The UK's first sauna theatre, located at the Edinburgh Fringe and featuring 80 seats, has attracted audiences with its unique combination of sauna rituals and artistic performances. The venue boasts a temperature of 90C (194F), three tiers of seating, and incorporates elements such as aufguss, storytelling, and folk music into its shows, which include daily performances like "Mysteries of the Picts." Organizers James Grieve and Lucy Osborne aim to return next year, hoping to further explore theatrical works that thrive in the sauna environment and improve audience understanding of the experience.
France is temporarily relaxing strict cheese production rules for Comté, beaufort, and abondance due to severe drought conditions that have affected grazing land, with 95% of mainland France impacted in July. Last year, over 62,000 tonnes of Comté were produced, but farmers are struggling as they report reduced milk yields, with neufchâtel cheese production dropping from 600-700 to 400-450 cheeses per day due to lower milk. Additionally, the French agriculture ministry reported that grassland growth was one-third less than the 1989-2018 average, and the potato industry anticipates a 23% drop in crop yield following five heatwaves.
A glacial collapse in Nepal and Tibet triggered a catastrophic flash flood that has resulted in at least 165 confirmed deaths, with hundreds more reported missing, including nationals from India, the US, UK, Australia, and Canada. In total, 468 tourists and travelers, along with at least 558 individuals from Tibet, are unaccounted for, as entire villages were swept away, and rescuers mobilized to find survivors amidst the devastation. The event, described as a wall of water driven by a landslide of ice and rock, was exacerbated by the region's extreme topography, creating significant humanitarian needs that prompted the UN and the US government to mobilize support and emergency assistance.
Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama, known for her iconic polka dot sculptures and "Infinity Rooms," passed away at the age of 97 on August 14, 2026, from multiple organ failure, as confirmed by her representative David Zwirner. Born in Matsumoto, Japan, Kusama's art was deeply personal and often influenced by her experiences, including her childhood hallucinations and encounters with notable artists like Georgia O'Keeffe, who encouraged her to pursue art in the U.S. Kusama gained significant recognition during the 1960s avant-garde scene in New York, making headlines with her provocative public performances, including a letter to President Nixon advocating for peace during the Vietnam War.
Vinod Khosla has been approved as the new owner of the Seattle Seahawks, as announced by the NFL on August 26. Kenneth Walker III is currently dealing with a swollen ankle and will not play in an upcoming game, while Trevon Diggs has the opportunity to earn up to $2 million in incentives with the team. Additionally, Bud Clark and Mason Richman have been placed on injured reserve.
Yayoi Kusama, born on March 22, 1929, is renowned for her "Infinity Rooms" and large-scale polka dot sculptures, which reflect her lifelong mental health challenges and experiences of hallucinations that began at age 10. After moving to New York in 1958, Kusama became a key figure in the avant-garde scene, creating works that commented on gender dynamics and mental health, including her 1964 sculpture "Traveling Life", which addressed the gender pay gap. Despite her influence and contributions to art, she faced commercial struggles compared to her male peers, which led to a suicide attempt that she ultimately survived.
Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook has asserted that there is no legal justification for President Donald Trump to fire her from her position, as federal law allows removal only for "cause" and not for political reasons. Trump has made allegations of mortgage fraud against Cook, although her legal team has rebutted these claims, stating that they constitute an attack on the Fed's independence rather than legitimate policy concerns. This marks the second time Trump has attempted to use such allegations against Cook, following a similar move a year prior that led to a Supreme Court ruling blocking Trump's ability to fire Fed governors at will.
Yayoi Kusama, the renowned Japanese artist, passed away at the age of 97 in a Tokyo hospital on August 14, 2023, after a remarkable career that began in the 1950s and spanned several decades. Known for her distinctive polka dot motifs and mirrored installations, Kusama's work included myriad forms of expression, such as painting, sculpture, and performance art, gaining significant attention in recent years, especially in the age of social media. Notably, her painting "White No 28" sold for $7.1 million in 2014, becoming a record for a living female artist at the time.
A recent survey suggests a shift in American attitudes toward capitalism versus socialism, indicating that many Americans may be losing faith in capitalism. Specific statistics or numbers are not provided in the summary. The broader implications of this shift reflect a notable change in the national sentiment regarding economic systems.
The Brazilian government has filed a $97 million lawsuit against Discord, accusing the platform of failing to protect children and adolescents on its service. This lawsuit follows a tragic incident in July where a 13-year-old girl was encouraged by peers to take her own life during a livestream, leading to significant public outcry and four teenagers and one adult being arrested. Discord, which has around 90 million active daily users, has responded by halting livestream services and pledging to improve safety for teens but faces criticism for inadequate age verification and user protection mechanisms.
