National Geographic has listed Hull, a city in northern England, as one of the top 25 global places to visit in 2026. Despite being previously labeled the "worst town" in the UK, recent changes like cultural rejuvenation and improved attractions have contributed to its new standing.
Key Facts
Hull is included in National Geographic's Best of the World list for 2026 as a top global destination.
Hull was previously labeled as the "worst town" in the UK in a 2003 book.
The city experienced significant improvements in the past decade, highlighted by being named the UK City of Culture in 2017.
Key attractions include the Hull Maritime Museum and the Arctic Corsair, a historic ship telling the city’s maritime history.
A £27.5 million renovation project is underway at the Maritime Museum and other city sites.
Local leaders and residents express pride and surprise at the recognition Hull received from National Geographic.
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France is reconsidering its recent promise to stop small boats carrying migrants from crossing the English Channel. Issues within the French government are affecting efforts to halt these crossings. Meanwhile, migrant boats continue to leave France for the UK, often from areas near the coast.
Key Facts
France had promised to take stronger actions against migrant boats in the English Channel.
Political problems in France are causing delays in these efforts.
Migrant boats are still leaving France almost every day.
The UK government is frustrated by these delays, as they affect border security.
French police are hesitant to intervene due to safety risks.
Bruno Retailleau, a key figure in pushing for tougher actions, is no longer in the government.
A new plan to intercept boats at sea may not happen soon due to government reshuffling in France.
Some local residents observe frequent boat departures and limited police intervention.
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A UK study examined side effects of 30 antidepressants, comparing how each affects weight, heart rate, and more. SSRIs, common in the U.S., generally had fewer side effects than older drugs. The study aims to help personalize antidepressant treatment based on individual health needs.
Key Facts
The study analyzed data from over 150 clinical trials involving more than 58,000 patients.
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) like Zoloft and Prozac showed fewer side effects compared to older antidepressants.
The study examined how different antidepressants affect weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol, among other health areas.
Nortriptyline, an older drug, could increase heart rate significantly compared to SSRIs.
Results showed a potential average weight change of up to four pounds, depending on the medication.
A free digital tool was developed to help doctors and patients choose medications based on desired side effect profiles.
The study used mostly data from 8-week trials, not long-term use data, which is a limitation.
Common side effects like impacts on sexual function were not included in the study's analysis.
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Jared Kushner, President Trump’s son-in-law, is working to secure a ceasefire in Gaza. Kushner, along with special envoy Steve Witkoff, is in the Middle East to help continue a peace deal process amid concerns about his business ties in the region.
Key Facts
Jared Kushner, President Trump's son-in-law, has returned to the Middle East to help with peace efforts.
Kushner and special envoy Steve Witkoff are working to maintain a ceasefire in Gaza.
President Trump asked Kushner to assist because of his past success in Middle East negotiations.
Kushner previously played a key role in establishing the Abraham Accords, which improved relations between Israel and some Arab countries.
Kushner has business connections in the region, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest.
Kushner's firm, Affinity Partners, received investments from Middle Eastern governments.
Despite ethical concerns, Kushner's relationships are credited with helping achieve quick progress in peace talks.
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Ukraine's president is scheduled to meet with leaders from the European Union on Thursday. Legal decisions may be made soon about President Trump's use of the National Guard. The Pentagon's press team is experiencing changes in its makeup.
Key Facts
Ukraine's president is planning to meet with EU leaders.
The meeting with EU leaders is set for Thursday.
There are ongoing legal battles related to President Trump's National Guard deployments.
Decisions about these legal matters could be made this week.
The Pentagon's press corps is undergoing changes with a right-wing influence.
The mentioned changes are affecting the composition of the press team.
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The U.S. and other Western countries have imposed sanctions on Russian oil exports since 2022. Russia uses a fleet of older oil tankers, called a "shadow fleet," to bypass these sanctions and continue its oil trade.
Key Facts
Western countries, including the U.S., have set sanctions against Russian oil since 2022.
Russia is using older oil tankers to avoid these sanctions.
This group of tankers is known as the "shadow fleet."
These tankers help Russia keep trading oil despite the restrictions.
The Planet Money team provides details on how this fleet works.
The tankers in the shadow fleet are not easily tracked or regulated.
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Peru's interim president has announced a state of emergency in the capital city, Lima. This decision is officially to address crime, but there is speculation it aims to control ongoing anti-government protests.
Key Facts
Peru's interim president declared a state of emergency in Lima.
The official reason for this decision is to tackle crime in the city.
The announcement follows several weeks of protests against the government.
The state of emergency gives authorities special powers.
Some people think this move is partly to manage the protests.
This decision impacts the capital city, Lima.
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The Pentagon has chosen new members for its press corps after several major news organizations opted out of a new policy. The new members show a clear partisan leaning.
Key Facts
The Pentagon selected new press corps members on October 23, 2025.
Major news organizations refused to sign a new media policy.
