Meta has reached an $18 billion settlement to address allegations of endangering children across its platforms, particularly Instagram and Facebook, with changes aimed at users under 18, such as night curfews and two-hour usage limits. The lawsuit, initiated by 29 states, accused Meta of promoting addictive behavior and violating the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act by improperly handling minors' data. Despite agreeing to the settlement, which will be distributed over 10 years, Meta continues to deny wrongdoing and is not required to halt personalized ads or problematic content related to body image concerns.
One Nation's immigration policy remains ambiguous, with party figures unable to clearly state their migration targets, leading to contradictory statements about a potential cap of 130,000 migrants per year. While some leaders advocate for a "net zero" immigration stance, others like Barnaby Joyce have suggested a net gain of up to 130,000 people, and there's confusion about whether this figure includes additional labour from programs like the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme. In recent statements, party members proposed that if about 220,000 people exit Australia annually, allowing 130,000 migrants would result in a net loss of 90,000 residents, showcasing the complexity and confusion surrounding One Nation's immigration policy.
Soumia Bensalah was subjected to repeated rebookings between Pinellas County Jail and an ICE office, enduring the humiliating process five times in December, which highlighted a systemic issue in Florida where jails frequently circumvent federal regulations due to a shortage of detention space. Over the past year, the Orange County Jail rebooked 559 immigrants two or more times, while Pinellas Jail rebooked 174 immigrants, numbers unmatched by other jails across the country, which typically recorded ten or fewer rebookings. This practice not only raises concerns about the treatment of immigrants but also reveals the jails' conscious evasion of ICE's detention standards regarding medical screenings and legal consultations.
A jellyfish influx has caused the partial shutdown of two units at the Gravelines nuclear power station in northern France, with a third unit shut down since August 10 and a fourth undergoing inspection, according to Électricité de France (EDF). The plant has six units, each producing 900 megawatts, and has faced similar jellyfish issues in the past, including a complete closure last August. In response, EDF is using fishermen to capture and release jellyfish further offshore as a preventive measure.
Andy Burnham, now a month into his tenure as prime minister, has experienced a "Burnham bounce" in polls but faces significant challenges ahead. As he contemplates tough and potentially unpopular decisions that will be crucial for his vision of change in the country, commentators Kiran Stacey and Peter Walker discuss the critical choices shaping his leadership. The article invites reader engagement through comments and questions, highlighting various related topics, including Labour party leadership and household bills.
A devastating flash flood occurred in northern Nepal after a glacier collapse in the Langtang massif, causing large volumes of water and debris to sweep 20 kilometers downstream within 10 minutes. The collapse, which produced an ice avalanche, generated enough heat to melt the ice into water, resulting in mudflows that moved at speeds akin to passenger cars on highways, and seismic instruments recorded a 4.4 earthquake attributed to the glacier. Nepal faces significant challenges in managing flash floods due to dense populations in vulnerable areas and a lack of effective early warning systems, with only one percent of at-risk areas covered by existing initiatives.
Dozens of homes in England and Wales have been damaged by flooding following storms that followed a summer of drought, with 40 flood alerts issued across the Midlands, Yorkshire, and the southeast. The Met Office warned that thundery showers could bring up to 75mm of rain in just 12 hours, while Staffordshire experienced 60mm of rainfall in that same time frame. As of Thursday, 71.3% of England remained in drought, with only 34% of expected August rainfall recorded.
The killing of at least eight women in a week in Cameroon has triggered widespread outrage, prompting calls for government action to protect women and girls. Official reports indicate that at least 50 women have been killed due to femicide between January and April 2026, compared to 77 in the previous year, amidst growing concerns about domestic violence. Despite government acknowledgment of the issue and a proposed bill to combat gender-based violence, activists remain skeptical about its timely passage, particularly given that a parliamentary session is focused on budgetary debates in November.
Ratko Mladić, the notorious Bosnian Serb general known as the "Butcher of Bosnia," died at the age of 84 while serving a life sentence for genocide in a Hague prison, confirmed by a UN official and his lawyer. He was convicted for orchestrating the 1995 Srebrenica massacre, which resulted in the deaths of at least 8,000 Muslims and was part of a broader campaign that contributed to over 100,000 deaths and left more than 1 million people homeless during the Bosnian war. Mladić was arrested in Serbia in 2011 after 16 years on the run and was sentenced by a UN tribunal in 2017 for his role in war crimes, which included the siege of Sarajevo that killed approximately 10,000 people.
Christian Castro, an ICE officer charged with shooting 24-year-old Julio César Sosa-Celis and lying about it in Minneapolis, was released from a Texas jail after a judge ruled he could not be held for extradition. The shooting occurred on January 14, where Castro allegedly fired through a front door, hitting Sosa-Celis in the leg, and falsely blamed him and another man for attacking an ICE officer. Minnesota officials believe Castro could flee to Mexico, particularly due to phone calls he made from jail discussing plans to marry and buy a house there, but the judge stated that the threat of flight does not currently warrant extradition proceedings.
