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Ten men linked to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel were found guilty of murder and kidnapping tied to the “Izaguirre ranch of horror” in Jalisco, Mexico, which authorities say served as a forced recruitment and training site. Arrested after a shootout in September, they were convicted of disappearance by private individuals and qualified homicide. While a victims’ group reported shoes, personal items, and possible charred remains suggesting an “extermination center,” federal investigators said they found no proof of mass killings, though they confirmed the site’s role in criminal training. Since March, about 15 more people, including a mayor and police, have been arrested in connection with the ranch. The case highlights Mexico’s crisis of over 100,000 missing people and comes amid heightened U.S. actions against CJNG leaders, including sanctions and lengthy sentences for affiliates.

A mob in Bihar, India, killed five members of a family accused of witchcraft, hacking them to death and burning their bodies in the village of Temta. Three suspects have been arrested, with police saying around 50 people stormed the home after a child in the village died and another fell ill, which villagers blamed on witchcraft. The victims were identified as Babu Lal Oraon, his mother, wife, and two adult children; a 16-year-old son survived. Police formed a special team to pursue more arrests amid limited cooperation from villagers. The incident highlights ongoing violence linked to superstition in parts of South Asia.

Bruno, a 7-year-old Italian police bloodhound credited with finding nine people during his service, was killed in Taranto after eating dog food laced with nails, prompting national outrage and a criminal investigation. His trainer, Arcangelo Caressa—who had received threats tied to his efforts against illegal dogfighting—believes he was the intended target and provided suspects’ names to police. Italian leaders, including Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and animal-rights lawmaker Michela Vittoria Brambilla, condemned the killing; Brambilla’s recently enacted law increases penalties for animal abuse to up to four years in prison and a €60,000 fine. Public figures called for even harsher punishments, highlighting Bruno’s heroic record of rescuing five people and recovering four bodies.

An EU naval force says Yemen’s Houthi rebels attacked the Liberian-flagged, Greek-owned bulk carrier Eternity C in the Red Sea, killing three crew members and injuring two (one lost a leg). The ship, heading toward the Suez Canal, was hit by small boats and bomb-laden drones; its crew remains aboard as the vessel drifts. Separately, the Houthis attacked the Liberian-flagged Magic Seas, forcing its 22 crew to abandon ship; the rebels claim it later sank. These are the first Houthi strikes on shipping since November 2024, raising fears of a renewed campaign that could disrupt the Red Sea trade corridor and draw in Western forces amid wider regional tensions involving Israel, Iran, and Gaza.

Indonesia’s Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki on Flores island erupted twice on Monday, blasting ash up to 11 miles high in the morning and 8 miles in the evening, blanketing nearby villages and prompting at least 24 international flight cancellations and several domestic disruptions. No casualties were reported. Authorities kept the volcano at the highest alert level, expanded the exclusion zone to about 4.3 miles, and warned of possible lava floods during heavy rain. Drone observations showed lava filling the crater and magma movement triggering quakes, with searing gas, rocks, and lava flows reaching up to 3 miles down the slopes. Officials urged residents and tourists to stay away and follow local guidance. The event was among Indonesia’s largest eruptions since 2010.

A 48-year-old Buenos Aires man has been identified through DNA testing as the 140th “stolen grandchild” taken at birth during Argentina’s 1976-1983 dictatorship. He was born in 1977 to disappeared activists Graciela Alicia Romero and Raul Eugenio Metz while Romero was held and tortured at the clandestine “La Escuelita” detention center. His identity was confirmed after an anonymous tip; his sister, Adriana Metz Romero, who works with the Grandmothers of Plaza de Mayo, has made initial contact and celebrated the discovery. The Grandmothers, founded in 1977, say around 500 infants were taken and about 300 remain to be found. They criticized budget cuts under President Javier Milei, warning the National Genetic Data Bank’s work has been hampered, and urged state support to continue the search.

A CBS News investigation found that Instagram ran paid ads linking to Telegram channels promoting escort and sex work services, despite Meta’s policies banning such content. Ads from accounts like “Royal Garden Club” and “men.s_dreams” linked to channels offering access to thousands of women and explicit services worldwide. Meta removed the related accounts and disabled their ad accounts, banning the administrators for violating policies on human exploitation and sexual solicitation. Telegram, known for looser moderation, has not commented. The findings follow earlier CBS reporting on Instagram ads for “nudify” deepfake apps; Meta has since sued a major app maker to curb such ads.

Milan Bergamo Airport halted operations for nearly two hours after a man was killed when he was sucked into the engine of a taxiing Volotea Airbus A319 bound for Asturias, Spain. The incident occurred after boarding was complete and the aircraft was moving away from the terminal. Authorities say the victim, who was neither a passenger nor an airport employee, breached security and is believed to have intended to take his own life. The closure, from 10:20 a.m. to noon local time, led to at least eight flight cancellations and diversions to nearby airports. An investigation is underway, and the victim’s identity has not been released.

