States like New Hampshire and Florida are implementing bans on the use of student IDs for voting, with New Hampshire's law kicking in ahead of the 2024 election and Florida's set to start in 2027. These legislative changes are part of a broader trend where approximately three dozen states enforce in-person voter ID laws, often affecting younger voters disproportionately, as highlighted by lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of such restrictions. Advocates for voting rights are pushing back against these bans, arguing that they create unnecessary barriers for a demographic that already shows lower voter turnout rates.
Meta is facing a federal court trial initiated by attorneys general from California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey, who accuse the company of designing social media platforms to entice children, misleading the public about associated risks, and illegally collecting data on minors, seeking up to $1.4 trillion in penalties. The lawsuit alleges that Meta's features, intended to increase engagement, have negatively impacted children's health, disrupting education and exacerbating issues like eating disorders, contrary to the company's claims of promoting user well-being. This case is part of broader multidistrict litigation aimed at holding tech companies accountable for their practices, reminiscent of lawsuits against tobacco and opioid manufacturers.
Three wildfires in Spokane, Washington, including the Old Trails Fire, destroyed over 800 homes and buildings, highlighting the state's ongoing struggle to implement wildfire protection regulations. Despite efforts to create standards for fire-resistant building materials and vegetation management, public opposition has stalled these important regulations, leading to a disjointed approach to wildfire risk management across states. As eastern Washington faces dry conditions and extreme weather, community awareness of wildfire risks remains low, with state-specific mappings and regulations failing to provide uniform protection.
Scottie Scheffler won the St Jude Championship by eight strokes with a final-round score of 4-under-par 66, finishing at 17-under 263. This victory, his first since January, marked the tournament's second-largest margin of victory in the past 30 years and the largest at TPC Southwind. Scheffler's win extends his lead in the FedEx Cup playoffs, and he will compete next in the BMW Championship in St Louis, Missouri.
A 7.7 magnitude earthquake on Saturday in Flores, Indonesia, has resulted in at least 53 fatalities and displaced around 5,000 people, marking the deadliest earthquake in the country since 2022. More than 1,000 houses, as well as numerous health facilities, schools, and government offices, have been damaged, leading to a lack of medical assistance and basic necessities for survivors who are sleeping outdoors due to fears of aftershocks. Aid disruptions, landslides, and access difficulties have further compounded the crisis, as some villages remain cut off from help, with reports indicating that the government's response has been slow amid resource constraints.
Niu Lai, a low-budget animated film about a cow, has unexpectedly grossed over 11.4 million yuan after initially earning only 7,705 yuan in its first ten days, gaining popularity for its confusing plot and poor graphics. The film has become a viral sensation on social media, with users praising its "hand-crafted" quality despite its flaws, while cinemas are responding to increasing demand by adding screenings without proper promotional materials. However, concerns have been raised by state-owned media about the potential erosion of audience trust due to the low standards represented by films like Niu Lai.
JP Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon has cautioned UK Chancellor John Healey against increasing taxes on banks, warning that a proposed windfall tax on the sector's substantial profits could jeopardize jobs in the City. With campaigners estimating that such a tax could generate £19 billion, the UK’s four largest banks reported collective profits of £29.2 billion in the first half of the year, with nearly half of that amount, £13.7 billion, allocated to investor payouts. Dimon’s stance has sparked criticism from labor leaders, who argue that banks should contribute their fair share amidst rising costs for ordinary citizens.
The UK government is allowing thousands of new homes to be built near transport hubs, including on green belt lands, as part of changes to the National Planning Policy Framework. Ministers aim to build 1.5 million new homes by 2029, but current efforts are only about a quarter of the way to this target two years into a five-year parliament. The new policy will apply to well-connected railway stations that can facilitate a minimum of four trains per hour into large urban areas, though it faces criticism for undermining local community control and risking development in protected areas.
Belgium’s King Philippe is set to visit the site of the country’s largest wildfire, which has burned over 3,000 hectares of land in the Hautes Fagnes nature reserve since Friday. The fire has prompted the evacuation of parts of the town of Monschau as it approached the German border, although light rain on Monday helped contain its eastern spread. Local media highlighted the ongoing damage attributed to the severe summer heatwave, with similar wildfires also reported in France and Greece.
World number one Aryna Sabalenka defeated Talia Gibson 6-2, 7-6 (7/2) in the second round of the Cincinnati Masters, needing six match points to secure her victory. Sabalenka, who has won three titles in 2026 but none since March, advances to join reigning Grand Slam champions Elena Rybakina and Mirra Andreeva in the third round. In other matches, fourth-seeded Coco Gauff overcame Liudmila Samsonova 2-6, 6-4, 6-1, while sixth-ranked Ben Shelton was eliminated by 79th-ranked Jaime Faria, who achieved his first top-10 win with a score of 6-4, 6-4.
