A federal judge in Maryland, Deborah Boardman, has blocked President Donald Trump's new executive order aimed at rolling back birthright citizenship, citing the Supreme Court's prior ruling that deemed his last attempt unconstitutional. The new order, issued on August 6, targeted children of foreign nationals, particularly those involved in "birth tourism," but Boardman ruled it unconstitutional for the same reasons as the Supreme Court's June ruling in the case Barbara v Trump, which affirmed that children in such cases are citizens at birth. The Supreme Court upheld birthright citizenship under the Fourteenth Amendment with a six to three decision, and Trump's efforts to challenge it continue to face substantial legal pushback from immigrant rights advocates and families.
A 15-year-old boy has been charged after allegedly assaulting a 17-year-old in Redfern, Sydney, resulting in a "near-complete amputation" of the teenager's hand. The assault occurred around 6pm on Wednesday night, where the victim sustained serious injuries to his right arm and was taken to the hospital. The accused has been charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and breach of bail, and was denied bail to appear in a children's court.
Abraham Mofokeng, now 86, survived the Sharpeville massacre on March 21, 1960, where at least 69 protesters were killed and many others injured as police fired on thousands demonstrating against oppressive pass laws. Despite South Africa's transition to democracy in 1994, survivors like Mofokeng feel that justice has not been served, as a 1961 indemnity law has prevented the prosecution of those responsible for the violence. Current efforts, including a legal case to challenge this law, aim to address the lingering scars of apartheid in a township still showing signs of decay and neglect.
The UNICEF report highlights that one in five young people aged 12 to 17 experienced sexual assault in the past year, with over 15 million children exposed to unwanted sexual content. The majority of assaults originate from social media platforms, primarily Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram, accounting for 60% of cases, while 57% of perpetrators are known to their victims. The report, based on a survey of around 21,000 young internet users across 21 countries, indicates that many victims suffer in silence, with 41% never reporting the incident to anyone.
The UNICEF report reveals that one in five individuals aged 12 to 17 experienced sexual assault over the past year, with more than 15 million children exposed to unwanted sexual content, 9 million pressured into sexual conversations, and 4 million having sexual images shared without consent. Approximately 41% of victims never reported their assault, with 60% of incidents occurring on platforms owned by Meta, including Facebook and Instagram. The analysis was based on a survey of around 21,000 young people across 21 countries, highlighting the need for increased safety measures on social media platforms.
President Donald Trump hailed the recently announced deal granting US control over 17 Venezuelan oil fields, which contain approximately 65 billion barrels of crude, as "the biggest in history." The agreement involves North American Blue Energy Partners, headed by Venezuelan businessman Alejandro Betancourt López, who has a net worth of around $2.6 billion and has been investigated in five countries for alleged wrongdoing. Despite facing scrutiny over past government contracts worth $5 billion, accusations of overbilling by 138%, and controversies surrounding his business practices, Betancourt's extensive network now includes about 50 companies across 16 countries.
Tens of thousands of people, approximately 50,000 in Madrid alone, protested across Spain against Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's handling of the border crisis in Ceuta, coinciding with the city's annual official holiday. The Spanish government allocated €309 million ($357 million) to support Ceuta's social services and security infrastructure, while migrants, including unaccompanied minors, continue to remain on the streets in the city. As protests unfolded in over 200 cities, the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces organized the rallies, amidst accusations from opposition parties that Sanchez's government is pursuing an appeasement policy towards Morocco.
The Dutch central bank, De Nederlandsche Bank, relocated 86 tonnes of its gold reserves from the US and Canada to London due to "increasing geopolitical unrest" to enhance trading efficiency and crisis response capability. Following the move, London's share of the Dutch gold reserves increased from 18.1% to 32.1%, while shares in New York and Ottawa decreased to 18.5% each; the total Dutch gold stock remains at 612.4 tonnes, valued at €72.2 billion ($83.7 billion). The transfer, conducted between March and August, involved a combination of buying and selling, as well as physically transporting over 27 tonnes of gold to mitigate risks.
British actor Tim Curry, known for his role in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, died at the age of 80 from coronary artery disease on August 25, 2026, at his home in Los Angeles. He had a history of significant health issues, including stroke and kidney cancer, which contributed to his death, as confirmed by his spokesman. Despite suffering a near-fatal stroke in 2012 that left him wheelchair-bound, Curry continued to engage with fans, focusing on voice acting and sharing his experiences in his memoir, Vagabond, published the previous year.
Thousands of protesters, estimated at around 50,000 in Madrid alone, rallied across Spain against the migrant crisis in Ceuta, sparked by over 70,000 migrants crossing from Morocco on July 30 and 31, resulting in at least 80 deaths. The Spanish government claims about 5,000 migrants remain in Ceuta, including 1,200 minors, while local estimates suggest a higher count, amid reports of violence and protests from both residents and migrants. In response to the crisis, Madrid has pledged 309 million euros ($357 million) in aid for Ceuta, amidst accusations of political exploitation and calls for empathy toward the vulnerable migrants.
