A 1,700-year-old piece of Homer's epic poem "Odyssey" was found inside a library book in the Netherlands. The fragment, dating back to around 300 AD, was discovered by a researcher studying ancient manuscripts at Utrecht University.
Key Facts
The fragment was found by Dr. Mark de Kreij of Radboud University during a project at Utrecht University.
It was hidden between the pages of a library book purchased in the mid-20th century.
The piece is about the size of a playing card and shows signs of age like discoloration and moisture stains.
The fragment contains text from the 12th book of the "Odyssey," describing sailors eating cattle sacred to the Sun God Apollo.
Researchers first thought it was a 7th-century Egyptian text but then identified it as part of the "Odyssey."
Only about 30 such ancient "Odyssey" fragments are known worldwide.
The fragment likely came from a pocket-sized edition owned by someone in Egypt's Faiyum oasis.
This discovery was announced publicly about two years after it was found.
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Sweden's centre-left opposition, led by Magdalena Andersson, has narrowly defeated the current right-wing government by one seat in the recent election. Because the result is very close, it will likely be difficult to form a new government when parliament meets on September 28.
Key Facts
The election in Sweden took place recently.
Centre-left opposition is led by Magdalena Andersson.
The opposition won by just one seat over the right-wing bloc.
Almost all votes have been counted.
The close result means forming a government will be challenging.
Parliament will start the government formation process on September 28.
This election affects the balance of power in Sweden's government.
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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan plans to run in an early presidential election likely to be held in April 2028. This move aims to avoid constitutional limits that would restrict him from serving more than two full five-year terms if he completed his current term.
Key Facts
Erdogan may run again in an early election on April 16, 2028, one month before the regular May election.
Turkey’s constitution limits a president to two full five-year terms. Early elections can reset this limit.
Early elections require support from at least 360 of the 600 members of parliament.
Erdogan’s party (AKP) and its ally (MHP) hold 326 seats, so they need at least 34 more lawmakers’ support.
Erdogan has been in power since 2003, first as prime minister, then as president since 2014.
Turkey changed to an executive presidential system in 2018 after a 2017 referendum.
Erdogan was re-elected for a third presidential term in 2023 and had previously said it would be his last term.
Some opposition leaders call for early elections amid political tensions in Turkey.
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Mark Carney, speaking to the European Parliament, said Canada wants to reduce its economic dependence on the U.S. by seeking closer ties with Europe. However, Canada’s trade is still mostly with the U.S. because of geography and existing infrastructure, making quick diversification difficult. Europe has proposed a new type of membership for Canada, but it is unclear how or if this will happen.
Key Facts
Mark Carney addressed the European Parliament to discuss Canada’s economic strategy.
Canada wants to be less dependent on the U.S. market due to tensions under President Donald Trump’s policies.
Despite efforts to diversify, 66.3% of Canada’s exports in July still went to the U.S.
Canada’s energy exports depend heavily on pipelines and infrastructure connected to the U.S.
Canada’s exports to other countries reached a record $18.3 billion, led by China, Germany, and the Netherlands.
The Bank of Canada says shifting supply chains to new markets will take time and money.
Europe has suggested Canada become the EU’s first associate member, a new category not yet defined.
The EU is slow to change, and current Canada-EU trade deals like CETA have taken years to progress.
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Sweden’s prime minister, Ulf Kristersson, said he will resign after the left-wing opposition won a narrow majority in the general election. The left-wing parties will now try to form a government, but face challenges because of disagreements within their group.
Key Facts
The left-wing bloc won 176 seats out of 349 in Sweden’s parliament, a slim majority of three seats.
The outgoing conservative-led government and its supporters took 173 seats.
About 50,000 votes separated the left and right blocs in a country of 10.6 million people.
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson asked to be relieved of his position to allow government formation to begin.
The Social Democrats, led by former Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson, are the largest single party but lost some support.
Andersson faces challenges because the left-wing parties have different views, especially between the socialist Left Party and the liberal Centre Party.
