In other news

Jeremy Lin, the former NBA point guard, has officially retired from professional basketball after 15 years. Lin announced his retirement on Instagram, expressing gratitude to those who supported him throughout his career. He spent nine seasons in the NBA, playing for several teams including the Knicks, Nets, and Raptors, and won an NBA championship with the Raptors in 2019. Lin's most notable stint was with the Knicks during the 'Linsanity' era in 2011-12, where he averaged 25 points and 9.2 assists during a seven-game winning streak. After the NBA, Lin played in the Chinese Basketball Association from 2019-2023.

The Powerball drawing for a $1 billion jackpot on Saturday did not have a winner, causing the jackpot to increase to $1.10 billion. The winning numbers were 3, 18, 22, 27, 33, and Powerball 17. Although there was no jackpot winner, three ticket holders won $2 million each and nine people won $1 million each. The next Powerball drawing will be on Labor Day Monday. The jackpot winner can choose between a lump sum of over $498.4 million or annuity payments totaling $1.10 billion over 30 years. This is Powerball's third month without a winner, with the last win being a $204.5 million ticket sold in California on May 31.

President Trump criticized a White House subcontractor on Saturday for damaging the custom limestone in the Rose Garden during a renovation. Trump shared security camera footage on Truth Social showing workers causing a huge gash in the stonework while transporting a shrubbery on a steel cart. He expressed his disappointment, stating that 'surfaces are very important to me as a Builder' and that he would replace the stone, charge the contractor, and ban them from working at the White House again. The incident's date is unclear, but Trump claimed it happened three days prior to his post.

The article criticizes the United Nations for promoting antisemitism and hypocrisy, particularly in its handling of Israel. The author argues that the UN's General Assembly gatherings have become a platform for countries to criticize Israel unfairly, and that the organization's reports and resolutions often perpetuate anti-Israeli sentiment. The article also criticizes Western leaders, such as the heads of France, Canada, and the UK, for appeasing Palestinian terrorists and failing to condemn Hamas's violent actions. The author praises former US President Trump for rejecting the idea of declaring a Palestinian state, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio for announcing that top Palestinian officials will be denied visas to enter the US.

Two friends, Sean O'Donnell and Aaron Prout, engaged in a reckless activity where they took turns shooting each other in the head with a rifle while wearing kevlar helmets at O'Donnell's home in Houston, Texas. The incident resulted in Prout's death, and O'Donnell was subsequently charged with murder. The Harris County Sheriff's Office is investigating the incident, with Sheriff Ed Gonzalez expressing shock at the friends' actions.

Archaeologists in Iraq have discovered 40 ancient tombs after water levels in the country's largest reservoir declined due to drought. The tombs, believed to be over 2,300 years old, were unearthed at the edges of the Mosul Dam reservoir in the Khanke region of Duhok province. The discovery was made possible by the significant decrease in water levels, which has allowed archaeologists to survey and excavate the area. The tombs are believed to date back to the Hellenistic or Hellenistic-Seleucid period. Iraq has been facing severe droughts for five consecutive years, which has impacted agriculture, electricity, and other aspects of life. The discovery is significant, and the tombs will be excavated and transferred to the Duhok Museum for further study and preservation.

Celebrity crocodile wrangler Matt Wright was found guilty of lying to police and attempting to falsify flight records after a 2022 helicopter crash in Australia's Northern Territory that killed his co-star Chris Wilson. Wright was convicted of two counts of perverting the course of justice. The crash occurred while Wilson was collecting crocodile eggs dangling from a 100-foot line when the helicopter ran out of fuel. Wright was accused of lying about the aircraft's fuel level and encouraging the injured pilot to falsify records. He was released on bail pending an appeal and is set to be sentenced later.

Israel is planning to slow or halt humanitarian aid into parts of northern Gaza as it expands its offensive against Hamas, according to an Israeli official. The move is expected to exacerbate the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza City, where hundreds of thousands of residents are being urged to evacuate. Aid groups have warned that a large-scale evacuation would be catastrophic, given the widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure and extreme shortages of food, water, shelter, and medical care. The health ministry in Gaza reported that 10 people died from starvation and malnutrition in the past 24 hours. The international community has condemned Israel's plans, with the head of the international Red Cross stating that a mass evacuation could not be done safely or with dignity.

New Zealand police released CCTV footage showing Tom Phillips, a father who disappeared with his three children nearly four years ago, and one of his children breaking into a store. The footage was released in hopes that the community would report additional sightings of Phillips and his children. Phillips took his children from their family home in December 2021 amid a custody battle, and they are believed to be hiding in the North Island's western Waikato region. A national search was launched, and a $47,000 reward was posted for information on their whereabouts. Phillips faces various charges, including aggravated robbery and unlawful possession of a firearm. His family has appealed to him to turn himself in and return the children.

