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Pope Leo XIV
700,000 on the streets as the Pope held mass in Paris

Huge crowds lined the Champs-Élysées when Pope Leo XIV held mass in Paris on Saturday, AFP reported.

At least 700,000 people had gathered. The crowd stretched from the Place de la Concorde—where the mass was held—all the way to the Arc de Triomphe at the other end. The Pope traveled along the famous avenue in his car before the mass.

"It is truly good and joyful when brothers and sisters gather to honor the greatness of God," he said from the stage.

This is the first papal visit to France in nearly 20 years. In addition to Paris, the Pope has visited sites including the Catholic shrine at the Grotto of Massabielle in Lourdes.

The explosion in Athens
Six people dead following the explosion in Athens

Six people have been found dead following the explosion in the Plaka tourist district of Athens on Friday, Reuters reports.

The victims include two American couples who were renting the ground floor of the house together with another couple, AFP writes. They were due to check out that day to catch their flight home but never arrived at the airport, according to the police. These details have not been confirmed.

An elderly couple who reportedly lived on the upper floor were also found dead in the rubble. All bodies are being taken to the hospital for identification, according to Reuters.

The cause of the explosion remains unclear, though a gas leak is currently suspected. 

The Climate Threat  Global Challenges
Island nations fight for survival: "We never give up"

When Palau’s President Surangel Samuel Whipps Jr. visited Helen Island for the first time in 40 years, he found that two-thirds of it had disappeared. Rising sea levels caused by climate change have washed away his ancestors' burial ground.

"It is devastating for us. But that doesn't mean we should give up," he told the AP.

Small island nations are hit harder by climate change than anyone else. At the UN, they are fighting to save their lives, homes, and cultures, but with their small populations, they struggle to make themselves heard among larger nations.

This week brought a victory when the UN voted in favor of a resolution stating that small island nations will retain their sovereignty and maritime rights, regardless of the consequences of rising sea levels.

"The only thing we can do is stay home, ensure our people's survival, speak our language, and protect our identity. We never give up," says Marshall Islands Foreign Minister Kalani Kaneko. 

Powerful storm in the eastern US – 100,000 without power

A storm is moving along the US Northeast coast, bringing strong winds and heavy rainfall, according to US media reports.

The storm is expected to hit areas stretching from North Carolina to New England over the weekend, including major cities like New York and Boston. Flooding is anticipated near the coast, and parts of New Jersey have already been affected.

Weather warnings have been issued for several areas.