Researchers discovered a new type of bacteria linked to noma, a deadly childhood disease that destroys the mouth and face. This finding may help doctors detect and treat noma earlier, potentially saving many children from death or severe disfigurement.
Key Facts
Noma is a deadly disease affecting mainly poor, malnourished children, destroying facial tissues and killing 90% of untreated cases.
It starts as a sore on the gums and progresses rapidly if untreated.
The disease mostly occurs in the Sahel region of Africa but also appears elsewhere.
Scientists from the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine studied bacteria in the mouths of 19 Nigerian children with noma.
They found a new species called Treponema A, which was present in most noma cases studied.
Researchers do not yet know if Treponema A causes noma or grows because of the disease environment.
Future tests detecting Treponema A in children with gum disease could allow early treatment to prevent noma development.
Current treatment uses broad antibiotics, which may lead to drug resistance; targeted treatments could reduce this risk.
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The family of James Bulger, a toddler murdered in 1993, have recovered items that were stolen from his grave after it was vandalized twice earlier this year. A 78-year-old man was arrested in connection to the theft and damage.
Key Facts
James Bulger was a two-year-old boy who was abducted and killed in 1993.
His grave is located in Kirkdale Cemetery.
The grave was vandalized twice within six weeks, in February and again recently.
Two cherub statues near the grave were damaged during the vandalism.
Over £23,000 was raised through a fundraiser to repair the headstone.
A 78-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of theft and criminal damage.
The family found the two stolen cherub heads and other items, including the original sleeping cherub statue.
Police have seized items taken from other graves and plan to return them to the families affected.
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Israel has been conducting a military campaign in southern Lebanon for nearly two months, targeting Hezbollah, a militant group backed by Iran. The conflict has caused significant destruction and civilian suffering, raising fears among Lebanese people that the situation might become similar to Gaza, which has experienced heavy bombardment before.
Key Facts
Israel’s military campaign in Lebanon is aimed at weakening Hezbollah.
Israeli officials have said they intend to use tactics similar to those used in Gaza.
Heavy bombing has damaged homes, infrastructure, and caused many civilian deaths in Lebanon.
Hezbollah launched attacks against Israel following clashes involving Iran and the U.S.
The war has revived fears in Lebanon, recalling past conflicts and the 2020 Beirut port explosion.
Thousands of Hezbollah pager devices exploded in a prior Israeli attack in 2024, causing injuries and deaths.
A U.S.-brokered ceasefire began on April 16, but fighting has continued since then.
Israel and Lebanon do not have formal diplomatic ties, and Hezbollah was not involved in recent peace talks.
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The article argues that war will not solve concerns about Iran developing nuclear weapons. Instead, it suggests strengthening international treaties, improving inspections, and pursuing diplomacy to address nuclear threats fairly for all countries.
Key Facts
The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) governs global nuclear activities and will be reviewed this month at the United Nations.
The NPT allows countries to have peaceful nuclear programs but forbids development of nuclear weapons.
Iran and the United States are both parties to the NPT, while Israel, India, Pakistan, and North Korea are not.
The U.S. previously asked Iran to stop uranium enrichment for 20 years, contradicting the NPT’s allowance for peaceful nuclear research.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) monitors nuclear programs to ensure they are peaceful.
The author suggests stronger, more frequent inspections applying to all countries under the NPT to prevent weapon development.
Nuclear weapons states have reduced their stockpiles by over 80% since the Cold War but are now modernizing their arsenals again.
A system like the Chemical Weapons Convention’s surprise inspections could help ensure compliance in nuclear programs.
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Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is in Islamabad to meet with Pakistani officials. At the same time, U.S. envoys are also expected to arrive in the city, but Iran says it does not plan to hold direct talks with the U.S. during this visit.
Key Facts
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is visiting Islamabad for official talks.
Pakistani officials are hosting the meetings with Iran’s delegation.
U.S. envoys are scheduled to arrive in Islamabad soon.
Iran has stated it will not have direct talks with the U.S. during this visit.
The purpose of Iran’s visit is to strengthen relations and discuss regional matters.
Al Jazeera’s reporter Kimberly Halkett is covering the situation.
