A new statue called Lady In Blue was unveiled in Trafalgar Square in London. Created by artist Tschabalala Self, the sculpture shows a modern woman representing the spirit of the city and will stand on the Fourth Plinth for two years.
Key Facts
Lady In Blue is a bronze and blue statue inspired by a typical modern London woman.
It replaces the previous artwork Mil Veces un Instante by Teresa Margolles on the Fourth Plinth.
The statue is coated with blue pigment made from the semi-precious stone Lapis Lazuli, used by artists for thousands of years.
Artist Tschabalala Self aims to show an ordinary woman walking forward with ambition, unlike traditional statues of famous leaders.
The Fourth Plinth has displayed a new artwork roughly every two years since 1999 after being empty for over 150 years.
Self is a New York-born artist who works in different media like painting, sculpture, and printmaking.
Another artist, Andra Ursuta, was selected to create the next Fourth Plinth artwork scheduled for 2028.
The Fourth Plinth Commissioning Group, led by Ekow Eshun, picked the current and future sculptures.
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A 54-year-old woman in Greece gave birth to a healthy baby girl from an embryo frozen for 22 years. The embryo was from the same batch that produced her late son, who died in a car accident at 21 years old.
Key Facts
The embryos were frozen on March 17, 2004.
The woman, Christina Rapti-Tzelepi, had IVF treatment using these embryos in December 2025.
She was the oldest age allowed for IVF in Greece at 54 years.
Her son, born from the same embryos, died in a car accident in October 2025.
The family has nine more frozen embryos but cannot use them due to age restrictions in Greek law.
The husband has asked for the national IVF age limit to be increased.
The woman’s gynecologist called the birth an important scientific and clinical event.
The story highlights advances in IVF and challenges with age limits for pregnancy laws.
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Gilberto Teodoro Jr., the Philippines defense chief, publicly responded to a note from a Chinese organizer during an international forum, criticizing China’s actions in the South China Sea. His calm but firm reaction emphasized upholding international law and stood out as a strong example of speaking out against China, similar to how President Trump has been known to confront adversaries.
Key Facts
The event took place during the Seoul Defense Dialogue in South Korea.
A Chinese organizer handed Teodoro a handwritten note meant to challenge his criticism of China.
Teodoro read the note aloud and countered each point calmly and clearly.
He referred to a 2016 international ruling that China has no legal claim to large parts of the South China Sea under UNCLOS (a UN maritime law treaty).
China rejects this ruling, but Teodoro called them out for ignoring international law.
His response was viewed more than 15 million times on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
Teodoro called the note an act of “coercion, bullying and aggression.”
Experts praised Teodoro’s stance as a powerful and rare public criticism of China from an Asian official.
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President Donald Trump suggested in an interview that the US might not support the UK if Argentina tries again to take the Falkland Islands. This statement caused tension between the US and the UK, affecting their long-standing close relationship.
Key Facts
President Trump said the US might not help the UK if Argentina tries to seize the Falkland Islands again.
The Falkland Islands are a British overseas territory that held a referendum in 2013 where almost all islanders voted to remain British.
The UK and US have had a close "special relationship" with military and intelligence support in past conflicts, including the 1982 Falklands War.
President Trump expressed frustration over the UK's initial reluctance to support a US-Israel war against Iran.
NATO is a defense alliance focused on protecting Europe and North America, not involved in conflicts like those in the Middle East.
Argentina’s president, Javier Milei, reacted positively to Trump’s comments and suggested Argentina might renew its claim on the Falklands.
The UK recently announced sanctions on Israeli settlers, which caused further tension with the Trump administration.
The article notes that democratic support is important since the Falkland Islanders voted overwhelmingly to stay part of the UK in 2013.
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CBS News cameraman Mark LaGanga captured 29 minutes of footage during the 9/11 attacks, including the collapse of the North Tower. Twenty-five years later, he shared his memories of that day in an interview with 60 Minutes digital.
Key Facts
Mark LaGanga was a CBS News cameraman present at Ground Zero on September 11, 2001.
He filmed for 29 minutes during the time between the collapse of the Twin Towers.
His footage includes the moment the North Tower fell.
The interview took place 25 years after the attacks.
The reflection was featured on 60 Minutes digital.
The footage provides a close, real-time look at the events at Ground Zero.
LaGanga’s account adds personal insight to the historical events of 9/11.
