Daily SumUp

Hundreds of thousands filled St. Peter’s Square and lined the streets of Vatican City to bid a solemn farewell to a widely beloved pope. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Discover the oldest ant fossil ever found! A 113 million-year-old hell ant (Vulcanidris cratensis) fossil has been uncovered, providing groundbreaking insights into ant evolution and predatory behavior. This fossil discovery from the Cretaceous period reveals scythe-like jaws that early ants used to hunt prey alongside dinosaurs. Scientists have used CT scanning technology to reveal extraordinary details of this ancient insect, including its complex wing structure, which shares features with wasps.This fossilized ant extends the known timeline of ant evolution by 10 million years, offering new clues about how insects adapted to survive in the prehistoric world. Preserved in limestone, this rare specimen sheds light on the early predatory strategies of ants and their divergence from wasp-like ancestors. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At least eight people have been killed and 750 injured in a massive explosion at one of Iran's key ports, authorities say.The blast took place at Shahid Rajaee, the country's largest commercial port, near the southern city of Bandar Abbas on Saturday morning.It blew out windows and roofs of nearby buildings and destroyed cars. Residents reported feeling the impact of the blast up to 50km (31 miles) away.Videos verified by the BBC show a fire growing in intensity before a huge explosion, with people subsequently fleeing the blast and others lying wounded on roads surrounded by smoking debris."The entire warehouse was filled with smoke, dust and ashes. I don't remember if I went under the table or was thrown there by the blast," one person who was in the area told state TV. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Thursday, France’s President Emmanuel Macron urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to "stop lying" about seeking peace in Ukraine while continuing to strike the country. "The only thing to do is for President Putin to finally stop lying," Macron said during his visit to Madagascar. Here's Douglas Herbert analysis on the French and US stance towards Putin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A senior Hamas delegation arrived in Cairo early Saturday for talks with Egyptian officials aimed at brokering a ceasefire agreement, according to a statement by Hamas.The delegation, led by Chairman of the Hamas Leadership Council Muhammad Darwish, includes other key leaders, among them Khaled Meshaal, Khalil al-Hayya, Zaher Jabarin, and Eng. Nizar Awadallah.“The delegation began meetings with Egyptian officials to discuss Hamas’s vision for a ceasefire and an end to the war and a prisoner exchange based on a comprehensive deal,” Hamas said in the written statement on Saturday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Trump eyes coal revival, his job cuts hobble black lung protections for miners even in London... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The statement "9 days left for diddy" likely refers to Sean "Diddy" Combs, a popular rapper and businessman. There's no indication of a specific date or event related to Diddy in the search results, but the statement suggests that something related to him, such as a legal case or a planned event, will be happening soon. It's important to note that the search results don't reveal what that event might be. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Lending Tree survey found 25% of buy now, pay later users are funding grocery purchases with the loans, up from 14% in 2024.The survey said 41% of respondents said they made a late payment on a BNPL loan in the past year, up from 34% in the year prior.The figures are the latest evidence that some consumers are having trouble affording essentials such as groceries under the pressure of high prices and interest rates. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why it’s time to revisit the value and meaning of work in the age of AI... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An academic from The Open University (OU), Professor Mahesh Anand, has been selected as the first scientist from the UK to receive Moon samples from China's Lunar Exploration Program for conducting research. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lavrov Says Russia Is Ready for Ukraine Deal After Trump Urges Putin to Halt Attacks... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The funeral Mass for Pope Francis will begin at 10:00 AM on Saturday, April 26, in St. Peter's Square. It will be presided over by Cardinal Re and will conclude with the transfer of the coffin to Saint Mary Major, where the burial will take place. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

China Says US Deep-sea Mining Plan 'Violates International Law Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stopping these behaviours early in adulthood and midlife can prevent years of subsequent ill health Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pakistan Senate Rejects India's Bid to Link Pahalgam Attack ... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Indian officials say troops exchanged fire with Pakistani soldiers in Kashmir... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Archaeologists have uncovered the preserved body of a woman, who they believe is up to five thousand years old. The mummy is believed to belong to the ancient Peruvian city of Caral, the oldest in the Americas. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

