A New Zealand court sentenced Kaixiao Liu, a self-proclaimed religious sect leader, to over 10 years in prison for the manslaughter and kidnapping of 70-year-old Shulai Wang, whose body was discovered wrapped in rice bags near Auckland's Gulf Harbour in March 2024. Wang had traveled from Hainan island in China to live with Liu and his family in August 2023, where she and other female followers lived under strict control, regularly referred to Liu as "Lord" or "Master," and engaged in servitude. Liu's wife received nearly eight years in prison for her involvement, while his parents previously faced convictions for kidnapping and misconduct regarding Wang's remains, with sentencing for them pending later this year.
A tornado struck the village of Pomas in southwestern France, injuring around 40 people and damaging approximately 300 homes, with 15 individuals, including a pregnant woman, hospitalized. The storm, which had winds reaching 117 kilometers (73 miles) per hour, led to orange storm alerts, power cuts affecting about 2,800 households, and significant transport disruptions, including train delays and flight cancellations. Over 120 emergency personnel were deployed to assist with recovery efforts, and emergency shelters were established for those displaced.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu alleged that Iran attempted to assassinate one of his sons, although he did not specify details about the incident or which son was targeted. This claim came amid declining opinion polls for his coalition ahead of the upcoming general election in October, following a joint US-Israeli strike that resulted in the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and four family members. Netanyahu's elder son, Yair, 35, has drawn controversy for the taxpayer cost of his extended protection while being in Miami, as Iran vows to seek revenge for the killings of Khamenei and his family.
President Donald Trump has threatened to raise US tariffs on Canadian automobiles and auto parts from 25% to 50% starting January 1, following collapsed trade negotiations with Canada that involved nearly $20 billion (C$28 billion) in imports. Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney criticized Trump's threats, stating the country would implement reciprocal tariffs "dollar for dollar" on US goods and announced C$11 billion ($7.95 billion) funding for new icebreakers to bolster trade. The escalated tensions have prompted officials on both sides to prepare for significant repercussions, with Canada accounting for 60% of US crude oil imports and close to 100% of US natural gas exports.
Pierre Michel Formosa, a 68-year-old French tourist, died in California's Death Valley after his car became stuck in mud and he attempted to seek help in extreme temperatures of 46.6°C (116°F). He and his companion walked 1.3 miles across the salt flats, but severe heat incapacitated him before he could continue, while his companion successfully flagged down another driver for assistance. This tragic incident highlights the dangers of the extreme heat affecting millions across the U.S., with Death Valley experiencing current warnings for hazardous conditions and a history of extreme temperatures, including a record high of 57°C (134°F) recorded in 1913.
The Trump administration plans to revoke up to 200,000 B1 and B2 visas, which are typically issued for business and tourism, for individuals who have applied for or are seeking asylum in the US. This action marks a significant step in a broader immigration crackdown, with the state department coordinating with the Department of Homeland Security to identify and revoke these visas issued between 2016 and 2026. Previously, the state department has revoked more than 175,000 visas under the Trump administration, which critics argue violates due process and disproportionately affects ethnic minorities.
At least 40 people were killed in an attack by gang members on a displaced persons shelter inside a church near Port-au-Prince, with the UN reporting at least 47 fatalities and more than 22 injured. The attack, which reportedly began around 10:30 p.m., involved executions and abductions of those seeking refuge after fleeing violence earlier this year, highlighting the escalating gang violence in the area. With nearly 1.5 million Haitians currently displaced and over five million facing food insecurity, the situation in Haiti remains dire, exacerbated by deep political instability and a lack of effective law enforcement.
Country music legend Dolly Parton has passed away at the age of 80, according to her family. The City of Dubuque has been awarded a $750,000 grant for Eagle Point Park improvements, while local voters will decide on a proposed $18 million bond for parks and water quality projects on November 3. Additionally, the Iowa State Fair generated an estimated $199 million economic impact on Iowa's GDP, marking record-breaking attendance.
Over the weekend, approximately 1,800 participants pulled the 360-tonne keep of Hirosaki Castle in Aomori prefecture a total of 2.22 meters using a traditional method called hikiya, rotating teams of 80 people heaving on 30-meter ropes. The event saw around 8,000 applications submitted for the available slots, highlighting high interest from both domestic and international participants. Although the keep has been moved closer to its original position, the surrounding renovations will delay public access until an expected reopening in 2033.
The United States is poised to cancel the business and tourism visas of up to 200,000 foreigners who have sought or are applying for asylum, marking the largest mass revocation of visas in the country’s history. The State Department plans to target B1 and B2 visas issued between 2016 and 2026, with the revocations aimed at individuals who claimed to be short-term visitors but later filed for asylum, although deportations would not be automatic. Under the Trump administration, about 175,000 visas have already been revoked for various reasons, including criminal convictions and dissent against US policies.
