Olu Jacobs, a prominent Nigerian actor recognized as one of the founding figures of Nollywood, has died at the age of 84, as announced by his wife, actress Joke Silva. Jacobs had a career that spanned more than five decades, earning significant accolades including the African Movie Academy Award for Best Actor and the national honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) in 2011. He co-founded the Lufodo Group and Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts, which focused on film and training performing artists, while he had recently retreated from public life due to health issues.
Reach, the publisher of the Mirror and Express, will cut 220 editorial jobs due to a significant decline in online traffic as readers increasingly prefer AI-generated summaries, following previously announced cuts of over 300 jobs. The company reported a 46% year-on-year drop in traffic from Google and indicated a digital revenue decline of nearly 1%, totaling £128.9 million for the year ending March 3. Despite these cuts, Reach plans to create about 60 roles focused on driving digital revenue growth, aiming to increase its digital subscriber base from 50,000 to 75,000 by the end of the current financial year.
UK inflation has increased to 3.1% in August, up from 2.9% in July, primarily driven by a 23% rise in motor fuel prices, with petrol averaging 161.3p per liter. Financial markets indicate a one-in-five chance of a quarter-point rise in interest rates from the current 3.75%, with expectations for four increases to reach 4.75% next year amid rising oil prices exceeding $108 a barrel. The Bank of England is under pressure to respond as the fallout from geopolitical tensions, including the Iran war, could push inflation closer to 4%.
Finland's President Alexander Stubb humorously suggested that Canada should be the EU's 28th state rather than the US's 51st, amid strained relations between Canada and the US under President Trump. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a pursuit of a "unique alliance" with the EU, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressing interest in granting Canada "associate member" status to deepen ties in sectors like manufacturing and energy. This shift in focus towards Canada highlights its eagerness to strengthen relations with the EU, contrasting with the UK's more strained interactions, as evidenced by Canada's successful participation in the EU's Security Action for Europe (SAFE) defense fund earlier in the year.
Rodrigo Duterte, the former president of the Philippines, appeared in person at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for a pretrial hearing, facing charges of crimes against humanity linked to over 30,000 deaths during his anti-drug campaign from 2011 to 2019. While Duterte’s legal team claims he has significant memory impairment affecting his ability to retain information, the prosecution argues he is fit for trial. His trial is set to begin in November 2023, following his absence from previous hearings since his arrest in March 2025.
Colombia has once again been reported as the country with the highest number of killings of land and environmental activists, with 39 out of at least 124 activists killed globally in 2025; Brazil follows with 26 killings. The annual report by Global Witness indicates that 85% of these documented murders occurred in Latin America, highlighting the region as the deadliest for activists since 2012, and most killings were linked to land disputes involving organized crime. The report also notes a doubling of environmental defender killings in Brazil in 2025 compared to 2024, while outside Latin America, 12% of murders were reported in Asia, mainly in the Philippines.
The push to build thousands of datacenters for AI is expected to triple global toxic e-waste generation over the next 25 years, generating up to 13 million metric tonnes annually by 2030. The report by the Basel Action Network emphasizes that the electronic waste produced could fill enough shipping containers to circle the globe six times and highlights that only one-fifth of current e-waste is properly managed. Additionally, it warns of the environmental hazards associated with improper disposal, such as air pollution potentially leading to hundreds of thousands of new asthma cases and up to 1,300 premature deaths each year in the U.S. alone.
The US has announced visa restrictions targeting some South Africans due to alleged anti-white discrimination, following Donald Trump’s controversial claims of "white genocide" in South Africa. The restrictions will affect "foreign nationals who enact or enable policies" that promote racial discrimination and have arisen amidst broader US actions, such as cutting aid and creating a refugee program for Afrikaner and minority groups. Despite attempts by South African governments since 1994 to address racial inequality, white South Africans are reported to possess, on average, 20 times the wealth of Black South Africans, fueling claims of discrimination that the Trump administration supports.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, speaking at the European Arctic Summit in Rovaniemi, Finland, faces a record low in public support for his government and his party, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), which is polling at just 7% ahead of an upcoming state election. The CDU has suffered significant electoral defeats, including a recent loss in Saxony-Anhalt, where the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party gained ground, prompting questions about Merz's leadership and communication style. Criticism from within his coalition and increasing public dissatisfaction highlight the challenges he faces amid discussions about potential reforms and the party's future direction.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz attended the Arctic Summit in Rovaniemi, Finland, while facing a significant domestic crisis, as public support for his federal government has fallen to a record low. His party, the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU), is polling at just seven percent ahead of the upcoming state elections in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, raising concerns about potentially failing to clear the five-percent threshold to enter the state parliament. The CDU recently suffered a defeat in Saxony-Anhalt, where the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) won, exacerbating discussions about Merz's leadership effectiveness and communication style within his coalition.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed that Canada become the EU's first associate member, signaling a deepening economic and security relationship as Canada seeks to reduce its reliance on the U.S., where 70% of its exports go. The proposal came during von der Leyen's annual State of the European Union address in Strasbourg, where she expressed a desire to expand cooperation in areas such as advanced manufacturing, defense, and technology, while emphasizing shared democratic values. Canada has already joined the EU's $173-billion SAFE defense program, and discussions on this potential partnership are expected to evolve during the upcoming Canada-EU summit in Montreal.
