Oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz nearly tripled during the 60-day period covered by the now-expired Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the U.S. and Iran, reaching approximately 374 million barrels (6.1 million barrels per day), though still only 40% of the pre-war average of 15 million barrels per day in 2025. The MoU expired without a peace deal as attacks on commercial shipping surged, resulting in five vessels being attacked in one week, including an incident that killed a seafarer on the Liberia-flagged bulk carrier Minoan Dignity. Since the onset of the conflict in late February, at least 18 seafarers have died due to attacks, amid ongoing geopolitical tensions affecting global oil supply routes.
Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong expressed outrage over Israel's decision not to investigate the killing of Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom and six colleagues in an airstrike in Gaza in April 2024. Frankcom's family and her employer, World Central Kitchen, criticized the Israeli military's findings, stating that they demand an independent investigation due to perceived failures in the IDF's conduct. The Israeli military acknowledged "serious failures" in procedures but claimed there was no criminal intent, while Wong emphasized the need for accountability in light of the incident occurring on World Humanitarian Day.
Hui Ka Yan, the founder of Evergrande, has been sentenced to life in prison for large-scale financial fraud, with the company facing fines totaling $2.3 billion. The court revealed that Evergrande, which collapsed under more than $300 billion in liabilities, overstated its revenues by approximately $80 billion between 2019 and 2020. Several other senior executives received prison sentences of up to 18 years for various charges, including illegally taking public deposits and fraud.
Joanna Boydell, the CEO of Travelodge, resigns after criticism over serious security failings, including incidents where domestic abusers were granted access to victims' rooms, leading to assaults. Following these incidents, including one in Berkshire in 2022 and another in London in October 2025, Travelodge has implemented changes to its security policies, including training 12,000 staff in new room access protocols. The hotel chain emphasized that customer safety is a priority and is conducting ongoing reviews and audits to enhance security across its 600 UK locations.
Top seeds Aryna Sabalenka and Alexander Zverev were eliminated in the fourth round of the Cincinnati Open, with Tommy Paul defeating Zverev 4-6, 7-6 (8/6), 6-4 and Sara Bejlek stunning Sabalenka 7-6 (9/7), 6-4. Bejlek, ranked 35th, secured her first win over a top 10 player after recovering from being down 5-1 in the tiebreaker and winning the second set with three breaks. Additionally, defending champion Iga Swiatek survived a tough match against Diane Parry, winning 6-3, 6-3, while Coco Gauff defeated Marie Bouzkova 6-3, 6-2, saving all eight break points faced.
The Edmonton Marathon organisers acknowledged that the course for the 2026 edition was over 674.7 meters (0.41 miles) too long, leading to concerns from runners whose GPS watches recorded distances exceeding 26.22 miles. Race director Tom Keogh admitted the mistake was due to construction work around the Wellington Bridge, resulting in some participants potentially missing out on qualifying for the Boston Marathon. They are currently collaborating with Athletics Canada to evaluate how to handle the results from this year's event.
Sudan's Kordofan region is experiencing a severe humanitarian crisis, with over 200,000 people newly displaced due to fighting and drone attacks targeting essential infrastructure in El Obeid, where the population has surged from 750,000 to 3.4 million. Since the war began in April 2023, an estimated 59,000 people have been killed, 8.6 million internally displaced, and more than 4.2 million have fled to neighboring countries, while 33.7 million require humanitarian assistance. The combined effects of violence, infrastructure damage, and seasonal flooding are overwhelming families in the region, with a 25% increase in displacement in the Sheikan district over the last eight months.
An Australian court is currently reviewing the case of Erin Patterson, who was sentenced to life in prison for murdering three relatives and attempting to kill another by poisoning them with death cap mushrooms in 2023; she is currently eligible for parole after 33 years. Prosecutors are appealing what they describe as a "manifestly inadequate" sentence, arguing that the 30-year minimum term does not reflect the severity of her actions, which included betraying the trust of her victims and maintaining lies while they lay critically ill. Patterson's attorneys are also contesting her convictions, claiming that procedural errors during her trial undermined the jury's decision.
Lionel Messi scored his first goal since his father's passing, giving Inter Miami a 2-1 lead in a 2-2 draw against the Philadelphia Union, with his father Jorge having died on August 8, 2026, at age 68. Messi's goal, his 13th of the season, places him second in the MLS scoring chart, three behind Petar Musa. Miami has now gone four matches without a win and sits seven points behind Eastern Conference leaders Nashville.
Hui Ka Yan, the founder of China's Evergrande group, was sentenced to life in prison by a Chinese court, with all his personal property confiscated, after pleading guilty to fraud and other charges. Evergrande, which defaulted on over $300 billion in liabilities in 2021, inflated its revenue by approximately $80 billion in 2019 and 2020 and was fined a total of 15.82 billion yuan ($2.36 billion) by the court. The court described Hui's actions as severely disrupting the socialist market economic order and causing significant economic losses and social harm.
