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Car Ploughs Into Pedestrians in Italy, Eight Injured

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A man drove a car at high speed into pedestrians in Modena on Saturday, injuring eight people, including four seriously, according to Italian authorities. One woman suffered devastating injuries and had both legs amputated. The vehicle crashed into a shop window near the city’s cathedral before the driver emerged carrying a knife and attacked a passer-by who tried to stop him.

The suspect, a 31-year-old Italian national of Moroccan origin, was eventually restrained by bystanders after injuring a man who chased him. Witnesses said the car suddenly accelerated toward the pavement at speeds estimated around 100 km/h, sending people flying. Officials said the suspect had previously been referred to a mental health centre in 2022 for schizoid disorders but later disappeared from treatment monitoring.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described the incident as “extremely serious” and visited victims in hospital alongside President Sergio Mattarella. Meloni also praised passer-by Luca Signorelli for intervening to stop the suspect despite being attacked with a knife. Authorities are continuing their investigation into the motive behind the attack.

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Bulgaria Wins Eurovision Amid Gaza Boycott Controversy

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Bulgaria won the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest for the first time with singer Dara and her upbeat dance track “Bangaranga.” The final, held in Vienna, was overshadowed by controversy surrounding Israel’s participation during the Gaza conflict. Five countries — Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Iceland and Slovenia — boycotted the competition in protest, reducing the contest to 35 entries, the fewest since 2003.

Despite political tensions, Bulgaria’s energetic and non-political performance captured both juries and audiences. Dara described “Bangaranga” as a feeling of love, harmony and fearlessness after securing the country’s first Eurovision trophy. Meanwhile, Israel once again finished second after receiving a massive public vote boost, echoing a similar result in 2025. Some boos were heard in the arena when Israel’s televote points were announced, though the performance itself passed without major disruptions.

This year’s contest took place amid heightened tensions linked to the ongoing Gaza war following the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel. Organisers faced criticism and boycott calls throughout the week, while protests in Vienna remained relatively small and peaceful. Favorites Finland and Australia ultimately finished sixth and fourth respectively, as Bulgaria emerged with a surprise victory in one of Eurovision’s most politically charged editions.

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Pope Leo to Visit UNESCO in France Amid Budget Struggles After U.S. Exit

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Pope Leo XIV will travel to France from September 25 to 28, with a key stop planned at the headquarters of UNESCO in Paris. The visit comes as UNESCO faces financial pressure following the decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to withdraw the United States from the agency, resulting in a significant budget shortfall.

The Vatican said the pope is also expected to visit the famous Notre-Dame Cathedral, which reopened in 2024 after restoration work following the devastating 2019 fire. Pope Leo may also meet French President Emmanuel Macron and could address the French parliament during the trip. The detailed itinerary will be announced later.

The France visit will be Pope Leo’s fourth international trip of the year and comes amid growing global attention on his leadership style and political comments, including criticism of the Iran conflict that reportedly angered Trump. The pope, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost, is the first American-born pope and also has French ancestry through immigrant roots in the United States.

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French Judge Opens Inquiry Into Jamal Khashoggi Killing

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A French judge has been appointed to lead an investigation into the 2018 killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi after a Paris appeals court ruled complaints filed by human rights organizations admissible. France’s national anti-terrorism prosecutor’s office said the inquiry will focus on allegations including torture and enforced disappearance.

The case was brought forward by TRIAL International and Reporters Without Borders, while a separate complaint by DAWN was ruled inadmissible. Khashoggi was killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October 2018 by Saudi agents in an operation that U.S. intelligence believed was linked to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The new French inquiry opens another legal front in a case that has seen limited international judicial action in recent years. A Turkish court transferred its trial involving Saudi suspects to Saudi Arabia in 2022, while a U.S. court dismissed a civil lawsuit after the Biden administration granted immunity to bin Salman following his appointment as prime minister. Under French law, prosecutions for crimes committed abroad generally require suspects to be present in France.

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Canada Strengthens Arctic Defense Ties With Nordic Nations Amid Trump Pressure

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Canada is expanding its Arctic defense cooperation with Nordic countries as concerns grow over regional security and comments by U.S. President Donald Trump about Greenland and Canada. Canadian officials and Nordic allies are increasing military coordination, intelligence sharing and Arctic preparedness amid rising tensions linked to Russia and growing Chinese activity in the region.

Prime Minister Mark Carney has strengthened partnerships with Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Iceland as part of a broader strategy to reduce dependence on the United States for Arctic security. In March, Canada and the Nordic nations agreed to deepen cooperation in defense production, military procurement and cybersecurity. Discussions are also underway to help Greenland develop a local force modeled after Canada’s Rangers.

The renewed focus on Arctic alliances comes as climate change makes the region more accessible and strategically important. Experts say Russia maintains the strongest military presence in the Arctic, while China is increasing its involvement through partnerships and infrastructure projects. Despite Canada’s push for stronger Nordic ties, analysts note that cooperation with the United States through NORAD remains essential for large-scale Arctic defense operations.

