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ABC News provides live coverage of the decisive Sunday matches in AFL Round 23, focusing on GWS’s clash with West Coast, the Western Bulldogs’ meeting with Carlton, and Essendon’s game against Sydney. The results could determine the final positions in the top 10 and shape the wildcard-round picture. GWS has a mathematical chance of claiming 10th place, but needs to defeat West Coast at Sydney Showground, ideally by a margin large enough to improve its percentage. Carlton can secure its position with a win over a Western Bulldogs team resting captain Marcus Bontempelli, while Sydney can confirm second place on the ladder by beating Essendon at the MCG. The blog also notes that four AFLW matches remain to complete the opening round. The live action begins with a fast and highly competitive first quarter between GWS and West Coast. The Eagles initially control the contest, generating 14 inside-50 entries to GWS’s five and building a 16-point lead. Tom Cole contributes strongly in attack, while Jake Waterman, Liam Baker and Milan Murdock score for West Coast. GWS responds with a rapid burst late in the quarter, as Aaron Cadman kicks two goals in a minute, followed by Max Gruzewski and Toby Greene. Harvey Thomas had earlier opened the scoring for the Giants. At quarter-time, GWS leads 5.2 (32) to West Coast’s 5.1 (31), despite the Eagles having been the better side for much of the opening term. The match is described as open and frenetic, with both teams attacking quickly and neither defence consistently stopping the opposition’s momentum. The live blog continues to track the score, key passages and implications for the AFL ladder.

Alex de Minaur and Rinky Hijikata have advanced to the round of 32 at the Cincinnati Open after winning their opening matches, continuing a strong showing by the Australian men’s contingent. De Minaur, the fifth seed and a first-round bye recipient, overcame a poor start to defeat France’s Quentin Halys 1-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-4). He lost his first two service games and surrendered the opening set in 26 minutes, but recovered without being broken again. De Minaur will next play Britain’s Arthur Fery, who defeated fellow Australian James Duckworth in a three-set tiebreak.

Andy and Callie Rigby are still living with the psychological effects of a head-on crash that occurred on Cairns’ Smithfield Bypass in June 2022. Their ute was struck when a tourist bus veered into their lane. Although the couple and the seriously injured bus driver survived, the Rigbys spent a week in hospital and have experienced lasting trauma. Andy continues to drive defensively, often keeping to the far left of the lane, while both partners have avoided major roads and trips to the Atherton Tablelands for more than four years. Callie’s fear is compounded by the fact that her parents were killed in a car crash when she was a baby. The couple recently returned to the Atherton Tablelands for Andy’s birthday, deciding that their fear should not prevent them from living their lives. A separate fatal crash on the same bypass, involving an allegedly stolen ute, brought back memories of their own accident and highlighted the continuing risks faced by Queensland motorists. The article places the Rigbys’ experience within a broader rise in road deaths across Queensland. Government data recorded 194 deaths in 179 crashes between January 1 and August 9, compared with 176 fatalities during the same period the previous year. Far North Queensland recorded 17 road deaths, 27 per cent above its average for the same period over the previous four years, while the North Coast region had the highest total in the state. Sergeant Scott Hayes, an Innisfail highway patrol officer, described fatal crashes as the most dreaded part of policing. Police analyse weekly crash and infringement data and target the “fatal five”: speeding, drink and drug driving, failing to wear a seatbelt, fatigue and inattention. Hayes said officers aim not only to issue fines but also to change motorists’ behaviour. He acknowledged improvements such as reduced phone use while driving and better vehicle technology, but warned that crashes would continue until drivers changed their behaviour.

The article profiles Len Neale, a 74-year-old pilot from Biloela in central Queensland whose lifelong passion for aviation has led him to build and restore aircraft. A former tradesman who worked at power stations, Neale built his own amateur aircraft, “The Spirit of Smoky Creek,” over approximately seven years. The J6 Karatoo is based on a United States design but powered by an Australian Jabiru engine. Neale has flown it for more than 700 hours and still takes it into the air weekly. Neale’s interest in building planes was partly inspired by his father, who wanted to construct an aircraft but never had the money or opportunity. After his father died in 1989, Neale decided to fulfil that ambition. His metalworking experience as a fitter and turner helped with the project, while a friend and mentor, former Air Force serviceman Kev Wilson, helped him develop his woodworking skills. Neale also restored “Miss Sandgate,” an Australian-built aircraft that first flew in 1936. The plane was built in Sandgate, Brisbane, by Russian immigrant Vladimir Slyusarenko and was later discovered in a shed in Gympie by Neale’s brother and Wilson. They transported it to central Queensland in a cattle truck, and Neale eventually restored it with Wilson’s assistance. The aircraft’s limited fuel range meant that a trip to Narromine required eight separate flight stages. Neale was so determined to finish restoring Miss Sandgate that he named his third child Cameron Heath after the aircraft’s design. Although he recently cancelled the plane’s registration because of its limited comfort, he recalls flying it as a peaceful and exhilarating experience. The article also explains that more than 1,700 amateur-built aircraft are registered with CASA, with thousands more registered through approved organisations. Myles Breitkreutz of the Sport Aircraft Association of Australia describes Neale as a lifelong aviation enthusiast and praises the quality of his work.

Hands On Studio, a community arts organisation in Canberra, is marking its 30th anniversary with a celebration and fundraiser. The studio provides a supported creative environment for people of all abilities and has grown from a small program started by parents in a Curtin shed in 1996 into a major arts space operated by Marymead CatholicCare at M16 Artspace in Griffith and O’Connor. The organisation supports 125 artists each week, with 25 teachers offering classes in painting, textiles, ceramics, stop-motion animation, sculpture, gardening and cooking. Many artists have attended for 15 or 20 years, while some have been involved since the studio opened. The popularity of certain classes has resulted in waiting lists that can extend for years, which manager and creative director Tilly Davey attributes to the studio’s ability to give participants freedom and a place to express themselves. One long-term artist, Stephen Corsini, hopes his brightly coloured portrait of former prime minister Julia Gillard will eventually be displayed in Parliament House. Corsini chose Gillard because she was Australia’s first female prime minister and depicted her in her parliamentary office, alongside the Australian and Aboriginal flags. He has attended Hands On Studio since its beginning. The studio has recently curated an exhibition at Canberra Contemporary and is preparing for exhibitions at Goulburn Regional Art Gallery and the Canberra Art Biennial. However, its operations depend heavily on participants’ National Disability Insurance Scheme packages, which help fund staff and materials. With funding pressures continuing, the anniversary event will raise money through artwork and other sales. Davey says the organisation is working to ensure the program survives and jokingly predicts a “riot” if the much-loved studio ever closes.

Violent threats led to 1,107 lockdown incidents at Western Australian public schools last year, according to figures from the state Department of Education. The incidents included lockdowns affecting entire schools, individual buildings or blocks, and classrooms. The number of students required to shelter in classrooms has more than doubled since 2017. The figures, tabled in the Western Australian Parliament, recorded 1,327 lockdown incidents in total. Most were linked to threats such as physical assault, intimidating behaviour, and verbal, written or cyber threats. Whole-school evacuations were not included in the report, meaning the figures do not capture every type of emergency response at schools. During a lockdown, classroom doors and windows are secured, blinds are closed and students are instructed to remain out of sight until authorities issue an all-clear. In some cases, students may be directed to hide under their desks. Opposition education spokesperson Liam Staltari described the increase as “staggering” and said the government had a responsibility to ensure students and staff were safe. He argued that the issue could not be dismissed and called for stronger action to address school violence. Education Minister Sabine Winton acknowledged the rise in reported lockdowns but attributed some of the increase to stricter reporting procedures introduced through the government’s Incident Management Manual in 2020. She said principals had been given authority to automatically suspend or begin exclusion proceedings against students who instigate violence. Winton also said the Department of Education’s Incident Support Unit had expanded face-to-face training to help schools determine when lockdowns are necessary and respond effectively. The article highlights a serious example at Ellenbrook Secondary School in Perth, where a teenage boy was hospitalised after a targeted knife attack involving knives and an axe. At least 10 teenagers were charged over that assault, which placed the school into lockdown.

Astrid Lorange and Andrew Brooks describe how collaborative writing became the foundation of their romantic relationship. The pair met through mutual friends and became close because they shared interests, habits and ways of communicating. However, Lorange says she realised she was in love only after they began creating poems, performance scores and essays together. Writing gave them a way to think alongside one another, build trust and develop mutual respect. Over more than a decade, their collaboration has expanded to poems, recipes, letters, academic books, lectures, radio programs and many forms of practical and political writing. They regularly act as each other’s first reader, editor, proofreader and critic, learning to accept direct comments about weak, unattractive or unfinished work. For them, this rigorous process is not a threat to intimacy but a form of care and a shared “love language.” Writing has also helped the couple process major life events. After the birth of their daughter in 2018, they wrote about pregnancy, parenthood, family, community and the broader crisis of care. Their work connects their private life to social and political questions, including provision, kinship, policing, public power and communal life. Now academics and members of the critical art collective Snack Syndicate, Lorange and Brooks continue to write under pressure from deadlines and administrative work. They have recently completed a scholarly book about policing and contemporary Australian art and are developing a poetry collection about communal life outside private property. Even speeches for their wedding and milestone birthdays were shared with trusted friends for critique. Lorange concludes that their relationship and writing are inseparable: she sends this article to Brooks for editing before readers see it, confident that his perspective will improve it.

NDIS Minister Jenny McAllister has refused to commit to delaying planned changes that would remove or prevent hundreds of thousands of people from accessing the National Disability Insurance Scheme if replacement services are not ready. She said the government is “not contemplating” a delay and argued that there is sufficient time before the projected 2028 changes to establish alternative, or “foundational,” supports. McAllister insisted participants would not be left without assistance and said the government wants replacement services operating as access changes take effect. The minister expressed confidence that the Thriving Kids program, one component of the proposed foundational-support system, will begin on October 1, despite the Queensland government declining to participate. The program is intended to support children aged eight and under who may not qualify for the NDIS under the revised eligibility rules. McAllister said the government was considering further assistance for children who age out of such programs but still require support. The federal government is reportedly close to an agreement with the Coalition to pass sweeping NDIS reforms through parliament. The changes would strengthen protections against fraud, clarify eligibility and define which supports the scheme should fund. The government estimates that approximately 300,000 people will either leave or be prevented from entering the scheme, with many expected to rely on state-run services that have not yet been fully developed. The reforms are projected to save more than $36 billion over four years. State and territory ministers told a Senate inquiry that the reforms were progressing too quickly and without adequate consultation, warning that alternative services might not be ready. Inquiry participants also raised concerns about parents’ responsibilities, people becoming stranded in hospitals, reduced community-engagement supports and children who require assistance after leaving Thriving Kids. McAllister defended the broad policy direction, rejected calls for an inspector-general and said some participant supports could be reduced safely.

ABC News’ Compass reports on the Sisters of Charity of New York and allied religious activists who are supporting immigrants detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at Delaney Hall in Newark, New Jersey. About 800 people are reportedly held at the facility, many separated from children born in the United States. Outside, protesters hold daily vigils, chant and pray, while a “radical hospitality tent” provides food, toys and emotional support to visiting families. Sister Donna Dodge describes the heavily armed security presence as intimidating and recounts an encounter with pro-ICE and MAGA demonstrators whose flags displayed graphic images of people allegedly shot by ICE in Minnesota. Sister Susan Francois describes cases of harsh treatment, including a detainee held in solitary confinement because his crutches were deemed a weapon and another terminally ill person who wanted to return home to die. She argues that sharing detainees’ personal stories may help the public understand the human consequences of detention and deportation. The Sisters of Charity have a long history of political activism, beginning with civil-rights protests in Harlem in 1965 and anti-Vietnam War demonstrations. They now participate in “NO KINGS” rallies against President Trump, protest ICE raids and deportations, and campaign against alleged abuses in detention, including the deaths of more than 73 immigrants in ICE custody. Dodge condemns the Trump administration as cruel and dictatorial and criticizes lawmakers who fail to oppose it. The article also examines the order’s impending closure. With only 123 sisters remaining and an average age of 86, the congregation decided in 2023 to close after receiving no new vocations for 25 years. Before its final “fulfilment,” the sisters intend to continue advocating for vulnerable immigrants and transfer their schools, housing, farms and other ministries to lay organizations. Their work is presented as a final expression of their religious commitment and decades-long tradition of “holy trouble.”

Round 24 of the 2026 NRL season concludes with Newcastle hosting Gold Coast before Wests Tigers meet St George Illawarra. The Newcastle Knights enter their match needing a win to keep their top-four hopes alive, while the Titans are playing to restore some pride. The Tigers later aim to snap a lengthy losing streak and avenge their earlier shock defeat by the Dragons. ABC live-blogger Nick Campton reports from the Knights-Titans match. Newcastle makes one change, with Bradman Best ruled out and Fletcher Hunt moving to left centre. Gold Coast also alters its backline, bringing Jaylen de Groot onto the wing in place of Dean Ieremia. Long-serving Titans winger Phil Sami is noted as having an opportunity to claim a piece of club history. Newcastle dominates the opening 18 minutes. A disallowed early try to Jack Hunt gives the Knights an attacking platform, but the Titans receive a penalty after Hunt is judged to have impeded Ilias. Newcastle then scores twice in quick succession. Greg Gagai opens the scoring after collecting his own kick following a penalty, and the Knights extend the lead when Mooney creates an opportunity for Manuleleua, who finds Marzhew. Smith misses the conversion from the sideline after the second try. Gold Coast struggles to build pressure, with errors from Sharpe and Ilias preventing the visitors from responding. Randall is placed on report for a high tackle on Gagai, who later scores his second try after Smith spots space and kicks through. Smith converts, giving Newcastle a 16-0 lead after 18 minutes. The live coverage ends in the opening stages of the first match, before any updates from the Tigers-Dragons fixture are provided.

Dr Margaret Smith, a pioneering Perth obstetrician and advocate for women’s health, has died aged 94. Remembered for her compassion, determination and energy, Smith delivered approximately 6,000 babies during a career that spanned several decades and challenged the sexism of medicine in the 1950s and beyond. She died on July 14, her 94th birthday. Born a twin, Smith was inspired to study medicine after the deaths of a cousin and her grandmother, the latter from ovarian cancer. She graduated from the University of Adelaide in 1956, one of only four women in a class of more than 100 men. Although initially denied an obstetrics residency because she was female, her fellow students refused to accept their own residencies unless she was offered a place. Frank Smith, who later became her husband, led the campaign. Smith trained as a specialist in Edinburgh and won a gold medal for achieving the highest postgraduate examination result in 1963. During seven years in Papua New Guinea, she delivered babies and worked beyond her specialty as a physician and anaesthetist, often without specialist support. She was especially proud of safely delivering triplets in the remote region. After moving to Perth, Smith worked at King Edward Memorial Hospital, maintained a private practice and lectured at the University of Western Australia. She founded Western Australia’s first menopause clinic in 1978 and helped establish the Australasian Menopause Society, promoting public education and empowering women to understand and manage their health. Smith was named a WA Citizen of the Year, appointed a Member of the Order of Australia and inducted into the WA Women’s Hall of Fame. She wrote books, published more than 30 medical papers and mentored many doctors. Family friend Julian Dowse described her work as “the Hippocratic Oath writ large.” Beyond medicine, Smith loved classical music, poetry, cello and painting. She is survived by her twin sister Joan, nieces and nephews, and generations of grateful patients.

Taniela Tupou was a standout performer as the Wallabies defeated Japan 56-17 in their second Test in Townsville. The Australian prop scored two first-half tries after Japan initially led, helping spark a remarkable run of 42 unanswered points. Australia’s other try-scorers included the three starting front-rowers, replacement hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa, and back-rowers Harry Wilson and Charlie Cale. Tupou had also scored the match-winning try in Osaka the previous week after coming off the bench, suggesting he is returning to his best form ahead of next year’s home Rugby World Cup. Wallabies coach Les Kiss praised Tupou’s renewed confidence and his combination with returning lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto. Kiss attributed some of Tupou’s revival to his move to French club Racing 92, saying the experience had helped the prop rediscover his identity and “mojo” after difficult seasons with the Melbourne Rebels and NSW Waratahs. Tupou is currently the only overseas-based Wallaby in Australia’s Test rotation, with England-based Tom Hooper yet to return. Kiss said he remains in contact with Racing 92’s coach and team manager to reassure the club that Australia is managing Tupou appropriately while he is away on international duty. He expects Tupou to remain with the Wallabies for their upcoming two-Test tour of Argentina. Tupou said he wants to continue improving and credited tactical adjustments from Kiss, particularly giving forwards more opportunities to run with the ball. Former Japan coach Eddie Jones jokingly suggested Tupou had played for the promise of pizza for every try, a comment Tupou received warmly while expressing his affection and respect for Jones.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s current Ebola outbreak is rapidly approaching the scale of the deadliest Ebola epidemic on record, according to World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. The outbreak has already become the second-largest in history and is spreading faster than previous outbreaks. As of Friday, it had caused 2,214 deaths from 4,727 confirmed infections, with 85 percent of cases occurring in Ituri province. The article identifies several reasons the outbreak is proving difficult to control. Authorities are struggling to keep pace with transmission, and researchers believe the outbreak began months before it was officially declared on May 15. The virus reached 250 deaths and 1,000 confirmed cases much more quickly than either the 2014–16 West African outbreak or the DRC’s 2018–19 outbreak. More than 80 percent of new cases presenting for treatment in July could not be linked to known contact lists, indicating extensive hidden community transmission. Diagnostic delays have worsened the situation. Initial testing kits were designed for the Zaire strain of Ebola rather than the Bundibugyo strain responsible for the current outbreak. A backlog of samples and shortages of testing reagents have further delayed diagnosis and isolation. Health workers are also facing severe shortages of funding, protective equipment and staff. Some have gone on strike after months without pay, while dozens have died from the disease. Armed conflict, militia checkpoints and attacks on treatment centres restrict access to affected communities. Public distrust, misinformation and traditional funeral practices create additional transmission risks, particularly through unsafe contact with bodies. The article concludes that population movement within the DRC and travel across borders, including into Uganda, could allow the outbreak to spread further. It argues that authorities must rapidly expand testing, contact tracing, isolation and safer burial efforts to prevent the outbreak from becoming the worst in history.

