The Jeddah Tower in Saudi Arabia has reached its 100th floor, marking a major step in its construction. Once finished around 2028, it will be the tallest building in the world, standing over 1,000 meters (3,281 feet) high, surpassing the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.
Key Facts
The Jeddah Tower reached 100 floors this week during construction.
The building will be over 1,000 meters tall when completed, making it the tallest in the world.
The current tallest building is the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, at 828 meters (2,717 feet).
Architects Adrian Smith and Gordon Gill of AS+GG designed the Jeddah Tower.
Construction started more than 10 years ago and is about halfway finished.
The tower is part of Jeddah Economic City, a large new urban area in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia is developing several big projects to diversify its economy beyond oil, including the NEOM smart city.
Other large projects have faced delays or reviews, but the Jeddah Tower is progressing well and scheduled to finish by August 2028.
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The UK will pay for 200 French officers to detain and deport asylum seekers from 10 countries who try to cross the English Channel in small boats. A new removal center will be built in Dunkirk to hold these people before deportation, as part of a larger £662 million deal between the UK and France to reduce illegal crossings.
Key Facts
The UK agreed to fund 200 French officers to detain and deport asylum seekers.
The targeted nationalities include Eritrea, Afghanistan, Iran, Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia, Iraq, Syria, Vietnam, and Yemen.
A new detention center with a 140-person capacity is being built in Dunkirk and expected to open by the end of 2026.
This plan is part of an extra £162 million "payment by results" package, in addition to a £500 million deal for border enforcement until 2029.
The French will deport people to their home countries or EU countries they passed through, using a system called Eurodac to identify asylum seekers.
The removal approach is a trial and may lose funding if it does not show value and results within one year.
Rights groups warn that deporting people to unsafe countries could harm vulnerable refugees fleeing war and persecution.
The UK Home Secretary and French counterpart officially signed the deportation deal in Dunkirk.
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Mariska Hargitay became emotional after learning that the TV show "Law & Order: Organized Crime" was canceled after five seasons. The show starred Christopher Meloni as Elliot Stabler, who returned to TV in 2021. Hargitay hopes that her character and Stabler might one day appear together again.
Key Facts
"Law & Order: Organized Crime" ended after its fifth season.
Christopher Meloni played detective Elliot Stabler, returning to the role in 2021.
Mariska Hargitay stars in the related show "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit."
Hargitay cried after watching Meloni address fans about the cancellation.
The show followed Stabler’s life in New York as he dealt with personal challenges.
Hargitay said the cancellation felt like closing an important chapter.
She expressed hope that Stabler and Olivia Benson, her character, might reunite on screen.
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Three men were found guilty of repeatedly raping a woman on Brighton beach after she became separated from her friends. Two men committed the attack while the third filmed it. All three men are asylum seekers living in the UK.
Key Facts
The attack happened in the early hours of 4 October on Brighton beach.
The woman was described as incapacitated and vulnerable at the time.
Ibrahim Alshafe (25), Abdulla Ahmadi (26), and Karin Al-Danasurt (20) were found guilty of rape.
Two men raped the woman while the third filmed the attack and encouraged it.
The three men are asylum seekers living in Home Office-approved accommodation near Horsham, West Sussex.
Alshafe had his asylum application refused two days before the attack but said he did not know.
The men showed no reaction when the verdicts were read at Hove crown court after a five-week trial.
The victim described the attack as not consensual and said it ruined her life.
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More than 20 UK MPs and peers have asked the government to sanction Kyrgyz officials who are accused of helping Russia avoid sanctions linked to its war in Ukraine. They want to punish Kyrgyz leaders for allowing the country to host operations supporting A7A5, a Russian-linked cryptocurrency used to bypass financial restrictions.
Key Facts
MPs and peers want the UK to sanction three top Kyrgyz officials: Melis Turgunbaev (central bank head), Maksat Asanaliev (general prosecutor), and Marat Pirnazarov (financial regulator head).
A7A5 is a stablecoin tied to the Russian ruble, linked to Promsvyazbank, a Russian bank under UK sanctions.
