Catherine Zeta-Jones is starring in a new thriller series called "Kill Jackie" where she uses her natural Welsh accent for the first time in a major role. The show, based on a novel, shows her character trying to hide after a risky past, and it was filmed in several European cities including her hometown Swansea.
Key Facts
Catherine Zeta-Jones uses her real Welsh accent in the series "Kill Jackie."
The show is a thriller about a woman hiding after a dangerous past as an international cocaine dealer.
Filming took place in Swansea (Wales), Bilbao (Spain), Lisbon (Portugal), and London (England).
"Kill Jackie" is based on the book "The Price You Pay" by Nick Harkaway (pen name Aidan Truhen).
This is the first big role where Zeta-Jones speaks in her Welsh accent.
Zeta-Jones has acted in other shows like "Wednesday" and the movie "Chicago."
The series will be available on Amazon Prime starting October 2.
The show was written and led by Tom Butterworth, known for "Gangs of London."
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The 2026 Ig Nobel Prizes, which honor unusual and humorous scientific research, will be held in Zurich, Switzerland, instead of Boston due to safety concerns for international travelers to the US. The awards celebrate studies like designing a splash-free urinal and understanding kissing behavior in animals, with winners giving public talks available online.
Key Facts
The Ig Nobel Prizes started in 1991 to honor odd but thought-provoking scientific achievements.
The 2026 ceremony will take place in Zurich, Switzerland, moving from Boston after 35 years.
The move is due to international travelers feeling unsafe visiting the US, leading some past winners to skip the event.
Future ceremonies will be held in European cities like Antwerp and Zurich in alternating years.
Prize winners have included scientists studying topics such as splash-free urinals and the precise definition of kissing among animals.
The awards emphasize humor and creativity, requiring short speeches and unusual presentations.
Winners will give free public talks that will be posted online at the Improbable Research website.
The event is likened to a European-based contest, similar to the Eurovision Song Contest.
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Nader Boulos Tannous, a Syrian Christian man living in Homs, Syria, was killed on August 15, 2026. Initial reports claimed his murder was due to his Christian faith, but investigators found it was related to a personal dispute dating back to 2012.
Key Facts
Nader Boulos Tannous was shot and killed in Homs, Syria on August 15, 2026.
Israel, Greece, and Cyprus initially called the murder an anti-Christian act.
Syrian police arrested a suspect who admitted to killing Tannous over a personal conflict from 2012.
Witnesses said Tannous was involved with the Assad regime and participated in a 2012 massacre in Homs.
Some reports suggest Tannous was accused of violence and sexual abuse, but police withheld details pending investigation.
The suspect said he was seeking revenge.
There is currently no evidence that the killing was due to Tannous’s Christian faith.
The murder happened on the Feast of the Dormition, an important day for Eastern Orthodox Christians.
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A journalist from Al Jazeera, Justin Salhani, was reporting live from the village of Al-Ghandouriyah in southern Lebanon when an explosion from an Israeli air strike occurred nearby. The bombing was visible and audible during the live report.
Key Facts
The event took place in southern Lebanon, in the village of Al-Ghandouriyah.
Justin Salhani, a reporter for Al Jazeera, was live on site during the incident.
An Israeli air strike caused an explosion close to where the journalist was reporting.
The bombing was captured on video behind the reporter.
The incident highlights ongoing military actions by Israel in the region.
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Conservative commentator Scott Jennings said President Trump should officially declare victory against Iran. This comes as the Trump administration works to weaken Iran financially amid ongoing attacks between Iran and U.S. allies in the Middle East.
Key Facts
Scott Jennings is a conservative commentator.
Jennings suggested President Trump make a formal announcement of victory over Iran.
The Trump administration is trying to hurt Iran financially.
There are ongoing military strikes and counter-strikes involving Iran and U.S. allies in the Middle East.
The discussion took place on the CNN show "The Arena with Kasie."
Another commentator, Xochitl Hinojosa, previously made remarks about the situation.