Victoria Police has launched a recruitment drive to bring hundreds of retired officers back as reservists, aiming to reduce the administrative workload on frontline police and return more officers to street duties. The reservists will handle tasks including staffing public counters at police stations and preparing court evidence. The force eventually hopes to have reservists covering the equivalent of 2,000 shifts each week. The initiative comes as Victoria Police faces a significant staffing shortage and increased public concern about crime and police visibility. The number of full-time equivalent employees has fallen by 5 per cent over five years, while Victoria’s population has grown by 7 per cent. Adult crime has risen by 10 per cent in the past year. Victoria Police estimates it is nearly 1,500 staff members below its required profile and aims to resolve the shortfall by mid-2028. About 200 reservist positions are expected to be filled by December, with another 200 to be introduced from early next year. Retired Superintendent Pauline Kostiuk, who left the force after a 35-year career and returned a decade later, said she wanted to support overburdened operational officers and help mentor newer staff. Premier Ben Carroll said Victorians wanted police stations to be open more often and staffed at public counters. Police Association of Victoria secretary Wayne Gatt welcomed the reservist program but said the current 1,407 vacancies needed to be filled more quickly, warning that delays would produce poor outcomes during a crime crisis. Opposition police spokesperson Brad Battin also supported the measure but argued it did not address broader systemic staffing problems. He said his party would recruit 3,000 additional police officers if elected.

Abu Dhabi’s Environment Agency has broadened legal protection for species on the emirate’s protected lists, extending safeguards beyond formally designated nature reserves. The resolution, approved by Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region and chairman of the agency, applies across all terrestrial and marine habitats in Abu Dhabi. The measure covers areas that are important for biodiversity conservation even when they fall outside established protected areas. It applies to all native and migratory species in the emirate that appear on lists approved by the Environment Agency. Invasive and non-native species are excluded. According to the agency, the resolution creates an integrated framework for conserving species and their habitats. Its provisions include maintaining habitat sustainability, identifying and managing areas with important biodiversity, and restoring or rehabilitating degraded habitats and affected species. The policy is intended to strengthen biodiversity protection and support long-term environmental sustainability across the emirate. The agency urged residents, government bodies and private-sector organizations to cooperate with the resolution and follow the controls and procedures it establishes. It also called on the wider community to contribute to protecting nature and conserving biodiversity. The announcement represents an expansion of Abu Dhabi’s conservation approach from a focus on designated reserves to a broader, habitat-wide system of protection. By including both terrestrial and marine environments and covering migratory as well as native species, the resolution seeks to address conservation needs across the emirate’s wider ecological landscape.

Nandan Nilekani, the co-founder and former chief executive of Infosys, has been appointed to lead a high-powered task force charged with overhauling India’s examination system after a series of question-paper leaks. Investigations found that criminal networks, assisted by insiders, exploited weaknesses in the distribution and handling of exam papers, undermining confidence in tests taken by millions of students. The scandal triggered nationwide protests, hunger strikes and a police crackdown, and eventually led to the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Nilekani’s experience with large-scale digital infrastructure, particularly Aadhaar, India’s biometric identity system serving more than 1.3 billion people, is viewed by supporters as a major advantage. The proposed reforms include a secure, modular system using end-to-end encryption for the digital transmission of question papers, answer sheets and student information. Eliminating physical printing and transportation could reduce opportunities for leaks. However, the article stresses that technology alone cannot resolve the examination system’s deeper problems. Experts say authorities must establish clear end-to-end accountability, identify and punish everyone involved in leaks, and address the possibility of corruption and fraud within digital systems themselves. Critics also warn that computer-based testing could disadvantage poorer students who lack technological access or familiarity. Upgrading examination centres would require substantial public spending, while exam fees already create barriers for some candidates. The article presents Nilekani’s appointment as a potentially important step, but questions whether he can combine technological reform with institutional accountability, affordability and equal access.

Cristian Romero has left Tottenham Hotspur to join Atletico Madrid on a five-year contract in a transfer reportedly worth £34.2 million. The 28-year-old Argentina international spent five seasons at Spurs, initially arriving on loan from Atalanta in 2021 before making the move permanent. He made 156 appearances, scored 13 goals and received five red cards, while also missing 11 matches through suspension. His aggressive temperament was often viewed as a weakness despite his high-level defensive ability. Romero was also criticized late last season after travelling to Argentina before Tottenham’s final league match against Everton, when the club was still attempting to secure its Premier League status. In an emotional farewell message, Romero acknowledged that he had not been perfect but said he had always given everything for Tottenham. He described the club as his home and expressed pride in helping end Spurs’ 17-year wait for a major trophy by defeating Manchester United in the 2025 Europa League final. He said part of his heart would remain at the club and thanked supporters for their backing. Romero was part of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup-winning squad and also played at the 2026 World Cup, including the final. Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi has moved quickly to reinforce the defence, signing Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton and Argentina international Marcos Senesi from Bournemouth. The club is also reportedly close to selling versatile England defender Djed Spence to Inter Milan for £30 million. Spurs are due to begin their Premier League campaign against Brentford.

Dubai Customs has stopped an attempt to smuggle more than 70 million illicit cigarettes to a European country. Officials seized 360,500 cartons weighing almost seven tonnes across nine export shipments that passed through three air cargo centres in Dubai. The shipments were identified after customs officers found that their actual contents did not correspond with the information provided in the shipping documents, which described the goods as clothes. The shipments were linked to a single importer. Abdulla Alblooshi, director of Air Cargo Centres Management at Dubai Customs, said the operation demonstrated that modern customs enforcement relies not only on physical inspections but also on intelligence, accurate interpretation of risk indicators, data connections and the anticipation of threats before shipments reach their destinations. Alblooshi said the seizure highlighted Dubai Customs’ ability to respond to evolving methods of illicit trade and reinforced its role in combating smuggling, fraudulent activity and the exploitation of international supply chains. He added that these efforts support Dubai’s reputation as a secure and dependable global trade and logistics hub. Dubai Customs noted that the seizure had international significance because the cigarettes were not intended for the UAE market. The operation was part of wider enforcement activity by the Air Cargo Centres Management team, which recorded 182 seizures during the first three months of the year. Of these, 161 were security-related seizures and 21 were customs seizures. The case demonstrates how cargo screening, risk analysis and coordination across multiple facilities can uncover large-scale smuggling attempts before goods are exported.

The article examines how sport in the Gulf has evolved from a largely local sponsorship opportunity into a powerful platform for global branding, cultural influence and international reach. It focuses first on New Balance’s three-year partnership with Abu Dhabi football club Al Jazira, under which the American company will supply the club’s training, match-day and travel kits. The deal follows decades of kit partnerships between Al Jazira and major brands including Adidas, Puma, Kappa and Nike. New Balance says the relationship reflects the club’s legacy, community ties and role in developing local talent. The agreement is part of New Balance’s broader Gulf strategy, which includes partnerships with Qatar’s Al Sadd SC, the Doha Marathon and running communities in Riyadh, Doha, Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The company previously supplied Saudi club Al Nassr, whose commercial value increased dramatically after Cristiano Ronaldo joined in 2023. The player’s arrival transformed Al Nassr from a primarily domestic institution into a globally recognised sports brand, attracting high-profile commercial partners such as Adidas. The article also describes how Gulf-backed sports properties can promote brands internationally. UAE Team Emirates XRG has become a leading cycling team, with Tadej Pogacar’s major victories enhancing the visibility of sponsors such as Colnago, Richard Mille, Pissei, G42, First Abu Dhabi Bank and MyWhoosh. In basketball, Emirates’ partnership with Beirut Basketball Club connects a Lebanese institution with a global airline. Finally, the article highlights Gulf airlines’ extensive relationships with European football clubs, including Emirates with Arsenal, AC Milan, Real Madrid and Benfica; Etihad Airways with Manchester City; and Qatar Airways with Paris Saint-Germain. These partnerships benefit both sides by giving international companies access to regional communities while providing Gulf clubs with credibility, reach and global recognition.

Five years after the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan, international concern over the country’s humanitarian, economic, security and human-rights crises is intensifying. European governments, United Nations bodies and rights advocates say the Taliban have failed to address worsening natural and humanitarian emergencies while imposing increasingly severe restrictions on women and girls. France’s Foreign Ministry warned that fundamental freedoms are being eroded and that women and girls are being excluded from secondary and higher education and pushed out of public life. The UN culture agency estimates that about 2.5 million Afghan women and girls have been barred from secondary schools and universities, while UN Women reports that half of Afghan women now leave their homes only once or twice a month. The Taliban maintain that they respect women’s rights under their interpretation of Sharia. European Parliament member Hannah Neumann accused Germany and the European Union of failing Afghanistan, citing restrictions on education, employment, health care and public spaces, as well as the return of public floggings and stoning. A joint statement from 56 UN member states called for the immediate repeal of discriminatory policies, particularly those targeting women and girls. The countries also warned that repression, terrorism and restrictions on humanitarian operations threaten Afghanistan’s stability and regional security. UN Women urged donors not to cut funding for programmes supporting women, warning that reduced assistance would worsen conditions that are already among the world’s worst. Its special representative, Susan Ferguson, said the Taliban had issued more than 100 decrees restricting women’s rights since returning to power. The article also highlights Afghanistan’s limited international ties. Russia remains the only country to formally recognise the Taliban government, while relations with neighbouring Pakistan are strained over accusations that the Taliban support Pakistani insurgents. Many foreign embassies in Kabul remain empty.

Jordan’s King Abdullah II is scheduled to make an official visit to China on Monday, his first trip to the country since 2015. He is expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and representatives of major Chinese companies to discuss expanding economic co-operation. An economic ministerial delegation will accompany him, and the two countries are expected to sign unspecified co-operation agreements. The visit comes as Jordan faces growing economic pressure from the regional conflict with Iran. Jordan is a close US ally and hosts several thousand American troops under a defence agreement, making it a target of Iranian attacks since the conflict began in February 2026. China has not condemned attacks by Iran or its proxies. An Iranian strike in July killed three American soldiers at an airbase in eastern Jordan, although no deaths or serious injuries among Jordanian civilians have been reported following dozens of attacks last month. Economic ties with China are especially important because China supplies one-fifth of Jordan’s imports, the largest share of any country. Shipping disruption and heightened risks between East Asia and the Middle East have sharply increased the cost of those imports. Jordan’s economy had already stagnated following the 2008 global financial crisis and has suffered another setback because of the war. The visit follows a meeting in Amman last December between King Abdullah and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Wang described Jordan as a stabilising force in the region and said bilateral relations were developing soundly and steadily. The trip highlights Amman’s effort to deepen trade and investment ties with Beijing while maintaining its strategic alliance with Washington and managing the economic consequences of the conflict.

Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has declined to rule out Rodri leaving the club for Barcelona before the transfer window closes, saying that “anything can happen.” Speculation intensified after a photograph circulated on social media that appeared to show the Spain midfielder travelling on a budget Ryanair flight from Madrid to Liverpool with a suitcase bearing his name, national flag and shirt number. Maresca said he had seen Rodri at the club, hugged him and found him looking well. The midfielder is preparing to return to training after undergoing back surgery at the end of July. The transfer uncertainty comes as City are also reportedly close to selling Netherlands midfielder Tijjani Reijnders to Saudi Pro League club Al Qadsiah for £52 million. City have additionally been linked with Chelsea and Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez, although Maresca ruled out new arrivals on Friday and said future business would depend partly on whether players leave. Maresca insisted, however, that his immediate priority was Manchester City’s Community Shield final against Arsenal in Cardiff. He said the match, his first final since succeeding Pep Guardiola, should be treated as a genuine opportunity to win a trophy rather than a pre-season friendly. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is similarly focused on winning silverware. Arsenal ended a 22-year wait for the Premier League title last season but lost the Champions League final to Paris Saint-Germain. Arteta said his players had returned from the summer break fit, refreshed and hungry, and that the club’s best performance was required on Sunday. Arsenal have strengthened with Bruno Guimaraes, Christos Tzolis and goalkeeper Illan Meslier, while Vinicius Jr has chosen to remain at Real Madrid. Both managers therefore enter the traditional curtain-raiser balancing transfer activity with the immediate importance of the final.

Mohamed Salah made his competitive debut for Trabzonspor as a second-half substitute in a disappointing 1-1 draw away to Kasimpasa in the opening match of the Turkish Super Lig season. Trabzonspor took the lead in the first half when Noah Saviolo scored, but Kasimpasa equalised after the interval through Adrian Benedyczak’s penalty. Salah entered the game in the 58th minute, shortly after Kasimpasa had levelled, and helped create several chances for the visitors. However, Trabzonspor could not find a winning goal. The result frustrated coach Fatih Tekke, who described the opening-day draw as a “sad and difficult start.” He said the team needed to win but had failed to do so, while warning that Trabzonspor would face a significantly stronger opponent when they play Ferencvaros in the Europa League play-off round on Thursday. Tekke also criticised a defensive mistake as unacceptable and urged the squad to improve quickly over the next five matches and the coming five weeks. Salah joined Trabzonspor on a free transfer after spending nine highly successful seasons at Liverpool. His arrival generated substantial enthusiasm among the club’s supporters, and the 34-year-old forward said during his unveiling that he wanted to win trophies with the Turkish side. Trabzonspor finished third in the Super Lig last season and won the Turkish Cup, raising expectations surrounding Salah’s arrival. His debut did not produce a victory, but his involvement in creating attacking opportunities offered an encouraging sign ahead of the club’s European fixture.

The article profiles Andrew Burgess, a 51-year-old British entrepreneur and founder of the food app Forked Up, who has lived in Dubai since 2007. Burgess pays Dh155,000 a year to rent a four-bedroom villa in the Villanova community, where he lives with his wife Lucy, their nine-year-old son Cyrus, their nanny Nancy, and rescue pets including a cat and dog. The family has occupied the villa for about three and a half years. The move to Villanova followed a sharp increase in rents in Mira, their previous community. Their rent there rose from approximately Dh95,000 to Dh150,000 annually, while comparable villas were being marketed for more than Dh200,000. When their landlord decided to sell, the family moved and negotiated a rent of Dh145,000, paid in one cheque, with the rate fixed for three years. Burgess says the arrangement provided stability in Dubai’s volatile rental market, and he still considers the home good value. The villa includes three bathrooms, an open-plan kitchen, dining and living area, a maid’s room, a balcony, and a garden. The downstairs bedroom has been converted into Burgess’s office, and the kitchen serves both as a family gathering place and the setting for the family’s weekly cooking series. The garden includes recreational equipment, a barbecue, smoker and flat-top grill. Burgess values Villanova for its green spaces, parks, walking paths, playgrounds, dog-friendly environment, nearby shops and restaurants, and access to major roads. After nearly two decades in Dubai, he says the city is home and hopes to buy a property in Villanova or the wider Dubailand area within a year, describing the purchase as a way to establish permanent roots.

Samsung Electronics retained its position as the leading smartphone supplier in the Middle East during the second quarter of 2026, despite market disruption caused by the Iran war. According to industry tracker Omdia, Samsung held 39 per cent of the regional market and shipped approximately 4.1 million devices. Its market share increased from 34 per cent a year earlier, although shipments declined 7 per cent from 4.5 million units in the second quarter of 2025. The conflict has disrupted logistics and supply chains across the region, increased chip costs and prompted manufacturers and retailers to focus more heavily on profitability, product value and inventory management than on shipment growth. Omdia analyst Manish Pravinkumar said companies were accepting short-term volume reductions to preserve competitiveness, revenues and brand positioning. Honor ranked second with a 13 per cent market share and 1.3 million shipments, up 2 per cent annually. Transsion, whose brands include Tecno, Infinix and Itel, and Xiaomi each held roughly 11 per cent, but their shipments fell sharply by 40 per cent and 50 per cent, respectively. Apple also had an 11 per cent share, with shipments rising 1 per cent to about 1.1 million units. Mid-range smartphones costing between $300 and $800 were the strongest-performing segment, with shipments rising 16 per cent as consumers sought devices offering premium features at more accessible prices. Entry-level shipments dropped 42 per cent amid pricing and supply challenges. Apple continued to support the premium segment, especially in the UAE and Qatar, where flexible payment options and sustained demand helped maintain interest in expensive devices. Samsung’s recently launched Galaxy Z Fold8 series recorded what the company described as record orders, but its contribution will appear in third-quarter figures. Apple is also expected to introduce new flagship devices, potentially including its first foldable smartphone.

Fitch Ratings has affirmed the United Kingdom’s sovereign credit rating at AA-, the fourth-highest grade on its scale. The agency said the rating is supported by the UK’s high-income, diversified and flexible economy, developed financial markets and the pound’s role as an international reserve currency. The rating helps the government maintain access to capital markets and raise funds when borrowing is required. However, Fitch warned that elevated and volatile energy prices linked to continuing Middle East tensions and the US-Iran war will weigh on the British economy and push inflation higher. UK real GDP growth is expected to slow to 0.9 per cent in 2026 and rise only 1.2 per cent in 2027, below Fitch’s earlier forecasts. A weak labour market and tighter financing conditions are also expected to limit growth, although faster public investment, wider adoption of artificial intelligence and deeper EU trade integration could provide upside. Inflation is forecast to increase from 2.6 per cent in June to 3.7 per cent by the end of 2026, largely because of energy costs, before falling back to the Bank of England’s 2 per cent target by the end of 2028. The central bank has held its key interest rate at 3.75 per cent and warned that inflation could reach 4 per cent in early 2027. Fitch expects rates to remain at 3.75 per cent for the rest of 2026 before gradually declining to 3 per cent by 2028. Fitch does not expect Prime Minister Andy Burnham or Chancellor John Healey to make major near-term changes to fiscal rules or macroeconomic policy. Nevertheless, uncertainty may increase ahead of the next election. The agency said financial-market constraints, including already high gilt yields, would limit the government’s ability to loosen fiscal policy substantially.

