Kerr County, Texas, asked twice for federal money to build a flood-warning system but was denied both times before a deadly flood occurred in 2025, killing at least 27 people. The article explains that a lack of trust, both in institutions and between people, is a major problem in funding climate actions and disaster prevention worldwide.
Key Facts
Kerr County applied for $1 million federal funds in 2017 and 2018 for a flood-warning system but was rejected both times.
A flood in 2025 on the Guadalupe River caused at least 27 deaths at a girls' camp.
Trust in institutions and strangers has fallen globally and in the U.S., affecting charitable giving and cooperation.
In 2000, about two-thirds of U.S. households gave to charity; by 2018, this dropped to just under half.
A 2026 global survey found that 7 in 10 people hesitate to trust others with different values or backgrounds.
Nonprofits are not seen as the most ethical or efficient institutions, businesses score better in trust.
Climate agreements depend on people willing to fund problems they may never see but trust in this is declining.
The author suggests building financial systems where all parties depend on each other’s success to reduce reliance on trust.
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Earl Spencer apologized to Piers Morgan for wrongly claiming in his book that Morgan was responsible for publishing private photos of Princess Diana in the 1990s. Morgan said the photos were published before he became editor of the Daily Mirror, and Spencer corrected his mistake after Morgan pointed it out.
Key Facts
Earl Spencer wrote a book about Princess Diana, including claims about Piers Morgan’s involvement in publishing private photos.
Morgan threatened to sue Spencer for false claims in the book.
The photos were published in 1993 by the Sunday Mirror, before Morgan became editor in 1995.
Morgan was working for a competing newspaper, The Sun, when the photos were published.
Spencer assumed Morgan was editor during the photo publication but later apologized for this error.
The book also made other claims about the royal family, leading to disagreements with Buckingham Palace.
Morgan shared his response on his YouTube show, saying Spencer’s claims were false and easy to prove wrong.
Spencer called Morgan personally to say he was not welcome at Princess Diana’s funeral, which Morgan remembers clearly.
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Arab countries are working to set up a meeting between the U.S. and Iran during the United Nations General Assembly to reduce tensions in the ongoing conflict. President Trump is open to talks but has not scheduled a meeting yet. He aims to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and is seeking a deal or resolution soon.
Key Facts
Arab nations are mediating to arrange a high-level U.S.-Iran meeting at the UN General Assembly in New York.
President Trump is willing to meet with Iran to solve problems but no meeting date is set yet.
Trump is meeting representatives from nine Arab countries to discuss the conflict and possible de-escalation.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with Qatari Prime Minister, a key mediator, during the UN session.
Trump said he must decide between making a deal with Iran or pursuing tougher actions against the country.
Trump emphasized he will remain president for the next two and a half years and will not consider upcoming U.S. elections in Iran negotiations.
Trump accused Iran of violating a ceasefire by attacking commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz but said the U.S. still escorts many tankers safely.
Trump called for global unity in pressuring Iran to prevent it from acquiring nuclear weapons.
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An amateur with a metal detector found 934 Roman silver coins in western Germany, the largest such treasure from Emperor Hadrian’s time ever found in the country. The coins, mostly from the second century A.D., are now displayed at a museum in Bonn.
Key Facts
The coins, called denarii, weigh about 3.1 kilograms (6.8 pounds).
Most coins are from the Flavian emperors’ period (A.D. 69–96), with the oldest dating back to 148 B.C.
The treasure was likely buried deliberately during the second quarter of the second century A.D. to keep the money safe.
Roman banks did not exist, so people hid their money for protection.
The treasure was found near Wesseling, south of Cologne, Germany.
The area was under Roman control from 39 B.C. to about A.D. 459.
A Roman legionary earned 300 denarii a year, and the hoard equals about six years’ disposable income for a soldier.
Similar Roman treasures have recently been found in Wales, England, Poland, and Mediterranean regions.
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A fire broke out early in the morning at a semi-detached house in Bootle, Merseyside, resulting in the deaths of four people inside the home. One person outside the house was taken to the hospital, and fire crews are now investigating the cause of the fire.
Key Facts
The fire happened around 3:30 am, with firefighters arriving at 3:45 am.
The house was heavily on fire when firefighters arrived.
Six fire engines and eight firefighters worked to control the blaze.
Four people inside the house died, and one person outside was taken to hospital.
Firefighters found the victims when they searched the building wearing breathing gear.
The fire spread very quickly and was described as “intense.”
