The National Education Union (NEU) has celebrated a significant victory after the UK government agreed to fully fund a pay rise for teachers in England, alleviating concerns that schools would need to cover a portion of the increase from their own budgets. The government's revised offer includes a 3.5% salary increase effective immediately, followed by an additional 3% next September, leading to an estimated £500 million in new funding to schools, which is essential to address a £460 million shortfall in school budgets. A snap poll revealed that 97% of NEU members found it unacceptable for schools to find the funds for the pay rise, with 89% being willing to strike to secure full funding.
Real Madrid players Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, and Ibrahima Konate obscured a solidarity message on their shirts for the Spanish enclave of Ceuta during a La Liga match, rolling up the shirts before kickoff. The phrase “Todos somos caballas” (“We are all mackerels”) was intended to express support amid the ongoing political crisis regarding the migrant influx from Morocco. FIFA's rules prohibit political messages on player clothing, but recent cases suggest disciplinary actions are unlikely, as La Liga, RFEF, and UEFA have not commented on whether any sanctions will be imposed.
The EU is advancing plans for a complete ban on social media for children under 13, as announced by Ursula von der Leyen, who stated that such apps are "depriving children of their childhood." Additionally, children aged 13-15 would be permitted "mini accounts" under parental supervision, with time limits imposed. Von der Leyen also highlighted the need for a European security protocol similar to NATO's article 4 in response to increasing hybrid threats, including acts attributed to Russia, while discussing challenges in enforcing existing sanctions against the Kremlin.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has firmly rejected any plans for the displacement of Palestinians, emphasizing Egypt's support for their rights following remarks by Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz, who spoke of completing military operations in Gaza and implementing a "migration plan." Katz indicated that Israel was prepared to remove the two million residents of Gaza but was waiting for discussions with the United States about their relocation, though US Ambassador Mike Huckabee denied any intent to forcibly displace Gaza's population. Over the past three years, war has led to the deaths of more than 73,700 Palestinians and resulted in extensive internal displacement, while Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu stated that Israel would not withdraw from Gaza until Hezbollah is disarmed and contended that Israel controls 60 percent of the enclave.
A helicopter crash in Chatsworth, Los Angeles, on Tuesday evening resulted in the deaths of two NBC4 colleagues, aerial photojournalist Eliana Moreno and pilot George Marciniw, along with a pedestrian on the ground. The helicopter was covering a separate accident involving a bus and an SUV that had occurred earlier that day, which killed two people and sent several others to the hospital. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass expressed condolences, stating, "We lost five Angelenos today," referring to the combined fatalities from both incidents.
Manuel Neuer retired from international duty after Germany's early exit from the 2026 World Cup, leading to speculation about his replacement, with Jonas Urbig and Oliver Baumann being notable candidates. New coach Jürgen Klopp will announce his squad for four UEFA Nations League games on September 17, and there are uncertainties regarding who will fill the goalkeeper position, especially given Baumann's age of 36 and the emerging competition from younger keepers like Marc-André ter Stegen. Other potential options include Alexander Nübel and Loris Karius, both of whom have unique challenges and opportunities that could factor into Klopp's selection process.
Four years after Mahsa Amini’s death on September 16, 2022, following her detention by Iran's morality police for improper hijab, widespread protests erupted across Iran, with at least 550 people reported killed during the demonstrations, including 68 children and 49 women. The protests, fueled by increasing demands for women's rights and freedoms, saw a significant cultural shift in Iran, prompting many women, like Bahar and Setareh, to defy mandatory hijab laws despite ongoing risks. The movement, encapsulated by the slogan "Woman, Life, Freedom," has led to a transformation in societal attitudes towards women's dress and personal choices.
At least 20 people, including six children, were killed and 14 injured when a war-damaged building collapsed in the Gaza Strip, with rescue efforts hampered by a lack of heavy machinery. Approximately 400 buildings in Gaza are at risk of collapse, and around 2,000 damaged structures are still inhabited by families seeking shelter from the elements. Since a ceasefire in October 2025, over 73,000 Palestinians have been killed, mostly civilians, amid ongoing violence, while the Israeli military has reported four soldiers killed.