The article reports that Palestinian journalist Hind Khoudary has opened a beach cafe in Gaza, an initiative intended to restore a familiar and much-loved aspect of everyday life in the war-ravaged enclave. The cafe is presented not simply as a commercial venture, but as an effort to create a safe and welcoming place where people can meet, relax, and experience a measure of normality despite the ongoing hardships of the Israel-Palestine conflict. Khoudary hopes the cafe will provide residents with a space for social connection and respite from the daily challenges of life in Gaza. The report emphasizes the contrast between the cafe’s recreational purpose and the broader conditions surrounding it: the enclave has been devastated by war, yet people continue to seek opportunities for community, leisure, and emotional relief. The article’s focus is on Khoudary’s personal connection to Gaza and her desire to preserve or revive elements of life that residents value. By opening the cafe on the beach, she is attempting to reclaim a public space associated with relaxation and shared experiences. The initiative reflects a broader wish among residents to maintain aspects of civilian life amid conflict and destruction. The supplied report is brief and does not provide details about the cafe’s location, opening date, facilities, funding, or the reactions of customers. Its central message is that the cafe represents hope, social recovery, and the determination to create moments of safety and normality in Gaza, even while severe challenges continue.

The article reports that Syrian army helicopters dropped roses over crowds attending the Summer Syria festival at the Damascus Citadel on August 16, 2026. The symbolic display took place during a cultural event in Damascus and represents a striking contrast with the violence and destruction associated with Syria’s years of civil war. Rather than describing a military operation, the report presents the army’s participation as part of a public celebration and a broader effort to restore cultural and social activities. The rose drop is framed as an image of change: military helicopters, traditionally associated with conflict, were used to create a festive spectacle for civilians. The event appears to be intended to encourage public gatherings and help revive cultural life after a prolonged period of war. The Summer Syria festival, held at the historic Damascus Citadel, provides the setting for this attempt to reintroduce large-scale public celebrations. The report is brief and does not provide details about the festival’s organizers, attendance, the specific helicopters involved, or the wider political and security circumstances surrounding the event. It also does not assess how broadly cultural events have resumed across Syria. Instead, it focuses on the visual and symbolic moment of roses falling onto Syrian crowds. By highlighting the contrast between the military aircraft and the peaceful celebration below, the article conveys an optimistic image of national recovery and the return of cultural events, while acknowledging the country’s recent history of civil war.

In Gombe, Nigeria, electric motorcycles are beginning to gain popularity as petrol prices remain high following President Bola Tinubu’s removal of the country’s fuel subsidy in May 2023. The policy caused petrol prices to rise from about 200 naira per litre to roughly 1,365 naira in Gombe, increasing transportation costs and placing additional pressure on household budgets. Electric motorcycles, which generally cost about 1 million naira, are still too expensive for most Nigerians, but some riders say they provide substantial savings on fuel and maintenance. Ayuba Abubakar, a farmer, estimates that his electric bike saves him around 5,000 naira per week in fuel costs. Other riders value the absence of engine-oil expenses, reduced maintenance and the bikes’ quiet operation. The vehicles also produce no exhaust fumes, potentially helping reduce air pollution in Nigerian cities. However, unreliable electricity is a major barrier to wider adoption. Many Nigerian households receive only limited power, raising concerns that riders may rely on petrol generators to charge their motorcycles and thereby undermine the environmental benefits. Muhammad Abubakar, chief executive of clean-energy company Sustenaa, advocates solar-powered battery-swap stations instead of home charging. He also urges the government to reduce import duties on electric-bike components, support battery-swap businesses, create battery-recycling standards and connect electric mobility with solar mini-grids. Electric motorcycles remain a niche transport option in Gombe, but their gradual spread reflects how economic pressures are reshaping mobility in Nigeria. The article suggests that even partial electrification of commercial motorcycle fleets in major cities such as Lagos, Kano and Port Harcourt could produce visible improvements in air quality, provided infrastructure and recycling systems develop alongside the market.

At least five people have died in Indiana after severe storms brought record rainfall and widespread flooding across the Midwestern US over the past week. Rescue crews have continued searching for stranded residents and using boats to evacuate people from homes overwhelmed by rising water. The White River in Indianapolis was among the waterways that overflowed, producing dangerous conditions across the city. Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett described the flooding as the area’s worst in more than 30 years. The National Weather Service reported that some locations received more than 280mm (11 inches) of rain in just two days. Authorities have attributed several deaths to the storm-related conditions. Delaware County sheriff’s deputies found the body of a 58-year-old woman who was believed to have died while attempting to drive through floodwaters. A four-year-old child was killed when a tree fell on a home in Jennings County. Law enforcement also recovered the body of a teenager who had been missing since Wednesday after jumping into a river. Indiana Governor Mike Braun requested a presidential emergency declaration to obtain additional federal resources. He said President Donald Trump intended to approve the request and provide assistance for the state’s response and recovery. Braun expressed sympathy for the families of the five people who died and urged residents to take the flooding seriously, avoid floodwaters, and not attempt to drive through inundated areas. Officials warned that vehicles can quickly become stranded in flooded streets and roads. Rescue and recovery operations remain underway as authorities assess the damage and continue searching for people affected by the storms.

The article reports that firefighters in California and across the western United States and Canada are battling multiple wildfires amid hot, dry and increasingly difficult conditions. On California’s Big Sur coast, the Timber Fire had burned 4,655 acres (1,884 hectares) by August 15 and was only 12 percent contained. Cal Fire warned that winds, rising temperatures and drying conditions could worsen the fire through the weekend and into the following week. State parks have been closed, and evacuation orders affect sections of Highway 1. The fire threatens 503 structures, and approximately 1,811 personnel, 192 engines and nine helicopters have been assigned to the response. Its cause remains unknown. The Bug Fire, burning near Reno along the California-Nevada border, had consumed approximately 93,381 acres (37,790 hectares) and was 58 percent contained. It displaced at least 4,000 people, including residents of a memory care facility. Across the United States, the Timber Fire was among 125 new fires reported that Saturday, with 29,363 personnel responding nationwide. The article also examines growing pressure on wildland firefighters. Climate change has contributed to larger and more destructive fires, while federal budget cuts and layoffs have further weakened staffing and preparedness. The National Federation of Federal Employees said the Department of Government Efficiency and the Trump administration had cut more than 6,000 US Forest Service workers, including many qualified firefighters, and threatened additional relocations or terminations. The union also criticized plans that could close 57 of 77 research laboratories involved in fire preparedness and response. Advocates say poor pay and benefits add to the danger and stress of federal firefighting jobs. Fire crews from California are also being deployed to fires in Oregon and Washington, increasing demands on an already strained workforce.

An official petition before Canada’s House of Commons calling for the expulsion of US Ambassador Pete Hoekstra has attracted more than 171,000 signatures, vastly exceeding the 500 signatures required for parliamentary consideration. The petition reflects growing Canadian opposition to the policies and rhetoric of US President Donald Trump’s administration. The petition accuses Hoekstra of repeatedly making public statements that damage Canada-US diplomatic relations. It cites his defense of Trump’s proposal to make Canada “the 51st” US state and his accusation that Canadian officials attempted to interfere in US elections. Hoekstra made the latter comments after Ontario funded advertisements criticizing Trump’s tariff policies, which have disproportionately affected Canada. The petition also raises alleged links between Hoekstra and the founder of an application used by Calgary separatists, although Hoekstra has denied ties between the Trump administration and the separatist movement. Its three demands are that Parliament declare Hoekstra persona non grata and request his removal, hold cross-border discussions about conduct allegedly inconsistent with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, and order a parliamentary review of US diplomatic interference in Canadian domestic affairs. The petition was authorized by Green Party leader Elizabeth May and introduced by Calgary resident Leanne Walker on July 21. Although it must receive an official government response within 45 days after surpassing the threshold, the petition is non-binding and its political impact remains uncertain. The campaign comes amid worsening bilateral tensions. Trump has imposed new tariffs on Canadian goods, challenged Canada’s role in the Gordie Howe International Bridge, and threatened additional tariffs over wildfire-related air pollution. A June Pew Research survey found that the share of Canadians viewing the US as a reliable partner fell from 83 percent in 2022 to 35 percent in 2026, while those considering it unreliable rose from 16 percent to 65 percent.

Hamas political leader and chief negotiator Khalil al-Hayya is travelling to Cairo to meet Egyptian officials, reportedly including intelligence chief Hassan Rashad, as diplomatic efforts continue over a Gaza ceasefire and hostage exchange agreement. The visit is al-Hayya’s first to Egypt since he assumed Hamas’s leadership in late July and comes shortly before Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump’s envoy and son-in-law, is scheduled to visit Israel and Egypt. Kushner’s trip is intended to narrow disagreements over a 15-point Gaza proposal backed by Hamas but rejected by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Under the plan, Hamas had agreed to surrender its weapons to a new Palestinian governing committee. Netanyahu has insisted that Israel will not withdraw its forces until Hamas is fully disarmed. Kushner is expected to travel with Nickolay Mladenov, the Board of Peace’s high representative for Gaza and a former United Nations Middle East envoy. Hamas official Basem Naim called on mediators and the United States to pressure Netanyahu and his government to comply with the roadmap. The diplomatic activity is taking place as Israeli military operations continue across Gaza. Gaza’s Ministry of Health reported that two Palestinians were killed and 14 wounded on Saturday in air strikes, artillery shelling and demolitions. Palestinian officials say more than 1,250 people have been killed by Israeli fire in Gaza since the ceasefire began in October of the previous year, while the overall death toll since October 2023 has surpassed 73,300. Israel formally rejected the Board of Peace proposal, and Defence Minister Israel Katz said Israeli troops would remain in designated security zones in Lebanon and Syria, indicating that Israel plans to maintain a military presence on multiple fronts.

International observers have raised concerns about Zambia’s presidential election after vote counting was suspended for several hours amid reports of violence against polling staff and alleged theft of ballot papers. The Electoral Commission of Zambia later resumed counting, saying the security threat had been contained, but observer missions from the European Union and the Southern African Development Community called on political parties and their supporters to avoid inflammatory statements. The SADC mission said it had received, but could not independently verify, reports of intimidation, assault, abductions and property damage in five provinces. The EU mission also cited a constrained democratic environment, alleged advantages for the incumbent and biased state media coverage. A European Parliament observer said the suspension appeared disproportionate because only a small number of Zambia’s more than 13,000 polling stations had reportedly been affected. He also reported claims that opposition figures were intimidated, candidates withdrew under pressure and opposition rallies were disrupted by violence. Police said nine people had been arrested over the killing of a polling agent near Lusaka, while maintaining that voting was otherwise peaceful. Opposition candidate Brian Mundubile claimed victory based on his party’s parallel vote count and alleged irregularities, including military involvement at tallying centres, missing result forms and restrictions on releasing results. President Hakainde Hichilema’s campaign rejected the accusations, calling them an attempt at disruption. Partial official results released by the Electoral Commission showed Hichilema leading with 438,708 votes, or 52.6 percent, followed by Mundubile with 351,281 votes, or 42.1 percent. The figures were not final. Hichilema had not declared victory, while police and soldiers were deployed in parts of Lusaka and the timing of the final results remained uncertain. The election is taking place in a copper-rich country of 22 million people with a history of peaceful transfers of power.

Democrats have approved a significant revision to the party’s calendar for selecting its 2028 presidential nominee, with the stated goal of creating a process that better reflects the racial and demographic diversity of the United States. Members of the Democratic National Committee voted during a meeting in Austin, Texas, to designate six states as the earliest contests. South Carolina will hold the first official Democratic nominating contest on January 22, 2028. Nevada will follow on February 1, New Hampshire on February 8, New Mexico on February 15, Michigan on February 22, and Virginia on February 29. The arrangement formalizes a shift that began in the 2024 cycle, when South Carolina was placed ahead of Iowa and New Hampshire. Supporters say the new lineup gives greater influence to states with substantial Black and Latino populations. About one-quarter of South Carolina’s residents identify as Black, while Hispanic or Latino residents account for approximately 31 percent of Nevada’s population and 49 percent of New Mexico’s. DNC Chair Ken Martin argued that the states better represent the country and could help Democrats choose a nominee capable of reclaiming the White House in 2028. The change has also generated opposition. New Hampshire leaders previously defied national party rules by holding an earlier state-run primary, citing a law requiring the state to vote first. Iowa Democrats warned that lowering their state’s position could alienate rural voters, many of whom already feel overlooked by national politics. The revised calendar could also influence the contest between progressive and moderate Democrats. Michigan’s selection of progressive Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed has prompted speculation that the state’s upgraded position could strengthen the progressive movement. However, South Carolina has historically favored more moderate candidates, including Joe Biden over Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren in 2020. The impact of the new calendar on the party’s internal divisions remains uncertain.

Three decades after rapper Tupac Shakur was fatally shot in Las Vegas, Duane “Keffe D” Davis is set to stand trial for allegedly organizing the killing. Davis, 63, faces one count of murder with a deadly weapon with the intent to promote, further, or assist a criminal gang. Prosecutors allege that he supplied the gun and arranged the attack, but they do not claim he was the person who fired it. Shakur, one of the most influential rappers of the 1990s, died six days after being shot six times from a white Cadillac on September 7, 1996. The shooting followed a fight at the MGM Grand after a Mike Tyson boxing match involving Shakur, Death Row Records founder Marion “Suge” Knight, and a group that included Davis’s nephew, Orlando “Baby Lane” Anderson. Davis and three others were reportedly in the Cadillac. The other three men, including Anderson, have since died, and neither the vehicle nor the murder weapon has been recovered. Davis is a former leader of the South Side Compton Crips, a gang linked to the rivalry with the Mob Piru gang, associated with Shakur and Knight. He has pleaded not guilty and has been jailed since 2023 awaiting trial. The case moved forward largely because of Davis’s own public statements. In his 2019 memoir, Compton Street Legend, he described obtaining a gun, driving through Las Vegas to find Shakur and Knight, and pursuing the attack as retaliation for the earlier beating of Anderson. He has also discussed the shooting in detail in YouTube interviews, although he has not identified the gunman. The trial is expected to last four to six weeks. Prosecutors plan to call 35 to 45 witnesses, including police, technical experts, and associates of Shakur and Davis. Knight, who is serving a 28-year sentence for a separate 2015 killing, is on the witness list but may resist involvement. The central issue will be whether jurors believe Davis’s admissions were truthful or fabricated. Under Nevada law, he can be convicted of murder if prosecutors prove he orchestrated the killing, even if he did not pull the trigger.

An Al Jazeera Inside Story segment examines the worsening Ebola outbreak in the northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The outbreak has already killed approximately 2,000 people and, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), is spreading faster than any previous outbreak. The pace of transmission is reportedly outstripping the ability of health authorities and aid organizations to contain it, raising concerns about the scale of the emergency and the risks of further escalation. The program is framed around two central questions: what is driving the crisis, and what dangers does the rapid spread pose? It features James Bays as presenter and interviews three specialists involved in or advising the response. Alex Lock, the communications coordinator for the Ebola response with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in Kinshasa, represents the perspective of an organization working directly on the ground. Dr. Marie Roseline Belizaire, the WHO Africa emergency director, provides the regional public-health perspective. Dr. Margaret Harris, a global health consultant, contributes broader health expertise. The supplied article text does not identify specific causes of the outbreak’s worsening or describe particular containment measures. Instead, it introduces the scale and urgency of the situation and directs viewers to the discussion with the featured experts. The report emphasizes the contrast between the speed of the virus’s spread and the slower progress of response efforts. Its focus is therefore both explanatory and cautionary: it seeks to explore the factors behind the deterioration while highlighting the dangers posed by a deadly outbreak that is overwhelming containment efforts.

Yemen’s Houthi movement has carried out a series of missile and drone strikes on Marib, a city controlled by the internationally recognised Yemeni government, according to local authorities. Four ballistic missiles and four drones struck the city on Saturday, damaging homes, vehicles and other property and injuring several people. A fifth missile later injured one person, while officials said a sixth missile was launched towards Marib overnight. Marib authorities described the attacks as part of an ongoing assault threatening civilians, residential neighbourhoods and camps for internally displaced people. The governorate hosts more than two million displaced Yemenis, making it the country’s largest displacement hub. Al Jazeera-verified video showed destruction following the strikes. Yemen’s Ministry of Information condemned the attacks as a dangerous escalation that would increase civilian suffering. The strikes occurred amid intensified fighting elsewhere. Yemeni government forces said drone attacks near the Maqbanah front west of Taiz killed three Iran-backed Houthi fighters, including field commanders, and wounded others. A separate attack reportedly destroyed a Houthi military vehicle in Jabal al-Zuhayb and killed several more fighters. The latest attacks form part of a broader escalation that began in early August, when Houthi missile and drone attacks on military camps in Marib and Hadramout killed at least 30 government soldiers. Subsequent Houthi strikes killed at least two civilians and wounded 14 in Marib, while attacks in the port city of al-Makha killed seven people. The Houthis control much of northern Yemen, including the capital, Sanaa, and are backed by Iran. UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg has warned that Yemen faces its greatest risk of returning to full-scale war since the UN-brokered truce of April 2022, threatening more than four years of relative calm.