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Two young children died in a house fire on Mason Street in Wolverhampton on Friday evening. Emergency services rescued the children but could not save them, and police are investigating the cause of the fire.
Key Facts
The fire happened at about 8:30 p.m. on Mason Street in Wolverhampton.
Firefighters rescued two young children but they died at the scene.
Two other children and a woman were outside the house before help arrived and did not need hospital care.
Ambulance staff gave advanced life support to the rescued children but they could not be saved.
West Midlands Police are investigating the cause and have sealed off the area.
The house was badly damaged by the fire.
The police expect the cordon around the property to stay for some time during the investigation.
Police expressed sympathy for the families affected by the fire.
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Palestinians in the West Bank and parts of Gaza are voting in local elections, the first in Gaza since 2006. The elections are limited, with Hamas excluded from running, and some groups boycotting due to conditions requiring recognition of the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO).
Key Facts
Local elections are happening in the West Bank and Deir al-Balah city in Gaza.
Hamas is not allowed to run in these elections.
Candidates must agree to recognize the PLO as the legitimate Palestinian representative.
Fatah, led by President Mahmoud Abbas and dominating the PLO, is the main group on the ballot.
Some areas have only one candidate or no candidates, so no actual voting will occur there.
More than one million Palestinians can vote, including 70,000 in Deir al-Balah.
Deir al-Balah was chosen for Gaza elections because it suffered less damage in recent conflicts.
There has been a ceasefire under President Trump's peace plan since October last year.
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Two young children died after a house fire in Wolverhampton on Friday evening. Emergency services rescued the children but could not save them, and police are investigating the cause of the fire.
Key Facts
The fire happened around 8:30 pm on a Friday in the south of Wolverhampton.
Firefighters found and removed two young children from the burning house.
Ambulance crews tried advanced life support but both children were declared dead at the scene.
Two other children and a woman were already outside and did not need hospital care.
The house was heavily damaged in the fire.
Police have cordoned off the area and are working with emergency services to find out what caused the fire.
Officers remain at the scene, and the public is asked to report any information to the police.
The investigation is ongoing, with the scene expected to be secured for some time.
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Russian forces attacked eight regions in Ukraine overnight, killing at least five people and injuring 30. The city of Dnipro was most affected, with many wounded and buildings damaged. Ukrainian air defenses intercepted most of the Russian drones and missiles used in the attacks.
Key Facts
Russian attacks hit eight regions of Ukraine, causing deaths and injuries.
Five people died and 30 were wounded overnight, including children and police officers.
Dnipro city had more than 20 wounded and damage to homes and public buildings.
Ukrainian forces reported 619 Russian drones and 47 missiles launched; 610 were stopped or destroyed.
Attacks targeted mainly civilian areas and infrastructure like homes, a post office, and a church.
A Ukrainian elderly couple was killed in a previous strike on the port city of Odesa.
The European Union recently approved new sanctions against Russia in energy, banking, and trade.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged the EU to speed up sanctions to counter ongoing attacks.
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Palestinians began voting in municipal elections in central Gaza and the West Bank, marking the first local vote in Gaza in 20 years. The vote covers local councils responsible for services like water and electricity but is seen as mostly symbolic since major decisions require Israeli approval.
Key Facts
The elections are held in Deir el-Balah, Gaza, and in the occupied West Bank.
About 70,000 voters in Deir el-Balah and 1.5 million in the West Bank are eligible to vote.
This is the first election in Gaza since 2004, following years of conflict and destruction.
Most candidates are linked to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’s Fatah party or run as independents; Hamas did not participate.
The vote aims to connect Gaza and the West Bank politically as one system.
The Central Elections Commission did not coordinate with Israel or Hamas directly for the Gaza vote.
Gaza is partly controlled by Hamas, which took power in 2007 after winning the 2006 elections.
U.N. officials see the elections as a chance for Palestinians to practice democracy despite challenges.
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Ireland will ask Israel to pay back the money for rebuilding a school that was destroyed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank. The school, supported by Irish Aid, served about 60 children in a Bedouin community.
Key Facts
The school was located in the occupied West Bank.
Israeli settlers demolished the school.
Around 60 children attended the school.
The school was funded with help from Irish Aid.
Ireland plans to demand that Israel repay the cost of the damaged school.
