France is sending about 3,000 temporary teachers to schools facing staff shortages during ongoing student protests. These protests focus on poor school conditions and low teacher pay, but the government faces financial challenges in meeting these demands.
Key Facts
French student protests have lasted more than two weeks and sometimes turned violent.
The government will send 3,000 substitute teachers to schools with the biggest needs.
Students want better school buildings and higher teacher salaries.
Teacher pay in France is among the lowest in the eurozone (group of European countries using the euro).
France's government debt is 120% of its economy size, making new spending difficult.
The budget deficit (when the government spends more than it earns) is 5.4%.
Investors are worried about France’s finances, which raises borrowing costs for the country.
There is ongoing debate about the harshness of police methods during the protests.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A man in Melbourne linked by prosecutors in the UAE to a flydubai co-pilot accused of an attack on a pilot has denied the accusations. The co-pilot, held in the UAE, is said to have planned the attack inspired by terrorist attacks, and investigations are continuing in Australia and New Zealand.
Key Facts
The flydubai co-pilot allegedly attacked the plane’s captain during a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30.
The co-pilot is identified as Hamam al-Hammami and is in custody in the UAE.
UAE prosecutors say he was inspired by the September 11, 2001 Al-Qaeda attacks.
He reportedly became radicalized while studying in Australia by reading extremist materials online.
The co-pilot was linked to a Melbourne Islamic community centre called “MyCentre,” managed by Samir Mohtadi (also known as Abu Hamza).
Mohtadi denies any connection to the attacker and rejects the accusations publicly.
The pilot and other passengers stopped the attack during the flight.
Australian and New Zealand police are investigating the attacker’s connections to those countries.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A 14-year-old student was arrested after shooting a principal and a teacher at Lakanal middle school in Aubagne, southern France. Both teachers were injured but their injuries are not life-threatening.
Key Facts
The incident happened on Monday morning at Lakanal middle school in Aubagne, near Marseille.
A 14-year-old student was arrested as the suspect.
The two teachers shot were a principal and a teacher.
Both teachers were treated for injuries that are not life-threatening.
Authorities said the shooting is not related to current protests about school conditions.
France’s Education Minister, Edouard Geffray, confirmed the incident on social media.
The minister planned to visit the school with the Interior Minister, Laurent Nuñez, later that day.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A dispute has started over the ceiling of the Paris opera house, Palais Garnier. In the 1960s, artist Marc Chagall painted a new ceiling that covered the original 19th-century ceiling by Jules-Eugène Lenepveu. Now, a descendant of Lenepveu wants the original ceiling to be uncovered and restored and is threatening to take legal action.
Key Facts
The original opera house ceiling was painted by Jules-Eugène Lenepveu in the 19th century and is considered a historic monument.
In 1962, French culture minister André Malraux had Marc Chagall create a new, colorful ceiling that was installed over Lenepveu’s work.
Chagall's ceiling is made of 24 large canvas pieces covering 220 square meters of the dome.
Lenepveu’s descendant, Arnaud Carayon, has asked for three years to uncover and restore the original ceiling but received no positive response.
Carayon has written letters to French President Emmanuel Macron and is now planning to take the issue to court.
The original Lenepveu ceiling has not been visible or accessible for about 60 years.
The Palais Garnier will close for renovation from 2027 to 2032, and Carayon suggests alternating between the two ceilings after reopening.
The original ceiling was painted directly on copper plates and reflects the classical style of the opera house designed by Charles Garnier.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio gave a speech in Athens near the Acropolis, emphasizing the need for the US and Europe to return to values of exploration and conquest to avoid decline. The speech referenced Western civilization’s history but raised questions about the idea of the “West” and its complicated legacy.
Key Facts
Marco Rubio gave a major speech in Athens on October 7, with the Acropolis as a backdrop.
He argued that US and Europe must rediscover values of exploration and conquest to stay relevant.
The speech referred to historical figures like Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, and Charlemagne.
Rubio connected ancient Greek and Roman ideas with America’s founding, but his view focused on conquest and great leaders.
