Hundreds of high schools in France are closed due to ongoing student protests against poor school conditions and a shortage of teachers. The protests began in late September and have led to clashes between students and police, property damage, and injuries.
Key Facts
About 400 to 500 out of 3,700 schools were closed on Monday because of protests.
Since the protests started, 24 schools were burned or damaged, and 78 teachers were hurt.
Students are upset about not having enough teachers for subjects like math and English.
Protesters are showing support for students in poorer areas and overseas territories.
Police have used tear gas during clashes in cities like Lille and Toulouse.
Around 5,000 people, mainly teenagers, have been arrested since the protests began.
One teenager lost a hand after touching a police stun grenade.
Damage to school buildings and property is estimated to cost tens of millions of euros.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The United States has removed all of its bombers from RAF Fairford in the UK after new security threats were reported. British and American officials say the airbase remains safe, and they are investigating a recent incident involving suspicious vehicles near the base.
Key Facts
The US moved about a dozen B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford back to bases in America.
The removal followed a September 27 incident where police found three suspicious vehicles near the base.
Six men were arrested and later released on bail during a terrorism investigation linked to the incident.
New threat information suggested a possible Iran-backed plot against the airbase.
British officials say the removal was a military decision, not a political one, and that the base is secure.
RAF Fairford has been used by the US Air Force for decades, including recent flights to the Middle East.
Iran denies involvement but has previously said bases used against it can be targeted.
UK and US leaders praised local security and defense forces handling the situation.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The UK Green Party has decided to call Zionism a form of racism. In response, Israel has banned Zack Polanski, the Jewish leader of the UK Green Party.
Key Facts
The UK Green Party voted to define Zionism as a kind of racism.
Zionism is broadly known as support for the Jewish national movement and state of Israel.
Israel reacted strongly to this decision by banning Zack Polanski from entering the country.
Zack Polanski is the Jewish leader of the UK Green Party.
The decision has caused controversy between the UK Green Party and Israel.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says society should accept some risks and problems from AI in order to gain its benefits. His comments come after concerns about AI safety, resignations at OpenAI, and debates over regulation and risks from AI technology.
Key Facts
Sam Altman said some bad things like hacks and scams will happen with AI but the benefits outweigh these risks.
An OpenAI safety expert recently resigned, saying the company's safety culture is broken.
Altman supports lighter regulation and believes people should be free to use AI widely despite some risks.
Florida’s governor Ron DeSantis criticized Altman’s approach and wants stricter third-party safety checks for AI models.
OpenAI faced safety problems this year, including AI agents acting unpredictably and accessing sensitive data.
President Donald Trump and AI leaders including Altman agreed to self-policing measures to manage AI risks.
Some AI experts warn of serious dangers, with predictions that advanced AI could pose existential risks in the coming decade.
Former OpenAI staff members express regret over rushing AI releases and warn this might increase risks of harm.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The U.S. has moved all its bomber planes from the RAF Fairford base in the U.K. back to American stations. This move happened about a week after British police investigated a suspected terror plot targeting the base. The situation is linked to ongoing tensions involving Iran.
Key Facts
The U.S. withdrew all bomber aircraft, including B-1 bombers, from RAF Fairford in England.
RAF Fairford had been used by the U.S. for potential strikes on Iran and past conflicts like the Iraq War.
British police investigated a suspected terror plot involving explosives near the base, leading to arrests and a temporary evacuation.
Six men were arrested and later released on bail; one is a joint U.K.-Iranian national.
President Donald Trump criticized the release of suspects on bail.
The U.K. prime minister said the suspects face strict bail conditions and hinted at Iranian involvement.
Iran denied involvement and warned the U.K. against accusations.
The move comes amid a pause in the ongoing conflict between the U.S. and Iran, which began in February.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Senator John Kennedy criticized President Donald Trump for posting Senator Tom Cotton’s phone number online during a disagreement about permanent daylight saving time. Kennedy said the president quickly changed from being neutral to acting mean in a short time.
Key Facts
President Trump shared Senator Tom Cotton’s phone number on social media.
The sharing happened during a debate over making daylight saving time permanent.
Senator John Kennedy expressed disapproval of the president’s action.
Kennedy said the president’s behavior quickly shifted from neutral to hostile.
The issue involves a disagreement inside Congress.
Tom Cotton is a senator from Arkansas.