A7A5 has facilitated over $100 billion worth of transactions and moves more than a billion dollars daily.
The cryptocurrency is banned for purchase in the UK, US, and most of Europe but is still traded in Kyrgyzstan through local exchanges like Grinex and Meer, which are also sanctioned.
A7A5 allows sanctioned Russian individuals and groups to access the global financial system through trading with other cryptocurrencies.
The UK previously sanctioned some Kyrgyz entities related to A7A5 but MPs say this is not enough without sanctioning senior officials.
Kyrgyzstan’s cooperation has helped A7A5 continue operating, making it a key tool for Russia to evade sanctions.
The UK Foreign Office and all named Kyrgyz officials were asked for comments but no response was noted in the article.
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President Donald Trump’s war against Iran has not met its goals and has changed the Middle East in unexpected ways. Instead of weakening Iran, the conflict has made Iran stronger and more influential in the region, especially through control of important shipping routes.
Key Facts
The war did not lead to regime change in Iran nor force Iran to agree to U.S. demands.
Iran controls the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway for global oil shipments, giving it strong influence.
Iran’s allies, like the Houthis in Yemen, threaten the Bab al-Mandab strait, another key global trade route.
Gulf countries are worried about Iran’s growing power and are seeking new security partnerships with regional and global powers.
The war pushed Iran to adopt a more aggressive strategy, targeting its rivals economically and militarily on multiple fronts.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has gained more power and influence after the conflict began.
Despite damage to Iran, many Iranians united behind their government during the war, seeing attacks as attacks on their nation.
President Trump claimed he caused regime change in Iran, but the result was the strengthening of hardliners, not the government’s collapse.
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Amy Eskridge, a scientist who died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in 2022, had been working on antigravity technology and claimed she was targeted by a “directed energy weapon.” New video and text messages have surfaced showing her fears and physical symptoms, raising questions about her death and its possible links to “Havana Syndrome,” a mysterious condition involving symptoms thought to be caused by energy attacks.
Key Facts
Amy Eskridge died in June 2022 in Huntsville, Alabama, reportedly from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
She was researching antigravity technology, which aims to control or offset gravity.
Eskridge shared text messages and videos claiming she was attacked by a “directed energy weapon” causing physical harm to her hands.
She warned contacts not to believe reports that she killed herself or others if she died.
Havana Syndrome is a set of unexplained health symptoms reported by U.S. officials worldwide, possibly caused by similar energy attacks.
Republicans, including Representative Eric Burlison, suggested Eskridge suffered from Havana Syndrome.
President Donald Trump mentioned investigations into a growing number of missing or dead researchers linked to advanced science.
Federal agencies like NASA and the FBI are investigating the deaths and disappearances, and Congress is also involved.
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A new exhibition in Paris features the work of Lee Miller, an American photographer and war reporter. The show highlights her wide-ranging career and unique perspective on places including New York, Paris, Cairo, and London.
Key Facts
The exhibition takes place at the Musée d'Art Moderne de Paris.
Lee Miller was both a photographer and a war correspondent.
She worked in several major cities, such as New York, Paris, Cairo, and London.
The exhibition displays many aspects of her artistic career.
Fanny Schulmann is the curator-in-chief organizing the retrospective.
Miller was known for her sensitive and bold approach to photography.
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Scientists from NOAA identified a mysterious golden orb found deep in the Gulf of Alaska in 2023. They discovered it was part of the base of a giant sea anemone called Relicanthus daphneae, using physical study and advanced DNA analysis.
Key Facts
The golden orb was found over two miles underwater in the Gulf of Alaska by a remotely operated underwater vehicle.
The orb was a fibrous material covered with stinging cells called spirocysts, which are only found in a group of animals called cnidarians.
Scientists compared the orb to a similar specimen found in 2021 and found them to be the same species.
Initial DNA tests were unclear, but whole-genome sequencing showed the orb was almost genetically identical to Relicanthus daphneae.
The orb had once been part of the base of a giant sea anemone, whose tentacles can reach six feet long.
