A landslide at an illegal mining site in the Central African Republic has resulted in death toll estimates ranging from "at least 30" to "over 100" laborers, with local authorities indicating that the chance for survival is diminishing for those still trapped. The incident occurred near the Cameroon border, about 50 kilometers from Baboua, with video evidence showing bodies being buried by the falling earth. The collapse was attributed to the failure of underground tunnels where miners were working, prompting the government's pledge for relief efforts and the initiation of an investigation.
Two giant bluefin tunas, weighing approximately 320 kg (700 lb) each, were caught off the coast of Yorkshire for the first time since the 1960s, marking a significant success in marine conservation and fishery management. Researchers attribute their return to effective protective measures following their near extinction due to overfishing in the Mediterranean during the 1970s and 80s, as well as improved conditions for small fish populations they prey on. While this resurgence is celebrated, concerns remain about the impact of climate change and the need for continued attention to conservation policies to ensure the tuna's ongoing survival.
Wyoming's 2026 primary election saw a turnout of 55% among registered voters, with nine out of ten Republican candidates linked to the “Checkgate” controversy losing their races. The Wyoming Freedom Caucus experienced significant losses, with at least 14 incumbent lawmakers defeated, while Eric Barlow secured the GOP nomination for governor amidst tight races for various state seats. Additionally, Republican Hageman will contend against Democrat Byrd after winning the US Senate primary, reflecting a broader shift in the political landscape in Wyoming.
Swimmers have been warned to avoid the newly designated Thames bathing site at Ham due to the presence of toxic blue-green algae, likely caused by extreme heat, low river flow, and sewage pollution. Thames Water plans to pump 75 million liters of treated sewage daily into the river as part of a controversial £250 million water recycling scheme, despite concerns from local authorities and environmental activists about its impact on river health and biodiversity. The river's current challenges highlight the fragility of water resources as Thames Water is also facing scrutiny for leaking 570 million liters of water daily and has postponed over 100 crucial environmental improvement projects until 2028.
A new study from Stanford University reveals that the number of elderly individuals at high risk of illness or death from extreme heat is significantly higher than previously estimated, particularly as the global population aged 60 and older is expected to increase from 1 billion in 2020 to 2.1 billion by 2050. The research indicates that people aged 65 and older face exposure to uncompensable heat at just 1.5°C of global warming, whereas younger adults do not encounter this risk until around 4°C of warming, highlighting the vulnerability of older individuals to heat-related health issues. Researchers estimate that the number of people experiencing over 180 hours annually beyond their age group's tolerable heat limit is now more than double previous estimates, emphasizing that older adults are at risk of serious heat-related illness even at temperatures that a healthy young adult might tolerate.
Donald Trump nominated Dr. Heidi Overton, an abortion opponent, to be the commissioner of the FDA, highlighting her work on issues like mifepristone, a drug critical for medication abortions used by 23 million women in states with bans. Overton previously described mifepristone as "teleabortion" and advocated for its strict regulation to "protect women and children." This nomination follows tumultuous times at the FDA under the second Trump administration, with Overton being Trump's third pick for the position after two previous nominees.
A Ukrainian man named Volodymyr Zhuravlyov was arrested in Croatia, suspected of participating in the September 2022 bombing of the Nord Stream gas pipelines, making him the second arrest related to the incident. German prosecutors allege that he was involved in the necessary dives for the sabotage, while the first suspect, former Ukrainian military officer Serhiy Kuznetsov, was arrested in Italy in August 2025 and has already been extradited to Germany for trial. The destruction of the pipelines, which initially drew blame towards Moscow, is now believed to involve Ukrainian involvement, leading to tensions between Kyiv and Berlin.
Lindsay Clancy, who is charged with murdering her three children aged five, three, and eight months, reportedly expressed to her family prior to the incident that she had "thoughts of harming the children." As her trial progresses, her defense contends that she was suffering from postpartum psychosis, which can manifest with symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions, while prosecutors argue that she made a deliberate decision to kill her children. Postpartum psychosis, a severe mental health condition affecting some women after childbirth, can result in rapid changes in behavior and effects that may lead to harming oneself or others.
Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel's national security minister, announced plans to carry out targeted killings in Gaza, suggesting that 30 to 40 Palestinians should be "removed" every night, which sparked global outrage and condemnation. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz denounced Ben-Gvir's statements as inhumane and emphasized that such actions violate international law, while calls for sanctions against him have emerged from various German political figures. Several countries, including Australia, France, and the UK, have already implemented entry bans on Ben-Gvir, and discussions about imposing further European Union sanctions are underway.
Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel's national security minister, proposed the targeted killings of 30 to 40 Palestinians nightly in Gaza, igniting international condemnation, including from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who deemed the statements inhumane and a violation of international law. Calls for sanctions against Ben-Gvir have emerged from various German political figures, including Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil and Green Party leader Franziska Brantner, with several countries, including Australia and the UK, already imposing entry bans on him. The discussions surrounding potential sanctions include halting arms exports to Israel and preventing further annexation steps in the West Bank, underscoring growing concerns over human rights violations in the region.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott is taking measures to protect members of ICE, which has faced criticisms and controversies. In related news, refugee admissions are projected to reach a record low, highlighting a significant decline in accepted asylum seekers. Additionally, recent electoral outcomes show that three Trump endorsees have lost their races, indicating continuing challenges for the former president's political support.
Labour party chair Bridget Phillipson has called for Reform UK's Richard Tice to apologize to firefighters for his comments urging people to "enjoy" the extreme heat, emphasizing the difficulties those battling wildfires have faced. Tice's remarks came during a broader critique of net zero policies, which Labour believes have alienated voters, especially as wildfires have forced evacuations and destroyed homes. Phillipson highlighted the seriousness of the climate crisis while condemning the dismissive remarks and the lack of action on net zero from political leaders, despite increasing extreme heat events.
Two men have been detained in connection with the murder of Sonia Bellina, a 29-year-old social media influencer with around 260,000 TikTok followers, whose burned body was discovered in a vineyard in southern France on August 12. Nîmes prosecutor Cécile Gensac confirmed the identity of Bellina through DNA analysis after some speculation online, and described the crime as having "rare savagery." The family, dealing with online harassment and rumors about the incident, has requested privacy during this difficult time.
Mykhailo Fedorov, recently sacked as Ukraine's defense minister, has transformed from a loyalist to a significant political rival to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, exemplified by mass protests where 2,000 demonstrators supported him in Kyiv. In a nine-minute YouTube video, Fedorov criticized the Zelenskyy administration for corruption within the defense ministry, claiming it undermines the war effort, and called for wartime elections to renew democracy in Ukraine. Analysts and civil society activists acknowledge the systemic governance crisis, noting that corruption impacts essential military resources during the ongoing conflict.
India defeated Pakistan 5-3 in a crucial Hockey World Cup match at Wagener Stadium, allowing them to advance to the second round while eliminating Pakistan from the tournament. Indian captain Harmanpreet Singh scored two goals, with Abhishek also netting two, and the team now has six points in Pool D after a prior win against Wales. England, having secured a perfect nine points from three victories, leads Pool D and will also progress to the semifinals.
The escalating conflict between the United States and Iran, reignited by US and Israeli strikes on February 28, stems from concerns over Iran's potential acquisition of nuclear weapons and has disrupted global energy markets, particularly through the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. This conflict continues a tumultuous history, including the 1953 CIA-backed coup that reinstated the shah after the overthrow of Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh, leading to a 25-year alliance before the 1979 Islamic Revolution drastically altered relations. Since then, confrontations have persisted, with Iran becoming a primary adversary of the US, culminating in significant sanctions and military confrontations throughout the decades.
The Republican chairman of the House oversight committee, James Comer, has threatened Leon Black with contempt for allegedly delaying an investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, demanding full cooperation and warning that failure to comply could lead to further action. Black, who has already provided one non-disclosure agreement (NDA) and offered to submit one additional NDA, has faced pressure from Comer to reveal all NDAs related to his dealings with Epstein, amid accusations that he is attempting to dictate the investigation’s scope. The tension escalated when Black's deposition, scheduled for September 3, 2026, ended prematurely after he refused to answer questions regarding NDAs, prompting Comer to issue two subpoenas for further documentation and testimony.
More than two years after the death of five-year-old Hind Rajab in Gaza, the Israeli military announced a criminal investigation into the incident, in which Israeli forces fired over 300 bullets at the vehicle transporting her family. Rajab died on January 29, 2024, while trapped in a car surrounded by her deceased relatives, with Palestinian paramedics blocked from reaching her. The Israeli military's admission of firing at the vehicle comes amid skepticism in Gaza regarding the potential for justice, as past investigations into similar incidents rarely result in convictions, prompting calls for an international inquiry into the killings of Palestinian children.
Senator Jon Ossoff, up for re-election, delivered a notable critique of Donald Trump at a rally, stating that while U.S. sailors fight, Trump is disengaged, favoring leisure activities over his presidential duties. Trump's communications director, Steven Cheung, and Trump himself launched personal attacks on Ossoff, with Trump resorting to outdated pop culture references, labeling him a "Pee-wee Herman lookalike." Additionally, an official White House account, which has 2.2 million followers, condemned a CNN reporter's inquiry about Ossoff, highlighting the escalating hostility against media and political opponents by Trump's team.
A new museum in Pompano Beach, Florida, is the first in the US dedicated entirely to jellyfish, featuring nearly 10,000 square feet of space. The facility showcases approximately 20 unique species across 21 display tanks, highlighting these ancient sea creatures that have existed for over 500 million years. It was established by Ukrainian aquarium developers to celebrate and educate about marine life.