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Thousands of U.S. Navy sailors from the USS Abraham Lincoln and other ships arrived in Pattaya, Thailand, for a five-day break after serving 286 days at sea. Local officials and U.S. Navy leaders set rules for sailors' behavior, including a ban on paying for sex, while the visit brings an economic boost to the city.
Key Facts
The USS Abraham Lincoln carrier group was deployed for 286 days, involved in a naval blockade and combat related to the Iran war.
The ships arrived in the Thai provinces of Chon Buri and Rayong for rest and relaxation.
Pattaya, known as Thailand’s “Sin City” for its history of sex tourism, is trying to promote family-friendly activities.
U.S. Navy officials warned sailors not to engage in prostitution, which is illegal under U.S. military law.
Around 5,000 American personnel visited Pattaya, where they were welcomed with banners and explored local areas like Walking Street.
Local social media showed sailors enjoying nightlife and relaxing at pools and bars.
A minor fight between two U.S. sailors was reported and the involved personnel were confined to the ship.
The U.S. military presence in Pattaya dates back to the Vietnam War era.
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Thieves stole over 800 barrels of Guinness stout, equal to about 70,000 pints, from a depot in Runcorn, Cheshire. The stolen barrels were loaded onto two large trucks and taken away, with the total value of the Guinness and trailers estimated at £205,000.
Key Facts
The theft occurred at Whitehouse Industrial Estate on Aston Lane in Runcorn.
Two HGV trailers carrying more than 800 barrels were stolen on the same evening.
Each barrel holds about 88 pints of Guinness.
The stolen beer was meant to be delivered to pubs.
Police described two male drivers; one white man with a short dark beard and beanie, the other wearing a cap.
The trucks are white tri-axle curtain side trailers with GXO logistics branding.
The trailers have unique identification numbers: DL736 and DL542.
Police are investigating and have asked the public for information.
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Dr. Rizq Sufyan Abo Halima, a dentist in Gaza City, now works in a small tent because his dental clinics were destroyed in the 2023 war with Israel. High rent prices and a lack of buildings, caused by extensive destruction and restrictions on construction, force him to use this temporary setup to keep dental care affordable for his patients.
Key Facts
Dr. Rizq’s two dental clinics were destroyed in Israeli military attacks during the 2023 Gaza war.
He currently works in a tent located near the ruins of his former clinic in Gaza City.
More than 80% of buildings in Gaza City and northern Gaza are destroyed or badly damaged, according to the UN Satellite Centre.
Israel has banned building materials, preventing repairs and reconstruction in Gaza.
The shortage of usable buildings has caused rent and housing prices to rise sharply.
Rent for a clinic that used to cost about $166 per month now costs nearly $1,000, making it unaffordable.
Dr. Rizq uses the tent despite heat and other challenges to avoid increasing patients' treatment costs.
Many people in Gaza cannot afford dental care due to economic hardship and high prices in repaired or rented clinics.
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Andy Burnham, the prime minister, and his finance chief John Healey face tough choices in their upcoming budget, especially about how much to spend on defense. The discussion includes expert views on the government's options amid economic challenges. Separately, the BBC’s technology editor Zoe Kleinman reports on trying a self-driving Uber in London, showing how fast this technology is growing.
Key Facts
Andy Burnham is preparing his first budget as prime minister.
The government must decide whether to increase defense spending.
Economic conditions are making budget decisions difficult.
John Healey is the Chancellor working with Burnham on the budget.
Experts Adam Fleming, Faisal Islam, and Helen Miller discuss possible government options.
Zoe Kleinman is the first British journalist to try a self-driving Uber in London.
The self-driving car technology is advancing quickly.
Newscast is a daily BBC podcast that analyzes current political news.
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The United Nations and the World Meteorological Organization say the current El Niño, a climate event linked to hotter ocean temperatures, is growing stronger and will cause severe weather worldwide. This "supersized" El Niño is expected to bring more heat, drought, and flooding to many regions through early 2027.
Key Facts
El Niño is a climate pattern caused by warm ocean waters in the tropical Pacific Ocean.
This year's El Niño is becoming very strong and is forecast to peak late in 2026.