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Germany’s far-right party AfD won a large share of votes in a recent election, raising concerns about Germany’s role in NATO. Meanwhile, Poland is increasing its defense spending and military strength, becoming a key player in NATO’s eastern defense against Russia.
Key Facts
The AfD, a far-right German party, won 43.8% of the vote in the Saxony-Anhalt election.
AfD supports closer ties with Russia, including ending Germany’s boycott of Russian oil and gas.
Germany hosts important NATO military centers but may become less reliable due to political changes.
Germany plans to increase its defense budget, aiming to double it within four years, reaching 2.69% of GDP by 2026.
Poland spends 4.68% of its GDP on defense, about $53.8 billion in 2026, nearly double Germany’s military spending.
Poland plans to build Europe’s largest land army with more than 220,000 personnel and 1,100 tanks by 2030.
Poland is investing in military technology, domestic defense production, and civilian defense programs.
Poland’s air-defense system, Piorun, is used by several NATO countries, including Norway, Lithuania, Latvia, Belgium, Estonia, Sweden, and the U.S.
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A fire broke out on a foreign cargo ship docked in Qingdao, a city in eastern China. The fire caused many injuries and deaths, and President Xi Jinping has ordered quick rescue efforts and an investigation.
Key Facts
The fire happened on a cargo ship that was getting maintenance in Qingdao.
The ship flies a foreign flag, meaning it is registered outside China.
The fire started at 11:15 local time (03:15 GMT).
There have been significant casualties, meaning many people were hurt or killed.
President Xi Jinping called for urgent search and rescue actions.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire.
The news is still developing with more updates expected soon.
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A fire broke out on the MV June Aster ferry near Palawan, Philippines, causing chaos and panic among passengers. Five people have died, 86 are missing, and rescue efforts are ongoing. Survivor Roland Lerma described escaping the burning ship by jumping into the sea and floating in the water until rescuers arrived.
Key Facts
The fire started near Palawan, 1.2 nautical miles off Coron's Marcilla village.
The ferry left Manila on Tuesday night and was scheduled to arrive in Coron on Wednesday evening.
The fire began in the cargo hold, reportedly after a loud explosion.
The ferry carried motorcycles, an electric car, a forklift, a pick-up van, and other goods.
More than 100 passengers were on board, many sleeping during the journey.
Five people have died, 86 are still missing, and around 43 survivors were rescued.
Rescue and firefighting operations are ongoing, but the fire has not yet been extinguished.
Survivor Roland Lerma was hospitalized with bruises and chest pain but is now stable.
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A fire broke out on the ferry MV June Aster near the western Philippines, killing at least five people and leaving many missing. Rescue teams continue searching for survivors amid difficult weather conditions.
Key Facts
The fire started around 6:45 p.m. on Wednesday while the ferry was near Coron in Palawan province.
At least five people died, and dozens remain missing after the fire was put out.
So far, 43 people have been rescued from the ferry.
The ferry was carrying 134 people: 117 passengers and 17 crew members.
The ferry was drifting due to strong sea currents, about 7.68 nautical miles from its destination.
Rescue operations involve the Coast Guard, military vessels, volunteers, and local fishermen.
The cause of the fire is unknown but may have started in the cargo hold.
Ferry accidents are common in the Philippines due to storms, poor maintenance, overcrowding, and weak safety enforcement.
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Iceland, a UK supermarket chain, will open a store in the Falkland Islands in December, partnering with a local retailer. This will be the first UK high street brand in the British territory's capital, Stanley, amid rising sovereignty tensions with Argentina.
Key Facts
Iceland plans to open a shop in the Falkland Islands in early December.
The store will be located in Stanley, the capital of the Falklands.
Iceland is partnering with a local business called Kelper Stores.
This will be the first UK high street brand to open a shop in the Falkland Islands.
Iceland’s executive chair, Richard Walker, highlighted the importance of supporting the British territory.
Argentina's president, Javier Milei, has increased claims over the islands and criticized the UK’s position.
Argentina plans to sanction oil companies working in the Falklands and is pursuing legal action against an Israeli company.
Local groups oppose a salmon farm project by a fishing company and a Danish firm, raising environmental concerns.
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A 39-year-old woman from England, Cassie Ravenhall, shared her daily skincare and health habits that help her look younger than her age. She emphasizes consistency, healthy eating, hydration, and exercise rather than expensive treatments or cosmetic procedures.
Key Facts
Cassie Ravenhall is nearly 40 years old and lives in England.
Her TikTok video about her skincare routine gained over 100,000 views.
