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.
Hugh Jackman expressed a strong interest in potentially buying a stake in Norwich City, the football club associated with his mother’s home city, during an interview with TalkSport. He acknowledged the club's rich history, which includes a notable UEFA Cup victory over Bayern Munich in 1993, and commented on Norwich's recent improvements under coach Philippe Clement. Jackman’s enthusiasm comes as both Norwich and Wrexham, owned by his friend Ryan Reynolds, compete in the English Championship for a chance to be promoted to the Premier League.
Israeli officials have issued stark warnings, with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stating that if Iran attacks Israel, the country will target all of Iran's infrastructure. A 19-year-old Israeli has been arrested for alleged involvement in a recent attack in the West Bank, while reports indicate Israeli airstrikes on a strategic location in Lebanon amidst tensions with Iran. Additionally, Senator Chris van Hollen quoted Israeli defense minister goals concerning the situation in Gaza, suggesting an intent to "ethnically cleanse" the area of Palestinians.
In 2025, Russia allocated over 5,000 university spots for African students amid more than 40,000 applications, a significant increase from the previous year. The highest number of applicants came from Sudan, Guinea, Ghana, and Chad, reflecting Russia's strategy to strengthen ties with African nations through educational opportunities as a means to counter international isolation following its invasion of Ukraine. However, concerns have arisen regarding the use of these educational initiatives as propaganda tools, with reports of some foreign students being pressured into military service or coerced under threat of deportation.
According to a UNICEF report, approximately 20 million children in 21 countries experience online sexual abuse or exploitation annually, with over one in five children aged 12 to 17 targeted on digital platforms. The research surveyed 21,000 internet-using children and found that over 15 million faced unwanted sexual content, nine million were solicited for sexual conversations or images, and four million had their sexual images shared without consent, with less than 1% of incidents reported to authorities. The report highlights that more than 60% of abuse cases occurred on social media, exacerbated by children's inability to recognize abuse or know how to report it.
Over the past three days, around 2,000 students and teachers across Indonesia have fallen ill due to food poisoning linked to the government's free school meals programme, with 777 cases reported at a high school in Rembang, Central Java. Additionally, 752 students and 25 teachers experienced symptoms after meals from the Makan Bergizi Gratis programme, with some requiring hospital treatment and being transported in wheelchairs due to weakness. Local authorities are investigating the outbreaks, with suspicions of improper storage or preparation of the food, and the head of Indonesia's National Nutrition Agency indicated a thorough evaluation of the food distribution operations will be conducted.
Billionaire Leon Black has filed a lawsuit against a U.S. House committee investigating Jeffrey Epstein, after he skipped a scheduled deposition and faced two subpoenas related to the inquiry. The committee's top Democrat, Representative Robert Garcia, has called for Black to be held in contempt of Congress for refusing to testify, which could potentially lead to a grand jury indictment. The House panel's investigation has already summoned several prominent figures, including Bill Clinton and Bill Gates, as it seeks accountability over Epstein's alleged crimes, but has yet to call President Donald Trump.
The United States and Iran are in a dispute over control of the Strait of Hormuz, with the US claiming that 40 commercial ships carrying approximately 18 million barrels of oil passed through the strait under military escort on a single day, marking a wartime record. In contrast, Iran asserts that the strait remains under its control and has reported that vessels attempting to transit risk being targeted, with claims that only a limited number of ships are allowed through. Shipping data, however, suggests significantly fewer vessels are actually passing through, with an average of around 12 to 13 ships daily, compared to pre-war averages of 100 ships and 20 million barrels per day.
Due to low water levels exacerbated by the El Nino weather phenomenon, the Panama Canal will reduce the number of vessels permitted to transit from 40 to 34 per day starting Thursday, with a further decrease to 32 by September 15. The canal, which accounts for approximately 5 percent of global maritime trade and saw over 10,000 vessels transit in the first nine months of 2026, has already experienced a surge in demand leading to transit slot auction prices rising three-fold, with one vessel reportedly paying a record $5.3 million. This increased traffic is largely driven by countries seeking alternative oil supplies due to reduced exports through the Strait of Hormuz, resulting in significant increases in U.S. crude oil exports, which jumped 46 percent year-on-year to 61.6 million metric tonnes in the second quarter of 2026.
The US Mint has launched a $1 coin featuring a portrait of Donald Trump, commemorating America's 250th anniversary, despite the law prohibiting living presidents from appearing on currency. The coins, priced at $61 for a roll of 25 and $154.50 for a bag of 100, sold out within hours of release and are marketed as collectibles rather than for circulation. Made of 88.5% copper with a manganese brass outer layer, the coins can be used as legal tender, although businesses can choose whether to accept them.
Norwegian courts have ordered the seizure of the Russian ship Professor Molchanov in Svalbard to enforce a $4.22 billion compensation claim by Ukraine's Naftogaz following Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014. The ship, which had just arrived in Barentsburg, is prohibited from leaving the port as the Nord-Troms and Senja District Court approved the seizure application by Naftogaz's US law firm Covington. In response, Russia's ambassador to Norway stated that they would pursue the ship's release through legal channels, emphasizing the need for the vessel and its crew to be safe.
