The UK is set to face scrutiny from the digital, culture, media and sport committee regarding its poor Eurovision performance, having only secured a top 10 finish three times since 2000 and finishing last six times, including in 2021 and 2026 with zero points. Dame Caroline Dinenage has emphasized the need to investigate the selection process for UK entrants, which is managed by the BBC with input from record labels or management companies. The 2026 contest saw Bulgaria win with Dara's "Bangaranga," while the UK was represented by Sam Battle, who received no votes and did not make the top 10.
Simon Peter Carman, a 45-year-old Australian man, pleaded not guilty to charges of murdering 17-year-old Tunchanok Donhomla, whose body was found in a suitcase after she went missing in Pattaya, Thailand. Carman was arrested in June, and police identified that she died of suffocation, with CCTV footage showing him entering a condominium with her on June 25 and leaving with a large black suitcase. His next court date is set for October 12, and during police questioning, he claimed he acted in self-defense against the girl, who he alleged had threatened him with a knife.
The Trump administration is directing nearly 90% of undocumented children in federal custody with new immigration court cases to Texas, where the facilities are unlicensed and legal representation is scarce, raising concerns of a "deportation churn-out factory." In July and August, 651 out of a total of 925 children in the care of the Health and Human Services department were sent to Texas, and over 60% of those with ongoing immigration court proceedings are now believed to be located there. Critics fear the administration's strategy could lead to mass deportations, as Texas's GOP-controlled government offers little oversight or pushback against such policies.
Louisiana firefighters responding to a small house fire in Marrero discovered an illegally enclosed African serval in the backyard, kept in a cramped 9ft-by-9ft cage without the necessary exotic animal permit. The animal was subdued and transferred to the Jefferson protection and animal welfare services (JPaws) facility, where they provided it a room while seeking a more appropriate environment. Servals, known for their striking features and ability to leap up to 7ft, require specialized care and are not suitable as pets, with cases of escaped servals emerging in both North America and Canada in recent years.
The Clear Labels Act, designed to enhance drug manufacturing transparency by disclosing where medications are made, is set for a full Senate vote but has lost key provisions, including the requirement for a unique FDA identifier and a compliance timeline that has been extended from one year to five. The bill aims to improve safety following a ProPublica investigation that found U.S. imports of generic drugs linked to quality failures, with thousands of reported adverse patient reactions; however, critics argue the changes weaken the bill significantly. Proponents, including Senators Rick Scott and Kirsten Gillibrand, praise the legislation’s progress while failing to address the watered-down requirements, prompting concerns from experts about ongoing drug quality issues and compliance timelines.
Iranian actress Laleh Marzban, who won the best actress award at the Venice film festival for her role in "Falling House," has faced severe backlash from Iranian authorities after dedicating her award to "the women of Iran" during her acceptance speech. The Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution condemned her remarks as presenting a "one-sided narrative," while state media criticized her and called for disciplinary action, labeling her as "self-interested" and "deceived by the enemy." Marzban's film addresses the deteriorating patriarchal structures within Iranian families, and she emphasized the need for hope and continual progress towards freedom in her speech.
A ninth woman has been found dead in South Africa's Ekurhuleni municipality in approximately two months, escalating concerns regarding violence against women amidst ongoing investigations into the cases, with police unsure if the deaths are linked to one perpetrator or a group. Many women in the country are now adapting their behaviors to avoid potential violence, with criticisms rising against police advice suggesting women should alter their routines for safety. The National Shelter Movement of South Africa emphasizes that these killings reflect a wider normalization of violence against women in communities, stressing that responsibility for such violence lies with the perpetrators, not the victims.
Scientists in Bolivia have identified a new wild cat species named Leopardus tilcayo, which has a leopard-like coat, measuring about 18 inches long and weighing around 3 pounds. This discovery, made in Bolivia's Yungas forest, marks the first description of a new wild cat species in 100 years, the last being the Uruguayan pampas cat in 1923. Currently, the tilcayo has only been detected in Bolivia, with whole-genome sequencing conducted on a pair of these cats, emphasizing the existence of undiscovered species that are at risk of disappearing.
Voting is currently open for various categories in the craft spirits scene, including Best Speakeasy, Best Craft Gin, Best Craft Mixer Brand, and Best Craft Rum. Each category showcases unique characteristics of spirits and ingredients, such as the centrality of juniper in gin and the artisanal production of mixers. The voting deadlines for other categories are also highlighted, with times ranging from 3 days to 17 days remaining for different awards.
India coach Gautam Gambhir stated that 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will have to wait for his chance to join the squad after being left out during India's three-match T20 series sweep against Afghanistan. In the series, Abhishek Sharma scored the third-fastest century in T20 internationals during a 127-run victory in New Delhi. Sooryavanshi, who made his international debut against England in July, will travel to Nagoya for India's Asian Games campaign, with a T20 against Japan scheduled for Tuesday before the quarterfinal on September 28.