Fire and police services will conduct a joint investigation into the fire’s cause.
Fire crews will stay visible in the community to provide reassurance after the incident.
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Thousands of people across France protested against a new police law that would make it harder to hold officers accountable for shootings by assuming they acted in self-defense. The law aims to protect police officers but has raised concerns about increasing police impunity, especially amid past allegations of police violence in immigrant neighborhoods.
Key Facts
The proposed law would presume police officers acted legally when they use firearms on duty, unless proven otherwise.
Critics say this makes it very difficult to challenge police shootings and could lead to more violence.
Protests took place in Paris, Lyon, Toulouse, Marseille, and Rennes with thousands of participants.
Police reported arrests and injuries during some protests, including projectiles thrown at officers.
The bill was approved by the National Assembly and will now be voted on in the Senate.
Supporters argue the law is necessary to protect police who face dangerous situations.
Opponents include left-wing politicians, human rights groups, and unions, who call for police accountability.
A petition against the bill collected 730,000 signatures but was dismissed by a parliamentary committee.
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Victoria’s National Trust chose nine trees as finalists for the Tree of the Year 2026. These trees are important because of their history, cultural value, or special characteristics and are all listed on the National Trust’s significant tree register.
Key Facts
The Tree of the Year contest started in 2016 to raise awareness and protect important trees in Victoria.
Trees must be on the National Trust significant tree register, which recognizes about 10,000 trees in Victoria.
Over 40 nominations were made this year, with 9 chosen as finalists by a panel of experts and tree specialists.
Finalists include a myrtle beech in Apollo Bay, a flooded gum in Carlton North, and Californian redwoods in Warburton.
The ginkgo in Geelong Botanic Gardens was planted in 1859 and was once thought extinct in the wild.
The Indian bean tree in Castlemaine is known for its seasonal flowers and seed pods.
The smooth-barked apple myrtle in Prahran is notable as the largest of its kind in cultivation in the area.
Other finalists include a Canary Island pine in Ballarat planted in the 1860s and a golden wych elm in South Yarra.
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Lady Diana Spencer’s brother has released a new memoir about Princess Diana. The book has caused fresh debate and disagreement involving the royal family.
Key Facts
Princess Diana married Prince Charles in 1981 and they divorced in 1996.
Prince Charles later married Camilla Parker Bowles, who is now Queen Camilla.
Diana’s brother, Spencer, has had ongoing conflicts with the royal family over how they treated Diana.
Spencer’s new memoir focuses on Princess Diana and has reignited controversy regarding the royals.
The book was published and reported on September 22, 2026.
The controversy mainly concerns the royal family’s behavior and history related to Diana.
This is a recent development tied to ongoing public interest in the British royal family.
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Nicholas Brandram, a 44-year-old man under investigation for an incident in 2017 where a woman was pushed into traffic on Putney Bridge, was found dead at his home in Chiswick. The police said his death was not suspicious, and the coroner has paused the inquest while awaiting a police conduct investigation.
Key Facts
Nicholas Brandram was suspected in a 2017 case involving a woman shoved into the road by a jogger.
He was arrested in June 2026 for attempted grievous bodily harm connected to this incident.
Brandram was found dead at home on 15 September 2026 by his brother-in-law using a spare key.
Paramedics tried to resuscitate him but he was pronounced dead before 9 p.m.
Police believe there was no third-party involvement in his death.
The inquest is on hold pending results from an Independent Office of Police Conduct inquiry.
Brandram’s family says he was not the jogger known as the "Putney Pusher" and blame police actions for his death.
The coroner expressed condolences to Brandram’s family during the hearing.
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Many European countries are encouraging their citizens to prepare at home for different emergencies such as war, severe weather, and cyberattacks. Ireland recently started sending booklets to homes with advice on how to stay safe during major crises, following similar steps taken by several other countries.
Key Facts
Ireland began a campaign in late 2025, sending emergency preparedness guides to 2.2 million households.
European governments have prepared their citizens for various threats, including natural disasters, power outages, cyberattacks, and military conflicts.
Countries near Russia, like Lithuania, provide advice on how to handle wartime occupation and resistance.
The UK launched a national emergency readiness campaign in May 2024 covering floods, cyber threats, and outages.
Nordic countries extended their emergency guidance, with Norway advising one week of self-sufficiency and Sweden distributing a war preparedness booklet.
