A densely populated island off New York’s coast
Australia’s 2026 Census will be released in three stages starting June 2027, with an initial broad dataset followed by employment and location data in late 2027 and later socioeconomic indicators in 2028. The ABS emphasizes strict confidentiality and data-linking protections.
Meteorological agencies and the UN have reported a very strong El Niño that has continued to intensify in August 2026. Forecasts show record-warm Pacific sea-surface temperatures, rising global heat and an elevated risk of droughts, floods and food insecurity that will push tens of millions more people into acute hunger this year and next.
Bangladesh's former prime minister Hasina and ally figures face extradition pressures as her return to the country becomes a focal point. Shakib Al Hasan remains abroad amid investigations and tensions, while attacks on his ancestral home complicate diplomacy and public safety concerns.
A 25-year-old Afghan national has been convicted for ramming a car into a Munich labor union rally in February 2025. He has been found guilty on counts of murder and attempted murder, with the court ruling “particularly serious” guilt and a likely life sentence. The attack killed a two-year-old girl and a 37-year-old mother; more than 40 others were injured.
Families and lawmakers have raised alarms about living conditions and mental health aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, which has been continuously at sea since November and has not made a port call for more than 240 days. Reports have cited food shortages, plumbing failures, water contamination and multiple attempted overboard incidents; senators have asked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for answers.
Wall Street has committed vast capital to AI projects while US equity indexes have hit fresh records and volatility sits near year-to-date lows. Big investors have lined up roughly $500 billion to finance AI build-outs linked to Nvidia, and the heavily leveraged hedge fund Situational Awareness has lost around 67% in a month and sold much of its public book to Citadel.
The United States is circulating a nine-page questionnaire to NATO members and other allies, seeking to gauge support for its approach to defense and deterrence. The document asks whether allies have publicly supported US policy, whether they have placed restrictions on US access to bases, and whether they have aligned with the aim of strengthening “strong, clear, and quiet” messaging. Bloomberg reports the questionnaire reflects a push to involve allies in a broader Middle East strategy.
New York City is weighing the Delivery Protection Act, mandating direct employment of last‑mile delivery workers. The measure, backed by Mayor Mamdani, would disrupt Amazon’s delivery service partner model by banning subcontracting at last‑mile facilities, potentially raising costs for households and reshaping the city’s delivery ecosystem.
President Donald Trump has said he will "pretty soon" declare the Strait of Hormuz to be US territory after defeating Iran, and has touted a US naval blockade. Iran has rejected the claim, saying the strait "will only be closed and opened under Iran's command" and has refused to resume talks while the waterway remains blocked. Mediators continue quiet contact.
Reports show a continued decline in violent crime and property crime across the U.S., with homicide hitting near historic lows. President Trump has spotlighted these figures on a campaign stop, while experts caution that the reasons behind the trend are complex and not tied to any single policy.
A waterspout-turned-tornado has struck Atlantic Beach, Nassau County, Long Island, tearing through Sun and Surf Beach Club and nearby structures. Officials report no serious injuries, while a state of emergency is declared and first responders assess damage and rescue trapped individuals. Other areas report related flooding and weather impacts.
The Israeli Defense Forces have admitted firing at a family’s car as they fled an evacuation route, killing six in Gaza City. Two medics in the rescue ambulance were killed as it approached. Investigations are launched, but families and Red Crescent responders question the justice and timing.
The Guardian, AP News, Independent, BBC Business report that U.S. District Judge Nusrat Choudhury has ruled that Michael Jeffries is mentally competent to stand trial on charges including sex trafficking and interstate prostitution. He is 82, currently free on bond, and faces trial in late October with two co-defendants. Accommodations will be provided for his cognitive impairments; a pretrial hearing is planned.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a focal point as President Trump has threatened to declare the waterway a U.S. territory amid a costly Iran confrontation. Oil prices have climbed as the conflict continues, and the administration is pursuing a blockade until Iran concedes.
Gardeners are updating displays as summer fades. Impatiens have given way to fall plants like pansies, Sedum Autumn Joy and chrysanthemums. Firecracker plant, croton and azaleas are recommended for color and resilience across zones, with careful choices for containers and borders as the season changes.
Wawrinka has been granted a wild-card entry to the 2026 US Open after Patrick Kypson withdrew, allowing the 41-year-old to bid farewell on tennis’ biggest stage in New York.
Meta has agreed to an $18bn settlement and new protections for under-18 users, introducing time limits, notifications, and restricted features in the US. The UK and other countries are watching closely as policymakers consider mirroring or strengthening safeguards amid ongoing concerns about teen online safety.
Defense motions and court dates dominate coverage as Penn State fraternity cocaine-trafficking allegations move toward-of hearing. Prosecutors aim to consolidate cases with 14 defendants; hearings continue with multiple co-conspirators in Centre County.
Researchers have been tagging great white sharks off Long Island to study nursery habitats and migratory patterns. The effort shows tropical species moving north as waters warm, with drones and acoustic tags tracking movements across the coast.
OpenAI has published a proposed solution to the Navier‑Stokes Millennium Prize problem after running roughly 10,000 internal AI agents for about 88 hours. Two mathematicians, Tristan Buckmaster and Levent Alpöge, have said OpenAI accelerated work after learning of their AI‑assisted progress and raised questions about whether de‑identified product data influenced the models.
OpenAI has solved the Navier–Stokes existence and smoothness problem, a Millennium Prize Problem, using a yet-unreleased AI model. The company says it has shown theoretical viability, while simulations have not indicated practical breakdowns in fluid dynamics.
Lucia Sisic, Miss Austria 2024, has died at 22. Mission Austria has confirmed her death on social media; the cause has not been disclosed. She had publicly discussed her health battles, including multiple heart surgeries since birth. Tributes flow from the Miss Austria family and heart charity organizations.
Several outlets report that Kamran Hekmati has been released from Tehran’s Evin Prison after about half of a two-year sentence. Families say his health is at risk due to bladder cancer, and international actors are urging steps to secure his return to the United States amid ongoing detentions and legal battles.
A Long Island cat named Lola has been rescued after spending about five days upside-down behind a wall. Rescuers led by John DeBacker, known as “Catman,” used an electric saw and endoscopic camera to reach and pull Lola free. She has since been taken to an emergency vet. The team says the ordeal started when Lola slipped behind a floorboard during a move, before becoming trapped in a wall.
A collaboration between Emilio’s Ballato’s Anthony Vitolo and chef Salvatore Sorrentino is moving from pop-ups to a permanent Nassau County supper club in Garden City, transforming ITA Kitchen into a chic Italian dining space with tastings featuring Ballato staples and Sorrentino’s riffs. The venture follows two successful pop-ups that showcased a shared menu and a plan to overhaul the space for a 120-seat restaurant.
A powerful nor'easter has struck the US Northeast, bringing heavy rain, gale-force winds and major coastal flooding from Virginia to Maine. Governors have declared emergencies, thousands of flights have been canceled or delayed, tens of thousands of customers have lost power, and organisers have called off concerts and sports events as the storm continues through the weekend.
A string of upstate stops has seen participants discuss campaign paths and turnout. The effort includes visits to Buffalo, Syracuse, and Ithaca, with a focus on energizing Democratic voters and exploring potential paths for future elections. The moves come as key questions about 2028 candidates and seats circulate among party insiders.