Indonesia has received its first aircraft carrier, the 41-year-old former Italian navy vessel Giuseppe Garibaldi, which can carry up to 18 helicopters and accommodate 830 personnel, and will be renamed KRI Sriwijaya. The delivery of the 180-meter vessel comes as part of Indonesia's military upgrade efforts, backed by a $450 million financing approval for the carrier program from the Finance Ministry in 2025, although concerns exist about potentially much higher overall costs. President Prabowo Subianto emphasized the ship's role in disaster management and potential combat deployments, while also highlighting recent defense deals, including an $8.1 billion agreement for 42 French Rafale fighter jets.
At least three people, including a 16-year-old suspected gunman, were killed and several others injured in a school shooting in Banga town, South Cotabato, Philippines. Two of the fatalities were students aged 14 to 17, with four of the eight injured individuals reported to be in critical condition. This incident marks the third deadly school shooting in the Philippines since June, prompting heightened security measures in schools.
Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, convicted of corruption and currently serving a six-year prison sentence, was granted royal clemency to serve the remainder of his term in house arrest until August 23, 2028, conditioned upon a payment of 50 million Malaysian ringgit ($12.3 million). Najib, 73, was previously sentenced to a total of 27 years for multiple charges related to the 1MDB scandal, which is believed to involve the misappropriation of at least $4.5 billion in state funds. His legal team has yet to comment on the clemency decision, which raises concerns about equal treatment under the law.
Elections officials and civil rights groups are increasingly concerned about the potential presence of armed federal officers at polling locations, prompting lawsuits aimed at blocking such actions based on federal law. A recent poll revealed that approximately 40% of voters believe it's likely ICE agents will be at voting sites, with voters of color expressing heightened fears of being targeted despite their U.S. citizenship. Denver's clerk Paul López stated that if federal agents do appear at polls, they have a plan to respond, emphasizing that any intimidation would lead to severe consequences for those agents.
Warwick Levy, founder of the Sydney-based T-shirt label Lonely Kids Club, discovered thousands of identical designs sold on the e-commerce platform Temu, which he believes may have been scraped by an AI tool from his website. Despite copyright protection in Australia, Levy faced significant challenges in getting Temu to take down counterfeit listings, ultimately succeeding by filing a trademark claim due to the use of his brand name, although some copies still appear. Temu has stated it prohibits the listing of infringing products and has acted to remove the contested items following reports, but Levy argues the platform needs to improve its accountability and response processes.
Japan's central bank has raised its main interest rate from 1% to 1.25%, marking a 31-year high and a significant departure from ultra-low borrowing costs that have persisted for decades. This increase reflects the Bank of Japan's ongoing efforts to align its monetary policy with other major economies amid rising energy prices linked to the Iran war and a series of six rate hikes since 2024, when the rate was at minus 0.1%. Inflation remains a concern, with core inflation at 1.7% in August, and Japan's currency, the yen, has been pressured to a new 40-year low, prompting coordinated interventions from Japan and the US to stabilize it.
Japan's central bank has raised its target interest rate from 1% to 1.25%, marking the highest rate in 31 years, in an effort to combat rising inflation linked to global economic factors, including the war in Iran. This decision was made amidst a broader trend of tightening monetary policy by major central banks, including the US Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank, with the Bank of Japan facing pressure due to the yen's decline against the dollar. The vote was not unanimous, with two dissenting members, and experts suggest that further interest rate hikes may occur roughly every quarter, with the next potential increase in December.
Martinelli's, a family-owned business that began from immigrant aspirations during the California Gold Rush, has successfully turned its apple cider into a $500 million brand, poised for a fifth generation of leadership. The company's journey reflects a transformation from seeking fortune in gold to thriving in the apple industry. Their story highlights the intersection of innovation and tradition in family businesses.
The introduction of the video assistant referee (VAR) in football, approved by the International Football Association Board a decade ago, has raised concerns about its increasing influence on decision-making, with calls for it to be scrapped in favor of human referee judgment. In Germany, VAR has expanded its role to include second yellow cards and corner kicks, leading to organized fan protests claiming it has diminished the joy of the game, while officials advocate for its refinement instead of removal. This situation reflects a broader societal trend where reliance on advanced technologies, like AI, raises questions about their efficiency versus the need for human interpretation, accountability, and the preservation of the sport's essence.
Germany is facing a cocaine crisis, with the police reporting 10 tons seized last year, two-thirds of which were at German ports, alongside 2,150 drug-related deaths, an increase of 13 from 2024. Organized crime networks, profiting approximately €1.4 billion (about $1.6 billion) from drug sales, are increasingly using digital platforms to recruit minors and facilitate transactions, leading to a rise in cocaine popularity and related societal harm. The German authorities emphasize the urgent need for preventative measures and public awareness campaigns regarding the environmental and health impacts of drug production.
Israeli politicians reacted angrily to sanctions from countries like the UK, France, and Canada regarding illegal settlements in the West Bank, with many Jewish Israelis showing strong support for these settlements despite international law; a recent poll indicated that over half supported retaining them in future agreements. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu faces potential electoral challenges, but analysts believe issues like settlement-related sanctions are unlikely to sway voters, as security remains their primary concern. The discourse surrounding the settlements has normalized their acceptance, with the occupied West Bank increasingly referred to as “Judea and Samaria,” diminishing any perceived political costs associated with these sanctions.