The European Commission highlighted concerns about geopolitical tensions, cyber threats, climate change, and information manipulation in its 2025 Preparedness Union Strategy.
Central European countries such as Poland, the Czech Republic, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and France have also provided crisis guides and preparedness kits.
These efforts aim to make citizens more resilient to different types of emergencies by giving practical advice on what to store and how to act.
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An amateur archaeologist found 934 Roman silver coins in a field near Cologne, Germany. Experts say this is the biggest Roman coin treasure from Emperor Hadrian’s time found in Germany, and it was likely buried around the second century AD.
Key Facts
Oliver Riedl discovered the coins using a metal detector near Wesseling, south of Cologne.
The total find includes 934 Roman silver denarii weighing 3.1 kg (6.8 lbs).
The coins date back to the time of Roman Emperor Hadrian, around the second quarter of the second century AD.
The treasure is on display at the LVR-LandesMuseum Bonn.
The coins were probably buried to keep the money safe, as banks did not exist then.
It is unclear why the coins were never retrieved, possibly because the owner died before recovering them.
At that time, a Roman soldier earned about 300 denarii a year, so the hoard represented many years of savings.
The Cologne area was under Roman rule from 39 BC to AD 459, with a military base established there along the Rhine River.
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President Donald Trump spoke at the United Nations General Assembly in New York City on September 22, 2026. He said he faces a major choice: either make a deal to end the war with Iran or take military action to "annihilate" the country.
Key Facts
President Trump made the statement during the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
He described his choice as a "big decision" regarding Iran.
The options he mentioned are making a deal to end the war or using force to destroy Iran.
He said military action would leave Iran with "no chance of survival."
President Trump is also meeting with other global leaders at the event.
The situation with Iran is ongoing, and news updates are expected.
The article was published by ABC News on September 22, 2026.
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More than 160 Irish athletes have signed a letter asking Ireland’s men’s soccer team to boycott upcoming games against Israel due to growing diplomatic tension. The matches will be held in neutral countries with no fans after protests in Ireland over civilian deaths in Gaza.
Key Facts
Ireland’s men’s soccer team is set to play Israel twice in UEFA Nations League qualifiers on Sept. 27 and Oct. 4 in Hungary and Serbia.
Both games will happen without spectators in neutral countries because of protests in Ireland.
Over 160 Irish athletes signed a letter urging their team to boycott the games against Israel.
The Irish team coach made controversial remarks about the matches, which drew criticism from the Israeli Football Association.
The Irish government has criticized Israel’s military actions in Gaza and supports legal action accusing Israel of genocide.
Israel closed its embassy in Dublin in late 2024 due to Ireland’s strong anti-Israel stance.
The Irish Football Association voted to ask UEFA to suspend Israel from competitions but later confirmed the team will play as scheduled.
UEFA is the organization that manages European soccer competitions.
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The Houthis are trying to take control of the Kahboub Mountains in Yemen after quickly capturing much of the Red Sea coast. This area is important because it overlooks a key shipping route near Bab al-Mandeb, which connects the Indian Ocean, Red Sea, and Suez Canal. Controlling the mountains would help the Houthis defend their new coastal territory and strengthen their military position.
Key Facts
The Houthis launched a fast offensive this month, gaining large parts of Yemen’s Red Sea coast.
Fighting has increased recently between the Houthis and forces loyal to Yemen’s Saudi-backed government.
The Kahboub Mountains are near Bab al-Mandeb, a crucial shipping route for global trade and oil transport.
Control of these mountains provides a defensive advantage to protect the Houthis’ coastal gains.
Bab al-Mandeb connects key waterways important for global shipping, especially with ongoing disruptions near the Strait of Hormuz.
The Houthis say they do not plan to attack U.S. ships, only ones linked to Saudi Arabia, but their attacks have sometimes hit other vessels.
U.S. President Donald Trump nearly ordered strikes against the Houthis but stopped at the last minute.
Britain plans to support Saudi Arabia with defensive refueling for its aircraft.
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King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (KFSH) in Riyadh is a leading Saudi hospital focused on complex and specialized care like cancer treatment, organ transplants, and robotic surgery. The hospital aims to become a global leader by increasing its focus on advanced medical care and sharing knowledge internationally, reducing the need for patients to seek treatment abroad.
Key Facts
KFSH provides specialized care in areas such as cancer, organ transplants, heart care, genomics, surgery, and neurosciences.
The hospital treats 25% of cancer cases in Saudi Arabia and performs many complex surgeries, including robotic procedures.