Researchers identified North America’s oldest known pterosaur from a delicate jawbone found in Arizona’s Petrified Forest National Park, dating to about 209.2 million years ago. Named Eotephradactylus mcintireae (“ash-winged dawn goddess”) after volunteer discoverer Suzanne McIntire, the small flying reptile—about the size of a small seagull—helps fill a pre–end-Triassic extinction fossil gap. The find, detailed in PNAS, emerged from a large bone bed containing 1,200 fossils and was precisely dated thanks to volcanic ash layers. The study also reports some of the world’s oldest turtle fossils, giant amphibians, and armored crocodile relatives from the same site.

French Olympic fencer Ysaora Thibus was cleared of a doping violation after the Court of Arbitration for Sport accepted that her positive January 2024 test for ostarine resulted from contamination through kissing her partner, U.S. fencer Race Imboden, over nine days. CAS dismissed the World Anti-Doping Agency’s appeal seeking a four-year ban, citing scientific evidence that saliva could transfer sufficient ostarine. Previously cleared by fencing authorities, Thibus competed at the Paris Olympics, finishing fifth in team foil and 28th individually. The ruling echoes Richard Gasquet’s 2009 “cocaine kiss” case.

The U.S. State Department will lift the terrorist designation on Syrian rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), effective Tuesday, citing reforms under Syria’s new president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, the group’s former leader. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the move reflects HTS’s disbandment and the government’s stated commitment to combat terrorism. This follows President Trump’s surprise decision in May to lift U.S. sanctions on Syria and his meeting with al-Sharaa. HTS, formerly Jabhat al-Nusra and once affiliated with al Qaeda, played a key role in toppling the Assad regime last year, propelling al-Sharaa to the presidency. While HTS has distanced itself from al Qaeda since 2016, skepticism remains due to its militant past and al-Sharaa’s history in regional insurgencies.

In Urk, a Dutch fishing village long marked by losses at sea, volunteers are using advances in DNA profiling and AI to identify fishermen who vanished decades ago. The foundation Identiteit Gezocht maps wrecks, models historical weather and currents, and uses AI to search old reports of bodies washing ashore, linking cases to unknown graves across North Sea coasts—especially in Germany and Denmark. With local authorities’ help, remains are exhumed and DNA matched to relatives, bringing closure to families. A recent success identified a man missing for 47 years from Urk. Funded by donations and driven by community members who lost loved ones, the effort aims to resolve dozens of cases and heal long-standing grief.

The BBC piece examines why hip-hop has struggled to reckon with sexual abuse despite Sean “Diddy” Combs’ high-profile conviction for transporting individuals to engage in prostitution (and acquittal on more serious charges). Testimony from Cassie Ventura and others depicted coercion, violence, and tightly controlled, staff-enabled “freak-offs,” raising questions about long-standing impunity. Advocates, artists, and academics cite industry-wide factors—NDAs, hush money, retaliation, blacklisting, and a “playbook” that protects powerful men—as well as dynamics specific to hip-hop: the genre’s roots in Black liberation, its role as a rare path to wealth and status, and “black protectionism” that can shield celebrated figures from scrutiny. The result is a culture of silence where survivors risk career ruin for speaking out. While the Diddy case has brought attention to abuses, campaigners argue meaningful change will require dismantling legal and economic structures that enable misconduct and ensuring real accountability across the music industry.

Several dozen people were injured when hundreds of bees attacked passersby in Aurillac, France, on Sunday. Twenty-four were hurt, three critically, including a 78-year-old woman who was resuscitated after 25 stings; all three are now stable. Authorities cordoned off the area and brought in a beekeeper to calm the bees. Possible causes cited include disturbance of an oversized or stressed colony, issues with the queen, environmental stressors (heatwaves, early blossoming followed by food scarcity, temperature drops), or the presence of Asian hornets, though experts questioned the hornet theory. The hives have been relocated outside the town, and an investigation is underway.

- In Tianshui, Gansu province, 233 children from Peixin Kindergarten were found with high blood lead levels after chefs used inedible paint to color foods like red date cake and corn sausage buns. - Tests showed lead concentrations up to 2,000 times China’s safety limit (measured at 1052 mg/kg and 1340 mg/kg vs the 0.5 mg/kg standard). - Eight people, including the principal and the kindergarten’s main investor, were arrested; the principal allegedly ordered the paint online, which was labeled inedible, and staff hid supplies after children fell ill. - Parents reported symptoms in children since March, including stomach and leg pain and loss of appetite; at least one child requires a 10-day treatment regimen. - Authorities acknowledged failures in food safety supervision and launched an investigation into producing toxic and harmful food.