Canada, which exports 70% of its goods to the US and is the top customer for 26 US states, plans retaliatory duties on various products including steel and dairy in response to the ongoing trade dispute. Premier Doug Ford suggested an "energy surcharge" could be imposed, potentially affecting 1.5 million homes in states like Michigan and New York, and noted that Canada is a major supplier of critical minerals and potash. In response to US tariffs, Canadian provinces have banned American alcohol, causing a 78% drop in US wine exports to Canada, translating to a loss of $357 million, while Canadians also reduced travel to the US by 800,000 trips in April 2024 compared to the previous year.
Colombia's new president Abelardo de la Espriella announced an immigration crackdown, ordering the detention and deportation of illegal immigrants, particularly those committing crimes, with operations set to begin this week. This comes in the wake of a 7.4-magnitude earthquake that killed over 300 people and left more than 30,000 homes destroyed, and amid criticism that the crackdown targets the 2.8 million Venezuelans in the country, 848,000 of whom are irregular migrants. De la Espriella’s rhetoric mirrors that of Donald Trump, prioritizing "Colombians first," while opposition voices argue that the move epitomizes xenophobia and a departure from longstanding migration policies benefiting those fleeing crisis.
President Felix Tshisekedi is set to leave office in 2028, but tensions surrounding potential constitutional reforms that could allow him to seek a third term are reshaping Congolese politics, with fears of undermining the existing two-term limit. The National Assembly is scheduled to address newly passed legislation that would allow a referendum on constitutional changes following a Constitutional Court ruling that raised concerns about the law's provisions. Opposition group C64 has mobilized thousands for protests against any attempts to extend Tshisekedi's presidency, especially amid ongoing conflict in the eastern DRC led by the M23 armed group controlling key cities like Goma and Bukavu.
Volunteers in Tunisia are searching for two missing individuals after a migrant boat carrying 15 people sank off the southeastern coast, resulting in the recovery of 12 bodies. The boat, believed to be headed towards Italy, sank approximately 14 nautical miles (26 km) from Zarzis, with only one survivor who drifted at sea for 48 hours before being rescued. Protests erupted in Ben Guerdane, where demonstrators criticized the economic conditions prompting young people to risk dangerous sea crossings, coinciding with a report from the International Organization for Migration stating that over 1,065 migrants have died or gone missing in the Mediterranean this year.
The US has officially removed Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism after 47 years, citing the Syrian government's efforts to dissociate from international terrorism. This decision, supported by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, follows the leadership of Syria's new president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, whose group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, was also delisted from global terrorist organizations. With Syria's removal, only three countries remain on the US list: Cuba, North Korea, and Iran, which entails significant sanctions and restrictions.
A destructive tornado hit villages in southern France, injuring over 40 people and producing winds exceeding 100 km/h (62 mph) that damaged homes in Pomas. Local authorities reported that approximately 2,800 households were without electricity on Monday evening, and several roads were blocked due to the storm. Eyewitnesses captured the tornado formation beneath a thunderstorm in the village of Verzeille.
Karen Solomon, a mental health advocate and suspect in the death of her police officer husband Kurt Solomon, was found dead on Monday, six days after he was discovered dead at their home on August 18. Kurt Solomon, 31 years with the police department, was killed with a sharp object, and a handgun found near Karen's body was not a Worcester police service weapon. Authorities believe the case may be a tragic murder-suicide and conducted an extensive search that included local, state, and federal agencies, using drones, boats, and tracking dogs.
In the drought-prone Bundelkhand region of northern India, Mamta, a 40-year-old woman from the Dalit community, journeys as many as 10 times a day to access water from handpumps, which are the only resource left for her village's 1,000 residents due to dry taps from a government water scheme. The rising temperatures in the area, peaking above 40°C and nearing 48°C in recent summers, exacerbate water scarcity and intensify cast-based discrimination, forcing Dalit families to wait for upper-caste individuals to finish using the pumps before they can collect water. Local officials deny widespread discrimination or water shortages, yet residents highlight the increasing conflicts and barriers faced by marginalized communities in accessing this vital resource as temperatures rise and water supplies dwindle.
A review found that profound isolation and a significant drop in support services contributed to the deaths of 112 care leavers aged 18 to 24 in England, with their death rate being three to four times higher than the general population. The report highlighted that 36% of these deaths were likely suicides, including 24 women, and noted that one-fifth of the deaths occurred at age 18 due to the abrupt loss of assistance when transitioning to adulthood. In response, the government is investing £25 million in housing options for care leavers as part of a strategy to foster supportive relationships among this vulnerable group.
During the trial of Lindsay Clancy, psychologist Dr. Kirk Heilbrun testified that he doubted her claims of hallucinations and believed she killed her three children—Callan (8 months), Dawson (3), and Cora (5)—to spare them suffering after her planned suicide. Clancy, 36, faces murder charges and pleads not guilty, with her defense arguing that she was suffering from postpartum psychosis and bipolar disorder, while prosecutors assert she had the capacity to understand her actions. The trial, which includes conflicting expert testimonies on her mental state, is expected to reach the jury this week, with the prosecution needing to prove Clancy was not suffering from a mental disease at the time of the killings.