Around 60% of KFSH’s care is tertiary and quaternary, with a goal to reach 80% in the next two years. Tertiary and quaternary care means highly specialized and advanced treatments.
Saudi Arabia used to send many patients abroad for treatment, but this has decreased significantly in recent years.
KFSH performed 1,092 organ transplants in one year and about 9,000 since 1981.
The hospital is developing its own CAR T-cell therapies to treat cancer, which lowers costs and reduces wait times for patients.
KFSH achieved world-firsts like the fully robotic heart transplant and robotic brain tumor surgery.
They emphasize careful planning, training, and patient communication when introducing new surgical innovations.
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Actress Hayden Panettiere died from an accidental overdose involving fentanyl and several other drugs, according to the Greenville County coroner’s office. Authorities found no signs of trauma or foul play in her death.
Key Facts
Hayden Panettiere was 36 years old at the time of her death.
The cause of death was ruled as toxic effects from fentanyl, 4-ANPP (a fentanyl-related substance), Alprazolam (a medication for anxiety), Methocarbamol (a muscle relaxant), and Quetiapine (a medication for mental health).
The death was classified as an accident.
There were no signs of trauma on her body.
Greenville police said no foul play or suspicious circumstances were involved.
An acquaintance made the emergency 911 call about her condition.
The coroner’s office and police conducted separate investigations.
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A report from the Guardian says that some experts writing a big UN climate report may have conflicts of interest. It found that 20 of 223 lead authors, many connected to Saudi groups and oil company Saudi Aramco, might have biased views that affect the UN’s work on reducing emissions.
Key Facts
The investigation focused on the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
223 experts are lead authors on the part about cutting or removing emissions.
20 of these lead authors have potential conflicts of interest.
More than half of those 20 are linked to Saudi institutions.
Two authors work for Saudi Aramco, a major oil company.
The concern is that these links could influence the report’s results.
The IPCC’s findings are important for global climate policies.
The article was published on September 22, 2026.
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UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spoke at the UN General Assembly for the last time in his role. He condemned the violence and destruction in Gaza and warned that the expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank is causing serious harm and may lead to ethnic cleansing.
Key Facts
Antonio Guterres gave his final speech as the UN Secretary-General at the General Assembly.
He condemned the killing and destruction taking place in Gaza.
Guterres expressed concern about Israeli settlement growth in the occupied West Bank.
He said the settlement expansion and forced displacement raise fears of ethnic cleansing.
Ethnic cleansing refers to the removal of ethnic or religious groups by force or violence.
The situation involves violence and human rights concerns in both Gaza and the West Bank.
The speech focused on the need for peace and respect for international law in these areas.
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Tim Westwood, a former DJ, has been charged with two more sexual offences from 1991 and 2004. He will appear in court, facing accusations related to assaults on two women when they were 16-18 years old.
Key Facts
Tim Westwood is 68 years old and used to be a DJ on Radio 1.
He faces charges of indecent assault from 1991 in Hammersmith and Fulham.
He is also charged with sexual assault from May 2004 in Wandsworth.
Westwood already faces charges including indecent assault, sexual assault, and rape, relating to offences between 1983 and 2016.
The new charges involve two additional women, separate from previous cases.
The Metropolitan Police conducted the investigation leading to these charges.
The Crown Prosecution Service found enough evidence to add these charges and decided it is important to continue the legal process.
Westwood has the right to a fair trial, and the case is still ongoing.
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The United States will open two military bases in Greenland under a deal with Denmark and Greenland, aiming to strengthen security in the Arctic region. The agreement includes US rights to block military or sensitive investments by non-NATO countries in Greenland, while recognizing Greenland’s sovereignty.
Key Facts
The US-Denmark-Greenland deal is expected to be signed at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The US will open two military bases: one in southern Greenland at Narsarsuaq and one on the east coast.
The agreement gives the US a veto to stop non-NATO countries from establishing military bases or making sensitive investments in Greenland.
Greenland’s government says the deal respects its sovereignty and the right of its people to self-determination.
The deal comes after President Donald Trump’s earlier comments about possibly annexing Greenland, which caused tensions.
NATO increased troop deployments to Greenland earlier to show military readiness and deter any US actions.
President Trump later withdrew threats of invasion and tariffs on European countries after talks with NATO and Greenlandic leaders.
Danish and Greenlandic officials see the deal as a way to improve security in the Arctic while respecting their national interests.
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