A jury in Malta acquitted businessman Yorgen Fenech of charges related to the 2017 car bomb killing of investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, marking the end of the prosecution of the last of six individuals implicated in the case. Caruana Galizia, who was 53 at the time of her death, was known for her extensive reporting on corruption, and her assassination led to mass protests and the resignation of then-Prime Minister Joseph Muscat due to allegations of a culture of impunity. In a statement, her family expressed their disappointment in the verdict, stating that nine years after her assassination, institutional failures regarding her murder remain unaddressed, and they emphasized the necessity for reforms to prevent similar tragedies.
Before the war began on November 19, 2023, 24-year-old Shurouq Khaira, a promising athlete from Gaza, dreamed of competing in the Olympics, but her life changed dramatically when her home was struck by Israeli shelling, resulting in the amputation of her right leg below the knee. Since the war's onset, around 6,000 amputations have occurred in Gaza, with approximately a quarter of those affecting children, making it the largest source of child amputees in modern history. The healthcare system has collapsed due to shortages of surgical supplies, with many amputations deemed unavoidable, and restrictions on imports further delay essential prosthetic production for those like Shurouq.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth is facing criticism in Canada after posting a mocking social media image of a cadet receiving an award, captioned "this is real," which Canadian officials condemned as unbecoming of his office. Canadian Defence Minister David McGuinty called the post "below the dignity of the office," and the Army Cadet League of Canada denounced any harassment or mockery aimed at youth involved in the national cadet program, which serves ages 12 to 18. The controversy comes amid escalating tensions in US-Canada relations, highlighted by a recent breakdown in trade talks and the imposition of 50% tariffs on approximately $20 billion (C$28 billion) of Canadian imports by the US.
Saudi Arabia condemned an Iranian attack on its national shipping company's Sidr oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, which resulted in the deaths of two Filipino citizens. The attack, described as a "flagrant violation" of international law by Qatar, is part of ongoing hostilities linked to the US-Israeli conflict with Iran that escalated on February 28. Prior to the conflict, approximately 20 percent of the world's oil passed through the Strait of Hormuz, but recent incidents, including attacks on multiple Bahri vessels, have significantly disrupted traffic in the area.
The United States plans to leverage the Organization of American States (OAS) to isolate Nicaragua due to recent constitutional changes that undermine democracy, as stated by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Nicaraguan lawmakers recently passed a reform package that bans opposition parties from elections and extends the presidential term from six to seven years, which President Ortega defends as a move to prevent “traitors” from seizing power. This follows a crackdown in 2018 that resulted in over 300 deaths and led to the exile of hundreds, with at least 200 settling in the US.
Harold Vanderford, the police chief of Senatobia, Mississippi, was fired after it was revealed that he frequently used racist slurs in text messages, amid ongoing scrutiny following the shooting death of 1-year-old Kohen Wiley by a police officer. The town, which is approximately 40% Black, garnered national attention earlier in 2023 when an officer shot into a vehicle, killing the toddler who was in his mother's arms, with subsequent calls for transparency regarding the investigation into the incident. Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, representing Wiley's family, emphasized the need for the release of footage related to the shooting and demanded updates from state officials about the investigation almost three months after the incident.
A Malta court has acquitted businessman Yorgen Fenech of masterminding the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, leading to a jury verdict of 8-1 after eight hours of deliberation. If found guilty, Fenech could have faced life imprisonment, while Caruana Galizia’s family expressed their dismay over the lack of institutional reform since her murder in 2017, emphasizing the need for lasting justice. The case has drawn significant international attention, highlighting the connections between Malta's business and political elites, as well as the failures of the country’s authorities to protect the journalist prior to her killing.
Apple Maps has renamed Lake Ontario to "Lake America" for US users following a controversial executive order from Donald Trump, while users outside the US still see the original name. The renaming comes amid escalating trade tensions between the US and Canada, during which Trump imposed a 50% tariff on several Canadian imports, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney criticized the name change as disregarding Indigenous heritage. Meanwhile, Google Maps also adopted the new name for US users, while MapQuest, which rejected Trump’s request, surged to the top of Apple’s App Store after posting a screenshot of Lake Ontario with a defiant message.
