The World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing featured over 2,000 humanoids from more than 660 tech companies, showcasing China's significant advancements in robotics ahead of a pivotal summit with the US. The event highlighted both impressive feats, such as robots sprinting faster than Usain Bolt in the 100m, and comical failures, with humorous moments resonating with millions of global viewers. China produced 12,800 humanoids last year, accounting for approximately 90% of the global total, underscoring its dominance in the robotics field as it seeks to address labor market challenges and expand its technological influence.
Gordon Brown, the former Prime Minister of the UK, stated in an interview that he believes it is inevitable that Ireland will unite in the long term, although he acknowledged that this would be a lengthy process requiring mutual agreement among the people involved. While Brown opposes Scottish independence, he indicated that Northern Ireland's geographical closeness to the Republic of Ireland could justify such unification. He emphasized that the transition toward renewable energy in the North Sea should involve maintaining existing infrastructure and skills, advocating for a European consortium to facilitate this shift.
In the first eight months of 2026, nearly 200,000 people have been forcibly returned to Haiti, which is a 10% increase from the same period the previous year, amidst surging gang violence and a recent attack in Kenscoff that left 47 dead. Currently, about 1.5 million people are internally displaced in Haiti, with conditions described as "squalid" and the displacement doubling over the past two years, while half of those displaced are children. At a United Nations Security Council meeting, Haiti called for the full deployment of the Gang Suppression Force, which aims to reach a capacity of 5,500 troops by fall, and emphasized the need for stronger enforcement of the arms embargo to address the illegal flow of weapons fueling gang violence.
Starbucks has shifted its focus from hot coffee to cold drinks, with over 75% of its beverages now being sold as cold options, such as iced fruity drinks and customizable refreshers. Research indicates that consumers under 25 purchase more cold drinks (over 60%) compared to their older counterparts (30%), and more than 70% of people buy cold drinks year-round, with a notable rise in summer months. The trend towards cold beverages, characterized by customization and visual appeal, has significantly contributed to Starbucks' resurgence after a period of declining sales, making cold drinks a crucial element of its business strategy.
Gen Ratko Mladić, known as the "Butcher of Bosnia," died in prison after being responsible for the death of approximately 100,000 individuals during the Yugoslav Wars, including at least 8,000 Bosnian Muslim men and boys in the Srebrenica genocide. The atrocities committed under his command also led to the displacement of 2.7 million people and the rape of 20,000 to 50,000 women and girls. Despite international condemnation and his conviction for genocide, many Serbians view him as a hero, leading the Serbian government to announce plans for his burial with military honors.
More than 40 Australians are among approximately 2,500 people reported missing following catastrophic flooding on the Nepal-Tibet border, including at least 777 foreigners. An 11-year-old child, an ADF member, and various pilgrims and trekkers are among those unaccounted for. The Red Cross estimates that at least 93,000 people have been affected by the disaster.
A devastating flash flood in Gyirong Port, a major border crossing between Nepal and Tibet, has resulted in hundreds of deaths and many more unaccounted for since Wednesday, prompting a massive rescue operation led by emergency workers. Despite the gravity of the situation, China has heavily censored information about the disaster, limiting coverage to a single still-frame image on state media and no survivor accounts, while daily updates on the missing and rescue operations have been sparse. China's Premier Li Qiang has been dispatched to the region to oversee recovery efforts, highlighting the government’s concern over potential unrest sparked by the disaster and its aftermath.
An Ecuadorian court has convicted former President Lenin Moreno of bribery related to the construction of the Coca Codo Sinclair hydroelectric plant, sentencing him to five years in prison and barring him from public office. The investigation revealed that the Chinese firm Sinohydro paid approximately $76.1 million in bribes through fraudulent contracts from 2009 to 2018, with Moreno and his family receiving over $1 million while he was vice president from 2007 to 2013. Alongside Moreno, his wife, daughter, and siblings received sentences of two and a half years, while Cai Runguo, China’s former ambassador to Quito, was also sentenced to five years.
Rescue efforts in the flood-affected Nepal-Tibet border region continue, with a reported death toll of at least 579 in Nepal and 5 in Tibet, while 1,924 people remain missing in Nepal and 558 in Tibet. The disaster was triggered by a glacier collapse at around 5,200 meters in the Himalayas, which caused a surge that raised the Trishuli River by 9 meters in just 30 minutes. Rescue operations were briefly halted due to fears of a second flood from a newly formed lake, but have resumed as risks were deemed manageable, with countries such as India, the UN, and the US providing international aid.
Voters in Guinea-Bissau will decide on August 30, 2026, whether to approve a new constitution that would shift the political system by strengthening presidential powers, trimming the parliament from 102 seats to 65, and reducing electoral constituencies from 29 to 12. This vote follows a military coup in November 2025, which led to General Horta Inta-A Na Man becoming the transitional president, and critics, including the main opposition party, the PAIGC, have called for a boycott over concerns that the reforms concentrate power too heavily in the presidency. The proposed changes also require presidential candidates to have lived in the country for at least five years prior to an election, pay a deposit of 50 million West African CFA francs (approximately $90,000), and ensure political parties have a minimum of 5,000 members, including 300 from each region.
