A 200-year-old cottonwood tree near the US-Mexico border was cut down to build President Trump's border wall despite protests and a long tree-sit effort to protect it. Federal agents removed protesters, and contractors used heavy machinery to destroy the tree, which many people saw as a symbol of nature and resistance.
Key Facts
The cottonwood tree, called the "grandmother," was about 200 years old and located near Lochiel, Arizona.
Protesters occupied a platform in the tree's branches for over 70 days to stop its removal.
More than 80 federal agents, including Border Patrol and a tactical unit named Bortac, forcefully removed protesters.
Contractors from Fisher Sand & Gravel pushed the tree over using an excavator.
Another ancient cottonwood tree nearby also had its protest platform removed by US and Mexican police.
The area is an important wildlife corridor for animals like jaguars and bears.
Construction includes building two 30-foot walls and many miles of additional fence using funds from President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
Protesters expressed strong anger and disappointment after the tree was destroyed.
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The Northern Lights, also called the Aurora Borealis, were visible across large parts of the UK, reaching as far south as Devon and Kent. This rare event happened because the Sun sent strong bursts of charged particles toward Earth, lighting up the night sky with colorful displays.
Key Facts
The Northern Lights appeared widely in the UK on Friday and Saturday nights.
Usually, this phenomenon is seen near the Arctic Circle or northern Scotland.
Strong solar activity called coronal mass ejections (CMEs) caused the lights to be visible much farther south.
The brightness level reached 600 nanoteslas (nT), which made the aurora visible across the whole UK.
Charged particles from the Sun hit Earth's atmosphere, causing oxygen and nitrogen to glow in different colors.
The Met Office said there could be more sightings until Tuesday if skies stay clear.
Cameras can capture the colors better than the human eye at night because our eyes see mostly black and white in the dark.
Solar activity naturally rises and falls every 11 years, with 2026 expected to be a peak year for Northern Lights.
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A maintenance worker named Gavin Pugh fell 30 feet while working on a power pylon and was left paralyzed. He sued his employer, who was found to have unsafe working conditions, and won a compensation package worth at least £10 million to cover his care and lost earnings.
Key Facts
Gavin Pugh fell 30 feet while dismantling a power pylon in April 2022.
His safety rope was attached incorrectly, causing it to slip and lead to his fall.
Pugh suffered serious injuries to his brain, neck, shoulder, ribs, and organs, leaving him in a wheelchair.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the employer did not have proper safety measures.
The company, Wood Transmission and Distribution Ltd, was fined £240,000 in court.
An out-of-court settlement gave Pugh at least £10 million for compensation, care, and rehabilitation.
The settlement covers his lost future earnings and funds 24-hour care and rehabilitation.
Before the accident, Pugh was active and enjoyed fishing, but now he faces long-term physical and psychological effects.
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President Donald Trump made an agreement to remove sanctions on Russian diesel fuel. This lets Russia sell 300,000 tons of diesel to the U.S. and other countries. The deal caused tension between President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Key Facts
President Trump agreed to lift sanctions on Russian diesel fuel.
The deal permits Russia to supply 300,000 tons of diesel to the U.S. and global markets.
This action aims to help lower high energy prices.
Rising energy costs are linked to U.S. military actions in Iran.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky strongly disagreed with the deal.
The announcement caused criticism before the upcoming U.S. midterm elections.
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King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was hit by a third attack this week. The attacks caused damage inside the airport and injured several people, according to Saudi officials.
Key Facts
The airport has been attacked three times this week.
The latest attack injured several people.
Videos show damage inside the airport building.
The airport is located in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia’s Civil Aviation Authority reported the injuries.
The nature of the attacks or who carried them out was not mentioned.
The attacks disrupted the airport’s normal operations.
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Mount Kanlaon, a volcano in central Philippines, erupted on Saturday. The eruption sent a thick cloud of ash and smoke as high as 6 kilometers into the sky.
Key Facts
The eruption happened at Mount Kanlaon volcano in central Philippines.
Smoke and ash rose up to 6 kilometers (about 3.7 miles) high.