The article points out that history is more complex, with many influences beyond just Western civilization.
Rubio’s speech came during tense times related to conflict with Iran and instability in global oil prices.
The idea of the “West” is complicated, including questions about who belongs and the legacy of conquest.
The article notes that the US founders valued equality and democracy, contrasting with some themes in Rubio’s speech.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Senator Roger Marshall from Kansas paid a $678.75 bill, six years after his 2020 campaign ordered cookies from a local bakery and did not pay. After the baker publicly shared the unpaid invoice on social media, Marshall apologized and paid double the amount owed.
Key Facts
Senator Roger Marshall’s 2020 campaign ordered cookies from Holly’s Sweet Treats bakery for an election watch party.
The bakery did not receive payment for six years despite multiple attempts to collect the money.
The unpaid bill was $678.75.
Holly Thomas, the baker, shared a social media post about the unpaid invoice, saying it affected her small business during the pandemic.
After the post went viral, Senator Marshall paid the bill and sent $1,300, saying he did not know why the payment was delayed.
Marshall posted on social media including a picture of the paid invoice and apologized.
The payment came during heated political times, with control of the US Senate potentially shifting in the upcoming midterm elections.
Some commenters pointed out the payment was less than double the amount with interest over six years.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Many parents are worried about letting their children use social media and artificial intelligence (AI) tools because they feel these companies put profits ahead of children’s safety. Despite some safety features introduced by tech firms, parents are more cautious and often restrict or closely supervise their kids’ use of these technologies.
Key Facts
Parents distrust tech companies, believing platforms may be addictive or unsafe for children.
Social media companies like Meta have faced criticism for designing products that encourage heavy use by teens.
AI companies such as OpenAI face lawsuits claiming their chatbot, ChatGPT, lacks proper safety protections.
Workers inside AI companies worry that competition is prioritized over safely developing AI.
Some tech firms have added safety features, like linking teen accounts to their parents.
Many parents have decided to limit or forbid their children from using social media.
Parents also guide children to be careful with AI tools, checking the accuracy of AI-generated information.
Environmental concerns, like AI’s large energy use, influence family choices about technology use.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The race to control the U.S. Senate is becoming more competitive as the election approaches. Some expert groups that study elections have recently changed their predictions, now favoring the Democrats in certain key state races.
Key Facts
The Senate election is less than a month away.
Experts who predict election outcomes include the Cook Political Report and Sabato’s Crystal Ball.
These groups have updated their forecasts in favor of the Democrats.
The states mentioned with changing predictions include Kansas and New Hampshire.
Senate control will depend on winning several close races.
Election forecasts influence how parties and voters focus their efforts.
The battle for the Senate is seen as critical for the coming years in U.S. politics.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A man named Kyler Rattray denies killing Dr. Fortune Gomo, a scientist, in Dundee last year. The attack is said to have been motivated by racial prejudice, and the trial will start in January 2028.
Key Facts
Kyler Rattray, 21, is accused of murdering Dr. Fortune Gomo in July last year in Dundee.
Dr. Gomo was attacked on South Street and died from knife wounds.
The attack is described as racially aggravated, meaning it was motivated by race or ethnicity.
The trial is scheduled to begin on January 5, 2028, at the High Court in Dundee.
The trial is expected to last eight days.
Rattray also faces a charge for carrying a knife illegally in public.
Dr. Fortune Gomo was 39 years old, originally from Zimbabwe, and had a PhD from the University of Dundee.
She had recently started working for Scottish Water before her death.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
American economists Robert E. Hall and Michael Woodford won the 2026 Nobel Prize in Economics. The prize recognized their work on the microeconomic foundations of macroeconomic stabilization and comes with a reward of about $1.2 million.
Key Facts
The 2026 Nobel Prize in Economics was awarded to Robert E. Hall and Michael Woodford.
Both winners are economists from the United States.
They were honored for their research on how small economic decisions (microeconomics) affect the overall economy's stability (macroeconomic stabilization).
The Nobel Prize in Economics is officially called the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel.
The 2026 prize is the last Nobel Prize awarded this year.
