A historian discovered that a young woman named Alice Shepherd, punished harshly in a Victorian workhouse, may have inspired Charles Dickens’s story of Oliver Twist. Alice was put in solitary confinement and starved for asking to go for a walk, similar to Oliver’s punishment for requesting more food.
Key Facts
Alice Shepherd was a workhouse pauper in Hendon, London, in 1836.
She was punished by solitary confinement and a bread-and-water diet after asking permission to walk.
Dickens’s novel Oliver Twist features a boy punished similarly for asking for more food.
Dickens wrote Oliver Twist between 1837 and 1839 and was aware of workhouse conditions.
The historian Theresa Musgrove found newspaper reports comparing Alice’s punishment to Oliver’s.
A magistrate who punished Alice was harsh despite her being very ill with consumption (tuberculosis).
Oliver Twist’s story began shortly after Alice’s punishment, suggesting a possible connection.
Dickens may have used real harsh workhouse conditions to inspire his novel’s scenes.
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French student protests have raised concerns about police behavior and accountability. Experts say police actions and lack of consequences do not meet the standards expected in a well-functioning democracy.
Key Facts
French students have been protesting, drawing attention to police conduct during these events.
There are reports of police using aggressive tactics, including stun grenades and tear gas.
Over 6,000 people have been arrested since the protests began.
The French government has suspended the use of stun grenades in school protests after a student was seriously injured.
A French policeman has been charged for firing a tear gas grenade at a high school student.
Experts highlight issues with police accountability and challenges in investigating police misconduct.
Media and political views shape how people understand the violence and protests, sometimes creating divisions.
Similar protests are also noted in other countries, such as Spain, where housing issues sparked demonstrations.
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Dov Lando, a 96-year-old ultra-Orthodox Israeli rabbi, criticized Zionism in a recent video, saying it caused harm to Jewish people and that Jews might have been better off without a state. His comments have sparked strong reactions from Israeli politicians just weeks before important national elections.
Key Facts
Dov Lando is a leading figure in Israel’s Lithuanian ultra-Orthodox community and heads a yeshiva in Bnei Brak.
He is part of Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah, a council of senior ultra-Orthodox rabbis, and spiritual leader of the Degel HaTorah party.
Lando said Zionism caused Arabs to hate Jews and brought disasters, both physical and spiritual, to Jewish people.
He suggested Jews could live well under international or Palestinian rule instead of having an Israeli state.
Lando criticized Religious Zionism and soldiers who follow it, claiming their rabbis teach a “distorted Torah.”
He also criticized secular Israelis, calling the state they built one of “apostasy and heresy.”
Israeli politicians from multiple parties condemned Lando’s remarks as anti-Zionist and divisive ahead of upcoming elections.
The controversy could affect political alliances, especially since Lando’s party is part of the current government coalition led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
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Oscar Belgal, a 28-year-old man with a criminal record, was shot by an ICE agent in New York City. Belgal survived and was taken to the hospital after the incident, which happened while he was in a car with a child.
Key Facts
Oscar Belgal was shot by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer in New York City.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed the shooting and shared a photo of Belgal.
Belgal is a 28-year-old man from the Dominican Republic with a criminal history including grand larceny and multiple arrests for assault, robbery, drug possession, and weapons possession.
DHS described Belgal as a "criminal illegal alien."
Belgal is linked to the Trinitarios gang, noted for violent crime including shooting a Customs and Border Protection agent last year.
At the time of the shooting, Belgal was in a vehicle with a five-year-old child.
Belgal survived the shooting and was hospitalized.
The situation is still developing with more information expected.
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Tens of thousands of people marched in Madrid to mourn Maricarmen Abascal, an 87-year-old retiree whose eviction sparked widespread housing protests in Spain. Her death and the protests brought housing issues to the forefront and led the government to call early elections.
Key Facts
Maricarmen Abascal was evicted from her home in Madrid in September after a large rent increase by the real estate company.
She lived in the same apartment for 70 years and used a wheelchair.
Abascal died in hospital two weeks after her eviction.
Her eviction sparked nationwide protests focusing on Spain’s housing crisis.
About 20,000 people marched from Puerta del Sol to her former home in the Retiro district.
Protesters demanded more protection for tenants and changes in housing policies.
The left-wing government proposed laws to protect renters, but the opposition blocked them in parliament.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called early elections in response to the political pressure from the housing crisis.
