India
News Roundup: Opera-Bound Snake, Indonesia Food Poisoning Cases, and Other Top Stories
By AP
A boa constrictor named Princess has won a role in the Metropolitan Opera's production of Mozart's 'Così fan tutte' in New York. The Met requires auditions for all performers on stage, including animals. Zoe Ziegfeld, a former carnival performer turned opera actor, serves as the snake handler and auditions each snake to ensure comfort on stage. Princess secured the lead role, while another boa constrictor named Nala was selected as understudy. This marks Ziegfeld's third time working as snake charmer for this production, which reimagines Mozart's opera about love and deception in a 1950s Coney Island carnival setting instead of Naples, Italy.
In Indonesia, nearly 2,000 people, most of them students, have fallen ill in suspected food poisoning outbreaks linked to the country's Free Nutritious Meals program between September 1 and September 3. Approximately 1,950 students, teachers, and Islamic boarding school pupils were affected across Central Java, East Java, West Sumatra, Aceh, and South Sulawesi. No deaths were reported. These incidents add to a growing number of food poisoning cases associated with President Prabowo Subianto's flagship program, which aims to feed nearly 90 million beneficiaries. Health Ministry data shows more than 50,000 people have been affected in 260 cases nationwide since the program launched in January 2025.
In Liberia, chimpanzees once used in hepatitis B vaccine research are receiving health checkups as part of long-term care at their new home. The West African chimpanzees receive treatments such as teeth cleanings and X-rays at the Second Chance Chimpanzee Refuge. American researchers used more than 400 chimps from the 1970s until the early 2000s. Liberia has the second-highest number of chimpanzees in West Africa. The checkups evaluate long-term health and help tailor care plans, with the sanctuary's veterinarian emphasizing their importance for the animals' well-being. The long-term impact of the experiments on the chimps is still being assessed.
In Greece, a Greek air force jet crashed during an annual air show north of Athens, killing both pilots aboard. The twin-seat Phantom F4 jet crashed during a low-altitude maneuver, with the resulting fire sending large plumes of black smoke into the air in front of several thousand spectators on Saturday. No injuries were reported among attendees. Greek air force officials said the bodies of the two pilots were located during a rescue operation approximately 60 kilometers, or about 40 miles, north of Athens. Organizers canceled the remaining air show events.
In economic news, the U.S. job market rebounded in August as employers added 122,000 jobs, with unemployment holding steady at 4.1%. The Labor Department's jobs report, released Friday, could provide positive news for President Donald Trump ahead of midterm elections in two months, during which economic conditions are expected to influence voters. Meanwhile, mortgage rates increased again this week, pushing the average long-term U.S. home loan rate to its highest level in more than a year. The benchmark 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rose to 6.71% from 6.66% the previous week, according to mortgage buyer Freddie Mac's Thursday announcement. One year ago, the average rate stood at 6.50%.
At the Women's Basketball World Cup in Berlin, China's 7-foot-3 center Zhang Ziyu drew attention on the tournament's opening day. The 19-year-old presented a significant physical challenge for the United States to overcome during the four-time defending champion's opening 94-61 victory. Zhang stands taller than Basketball Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal and is just an inch shorter than San Antonio Spurs big man Victor Wembanyama. Excitement built each time Zhang appeared on the court, and the teenager finished with 13 points in her World Cup debut.
Malaysia has declared an emergency in a town in Sarawak state due to severe air pollution linked to fires in Indonesia. The Air Pollutant Index in Serian surged to 251 on Friday, exceeding the emergency threshold. Sarawak's capital, Kuching, also recorded hazardous levels. The declaration allows for more effective measures, according to the prime minister's office. Haze is a recurring issue in Southeast Asia, affecting Malaysia, Brunei, and Singapore. Indonesian authorities have deployed firefighting resources and suspended business licenses of companies linked to fires. This year's haze has been particularly severe due to elevated fire activity and dry conditions.
Romanian prosecutors have indicted social media influencer Andrew Tate on charges including trafficking minors and money laundering. His brother, Tristan Tate, is also implicated in the case. The charges stem from an investigation that began with their arrest in Bucharest in 2022. Authorities allege the brothers coerced victims into producing pornographic material for their online business. The Tate brothers, who hold dual U.S.-British citizenship, have denied the allegations. They are currently held in Miami, where they face extradition to the United Kingdom on sex crimes allegations. Romanian officials have allowed them to remain free with certain restrictions while proceedings continue.
In San Francisco, a school bus that played a significant role in the 1960s hippie movement has returned to the city. Used by author Ken Kesey and his Merry Band of Pranksters, the 'Furthur' bus is now part of an exhibition celebrating the Grateful Dead. Opening Saturday, 'Forever Grateful, Golden Gate Park' will also feature Jerry Garcia's guitar, never before displayed publicly. The exhibit immerses visitors in 1960s counterculture and invites them to explore its relevance today. Amid political polarization and collective fatigue, the exhibition aims to connect people through art, music, and activism. It runs through October 25.