The top part of the anemone was missing; it may have died or moved to another location.
This discovery shows how DNA technology is helping scientists understand deep-sea life better.
NOAA explores the ocean to learn more about marine life and how the ocean can support economic growth and national security.
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The Adelaide Writers’ Week (AWW) faced major controversy and collapse after its board removed Palestinian-Australian author Randa Abdel-Fattah from the event, leading to boycotts and resignations. Rosemarie Milsom, director of the Newcastle Writers Festival (NWF) who also invited Abdel-Fattah, has now been appointed as the new director of AWW and plans to lead the festival with care and commitment.
Key Facts
Adelaide Writers’ Week removed Randa Abdel-Fattah due to past comments on Israel, sparking boycotts and resignations.
The entire Adelaide festival board resigned after the controversy.
Newcastle Writers Festival also invited Abdel-Fattah but did not experience similar protests or boycotts.
Rosemarie Milsom, director of NWF, is now the new director of AWW.
Milsom has promised to maintain free access to AWW events.
Milsom received criticism from a NSW politician over funding but defended the festival’s community and economic benefits.
NWF saw record attendance in 2026 despite the controversy.
Milsom focuses on leading without reacting to sensational media coverage.
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A new documentary on Peacock reveals the rituals of Long Island serial killer Rex Heuermann, who confessed to killing eight women between 1993 and 2010. He described in therapy sessions how he planned and carried out the murders in his home, then disposed of the bodies on a beach.
Key Facts
Rex Heuermann admitted to strangling eight women and killing them in his home between 1993 and 2010.
He followed a multi-day ritual: building trust, killing in a basement "kill room," spending time with the bodies, and disposing them on a beach 20 miles away.
His murders became routine; by his last known killing, he could dump a body in 37 seconds using a stopwatch to time himself.
The documentary includes interviews with Heuermann, his family, and his therapist, all of whom waived privacy rights to participate.
At least one victim was killed in the marital bed, and three were dismembered in the family home.
Heuermann confessed to his family as a condition before entering a guilty plea agreement.
The family reportedly received over $1 million for participating in the documentary, which led to a lawsuit by a victim’s son alleging exploitation.
The killings often happened after he paid the victims for sex on a prior meeting, and the family was away during the murders.
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Nigerian artist Eniwaye Oluwaseyi is showing his art in a new double exhibition called "Buried roots up in the air" in Paris and Luxembourg. His art uses many layers to explore his personal memories and questions about belonging, identity, and cultural background.
Key Facts
The exhibition is named "Buried roots up in the air."
It takes place in Paris and Luxembourg.
Eniwaye Oluwaseyi is a Nigerian artist.
His work focuses on memory, identity, and cultural roots.
The art uses multi-layered compositions to express these themes.
The story was reported by France 24 on April 23, 2026.
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A photo showing a migrant family being separated in the United States won the 2025 World Press Photo of the Year Award. The picture captures U.S. immigration officers arresting the father while his family tries to hold on to him.
Key Facts
The photo shows an Ecuadoran family separated when U.S. immigration agents arrested the father.
The father’s name is Luis.
The image was taken by Carol Guzy of ZUMA Press and iWitness for the Miami Herald.
The photo won the 2025 World Press Photo of the Year Award.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers arrested Luis after a court hearing.
The family is shown trying to keep Luis from being taken away.
The photo highlights issues related to U.S. immigration enforcement and family separation.
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The war involving the United States and Israel against Iran has caused prices of many goods to rise worldwide, including medicines and contraceptives. This is mainly due to disruptions in oil and gas supplies and logistics routes, which affect the production and delivery of pharmaceuticals.
Key Facts
The war has disrupted the global supply of oil, gas, and fertilizers, leading to price increases.
Iran blocked the Strait of Hormuz, an important shipping route for 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas.
Pharmaceuticals depend on petrochemical materials and transportation routes through the Persian Gulf that have been disrupted.
Around 35% of medicines are transported by air, including 90% of critical drugs and vaccines, many of which now face delays and higher transport costs due to war-related airline disruptions.