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Arlington County in Virginia has filed a lawsuit to stop the construction of President Donald Trump’s Triumphal Arch at Memorial Circle. The county says the project is moving too fast without proper environmental review and could harm the local community.
Key Facts
Arlington County Board is the first government group suing against the Triumphal Arch.
The lawsuit claims the National Park Service is rushing the project without full review.
The arch would be built on federal parkland near Arlington County, Virginia.
The county wants construction paused to follow the National Environmental Policy Act.
Local officials say the project will negatively affect the community and residents.
The lawsuit is supported by the legal group Democracy Forward.
The arch has early approval from the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, but others say Congress must approve it.
Critics say the arch may create safety risks and could serve military purposes like drone use and ammunition storage.
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Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX and Starlink, has accused Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani of blocking Starlink's satellite internet service from launching in India. The Indian government said the rules for satellite internet approvals are fair and not biased. Starlink is still waiting for final permission to start commercial services alongside other competing companies like Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel.
Key Facts
Elon Musk accused Mukesh Ambani and unnamed powerful business groups of preventing Starlink from entering India’s internet market.
India’s Ministry of Communications said the approval process is fair and that Starlink, Jio Satellite Communications, and Eutelsat OneWeb are at similar stages waiting for security clearance and spectrum allocation.
Starlink wants to provide satellite internet, especially to remote areas where normal internet is hard to install.
Starlink has been trying to launch in India since 2021 and already has some important licenses but needs final government approvals.
Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, owned by Indian companies, are also preparing to offer satellite internet services.
SpaceX signed agreements with Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel to distribute Starlink services, pending government approval.
Security concerns have slowed Starlink’s entry, but SpaceX says it has built strong security into its system to meet India’s demands.
Executives from the companies discussed their plans during the India Mobile Congress, but representatives from Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel declined to comment on Musk’s accusations.
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Labour won the Holborn and St Pancras byelection with Sagal Abdi-Wali receiving just over 45% of the vote. The Green party leader Zack Polanski came in second with nearly 33%, maintaining strong support despite recent party divisions over a new policy on Zionism and Israel.
Key Facts
Labour retained the seat with Sagal Abdi-Wali winning by a majority of 3,364 votes.
Voter turnout was low at 38.7%, partly because Labour was expected to win.
Green leader Zack Polanski took second place with just under 33% of the vote.
The Greens recently adopted a controversial policy equating Zionism with racism and calling for a single Palestinian state.
Four of the Greens' five MPs publicly oppose the new policy, and some councillors resigned or distanced themselves.
Polanski did not publicly take sides on the policy and missed a party debate to campaign.
The Conservatives beat Reform UK for third place with 7.1% of the vote, matching their 2024 performance.
The Liberal Democrats came fifth with just over 3% of the vote, behind Reform UK.
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The Green Party lost to Labour in a recent by-election in Holborn and St Pancras. Questions remain about the Green Party leader Zack Polanski’s stance on a party motion that called Zionism a form of racism.
Key Facts
The by-election took place in Holborn and St Pancras.
Labour won the election, defeating the Green Party.
The Green Party passed a motion at its conference defining Zionism as a form of racism.
The motion described Zionism as an ideology supporting a Jewish state based on ethnicity.
Green Party leader Zack Polanski’s position on this motion is unclear and has raised questions.
Chris Mason, BBC Political Editor, highlighted the remaining questions about Polanski’s stance.
The article is focused on UK politics involving the Green Party and its internal debate on this topic.
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Emerald miners in Afghanistan’s Panjshir valley are using basic tools to extract high-quality green stones that attract buyers from around the world. The mining sector employs over 15,000 people and has sold millions of dollars worth of emeralds, but lacks modern equipment and proper processing facilities.
Key Facts
Panjshir emeralds are known globally for their high quality and fetch higher prices than many other emeralds.
Nearly 3,000 carats of emeralds were sold at a recent auction, and total sales this year are estimated at $6.12 million.
Over 15,000 people work in Panjshir’s mining sector, providing vital jobs in a region with few alternatives.
The Taliban government has made deals with investors from China, Russia, and Iran to develop gemstone mining.
State revenues in Afghanistan increased by 22 percent year-on-year recently, partly due to mineral sales.
Miners use simple tools like shovels, pickaxes, and hammers and face dangerous conditions like landslides and flooding.
There is no standardized processing center to prepare stones for export, limiting the value added before sales.
Officials want to bring in modern equipment and establish better processing facilities to improve the mining industry.