The Trump administration has enacted new economic sanctions on Iran, marking a significant step in its ongoing conflict with Tehran, described as an "economic D-Day." These sanctions target key sectors such as aviation, digital assets, gold, technology, and shipping, impacting 60 specific individuals and vessels, with a focus on cutting off revenue from Iran's oil and gas industry. The new measures also include an indefinite suspension of exceptions to ongoing sanctions, affecting various activities, with organizations given until September 8 to cease operations linked to these exceptions.
The United States Supreme Court has allowed President Donald Trump to proceed with his executive order restricting mail voting, although further court challenges could delay its implementation ahead of the midterm elections in November. In response to Trump's order, which aims to create lists of eligible voters and limit mail ballot delivery, Democratic officials from 23 states and D.C. have filed lawsuits, arguing that it could lead to significant chaos and partisan abuse. The situation is further complicated by a Massachusetts judge's decision to block the implementation of Trump's plan for the midterms, which has been upheld by an appeals court, while the Supreme Court's 6-3 conservative majority leaves open the possibility for additional rulings on this matter.
The United States has removed Syria from its "State Sponsors of Terrorism" list, marking the end of a designation that had been in place since the ousted Assad regime. This decision, part of a broader strategy to encourage investment and economic stability in Syria, follows the lifting of sanctions in June 2025 and the revocation of the al-Nusrah Front's designation as a global terrorist organization. Syrian officials hailed the move as a historic step toward reintegration into the global economy, with Finance Minister Mohammed Barnieh emphasizing its potential to attract investment and modern technologies.
Six months after the abrupt evacuation of around 1,300 U.S. Navy dependents from Bahrain due to escalating tensions in the region, families are still facing uncertainty and temporary living conditions, with some people participating in a virtual town hall meeting to voice their frustrations. Many evacuees, including a Navy spouse who has relocated eight times since her departure, are struggling with the lack of communication and support from Navy officials, as the Navy is still trying to devise solutions for prolonged displacements that were not anticipated to last this long. As the State Department prepares to end the ordered departure status, it highlights the complexities that have arisen from the situation, with families now needing to plan for their long-term futures and cover additional expenses amidst the chaos.
House Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries privately met with Jared Kushner as the White House seeks to collaborate with Democrats ahead of the contentious November midterm elections, where Democrats hope to regain control of the House. The meeting, seen as a bid for bipartisan common ground, covered various issues, including housing, immigration, and the cost-of-living crisis amid rising inflation, with Jeffries stating the current GOP's approach has failed the American people. Congressional Republicans criticized the meeting, asserting Kushner's lack of significant involvement in the White House and expressing skepticism about Jeffries' engagement with Trump's associates, particularly in the context of potential Democratic investigations into the Trump administration.
The Hangzhou Technician Institute is part of China's $20 billion initiative to advance innovation in AI and robotics, preparing students like 28-year-old Chen Tianyu and his 30 classmates to compete in a rapidly evolving tech landscape. With over two million robots operating in Chinese factories, more than any other country, China is not only reshaping its own workforce but also shipping a majority of the world's industrial robots. As the country balances automation with human labor, the future for workers remains uncertain amidst this technological transformation.
Bear reports have surged across Colorado due to drought conditions, with wildlife facing challenges from low food sources and wildfires. In an unrelated matter, a car wash company in Colorado will pay restitution after a settlement, and an 85-year-old cyclist was killed in a collision with an SUV in Boulder County. Additionally, the Supreme Court sided with the Trump administration regarding mail voting restrictions ahead of the midterms, highlighting ongoing legal challenges in the electoral process.
The US Supreme Court has ruled 6-3 in favor of Donald Trump, allowing him to proceed with efforts to tighten regulations on mail-in voting, despite ongoing legal challenges, as the midterm elections approach in November. Trump's March order aims to create a "state citizenship list" to determine eligibility for mail-in ballots, and about 30% of all ballots were cast by mail in the 2024 presidential election. Democratic voters are reportedly more likely to vote by mail, with approximately one in four registered Democrats and one in five registered Republicans doing so in 2024.
Support for the war on Iran in the United States has declined, with only 31 percent of Americans now in favor, down from 37 percent in March, and Republican support has dropped from 77 percent to 69 percent. President Trump's approval rating is at a record low of 33 percent, matching the lowest recorded in his presidential terms, amid economic concerns from rising petrol prices, which are over $1 per gallon higher than pre-war levels. A recent poll indicates that 83 percent of Americans believe the conflict will continue for an extended period, posing challenges for Trump's campaign promises to reduce inflation and avoid foreign military engagements.
Andy Burnham has revised his stance on the spending of £10 billion from the Affordable Homes Programme, agreeing to allocate about 40% of the funds to various housing types, including sheltered and shared ownership, rather than solely on building social homes. Under the new plan, the investment will support the construction of 70,000 homes outside London, with approximately 60% designated for social rent, as part of a broader goal to create 300,000 affordable homes over the next decade. London will receive an additional £6 billion, while ministers emphasize that this initiative marks a significant commitment to council housing, with three local councils now recognized as strategic partners in the project.