The selected new members of the press corps have a strong partisan bias.
The announcement was covered in a Morning Edition report by David Folkenflik and Steve Inskeep.
The changes reflect a shift in the type of media covering the Pentagon.
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A woman discovered an ornate tile floor hidden under the carpet in her Victorian-era home. The video's popularity on TikTok reflects a growing trend where homeowners are revealing and restoring historical features. This trend occurs alongside a significant increase in spending on home renovations in the U.S.
Key Facts
A TikTok video showing a woman uncovering a patterned tile floor has gained 1.4 million views.
The house is an 1870s Victorian home, and the tile is likely original.
The homeowner always suspected a "treasure" under the carpet and was proven right.
The video mirrors a trend where homeowners restore historical features.
A survey showed that U.S. spending on home renovations rose from $15,000 in 2020 to $24,000 in 2023.
The global real estate industry is projected to grow to $5.85 trillion by 2030.
As cities grow more crowded, people value personal space and historical home features more.
Online comments expressed surprise and admiration for the uncovered floor.
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Ukraine has introduced a new type of unmanned naval drone called the "Sea Baby." This drone can travel over 900 miles and is equipped to carry various weapons, potentially challenging Russia's naval forces in the Black Sea.
Key Facts
Ukraine's new drone, the "Sea Baby," can travel more than 900 miles.
The drone carries a payload of over 4,400 pounds and includes a multiple-rocket launcher and machine-gun turret.
Ukraine has used these drones in attacks, including against the Crimean Bridge and Russian naval vessels.
The drones have contributed to the relocation of Russia's main naval base from Crimea to another location.
The Sea Baby project partially relied on funds raised by Ukrainians through the United24 platform.
Ukrainian officials claim these drones have changed the power balance in the Black Sea.
The Security Service of Ukraine leads this new maritime drone technology initiative.
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The article discusses a parenting approach called "risky play" that the author encountered in Germany. It involves allowing young children to engage in activities like lighting matches and using real tools, which help them learn about safety and limits. The author, an American living in Berlin, initially found this approach challenging but eventually embraced it after seeing its benefits.
Key Facts
The author's 3-year-old learned to light a match at a German preschool.
In Germany, "risky play" includes children using real tools like saws and hammers.
Teachers instruct children on safety measures before they try activities on their own.
The approach focuses on children learning to test their own limits.
The author described situations where her children safely navigated potentially dangerous situations.
"Risky play" is different from typical American child safety practices.
The author ultimately accepted this approach, believing it helps children make good decisions.
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A Kremlin official has accused U.S. President Donald Trump of committing an "act of war" against Russia. This follows Trump's imposition of new sanctions on Russian oil companies and the cancellation of a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Key Facts
President Trump imposed new sanctions on Russia's largest oil companies.
A planned meeting between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin was called off.
Dmitry Medvedev, a top Kremlin official, made the "act of war" accusation.
Medvedev serves as the deputy chairman of the Kremlin's Security Council.
He claimed the U.S. is now considered an enemy by Russia.
Medvedev also mentioned that Trump has sided with European countries against Russia.
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President Donald Trump announced new U.S. sanctions against Russia's two largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, aiming to pressure Russia to end its conflict with Ukraine. The sanctions are intended to weaken Russia's economy and encourage negotiations for peace. The decision follows recent similar actions by the UK and is part of broader diplomatic efforts by the U.S.
Key Facts
U.S. sanctions target Rosneft and Lukoil, Russia's two largest oil producers.
President Trump hopes the sanctions will pressure Russia to negotiate peace with Ukraine.
Rosneft and Lukoil collectively export 3.1 million barrels of oil per day.
Rosneft accounts for nearly half of Russia's oil production, which is 6% of the global output.
The sanctions were announced via Trump's Truth Social platform.
The UK had imposed similar sanctions on the same companies one week earlier.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) blacklisted the companies.
President Trump postponed a planned meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Budapest.
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A woman watched the heist movie "Ocean's 8" on a flight and learned about a real jewel theft at the Louvre once she landed. The Louvre in Paris shut down after thieves stole several items from the French Crown Jewels collection. The robbery happened quickly, and the suspects are still free.
Key Facts
A passenger watched "Ocean's 8," a movie about a jewel heist, on a flight.
Upon landing, she learned of a real jewel heist at the Louvre in Paris.
Thieves stole several historic items from the Louvre's Crown Jewels collection.
The robbery took place in broad daylight and lasted seven minutes.
Among the stolen items was a pearl and diamond tiara and a diamond bow brooch.
The stolen jewels were not insured, and they have great historical value.
The Louvre reopened days later, acknowledging the security breach.
The incident sparked interest and comments from people online about oddly timed media experiences.
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Storm Benjamin has hit parts of the UK, bringing strong winds and heavy rain. The storm is causing warnings for potential power cuts, flooding, and travel disruptions. Warnings extend to parts of western Europe, impacting sports events in the Netherlands.