Swiss regulators approved the first malaria treatment tailored for newborns and very young children under 4.5 kg, addressing a longstanding “treatment gap” that forced clinicians to adapt drugs meant for older children and risk overdosing. The Novartis medicine, Coartem Baby (Riamet Baby), developed with the Medicines for Malaria Venture, will be rolled out in African countries within weeks on a largely not-for-profit basis. With malaria linked to about 597,000 deaths in 2023—mostly in Africa and three-quarters in children under five—experts call the approval a major step toward reducing child mortality and improving equitable access to care.

G8 Education, one of Australia’s largest childcare operators, will accelerate installing CCTV across its 400+ centres and allow parents to choose which staff can change nappies or take children to the toilet, following charges against former employee Joshua Dale Brown for more than 70 alleged child sex offences at a Melbourne centre. The company apologized, promised an independent review after legal proceedings, and pledged to meet privacy and cybersecurity requirements, though details on CCTV access and storage remain unclear. Child safety experts warn CCTV isn’t a “silver bullet,” may create a false sense of security, and could shift pressure onto female staff or influence hiring. Authorities have advised precautionary infectious disease testing for about 1,200 children who were under Brown’s care across 20 centres since 2017. Governments have promised tighter checks and regulations; Brown remains in custody awaiting a September court appearance.

The BBC reports that Instagram wrongly banned some users for alleged child sexual exploitation, causing severe stress, loss of access to memories and business accounts, and potential reputational harm. At least three users had accounts permanently disabled and linked Facebook services suspended, only to be restored within hours after the BBC contacted Meta. Over 27,000 people have signed a petition alleging AI-driven false bans and an inadequate appeals process, with hundreds sharing similar experiences on Reddit. Meta declined comment on specific cases, says it uses people and technology to enforce policies, and claims no spike in erroneous suspensions, though a South Korean lawmaker said Meta acknowledged possible wrongful bans there. Experts cite opaque moderation and unclear guideline changes as likely factors. Meta reports apparent child exploitation to NCMEC and says its policy also covers AI-generated and fictional depictions.

Three Indian workers at the Diamond Cement Factory in Kayes, Mali, were kidnapped by armed assailants last week amid a wave of jihadist attacks claimed by al-Qaeda-linked JNIM. Their families in India say they have no information on the men’s whereabouts and are anxious about their safety. India’s foreign ministry is in contact with Malian authorities and urged Indian nationals in Mali to stay vigilant. The incident highlights rising insecurity across the Sahel, where Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso face insurgencies tied to al-Qaeda and IS. A similar case in April saw five Indians abducted in Niger with no updates since. Families of the abducted workers, including an engineer from Odisha and a manager from Telangana/Andhra Pradesh, are appealing for government intervention.

South Korea repatriated six North Koreans who drifted into its waters earlier this year, stating all expressed a strong desire to return. Two had entered in March and stayed four months; four sailors crossed the disputed maritime border in May. It’s the first return under President Lee Jae-myung, who seeks improved inter-Korean ties, and occurred despite severed official communication channels since 2023. Although Seoul received no formal reply via the UN Command, North Korean vessels appeared at the handover point, suggesting quiet coordination. Experts expect the returnees to face intense interrogation and possibly be used for propaganda. The move has sparked debate in the South, with some defectors arguing the individuals should have been exposed to information about South Korean society. Analysts doubt the repatriations signal broader détente, citing North Korea’s closer ties with Russia and low South Korean public appetite for engagement.

Leaked and independently verified audio suggests former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina directly authorised security forces to use lethal force against student-led protesters during last summer’s mass unrest. The recording, authenticated by police and audio forensics, captures Hasina saying forces should “use lethal weapons” and “shoot” protesters. Up to 1,400 people were killed, according to UN investigators. Prosecutors plan to use the tape in Hasina’s trial in absentia for alleged crimes against humanity; she and the Awami League deny wrongdoing and question the tape’s authenticity, arguing responses were proportionate. A BBC investigation also uncovered new evidence of a police massacre in Dhaka’s Jatrabari on 5 August, finding at least 52 protesters were killed after the army withdrew, with subsequent retaliation leaving six officers dead. Bangladesh Police say 60 officers have been arrested over excessive force. Hasina fled to India, which has not extradited her. Bangladesh is now under an interim government led by Muhammad Yunus, with elections pending and uncertainty over the Awami League’s participation.

South Korea’s impeached former president Yoon Suk Yeol was rearrested after a special prosecutor brought new charges, including obstruction of justice, while he is already on trial for insurrection tied to his brief 2024 martial law declaration. A judge granted the arrest warrant, citing risk of evidence destruction. Yoon, removed from office in April after the Constitutional Court upheld his impeachment, is accused of blocking investigators at the presidential residence, sidelining cabinet members during the martial law decision, and creating an illegitimate post hoc document to justify it. The special counsel, appointed by new President Lee Jae Myung under legislation passed by the Democratic Party, is also probing whether Yoon sought to provoke a clash with North Korea as a pretext for martial law, as well as separate inquiries into alleged corruption involving Yoon’s wife and a marine’s death cover-up. Yoon denies wrongdoing, calling the investigation politically biased.

