More than 20,000 residents in northwest Indiana remain without power nearly two weeks after severe storms brought wind gusts up to 100 mph on August 11, with at least 17,000 in Gary alone. The local power company NIPSCO estimates electricity will be restored by August 25, despite criticism for their slow response, particularly in areas with high Black populations. Indiana Governor Mike Braun has activated the National Guard for assistance, while President Trump approved an emergency declaration to facilitate federal recovery efforts.
On the day of the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021, Natalie Harp, a devoted aide to Donald Trump, posted over 150 pro-Trump tweets, repeating false claims about the election being stolen and urging people to "never concede." Harp's social media activity included multiple declarations such as "FIGHT FOR TRUMP!" and "today we STOP THE STEAL!" while also expressing an emotional connection to Trump in letters, where she referred to him as her "Guardian and Protector" and emphasized that he "saved her life" during her battle with cancer. Her social media account, which contained these posts, has since been disabled, and Harp now holds official roles within the Trump administration with an annual salary of $150,000.
Nonprofits, like the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM), are assisting local musicians in Austin by subsidizing health insurance premiums, with the program costing approximately $4 million. Since its inception, HAAM has provided support to artists, many of whom pay $0 in monthly premiums, especially as the Affordable Care Act helped decrease the uninsured rate among its members, who typically earn around $30,000 annually. In 2024, Texas had the highest uninsured rate among states, with 19% of individuals under 65 lacking coverage, highlighting the ongoing need for such initiatives.
French President Emmanuel Macron is hosting Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Paris for a two-day state visit beginning with the closing ceremony of the Esports World Cup, the first time the event has occurred outside Saudi Arabia. The agenda includes discussions on regional security, energy routes bypassing the Strait of Hormuz, and several agreements on health, transport, and energy, with focus areas including the ongoing Iran conflict and the situation in Gaza. This visit marks MBS's third trip to Paris and follows a recent trilateral defense pact signed with Turkiye and Pakistan on August 7, which treats any armed attack on one as an attack on all three nations.
The US-Israel war on Iran has driven Nigeria to boost its gas production in response to constraints in global natural gas markets. Nigeria's minister of state for petroleum resources, Ekperikpe Ekpo, emphasizes efforts to attract investment for an expansive liquefied natural gas (LNG) strategy, including the Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline, while aiming to finalize 20 gas projects before 2030. Meanwhile, Nigeria grapples with high domestic cooking gas prices and is pushing initiatives to lower liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) costs and transition households away from traditional fuels.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced retaliatory tariffs that will match the new 50 percent US levy on $20 billion of Canadian goods, affecting over 500 product categories. The breakdown in negotiations arose when the US proposed "unacceptable" terms that undermined Canada's trade sovereignty, leading Carney to pull Canadian negotiators from talks. The situation reflects an escalating trade conflict with significant implications for both countries' economies and comes amid ongoing US tariffs on steel, lumber, and cars.
Nearly two weeks after a severe storm hit the Midwest on August 11, which resulted in 7 fatalities and wind gusts reaching 99 mph, around 30,000 residents in Indiana remain without power. Over 345,000 customers have had their power restored, but ongoing outages have led to struggles with food access, hygiene, and medication refrigeration, particularly in the town of Gary, where a third of its 70,000 residents live in poverty. Frustrated locals, including those affected by power failures during medical procedures, have launched a class-action lawsuit against the utility company Nipsco, which is facing criticism for its storm response.
The Iranian government is preparing to increase fuel prices due to economic pressures stemming from U.S. sanctions and ongoing conflict, with the International Monetary Fund predicting a 5.4% contraction in GDP for 2026. Current fuel prices include heavily subsidized tiers, with consumers paying as little as 15,000 rials (less than 1 cent) per litre, while production costs are around 1.3 million rials (65 cents) per litre. Iran's daily fuel consumption is approximately 135 million litres, but production is only about 121 million litres per day, leading to potential shortages and a reevaluation of subsidy strategies.
Five doctors who recently returned from medical missions in Gaza discussed the healthcare crisis in the region at a panel in Charleston. They highlighted the dire conditions faced by medical facilities, with approximately 6,000 surgeries needing to be performed in a short time and over 1,600 patients with burn injuries. The doctors emphasized the overwhelming challenges of providing adequate care amidst severe resource shortages.
A study from University College London revealed that commercial detection tools for hidden surveillance devices may give domestic abuse victims a false sense of security, as they often fail to identify such devices effectively. Researchers found approximately 1,000 covert surveillance products and 500 detection tools available online, with participants missing 67% of hidden devices unaided and only improving to a 59% miss rate with detectors. Experts emphasized the need for better design and guidance for detection devices, warning that many products are not discreet or user-friendly, posing a continued risk to victims living with perpetrators.