Previously unseen drawings by Tove Jansson, the Finnish author of the beloved Moomin books, will be showcased in an exhibition titled "Tove Jansson and her Families," featuring over 100 exhibits, opening in London in November. The Moomin books, which sold up to 30 million copies globally since their inception between 1945 and 1977, celebrate themes of nature, friendship, and individuality and have been translated into more than 60 languages. Highlights include original sketches from Jansson's first book, "The Moomins and the Great Flood," and early drafts, revealing her lifelong passion for storytelling and fantasy.
A new NSW Institute for Paediatric Trauma will be established at the Sydney Children’s Hospital in Randwick within six months to enhance emergency medical care for critically injured children following recent trauma incidents, such as the Bondi Beach and Bondi Junction events. The institute will focus on providing advanced training and simulations for medical teams, addressing the unique clinical needs of paediatric patients, and extending education to pre-hospital first responders across NSW and the ACT. Additionally, it will prioritize the psychological well-being of healthcare workers and families affected by trauma, while leveraging expertise from the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network.
Amazon's Ring is set to launch its Neighbours community app in the UK on 21 October, aimed at replacing neighborhood WhatsApp or Facebook groups with a platform focused on safety and community issues. Users can select a radius of 0.1 to five miles for local community engagement, and the app will initially offer basic anonymized posting moderated by AI and humans, while more controversial features like police requests for footage will be developed for later release. The service also includes a "Search Party for Dogs" feature that allows users to report lost pets and receive notifications from neighbors with Ring cameras, alongside a new encryption mechanism to address privacy concerns.
US President Donald Trump criticized the Supreme Court's decision to uphold mail-in voting, which accounts for roughly a third of votes cast nationwide, claiming the justices have strayed from their original intent and are costing the country trillions. Following the ruling, concerns grew among election officials about potential interference, with over a dozen officials hiring outside legal assistance and nearly twice as many increasing outreach efforts to combat misinformation about voting security. Opposition groups, including the ACLU and the Brennan Center for Justice, along with 261 current and former Congress members, have actively challenged Trump's attempts to alter federal voting procedures, arguing that the Constitution delegates electoral authority primarily to states and Congress.
Yemen's Houthi militia has announced that only Saudi Arabian ships will be barred from passing through the Red Sea, as they assert control over strategic locations like the island of Mayun. Despite the threat, maritime traffic through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait remains relatively stable, with 24 ships passing on Saturday and 27 on Sunday, though numbers have decreased from a July average of 47 to 21 recently. The ongoing conflicts and Houthi activities risk disrupting vital shipping routes between Asia and Europe, potentially impacting Egypt's Suez Canal revenues, which fell by around $6 billion in 2024 from a previous annual income of $9 billion to $10 billion.
Nigerian journalist and content creator Charity Ekezie, known as the "sarcasm queen," uses humor to challenge negative stereotypes about Africa, engaging with a global audience through her social media videos. At 35 years old, she addresses "silly" questions about life on the continent, turning ignorance into comedy. Ekezie's approach highlights the power of laughter in confronting misconceptions about Africa.
NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani, during an unveiling ceremony for a new 9/11 Memorial Wall, faced scrutiny regarding his commitment to reforming the police despite a campaign promising major changes. In the first six months of his administration, the city incurred $53 million in police misconduct settlements, raising concerns that without significant reforms, future payouts could exceed $100 million for the fourth consecutive year. Advocates fear that unless Mamdani shifts away from the policing tactics seen under former Mayor Eric Adams, the city will continue to be liable for high misconduct costs.