A 2012 overdose death of 28-year-old David Blanchard in a Rutland, Vermont motel room triggered a multi-year investigation that exposed a heroin pipeline linking the Bronx to small-town New England. Police traced “FLOW”-stamped bags found at the scene through a network that included a former Manhattan wine bar owner importing heroin, a Bronx mixer who created the potent Flow brand, and a violent street crew that expanded sales to Rutland for higher profits. The case unfolded amid Vermont’s escalating opioid crisis—overdose deaths doubling by 2016 and again five years later—and foreshadowed fentanyl’s rise. It also intersected personally with federal prosecutor Shawn Crowley, a Vermont native working Bronx cases, highlighting how big-city drug markets and rural communities are bound in the same lethal supply chain. The investigation led to arrests and convictions, offering limited justice for victims’ families while underscoring the resilience of opioid networks.

Los Angeles city and county, along with eight nearby municipalities, moved to join an ACLU-led federal lawsuit seeking to stop recent immigration raids by ICE and other agencies in Southern California. Officials allege unconstitutional practices including racial profiling, warrantless arrests, denial of legal access, and poor detention conditions, arguing the raids have disrupted daily life, hurt local economies, and strained public safety. Mayor Karen Bass and City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto condemned the operations, citing a militarized presence and harms to residents and businesses. The Department of Homeland Security denies the accusations, calling them false and politically motivated. The municipal move follows a supportive amicus brief from California and 17 other states.

The U.S. has recorded more measles cases in 2025 than in any year since the disease was declared eliminated in 2000, with 1,288 confirmed cases across 38 states and three deaths. The surge is driven by a large outbreak originating in a Mennonite community in West Texas that spread to New Mexico and Oklahoma, amid declining vaccination rates that remain below the 95% threshold needed for community protection (93% nationally; 82% in the Texas epicenter). Experts warn the U.S. may lose its elimination status as cases continue and global measles activity rises, increasing importations. Public health efforts are hindered by politicized vaccine discourse and limited federal support, while measles’ severe complications and long-term immune “amnesia” amplify concern. The CDC continues to recommend MMR vaccination as the best protection.

Federal ICE agents clashed with protesters outside San Francisco’s immigration courthouse as they arrested a handcuffed man and drove off with demonstrators clinging to their van, reflecting escalating tensions over stepped-up courthouse detentions. Since late May, ICE has maintained a visible presence in and around the court, prompting frequent protests that previously forced brief court closures. The agency says it is enforcing the law and targeting people ordered deported or whose cases were dismissed, amid a broader Trump administration push to accelerate removals, including “expedited removal” for recent arrivals. Advocates report about 25 arrests at the courthouse in the past month and say the practice is sowing fear and discouraging attendance at hearings. San Francisco police reported no injuries and said they were not involved.

The Supreme Court cleared the Trump administration to proceed with mass federal layoffs, overturning a lower court’s pause while leaving the underlying legality unresolved. Agencies must now decide who is cut and when, leaving tens of thousands of employees in limbo; some at State and Labor had already received tentative notices and paid leave. The Department of Health and Human Services has laid off 10,000, and about 2,000 State Department staff await formal notices, with fears more cuts could follow. Unions and local governments will continue challenging the executive order, arguing Congress must approve such sweeping changes. If courts later rule the layoffs illegal, workers could receive back pay and potential reinstatement, though agency reorganizations may make returns impractical. Attrition has already reshaped plans: Veterans Affairs says widespread layoffs aren’t needed after 17,000 resignations since January, with more expected. Critics warn the move risks lasting damage to critical public services, including U.S. diplomacy.

Wildfires have burned more than 14,000 hectares in Syria over six days, primarily in the drought-stricken, mountainous Latakia region, forcing hundreds of families to flee and testing the country’s new leadership. The White Helmets and other emergency crews, constrained by fuel and equipment shortages, rugged terrain, and leftover mines and unexploded ordnance from the civil war, are leading firefighting efforts. Strong winds have spread the blazes into parts of Homs and Tartus. The worst drought in decades—rainfall about 40% below average—has created tinderbox conditions and threatens up to three-quarters of Syria’s wheat crop. Neighboring countries and the EU have been asked for assistance, and helicopters and firefighters from Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey have joined the response. The fires underscore the region’s fragility amid recent sectarian violence and long-term economic decay.

