World News Hub

Matthew McConaughey’s after-school programme now serves over 3,000 US teens

A 103-year-old World War II veteran has been tending the same basement bar in Maryland since 1963

Irv Koch, a 103-year-old World War II veteran, has tended the bar in the basement of his Pasadena, Maryland, home since 1963. More than six decades later, the cash-only tavern still has no fixed opening hours, with Irv starting the day when his first customer arrives and closing when patrons leave or he gets tired.

Pneumonic plague suspected in Russia: What we know and what is the risk to Europe?

The death of a staff member at an anti-plague institute in Russia following a laboratory accident has put the spotlight on plague and how it spreads.

‘Neutrino Man’ Francis Halzen wins Nobel Prize in Physics

Belgian-American particle physicist Francis Halzen won the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physics for his work creating an observatory to detect some of the universe’s most elusive particles – high-energy neutrinos – and trying to establish how they are made. Halzen, 82, realised that ice at the South Pole could be used to track neutrinos, sometimes known as “ghost particles” for the way they pass through th...

Francis Halzen wins 2026 Nobel Prize in Physics

The winner of this year’s Nobel Prize in Physics is ⁠Francis Halzen. The scientist was honoured for “decisive contributions to the IceCube Neutrino ‌Observatory and the discovery of high-energy neutrinos of astrophysical origin”, the award-giving body said on Tuesday. The award, announced by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in Stockholm on Tuesday, is the second Nobel of the season. On Monday...

As students protest, how dilapidated really are France's school buildings?

As France's student protest movement continues, one of the main grievances is the conditions of the country’s schools, with many buildings severely dilapidated and in some cases, facing dangerous risks. The issue became all the more apparent over the summer, when France experienced record-breaking heatwaves. Many classrooms were simply not designed to cope with such extreme temperatures. And regio...

Japan holds first ‘competitive sleeping’ contest

Sleep deprivation is seen these days as a major health issue - not least of all in Japan where people sleep less on average than in any other OECD country. Now, a new contest for "competitive sleepers" is hoping to encourage people to snooze for longer. The Tokyo competition, dubbed "Matt Race", saw dozens of participants fitted with sleep tracking devices sprawl on comfy mattresses to slumber for...

Le Pen vows to save €140 billion by 2032 if elected to prevent French 'default'

Far-right leader Marine Le Pen said she would make drastic savings to bring France's public deficit back in line if she wins next year's presidential election. The government forecasts the national debt will hit 5.4 percent this year despite the EU setting a 3 percent limit for member states. 

Le Pen vows €140 billion savings if elected to prevent French 'default'

Far-right leader Marine Le Pen said that she would make drastic savings to bring France's pubilc defecit back in line if she is elected president in next year's elections. The government forcasts the nation debt will hit 5.4 percent this year despite the EU limit of three percent for member states.

Le Pen vows drastic cost savings to prevent French 'default'

French far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen said Tuesday that she would implement 140 billion euros ($157 billion) in cost savings by 2032 if elected next year, warning that without change France was "heading towards default" on its debt.

🔴 Nobel Prize in Physics awarded to Francis Halzen for ice research

Nobel Prize in Physics awarded to Francis Halzen for ice research

Scientist Francis Halzen won the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physics for work on subatomic particles at the South Pole, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in Stockholm announced on Tuesday.  

Kenya ministry of health confirms first imported Ebola case

The first imported case of Ebola has been recorded in Kenya.

Macron observes test of new nuclear-capable missile without warhead

French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday observed the test firing of a new nuclear-capable missile without a warhead, according to the Elysée Palace and the Ministry of Defence. 

Macron observes test of France's new nuclear-capable missile without warhead

French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday observed the test firing of a new nuclear-capable missile without a warhead, according to the Elysée Palace and the Ministry of Defence.

France's Macron observes test of new nuclear-capable missile without warhead

French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday observed the test firing of a new nuclear-capable missile without a warhead, according to the Elysée Palace and the Ministry of Defence.

Germany arrests former intelligence chief over alleged spying

August Hanning served as president of federal intelligence service from 1998 to 2005Germany’s federal prosecutor’s office has said a former domestic intelligence chief was arrested on Tuesday on espionage allegations.August Hanning was president of the Federal Intelligence Service (BND) from December 1998 to November 2005. Continue reading...

Fear and disruption for Ukraine's rail passengers as Russia escalates drone attacks

Ukrainians travelling by train are increasingly caught in the crosshairs of Russia's attacks.

New European ski lodges and hotels opening in winter 2026-2027

The winter sports season will see the arrival of many new properties in Europe. Highlights include The First Cortina in Cortina d’Ampezzo and the aptly named Ski Lodge in Verbier, while several properties are also returning after renovations.

18 sailors rescued after drone attack in Black Sea

Eighteen sailors were rescued after drones struck two commercial vessels off Bulgaria.

Kenya reports first Ebola case imported from DR Congo after patient dies

Kenya has reported its first-ever Ebola death, the health minister announced on Tuesday, after a Kenyan man who had been living in the Democratic Republic of Congo died after returning to the country. The man, who was not named, fell ill about a month ago and had been treated in the DR Congo, Health Minister Aden Duale told reporters, before travelling overland to the Ugandan capital, Kampala, and...

India’s ‘million mutinies’ are puncturing Modi’s aura of invincibility

Across the country, Indians are turning disparate grievances into a broader reckoning with unaccountable power.

Hong Kong remains world’s freest economy as Switzerland overtakes Singapore

Hong Kong has retained its status as the world’s freest economy in the latest annual ranking by a top Canadian think tank, although its score has declined in recent years. Switzerland overtook Singapore to claim second place, pushing the city state down to third in the rankings released on Tuesday by the Fraser Institute. The 2026 Economic Freedom of the World report, compiled by the Vancouver-bas...

Kenya confirms first Ebola case as virus ‘surges’ in DR Congo province

Health minister says 28 contacts identified after death of citizen who arrived from DRC on SaturdayKenya has reported its first-ever Ebola death, the health minister announced on Tuesday, after a Kenyan man who had been living in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) died after returning to the country.In mid-May, the DRC declared its 17th Ebola outbreak, an extremely deadly disease that has ...

Mermaids compete in Warsaw's deepest swimming pool

Warsaw’s Mermaid Polska Deepspot Cup turns mermaiding into sport and art, with acrobatics, races and growing popularity among women and children.