Office collections for colleague events like birthdays or weddings often see individuals contribute based on their personal relationship with the person being celebrated, with some only donating if they genuinely like the recipient. The average contribution for these collections in early 2023 was £11.65, according to analysis from over 5,000 contributions. Those in junior positions are frequently expected to participate, while higher-paid employees may contribute less often, leading to frustration among those who feel obliged to give for colleagues they don’t know well.
China's carbon dioxide emissions decreased by 1% following the outbreak of the US-Israeli war on Iran, driven by a 32% reduction in oil imports and a surge in electric vehicle usage, which included displacing the equivalent of the UK's entire oil consumption over a six-month period. The country's overall oil use fell by 9% and by 16% in the transport sector, as demand shifted towards electric cars, buses, and other public transport despite a rise in coal generation during the quarter. Analysts assert that this shift towards electrification not only indicates a potential turning point in China's decarbonisation efforts but also highlights the country's strategic move away from fossil fuel dependence amidst geopolitical risks.
One person was killed and six others, including two police officers, were injured in a shooting in downtown Minneapolis on Wednesday afternoon. The Hennepin County Medical Center received a total of seven patients, one of whom was deceased, and local authorities urged the public to avoid the area near the Minneapolis convention center. The FBI has also joined the efforts to support local law enforcement responding to the situation.
OpenAI is facing a wave of lawsuits, including 30 new complaints filed in federal court in California regarding a mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, that resulted in eight deaths, with five children and one educator killed at a school. The lawsuits allege negligence and involvement in the shooting by OpenAI and its CEO, Sam Altman, claiming they failed to report the 18-year-old shooter's intentions after she described gun violence scenarios to ChatGPT. In total, there are now seven initial lawsuits and additional cases from British Columbia, with accusations that OpenAI's AI tools have contributed to other tragic incidents, including suicides.
More than a dozen survivors of Jeffrey Epstein's abuse have urged billionaire Leon Black to comply with congressional subpoenas and appear before the House oversight committee to clarify his connections to Epstein. Black has previously faced accusations of delaying the investigation and paid Epstein tens of millions of dollars for tax and estate-planning services, while also being called to produce all nondisclosure agreements he possesses. The House oversight committee's chairman has threatened to hold Black in contempt if he fails to cooperate, as millions of Epstein-related documents remain unreleased nearly a year after the Epstein Files Transparency Act was signed.
Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer was suspended for one year, and the team was fined $30 million and ordered to forfeit five first-round draft picks due to salary cap circumvention involving forward Kawhi Leonard, who faced a $700,000 penalty. The investigation, initiated in September 2025, revealed a $28 million endorsement contract that violated league rules, linked to Leonard's former business manager who was implicated in a separate fraud case. The Clippers have rejected the findings, claiming bias in the investigation, and intend to challenge the penalties vigorously.
Cassandra Wilson, the two-time Grammy-winning jazz singer, songwriter, and producer, passed away at the age of 70 in Jackson, Mississippi. Known for her genre-bending voice and deep roots in American music, she received four Grammy nominations, winning twice for best jazz vocal album in 1997 and 2009. Wilson was honored in 2022 as a National Endowment for the Arts jazz master, and her artistry left a lasting impact, as noted by Jon Batiste and Jackson's mayor, John Horhn.
The LA Clippers have been fined a record $30 million by the NBA for violating salary rules to secure off-court income for star player Kawhi Leonard, who also received a $700,000 fine. The team will forfeit five first-round draft picks from 2029 to 2033, and owner Steve Ballmer has been suspended for 12 months due to his involvement in the violations. Following an investigation, the NBA expressed disappointment over the repeated misconduct and will implement a five-year compliance program for the Clippers organization.
Senator Thom Tillis has urged President Trump to fire Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, criticizing him for creating a "leadership void" amid the ongoing war with Iran, which has reached its six-month mark. Tillis highlighted the resignation of former Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, implying it resulted from Hegseth’s poor management and fixation on culture war issues rather than the military's modernization. The war, which began on February 28, has left the Pentagon struggling with dwindling munitions and has significantly impacted the Trump administration's popularity, with over two-thirds of Americans disapproving of its handling of the situation.
The US bond market is signaling concerns as energy prices surge due to the Iran war. Patagonia is collaborating with tribal and conservation groups to legally challenge President Trump's decision to open over 1.2 million acres of Bears Ears for potential development. Additionally, the NBA has fined the Clippers $30 million and Kawhi Leonard $700,000 for circumventing salary cap rules, while also stripping the team of five first-round draft picks.