The U.S. Mission to Yemen says Yemen’s Houthi militia has taken some crew members hostage after attacking the Liberian-flagged cargo ship Eternity C in the Red Sea, an assault that killed at least two sailors and reportedly sank the vessel. The Houthis claim they targeted the ship because it was headed to an Israeli port and say they evacuated and treated some crew, without detailing numbers, locations, or release plans. The EU’s Aspides mission rescued six castaways, but the total crew count remains unclear. The incident, the second Houthi strike on a cargo ship this week, underscores renewed risks to Red Sea shipping despite a May truce announcement, extending a campaign the Houthis say aims to pressure Israel over Gaza.

Cheng Ying, a leading Chinese oncologist and director of Jilin Cancer Hospital, died suddenly at age 62, with no official cause disclosed. A pioneer in clinical trials for tumor diseases, especially small-cell lung carcinoma, she chaired the Chinese Anti-Cancer Association’s small-cell carcinoma committee and presented research as recently as May 10. Her last recorded clinic appearance was July 2; afterward, her schedule and recent hospital news were removed from the website. A Bethune Medical University (Jilin University) alumna, Cheng held top leadership roles at Jilin Cancer Hospital and received major honors, including the Chinese Physician Award (2009) and Outstanding Hospital President (2014).

China’s latest austerity push to curb wasteful official spending—banning cigarettes, alcohol, and high-end dishes at official receptions—has spiraled into an overly strict crackdown in some regions. Fearful of scrutiny, many civil servants are avoiding restaurants and social gatherings altogether, hurting local businesses and complicating Beijing’s efforts to stimulate consumption during a slowing economy and a trade war with the US. While aimed at fighting corruption and public fund misuse, the campaign’s chilling effect on everyday spending highlights the unintended consequences of heavy-handed enforcement.

- BYD and Geely are using steep discounts to drive record sales and gain market share, intensifying pressure on smaller, unprofitable EV makers. - A price war and overcapacity mean fewer than 10% of China’s EV brands are expected to be profitable over the next five years, according to AlixPartners. - Xpeng launched a “super AI” SUV as it bets on intelligent features to stand out amid fierce competition. - Xiaomi’s SU7 SUV has strong traction with 240,000 bookings, highlighting robust consumer interest despite market margin pressures.

China’s consumer price index rose 0.1% year on year in June, its first increase in five months and above expectations of a slight decline, but the uptick was modest and signals ongoing weak demand. Economists say deflation risks persist amid sluggish consumption, industrial oversupply, and trade-war pressures. Beijing’s measures to stimulate spending—such as subsidies for trade-ins of cars and appliances—have had limited, waning impact, prompting calls for stronger demand-boosting policies.

China has completed a 1,856km sand-control “green belt” across three Inner Mongolian deserts—Badain Jaran, Tengger, and Ulan Buh—forming part of its “green great wall.” The project uses straw checkerboards to stabilize shifting sands, followed by planting drought-resistant trees like sacsaoul, creating a reinforced ecological barrier. The effort covers deserts totaling 94,700 sq km in Alxa league and marks a new milestone in northern China’s desertification control.

New industry data indicates China’s shipbuilding dominance is weakening. In the first half of 2025, Chinese shipyards’ new orders fell 68% year on year to 26.3 million deadweight tonnes, reducing China’s global share from 75% to 56%. South Korea’s orders dipped 7% to 14.2 million dwt, but its global share rose from 14% to 30%, narrowing the gap. Analysts attribute China’s slide to US curbs targeting its shipbuilding sector and a broader demand slowdown, with shipowners adjusting to policy risks.

Beijing has immediately banned exports of dual-use items to eight Taiwan-based aerospace and shipbuilding firms, including key military supplier Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC). Citing national security and non-proliferation concerns, China’s commerce ministry placed the companies on an export control list, halting all ongoing exports unless specially approved. The Taiwan Affairs Office framed the move as a stern warning to “separatist forces” amid rising cross-strait tensions, targeting entities linked to Taiwan’s indigenous defense programs, such as fighter jet development.

Hong Kong proposes tightening rules on prepaid SIM cards to combat phone scams. The government plans to cut the per-provider cap from 10 to 3 registered prepaid SIMs per user and criminalize misuse, including using or registering SIMs with others’ personal data, and buying or selling pre-registered cards. Penalties could reach HK$25,000 and up to one year in jail. Possession of 10 or more SIMs registered under others’ identities without authorization would create a presumption of intent to commit crimes. The amendments to the Telecommunications Ordinance will be scrutinized by the Legislative Council next year. Authorities say the measures aim to better protect users and curb fraud.

