Torrential rains in South Korea have resulted in one death and four injuries, particularly in Geoje, where 805.7 mm of rain caused a landslide. Approximately 390 people were evacuated, and power outages affected around 3,580 houses, with twelve schools and kindergartens also flooding. Meanwhile, in the Philippines, recent monsoon rains have killed at least 23 people and impacted 5 million others, with nearly 25,000 people seeking shelter due to related landslides and flooding.
President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. will "substantially reduce" joint military exercises with South Korea, attributing this change to his "very good relationship" with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. This decision follows Trump's expressed frustration towards South Korea for not supporting the U.S. in the "denuclearization" of Iran. The article discusses the evolving dynamics between the U.S., North Korea, and South Korea amidst these developments.
Promise Okoro, a 23-year-old pharmaceutical technology student in Nigeria, was surprised by his mother, Chinyere, who gifted him a goat valued at 120,000 naira ($88; £66) to celebrate his graduation, transforming the usual celebration into a memorable moment. The goat symbolizes cultural significance among the Igbo people, where such gifts express respect and goodwill, and Promise has decided to keep it as a pet and plans to breed it. Chinyere, a trader who faced financial difficulties, wanted to honor her promise to her son for staying away from bad influences during his studies, opting for the goat instead of a much-desired vehicle.
U.S. envoy Jared Kushner stated that the Trump administration will not permit reconstruction in the Gaza Strip until Hamas disarms, emphasizing that a plan for rebuilding exists but is contingent on demilitarization. Israel has rejected proposals for concessions until Gaza is fully demilitarized, and since a ceasefire last year, Israeli attacks have resulted in the deaths of at least 1,265 Palestinians, contributing to a total of 73,399 fatalities since October 2023. Kushner's conversations with Hamas leaders were described as cordial, but he maintained skepticism about the group's commitment to peace based on their past actions.
Sydney Swans coach Dean Cox expressed his "extreme disappointment" regarding an ongoing police investigation into an alleged sexual assault involving several players at a Melbourne hotel following their recent win, which secured their second place in the AFL ladder. As of Monday evening, no players had been charged, but the club is working closely with the AFL and relevant authorities to address the situation while conducting its own inquiries. The investigation is particularly impactful as the Swans prepare for upcoming finals, with decisions on player sanctions expected before team selection later this week.
A 29 or 30-year-old US citizen hiking alone on Mount Etna in Sicily was struck by lightning on Sunday evening and died of cardiac arrest while rescue efforts were underway. The hike occurred in a prohibited area as the volcano, standing at 3,324 meters (nearly 11,000 feet), is currently experiencing heightened volcanic activity, attracting many tourists despite safety warnings. Rescuers found him about 1,400 meters above sea level, and he was pronounced dead upon arrival at Cannizzaro Hospital in Catania.
A federal court ruling by Judge James Wesley Hendrix invalidated key components of the nearly 100-year-old National Firearms Act (NFA), easing restrictions on the purchase of firearm sound suppressors and some firearms in over a dozen states. The decision allows certain Americans to buy and sell these weapons without registering them with the federal government, following the elimination of a $200 tax on their transfer which had been in place since the NFA's inception in 1934. While gun rights groups celebrate this as a significant victory, critics argue that it may lead to increased danger in communities, and the ruling currently only affects plaintiffs in the Texas case, creating a patchwork of regulations.
One week after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia, rescue efforts have gradually shifted focus from searching for survivors to housing the more than 120,000 families affected by the disaster. The earthquake has resulted in at least 289 fatalities, 4,187 injuries, and significant infrastructure damage, with 127,557 homes affected, including 26,945 that were destroyed, as well as numerous health and educational facilities. As rescue operations conclude, authorities are now prioritizing medium-term responses, establishing temporary shelters in places such as sports stadiums and community centers, while 143 individuals remain unaccounted for according to official figures.
Lindsay Clancy, charged with the murders of her three children—Cora (5), Dawson (3), and Callan (8 months)—is claiming insanity as a defense, asserting that her actions were driven by severe postpartum depression and not a deliberate intent to harm. Her mother, Paula Musgrove, testified that Clancy expressed thoughts of harming her children and felt that her prescribed medications were "destroying" her mind, while her sister, Allison Ozga, mentioned that Lindsay had been experiencing suicidal thoughts and feelings of hopelessness in the months leading up to the tragic events of January 24, 2023. If convicted of first-degree murder, Clancy faces life in prison without parole, while a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity would lead to her commitment to a psychiatric hospital.
Melbourne's Armenian-Lebanese eatery Zareh has been recognized as Gourmet Traveller's restaurant of the year, breaking the tradition of past winners that included prestigious fine-dining establishments like Saint Peter and Quay. Opened in August 2025, Zareh features dishes that blend the culinary backgrounds of its co-owners, such as aish baladi and kafta nayyah, celebrating Australia's diverse migrant history. The awards ceremony also honored individuals like “Big” Sam Young as restaurant personality of the year, and recognized Stephanie Alexander for her significant contributions to hospitality, coinciding with the 60th anniversary of Gourmet Traveller magazine.
