Eric Hafner, a registered Democrat serving time in a New York federal prison and set to be released in 2036, advanced from the primary for Alaska's US House seat by receiving 5,757 votes, placing him among the top four candidates. His candidacy raises legal questions as he listed an address in South Dakota with no apparent ties to Alaska. The leading contenders in the race are incumbent Republican Nick Begich and independent Bill Hill, while Hafner's advancement is potentially subject to a legal challenge based on residency requirements.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has rejoined the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) after a seven-year lapse in her membership, which originally began in 2018 with a one-year membership that lapsed in 2019. The DSA confirmed that she renewed her membership in August 2026 amid speculation about a potential presidential run in 2028, citing the significance of her status as discussions about draft campaigns for her candidacy arise. In 2018, the annual cost of DSA membership was $60, but the organization has since introduced automatic renewals and a range of monthly dues options from $5 to $50.
Kylian Mbappe scored a hat-trick in Real Madrid's 4-1 victory over Real Sociedad in La Liga, marking Jose Mourinho's first home match back as the club's coach. Vinicius Junior also contributed to the scoreline, while Jude Bellingham provided two assists, highlighting an effective partnership among the star players. With this win, Madrid secured two victories from their first two matches of the season, as they look to maintain early momentum.
The FDA has approved daraxonrasib, marketed as Rasonque, for pancreatic cancer, which nearly doubled the average survival time for patients from 6.6 months with chemotherapy to 13.2 months in a trial of 500 patients. This treatment targets the mutated KRAS gene found in over 90% of pancreatic tumors, addressing a significant unmet need as approximately 67,000 Americans are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer each year, the deadliest of major cancers. The drug received expedited approval due to its unprecedented results, with about 44% of patients experiencing severe side effects compared to 57.5% on chemotherapy.
Plug-in balcony solar panels will go on sale in the UK for the first time, starting with Argos, and will be priced between £400 and £500, with 800-watt systems expected to save households up to £110 annually on electricity bills. These systems allow residents in flats or rented homes to generate renewable electricity from outdoor spaces, though they are only about a fifth the size of traditional rooftop setups and may require planning permission or building owner consent. Competitors like Amazon, Currys, B&Q, and Screwfix are expected to begin offering these products soon as part of a growing trend in household solar energy solutions.
The UK’s youth jobs guarantee scheme aims to tackle the youth mental health crisis and reduce the number of young people not in education, employment, or training (Neets), which recently topped 1 million and could reach 1.25 million by 2030 without intervention. Work and pensions secretary Pat McFadden emphasized that paid employment enhances confidence and wellbeing, noting that several young recruits, who had been out of work for up to four years, reported improved social lives and routines after starting their jobs. The scheme provides subsidies for employers to hire young people, with McFadden advocating for further support and reforms to the current welfare system to better assist those deemed "unfit for work."
Dozens of Australians are among at least 403 people reported missing due to devastating flash floods in the Nepal-Tibet border area, with the Australian government confirming that 34 Australians are unaccounted for. The Nepal Tourist Board reported that 341 foreign nationals are among the missing, including 47 from the US, 33 from the UK, and 24 from Canada. Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong stated that officials are urgently working to confirm the welfare of Australians in the area and provided emergency consular assistance contact information for those in need.
As of mid-August, both CVS and Walgreens have filled around 100,000 prescriptions each for Medicare's $50 obesity drug program, which began in July as part of the Bridge program. Approximately 4 million Medicare recipients are estimated to qualify for the program, indicating that around 5% to 10% of the eligible population has utilized the program in less than two months. The program will continue through the end of 2027, providing coverage for certain patients with obesity, but not for those with conditions like sleep apnea or Type 2 diabetes.
The United States disrupted a China-affiliated hacking operation targeting sensitive government bodies, including the US Department of Justice and NASA, by taking down two platforms, QScan and QTRouter, used to infiltrate internet-connected devices. These platforms have been implicated in compromising critical infrastructure and networks since at least 2018, with successful breaches in September 2024 at three Department of Energy laboratories and a US security-device manufacturer. The operation, which involved the China-based Nanjing Xinjiuwei Network Technology Company, aimed to obscure the true origin of attacks, allowing intrusions to appear local rather than foreign.
Nigeria has launched a major rescue operation to find approximately 600 worshippers kidnapped from mosques in north-central Niger State, following an abduction that took place last week. The recent rise in mass kidnappings for ransom in northern Nigeria has become a politically sensitive issue ahead of the presidential election in January, with the Nigerian president condemning the attacks and vowing to bring those responsible to justice. In the wake of the attacks, at least 2,000 people have fled into neighboring Benin, highlighting the escalating security threats posed by armed groups in the region.
The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), founded in 2015, has officially dissolved and merged with the Syrian army following a deal with Damascus. This decision comes after the SDF, which controlled large parts of northern Syria, lost significant territory during the army's offensive after Bashar al-Assad's regime collapsed in December 2024. The merger raises questions about the implications for Syria's military unification and stability in the wake of Assad's downfall.
