Court premises in Lusaka and other areas in Zambia have been closed as the deadline approaches for filing petitions against the presidential election results, amidst reports of heavy police presence. Opposition candidate Brian Mundubile, who secured 38% of the vote against incumbent Hakainde Hichilema's 60%, plans to contest the election results citing irregularities but is currently in hiding due to alleged threats against him, following the recent death of an opposition figure and the arrest of others. The Law Association of Zambia has expressed concern over the closures impacting access to justice, particularly given the seven-day window for filing to nullify the election results, while preparations for Hichilema's inauguration on September 1 continue.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese aims to address concerns from state premiers regarding new national controls on datacentre developments during a national cabinet meeting, amidst a projected seven-fold increase in datacentre power use by the Australian Energy Market Operator. Currently, there are 165 datacentres operating in Australia, with an additional 225 in development, and electricity demand from these facilities is expected to escalate from 5 terawatt hours to between 34 and 52 terawatt hours by 2035-36, representing a rise from 3% to as high as 13% of overall consumption. Albanese plans to introduce legislation next year that will impose strict copyright rules on AI businesses, set obligations for datacentres, and ensure local communities are considered in the development process, while also maintaining control for projects approved before the new laws take effect.
The Australian federal police (AFP) have faced criticism from Ombudsman Iain Anderson for failing to define "racial profiling" after the wrongfully arrest of a 17-year-old Indigenous boy, identified as Jay, who was mistaken for a burglary suspect in November 2025. The incident, which lasted under four minutes, involved police stopping a bus, drawing guns, and handcuffing Jay before realizing their mistake within 90 seconds; he was then searched improperly after his release. The investigation made eight recommendations for improvement, including the review of racial descriptors used in policing and the establishment of a clear definition of racial profiling, which the AFP has accepted in principle.
Israel has warned Hamas of increased strikes on Gaza in response to the recent launch of non-explosive kites from the territory, with four kites found near Kibbutz Nahal Oz, about 800 meters from the border. The Israeli military reported that since the onset of the conflict in October 2023, around 74,420 people have been killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza, including 1,288 since a ceasefire was purportedly established. In the latest strikes, two people were killed, including a four-year-old boy, while Israeli actions in Gaza have led to military claims of targeting Hamas militants involved in prior attacks.
Survivors of violent crime have criticized the UK government's announcement of "restriction zones" for serious offenders, designed to confine them to specific areas post-release, due to a lack of details on how the system will function. The Ministry of Justice plans to implement these zones in October in England and Wales, where offenders will be tagged and victims can influence boundary setting, but campaigners express concern about the lack of clarity regarding which offenders will be affected and the logistics of enforcement. Victims, including campaigner Rhianon Bragg, argue that without detailed plans, the safety of thousands of individuals remains at risk, as anxiety mounts over potential encounters with their offenders.
Algeria is set to make English the sole foreign language taught in the third year of primary school starting in the 2026-2027 academic year, relegating French to the fourth year for the first time. This shift is part of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune's broader linguistic overhaul, which includes transitioning faculties of medicine and science from French to English, alongside the removal of French from utility bills and Air Algerie tickets. The change is driven by recent diplomatic tensions with France, particularly after French President Emmanuel Macron's support for Morocco's claim over Western Sahara, impacting Algeria's language policies that have historically been shaped by political factors since its independence in 1962.
Subscribers to Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video in western Europe have experienced the highest average price increases globally over the last four years, with an increase of $1.86 monthly compared to $1.70 in the US. Netflix UK recently raised its prices by £1 to £5.99 for the basic package with ads and £2 to £12.99 for the standard ad-free package, contributing to the company surpassing £2 billion in annual revenues for the first time with a record £2.06 billion, marking an 11% increase from the previous year. Ampere Analysis noted that while price hikes have become common in streaming, the average increase has dropped from 24% of the previous subscription price in 2023-24 to 14% in 2025-26, as competition intensifies and consumer willingness to pay limits further increases.