Rapper Tupac Shakur was killed in a 1996 drive-by shooting orchestrated by former gang leader Duane Davis, who is facing charges related to the murder after a series of self-incriminating statements. Davis, 63, has been charged with one count of murder with a deadly weapon, and prosecutors allege he coordinated the plot to retaliate against Shakur for a beating inflicted on his nephew, with the shooting occurring after a boxing match in Las Vegas. Tupac was shot four times and died six days later, with his death marking a significant moment in the history of hip-hop, intensifying the rivalry between East Coast and West Coast rap cultures.
Norway's King Harald V, aged 89, has been admitted to hospital for two weeks due to fluid retention related to haemolytic anaemia, a condition that reduces red blood cell counts and causes fatigue. Crown Prince Haakon, 53, will act as regent during the king's sick leave, which follows a previous hospitalization for infection and dehydration in February and a pacemaker fitting in 2024. The royal family's recent challenges also include Crown Princess Mette-Marit's past ties to Jeffrey Epstein and her son Marius Borg Høiby's sentencing to four years in prison for two counts of rape.
Starting April 1, 2027, disabled people in England will be able to use their free bus passes at any time of day or night, eliminating current restrictions that limit usage to weekdays between 9.30 am and 11 pm. The initiative is supported by £60 million in funding from the government, with £40 million from the Department for Work and Pensions and £20 million from the Department for Transport. This policy aims to enhance mobility for disabled individuals, facilitating access to work, education, and healthcare, while also alleviating some cost-of-living burdens.
A Palestinian-American family has been trapped in their West Bank home for over a week due to a siege by extremist Israeli settlers, who have been throwing rocks and cutting off essential services. The home, valued at approximately 3 million shekels (about $1 million), has become a point of contention, and while the Israeli military has temporarily pushed back the settlers, they have not effectively removed them. Israeli officials have stated they are working to address such incidents, but there are concerns that the government's lack of decisive action reflects a broader issue with settler violence encouraged by extremist groups within the Israeli political landscape.
Shasta County in California is set to appoint Tina Peters, a former Colorado election official convicted of felonies, as an elections consultant despite her recent prison term and ongoing parole restrictions. The county, home to 182,000 residents and a center for election denialism, previously sought to overhaul its voting processes by severing ties with Dominion Voting Systems, a plan ultimately blocked by the state. Critics, including a Colorado county clerk’s association director, have condemned Peters’ hiring, labeling it as an absurd move given her criminal history and mishandling of election protocols.
Sunita Doddamani, a former federal prosecutor, is suing the U.S. Department of Justice for unlawfully firing her on April 13, 2026, alleging that her dismissal was politically motivated due to her prosecution of eight anti-abortion activists under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act. The lawsuit claims that her termination violated multiple laws, including the Civil Service Reform Act and the First and Fifth Amendments, and highlighted that at least two other prosecutors working on FACE Act cases were fired simultaneously. Doddamani is seeking reinstatement, backpay, and a declaration that her rights were violated, while the DOJ declined to comment on the specifics of the case.
Civilians in southern Lebanon are facing increased hardships due to a surge in Israeli military activity, with UN peacekeepers reporting an average of 137 projectiles fired daily between August 5-16 and 208 projectiles recorded on one day alone. Despite a renewed ceasefire agreement on June 26, tensions remain high, and the death toll from Israeli assaults since March 2 has risen to 4,346, compounded by the displacement of families and disrupted routines. Lebanon’s President has called for an extension of UNIFIL’s mandate to maintain stability, as negotiations continue regarding the disarmament of Hezbollah and the withdrawal of Israeli forces.
The United States Supreme Court has denied President Donald Trump's appeal regarding a 2023 civil suit where he was found liable for sexually abusing and defaming writer E Jean Carroll, affirming a jury's unanimous verdict and finalizing the damages payout at approximately $5.8 million. Carroll's attorney expressed satisfaction with the court's decision, which came with no explanation and rejected a total of 33 requests for rehearing. Trump has been engaged in ongoing litigation with Carroll since 2019, including appeals related to a separate $83.3 million jury award from 2024, arguing that presidential immunity covers his statements made while in office.
President Donald Trump's approval rating has dropped to 33 percent, matching the lowest point during his presidency and coinciding with rising public concern over the US-Israel war on Iran. According to a Reuters/Ipsos poll, 80 percent of Americans believe that US involvement in Iran will continue for an extended period, with 64 percent disapproving of Trump's job performance. Additionally, gasoline prices have surged nearly a third compared to a year ago since the war began in February, and only 33 percent of Trump’s staunch MAGA supporters feel the economic costs of the conflict are justified.
Peter Dutton was identified as the least curious opposition leader, posing only 15% of his party's allotted questions, while Anthony Albanese, on July 4, 2019, asked all 11 questions for the opposition, with 10 directed at Prime Minister Scott Morrison. The study highlights a trend of increasing personalization in politics, where individual politicians have become more prominent than the parties they represent. It warns that this focus on leaders may enhance media visibility and accountability but could also undermine effective parliamentary oversight of policies and administration.
