Republican Senator Dan Sullivan and Democrat Mary Peltola advanced in Alaska's Senate primary, qualifying for the November general election alongside two other candidates, with Peltola leading at 48% and Sullivan at 42.8% after 80% of votes were counted. Peltola has raised over $18.5 million this election cycle, with $4.6 million on hand, while Sullivan has raised more than $11.7 million, with nearly $7.3 million available. The outcome of this race could be pivotal in determining whether Republicans or Democrats maintain control of the Senate during the final two years of Donald Trump's presidency.
Francis Clifford Smith, convicted of murder in 1950, served over 70 years in prison and was regarded as the longest-serving prisoner in the US before passing away at 101. Smith maintained his innocence throughout his life, with key evidence against him later questioned, including recantations from witnesses and a confession from another inmate. The population of aged prisoners is rising, with a nearly 400% increase in those aged 55 and older between 1991 and 2021, and experts advocate for programs like compassionate release to address this growing demographic in the criminal justice system.
The U.S. has postponed a 50% tariff on approximately $20 billion worth of Canadian imports for three days after reaching a deal regarding the Keystone pipeline project. In Florida's Democratic U.S. Senate primary, progressive state Rep. Angie Nixon defeated Alex Vindman despite being significantly outraised and lacking national recognition, though future challenges in the Republican-leaning state remain. Additionally, Meta is facing a high-stakes trial with potential penalties of up to $1.4 trillion, as states accuse the company of designing its platforms to be addictive for young users while misrepresenting associated risks.
France has officially adopted a law granting incurably ill adults the right to assisted dying after approval from the constitutional authority, allowing patients suffering unbearable pain to access the procedure. The legislation requires a doctor to verify eligibility and mandates a minimum two-day waiting period before the patient can confirm their decision, with the patient responsible for administering the lethal substance unless physically unable. Emmanuel Macron welcomed the law as a significant democratic achievement, although it faced criticism from some groups, including health professionals and disability advocates, who expressed concerns about its implications for vulnerable populations.
Amanal Petros won his first major marathon at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham, finishing with a time of 2:09:11, which set a new record for the event. He managed to pull away from the lead pack after 25 kilometers, with Italian runner Pietro Riva finishing just seven seconds behind him. Petros prepared for the race at altitude in Kenya and dedicated his victory to his mother, who lives over 5,000 kilometers away in the Tigray region of Ethiopia.
Dog food brand Years recalled all of its fresh meals after receiving reports of 192 customers potentially experiencing dogs with eye issues, including a condition that could lead to sight loss, out of approximately 40,000 total customers. The condition, known as sudden bilateral dry eye, is characterized by an inability to produce tears and can result from the inclusion of buckwheat in the brand's meals, which was added several months prior. A Facebook group regarding the issue quickly grew to over 2,100 members as dog owners reported similar symptoms and concerns related to the affected food.
A recent analysis has identified significant ethical and legal concerns in 853 articles published by the Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire Méditerranée Infection (IHU), with co-author Didier Raoult listed on 758 of them. Raoult gained notoriety during the Covid-19 pandemic by promoting hydroxychloroquine as an effective treatment, which was later discredited and retracted for ethical issues, despite being cited thousands of times and influencing public discourse. The findings have raised questions about the scientific judgment of health leaders in the Trump administration, including their reliance on Raoult's work, which detracted from other promising research avenues and fueled misinformation during the pandemic.
On World Humanitarian Day, Amitabh Behar highlights the erosion of international humanitarian laws, with over 1,000 aid workers killed in the past three years, nearly triple the previous toll. In 2025 alone, there were hundreds of attacks on humanitarian operations resulting in 350 aid workers killed and 322 injured, while Oxfam faced significant challenges, including losing five colleagues in eight years and being affected by Israeli restrictions on aid operations. The G7 countries have made the largest aid cuts in history, reducing development assistance by nearly a third in 2026 compared to 2024, despite worsening humanitarian crises such as the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and famine in Sudan.
US President Donald Trump praised North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for a "very positive" exchange, while criticizing South Korea for not supporting the US in its conflict with Iran, particularly after he ordered a reduction of military drills with Seoul. Analysts suggest Trump may be using his relationship with Kim to apply pressure on South Korea amid dissatisfaction regarding their cooperation on various issues, including investments in the US and the Iran war. The article notes that Trump has previously met Kim three times and expressed a desire to arrange another summit before the midterm elections on November 3, despite previous failed negotiations on denuclearization.
In India, an estimated 1.56 million new cancer cases were recorded in 2024, but only about 4% of the 7 to 10 million people needing palliative care actually receive it, leaving many families unprepared for end-of-life decisions. Patients like Piyush Singh and Amit, who have undergone extensive treatments with little hope remaining, exemplify the lack of institutional support and awareness regarding palliative care options. The Indian Supreme Court recognized the "right to die with dignity" in 2018, allowing patients to document their treatment preferences, yet many families still struggle to discuss end-of-life wishes due to societal taboos.
