Pope Francis shows 'slight improvement,' remains hospitalized in stable condition
Pope Francis is in stable condition, the Vatican said in a statement Wednesday, adding that blood tests showed "a slight improvement" since he was hospitalized last week with severe respiratory issues. The improvement, particularly in his inflammatory markers, suggests that the treatment is working. Francis remains at Policlinico Agostino Gemelli, one of Italy’s largest hospitals, for pneumonia treatment.
South Korea’s Yoon attends first trial hearing for insurrection
South Korea’s impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol appeared in a Seoul court on Thursday for his first trial hearing on charges of insurrection in the country’s first criminal prosecution of an incumbent leader. Last month prosecutors indicted Yoon after accusing him of leading an insurrection with his short-lived imposition of martial law on December 3. A justice ministry motorcade took Yoon from the Seoul Detention Center, where he is being held, to the court, outside which were parked lines of police buses to ensure security.
Train hits elephant herd in Sri Lanka, killing at least six elephants, say police
A train collided with a herd of elephants in Sri Lanka on Wednesday night, killing at least six of them, according to Sri Lanka Police. No passengers were injured, but wildlife veterinary officers are treating a female elephant and an injured calf in the city of Giritale, Sri Lanka’s state-owned Daily News reported Thursday. The Meenagaya train hit the herd at the 140 km mark between Minneriya and Galoya railway stations at around 11:30 pm Wednesday, Daily News reports.
New Zealand’s bug of the year is an ancient worm that spits poison goo
Of all the bugs New Zealanders could have selected to win an international competition, they chose neither the prettiest, nor the most useful. The NZ velvet worm won this year’s New Zealand Bug of the Year competition, a less than scientific social experiment held every year by the Entomological Society of New Zealand to test the vagaries of bug fans worldwide. Almost 25,000 votes were cast by some 9,000 people worldwide, who were asked to choose just three favorites from a list of 21 nominees including maggots, ants, crickets and flies.
The 21 best travel pants for men and women on the go in 2025
Enduring long travel days might test your patience, but equipping yourself with appropriate travel gear ensures you stay organized and comfortable, whether navigating airports or embarking on an extensive road trip. Moreover, the right travel pants can maintain a clean and fresh appearance, even after extended periods of sitting or standing. Some of the top features include security pockets, which are particularly useful when exploring new cities, and wrinkle-resistant, quick-drying fabrics. Here’s a look at our curated selection of 20 favorite pairs of travel pants for both men and women, each designed to enhance your travel experience. We’ve taken into account different budgets and activities you might do while you’re traveling, and even spoke with a stylist to help us uncover what to look for.
Delta offering $30,000 to passengers who were on plane that crash-landed in Toronto
Delta Air Lines is offering passengers who were on the Toronto-bound flight that crash-landed and flipped upside down $30,000 apiece. It was not immediately clear how passengers can claim their money, but if all 76 passengers take Delta up on its offer, it will have to fork over nearly $2.3 million in total.
Can sandals be art? Birkenstock says yes, but a German court says no
Birkenstocks: They are ubiquitous in summer, comfy and very German. Sometimes they look chic and sometimes shabby. But can these sandals be considered art? That’s the question Germany’s Federal Court of Justice wrestled with Thursday, and it ruled they’re just comfy footwear. Birkenstock, which is headquartered in Linz am Rhein, Germany, and says its tradition of shoemaking goes back to 1774, filed a lawsuit against three competitors who sold sandals that were very similar to its own.
Police raided a forger’s workshop in Rome. They found dozens of pieces, including fake Picassos and Rembrandts
Italian police have seized dozens of forged artworks attributed to famous artists such as Picasso and Rembrandt in what authorities have called a “clandestine painting laboratory.” The investigation, led by the Carabinieri Command for the Protection of Cultural Heritage, the country’s arts and culture police, and coordinated with the Rome prosecutor’s office, started when authorities began searching for fraudulent works that had been put for sale online, according to a press release issued by the police.
Paris Hilton sells Y2K wardrobe in aid of LA wildfires
On Wednesday, Paris Hilton, “The Simple Life” reality TV star and longtime lover of Juicy Couture tracksuits (having first made them ubiquitous in the early 2000s, a period also known as Y2K), opened the doors to her coveted closet to raise money for the Los Angeles wildfire relief fund. Teaming up with fashion resale platform Vestiaire Collective, Hilton listed almost 100 items she called “personal treasures” that “hold so many memories.” There were a range of luxury labels up for grabs, including items by Mugler, Balenciaga, Versace and Miu Miu.
Israeli police continue manhunt after three bus explosions near Tel Aviv, no injuries
Israeli police were searching for suspects on Thursday after explosions on several buses near Tel Aviv, with no casualties, authorities said. Israeli media reported there had been explosions on three empty buses in parking lots in Bat Yam, a suburb close to Tel Aviv, while bombs were discovered and disabled on two other buses. A spokesperson for the Israel Police did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment on the explosions.