Gloria Steinem, the iconic feminist writer and activist, died on September 2, 2026, at the age of 92, having dedicated over fifty years to advocating for women and girls. She co-founded Ms. magazine in 1971, the first national publication focused on feminist voices, and played a crucial role in the women's liberation movement by promoting women's rights, including reproductive rights and the fight against violence towards women. Steinem reflected that by the age of 60, she felt liberated from the constraints of gender, akin to the independence she experienced as a young girl.
Australia is rapidly becoming a hub for data centres, with 162 existing and 90 more planned, amounting to over A$155 billion in investment, and significant concerns have arisen about the environmental impact, particularly regarding water supplies and energy consumption. The country is home to approximately 13.6 million AI users monthly, ranking sixth globally, which further fuels the need for these facilities as Australia aims to harness the benefits of AI technology while navigating the challenges associated with it. Experts warn that without the necessary infrastructure, Australia risks becoming merely a consumer of AI technologies rather than a producer, which could have economic and strategic implications.
Billionaire investor Leon Black has filed a lawsuit challenging subpoenas from a US congressional committee investigating Jeffrey Epstein, claiming the subpoenas are "invalid" and lack a legitimate connection to legislative goals. Black, who has not appeared before the committee despite being summoned, previously paid Epstein $158 million for legitimate purposes and has denied any wrongdoing regarding his dealings with Epstein, stating he was unaware of Epstein's crimes until they were publicly revealed. The committee has threatened to hold Black in contempt of Congress, asserting that his testimony is crucial for the investigation, while Black's attorney argues the subpoenas aim to damage his reputation rather than uncover the truth.
Federal prosecutors have charged ICE officer Christian Castro with lying to investigators regarding the shooting of Venezuelan immigrant Julio Sosa-Celis in Minnesota, where Castro allegedly shot Sosa-Celis in the leg during a January encounter as part of Operation Metro Surge. Initially accused of assault, Sosa-Celis had the charges dropped after it was revealed that Castro's claims were contradicted by surveillance footage. This incident is part of broader concerns over ICE behavior, with over two dozen shootings by federal immigration officers reported during the Trump administration, including two recent killings of U.S. citizens.
Israel has released one Lebanese civilian detainee, Malek Ghazi, and pledged to free five more prisoners, marking the first handover since the Israel-Hezbollah war began six months ago. Lebanese authorities have compiled a list of over 30 citizens believed to be held by Israel since the 2024 conflict, with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam emphasizing the need for the release of all prisoners and full Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon. The ongoing conflict, intensified since the outbreak of hostilities in 2024, has resulted in over 4,300 deaths in Lebanon, despite a recent ceasefire agreement negotiated by the US.
Fox News has terminated long-time anchor Maria Bartiromo's contract after 12 1/2 years with the network, rebranding her shows including "Mornings with Maria" to feature a rotating cast of anchors. Bartiromo, a supporter of President Trump, played a significant role in promoting unfounded election fraud theories, which contributed to a defamation case against Fox that resulted in a settlement of over $787 million with Dominion Voting Systems. She was the last individual defendant from that case still employed by the network and is also implicated in a second multibillion-dollar defamation lawsuit related to the 2020 election.
Gloria Steinem, a key figure in the women's liberation movement in the US, passed away at the age of 92 at her home in New York City, as announced by her foundation. Co-founder of the Women's Action Alliance and Ms. magazine, Steinem was a prominent advocate for women's rights, including reproductive rights, same-sex marriage, and equal pay, and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Barack Obama in 2013. Tributes poured in following her death, with many expressing gratitude for her influence, including Meghan Markle, who praised Steinem as a friend and mentor.
Far-right Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has proposed a plan to forcibly remove all Palestinians from Gaza, aiming to expel 250,000 individuals in the first year and the remaining population of approximately 2 million over the following six years. The proposal, detailed in a 20-page document titled “National Work Plan for Voluntary Emigration from the Gaza Strip,” has drawn international condemnation due to its coercive nature and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region. Israel currently controls 65% of Gaza, exceeding the 53% previously agreed upon under a ceasefire, as Ben-Gvir advocates for a ministry to oversee emigration and the deportation of dissenting individuals.
Over 1,700 people in Indonesia have experienced food poisoning in the last week linked to government-provided free school meals, with at least 725 pupils and 25 teachers affected at a school in Lasem. The outbreaks have been attributed to improper food storage and late delivery of meals, with one lawmaker estimating the total cases may reach as high as 50,000 since the program's inception. President Prabowo Subianto's $12.94 billion initiative, aimed at improving nutrition for millions, has faced criticism over safety, corruption, and effectiveness amid a backdrop of public protests.
Hundreds of protesters gathered in Edinburgh to demand a moratorium on Scotland’s datacentre boom, which includes at least 20 proposed projects, such as one in Fife classified as potentially the second largest in the world. Kat Jones, leading the protest, emphasizes the need for thorough environmental impact analysis and planning guidance for "green" datacentres, as local communities express fierce opposition due to the potential threats these large constructions pose to rural areas. The growing public discontent may risk jeopardizing the UK’s strategy to establish AI growth zones, with the energy demands of such datacentres raising significant concerns.