Erin Patterson, convicted of murdering three relatives with death cap mushrooms in a beef Wellington, attended a court hearing via video link as her lawyers claimed her conviction was jeopardized by a "catastrophic" hotel mix-up during the trial, which placed the jury in the same hotel as some prosecutors and a key witness. Patterson is currently serving a life sentence and has consistently maintained that the incident was accidental. Her legal team contended that crucial evidence was excluded and that some trial evidence was overly speculative.
The German Foreign Ministry reported that a Russian disinformation campaign, named Doppelgänger, utilized hundreds of thousands of inauthentic social media accounts, tens of thousands of fake articles, and millions of automated posts to amplify pro-Russian narratives following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. On some days, these accounts were highly active, posting more than once per second, highlighting the prevalence of bots and trolls in shaping online discourse. The EUvsDisinfo project noted that the Internet Research Agency in St. Petersburg has been involved in disseminating falsehoods and pro-Kremlin messages during various European and US election campaigns, underscoring the importance of verifying the authenticity of social media accounts.
Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev, who took office in April 2026 after his party won an overwhelming majority, is adopting a transactional foreign policy that appears to alienate traditional pro-European stances, evidenced by Bulgaria's halt of military support to Ukraine and withdrawal from an international tribunal for prosecuting Russia. He has shown inconsistencies in foreign policy, threatening to veto the EU's 21st package of sanctions against Russia while simultaneously agreeing to host US aerial refueling tankers, indicating a balancing act between pro-European and pro-Russian positions. Analysts suggest that his recent political gestures, such as aligning with Orthodox Christianity and supporting traditional family values in opposition to LGBTQ rights, are primarily strategic moves rather than genuine beliefs.
Liberia has agreed to accept up to 1,200 foreigners deported from the US over the next year as part of a humanitarian arrangement, with an initial group of 20 set to arrive soon. The government emphasizes that those deported will not include criminals and will be treated as guests; they can choose to stay or apply for asylum. Unlike other countries that have received financial compensation, Liberia has stated it did not demand or receive any rewards for participating in this program.
US Middle East envoy Jared Kushner visited Israel to discuss President Trump's peace plan for Gaza, which Prime Minister Netanyahu rejected, claiming Hamas must disarm first. Opinion polls show that 45% of Israelis oppose a peace deal for Gaza, with 37% favoring a return to fighting, and 17% wishing to maintain the status quo, while Netanyahu aims to present himself as “Mr. Security” before the upcoming elections in October. Despite Netanyahu's rejection of peace initiatives, the Israeli stock exchange is hitting record highs, and projected growth for 2027 stands at 5.6%.
Germany international Jamal Musiala collapsed during a football match for the second time in four days, experiencing blackouts due to a condition known as "absence seizures." In an Instagram post, he revealed that he has been diagnosed with this neurological dysfunction, which causes brief episodes of losing awareness and can occur multiple times a day; he remains optimistic about his treatment and support from Bayern Munich. Despite previous fitness struggles, including a broken leg and ankle injury, Bayern Munich assured that his condition does not pose a threat to his career, but his participation in the upcoming German Super Cup and Bundesliga matches remains uncertain.
Potential human remains, including a jaw with teeth, were found at Boulder Beach on Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the US, as water levels continue to decline due to drought. The US Bureau of Reclamation reported that Lake Mead's water levels dropped to 1,040 feet (316 meters) above sea level last week, marking a new low below the record set in July 2022. Witnesses noted that the low water levels contributed to the exposure of these remains, with one visitor commenting, "As the water goes down, the skeletons come up."
In the first Test match in Galle, India defeated Sri Lanka by 165 runs, with left-arm spinner Manav Suthar taking 10 wickets in the match, including 6 for 55 in the second innings. India set a target of 372 runs, and despite a fighting effort from Sonal Dinusha, who scored 84 runs, Sri Lanka was bowled out for 206. Top-order batter Devdutt Padikkal also had a standout performance, scoring 167 runs in the first innings, as India leads the two-match series 1-0.
In July 2026, the Indian government blocked the release of the film "Satluj," which explores the story of activist Jaswant Singh Khalra and addresses police abuses, leading to significant community screenings in Punjab. Despite the government ban, Sikh groups organized public viewings in temple courtyards and community venues, with the audience numbers rising as defiance against the government's actions grew. The film's ban has sparked unusual activism among the Sikh population, reflecting ongoing tensions and unresolved issues related to their history and identity.
Internal documents reveal FCC Chair Brendan Carr's close ties to the Trump administration and right-wing media, with Carr attending at least eight White House meetings and having three scheduled calls with administration officials between March 12, 2025, and February 11, 2026. Carr's communications with Fox News producers and meetings with media executives like Lachlan Murdoch raise concerns about the FCC's independence and potential influence from political relationships and industry interests. The findings suggest that Carr's actions, including requiring ABC to renew local broadcast licenses following criticism from Trump and Melania, indicate an alignment with the administration's agenda against major media networks.