Cryptocurrency entrepreneur Justin Sun aims to establish the Tron blockchain as a rival to the Swift network used by the global banking system. Sun predicts that Tron's transaction volume will exceed Swift's within five years, citing its faster transaction processing time and growing influence in stablecoin transactions. Tron's current transaction volume is expected to reach $8 trillion this year and potentially reach $300-400 trillion in the future.

The article profiles Assistant Commissioner David Jordan, the highest-ranking expatriate officer from the colonial era still serving in the Hong Kong police force. With a 30-year career, Jordan reflects on the evolution of policing in Hong Kong, emphasizing the importance of empathy and humanity in frontline work. He notes that public expectations have risen, and officers must be responsive to the needs of the community, particularly during difficult times. Jordan's career has spanned various roles, and he has witnessed significant events, including protests. The article provides insight into Jordan's approach to policing and his commitment to bridging cultures and balancing tradition with progress.

The Indian government has banned real-money online gaming through the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, citing widespread addiction, debt, despair, and suicides. The ban carries penalties of up to three years in prison and fines of up to 10 million rupees for hosting or enabling such services. While users won't be treated as criminals, enterprises behind the platforms and financial intermediaries facilitating betting will be held accountable. Critics warn that the ban could drive gambling underground. The decision reflects the scale of the damage, with officials noting that families are breaking due to financial losses.

The number of marriages in Hong Kong decreased by 7.4% in 2024 compared to the previous year, while the number of people who were divorced, widowed, or separated increased by 5.2%. According to the 'Women and Men in Hong Kong' report by the Census and Statistics Department, the population stood at 7.5 million at the end of 2024. The report also showed a 10.5% rise in newborns but a 4.7% decline in the population of children aged 0-14. The number of registered marriages fell from 47,723 in 2023 to 44,196 in 2024. The number of residents who were widowed, divorced, or separated reached 835,200 in 2024, continuing a trend seen in 2022 and 2023.

The US has blocked Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and 80 other officials from attending the United Nations General Assembly in New York, citing non-compliance with commitments and undermining peace prospects. The Palestinian Authority condemned the decision as a violation of US commitments and international law. The move is part of the Trump administration's efforts to target Palestinians with visa restrictions. Several US allies plan to recognize Palestine as a state at the UN meeting.

The US Court of Appeals has ruled that Donald Trump's tariffs are unconstitutional, but has allowed them to remain in place for now. The court mostly upheld a decision by a specialized federal trade court, stating that the US president was not legally allowed to declare national emergencies and impose import taxes on almost every country. However, the court struck down a portion of the previous ruling that would have immediately cancelled the tariffs, giving the Trump administration time to appeal to the US Supreme Court. The decision could limit the speed and severity with which Trump could act, despite having alternative laws for imposing import taxes. The tariffs, which reversed decades of US trade policy, increased fears of higher prices and slower economic growth, and alienated US trading partners and allies.

The article discusses the last generation of people who experienced the India-Pakistan Partition in 1947 and their memories of their homeland. The Partition led to one of the largest mass migrations in human history, resulting in the displacement of over 15 million people and the death of at least one million. The article highlights the stories of two individuals, Mr. Vikram Kalra and Ms. Reena Varma, who were forced to flee their homes in Lahore and Rawalpindi, respectively, and have been unable to return. The article also touches on the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan and the difficulties faced by those who wish to revisit their ancestral homes.

The article discusses the remaining comfort women survivors in Asia, 80 years after being forced into providing sexual services to Japanese Imperial Army troops during World War II. The survivors, mostly in their 90s, continue to demand closure and justice. The issue remains a contentious topic between South Korea and Japan, with tensions reigniting in 2019 over a 2015 agreement to resolve the issue. The article highlights the efforts of survivors and their supporters to raise awareness and demand justice, including the installation of comfort women statues around the world.

A train derailment in Egypt has resulted in the deaths of three people and injured 103 others. The train was traveling from Marsa Matruh to Cairo when seven carriages came off the tracks. The cause of the crash is unclear, and an investigation is underway. The Egyptian government has offered condolences to the families of the victims and has pledged to punish those responsible. The incident highlights the country's poor railway safety record, with a history of accidents due to poor maintenance and lack of investment.

The UK, France, and Germany have triggered a mechanism to reimpose UN sanctions on Iran due to its significant non-compliance with international nuclear agreements. The decision comes after months of warnings from European leaders and years of calls from the US to address Iran's nuclear program. Iran has been found to have stockpiled highly enriched uranium, exceeding the limits set by the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The move is expected to have severe consequences for Iran's economy. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has stated that there is still time for Iran to prevent the sanctions by complying with the JCPOA.