A 12-year-old girl became a bishop for 45 minutes as part of a quirky tradition at Salisbury Cathedral. Chorister Isabel Moss donned the bishop’s cope, mitre and ring and carried the staff to lead a service at the cathedral on Sunday. She sat in the intricately carved Cathedra – or bishop’s throne – to deliver a sermon and lead the choir and congregation in prayer. The tradition dates back to medieval times.
Climber given plane crash jewels
A mountaineer has been given the jewels he found on a French glacier 50 years after plane crash. The collection of emeralds, rubies and sapphires, which has been buried for decades on a glacier off France’s Mont Blanc, has been shared between the climber who discovered them and local authorities, eight years after they were found. The local mayor said he was “very happy” with the move and praised the climber for his “integrity” in turning his find in to police.
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Man hid giant model railway
A man who spent eight years building Britain’s biggest model railway kept his girlfriend in the dark about his epic 200ft project, fearing it might scare her away. Simon George, 53, told the BBC: “When I first met her she didn’t know I was building this. She knew I leased a mill with a huge basement but I kind of led her to believe I was a wine merchant because that sounded cooler than building a model railway.” He added that she was “shocked” when she discovered the truth.
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President Trump: ‘waging war’ on ChicagoTalking Point Federal agents are carrying out ‘increasingly aggressive’ immigration raids – but have sanctuary cities like Chicago brought it on themselves?
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Crossword: October 18, 2025The Week's daily crossword puzzle
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Codeword: October 18, 2025The Week's daily codeword puzzle
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Sanae Takaichi: Japan’s Iron Lady set to be the country’s first woman prime ministerIn the Spotlight Takaichi is a member of Japan’s conservative, nationalist Liberal Democratic Party
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Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of TaiwanIn the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
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Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdownIN THE SPOTLIGHT A series of stings disrupts major cybercrime operations as law enforcement estimates millions in losses from schemes designed to prey on lonely users
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China is silently expanding its influence in American citiesUnder the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
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Missionaries using tech to contact Amazon's Indigenous peopleUnder the radar Wealthy US-backed evangelical groups are sending drones to reach remote and uncontacted tribes, despite legal prohibitions
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How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctionsThe Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
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One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024
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What happens if tensions between India and Pakistan boil over?TODAY'S BIG QUESTION As the two nuclear-armed neighbors rattle their sabers in the wake of a terrorist attack on the contested Kashmir region, experts worry that the worst might be yet to come