The Centre Party opposes a government including the Left Party, which demands a minister position. Andersson wants the Left Party’s support but no cabinet role.
The anti-immigration Sweden Democrats lost votes, getting 17.5% of the vote, down 3 percentage points from 2022.
A vote on a new prime minister in parliament can happen as soon as September 29.
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Canada has been invited to join the European Union as its first associate member. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed support for the proposal, saying it could build a strong partnership based on shared values like freedom and solidarity.
Key Facts
Canada was invited to become the EU’s first associate member.
Prime Minister Mark Carney spoke about this at the European Parliament.
Carney said the alliance would focus on shared positive values, not opposition.
The proposed alliance aims to strengthen cooperation between Canada and EU countries.
Associate membership means a special relationship with the EU, but not full membership.
The proposal suggests a new form of international partnership between Canada and the EU.
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New Germany football coach Jurgen Klopp wants to use sport to bring people together and create a positive feeling of national pride. He spoke out against the rise of the far-right party AfD in recent German state elections and said he hopes the flag will represent unity and openness instead of division.
Key Facts
Jurgen Klopp became the new coach of the German national football team.
The far-right party AfD won 43.8% of the vote in the Saxony-Anhalt state election.
No far-right party has governed any German state since World War Two.
Klopp rejects extreme nationalism and supports "positive patriotism" — pride in Germany that is open and kind.
Klopp hopes football can unite people and foster community spirit.
Klopp named 16 new players in a 44-man squad for upcoming Nations League football matches.
Key players include Kai Havertz, Jamal Musiala, and newcomers like Vitaly Janelt.
Former German coach Julian Nagelsmann left after Germany’s early exit from the World Cup.
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Canada supplies the United States with many important minerals needed for military technology and other uses, including aluminum, nickel, and uranium. Despite political tensions and trade disputes, the US relies heavily on Canada for these materials because domestic production is limited and alternatives are complicated or costly.
Key Facts
Canada provides the US with about $47 billion worth of minerals each year.
60% of the aluminum used in the US comes from Canada, important for military aircraft and other equipment.
The US depends on Canadian nickel, which is used in jet engines and armor plating.
British Columbia has threatened to stop exporting germanium to the US, used for military devices.
China, another key supplier, has reduced exports of certain critical metals like gallium to the US.
Canada supplies much of the uranium needed for US nuclear power plants and most of the potash fertilizer used by American farmers.
The US has some mineral deposits but faces long delays and high costs to develop new mines at home.
Replacing Canadian sources would require rebuilding complex supply chains and could mean relying on less trusted countries like Russia or China.
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Noah Woods, a three-year-old boy, went missing from a playground in Brantham, Suffolk, on Tuesday afternoon. After a large search effort, a child's body was found near a pond the following day, and Noah’s father shared a message expressing his grief and thanks to everyone who helped look for him.
Key Facts
Noah Woods disappeared from a playground in Brantham, Suffolk, around 3 p.m. on Tuesday.
Over 1,300 people joined the search for Noah within 24 hours.
A child’s body was found near a pond on Wednesday afternoon, believed to be Noah.
Noah was three years old and from East Bergholt.
The search included helicopters, dog units, and volunteers from places as far as Birmingham and Hampshire.
Noah’s father posted a message thanking all who helped and expressing the family’s pain and love for Noah.
The community’s support brought comfort to Noah’s family during this difficult time.
Tributes were placed near the playground where Noah was last seen.
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Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney supports the idea of Canada becoming the European Union’s first associate member. He believes stronger ties with Europe will protect Canada’s markets and independence, especially as relations with the United States have become more difficult under President Donald Trump.
Key Facts
Canada may become the EU’s first associate member, which means closer cooperation without full membership.
Prime Minister Carney gave a speech at the European Parliament about stronger Canada-Europe relations.
Canada wants to reduce its reliance on the United States because of trade issues and political tensions.