European Union foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas announced that the EU is intensifying pressure on Russia in response to allegations that Moscow was behind a failed drone attack on Leipzig/Halle Airport, which occurred on August 4 and involved three drones carrying explosives. The EU plans to sanction an additional 1,600 individuals and entities tied to Russia's military sector, expanding upon the over 3,000 already sanctioned since the start of the Ukraine conflict in February 2022. Kallas characterized the attempted attack as "state-sponsored terrorism" and mentioned a consensus among EU foreign ministers for potential visa restrictions on former Russian military personnel and tourists.
Yorgen Fenech, a 44-year-old Maltese businessman, has been acquitted of complicity in the murder of investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, with the jury clearing him by an 8-1 margin after eight hours of deliberation. Caruana Galizia, who was known for her deep investigations into corruption and was a key figure in the Panama Papers, was killed by a car bomb in October 2017 at the age of 53, prompting widespread public outrage and protests. In 2022, brothers George and Alfred Degiorgio were sentenced to 40 years in prison for her murder, and in 2025, two other men were jailed for life for supplying the bomb used in the assassination.
A Luger pistol, discovered by British tourists swimming in Lake Annecy on August 20, is being analyzed for possible links to the unsolved 2012 murders of Saad al-Hilli, his wife Ikbal, her mother Suhaila al-Allaf, and cyclist Sylvain Mollier, who were killed near Annecy. The families' two daughters, then aged four and seven, survived the attack, which has led to various leads over the years, including several arrests and DNA analyses, but no firm conclusions have been drawn. The French prosecutor confirmed the semi-automatic pistol, found about five feet deep in the lake, was turned over to local authorities the following day after the tourists linked it to the vintage weapon initially identified at the crime scene.
King Charles emphasized the loan of the Bayeux tapestry as a symbol of the "entente amicale" between France and the UK, noting that the 70-meter artwork represents nearly 1,000 years of shared history and cultural trust. French President Emmanuel Macron remarked that the tapestry's return required "a little patience," with the first British request dating back to 1931, and it will be on loan until September 2027 as part of a trilateral agreement. The visit, which included discussions about the tapestry's historical events, was highlighted by UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham stating it exemplifies French-British cooperation, contributing to reducing summer small boat crossings to a seven-year low.
The USS Abraham Lincoln, a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier with a crew of 5,000, made its first port call in eastern Thailand after a demanding nine-and-a-half-month deployment amid the US-Israeli war on Iran, which has now entered its seventh month. Thai officials stated that the crew would have a period of rest and recovery at the resort hotel in Pattaya, while Captain Dan Keeler acknowledged the ship's deteriorating appearance as typical for prolonged deployments. Despite concerns from families regarding the lengthy deployment, President Trump maintained that the carrier had not been at sea long enough, while Rear Admiral Robert E. Loughran highlighted the historical achievements of the strike group during their operations.
The Trump administration's Justice Department sided with OpenAI in its legal battle against The Intercept and other media companies regarding OpenAI's use of copyrighted work to train its AI tools, arguing that such access is vital for U.S. scientific progress and competitiveness in AI. The Intercept's lawsuit, which was initially filed in February 2024, accuses OpenAI of copyright violations, with their claims allowed to proceed under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act following an initial dismissal of claims against Microsoft. The Justice Department supported OpenAI's defense of "fair use," suggesting that restricting its access to copyrighted material would have serious implications for competition in the AI market and innovation.
Since March, Israel has killed an average of seven children daily in Lebanon, with a total of at least 257 children killed and 1,039 injured over the last six months amid ongoing hostilities that have resulted in over 4,300 deaths and 12,000 injuries. Despite a ceasefire agreement in June 2024, over 348,800 people remain displaced, and significant barriers to essential services affect children returning home, with 340 schools damaged or destroyed. Save the Children warns that without urgent measures, at least 100,000 children risk missing the next school year.