At least 14 individuals from Serbian civil society, including members of a prominent student movement, were targeted with advanced spyware earlier this year, marking the largest documented surveillance wave in Serbia to date, according to the Share Foundation. The spyware attacks were discovered after Apple notified users across 110 countries, with at least one victim infected with the NSO Group's Pegasus spyware, granting potential total access to their devices. Serbian government officials, including parliamentary speaker Ana Brnabić, denied any involvement in the spying efforts, which are believed to have occurred during local elections in March, raising concerns about their implications ahead of upcoming elections in 2026.
US President Donald Trump indicated that the next phase of the conflict with Iran could involve targeted military strikes aimed at limiting Iran's military capabilities, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, employing a strategy referred to as "mowing the grass." Recent US airstrikes have successfully destroyed significant Iranian military assets, including air defense and radar systems, though Tehran has begun rebuilding its capabilities swiftly. As tensions escalate, Iran launched missile attacks against US facilities, with Jordan reporting the interception of 10 out of 13 ballistic missiles fired in its airspace, illustrating the challenge of managing the conflict’s intensity and Tehran's retaliatory actions.
Syria has commenced the destruction of remnants from its chemical weapons program established under former President Bashar al-Assad, including raw materials and munitions used in previous gas attacks. For the first time since 2014, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons verified the destruction of 42 aerial bombs and identified one additional production facility and two storage facilities for chemical weapons. Syrian authorities also detained 18 suspects linked to the program, with preparations underway for court hearings regarding their involvement.
Gloria Steinem, a prominent advocate for women's rights, dedicated over 60 years to fighting for gender equality and gained recognition in the 1960s with her expose of New York City's Playboy Club. Her activism achieved significant milestones such as the US Supreme Court's 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, which ensured a woman's right to choose, although it faced setbacks with its overturning in 2022. Steinem passed away at the age of 92, leaving behind a legacy of unwavering commitment to women's rights.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez stated that there is no evidence to support claims that Morocco orchestrated a surge of approximately 70,000 migrants into Ceuta in late July, which has a local population of 84,000. While Sanchez noted Moroccan police allowed the crossings during a peak 10-hour period, he emphasized that no international institutions have provided concrete proof of Morocco's involvement. Currently, around 5,000 migrants, including 1,200 children, remain in Ceuta, leading to widespread protests in Spain against the government's handling of the crisis.
President Donald Trump asserted that the U.S. military is producing munitions at unprecedented levels while dismissing media reports of dangerously low stockpiles amidst a protracted war with Iran. Reports from experts like the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) indicated that the U.S. has just over a third of its Patriot missile interceptors and about half of its THAAD interceptors remaining. Experts also warned that replenishing key weapons supplies, which have been significantly depleted, could take at least two years, potentially weakening U.S. deterrence against adversaries with advanced weaponry.
A severe weather alert prompted attendees at the Minnesota State Fair to seek shelter due to nearby lightning. In a separate incident, a custody handoff escalated into a mass shooting at a Minneapolis apartment complex, resulting in three deaths, including the shooter, as confirmed by state investigators. Additionally, the Minnesota State Fair is featuring new global food offerings, blending international cuisines with traditional fair favorites.
Thieves stole over 70,000 pints of Guinness, equating to about 800 barrels, from a depot in Runcorn, Cheshire, valued at approximately £115,000. The theft involved two lorries, with the first leaving the depot at 7:55 PM and the second at 9:30 PM, both pulling trailers associated with the logistics company GXO. Police are investigating the incident and seeking witnesses, particularly motorists with dashcam footage, to aid in the recovery of the stolen items, which are believed to have a total value of £205,000 including the trailers.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed readiness to negotiate a trade deal with the United States that includes stability and credibility, following a collapse in negotiations last month. The US has imposed 50 percent tariffs on $20 billion worth of Canadian goods, with additional tariffs on Canadian cars and parts threatened for January 1, while Canada has retaliatory tariffs ready to implement. As of July, the US accounted for 66.35 percent of Canada’s total exports, a decrease from 69.39 percent in June, and Carney announced $4.7 billion CAD ($3.4 billion) for building and maintaining over 300 Via Rail passenger rail cars domestically.
Voters in the United States are preparing for midterm elections on November 3, but a legal battle over mail-in voting restrictions could disrupt the process, with approximately 48 million voters using mail-in ballots as of 2024. The Supreme Court recently allowed reforms proposed by the Trump administration, prompting concerns from critics about disenfranchisement and voter access, especially as early voting is about to begin in some states. A study revealed that voter confidence dropped by 17 percentage points in the past two years, now sitting at 60 percent, partly due to misinformation and allegations of election fraud which experts argue are baseless.