House mice accidentally introduced to the Farallon Islands by 19th-century ships have multiplied to unusually high densities, reaching as many as 1,270 mice per hectare in autumn. The islands, located roughly 30 miles off San Francisco, contain the largest seabird nesting colony in the contiguous United States, with more than 300,000 breeding birds representing 13 species. Researchers say the invasive rodents are disrupting the islands’ food web and altering native vegetation. As seasonal food supplies decline, mice consume alternative prey such as the endemic Farallon camel cricket. Their abundance attracts migrating burrowing owls, which feed heavily on the rodents. When mouse numbers collapse during winter, however, the owls switch to other prey, including Ashy storm-petrels. The globally vulnerable seabirds are particularly at risk because about half of the world’s breeding population nests on the Farallons and each female lays only one egg annually. Increased adult mortality could therefore produce long-term population declines. The mice also consume native plant seeds, compete with endemic salamanders, and help invasive vegetation such as maritime goldfields spread. These changes can damage soil protection and reduce suitable nesting habitat. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and conservation partners have developed a plan to eradicate the mice by distributing Brodifacoum-25D Conservation rodenticide from helicopters in late autumn. The timing is intended to reduce risks because mouse numbers and seabird presence are lower then. The plan was approved by the California Coastal Commission in December 2021 after years of environmental review. Because rodenticide could harm non-target wildlife, managers plan to temporarily relocate resident burrowing owls, deter Western Gulls with pyrotechnics and other methods, and monitor possible effects on birds of prey and marine mammals. Conservationists believe removing the mice could break the cycle of owl predation on storm-petrels and help native plants, invertebrates, and reptiles recover.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has reaffirmed his country’s close and expanding relationship with Russia in a message to President Vladimir Putin. Kim’s letter followed a congratulatory message from Putin marking the 81st anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II, commemorated in North Korea as the anniversary of its liberation from Japanese colonial rule. Kim described himself as “always proud” of the bilateral relationship and expressed confidence in its future. He also said he believed Russia would prosper and protect its territorial integrity under Putin’s leadership. Putin characterized ties between Moscow and Pyongyang as having reached an “unprecedentedly high level of comprehensive strategic partnership,” saying the countries were cooperating across sectors to promote regional security and stability. The article links the diplomatic exchange to the sharp expansion of military and strategic cooperation since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. North Korea has reportedly supplied troops and weapons to support Russia’s war effort, while analysts say Pyongyang has received economic assistance and military technology in return. The arrival of the Russian ship Pallada at Wonsan port for a goodwill visit further highlighted the relationship. The strengthening Moscow-Pyongyang partnership contrasts with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung’s renewed calls for dialogue and peaceful coexistence with North Korea. Lee urged efforts to establish a formal peace regime, reduce tensions, and address North Korea’s nuclear capabilities. Pyongyang has rejected Seoul’s overtures and criticized planned US-South Korean military exercises. The partnership is also drawing scrutiny over alleged North Korean involvement in Russia’s war. Ukraine has accused Russia of using North Korean ballistic missiles, while President Volodymyr Zelensky has claimed that up to 50,000 North Korean troops could be deployed to Russia. Although supporting evidence and a timeframe were not provided, the alleged cooperation has raised concerns in Seoul and Washington about transfers of battlefield experience and military technology.

Indian student Jins Joseph is asking a provincial court in Newfoundland and Labrador to grant him an absolute or conditional discharge after he was convicted of eight counts of fraud under $5,000 and one count of theft under $5,000. Joseph fears that a criminal conviction could jeopardize his immigration status and force him to leave Canada, where he has studied for nearly four years and spent approximately $100,000 on his education. Joseph came to Canada in December 2022 and began a Bachelor of Business Administration at Memorial University of Newfoundland’s Grenfell campus in January 2023. At the time of the offences, he was working part-time as a butcher at a Dominion store in Corner Brook. Trial evidence indicated that surveillance footage showed him changing price stickers on meat between March and May 2025, enabling himself, friends and other employees to purchase products at significantly reduced prices. The store estimated its losses at about $2,700. Joseph acknowledged that changing prices violated store policy but argued that employees could take meat that would otherwise be discarded with permission from a manager or senior employee. He also alleged that the store sold unsafe or unsaleable meat and retaliated against him by reducing his hours after he threatened to contact the Labour Relations Board. He said management knew about the discounted meat and that he provided it to people who needed food. His lawyer, Adam Crocker, argued that a discharge would protect Joseph’s education, employment prospects, possible post-graduate work opportunities and ability to remain in Canada. Joseph’s study permit expires on September 30, and he said deportation would force him to restart his degree elsewhere and separate him from his Canadian partner. The Crown proposed a conditional sentence of five to six months less a day followed by 12 months of probation. Judge Wayne Gorman said immigration consequences could be considered but emphasized that a conviction does not automatically result in removal. Sentencing was reserved until August 20.

In 1987, British naturalist Ian Bullock became the first professional warden of Aride Island, a remote island in the Seychelles. His work establishing conservation procedures and protecting the island’s wildlife created the conditions for a major species-recovery project the following year. At the time, the entire global population of the endangered Seychelles warbler (Acrocephalus sechellensis) lived on Cousin Island, and the species had previously declined to just 26 birds. Concentrating the whole population on one island left it vulnerable to disease, natural disasters and other environmental threats. Because Aride had been cleared of introduced predators, conservationists selected it as a site for a second population. Bullock’s responsibilities included monitoring wildlife, mapping habitats, training field staff, preventing poaching, managing visitors and conducting baseline surveys. This information helped researchers assess whether the island could support a translocated population of insect-eating songbirds. Between 23 and 29 September 1988, conservationists transported 29 adult Seychelles warblers—16 males and 13 females—from Cousin Island to Aride by motorboat. The birds were fitted with colored rings for identification and monitoring. The project succeeded, and the species has since grown to more than 3,000 birds across several island sanctuaries. It has also been removed from the highest threat categories. The article presents the translocation as one part of Bullock’s wider conservation career. He spent 25 years with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, managed reserves across the United Kingdom, worked on rat eradication and bird-recovery projects, guided expeditions, wrote and illustrated a field guide to Seychelles birds, and produced wildlife artwork. Bullock died from melanoma in March 2025 at age 73. His work on Aride helped demonstrate how establishing additional populations can reduce the extinction risk facing island species.

Myanmar is preparing to revive the $3.6 billion China-backed Myitsone hydropower project in Kachin State, 14 years after construction was suspended following widespread public protests. The proposed dam would be built at the confluence of the Mali and Nmai rivers, the headwaters of the Irrawaddy, and would create a reservoir roughly the size of Singapore. With an estimated capacity of 6 gigawatts, it could generate more than half of Myanmar’s current national electricity demand, which is about 10 gigawatts. The military-led administration of Min Aung Hlaing reportedly wants the project completed within eight years. Officials discussed the restart during Min Aung Hlaing’s visit to China, which has supported the project for years. However, the cost may have risen substantially since the original 2009 agreement. Based on regional hydropower construction costs, the project could now require as much as $11.5 billion. The proposed revival faces major environmental, social and political objections. The reservoir would flood a large area, damage habitats, alter the Irrawaddy river system and displace communities whose livelihoods depend on the river and surrounding land. Under the original agreement, 90% of the electricity would have been exported to China, an arrangement that was unpopular in Myanmar because many residents experience frequent power shortages. It remains unclear whether those terms would change. Safety concerns have also intensified after a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck Myanmar in March and killed thousands. Critics fear that a 152-metre dam in an earthquake-prone area could endanger downstream communities if badly damaged. Chinese officials have reportedly promised advanced engineering measures to address geological risks. Authorities have organized at least 26 meetings across Kachin State to build local support, but ethnic communities, environmental groups and 49 civil society organizations continue to oppose the project. They argue that Myitsone would provide limited public benefit while causing severe damage to homes, property and livelihoods.

Actor Chris Pratt and author Katherine Schwarzenegger have listed their custom-built Pacific Palisades mansion for $19.99 million, marking the property’s fifth attempt to sell in roughly three years. The couple purchased the Los Angeles property for $15.6 million in 2018, demolished the original structure and spent approximately three years constructing a 13,000-square-foot home. It was first listed in July 2023 for $32 million, but repeated price cuts, withdrawals and relistings failed to attract a buyer. The latest price is more than $12 million below the original asking price. The estate includes six bedroom suites, 7.5 bathrooms, extensive outdoor living areas and views of the coastal mountains. Its marketing materials emphasize high-end construction, custom finishes, natural light and proximity to both the beach and the mountains. The property’s sales history includes listings at $29.99 million and $24.5 million, as well as multiple withdrawals. A planned pause in the sale reportedly coincided with Schwarzenegger’s pregnancy and the birth of the couple’s third child, Ford, in November 2024. The home returned to the market at $19.99 million in August 2025, was withdrawn in March 2026 and relisted at the same price on August 10, 2026. The article also discusses the couple’s move toward a Brentwood property, where they demolished the midcentury Zimmerman House, designed by architect Craig Ellwood. The demolition drew criticism from preservationists who argued that local protections had failed. While the Brentwood home is under construction, the couple reportedly has been living in a Montecito estate owned by Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom. That property was previously involved in a five-year legal dispute, which ended in January 2026 with a judge ordering its former owner, Carl Westcott, to pay Perry $1.8 million in unpaid rental income.

Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party is trailing the opposition Yashar party led by former Israel Defence Forces chief Gadi Eisenkot ahead of Israel’s parliamentary election scheduled for October 27, according to a poll published by Zman Yisrael, the Hebrew sister site of The Times of Israel. The survey projects Yashar winning 25 seats, four more than Likud, although neither party or political bloc is expected to secure the 61 seats needed for a majority in the 120-member Knesset. The poll estimates that parties opposed to Netanyahu would win 58 seats, while pro-Netanyahu parties would receive 50. The center-right B’Yachad, hawkish Yisrael Beytenu and left-wing Democrats are included in the anti-Netanyahu camp. Netanyahu’s potential allies include the Haredi parties Shas and United Torah Judaism, as well as the far-right Otzma Yehudit and Religious Zionism. The article also highlights the absence of an endorsement from US President Donald Trump. During Netanyahu’s July 28 visit to the White House, Trump reportedly asked about the Israeli leader’s electoral prospects but stopped short of endorsing him. Axios reported that Trump described Netanyahu as his “own worst enemy” and has become frustrated with some of his policies concerning Iran, Lebanon and Gaza. Trump has previously called for Netanyahu to receive a pardon or for his corruption trial to be halted. Meanwhile, Israel’s Shin Bet security agency is reportedly considering providing Eisenkot with an armed security detail as the campaign intensifies and concerns grow about Iranian efforts to target Israeli leaders. Eisenkot is not automatically entitled to state protection because he is not considered a “symbol of the state.” His campaign says he has been forced to hire private, unarmed bodyguards and may be particularly vulnerable during scheduled public appearances. The developments suggest Netanyahu faces both political and security challenges as he seeks a fourth term.

A magnitude-5 earthquake struck the metropolitan area of Alhendín, near Granada in southern Spain, shortly after 1 a.m. local time on Saturday. The tremors were felt across parts of the surrounding region and damaged some homes, buildings and cars. Television footage showed debris scattered on streets, while emergency services rescued people from several damaged buildings. No injuries or deaths were reported. Authorities also inspected the historic Alhambra palace, one of Granada’s most prominent landmarks, to determine whether it had sustained damage. Antonio Sanz, Andalusia’s senior emergency official, said the palace was unaffected and that there was no serious structural or material damage overall. He emphasized that there were no casualties. The earthquake occurred on the same day as a much stronger magnitude-7.7 earthquake off eastern Indonesia. That quake killed at least 47 people, caused buildings to collapse and triggered landslides. A tsunami warning issued after the Indonesian earthquake was subsequently lifted. The article presents the events together as notable earthquakes occurring on the same day, while focusing primarily on the limited damage and absence of casualties in the Granada area.

Jamie Bell, an 18-year-old student from South London, has built a successful Lego-reselling business from a hobby he began at age 13. Operating through eBay under the name JTB Collectables, Bell initially bought and sold small Lego sets before identifying an opportunity in large collections of used Lego. He began purchasing bulk lots and supplying them to smaller traders, who could break them down and sell individual pieces or figures to collectors. The business grew rapidly. During the last tax year, Bell generated more than $400,000 (£312,000) in sales and nearly $68,000 (£53,000) in net profit after expenses such as stock, postage and accountancy services. He now sells approximately 220 pounds, or 100 kilograms, of Lego each month. His customers consist of both collectors and resellers, with resellers making up an estimated 60% of his clientele. One of Bell’s largest transactions occurred in May 2026, when he sold approximately 200 pounds of Lego Star Wars minifigures in an eBay auction. The lot attracted 65 bids and sold for more than $30,000 (£23,400). Much of Bell’s inventory is stored in cardboard boxes at his parents’ home, and his father helps with packing and administration. Although the business has become substantial, Bell plans to attend university and study history rather than immediately making Lego resale his full-time career. He views the business as a source of savings and financial security, particularly as he works toward buying his first home. Bell says he wants both a stable profession and the flexibility provided by his growing business.

A report based on European mortality data estimates that roughly 16,000 more people than usual died across Europe during one week of extreme heat in late June. The deaths occurred as temperatures surged across the continent, with the largest increases recorded in north-western Europe, particularly France, Belgium and Germany. These countries are generally less accustomed to prolonged heat and may have fewer protections and systems designed to manage it than southern European nations. Although temperatures exceeded 100 degrees Fahrenheit in large parts of Spain and Italy, the sharpest rise in mortality occurred in areas where temperatures were furthest above normal seasonal levels. The scale of the increase was unusual because excess deaths in Europe are more commonly associated with winter respiratory illnesses. According to reporting by The New York Times, the mortality spike exceeded the number of excess deaths recorded during any single week of the previous winter. The article notes that Europe faced another period of extreme heat in August. Brussels recorded its hottest day on record on August 14, reaching 35.9°C, while areas inhabited by at least 150 million people experienced temperatures above 35°C. The heat also contributed to wildfires, including a major blaze in western Germany that prompted evacuations. EuroMOMO does not publish country-level excess mortality figures, but it identified France and Belgium as the only European countries with “very high excess” mortality in the final week of June. Belgium’s public health institute, Sciensano, said the country recorded its highest heatwave-related excess mortality since records began in 2000. The article compares the episode with the 2022 heatwave, which also caused just over 16,000 excess deaths in one week, but primarily affected southern Europe. Increasingly frequent and intense heatwaves are prompting questions about how governments can better protect vulnerable populations.

The article examines Plato’s famous statement, “The heaviest penalty for declining to rule is to be ruled by someone inferior to yourself,” as a reflection on responsibility rather than a simple argument for seeking power. It explains that refusing leadership does not remove a person from the consequences of decisions, because someone else will still make choices affecting a workplace, team, community or society. A capable person who remains silent to avoid pressure, criticism or accountability may later find that a less suitable individual has taken control. The article places the quotation in the context of Plato’s life and philosophy. Born in or near Athens around 427 BC, Plato was influenced by Socrates, whose execution shaped his concerns about justice, public judgment and political decision-making. Plato later founded the Academy, where Aristotle studied, and discussed government, education and justice in The Republic, the work associated with the quotation. The article emphasizes that Plato was not endorsing ambition for its own sake. His ideal rulers were educated philosopher-rulers motivated by justice and the wider interests of society rather than wealth, prestige or personal power. Leadership, in this view, requires knowledge, discipline, judgment and the ability to put collective interests ahead of personal desires. The discussion also distinguishes responsible restraint from disengagement. Listening, delegating or allowing a more qualified person to lead can demonstrate sound judgment. However, avoiding responsibility solely because of fear, discomfort or a desire to escape blame can allow poor decisions to prevail. The article presents Plato’s observation as an enduring question about who should participate in leadership and what happens when capable people surrender their influence.

The BBC has asked a US court for permission to subpoena Donald Trump’s adult children, Donald Trump Jr and Ivanka Trump, and his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, in connection with Trump’s $10bn defamation lawsuit against the broadcaster. The BBC says the three family members may have relevant personal knowledge about Trump’s intentions when he prepared and delivered the speech he gave before the 6 January 2021 Capitol riots. Trump is suing the BBC over a 2024 Panorama documentary that edited together separate portions of that speech. The edit created what the BBC acknowledged was a mistaken impression that Trump had directly called for violent action. Although the BBC apologised, it maintains that the editing error does not meet the legal standard for defamation. According to court filings, BBC representatives tried unsuccessfully to serve subpoenas in person. An attempt to serve Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner at their Florida home was blocked at a police checkpoint, and the Secret Service reportedly declined to accept the documents. Attempts to serve Donald Trump Jr at Trump Tower in New York also failed. The BBC is asking to serve the subpoenas by email and certified mail. Trump’s legal team accused the BBC of deliberately defaming the president and using the deposition process to harass Trump, his family and his supporters. The BBC’s lawyers argue that Donald Trump Jr and Ivanka were present when Trump revised and delivered the speech, while Kushner drafted a proposed statement condemning violence. The lawsuit, filed in Florida last December, also names BBC subsidiaries, although Trump has agreed to remove BBC Studios from the case. Trump’s lawyers have acknowledged they lack evidence that the documentary was available in the United States through platforms they initially cited. A judge has delayed Trump’s production of financial records sought by the BBC, and a trial is scheduled for February 2027 if the case proceeds.

A French father and his two young sons were rescued after spending more than 16 hours stranded at sea near Koh Samui, Thailand, when their rented jet ski capsized. The 50-year-old father had hired the vehicle for a 45-minute ride at around 17:00 local time on Thursday. When the jet ski was not returned as scheduled, authorities launched a search involving speedboats and additional jet skis around Koh Samui and toward the nearby island of Koh Phangan. The search was suspended overnight, but rescuers continued looking the following day. The family was found at approximately 10:00 on Friday, still drifting in choppy waters. The father told authorities that rough waves had struck the jet ski near the end of the rental period, causing its engine to stop. The vehicle then capsized, leaving the father and his five- and seven-year-old sons in the water overnight. Rescue footage showed one child sitting on the partially submerged front of the jet ski while his father waved to rescuers nearby. Both were wearing life jackets. Local official Amorn Chomchoey said the father and children appeared pale and exhausted after swallowing a significant amount of seawater. They were taken to hospital for medical checks but were discharged shortly afterward. The boys’ mother and older sister had been waiting on the beach during the search and were present when the three were brought back safely. Despite the ordeal, the family remained in Thailand and continued their holiday, according to officials. The incident highlights the risks associated with sea conditions and recreational watercraft, even in popular tourist destinations such as Koh Samui.

France’s Constitutional Council, the country’s highest authority for reviewing whether legislation complies with the constitution, has struck down a law that would have banned children under 15 from accessing social media. The council ruled that the measure infringed upon the freedom of expression and communication, describing the restriction as neither appropriate, necessary nor proportionate. The legislation, approved by French lawmakers in July, would have made France the first European country to impose a nationwide social media ban on under-15s. President Emmanuel Macron had pledged that the restrictions would be introduced in stages beginning in September. The proposed law would have prevented under-15s from opening new accounts, required age verification for new users and extended the restrictions to existing accounts from January. The council also objected to requirements that users provide proof of age to access online services, saying the legislation lacked sufficient legal safeguards. Critics had previously raised concerns about privacy, the effectiveness of age-verification technology, the possibility that young people would bypass the restrictions and the speed with which the law had been developed. Following the ruling, Macron asked Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu to prepare a revised draft that addresses the council’s objections. The president’s office said the government would act quickly and that Macron remained determined to have the reform implemented by early 2027. The ruling comes amid growing international efforts to restrict children’s access to social media because of concerns about the platforms’ effects on mental health. Australia introduced a ban for under-16s in December, although many young people reportedly continue to use social media. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has proposed delaying children’s access to social media across the European Union, while the UK has announced plans to ban under-16s from social media from January 2027.