US President Donald Trump has accused Volodymyr Zelensky of harming peace negotiations, after the Ukrainian president said Kyiv would not recognise Russian control of Crimea.Writing on Truth Social, Trump claimed a deal to end the war was "very close", but that Zelensky's refusal to accept US terms "will do nothing but prolong" the conflict.Earlier, US Vice-President JD Vance laid out the US vision for a deal, saying it would "freeze the territorial lines [...] close to where they are today".Ukraine has long said it will not give up Crimea, a southern peninsula illegally annexed by Russia in 2014. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every time Pope Francis came back to Rome after a trip abroad, he made sure to pay a visit to the church of Santa Maria Maggiore.It was a fitting choice: Francis was particularly devoted to the Virgin Mary, and Santa Maria Maggiore was the first church to be dedicated to her when it was built in the 4th Century.It is one of Rome's four major basilicas and one of the oldest in the city.On Saturday, it will also become Francis's final resting place.It is a short walk from some of Rome's most recognisable landmarks like the Colosseum, and a stone's throw from the city's endlessly bustling and chaotic central Termini station. The diverse Esquilino neighbourhood is close by.Santa Maria Maggiore feels steeped in the "real" Rome – despite technically being a part of the Vatican state.The square it stands on - lined with bus stops, cafes and shops - certainly seems a world away from the awe-inspiring St Peter's Square and its imposing basilica, under which Popes are usually buried in centuries-old crypts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Astrologer from TikTok arrested for predicting destructive earthquake in... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Massive Russian strike on Ukraine's capital kills several people, injures dozens,... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can a Hail Mary to stave off climate change by dimming the Sun work? Scientists in the UK are poised to find out. The Telegraph reports that the British government is expected to greenlight a bevy of solar geoengineering experiments in the coming weeks, which will explore techniques ranging from injecting aerosols into the atmosphere to brightening clouds to reflect sunlight. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prosecutors have indicted former South Korean President Moon Jae-in on charges of bribery related to his former son-in-law's job at an airline.Prosecutors argue his former son-in-law, identified only by his surname Seo, had little experience in the aviation industry but was hired in exchange for the airline's CEO leading a state-funded agency.Moon led the country from 2017 to 2022 and is best remembered for his attempts to broker a peace deal with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.He joins a long list of South Korean presidents whose political careers have been marred by scandal, from jail to assassination to suicide. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Luigi Mangione pleads not guilty to federal charges in killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Here’s What to Know About the Muslim Brotherhood, Which Jordan Banned... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pakistan on Thursday cancelled visas for Indian nationals, closed its airspace for Indian owned or operated airlines, and suspended all trade with India including to and from any third country. The retaliatory measures follow India’s decision to suspend visas for Pakistani nationals after an attack by gunmen in Kashmir killed 26 people, mostly tourists. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

DR Congo and M23 rebels pledge to make peace efforts.... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A dozen states sued the Trump administration in the U.S. Court of International Trade in New York on Wednesday to stop its tariff policy, saying it is unlawful and has brought chaos to the American economy.The lawsuit said the policy put in place by President Trump has been subject to his "whims rather than the sound exercise of lawful authority." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A spokesperson said any claims of progress in U.S.-China trade negotiations have no factual basis. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

US President Donald Trump has appeared to soften his recent comments on China and the head of the US Federal Reserve after recent clashes as he pursues his economic agenda.Trump said he has "no intention of firing" Jerome Powell after repeatedly criticising the head of the central bank, but added that he would like Powell to be "a little more active" on cutting interest rates.Speaking in the Oval Office on Tuesday, Trump also said he was optimistic about improving trade relations with China.He said the level of tariffs - or import taxes - that he had imposed on Chinese imports would "come down substantially, but it won't be zero". Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The leader of the Roman Catholic church in England and Wales has said he definitely will not be the next pontiff, but is looking forward to the "intimidating" duty of choosing Pope Francis's successor.Following Pope Francis's death, the next Pope will be chosen by the College of Cardinals, who will gather for a tradition known as the conclave.Cardinal Vincent Nichols will vote with more than 100 others, but almost missed out, as he is only a few months off his 80th birthday, the age limit for voting rights.The Merseyside-born Archbishop of Westminster said he thought it would "pass me by" until he heard the Pope was seriously ill and thought: "Oh Lord, this is going to come my way." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pakistan on Thursday announced the suspension of trade and bilateral accords, and the closure of airspaces with India, among other moves, as it retaliated to New Delhi’s slew of aggressive measures against the country in the wake of a deadly attack in India-held Kashmir. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A deadly attack on tourists in Indian-controlled Kashmir has again moved India and Pakistan closer to war as the two rivals downgraded diplomatic and trade ties, closed the main border crossing and revoked visas for each other’s nationals.Pakistan has denied it was behind Tuesday’s attack that killed 26 mostly Indian tourists at a popular scenic spot in the Himalayan region, where India claimed it restored a sense of calm despite a decadeslong rebellion. A previously unknown militant group calling itself Kashmir Resistance has claimed responsibility for the attack.Here’s what to know about an escalation in tensions between the two nuclear armed rivals. They have fought two of their three wars over Kashmir, which is split between them and claimed by both in its entirety. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pakistan on Thursday announced the suspension of trade and bilateral accords, and the closure of airspaces with India, among other moves, as it retaliated to New Delhi’s slew of aggressive measures against the country in the wake of a deadly attack in India-held Kashmir.The attack took place in Pahalgam, a tourist hotspot in India-occupied Kashmir that draws thousands of visitors every summer. Gunmen opened fire on visitors, killing at least 26 people — all men from across India except one from Nepal — and injuring 17 others. It was the region’s deadliest attack on civilians since 2000. A hitherto unknown group, named by several Indian outlets as ‘The Resistance Front’, is said to have claimed responsibility for the attack.Among India’s actions was the unilateral move to suspend the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, which was brokered by the World Bank and has endured through wars and decades of hostility. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If California were its own country, its economy would now rank as the fourth-largest of any nation in the globe, Gov. Gavin Newsom said this week.Newsom announced the state’s new economic ranking Wednesday after recently released data from the International Monetary Fund and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis indicated that California’s nominal gross domestic product now exceeds Japan’s.According to the data, California’s nominal GDP reached $4.1 trillion, surpassing Japan’s $4.02 trillion. That places the Golden State behind only the United States at $29.18 trillion, China at $18.74 trillion, and Germany at $4.65 trillion. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Just 37% of Americans approve of President Donald Trump’s handling of the economy, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos survey, lower than at any point during his first term.About 59% of Americans disapprove of Trump’s tariffs on goods from most other countries, per a Pew Research Center survey.There is a partisan split in Americans’ confidence in Trump’s ability to handle the economy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is criticizing the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank in a speech on Wednesday morning, saying the IMF devotes disproportionate time to work on social issues and should be more aggressive to China.Bessent denounced the IMF for devoting "disproportionate time and resources to work on climate change, gender, and social issues.""Mission creep has knocked these institutions off course," he said. He also said it should be more aggressive to confront China for its "globally distortive policies."When it comes to the World Bank, Bessent will say, there should not be any "blank checks for vapid, buzzword-centric marketing accompanied by half-hearted commitments to reform.”His remarks come just after U.S. markets opened with big gains the morning after President Donald Trump said he would not attempt to fire the head of the Federal Reserve. Bessent also said he expects a “de-escalation” from unsustainable tariffs against China in the trade war between the world’s two largest economies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With royals, presidents and hundreds of thousands of Catholic faithful heading to Rome following Pope Francis's death, Italy and the Vatican are rolling out a massive security plan.Francis's funeral will take place on Saturday and cardinals have already begun arriving from around the world for both the ceremony and the conclave -- the secret voting process to elect a new pope.The Argentine's body is meanwhile lying in state in St Peter's Basilica, drawing tens of thousands of mourners."We've been on alert since Monday," when the 88-year-old Francis died, said a member of the Swiss Guard, the army responsible for the pope's security, famed for their colourful striped uniforms. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