At least 12 people have died and dozens have been injured in wildfires across northern Algeria, with 54 suffering burn injuries, six of whom are in intensive care. The intense wildfires have led to evacuations in Bejaia and Jijel provinces, with firefighters currently battling 69 active blazes. The region is facing a severe heatwave, exacerbating the severity of the wildfires, and has seen a rapid warming of 0.43°C per decade from 1991 to 2025, according to the World Meteorological Organization.
A Nepali tour operator fears that 15 Australians, aged between 11 and 64, who were trekking in a valley devastated by flash flooding, may have died after losing all contact with the group of 47 people. The tour operator, Sagar Pandey, described the flood's destruction as complete, with no visible signs of human civilization left in the area, and remarked that his hope for their survival was only about 1%. In addition to the Australians, the missing group included tourists from the UK, US, Canada, and Singapore, with local guides also unaccounted for.
The United States Army plans to award $2.2 billion in contracts to five firms for constructing and operating small nuclear microreactors on military bases, aiming for deployment by September 2028, with each reactor providing up to 20 megawatts of power. The selected companies include Antares Nuclear, BWXT Advanced Technologies, General Atomics, Radiant Industries, and Westinghouse, and the program aims to enhance energy resilience without dependency on external power grids. Critics raise concerns over the potential high costs and safety risks associated with microreactors, while the Army is working to mitigate waste management issues in collaboration with the Energy Department.
The United States Army will award $2.2 billion in contracts to five companies for the construction and operation of small nuclear reactors, known as microreactors, on military bases, with the first reactor aimed for deployment by September 2028. Each reactor is designed to provide up to 20 megawatts of power and will be regulated by the Army instead of the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission, with a focus on creating a commercially viable product by around 2030. Critics argue that microreactors may be more expensive than traditional reactors and pose significant safety risks, while the Army emphasizes efforts to ensure safety and deal with radioactive waste effectively.
Khamila Sani Ibrahim recalls the limited opportunities for girls to play organized sports in northern Nigeria, particularly basketball, where cultural expectations often hinder participation. The Grassroots To Greatness (G2G) initiative has begun to change this by providing training, competition, and support, including jerseys, custom hijabs, and financial stipends for female players across nine different states. Participants like Ibrahim and Fatima Diouf have found empowerment and valuable life skills through the program, which seeks to integrate sports with cultural values while addressing the challenges girls face in pursuing athletics.
The Victorian government has announced the abolition of a secret levy on public transport fares, initially implemented to fund the multibillion-dollar Suburban Rail Loop, due to a lack of transparency in its creation and execution. This 1% annual fare increase, which had been in place since January 1, 2025, was expected to generate $8 billion over 37 years, with $4.8 billion earmarked for the SRL East project, raising concerns about a $4.8 billion funding shortfall following its removal. Critics from the opposition view the revelation of the levy as damaging to the government’s credibility ahead of the upcoming state election.
At least 12 people have died and 54 others have been injured due to wildfires in northeastern Algeria, with five deaths in Jijel, four in Bejaia, and three in Tizi Ouzou. On the same day, Civil Protection teams recorded 154 fire outbreaks across the country, including 36 in Bejaia province, with firefighting efforts ongoing in multiple regions. The blazes are occurring during a severe heatwave and come on the heels of at least six wildfire-related deaths reported last month.
New South Wales police are investigating the death of a 16-year-old girl who died two days after an alleged sexual strangulation incident in Elanora Heights, Sydney, where she was found unresponsive and later airlifted to the hospital in critical condition. Federal social services minister Tanya Plibersek expressed deep concern over the reported rise of sexual strangulation among young people, noting that nearly 60% have experienced choking in recent sexual encounters. The independent MP Zali Steggall emphasized the need for a national education campaign to address misogyny and promote respectful relationships, highlighting that 80% of kids manage to bypass age restrictions on social media platforms.
Three pro-Israel Democratic lawmakers, Jared Moskowitz, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, and Wesley Bell, were appointed to key roles on the House Foreign Affairs Committee despite shifting public sentiment showing increasing negativity towards Israel, with 60% of US adults expressing an unfavorable view as of March 2026. A recent CNN/SSRS survey found that 54% of respondents would support candidates who would cut aid to Israel, rising to 70% among Democratic-leaning voters, reflecting a notable shift in voter preferences. Critics, including Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, have condemned these appointments as disconnected from the party's base, especially in light of ongoing conflicts in Gaza and public opposition to support for Israel.
Survivors of the disaster recount harrowing experiences, including Keshav Prasad Baral, 68, whose wife was swept away by mud as he attempted to save her when a flash flood struck. The deluge destroyed entire villages, markets, and infrastructure, with reports of complete loss in some areas. Another survivor managed to cling to a mango tree, witnessing the destruction of the house he was working in.