Liechtenstein has announced a change to its royal succession rules that will allow women to inherit the throne. The decision was announced on the national day of the small central European principality, which has a population of about 44,000 and is located between Switzerland and Austria. The House of Liechtenstein said succession would change from male primogeniture to absolute primogeniture. Under the new system, the first-born child of the relevant branch of the ruling family will inherit the throne regardless of sex, becoming either princess or prince of Liechtenstein. The change will not immediately alter the current line of succession. Prince Hans-Adam II has ruled since 1989, while his first-born son, Hereditary Prince Alois, remains heir and has performed most official duties for approximately two decades. The new rule will apply only to the descendants of Alois and his wife, Hereditary Princess Sophie. Their four children will therefore be affected by the revised system, although the existing succession order remains unchanged for the time being. Alois said the reform was intended to ensure that Liechtenstein and the Princely House would be led by the person best prepared for the responsibility, rather than by a male heir solely because of gender. Liechtenstein’s monarch retains unusually broad political powers compared with many other European heads of state. The change follows similar reforms elsewhere, including Britain’s 2011 decision to allow a monarch’s first-born daughter to inherit ahead of younger sons. The article presents the reform as a modernization of the principality’s hereditary succession system while noting that it has no immediate practical effect on who is next in line.

Five people were injured in a shooting at Virginia State University (VSU) in Virginia early Saturday morning, and police say multiple suspects remain at large. Officers responded to the area outside a residence hall at approximately 01:28 local time (05:28 GMT), after which all five victims were transported to local hospitals. One person suffered critical injuries, while the other four were initially reported to have non-life-threatening wounds. Lieutenant James R Lamb of the Chesterfield County Police Department told the BBC that one victim was a VSU student and another was under 18. The university later said the student sustained non-life-threatening injuries and had been discharged from hospital. Police said none of the five injured people is currently being treated as a suspect. No arrests have been made. Police believe more than one shooter was involved and are reviewing surveillance footage as part of the investigation. A temporary lockdown imposed on the campus after the shooting has been lifted, although a significant law-enforcement presence remains. Chesterfield County Police are leading the investigation with assistance from other local agencies and VSU campus police. The incident occurred just before the start of the university’s new term. Dormitories opened for returning students on Friday, and classes were scheduled to begin on Monday. VSU has approximately 5,000 students and is located more than 20 miles south of Richmond, Virginia’s capital. Virginia State University is one of the country’s historically Black colleges and universities, institutions established to provide higher education to African Americans who were barred from attending many other colleges. The shooting adds to ongoing concerns about gun violence in the United States, while investigators continue searching for the suspects and determining what led to the attack.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has proposed talks with North Korea to formally end the Korean War, which has technically continued since the 1953 armistice because the two sides never signed a peace treaty. Speaking at a ceremony marking Liberation Day, Lee called for both countries to abandon threats and begin discussions as the directly involved parties. He suggested creating a “multi-layered security system” to prevent incidents along the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), the de facto border, and offered discussions on practical methods of limiting North Korea’s nuclear development. Lee said dialogue could promote peaceful coexistence and mutual growth. His proposal comes as relations remain tense, with North Korea conducting frequent ballistic-missile tests and the United States and South Korea preparing for another joint military exercise. North Korea has also been involved in disputes with the South over alleged provocations, including balloons carrying rubbish and propaganda. Pyongyang has not yet responded to the latest offer. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has previously rejected engagement initiatives from Lee and has taken an increasingly hostile position toward unification. In 2024, Kim described South Korea as the North’s “primary foe” and said the country’s objective in a future war should be to occupy and incorporate the South. North Korea declared itself a nuclear power in 2022 and has said it will not give up its weapons. Lee has sought to improve relations with North Korea and China after a deterioration under former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol. He has previously supported a potential agreement between US President Donald Trump and Kim to freeze North Korea’s nuclear production. However, prospects for dialogue remain uncertain after North Korea launched another ballistic missile into the sea, its 11th suspected test of the year, shortly before the planned allied military drills.

The USS George Washington is being sent from the Pacific to the Middle East to replace the USS Abraham Lincoln, whose crew has reportedly endured an extended nine-month deployment marked by supply shortages and difficult living conditions. BBC analysis of vessel-tracking data indicates that the George Washington, last reported near Malaysia, could reach Duqm, Oman, in approximately nine days, arriving around 22 August at its previous speed. Duqm is about 500 miles from Iran. The Lincoln has around 5,000 personnel aboard and has been at sea since 11 December. Its deployment was originally expected to end in May, while typical carrier deployments last about six months. Families and relatives of sailors have reported concerns about poor sanitation, broken plumbing, exhaustion, infrequent port visits and shortages of fresh food. Some relatives also said sailors had considered or attempted to jump overboard, while one family member claimed that a sailor had lost 65 pounds and was suffering from exhaustion caused by aircraft noise and ship vibrations. The US Navy has acknowledged that supplies were disrupted by combat operations during the war with Iran, but it denies that there has been an increase in suicidal behavior or a broader mental-health crisis aboard the Lincoln. President Donald Trump dismissed concerns that the deployment had been too long, saying it was “not nearly long enough,” while confirming that another ship would replace the Lincoln. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said some media reports had been misrepresented and that the government was working to provide every ship and crew with necessary support. The deployment will place three US aircraft carriers in the Middle East, including the USS George H.W. Bush, while leaving no US carrier in the Pacific. Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal has called for immediate attention to the reported conditions and questioned whether the Navy can sustain its current operational tempo.

The BBC video report examines why Erin Patterson, an Australian woman convicted of killing three relatives and attempting to kill another, has returned to court. Patterson was found guilty last year after serving a meal containing death cap mushrooms, a highly poisonous fungus, to the victims. She received a life sentence for the crimes. This week, she is appealing her conviction and seeking to have it overturned. The report is presented by the BBC’s Australia correspondent, Katy Watson, who recaps the case and outlines some of the reasons Patterson has decided to challenge the verdict. The available article description does not provide the detailed legal arguments behind the appeal, but it establishes that the case has entered a new stage in the Australian courts. The appeal means that the circumstances surrounding the meal, the deaths of the three relatives, the attempted killing of a fourth person, and the original trial will now be examined again through legal proceedings. The story focuses on the continuing public and legal significance of the case rather than introducing new allegations or reporting a new incident. Its central question is why Patterson is back in court despite having already been convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment. The video aims to give viewers a concise recap of the case and explain the basis for the current appeal. It is set in Australia, with Victoria identified as the relevant location.

Firefighters are battling what Belgian authorities describe as the country’s largest wildfire in recent history, which has been burning since Friday across part of the High Fens, Belgium’s largest nature reserve. The blaze, near the eastern border with Germany, remained out of control on Saturday afternoon and threatened nearby homes. Residents of two villages were ordered to evacuate, while a local gymnasium was opened as an emergency shelter. The response has been complicated by strong or shifting winds and the reserve’s difficult terrain, which includes bogs, moorland and forests. Some areas of heathland were allowed to burn because they were too difficult for firefighters to reach. Firefighters said they had managed to stop the flames from spreading from the plain into a fir forest, but conditions remained dangerous as the wind changed direction. Belgium activated the European Union’s civil protection mechanism to request international assistance. Sweden sent two water-bombing aircraft, while the Czech Republic and the Netherlands each provided a helicopter. Local and international crews are working alongside aircraft to protect homes and contain the fire. The Belgian wildfire was one of several major fires reported across Europe during a period of extreme summer heat. In south-western France, approximately 650 residents were evacuated from areas around a wildfire in Landes. More than 500 firefighters were deployed after the fire, which began on Thursday, reignited on Saturday. Fires were also reported in Croatia, Spain and Serbia. The EU’s Copernicus climate monitoring service said western Europe had experienced its hottest June-to-July period on record, highlighting the wider heat and wildfire conditions affecting the continent.

A Russian oil tanker, the Caroline Bezengi, has run aground off Oman after an unexplained explosion damaged the vessel and its crew abandoned ship. The tanker, which had traveled from Russia through the Suez Canal into the Gulf of Oman, is linked to Russia’s so-called shadow fleet of aging vessels used to transport sanctioned oil through opaque ownership and insurance arrangements. After drifting for weeks, the damaged ship grounded on rocks near a small, uninhabited island and began leaking oil. Environmental nonprofit SkyTruth detected the first signs of the spill in satellite imagery on June 30. John Amos, the organization’s founder, estimated that hundreds of thousands of gallons had entered the sea by August 7. Five of the tanker’s six cargo holds were reportedly full, meaning the vessel could have been carrying as much as 40 million gallons of oil. The ship is damaged and partially sunken, and its owner has not publicly indicated that it is responding. The vessel may also lack adequate insurance, potentially leaving Oman responsible for containment, salvage and cleanup. Oman has deployed aircraft, divers and specialized personnel, while maritime salvage company Ambrey says crews are traveling to the site. However, monsoon storms and extreme sea conditions could make the vessel unstable and complicate efforts to remove the remaining oil. Greenpeace says the full scale of the leak may not be known until salvage operations are completed. The spill threatens protected marine life in the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea, including sea turtles, sharks and a rare population of humpback whales. The surrounding waters were recently designated a marine reserve. SkyTruth warns that response teams typically recover only about 20% of spilled oil. The potential financial and environmental consequences could be enormous, with the article comparing the incident to the 1989 Exxon Valdez disaster, which cost approximately $2.1 billion to address, or about $5.8 billion in today’s dollars.

Construction workers renovating a building in Dendermonde, in Belgium’s East Flanders region, unexpectedly discovered a large stash of gold hidden inside the cellar walls. The find reportedly included approximately 50 gold bars as well as piles of gold coins, with Belgian news outlets estimating its value at about nine million euros, or more than $10 million. The building belonged to CAW East-Flanders, a local charity. The workers found the treasure while carrying out groundwork to install a sewerage pipe. One worker, identified only as Kobe, said the crew initially reacted with disbelief and amazement because they had not expected to encounter gold during the renovation. The workers immediately contacted local police. Authorities inventoried the gold and transferred it to a high-security vault operated by federal government services. Police also warned members of the public and potential treasure hunters not to approach the fenced-off construction site after reports that people were considering visiting it. In a lighthearted Facebook message, the department said that returning to the location would be pointless and offered “a golden piece of advice” to stay away. The discovery raised unresolved questions about ownership. It was not clear whether the charity, the property owner, the government, or another party would legally be entitled to the treasure. The police said they hoped the gold would ultimately end up “in the right hands.”

A French father and his two young sons were rescued Friday after spending more than 16 hours stranded in the sea off Koh Samui, Thailand, when their rented jet ski capsized. The 50-year-old father and his 5- and 7-year-old sons rented the vehicle from a local operator around 5 p.m. Thursday. When they failed to return at the agreed time, the operator alerted authorities and local rescuers, prompting a search involving speedboats and additional jet skis. The search was paused overnight and resumed the next morning. The family was located at about 10 a.m. Friday. Video released by the Koh Samui district office and the BBC showed the jet ski almost entirely submerged, with only its triangular front section visible. One boy was sitting on the exposed portion while his father floated nearby; both were wearing life jackets. Rescuers moved the child onto another boat and gave the family water. Local government official Amorn Chomchoey said the father and sons were pale and exhausted after swallowing substantial amounts of seawater, but were otherwise in good condition. They were taken to a hospital for evaluation and discharged shortly afterward. The boys’ mother and older sister had been waiting on the beach, and the reunited family reportedly continued its holiday. Authorities are investigating why the jet ski capsized after only about 15 minutes of operation. The father told the Bangkok Post that rough waves struck the vehicle and caused its engine to stop. The rental operator said the family may have traveled beyond the area permitted under the rental agreement. Koh Samui is a popular Thai resort destination known for family tourism and attracts millions of visitors annually.

France’s Constitutional Council has struck down the central provision of a law that would have banned children under 15 from accessing social media, dealing a setback to President Emmanuel Macron’s efforts to strengthen online child safety. The council ruled that Article 1 was not an appropriate, necessary, or proportionate restriction on the freedom of expression and communication of people under 15. It also raised privacy concerns about requiring age verification for all social media users. The legislation was scheduled to take effect on September 1 and would have prohibited younger users from platforms including TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram. The government had argued that the measure was needed to protect children from social media-related anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, and online harassment. Macron had publicly supported the law and promised that it would be enforced. Following the ruling, the Elysee Palace said Macron had instructed Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu to prepare a new, legally robust version of the legislation. The revised proposal must comply with the Constitutional Council’s reasoning as well as European regulations. The presidency emphasized that Macron remains determined to pursue the reform. The issue has become a major component of Macron’s domestic agenda during the final years of his presidency. Former Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, who supported the ban, said he respected the council’s decision but vowed to continue opposing what he called a “deadly poison” for children. The council did not invalidate a separate provision that would ban mobile phone use in high schools beginning September 1. France already prohibits phones in elementary and middle schools. The ruling comes as an increasing number of countries consider restrictions on children’s social media use because of concerns about potential harms.

Liechtenstein is set to revise its succession law so that women and men have equal rights to inherit the principality’s throne. Hereditary Prince Alois announced the change during a speech marking the country’s National Day. He said the measure received the required two-thirds majority from eligible members of the Princely House on Wednesday. Under the revised rules, the current system of male primogeniture will be replaced by absolute primogeniture. As a result, the first-born child of the ruling family will become heir to the throne regardless of sex. The change also grants female descendants of the Princely House the same participation rights as male descendants in matters regulated by the House Law. The reform is not expected to alter the immediate succession. Prince Hans-Adam II remains Liechtenstein’s head of state, although he transferred most of his powers to his eldest son, Alois, in 2004. Alois, who is 58, has four children, with his eldest being 31-year-old Prince Joseph Wenzel. Under the new rules, however, the succession system could eventually allow a daughter or another female descendant to become sovereign. Liechtenstein is a wealthy country of about 40,000 people situated between Switzerland and Austria. Its monarchy retains unusually extensive powers for a European constitutional system, including the authority to veto referendum results, appoint judges and dismiss the government. The succession reform comes against the background of the country’s traditionally conservative politics. Liechtenstein was the last European country to grant women the right to vote in national elections, doing so in 1984 after male voters narrowly approved the measure in a referendum. The country has since taken other steps toward female political representation; Brigitte Haas became Liechtenstein’s first female prime minister last year.

The USS George Washington aircraft carrier is heading to the Middle East to replace the USS Abraham Lincoln, which has been deployed for nearly nine months. The Lincoln was initially sent to the Pacific after deploying in November 2025 but was later redirected to the Middle East ahead of the Iran war. The Navy has not publicly provided an exact return date, citing operational security, although Navy Secretary Hung Cao said the carrier would return home soon as part of a planned rotation. The planned replacement comes amid concerns from some Lincoln families about conditions aboard the ship, including food and supply shortages, low morale, and sailors’ mental health. Family members reportedly said they had heard that multiple sailors considered going overboard. The Navy rejected claims of a mental health crisis, saying it had not identified an increase in suicidal ideation or suicide attempts and that medical, religious, and mental health professionals were available around the clock. A Navy official said suicidal ideation cases had decreased during the deployment, while additional social workers and counselors were being sent to the ship. The Navy is investigating an incident earlier in the month in which a Lincoln sailor went overboard and was safely rescued. A sailor from the USS Frank E. Petersen, a destroyer in the Lincoln carrier strike group, also went overboard in April and was immediately recovered. The circumstances of both incidents were not fully disclosed. Some sailors reportedly experienced food shortages while awaiting resupply, although a spouse said the issue was resolved. The Navy attributed delays affecting other supplies to combat-related disruptions to traditional supply hubs and said food was prioritized over hygiene items and mail. Officials maintained that the ship had clean water, functioning air conditioning, and healthy meals. Democratic lawmakers, including Senator Richard Blumenthal, have demanded more information and described the reported conditions as unacceptable. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Cao said the situation had been misrepresented, emphasizing the crew’s resilience and the Navy’s efforts to support it. After its deployment from Japan, the George Washington will join the USS George H.W. Bush in the Middle East, leaving the United States without an aircraft carrier in the Pacific.

Australian professional golfer Jessica Bang died in a hospital in Thailand at age 18 after suffering a brain hemorrhage, according to the WPGA Tour of Australasia and BBC Sport. Bang collapsed on Aug. 1 while preparing for a tournament in Thailand and was taken to a hospital in Bangkok, where she underwent emergency brain surgery. She died on Thursday. The WPGA Tour of Australasia expressed deep sadness over Bang’s death, describing her as an outstanding young talent who had made a significant impression despite her short professional career. A GoFundMe campaign established by Bang’s cousins raised more than 50,000 Australian dollars. In messages posted on the fundraising page, her cousins remembered her sense of humor and cheerful, vibrant personality, saying those qualities would remain treasured by the family. Bang qualified for the WPGA Tour of Australasia through qualifying school at the end of the previous year. In February, during only her fifth professional start, she won the Women’s New South Wales Open Regional Qualifying Event. Her final-round score of 65 earned her a place in the NWS Women’s Open on the Ladies European Tour, although she missed the cut in that tournament. The article portrays Bang as a promising young golfer whose career was ended suddenly by a medical emergency while she was pursuing further opportunities in professional golf. It combines factual reporting about her illness and death with tributes from her professional organization and family, as well as details of her rapid early success on the tour.

