Trump criticized Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick for incorrectly claiming that no Americans had died in the Iran war, contradicting the Pentagon’s report of 18 U.S. service members killed. Lutnick acknowledged his error, attributing his statement to confusion with a previous operation in Venezuela, which had minimal U.S. casualties. The ongoing conflict has led to significant casualties on both sides, with Iranian reports indicating 18 fatalities and 108 injuries from U.S. strikes, while a recent poll showed 54% of Americans disapproving of the war.
Giorgia Meloni's government has become Italy's longest-running since World War II, leading her to host a celebratory event in Bari with an expected crowd of 10,000 people. However, her political stability faces challenges from Roberto Vannacci, a far-right leader whose Futuro Nazionale party has surged to approximately 8% in polls, overtaking both the League and Forza Italia. Vannacci is known for his extreme policies, including opposition to abortion, banning gay individuals from television during certain hours, and advocating for drastic immigration measures, alongside controversial foreign policy stances favoring Vladimir Putin.
Martin McDonagh's new film, *Wild Horse Nine*, features John Malkovich as a CIA agent grappling with guilt over U.S. interventions in global democratic processes, particularly focusing on the coup against Salvador Allende in Chile in 1973. In discussing the history and actions of the CIA, McDonagh emphasizes the need for greater scrutiny of its activities over the past 60 years, referencing significant events like the 1954 Guatemalan coup and the assassination of Patrice Lumumba. The film's exploration of guilt and the darker aspects of geopolitical history resonates with contemporary issues, suggesting parallels between past and present covert operations.
Iran has targeted US military bases in the UAE and Kuwait using missiles and drones, highlighting its military capabilities despite a new sanctions regime. The strikes included an attack on the Ahmad al-Jaber air base in Kuwait and Al Minhad air base in the UAE, with Kuwait's defense ministry reporting interception of these attacks. Israeli defense chief Israel Katz warned that the intense economic pressures on Iran from sanctions could lead to desperate escalations, while Iran maintains its missile stockpiles and production capability contrary to US claims of depletion.
President Putin denied any plans for further mobilization of troops, rejecting such claims as Ukrainian “disinformation” and asserting that there is “no scenario today that would require mobilization.” He emphasized that Russian enlistments are voluntary and dismissed mobilization speculations as "utter nonsense" ahead of upcoming State Duma elections. While Putin acknowledged the potential for peace between Russia and Ukraine, he insisted that any resolution must be made by the two countries, and he condemned Ukraine for creating unsafe conditions in Russian airspace.
Billionaire financier Leon Black failed to appear for a scheduled deposition on his ties to Jeffrey Epstein and has instead filed a lawsuit against the House oversight committee, arguing it lacks the authority to compel him to produce non-disclosure agreements. Black, who has been linked to Epstein over the years, has repeatedly denied wrongdoing while his lawyers claim the committee's actions are an abuse of Congressional power. Democratic Representative Robert Garcia has called for Black to be held in contempt for defying two subpoenas, while committee chair James Comer criticized Black for using litigation to avoid providing answers.
A shootout in central Kyiv on Wednesday morning between officers from Ukraine's domestic security service (SBU) and military intelligence directorate (HUR) injured three HUR officers and was described by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as "disgraceful." The clash reportedly stemmed from the SBU's arrest of a Russian national fighting for Ukraine, leading to an investigation initiated by both the SBU and HUR. In related incidents, at least five people died from Russian strikes across Ukraine that same night, amidst calls from Zelenskyy for increased security measures due to rising tensions.
two-month-old post office is over two miles away.” As of now, only about 25% of the homes destroyed in the wildfire have been rebuilt, and residents are facing significant challenges receiving mail due to USPS's policy that requires them to travel to a distant post office, where limited staff and extended lines often create further frustration. The USPS has declared that all rebuilt homes in Lahaina will not receive street delivery, classifying the area as "new development," despite its historic significance and the fact that the destruction was caused by the wildfire.
The driver, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, faces charges including causing death by dangerous driving after a car carrying boxer Anthony Joshua crashed, resulting in the deaths of Joshua's friends, Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami. The incident occurred last December while they were en route to visit Joshua's father, where Kayode lost control of his Lexus SUV while attempting to overtake a moving truck, colliding with a parked lorry. The trial has been adjourned until September 10, with police still trying to obtain a statement from Joshua regarding the crash.
A shootout between Ukraine's Main Directorate of Intelligence (HUR) and the State Security Service (SBU) has left at least three security officials wounded, highlighting significant internal conflict within Kyiv's security establishment. The incident occurred after the SBU took into custody Stepan Kaplunov, a deputy commander of the Russian Volunteer Corps (RVC), which is affiliated with HUR, leading to accusations and allegations of a "kidnapping" by HUR. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the event, asserting that only defensive actions against Russian aggressors are acceptable, and announced disciplinary measures, including the dismissal of Oleg Khramov, head of the SBU’s Department for the Protection of State Secrets.