Ocean temperatures in the affected region have risen 1.5 to 2.6 degrees Celsius above normal this summer.
Weather impacts will include widespread heat and changes in rainfall, causing droughts in some places and floods in others.
The chance that El Niño will last into early 2027 is nearly 100%, which is unusually certain.
The United Nations and World Meteorological Organization stress this El Niño is happening on a hotter baseline due to climate change.
The World Health Organization is working with weather agencies to improve forecasts and early warnings for affected communities.
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Lisbon held a memorial for the 16 people who died in the derailment of the Glória funicular, an old streetcar, one year after the accident. The funicular and two others remain out of service while investigations and safety checks continue, with plans to modernize and reopen the Glória line by 2029.
Key Facts
The Glória funicular derailed and crashed in Lisbon on September 3, 2025, killing 16 people and injuring 24.
Most victims were foreigners, likely tourists, as the funicular is a popular attraction.
A memorial with a 150-year-old olive tree and limestone blocks with victims’ names was inaugurated.
The funicular is a type of streetcar that travels up and down steep hills using a cable system.
Lisbon’s tourism relies heavily on attractions like the funicular, with about 10 million visitors last year.
Service on the Glória funicular and two other funiculars remains stopped due to safety investigations.
The city’s regular streetcars are still operating.
Carris, the company that runs Lisbon’s transport, plans to modernize the Glória funicular and aims to reopen it by 2029 through an international tender process.
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A pregnant Ukrainian soldier named Yeva Smyrnova mourned her husband, Danyil Smyrnov, a 21-year-old soldier killed in fighting against Russia. Danyil died on August 28, 2026, while serving in military intelligence, and their first child is expected to be born soon after his funeral in Kyiv.
Key Facts
Yeva and Danyil Smyrnov both joined the Ukrainian army in 2023 at age 18.
They married in July 2025 and planned to start a family despite the ongoing war.
Danyil Smyrnov died on August 28, 2026, at the Sumy front in northeastern Ukraine.
He served as a junior sergeant, reconnaissance operator, and military intelligence soldier.
Their unborn son is due to be born shortly after Danyil’s death.
Funeral services were held at St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Monastery in Kyiv.
Danyil once studied psychology in Lithuania but left to join the military when fighting intensified.
His family found some comfort in the child to be born, whom they see as his legacy.
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France experienced its hottest summer since weather records began more than 100 years ago. The country faced severe heatwaves, wildfires, and drought, with temperatures much higher than usual and very little rainfall.
Key Facts
The summer of 2026 was the hottest in France since measurements started in 1900.
Average summer temperature was 24°C (75.2°F), 3.6°C (6.5°F) above normal.
In 2003, the temperature was 2.7°C (4.9°F) above the average, which was previously one of the hottest years.
Wildfires burned forests near Bordeaux, forcing 250,000 people to leave their homes.
France had one of its driest years, with rainfall nearly 40% below normal.
There were 53 heatwave days across the summer, more than the 33 days recorded in 2022.
Record ocean temperatures were found around mainland France and Corsica.
Europe is warming twice as fast as the global average since the 1980s.
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This week, UK Mayor Andy Burnham took part in his first Prime Minister’s Questions session. Iceland decided not to restart talks about joining the European Union. Victoria Beckham’s fashion and beauty company made a profit for the first time since it started in 2008.
Key Facts
Andy Burnham appeared in Prime Minister’s Questions for the first time.
Iceland voted against resuming talks to join the European Union.
Victoria Beckham’s business became profitable after many years.
The quiz reviewed other recent world events from the past week.
The article mentions topics like music and culture but focuses on current news highlights.
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Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado criticized President Donald Trump’s oil deal with Venezuela’s interim government, saying the current leaders do not have the right to control the country’s natural resources. The deal involves sharing Venezuela’s large oil reserves but has faced criticism for excluding democratic voices and supporting an unelected interim president.
Key Facts
María Corina Machado is a Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel peace prize winner.
She opposes an oil deal that President Trump made with Venezuela’s interim government.
Machado says Venezuela’s natural resources belong to the people, not the current leaders she calls illegitimate.