The United States has finalized a deal granting control over 65 billion barrels of Venezuela's proven oil reserves, with President Trump claiming it will double American oil reserves and significantly reduce gas prices. Venezuela's interim President Delcy Rodriguez welcomed the agreement, expected to generate approximately $209 billion for the country's treasury. The deal, which aims to revitalize Venezuela's energy sector and could attract nearly $100 billion in private investment, follows weeks of negotiations and could face legal challenges regarding the management of the oil industry.
President Trump announced a deal with Venezuela that could grant the U.S. access to 65 billion barrels of untapped oil reserves, facilitated by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and involving the development of 17 fields. The agreement, which is labeled the "BIGGEST OIL DEAL IN WORLD HISTORY," allows the U.S. to own 55% of a new private company set to manage the reserves and could draw $100 billion in investments while yielding over $209 billion in taxes for Venezuela. This announcement comes amidst rising U.S. gas prices, which averaged $4.09 per gallon, up from $3.21 a year earlier, as the country faces challenges in energy supply due to international conflicts affecting oil transportation.
Tuareg rebels have released approximately 60 Malian soldiers in exchange for Inkinane Ag Attaher, a former Malian army officer, who was arrested by Nigerian security forces in 2025 for alleged involvement in orchestrating drone training and deadly attacks in Mali. This prisoner exchange was mediated by Niger's government, with the arrangement also resulting in the release of individuals linked to the al-Qaeda-affiliated Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) and other Tuareg members held in Malian prisons. The ongoing conflict in Mali, marked by a civil war since 2012, has seen increased attacks by JNIM and the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) against Malian government forces, complicating peace efforts despite Algeria's attempts to facilitate dialogue.
Sustained gunfire and explosions were reported in Niger's capital, Niamey, early on Saturday, particularly around the Diori Hamani international airport and the presidential palace. The ongoing violence follows a military coup in July 2023 that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum, with the current regime under General Abdourahamane Tchiani distancing itself from Western allies and aligning more closely with Russia. There was no immediate comment from Niger's government regarding the disturbances.
The Washington Commanders faced a significant loss against the Baltimore Ravens, with a preseason score of 41-3. The analysis highlighted four key takeaways from the game, emphasizing the team's performance as they prepare for the final preseason matchup. Additionally, there was mention of 91 players included in the Commanders' roster for the preseason game against the Ravens.
Piracy near Somalia has surged, with at least 13 ships attacked since the beginning of 2023, marking the most significant increase in hijackings in over a decade, fueled by regional conflicts and maritime blockades. The recent seizure of two vessels, including the Cameroon-flagged MV Lutuf, has led to drone strikes resulting in the deaths of 13 individuals linked to pirate operations, with six vessels currently held for ransom, four of which are near Bander Beyla, a piracy hotspot. Experts point to economic desperation in Somalia and increased shipping traffic in the region as factors that contribute to the resurgence of piracy, drawing parallels to past spikes in attacks that devastated the global economy.
Icelanders are currently voting in a referendum to decide whether to resume talks on European Union membership, 13 years after negotiations were halted, with the latest poll showing the No campaign leading at 51.6%. The key issues in the debate center around the fishing industry, which constitutes nearly 40% of Iceland's exports, and concerns over sovereignty related to the EU's Common Fisheries Policy. Voting will continue until 22:00 GMT, and preliminary results are expected soon after, with more than 20% of the population having participated in early voting.
U.S. officials revised their earlier statements regarding Chinese hackers targeting government agencies, clarifying that organizations such as the Senate, the Federal Reserve, and NASA were "among the targets" of the QTFY hacking group rather than confirmed victims. The correction, made by the Department of Justice, highlighted that while some agencies were compromised, many were just targeted, which narrows the scope of confirmed breaches. The FBI's affidavit revealed that these cyberattacks have been ongoing since at least 2018, with notable incidents including multiple attempts to breach NASA and successful intrusions at three Department of Energy laboratories in September 2024.
Imagination Library, a literacy program founded by Dolly Parton in 1995, sends one free book each month to children from birth to age five, aiming to inspire a love for reading. By its 30th anniversary in 2025, the program had distributed over 300 million books, equating to one book mailed every 78 seconds, and has expanded internationally, reaching Canada, the UK, Australia, and Ireland. Many families report the program's significant impact on their children's reading habits and emotional development, with a wide variety of themes covered in the books provided.
Holly Ratchford, who managed a residential complex in San Diego, recalls her interactions with Omar al-Bayoumi, a Saudi man linked to the 9/11 attacks, and how he introduced her to two hijackers who crashed American Airlines flight 77 into the Pentagon. Bayoumi is currently central to a $1 trillion lawsuit filed by families of 9/11 victims, claiming he facilitated the attack by assisting the two hijackers who lived at Parkwood Apartments for several months. A federal judge has indicated reasonable evidence suggesting that Bayoumi might have coordinated with the Saudi government, allowing the lawsuit to advance as Saudi Arabia and Bayoumi continue to deny the allegations.
