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Comprehensive coverage of international news and global events
Kuwait’s army reported intercepting missile and drone attacks coming from Iran, targeting US allies in the Middle East. These attacks follow US airstrikes on Iranian sites earlier in the week, increasing tensions in the region.
Key Facts
Kuwait's air defenses intercepted missile and drone attacks launched from Iran.
Iran targeted US bases in Kuwait, Jordan, UAE, Bahrain, and Iraq's Kurdistan region.
The attacks are seen as retaliation for recent US bombings on Iranian locations.
Iranian state TV confirmed the attacks were a response to what they call "America’s crimes."
President Donald Trump suggested renaming the Strait of Hormuz the "Trump Strait," a key and contested waterway.
Iranian forces seized a vessel carrying nearly 382,000 liters of smuggled fuel in the northern Gulf and arrested 11 foreign crew members.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Gaza troops, opposing withdrawal amid US peace efforts.
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Tens of thousands of people in Spain marched to show support for Ceuta, a Spanish city in North Africa, and to protest how the Spanish government managed a recent increase in migrants arriving at the border. Many protesters also accused Morocco of being involved in the sudden rise of migrants.
Key Facts
Large protests took place in multiple cities across Spain.
The demonstrations focused on the migrant crisis in Ceuta.
Protesters expressed dissatisfaction with the Spanish government’s response.
Some people blamed Morocco for the increase in migrants crossing the border.
Ceuta is a Spanish territory located on the coast of North Africa.
The migrant surge sparked national concern and political debate.
The protests reflected public pressure on the government to act differently.
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Yorgen Fenech, the last person on trial for the 2017 killing of Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, was found not guilty. Caruana Galizia was killed by a car bomb, and her death led to protests that caused Malta’s Prime Minister to resign.
Key Facts
Daphne Caruana Galizia was a Maltese investigative journalist killed in 2017 by a car bomb.
Yorgen Fenech was accused of planning the murder.
Fenech pleaded not guilty to the charges.
He was recently acquitted, meaning the court found him not guilty.
Caruana Galizia’s death caused public protests across Malta.
The protests resulted in Malta’s Prime Minister stepping down.
Fenech was the last person prosecuted in connection with the murder.
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Australia’s new national environmental agency has approved an extension for a coal mine in Queensland, allowing it to operate until 2055. The decision permits clearing of some land that is home to threatened animals like koalas, despite concerns from climate groups and Pacific leaders about climate change.
Key Facts
The National Environmental Protection Agency approved the Saraji coal mine extension by BHP Mitsubishi Alliance to dig 55 million tonnes of coal until 2055.
This is the first coal project approved by the agency since it was created on July 1 after environmental law reforms.
The mine extension requires clearing habitats for threatened species, including koalas, ornamental snakes, squatter pigeons, and Brigalow woodland.
The agency set limits on how much habitat can be cleared for these species.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Pacific leaders respect Australia’s climate change efforts and understand that transitioning away from fossil fuels takes time.
Climate groups argue that the approval contradicts Australia’s climate commitments and harms the Pacific region.
The coal from the mine will release about 120 million tonnes of CO2 over its life, adding to global emissions that drive climate change.
Greenpeace called the approval the 37th fossil fuel project approved by the Albanese government and said it conflicts with talks about climate and regional security.
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Reform UK is holding its annual conference in Birmingham with more members than last year but faces challenges, mainly related to money and investigations. Nigel Farage, the party leader and candidate for prime minister, denies wrongdoing amid a police investigation into party donations.
Key Facts
Reform UK’s membership and political presence have grown in Westminster, Holyrood, the Senedd, and local councils.
Nigel Farage received a £5 million donation from billionaire Christopher Harborne, causing controversy about whether it should have been declared properly.
The Metropolitan Police are investigating donations made to Reform UK during the last general election.
The party claims it carefully vets its donations.
Labour’s previous leader Sir Keir Starmer resigned partly due to pressure from Reform UK’s rising popularity.
Support for Labour appears to be recovering under new leadership, and other parties like the Conservatives and Restore Britain are gaining support.
Reform UK’s rivals seem more energized and popular after recent elections in Scotland and Wales.
Farage suggests political opponents and institutions are working together to undermine Reform UK but does not provide evidence for this claim.
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Rescue teams in Rasuwa, Nepal, are working hard to find hundreds of workers believed to be trapped inside hydropower tunnels. They are using digging and blasting methods to get through mud and rock to reach the workers.
