstrikes in Lebanon and drone attacks in Gaza.
Key Facts
Israel attacked a Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon, killing at least 13 people.
Israeli drone and airstrikes in southern Lebanon and Gaza have continued despite ceasefires.
At least 280 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the ceasefire.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared the war is not over.
President Trump announced peace in the Middle East in October 2025.
Israeli actions in Lebanon have resulted in over 100 civilian deaths in the last year.
Human rights groups accuse Israel of committing genocide in Gaza.
Israeli attacks have damaged reconstruction efforts and blocked aid in Gaza.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Dr. Gabrielle Henry, representing Jamaica at the Miss Universe pageant, fell off the stage during the preliminary competition. She was taken to a hospital but didn't have any severe injuries. The Miss Universe finals are scheduled for later this week in Thailand.
Key Facts
Dr. Gabrielle Henry is representing Jamaica at the Miss Universe pageant.
She had a fall during the preliminary competition's evening gown round.
The finals of the Miss Universe competition will take place in Thailand this weekend.
Henry was taken to a hospital and does not have life-threatening injuries.
Doctors are doing tests to make sure Henry recovers completely.
Miss Universe Jamaica shared updates about Henry's condition and asked for positive thoughts.
Henry is an ophthalmologist and runs a charity for the visually impaired called the See Me Foundation.
She expressed enjoying her time in Thailand and the overall experience of the pageant.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Harvard University has reopened an investigation into former President Larry Summers' connections with Jeffrey Epstein. Summers will resign from the board of OpenAI. The investigation follows the release of emails suggesting Summers maintained contact with Epstein after his 2008 conviction.
Key Facts
Harvard is investigating former President Larry Summers' ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
The probe was restarted after emails showed Summers kept in touch with Epstein post-2008.
Summers plans to resign from OpenAI's board amid this investigation.
Epstein was convicted in 2008 for soliciting prostitution from a minor.
A prior review in 2020 found Epstein frequently visited Harvard.
Summers was a former U.S. treasury secretary and Harvard president.
Several organizations ended their affiliations with Summers following the email revelations.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
President Donald Trump hosted a dinner at the White House for Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Cristiano Ronaldo attended the event, along with other notable figures. Trump acknowledged Ronaldo at the event and mentioned his son's admiration for the footballer.
Key Facts
Cristiano Ronaldo attended a White House dinner hosted by President Trump for Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Ronaldo plays for Al Nassr, a Saudi football club, making Saudi Arabia a key part of the later stages of his career.
Ronaldo expressed appreciation for Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and has appeared in Saudi promotional activities.
President Trump introduced Ronaldo to his teenage son, Barron, who is a fan of the football star.
In an interview, Ronaldo said he considers Trump someone who can "help change the world."
Ronaldo mentioned he feels he is more famous than Trump globally.
No other football players attended the dinner, but FIFA President Gianni Infantino was present.
Ronaldo stated that the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup will be his last.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
