📰 News Roundup: The Monday Kickoff

Start the week informed. Today’s roundup covers world news, tragedy, shocking and crime stories, along with odd and weird headlines, celebrity and entertainment updates, and health insights shaping conversations. Here are the defining stories.

1. Gen Z in Nepal protest corruption and social media ban

Key Points

• Ban on major social media platforms

• Protests led by Generation Z

• At least 19 people killed, hundreds wounded

• Protest covers corruption and lack of digital freedoms

What happened?
In early September 2025, Nepal’s government banned major social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, X, and YouTube because they had not registered under new rules. This sparked nationwide protests led by Gen Z youth, who viewed the ban as a breach of their liberty and also uncovered decades of corruption and failure in governance. The protests became violent when security forces employed tear gas, water cannons, rubber bullets and live ammunition. At least 19 people died, and hundreds were wounded. Youth were demanding accountability, and amid increasing unrest, the government lifted the ban and the home minister resigned.

Source: Washington Post, Wall Street Journal

2. Surgeon Dr. Hopper, with a ‘sexual obsession’ for amputation porn, had his own legs amputated

Key Points

• UK vascular surgeon Neil Hopper

• Self-inflicted leg injuries for fetish

• Committed fraud to claim insurance money

• Jailed for over two years

What happened?
Neil Hopper, who worked as a 49-year-old vascular surgeon in the UK, purposely caused damage to his own legs using dry ice to satisfy a fetish of amputations. He falsely claimed he had sepsis so that he could win amputations and then defraud insurance companies by obtaining approximately £466,000. While in court, prosecution was able to show Hopper was in possession of extreme pornography that involved genital mutilation. He pled guilty to fraud and possession of extreme pornography. The judge sentenced Hopper to, 32 months in prison and, made a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for ten years which prohibits him from doing specific things. He has lost his medical license, and the toll of this fallout included his divorce.

Source: People, Sky News

3. Man arrested in U.S. for allegedly living in a crawl space of a housing complex for several months

Key Points

• Oregon man secretly lived in crawl space

• Space outfitted with personal items

• Arrested on burglary and drug charges

What happened?
In Clackamas County, Oregon, a 40-year-old named Benjamin Bucur was arrested after a neighbor noticed him entering a condominium complex and lights appearing from a nearby crawl space. Deputies forced entry and discovered he had made the crawl space his secret home, complete with a bed, television, lights, fans, chargers, and electronics, all plugged into the building’s power. Investigators also found a pipe that tested positive for methamphetamine. Bucur was arrested on burglary and drug possession charges. His makeshift shelter showed careful planning and months of clandestine living without the owner's consent.

Source: ABC News, Los Angeles Times

4. Young people gather to celebrate the canonization of the first millennial saint

Key Points

• Carlo Acutis, computer savvy teenager

• Canonized September 7, 2025

• Viewed as a modern role model

What happened?
On September 7, 2025, Pope Leo XIV canonized Carlo Acutis, a 15-year-old Italian known for his computer skills and online work promoting faith. Acutis became the first millennial saint in Catholic Church history, earning the nickname "God’s influencer." His youth and digital savvy struck a chord with today’s generation. The ceremony took place in St. Peter’s Square, with family present. Across the world, especially in communities connected to him, such as a parish in Chicago, young people and church congregations celebrated his legacy, seeing him as a relatable and modern inspiration.

Source: 1News

5. ‘The Conjuring: Last Rites’ makes a huge debut at the North American box office

Key Points

• Opens at around $83–84 million

• Third largest horror debut ever

• Warner Bros.’ seventh straight $40M+ opening

What happened?
“The Conjuring: Last Rites,” the latest in the horror franchise, opened with a massive $83–84 million in the United States and Canada during its debut weekend, making it the third highest horror opening ever. Globally, it earned about $194 million in just days. This marks Warner Bros.’ seventh consecutive film to open with over $40 million domestically, a record for the studio in this decade. The film also set records in markets like the Philippines. Audiences responded strongly, giving it solid CinemaScore and Post Trak ratings. The success keeps the Conjuring universe among the most profitable in horror.

Source: Rotten Tomatoes

More Top Headlines

1. Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced his resignation on September 7, resigning after his party’s crushing July parliamentary loss.

2. A global study of over 100,000 people shows smartphone ownership before age 13 is strongly linked to suicidal thoughts, aggression, and poor well-being.

3. Researchers have adapted a standard glue gun to 3D-print biodegradable bone-like grafts directly onto fractures potentially reducing surgery time and improving healing.

4. A Louisiana family missed the September 1 Powerball jackpot by one number but still won $150,000, calling their luck “blessed.”

5. Kristin Cabot, swept into fame after a Coldplay concert “kiss cam” moment with Astronomer’s CEO, filed for divorce in New Hampshire on August 13.

That’s all I’ve got for today. Here is the Newsletter schedule every week

News Roundup - Monday, Wednesday & Friday

This roundup features 10 major headlines. The top 5 stories are explained in detail, while 5 additional stories are highlighted as honorable mentions. Coverage spans a variety of topics including world news, true crime, human interest, weird news, health, science, technology, business, AI and economy.

In the meantime, join the official Pro Breaking News subreddit → Join Here

This has been PBN. See you tomorrow!