A military air strike in Swel Le Oh village, Myanmar, has resulted in the deaths of 14 people, including three women, and injured 20 others during a retreat at a Buddhist monastery, where over 100 individuals were present. The attack, involving two bombs dropped from a fighter jet 15 minutes apart, is part of ongoing violence in Myanmar since the military coup in February 2021, which has caused over 100,000 deaths and displaced 5.2 million people nationwide. The resistance forces now control approximately 42% of the country, while the military government holds 21%, amid reports of escalating aerial attacks leading up to elections.
The Pentagon has terminated Erik Slavin, the editor-in-chief of the Stars and Stripes, and reporter Lara Korte, reportedly due to their outspoken defense of the newspaper's editorial independence. Slavin stated he believed his firing was linked to remarks made during a CBS interview about potential censorship, which he deemed a "red line." These changes come amid a broader trend under President Trump's administration to refocus the publication on military-centric reporting and limit press freedom, leading to the dismissal of multiple staff members and criticism from civil rights advocates.
Hayden Panettiere was introduced to drugs at age 16 when someone on her team gave her a pill to boost her energy as her fame from the series "Heroes" grew, ultimately leading to her struggles with addiction. She passed away at the age of 36, with authorities responding to a report of cardiac arrest and an ongoing investigation into her cause of death, although no signs of trauma were found and the US Drug Enforcement Agency is involved. Experts emphasize that child stars often face unique risks for addiction due to early exposure to adult pressures and experiences, highlighting Panettiere's candid discussion of her mental health issues in her recent memoir.
Authorities in Andhra Pradesh have begun an investigation into the death of a six-year-old boy named Pranay Tej, who collapsed after being slapped by his teacher, an incident captured on security camera. The incident has sparked outrage over corporal punishment in India, where approximately 80% of low-income school children reportedly experience such treatment despite it being illegal. Education Minister Nara Lokesh has stated that legal action will be taken against those responsible, expressing his condolences and emphasizing that no child should face violence in schools.
TikTok and its parent company ByteDance agreed to pay $400 million to resolve allegations by the US Justice Department for violating children's online privacy laws, with $300 million to be paid immediately and an additional $100 million contingent on vacating a prior consent decree. The lawsuit claimed that TikTok knowingly allowed children to use the platform without obtaining the necessary parental consent before collecting personal data, which are violations of the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). The settlement is noted as one of the largest recoveries ever related to COPPA and comes amidst increasing global scrutiny and regulatory probes into TikTok's practices to ensure child safety online.
3D Pinball was removed from Windows after XP due to a porting bug and external code complexities, leading Microsoft to cut the game to meet deadlines. In Windows 11, a new app called Microsoft Recommended Search Settings automatically installs a Bing extension across browsers and redirects users to Microsoft Rewards. Additionally, Windows 11 features such as IntelligentCarveout allow users to manage memory allocation for graphics and AI on chips with up to 128GB of unified memory.
Vice President JD Vance returned to his hometown of Middletown, Ohio, to rally Republican voters while highlighting a $1 billion investment from Cleveland-Cliffs supported by $500 million in government awards, emphasizing the party's commitment to manufacturing and economic growth. As the November midterm elections approach, polls indicate a shift in voter sentiment regarding economic issues, with 37% supporting Democratic policies compared to 36% for Republicans, marking a significant change from previous years. Vance's appearance is part of a broader strategy by Trump and Republican leaders to strengthen their party's prospects amid rising dissatisfaction with current leadership and the potential for Democrats to reclaim significant political positions in Ohio.
A six-year-old girl, Saja El-Khawas, has died in hospital three days after being pulled from the sea off Shoreham in West Sussex, following an incident that also claimed the lives of her mother, father, and 14-year-old sister. The family, who had traveled from London, entered the water at Shoreham Fort shortly before 2 PM on Tuesday, and authorities are treating the incident as a tragic accident with no third-party involvement. Following the incident, Sussex police expressed their condolences, noting the profound impact on the community and urging respect for the family's privacy during this difficult time.
A man was arrested after stabbing two patrons, a 75-year-old and a 51-year-old, at the Nanaksar Gurdwara in Edmonton, Canada, around 05:00 local time on August 21, 2026; both victims are in stable condition. The 27-year-old suspect, who has a violent history and was released from prison just a day before the attack, was known to police, and authorities are investigating potential hate crime motives amid rising anti-Sikh sentiment in the country. The World Sikh Organization reported that a Sikh scripture was desecrated during the attack, which has prompted increased public concern and police investigations into the incident.
TikTok has agreed to pay $400 million to settle a lawsuit by the US government alleging violations of children's privacy, making it one of the largest settlements of its kind. The lawsuit accused TikTok and its parent company ByteDance of collecting extensive data from over 170 million teenage users without parental consent, violating the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act. Under the settlement terms, TikTok will pay $300 million immediately and an additional $100 million following the vacating of a prior consent decree, with the company undergoing significant changes in ownership and privacy practices since the lawsuit was filed.
