An Indonesian ferry called Virgo Transport 8 lost contact in the Java Sea during bad weather. One person died, 102 passengers were rescued, and search efforts continue for the remaining people on board.
Key Facts
The ferry was carrying 243 people when it went missing.
It was traveling from Surabaya to Banjarmasin in South Kalimantan.
Contact was lost about 150 km south of Banjarmasin around 02:00 local time on Sunday.
Indonesian search and rescue teams sent ships and a helicopter to find the ferry.
Other vessels in the area were asked to help look for passengers.
One person has been confirmed dead.
The search for the missing passengers is still ongoing.
Ferry travel is common in Indonesia, which has over 17,000 islands.
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Indonesian rescue teams are searching for 140 people from a passenger ferry called Virgo Transport 8, which lost contact in bad weather in the Java Sea. So far, 103 people have been rescued, but one has died.
Key Facts
The ferry was traveling from Surabaya in East Java to Banjarmasin in South Kalimantan.
Contact with the ferry was lost early Sunday, around 2 a.m.
The ferry was carrying more than 240 people when it went missing.
Rescue teams have sent ships, a helicopter, and a team to search in the last known location of the ferry.
The ferry’s operator reported the situation after learning the boat hit bad weather.
Indonesia uses ferries a lot because they are cheaper and more common than planes.
Safety rules for ships in Indonesia are not always strictly followed, leading to many accidents.
One rescued person has died, and more than 30 people are still missing.
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South Australia recorded the first death of an endangered Australian sea lion from H5 bird flu at Seal Bay on Kangaroo Island. The species, with fewer than 10,000 left mainly in South and Western Australia, faces increasing threats as bird flu spreads, and no effective vaccine is currently available for wild sea lions.
Key Facts
The dead sea lion was found at Seal Bay on Kangaroo Island, home to about 800 sea lions.
This sea lion had been healing from a shark attack but died due to H5 bird flu infection.
Around 85% of the Australian sea lion population lives in South Australia; less than 10,000 remain in total.
The population is already shrinking by about 2% each year before the bird flu outbreak.
Bird flu has caused severe declines in seal and sea lion populations in other parts of the world, sometimes wiping out up to 95% of pups.
No current off-the-shelf vaccine exists for marine mammals like sea lions, though experimental trials in other seals have been done.
South Australia’s government is discussing trials with the federal government to test vaccines for sea lions.
H5 bird flu first appeared in mainland Australian mammals in August, confirmed in a sea lion relative, the long-nosed fur seal, in South Australia.
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Jonathan Powell, the UK national security adviser, said Europe must be ready to face serious hardships this winter to keep economic pressure on Russia. He believes that Ukraine is winning the war and that pressure on President Putin is working, so Europe should not ease sanctions despite energy shortages.
Key Facts
Europe is facing severe energy shortages this winter but must maintain sanctions against Russia.
Powell described Russian escalation as a sign that pressure on Putin is effective.
Ukraine will remain free to choose its future, even if some territories are lost.
Powell recently met with Donald Trump’s envoys in Kyiv after they visited Putin in Moscow.
Russian attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure have caused huge damage, costing about $10 billion.
Ukraine’s economy is expected to shrink by 1.5% this year due to the war and export blockades.
The EU plans to stop buying Russian gas by January but still imports 12% currently.
Powell said even though the situation is hard, there are reasons to be hopeful about Ukraine’s progress.
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Wales’s first minister, Rhun ap Iorwerth, said Andy Burnham must understand that Wales is a nation with different needs than regions in England. Ap Iorwerth wants more powers for Wales, especially over policing and justice, and is cautious about resistance from UK officials, including Burnham’s team, to giving these powers.
Key Facts
Rhun ap Iorwerth is the first non-Labour leader of the Welsh parliament since devolution.
He became first minister in May after his party, Plaid Cymru, won the most seats in the Senedd elections.
Ap Iorwerth said Wales is a nation, not a region of England, and needs a different approach to devolution.
He has spoken with Andy Burnham, mayor of Greater Manchester, about devolution but wants Burnham to recognize Wales’s unique status.
Wales does not control its policing and justice system, unlike other UK nations.