Tropical Storm Dolly has formed in the Atlantic, as reported by the National Hurricane Center. In local news, a man accused of opening fire from a hotel room has died after being shot by Daytona Beach police, while a woman was killed in a crosswalk in Brevard County. Additionally, Seminole County leaders have warned of a potential $119 million revenue loss and service cuts if Amendment 3 passes.
A senior official on President Trump's Board of Peace, Nickolay Mladenov, criticized Israel's air strikes on Gaza and Hamas's actions, warning that a collapse of the ceasefire could lead to dire consequences for the region. Since the ceasefire began, at least 1,303 Palestinians, including 300 children, have been killed in Israeli attacks, while four Israeli soldiers have died in Palestinian attacks. The ongoing conflict has sparked concerns that if the ceasefire collapses, there will be "no roadmap to return to" and that rebuilding efforts would be severely hampered.
Dr. Adam Kalkstein, the only climate scientist at West Point, was fired after resisting an order to cease teaching about human contributions to climate change, as claimed in his lawsuit. After a contentious meeting with Brig Gen Shane Reeves in November 2025, Kalkstein described the directive as immoral and akin to teaching law without mentioning the constitution. The lawsuit highlights that Kalkstein, who taught at the academy for 17 years, became aware of threats to his position as early as May 2025, coinciding with staffing reductions and new humanities initiatives at West Point.
Ratko Mladić, a convicted Bosnian Serb war criminal known as the "Butcher of Bosnia," died at the age of 84 in a UN prison in The Hague. He was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2017 for genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity, with his conviction upheld on appeal in 2021, and was serving time for atrocities including the deaths of over 10,000 people in Sarajevo and the massacre of 8,000 men and boys at Srebrenica. Despite a bid for release due to his declining health, the UN court determined he was receiving "comprehensive and compassionate treatment" in prison before his death.
The German Ice Hockey Association has appointed former player Andre Rankel as the new head coach of the men's national team, emphasizing his qualifications despite no previous head coaching experience. Rankel, who played 17 seasons in the DEL and has won seven titles as a player and three as an assistant coach, has signed a four-year contract and aims to develop a cohesive team strategy. His first challenge will be the Deutschland Cup in November, followed by hosting the World Championship in May, as he replaces Harold Kreis, who previously led the team to a silver medal at the 2023 World Championship but faced disappointment at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Inditex, the owner of Zara, has launched its discount chain Lefties in the UK, opening its first store in Liverpool while planning two more locations in Essex and Newcastle this year. Lefties targets a price point slightly above Primark, with average dress prices around £18, and incorporates robotics for efficient operations, including self-checkouts and garment sorting systems. The chain operates in 20 countries and plans to expand its presence, taking feedback from initial sales to determine future store openings in the UK.
A study suggests that artificial intelligence can analyze mammograms to detect heart disease in women, potentially offering a dual purpose for breast cancer screenings. Researchers from Israel examined 97,364 scans from 29,921 women, finding that 16% had high blood pressure, 2.5% had coronary heart disease, and 2.5% had suffered a stroke; the AI model accurately identified these conditions with 86% reliability for strokes, and 79% and 78% for high blood pressure and coronary heart disease, respectively. This approach could enhance early cardiovascular disease detection in women, who are often underdiagnosed despite being the leading cause of female mortality worldwide.
The third report from the nonprofit "Fussball kann mehr" (FKM) indicates that out of the 36 professional German football teams surveyed, 29 have all-male management teams, with only nine of the 94 highest management positions held by women. Notably, there has been an increase in women appointed to top management roles, rising to four out of 18 appointments for the 2025-26 season, compared to just one out of 19 the previous season. In women's football, men also dominate, with only four of the 14 Women's Bundesliga teams currently coached by women, highlighting ongoing challenges in achieving gender diversity in both men's and women's football.
Ratko Mladić, who died at 84, was the Bosnian Serb army commander known as the "Butcher of Bosnia," responsible for the brutal campaign of ethnic cleansing during the Yugoslav Wars, which resulted in the genocide of approximately 8,000 men and boys in Srebrenica and the death of 13,000 during the 1,425-day siege of Sarajevo. His actions included the use of military tactics that targeted Muslim neighborhoods and widespread atrocities against civilians, including executions and sexual violence. Despite the enormity of his crimes and the suffering inflicted on tens of thousands, he displayed no remorse during his trial, maintaining that "borders are drawn in blood" and sought to create an ethnically pure Greater Serbia.
Ratko Mladic, the former Bosnian Serb military chief responsible for war crimes during the 1990s, died in prison at the age of 84, with reports indicating he passed away in a U.N. prison hospital in The Hague, Netherlands. He was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2017 for orchestrating atrocities, including the 1995 Srebrenica massacre where over 8,000 Muslim men and boys were killed, marking it as the only post-World War II case of genocide in Europe. Mladic was arrested in 2011 after years of evasion and was notorious for commanding forces responsible for the deaths of more than 100,000 people and creating over 1 million homeless during the conflict.