She credits her youthful appearance to consistent skincare, drinking plenty of water, and regular exercise.
Ravenhall avoids cosmetic fillers and expensive dental veneers.
She used to be a makeup artist and has always been interested in beauty and skincare.
She highlights the importance of discipline over variety in her skincare routine.
Ravenhall became a mother at 37 and got engaged at 35, which she says is later than many of her peers.
She warns against cheap dental treatments known as "Turkey teeth," which might make people look older.
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President Donald Trump repeatedly threatened to destroy Iran during recent tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, promising to destroy the country’s bridges and power plants. These threats have raised concerns about possible war crimes and genocide but have become less noticed over time by the media and other leaders.
Key Facts
President Trump said Iran would be "totally wiped out" if it retaliated against US airstrikes.
He threatened to destroy Iran’s infrastructure, such as bridges and power plants, which could be considered war crimes under international law.
Trump made these threats publicly multiple times in recent months, including statements that Iran could be "taken out in one night."
On April 7, Trump posted that "a whole civilization will die tonight," which led to global criticism from the UN and other leaders.
Human rights experts warned his statements might be threats of genocide, which is the intent to destroy a group of people based on nationality or ethnicity.
Despite worldwide outrage, Trump did not withdraw or apologize for his threats.
The situation led to a ceasefire agreement between the US and Iran announced by Pakistan’s prime minister.
The article links Trump’s harsh rhetoric to a broader international context involving US support for Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
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Comedian Hasan Minhaj helped produce and co-write the Netflix film Best of the Best, which is about two Indian American friends competing in college Bollywood dance contests. The movie focuses on their friendship and celebrates South Asian culture through dance.
Key Facts
Hasan Minhaj is known for political comedy but worked on a culturally themed film for Netflix.
Best of the Best follows two Indian American women competing in Bollywood dance competitions.
The movie is directed by Lena Khan and stars Priyanka Kedia and Maitreyi Ramakrishnan.
The film is inspired by real national Bollywood dance contests.
The story highlights sisterhood and lasting friendship.
Minhaj wants to include different parts of his identity in his projects.
He continues political work through his podcast Hasan Minhaj Doesn't Know.
Minhaj sees this film as part of a larger movement of diverse youth expressing their culture positively.
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In Albania, the mayor of Tirana, Erion Veliaj, has been held in jail without a conviction for 18 months while the courts debate the legality of his detention. This case highlights the use of legal systems to sideline political opponents, a practice known as lawfare, which is now present in many countries.
Key Facts
Erion Veliaj, mayor of Tirana, Albania’s capital, was arrested in February 2025 and remains in jail without conviction.
His detention has been extended repeatedly while courts argue about its legality.
Albania's Special Structure against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK), supported by America and Europe, leads these prosecutions.
SPAK was created in 2016 to fight corruption and improve Albania’s justice system.
Despite reforms, Albania’s courts have a huge backlog, with up to 15 years wait for final rulings.
Over half of Albania’s prison population is held without trial, one of the highest rates in Europe.
The Council of Europe warns that pretrial detention leading to automatic suspension of elected officials harms democracy and fairness.
Albania’s Constitutional Court has ruled twice in favor of Veliaj, questioning the legality of his ongoing detention.
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On September 10, 2001, Osama bin Laden called his mother to say he might not be able to talk to her for a while because something big was about to happen. The article also reviews bin Laden’s background, his rise as a militant leader, and the U.S. intelligence efforts before the 9/11 attacks.
Key Facts
Osama bin Laden was born in 1957 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to a wealthy family involved in construction.
He joined the Muslim Brotherhood at a young age and later moved to Pakistan and Afghanistan after the Soviet invasion in 1979.
Bin Laden supported Afghan fighters and monitored young men from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region who came to fight a "jihad."
The CIA created a special unit named Bin Laden Station in 1993 to gather intelligence on him.
Despite efforts by the U.S. government, Afghanistan remained a safe place for bin Laden and al-Qaeda to operate until 9/11.
The U.S. intelligence community underestimated the possibility of a major attack on American soil before September 2001.
On September 11, 2001, 19 terrorists linked to al-Qaeda hijacked four planes in attacks against the United States.
Bin Laden’s call to his mother on September 10 indicated he was aware something significant was about to happen.
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A dispute has arisen over who should become the next king of the Tooro Kingdom in Uganda after the death of King Oyo Nyimba. Royal clan elders named Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma as the new king, but the late king's family disputes this because the king left a will naming his son as successor.