Israel's defense minister, Israel Katz, stated the Israeli government is seeking Donald Trump's support for plans to expel Palestinians from Gaza, claiming that U.S. backing could influence regional acceptance of such actions. Katz emphasized that the government is prepared to remove Palestinians "by sea, by air, by every way possible," amid discussions surrounding a U.S. takeover of Gaza. He noted that Trump's approval is vital for persuading neighboring countries, particularly Egypt, to accept Palestinian refugees, and affirmed that these discussions are ongoing, despite a lack of official U.S. endorsement for deportation in a previous 20-point peace plan.
US prosecutors have not confirmed whether they secretly obtained journalist Don Lemon's phone records via an unusual administrative summons from the Department of Homeland Security, raising concerns over potential violations of the Fourth Amendment. In January, authorities issued a summons requesting records between December 19 and January 20 and have reportedly issued over 90 similar summonses for various types of information related to the case. Critics argue that this approach is an abuse of legal authority and undermines journalists' rights, especially since a judge had previously emphasized the need for special protections when seeking records from reporters.
New Jersey has petitioned the Supreme Court to resolve a legal dispute regarding the regulation of prediction markets, specifically focusing on the platform Kalshi, which claims to be regulated by federal commodities authorities, while some states argue for their oversight. The prediction market sector, which handles billions in bets—primarily sports betting accounting for 80% of weekly trading volume—faces conflicting rulings from federal appeals courts, with the Third Circuit favoring federal regulation and the Ninth Circuit advocating for state control. If the Supreme Court takes up the case, arguments could be heard this fall, with a decision expected by next summer.
Zack Polanski has received local Green party support to be the candidate for the Holborn and St Pancras byelection following Keir Starmer's resignation, with nominations expected to open soon and candidates selected by the end of next week. Polly has stated the byelection will serve as a "referendum on ending rip-off Britain," and Green party sources indicate that his rise in membership makes him a favorite for this traditionally Labour stronghold. The Labour party's frontrunner is Sagal Abdi-Wali, who has a compelling personal story and previously led Camden council, with nominations closing Friday and shortlisting expected next week.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham affirmed the UK's commitment to its military obligations while addressing economic challenges during his first Prime Minister's Questions since taking office. He pledged to fully fund the Defence Investment Plan and set out a strategy to meet NATO commitments by 2035, amidst criticism from opposition leader Kemi Badenoch regarding the funding of these commitments. Burnham announced a forthcoming 10-year plan focused on stronger public control over essential services, including a tax cut on household electricity bills and measures to ease tax burdens on the hospitality sector, highlighting that household energy bills are the highest in Europe.
Female film-makers remain underrepresented in the film industry, with only 43% of the 251 titles in the London Film Festival (LFF) this year made by women, and just two out of 21 gala films directed by women. LFF Director Kristy Matheson highlighted a significant drop in female directors beyond their debut films, indicating that while strong female talent is found early in their careers, their numbers decline sharply in subsequent works. The festival, running from October 7 to 19, underscores issues of community and labor, with notable films like Simon Stone's "Elsinore" and Jesse Eisenberg's "The Debut" addressing themes of creativity and social dynamics.
The mixed martial arts event in Orlando, featuring openly racist fighter Paul Miller, faced widespread condemnation after Miller made antisemitic remarks against his opponent, Ben Azoulay, and a spectator was ejected for waving a swastika flag. The incident, which included Miller giving Nazi salutes, prompted Democratic state representative Anna Eskamani to highlight the need to combat extremism and re-evaluate public venue policies, and the City of Orlando defended its obligation to uphold First Amendment rights despite the troubling content of the event. Mayor Buddy Dyer and other officials denounced the hate symbols displayed, while the event led to multiple fights breaking out in the crowd amid concerns about security and messaging.