India has summoned Pakistan’s top diplomat in New Delhi following a naval collision between an Indian warship and a Pakistani naval ship in international waters, which India claims violates a 1991 bilateral agreement requiring a three-nautical-mile distance between military vessels. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs accused Pakistan's navy of "unacceptable and unprofessional conduct" and has instructed its diplomats to lodge protests with Pakistan's foreign ministry. This incident marks the first direct military tension between the two countries since their four-day conflict last year, with both nations having no ambassadors in each other's capitals since 2019.
JD Vance, speaking at an AI summit in Los Angeles, dismissed calls for global AI regulation, urging tech companies to stop creating "Frankenstein" technologies and to take responsibility for their creations. Dario Amodei from Anthropic warned that a swarm of AI agents could take over the internet within six to twelve months, while Evan Hubinger suggested there is over a 10% chance AI could lead to human extinction within ten years. In contrast, Donald Trump labelled concerns about AI as a "HOAX," claiming it will be a major economic force, while tech leaders like Mark Zuckerberg encouraged unilateral actions to enhance safety rather than waiting for others.
The US Department of Justice has charged five men with working for Russian intelligence to conduct surveillance and plan targeted killings in the US and Europe, including attempts to assassinate a Russian dissident in Washington, DC. Among the accused are Yuri Khrameev, 63, and his son Kirill, 27, both Russians, as well as Cuban nationals Oemis Romagoza Durruthy and Yaidel Delgado Suarez, and Venezuelan Angel Eduardo Castro, with allegations of offering recruits up to $40,000 to kill a US resident and $25,000 for a target in Lithuania. The investigation revealed that the group aimed to carry out attacks and sabotage in Europe, particularly against businesses and military equipment linked to Ukraine.
The United States has implemented a new visa restriction policy for South Africans, targeting individuals who promote "race-based discrimination" or incite violence, amid claims that the Afrikaner minority faces discrimination. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that these measures are just the beginning of a series of actions aimed at addressing what the Trump administration perceives as government failures in South Africa related to racial grievances. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has countered these claims, asserting that there is no evidence of discrimination against white people in the country.
The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max has been praised for its internal features, though specific statistics and comparisons weren't highlighted in the review. New advancements in the Apple Watch Series 12 include unknown upgrades that were not explicitly mentioned. Additionally, an electric vehicle has been identified as Australia's cheapest car, although no precise pricing was provided.
The Global Gender Gap Report 2026 indicates that gender parity globally stands at 69.2%, with full parity potentially 120 years away; the report analyzed 145 economies. Women now hold under 20% of CEO positions and account for only one in 10 high-influence ministerial roles, despite a 26% increase in women's ministerial positions since 2008. The United States has dropped to 47th in the rankings, with 74.9% of its gender gap closed, highlighting a decline in women's participation in senior management and politics, while India remains at 131st with only 64.5% gender parity, primarily due to educational gains.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman emphasized the importance of trust in AI firms to ensure safety during a San Francisco conference, acknowledging public fears about the rapidly evolving technology. Despite his reassurances, politicians like Bernie Sanders and Steve Bannon called for stricter regulations, as concern grows over the potential dangers of AI, including a viral claim that AI could pose existential threats by the decade's end. The article notes that US lawmakers, returning from breaks, are unlikely to reach a consensus on new AI safety legislation before the upcoming midterm elections, with key industry leaders divided on self-regulation versus government oversight.
Gerard Joseph “Jerry” Howell, an 87-year-old priest in New Orleans, died from an apparent fall after a long history of abusing children in the deaf community, which the archdiocese had known about for at least 40 years. Despite being reported to law enforcement in 1980 and publicly exposed in 1992, Howell remained an active priest with continuous support from the archdiocese, including a $650 monthly stipend and full benefits until they were halted in 2020 due to bankruptcy. Records indicate that the church was aware of at least 24 child victims linked to Howell's abuse, yet he was allowed to continue ministering and received treatment, identified as "high risk," without facing meaningful consequences.
A federal appeals court has permitted Denver Water to proceed with its $600 million Gross Dam expansion project, enabling the use of the reservoir's increased capacity. The ruling is significant for water management in the area, as it will help address growing demand. Denver Water aims to complete the expansion to ensure a reliable water supply for the city and surrounding regions.