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca emphasized that the discussion surrounding the VAR decision on Erling Haaland's winning goal should not overshadow his team's achievement in winning 1-0 against Manchester United despite being down to 10 men after Phil Foden's red card in the 23rd minute. Haaland's goal was initially ruled out for offside but was later confirmed by VAR, although Pro Ref acknowledged that the decision was incorrect. Maresca reflected on past controversial decisions, noting that the club had not received an apology for a similar incident involving Marcus Rashford three years ago.
Al Taawoun has been ordered to play their next two home matches behind closed doors and fined 100,000 riyals ($26,640) by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation following supporters' chants of "Jota" during a match against Al Hilal. These chants referenced the late Portugal forward Diogo Jota, who died in a car crash last year, and prompted widespread criticism, including a call for lifetime bans from stadiums by Al-Nassr captain Cristiano Ronaldo. Al Hilal also filed a complaint with the federation, labeling the chants offensive, while Al Taawoun denounced the behavior as not reflective of the club or its supporters.
The Centre for a Better Britain (CFABB), linked to Nigel Farage's Reform UK, is set to propose significant tax cuts for wealthy individuals, including the abolition of inheritance tax, which generated £8.5 billion last year, and the phasing out of capital gains tax, which contributed a record £24 billion in 2024-25. The 200-page policy document, expected to be released next week, will also suggest deregulating the financial services sector and reorganizing the Treasury's economic responsibilities. Additionally, CFABB has come under scrutiny due to recent donations totaling £72 million from two cryptocurrency billionaires, raising concerns about the influence of wealthy donors on political policies.
The article argues that the enduring prosperity of nations is primarily determined by their institutions, rather than geography or culture, with a particular focus on Africa's struggle against extractive institutions that have historically hindered development. Nigeria exemplifies this issue, possessing over 200 million people and significant human capital, yet lacks a cohesive system of authority capable of delivering public goods due to rampant corruption and a fragmented political environment. The piece criticizes international organizations like the World Bank for their failure to properly address the essence of Africa's institutional challenges, emphasizing the importance of accountable governance to overcome the legacy of extractive practices.
NPR is seeking input from Americans on how rising prices, particularly for gasoline, diesel, and imported goods, are affecting their budgets amidst ongoing inflation. The organization emphasizes the importance of these economic factors in the current election season and is collecting personal accounts to inform future reporting. Submissions will adhere to NPR's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, with assurance that no monetary inducements are tied to coverage.
Russia is believed to be holding thousands of Ukrainian soldiers and civilians as prisoners of war and often pressures their relatives for favors, such as gathering intelligence, by contacting them directly through social media. Polina, a Ukrainian woman, recounted how Russian authorities demanded her assistance to ensure the safety of her 71-year-old father, who has been in captivity for nearly four years after being accused of spying for Ukraine. Approximately 10,000 Ukrainian troops and a similar number of Russian soldiers have been freed in prisoner exchanges, but the exact number of remaining prisoners is unknown, with Russia holding many civilians and rarely releasing them.
Norway’s sovereign wealth fund, managing investments worth $2.4 billion, has faced ethical scrutiny as its remaining holdings in Israeli companies increased by 15.7% in early 2026, despite cutting back from 61 to 29 investments last year due to humanitarian concerns in Gaza. Specific investments highlighted include a $25.9 million stake in NextVision Stabilized Systems and involvement with One Software Technologies and Formula Systems, which provide services linked to Israel's military operations. Critics, including Rami Samandar from Norway’s Palestine Committee and Mads Harlem from Save the Children Norway, argue that the fund's continued investments contribute to violations of international law, prompting the finance ministry to review the fund’s ethical framework, which is expected to conclude by October 15.
As economic pressure intensifies on Iran, ordinary Iranians, particularly Baha'is, face extreme financial distress and increased persecution, with rights groups reporting asset seizures aimed at religious minorities and government critics. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency noted a rise in arrests and property seizures targeting the Baha'i community, which is not recognized by the Islamic Republic, while Amnesty International described a coordinated campaign against them linking them to espionage for Israel. Additionally, Iranian authorities identified over 400 individuals abroad as "supporters of the enemy," leading to the confiscation of assets and a broader atmosphere of repression affecting critics of the regime, including journalists and activists, with the confiscated properties often sold below market value to politically connected individuals.