In the UK, the price of paracetamol increased significantly, with pharmacies charging 20-30% more for some over-the-counter medicines.
In India, the price of common painkillers like paracetamol has nearly doubled, partly due to higher costs of raw materials.
The impact on medicine prices around the world varies depending on each country's supply chains and import dependencies.
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President Donald Trump has directed the U.S. military to shoot and kill small Iranian boats that place mines in the Strait of Hormuz. This decision follows the U.S. seizure of a tanker linked to Iranian oil smuggling, increasing tensions between the United States and Iran in this important shipping route.
Key Facts
President Trump ordered the U.S. military to target small Iranian boats laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait of Hormuz is a key waterway where about 20% of the world's oil and natural gas is traded.
The U.S. Navy is currently clearing mines from the waters of the Strait.
The order was shared by President Trump on social media.
The U.S. recently seized a tanker connected to smuggling Iranian oil.
These events have increased the conflict between the U.S. and Iran over control of the strait.
The directive includes instructions to act without hesitation against the small boats.
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Scientists have determined that the limestone formations known as the Twelve Apostles in Victoria, Australia, are between 8.6 and 14 million years old. They used tiny fossils found in the rock and other scientific methods to date the layers and understand the area's geological history.
Key Facts
The Twelve Apostles are limestone sea stacks along the Great Ocean Road near Melbourne.
The rock layers beneath the Apostles are about 15 million years old.
Scientists used microscopic fossils called foraminifera to date the rocks.
The rock formations formed during the Middle Miocene Climatic Transition, a time of major global cooling.
The cliffs show tilted rock layers and small fault lines from ancient tectonic movements and earthquakes.
The sea stacks themselves formed more recently as erosion shaped the coastline.
About 20,000 years ago, the area was mostly land, connecting to Tasmania.
The study was published in the Australian Journal of Earth Sciences.
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The European Union approved a large loan package to support Ukraine’s economic and military needs for the next two years after Hungary ended its veto. The EU also imposed new sanctions on Russia related to the conflict in Ukraine.
Key Facts
The EU approved a significant loan to help Ukraine.
The loan will cover Ukraine’s needs for two years.
Hungary had previously blocked the loan but later lifted its veto.
New sanctions against Russia were also approved by the EU.
The EU’s Cypriot presidency announced the decision.
Ukraine’s President Zelensky is expected to join EU leaders in Cyprus following the loan approval.
The loan and sanctions are responses to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The approval aims to support Ukraine’s economic stability and military efforts.
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The United States will hold a second meeting between Lebanon and Israel representatives to discuss extending a ceasefire that has reduced violence between Israel and Hezbollah. The current ceasefire is set to end Sunday, but attacks have continued in southern Lebanon after recent Israeli strikes.
Key Facts
The US is hosting new talks between Lebanese and Israeli envoys on Thursday.
Lebanon wants to extend the ceasefire with Israel and Hezbollah.
The ceasefire has helped reduce violence but is due to expire on Sunday.
Israeli strikes recently killed at least five people, including a journalist.
Attacks continue in southern Lebanon despite the ceasefire.
Israeli troops have taken control of a self-declared buffer zone in southern Lebanon.
The talks aim to maintain peace and prevent further violence in the region.
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The fifth season of the TV show "The Boys" is releasing its fifth episode called "One-Shots" on April 29, 2026, on Prime Video. New episodes come out every Wednesday until May 20, 2026, and require a subscription to watch.
Key Facts
Episode 5 of "The Boys" Season 5 releases on April 29, 2026.
Episodes are available on Prime Video at 12 a.m. PT/3 a.m. ET.
The season releases new episodes weekly on Wednesdays through May 20.
A Prime Video subscription is needed; costs vary between $8.99 and $14.99 per month.
Season 5 started with a two-episode premiere on April 8, 2026.
Previous episodes run about 62 minutes each.
The season’s story follows characters fighting the powerful figure Homelander.
The full plot of Episode 5 is not disclosed yet.
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