Since February 24, 2022, Russia has reportedly lost 1,482,150 troops in Ukraine, including 1,400 casualties in the last day alone. In recent attacks, explosions rocked Kyiv, injuring at least 7 people, and Ukraine continues to carry out strikes on Russian targets such as a major oil refinery and the Wildberries facility. Additionally, Italy is set to provide Ukraine with a secret aid package that includes four advanced SAMP/T air defense systems and several Aster 30 missiles to strengthen its defenses against Russian missiles.
Senator Flavio Bolsonaro's economic adviser, Adolfo Sachsida, announced plans for a debt ceiling if they win the Brazilian presidency, aiming to improve the country's fiscal reputation and control spending. Current public debt stands at approximately 82% of Brazil's GDP, having increased over 10% since Lula's return to office in 2023. A recent Nexus poll indicates a near tie between Lula, leading with 46%, and Bolsonaro at 45%, with the economy being a central issue in the upcoming election.
Nickolay Mladenov, the high representative for Gaza on President Trump's Board of Peace, stated that the failure of the ceasefire process would lead to a "point of no return" for the region. Since a US-brokered ceasefire began in October, at least 1,288 Palestinians have been killed and 4,290 wounded, while total casualties since the initiation of the conflict on October 7, 2023, amount to 73,422 deaths among Palestinians and 1,200 casualties in southern Israel. Mladenov highlighted that Hamas has agreed to disarm and transfer governing authority to a new transitional administration, but Prime Minister Netanyahu remains opposed to any withdrawal of Israeli forces until this commitment is fully realized.
The head of UNRWA condemned the Israeli seizure of its Qalandiya Training Centre, which has deprived 340 young Palestinians of education and violates international law. Five Palestinians were injured during the raid, which involved far-right Israeli officials asserting that there is "no place for the agency in Jerusalem." UNRWA's role and funding are under threat amid the broader conflict, with the agency serving approximately 16,000 refugees in the area, and its mandate is linked to the UN General Assembly.
Two Frankfurt airport workers have died from malaria after contracting the disease from a mosquito likely carried on an incoming flight, with the total number of infected employees rising to six. The Robert Koch Institute noted that malaria cases are rare in Germany, with the last airport-related outbreak occurring in 2023, highlighting the potential for delayed diagnosis due to its rarity. Four remaining infected employees are receiving hospital treatment, and mosquito traps have been set up on-site for investigation of the origin of the mosquitoes.
Last Thursday, authorities intercepted fifty eggs suspected to belong to endangered parrots at Johannesburg's OR Tambo International Airport, leading to the arrest of a 50-year-old Thai national who allegedly attempted to smuggle them in a homemade incubator bag. Many of the eggs have successfully hatched, and the chicks are receiving intensive care, while the suspect faces potential penalties of up to 10 million rand ($626,000) or 10 years in prison if convicted. This incident follows a similar arrest in July involving a 23-year-old Thai citizen caught with 418 parrot eggs, highlighting the severe threat that wildlife trafficking poses to endangered species and the urgent need for coordinated law enforcement efforts.
More than 400 travelers, including 33 British citizens and a 13-year-old girl, are missing after flash floods struck the Nepal-Tibet border, triggered by a collapse of mud and rock into the Bhote Koshi River. The Nepal tourism board reported that at least 341 foreign nationals remain unaccounted for, while local authorities have recovered 157 bodies and over 40 people are hospitalized due to injuries. The severe flooding resulted in destroyed infrastructure, prompting warnings for tourists to exercise extreme caution and avoid affected areas.
Andy Burnham has withdrawn his support for capping political donations at £500,000, following pressure from trade unions, angering Labour activists and MPs who advocate for funding reform. The upcoming elections bill, aimed at addressing issues like lowering the voting age to 16 and limiting foreign donations, has sparked debates within Labour, with some members seeking stricter regulations against contributions, including those from cryptocurrency and misinformation controls. The government plans to limit donations from British individuals living abroad to £100,000, highlighting ongoing concerns about the influence of mega-donors in politics.
FBI psychiatrist Dr. Gregory Saathoff testified in the Lindsay Clancy trial that he does not believe Clancy heard a voice directing her to kill her three children, Cora, Dawson, and Callan, as her defense claims she experienced postpartum psychosis. Saathoff argued that Clancy's behavior indicated she had control and knowledge of her actions, as evidenced by her methodical approach before, during, and after the killings, including her ability to manage daily activities afterward. He also noted that in his experience, cases of postpartum psychosis were rare, having only treated two women with the condition in the late 1980s and 1990s.