Ap Iorwerth wants these powers devolved to Wales and says studies support this change.
He is concerned some around Burnham and the UK government resist transferring policing and justice powers.
Plaid Cymru may work with Labour to prevent the Reform UK party from gaining power in Wales or the UK.
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Indonesian rescuers are searching for a passenger ship carrying more than 240 people that lost contact in the Java Sea while traveling from East Java to South Kalimantan on Borneo island. The ship last communicated early Sunday morning and was reported to have encountered bad weather.
Key Facts
The ship is named Virgo Transport 8.
It left Surabaya in East Java on Saturday at 10:13 a.m. local time.
The last contact was around 2 a.m. Sunday, approximately 148 kilometers from Banjarmasin pier.
The ship was carrying 241 passengers according to its manifest.
Search operations involve multiple agencies and a rescue ship is heading to the last known location.
Authorities reported no confirmed casualties so far.
The search team is closely monitoring weather conditions in the area.
The Search and Rescue Office in Banjarmasin is leading the operation.
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A small village bistro in northern Burgundy, France, recently reopened after eight months closed, thanks to efforts by locals to save it. French village bistros, once numerous, are shrinking quickly, threatening community life and social connections in rural areas.
Key Facts
Au Bon Accueil bistro in Saint-Martin-sur-Ouanne reopened after eight months of closure.
The bistro offers meals like steak or lasagne for €18.
It is the village’s last public business since the bakery closed eight years ago.
French village bistros have declined from about 500,000 in 1900 to 30,000–40,000 today.
Bistros are closing at a rate of two per day in France.
Reasons for closures include fewer rural residents, changing social habits, and less alcohol consumption.
Local leaders and associations work to keep bistros open for social life and community support.
There is a campaign to have French bistros recognized by UNESCO to help preserve them.
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Indonesian authorities started a search on Sunday after losing contact with a passenger ship carrying 241 people in the Java Sea. The ship, traveling from East Java to South Kalimantan, reportedly faced bad weather before contact was lost.
Key Facts
The ship is named Virgo Transport 8.
It was traveling from Surabaya (East Java) to Banjarmasin (South Kalimantan).
Contact was lost at about 2 a.m. local time on Sunday.
The last known location was 92 miles from Banjarmasin’s pier in the Java Sea.
The ship had 241 passengers on board according to the manifest.
There are no immediate reports of casualties.
A rescue team and ship are searching the area.
Authorities are working with maritime and other agencies and monitoring weather conditions.
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Dan Driscoll, who resigned as U.S. Army Secretary in August, spoke publicly for the first time at a conference in Ukraine. He praised Ukraine’s new military technologies used during the war.
Key Facts
Dan Driscoll resigned as U.S. Army Secretary in August.
He appeared at the Yalta European Strategy forum in Ukraine.
The forum is an annual event focused on Ukraine's challenges.
Driscoll spoke on a panel with former Google CEO Eric Schmidt.
He highlighted Ukraine’s military innovations developed during the conflict.
The discussion emphasized how Ukraine is using technology in wartime.
Driscoll’s appearance was his first public talk since leaving his Army role.
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Céline Dion held her first full concert in six years in Paris. She returned to the stage after pausing her career due to a rare illness called stiff person syndrome. Fans were very happy, singing and dancing, and some cried during the show.
Key Facts
Céline Dion performed her first full concert in six years.
She had to stop touring because of stiff person syndrome, a rare neurological disease.
The concert took place at the La Défense Arena in Paris.
Many fans sang, danced, and showed strong emotions during the event.
Dion herself showed emotion and cried during the performance.
French fans called this event "the biggest comeback since Charles de Gaulle."
The concert marked a major return for the Canadian singer.
The news was reported by a Paris-based correspondent.
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A ferry with over 40 people onboard sank off the coast of Vanuatu in bad weather. One person died, at least 30 are missing, and 15 have been found alive as search and rescue continue.
Key Facts
The ferry, named MV Matui, was traveling from Santo island to Ambae island.
The seas were very rough when the ferry set sail on Friday.
One body has been recovered, and 15 passengers or crew are confirmed alive.
More than 30 people are still missing at sea.