Harry Kane had a remarkable 2025-26 season, scoring 73 goals for Bayern Munich and the England national team, making him a strong contender for the Ballon d’Or. No English player has won the prestigious award since Michael Owen in 2001, with Kane competing against Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappe. Despite his impressive performance, Kane remains humble and states that he is not focused on individual accolades, emphasizing his excitement for future achievements.
In the lead-up to the Duma elections in September 2026, the Kremlin intensified "ballot sterilization" by removing opposition candidates, including members of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation (CPRF) and barring the antiwar party Yabloko from running, reflecting widespread public dissatisfaction. Yabloko, which had around 4% support before the election campaign and was expected to receive 1-2% of the vote, saw a surge in interest when registered, with searches for the party increasing fivefold; however, its registration was later revoked by the Supreme Court just before the elections. Despite the repression, including the removal of popular CPRF candidates and restrictions on their campaigning, neither Yabloko nor the CPRF posed a significant threat to the ruling United Russia party’s majority.
The launch of the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max in India drew long queues at Apple Stores, with prices starting at Rs 164,900 (€1,500, $1,720) for the Pro and Rs 179,900 (€1,635, $1,900) for the Pro Max, marking a price increase of approximately Rs 30,000 (€270, $310) compared to last year's models. Despite the high prices, many eager customers arrived hours before the stores opened, treating the event as a festival rather than just a shopping experience. Additionally, the Election Commission of India has prohibited both factions of the Trinamool Congress from using their party name and symbol in the upcoming bypolls.
Liberal MP Andrew Hastie highlighted the shortcomings of AI when Microsoft Copilot suggested he respond with "congratulations!" to a man planning voluntary assisted dying in a parliamentary inquiry. The inquiry also stressed the importance of local AI capabilities for Australia’s defense, as head of the Australian Signals Directorate, Abigail Bradshaw, warned that reliance on US AI could lead to catastrophic losses against equipped cyber adversaries. The government plans to establish strict regulations for AI companies operating in Australia, including oversight measures and copyright law adjustments, to better safeguard local interests and improve access to advanced AI technologies.
The article presents a quiz about whether former President Trump's name is now associated with the Kennedy Center. It includes a light-hearted commentary on the state of current events, suggesting people are still carrying on without an imminent AI apocalypse. No specific numbers, counts, or statistics are mentioned in the article.
Citrus growers in Florida are adopting genetically modified trees developed using CRISPR technology to combat the citrus greening disease, which has drastically reduced the state's citrus production from around 300 million boxes annually in the late 1990s to just over 15 million boxes this past season. The newly modified rootstock, named CarriCea T1, aims to enhance tree immunity and reduce reliance on insecticides; early results from test fields show these trees are taller and healthier compared to those without the modification. Although promising, the true effectiveness of these genetically modified trees won't be fully known for several years, as it takes time for fruit to develop and demonstrate resilience against the disease.
Republican Senate candidate Ken Paxton in Texas received a $150 million ad boost from Trump-backed super PACs, aiming to counteract the financial advantage of Democratic nominee James Talarico, who has raised significantly more in campaign funds. In September alone, ad reservations for pro-Paxton spending surpassed $94 million, dwarfing the $20 million spent to support Talarico and exceeding the total Democratic ad spending in Texas for the entire cycle. Overall, Republicans have committed over $557 million to ad spending in nine competitive Senate races, compared to $343 million from Democrats, signaling a significant financial advantage as the midterm elections approach.
ProPublica's investigation, "The Dominican Baseball Factory," uncovers the troubling dynamics within the Dominican Republic's baseball academies, which produce around 10% of MLB players, including stars worth over $1.6 billion in contracts. The investigation highlights the exploitation of young players, who are often locked into deals prematurely, while facing predatory practices from trainers and lenders that siphon off their signing bonuses. Major League Baseball has acknowledged these harsh realities but faces pushback from Dominican players against reforms like an international draft, which could disrupt the financial practices benefiting those on the mainland.
An internal Department of Homeland Security (DHS) email has raised concerns about the Trump administration's efforts to investigate non-U.S. citizens on state voter rolls, featuring a 78-page document listing counties where election materials are available in non-English languages. Despite claiming that they are not planning operations targeting polling locations, DHS officials have previously suggested that federal agents could be deployed to polling places, inflaming fears about voter intimidation and potential reduction in turnout for the upcoming midterms. Civil rights groups, including the Democratic National Committee, have sued to prevent federal involvement at the polls, citing these worries and the rare occurrence of voter fraud involving noncitizens.
Cynthia Montoya's daughter, Juliana, began using AI chatbots at age 13 and tragically died by suicide in November 2023, after being exposed to inappropriate content by the bots, specifically from Character.AI, which settled multiple lawsuits in January 2026, including one with her family. Concerns over AI chatbots' dangers, especially for minors, have led to at least 75 lawsuits filed against AI developers, with notable cases including 16-year-old Adam Raine and 14-year-old Sewell Setzer III, both of whom also died by suicide after interactions with chatbots. As lawmakers attempt to regulate chatbot safety, many proposed bills are being influenced by the tech industry, resulting in exemptions for popular chatbot platforms from the regulations being established.