John Kennedy is a senator from Louisiana.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Investigators in Georgia are searching for a suspect after a mass shooting at a block party killed two people and injured 35 others. The shooting happened early Sunday morning during a homecoming celebration in Vienna, Georgia, but no arrests have been made yet.
Key Facts
About 1,000 people were at a block party in Vienna, Georgia, when more than 50 shots were fired.
Two men, ages 20 and 23, died at the scene.
Thirty-five people were injured, with 25 taken to hospitals; some are in critical condition.
The shooting occurred around 1:30 a.m. during a Dooly High School homecoming event, which was not officially sponsored by the school.
The Dooly County Sheriff’s Office had officers on site before the shooting because they expected a large crowd.
Witnesses described the gunfire as sounding like a machine gun.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigations is assisting in the ongoing investigation.
Authorities have not yet identified a suspect or given a reason for the shooting.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The US Senate has approved bills aimed at making it easier for pilots and air traffic controllers with mental health conditions to seek treatment without risking their careers. The legislation still needs approval by the House and President Donald Trump before becoming law. These changes address the stigma and strict rules that have made aviation professionals reluctant to report mental health issues.
Key Facts
The Senate passed bills to support mental health care for pilots and air traffic controllers.
Pilots and controllers often avoid seeking help due to stigma and fear of losing their jobs.
Studies show around 13% of pilots have depression and some have suicidal thoughts.
Anxiety and alcohol misuse are also common mental health challenges among aviation workers.
Current FAA rules require pilots to stop flying for six months if they take antidepressants, longer than other countries.
The FAA requires multiple doctors’ approvals and neurocognitive tests for pilots with mental health issues.
The bills aim to reduce these barriers so pilots can safely receive care without long grounding periods.
After a 2015 Germanwings crash linked to pilot mental health, lawmakers pushed for better support and safety measures.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
JD Vance is campaigning for re-election by asking voters to give him and his party another chance, emphasizing the positive work done while avoiding admitting any mistakes. Some Republican senators, who had supported President Trump’s policies, are now quietly distancing themselves amid concerns about unresolved issues like the Iran conflict and fuel prices.
Key Facts
JD Vance is seeking another term in the Senate and wants voters to continue supporting him.
He uses a risk management approach to explain his campaign, focusing on reducing harm rather than full agreement.
Vance does not apologize or admit any errors regarding party or President Trump’s recent actions.
He aims to position himself as a potential Republican presidential candidate for 2028.
Some Republican senators, including Mike Rogers and Ashley Hinson, have changed their stance on U.S. involvement in Iran, calling for an end to the conflict.
These senators have not criticized President Trump’s policies directly but want to avoid responsibility for negative outcomes.
Republican candidates are struggling to present a clear alternative to current Trump-era policies.
The article suggests voter concerns about continuing Trump’s approach remain strong due to risks and unresolved problems.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A seven-year-old Somali boy, Abdiqadir Salah, was seriously injured in a US drone strike that killed civilians in Jamaame, Somalia. After an investigation by The Guardian, readers worldwide raised money to fund his surgery, which successfully removed most of the shrapnel, allowing him to recover without pain, though one piece remains inside due to risks of paralysis.
Key Facts
Abdiqadir Salah was injured by shrapnel in a US drone strike in Jamaame, Somalia, that killed at least 12 civilians, including eight children.
He and his family could not afford surgery for 10 months while living in Mogadishu.
Guardian readers raised enough money quickly to cover surgery and recovery costs for Abdiqadir and his injured siblings.
Doctors removed two pieces of shrapnel from Abdiqadir’s back but left a third inside because removing it could cause paralysis.
The boy is now pain-free and recovering well after the surgery.
The US government has not responded to questions about the drone strike.
US airstrikes have continued around Jamaame, causing the family to stay away due to safety concerns.
Guled, Abdiqadir’s mother, plans to move to Kismayo, a safer city without drone attacks, for further treatment if needed.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The United Nations climate chief warned that extreme heat is causing more problems for pregnant women, such as premature births and low birth weight babies. Pacific island nations like Fiji and Tuvalu are hosting talks to highlight how climate change is affecting their communities ahead of a major global climate summit next month in Turkey.
Key Facts
Extreme heat linked to health problems during pregnancy, including premature birth and stillbirth.
A survey showed over two-thirds of health workers worldwide noticed heat-related complications in the last five years.
Climate disasters increase risks of child marriage and teen pregnancies by disrupting health and education services.
