A Hong Kong court convicted pro-democracy activists Lee Cheuk-yan, 69, and Chow Hang-tung, 41, under the national security law for "incitement to subversion" related to their organization of Tiananmen Square vigil events. Both activists, who pleaded not guilty, face a maximum prison term of 10 years, with sentencing expected later. The charges stem from their alleged incitement of unlawful acts to subvert state power, amidst a broader crackdown on public commemorations of the 1989 Tiananmen crackdown following the law's implementation in 2020.
A Hong Kong court convicted pro-democracy activists Lee Cheuk-yan, 69, and Chow Hang-tung, 41, under the national security law for "incitement to subversion" due to their organization of candlelight vigils commemorating the Tiananmen Square crackdown in 1989. Both were charged in 2021, pleaded not guilty, and face a maximum sentence of 10 years, with sentencing expected later. In response, Germany, France, and Taiwan have called for their immediate release, emphasizing that peaceful advocacy for human rights should not be criminalized.
A Swiss tourist, Luzian Andrin Zgraggen, was sentenced to one year in prison for insulting the Hindu holiday of Nyepi in Bali by filming himself walking on an empty beach and describing it as "crazy." His actions, which violated the holiday's strict restrictions that require silence and solitude, led to widespread outrage among locals after he posted the video on social media. Nyepi, observed on March 19 this year, obligates all island residents and tourists to stay home, with the airport shutting down and internet access being cut, while Bali welcomed a record seven million international visitors last year, highlighting rising tourist misbehavior.
Dallas McInerney, the chief executive of Catholic Schools NSW, was sacked after testifying at an Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac) inquiry investigating allegations of illegal political donations linked to the Liberal party. The inquiry examines claims that McInerney arranged payments totaling $265,900 over four years under the guise of consulting services, which he insists were legitimate. Following his suspension from the Liberal party and the termination of his role, McInerney denied attempts to destroy evidence related to the inquiry, maintaining that his actions were precautionary due to a compromised bank account.
Egypt's approach to Ethiopia's new Nile dam plans is focused on diplomacy and collaboration with Sudan, as the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) has highlighted Cairo's limited influence over Ethiopia's river management. Ethiopia recently announced plans for three new Blue Nile hydropower projects—Karadobi, Mandaya, and Beko Abo—with a combined generating potential of around 5,700 megawatts, moving forward after the inauguration of the nearly $5 billion GERD, which has a capacity of 5,150 megawatts. Egypt's primary concern revolves around the management of water resources, as the Nile is its main freshwater source, prompting calls for binding agreements on water flow and drought management.
The US has imposed new sanctions on nine Cuban state-owned firms and officials affiliated with the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP), aiming to counteract efforts to promote Cuban regime ties globally, particularly around Fidel Castro's 100th birthday. Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused these entities of supporting the regime's efforts to "export Marxism" and stated that these actions reflect the Trump administration's stance against funding repression in Cuba. Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez condemned the sanctions, highlighting their detrimental impact on the economy and the government's ability to provide basic services amid an ongoing oil blockade.
Brazil will invest approximately 2.3 billion reais ($444.2 million) to enhance its artificial intelligence ecosystem, focusing on partnerships with both US and Chinese technology firms. Of this investment, 1.3 billion reais ($251 million) will support a supercomputing infrastructure project with Huawei and iFlytek in Rio de Janeiro, while an additional 1 billion reais ($193.1 million) will be used for a supercomputer expected to rank among the world's top 10, set to be installed in Rio Grande do Norte. The initiative aims to strengthen Brazil’s data sovereignty and diversify its technological partnerships, with operations for the supercomputer expected to begin by the end of 2027.
A court has permanently stayed the case against two senior constables, Andrew David Couchman, 54, and Ulrich Weiss, 45, charged over their use of excessive force on a vulnerable 23-year-old First Nations man with schizophrenia during an incident at the Mareeba watch house in January 2024. The judgment revealed that while the events leading to the accusations were not disputed, the investigation contained a “false” statement regarding consent from the alleged victim, leading to concerns about a fair trial. Judge Dean Morzone emphasized the need for accountability in such serious allegations, stating that vulnerable individuals in custody should be protected by the law, yet ultimately ruled that a fair trial could not be guaranteed.
The Panama Canal will begin limiting traffic in early September, allowing only 34 vessels per day starting September 4, and reducing that to 32 vessels on September 15, to address anticipated lower water levels due to the El Nino weather phenomenon. The canal, which usually accommodates about 40 vessels daily and handles approximately 5% of global maritime trade, had already seen a daily average of 35 transits since June. A severe drought in 2023 had previously reduced traffic through the canal by about 36%, with expectations of a particularly strong El Nino potentially leading to more extreme weather events.