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President Donald Trump said the US will not attack Iran before the November 3 midterm elections. Both countries are in talks, and Iran is reviewing the US response to reopening the Strait of Hormuz, while tensions and explosions have been reported in the region.
Key Facts
President Trump announced no US attack on Iran before the November 3 midterm elections.
The US and Iran are engaged in ongoing discussions through mediators.
Iran is reviewing the US reaction to its plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Explosions occurred in the southern Strait of Hormuz, possibly caused by sea mines.
Oil prices dropped after rising due to Middle East tensions.
Iran’s Foreign Minister said a response to the US would come in a few days.
Russian President Putin pledged support to help end the conflict involving the US and Iran.
US Vice President JD Vance called for Iran to reduce uranium enrichment as part of negotiation talks.
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A Brazilian Supreme Court justice has issued an arrest warrant for Eduardo Bolsonaro, brother of presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro. Eduardo was convicted of trying to influence the US government during his father Jair Bolsonaro's trial and is now required to start serving a four-year prison sentence immediately.
Key Facts
Eduardo Bolsonaro is the brother of Flavio Bolsonaro, a candidate in Brazil's presidential runoff election.
Justice Alexandre de Moraes issued the arrest warrant weeks before the Brazil presidential runoff on October 25.
Eduardo was convicted for lobbying the US to interfere in the trial of his father, former President Jair Bolsonaro.
Eduardo Bolsonaro moved to Texas in March 2025, giving up his seat in Brazil’s National Congress and his police job.
He holds a US green card and is living in the United States.
The Supreme Court justice ordered Eduardo to begin serving his four-year sentence immediately.
Eduardo's Brazilian passport was canceled, and federal police were told to arrest him if he returns to Brazil.
Justice de Moraes also led the investigation that sentenced former President Jair Bolsonaro to 27 years in jail for attempting a coup.
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Adidas is suing Australian clothing company White Fox in the Federal Court for using a four-stripe design that Adidas says is too similar to its famous three-stripe trademark. White Fox says their stripes are just decoration and not meant to copy Adidas’s design. The case will be heard in early 2027.
Key Facts
Adidas claims White Fox is illegally using four stripes to benefit from Adidas’s reputation.
Adidas has owned the three-stripe trademark in Australia for over 50 years.
White Fox sells fast-fashion clothes online and denies copying Adidas’s trademark.
Adidas won a similar legal case in 2013 against another company using four stripes on shoes.
White Fox plans to argue that their stripes are decorative, not a trademark.
Adidas wants a court order to stop White Fox from selling the four-stripe clothes and to get any profits made.
The case is set to be heard in early 2027 by Justice Ian Jackman.
White Fox started in Sydney in 2013 and made $542 million in revenue for the year ending in June 2025, while Adidas had $39.9 billion in 2025.
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The Conservative Party’s policy document for their conference mistakenly said that reaching net zero emissions in the UK would cost nearly £957 billion, almost double the actual estimate of about £478 billion. This error seems to have come from incorrectly adding numbers in a spreadsheet, leading to a much higher reported cost.
Key Facts
The Conservative policy document claimed net zero would cost £957 billion.
The real estimated cost from the Climate Change Committee (CCC) is about £478 billion.
The error happened because a spreadsheet’s totals were counted twice.
The CCC offers to explain their numbers but said they do not recognize the Conservatives’ higher figure.
The CCC’s latest cost estimate for net zero by 2050 is about £110 billion (around £4 billion each year).
The mistake was first noticed by Carbon Brief and shared with The Guardian.
Some right-wing sources had already published the incorrect higher figure before the party’s document.
The Conservatives describe their document as a precise diagnosis of UK problems, inspired by a 1976 Tory report.
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Virgin has revealed a model of its new train for travel between London and Europe, aiming to start service in 2030. This will be the first competition for Eurostar on this route since the Channel Tunnel opened.
Key Facts
Virgin plans to run cross-Channel trains from London to Europe starting in 2030.
The company ordered 12 trains from the maker Alstom.
Virgin wants to improve passenger experience with designs inspired by its airlines, cruise ships, and hotels.
The train interiors will include lounge areas like Virgin Atlantic’s airport Clubhouses and food inspired by its cruise line menus.
Virgin’s CEO, Josh Bayliss, said they expect more people to travel by train between the UK and Europe.
Virgin will connect its train and airline networks, possibly linking passengers from France to Virgin Atlantic flights.
Virgin has an agreement to maintain its trains in London and has UK track access until at least 2040.