Divers have located the long-lost wreck of HMS Tiger, a 400-ton British torpedo boat destroyer that sank off England’s Isle of Wight in 1908. The vessel collided at night with the much larger 10,000-ton cruiser HMS Berwick, which cut Tiger in two. Its bow sank immediately, while the damaged stern went down minutes later. More than half of the 57 sailors aboard died, making the disaster major news at the time. King Edward VII sent a message of sympathy, and commemorative postcards were produced for the lost crew. The Royal Navy and shipwreck researchers searched for HMS Tiger for more than a century. ProjectXplore, a dive team led by co-organizers Leo Fielding and Dan McMullen, eventually identified the wreck after five years of examining archival records. Their investigation of the site uncovered the stern engine revolution telegraph and rudder position indicator. The instruments suggest that the destroyer neither reduced speed nor significantly changed course before hitting HMS Berwick. The rudder appeared to be positioned only 5 to 10 degrees to starboard, providing new evidence about the ship’s final moments. Researchers also found numerous relics, including a compass, torpedo tubes, guns, ammunition, an anchor and the ship’s bell. ProjectXplore described the discovery as preserving details that had remained undisturbed for 118 years. The team previously located the wreck of HMS Nottingham in the North Sea. New British legislation will allow potentially thousands of shipwrecks to receive automatic protection through a “protected place” designation once discovered. ProjectXplore praised the measure and expressed hope that its work would preserve HMS Tiger’s history and the memory of those who died for future generations.

Italian police have recovered three valuable paintings by Paul Cézanne, Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Henri Matisse that were stolen from the Magnani Rocca Foundation, a private museum near Parma, during a heist lasting less than three minutes. The artworks—Cézanne’s “Tasse et Plat de Cerises” (“Cup and Plate of Cherries”), Renoir’s “Les Poissons” (“The Fish”) and Matisse’s “Odalisque sur la Terrasse” (“Odalisque on the Terrace”)—are valued at more than $10 million, or approximately 9 million euros. The Carabinieri’s art recovery squad said the paintings were found during searches ordered by prosecutors in Parma and nearby provinces. Five suspects, all born in Moldova and living in the Parma area, were detained. Authorities believe they are members of an organized crime group linked to numerous thefts from homes, businesses and other properties. Police also recovered other stolen goods worth tens of thousands of euros. The paintings were taken on the night of March 22-23 after thieves forced open the museum’s entrance. Video released by police shows two masked burglars entering through a window, removing the three works from the wall and leaving immediately. Investigators recovered a pickaxe and a fire extinguisher at the scene. Although the items’ serial numbers had been removed, forensic officers reconstructed them and traced the equipment to an apartment building accessible to one suspect. The recovery comes amid a series of prominent art and museum thefts in Europe, including the reported theft of French crown jewels and other objects from the Louvre. The article also describes the recent recovery in Brazil of eight Matisse illustrations stolen from São Paulo’s Biblioteca Mario de Andrade. Four people were arrested in that case, but five works by Brazilian artist Cândido Portinari remain missing.

The article reviews the controversial tenure of Karoline Leavitt, who announced her resignation as White House press secretary after approximately 18 months in the role. Leavitt said she was stepping down to spend more time with her family following the birth of her second child, explaining that the demands of the position meant she could not be “the best mom.” At 28, she was the youngest person ever to hold the post and was regarded by Donald Trump as one of his most trusted aides. The article presents Leavitt as a highly effective but deeply polarizing defender of Trump. Supporters praised her loyalty and combative style, while critics accused her of dishonesty, hostility toward journalists, and propagandistic behavior. The article focuses on several contentious episodes. At her first White House briefing, Leavitt claimed that the administration had prevented $50 million in taxpayer funds from being used to buy condoms for Gaza, despite a lack of evidence and confusion among aid experts about the alleged program. Another major dispute involved an exchange with Associated Press reporter Josh Boak over tariffs. Leavitt insisted tariffs were a tax cut for Americans, while Boak argued that importers—not foreign countries—pay them. She called his question insulting and later supported restrictions on the AP during a broader conflict over the name of the Gulf of Mexico. The administration also expanded press access to include MAGA-aligned podcasters, a move critics said undermined the traditional press corps. The article’s third example is Leavitt’s viral response to HuffPost correspondent S.V. Dáte, whom she answered “Your mom” after he asked about the significance of Budapest as a possible site for a Trump-Putin meeting. The supplied article ends while describing the aftermath of that exchange.

Toñi, believed to be the oldest orca in the Strait of Gibraltar population, has been photographed with up to 10 or 12 marks on her dorsal fin and back that were not visible in images taken several weeks earlier. Conservation organisations suspect the injuries may have been caused by a shotgun blast, possibly involving approximately 9-millimetre lead pellets arranged in a pattern associated with buckshot cartridges used for wild boar. However, Spanish authorities have not yet officially confirmed that the wounds are gunshot injuries. The Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge opened preliminary proceedings after receiving a report from WeWhale on 11 August. The investigation is intended to establish what happened and determine whether sanctions should be imposed. Minister Sara Aagesen said the marks appeared consistent with pellet shots and stressed that the orca population is legally classified as vulnerable, meaning that harming an animal could constitute a serious offence. CIRCE, which has monitored Iberian orcas since 1999 and maintains more than two decades of photographic records of Toñi, is assisting with the investigation. Researchers say the images must be carefully compared with historical records and that Toñi and her group should be monitored directly before the origin of the injuries is determined. Spanish law prohibits killing, capturing, pursuing or harassing protected orcas. Additional rules ban vessels from approaching within 500 metres, making contact, swimming with, feeding or obstructing the animals, separating groups, or using loud sounds to attract or frighten them. Some areas prohibit orca watching from 1 March to 31 August, and violations can lead to fines of up to two million euros and criminal liability. The article also describes increased interactions between orcas and vessels since 2020. Authorities recommend avoiding navigation in the area from April to August and, during an encounter, heading toward the coast, avoiding harmful manoeuvres, keeping people away from the gunwale and contacting maritime rescue services. Conservation groups say the incident underscores the need to protect the population rather than retaliate against it.

Scientists have discovered that some bacteriophages—viruses that infect and kill bacteria without harming human cells—can rapidly generate genetic diversity to overcome bacterial defences. The finding may help researchers develop more durable alternatives to antibiotics as antimicrobial resistance makes bacterial infections increasingly difficult to treat. The study, published in Nature Microbiology by researchers at Michigan State University, focused on bacteriophage T2, which infects E. coli. The researchers introduced a bacterial defence system into E. coli and exposed the bacteria to the phages. Although the defence initially protected the bacteria, the phages began overcoming it within hours. Genome sequencing revealed repeated mutations in the agt gene, particularly within a repetitive DNA sequence. This sequence is a contingency locus, a highly mutable region where errors can occur while DNA is copied. Some viruses gain or lose repeated DNA segments, creating reversible changes in how the gene is read. As a result, a single phage population can contain genetically varied offspring with different capacities to evade bacterial defences. These repetitive regions accumulated mutations thousands of times faster than the rest of the viral genome. Similar genetic hotspots were found in bacteriophage T4, and simple sequence repeats appeared widely among E. coli phages. The researchers describe this process as an evolutionary strategy that allows phages to “hedge their bets” rather than produce genetically identical copies. The discovery could inform phage therapy, an approach that uses bacteriophages to treat bacterial infections. Phages can target specific bacterial species or strains, but that specificity also makes them vulnerable to bacterial resistance. Understanding how phages evolve may eventually help scientists design treatments that remain effective for longer. However, the researchers stress that resistance cannot be eliminated entirely and that further work is needed to translate the findings into clinical therapies.

The opening day of the Lima Grand Prix on the Judo World Tour produced five champions: Assunta Scutto, Michel Augusto, Rafaela Rodrigues, Radu Izvoreanu and Pihla Salonen. The event also marked the beginning of a new Olympic qualification cycle, with several athletes winning their first Grand Prix titles. Italy’s Assunta Scutto captured gold in the women’s -48kg category after defeating Maria Celia Laborde with a turnover and hold-down. The victory was particularly meaningful because it was Scutto’s first competition following surgery and her first event of the qualification period. Brazil’s Michel Augusto won the men’s -60kg division against Jonathan Yang, using an ashi-waza technique to take a yuko lead and defend it through the remainder of the contest. Rafaela Rodrigues secured a debut Grand Prix gold medal in the women’s -52kg category. She recovered from a yuko deficit against Francine Echevarria and finished the bout with a hold-down. In the men’s -66kg final, Moldova’s Radu Izvoreanu defeated teammate Denis Vieru with a decisive ippon, giving Moldova both gold and silver. Finland’s Pihla Salonen completed the day’s champions in the women’s -57kg category. She defeated Adriana Rodriguez Salvador with an impressive ippon after a strong performance throughout the competition. The medal ceremonies featured representatives from the International Olympic Committee, the International Judo Federation and Peruvian sporting organizations. The article presents the first day as an exciting start to the Lima tournament and concludes by previewing the continuation of the event.

Madrid’s Gregorio Marañón Hospital has successfully implanted what it describes as the world’s first personalised metamaterial bone prosthesis, allowing a 38-year-old patient with a high-grade tibial sarcoma to avoid leg amputation. The implant was developed in collaboration with engineers from the Polytechnic University of Madrid and uses a lightweight titanium lattice produced through 3D printing. Unlike conventional solid prostheses, the implant imitates the mechanical structure of natural bone. Its millimetre-scale network of titanium rods distributes weight and stress in a similar way to bone tissue, while also allowing the patient’s own bone to grow into and integrate with the prosthesis. The design is intended to reduce rejection and other complications. The prosthesis was created specifically for the patient after an infection and substantial bone-density loss meant that a conventional implant could not support his leg. Researchers used radiological scans to create a digital model of his healthy leg and simulated the forces generated during walking, stair climbing and stumbling. They then tailored the internal structure and screw placement to the strongest areas of remaining bone, enabling millimetre-precise surgical planning. The implant weighs approximately 300 grams, but simulations suggest it can withstand more than 500 kilograms. Conventional prostheses can weigh several kilograms and reportedly support between 100 and 150 kilograms. Because the implant is customised and 3D-printed, the procedure’s operating time was almost halved. One year after surgery, the patient can walk after nearly two years of being unable to put weight on the leg. The hospital has completed a second similar operation and is preparing personalised implants for a wrist and a sternum. Researchers hope the technology can eventually support hyper-personalised medicine within Spain’s public healthcare system.

A 55.6-metre statue of the Virgin Mary has been unveiled in Konotopie, a small village in Poland. The monument is believed to be the tallest statue of the Virgin Mary in Europe and was inaugurated during a ceremony attended by hundreds of people. The event included a Catholic Mass, traditional Polish music and helicopters scattering red rose petals over the crowd. Former Polish president and anti-communist Solidarity leader Lech Walesa also attended. Walesa said the statue represented the conclusion of a journey that began with his Catholic faith. The monument was commissioned and funded by local couple Roman and Grażyna Karkosik. They described the statue as an expression of gratitude to God. Its construction gives the rural village a prominent religious landmark and is expected to attract visitors from beyond the local area. Local authorities hope the statue will develop into both a pilgrimage destination and a tourist attraction. The inauguration therefore carried both religious and civic significance, combining Catholic worship with traditional cultural elements and public celebration. The report focuses on the monument’s scale, the ceremony surrounding its unveiling, the involvement of a notable Polish public figure, and the expectations that it will increase interest in Konotopie.

This Euronews page presents the midday edition of its latest news bulletin, updated on 15 August 2026 at 12:00 GMT+2. The bulletin is described as a concise video roundup of major developments in Europe and around the world, covering world affairs, business, politics, culture, entertainment and travel. Euronews emphasizes that the programme is produced from an independent, European perspective and aims to provide context for a rapidly changing news cycle. The page does not include a written transcript or a detailed account of the stories discussed in the video. Instead, it provides a short description and a series of related video and news links. The listed subjects include a powerful earthquake in Indonesia that reportedly killed 40 people, Israeli strikes in Lebanon that killed 11 people, continuing tensions over the Strait of Hormuz between Iran and the United States, and US tariffs on drones affecting the European Union and United Kingdom. Other listed reports concern wildfires and heatwaves across Europe, the war in Ukraine, a strike on a Russian rocket and space centre in Samara, and protests in Greece over the arrival of the Israeli cruise ship Crown Iris. Additional coverage focuses on culture, travel, sport and society, including a Judo World Tour event in Lima, a Japan-inspired flower carpet in Brussels, the construction of Europe’s tallest Virgin Mary statue in Poland, the recovery of stolen artworks in Italy, Mount Etna’s eruption and its effect on Sicily’s airport, and a report about comfort and solidarity in earthquake-hit Cali. Overall, the page functions primarily as a video-news hub and promotional introduction to Euronews’ daily bulletin rather than as a standalone article with original written reporting.

Europe is facing a widespread and worsening wildfire crisis as extreme heat, drought and strong winds fuel fires across several countries. Thousands of people have been evacuated from their homes, while emergency services remain heavily mobilized across western, southern and eastern Europe. In southwestern France, a fire near Luglon in the Landes department had burned approximately 1,580 hectares by Saturday. Authorities evacuated another 100 residents and holidaymakers, while 550 firefighters and aerial resources worked to contain the blaze. In Germany’s Eifel region, at least 1,800 people were evacuated from Hürtgenwald, where around 1,400 firefighters were battling what is believed to be the largest forest fire in North Rhine-Westphalia’s history. German crews were also assisting Belgium with a fire in the Fagnes natural park, which had burned at least 16 square kilometres. Spain’s northeastern Aragon region saw approximately 1,000 evacuations after a fire destroyed more than 15,000 hectares. Firefighters reported that the blaze’s advance toward population centres had been halted, while cooler weather and possible rain offered some hope. Greece remained on high alert because of severe winds, with more than 50 agricultural and forest fires reported in a 24-hour period, most of them contained. Several eastern European countries were also affected. Fires continued on Croatia’s Dugi Otok island and the Pelješac peninsula, while Serbia reported 25 forest fires, including one that damaged 25 square kilometres in Deliblatska National Park near Belgrade. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned that Europe was on “high wildfire alert,” particularly as pressure increased on eastern European countries. She said the EU’s Copernicus satellites were supporting fire mapping in multiple countries and that the Civil Protection Mechanism was available to assist nations requesting help.

A preliminary investigation by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) found that a fan blade broke loose from the right engine of a Ryanair Boeing 737-800 shortly after takeoff from Thessaloniki, Greece, on July 10. Fragments from the damaged engine struck the aircraft’s fuselage and shattered a passenger window. A 61-year-old man seated in Row 11 was partially pulled through the opening by the loss of cabin pressure. Fellow passengers dragged him back inside, moved him to another row, and used a metal box to help block the hole until the plane landed. The passenger suffered neck and shoulder injuries and friction burns. Flight attendants reported loud vibrations, smoke or fog in the cabin, and the deployment of emergency oxygen masks. The aircraft descended to a lower altitude to burn fuel before returning to Thessaloniki roughly an hour after departure. It landed normally, and one passenger received medical assistance on the ground. Investigators found bird remains inside the engine, indicating a possible bird strike, but they have not determined why the fan blade failed. Maintenance records show that the fan blades had undergone ultrasonic inspections in May 2026 and November 2025 without detected damage. Crews had also reported four suspected bird strikes involving the same engine during the previous year. The incident is being examined in the context of previous fan-blade failures. The Federal Aviation Administration had ordered airlines to strengthen parts of engine coverings on Boeing 737 aircraft after earlier accidents, including a 2018 Southwest Airlines incident that killed a passenger. However, the Ryanair aircraft had not yet received the required modifications, which airlines have until July 2028 to complete. Investigators may now consider whether that deadline should be moved forward. Ryanair, Boeing and CFM International are assisting with the investigation, which remains ongoing.

U.S. automakers are warning the Trump administration that proposed changes to the Canada-U.S.-Mexico trade agreement could add billions of dollars to their annual costs and weaken their ability to compete with foreign manufacturers. The proposals reportedly include requiring vehicles to contain at least 50 per cent U.S.-made content to qualify for lower tariffs, while also raising the overall North American content requirement above the current 75 per cent threshold. Estimates from two Detroit automakers suggest each company could face at least $2 billion US in additional yearly expenses. The potential costs would come on top of tariffs already affecting steel, aluminum, vehicles and parts imported from Canada and Mexico. General Motors expects tariffs to cost it between $2.5 billion US and $3.5 billion US this year, potentially more than 20 per cent of its operating profit. Ford estimates its net tariff impact at approximately $1 billion US. Ford has sought to demonstrate its commitment to increased U.S. production by moving the manufacture of Lincoln vehicles for the U.S. market from China to American factories. CEO Jim Farley said the company recognized quickly that it needed to adapt to the administration’s push for domestic auto production. Automakers argue they are disadvantaged compared with Japanese, South Korean and European competitors, which currently face a flat 15 per cent U.S. tariff when exporting vehicles. Industry representatives say international manufacturers are also being harmed by the unsettled trade environment, although companies with greater U.S. and North American content may receive more favorable treatment. U.S. and Mexican officials are preparing for another round of trade talks next month, while Canadian and U.S. officials are negotiating separately to avert additional tariffs on Canadian goods. The article portrays the automakers as supportive of negotiations but concerned that stricter rules could raise vehicle prices, increase operating costs and undermine regional competitiveness.

The Kennedy Center board has voted to restore U.S. President Donald Trump’s name to the performing arts complex and rename its front plaza after him, escalating a legal and political dispute over the institution’s future. The building’s façade would carry the wording “The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Restored and Renovated By President Donald J. Trump.” The decision follows a federal judge’s ruling that Trump’s name had been added illegally and ordering that it be removed. The name was taken down in June, and the former location is currently covered by a large tarp. The board also voted to proceed with a two-year closure for extensive renovations, although some programming may continue outdoors at the Reach. The closure had previously been blocked by U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper, who called the earlier authorization “ill-informed and seemingly preordained.” Representative Joyce Beatty, a Democratic ex-officio board member, said the latest decisions appeared designed to circumvent the court’s ruling and congressional statutes. Kennedy Center leaders argue that the building requires major repairs, citing severe water damage, corroded steel and outdated cooling equipment. Management presented the board with alternatives ranging from a complete closure to partial or phased closures that would preserve more public access and programming. The board ultimately chose the two-year plan, raising questions about whether those alternatives were seriously considered. The dispute is part of Trump’s broader effort to reshape Washington’s physical landscape during his second term. After returning to office in January 2025, he removed the Kennedy Center’s previous leadership, became board chair and quickly sought to attach his name to the building. His other projects, including a White House ballroom, renovations to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and changes to East Potomac Park, have also faced controversy or legal challenges. The supplied article ends during a reference to comedian Bill Maher’s remarks about the Kennedy Center dispute.