Key Facts
The rescue operation is happening in Rasuwa, a district in Nepal.
Hundreds of workers are believed to be trapped inside tunnels used for hydropower projects.
Rescue crews are digging and blasting through mud and rock to try to reach the workers.
Al Jazeera journalist Jessica Washington has exclusive access to the rescue teams.
The effort is urgent due to the dangerous conditions inside the tunnels.
The tunnels are part of Nepal’s hydropower development, which involves using water power to create electricity.
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President Donald Trump warned that the U.S. could launch more strikes against Iran after recent attacks killed 18 people and injured over 100. The conflict escalated following a large exchange of military strikes near the Strait of Hormuz, an important shipping route for oil.
Key Facts
The death toll from recent U.S. strikes in Iran has reached 18, including two children.
One strike hit a wedding party in Kuhestak, killing at least four people.
Iran responded by attacking U.S. military bases in Bahrain, Iraq, and Jordan.
President Trump said the U.S. hit Iran "very hard" and could strike again at any time.
Iranian officials called the wedding party attack a "war crime" and said victims were civilians.
The war has raised global oil prices by over 30 percent, impacting the world economy.
Only 31 percent of Americans approve of the war, according to recent polling.
The fighting has caused political challenges for President Trump’s Republican Party ahead of U.S. midterm elections.
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Iran and the United States exchanged threats after a heavy round of military attacks, including a US strike that hit a wedding party in southern Iran. President Donald Trump threatened more attacks, while Iran warned it would respond with a new strategy.
Key Facts
On September 1-2, US missiles and drones struck a village in southern Iran, hitting a wedding ceremony and causing civilian casualties.
Iran accused the US of committing a "war crime" in the attack on the wedding.
President Trump claimed US forces carried out a "very heavy attack" on Iranian targets and said more strikes could happen.
Iran’s security chief said the country would use a new military and diplomatic strategy against the US.
Iran struck US bases in Jordan, the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Iraq's Kurdistan region in response to US attacks.
The US said it does not target civilians, accusing Iran’s Revolutionary Guards of doing so.
The recent conflict began after US strikes on Iranian sites, which were in response to Iran’s hostile acts such as mine-laying and missile attacks.
The fighting has caused concern among ordinary Iranians who want peace and a return to negotiations.
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Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has asked a US court to drop drug trafficking charges against him, claiming he has immunity as a sitting head of state. His lawyers argue that prosecuting him violates international law because his actions were part of his official role, but the US government does not recognize him as Venezuela’s legitimate president.
Key Facts
Maduro is charged with criminal drug trafficking in a US federal court in Manhattan.
His lawyer filed a motion to dismiss the charges based on immunity for heads of state.
The US stopped recognizing Maduro as Venezuela’s president in 2019, after disputed elections.
President Donald Trump authorized a military raid in Caracas that led to Maduro’s arrest on January 3.
Maduro denies the charges and plans to go on trial June 1, 2027, if the case is not dismissed.
The legal principle of head-of-state immunity generally protects current leaders from prosecution in foreign courts.
Maduro’s vice president, Delcy Rodriguez, is currently running Venezuela and cooperates with the US.
The US and Venezuela recently agreed on an oil deal involving some of Venezuela’s reserves.
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More than 80 people have been killed in six African countries since October 2025 after false rumors spread on social media about "genital theft," where people believe that a touch can cause men's genitals to shrink or disappear. These accusations have caused violent attacks by mobs against innocent men, fueled by long-standing fears and superstitions.
Key Facts
More than 80 deaths occurred from October 2025 to mid-2026 due to rumors of genital theft in six African nations.
The myth claims a simple touch can make a man’s penis and testicles disappear or shrink.
These rumors are linked to old beliefs in witchcraft and fear, amplified by social media platforms like TikTok and Facebook.
The mistrust and violence began in the Democratic Republic of Congo and spread to countries including Tanzania, Zambia, Burundi, Mozambique, Angola, Malawi, and Kenya.
In Tanzania’s Tunduma town, a mechanic named Boniface Mgala was attacked by a mob and hospitalized, while his friend was killed over these false claims.
Another man in Tunduma was beaten and set on fire after being accused of genital theft, with police arriving only after the attack.
The spread of videos showing these accusations and attacks has increased fear and panic in affected communities.
Local people now face challenges like injuries, loss of work, and trauma caused by these violent misunderstandings.