India's Provocation on Line of Control can be Seen as Deterioration of Pak-India Relations... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why will Pope Francis be buried in the Santa Maria Maggiore church? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

OpenAI Investor Vinod Khosla REVEALS TRUTH About 2030... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kuwait's Ministry of Interior has outlawed Bitcoin mining, citing excessive power consumption and violations of national regulations. In an April 22 statement, the government warned that crypto mining operations in the country are unauthorized and breach multiple existing laws. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gaza’s health authorities have been forced to halt a polio vaccination campaign in the strip due to an Israeli blockade, threatening the lives of 600,000 children. The news comes as Gazan medics say at least 10 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's latest airstrikes on a school and children's hospital. Middle East correspondent Matt Doran has been covering the humanitarian crisis Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Among the 26 killed in the attack was a Navy officer who was married a week ago and an Intelligence Bureau official shot dead in front of his wife. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Djibouti said Wednesday it would soon begin deporting "illegally present" foreigners, calling on them to leave the migration hub before the end of April Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

China's actions to address climate change will not slow down despite global political developments, President Xi Jinping said on Wednesday.Xi made the remarks while delivering a speech via video link at the Leaders Meeting on Climate and the Just Transition, a summit initiated by the United Nations and Brazil to discuss climate change and the "just energy transition".However the world may change, China will not slow down its climate actions, will not reduce its support for international cooperation, and will not cease its efforts to build a community with a shared future for mankind, he said.With this year being the 10th anniversary of the Paris climate accord, the president said multilateralism is key to world efforts to adhere to the agreement and the international order.Xi also stressed the need to deepen international cooperation to further promote green technology. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

China has sent back planes it ordered from the US in its latest retaliation over Trump tariffs, the boss of aircraft maker Boeing has said.Kelly Ortberg said two planes had already been returned and another would follow after trade tensions between the two countries escalated.Boeing's chief executive told CNBC that 50 more planes were due to go to China this year but their customers had indicated they will not take delivery of them.The US put 145% tariffs on imports from China and it hit back with a 125% tax on US products. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

India suspends Indus Waters Treaty: Here's how it impacts Pakistan’s farms, cities, and power... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A group of 67 French media companies representing 200 publications has filed a lawsuit against Facebook parent company Meta, accusing the tech giant of unlawful business practices in the digital advertising sector. The companies claim Meta's dominance is based on illegal data collection and targeted advertising. The case, filed in Paris, adds to growing legal pressure on Meta across Europe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

China today is a far bigger trading partner than the US for most countries. That limits what Trump can demand of them, experts say.... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.