Ahmed Yahya, a 28-year-old taxi driver in Sanaa, Yemen, is facing economic strain after the Houthis raised petrol prices by 10%, from 4,750 to 5,250 Yemeni riyals ($8.90 to $9.80), citing global fuel price increases and their own military actions. His family's monthly food expenses are projected to rise from 75,000 to 85,000 Yemeni riyals ($140 to $159) due to this hike, forcing him to make tough choices between paying rent and buying food. Amidst ongoing conflict and rising costs, over 18 million people in Yemen are grappling with acute food insecurity, exacerbated by inefficient transportation routes caused by renewed fighting.
Nigerian police are investigating the deaths of 37 detainees in a facility linked to overcrowding and poor ventilation, with reports suggesting that 65 detainees were crammed into a cell with insufficient airflow. The detainees were arrested for illegal mining, and while officials initially suggested a disease outbreak may be responsible, survivor accounts indicate that suffocation could also be a factor. The local governor declared three days of mourning for the victims, and protests erupted in response to the incident, leading to police deploying tear gas.
Wube Software has released a full ARM64 Linux port of Factorio, fulfilling a request from players that has lasted 11 years. The article discusses several other Linux-supported games, including EVE Vanguard, which is set to begin Alpha testing in November, and BELTFED, a roguelike game featuring rogue AI and waves of bugs. Additionally, Canonical is enhancing Ubuntu Linux Desktop stability under memory pressure and introducing SteamOS updates, with SteamOS 0.3.0 now live for the Steam Frame.
Russians began voting on Friday in a three-day election for the lower house of parliament, with over 110 million eligible voters to elect 450 members, while President Vladimir Putin's United Russia party is expected to maintain its dominance amid rising public discontent with the ongoing war in Ukraine. This election, the first since the invasion began in February 2022, takes place in a context where only pro-Putin parties are allowed to run and public sentiment is shifting against the war due to issues like rising prices and fuel shortages. Voting also occurs in the Russia-occupied Ukrainian territories of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson, as well as in Crimea, which was annexed in 2014, with the polls closing at 1800 GMT on Sunday.
Former Labor councillor Sharangan Maheswaran testified at the Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac) regarding a message he received from lobbyist Jeremy Greenwood claiming “We have something that will kill Elliott” related to Liberal minister David Elliott, which Maheswaran denied was connected to his work for fugitive property developer Jean Nassif. Maheswaran admitted to being paid $1.4 million by Toplace between 2020 and 2023 and acknowledged he was the sole employee and shareholder of a company that had ties to Nassif, but failed to disclose his close association with the developer when he ran for council in 2021. The Icac inquiry is examining potential prohibited donations amounting to $2 million from Nassif to Liberal party figures in exchange for political favors, including damaging Elliott's career.
Liberal and Greens senators are advocating for an increase in the age of criminal responsibility to 14 after a federal inquiry found inconsistent treatment of children across Australia due to incorrect media reporting. Current laws allow children as young as 10 to be held criminally responsible, with the Northern Territory incarcerating children at rates significantly higher than other states; a 2024 study found 77% of detained children in the NT under 14 had unmet mental health and cognitive needs. The report highlighted alarming statistics, including that nine out of ten incarcerated young people in Western Australia have neurodiversity and children with FASD are 19 times more likely to be incarcerated than their peers.
Saudi Arabia's oil exports have faced significant disruptions due to damage to its East-West pipeline by Iran-aligned Houthis, forcing the nation to rely on ship-to-ship transfers to export crude oil via Oman’s Sohar port. Nearly a fifth of global energy previously passed through the Strait of Hormuz, which is now effectively closed amidst ongoing conflict, leading to increased oil prices and prompting US and allies to adopt shadow tactics for energy exports. The East-West pipeline spans 1,200 km (746 miles) and connects the kingdom's oil-producing regions to the Red Sea, with Riyadh now focused on transporting oil through Gulf terminals and utilizing ship-to-ship transfers to maintain exports.
Over the past 18 months, tens of millions of Russians have been compelled to install the mobile app Max, which combines various services, including messaging and banking, and is considered a surveillance tool by researchers. Max possesses invasive capabilities, such as taking screenshots and accessing information from its mini-apps without user consent, acting as a "backdoor" for the government, and it has become the most-used messaging app in Russia. Many state employees and students have had no choice but to adopt Max for essential communications, with reports of orders from authorities mandating its use in schools and universities.
Former Labour deputy leader Tom Watson has joined Palantir as a senior vice-president, where he will work with Louis Mosley to bolster the company’s public sector efforts amid controversies surrounding its £330 million NHS contract and a £50 million contract with the Metropolitan Police. Palantir, which has an annual turnover of £427 million in the UK, faces backlash for its ties to various government contracts and its operations connected to the Trump administration and the Israeli military. Watson expressed enthusiasm for his new role, aiming to enhance the efficiency of NHS services and police work while he has taken a leave of absence from the House of Lords and given up his parliamentary pass.