Key Facts
King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV died last month at 34 while receiving cancer treatment in the US.
The Tooro royal clan elders selected Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma, a TV presenter and cousin of King Oyo, as the new monarch.
King Oyo’s sister, Princess Ruth Komuntale, said the late king had written a will in 2022 naming his young son as heir.
The identity and details of King Oyo’s son have not been publicly disclosed before this dispute.
Queen Best Kemigisa, the late king’s mother, said soldiers have restricted the royal family’s movement, describing it as "house arrest."
She asked the army and Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni to allow the family to mourn peacefully.
Uganda’s traditional kingdoms, including Tooro, have cultural but not political authority.
The Tooro succession is decided by clan elders and is not automatically inherited from father to son.
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Grace Tame apologized for saying that reports of Israeli women being raped during the Hamas attacks on October 7 were "propaganda" and not true. She said her words were misunderstood and that she supports all survivors of sexual violence. Some people and groups criticized her apology, saying it did not go far enough.
Key Facts
Grace Tame made the original comments in a March interview, calling rape claims during the October 7 Hamas attacks "debunked propaganda."
She apologized on Instagram, saying she stands with all survivors of sexual violence and did not mean to doubt Israeli survivors.
Tame said Human Rights Watch found no evidence for mass rapes but did not deny individual cases of sexual violence against Israeli women.
The United Nations special envoy reported there are reasonable grounds to believe sexual assaults, including rape and gang-rape, happened during the October 7 attacks.
The Israeli embassy in Canberra criticized Tame's original comments and said she lost her "moral compass."
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation received 145 complaints about Tame's interview.
Lynda Ben-Menashe, president of the National Council of Jewish Women Australia, said Tame’s apology was not sufficient and did not fix the harm caused.
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A group of about 30 to 40 people went to a hotel in Portsmouth where the Pakistan under-19 cricket team was staying because of false rumors that migrants had arrived. The police found no criminal activity, and the cricket team continued their scheduled match the next day.
Key Facts
The incident happened at the Marriott Hotel in Cosham, Portsmouth.
Protesters mistakenly thought the Pakistan under-19 cricket team were migrants.
Team members reported people knocking on their doors but did not respond aggressively.
Hampshire Police said no laws were broken and the crowd left by 9 p.m.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is reviewing security for the team’s tour.
A local councillor said the misunderstanding started from a social media post showing foreign nationals.
Labour MP Amanda Martin called the incident “deeply concerning” and said misinformation was the cause.
The event happened shortly after protests against migrants arriving in Portsmouth.
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Scientists in Denmark studied girls whose mothers took paracetamol (Tylenol) during pregnancy and found changes in the girls’ ovarian and uterine development from infancy through adolescence. The study does not prove paracetamol caused these changes, but it suggests fetal exposure might affect female reproductive health.
Key Facts
Researchers followed 302 girls and their mothers’ paracetamol use during pregnancy.
Girls exposed to paracetamol in early pregnancy had smaller ovaries and uteruses.
Exposure later in pregnancy was linked to fewer ovarian follicles (egg-containing structures).
Some girls exposed early showed lower levels of a hormone called anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), which relates to ovarian reserve.
A larger group of 1,210 girls showed similar patterns in adolescence.
More than half of pregnant women use paracetamol during pregnancy.
Animal studies have shown fetal exposure to paracetamol can reduce ovarian reserves.
It is still unknown whether these changes affect fertility later in life, and more research is needed.
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Russian strikes in Ukraine killed at least nine people overnight, targeting warehouses and ports in different regions. Meanwhile, NATO allies stopped a secret Russian operation aimed at damaging important undersea communication cables between Norway and Svalbard.
Key Facts
At least nine people died in Russian attacks in Ukraine, including five in Sumy region and four in the Black Sea port of Mykolaiv.
Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy is on a diplomatic trip discussing defense and winter preparations with Canada.
Russian security forces arrested a Russian security guard at the British embassy in Moscow, accusing him of planning a false flag attack allegedly connected to Ukraine's security agency.
British prosecutors charged a man in the UK for allegedly contacting Russia’s military intelligence agency, GRU.
NATO countries Britain, Norway, and the U.S. stopped a secret Russian plan to disable underwater internet cables in the Arctic.
The cables link Svalbard to mainland Norway and carry important satellite data.
The Russian operation was discovered and disrupted before any cables were damaged.
Norwegian officials warned Russia that attacks on critical infrastructure would have serious consequences.
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