President Donald Trump has imposed tariffs on Canada and made economic demands.
Trump has also suggested the idea of Canada becoming the 51st U.S. state, which Canada opposes.
Canada hopes that closer ties with Europe will help protect its economic markets and political independence.
EU Chief Ursula von der Leyen formally proposed the idea of Canada as an associate member of the EU.
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President Donald Trump said the European Union's plan to invite Canada as an associate member could be seen as a "hostile act." He warned that if this happens, he might impose strong tariffs or stop trading with the EU.
Key Facts
President Trump commented on the EU inviting Canada to become an associate member.
He described this move as potentially “hostile.”
Trump warned of serious tariffs as a response. Tariffs are taxes on imported goods.
He also mentioned the possibility of stopping trade with Europe.
This statement was made on a Wednesday.
The issue concerns trade relationships between the U.S., EU, and Canada.
Canada currently is not an associate member of the EU.
The EU is considering expanding its ties with Canada through this association.
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The article explains how celebrity culture has changed over time, especially in how public figures engage with politics. Today, people expect celebrities not just to perform but also to share their political views, and staying silent can be seen as a political choice.
Key Facts
In the past, celebrities could stay politically neutral if they wanted.
Now, social media and public expectations make it hard for celebrities to avoid political issues.
Movements like #MeToo and Black Lives Matter increased pressure on celebrities to show political support openly.
Celebrities often speak with one voice on social matters like racism and equal rights.
More complex political issues, like wars, rarely see celebrities united in opinion.
Saying something, taking a stand, or staying silent all have political consequences for celebrities today.
The article features insights from Ellis Cashmore, a sociologist and author of "Celebrity Culture."
The shift started from the 1960s with political counterculture, moving through times when stars kept distance, to today's social media era.
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Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney supports the idea of Canada becoming the European Union’s first associate member to strengthen ties and promote shared democratic values. The proposal aims to increase cooperation in trade, technology, defense, and education but faces opposition from President Donald Trump, who warned he might impose tariffs on Europe if the plan moves forward.
Key Facts
Canada may become the first associate member of the European Union.
Prime Minister Mark Carney emphasized cooperation based on shared democratic values.
The proposal aims to boost collaboration in areas like critical minerals, defense, AI, energy, space, and digital trade.
Canada and the EU want easier movement for students and workers across the Atlantic.
The European Commission says the plan is meant to strengthen partnerships, not to challenge others.
President Donald Trump called the idea “laughable” and threatened tariffs on Europe if the proposal proceeds.
The EU proposal needs approval from its member countries before it can move forward.
The idea comes amid trade tensions involving the US, the EU, Canada, and growing influence from China.
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A Syrian court has sentenced three people connected to last year's mass killings in coastal areas, including two supporters of the previous government who received a death sentence and life imprisonment. These verdicts are the first in a case involving 14 accused, with more verdicts expected soon, following violent attacks and counterattacks that killed many civilians and security forces.
Key Facts
The court is in Aleppo and it gave a death sentence to one person and life in prison to another, both linked to the former government.
A former government soldier was sentenced to 20 years in prison, and a fourth person was found not guilty.
The legal case started in November after mass killings in March last year in coastal regions where many Alawite minorities live.
The killings started after attacks on new government security forces by groups supporting President Bashar al-Assad.
Hundreds of civilians, mostly Alawites, and security forces were killed during the violence.
An inquiry found serious violations that caused at least 1,426 civilian deaths and identified nearly 300 suspects.
The U.N. investigation said attacks on civilians by government-aligned groups were widespread and systematic.
During the violence, Alawite men and boys were reportedly taken away and executed after being identified by their religion.
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Slovenia is experiencing a big drop in potato harvests because of a severe drought in Europe. This year, farmers are finding it much harder to grow enough potatoes, and the problem also affects other crops like corn and grapes.
Key Facts
Slovenia’s potato harvest is down between 30% and 90% because of drought.
In 2025, Slovenia produced only about one-third of the potatoes it needed.