Qantas reported a pre-tax profit of $2.06 billion, the lowest in four years, influenced by a $610 million increase in fuel costs due to the US-Iran conflict. The airline's annual earnings dropped $330 million compared to the prior year, with international flights contributing $650 million and Jetstar domestic increasing revenue by 11%. Despite the challenges, Qantas’ loyalty program saw a 12% growth in earnings to $625 million, and the company continues to target $800 million in loyalty earnings by 2030.
Busy Philipps, 47, revealed she underwent surgery in March to remove a 2.6cm grade 2 oligodendroglioma brain tumor, which was discovered after she pursued an MRI despite not presenting obvious symptoms. The diagnosis came shortly after her Dawson's Creek co-star James Van Der Beek died of bowel cancer in February at the age of 48. Following a five-hour surgery where more than 40 staples were placed in her forehead, Philipps expressed gratitude for being alive and noted she soon returned to work on her new role in Cupertino, although she later dealt with a staphylococcus infection requiring further treatment.
Arturo Béjar, a key witness and former Facebook employee, testified that a multibillion-dollar settlement reached by Meta is insufficient to protect teenagers from the harmful effects of its platforms, arguing that it fails to address underlying algorithmic issues that contribute to addiction and mental health problems. The settlement includes major changes such as strict limits on teens' screen time, default non-algorithmic feeds, and enhanced parental controls, but Béjar criticized it for lacking independent oversight and not ensuring the safety of Meta's products. Despite state attorneys general calling the settlement a victory, Béjar emphasized that the inherent dangers of the platforms remain unaddressed, stating, "This is not an all clear to say that the product is safe."
A Queensland woman gave birth to twins with different biological parents in a rare case of a natural pregnancy coinciding with a surrogacy arrangement, which had not been envisioned by state surrogacy laws. Both children were born on the same day in November 2025, with one child biologically belonging to the intended surrogate parents and the other to the surrogate’s husband, after the surrogate conceived naturally shortly after undergoing an IVF embryo transfer. The court ruled that, despite being gestational twins, the children were not considered birth siblings under the surrogacy laws, allowing for separate parentage orders for both sets of biological parents.
Tim Curry, the iconic British actor known for his role as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in "The Rocky Horror Picture Show," passed away at age 80 at his home in Los Angeles after a long battle with health issues stemming from a stroke. He received three Tony nominations during his career, which included performances in "Amadeus," "My Favorite Year," and "Monty Python's Spamalot," and won a Daytime Emmy Award in 1991 for his voice work. Curry's career spanned film, stage, and television, with memorable roles in productions like "It" and "The Three Musketeers," and he had recently re-emerged in the 2024 horror film "Stream."
Uganda has been declared free of Ebola after passing the 42-day monitoring period without new cases, having reported a total of 20 infections and 2 deaths, with the last confirmed case on June 21. The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed the country's status in a joint announcement with Uganda's Ministry of Health, which had previously declared the outbreak over on July 28. In contrast, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is experiencing a worsening Ebola outbreak, with 5,656 confirmed cases and 2,715 deaths as of August 25.
Fatima, a resident of Bia Buki village in Zamfara, recounts a brutal attack by armed gangs that left about 70 people dead, including her husband, and displaced her and her seven children to an informal camp in Gusau. The violence has uprooted approximately 800,000 Nigerians in the northwest, primarily due to attacks from motorcycle gangs that demand ransom and engage in extortion, with local vigilante groups forming in response. Despite some improvements from military patrols, the threat of banditry remains high, with conditions in the makeshift camps dire, as many women and children face food scarcity and continuous fear of abduction.
Iceland is preparing for a referendum on Saturday to decide whether to resume talks on joining the European Union, with current polls showing a tight race at 51.3% for Yes and 48.7% for No. Fishing and marine industries comprise nearly 40% of Iceland's exports, and many opponents fear that EU membership could threaten their control over lucrative fishing waters. Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir's government is under pressure to address geopolitical challenges, spurring the decision to hold this referendum sooner than initially planned, with a potential second referendum required for final membership approval.
Recent protests in India featured young women using expletives against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, prompting opposition MP Rahul Gandhi to criticize Modi’s description of their language as a "culture shock." Gandhi pointed out the double standard in reactions to swearing, noting that while both male and female protesters used foul language, only the women were singled out for criticism, reflecting entrenched patriarchy. A 15-year-old girl involved in the controversy faced severe online harassment and threats, which led her to issue an apology and remove her condemning video, while the incident sparked a broader debate on female activism and societal expectations.
Neurosurgeons in London have conducted the first successful AI-assisted operation to remove an 11mm brain tumour from a 48-year-old man, Rhys Hibbert, saving his sight. The AI system provided real-time analysis during the surgery, identifying critical anatomical structures to avoid, thus highlighting its potential to enhance surgical precision. Hibbert, who had been experiencing severe hormones imbalance and vision issues, was able to walk independently within a week of the operation and has since returned to work.