Michael Cohen, once an outspoken critic of Donald Trump, gave an excessively deferential interview on 77 WABC, referring to Trump as "boss" and "sir" while allowing his falsehoods to go unchallenged, a stark contrast to the derogatory comments he made about Trump in 2019. During the interview, Cohen claimed that both he and Trump are among the most unjustly treated individuals by the justice system, comparing their situation to historical figures Andrew Jackson and Aaron Burr, and ended the discussion with a nostalgic remark, "Reunited and it feels so good!" This shift in Cohen's demeanor reflects a broader pattern among former Trump critics, such as Steve Bannon and Ted Cruz, who have also returned to support Trump, often driven by motives of power or wealth.
Hundreds of protesters in Tunisia's capital are demanding the ousting of President Kais Saied and the restoration of democracy, rejecting "one-man rule" and calling for the release of jailed opposition figures amid rising discontent. The protests come as the country faces economic woes, with an inflation rate of 5.2 percent and deteriorating public services, following Saied's rule by decree since 2021 and the dissolution of parliament in 2022. Rights groups allege that Saied has overseen a crackdown on opposition, while protests over basic needs like water and power are signaling broader public anger beyond political issues.
In the recent primary election, Jonathan S. Kreiss-Tomkins (D) received 28,399 votes, accounting for 21.6% of the total, while Tom Begich (D) followed closely with 26,377 votes (20.1%). The election saw a total of 131,775 votes cast for various candidates, with the incumbent winner having an estimated turnout of 79.8%. In a separate incident, a plane crash in Western Alaska resulted in the deaths of all eight people on board, as confirmed by federal investigators.
Afghanistan's Taliban authorities have released two United Nations staff members who were detained in Herat on August 9, with their reason for detention remaining unclear, according to the UN. The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) reported that the charges against the men were dropped, and they have been released in good health. This incident follows a troubling trend of detentions by the Taliban, including the recent "forcible disappearance" of six staff members from a local organization focused on women's and children's rights.
Duane "Keffe D" Davis testified that his nephew, Orlando "Baby Lane" Anderson, fired the shots that killed Tupac Shakur in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas in 1996. During a 2008 police interview, Davis said he was in the car with Anderson, who took the weapon and began firing after they pulled up next to Shakur's vehicle. The trial features Davis's own admissions as key evidence, despite his previous claims to the FBI denying his nephew's involvement, and he has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.
The United States has deported approximately 2,284 Mexican nationals to Guatemala this year, despite objections from Mexico, as part of a broader strategy under President Trump to enhance deportations. Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo confirmed that these deportees are swiftly repatriated to Mexico within 24 hours of arrival, with costs covered by either the Mexican or US government. The practice of third-country deportations, which includes sending some Mexicans to Honduras, has been criticized as a punitive measure rather than a legitimate enforcement effort, with human rights advocates arguing it instills fear among migrants.
A government-run primary school for girls in Faridabad, India, is facing severe infrastructure issues, with four of its eight toilets unusable and four of nine classrooms abandoned due to safety concerns. India allocates only 4.1% of its GDP to education, while experts suggest an ideal spending of 6%, resulting in the closure of 94,000 government schools between 2014-2015 and 2024-2025. The Cockroach Janta Party's campaign #SchoolThikKaro aims to bring attention to the neglected state of rural schools, advocating for better facilities and equal educational opportunities for children in these areas.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), once a dominant force in Nigerian politics, is facing a crisis as it has seen a dramatic decline in its influence, losing all of its states after starting 2025 with three. The party's struggles intensified due to internal conflicts and mass defections, with five state governors switching to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), leading to a significant loss of power and members, including the departure of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar. Analysts are concerned about the PDP's future, questioning its survival ahead of the January general election, as it now lacks representatives on the ballot due to factional disputes.
Government forces in Yemen conducted 81 attacks on Houthi positions within the past 24 hours, resulting in the neutralization of several Houthi fighters, as tensions escalate towards a potential return to full-scale war. Concurrently, the Houthis launched two drone strikes on targets in Saudi Arabia's Najran province, including an airport and an Aramco facility, with no immediate confirmation from Saudi officials. The UN reports that at least 18 million people in Yemen lack reliable access to adequate food, underscoring the humanitarian crisis amid the renewed violence.
Nearly six months after President Donald Trump promised a quick victory over Iran, the conflict is stagnant, prompting Trump to introduce an "economic D-Day" threatening "tremendous" consequences for countries doing business with Iran. The new economic campaign, termed Operation Economic Fury, involves heightened US treasury sanctions and a naval blockade, targeting foreign financial institutions and countries that rely on the US dollar while engaging with Iran. Despite ongoing sanctions since 1979 and the intensified pressure after the US withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action in 2018, experts note Iran's resilience and adaptability to economic and military strains, with potential responses to new sanctions remaining uncertain.
The FBI has thwarted a planned attack to kill lawmakers at the New York State Capitol, arresting 35-year-old Jessica Bowie, who obtained an explosive after pledging loyalty to ISIL (ISIS). Bowie was charged with providing material support to a terrorist organization and had communicated through encrypted apps with informants about her intent to "destroy as much of the building as possible and kill the senators." An FBI complaint detailed that Bowie created over a dozen social media accounts supporting terrorism and received $200 from informants for bomb-making materials, as well as purchasing a firearm and ammunition during the investigation.