Education Secretary Lucy Powell emphasized the significance of GCSE results day for students, including her own daughter, describing it as a critical moment in their educational journey. She acknowledged the hard work of students facing challenging exams and highlighted the introduction of new post-16 vocational qualifications to ensure every student has a path forward. Powell encouraged students to reach out to their schools or colleges to explore their options for continued learning and training.
Bangladesh is holding its first contested presidential election in 35 years, with ruling BNP candidate Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir facing former army officer Oli Ahmad, backed by the Jamaat-e-Islami-led opposition alliance. Of the 349 eligible lawmakers, 247 belong to the BNP and 90 to the opposition, indicating a significant advantage for Alamgir as he seeks to solidify control following the resignation of unopposed former President Mohammed Shahabuddin last month. Despite Alamgir's decisive lead in numbers, the symbolic importance of the vote resonates in the wake of political upheaval, marking the first contested presidential election since October 1991.
Prince Harry and Meghan will return to the U.K. for an extended stay starting in fall 2026, while their children, Archie (7) and Lilibet (5), are set to start school in September. The couple, who will not resume royal duties, plans to live in a private residence outside London but will maintain their home in Montecito, California. Harry is facing legal challenges, including a bill for 34.5 million pounds ($47 million) in legal fees from a failed lawsuit against a tabloid publisher, and he has expressed a desire for reconciliation with his family.
South Australian premier Peter Malinauskas has reported over 1,000 greater crested terns dead due to suspected H5 bird flu in three mass mortality events, marking a significant escalation of the virus in the state. Investigations are underway for additional suspected cases, including 28 dead little penguins on King Island, while there have been no detections in poultry or livestock and no mass mammal deaths reported. Aerial surveillance has expanded to assess the impact on local wildlife, and discussions are ongoing for targeted vaccination of certain threatened bird populations.
Hui Ka Yan, the founder of Evergrande, has been sentenced to life in prison and his companies fined a total of 15.82 billion yuan ($2.35 billion) for various crimes, including embezzlement and corporate bribery, amid the company's collapse that has significantly impacted China's housing market. Other executives, including Hui’s two sons, received prison sentences ranging from 22 months to 18 years, as Evergrande's financial troubles have led to unfinished projects and a stock market valuation decline of 99%. Once valued at over $50 billion and regarded as Asia's richest man, Hui's downfall is part of a broader crisis in China's property sector, which previously constituted about a third of the country's GDP.
Four workers in Japan died after being struck by a limited express train at Shin-Kanuma Station while they were removing weeds from the tracks. The collision occurred at 10:46 local time, leaving three workers trapped under the train and one on the platform; train services on the Tobu Nikko Line were suspended following the incident. Fatal train accidents are uncommon in Japan, highlighting the rarity of such occurrences in the country's extensive railway network.
Former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams accused Nigel Farage of misusing Christianity to foster anti-Muslim sentiments, suggesting that claims of Britain being a "Christian society" serve to legitimize such feelings. He pointed out that fears surrounding migration and anti-Islamism drive Christian nationalism in the UK, stating that this movement is influenced by global political discourse that promotes the mixing of nationalism with theology. Additionally, Williams expressed skepticism about the sincerity of religious convictions claimed by figures like Farage and Tommy Robinson, urging for accountability in their public rhetoric which he believes incites hostility and violence.
Hungarian literature, characterized by a pervasive sense of melancholy, has gained international acclaim, particularly following the Nobel Prize win of László Krasznahorkai and the recognition of Péter Nádas by Germany’s Pour le Mérite in May. Despite this global interest, domestic writers face significant challenges, with a 27 May statement from six prominent literary figures highlighting that many excellent authors have struggled to publish abroad due to a loss of trust in state institutions since 2010. In response to these challenges, new initiatives have begun to emerge, such as support for literary translators and the formation of a new literary trade union as Hungary moves away from Viktor Orbán’s 16-year rule.
Israel's military has launched its first criminal investigations into troop conduct in Gaza, focusing on the killings of 5-year-old Hind Rajab and her family, as well as 15 Palestinian paramedics. A total of 150 incidents were reviewed, with decisions made on five cases, while the military admitted that its troops fired on a vehicle containing the Rajab family and two medics, who were later found dead. The ongoing campaign in Gaza has resulted in over 73,000 deaths, including tens of thousands of women and children, with rights groups labeling it as genocide and calling for an international investigation.
The body of 18-year-old Lily Hooper was discovered in Australian bushland after an eight-day search following her disappearance on August 12, when she failed to return home from a walk in Nattai National Park. Initially, New South Wales Premier Chris Minns mistakenly announced that she had been found alive, a statement he retracted shortly thereafter upon confirming her death. The search effort involved nearly 100 members of the Australian Defence Force and various police units, highlighting the tragic and complex circumstances surrounding her case.