Chen Zhu, a 23-year-old from Guangzhou, frequently visits Hunter Bookstore in Hong Kong, an independent shop known for its sensitive literature on pro-democracy movements and authoritarianism, which has faced police raids under the National Security Law (NSL). Following the raid on June 24, where the owner and another individual were arrested for sedition and money laundering, there has been a notable decline in independent bookstores, with three closing within a month, including Greenfield Bookstore after 50 years of operation. The tightening control by Beijing has led many in Hong Kong to fear for their freedom of expression, with thousands of locals leaving the city amid increasing arrests and a stifling atmosphere for dissent.
The ongoing legal battle over the ownership of "Italian brainrot" characters, generated through AI image prompts, could impact how AI-generated art is treated under copyright law. A prominent case in California involves a game company using these characters without recognition or payment to their young creators, representing potential millions in revenue at stake. Born in early 2025, Italian brainrot has captivated children globally, with the popular game "Steal a Brainrot" on Roblox attracting hundreds of thousands of players.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is shifting his communication style to connect more with Gen Z by adopting a casual approach on Instagram, where he has over 106 million followers. This change follows youth protests that arose earlier this year, demonstrating the effectiveness of online engagement and new formats among the younger audience. Despite these efforts, many young people remain skeptical of Modi's timing and the sincerity of the outreach, as it fails to directly address the concerns that motivated the protests.
TikTok and its former parent company ByteDance have agreed to a $400 million settlement with the US Department of Justice to resolve allegations of violating children’s online privacy by failing to obtain parental consent for information collection from users under 13. As part of the settlement, TikTok will pay $300 million immediately and an additional $100 million upon the dismissal of a prior consent decree, while also stating that it has enhanced age-moderation systems which have led to the deletion of tens of thousands of underage accounts. The agreement aims to improve protections for children online and reflects changes TikTok has made in response to the lawsuit since it was filed in 2024.
The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) has reached a $400 million settlement with TikTok over violations of the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, which mandates parental consent for collecting personal information from users under 13. TikTok will pay $300 million immediately and an additional $100 million after a previous settlement with Musical.ly is canceled, following a lawsuit filed by the DOJ in 2024 due to concerns that TikTok allowed children to create accounts and collect their data without parental consent. The settlement is viewed by officials as a major victory for child privacy online, and TikTok has reportedly made significant changes to enhance protections for children's data since the lawsuit.
A man dressed as Darth Vader humorously advocated for Flock Safety's automated license plate readers at a San Diego city council meeting, suggesting the technology could help "track rebel scum." Recent controversies surrounding Flock include a case where a Louisiana deputy misused the system to track his ex-fiancee over 3,000 times, and as of August 2026, approximately 100 municipalities have canceled or rejected contracts with the company. Despite these issues, San Diego council members voted to continue using Flock’s camera system, which has drawn scrutiny following a false identification of a man linked to a carjacking incident.
The Freedom 250 Grand Prix, celebrating America's 250th anniversary, features IndyCar race cars reaching speeds of 180mph in Washington DC. The event is anticipated to draw approximately 140,000 attendees each day over the weekend. This marks the first major auto race in the capital in over 24 years.
Ruben Rocha Moya, the governor of Sinaloa, returned to his position after a 112-day leave of absence stemming from U.S. drug trafficking accusations, which included claims of protecting a faction of the Sinaloa Cartel for political support. He has insisted on his innocence, stating that the Mexican Attorney General's Office found no evidence against him, and he criticized the U.S. for not providing proof of their allegations. The U.S. indictment also targeted nine other Mexican officials, asserting that Rocha won the 2021 gubernatorial election with help from cartel members who engaged in ballot theft and coercion against his rivals.
Donald Trump is threatening a $5 billion lawsuit against the Center for American Progress (Cap) over a report criticizing the effectiveness of his administration's National Guard deployment, which reportedly cost $1.7 billion. The report claims that the deployment had no measurable impact on crime rates in cities such as Washington DC, Memphis, and Los Angeles, as crime rates were observed to fall in cities without the National Guard's intervention. Cap has stood by its findings, asserting that the lawsuit threat is an attack on free speech and the publication of factual evidence.
Arsenal secured a dominant 3-0 victory over Coventry in their opening match of the 2026 Premier League season. Key players in the transfer market include Carlos Baleba, who could be crucial for Manchester United's midfield rebuild, and Savinho, whose potential £85 million move to Tottenham is seen as a significant gamble. Other notable discussions include replacing Rodri at Manchester City and Liverpool's ambitions under new management as they aim to compete for trophies amid changing circumstances.