Search and rescue operations are ongoing with help from New Caledonia and French forces.
An investigation has started into possible causes, including ignoring weather warnings and possible overloading.
Officials are focusing search efforts along the south-east coast due to ocean currents.
The Prime Minister of Vanuatu expressed condolences to families affected by the tragedy.
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Houthi fighters said they attacked a Saudi military base using drones and missiles amid increased fighting with Yemen’s government forces. The conflict has caused many civilians to flee, and both sides report ongoing airstrikes and ground clashes in Yemen.
Key Facts
The Houthis targeted a Saudi base in Sharurah with drones and missiles.
Fighting between the Iran-backed Houthis and Yemen’s government forces, supported by Saudi Arabia, has intensified recently.
The Houthis captured Yemen’s Red Sea coast and key islands, controlling the Bab al-Mandab strait.
Saudi Arabia supports Yemen’s internationally recognized government based in Aden.
Saudi authorities reported a Houthi projectile causing injuries and damage near the border.
The fighting has displaced about 76,000 people since July, causing many to flee to Aden and Djibouti.
Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and Yemen continue, with both sides conducting airstrikes.
President Trump spoke with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who requested military strikes on the Houthis, but Trump rejected the request.
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The Last Night of the Proms featured a performance of "Fantasia on British Sea-Songs," a piece composed by Sir Henry Wood in 1905 to honor the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar. The event is part of the Proms, a well-known British music festival.
Key Facts
The music piece is called "Fantasia on British Sea-Songs."
Sir Henry Wood composed it in 1905.
It was created to mark 100 years since the Battle of Trafalgar.
The performance took place at the Last Night of the Proms event.
The Proms is a famous classical music festival held annually in Britain.
The Battle of Trafalgar was a significant naval battle fought in 1805.
The video of this performance requires JavaScript enabled to play on the website.
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Céline Dion has started her comeback concert series in Paris after a six-year break due to health problems. She performed in front of about 30,000 people and showed emotion throughout the show, marking her return to a full stage performance.
Key Facts
Céline Dion is a Canadian singer returning after six years away because of health issues.
She was diagnosed with stiff person syndrome, a rare neurological disorder, in 2022.
Her last full concert was in 2020 before the COVID-19 pandemic stopped tours.
Her comeback show began at the Paris La Défense Arena, which is Europe's largest covered concert arena.
About 30,000 people attended the first show of the 26-show residency.
Dion showed strong emotions and cried several times during the performance.
She spoke to the audience in both French and English during the concert.
Critics noted her voice sounded raw and less polished but still powerful and authentic.
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This autumn, there will be several night sky events visible in the northern hemisphere, including star clusters, meteor showers, a planetary parade, and a supermoon. Notable events are the Pleiades star cluster, Orionid and Leonid meteor showers, a gathering of planets in mid-November, and the Beaver supermoon.
Key Facts
The Pleiades, also called the Seven Sisters, is a star cluster about 440 light years away and becomes more visible in autumn evenings.
The Orionid meteor shower peaks around October 21 and happens when Earth passes through dust left by Halley's comet.
Around November 14, Mercury, Venus, Mars, and Jupiter will be visible together before sunrise, called a planetary parade.
The Leonid meteor shower peaks around November 17 and features fast meteors coming from the constellation Leo.
The November full moon is called the Beaver Moon and will appear as a supermoon on November 24, looking slightly bigger and brighter than usual.
To best see the meteor showers, it’s recommended to find dark places away from city lights and watch after midnight.
Mercury will be hard to see during the planetary parade because it stays close to the Sun’s glare.
Venus and Jupiter will be among the brightest objects in the sky during the planetary parade.
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Hundreds of Russians remain missing after Ukrainian forces entered Russia’s Kursk region in 2024. Families say the Russian government has not provided clear information, and fighting continued for months before Russian forces retook the area.
Key Facts
Ukrainian forces crossed into Russia’s Kursk region in August 2024, capturing border checkpoints and territory.
About 300 Russians are officially listed as missing, though the true number may be higher.
Around 2,000 people stayed in villages captured by Ukraine, despite nearby fighting.
Communication lines like mobile and internet were down for most of the eight months Ukraine controlled the area.