In January 2026, Iran faced its largest public uprising, following widespread protests that began in December 2025 due to economic grievances, leading to a violent crackdown by security forces where Iranian authorities reported over 3,100 deaths. Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRANA) documented over 7,000 deaths and described the treatment of injured protesters as catastrophic, with a single hospital overwhelmed by 2,000 injured individuals seeking care, despite only having a capacity of 400 beds. The medical response was severely hampered by fear of arrest and inadequate resources, with attackers reportedly targeting the head and chest of protesters, indicating a lethal intent.
Gary, Indiana's mayor, Eddie Melton, expressed frustration that over 14,500 residents are still without power 12 days after an August 11 storm, despite efforts to restore service, with a peak of 374,500 outages reported. The Northern Indiana Public Service Company (Nipsco) has reduced the outages to 10,187 as of Monday morning and could restore full service by Tuesday, while Gary employs 700 lineworkers and 300 vegetation crews to assist. Additionally, a relief supplies event is planned, backed by local figures and organizations, with $30,000 committed for the community's recovery.
Myanmar's military-backed government claims to have verified about 308,000 out of 820,000 Rohingya refugees for potential repatriation from Bangladesh, but refuses to proceed until security conditions improve in Rakhine State, which remains engulfed in civil war. Currently, around 1.2 million Rohingya live in Bangladesh, many in Cox's Bazar camps, following the 2017 military operations that forced more than 750,000 to flee amid accusations of genocide. Analysts argue that safe repatriation is less realistic now than ever due to ongoing conflict, with the military no longer controlling most of Rakhine and significant risks of violence against returning Rohingya.
Myanmar's military-backed government has reported verifying around 308,000 of the 820,000 Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh for potential repatriation, but stated that returns will not occur until security improves in Rakhine State, which is currently affected by civil war. Since 2017, more than 750,000 Rohingya have fled to Bangladesh, with the total number of Rohingya refugees in the country now around 1.2 million, mostly in Cox's Bazar camps. Analysts caution that safe repatriation is less feasible than ever due to the ongoing civil war and the lack of recognition of the Rohingya as citizens by Myanmar's government, which remains dominated by the military responsible for their prior persecution.
Twelve people, including nine men and three women aged 19 to 61, have been arrested on suspicion of various offences related to a crash on the A66 that killed two police officers and five others. The investigation revealed that the vehicles involved, a Volkswagen Passat and a Volvo XC60, were driving dangerously, with the Passat having earlier been connected to a crime spree in Middlesbrough. Four of the five individuals in the Passat had prior convictions, and the vehicles were identified through automated number plate recognition technology.
Sean Grayson, a 32-year-old former police officer convicted of murdering 36-year-old Sonya Massey in 2024, has died in prison while undergoing treatment for colon cancer. Grayson shot Massey during a chaotic incident at her home in Illinois after she reported a suspected intruder; the jury convicted him of second-degree murder, sentencing him to 20 years in prison. Following Massey's death and Grayson's conviction, protests erupted across the US, and former President Joe Biden stated that "Sonya should be alive today."
French NGO Utopia 56 has reported that 2,720 individuals have claimed to be victims of police violence in France this year while attempting to cross the Channel, an increase from 1,954 during the same period last year. The UK-funded enforcement, which includes a £660 million deal with France, has resulted in 185 boats and over 4,300 people being prevented from crossing since late April, though the report emphasizes that these measures have made crossings more dangerous, with at least 21 deaths recorded this year. Critics argue that the crackdown on crossings leads to human suffering, as evidenced by incidents like a woman's leg being run over by a police buggy and families being separated on beaches, highlighting the need for safe route alternatives and a revised European asylum system.
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) is on a two-day state visit to France, during which he and President Emmanuel Macron attended the Esports World Cup closing ceremony, the first held outside Saudi Arabia. They are expected to sign agreements on health, transport, and energy, with a potential deal for a Dragon Ball-themed amusement park, while also discussing regional security and economic ties, particularly regarding oil shipping routes amidst disruptions due to the US-Israeli war on Iran, which has seen Brent crude prices rise from about $66 to over $100. In 2024, bilateral trade between the two nations was nearly equal, with France exporting $4.5 billion in goods to Saudi Arabia and importing $4.6 billion, mainly refined petroleum.
