Year: 2026

Protesters rallied outside Granada city hall on Thursday, advocating for 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal, evicted from her Madrid apartment on September 23. Demonstrations in her support, sparked by rising housing costs, took place across Spain, highlighting concerns for older tenants and escalating housing affordability issues.

A Congolese army plane crashed in Kenge, Kwango province, on Friday, killing at least 14 people, including senior military officials and civilians. The aircraft lost power while en route to Kinshasa from Kikwit, resulting in the tragedy as it crashed into a residential area. An investigation is underway.

Pope Leo XIV cautioned against the dangers of artificial intelligence during a speech at UNESCO’s Paris headquarters, emphasising that technology must serve humanity. He warned of potential dehumanisation and called for safeguards, particularly for vulnerable children, amidst broader discussions on technology’s impact on society.

What’s going on?
Pope Leo XIV launched a three-day visit to France, during which he expressed concerns about artificial intelligence. He warned that AI poses risks to humanity, emphasizing the urgency of addressing these challenges. The visit marks a significant engagement with technology’s societal impact.

AP News reported, “Pope warns a ‘paradise of machines’ could undermine humanity as he opens France trip,” focusing on potential dangers AI presents. In contrast, The Guardian’s headline, “Pope Leo warns of AI threat to humanity at start of three-day France visit,” centres on the pope’s direct warning rather than the concept of paradise. This juxtaposition highlights whether the emphasis is on existential threats or the philosophical implications of AI advancements.

Coverage analysed: AP News | The Guardian