Thousands of people protested across Spain, particularly in Madrid where over 50,000 gathered, against Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's handling of the migrant crisis in Ceuta, where at least 72,000 migrants crossed from Morocco on July 30 and 31, 2023. While most migrants have returned, around 5,000 remain in makeshift camps, leading to unrest and calls for Sánchez's resignation from opposition parties like the Partido Popular and Vox. A police report indicated that Moroccan security forces showed “total permissiveness” during the influx, with allegations of a reduced police presence, though it stopped short of directly blaming Morocco for orchestrating the crossings.
Andy Burnham will host French President Emmanuel Macron at Downing Street to discuss key foreign policy issues, particularly the migrant crisis, with the aim of curbing irregular migration and negotiating better relations with the EU. As part of their discussions, they plan to announce an increase in French police resources tackling small boat crossings, growing the number of officers from approximately 840 to nearly 1,050 within four months, and establishing a 75-member specialist team focused on arrests and equipment seizures. The meeting occurs in the context of an ongoing drop in small boat crossings, which have reached a seven-year low, attributed largely to efforts by Burnham's predecessor and possibly improvements in Syria’s security.
Maltese businessman Yorgen Fenech, 44, was acquitted of commissioning the 2017 murder of investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, who was killed by a car bomb at age 53; the jury's decision was 8-1, and he faced a potential life sentence had he been found guilty. Caruana Galizia had been targeted for her investigations into political and business corruption in Malta, and at the time of her death, she was facing approximately 40 libel suits. Five people have been convicted in connection with the murder, with three found guilty of carrying it out, and all are currently in jail, while her family continues to demand justice and accountability for the institutional failures surrounding her death.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has acknowledged that Israel intends to remove Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, referring to it as the "only solution," despite US President Donald Trump only freezing the plan, which rights advocates decry as ethnic cleansing. Katz stated that there is no real solution for Gaza without this migration, while the US has provided around $25 billion in military aid to Israel over the past three years and defended it internationally. Amid ongoing military actions and aid restrictions in Gaza, Katz emphasized that the plan is still under discussion and dependent on US support, as Egypt refuses to accept Palestinian refugees.
Two Palestinian teenagers, Mohammad Na’ssan and Khalil Abu Aliya, both 19 years old, were killed during a raid by Israeli settlers and forces in al-Mughayyir, a village that has experienced repeated violence in recent months. Since the start of 2026, at least 79 Palestinians—including 19 children—have been killed and approximately 1,870 injured in the occupied West Bank due to settler and Israeli military actions, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Recent incidents highlight rising settler violence, with a reported attempt to set fire to a mosque and continued confrontations leading to significant injuries among Palestinians.
The NBA has penalized the Los Angeles Clippers by docking them five first-round draft picks, imposing a $30 million fine, and suspending owner Steve Ballmer for a year due to salary cap violations related to Kawhi Leonard's signing. Additionally, the league handed out suspensions without pay to president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank for six months and president of business operations Gillian Zucker for one year, while Leonard himself was fined $700,000. The investigation uncovered a scheme involving a $28 million agreement where Leonard was allegedly paid for a non-existent role to bypass salary cap restrictions, leading the Clippers to contest the findings vehemently.
Patagonia is suing Donald Trump over his decision to reduce protections for nearly 3 million acres of the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments in Utah by 90%, which would open the land to oil and gas companies. The company argues that this action disrespects tribal sovereignty and contravenes the Antiquities Act, which permits the establishment of national monuments but does not allow their unmaking. In response to the administration's rollback, Patagonia's CEO stated that protecting these sites is valued more than any money, emphasizing the widespread agreement among Americans regarding the need for preservation.
Daniel Driscoll, the US Army Secretary, resigned after appealing to President Trump about military leadership changes affecting readiness for war, marking his exit from a role aimed at modernizing the Army's combat strategies. His resignation adds to a pattern of personnel changes initiated by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, which has seen numerous senior officials, including diverse leaders, removed or pressured to resign, raising concerns about the military's merit-based promotion system amid a $1 trillion budget and over 1.3 million active-duty personnel. Critics highlight Hegseth's focus on eliminating what he terms “woke” ideology and his controversial initiatives, such as annual testosterone screenings for soldiers over 30, as detrimental to the military’s effectiveness.
The Trump administration is supporting OpenAI in a lawsuit brought by the New York Times, alleging that OpenAI used millions of the Times' articles without permission to train its AI systems. The US government's brief states that AI training is "extraordinarily" transformative and emphasizes the importance of retaining global leadership in artificial intelligence. Copyright owners have filed numerous lawsuits against tech companies over AI training practices, with the outcome largely hinging on interpretations of fair use laws.
Jim Chalmers reflected on the One Nation candidate Luke Herdegen's success in securing 57% of the vote after preferences in the Secret Harbour byelection, acknowledging the impact of inflation, cost of living, and real wages on voter concerns. He emphasized the government's focus on addressing these economic issues to increase productivity and reduce inflation. Chalmers believes the political landscape is shifting, highlighting a divide between the Labor government addressing genuine concerns and the opposition parties that exploit these issues for their benefit.