Research has identified over 3,000 UK shell companies, branded as beauty and convenience stores, that have allegedly facilitated money laundering and terrorist financing, moving between £310m and £464m. These companies have an average lifespan of 170 to 194 days and are heavily concentrated in specific areas, with 83% of suspect hairdressing firms and 92% of suspect convenience stores formed in the first half of the year, typically dissolving in the fourth quarter. The findings highlight patterns of exploitation, indicating that these businesses are part of a larger issue in the UK's corporate register, with calls for faster regulatory responses to combat this problem as the financial scale may exceed £1bn across related sectors.
South African police have arrested four suspects, aged between 22 and 28, in connection with the murder of two-time boxing world champion Zolani Tete, who was shot in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape, on August 19, 2026. Tete, 38, was known for winning the IBF junior bantamweight title in 2014 and the WBO bantamweight title in 2017, notably achieving the fastest knockout in a world championship bout at just 11 seconds. He had recently received a four-year ban from boxing, which ended on July 29, and was preparing for a return to the sport at the time of his murder.
Sean Grayson, a former Illinois sheriff’s deputy who fatally shot Sonya Massey in her home in 2024, has died at the age of 32 from stage three colon cancer that had spread to his liver and lungs. Grayson was serving a 20-year sentence for second-degree murder after he shot the 36-year-old single mother during an encounter triggered by her 911 call, claiming she was threatened, and he believed she was going to throw boiling water at him. His death occurred six months into his sentence, just after he was denied a medical release, and sparked protests over systemic racism and led to the enactment of the Sonya Massey Act in Illinois, which mandates stricter background checks for law enforcement hires.
New US Federal Reserve chair Kevin Warsh is set to address concerns over inflation and productivity in his upcoming speech at the Jackson Hole conference, which is critical as bond market pressures intensify amidst a $30 trillion US government debt market. The father of a US sailor on the USS Abraham Lincoln has been detained by ICE while his son is deployed, raising concerns about immigration enforcement amid military service, as the Department of Homeland Security stated that illegal entry into the US would not exempt individuals from detention. In related news, plans to equip ICE officers with electric-shock gloves for enforcement have generated significant alarm and scrutiny from experts.
The United States has cancelled the large biennial joint amphibious landing exercise, known as Ssangyong, scheduled for next month due to constraints on force availability linked to the US-Israel war on Iran, as confirmed by South Korean Marine Corps spokesman Han Seung-jeon. The cancellation follows President Donald Trump's decision to reduce the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises from 11 days to five, citing cost and South Korea's reluctance to engage in the conflict over Iran. North Korea, which is estimated to possess 80 to 120 nuclear weapons, has reacted to the exercises by firing 10 short-range ballistic missiles and condemning the joint military drills as invasion rehearsals.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is set to announce new economic sanctions on Iran, which President Trump has labeled an "economic D-Day," aimed at severing Iran's financial lifelines, particularly targeting countries like China that buy Iranian oil. The Iranian Rial has already hit a record low in anticipation of these sanctions, and Iran's security chief has warned of "seismic" retaliation against any nations participating in these economic restrictions, including potential attacks on oil tankers in the Persian Gulf. The ongoing conflict has severely disrupted energy exports from the Gulf region, and ordinary Iranians continue to suffer from the economic ramifications of sanctions that have been in place for nearly 50 years.
New Zealand plans to introduce a bill that would ban social media use for individuals under 16 and impose fines of up to 10% of global revenue on platforms failing to verify user ages, following similar regulations in Australia. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon highlighted concerns over the harmful effects of social media on children's mental health and family life, though the bill faces opposition from coalition partners who question its effectiveness. It remains uncertain if the bill will pass in Parliament, as recent similar measures in Australia encountered significant enforcement challenges.