In the 18th century, Benjamin Franklin expressed concerns about German immigrants in America, fearing they would not adopt American customs, with only about 150,000 Germans emigrating by 1820. The harrowing journey for these migrants included severe overcrowding and illnesses, often leading to numerous deaths during the voyage, and many arrived only to be sold as bonded laborers. By the 19th century, failed harvests and a lack of opportunities prompted around 6 million Germans to emigrate to the New World, as the American continent rekindled their hope for a better future.
Benjamin Franklin's 18th-century remarks about German immigrants reflect concerns about cultural integration, as he questioned their ability to adopt American language and customs; at the time, around 150,000 Germans had migrated to America by 1820. The journey was grueling, often resulting in many deaths from disease, and upon arrival, those who could afford the passage had to work as bonded laborers, with families sometimes torn apart. Meanwhile, many Germans also emigrated to Russia following an invitation from Catherine the Great, but by the 19th century, about 6 million Germans had moved to America, driven by economic hardship and failed harvests.
Four Palestine Action activists—Charlotte Head, Samuel Corner, Leona Kamio, and Fatema Zainab Rajwani—are appealing their sentences as "terrorists" following a 2024 raid on an Israeli arms factory, where Head and Kamio received five-year sentences, Corner received seven years and eight months, and 21-year-old Rajwani received four years and eight months. The activists' conviction has raised concerns among human rights groups regarding its implications for protest-related cases in the UK, as it marked the first categorization of property damage as "terrorism" in British courts. The appeal argues that the activists' sentences are excessive and violate the European Convention on Human Rights, with the mothers of Kamio and Rajwani expressing their distress about their children's futures in prison.
A report from the European Court of Auditors highlights that the EU's ability to defend against foreign invasions by 2030 remains uncertain due to ongoing reliance on the US and fragmented national defense systems. Despite a 79% increase in defense spending by EU member states from 2020 to 2025 in response to the Russian threat, significant challenges such as industrial bottlenecks and insufficient cooperation between governments persist. Additionally, a staggering 78% of defense acquisitions by EU governments from February 2022 to June 2023 were sourced outside the bloc, with the US accounting for 63%, emphasizing the urgency for the EU to enhance its strategic autonomy.
Ministers are attempting to prevent MI5 files from being disclosed at the inquest into the 2025 Manchester synagogue attack, where Melvin Cravitz, 66, was killed by multiple knife wounds and Adrian Daulby, 53, was shot by police while preventing the attacker from entering. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood stated that the attacker, Jihad al-Shamie, was "never referred to the Prevent programme" or known to counter-terrorism police, raising concerns from victims' families about potential contradictions with the withheld MI5 material. The inquest, being led by Chief Coroner Alexia Durran, will examine al-Shamie’s background, security assessments for the Jewish community, and the state's response to the attack, which occurred on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in Judaism, on October 2.
Funerals were held for two Palestinian teenagers, Omar al-Nassan, 19, and Khalil Abu Alia, 16, who local officials claim were killed by Israeli settlers and soldiers during an incident in the village of al-Mughayyir, which has seen over three settler violence attacks per day on average this year, according to the UN. Overall, at least 81 Palestinians have died due to Israeli forces or settlers in the West Bank since the beginning of 2026, with 23 of those deaths linked to settler attacks. Additionally, the Israeli human rights group B'Tselem reported the demolition of the Palestinian village of Khirbet al-Tabban, displacing 70 residents without warning, marking the 66th community expelled since the Gaza war began in October 2023.
Nvidia has made a significant move in the AI landscape with its $13 billion acquisition of Hugging Face, a deal that highlights the growing importance of AI technology in the market. As investors show increasing confidence in Nvidia, the company's stock is experiencing gains linked to its expanding base of AI customers. Meanwhile, a record number of 401(k) millionaires have emerged, indicating that retirement savings are at all-time highs amidst ongoing economic fluctuations.
In the aftermath of devastating flash floods in Nepal and Tibet, thousands are reported missing, with local officials identifying at least 500 individuals unaccounted for in the village of Syabru Besi, which has been largely destroyed. Treacherous conditions are obstructing aid delivery, and survivors are being evacuated by army helicopters after fleeing to higher ground. The situation remains dire as communities struggle to cope with the destruction, leaving the village resembling a muddy riverbed with only one building still standing.
The Bureau of Meteorology has announced that the current El Niño is expected to be the strongest on record, with sea surface temperatures in the Niño 3.4 region already exceeding 2.2C to 2.3C above average, a record for August since reliable records began in 1950. Forecasts suggest that these temperatures could peak over 3C above average, surpassing the previous record of 2.6C observed in January 1983. Additionally, research indicates that climate change has made such extreme El Niño events six times more likely, further exacerbating drought conditions and contributing to increased global temperatures next year.
Five bodies have been recovered from a boat that was carrying West Africans and was rescued off the Canary Islands, where 44 men were found drifting 120 km south of Gran Canaria. An NGO estimates that 83 migrants, including three women and a baby girl, died on a boat that left The Gambia 27 days prior, while the Spanish maritime service confirmed 5 deceased but could not verify the higher toll. From January 1 to August 31, 5,163 migrants reached the Canaries by sea, reflecting a 57 percent drop compared to the same timeframe last year.