A radical movement of young Israeli women known as the "Hilltop Girls" is abandoning civilian life to establish rudimentary settlements in the occupied West Bank, advocating for a strategy of "soft settlement" to legitimize the gradual seizure of Palestinian land. The Maoz Esther outpost, which evolved from a small youth site to the "Girls’ Hill," has grown to host 17 families and over 50 children by 2025, surpassing the neighboring 950-dunam Kochav HaShahar settlement, while efforts are underway to connect more than 20 outposts to the nearby Ofra settlement. The movement is supported by nearly $40 million in government subsidies, with politicians offering legislative cover to facilitate Jewish purchases of West Bank land, indicating state complicity in their expansion.
Somalia's military successfully repelled an attack in Baidoa by militias loyal to ousted Governor Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen, with the clashes lasting several hours and involving explosions aimed at terrorizing civilians. Following the attack, the ministry stated that they inflicted a heavy defeat on the attackers, although a spokesperson for pro-Laftagareen forces claimed they had captured parts of the city. The Defence Ministry is currently investigating the number of fighters killed during the assault and noted the armed groups' collaboration with al-Shabab terrorists, amidst ongoing opposition to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's governance.
Russian Aerospace Forces chief Aleksandr Chayko survived a bombing at a birthday celebration in Moscow that resulted in the deaths of at least five people following an attack by a woman with a homemade bomb. Chayko, who has been implicated in war crimes and commands the military aspect of Russia's space program, has seen Ukraine successfully target key facilities, including a recent drone strike on the Dubna space communications center that damaged important infrastructure. Ukrainian drones also flew over 1,800 km to reach strategic locations in Russia, including the Plesetsk cosmodrome, where they were able to threaten operations, although no damage was reported to the launchpad.
Hillary Clinton led tributes to feminist icon Gloria Steinem, who died at 92, calling her one of the architects of women’s equality and urging younger generations to follow her example. Clinton expressed personal reflections on Steinem’s influence, stating she experienced barriers firsthand when pursuing opportunities in education and employment that were often inaccessible to women in the past. Other notable figures, including Roxane Gay and Rachel Cargle, echoed sentiments of gratitude and admiration for Steinem's legacy in advancing women's rights and activism.
Before the 2011 revolution, Tunisia experienced significant social and economic imbalances, with average growth at 4% annually over the decade prior, which halved between 2011 and 2021. Despite initial political pluralism and freedom following the revolution, economic conditions deteriorated, leading to severe public finance issues, electricity and water cuts, and a struggling health system by 2026. Kais Saied's populist approach to governance emphasized fighting corruption and recovering stolen wealth, yet ultimately failed to address the underlying economic challenges, resulting in citizens facing extreme hardships.
John Lewis is launching an online chatshow, the Gift List "vodcast," hosted by Angela Scanlon, to enhance visibility in AI search results, with six episodes planned leading up to Christmas. The move comes as searches via AI large language models, such as ChatGPT, rose from 0.3% to 2.5% among customers over the past year. Former director Peter Ruis expressed optimism about Christmas sales, noting recent innovations and a successful summer, despite concerns over inflation impacting consumer spending.
US Vice-President JD Vance recently discussed his views on the Antichrist and the "end times" during a Christian podcast, suggesting he wouldn't be surprised if the Antichrist were among us. His friend Rod Dreher noted that such beliefs are common among many Republican voters and that Vance's comments are not likely to harm his political standing. Vance, who converted to Catholicism in 2019, emphasized his focus on leadership and family over apocalyptic speculation.
A 16-year-old boy in Wales was sentenced to four and a half years in youth detention for stabbing a teacher, Vicki Williams, in the head with a 20cm kitchen knife during a planned attack at Milford Haven comprehensive school. The attack, which occurred in February and left Williams with a scalp wound and PTSD, was noted by the judge to be the second such incident in south-west Wales within two years. Concerns were raised about possible copycat behaviors following the incident, especially in light of a similar attack in April 2024 where a schoolgirl attempted to murder teachers and a student.
Despite a nationwide drop in overall homicides, domestic violence killings remain high, with Chicago seeing a 15% rise in domestic violence-related deaths from 2024 to 2025, while Ohio recorded its deadliest year for such incidents in 2025. The National Domestic Violence Hotline experienced a significant increase in call volume, answering over one million in 2025 compared to nearly 637,000 in 2020, reflecting growing demand for legal help and housing support. Funding cuts during the Trump administration have severely impacted non-profits that respond to domestic violence, with proposed budget reductions of nearly $30 million for essential grant programs, further straining resources for prevention and assistance efforts.
The European transfer window may be closed, but several notable players without contracts, such as Paul Pogba and Karim Benzema, remain available for clubs to sign. Pogba, who served an 18-month doping ban and played only six games for Monaco, is now seeking a new team at 33, while 38-year-old Benzema recently had his contract with Al-Hilal terminated after joining the Saudi Pro League in 2023. Other free agents include 26-year-old Jadon Sancho, released by Manchester United after a £73 million transfer, and 31-year-old Raheem Sterling, who was let go by Feyenoord after just three months and eight appearances.
Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that there is no "solid evidence" that Morocco facilitated the crossing of about 70,000 people during the late July Ceuta border breach, despite a police report suggesting otherwise. During a parliamentary address, he revealed that approximately 141 migrants are believed to have died trying to enter Ceuta, and as of now, around 10% of those who crossed remain in Spain, including at least 500 minors. Sánchez emphasized that under Spanish and international law, migrants must be treated as individuals, rejecting calls from some parties to forcibly return them to Morocco.
Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema was sworn in for a second five-year term amidst concerns over a disputed election, where his main rival faces treason charges and opposition voices have questioned the vote's credibility, with four out of ten voters backing the other side. While Hichilema promises reconciliation, analysts emphasize the need for genuine political space and dialogue with those who supported his opponents to heal a divided nation. Observers warn that the independence of institutions and the protection of political speech will be critical to restoring public trust in Zambia's democracy.
An invasive tropical mosquito, Aedes aegypti, has been found breeding in homes in east London, marking the first instance of this species found breeding in the UK and the fourth detection overall. Although the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reported a low public risk with no evidence of human infections, they warned that climate change could lead to more incursions and the possibility of these mosquitoes surviving in the UK due to rising temperatures. Additionally, a study earlier this year indicated that chikungunya could be transmitted in most of Europe, emphasizing the need for improved biosecurity and surveillance measures to prevent the establishment of such invasive species.
Nvidia has announced its acquisition of AI software platform Hugging Face for $12.93 billion, with plans to scale the platform and expand AI access globally. Hugging Face has over 18 million users, who have created over 3 million models used in over a million applications. Despite the acquisition, Hugging Face will remain an open platform, allowing developers flexibility in their choices of models and infrastructure, and its co-founders will continue their roles within Nvidia.
South African aviation authorities are reviewing a low-altitude flyover by two Airlink planes during a rugby match in Cape Town, where one aircraft flew just 15 meters (50 feet) above the packed stadium. Although the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) confirmed that the flyovers were pre-approved and planned with safety in mind—each plane carrying three senior captains with a total of 75,000 flight hours—Airlink has canceled another scheduled flypast in Johannesburg due to unfavorable weather conditions. The SACAA emphasizes South Africa's high aviation safety standards, ranking seventh globally and first in Africa, with no fatal accidents in commercial airline operations for over 40 years.
UEFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against Fenerbahce's Matteo Guendouzi and Mason Greenwood following a Champions League playoff match against Olympique Lyonnais, where they allegedly made provocative gestures that incited a brawl. Fenerbahce, which won the match 2-1 and progressed to the league phase with a 3-2 aggregate victory, stated they will defend the rights of their players during this process. UEFA confirmed that the events from that match are still under review by their disciplinary body.
The Centre party in Sweden has pledged to change laws to protect British citizens facing deportation due to administrative issues related to Brexit, specifically addressing cases like that of 78-year-old Joyce Thomas, who was told to leave Sweden after 21 years. Niels Paarup-Petersen, the party's migration spokesperson, emphasized the need for a more compassionate approach and highlighted the high refusal rates for British citizens, urging action before the upcoming general election. Polls indicate a potential shift in power, with the centre-left coalition, including the Centre party and the Social Democrats, leading by 10 percentage points ahead of the vote scheduled for next Sunday.
Helen Paterson, an associate professor in forensic psychology at the University of Sydney, was awarded a prestigious Eureka prize for her research on memory accuracy in domestic violence survivors, highlighting that repeated-event witnesses often report gist-like details and may confuse episodes, which can affect their perceived credibility during trials. Paterson's findings reveal that these witnesses are viewed as “less honest” and “less cognitively competent,” despite their recollections being generally accurate regarding what happened to them. The Eureka prizes, established in 1990, recognize outstanding contributions in various scientific fields, with Paterson winning in the forensic science category, among other notable achievements by Australian researchers.
The German economy grew by 0.3% in the second quarter of 2026, surpassing expectations and contributing to projections of over 1.3% growth for the year from various institutes. The Ifo business climate index reached its highest level in a year, suggesting a possible recovery, though concerns about underlying economic issues remain. Factors contributing to this upturn include a 2% increase in foreign orders for the mechanical sector and strategic adjustments in supply chains, while the government’s €500 billion infrastructure investment and heightened defense spending also play a role.
Reform UK has received an additional £4 million from crypto billionaire Ben Delo, bringing his total donations to the party to £8 million, making him its second-largest donor after Christopher Harborne, who has contributed £15 million. Delo, who was pardoned by Donald Trump after being convicted in the US for failing to maintain anti-money laundering controls, is believed to have potentially circumvented a new overseas donor cap that could affect other donors like Harborne and Sasan Ghandehari. The latest electoral figures indicate that political donations reached £17 million in the second quarter of the year, up from £11 million the previous year, as parties prepare for possible early elections.