The Senate Health Committee is reviewing three nominations from the Trump administration for top positions at the Department of Health and Human Services, including Dr. Nicole Saphier for surgeon general, Chris Klomp for deputy secretary, and Dr. Timothy Westlake for assistant secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use. This marks the third attempt to confirm a surgeon general since President Biden's term ended in January 2025, after previous nominees Dr. Casey Means and Dr. Janette Nesheiwat faced obstacles in their confirmations. Saphier, who has a background as a radiologist and has expressed controversial views on vaccines, may face significant scrutiny during her confirmation hearing, particularly regarding her positions on vaccine mandates.
Former President Hashim Thaci of Kosovo was found guilty by a war crimes tribunal for crimes committed during the 1998-1999 war for independence from Serbia and was sentenced to 25 years in prison for murder, torture, and illegal detention. The tribunal ruled that Thaci was responsible for the murder of 96 political opponents, the illegal detention of 385 individuals, and the torture of more than 300 people. During the conflict, which left approximately 13,000 people dead, KLA forces were alleged to have killed over 100 opponents, while Kosovo remains a disputed territory not recognized by Serbia.
Former Kosovo President Hashim Thaci was convicted by a European Union-backed court of four counts of war crimes, including murder and torture, and sentenced to 25 years in prison. Thaci, who resigned from office nearly six years ago to face the charges, was tried alongside three other former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army, with prosecutors originally seeking a maximum sentence of 45 years for all defendants. The Kosovo war resulted in the deaths of about 13,000 people, predominantly ethnic Albanians, and saw approximately 1 million ethnic Albanian Kosovars displaced from their homes.
Photojournalist Eliana Moreno and pilot George Marciniw were among three people killed in the crash of NBC Los Angeles' NewsChopper4 while covering a deadly bus collision that resulted in two fatalities and six injuries. The helicopter crashed just before 19:00 local time in Chatsworth, causing a fire that affected four vehicles and two storage containers, prompting the deployment of over 70 firefighters. Tributes have poured in from the local community, with Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass expressing her devastation over the loss of life.
Former Kosovo President Hashim Thaci was convicted of four counts of war crimes related to his role in the 1990s Kosovo war and sentenced to 25 years in prison. He was found guilty of the murder of 96 political opponents and alleged collaborators with Serbian forces, as part of his leadership of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA). Thaci, 58, denies all charges and remained silent during the sentencing.
Entain, the owner of Ladbrokes, Coral, and BetMGM, is set to cut 400 jobs from its 2,000 customer care positions just weeks after reporting an underlying operating profit of £479 million for the first half of the year. The cuts are partly in response to increased UK taxes and potential future increases to machine games duty, which could top up tax revenue by between £275 million and £458 million. This decision, voiced by CEO Stella David, could lead to significant industry consequences, with estimates suggesting that a doubling of the machine games duty could result in 1,470 betting shop closures and 15,900 job losses across the UK.
Sri Lanka's Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage, the first Sri Lankan to become Diamond League champion and a gold medal hopeful at the Asian Games, faced setbacks when five of his javelins were damaged on a flight, including three used at the Ultimate Championship where he won gold with a throw of 91.09 meters. His coach expressed that the emotional loss outweighed the financial value of the javelins, which typically cost over $800 each, and were integral to his training for the upcoming Asian Games in Japan. The Sri Lankan Ministry of Sports has pledged to provide new javelins for Pathirage and plans to address the situation with the airline.
The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has expressed support for Canada to become the EU's first "associate member," aiming to strengthen ties in key sectors like energy, AI, and economic security. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, facing strained relations with the US, highlighted the intention to establish a "unique alliance" with the EU during his speech in Strasbourg. Von der Leyen emphasized that this partnership is focused on collective strength rather than opposing any other nation, particularly in light of recent trade tensions with the US.
Ahead of the Asian Games in Japan, accommodation for over 17,000 athletes and officials is facing criticism, particularly regarding wooden container huts that many deem inadequate, especially for taller individuals. Complaints include issues such as leaking pipes and insufficient space, which have been exacerbated by recent flooding in Nagoya, where athletes were temporarily evacuated. The organizers acknowledge the dissatisfaction but claim that all registered participants have been provided with "Games-appropriate accommodation," despite the initial expectation of only 15,000 attendees.
A Russian drone strike on a passenger bus in the Dnipropetrovsk region of southern Ukraine has killed at least five people and injured seven others, according to Ukrainian officials. The United Nations reported that civilian fatalities in Ukraine reached at least 1,396 and injuries totaled 7,978 in the first half of 2026, indicating a 37 percent increase from the previous year, while civilian casualties in Russia rose by 121 percent during the same period, with at least 250 killed and 1,596 injured. Meanwhile, Russia intensified attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure, including strikes in Kyiv and the central region of Poltava, as well as on a cargo vessel in the Black Sea port of Chornomorsk.