A prominent official from the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s governing party was reportedly beaten to death on Sunday after speaking on radio about the Ebola outbreak, according to a party spokesperson. Marie-Celestin Karondwa, interim head of the federal executive committee of the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS) in Butembo, an area affected by the outbreak, was assaulted after joining a radio broadcast in which he encouraged residents to follow disease-prevention guidance,

After a long shift working in school maintenance, 28-year-old Paul likes to relax with a romance novel, especially one that mixes love with fantasy or horror. He gets through five or six books each month. One recent favourite was Love Bytes, about an eight-foot werewolf woman who leads a wildly successful AI company and falls for an attractive ballroom dance teacher. Paul first discovered romance through what he describes as its more conventional branch, including the Regency world of

OpenAI has cancelled plans to release a new artificial intelligence model after internal researchers identified safety issues during testing. The model, known as GPT-6.1 Astra, had been expected to arrive in ChatGPT and Codex in October, with the aim of carrying out more demanding tasks with less human supervision. Saachi Jain, OpenAI’s head of safety systems, said the model had not reached the company’s required safety threshold. The UK AI Security Institute released a separate assessment of

A Russian drone struck the National Academy of Sciences in central Kyiv on Monday, killing at least one person in the latest daytime assault on Ukraine’s capital. Fire spread through the historic building as people climbed from first- and second-storey windows to escape, scenes that have become increasingly common in the repeatedly targeted city. Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko said at least one person died and three others were injured. The wounded were taken to hospital. The 19th-century academy

Five men have been detained on suspicion of explosives and terrorism-related offences after authorities declared a major incident near an airbase in western England. Bomb disposal specialists are inspecting several vehicles close to RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, while dozens of nearby homes have been evacuated as a precaution. Here is what has emerged so far. Gloucestershire Police said they were alerted at 00:45 BST on Sunday to reports of "three suspicious vehicles" heading in

They may be promoted as free, but guides can still be charged for every person who books. Here is what travellers should understand before signing up. It is a rainy day in Rome in December, and my friend Daphne* has been standing near Piazza Barberini for 30 minutes. Five people reserved places on her free walking tour. Not one of them has arrived. It is the third consecutive tour where nobody has turned up. For the people who booked, there is no monetary consequence. For Daphne, however, there

Prepare for a striking double feature in the night sky. The first full moon of autumn will shine at its peak this weekend, while observers may also be able to catch a glimpse of Saturn nearby. The moon reaches maximum brightness at 12:49 p.m. ET on Saturday, though the most appealing view will come shortly after sunset that evening. Saturn, recognizable by its warm golden appearance, will sit near the full moon from Friday through Monday. Saturn will arrive at opposition on October 4, meaning

New drama Primetime, starring Robert Pattinson, examines the polarising television format built around sting operations targeting suspected abusers. A major ratings success at the time, the series also prompted lasting arguments over media ethics. In November 2004, a confrontational new feature called To Catch a Predator appeared on NBC’s current affairs programme Dateline. Presented like a standard investigative report, it showed a television crew stationed at a suburban house, waiting for

Research has found that three-quarters of the UK’s 20 best-selling plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) are unable to use rapid public chargers, prompting fresh criticism that many function largely as “petrol cars carrying a heavy battery”. These vehicles combine a rechargeable battery with a combustion engine and have been marketed by manufacturers as a bridge between conventional cars and fully electric models. They are intended to offer electric driving for shorter journeys while

Poland has strengthened its air defence measures after a series of alleged violations of its airspace in recent weeks. On September 17, the Polish Air Force began precautionary patrols intended to protect the eastern section of the country’s airspace. Related developments • item 1 of 4Ukraine says two North Korean prisoners of war were transferred to South Korea • item 2 of 4Russian strikes kill eight across Ukraine as Washington increases diplomatic efforts • item 3 of 4Russia targets Ukraine