Yorgen Fenech, one of Malta's wealthiest individuals, was found not guilty of complicity in the 2017 murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, with the jury delivering an eight to one verdict on both charges. Prosecutors had argued that Fenech paid €150,000 for the assassination while seeking a life sentence, but the trial raised questions regarding the possible involvement of higher political figures, including former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat’s chief of staff. The verdict is likely to be appealed, representing a significant setback for advocates of press freedom, as Caruana Galizia's murder had ignited waves of anti-corruption activism in Malta.
A 43-year-old Swiss man is the suspected lone perpetrator in a shooting at a rave in Aarau, Switzerland, which resulted in the death of a 22-year-old Italian woman and injured five others. The suspect, who surrendered to authorities and has psychological issues, was found in possession of two pistols and an AK-47 assault rifle. The motive for the attack remains unknown, and the event has shocked the public in a country where mass shootings are rare despite a high rate of gun ownership.
Jury deliberations in the Lindsay Clancy murder trial continued for a fifth day after a woman, Dawn Light, was arrested for allegedly filming jurors as they left the courthouse. Clancy, 36, pleaded not guilty by reason of lack of criminal responsibility for strangling her three young children in 2023, citing postpartum psychosis, while prosecutors assert she was aware of her actions. Light, 56, faced charges for intimidation and was arraigned, with evidence indicating she had video of the jurors on her phone, although she claimed she only intended to film Clancy.
Germany's recent measures against Russia, including the closure of the Russian consulate in Bonn and heightened entry controls for Russian citizens, are perceived as largely symbolic by experts like Dmitry Oreshkin and Boris Bondarev, who believe they won't fundamentally alter Moscow's strategic calculus. President Putin labeled these measures a "serious mistake," with the Kremlin indicating that it would respond "in kind," raising concerns about escalating diplomatic tensions. Despite the limited immediate impact, the actions may lead to a cycle of reciprocal restrictions and heightened scrutiny of cultural exchanges between the countries, reflecting a deeper divide in their respective worldviews on institutions like the Goethe-Institut.
Rayshawn Charlery's father, Joseph "Nathy" William, went missing on February 13 after going fishing with Ricky Joseph, the two men last seen before the U.S. military conducted drone strikes in the Caribbean, claiming to target drug traffickers, which have killed over 220 individuals since September 2025 without legal accountability or documentation. Family members, including Charlery and Ricky's brother, Titus Joseph, were left without answers as they filed missing persons reports but received no responses from local authorities regarding the fate of their loved ones. Despite having the wreckage of the fishing boat, which has become a rare piece of evidence, both families find themselves in uncertainty, and the Prime Minister of Saint Lucia acknowledged the lack of communication from the United States on the incidents.
The United Nations has facilitated an agreement between the competing governments of Libya to hold parliamentary and presidential elections within the next two years, marking a key step toward resolving the nation's prolonged division. Libya has been split between the UN-backed Government of National Unity in the west and the House of Representatives in the east since 2014, and previous election attempts have failed. Experts caution that the success of this new agreement will depend on its implementation, as past political agreements in Libya have not been effectively enacted.
The UN has facilitated an agreement between Libya's eastern and western governments to hold parliamentary and presidential elections within the next two years, marking a significant step towards overcoming a decade of division since the fall of Moammar Gadhafi in 2011. The elections will involve a restructuring of the electoral commission and resolution of past legal disagreements, although concerns about the possibility of free and fair elections remain. Despite previous failures of political agreements in Libya, there is an increasing recognition that both sides must be incorporated into one unified administration for the country's development and stability.
Saudi Arabia condemned an Iranian attack on the Saudi-owned supertanker Sidr, which occurred in the Strait of Hormuz and resulted in the deaths of two Filipino sailors. Two tankers, the Sidr and South Korean-owned Senegal Prosperity, were struck by projectiles while transiting the strait, with reports indicating that both vessels were loaded with two million barrels of oil each. Following the attack, Iran's health minister reported that 18 people were killed and 108 injured in US air strikes on Iran, which were part of ongoing tensions in the region involving commercial shipping and military actions.