On August 13, Alaska marathon runner Klaire Rhodes, 28, was attacked by a brown bear while running on the Wolverine Bowl trail in Chugach State Park, suffering a deep puncture wound to her left hip and claw marks on her body. Rhodes used bear spray to fend off the bear and managed to self-rescue to a trailhead, where she received treatment for her injuries, which she described as "relatively minor." Alaska wildlife officials estimate hundreds of thousands of bears inhabit the state, with some areas having up to one bear per square mile, underlining the risks of outdoor activities in bear territory.
Emergency room nurse Crystal Dhooghe and hundreds of unionized employees at Henry Ford Genesys Hospital have been on strike since September 1, 2025, raising concerns about workplace violence that has seen hospital workers being seven times more likely to be injured on the job from violent acts compared to the general population. Hospital representatives acknowledged that violence against healthcare workers is a "national epidemic," and while they are implementing measures like metal detectors and trained security, they assert the strike is primarily about economic issues rather than safety. The issue of workplace violence highlights the need for better staffing and training, as incidents like a mental health worker being assaulted by a patient exemplify the dangers present in understaffed environments.
Keigo Higashino's novel *The Devotion of Suspect X* weaves a dark tale of loyalty through the perspective of “Detective Galileo,” blending police procedural with mathematical philosophy. *Good People* by Patmeena Sabit explores the complexities of community and public opinion while unveiling a true crime narrative that serves as a reminder of immigrant pride in the face of adversity. Karen Tei Yamashita's *Questions 27 & 28* tackles the history of WWII Japanese American concentration camps, using the infamous loyalty questionnaire to delve into personal narratives and political identities within a multi-formatted, polyvocal novel that reflects on race and citizenship.
Eight Democratic U.S. senators have condemned the Trump administration's demand for access to the health data of millions as a prerequisite for lifesaving aid to foreign countries, citing concerns about privacy and data misuse. In a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, they requested a briefing on the healthcare agreements and raised questions about the implications of these demands for American citizens' data privacy. The senators highlighted specific agreements, such as one with Uganda, that requires access to its health data systems, which they assert sets a troubling precedent not seen in past international health programs.
Seventeen members of the Mabna Institute have been charged for a coordinated cyber campaign targeting 144 American universities and 42 private sector firms, allegedly stealing over 31 terabytes of data valued at approximately $3.4 billion since 2013. The group, linked to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, compromised 8,000 professor email accounts and targeted around 100,000 academics globally, as well as at least five U.S. federal and state government agencies. The U.S. Department of Justice is offering a $10 million reward for information leading to the arrest of five of the charged hackers.
A second suspect, a Ukrainian national named Vladimir Z., has been arrested in Croatia in connection with the 2022 Nord Stream gas pipeline explosions, following the arrest of another Ukrainian suspect in Italy last year. The explosions, which damaged both the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines, occurred in September 2022 and were believed to be a sabotage effort aimed at disrupting gas deliveries and undermining Russia's military financing. German prosecutors are pursuing extradition for Z., asserting a strong suspicion that he was involved in planning the blasts, while Ukraine denies any state involvement in the sabotage.
At least five people were killed and 11 others injured in recent Russian attacks on Ukraine, including a drone strike on a bus in Kherson that resulted in four deaths and four injuries. In August, the United Nations reported 437 civilian deaths in Ukraine, marking the highest monthly toll since May 2022. Additionally, one person was killed and seven others injured in a Russian attack on Zaporizhzhia, and reports noted that Russia's air defense downed 453 Ukrainian drones in an overnight operation.
Former Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios, 31, was provisionally suspended from tennis after testing positive for cocaine, with the International Tennis Integrity Agency announcing the suspension following a sample collected during an ATP 250 event in Mallorca in June. Kyrgios admitted to his "huge mistake" in a public apology, expressing deep disappointment in himself and acknowledging the mental toll of injuries on his career. While suspended since August 4, he is barred from participating in or attending any events organized by tennis authorities and plans to take a 28-day break from social media to focus on personal recovery.
The Ebola outbreak in Congo has surpassed 5,000 cases, with the current count at 5,021 and 2,378 deaths, marking it as the fastest-spreading outbreak in history. The outbreak, fueled by insecurity and population displacement, has spread about three times faster than the previous deadliest outbreak that occurred from 2014 to 2016, which resulted in over 11,000 deaths. Despite the urgent need for an effective response, health workers face challenges such as safety threats, strikes due to unpaid wages, and a lack of approved vaccines or treatments for the virus.
Internal research indicates that Labour could lose up to 50 seats to the Green party if the government permits new drilling in the North Sea, with more than 50% of voters in key battleground constituencies supporting urgent climate action. This analysis, shared by the Greens, suggests that the towns represented by these Labour MPs are increasingly alarmed by climate issues, with over two-thirds in some areas wanting faster government action on the climate crisis. While some Labour officials dismissed these findings as exaggerated, the data shows that 37 out of the identified 50 seats had support for quicker climate action that equalled or exceeded the national average of 55.5%.