South Korea's President Lee Jae Myung confirmed the country will not deploy military forces to the Middle East in support of the U.S. war on Iran, stating, "There won't be deployment that would involve or enter war." He acknowledged the need for South Korea to protect its commercial shipping and crude shipments while maintaining its anti-piracy mission off the coast of Somalia. South Korea's investment commitments under a trade deal with the U.S. total $350 billion, with pending negotiations about the commercial viability of the deal, while discussions about a potential meeting between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un are ongoing.
Russians are voting from September 18 to 20, 2026, for the State Duma and local elections amid a slowing economy and ongoing Ukrainian drone strikes, with 111 million eligible voters participating. United Russia, the ruling party supporting President Putin, is expected to maintain its dominance after securing over two-thirds of the seats in the 2021 election. The political landscape also includes "systemic opposition" parties like the Communists and the Liberal Democratic Party, though the anti-war Yabloko Party has been removed from the ballot, highlighting the lack of genuine opposition.
The Ukraine war documentary "A Simple Soldier" is set for a U.S. and international release with support from Jolt and Propagate Content, featuring theatrical screenings and a broader impact campaign. Additionally, the U.S. tax incentive legislation for film and TV production is being shaped, proposing four potential uplifts of 5% each for various categories including independent films and shooting in economically depressed areas. The original cast members of "The Book of Mormon," Nikki M. James and Rory O'Malley, will return for a limited 12-week engagement on Broadway from October 27, 2026, to January 17, 2027.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung stated that U.S. President Donald Trump favors dialogue with North Korea, asserting that the resumption of such talks would be easier than inter-Korean dialogue, while South Korea continues to support these efforts. Trump indicated plans to meet Kim Jong Un later this year, highlighting North Korea's possession of 57 nuclear weapons, with South Korea estimating 80-120 warheads in total. Additionally, a court in Seoul ordered North Korea to pay approximately $32.5 million for the destruction of the Inter-Korean Liaison Office in 2020, and Lee confirmed that South Korea will not deploy troops to the Strait of Hormuz despite domestic protests against such involvement.
An SUV driver, Bailee Lynn Rios, 36, was charged with two counts of second-degree murder for crashing into a Los Angeles city bus while under the influence of drugs, resulting in the deaths of two passengers, Daniel Castillo, 46, and Gage Weida, 31. The incident was further exacerbated by the subsequent crash of a TV news helicopter covering the collision, killing the pilot George Marciniw, reporter Eliana Moreno, and a man on the ground, Edy Gutierrez Mejia. Rios is being held on $4.1 million bail, and the aftermath of the incidents prompted hundreds to gather for a vigil in honor of the victims.
Australia will start detaining visa overstayers, with Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke announcing the expansion of the Australian Border Force by 100 compliance officers to address approximately 77,000 individuals currently living in the country without a valid visa. The policy aims to reinforce consequences for overstaying, and will include the creation of 250 new detention beds, possibly utilizing a former quarantine facility in Melbourne. Additionally, to prevent "visa hopping," new regulations will be implemented, such as a "No Further Stay" provision for tourists and stricter requirements for international students seeking to renew study visas.
A cross-party group of MPs, including the chair of the environment, food and rural affairs committee (Efra), is urging ministers to abandon negotiations with a consortium of 100 US hedge funds controlling Thames Water, which has £20 billion in debts and has significantly lost public trust. The report highlights the need for emergency legislation to enable the government to take public control of Thames Water and criticizes the opaque operations of the hedge fund consortium that is delaying necessary reforms while seeking up to £1 billion in relief from environmental fines. This call follows a debate involving 64 MPs over a petition with 200,000 signatures advocating for a referendum on returning the privatized water industry to public ownership.
The House of Lords has relaxed its dress code, allowing men to forgo ties in favor of "business attire," a decision that reflects changing fashion trends and societal norms. Fashion experts like Peter York argue that the relaxed dress code will lead to a decline in style, while others, such as Guy Hills, believe ties are merely experiencing a downturn and could make a comeback as younger generations show interest in proper clothing. Notably, the owner of Norton & Sons reported a significant decline in neckwear post-Covid, indicating a shift in office attire, with the increased trend of working from home contributing to this change.
A newly discovered wild cat species, named Leopardus tilcayo, has been identified in Bolivia's cloud forests, marking the first formal naming of a feline species in over a century. The tilcayo measures 46 cm (18 inches) long, weighs about 1.4 kg (3 pounds), and was found to be genetically distinct, having separated from other tiger cats approximately 1.4 million years ago. The study also recognized a new tiger cat subspecies in Peru, called Leopardus tigrinus antisuyo, after a historical region of the Inca Empire.
A San Diego family of three, including a husband, wife, and their 13-year-old daughter, was found dead in their home from gunshot wounds, prompting a search for answers. In another incident, a woman was charged with causing the death of two people after she crashed her SUV into a Metro bus while under the influence. Additionally, Uber has been ordered to pay $40 million following an incident where a woman was killed after being ejected from a car by her driver.