Enes Kanter Freedom was ejected from a WNBA game after a verbal altercation with Chicago Sky player Natasha Cloud during the third quarter, following Cloud's comments directed at him during an Indiana Fever timeout. Kanter Freedom, 34, expressed on social media that he was removed for supporting women, while Cloud, also 34, posted a statement emphasizing love and protection for the transgender community. The incident occurred during the Sky's 113-90 loss, and both players have notable statistics, with Cloud averaging 11.4 points and Kanter Freedom having played 748 NBA games with averages of 11.2 points and 7.8 rebounds.
A four-year-old child was among three Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrikes in central Gaza as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened to escalate attacks due to the alleged launching of paper kites from the area, despite military inspections revealing only 10 kites flown by children without explosives. The bombardment has raised concerns among Palestinian analysts regarding the legitimacy of Israel's claims, with accusations that the government is fabricating a security crisis to justify military actions and avoid political commitments ahead of upcoming elections. The situation has prompted widespread despair among witnesses, exemplified by statements from local residents expressing a desire for peace amidst the ongoing violence.
During a league match in Leeuwarden, SC Cambuur reported that five fans suffered burns, hearing damage, and eye injuries after Feyenoord supporters threw fireworks, prompting a 20-minute halt in the game. Notably, one flare exploded just a few meters from Feyenoord goalkeeper Tjark Ernst, who narrowly avoided injury. The incident led to condemnation from local authorities and promises of an investigation, with the Dutch football association considering a review of their protocols for disorderly conduct at matches.
Iran has pledged to retaliate against countries cooperating with new US sanctions, which Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described as "the single greatest financial offensive ever marshalled against an adversary." The UAE has already ceased all trade with Iran, prompting concerns about the potential economic reprisals facing nations like India, China, and Russia, with Iran's crude exports reportedly having "virtually stopped" due to a US naval blockade that has driven oil prices to historical highs. The Iranian rial has depreciated to 1.992 million per dollar, reflecting significant economic strain, while Iran's security chief warned that any Gulf country supporting US sanctions would face severe consequences, including a halt to oil shipments through strategic routes like the strait of Hormuz.
House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries’ meeting with Jared Kushner has faced backlash from within his party, particularly from critics of Donald Trump, as Democrats aim to retake the House in the upcoming November midterm elections. Should they succeed, they plan to leverage their oversight power to investigate the Trump administration and concerns over Kushner's financial dealings with foreign nations. Jeffries emphasized the need for bold change and affordability in America while critics like Tommy Vietor questioned the appropriateness of collaborating with Kushner, citing his controversial business practices.
At least 30 people died after a massive landslide at the Dar es Salam landfill in Conakry, Guinea, due to heavy rains, which occurred shortly after 2am on Sunday. Six critically injured individuals were hospitalized, and several homes were destroyed as rescuers searched for survivors among the debris. The landfill, serving a city of two million, had been scheduled for closure that same day, with residents having received eviction notices, but many still remained in the area.
Italy's updated highway code will impose fines of €75 or more on pedestrians using mobile phones while crossing roads, aiming to enhance road safety amid several court rulings blaming distracted pedestrians for accidents. The updated rules will also allow hands-free phone use in emergencies and require pedestrians to ensure that drivers see them before crossing, while prohibiting distractions from devices like laptops and tablets. Additionally, the draft code is expected to include stricter penalties for drivers using mobile phones, with fines reaching up to €2,588 for repeat offenders, though proposals to restrict driving for those aged 85 and above have been removed after public backlash.
The US has announced "Operation Economic Outcast," a strategy aimed at severely constraining Iran's economy by imposing sanctions on its trading partners, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent describing this approach as "economic asphyxiation." Bessent noted that the UAE, one of Iran's largest trading partners, has already suspended all trade with Iran, although it remains unclear if the sanctions will also target China, Russia, and India. In response, Iran's Supreme National Security Council leader stated that any country's support for US sanctions would be viewed as an "act of war," threatening to disrupt oil exports from the Persian Gulf entirely if the economic pressure continues.