Jared Kushner is scheduled to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to advocate for a 15-point Gaza plan that Israel has previously rejected, following his recent consultations with Qatari, Turkish, and Egyptian mediators. The plan, part of a US-led initiative involving around 40 countries and aimed at achieving disarmament of Hamas, has faced opposition from Netanyahu, especially regarding its provision for Hamas to gradually disarm in exchange for Israeli military withdrawal. Since the ceasefire established in late 2025, over 1,260 Palestinians have reportedly been killed in Gaza as the situation remains contentious.
At least six people were killed and four others wounded, including a 14-year-old, in a Ukrainian missile strike on the village of Koloskovo in Russia's Belgorod region. Concurrently, Russian attacks across Ukraine resulted in at least four deaths and 19 injuries, with significant casualties reported in regions like Zaporizhia, Sumy, and Dnipropetrovsk. In July, 437 civilians were killed in Ukraine, marking the highest monthly toll since May 2022, while Russia reported 79 civilian deaths from Ukrainian attacks, reflecting rising violence amid intensified missile strikes from both sides.
Hasan Piker, a prominent leftwing commentator with over 3 million followers on Twitch, is set to appear on Australia's ABC network's Planet America program, which has sparked outrage among conservatives due to his controversial views and past comments, including claims related to the September 11 attacks and Israel. Critics, including News Corp’s James Morrow, have expressed frustration about the ABC's decision to showcase Piker, with Morrow questioning the use of taxpayer dollars for such guests; the show host defended Piker's relevance in the upcoming 2026 US elections. Piker's previous appearance on the ABC led to 68 complaints from viewers labeling him a "far-left extremist," but the broadcaster's ombudsman found no breach of editorial standards.
The National Testing Agency in India has canceled three entrance exams due to errors in the question papers, drawing criticism and calls for accountability from opposition leaders following previous protests over a leaked pre-medical entrance test. In other incidents, a temple stampede in Bihar resulted in the deaths of at least seven people, with dozens more injured, while a hotel fire in West Bengal claimed another seven lives of pilgrims. These events highlight ongoing concerns regarding safety and accountability in the country's education and religious sectors.
Victorian teachers have agreed to a pay rise of 28.3% to 32.4% over four years, making them the highest paid in Australia, following a 79% vote in favor of the agreement by the Australian Education Union (AEU) members. Under the new deal, early-career teachers will see a salary increase of $12,343 by October 2026, while experienced teachers' salaries will rise from $118,063 to $151,419 by 2029, including a significant $15,393 increase in 2026. The total cost of the agreement is projected to exceed $5.4 billion, with the latest offer requiring an additional $700 million, raising questions about the source of funding amid upcoming elections.
Donald Trump's envoys met with Egyptian, Qatari, and Turkish mediators in Cairo to advance the US president’s Gaza peace plan while Israel continued airstrikes in the territory, with at least five Palestinians reported wounded. The Israeli prime minister labeled Trump's 15-point Gaza plan as “unacceptable,” which drew criticism from regional powers like Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has slowed dramatically, with only five commodity vessels transiting on Saturday and none on Sunday, compared to 31 the previous weekend, following attacks on tankers.
A study by German researchers found that Western diets high in fat lead to an increase in the production of deoxycholic acid (DCA) by certain gut bacteria, which promotes tumor growth linked to colorectal cancer. In experiments with mice, those with DCA-producing bacteria experienced more tumor growth and increased cell division, indicative of cancer development. Analysis of stool samples from over 1,000 individuals revealed a higher presence of DCA-producing bacteria in those with colorectal cancer, highlighting a concerning trend as mortality rates for this cancer in people under 50 have increased by 1.1% annually since 2005 in the US.
A wildfire in Belgium's High Fens nature reserve approached the German border but was contained, leading to the evacuation of around 30 residents from 17 homes in Monschau. Meanwhile, low water levels in German rivers are causing difficulties in transporting construction supplies, prompting warnings from industry associations about potential shortages of critical materials like sand, gravel, and bitumen. The German Construction Industry Federation noted that while widespread construction halts are unlikely, the risk of supply delays and increased logistics costs is growing as the dry conditions persist.
Manchester City have accepted a £65.4 million ($88.47 million) bid from Barcelona for midfielder Rodri, who has agreed to a four-year contract with the Spanish club. During his seven seasons at Manchester City, Rodri won 12 major honors, including four Premier League titles and the Champions League, and made 298 appearances. He joined City in 2019 from Atletico Madrid for a then-record £62.8 million ($80 million) and had one year remaining on his contract before the transfer.
Hayden Panettiere, the acclaimed actress known for her roles in "Heroes" and "Nashville," has died at the age of 36, with her father confirming the tragic news. Emerging as a child actor, she gained fame for her voice role in Pixar's "A Bug's Life" and later received a Grammy nomination; she also struggled with addiction and depression throughout her life. Panettiere tragically experienced the loss of her younger brother earlier this year at the age of 28, and she had published a memoir discussing her mental health battles shortly before her passing.
