Speaking to a 2020 interview, historian and bestselling author Yuval Noah Harari warned of dire consequences if the COVID-19 pandemic is not contained, particularly in developing countries. He said the virus is a threat not only to public health but also to peace and stability, as it could undermine democracies and contribute to authoritarianism.

Eric Carle, a beloved children’s author and illustrator, passed away on Sunday at 91. “The Very Hungry Caterpillar”, his best-known work, came out in 1969 and has sold more than 50 million copies.

Japan’s teen sensation Sota Fujii on Thursday became the youngest professional player ever to win one of the eight major titles in the Japanese board game of shogi after beating the current title holder in a best-of-five series.

Britain officially left the European Union on Friday more than three years after the Brexit vote. Thousands of supporters held celebrations in front of the British parliament, waving national flags, singing and cheering.

Meghan Markle, the wife of Britain’s Prince Harry, has flown to Canada following their surprise Instagram statement. The royal couple announced their plan to step back as senior members of the royal family and work to become financially independent.

During a four-day trip to Japan last month, Pope Francis visited Nagasaki and Hiroshima, the world’s only cities to have suffered atomic bombings, and met with blast survivors. As an anti-nuke campaigner, he also delivered a speech calling for a total ban on nuclear weapons.

Japan’s Empress Masako, having long suffered from an adjustment disorder, has performed important official duties since her husband Naruhito ascended the throne in May. As a Harvard graduate and former diplomat, she is fluent in English, French and German.

Japanese Emperor Naruhito greeted the public on Saturday for the first time since ascending the throne three days earlier. He appeared on the Imperial Palace balcony alongside Empress Masako before tens of thousands of well-wishers.

Banksy’s painting “Girl With Balloon” passed through a shredder hidden inside the frame moments after it sold for 1.04 million pounds at a London auction in early October. The winning bidder has decided to stick with her purchase of the self-destructed work, which has now been retitled “Love Is in the Bin.”