Judge Alvin Hellerstein has rejected Donald Trump's request for the third time to transfer his criminal hush-money case to federal court, stating that Trump's arguments were “neither new nor legally sufficient.” Trump was convicted in 2024 on 34 counts of falsifying business records related to a $130,000 payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels, an act prosecutors claimed was aimed at influencing the 2016 election. Despite the felony conviction, Trump has not faced jail time or financial penalties, but his legal team continues to pursue an appeal citing a Supreme Court ruling from July 2024 that expanded presidential immunity.
The trade war between the US and Canada has escalated with Canada imposing new tariffs on various US goods, including a 25% import tax on certain American vehicles, while the US plans to raise tariffs on Canadian vehicles from 25% to 50% by January 1, 2027. Construction materials such as steel, aluminum, and lumber are heavily affected, with the US importing $23 billion worth of wood products from Canada in 2024, approximately half of which are sourced from Canada. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has targeted household items like carpets and appliances, aiming to encourage consumers to shift to domestic alternatives and minimize the impact on Canadian households.
Sae Joon Park, a Purple Heart veteran who self-deported in June 2025 due to immigration issues, received a pardon from New York Governor Kathy Hochul, who erased his convictions for bail jumping and drug possession. Park, who lived in the U.S. since he was 7 and served in the Army during the 1989 invasion of Panama, faced deportation following struggles with PTSD and drug addiction which led to his legal troubles. The pardon does not automatically allow him to return to the U.S., but it enables his legal team to reopen his case and seek to overturn his removal order.
Cambodia claims to have eradicated all online scam compounds, with Senior Minister Chhay Sinarith stating that large-scale scam activities are now fully under control, although this assertion has not been independently verified. From July 2025 to August 20, 2026, law enforcement investigated 793 locations, raided 624 sites, detained nearly 30,000 suspects from 39 nationalities, and deported 58,266 foreign nationals. Despite the government's claims, experts express skepticism about the complete elimination of the scamming industry, citing ongoing recruitment for scamming operations within the country.
Canada is luring researchers from US universities, particularly from esteemed institutions like Harvard, with over three-fourths of the 64 professors moving coming from the US, and the government providing C$504 million ($362 million) for research in sectors such as climate change and medicine. Among those relocating is Seth Guikema from the University of Michigan, who will use C$8 million to study natural hazard preparedness at the University of Western Ontario, prompted by a challenging funding environment for climate research in the US. Canada's Industry Minister, Melanie Joly, expressed optimism about the influx of talent, viewing it as an opportunity amid deteriorating relations with the US, which has seen significant funding cuts and a politically charged research atmosphere.
The Victorian government has officially scrapped plans for a $134,000 statue of former premier Daniel Andrews, which was intended to commemorate his over 3,000 days in office, due to criticism from the Liberal opposition. Premier Ben Carroll announced the cancellation and appointed an independent panel to review the state's policies on commemorating officials with statues and state services. Although the statue contract will not be canceled, the panel will choose an alternative subject and location for the commissioned work, as four former Victorian premiers have previously been commemorated at Treasury Gardens.
Spain has requested assistance from Frontex to process approximately 5,000 migrants in Ceuta, following a surge of 72,000 people who crossed the border from Morocco on July 30, which resulted in 96 deaths. Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska also asked for an additional 10 Frontex officers to expedite the screening of migrants, many of whom include unaccompanied children. The situation has escalated with local protests against the migrants, resulting in heightened tensions, including attacks on migrant tents and arrests of individuals involved in clashes with the military.
Trump announced a new oil agreement with Venezuela, claiming that the U.S. will have “majority” control of 65 billion barrels of proven oil reserves in the country. The U.S. is working to increase imports from Venezuela, which has the world's largest proven oil reserves at 303 billion barrels, while also addressing rising gasoline prices ahead of the midterm elections. The announcement has generated mixed reactions, with some Venezuelan opposition figures criticizing it as a "massive land grab."
US President Donald Trump announced a deal to take control of Venezuela's vast oil reserves, boasting that it is the "BIGGEST OIL DEAL IN WORLD HISTORY" with no cost to American taxpayers. Secretary Marco Rubio highlighted that the agreement would result in $100 billion in private investment flowing into Venezuela and would more than double US oil reserves. Venezuela, which has the world's largest proven oil reserves totaling 303 billion barrels, has struggled with production due to mismanagement, decaying infrastructure, and sanctions.
A 41-year-old man died and at least six others were injured when a large sign fell at the Big Church festival near Steyning, West Sussex. The festival was abruptly canceled following the incident, which occurred on Friday afternoon, and organizers expressed their devastation over the situation. Sussex police are investigating the event and have urged anyone with information or video footage to come forward, noting that thousands attended the festival.