Italy’s Trenitalia also plans to offer high-speed cross-Channel train services with 19 new trains ordered from Hitachi.
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A Sydney trader, Charles Graham, was fired for working from Singapore without company permission but has won an unfair dismissal ruling from the Fair Work Commission. Although the commission agreed his dismissal was unfair, it did not order any compensation to be paid to him.
Key Facts
Charles Graham worked for HIFX Australia (Xe) as a currency trader.
He was dismissed in December after working remotely from Singapore without approval.
His company discovered this by tracking the IP address of his laptop.
Graham had also worked from Bali earlier, saying he was working from home due to plumbing issues.
He asked to relocate to Singapore earlier, but his request was denied.
Graham's partner became ill in Singapore, which he says prevented him from returning to Australia.
The company said he breached policies and did not provide sufficient proof of reasons for working overseas.
The Fair Work Commission ruled the dismissal was unfair but did not award compensation.
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Yemenis face rising living costs and economic troubles while war continues. Many workers have unpaid or irregular salaries, and prices for food and basic needs keep increasing. The split banking system and disrupted oil exports make moving money harder and worsen the economy.
Key Facts
Fighting continues in Yemen between the government and the Houthis.
Many workers do not get paid regularly or at all.
Prices of food, rent, healthcare, and transport are rising fast.
People in Aden often earn less than needed to cover basic food expenses.
Yemen’s economy has shrunk by about 58% per person since 2015.
Yemen has two separate banking systems, one run by the government and one by the Houthis.
Families are buying smaller amounts of food and fewer non-essential items.
Shops are offering more discounts to attract customers due to lower buying power.
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Hezbollah joined the conflict against Israel on October 8, 2023, in support of the Palestinians, which changed Lebanon's political scene. Since then, Israel’s attacks have weakened Hezbollah, including killing much of its leadership, and the group no longer holds the same power in Lebanon it once did.
Key Facts
Hezbollah decided to enter the war against Israel the day after the October 7, 2023 attack.
Israel responded with attacks that killed many Hezbollah leaders, including Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah.
Hezbollah’s political power in Lebanon dropped, helping Joseph Aoun win the presidency and a new government to form with a tougher stance on the group.
Before the war, Hezbollah was the strongest military and political force in Lebanon and had influence across the Middle East.
The group had a history of supporting allies like the Assad regime in Syria and affecting Lebanese elections.
Hezbollah acted alone in starting support for Gaza without approval from the Lebanese government or local residents in the south.
Israel and Hezbollah exchanged attacks for nearly a year, with Israel conducting many strikes inside Lebanon.
Hezbollah’s prior confidence was shown by military displays and claims of advanced missile abilities.
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More than 260 business, finance, and law leaders met to discuss Jersey’s High Value Residency program, which grants special tax status to wealthy, skilled individuals who move to the island. Some defend the program for its economic benefits and charity donations, while others criticize it for low tax contributions and increasing living costs.
Key Facts
Jersey’s High Value Residency program allows wealthy, skilled people to live on the island with a special tax rate.
High value residents pay 20% tax on the first £1.25 million of worldwide income, and 1% on income above this amount.
About 260 families currently live in Jersey through this program.
Supporters say these residents contribute a lot to the local economy and to charitable causes.
Critics argue that the tax these residents pay is very low and does not benefit local young people.
Some experts warn that increasing taxes on these wealthy residents could drive them away to other places with lower taxes.
There are concerns about the program causing higher house prices and living costs on the island.
The meeting included private bankers, lawyers, tax advisors, and other professionals who work with high net worth individuals.
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More than 80 percent of buildings in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed since October 2023 due to the war with Israel. Many of Gaza’s historic sites, homes, markets, and public places have been turned to rubble, changing the city’s landscape and affecting everyday life.
Key Facts
Over 80% of Gaza’s buildings have been damaged or destroyed since the war started in October 2023.
Gaza’s streets, markets, schools, hospitals, and public spaces have been heavily affected.
UNESCO confirmed damage to 164 cultural sites, including mosques, markets, churches, archaeological sites, and museums.
Important historic places damaged include the Great Omari Mosque, Qasr al-Basha, and the Church of Saint Porphyrius.
Many landmarks have been ruined or severely damaged, altering how people recognize and move around the city.
The war has destroyed much of Gaza’s infrastructure that supported daily life for its residents.
The photos show a comparison between Gaza before the war and three years after it began.
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