Japan's economy experienced a slowdown in the second quarter of 2026, with GDP growth at 0.3 percent, down from 0.5 percent in the previous quarter and below the forecasted 0.5 percent. Annualized growth stood at 1.1 percent, short of the expected 1.67 percent, as private consumption remained flat and capital expenditures declined by 1.2 percent. Cost pressures have increased due to a weakened yen, exacerbating consumer challenges, and the Bank of Japan's recent rate hike to 1 percent could complicate future monetary policy decisions amid rising energy costs.
Cameroon won their first Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title on August 17, 2026, defeating Malawi 3-0 in the final, with Marie Ngah scoring two goals in the first half. This victory marked Cameroon as the fourth different winner of the tournament, joining Nigeria (10 titles), Equatorial Guinea (2), and South Africa (1). Both finalists secured their spots at the upcoming Women’s World Cup in Brazil, alongside Morocco and Algeria, who finished third after winning the bronze medal match on penalties.
Pedro Sánchez, the Spanish Prime Minister since June 2018, has positioned himself as a prominent leftist leader in Europe, despite facing internal challenges including a corruption scandal within his party and declining poll numbers. His rise to prominence mirrors that of UK PM Andy Burnham, both having experienced political setbacks before reinventing themselves in their respective roles, with Sánchez initially being seen as a centrist compromise candidate before embracing progressive policies. In a recent crisis, Moroccan police arrested 111 individuals attempting to cross into Spain's Ceuta, while a powerful earthquake in Indonesia resulted in at least 51 fatalities and over 100 injuries.
Several players from the Sydney Swans have been referred to police due to an alleged incident in Melbourne following their victory at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, with Victoria Police investigating a report of a sexual assault at a hotel. Chief executive Matthew Pavlich expressed the club's shock and disappointment at the situation, although specific details about the players involved or potential arrests have not been disclosed. Currently, the Sydney Swans sit second on the 2026 AFL ladder, having won 17 out of 22 games, and are set to play against North Melbourne before the finals.
At least six people died and several were injured during a stampede at the Ashok Dham temple in Lakhisarai, Bihar, caused by a falling electricity pole. During the chaos, five people were reported injured, and a senior police officer indicated the incident occurred amid a large gathering of devotees during the holy month of Shravan. This incident echoes India's history of crowd-related accidents, including the 30 deaths at last year's Maha Kumbh festival, which saw tens of millions of attendees.
The Labor government of Australia has proposed a new single-service opt-out register for online gambling ads, similar to the Do Not Call register for spam calls, as part of amendments to its wagering advertisement legislation. The measure will implement restrictions on inducements and limit commissions for agents, but falls short of calls for an opt-in advertising model or a complete ban, following a Senate inquiry that highlighted challenges with existing opt-out options. The government aims to pass the gambling reforms quickly through parliament, with hopes for the changes to be enacted by the end of the week, despite some uncertainty regarding Coalition support for the package.
President Trump ordered the Pentagon to significantly reduce joint military exercises with South Korea, which involved 18,000 South Korean soldiers and aimed to enhance readiness against North Korean threats, citing high costs and an inappropriate signal to North Korea. This change comes after South Korea declined to support the U.S. in its war against Iran, and follows a statement by Trump about North Korea being "unthreatening and respectful" during his presidency. The decision has faced sharp criticism, including from Democratic Senator Mark Kelly, who described it as shortsighted and a mistake, especially as North Korea resumed ballistic missile testing activities.
Parents of Michaela Hall, who was murdered by her partner Lee Kendall shortly after his early release from prison in 2021, warn that including domestic abusers in an early prison release scheme will result in more deaths. They highlighted that the Probation Service misassessed Kendall's risk, despite 34 prior reports of abuse against Hall, and expressed concern that the system cannot handle the proposed release of 5,000 offenders, especially given the significant workloads of probation officers. Women's Aid chief executive Farah Nazeer stated that releasing unrehabilitated domestic abusers early is "absolutely appalling," predicting an increase in violence against women, and criticized the government's insufficient funding and support for victims.
Research from King’s College London reveals that the public in England and Wales significantly overestimates the percentage of killers from minority ethnic backgrounds, believing it to be 55% compared to the actual figure of 35%. The survey, which involved 1,800 participants, also showed that people thought 25% of the prison population comprised foreign national offenders, while the true number is just 12%. Additionally, 52% of respondents believed ethnic or religious minorities receive different sentencing, despite overwhelming evidence indicating this perception is incorrect.
The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has become the deadliest in its history, with 2,325 deaths reported since it was declared on May 15, surpassing the toll of the previous outbreak between 2018 and 2020. As of now, there are 4,945 confirmed cases, highlighting an alarming rate of transmission where someone is dying every 30 minutes, and it has spread to six of the country's 26 provinces. The current outbreak is the 17th in DR Congo since the disease was discovered, and efforts are underway for vaccine development with the approval of human trials for a Bundibugyo vaccine based on the AstraZeneca technology.