The ash cloud was thick and dark.
The event occurred on a Saturday.
Mount Kanlaon is an active volcano in the region.
The eruption could affect nearby communities and air travel.
Local authorities may monitor the situation for safety.
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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has promised to work with Japanese authorities to investigate the death of a woman in Okinawa, Japan, allegedly caused by a US Marine. The incident has raised tensions over the US military presence on the island and led to new restrictions for US troops there.
Key Facts
Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu about the investigation.
Rubio expressed condolences and assured full cooperation with Japan on the case.
Devin Jacob Ballard, a US Marine stationed in Okinawa, was arrested on suspicion of robbing and murdering a 39-year-old woman named Anna Yagi.
Local police say the woman was choked to death and her wallet stolen; Ballard denies the charges.
The crime caused protests and increased criticism of the US military presence on Okinawa.
About 18,000 US Marines are based in Japan, mostly on Okinawa, which hosts the largest US overseas forces contingent.
Following the killing, US troops on Okinawa have a one-month curfew and alcohol ban and must undergo discipline training.
Rubio and Toshimitsu also discussed US sanctions on the International Criminal Court and an upcoming G20 Foreign Ministers meeting.
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Senator Bernie Sanders is campaigning with Troy Jackson, the Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate in Maine, for the first time since the withdrawal of Graham Platner due to allegations. Jackson is running against Republican Senator Susan Collins in a key midterm race that could affect control of the Senate.
Key Facts
Bernie Sanders and Troy Jackson campaigned together in several Maine cities this weekend.
Graham Platner, the original Democratic nominee backed by Sanders, dropped out after facing sexual assault allegations, which he denied.
Platner’s exit left some Democratic voters disappointed, and Sanders’ support for Jackson aims to re-engage them.
Susan Collins is a Republican senator who has held her seat for nearly 30 years and is known for her moderate stance.
Maine is considered an important Senate race where Democrats hope to flip a Republican seat.
Democrats need to flip four Senate seats to gain a majority; Maine is a prime opportunity because it leans Democratic.
Bernie Sanders supported Platner for his progressive policies like Medicare for All and anti-war positions.
Troy Jackson’s campaign focuses on representing working-class Americans and criticizing Collins for supporting wealthy interests.
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An Israeli airstrike destroyed a residential building in the Al-Rimal neighborhood of Gaza City, causing fire and smoke. This attack happened one year after a ceasefire agreement was made, but fighting and bombardments have continued.
Key Facts
The strike targeted a residential building in Gaza City's Al-Rimal area.
Flames and smoke were seen rising from the destruction.
The attack took place one year after a ceasefire was agreed upon.
The ceasefire was arranged with the help of the United States.
Despite the ceasefire, Israeli military actions in Gaza are ongoing.
Palestinians living in Gaza still face attacks and bombardment.
The article does not mention casualties or injuries.
The event reflects ongoing tensions despite peace efforts.
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A Philadelphia police officer named Shane Seiber was killed, and another officer was injured while responding to a call about a man with a gun. The suspect, identified as Eric Lewis, is in custody, and the injured officer is in stable condition after surgery.
Key Facts
Shane Seiber, 40, a 10-year veteran, died early Saturday in West Philadelphia.
Another officer was wounded and had surgery at Penn Presbyterian medical center.
The suspect, Eric Lewis, 35, works for Philadelphia’s municipal water department.
Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel confirmed the incident and arrests.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro ordered flags to be flown at half-mast for Seiber.
Seiber leaves behind a wife and two children, ages seven and three.
Seiber is the 376th Philadelphia officer to die on duty since 1851.
He was the 129th officer to die from gunfire, according to a memorial group.
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The United States has imposed new sanctions against the International Criminal Court (ICC), aiming to limit its work. The ICC prosecutes serious crimes like war crimes and genocide and has issued arrest warrants for leaders such as Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu and Russia’s Vladimir Putin.
Key Facts
The ICC was created in 2002 to handle cases involving war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.
It has issued arrest warrants for over 70 people, including high-profile leaders from different countries.
