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Staying up-to-date with the news can be a real challenge. So, to make things easier, we've handpicked the most jaw-dropping stories from this week. From heated debates in pop culture to violent incidents in Europe, political standstills in Washington, and the loss of iconic figures, this week had it all. Just another typical, chaotic week on our unpredictable planet. Here's everything you need to know:
10. Doctor Who’s Gender Swap
Oh, fantastic. Another pop culture topic for the world to debate.
Doctor Who (for the few of you who haven’t heard) is an iconic British sci-fi series about a time-traveling adventurer known as the Doctor. Well, he used to be a man. On Sunday, the BBC unveiled the actor who will take over after Peter Capaldi departs. Not only will the Doctor be recast, but this time, the character will also change gender.
Whether you like it or not, a female Doctor seems like a questionable decision. Those who dislike identity politics might see it as turning children's television into a political arena, and casting a female Doctor is unlikely to do much for real gender equality, much like a Broadway show wouldn’t do much to resolve the Israel-Palestine conflict.
9. Uruguay Begins Selling Recreational Marijuana
While selling weed is not entirely new, with places like Amsterdam allowing tourists to relax in cafes and states such as Washington, Colorado, Alaska, and Oregon following suit in the U.S., Uruguay is the first country to fully open the door to legal recreational marijuana on a national scale.
The small South American country legalized marijuana back in 2013, allowing citizens to cultivate their own plants and establishing government-run farms to produce commercial strains. This week marked a significant milestone as the first pharmacies in the country began selling it for recreational use. Sixteen pharmacies received authorization to offer one of two government-approved brands: Alpha 1 and Beta 1. Currently, five grams is priced around $6.50.
Though it's a groundbreaking move, Uruguay's marijuana market is still tightly controlled. To purchase pot, citizens must register with the government, and they are limited to buying a maximum of 40 grams per month.
8. India’s Untouchables Caste Member Elected President
Since India adopted its constitution in 1949, caste-based discrimination has been officially outlawed. However, this hasn’t stopped such prejudice from persisting. Indian society remains deeply divided by caste, with those born into higher castes enjoying significant privileges, while those born into the Dalit (“Untouchables”) caste often face poverty, marginalization, and limited job opportunities, often restricted to roles like “sewage cleaner.”
The remarkable story of Ram Nath Kovind explains why his rise is making headlines. Born into the Dalit caste, he worked tirelessly to climb the social ladder and eventually became the Governor of Bihar. This week, his journey reached its peak as he was elected president of India.
Though the Indian Presidency is largely a ceremonial role, akin to Britain’s queen rather than the US president, Kovind's achievement is extraordinary. He is only the second Dalit to ever hold India’s highest office, following Kocheril Raman Narayanan, who became president in 1997.
7. London Faces Surge in Acid Attacks
Last Friday evening, two teenagers from London, aged 15 and 16, set out on bikes across the city. In just 72 minutes, they attacked five delivery drivers with acid, stealing their vehicles in the process. All five victims suffered burns, with one losing sight in one eye and another sustaining such severe disfigurement that doctors called it 'life-changing.'
The teens have been arrested, but don’t expect much in terms of justice. The UK has been criticized for its lenient sentences for acid attackers, even in cases where victims are left with horrific injuries. For example, in 2014, Adele Bellis had her ear burned off with sulfuric acid by her ex-boyfriend, Anthony Riley. Riley received only two years in prison, while Bellis still requires ongoing plastic surgery.
The series of acid attacks also underscored a disturbing trend. The UK is increasingly becoming a hotspot for acid violence, particularly among street gangs. In the six days following the London attacks, a paramedic had acid thrown in her face, and a heavily pregnant woman had acid poured over her stomach. Both assaults were completely unprovoked.
Soon after the Friday night attacks, Home Secretary Amber Rudd expressed her intention to impose life sentences for those convicted of acid attacks.
6. Two Icons of B Movies Pass Away
When you think of “zombies,” what comes to mind? Decaying corpses, flesh-eating monsters, and classic B movies full of gore? Whatever your image is, it likely traces back to one man: George A. Romero.
Before Romero made his groundbreaking Night of the Living Dead, zombies were simply figures from Caribbean folklore, slaves under hypnosis rather than reanimated flesh-eaters. That's how profoundly he shaped modern horror—he essentially invented the zombie genre. So, it was a gut punch when we heard of his passing this week at the age of 77. All we can do is hope he draws inspiration from his own films and returns to life swiftly.
As if that weren't enough of a blow, last week we lost another giant of B-movie history. Martin Landau, the ultimate background character, was a member of the original Mission Impossible crew and appeared in everything from The Outer Limits to North by Northwest. He capped his career with an iconic portrayal of Bela Lugosi in 1994's Ed Wood. While his death at 89 wasn't entirely unexpected, it’s still a loss that will be felt.