Astronomers have identified a star named S301 that travels at over 15,000 miles per second as it orbits the massive black hole Sagittarius A* at the center of the Milky Way galaxy. This star, with a highly elongated orbital path of 8.7 years, approaches the black hole closely, allowing researchers to study the effects of gravity on space and time. The black hole’s mass is estimated to be four million times that of our Sun, making it a critical object for understanding black hole dynamics and their influence on galaxies.
Ukraine's ex-defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov has called for wartime elections, challenging President Volodymyr Zelensky, as the country remains under martial law since Russia's invasion in 2022. Fedorov emphasized that "Democracy cannot be held hostage by Russia," although he did not address concerns regarding the feasibility of conducting free and fair elections amid the ongoing conflict. It remains unclear if Fedorov plans to run against Zelensky in any potential election.
A study involving nearly 350 participants who used psilocybin through Oregon's nonmedical program reported largely positive experiences, with over half rating it among the most meaningful experiences of their lives, and approximately 54% indicating improvement in mental health symptoms afterward. The average dose administered was about 30 milligrams, and the occurrence of serious adverse reactions was very low, with only four participants experiencing such events, all of whom were first-time users. While the findings are promising, researchers caution that the uncontrolled nature of the study makes it difficult to draw definitive conclusions about the treatment's efficacy.
Primaries in Florida, Alaska, and Wyoming indicated mixed voter sentiments ahead of the November midterms, featuring a notable win for a candidate aligned with the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and a significant defeat for another. Donald Trump's endorsed candidates experienced varied results, with some facing rejection from voters, particularly in Florida, where Republican extremism still has strong support. In Alaska, candidates for a key US Senate race emerged from the primaries, highlighting a competitive political landscape.
Chidimma Adetshina, a 25-year-old beauty queen facing deportation from South Africa, asserts her birthright citizenship, claiming unfair treatment and targeting by authorities. Declared a prohibited person in 2024 after her eligibility for the Miss South Africa contest was questioned, she was stripped of her identity documents and arrested for illegal re-entry in June 2024; her case has since been postponed to February 2027. Adetshina, whose mother is Mozambican and father Nigerian, stated that being born in South Africa does not automatically grant citizenship unless one parent is a citizen or permanent resident, highlighting the complexities of her situation amidst a backdrop of rising anti-migrant sentiment.
A 52-meter long SpaceX rocket was spotted off the coast of Christmas Island after landing in the Indian Ocean following a test flight from Texas on July 24. Local residents, including David Watchorn from the Christmas Island Tourism Association, expressed their amazement, with some taking time off work to see the rocket while others readied boats to view the debris up close. The unexpected presence of the rocket has generated significant interest among locals and visitors alike.
Roblox has committed to enhancing its privacy measures after Australia's eSafety commissioner found that adults could still contact children without parental consent, with about 1.7 million Australian children using the platform. The company is required to strengthen child account settings, making them private by default, and will engage a third-party auditor to assess its safety measures within three months. Previously, Roblox implemented safety changes for users under 16, including private accounts and chat restrictions, following concerns about grooming and inappropriate content exposure.
Jesse Murphy, who placed over 15,000 bets totaling nearly $1 million and received $43,700 in bonus bets over two years, shared his gambling experiences during a parliamentary inquiry advocating for a total ban on inducements, which the Albanese government ignored, opting instead for limited restrictions. Critics argue that the government's recent bill, which includes provisions to identify "high risk" customers but allows for continued rewards like free gifts for gamblers, is merely cosmetic, with one MP likening it to letting "Dracula in charge of the blood bank." Murphy, now a former gambler who hasn't placed a bet in almost two years, doubts that the proposed reforms would have altered his gambling trajectory if they had been in place earlier.
Almost one-fifth (141 out of 757) of older Australians who contested their AI-determined Support at Home funding had a more favorable outcome after human review, leading to increased eligibility for services or higher priority levels. The integrated assessment tool (IAT), which is used to determine funding allocations, has been criticized for under-assessing many individuals, as the number of review requests does not reflect the total number of potential cases needing reassessment. Concerns have been raised regarding the adequacy and fairness of the algorithmic system, prompting an ongoing investigation by the commonwealth ombudsman into its impact on the care provided to older Australians.
The US Treasury is doubling its government debt buyback to stabilize the bond market amid rising inflation concerns, with 10-year, 20-year, and 30-year treasury note yields hitting 20-year highs, including a 30-year yield at its highest since 2007. The annualized US inflation rate was reported at 3.4% in July, and gas prices reached $4.08 a gallon, about $1 more than the previous year, contributing to pressures on the Federal Reserve to consider higher interest rates. Despite these rising prices, the S&P 500 closed at a record high last week, reflecting continued investor confidence amid AI investment growth, though economists within the Fed are divided on the necessary intervention strategies.