A Maltese businessman, Yorgen Fenech, was acquitted of ordering the murder of investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia after a trial that marked the longest-running murder case in Malta's history, lasting nearly seven years; he faced life imprisonment if convicted. The trial revealed significant challenges in the investigation, including evidence of sabotage and leaks, with witnesses indicating that sensitive information was compromised, potentially by high-ranking officials, and two hitmen received life sentences for their roles in the car bombing that killed Caruana Galizia in October 2017. Caruana Galizia's family expressed disappointment at the verdict, describing it as "justice denied," while the attorney general is considering an appeal for a retrial, although both charges against Fenech were dismissed by an 8-1 jury majority.
The 2026 Ig Nobel Prizes ceremony will be held in Zurich, Switzerland, marking the first time the event has taken place outside the U.S. in its 35-year history, due to safety concerns regarding immigration and visa issues for international winners. In the 2025 awards, only 6 out of 10 winners attended the ceremony because four winners opted not to travel to the U.S., influenced by fears of being detained or facing scrutiny upon arrival. The Physics prize highlighted research on a prototype for a splash-free urinal, achieving optimal stream angles under 30 degrees to minimize splashback.
Nvidia has announced its acquisition of Hugging Face for approximately $12.9 billion, betting that the developer platform's support for open AI models will mitigate a potential slowdown in demand for its chips. The deal involves Nvidia paying around $11.9 billion to Hugging Face investors, along with an equity retention program of up to $1 billion for employees joining Nvidia. This acquisition could enhance Nvidia's insights into customer preferences and trending AI models, aligning with their strategy to maintain relevance as competitors develop their own AI technologies.
Dr. Rizq Sufyan Abo Halima has been forced to operate his dental practice from a small tent in Gaza City due to the destruction of his previous clinics amid Israel's ongoing conflict, which has seen over 80% of buildings in Gaza City and northern Gaza completely destroyed or severely damaged. The high demand for affordable rental spaces, with prices skyrocketing from 500 shekels ($166) to around $1,000 for an office, has left him with no choice but to endure the harsh summer heat rather than pass on the inflated costs to his patients. Despite the challenges and an unstable economic situation, he continues to provide dental care, as many patients struggle to afford even basic treatments, highlighting the dire conditions in Gaza.
Real Madrid defender Raul Asencio was cleared of charges related to sharing a sexually explicit video without consent, while three former youth players received one-year suspended prison sentences for recording and sharing sexual videos of two teenage women, one of whom was a minor. Asencio was fined 14,400 euros ($16,800) and banned from driving for eight months after being caught driving three times over the legal alcohol limit. Despite his off-field issues, Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho indicated Asencio would remain part of the team's plans, stressing the importance of maintaining the club's reputation.
The ELITE app, developed by Palantir for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), began deployment during the Trump administration's immigration enforcement surge and provides deportation officers with a "confidence score" for targeting immigrants. This rollout coincided with ICE hiring over 12,000 new employees rapidly, many of whom lacked completed background checks, raising concerns about public safety and civil liberties. The app compiles sensitive information from various sources, including personally identifiable information (PII), without undergoing standard privacy impact assessments, prompting criticism from legal experts and former officials.
Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado has criticized Donald Trump’s oil deal with Venezuela's interim government, asserting that the country’s natural resources belong to the Venezuelan people, not “an illegitimate regime.” Trump announced the deal, which involves more than 65 billion barrels of Venezuela's estimated 303 billion barrels of proven crude oil reserves, claiming it to be the “biggest oil deal in world history.” Machado, who was sidelined in the political process, expressed concern that the deal undermines the push for new presidential elections, which her movement is believed to have won in 2024, even as both Trump and the interim president Delcy Rodríguez avoided questions about the timing of future elections.
Donald Trump suggested that he would not assist the UK in a future conflict with Argentina over the Falkland Islands, citing the UK's lack of support during his administration's conflict with Iran. He highlighted that in a 2013 referendum, 99.8% of Falkland islanders voted to remain a British overseas territory, with only three votes against. Following Trump's remarks, the UK government reaffirmed the islanders' right to determine their own future, emphasizing their unwavering commitment to the territory.
The US House of Representatives passed the Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act with a vote of 237-169, which penalizes universities that participate in boycotts of Israel and requires those receiving federal funding to certify they do not impose restrictions on student programs involving Israel. Thirty-three Democrats voted in favor of the bill, while only two Republicans opposed it; the measure now moves to the Senate for consideration. Critics, including Democrat Bobby Scott, argue that the bill is unnecessary and could conflict with First Amendment protections, while supporters contend it is necessary to combat antisemitism in academic institutions.
Yemeni government forces are currently engaged in intense clashes with Houthi fighters in Taiz province, as the Houthis attempt to cut vital supply routes and secure the port city of al-Makha, which would grant them a foothold in the Red Sea. In recent fighting, Yemen's Army Media Centre reported that over 18 Houthi fighters were killed, while 13 government forces also lost their lives during the skirmishes. The ongoing conflict has escalated tensions, with the Houthis launching attacks, including 14 ballistic missiles, and recent efforts to regain territory highlighting the challenges to a resumption of ceasefire talks.