5. Efforts to Repeal and Replace Obamacare Fail
When Republicans took control of the White House, the House, and the Senate back in November, many thought that Obamacare would be repealed by January 20. But things haven't gone as planned. After six months in power, the GOP finally managed to push a repeal-and-replace bill through to the Senate, only to see it die in spectacular fashion this week after three defections.
The bill faces a major obstacle: it’s unpopular with both the moderate and Tea Party factions of the GOP. Hard-liners despise any government involvement in health insurance, while moderates are upset by cuts to state-funded Medicaid. These two irreconcilable positions make it impossible to create a bill that satisfies all Republicans, leading to the bill’s collapse.
The GOP could theoretically try to win over moderate Democrats, but any deal they make would likely still be too interventionist for the party’s right wing. There’s now talk of a “repeal-and-no-replace” bill, which would strip away Obamacare without introducing an alternative.
4. R. Kelly Accused of Running a Disturbing Cult
R. Kelly has long been the subject of bizarre, unproven allegations, and this week brought another chilling report. According to a Buzzfeed news investigation, the R&B singer has allegedly started a small cult. Reports claim that six to nine women are being held against their will, with Kelly controlling their clothing, their sleep arrangements, their food, and even the bizarre sexual acts they’re expected to perform for him to film.
The allegations remain unproven. One of the women named in the reports even spoke to TMZ, insisting she is not part of a cult. However, the parents of some of the young women, along with three of Kelly's former associates, have claimed that the women were brainwashed and subjected to physical abuse if they fail to comply with Kelly’s demands.
R. Kelly has denied all of the accusations made against him.
3. A US Police Officer Killed an Innocent Australian Citizen
Few recent police blunders have had the potential to spark a diplomatic incident like the one that occurred in Minneapolis on Saturday. Australian citizen Justine Diamond called the police after hearing what she thought was an assault. When officers arrived, she stepped outside in her pajamas to speak with them. Officer Mohamed Noor, upon seeing movement near the driver’s side window, fired across his partner’s body. When the dust settled, it was revealed that he had shot and killed Diamond.
Diamond was a 40-year-old mother who posed no apparent threat to anyone. The heartbreaking aspect of this tragedy is that she was killed by the officers who she believed would protect her. This incident also led to a minor international dispute, with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull officially demanding an explanation from the US government regarding the shooting.
Diamond’s death is currently under investigation as a homicide. Officer Noor, reportedly spooked by the sound of fireworks, has been placed on administrative leave. Unfortunately, his overreaction has led to the loss of an innocent woman’s life.
2. A Discovery in Archaeology That Rewrites Australia’s Human History
It’s commonly believed that Australia’s Aboriginal people represent the oldest continuous civilization on Earth. This week, that claim became even more remarkable. Until recently, it was widely accepted that humans first arrived in Australia around 47,000 years ago. However, after archaeologists unearthed ancient tools from a shelter in the Northern Territory, the timeline has been adjusted. The new best estimate for the arrival of the Aboriginal people in Australia is now 63,000 BC.
To give you some context, The Sydney Morning Herald asked readers to imagine a 24-hour band of time representing Aboriginal culture in Australia. On this timescale, the arrival of Westerners in 1787 would occur at 23:54 and 56 seconds. It really puts into perspective just how ancient this culture is.
Incredibly, the Australia that the first humans encountered was even more deadly than the one tourists visit today. They had to contend with enormous wombats and giant monitor lizards measuring between 5 and 7 meters (16-23 feet) long, all with a taste for flesh. Quite terrifying!
1. A Miniskirt Caused a Major Stir in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is widely regarded as one of the most religiously conservative countries in the world. The kingdom adheres to Wahhabism, a strict form of Sunni Islam, which also influences extremist groups like Al-Qaeda and ISIS. Women in Saudi Arabia are heavily restricted, with the ruling class likely viewing the feminist dystopia of The Handmaid’s Tale as 'too liberal.'
Despite this, Saudi Arabia is attempting to modernize. Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman is leading the Vision 2030 initiative, which aims to reduce the power of the religious police, allow music concerts, and give women and girls better access to education and job opportunities.
In the midst of this brewing tension, a 15-year-old Saudi girl named Khulood posted a video of herself strolling through the streets in a miniskirt. Her arrest by the religious police revealed deep societal rifts that could threaten the Kingdom’s stability.
The House of Saud depends on support from the ultra-conservative religious factions, granting them power in return for upholding their rigid way of life. If the authorities fail to impose a harsh penalty on Khulood, they risk sparking public dissent. However, keeping her detained could harm the Vision 2030 reforms.
Khulood has been released without facing charges. It remains to be seen how the hard-liners will respond to this outcome.