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Severe floods in Nepal have caused more than 1,000 deaths and pose risks to neighboring India because many rivers flow from Nepal into India. Flooding in India depends on rain patterns, river behavior, and local conditions like embankments and drainage, making the situation complex.
Key Facts
Nepal has over 6,000 rivers and streams, most flowing south into India and joining the Ganges river system.
Major rivers shared by Nepal and India include the Kosi, Gandaki (Gandak in India), Karnali (Ghaghara in India), and Mahakali (Sharda in India).
Bihar, an Indian state, is the most flood-prone area due to rivers coming from Nepal, especially the Kosi river, known as the "sorrow of Bihar."
Other affected Indian states include eastern Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and north Bengal, which also share rivers with Nepal.
Flood severity depends on rainfall in Nepal and India, river sediment and flow patterns, and man-made factors like embankments and blocked drainage.
Some smaller rivers in Nepal cause quicker and less predictable floods because they flow from steep, hilly areas.
Flood peaks that impact India often form in lower mountain areas rather than high Himalayas.
Flood management in India is complicated due to changes in river channels and the impact of development on floodplains.
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A Brazilian Supreme Court justice, Alexandre de Moraes, who sentenced former President Jair Bolsonaro to prison, is under pressure to resign because documents suggest he had secret communication with a jailed banker accused of financial crimes. The revelations have caused concern among politicians and the public, with some demanding his removal to protect the court’s reputation.
Key Facts
Justice Alexandre de Moraes sentenced former President Jair Bolsonaro to 27 years in prison for attempting a coup.
Police documents show Moraes gave advice to Daniel Vorcaro, a banker now jailed for financial crimes.
Vorcaro is the owner of Banco Master, which was closed amid the scandal.
Moraes reportedly reviewed a contract involving his wife and the banker, worth about 130 million Brazilian reais ($26 million).
Moraes has not ruled on cases involving the banker or Banco Master.
Some politicians, including Jair Bolsonaro’s son, want Moraes to resign or be impeached.
The Supreme Court did not publicly address the situation during a recent session.
The scandal involves multiple politicians and occurs ahead of Brazil’s upcoming elections.
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Researchers in Chile have created special red vests with copper and zinc threads to help injured Humboldt penguins heal faster. These vests stop the penguins from harming their wounds and use the metals’ healing properties to speed up recovery.
Key Facts
The vests contain copper and zinc, which help stop bacteria and fungi and promote faster healing.
Copper is a major metal produced in Chile.
The technology was first used to help injured dogs and cats before being adapted for penguins.
Humboldt penguins in Chile are facing a sharp population drop, with a 63% decrease in active nests recently.
Threats to penguins include fishing nets, plastic pollution, disease, lack of food, and warm waters from El Nino weather patterns.
Injured penguins tend to peck their wounds, which can slow healing; the vests prevent this.
Early results show penguins wear the vests well and their wounds improve quickly.
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More than 100 people attended funerals in Haiti for victims of a violent gang attack in the Kenscoff area near the capital. The attack on August 23 killed 47 people, kidnapped over 50, and involved about 150 armed gang members.
Key Facts
The attack happened in Kenscoff, a farming community near Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince.
Gangs killed 13 people who tried to escape and executed 34 others at a church.
More than 50 people were kidnapped, with some women and children later released.
Around 150 armed gang members took part in the attack.
The Haitian government plans to support families of the victims.
Kenscoff remains on high alert with ongoing trauma among residents.
Protests and vigils have occurred, with some blaming the police for the violence.
Gangs control about 70% of Port-au-Prince and large areas in Haiti, causing widespread violence and displacement.
Haiti is preparing for its first general elections in over 10 years amid this violence.
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Morocco’s main ruling parties are having public arguments and political tensions just weeks before the general election scheduled for September 23. A leaked recording revealed disagreements within the coalition about who should control important government roles, especially around budget minister Fouzi Lekjaa.
Key Facts
Morocco will hold parliamentary elections on September 23, with candidate nominations starting August 31.
About 15.8 million Moroccans are registered to vote in a population of 36.8 million.
The National Rally of Independents (RNI), Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), and Istiqlal Party form the current governing coalition but also compete against each other.
A leaked recording from RNI’s House Speaker exposed tensions between RNI and PAM over government positions.
Budget Minister Fouzi Lekjaa is a key figure criticized in the dispute; he is also known for leading Morocco’s football federation.
Party leaders said internal discussions are normal but emphasized focusing on election victory rather than pre-assigning government roles.