US President Donald Trump announced an unprecedented "economic operation" against Iran, threatening any country that provides support to Iran with "tremendous" repercussions amid an ongoing conflict that has lasted nearly six months. He described the initiative as essential for isolating Iran and equated it to "economic D-Day," yet did not disclose specific measures or identify any supportive nations. Iranian media dismissed Trump's threats as mere psychological warfare, asserting that Iran has developed skills to bypass such economic restrictions over the years.
In Western Ukraine, a camp holds men captured while fighting for Russia, including many recruited from major cities like St Petersburg and Yekaterinburg, alongside Ukrainian-born soldiers who chose to fight for Russia despite the geopolitical complexities. One soldier, Anton, highlights how he and others are motivated by a blend of national identity and personal ties, with many expressing regret over the loss of life but claiming to feel a sense of loyalty to Russia. Another soldier, Artyom, reveals dissatisfaction with his military experience, including failure to receive a promised sign-up fee of 400,000 roubles (approximately $5,000), which exemplifies the challenges faced by those volunteering amidst a declining number of recruits willing to replace fallen comrades.
The Barbican conservatory, known as the "green lung of the city," closed for renovations with plans to reopen in 2030, prompting a lively adoption event where 500 people attended to receive plant cuttings. During the first of three such events, attendees filled out "adoption forms" for various plants, with a strong social media response noted by head gardener Marta Lowcewicz. The ongoing renovations aim to improve climate control and irrigation systems, allowing for a healthier plant collection and ensuring that many of the current plants will be retained.
Oxfam is reviewing its operations due to declining donations and increased competition from online secondhand sellers, stating it "cannot give guarantees" regarding the future of its charity shops but has no current plans for closures. The charity is considering shutting up to 100 of its over 500 UK outlets, with three warehouses employing about 90 people under review, and has reported losses exceeding £2 million in the year to March 2025. Despite the challenges, Oxfam generated a net contribution of £6.3 million from its shops, warehouses, and online retail teams for humanitarian work and is launching a new online rental service amidst continuing economic pressures.
Trump has launched a campaign to economically isolate Iran, threatening "tremendous economic consequences" for countries that engage in trade or financial activities with Tehran. The US Treasury has been conducting Operation Economic Fury to cut off Iran's funding, while the UAE has already suspended all trade with Iran, a significant move as it accounted for over 30% of Iran's imports prior to the conflict. The announcement comes amid a shift from military strikes to economic pressure, as the Pentagon has indicated a lack of effective targets left in Iran after nearly six months of conflict.
Prosecutors have urged Victoria’s highest court to dismiss Erin Patterson's appeal against her triple murder conviction, claiming the case against her was "overwhelming." Patterson, sentenced to life imprisonment with a 33-year non-parole period for murdering her estranged husband’s parents and aunt, also faces an attempted murder charge involving her aunt's husband. The prosecution seeks to have her resentenced to life without parole, arguing that all seven grounds for her appeal lack substance and were inadequately addressed during her trial.
The Victorian government has initiated a royal commission into the construction sector, with a budget of $50 million, aimed at investigating allegations of corruption, misconduct, and violence, particularly involving the CFMEU, on state-funded projects. Former South Australian chief justice Chris Kourakis has been appointed as the commissioner and possesses coercive powers to compel witnesses and access documents, with a report due by August 20, 2027. The inquiry will scrutinize the actions of former and current officials, and the government has committed to fully funding legal representation for those called to testify.
The Israeli military confirmed it opened fire on a vehicle carrying five-year-old Palestinian girl Hind Rajab, who was killed alongside six relatives in Gaza in 2024. Hind initially survived the attack and pleaded for help during a phone call with paramedics, which lasted for hours before an ambulance coordinated with the Israeli army was shelled, resulting in the deaths of two paramedics. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced a criminal investigation into her death, along with the killings of 15 Palestinians in March 2025, amidst international condemnation and claims of war crimes from the UN.
Larry David criticized former friend Alan Dershowitz for becoming Donald Trump’s lawyer, stating that Dershowitz "made a deal with the devil" and deserves the ostracism he faces. The fallout between them was highlighted by a public confrontation in which David called Dershowitz "disgusting," leading to a breakdown of their long-standing friendship. Dershowitz, who has been involved in high-profile cases including those of Trump, Epstein, and Weinstein, recently announced a party switch to Republican and faced a setback when the Supreme Court declined to revive his $300 million defamation lawsuit against CNN.
A heavy Russian missile bombardment on Kyiv and its surrounding region resulted in at least six fatalities and dozens of injuries, with five people dead and 23 wounded in the capital alone, according to city officials. Additionally, a separate attack in the Brovary district claimed one life and left another person injured, while recent strikes in Kherson and Zhytomyr resulted in a total of six deaths. Amid ongoing attacks, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also dismissed a senior aide due to corruption allegations involving high-ranking officials in his administration.