Researchers from the Ocean Exploration Trust have located the severed bow of the WWII-era USS New Orleans in 2,214 feet of water in Iron Bottom Sound, Solomon Islands. The heavy cruiser lost its front 20% and over 180 sailors after a Japanese torpedo struck during the 1942 Battle of Tassafaronga, igniting forward magazines. The crew improvised a temporary bow from coconut logs at Tulagi and then astonishingly sailed the ship in reverse roughly 1,800 miles to Australia for repairs, before permanent restoration in the U.S. The New Orleans later fought in major Pacific battles, earning 17 battle stars. The find was part of a 21-day maritime archaeology expedition surveying the heavily contested waters where numerous WWII ships and aircraft were lost.

A man exploring Switzerland’s Fee Glacier fell about 8 meters into a crevasse after breaking through a snow bridge. Unable to pinpoint his location despite contacting someone via walkie-talkie, rescuers searched for roughly 30 minutes until they spotted his Chihuahua pacing atop nearby rocks. Using the dog as a marker, the Air Zermatt crew located the hole, rappelled down, and rescued the man, flying both him and the dog to a hospital. Air Zermatt praised the Chihuahua as a “four-legged hero,” saying the dog likely saved the man’s life.

The Biden-era post-9/11 security legacy is fading as Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem ends the TSA’s shoe-removal rule, a symbolic close to one of the most visible daily remnants of the war on terror. Stephen Collinson argues that while technology enables this shift, the political and cultural reverberations of 9/11 still shape the U.S.: the Iraq and Afghanistan wars fueled public distrust, helped elect Barack Obama, and indirectly paved the way for Donald Trump’s rise through backlash politics and “forever war” fatigue. Today’s right-wing skepticism of federal institutions echoes surveillance controversies from that era, even as Trump’s second term blends anti-interventionist rhetoric with targeted, post-9/11-style strikes like his operation against Iran’s nuclear program. The end of shoe removal marks a practical milestone, but the conflicts, distrust, and geopolitical realignments born of 9/11 continue to define American politics.

The article highlights how historically male-centric design has shaped everyday objects and showcases 10 products reimagined for women by women. It argues that true progress requires diverse design teams and entrepreneurship, moving beyond the “shrink it and pink it” approach. Featured examples include: St. Vincent’s ergonomic guitar contoured for the female body; IDA Sports soccer cleats engineered to women’s foot anatomy; Monica Förster’s office chair based on women’s sitting postures; wearable, discreet breast pumps; design-first health trackers; better-fitting spacesuits; safer, more comfortable car interiors; modern shapewear grounded in biomechanics; a less painful, improved mammogram experience; and anatomically correct medical test models. Together, these designs address long-overlooked needs, reduce injury and discomfort, and demonstrate how gender-aware research leads to better performance, health, and inclusion.

In a CNN interview, Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) explained why he voted against advancing President Trump’s sweeping agenda bill, calling it politically devastating and poorly constructed. Tillis argued the legislation bundled too many controversial priorities, lacked clear policy details and viable vote counts, and risked backfiring on Republicans in swing states. He urged breaking the package into narrower, bipartisan measures to avoid a damaging floor fight and to craft durable policy rather than a symbolic, losing vote.

Wildfires fueled by extreme heat, strong winds, and prolonged drought have forced hundreds to flee in northeastern Syria, while thousands of hectares of forest and farmland have burned in Latakia province. The fires have raged for nearly a week, overwhelming emergency crews and compounding challenges for Syria’s new government as it struggles to restore basic services after years of war and sanctions.

In 2012, Anita and Brad from Newfoundland sealed a romantic note in a wine bottle and set it adrift off Bell Island. Thirteen years later, Kate and John Gay discovered it during a beach cleanup at Scraggane Bay in County Kerry, Ireland. After the original phone number went unanswered, a Facebook post by local group Maharees Heritage and Conservation quickly went viral, reconnecting the finders with Anita and Brad Squires—now married since 2016 with three children. The feel-good story sparked others in Canada to share their own “message in a bottle” tales.

Former South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol was sent back to jail after a Seoul court approved a detention warrant amid a special counsel probe into his bid to impose martial law in December. The court cited concerns he could destroy evidence and potential flight risk. Yoon, already charged with insurrection—an offense that can carry life imprisonment or the death penalty—had previously spent 52 days in custody before a technical release four months ago. He was impeached and removed from office in April, and the investigation, launched after new president Lee Jae Myung’s June election, is also examining whether Yoon deliberately heightened tensions with North Korea. Yoon denies wrongdoing; his supporters rallied outside the court.

Sudanese-born author Leila Aboulela has won the 2025 PEN Pinter prize for her fiction exploring migration, faith, and the lives of Muslim women. Judges praised her nuanced, dignified portrayals and called her work “a balm, a shelter, and an inspiration,” especially amid global conflicts including in Sudan and Gaza. Aboulela, who lives in Aberdeen and wrote The Translator, Elsewhere, Home, and River Spirit, said the recognition broadens the meaning of freedom of expression and whose stories are heard. She will receive the award on 10 October at the British Library and will name the PEN Pinter Writer of Courage. Previous winners include Arundhati Roy, Margaret Atwood, and Salman Rushdie.