Arsenal began their Premier League title defense with a dominant 3-0 victory over promoted Coventry City, marking the latter's first top-flight match since 2001. Goals were scored by Kai Havertz in the 15th minute, Bukayo Saka in the 23rd minute, and Martin Odegaard in the 49th minute, showcasing Arsenal's attacking prowess in front of a sellout crowd of 60,000 at the Emirates Stadium. New signing Ezri Konsa, who transferred for £51 million ($69 million) from Aston Villa, was introduced to fans before the match, highlighting Arsenal's ambition to strengthen their squad as they pursue back-to-back titles for the first time since the 1930s.
A sword attack at Brinell School in Fagersta, central Sweden, resulted in one death and serious injuries to two teenage boys, with an 18-year-old suspect arrested after police fired at him. The school, which has around 500 students, was placed under lockdown along with eight other nearby schools while a state of high alert was declared in the Västmanland region; the lockdown has since been lifted. This incident is part of a disturbing trend in Sweden, which has seen several violent attacks on educational institutions in recent years, including a mass shooting in 2025 that left 11 people dead.
About six million people in Somalia are facing high levels of hunger, a situation worsened by drought, conflict, and displacement, according to the World Food Programme (WFP). The long-standing instability in the region has made aid delivery challenging, and the WFP currently has only a small fraction of the necessary funding to support those in need. The decline in international aid has drastically impacted the ability to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Somalia.
The Dutch data protection authority has fined Uber €825 million ($966 million) for automating the deactivation of driver accounts without proper notification, marking it the second-largest penalty under the GDPR. The fine stems from incidents between 2018 and 2022, with only 126 drivers reportedly affected by low customer ratings in 2021, according to the company. Uber plans to appeal the decision, which it argues is disproportionate, and has emphasized that permanent deactivations involve human oversight despite the regulator's claims.
Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz has dismissed Economic Minister Jose Gabriel Espinoza following a congressional censure due to Espinoza's failure to address economic questions, marking a notable shift for Paz, whose administration faces significant public discontent amid a cost-of-living crisis. More than 37 percent of Bolivians live below the national poverty line as the country grapples with economic instability stemming from decreasing natural gas production and a decline in foreign currency reserves. In the wake of public protests and a declared state of emergency, Paz has appointed Oscar Mario Justiniano Pinto as interim economy minister while seeking legislative support for economic reforms and an IMF financing program.
The United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada have condemned Israel's decision not to pursue a criminal investigation into the deadly drone strike in April 2024 that killed seven World Central Kitchen aid workers, calling it "shameful." The victims included three Britons, a dual US-Canadian national, a Pole, an Australian, and a Palestinian, and the countries have been pressing for accountability for over two years. Following Israel's announcement on August 19, World Humanitarian Day, the affected countries expressed their disappointment, with the UK’s Middle East minister stating that they will continue to seek urgent answers.
The U.S. Supreme Court has temporarily allowed President Donald Trump to continue his $400 million White House ballroom project while considering an emergency appeal, pausing a lower court's order to halt construction. The project, which has about 65% of its work completed, measures approximately 8,400 square meters (90,000 square feet) and has reportedly incurred $200 million in private donations, despite criticisms over the use of taxpayer funds. Trump's administration argues the project is necessary for national security, although initial plans emphasized the need for additional space for state dinners and events.
Lindsay Clancy's murder trial is centered on the deaths of her three children, ages eight months, three years, and five years, with prosecutors seeking a murder conviction while the defense argues she was suffering from postpartum psychosis. The defense rested quickly after calling witnesses, including forensic psychiatrist Dr. Phillip Resnick, highlighting Clancy's mental state, while the prosecution offered rebuttal testimonies, asserting she retained the ability to know her actions were wrong. If convicted of first-degree murder, Clancy faces life imprisonment without parole, but a finding of not criminally responsible would result in her being held in a psychiatric facility; postpartum psychosis affects roughly one to two women per 1,000 after childbirth.
President Donald Trump has announced plans to allow imports of up to 300,000 tonnes of ground beef over the next three months without higher tariffs, aiming to lower the price for American consumers by offering a 25% discount. Since Trump's return to the White House, the average price of a pound of ground beef rose from $5.55 to $6.89, indicating a 24% increase since he took office and a 10% increase since July of the previous year. The announcement comes in the lead-up to the midterm elections, where rising food prices could significantly impact voter sentiment, with a recent poll showing that 35% of Democrats are seen as more trusted to handle the cost of living compared to 27% of Republicans.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced plans to expand the E1 settlement in the occupied West Bank, which would construct approximately 1,200 new homes on land deemed illegal under international law, drawing widespread condemnation. Since 1967, Israel has established about 160 settlements housing 700,000 Jews; however, the pace of construction increased significantly after Netanyahu returned to power in late 2022, leading to the construction of an estimated 185 additional buildings in settlements like Tzofim. Critics warn that the E1 development could effectively cut the West Bank in two, severely undermining the prospects for a future Palestinian state.