Venezuela has the world’s largest proven crude oil reserves, about 303 billion barrels.
The oil deal reportedly includes more than 65 billion barrels of oil.
The deal was signed with Delcy Rodríguez, the unelected interim president who took power after Nicolás Maduro’s capture.
President Trump warned Rodríguez to act properly or face consequences worse than Maduro’s.
The U.S. claims this deal will increase energy production and reduce influence from China and Russia in Venezuela.
Critics say the deal could delay new presidential elections in Venezuela.
Both President Trump and Rodríguez gave unclear answers about when new elections will happen.
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President Donald Trump suggested the United States might not support the UK in a future conflict over the Falkland Islands because Britain did not assist the US during its conflict with Iran. The Falkland Islands are disputed between the UK and Argentina, and Trump mentioned reconsidering the US neutral stance on the islands.
Key Facts
President Trump said the UK did not help the US during America’s conflict with Iran.
Trump asked NATO and the UK for military support near the Strait of Hormuz but received none.
The Falkland Islands are a group of islands in the South Atlantic, claimed by both the UK and Argentina.
In 1982, the UK and Argentina fought a war over the islands; the UK won.
The US has recognized UK control over the islands but has stayed officially neutral on who owns them.
Argentina’s President Javier Milei plans to make a statement about Argentina’s claim to the islands.
The UK says the Falkland Islanders want to remain British and voted overwhelmingly for this in 2013.
Trump said he is reviewing the US position on the Falkland Islands as part of a broader review of policies.
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Dolly Parton passed away, which has been very hard for her family. Her niece, Jada Star, said Dolly kept her cancer diagnosis private because she did not want to upset her fans.
Key Facts
Dolly Parton died after battling cancer.
She kept her illness secret from the public.
Dolly wanted to avoid worrying her fans about her health.
Jada Star is Dolly Parton’s niece.
Jada described the experience as difficult and surreal for the family.
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Yemeni government forces are fighting Houthi fighters in southwestern Yemen near Taiz and al-Makha. The Houthis are trying to cut off Taiz city from the Red Sea coast to gain control of a key port and supply route, while government forces report some successes in pushing back.
Key Facts
Clashes are happening west of Taiz province and along the western Red Sea coast.
Houthis aim to cut the road linking Taiz to al-Makha, isolating Taiz from the coast.
Controlling al-Makha would give Houthis a strategic position on the Red Sea, important for global trade.
Yemeni government forces say they have regained some areas taken by Houthis.
Houthis launched 14 ballistic missiles and several drone attacks on Taiz and Hodeidah provinces.
More than 18 Houthi fighters and 13 government soldiers were reported killed in recent fighting.
Government forces stopped a boat attack with explosives near al-Makha port.
Fighting has increased recently, threatening a fragile truce signed in 2022.
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The United Nations' weather agency says the El Niño weather event could be the strongest in 40 years. It is expected to be very strong in the coming months and likely will continue until February, raising concerns about extreme weather worldwide.
Key Facts
El Niño is a natural weather event that affects global climate patterns.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) expects this El Niño to be very strong.
This could be the strongest El Niño since records started 40 years ago.
The event is likely to last until February 2027.
El Niño often leads to extreme weather like heatwaves, storms, and droughts.
The UN chief warned that the world is entering a "danger zone" for such weather risks.
Preparing for these weather changes is important for countries worldwide.
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Two Palestinian teenage boys were killed during a raid involving Israeli settlers and army troops in the West Bank village of al-Mughayyir. The Israeli military said its forces entered the village to support police and an Israeli civilian retrieving livestock amid rising violence by Jewish settlers.
Key Facts
The incident occurred on Wednesday in the occupied West Bank.
Two Palestinian teens died during the raid.
Both Israeli settler militants and army troops took part in the operation.
The Israeli army said they acted to protect police and an Israeli civilian.
The Israeli civilian was there to recover livestock.
Violence by Jewish settlers in the West Bank has been increasing recently.
Palestinian health officials confirmed the deaths.
The village involved is called al-Mughayyir.
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