Aisha Wahab won a special election to fill Eric Swalwell's US House seat, securing victory in a contentious intra-party battle following Swalwell's resignation amid sexual misconduct allegations. Wahab, a state senator and the first Muslim woman and Afghan American in the California legislature, led the primary by over 20 points but faced a closer race after more than $6.4 million was spent by Super PACs supporting her opponent, Hernandez. Ultimately, with 92% of the votes counted, Wahab maintained a lead of just over six points, despite a surge of attack ads against her.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani is challenging the Respect Check Act, which grants New York City's teaching aides a $10,000 bonus, arguing it violates collective bargaining laws. The bill was passed by the City Council despite Mamdani's objections, citing it as necessary to address the low salaries of teaching assistants, which can be as low as $32,000, compared to the living wage in the city that ranges from $60,341 in the Bronx to $79,469 in Manhattan. The United Federation of Teachers supports the bill, stating it does not undermine collective bargaining rights, while Mamdani has filed a lawsuit to block it, claiming it establishes a troubling precedent.
Christine Hunsicker, former CEO of CaaStle, was sentenced to five years in federal prison for a $300 million fraud scheme that misled hundreds of investors from 2019 to 2025 by providing falsified financial documents. Despite claiming CaaStle had a valuation exceeding $1.4 billion, Hunsicker was aware of the company's dire financial condition and used fabricated documents to raise funds, ultimately leading to its bankruptcy. In addition to her prison sentence, Hunsicker will face three years of supervised release after her conviction for securities fraud.
South Korea's annual military exercises with the US, named Ulchi Freedom Shield, were abruptly halted after only half of the planned program was completed, involving 18,000 South Korean troops along with 11 allied nations, following US President Donald Trump's orders to "substantially reduce" the drill. Trump's decision, which he termed "inappropriate and hostile" towards North Korea, surprised allies and has raised concerns about the future of US commitments in the region, particularly with Japan and Taiwan. Amid fears of a potential drawdown of the 27,000 US troops in South Korea, some experts advocate for South Korea to pursue its own nuclear deterrent as relations with the US evolve into a mix of security and trade disputes.
Imran Khan, the former Prime Minister of Pakistan, has been transferred from Adiala Jail to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad following a Supreme Court order requiring his transfer within 48 hours. Khan's supporters have expressed concerns over his deteriorating health, including significant vision loss in his right eye, while the government initially opposed the transfer citing legal obligations to treat convicted prisoners in jail or public hospitals. Despite his conviction on various charges, including corruption, Khan retains substantial support, and his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, is planning a nationwide march on September 27 to demand his release and access to him.
Former Prime Minister Imran Khan has been transferred from Adiala Jail to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad following a Supreme Court order, but was later moved back to prison within the same day. Khan, who has been in prison since 2023 after being ousted from office and convicted on corruption charges, is reported to have experienced a deterioration in health, including significant vision loss in his right eye. His party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, continues to enjoy significant support across Pakistan and is organizing a nationwide march on September 27 to demand better access to Khan and expedite his legal proceedings.
Former Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan has been transferred from Adiala jail to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad for medical examination, following a supreme court order. Khan, 73, has reportedly experienced a deterioration in health, including significant vision loss in his right eye, during his imprisonment since August 2023. The transfer is seen as a potential step toward easing tensions between Khan's party and Pakistan's military establishment, which have been in conflict since his removal from office in 2022.
Rahil Prakash, a 21-year-old recent college graduate, created a website called Median Strategies that disseminated fake election polls in Wisconsin, Nevada, and California, which gained significant traction before being shut down. Among the false data, Median suggested Karen Bass was ahead by over 10 percentage points in her mayoral race and also claimed a fake lead of more than 20 points for Francesca Hong in the Wisconsin governor primary. Prakash described the project as a "short-term social experiment" to test how easily fake polls could spread within the political information ecosystem and expressed surprise at the rapid dissemination of this misinformation.
Former Prime Minister Imran Khan of Pakistan has been transferred from Adiala jail to Shifa International Hospital following a Supreme Court order, fulfilling a demand from his party and family due to health concerns. The 73-year-old Khan, imprisoned since August 2023, will remain in the hospital until at least his next hearing scheduled for September 16, marking the longest time he will be outside prison since his incarceration. Khan was ousted from office in April 2022 and has faced multiple corruption-related convictions, which he claims are politically motivated.
The FBI arrested 35-year-old Jessica Bowie from Albany, New York, for allegedly planning to bomb the state capitol building to kill lawmakers, having conducted at least five reconnaissance missions. Bowie had a fake bomb, a defective gun, and was given $200 by undercover agents to buy bomb-making materials, expressing intentions to "destroy as much of the building as possible and kill the senators." She had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group and was known for her anti-American messages on social media, with a history of praising the 9/11 terror attacks.