Pope Leo XIV Diagnosed With Lung Cancer After Surgery
Pope Leo XIV, 71, has been diagnosed with lung cancer after undergoing surgery to remove a cancerous tumour from his lung, the Vatican confirmed. The operation, described as successful and without complications, removed the lower lobe of his right lung and lasted roughly 90 minutes. He is recovering at Rome’s Gemelli hospital and spent a calm night before beginning post-surgery recovery on Wednesday.
The pontiff had disclosed the planned procedure during his Angelus prayer on Sunday, telling the crowd in St Peter’s Square that the growth was "contained" and had been found at a very early stage. A planned trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from 6 November has not been confirmed by the Vatican in light of the surgery.
U.S. Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle Resigns Amid Misconduct Allegations
Kimberly Guilfoyle resigned as U.S. ambassador to Greece after the White House asked for her resignation on Tuesday. The move followed weeks of reports alleging improper conduct before and during her tenure in Athens.
She faces accusations that she sought $100,000 from a Trump donor to pay off personal credit card debt and accepted luxury trips and hotel stays from wealthy Greek businessmen. Guilfoyle has denied wrongdoing and vowed to defend her reputation. President Donald Trump had said on Monday that he was "looking at" firing her.
Duane 'Keffe D' Davis Sentenced to 40 Years for Tupac Murder
Duane "Keffe D" Davis, a former Los Angeles gang leader, has been sentenced to at least 40 years in prison — with some reports specifying 40 years to life — for orchestrating the 1996 murder of rapper Tupac Shakur in Las Vegas.
A jury convicted Davis last month of first-degree murder with a deadly weapon. During Tuesday’s sentencing, the judge told him, "You don’t get to take a man from his family … and just walk away from it." Davis is the only person ever charged over the killing, which fuelled a long-running East Coast–West Coast hip-hop rivalry.
Ukrainian Ex-Officer Goes on Trial in Germany Over Nord Stream Blasts
A Ukrainian former special‑forces officer, Serhii Kuznetsov, has gone on trial in Hamburg, accused of involvement in the September 2022 sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea. He denies the charges.
His defence lawyers argued at the opening that "an aggressor’s infrastructure" may have been a lawful target. Supporters waving Ukrainian flags rallied outside the court. The trial is expected to continue into February and is being watched for its potential effect on German political support for Ukraine.
Sally Rooney Withdraws Books From UK Over Palestine Action Support
Irish novelist Sally Rooney is withdrawing her books from sale in the United Kingdom because of her support for Palestine Action, a pro-Palestinian group banned in Britain. She said she can no longer receive royalties from British sales.
Rooney had pledged to donate book revenues to Palestine Action, and her publisher confirmed the withdrawal. She also cancelled a planned trip to the UK, saying she feared arrest.
Judge Blocks Trump White House Ban on CNN, Politico and MS NOW
A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration from barring journalists from CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House, granting a preliminary injunction that preserves their access while a lawsuit proceeds.
U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly, a Trump appointee, ruled that the administration’s revocation of the outlets’ hard passes likely violated their First and Fifth Amendment rights, including due-process protections. The decision extends an earlier temporary order.
Russia Arrests Japanese Journalist on Espionage Suspicion in Sakhalin
Russia’s Federal Security Service has arrested Japanese journalist Yuki Imai of the Hokkaido Shimbun newspaper on the far-eastern island of Sakhalin, accusing him of spying for Japanese intelligence.
The FSB alleges he collected information on Russia’s defence capabilities, military readiness and mobilised troops and volunteers for the war in Ukraine. He was later transferred to Moscow. Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova identified him publicly.
Trump Announces Greenland Oil, Gas and Mineral Exploration Plan
President Donald Trump has announced that "massive" oil, gas and mineral exploration is set to begin in Greenland, referring to the territory as "our Greenland" in a social-media post.
The statement comes four weeks after the United States, Denmark and Greenland signed a security agreement bolstering the American military presence on the island. Greenland has banned new oil and gas drilling since 2021.
Dozens Killed or Injured in Pakistan School Roof Collapse
A school roof collapsed in Peshawar, north‑west Pakistan, killing numerous children and a teacher and injuring dozens of people. The prime minister urged rescuers to accelerate the search for survivors.
The reported death toll varied: The New York Times said at least 20 children and one teacher were killed and more than 40 people injured, while Sky News cited at least 27 children and a teacher dead, and euronews reported at least 21 children and a teacher killed. DW gave a lower figure of at least 17 dead and 12 injured. Building collapses are common in Pakistan, where construction standards are often poorly enforced.
Archaeologists Claim World's Oldest Shipwreck Found Off Turkey
Archaeologists say they have found the world’s oldest known shipwreck off the coast of Turkey, dating to the Early Bronze Age — up to 4,700 years ago.
The vessel was carrying storage jars believed to have contained olive oil; clay analysis traces the jars to early workshops across the Jordan Valley. Researchers suggest it may have been bound for the ancient city of Troy when it sank.
Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustment Set at 3.6% for 2027
The U.S. Social Security Administration has set the 2027 cost-of-living adjustment at 3.6 percent, the largest increase since 2023. Beneficiaries will see the adjustment in payments starting in January.
The agency said the typical recipient will receive a little more than $900 extra next year as a result of the increase, which is tied to inflation data.
North Korea Tests Submarine-Launched Cruise Missiles, State Media Says
North Korea test-fired two types of submarine-launched strategic cruise missiles, state media KCNA reported, saying the launches posed no threat to neighbouring countries.
The tests come amid heightened tensions with South Korea after a 21 September landmine explosion in the Demilitarised Zone injured three South Korean soldiers. Pyongyang has ramped up weapons launches in recent weeks.