Russia accused Ukraine of war crimes, but Ukraine denied these claims.
Nearly 200 Russians asked for a safe evacuation route for civilians; no corridor was established.
Fighting destroyed about 90% of the village of Darino before Russian forces regained control.
Families formed groups to track missing loved ones but received little help from authorities.
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The BBC has decided to stop airing the UK edition of Drag Race due to financial pressures and cost-cutting plans. The show’s co-creator, Fenton Bailey, expressed concern about less representation for queer communities on TV as the program moves to a streaming service owned by its producer.
Key Facts
The BBC is cancelling Drag Race UK after the current series to save money amid a goal to cut £500 million.
Fenton Bailey, co-creator of Drag Race, says queer culture on TV is vulnerable and more at risk after this decision.
The show has been popular on BBC Three but overall TV viewing has declined, with some viewers moving to social media platforms.
World of Wonder (WOW), the production company, will continue Drag Race UK on its own streaming service called WOW Presents Plus.
Other BBC shows like Celebrity Mastermind and Live at the Apollo are also being cancelled, with over 500 job losses planned.
The BBC said the decision was made after long talks but financial pressures forced them to make difficult choices.
Bailey suggested that having control of the show’s future on a streaming platform might be better than relying on another broadcaster.
Drag Race UK launched in 2019 and had run for eight seasons with three spin-offs before the BBC decision.
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Bruxism is a condition where people grind, clench, or move their jaws in ways that can cause pain and damage teeth. Many young people are experiencing more teeth grinding, often linked to stress, and treatments like Botox injections can help reduce symptoms.
Key Facts
Bruxism includes grinding, clenching, bracing, and thrusting of the jaw.
About one in four people may have bruxism, but many don’t know it.
Dentists say more young people are showing dental problems caused by grinding.
Stress and anxiety are common causes that make people grind their teeth.
Signs of bruxism include worn or chipped teeth, morning headaches, jaw stiffness, and earache.
Grinding can happen during the day or at night, sometimes disturbing sleep.
Treatments include mouthguards and Botox injections to reduce muscle tension.
Bruxism may help release stress through muscle movements linked to the nervous system.
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Tom Felton is playing Draco Malfoy again in the Broadway show Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, nearly 15 years after his last time as the character on screen. He is excited that Rupert Grint will soon join the cast to play Ron Weasley again, and Felton says their friendship with other Harry Potter actors remains strong. A new generation is preparing to act in an HBO TV version of the Harry Potter stories.
Key Facts
Tom Felton currently plays Draco Malfoy on Broadway in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.
Felton first played Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter movies over a decade ago.
The audience reaction to Felton’s role on Broadway has stayed strong since the show began.
Rupert Grint, who played Ron Weasley in the movies, will start playing Ron on Broadway in February.
Felton and Grint are good friends along with Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson, who played Harry and Hermione.
A new HBO television series of Harry Potter is coming out later this year with new actors for the characters.
Felton met the new Draco actor, Lox Pratt, and praised his talent and confidence.
Felton encourages the new actors to balance being fun and professional while playing these famous roles.
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Lady Justice Kate Thirlwall has finished an inquiry into how nurse Lucy Letby was able to harm babies at a hospital, focusing on hospital managers' responses, not on questioning Letby's guilt. Letby was convicted of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven more, and her convictions stand, but the report may influence further legal reviews.
Key Facts
Lucy Letby was sentenced to life in prison for murdering 7 babies and attempting to murder 7 others at the Countess of Chester Hospital in 2015-2016.
Lady Justice Thirlwall led an inquiry into how Letby committed these crimes without being stopped sooner.
The inquiry did not question Letby’s guilt and assumed she was guilty based on the courts’ decisions.
The inquiry focused on how hospital managers handled concerns and suspicions about Letby.
The report was delayed and released nearly a year later than planned.
The Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC), which can send cases back to the Court of Appeal, will review the report carefully.
Some, including Letby’s lawyers and an MP who supports her, asked to delay the inquiry until the CCRC made a decision, but the judge refused.
Families of the victims want the inquiry to proceed and say Letby’s convictions are the important legal fact.
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