Key Facts
Strong winds and heavy rain are affecting parts of the UK due to Storm Benjamin.
The Met Office issued yellow weather warnings for southern and eastern England, Wales, East Midlands, and Yorkshire.
Some areas could experience winds up to 70 mph and rain up to 50 mm.
Power cuts, localized flooding, and building damage are possible.
The storm was named by French weather service Météo France, affecting parts of France more severely.
Sports events in Europe, including football matches in the Netherlands, have been rescheduled due to the storm.
The storm is affecting areas from the English Channel to the North Sea.
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China disagreed with the U.S. government's decision to impose sanctions on Russia's top oil companies, Lukoil and Rosneft, without international approval. The sanctions aim to put pressure on Russia to end the war in Ukraine, as suggested by President Trump. China, a major buyer of Russian oil, believes in solving the Ukraine conflict through talks instead of pressure.
Key Facts
The U.S. sanctioned Russia's main oil companies, Lukoil and Rosneft.
The sanctions are part of efforts to make Russia stop the war in Ukraine.
President Trump suggested that China might influence Russia to change its stance on Ukraine.
China opposes sanctions that do not have backing from international law or the United Nations.
China's response came from Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun.
China's state-run Global Times reported on Guo's comments.
China advocates for dialogue and negotiation to resolve the Ukraine crisis.
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The United States conducted a second military strike on a suspected drug-smuggling boat in the Pacific Ocean, resulting in the deaths of three men. The action is part of a broader U.S. effort to combat drug trafficking, a policy priority under President Donald Trump, though the strikes have faced criticism from some South American leaders and U.S. lawmakers.
Key Facts
The U.S. carried out two strikes on suspected drug-smuggling boats over two days, with the latest killing three men.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated the strike targeted a boat operated by a "Designated Terrorist Organization" involved in drug trafficking.
Since September 2, the U.S. has conducted nine strikes on suspected drug-smuggling boats, mostly in the Caribbean.
South American leaders, including Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro and Colombia's Gustavo Petro, criticized these actions as violations of sovereignty.
Some U.S. lawmakers and human rights groups are calling for transparency about the strikes and those targeted.
The Trump administration has labeled its actions as part of a "non-international armed conflict" with drug cartels.
A new U.S. Joint Task Force led by the Southern Command is planned to expand military actions against drug traffickers.
Two men survived a previous U.S. strike on a similar vessel in the Caribbean and were repatriated to Ecuador and Colombia.
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President Donald Trump has imposed sanctions on Russia's largest oil companies, Lukoil and Rosneft, to pressure Russia over its ongoing war in Ukraine. The European Union also approved a new set of sanctions against Russia. The aim is to limit Russia's revenue that supports its military actions.
Key Facts
President Trump imposed new sanctions on Russia, targeting major oil companies, Lukoil and Rosneft.
The reason for the sanctions is the continued conflict in Ukraine and lack of progress in ceasefire talks.
The U.S. Treasury Secretary said the sanctions aim to weaken Russia's economy and reduce funding for its military.
American companies are now restricted from doing business with Lukoil and Rosneft.
The U.S. Treasury is open to further measures if the situation does not improve.
Russia has not yet publicly responded to the U.S. sanctions.
President Trump plans to discuss China's Russian oil purchases with President Xi Jinping at the upcoming APEC summit.
The EU has also approved its 19th sanctions package against Russia on the same day.
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A TikTok video by a pregnant woman from Idaho shows how her unborn baby moves when she laughs. The video, viewed over 18 million times, highlights how laughter affects the fetus and has sparked discussion among viewers.
Key Facts
A pregnant woman named Destinie Ross shared a TikTok video showing her fetus moving when she laughed.
The baby appeared to bounce in the womb during an ultrasound when Ross laughed at the sonographer's comment.
The video gained significant attention, with over 18 million views.
Many viewers were curious if the movement hurt the baby; experts explained it is safe and padding in the womb protects the baby.
Laughter releases serotonin, which can make the baby feel calm and comfortable.
The sonographer noted that vibrations from laughter move the baby and are similar to when they shake the probe for better ultrasound images.
Destinie Ross received positive feedback, including some support from celebrities and brands, after the video went viral.
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A mother named Kendra Leon shared a story about her son Tyler attending a school friend's birthday party on his birthday. The hosting parents surprised Tyler with a gift and included him in the cake-cutting ceremony, making him feel special. The experience was shared on social media, where it received widespread attention.
Key Facts
Tyler Leon attended a classmate's birthday party, which was on the same day as his birthday.
His mother, Kendra, mentioned his birthday in advance to the hosting parents.
At the party, the parents surprised Tyler with a gift and added a candle on the cake for him.
This act made Tyler feel special and happy on his birthday.
Kendra Leon shared this event on social media, and it was liked over 33,000 times.
She expressed gratitude for the thoughtful gesture and was inspired to be more thoughtful herself.
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