The prize money is 12 million Swedish crowns, which is about $1.2 million.
The announcement was made by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.
The Nobel Prizes are internationally recognized awards given in several fields each year.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Indian YouTuber Dhruv Rathee says he was taken from his home and kept for almost 24 hours without access to a lawyer. This event happened days after he called for the election chief to resign. Large protests are planned in New Delhi, with people marching to India’s Supreme Court.
Key Facts
Dhruv Rathee is a popular YouTube star in India.
He claims he was abducted from his home.
He says he was held for nearly 24 hours.
During this time, he did not have a lawyer.
This incident followed his demand for the election chief to resign.
Mass protests are scheduled in New Delhi on Monday.
Protesters plan to march to India’s Supreme Court.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Federal agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) used tear gas on protesters who blocked ICE vehicles with their cars in Salem, Oregon. Local police did not know about or help with the operation, and the incident is being investigated by state and federal authorities.
Key Facts
About 30 protesters surrounded and blocked ICE vehicles with their cars in Salem on Saturday morning.
Federal agents responded by using tear gas, pepper spray, pepper balls, and smoke canisters.
Some protesters reported eye irritation and trouble breathing, and medical help was given at the scene.
Salem police say they did not coordinate with ICE and were only called to help calm the situation.
Oregon’s Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security will independently review the incident.
US Representative Andrea Salinas criticized the ICE operation for using force against protesters, including children and older people, and for blocking a highway dangerously.
The event follows an increase in ICE activity and arrests in the Portland area earlier in the week.
ICE and the Department of Homeland Security have not commented on the incident yet.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
North Korea fired at least two suspected ballistic missiles into the sea east of the country, according to Japan’s Ministry of Defense. These are part of a series of missile tests that North Korea has conducted this year, with no immediate damage reported.
Key Facts
North Korea launched two suspected ballistic missiles toward the northeast and east on October 12, 2026.
The missiles landed near North Korea’s east coast and in the Sea of Japan.
The first missile flew about 220 km (142 miles) at an altitude of 20 km (12 miles).
The second missile flew farther, over 910 km (565 miles), reaching an altitude of 70 km (43 miles).
Japan, the U.S., and South Korea are jointly analyzing the second missile’s flight path, which might have been irregular.
Since early 2026, North Korea has tested about 18 missiles or projectiles, more than double last year’s number.
Japan lodged a formal protest with North Korea through diplomatic channels.
No damage or injuries have been reported from these recent missile launches.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Raphaël Glucksmann, a member of the European Parliament and founder of the small centre-left party "Place Publique," won the primary election organized by France’s Socialist Party and their centre-left allies. This victory makes him an important candidate in the upcoming French presidential election scheduled for April 2027.
Key Facts
Raphaël Glucksmann won the centre-left primary in France.
He is 46 years old and a member of the European Parliament.
Glucksmann founded the "Place Publique" party.
The primary was organized by the opposition Socialists and their centre-left partners.
The French presidential election will take place in April 2027.
Glucksmann currently polls behind the leading far-right candidate, Marine Le Pen.
This primary win increases Glucksmann’s prominence as a presidential candidate.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Tropical Storm Rachel caused serious damage along the Southern California coast, especially in Long Beach and Newport Beach. Strong waves and flooding led to unsafe homes, road closures, and emergency measures, with more heavy rain and flooding still expected.
Key Facts
Powerful waves and flooding damaged homes and coastal defenses in Southern California.
In Long Beach, 13 homes in eight buildings were declared unsafe, and some residents were ordered to evacuate.
Officials used heavy sandbags and cranes to repair damaged coastal protection walls.
Newport Beach declared a local emergency due to flooding and high surf, closing several piers and areas temporarily.
The National Hurricane Center warned that dangerous surf and flooding could continue despite the storm no longer being classified as tropical.
Up to 5 inches of rain could fall on some areas, raising the risk of flash and urban flooding.
The National Weather Service predicts minor to moderate coastal flooding and some rain through Tuesday.