Luigi Mangione, 28, admitted in Manhattan federal court that he shot and killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in December 2024. He pleaded guilty to two federal stalking charges alleging that he pursued Thompson with the intent to kill him. Mangione entered the plea without a deal, and federal prosecutors said they would seek life in prison, the maximum available sentence. His sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 18. During a prepared statement, Mangione said, “I shot Mr. Thompson in Manhattan and he died.” He also criticized the U.S. health insurance system, describing his own difficulties with insurance after suffering a broken back. He said he obtained information about UnitedHealthcare’s 2024 investor conference by pretending to be an investor and later travelled to New York intending to kill Thompson. Mangione said he used a 3D printer to make part of a gun. Thompson’s widow and other family members attended the hearing. His widow became visibly emotional when Mangione acknowledged the shooting. The family said the guilty plea was an important step toward justice and urged the court to impose a sentence reflecting the severity of the crime. The federal plea avoids a federal trial, but Mangione still faces a separate New York state murder case. A federal judge previously dismissed federal murder and weapons charges on technical grounds, eliminating the possibility of a federal death sentence. State terrorism charges were also dismissed, while the state second-degree murder charge remains scheduled for trial on Sept. 8. Mangione’s lawyers intend to argue that the state case should be dismissed under New York’s double-jeopardy law because it involves the same conduct. Prosecutors are prepared to oppose that motion. Legal experts said the issue may depend on whether the stalking charges and murder charge are considered sufficiently distinct under state law.

Police in Virginia have arrested 19-year-old Camron Harris of Henrico, Va., in connection with a shooting at Virginia State University that wounded five people early Saturday. Harris was reportedly found hiding in a dormitory closet and is not a student at the university. Four of the five victims were also not students, while the fifth, a 20-year-old student, has been released from hospital. The victims, who ranged in age from 17 to 23, have not been publicly identified. One victim remains in critical condition. Authorities obtained eight felony warrants for Harris, including charges related to malicious wounding and using a firearm in the commission of a felony. Police have not disclosed a possible motive, and it was unclear whether Harris had a lawyer. The university had initially said multiple suspects might be involved, but police provided no further information about other potential suspects. The shooting occurred shortly after 1:30 a.m. near the Quad Annexes, where officers found the wounded victims outside dormitories. The incident prompted a campus lockdown, which was later lifted after authorities determined there was no immediate threat to the university community. The shooting occurred as students were returning for the academic year; residence halls had opened a week earlier and classes were scheduled to resume Monday. The university said it was increasing law-enforcement visibility and advising students to monitor their email for safety instructions and support services. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Hanover County Sheriff’s Office assisted local authorities. Virginia State University is a historically Black, publicly funded university in Ettrick, about 40 kilometres south of Richmond, with approximately 5,700 students. A former university administrator described the shooting as heartbreaking and said it would cast a shadow over the start of the school year.

Record rainfall in Japan’s Chiba prefecture, adjacent to Tokyo, caused severe flooding, transportation disruptions, power outages and at least eight deaths during one of the country’s busiest holiday weeks. More than 360 millimetres of rain fell within 24 hours, with authorities recording 367 millimetres—well above the previous local record of 309 millimetres set in October 2013. The flooding stranded approximately 7,000 travellers at Tokyo’s Narita International Airport after rail and road services were disrupted. Many passengers spent the night in the airport, where staff distributed sleeping bags, water and snacks. Some travellers reported waiting as long as four hours for taxis or being unable to find hotel accommodation. Airport officials said most flights were expected to operate normally on Friday, while some rail services between Narita and Tokyo resumed. The storm also affected communities across Chiba. More than 20,000 homes lost electricity after floodwater entered a power substation operated by Tokyo Electric Power, and gas service to nearly 13,000 customers was temporarily suspended. In heavily affected Chiba city, residents sheltered overnight under foil blankets in makeshift evacuation centres located in government buildings. Several major highways were closed, forcing traffic onto alternate routes and producing severe congestion. Multiple rail services were suspended, while flooded roads and railways complicated movement throughout the region. The eight fatalities included a person trapped in a submerged vehicle, according to Japanese public broadcaster NHK, which cited local authorities and police. Chiba Gov. Toshihito Kumagai described the event as highly unusual and said he had never experienced a disaster like it despite responding to many previous emergencies. The record rainfall and widespread disruption prompted emergency sheltering and a major response by local authorities, utilities, transport operators and airport staff.

Italian police have recovered three valuable paintings by French artists Paul Cézanne, Henri Matisse and Pierre-Auguste Renoir that were stolen from the Fondazione Magnani Rocca museum in Mamiano di Traversetolo, near Parma, in March. The works—Cézanne’s “Tasse et Plat de Cerises,” Renoir’s “Les Poissons” and Matisse’s “Odalisque sur la Terrasse”—were found in an apartment in Parma by officers from Italy’s Carabinieri cultural heritage protection unit. Their combined estimated value is more than €9 million, or approximately $14.4 million. The theft took place during the night of March 22-23. Police say two masked burglars entered the museum through a window, removed the three paintings from the wall and left in an operation that lasted less than three minutes. Authorities have released video footage showing the break-in. Nine Moldovan nationals have been placed under investigation in connection with the theft, according to the Italian news agency AGI. The article does not indicate whether charges have been laid or whether the suspects have been arrested. The Fondazione Magnani Rocca holds a private collection assembled by the late music critic Luigi Magnani. In addition to the recovered paintings, its collection includes works by Titian, Francisco Goya, Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, Claude Monet, Peter Paul Rubens and Giorgio Morandi. The recovery highlights the work of Italy’s specialized cultural-heritage police, who investigate art theft and protect the country’s museums and collections. The report focuses on the recovery, the circumstances of the rapid museum raid, the identities of the recovered works and the ongoing investigation.

A $9.1 million luxury yacht, the Angiola II, sank in the Mediterranean Sea off Porto Cervo, Sardinia, only days after it was delivered to its new Italian owner. The nearly 30-meter yacht was carrying 14 people when an engine failure sparked a fire. The blaze reportedly damaged seals on the vessel, allowing water to enter the hull and causing the yacht to lose buoyancy and tip onto its side. Those aboard escaped without reported injuries. Nearby vessels assisted with the rescue, while the yacht’s unidentified Italian businessman owner was reportedly the last person to leave. The article gives differing details about the rescue: one account says the guests were rescued by nearby boats, while another states that 12 people were taken aboard a nearby vessel and that the owner and a friend remained on the yacht until a patrol boat transported them to Poltu Quatu. The Angiola II sank at an estimated depth of about 23 feet between L’Isola dei Cappuccini and Capo Ferro on Sardinia’s exclusive Costa Smeralda, also known as the Emerald Coast. Authorities or local officials plan to keep the wreck under surveillance until a recovery company can remove it from the seabed. The yacht reportedly accommodates 10 guests and has five cabins, space for five crew members, four engines, and a top speed of 28 knots. Video footage captured the vessel lying on its side in the water. The incident was reported by the New York Post and The Telegraph, as cited by Fox News.

Construction workers in Sint-Gillis-Dendermonde, a Flemish community near Brussels, Belgium, uncovered gold valued at approximately $10.4 million while excavating for a new sewer beneath the site of a former brewery. The workers had to remove part of the building’s foundation to install the sewer pipe and unexpectedly found gold coins and bars buried among the construction area. An 18-year-old worker identified as Kobe said he initially mistook the pieces for one-euro coins. After realizing what they had found, the workers contacted their project leader, Mario, who described the discovery as a “crazy feeling.” Mario said the crew continued uncovering additional coins and bars before notifying his employer and the police. Police from Sint-Gillis-Dendermonde cataloged the find and transferred it to a high-security federal government vault. The workers will not automatically receive the treasure. Under Belgian law, the rightful owner may claim the gold within five years. Mario said keeping it would have amounted to theft and would have been impractical because of the large quantity. Kobe said he hoped the workers might receive a finder’s fee. The building is owned by an organization that provides welfare support to the Flemish community. Its director expressed hope that, if the gold ultimately remains with the organization or is otherwise made available, it could help address the “enormous need” experienced by people receiving support. Police warned members of the public and treasure hunters not to visit the location. The site remains an active, fenced construction area containing dangerous pits, and officials said all of the gold has been removed. Police expressed hope that the treasure would reach the rightful hands and positively affect many lives.

Iranian psychologist Seyed Ahmad Seyedabdollahi, 32, has been sentenced to seven months in prison after posting an English-language video appealing directly to then-President Donald Trump to support Iranian protesters. In the Jan. 4 video, Seyedabdollahi urged Trump to act quickly on promises to help Iranians, warning that delayed assistance would be useless to people who had already died. He said young Iranians trusted Trump’s words and that the Iranian people would remember those who supported them. According to reports cited by Fox News Digital, Seyedabdollahi was arrested 10 days later at his father’s home in Borujen. Plainclothes agents allegedly confiscated phones and electronic equipment, and he was held in solitary confinement and at an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps intelligence facility in Isfahan. A relative told Fox News that authorities arrested him twice, subjected him to repeated interrogations and pressured him to record a video insulting Trump and Americans. Branch One of the Borujen Revolutionary Court convicted Seyedabdollahi of “engaging in media activities against national security.” In addition to the prison sentence, he was barred from government and public services for five years. He was reportedly transferred to Borujen Prison on July 7 to begin serving his sentence and remains there. Human-rights groups said he was denied contact with his family for 17 days after his initial arrest, while his relatives initially did not know where he was being held. Reports also said he was denied access to a lawyer of his choosing and was sometimes prevented from communicating with his family. Iranian authorities have opened a second case against him over alleged “propaganda against the establishment” or “propaganda against the system of the Islamic Republic.” Court documents reviewed by Fox News reportedly refer to alleged foreign contacts and financial transactions involving the United States and Israel. According to his relative, interrogators accused him of working for the CIA and Mossad and accepting money for the video.

Iran is expected to be elected in November to the United Nations Committee for Programme and Coordination, a 34-member body that serves three-year terms and influences how human rights, women’s rights and counterterrorism initiatives are implemented throughout the U.N. system. Although the committee does not write human rights treaties or directly condemn abuses, critics say its administrative influence makes Iran’s potential membership deeply inappropriate. The nomination was made by the U.N. Economic and Social Council in April despite Iran’s record of systematic human rights violations, restrictions on women, mass surveillance and lethal suppression of political dissent. Hillel Neuer, executive director of the Geneva-based group UN Watch, described the prospect as “Orwellian” and argued that Iran is among the governments least suited to influence international human rights policy. He cited reports of women being beaten, tortured, raped and imprisoned for protesting mandatory veiling rules or otherwise asserting their rights. The article also highlights Iran’s status as a major state sponsor of terrorism, including its support for Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza, as well as its recent attacks on neighboring Gulf states during its conflict with the United States. Iran’s potential appointment is presented as consistent with the broader presence of governments with poor human rights records on U.N. bodies, including China, Cuba, Pakistan and Eritrea. The report references public executions, mass arrests and deaths linked to anti-government protests, including the cases of Maryam Shariatmadari and Rubina Aminian. Neuer further criticizes Western democracies for accepting Iran’s nomination, attributing their reluctance to challenge it to political dealmaking, cynicism and a desire to avoid friction with Iran or other U.N. member states. The Iranian mission to the U.N. was contacted for comment, but the article does not report a response.

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee condemned a small group of extremist Jewish settlers who allegedly seized and attacked the home of Loui Ridi, a Palestinian American from Ohio, in Qusra in the northern West Bank. The Israel Defense Forces removed the settlers from the property, and Israeli police arrested one person. Huckabee said the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem had been closely involved and had requested action by Israeli authorities. He described the incident as criminal, terroristic, and intended to intimidate and harass the family, while rejecting criticism that the White House had failed to intervene. The article places the incident within a broader increase in violence by young settlers who establish unauthorized outposts and target Palestinian homes. A senior Israeli official said the government does not accept vigilante violence and has increased efforts to address it, including deploying an additional IDF battalion to Judea and Samaria. The official cited more than 350 investigations and 35 arrests during the first quarter of 2026, but also argued that settler violence should not be equated with Palestinian terrorism, citing more than 300 Palestinian attacks against Jews in May 2026. Israeli columnist Nadav Eyal said there is a growing political consensus that some settler activity constitutes Jewish terrorism and that the problem is more widespread than before. An Israeli military official reported that illegal outposts had been evacuated more than 150 times during the first half of the year, with several removals occurring nightly in recent days. Huckabee distinguished between the broader settler population and the small minority he called “unsettlers,” whom he said cause serious harm to Palestinian families and Israel. The supplied article ends mid-sentence while discussing the more than 500,000 Israelis living in Judea and Samaria.

Fox News Digital reports that it was granted access to an Israel Defense Forces weapons facility at Tzrifin Base in central Israel, where confiscated arms linked to Hamas and Hezbollah are stored. The arsenal includes rockets, grenades, drones, sniper rifles, machine guns, anti-tank launchers, mortars, and other equipment originating from Iran, Russia, China, Lebanon, Gaza, and elsewhere. The article says the weapons were used against Israeli civilians and the IDF during the conflict that followed Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel. It also reports that Hezbollah used weapons against Lebanese civilians and describes both Hamas and Hezbollah as members of Iran’s “axis of resistance.” The article attributes casualty figures and other claims to reports and Israeli military officials. A central focus is the discovery of German World War II-era weapons at a Hezbollah compound in Lebanon. These include an MG 34 machine gun bearing a swastika emblem and an MP 44, also known as the StG 44. Lt. Col. (res.) Idan Sharon-Kettler of the IDF’s Captured Equipment Evacuation Unit said the MG 34 may have been used for propaganda or morale purposes by Iran-backed militants. The report also describes equipment used in the Oct. 7 attack, including Egyptian-made motorcycles allegedly used to transport hostages, as well as Hezbollah all-terrain vehicles capable of carrying multiple anti-tank rockets. Iranian-made mortars, drones, and artillery pieces are also presented. According to Sharon-Kettler, some drones were used to create noise and divert Israeli resources, while ATVs provided mobility and firing capability in southern Lebanon’s rugged terrain. The supplied article ends abruptly while discussing Iranian-produced cannons found in Lebanese villages.

Jinny Lu, a six-year-old pug rescued from South Korea, won the 2026 World’s Ugliest Dog Contest at the Sonoma County Fair in Santa Rosa, California. Recognized for her floppy tongue, bulging eyes and distinctive appearance, Jinny Lu had previously finished as runner-up in 2025 and succeeded on her fourth attempt. Her biography says she was found in a wooden box in freezing conditions in the mountains of South Korea. Despite the contest’s humorous premise, the event emphasizes that unconventional appearance does not diminish a dog’s value or capacity to be loved. Now in its 50th year, the contest promotes dog adoption and celebrates the imperfections that make animals unique. Judges consider not only physical appearance but also each dog’s background and personal story, with past winners often representing resilience and inspiration. The dogs are presented like celebrities, walking a red carpet before enthusiastic spectators. Jinny Lu received US$5,000, a trophy and a trip to New York for an appearance on the Today show. She will also feature on limited-edition Mug Root Beer cans, reflecting the contest’s media and sponsorship opportunities. Pinky, an albino Pomeranian-Chihuahua mix, placed second and won US$3,000, while Otto, a Chihuahua mix with a cleft palate, came third and received US$2,000. The article also recalls recent winners, including Petunia in 2025, Wild Thang in 2024, Scooter in 2023, Mr Happy Face in 2022 and Scamp the Tramp in 2019. The competition was suspended in 2020 and 2021 because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Overall, the story presents the contest as both an entertaining spectacle and a message about adoption, resilience and the idea that appearance should not determine an animal’s worth.

A person aboard a vessel in Norway’s Svalbard archipelago has been fined 50,000 kroner (about S$6,724) for using a foghorn to wake a sleeping polar bear. The incident occurred in early August while the vessel was travelling through a fjord in north-eastern Svalbard, approximately 1,000km from the North Pole. According to a statement from the governor of Svalbard, people aboard the vessel saw the bear sleeping on land and one of them sounded the ship’s foghorn. The noise woke the animal, which then moved elsewhere. The individual’s identity and nationality have not been released. The governor’s office ordered the person to pay the fine, and the person agreed to do so. Svalbard regulations prohibit people from needlessly disturbing, attracting or pursuing polar bears. The animals have been a protected species in the archipelago since 1972. The report highlights the strict conservation rules governing encounters with wildlife in the Arctic. Although the bear was not reported to have been injured, deliberately disturbing it was treated as a violation of local regulations. The incident also underscores the need for visitors and vessel operators to maintain appropriate distance and avoid interfering with polar bears in their natural environment. The latest scientific estimate cited in the report counted approximately 260 polar bears in the Svalbard archipelago in 2015. The article places the fine in the broader context of polar-bear conservation in the Norwegian Arctic, where the species faces a protected and closely monitored status.

Romania’s Defence Ministry said a Spanish F-18 fighter jet operating on a NATO air-policing mission shot down a drone that had illegally entered Romanian airspace on Aug. 16. The incident occurred at about 5:01 a.m., after the aircraft’s radar established contact with the drone and the pilot received authorization to engage. The ministry said debris fell safely in an uninhabited area between two villages, with no reported casualties or damage. Romania shares a 614-kilometre land border with Ukraine and has experienced repeated airspace violations by Russian drones during the more than four years since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The country has also dealt with mines drifting into the Black Sea, threatening important trade and energy routes. The ministry did not identify the drone’s origin, but said radar detected it entering Romania from neighbouring Moldova, approximately 24 kilometres north of the southeastern city of Galati. The downing was reportedly the fourth unmanned aircraft Romania has destroyed this year. In July, Romanian F-16 pilots shot down three Russian drones that had breached national airspace. That marked the first time Romanian forces had shot down Russian drones after dozens of incursions linked to attacks on Ukraine. The report also recalled an earlier incident in which a Russian drone crashed into an apartment block in Galati during an overnight attack on neighbouring Ukraine, injuring two people. The latest incident underscores the spillover risks posed by the war in Ukraine to NATO members bordering the conflict zone, particularly through drone incursions and maritime hazards in the Black Sea.