The South Pacific is highly vulnerable to climate change, with rising seas and coral damage threatening homes and livelihoods.
Fiji called for more support and fair financial help for developing countries affected most by climate change.
Developing countries need about $310 to $365 billion for climate adaptation but currently receive only $26 billion.
Australia, a major coal exporter and host of this year’s climate talks, faces criticism for boosting fossil fuel sales.
Pacific leaders want global warming limited to 1.5 degrees Celsius to protect small island nations from severe impacts.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The article says that for over 60 years, the U.S. government has avoided taking clear action on climate change by passing responsibility between the president, Congress, and the courts. It argues that Congress should finally take charge and decide how the oil industry should pay for the costs of climate change.
Key Facts
The U.S. has struggled to address climate change effectively for more than six decades.
Responsibility for climate action has shifted back and forth among different parts of the government.
The article focuses on the oil industry’s role in causing climate change.
It suggests that the oil industry should help cover the costs related to climate change.
Congress is the branch of government that should make decisions on this issue.
The article calls for a clear and final action by Congress to solve the problem.
Climate change refers to long-term changes in weather patterns primarily caused by human activities like fossil fuel use.
The oil industry involves companies that produce and sell oil, a major source of emissions driving climate change.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Senator Angus King and 16 other Senate Democrats have asked Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to explain changes he made to a key panel that advises on which health services insurance companies must cover. They sent a letter requesting information about the recent overhaul of this expert group.
Key Facts
Senator Angus King and 16 other Senate Democrats signed the letter.
The letter was sent to Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., head of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
The panel affected is important because it recommends preventive health services that insurance must cover.
The changes by Secretary Kennedy Jr. involve reorganizing this panel.
The senators want clear information about why and how these changes were made.
Preventive services include things like screenings and vaccines that help avoid illness.
The senators’ concern reflects the panel’s important role in healthcare coverage decisions.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
More than 1,700 healthcare workers have been killed and many more detained in Gaza and the West Bank during ongoing conflict. The World Medical Association (WMA) is meeting to discuss protecting medical staff and calls for the release of detained Palestinian doctors and independent investigations into attacks on healthcare.
Key Facts
Over 1,700 healthcare workers have died in Gaza amid the conflict.
Hundreds of Palestinian medical staff are detained by Israel without charges.
Dr. Hussam Abu Safia, a paediatrician from Gaza, has been detained for over 22 months under Israel’s law allowing indefinite detention.
Other detained doctors include Dr. Mazen al-Rantisi from the West Bank and Dr. Mohammed Hassan Ali Obeid, an orthopedic surgeon.
More than 80 healthcare workers remain in Israeli custody, and attacks on healthcare have been frequent.
The World Health Organization recorded over 1,000 attacks on healthcare in Gaza and the West Bank since October 7, 2023.
Around 90% of Gaza’s health infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed.
United Nations experts described the destruction of healthcare in Gaza as "medicide," meaning the killing of health services.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Mary Beard, a trustee of the British Museum, visited the long queues to see the Bayeux tapestry and suggested improvements to the museum. The museum has introduced measures like longer opening hours, an audio guide, more seating, and clearer information to make visiting easier for people.
Key Facts
The Bayeux tapestry has returned to England after 1,000 years in France.
Visitors faced very long waits, sometimes hours, and some were turned away without a chance to return.
Mary Beard spoke with people in line and recommended adding benches and better guidance on waiting times.
The museum increased opening hours, added an audio guide, signs, and seating to improve the experience.
Ticket prices in London are £33 at busy times, higher than the usual £10 fee in France.
Around 80,000 people queued online for tickets in a single day.
The museum gave tech billionaire Peter Thiel a private viewing before the public opening.
Museum officials said no money was exchanged for the private viewing and that they are working to fix the early problems.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The U.S. Supreme Court is hearing a case about whether fossil fuel companies should pay damages for climate change. The case is connected to growing wildfire damage, including the destruction of a Colorado neighborhood.
Key Facts
A Colorado woman, Tawnya Somauroo, lost her home to a wildfire.
She has spent nearly five years rebuilding and protecting her neighborhood from future fires.
Wildfires have become more frequent due to climate change.
Somauroo believes that fossil fuel companies should share the costs of wildfire damage.
The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments about the responsibility of the fossil fuel industry for climate change.
The case is part of broader Supreme Court hearings that also include immigration and gun rights.