A massive fire, started by Israeli settlers, destroyed approximately 50 dunams (12.3 acres) of olive trees and damaged the al-Omari aluminium factory in Ein Siniya, West Bank, amidst a broader campaign targeting Palestinian farmland and industry. The owner of the facility reported severe losses of $700,000 from a prior attack where settlers damaged heavy equipment, while another industrial facility owned by Khaled al-Zaarir suffered extensive damage from a group of about 30 settlers. In July alone, 798 settler attacks were documented, including 440 instances of property damage, contributing to an unemployment rate of 29 percent in the region and exacerbating the economic crisis in the West Bank.
Saudi Arabia's football federation has expressed support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino amidst ongoing criticism related to the collapse of the controversial FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal, emphasizing the need for dialogue among football stakeholders. Infantino, who is up for re-election for a fourth term in March, faces mounting pressure and criticism from three confederations, including UEFA, which have discussed a potential vote of no confidence against him, while several countries have withdrawn their support. Despite this, the African and South American confederations continue to back Infantino, while UEFA has retracted a previous threat to boycott FIFA competitions following assurances that the failed sell-off plan will not be revived.
An 86-year-old mountaineer was reunited with his backpack and climbing gear more than 60 years after he left them in a glacier in Austria, specifically on the Sulztalferner glacier at an altitude of 2,955 meters (9,700 feet). The equipment, including an ice axe, camera, and pipe from the 1950s or 1960s, was discovered by a hiker in July, leading police to track down the owner through documents found in the backpack. This incident highlights the accelerating retreat of European glaciers driven by global heating, which has uncovered numerous relics and human remains over recent decades.
Thieves executed a well-planned heist at the Villena Museum in Spain, stealing the Treasure of Villena, a collection of bronze age gold artifacts worth at least €1.7 million, in just four minutes. The theft occurred at 5:20 am when the alarm was triggered, and by 5:24 am the thieves had departed, leaving behind a few items including three silver vessels and a prehistoric ceremonial scepter. This incident is part of a larger trend of high-profile art thefts across Europe, with recent raids indicating the involvement of new criminal networks employing increasingly violent methods.
Moscow has threatened to strike British military targets if Ukraine continues using UK-made Storm Shadow cruise missiles against Russia, labeling Britain as "one step away" from being complicit in terrorism. Russian missile and drone attacks across Ukraine have resulted in at least one death and several injuries, with air defenses intercepting seven ballistic missiles and nearly 90 percent of incoming drones. The attacks focused on key infrastructure, including ports and energy facilities, causing widespread damage and cutting power to seven settlements.
Sonal Dinusha scored 133 not out, marking his second hundred of the match and third in four innings, helping Sri Lanka reach 429-9 to secure a draw against India in the second Test at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo. The match saw Sri Lanka, who resumed the day just 16 runs ahead with four wickets in hand, mount a spirited resistance led by Dinusha and Keshara Nuwantha, who contributed 46 runs and together built a crucial 112-run partnership. Although India won the series 1-0, Dinusha's performance, which included a maiden Test hundred in the first innings, was a highlight for Sri Lanka in what turned out to be a rain-affected match.
The article discusses various recent guides and news related to travel and credit cards, including a unique gift card strategy to enhance US restaurant credits while abroad. It mentions significant updates such as American Airlines expanding to three new European destinations as part of a seven-route expansion, and United's plans for ten new international destinations. Additionally, Chase Ultimate Rewards are valued at 2.05 cents per point, while the Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business offers a 200,000-point bonus worth over $4,000.
Bosnian Serb general Ratko Mladic, convicted of war crimes including genocide and crimes against humanity during Bosnia's 1992-95 war, has died in a prison hospital in the Hague at the age of 81 after suffering multiple strokes. He was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2017 for his role in the massacre of approximately 8,000 Muslim men and boys in Srebrenica, the worst single atrocity in Europe since World War II, a verdict that was upheld on appeal in 2021. Described by former UN rights chief Zeid Ra'ad al Hussein as "the epitome of evil," Mladic infamously shouted "this is all lies, you are all liars" during his sentencing.
Broadcaster Jenni Murray, 75, died on March 12 after being involved in a car crash in north London eight days earlier, where she became dazzled by headlights and collided with two stationary vehicles. The inquest revealed that her injuries included multiple rib fractures and a collapsed lung, leading to bronchopneumonia, and she was placed on non-invasive ventilation before eventually receiving palliative care. Murray was a veteran of BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour for three decades, was honored as a dame in 2011, and had raised significant awareness for breast cancer after her diagnosis in 2006.
Thieves have stolen a significant portion of the Treasure of Villena, a prehistoric gold collection in Alicante, amounting to almost ten kilos of gold, bowls, bottles, and bracelets from the Bronze Age, with police confirming that rings, bowls, and bracelets were among the items taken. The robbery occurred in just four minutes, with alarms triggering at 05:15 and 05:20 local time, during which the thieves executed a diversion by setting off alarms at a nearby sports center. The Mayor of Villena noted that the town is "devastated," as the museum's collection includes over 60 Bronze Age objects, and emphasized the cultural loss to their heritage.