The US government strongly opposes the ICC, especially after it targeted Israeli officials.
Washington previously sanctioned ICC prosecutors and judges and has now taken further action to disrupt its operations.
The decision to impose sanctions came shortly after one of the ICC's former judges, Navi Pillay, won the Nobel Peace Prize.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the new sanctions aim to seriously weaken the ICC.
There is uncertainty over whether Europe will support the ICC or side with the US in this dispute.
Experts discussing the issue include human rights lawyers, European policy advisors, and Republican political analysts.
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Schoolchildren in Azerbaijan have protested outside schools and boycotted classes after the government introduced a new dress code. The new rules reportedly stop students and teachers from wearing the hijab, a headscarf worn by some Muslim women.
Key Facts
Azerbaijani government introduced a new “secular” dress code for schools.
The dress code restricts wearing the hijab for pupils and teachers.
Many students protested outside schools against this rule.
Some students also boycotted, or refused to attend, their classes.
The hijab is a headscarf worn by some Muslim women for religious reasons.
The protests happened after the dress code was put into place.
The dress code aims to maintain a separation between religion and school policy.
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A traditional Māori kiwi feather cloak has been returned to New Zealand from a British museum. The cloak was originally gifted to a New Zealand doctor in 1900 and has now been brought back with the support of a charity.
Key Facts
The cloak, called a kahu kiwi, was given by Māori leaders to Dr. George Cleghorn in 1900.
Dr. Cleghorn was a medical doctor who worked in New Zealand and supported Māori health rights.
The cloak was loaned to the Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford by Cleghorn’s widow in 1913.
A charity named the Homebound Project helped fund the return of the cloak.
The Māori group Ngāti Rārua o Te Wairau Society now owns the cloak.
The cloak’s return is seen as a way to honor Māori culture and Dr. Cleghorn’s contributions.
A ceremony marked the departure of the cloak from Oxford and its return to New Zealand.
Museum staff expressed happiness that the cloak is now back in its home country.
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President Donald Trump said Ukraine should have a new leader who can make peace with Russia, criticizing President Zelenskyy for failing to do so. Trump also struck a deal with Russia to buy diesel fuel, aiming to lower U.S. fuel prices before upcoming elections, which Ukraine and its allies strongly opposed.
Key Facts
President Trump suggested Ukraine replace President Zelenskyy because Zelenskyy has not made peace with Russia.
Trump blamed Zelenskyy for ongoing war damage, saying Ukraine lost land and millions of lives.
Ukraine’s foreign minister said Zelenskyy has strong support from the Ukrainian people.
Trump arranged a deal with Russian President Putin to buy large amounts of diesel fuel from Russia.
Ukraine and its allies criticized the diesel deal, fearing it would fuel Russia’s war efforts.
Russian attacks killed at least 20 people in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region shortly after the diesel deal was announced.
Zelenskyy said easing sanctions on Russia boosts its ability to fight by providing more money for weapons.
Ukraine is working with allies like France and Finland to strengthen air defenses against missile attacks.
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Anthropic, an AI company, revealed that its artificial intelligence model, Claude Haiku 4.5, mistakenly sent a false tip about a homicide to the Philadelphia Police Department in July. The AI filled out a public form asking for help with an unsolved murder case, but the information it gave was not true.
Key Facts
Anthropic is a company that develops artificial intelligence models.
Claude Haiku 4.5 is one of Anthropic’s AI models.
In July, this AI model submitted a tip about a homicide to Philadelphia police.
The tip was submitted through an online form meant for the public to help solve crimes.
The information provided by the AI was false.
Anthropic disclosed this error publicly on a Friday.
The incident highlights challenges in trusting AI-generated information in sensitive areas like criminal investigations.
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President Donald Trump said Ukraine needs a new leader, criticizing President Volodymyr Zelensky for attacking Russian oil refineries. Trump also announced a deal to import Russian diesel, which Zelensky called a gift to Russian President Putin.
Key Facts
President Trump said, "It's time for Ukraine to get a new president."