Kenyan President William Ruto escalated his stance on ongoing anti-government protests, ordering police to shoot in the legs anyone attacking businesses, while labeling violent demonstrators as terrorists waging “war” on the state. His comments follow a deadly Saba Saba protest day in which 31 people were killed, bringing the two-month toll to 51, and amid mounting allegations of police brutality, including the killing of a 12-year-old by a stray bullet and deaths in custody. The youth-led movement began over proposed tax hikes but has broadened to demands for reform and Ruto’s resignation; the government withdrew the finance bill and Ruto sacked most of his cabinet, but unrest continues, with sporadic looting and business destruction. Opposition leaders accuse the government of state-sponsored violence and urge boycotts, while the UN condemns excessive force and reminds authorities that lethal force should be used only to protect life from imminent threat. Ruto, elected on promises to uplift ordinary Kenyans, faces a disillusioned public, particularly younger voters driving the protests.

At a White House meeting with several African leaders, Donald Trump praised Liberian President Joseph Boakai’s “beautiful” English and asked where he learned it—prompting amusement since English is Liberia’s official language. The gathering centered on Trump’s stated shift in U.S. policy toward Africa from aid to trade, pitching the U.S. as a better partner than China. African leaders welcomed investment, praised Trump’s global peace efforts, and suggested he merits a Nobel Prize. Liberia’s history as a nation founded by free Black Americans was noted, with multiple indigenous languages spoken alongside English.

The U.K. is accelerating the renationalization of passenger rail franchises, consolidating train and track under a new Great British Railways entity, while leaving rolling stock and most freight private. A key flashpoint is the future of “open access” operators like Lumo and Hull Trains, which compete on key routes (notably the East Coast Main Line), are credited with lower fares and higher standards, and have helped restore pre-pandemic ridership there. Despite stated support “where they encourage growth,” the government has tightened scrutiny of new open access bids over concerns about network capacity, taxpayer costs, and revenue loss for state-run operators. Following warnings from ministers and officials, the regulator recently rejected multiple West Coast Main Line applications, including a bid from Virgin Trains, citing performance and capacity constraints—fueling fears the government aims to phase out open access. The issue may create internal tensions, with London-centric leaders favoring tighter control and northern and eastern MPs backing open access for its competitive benefits.

Ferrero will acquire WK Kellogg for $3.1 billion ($23 per share), a 31% premium, with closing expected in the second half of the year pending approvals. WK Kellogg, spun off in 2023 as Kellogg refocused on snacks (now Kellanova), makes cereals like Froot Loops and Frosted Flakes. The deal reflects consolidation amid declining demand for sugary cereals and more private-label competition, and it advances Ferrero’s U.S. expansion following prior North American acquisitions. WK Kellogg shares jumped about 30% on the news. The company’s preliminary Q2 guidance calls for $610–$615 million in net sales and $43–$48 million in adjusted EBITDA; it will forgo a conference call due to the pending deal.

- Nearly 30 domestic and foreign PE firms have submitted non-binding bids for a stake in Starbucks China, valuing the business between $5 billion and $10 billion, with expectations skewing toward the high end. - Starbucks is evaluating offers, structures, and post-sale plans, aiming to retain a meaningful stake (potentially around 30%) and partner with a strategic, like-minded investor; Goldman Sachs is advising. A shortlist may be set within two months, though a deal likely won’t close this year and could be postponed if valuations fall short. - Not a full exit: Starbucks stresses long-term commitment to China, echoing McDonald’s prior partial sale model. - Strategic context: China accounts for over 8% of Starbucks’ global revenue; the unit’s indicative fair value is around $9 billion. Store count is ~7,758 with ambitions to reach 20,000. - Challenges: Market share has dropped (34% in 2019 to 14% in 2024) amid weaker consumer demand, fierce competition from cheaper local rivals (e.g., Luckin), and potential pressure from rising rents. Starbucks is responding with price cuts, sugar-free options, and more locally relevant marketing.

Super Micro plans to significantly increase its European investment, including expanding AI server manufacturing beyond its current Netherlands facilities, to meet rapidly growing regional demand. CEO Charles Liang said global AI demand remains strong and expects growth to continue for years, downplaying concerns from weaker quarterly guidance and past accounting worries. He emphasized ongoing technology advancements and business expansion as drivers of sustained, “very tremendous” growth potential.

Spanish police say evidence indicates Liverpool forward Diogo Jota was driving a Lamborghini that crashed and caught fire on the A-52 near Cernadilla, Zamora, killing him and his brother André Silva. Investigators believe the car was significantly over the 120 kph (74 mph) speed limit, citing wheel-mark analysis among other factors. The report is not yet complete and will be submitted to a local court. The brothers’ funeral in Portugal drew family, fans, and football figures including Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson, as global tributes continued. Liverpool delayed the start of pre-season before players returned to training on Tuesday.