Russian forces launched a missile attack on Kyiv early Sunday, causing fires in at least two districts of the Ukrainian capital and injuring one person, according to Ukrainian officials. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said falling debris started a fire in a non-residential area of a northern suburb, where several cars were also reported to be burning. A separate fire broke out south of the city centre. Reuters witnesses heard explosions in Kyiv, while unofficial Telegram channels circulated photographs reportedly showing market stalls on fire in the suburb. Ukraine’s military administration confirmed that one person had been injured, although the article did not provide further details about the casualty or the severity of the injuries. Air-raid alerts were issued twice after 2 a.m. local time, with each alert lasting approximately 30 minutes. The attack comes amid a period of intensified Russian air strikes against Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities. The report, based primarily on statements from Klitschko and the city’s military administration as well as observations by Reuters witnesses, provides an early account of the damage and emergency response. A Reuters photograph accompanying the article showed firefighters working at a book-market site in the Kyiv region that was reportedly hit by a Russian missile strike. The incident highlights the continuing threat posed by Russian missile attacks to civilian areas and infrastructure in Ukraine’s capital.

A flood and landslide caused by torrential rain killed two elderly women and injured two babies in the village of Manzanedo de Valdueza in northwestern Spain on Aug 15, according to regional authorities. The victims were approximately 60 and 80 years old. Two babies were treated for bruises, while an elderly man in his 80s who had initially been reported missing was later found unharmed. The disaster followed fierce storms in the surrounding hills. The mayor of nearby Ponferrada, Marco Morala, said the storms triggered a large flow of stones, mud and sludge through the village. Rescue helicopter footage and images published by local media showed the scale of the damage, including a grey mass of debris that flattened a car. Material damage was also reported in the neighbouring village of Bouzas. Firefighters, police, ambulances and the Civil Guard were deployed to the area, which is surrounded by hilly, forested terrain. The flood occurred during a public holiday, after Spain had experienced weeks of severe weather of a different kind, including heatwaves and wildfires. The province of Leon, where Manzanedo de Valdueza is located, was among the areas worst affected by Spain’s wildfires in 2025. That year was described as a record year for the number of hectares burned in the country, according to the European Forest Fire Information System. The flooding highlights the range of extreme weather hazards Spain has faced in recent weeks, from intense heat and fires to torrential rain and landslides.

The United States is preparing to pressure dozens of countries to choose between Washington’s Pax Silica initiative and a rival artificial-intelligence framework launched by China. According to a US official and an internal State Department draft reviewed by Reuters, countries that join both initiatives could be excluded from the US-led coalition. The proposed message would be sent to 35 signatories of a June US AI Opportunity Statement, including members of Pax Silica and other governments seeking closer AI cooperation with Washington. Launched in 2025, Pax Silica is intended to strengthen supply chains for semiconductors, critical minerals and AI models, while reducing dependence on countries regarded by Washington as strategic adversaries. About two dozen countries have joined, including Japan, Australia, South Korea and Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan has also joined China’s World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization, making it the only country currently known to belong to both frameworks and raising concerns in Washington about divided strategic loyalties. China launched its organization in July under President Xi Jinping, presenting open-weight AI models as an alternative to US dominance in the sector. Washington’s effort to force countries to choose sides reflects the broader US-China competition over technological leadership, resources and military capabilities. The United States hopes to limit China’s access to critical minerals, advanced chips and other resources needed to develop increasingly sophisticated AI. The draft letter says Pax Silica membership represents a commitment rather than a simple subscription and cannot be combined with initiatives whose expectations conflict with those of the US framework. The State Department declined to comment on the leaked document. China’s embassy warned that politicising trade and technology would hinder global AI progress. The timing and final wording of the letter remain uncertain.

The supplied extract does not include the main body of the Global News article. It contains the headline, extensive website navigation, sharing controls and reader comments. Based on the headline and article-related comments, the story concerns a temporary pause or reduction in Canada’s federal gasoline excise tax and the expected effect on pump prices when that pause expires. Several comments identify Sept. 8 as the anticipated date for the tax to return, although that date and the precise tax mechanism cannot be independently verified from the provided extract. The discussion focuses on whether the federal government should extend the reduction. One commenter claims the reduction saves Canadian households an average of about $7 per vehicle fill-up and cites polling showing that 63 per cent of Canadians oppose the planned increase. Another comment, attributing figures to the Canadian Automobile Association, places the national average for regular gasoline at approximately $1.67 per litre, compared with $1.64 the previous week. Regional differences are also emphasized, particularly in Vancouver, where one commenter reports prices between $1.96 and $2.09 per litre. The comments are highly polarized and connect the fuel-tax issue to Mark Carney’s government, Pierre Poilievre and the Conservative Party, provincial fuel taxes, carbon pricing, industrial emissions policies, GST/HST and climate policy. Some readers support the tax reduction as immediate relief for families and retirees, while others argue that the government’s broader policies are responsible for higher costs. These political claims are reader opinions rather than verified statements from the article. Because the article body, official statements and supporting data are absent, the extract cannot establish the exact tax amount, legal expiry provisions, projected price increase or the positions of the relevant governments. The available material indicates that the article’s primary purpose is to explain the potential consumer impact of the excise-tax pause ending.

The supplied material does not include the body of the news article. It contains the headline “IEA expects world oil demand to fall amid surging gas prices,” along with a Global News URL, extensive website navigation, sharing tools, and a long reader-comment section. Based solely on the headline, the article concerns an outlook from the International Energy Agency (IEA) that global oil demand is expected to decline while natural-gas prices are rising sharply. The headline suggests a relationship between changing gas-market conditions and the projected trajectory of oil consumption, but the available extract does not explain the mechanism behind that relationship. Important details cannot be verified because the article text is missing. These include the forecast period, the expected size of the decline, the causes of higher gas prices, regional differences, the IEA’s underlying assumptions, and any implications for oil producers, consumers, or energy markets. The extract also provides no quotations, data tables, publication date, author information, or context about whether the forecast has changed from a previous estimate. The reader comments are not part of the article and contain arguments, political opinions, profanity, and unrelated discussion about mathematics, climate change, and moderation. They have therefore been excluded from the cleaned version and should not be treated as evidence of the article’s position or public reaction. The headline itself has a concise, factual, and analytical style, with no clearly positive or negative emotional framing. The likely purpose of the article is to inform readers about an IEA oil-demand forecast and its connection to developments in gas prices, but a fuller assessment would require the missing article body.

The United Kingdom recorded its hottest day of 2026 on Thursday, as western Europe experienced another period of intense heat, dryness and wildfire risk. The Met Office reported a temperature of 38.1 C (100.6 F) in west London, narrowly exceeding the previous 2026 record but remaining below the U.K.’s August record of 38.5 C, set in 2003. The country has now experienced five heat waves this year, including one in May, and four days at or above 36 C. France faced even higher temperatures, with readings approaching 41 C in areas from Aquitaine to the Rhone River valley. The heat contributed to at least two new grass fires in England’s West Midlands, including fires that damaged homes near a golf course in Stourbridge. Authorities in Britain and France remained on high alert because the land is parched and meaningful rainfall is not expected. The most intense heat was forecast to shift eastward on Friday before easing over the weekend. The article emphasizes that both countries are poorly prepared for extreme heat. Air conditioning is uncommon outside commercial buildings, and the Royal College of Nursing reported that nurses had collapsed from heat exhaustion in hospitals without adequate cooling. Drought conditions have also shriveled crops, reduced river levels and increased pressure on water supplies. Southern Water applied for an emergency drought order that could restrict nonessential commercial water use in southern England, including car washing and filling nondomestic swimming pools. Environment Secretary Angela Eagle was expected to decide on the request. Residents sought relief at beaches, pools and fountains, including Bordeaux’s water mirror. However, wildfire concerns remained serious in Britain and France, while major fires were also burning elsewhere in Europe.

The supplied extract does not include the body of the Global News article. It contains the headline, extensive website navigation, sharing and commenting controls, and a large number of reader comments. Based on the headline, the article reports that the United States has identified Canada as one of China’s “biggest enablers” in avoiding tariffs imposed or threatened by U.S. President Donald Trump. The central issue appears to be transshipment: the alleged routing of Chinese products through Canada or the relabeling or processing of those goods so they can enter the United States while appearing to be Canadian or otherwise qualifying for different tariff treatment. The available reader discussion indicates that the report is politically contentious. Some commenters support the U.S. allegation and describe possible examples involving Chinese aluminum, automotive components, and electric vehicles. Others dismiss the claim as Trump administration propaganda, question the credibility of officials associated with the report, or demand evidence. Peter Navarro is mentioned in connection with “The Great Transshipment Scam,” while Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Conservative politician Pierre Poilievre are discussed in relation to Canada’s trade and China policies. Because the article’s main text is missing, the extract does not establish the report’s evidence, methodology, the scale of any alleged transshipment, or responses from Canadian officials, businesses, or customs authorities. The headline uses attribution—“U.S. says”—rather than presenting the allegation as independently verified fact. The article’s apparent purpose is to inform readers about a new dispute in Canada-U.S.-China trade relations, while the comments reveal strong partisan disagreement about tariffs, national sovereignty, and the credibility of the Trump administration.

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced new tariffs on imported drones and drone components, including products from several major American allies. The White House said the measures are intended to reduce the United States’ reliance on foreign-made unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and address potential national-security and safety risks. Under a proclamation signed by Trump, drones of certain sizes or with capabilities considered particularly sensitive to national security will face a 100% ad valorem tariff. Smaller drones will be subject to a 25% tariff. Separate tariffs will apply to drones and components from specific trading partners: 15% for the European Union, Japan, Liechtenstein, South Korea, Switzerland and Taiwan, and 10% for products from the United Kingdom. The White House said the tariffs will generally take effect in 21 days. However, tariffs on components deemed less sensitive will be delayed for 180 days after the proclamation is signed. The same 180-day delay will apply to products that the Pentagon has approved for an exemption from the Federal Communications Commission’s Covered List within 20 days of the signing. Trump said Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick had investigated the impact of drone imports and found that foreign producers had achieved substantial import penetration. According to Trump, Lutnick concluded that the United States does not produce enough drones or components domestically to meet its security requirements, while some foreign sources pose safety and security risks. The measures add drones to Trump’s broader tariff strategy, which has become a central element of his foreign and trade policies despite legal setbacks and criticism from some analysts.

A bronze statue honoring Lieutenant Colonel Yonatan “Yoni” Netanyahu, the older brother of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was unveiled at Uganda’s Old Entebbe Airport on Aug. 1, according to the article. The monument commemorates Operation Thunderbolt, Israel’s 1976 raid to rescue hostages from an Air France flight hijacked by Palestinian and other Islamic terrorists and diverted to Uganda, then ruled by dictator Idi Amin. Yoni Netanyahu led the commando operation and was the only Israeli military fatality. The raid rescued 102 of the 106 hostages and later inspired a Hollywood film. The article presents the monument as an awkward contrast to New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s outspoken criticism of Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel. Mamdani, who was born in Uganda and holds Ugandan and American citizenship, has described Netanyahu as a “war criminal” and accused Israel of genocide in Gaza. He also previously vowed to arrest the Israeli leader in New York, although the article says he later abandoned that legal effort. Ugandan military officials reportedly framed the statue as evidence of strengthened relations, mutual trust, and reconciliation between Uganda and Israel. General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda’s chief of defense forces, praised the countries’ “close blood relations” and invoked Yoni Netanyahu’s connection to the Israeli prime minister. The article contrasts Uganda’s current relationship with Israel with the hostility toward Israel and Jews during Idi Amin’s rule. It also discusses criticism of Mahmood Mamdani, Zohran’s father, for portraying Amin’s rise as connected to Israeli actions while allegedly overlooking Amin’s support for the Entebbe hijacking. The piece uses sarcastic and adversarial language, including comments from former New York assemblyman Dov Hikind and social-media users, to portray the statue as humiliating or politically inconvenient for Mayor Mamdani. It concludes by suggesting that political figures such as Amin and Mamdani may eventually become historical footnotes.

Jessica Fletcher, a mother of an 11-year-old autistic son named Hunter who does not speak, found a way to ensure he could communicate even when technology failed. Hunter normally uses an Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) tablet to select words and symbols, but the device’s batteries died while the pair were eating at a restaurant. Rather than becoming upset, Hunter drew a keyboard on a napkin and pointed to the symbols to communicate his order. The experience inspired Fletcher to create a permanent backup communication system by having a keyboard tattooed on her forearm. The tattoo includes letters, a happy face, a sad face and an “I heart you” button. When Fletcher showed it to Hunter, the first word he typed was “Mama.” The tattoo has reduced their communication frustrations and also allows them to have private conversations, unlike the AAC device, which speaks Hunter’s selections aloud. Fletcher shared a video of Hunter using the tattoo on Facebook, where it received more than two million likes and drew attention from families and professionals supporting nonspeaking autistic people. She said removing communication barriers gives nonspeaking individuals the opportunity to show others who they are. The idea has expanded beyond Fletcher’s tattoo. Hunter’s school friends wanted keyboard shirts so they could communicate with him quietly on the playground, prompting Fletcher to partner with a clothing company to produce shirts with keyboard designs on the sleeves. Parents, medical professionals and first responders from around the world have also expressed interest, while tattoo artists have offered free similar tattoos to parents of autistic children. For Fletcher, the tattoo represents a lifeline and a message of respect: “I hear you.” She said she would accept “a thousand scars” if it gave her son another way to communicate.

Belgium is battling what officials describe as the largest wildfire in the country’s modern history. The fire, which began on Friday, has burned approximately 2,700 hectares of peatlands and pine forest in the High Fens nature reserve in eastern Belgium, near the German border. Hot, dry conditions and shifting winds have helped the blaze spread rapidly, while difficult terrain has made ground-based firefighting particularly challenging. Authorities ordered roughly 600 residents in parts of Waimes, Sourbrodt and Buetgenbach to evacuate as a precaution because smoke and changing winds raised fears that the fire could reach homes. Tourists were also advised to leave the region. A gymnasium in a neighboring municipality was opened as an emergency shelter. Residents described visibility as extremely poor because of dense smoke. Belgium has deployed additional firefighters from across the country. Germany and Luxembourg have also sent firefighters, while local farmers have supported emergency crews by wetting down areas near the fire zone. Because some parts of the reserve are difficult to access, authorities have relied heavily on aircraft and allowed some hard-to-reach areas to burn. Belgium activated the European Union’s civil protection mechanism, resulting in the deployment of three helicopters and two water-bombing aircraft from the Czech Republic, Sweden and the Netherlands. Regional authorities said all available resources were being used to protect homes. The fire comes during another spell of extreme heat, with temperatures reaching 37 degrees Celsius in parts of Belgium. Scientists say human-caused climate change is increasing the frequency of hot, dry conditions that allow wildfires to spread more quickly and burn for longer. European Commissioner Hadja Lahbib called the blaze a sign of the continent’s worsening “climate upheaval.” A major wildfire was also burning just across the border in western Germany, where more than 2,000 people had been forced to leave their homes.

A wildfire near Omiš on Croatia’s Adriatic coast injured 14 people, seven of whom were reportedly in life-threatening condition early Friday. The blaze approached the town centre, causing power outages and damaging or destroying homes, cars and boats. Residents fled in chaotic conditions, while evacuees spent the night in a sports hall on beds and floors. Although there were no reported fatalities, the fire caused extensive damage to property, the natural environment and wildlife, according to Omiš fire brigade commander Slavko Tučaković. Firefighters had brought the main blaze under control by Friday, while emergency crews were also responding to another wildfire on the Pelješac peninsula. The fires occurred during the height of Croatia’s summer tourist season, raising concerns about travel disruption and additional economic pressure on the region. Sections of the main coastal road near Omiš were closed, affecting connections between Split and Dubrovnik, as well as day trips and coach tours. Damage to homes, cafés, restaurants, vehicles and boats could also reduce the area’s capacity to accommodate tourists while demand is at its seasonal peak. The report highlights the immediate human consequences of the wildfire, including serious injuries and overnight evacuations, as well as its wider effects on infrastructure, tourism, transportation and the local environment. Authorities continued managing the emergency while firefighters worked to contain the fires and protect residents and visitors.

The supplied page does not contain the Japan Times news article itself. Instead, it displays a Cloudflare security-verification interstitial headed “Just a moment...” The page states that the website uses a security service to protect against malicious bots and that access is temporarily being delayed while the service verifies that the visitor is not an automated bot. It also displays a Ray ID, which is an identifier associated with the verification request, followed by the attribution “Performance and Security by Cloudflare” and a privacy link. Because the article content is unavailable, it is not possible to provide a reliable 200–400-word summary of the reported subject, supporting evidence, sources, locations, people, or conclusions. The URL slug suggests that the intended article may concern extreme weather and a stagnant jet stream, but those subjects cannot be verified from the supplied page and therefore are not summarized as factual article content here. No advertisements, article paragraphs, quotations, images, captions, or author information are present in the provided material. The available text serves only as a technical access-control notice. A complete analysis would require the article text, an accessible page, or another source containing the published report.

The supplied source does not contain the article itself. Instead, the page returns an error message stating that the NZZ servers are currently unavailable. The URL and title indicate that the missing article concerns a dispute between the United States and China over a small artificial-intelligence chip, and that the dispute illustrates a broader geopolitical dilemma. However, no article paragraphs, author information, publication date, quotations, evidence, or analysis are available in the provided content. Consequently, it is not possible to produce a reliable substantive summary of the article’s arguments, facts, or conclusions without inventing information. The only directly verifiable material is the technical failure notice, which says that the servers are temporarily unavailable, that the publisher is working to resolve the problem, and that readers can contact customer service by email or through a linked support page. The notice is written in German and refers to an error numbered 500, while the supplied title identifies the page as “502 | Server nicht verfügbar.” This discrepancy may reflect different stages or labels of the failed request, but it cannot be interpreted further from the available material. The topic entities inferred from the URL and title—such as the United States, China, AI chips, and geopolitics—are metadata-level clues only and should not be treated as confirmed details of the missing article. A complete analysis would require the article text or a functioning copy of the NZZ page.