From major cultural institutions to advanced technology, the 2026 Global Cities Index highlights the qualities that make the world’s leading urban destinations attractive places to live in and explore. What allows a city to command global attention – and what turns it into a rewarding destination for visitors? Oxford Economics’ 2026 Global Cities Index suggests the answer involves much more than financial strength or striking landmarks. The index assesses 1,000 cities across five categories:

After a hot European summer, an equally appealing season for travel begins. In autumn, popular cities welcome fewer visitors, the weather is ideal for long walks, and lower prices and a calmer mood offer a different perspective on Europe. Condé Nast Traveler has highlighted seven destinations worth considering. Copenhagen and the Danish Riviera, Denmark. In autumn, the Danish capital is especially pleasant for walks beneath golden leaves, with cosy cafés, bakeries and restaurants adding to the

On the evening of Wednesday, September 23, a fire broke out at a Starlink satellite communications ground station in Poland. Reuters reported the incident, citing Deputy Prime Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski. The official said the facility provided communications services for the entire region, including Ukraine. According to Gawkowski, the affected systems have now returned to normal operation. “The fire engulfed the power unit and generator. It is clear that this sabotage was deliberately

Anthony Albanese has pledged an additional $60m in Australian support for Ukraine’s defence against Russia’s invasion, following an emotional meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the margins of the United Nations gathering in New York. As the prime minister prepared to deliver a major address warning that the global order was “no longer fit for purpose”, he embraced the Ukrainian president, who expressed gratitude for Australia’s continuing assistance. Albanese appeared moved as he praised his

In his final address to the United Nations before the end of his presidential term, Emmanuel Macron said the world was witnessing a situation that should shame everyone. He also criticized US President Donald Trump for presenting his Gaza peace plan as a diplomatic victory. Reuters reported that Macron made the remarks only hours after Trump, speaking from the same podium, described his Gaza proposal as a major diplomatic success. "A year ago, in this very hall, around a dozen countries

I had read enough interviews with Sophie Calle to expect a difficult exchange. France’s best-known conceptual artist has a reputation for being elusive. That is why the woman on screen surprises me: she is warm, smiling and apparently generous with herself. Large tinted glasses cover her eyes, though I imagine them sparkling behind the lenses. Then, 10 minutes into our conversation, she tells me she is fascinated by absence. When I ask what draws her to it, she replies: “Why do you live in

Dhading; Rasuwa; Nuwakot, Nepal – Nine-year-old Ram Thakur was walking uphill with his mother and dozens of other people escaping rising floodwater on August 26 when he turned around and saw muddy water rushing towards them. Everyone began to run. His mother, who had been gripping his hand, urged him to climb more quickly. As the roar of the water mixed with cries from the crowd, she shouted: “Chhito maathi hinda, pachhaadi na-hera,” meaning, “Climb faster, don’t look back.” Thakur followed her

At 69, I had never gone backpacking and barely knew what land art meant. Still, when my friend Jackie, a wildlife documentary-maker, asked whether I wanted to join her, Wendy and Sasha on a walking trip through the Refuges d’Art in the mountains of Haute-Provence, I answered with an enthusiastic yes. We would spend our nights beside sculptures created by the celebrated land artist Andy Goldsworthy. Before leaving, I watched Rivers and Tides, a film about Goldsworthy’s practice, and learned that

The sound of birds singing can make people feel calmer and more comfortable. Yet certain bird calls appear to be especially enjoyable to human listeners, and scientists are starting to identify the reasons behind that response. Throughout much of human evolution, the everyday sounds of birds may have served as a comforting sign that the area nearby was safe and relatively free from threats. New research suggests that particular acoustic traits may explain why some bird songs appeal to people

It is huge. It is beloved by aviation fans. It is unmistakably past its peak. And it has returned from the brink more times than many expected. Yet as Australia’s national carrier Qantas prepares to phase out its fleet of Airbus A380 superjumbos, known for their spacious full-length double decks, a larger question remains: has the world’s biggest passenger aircraft finally reached the end of its era? Qantas announced in August that it intends to begin retiring its 10 A380s in 2028, four years