Ukraine says Russia carried out its largest drone attack to date overnight. According to Ukraine’s air force, 728 drones were launched and 718 were shot down, along with seven of 13 missiles intercepted. Further details are pending as this is a developing story.

Sky News reports that a rapidly built immigration detention center in Florida—dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz”—was constructed in eight days and is already showing safety and infrastructure problems. Verified videos from the opening tour reveal flooding around exposed electrical cables after a minor storm. Experts warn the tent-based design may not withstand high winds common in Florida’s hurricane-prone region, noting guidelines that could require resistance to gusts up to 167 mph if occupancy thresholds are met. Officials claim the structures can handle Category 2 hurricanes and say leaks were minimal and addressed, but engineers and risk experts question the suitability of tents during severe weather and the speed of construction. Advocates also raise concerns about inadequate medical, sanitary, and sewage systems for thousands of detainees, and environmental groups have filed a lawsuit over lack of required federal environmental review in the Everglades area. The facility aims to house 3,000–5,000 detainees, with an estimated $450 million annual operating cost. White House and state officials defend it as a critical, state-of-the-art immigration facility.

Sky News visited a migrant camp in Dunkirk to ask why people from Gaza, Iraq, Eritrea, South Sudan, Sri Lanka and elsewhere risk crossing the English Channel. Most cited the UK’s English language, perceived work opportunities, safety, and hopes of reuniting with family. Some felt culturally connected to Britain through colonial history, even expressing a sense of “coming home,” and argued the UK has a moral responsibility to former colonies. Others said they struggled to get residence in France or Belgium, felt excluded by language barriers, or believed the UK would be more accommodating for family reunions. One Iraqi acknowledged many new arrivals work off the books, while others stressed they want to contribute legally. The report notes the context: France receives far more asylum applications than the UK, and critics say Britain’s lack of ID cards can make it easier to live undocumented. Despite political hostility and dangers at sea, many migrants view Britain as the best chance for safety, work, and a future.

Former Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters may face prosecution in the U.K. after publicly expressing support for Palestine Action, which Parliament recently proscribed as a terrorist organization following attacks on an RAF base. In a video on X, Waters praised the group as nonviolent and criticized the U.K. government, also applauding artist Bob Vylan’s anti-IDF chant at Glastonbury. Under U.K. anti-terror laws, inviting support for a banned group can carry up to 14 years in prison. The Campaign Against Antisemitism said Waters’ comments breach anti-terror and antisemitism standards and vowed to pursue private prosecutions if police do not act. The government says Palestine Action promotes and encourages terrorism, including glorifying attacks causing serious property damage.

A U.K. jury convicted three men—Jakeem Rose, Ugnius Asmena, and Nii Mensah—of aggravated arson for a March 20, 2024 fire at an east London warehouse storing generators and Starlink equipment bound for Ukraine. Authorities say the attack was orchestrated by Russia’s Wagner Group on behalf of Russian military intelligence, as part of a wider European disruption campaign. The fire caused about £1 million ($1.35 million) in damage. Two organizers, Dylan Earl and Jake Reeves, had already pleaded guilty, including to National Security Act offenses. A fourth defendant, Paul English, was acquitted; another man was convicted of failing to disclose information about terrorist acts, and one was cleared.

China’s state-driven industrial expansion has created severe overcapacity—most visibly in electric vehicles, batteries, and solar—triggering steep price cuts, profit erosion, and deflationary pressure. In autos, BYD’s deep discounts exemplify a brutal price war that is crushing dealer margins and pushing many subsidized manufacturers toward losses and potential bankruptcy. Beijing, alarmed by mounting risks, has ordered tighter control of industrial investment, curbs on “disorderly price competition,” and an orderly exit of weak firms, while confronting local protectionism that fuels duplication and fragmentation. Analysts warn that heavily indebted players could become the next “Evergrande” of industry, raising financial and social stability concerns.

The article examines Denmark’s “coil campaign” in Greenland during the 1960s–1970s, when authorities fitted an estimated 4,500 Inuit girls and women—many minors—with IUDs without informed consent to curb population growth as part of broader modernization and assimilation policies. Through the story of Hedvig Frederiksen, taken from her village for Danish schooling and later subjected to the procedure, it traces the trauma, discrimination, and social engineering Greenlanders endured: relocation, separation from families, control over reproductive rights, and long-lasting psychological and physical harm. Survivors and their descendants now seek acknowledgment, apologies, and compensation, while official investigations continue to reassess Denmark’s self-image as a “benevolent” colonial power and confront a painful legacy of systemic abuses against the Inuit.