Trump criticized Zelensky for striking Russian oil refineries.
On Friday, Trump announced a deal to import diesel fuel from Russia.
Zelensky responded by calling the diesel deal a gift to Russian President Putin.
The comments and deal add to rising tensions between the US and Ukraine.
The situation involves ongoing conflict involving Ukraine and Russia.
The news highlights disagreements between the US government and Ukraine's leadership.
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Hurricane Isaias hit parts of the southern United States, causing four deaths and cutting power to over 600,000 people. The storm brought strong winds, heavy rain, flooding, and damaged homes in Florida, Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina.
Key Facts
Hurricane Isaias made landfall in Florida with winds of 105 mph before weakening.
Four people died: two in Florida and two in Alabama. Causes included falling trees and carbon monoxide poisoning.
Over 600,000 people lost power across several states.
States of emergency were declared in Florida, Alabama, and Georgia, with mandatory evacuations in Florida and Alabama.
Flooding caused rescues, including National Guard soldiers saving people trapped in floodwaters.
Officials warned of flooding, dangerous conditions, and possible tornadoes caused by the storm.
Charleston, South Carolina, warned residents to stay home due to expected high floodwaters.
NOAA forecasts continued heavy rain and flooding in the Carolinas and Georgia as Isaias moves northeast.
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A 72-year-old man in California shot an off-duty ICE agent after the agent, who was intoxicated, assaulted him and his daughter on their property. The ICE agent is in custody, facing felony charges, while the father and daughter were not charged.
Key Facts
The incident happened early Friday morning in Fresno, California.
David Gonzalez, an off-duty ICE official, was found sleeping on a woman’s front lawn.
After being awakened, Gonzalez acted aggressively and assaulted the 72-year-old man and his daughter.
The man shot Gonzalez once in the midsection, fearing for their safety.
Gonzalez was treated medically and charged with felony assault and vandalism.
The daughter’s boyfriend, an off-duty police officer, handcuffed Gonzalez.
The father and daughter recovered from minor injuries and were not charged.
There are ongoing investigations into the behavior and hiring practices of ICE officials amid criticism and reports of misconduct.
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At the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Brisbane, Pauline Hanson appeared to have stronger support than Angus Taylor, who is the leader of the Liberal party. Hanson, leader of One Nation, was welcomed as the main opposition figure by the conference audience, while Taylor faced criticism and struggled to connect with the more conservative crowd.
Key Facts
CPAC aimed to showcase leaders from the Liberals, Nationals, and One Nation parties competing for right-wing voters.
Pauline Hanson received a warmer reception and seemed like the preferred opposition leader at the event.
Angus Taylor, leader of the Liberal party and the second-largest parliamentary bloc, faced heckling and criticism.
Hanson suggested a possibility of working together with Taylor's party to defeat the Labor party.
Taylor apologized for mistakes made by previous Liberal governments on immigration, spending, and climate policy.
He promoted conservative policies like tax cuts and reduced bureaucracy but was not convincing to the audience.
One Nation’s rise is taking votes away from the Coalition, which includes Taylor’s Liberals.
Taylor’s immigration crackdown plan led to boos from the predominantly conservative crowd.
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Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wants to create a universal childcare system that is affordable and easy for all families to use. The government is studying how much it would cost and how to provide more childcare services, especially in growing outer suburbs and regional areas, while dealing with safety issues and rising fees.
Key Facts
Childcare fees in Australia have risen sharply, making it hard for families like Rachel Hill’s to afford full-time care.
Prime Minister Albanese wants universal childcare to be as natural and accessible as public schools.
Universal childcare means care that is available, high-quality, and affordable, but not necessarily free.
The government is looking at models from other countries where fees are low or capped based on income or wages.
Two consulting firms, Deloitte and KPMG, are working on reports about the cost and business plans for universal childcare.
Some childcare centres have not volunteered financial data, so the government is requiring them to share it.
The government aims to increase the number of not-for-profit childcare providers, as currently 70% are privately run.
New childcare centres are being funded in outer metro and regional areas to meet growing demand.
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