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Germany’s Merz Says He Would Not Advise His Children to Live in the US

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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he would currently discourage his children from studying or working in the United States, pointing to what he described as a worsening social climate and shrinking opportunities even for highly educated professionals. Speaking at a Catholic convention in Wuerzburg, Merz said Germany now offers stronger prospects for young people.

His remarks come amid growing tensions between the United States and its European allies under President Donald Trump. Disagreements over trade, the wars in Ukraine and Iran, and NATO relations have strained ties between Washington and Berlin. Merz recently criticized the United States over the Iran conflict, while Washington responded with plans for partial troop withdrawals from Germany and increased tariffs on European Union car imports.

Although Merz described himself as a longtime admirer of America, he admitted that his opinion was changing. He said many highly educated Americans are struggling to find jobs and suggested the country’s environment has shifted rapidly. Trump has also criticized Germany under Merz, saying the chancellor should focus on fixing his own country before commenting on the United States.

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Zelenskiy Says Russia May Use Belarus to Launch Attack on Ukraine or NATO

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned that Russia is trying to pull Belarus deeper into the ongoing war and could be planning military operations from Belarusian territory. Speaking after a meeting with military and intelligence officials, Zelenskiy said Ukraine had identified fresh contacts between Moscow and Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko regarding possible new aggressive actions.

According to Zelenskiy, Russia may be considering attacks either toward Ukraine’s northern Chernihiv-Kyiv region or directly against a NATO member bordering Belarus. Belarus shares borders with NATO countries Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia, raising concerns about broader regional security. However, Zelenskiy did not provide specific evidence or operational details regarding the alleged plans.

Belarus previously allowed Russian forces to use its territory during the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, though it has not officially deployed its own troops in combat. Minsk has also hosted Russian tactical nuclear weapons and Oreshnik hypersonic missiles. Zelenskiy said Ukraine has ordered stronger defenses along its northern border and warned Belarus against supporting any new Russian military campaign.

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Orban’s Media Network Faces Major Upheaval After Election Loss

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Hungary’s powerful pro-government media network is rapidly weakening after former Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s election defeat last month. Several major outlets linked to Orban have already seen leadership removals, programme cancellations, and shifts in editorial tone following the landslide victory of Peter Magyar’s opposition-led Tisza party.

The new government has pledged sweeping reforms aimed at restoring media independence and press freedom after years of criticism over state influence in Hungarian journalism. Public broadcasters have begun featuring more opposition voices, while some pro-Orban influencers and media figures have reduced their activity or disappeared from major platforms. Magyar has also announced plans for a new media law and a review of public service media financing.

Analysts say one of the biggest challenges will be dismantling the financial structure that supported pro-Orban media for years, particularly through state advertising. The KESMA media conglomerate, which includes hundreds of outlets, could face severe financial pressure if government support is cut. European Union leaders are closely monitoring Hungary’s reforms, viewing the country as a key test for rebuilding democratic institutions and media freedom in Europe.

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Eurovision Opens Door for Potential Canadian Participation

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Canada could potentially join the Eurovision Song Contest in the future, according to Eurovision director Martin Green, who said the competition would welcome countries that share its values. While Canada has not officially applied to participate, Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government revealed last year that it was exploring the possibility with Canada’s public broadcaster, CBC.

Although Eurovision is primarily a European competition organised by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), non-European countries like Australia have previously been allowed to compete. Canada’s CBC currently holds associate member status with the EBU, meaning participation could be considered on a case-by-case basis if approved by Eurovision organisers.

Canada already has strong historical ties to Eurovision through several artists who represented other countries. Most notably, Canadian singer Céline Dion won the contest for Switzerland in 1988, helping launch her global music career. Other Canadian performers, including Natasha St-Pier and La Zarra, have also represented France in past editions of the competition.

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Five Italian Divers Killed in Maldives Cave Diving Tragedy

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Five Italian nationals died during a scuba diving expedition in the Maldives after reportedly becoming trapped while exploring underwater caves in Vaavu Atoll. According to authorities, the group was diving at depths of around 50 metres when they failed to resurface, prompting an emergency search operation in rough weather conditions.

Four of the victims were connected to the University of Genoa, including ecology professor Monica Montefalcone, her daughter Giorgia Sommacal, researcher Muriel Oddenino, and marine biology graduate Federico Gualtieri. The fifth victim was identified as diving instructor and boat operations manager Gianluca Benedetti. Maldives military officials said one body had been recovered from a cave nearly 60 metres underwater, while rescue teams continued high-risk recovery efforts for the others.

The tragedy is believed to be one of the deadliest diving accidents in the Maldives in recent years. Authorities noted that strong sea conditions and weather warnings had been issued in the area at the time of the incident. The University of Genoa expressed deep condolences to the families of the victims as investigations continue into the fatal dive.

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