The election winner will have the right to form the government, but must build coalitions since no party usually governs alone.
This political infighting highlights competition within the ruling alliance just before voters go to the polls.
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The UK Labour government is working quickly to address the influence of very large political donations from wealthy individuals, called "mega-donors." They have set a limit on donations from British citizens living abroad but are now considering limits on donations from UK-based donors as well.
Key Facts
The Labour government has introduced a £100,000 yearly cap on donations from British citizens living outside the UK.
There are currently no limits on how much UK-based donors can give to political parties or politicians.
Labour MPs want to cap donations from UK-based individuals and companies who donate £1 million or more.
A Labour MP proposed an immediate £500,000 limit on donations, lowering to £100,000 the next year, but this proposal was not voted on.
Some large donations, like £9 million from billionaire Christopher Harborne to Reform UK, show the scale of mega-donors’ influence.
Reform UK and some MPs criticize the bill, saying it unfairly targets their party and hides the impact of union donations to Labour.
The government has formed a new team to find solutions quickly to manage UK-based mega-donors without unintended problems.
Full details of how the new team will work have not yet been released.
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Sydney police are investigating two recent shootings that may involve cases of mistaken identity linked to organised crime. One man in his 40s was shot and killed during a drive-by attack, and a university student was killed during a home invasion the day before; police believe both victims were not the intended targets.
Key Facts
Two fatal shootings happened in less than 48 hours in Sydney, possibly due to mistaken identity.
On Wednesday, a man in his 40s was shot and killed outside a home in Merrylands West.
On Tuesday, a university student in his 20s was shot and killed during a home invasion in Glen Alpine.
Police say neither victim had clear ties to organised crime but may have been associated with people involved in it.
Police believe the Wednesday victim arrived at the home shortly before being shot at the doorway.
NSW Police Commissioner called the killing of the student "completely unacceptable" and said organised crime violence won’t be tolerated.
A known organised crime figure posted on social media admitting to shooting the wrong person after Tuesday’s killing.
This is part of a troubling pattern, with previous cases of mistaken identity murders and kidnappings in Sydney linked to organised crime.
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Survivors of the Sharpeville massacre in South Africa are starting a legal fight to overturn a law that stopped police officers from being punished for killing protesters in 1960. During the massacre, police shot and killed many peaceful demonstrators who were protesting against racist laws under apartheid. The event marked an important moment in South Africa’s history and exposed the violence of the apartheid system.
Key Facts
The Sharpeville massacre happened on March 21, 1960, when police opened fire on peaceful protesters.
At least 69 people were killed, but recent studies say as many as 91 may have died.
Protesters were showing against pass laws that forced black people to carry identification restricting their movement.
Police used rifles, machetes, and shields against the demonstrators.
Abraham Mofokeng, now 86, was shot during the massacre and still has a bullet in his spine.
A law passed in 1961 gave immunity to police involved, so no one was prosecuted.
Survivors and families feel they have not yet received justice despite efforts like the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
The legal case aims to overturn the indemnity law to hold those responsible accountable.
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A Maltese businessman, Yorgen Fenech, was found not guilty by a jury in the 2017 car bomb killing of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. The journalist was known for exposing corruption in Malta, and her murder led to protests and a prime minister’s resignation.
Key Facts
Daphne Caruana Galizia was killed by a car bomb in October 2017 near her home.
She reported on corruption involving Maltese politicians and business leaders.
Yorgen Fenech, a wealthy businessman, was accused of planning and paying for the killing.
In 2026, a jury found Fenech not guilty of complicity and criminal conspiracy in an 8-1 vote.
Fenech was the last person charged in connection with the murder.
Caruana Galizia’s death sparked protests that forced then-Prime Minister Joseph Muscat to resign.
An independent inquiry said Malta’s government created a culture that allowed her killing but found no direct involvement.
People gathered outside the courtroom to demand justice after Fenech’s acquittal.
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David Muir shared a video showing a group of dolphins jumping through clear water off the coast of California. The scene shows many dolphins moving together in a fast and exciting way.
Key Facts
The video shows dozens of dolphins leaping through clear water.
The dolphins appear to be moving quickly together, described as a "stampede."
The footage was recorded off the California coast.
David Muir, a news anchor, shared this video.
The video captures a natural behavior of dolphins in the ocean.
This kind of group movement by dolphins is unusual and visually impressive.
The event was shared on ABC News for the public to see.
It highlights marine life activity along the U.S. West Coast.
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