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As of early September 2025, Russian forces continue incremental advances in eastern Ukraine, notably near Dobropillia and Donetsk, pressing Ukrainian defenses along a 1,000-kilometer front. Ukraine has reclaimed some villages and launched drone strikes on Russian territory, including a fire at a nuclear plant with no casualties. Peace talks remain stalled after Russia ruled out an immediate Putin-Zelensky summit despite ongoing prisoner exchanges and diplomatic efforts led by the US and European allies.
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Pope Leo XVI celebrated a Mass in Rome with LGBTQ+ groups participating, emphasizing dignity and inclusion. He met with Jesuit advocate James Martin, reaffirming support for LGBTQ+ acceptance. The pope is also expected to visit Lebanon by December, continuing his focus on peace and dialogue in the Middle East.
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Israeli tanks and jets launched a major assault on Gaza City, prompting mass displacement amid ongoing conflict. The offensive, condemned internationally, involves extensive air and ground strikes, including the use of remotely operated bomb vehicles. The situation remains dire with thousands of casualties and a humanitarian crisis deepening.
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Chicago Costume is ordering 40% fewer costumes this year due to US tariffs on Chinese imports, impacting Halloween sales. The business is repurposing old inventory and shifting production to Mexico amid market pressures and increased costs, with fewer promotions planned for 2025.
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On October 23, 2025, King Charles III and Pope Leo XIV prayed together in the Sistine Chapel, marking the first joint worship between an English monarch and a Catholic pope since 1534. The ecumenical service, emphasizing environmental conservation, symbolizes a historic rapprochement between the Church of England and the Catholic Church after nearly five centuries of separation.
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Multiple school kidnappings in Nigeria continue to dominate headlines. Over 250 students and staff remain in captivity after recent attacks, prompting international calls for their release. The government has responded with security measures, but the crisis highlights ongoing insecurity and threats to education in the region.
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President Trump pardoned turkeys Waddle and Gobble during a Thanksgiving event, but the ceremony was marked by political insults, jokes about crime, and attacks on Illinois Governor Pritzker. Trump claimed Biden's pardons were invalid and criticized Chicago's crime situation, continuing his combative tone.