All supporting acts for Ed Sheeran's upcoming US Loop Tour have withdrawn in solidarity with Macklemore, who was removed from the tour for expressing pro-Palestine views. Artists like Finneas, Aaron Rowe, the Irish band Beoga, and the Danish band Lukas Graham cited their opposition to Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories as their reason for quitting. The tour is scheduled to start on September 19, 2026, in Philadelphia, and Sheeran attributed Macklemore's removal to how he conveyed his message during a performance at MetLife Stadium earlier this month.
A copy of The Century Illustrated Monthly Magazine from September 1894 was returned to Concord Public Library in New Hampshire after being checked out over 130 years ago, resulting in a theoretical late fee of $12,055 for 48,220 days. John Hanson, 84, found the magazine during a move in 1966 and returned it during a library fine amnesty, noting that neither his parents had a library card and it was unlikely they were the original borrowers. The magazine's edition included articles discussing the need for outdoor playgrounds in urban public schools and advertisements for products like Beeman's Pepsin Gum and Hernan Cortez Cigars.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen suggested that Canada could become the EU’s first "associate member" as both parties aim to strengthen their relationship amid challenges posed by the United States under President Donald Trump. Prime Minister Mark Carney emphasized Canada's desire for a "unique alliance" with the EU, and both leaders highlighted the necessity of advancing cooperation in key sectors such as manufacturing, AI, and energy, building on the success of the 2016 free-trade agreement that increased trade by over 80 percent. Despite EU treaties not recognizing the concept of "associate member," the proposal reflects a growing partnership, as Canada has also recently joined a key EU defense loan program.
A new report from the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine states that 41 states impose restrictions on abortion, complicating the ability of maternal-fetal specialists to practice evidence-based medicine, especially following the Dobbs decision. The report highlights a nearly doubling of deaths from ectopic pregnancies between 2020 and 2025, and underscores that legal barriers are pushing patients to seek later abortions in out-of-state clinics, resulting in increased complications and stress. The statement calls for maternal-fetal specialists to advocate for expanded roles in family planning and abortion care to ensure comprehensive patient support amidst restrictive laws.
At least 70 people were killed when a gold mine collapsed in Sudan's West Kordofan state, where dozens of artisanal miners were trapped in a series of adjoining shafts. Local sources highlighted that the high death toll was attributed to a lack of safety procedures and rescue equipment, with survivors struggling to reach trapped miners using rudimentary tools. Sudan Doctors Network indicated that search efforts were ongoing and the casualty count could rise, emphasizing the need for medical and logistical assistance at the site, where unregulated mining poses significant dangers to workers.
Patricio Guzmán, the acclaimed Chilean documentary filmmaker known for his poignant films depicting the impact of Augusto Pinochet's regime, has died at the age of 85 in Paris due to a cardiorespiratory arrest. He is best recognized for "The Battle of Chile," which aired in three parts between 1975 and 1979, and for exploring themes of Chile's traumatic history in later works, including "Nostalgia for the Light" and "My Imaginary Country," which premiered in 2022. Throughout his career, Guzmán faced personal dangers, including his own arrest, while his cinematographer Jorge Müller was arrested, tortured, and disappeared in 1974, illustrating the harrowing consequences of the political turmoil he captured in his films.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed Beijing's intent to enhance dialogue and cooperation with Iran during a meeting with Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding Iran's legitimate rights. Ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to the U.S. to discuss tensions regarding Iran and the Strait of Hormuz, Wang urged both Iran and the U.S. to remain rational and take steps to reopen the Strait. China, as Iran's largest crude oil buyer, reiterated its consistent policy towards Iran and highlighted the need for reform in the Middle East's security architecture.