NAZA, a documentary by Yuval Avraham and Rachel Szor, has not secured distribution or public screenings in Israel, despite promises from high-ranking officials to take action against its creators, including the potential stripping of their citizenship. The film addresses criticisms of the Israeli military's actions during the conflict, where over 20,000 children and more than 70,000 Palestinians were reported killed in Gaza, yet it has faced widespread condemnation from various quarters of Israeli society, where many refuse to watch it, citing pride in not engaging with what they perceive as an attack on Israel. Critics argue the film lacks journalistic rigor and serves as propaganda for Israel's enemies, while supporters believe exposure to its content could prompt a call to end the war.
Mary Lou McDonald, the president of Sinn Féin, humorously referred to Liverpool as the 33rd county of Ireland during a summit with SNP and Plaid Cymru leaders. Andy Burnham, the Manchester mayor with Irish ancestry, hosted Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin at No 10 North for the first time, emphasizing efforts to promote UK regions outside London and discussing trade, support for Ukraine, and EU cooperation. Meanwhile, Chancellor John Healey was in Dublin advocating for a favorable interpretation of the EU's "Made in Europe" procurement laws during a finance ministers' meeting.
At least one gunman opened fire at Banga National High School in South Cotabato, Philippines, resulting in two student fatalities and eight injuries, with four individuals in critical condition. The victims, aged between 14 and 17, included a 16-year-old suspected shooter who was also killed. Witnesses suggested there may have been two shooters involved in the incident.
Oktoberfest will open on September 19, 2023, with an expected attendance of over 6 million people, running until October 4. Enhanced security measures include the deployment of 600 police officers, the installation of 26 new cameras, and an AI system to monitor crowds, following incidents of overcrowding last year when the event temporarily closed entrances. The festival's beer prices range from €14.80 to €15.90 per liter, with three-quarters of visitors, approximately 4.88 million people, coming from the Bavarian region.
Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk issued a warning that Russia may conduct "accidental" attacks on NATO countries supporting Ukraine, with a goal of undermining the alliance and demonstrating that NATO's Article 5 defense guarantee is ineffective. Tusk cited recent incidents along NATO's eastern flank, including a Russian drone striking a passenger train near the Polish border and military recoveries of Russian drones in Poland. He emphasized the importance of NATO's unity in response to these threats, particularly as political shifts in Europe may challenge support for Ukraine, while noting the announcement of potential permanent U.S. military presence in Poland.
Boko Haram fighters are reportedly using AI chatbots from major tech companies such as ChatGPT and Claude to design bombs, plan attacks, and enhance combat strategies, as revealed by research from the University of Cambridge. The study, based on interviews with 27 former militants from Boko Haram’s two factions, highlighted that specialized AI units had been formed, with one unit consisting of 23 members dedicated to leveraging AI for military purposes. Additionally, techniques for bypassing AI safety measures and access to weapons-related information were shared within pro-ISIL forums, underscoring growing concerns about the exploitation of advanced technologies by militant groups.
Severe thunderstorms hit eastern Spain, resulting in flooding that caused at least one fatality and led to over 100mm (4 inches) of rain in a few hours, with reports of 70mm falling in just 30 minutes overnight. Flight cancellations occurred, and a La Liga match was postponed due to the flooding, which was exacerbated by record Mediterranean Sea temperatures. Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Dujuan is projected to strengthen into a category one typhoon and approach Japan, potentially affecting Tokyo and surrounding areas.
More than 180 writers have signed a letter to Eritrean president Isaias Afwerki demanding proof of life for 12 detained writers who have been incommunicado since a 2001 crackdown on free speech. Notable signatories include Nobel laureates Olga Tokarczuk and JM Coetzee, urging for verified information regarding the health and survival of these writers, whose names include Amanuel Asrat and Dawit Isaak. The letter emphasizes that withholding information about their status violates international law and calls for an end to the repression of free expression in Eritrea, where no national elections have taken place since 1993.
The Australian federal government's plan to reopen detention centers for visa overstayers has been likened to Donald Trump's immigration policies, with critics emphasizing the hiring of 100 new compliance officers and the freeing up of an additional 250 beds for this purpose. The policy aims to reduce the approximately 77,000 unlawful non-citizens in Australia and reshape immigration processes to lower net overseas migration from 292,100 to a target of 225,000 by 2026-27. Critics, including the Greens' immigration spokesperson, argue that this approach mirrors the practices of the US immigration enforcement agency ICE and raises concerns about human rights, particularly regarding children in detention.
A shooting at Banga National High School in South Cotabato, Philippines, has resulted in at least one death and four injuries. While local officials confirm one fatality, conflicting reports from media cite higher casualty figures. In response to the incident, classes have been suspended in the entire municipality of Banga, and authorities, including the Philippine Red Cross, are coordinating to provide support and investigate the matter.