Tens of thousands, estimated at 30,000, gathered in Trafalgar Square to honor Jason Arday, a former Cambridge professor who recently passed away at the age of 41. The vigil, organized by Stand Up to Racism, featured emotional speeches and a minute's silence, with many attendees dressed in black and carrying placards that read “rest in power.” Speeches addressed the media's role in Arday's harassment, highlighting that there had been 249 articles written about him within three weeks, and called for reflection on themes such as racism and institutional accountability following his death.
President Trump defended the USS Abraham Lincoln, claiming it is "beautifully maintained" despite reports of poor living conditions during its unprecedented 250-day deployment without a port call. He engaged in a heated exchange with a CNN reporter, referring to their coverage as "fake news" while citing a third-hand account from an unidentified retired admiral supporting his claims. In contrast, reports from military publications and concerns from naval families highlight severe supply shortages and plumbing issues, with some crew members reportedly attempting to jump off the ship, prompting Democratic lawmakers to seek accountability from the Pentagon.
Netanyahu's Likud party has released a campaign billboard in central Tel Aviv that compares New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani to Iran’s supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, and Hezbollah’s chief, Naim Qassem, as part of the ongoing conflict between Netanyahu and Mamdani. Mamdani, who has criticized Israel's actions in Gaza, labeled Netanyahu a "war criminal" and called for the enforcement of an international arrest warrant against him, which has prompted Netanyahu to accuse Mamdani of inciting hatred and endangering bipartisanship support for Israel in the US. Recent polling indicates that Mamdani is actually more popular among American Jews than Netanyahu, highlighting the evolving political dynamics as Netanyahu's far-right coalition struggles in opinion polls.
The House Ethics Committee is investigating Rep. Jimmy Gomez of California over allegations of sexual misconduct, including inappropriate sexual contact with a House staffer. Gomez admitted to "personal mistakes" outside of his marriage but claimed his actions were consensual and did not violate laws or House Ethics rules. This inquiry is part of a broader pattern in Congress, with several representatives facing investigations or censure for similar allegations, including Rep. Chuck Edwards, who is recommended for censure, and former Rep. Eric Swalwell, who resigned amid assault allegations.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced the decision to significantly scale back annual military exercises between South Korea and the United States just hours before they were scheduled to begin, stating they send an inappropriate signal to North Korea and its leader Kim Jong Un, with whom he claims to have a 'good relationship.' These joint drills have been conducted for decades, raising questions about whether this action signifies an intent to pursue dialogue to resolve one of the world's longest-running conflicts. The announcement was made on August 17, 2026, amid ongoing tensions in the region.
President Donald Trump threatened to bomb Oman if it interfered with U.S. negotiations with Iran regarding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway for global oil transportation that has been largely closed for nearly six months. In response to claims of an agreement reached between Iran and Oman, Trump emphasized that he had no intention of extending the expiring 60-day Memorandum of Understanding with Iran and dismissed Iran’s leadership as “scum” and “cuckoo.” During a phone interview, he also mentioned a direct backchannel with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a claim that was denied by an IRGC spokesman.
A magnitude 7.7 earthquake in eastern Indonesia has killed at least 68 people and injured over 200, while thousands have been evacuated due to the aftermath and continued risk of aftershocks, which number nearly 1,600 as of Monday. The disaster has severely impacted the Independence Day celebrations in East Nusa Tenggara province and led to the damage of around 500 homes, triggering landslides and blocking roads. Authorities are preparing to deliver aid, including food and tents, to the affected areas.
Ten-year-old Nathanial Rai, rescued from rough surf by 16-year-old lifeguard Ryder Williams, visited the White House where Donald Trump praised Williams as a hero and expressed doubt about his own bravery in a similar situation. A dramatic video of the rescue went viral in late July, showing Williams and Rai being buffeted by waves before a second lifeguard, Aaron Bohnen, helped bring them safely to shore. The rescue has sparked discussions among California lawmakers about giving lifeguards official first responder status, which could enhance their professional recognition and provide better support and resources.
Police in Zimbabwe have confirmed that the death toll from a ferry capsizing on Lake Kariba has risen to at least 92, with eight additional bodies recovered after an earlier count of 84. The ferry, believed to be carrying as many as 153 passengers despite a capacity limit of 90, capsized due to high winds, marking the incident as the deadliest of its kind in Zimbabwe's history. Search efforts are ongoing, involving four boats and over 40 divers, with at least 18 children among the deceased.
Campaigners have warned that the Reform UK party's plan to slash £50 billion from the UK welfare bill could push hundreds of thousands of children into poverty, leading to "horrific levels of destitution." The proposals include cutting disability payments that could lead to losses of up to £10,000 a year for vulnerable individuals, introducing a compulsory 20 hours a week unpaid workfare for long-term unemployed people, and reinstating the two-child benefit limit. Current figures indicate that 15.3% of working-age adults in Reform leader Nigel Farage's Clacton constituency claim personal independence payment, nearly double the national average, highlighting the potentially severe impact of these reforms on local constituents.