Farmers face other challenges like higher fertilizer costs and limits on pesticide use.
The drought was especially bad in early August, hurting late-growing potatoes the most.
A festival celebrating roasted potatoes was held in Slovenia despite smaller harvests.
The drought also damaged corn and grape crops in Slovenia.
An international analysis predicts a loss of about 3.1 million tonnes of potatoes in major European exporting countries like Germany and France.
Potato farming in Slovenia is mostly done on small, family-run farms passed down over generations.
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Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney supports the European Union’s plan to make Canada its first "associate member," aiming for closer cooperation on defense, energy, and minerals. This idea has caused tension with U.S. President Donald Trump, who threatened tariffs if he views the move as hostile.
Key Facts
The EU proposed creating a new "associate member" status for Canada, which does not currently exist.
Canada already has a free-trade agreement with the European Union.
Closer ties would focus on defense, critical minerals, energy security, technology, and manufacturing.
Mark Carney said the partnership would help both Canada and Europe strengthen their independence and cooperation.
President Trump described the idea as "laughable" and warned of serious tariffs on Europe if he sees it as harmful.
Canada is not seeking full EU membership but a different kind of partnership.
The new status would require approval from all 27 EU countries, some of which have concerns.
Carney emphasized that Canada wants to decide its own agreements without outside control.
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Portsmouth’s lifeboat station is temporarily closed after protests against migrants who arrived by boat. The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) said its volunteers faced online and physical abuse, and it is working to reopen the station soon while continuing rescue services nearby.
Key Facts
Around 120 migrants arrived by small boat at Portsmouth on 6 September.
Protesters opposing migrants blocked roads and disrupted the RNLI station.
The RNLI helped bring the migrants ashore and also protected some protesters in the water.
The RNLI station closed on 10 September due to abuse aimed at its volunteers.
Abuse also forced the closure of the RNLI lifeboat museum in Poole.
RNLI said rescue services continue through nearby stations and other support.
RNLI’s chief executive condemned the abuse and misinformation about their work.
Volunteers were advised to avoid wearing RNLI-branded clothing in some situations for security.
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Ireland will not take part in or show the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest because of Israel's involvement, citing the ongoing violence and deaths in Gaza. This is the second year Ireland is boycotting the event for the same reason, joining other countries like the Netherlands, which also refuse to participate.
Key Facts
Ireland announced it will boycott the 2027 Eurovision contest and not broadcast it.
The decision is due to the ongoing loss of lives and humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Ireland also boycotted the 2026 contest for the same reason.
Other countries skipping the 2026 contest included the Netherlands, Iceland, Slovenia, and Spain.
Eurovision organizers said countries involved in armed conflicts cannot host the contest.
Israel has been at war in Gaza since 2023 and finished second in Eurovision in 2025 and 2026.
The 2027 Eurovision contest will be held in Burgas, Bulgaria, on May 15.
The 2026 Eurovision contest had 131 million viewers, fewer than the previous year due to boycotts.
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Ireland will not take part in or show the Eurovision Song Contest in 2027 because of the ongoing killing in Gaza, according to Ireland's public broadcaster RTE. This is the second year in a row Ireland has boycotted the contest due to conflicts related to Israel and Gaza.
Key Facts
Ireland's public broadcaster RTE announced it will skip Eurovision 2027 and not broadcast it.
The decision is because of the ongoing loss of civilian lives and humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Ireland also boycotted the 2026 contest over Israel's participation.
The Netherlands is also boycotting Eurovision 2027, citing the contest is no longer neutral.
Eurovision excludes countries involved in armed conflicts from hosting the event.
Israel, engaged in war in Gaza since 2023, finished second in Eurovision in both 2025 and 2026.
Five countries (Netherlands, Iceland, Spain, Ireland, Slovenia) boycotted the 2026 contest; three of them did not broadcast it.
Eurovision 2027 will be held on May 15 in Burgas, Bulgaria.
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