Australia's Classification Board has banned the new Halloween video game due to its inclusion of "incentivised drug use," where players can smoke marijuana for a gameplay advantage. Over 500 complaints were received regarding the game's classification, highlighting ongoing frustrations regarding the disparity between video game and film classifications in Australia. Previous games like State of Decay and Saints Row IV faced similar bans for the same reason but were later reclassified after adjustments were made.
Over 270 marine scientists have urged the Australian environment minister to enhance protections for coastal marine ecosystems, noting that currently, about 25% of Australia's waters are highly protected, but concentrated in remote areas with only 1-7% coverage in vulnerable coastal regions. The scientists advocate for at least 30% of each marine bioregion to be highly protected, stressing the urgency due to climate change and other threats, particularly around biodiverse areas like the temperate east region near Sydney, which has an unusually high number of fish species. Although the government claims progress towards protecting 30% of Australian oceans by 2030, experts argue that effective conservation measures must cover diverse marine habitats to ensure the survival of unique species.
First home buyers in Australia are increasing their loan applications, becoming the only group to do so amidst rising interest rates and reduced activity from property investors, with a notable 10% rise in applications from early August. Although overall home loan demand fell by 5.4% in June compared to the previous quarter, first home buyer mortgages experienced a smaller decline of 2.9%, showing resilience in the market as over 320,000 individuals have utilized the government's 5% deposit scheme since its inception in 2020. The scheme, which has saved participants more than $2.5 billion in lenders' mortgage insurance, allows buyers to access loans with a government guarantee on properties below certain price caps, further encouraging first-time buyers amid market challenges.
Children in Australia will continue to see gambling logos on sports jerseys until 2032 due to a five-year transition period, despite government recognition of the logos as harmful. Public health experts and politicians have criticized this delay, highlighting that children in year 8 today could see these logos until they graduate, while seven NRL clubs have ongoing deals with wagering companies, with contracts extending as late as the end of the 2028 season. Critics argue that the government's lack of urgency undermines its stated commitment to break the connection between sports and gambling marketing, casting doubt on the effectiveness of the reforms.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian defended the expired Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the US, stating it was a viable option to resolve ongoing hostilities and that it contained no provisions for capitulation. The MoU, signed by former President Donald Trump, aimed to end conflicts linked to Iran's nuclear ambitions and had a 60-day deadline that passed with no resolution. Amidst escalating tensions, Iran's Supreme National Security Council emphasized the need to remove risks to attract foreign investment, while hardline leader Mohsen Rezaei warned against neighboring countries assisting the US, threatening to retaliate against oil-shipping routes in the Persian Gulf.
Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries have led to a fuel crisis affecting at least 30 regions, particularly in Moscow and its vicinity, which is causing economic disruptions in various sectors such as taxi services and construction. Gas station chains like Gazprom Neft and Tatneft have restricted fuel sales, with reports of long queues at stations, particularly in Krasnodar. Russia's oil production has dropped from 11.5 million barrels per day in 2019 to less than 9 million currently, with predictions it could fall to 8 million, potentially leading to a systemic economic crisis.
Michael Jeffries, the former CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch, has been ruled mentally competent to stand trial for sex-trafficking charges after being hospitalized for months due to dementia symptoms. At 82 years old, he is set to be tried in late October alongside two co-defendants, with federal prosecutors alleging they lured men to drug-fueled sex parties using the promise of modeling jobs. Jeffries has pleaded not guilty, and the case arises alongside previous civil misconduct accusations against him.
CrossCountry has canceled almost all of its train services in Great Britain due to a power cut at its control center in Birmingham, affecting key routes including Glasgow to Edinburgh and Manchester to Birmingham. While a “near normal service” is maintained between Peterborough, Cambridge, and Stansted Airport, the operator has advised customers that tickets for Sunday can be used with other train operators and remain valid until Wednesday, August 26. Customer satisfaction for CrossCountry is lower than average, with only 79% satisfaction reported compared to 87% for overall rail services, and the company is facing pressure to improve its performance amid ongoing disruption.
Bangladesh's Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's inaugural visit to India has been postponed due to strained relations following the July 2024 student-led uprising that ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The Foreign Ministry of Bangladesh stated that a "propitious environment" needs to be established for Rahman's visit, which comes after a controversial press conference held by Hasina in exile on August 5, 2026, that further exacerbated tensions. With more than 1,500 individuals having sacrificed during the uprising, Dhaka remains cautious as discussions continue between both nations regarding their future diplomatic relationship, particularly concerning the extradition of Hasina.
Five next-generation battery technologies have the potential to reduce electric vehicles' reliance on traditional lithium-ion batteries. China's megawatt-level S4000 airship successfully tested at an altitude of 13,123 feet, showcasing advancements in airborne technology to harness high-altitude winds. Additionally, a humanoid robot named Lightning set a record by running 100 meters in 9.32 seconds, surpassing Usain Bolt's previous record.