San Diego County received over 2 inches of rain, causing flooding in valleys and mountains.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A 14-year-old student was arrested after shooting and wounding two school staff members with a hunting rifle at a middle school in Aubagne, near Marseille, France. The injuries were not life-threatening, and authorities said the attack was not connected to recent student protests in the country.
Key Facts
The incident took place at Lakanal middle school in Aubagne, near Marseille.
Two teaching staff, including the school principal, were wounded by gunfire.
A 14-year-old pupil was arrested for the shooting.
The weapon used was a hunting rifle.
Staff members managed to subdue the shooter before police arrived.
A third person was lightly injured (grazed) in the shooting.
The attackers’ motive appears unrelated to ongoing student protests in France.
French Education and Interior Ministers were sent to the scene following the incident.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Raphaël Glucksmann has been chosen as the French centre-left candidate for the 2027 presidential election. He warns that the far-right, led by Marine Le Pen, is close to winning power and calls for a strong effort to prevent this. Glucksmann is pro-Europe, pro-Ukraine, and aims to revive social democracy in France.
Key Facts
Raphaël Glucksmann won the centre-left primary organized by the Socialist party.
He describes the 2027 election as a historic moment with a likely harsh campaign.
Glucksmann is currently polling between 9% and 14%, behind Marine Le Pen and other candidates.
The Socialist party has not had its own candidate since 1969 before Glucksmann’s nomination.
He refuses to work with radical left politician Jean-Luc Mélenchon, who polls higher.
Glucksmann emphasizes the need to regain the working-class vote and focus on environmental policy.
He has a background as an essayist, intellectual, European lawmaker, and international human rights campaigner.
His partner, Léa Salamé, is a well-known French TV journalist who has paused her work during his campaign.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Singer and TV host Kelly Clarkson had a disagreement with Brooklyn store Art of Play after she said staff treated her like she couldn’t afford the items she wanted to buy. The store responded by explaining the situation differently, leading to a public back-and-forth between Clarkson and the business.
Key Facts
Kelly Clarkson visited the Brooklyn store Art of Play, attracted by items she wanted to buy.
Clarkson said staff suggested finding her something “comparable” instead of showing her the specific product she wanted.
She felt she was judged and compared the experience to a famous scene in the movie Pretty Woman.
Art of Play said the item Clarkson was interested in, a bird automaton named Molly, was permanently mounted and not for sale.
The store said a similar bird owned by an artist could be sold for $15,000, which is the price discussed during Clarkson’s visit.
Clarkson disputed the store’s explanation, saying she saw a $15,000 price tag on the bird and was offered a comparable item instead.
Both parties posted multiple statements online, drawing a lot of public attention to the dispute.
Art of Play expressed surprise at the criticism and said they welcome all visitors, whether they buy something or not.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Tim Kennedy, a former UFC fighter and ex-Green Beret, was shot in an ambush in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He suffered three gunshot wounds to his leg and is being treated at Walter Reed Military Medical Center in Washington.
Key Facts
Tim Kennedy was injured in mid-September during an attack in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
He received three gunshot wounds to his leg.
Kennedy is currently receiving treatment at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Washington, D.C.
The attack reportedly involved forces linked to Blackwater founder Erik Prince.
About 20 people were either killed or injured in the ambush.
Republican Representative Derrick Van Orden confirmed speaking with Kennedy and asked for prayers for his recovery.
The situation is still developing, and more updates are expected.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Two missile strikes hit King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, causing 14 deaths and injuring over 300 people. The Houthi group from Yemen said they carried out the attacks using missiles and drones and warned that all Saudi airports, except those in Mecca and Medina, are potential targets.
Key Facts
The attacks occurred at the international airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
CCTV footage showed people inside the airport taking cover during a missile strike.
Fourteen people died, and more than 300 were injured in the strikes.
The Houthi group in Yemen claimed responsibility for the attacks.
Houthis said they used ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones for the strikes.
They also targeted oil facilities and Dammam airport in eastern Saudi Arabia.
The Houthi military spokesman warned they will continue attacks deep inside Saudi Arabia.
Airports in the holy cities of Mecca and Medina were excluded from their threats.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