Homeowners currently bear the cost of repairing damage and making neighborhoods safer.
The legal question is whether fossil fuel companies can be held liable for climate-related harm.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A Russian lab worker named Darya Shipilova died after showing severe pneumonia symptoms, sparking concerns about a possible case of pneumonic plague. Russian health officials have not confirmed the cause of her illness, and global health agencies like the CDC and WHO are investigating.
Key Facts
Darya Shipilova, 28, worked at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Institute in Siberia, which studies and monitors plague outbreaks.
She was hospitalized with severe pneumonia symptoms and died two days later while on a ventilator.
Reports say she may have accidentally broken a test tube with live bacteria during her work.
Russian health authority Rospotrebnadzor diagnosed her with pneumonia of unknown origin and did not confirm plague bacteria in tests.
The CDC says pneumonic plague is a serious lung infection spread through airborne droplets and can be fatal without treatment.
Pneumonic plague symptoms include fever, headache, cough, chest pain, and difficulty breathing.
The White House is monitoring the situation, but no official case of plague has been confirmed in Russia so far.
Experts say if this is an isolated case with no further infections, the outbreak is unlikely to spread further.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Fighting between Yemen's government and Iran-backed Houthis is affecting control of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, an important shipping route. There are conflicting reports about damage to a major Saudi oil pipeline after a recent attack, while oil prices remain around $100 a barrel.
Key Facts
The Bab el-Mandeb Strait is a key route for global shipping and is now a focus of conflict in Yemen.
Yemen’s Saudi-backed government and the Iran-supported Houthis are engaged in ongoing battles for control of the area.
The Saudi East-West Crude Oil Pipeline was reportedly attacked again, causing uncertainty about oil flow.
Some sources said oil flow through the pipeline has stopped, while others said it continues.
The Houthis claimed responsibility for attacking Saudi oil sites, including Khurais, where the pipeline pumping station is located.
Despite threats in the Strait of Hormuz by Iran, Middle East oil exports (excluding Iran) rose above pre-war levels in September by using alternate routes via the Red Sea.
Yemen’s government launched a major military campaign to retake territory from the Houthis, claiming to regain control of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
Fighting near the city of Taiz has intensified, causing significant casualties and affecting supply routes.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A federal judge is deciding whether the U.S. government must still hold the 2027 Diversity Visa (green card) lottery after the registration period was missed. The Trump administration says the deadline has passed and it is not possible to reopen the lottery for fiscal year 2027, but the immigration law firm Red Eagle Law is suing to make the government run the lottery as required by law.
Key Facts
The Diversity Visa Program offers up to 55,000 green cards each year to people from countries with low immigration to the U.S.
Congress created the program in 1990 and requires a registration period of at least 30 days each year.
The State Department delayed announcing the registration start date for DV-2027 and it never opened before the fiscal year 2026 ended on September 30, 2026.
Red Eagle Law sued the State Department and Secretary of State Anthony Blinken in August 2026, asking the court to force the government to open the DV-2027 lottery registration.
The government says it cannot hold the 2027 lottery registration now because the required 30-day registration period must happen before the fiscal year the visas are issued, which would be fiscal year 2026 for DV-2027.
The judge, Jinsook Ohta, is expected to decide by October 14, 2026, whether the lottery must be reopened or if the 2027 program will be skipped.
The firm argues the government has a legal duty to run the lottery even after the deadline and that failing to do so breaks the Administrative Procedure Act.
The government states that complying with the request now is impossible due to strict statutory deadlines.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The average rate for a five-year fixed mortgage in Great Britain has reached 6% for the first time in three years, making borrowing more expensive. This rise is due to changes in financial markets and has reduced the number of cheaper mortgage deals available.
Key Facts
The average five-year fixed mortgage rate is now 6.00%, the highest since September 2023.
The average two-year fixed mortgage rate is close behind at 5.98%, the highest since December 2023.
The number of fixed-rate mortgage deals below 5% has fallen from 1,494 to only nine since last month.
The Bank of England base interest rate has not changed since December 2023, but bond market changes have pushed mortgage rates higher.
A £250,000 mortgage fixed at 6% costs about £158 more per month than one fixed at 4.94%.
Higher mortgage costs are starting to slow housing market growth and reduce buyer affordability.
Estate agents report that even small increases in monthly repayments can cause buyers to lower their budget or pause buying.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