Wes Streeting has reported receiving an unprecedented amount of homophobic abuse since becoming the UK's first openly gay defence secretary, claiming to experience more online hate in the last three weeks than in his entire life. Historically, over 200 military personnel were dismissed each year from the UK armed forces due to their sexuality before the ban was lifted in 2000, and the government has introduced the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme to compensate those affected by the ban, offering payments up to £70,000. While Streeting acknowledges the challenges he faces, he highlights the progress made since his appointment, with some in the Ministry of Defence expressing pride in his role as a sign of change within the military.
Donald Trump referred to CIA Director John Ratcliffe's unannounced visit to Moscow as "semi-routine" and dismissed speculation that it was related to fears of Vladimir Putin testing NATO or seeking cooperation on Iran sanctions. Ratcliffe's trip was the first by a CIA director since November 2021 and reportedly aimed to warn Russia not to attack NATO countries, though he did not meet with Putin. As the US and Russia remain in a deep crisis following hostilities, the White House, CIA, Pentagon, and US Air Force declined to comment on the visit, highlighting ongoing tensions amidst economic warfare against Iran and military escalations in Ukraine.
The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) announced its dissolution and merger with the Syrian military, marking a significant political shift in Syria as the government aims to assert its authority after nearly 14 years of conflict. Despite this integration, lingering divisions within the country indicate that unified military control and governance will take time to achieve, as analysts suggest the transition from battlefield to reconstruction remains fraught with challenges. The process includes the incorporation of SDF fighters into the Syrian army and related ministries, although skepticism from Kurdish communities persists due to historical mistrust and recent conflicts with the Syrian government.
trade negotiations – facing higher prices on everyday products due to new tariffs on $20 billion worth of Canadian exports. U.S. consumers, who account for over 20% of global tissue consumption despite only having 4% of the world’s population, could see surging prices on products including toilet paper due to reliance on Canadian lumber. The breakdown of trade talks and Canadian retaliation have pushed U.S.-Canada relations into turmoil, with Trump resorting to insults and threats, including a proposal to rename Lake Ontario to Lake America.
Amol Rajan, the outgoing presenter of the BBC's Today programme, warned that the BBC is set to shrink at an "accelerating rate," as he transitions to a new project on YouTube, aiming to stay relevant in a changing media landscape. The BBC plans to save £500 million over the next two years as it faces challenges from declining licence fee revenues and an increase in people not paying it. In response to these pressures, the BBC is prioritizing reaching younger audiences and has announced a partnership to produce YouTube content, while YouTube's Pedro Pina emphasized that digital platforms and traditional broadcasters can coexist, cautioning against government intervention that might undermine independent creators.
UEFA is poised to retract its threat of boycotting FIFA competitions after receiving assurances that FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s controversial $20 billion World Cup selloff plan will not be revived. The decision to end the boycott will allow six European teams, including France and Spain, to prepare for the FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup starting on September 5 in Poland, where 24 nations will compete. This comes after Infantino's initial proposal faced a swift backlash from UEFA and other football confederations, leading to its withdrawal just four days later, amidst fears for the upcoming presidential election in March.
The United States has imposed sanctions on the British activist group Palestine Action and the pro-Palestine movement Masar Badil as part of a crackdown on critics of Israel under President Trump's administration. Sanctions also targeted the Italy-based group Autistici Inventati, which provides digital services to left-wing organizations; these sanctions freeze assets and restrict financial transactions for American citizens with these groups. Palestine Action, which has faced legal challenges since being designated a "terrorist" group in the UK, claims that over 3,000 people have been arrested in the UK for supporting them since the ban was implemented last year.
In July, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) recorded 49,571 arrests, marking the highest monthly total during President Trump's second term and surpassing June's record of 43,021 arrests by 15%. This surge, averaging 1,599 apprehensions per day, includes significant detentions of Haitian immigrants following the revocation of their Temporary Protected Status. More than half of the arrests occurred in Texas, Florida, California, and Georgia, with Florida leading in local law enforcement agencies participating in the federal 287(g) program, which allows collaboration with ICE.
The US has imposed sanctions on the UK-based direct action group Palestine Action, designating it a "global terrorist" organization due to its alleged support for acts of terrorism, including injuries to law enforcement and millions in damages to military equipment. Palestine Action was previously proscribed in the UK under the Terrorism Act in July 2022 and is currently challenging this designation in the UK Supreme Court. The US Treasury accuses the group of promoting tactics that intimidate businesses and coerce the UK government, with its actions concentrated on companies associated with Israeli military operations.
A Ukrainian airstrike in the eastern, Russian-occupied Luhansk region killed nine people, including eight on the spot and a 20-year-old woman who succumbed to her injuries shortly after; five others were reported injured. Meanwhile, Ukraine targeted Russian logistics by successfully destroying a 100,000 square-meter Wildberries warehouse, a significant blow to Russia's military logistics and civilian economy. In recent weeks, over 20 facilities of Russia's major retailers Wildberries and Ozon have faced severe damage, totaling an estimated 1.9 million square meters, as part of Ukraine's expanded target list.