Andy Burnham respected the wedding wishes of bride Sarah Burwin, who requested he stay away from No 10 North on her special day to avoid disrupting her photos, leading him to send a video message instead. The original TikTok plea from Burwin garnered nearly 1.5 million views, and she expressed concern over security measures that could affect the wedding atmosphere. In his video, Burnham conveyed his best wishes and humorously mentioned that he would save the DJ set for another occasion.
Six Nordic football associations, including Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and the Faroe Islands, have expressed a lack of confidence in FIFA President Gianni Infantino and called for significant governance reforms within FIFA. They support demands for an independent investigation into Infantino's previously proposed plan to sell a stake in events like the World Cup to private equity, which was abandoned after public backlash. The associations also backed UEFA and other confederations in calls for a no-confidence vote against Infantino and emphasized the need for binding guarantees against private ownership in FIFA's governance and competitions.
The latest episode of Al Jazeera's podcast "Deja Vu" examines the impact of the 1956 Suez Crisis, when Egypt closed the Suez Canal, halting global oil shipping and challenging three invading armies. This pivotal event lasted several months, after which Egypt's control over the canal significantly altered the region and the global economy. The episode features insights from political scientist Laleh Khalili, author of "Sinews of War and Trade."
Ethiopia's Yomif Kejelcha has set a new men's half marathon world record with a time of 56 minutes 51 seconds at a World Athletics road race in Buenos Aires. He improved upon the previous record of 57:20, held by Uganda's Jacob Kiplimo, by 29 seconds, and this achievement is pending official ratification. Additionally, Kejelcha is a world track silver medallist in the 10,000m and previously became one of the first men to finish a sub-two hour marathon, completing the London Marathon in 1:59:41, just 11 seconds behind Sebastian Sawe.
Chelsea Football Club has experienced significant highs and lows since winning their first English top flight in 1955, enduring a near relegation in 1983 and a 26-year wait for another trophy, ultimately facing a tumultuous period with a string of poor league finishes including 12th and 10th in the last four seasons. The club has seen its seventh permanent manager take charge since their last Champions League win in May 2021, highlighting ongoing instability, compounded by the sale of the club by Roman Abramovich in 2022. A key focus for the new season is the performance of Cole Palmer, who had 29 Premier League goal involvements two seasons ago but struggled during a disappointing 10th-place finish last season, indicating that his form could be crucial for Chelsea's success this year.
An arrest warrant has been issued for 58-year-old Karen Solomon, whose husband, 31-year veteran officer Kurt Solomon, was found dead at their home; she has been missing for over five days. The warrant charges her with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and search efforts around Coes Pond continue involving dive teams and police dogs. According to the CDC, intimate partner violence affects millions annually, with over one in three women and more than one in six men experiencing physical violence, sexual violence, or stalking by an intimate partner.
Dozens of coordinated arson and incendiary attacks across Thailand’s southern provinces resulted in at least three civilians being wounded and significant damage to local government offices and vehicles, with a total of 51 attacks reported late on Saturday. Most incidents occurred in Narathiwat province, where an overnight curfew was imposed, and included a roadside bombing that injured two women and a man, all of whom were hospitalized but in stable condition. The unrest is part of a long-standing conflict in the region that has claimed over 7,000 lives since 2004, with no group taking responsibility for the latest attacks.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky faces scrutiny over potential corruption in his administration following the sacking of defense minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who called for accountability and acknowledged a recent money laundering investigation involving over $3 million. While Fedorov, who served during wartime and was instrumental in military modernization, advocated for elections to restore democracy, Zelensky warned that conducting elections amid the ongoing conflict could pose significant risks to the nation. Experts have highlighted various challenges to holding elections, including voting logistics for military personnel, displaced refugees, and threats from disinformation.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government and the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group have reached a roadmap for peace talks after five days of discussions in Switzerland, committing to negotiate for comprehensive peace and establish a mechanism to monitor ceasefires. The agreement outlines a timeline for negotiations under a US-brokered peace framework signed in 2025 but faces challenges over sanctions against M23, the release of detainees, and political reform timing. Despite ongoing conflicts in North and South Kivu, the latest discussions included representatives from Qatar, the US, Togo, the African Union, and Switzerland, with the first ceasefire verification mission scheduled to take place in Minembwe on Monday.
Robin Hardy's trilogy, starting with his 1973 film The Wicker Man, has finally been completed with the release of Wrath of the Gods, achieved by his sons Justin and Dominic after discovering a long-lost family archive containing the final script. The original film, which faced numerous production challenges and was initially underappreciated, has since gained a significant cult following, particularly highlighted by its unique place in British cinema history and the performance of horror legend Christopher Lee. Wrath of the Gods, filmed in Shetland, tells the story of a grieving widow facing ostracization and community tensions following a series of child disappearances, with filming starting in spring 2025 and featuring local actors in supporting roles.