The school was part of a Bedouin community, a group of traditionally nomadic people.
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Indigenous leaders strongly condemned people who booed during welcome to country speeches at Anzac Day ceremonies in several Australian cities. They said these actions showed racism and disrespected the important role of Indigenous people in Australia's history and military service.
Key Facts
People booed Indigenous elders delivering welcome to country speeches at Anzac Day dawn services in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, and Adelaide.
The booing was organized by a group called Fight for Australia, known for anti-immigration rallies.
Army Captain Jack Pearson called racism a "cancer" and emphasized the need for respect on special days like Anzac Day.
Indigenous acknowledgment honors First Nations people’s long history and contributions to Australia.
Professor Marcia Langton suggested those who disrupted services should be banned from future events.
Indigenous veterans have served in many conflicts from the Boer War to current missions.
Large crowds at the ceremonies often drowned out booing with applause to show support for Indigenous speakers.
Leaders across the country described the disruptions as disgraceful and deeply unfortunate.
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The mayor of Athens, Haris Doukas, is concerned about too many tourists in the city center, which is causing problems for local residents and damaging the area’s character. He plans to stop new tourist-related businesses and building projects in the old town to protect neighborhoods like Plaka and improve life for people living in the city.
Key Facts
Athens had over 8 million visitors last year, a record high for the city.
Short-term rentals in the Plaka district have more than doubled since 2018.
Rising rents and strained infrastructure are causing difficulties for local residents.
The city is upgrading utilities and networks to handle the high number of visitors and residents.
Mayor Haris Doukas took office in 2024 and aims to “green” Athens and limit tourist development.
Doukas wants a law to ban new tourist businesses and building projects in the city’s historic center.
A hotel industry leader also suggested limiting new hotel construction, supporting the mayor’s approach.
The mayor prefers tourist investment to move to less crowded parts of Athens.
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NATO countries quickly sent fighter jets to respond to Russian attacks near Ukraine’s borders. Poland and Romania raised alerts for local people and increased military readiness to protect their airspace.
Key Facts
NATO scrambled fighter jets overnight after Russia launched attacks close to Ukraine’s borders.
Polish and allied aircraft began operations in Polish airspace as a response.
Poland’s military put air defense systems and radars on high alert to secure airspace near risky areas.
Romania reported renewed Russian drone attacks near its border with Ukraine.
Romanian civilians near the border were warned about possible dangers from aerial activity.
Eurofighter jets in Romania tracked an aerial target near the Ukrainian city of Reni and were ready to shoot down drones if needed.
These actions underline increased tensions as Russia intensifies fighting near NATO’s eastern borders.
Both Poland and Romania emphasize their forces are ready to act quickly if the situation worsens.
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Russia launched a large attack on Ukraine, using more than 660 drones and missiles. The strikes killed four people and injured over 30, mainly in the city of Dnipro and other regions.
Key Facts
Russia attacked Ukraine overnight with over 660 drones and missiles.
Four people were killed and more than 30 were injured due to the attacks.
The city of Dnipro in southeastern Ukraine was heavily targeted.
Rescue teams searched for people trapped under rubble from bombed buildings.
Northern Ukraine’s Chernihiv region also suffered attacks, killing two and wounding seven.
Ukraine's air force shot down most of the incoming drones and missiles.
President Zelensky called for stronger air defenses and more international support.
Russia has been carrying out both small and large-scale drone and missile attacks on Ukraine regularly.
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The Israel Defense Forces launched airstrikes against locations in southern Lebanon targeting Hezbollah rocket launchers, despite a ceasefire extended by President Trump. Meanwhile, US envoys are traveling to Pakistan to attempt new talks with Iran, although Iran refuses direct negotiation with the US, and Palestinians are holding local elections in the West Bank and Gaza.
Key Facts
The Israel Defense Forces struck three villages in southern Lebanon: Deir al-Zahrani, Kfar Reman, and al-Sama’iya.
A temporary ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon was extended by three weeks by President Trump but has been weakly observed with ongoing attacks.
US representatives are heading to Islamabad, Pakistan, hoping to start new peace talks with Iran.
Iran’s foreign minister arrived in Islamabad ahead of these talks but has rejected direct talks with US officials.
Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and Gaza are voting in municipal elections for the first time since the Gaza war.
Most Palestinian electoral candidates support President Mahmud Abbas’s Fatah party or are independents; Hamas is not participating.
A US-Kuwaiti journalist detained in Kuwait related to posts on the Iran war was released and left Kuwait after being acquitted.
The US has shifted its Iran strategy from military action to economic pressure but faces concerns from European allies about lack of a clear plan and shared consequences.
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Palestinians in the West Bank are preparing for local elections on April 25, the first in nearly five years, but many doubt these votes will improve their situation. Problems like settler attacks, military restrictions, and financial struggles continue to affect towns such as Qusra, where the current mayor is stepping down due to exhaustion and limited resources.
Key Facts
The West Bank will have local elections on April 25 for municipalities and village councils after almost five years.
No national Palestinian elections have taken place since 2006.
Qusra, a town near Nablus with about 6,000 people, faces ongoing attacks from settlers and Israeli military restrictions.
The mayor of Qusra, Hani Odeh, is not running again and feels the elections will not change the town’s hardships.
Many Palestinian workers receive only part of their salaries because Israel is withholding tax revenues.
Over 5,000 candidates are running for local offices across more than 180 councils in the West Bank.
Several major cities like Ramallah and Nablus are not holding competitive elections; candidates are chosen through acclamation without voting.
Some Palestinians express skepticism and feel the elections will not bring real change to their leadership or daily life.
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The United States has placed sanctions on a Chinese oil refinery called Hengli Petrochemical for buying large amounts of Iranian oil. The U.S. Treasury also targeted about 40 shipping companies tied to Iran’s oil trade as part of efforts to stop Iran from earning money from its oil exports.
Key Facts
The U.S. sanctioned Hengli Petrochemical, China’s second-largest independent refinery, for purchasing Iranian oil.
These oil purchases helped generate hundreds of millions of dollars for the Iranian military.
Around 40 shipping firms and vessels connected to Iran’s oil shipments were also sanctioned.
China’s embassy in Washington criticized the sanctions, calling them political and harmful to trade.
China gets over half of its oil from the Middle East and bought more than 80% of Iran’s shipped oil last year.
The U.S. Navy has blockaded Iranian ports since April 13 to reduce Iran’s oil revenue.
“Teapot” refineries are small, private Chinese refineries that import discounted oil from Iran and Russia.
The U.S. will keep targeting people and companies that help Iran trade oil through secretive methods.
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An international shipping group criticized the United States and Iran for capturing commercial ships and called for their crews to be released immediately. The group said seafarers should be allowed to carry out their work freely and without fear, as these seizures violate international law.
Key Facts
The International Chamber of Shipping condemned the capture of commercial ships by the US and Iran.
John Stawpert, the group’s marine director, said seafarers should work freely without persecution.
The group represents about 80% of the world’s merchant fleet.
Both countries have recently seized two commercial vessels each amid rising tensions around the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran said it took ships for lacking permits and tampering with navigation, while the US claims it captured vessels carrying sanctioned oil.
Officials confirmed that crews on seized ships are safe but stressed they should not be held in custody.
Around 20,000 seafarers remain stranded in the Gulf due to the conflict, causing concern for their welfare.
The shipping group urged both countries to respect freedom of navigation and stop actions that disrupt trade.
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The largest collection of medieval gold coins ever found in the UK, called the Fishpool Hoard, was discovered by workers in Nottinghamshire 60 years ago. The find included over 1,200 coins and nine jewelry pieces, leading to a mix of excitement, legal questions, and police investigations.
Key Facts
The Fishpool Hoard was found in March 1966 during building work in Ravenshead, Nottinghamshire.
It contains more than 1,200 gold coins plus nine pieces of medieval jewelry.
The discovery happened when a digger unearthed the treasure while preparing a housing site.
Workers initially took some coins home before handing the treasure to the police.
There were accusations that some coins were not reported to authorities.
A local policeman was suspended due to questions about the handling of the coins.
The coroner’s officer in charge kept the coins and guarded them carefully, including sleeping with a revolver nearby.
The British Museum holds many vividly decorated coins, often showing King Henry VI.
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