A coastal barrier island town in Palm Beach County
King Harald V has died at Oslo University Hospital at 06:35 on Friday, Aug. 28, aged 89. Crown Prince Haakon has become King Haakon VIII and will take the oath before parliament on Tuesday. Norway has declared national mourning; tens of thousands have left tributes at the royal palace and a funeral date is set for Sept. 9.
President Donald Trump has named Bill Pulte, the Federal Housing Finance Agency director and chair of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, as acting director of national intelligence. Pulte will keep his housing posts, has no known intelligence experience and can serve up to 210 days without Senate confirmation, prompting bipartisan concern about politicising the intelligence community.
The New York Times, The Guardian, CNBC, Al Jazeera and other outlets report that Donald Trump has nominated Todd Blanche to serve as attorney general, moving from acting to permanent head of the Justice Department. The nomination faces a Senate confirmation battle amid scrutiny of Blanche’s ties to the Epstein files, the $1.8 billion anti-weaponisation fund and past actions at the DOJ.
The Crown Princess has undergone a lung transplant following a diagnosis of pulmonary fibrosis. She remains in hospital for recovery. Her son’s trial and Epstein-related scrutiny have intensified scrutiny of the royal family amid a broader crisis of public trust.
The Times of Israel, Axios, Al Jazeera and other outlets report on a forthcoming White House meeting between Netanyahu and Trump, as they reaffirm shared goals on Iran. Trump has publicly asserted control over talks while Netanyahu emphasizes a strong US-Israel alliance. A NATO summit and ongoing ceasefire negotiations frame the context for possible joint actions and strategy.
Prosecutors have secured agreements to request records from Cleveland Clinic Martin South Hospital and a Palm Beach pharmacy as part of the Tiger Woods DUI case. Judges have approved protective orders restricting release to designated parties. Woods has pleaded not guilty after a March crash that left a truck damaged and his SUV on its side; a Breathalyzer showed no alcohol, and a urine test was declined.
President Trump has begun flying a $400m Boeing 747-8 donated by Qatar but used an older Air Force One during a July NATO trip after officials raised security concerns. The administration has launched a leak probe led by the FBI director and White House chief of staff; The New York Times reporters were subpoenaed as investigators sought sources about the jet's defensive capabilities.
Palm Beach County debates Project Tango, a large AI data center proposal near Mar-a-Lago. Voters cite infrastructure, water, and schooling concerns as developers promise tax revenue and jobs amid a national data-center buildout.
Daniel Siad, 69, who is linked to Epstein’s trafficking network, has been found dead in Colombes, France. Investigators are conducting an autopsy to determine the cause of death while continuing to examine his alleged role in facilitating Epstein’s crimes.
Tokyo has introduced a policy allowing shorts, t-shirts, and trainers as part of its summer work attire under the "Tokyo Cool Biz" initiative. The change aims to cope with extreme heat while curbing energy use, though reviews are divided—some applaud comfort, others raise concerns about fairness and legibility of dress codes.
The White House has convened a meeting with AI leaders to review a proposed cybersecurity framework for advanced models, following OpenAI's recent agent hacks and calls for greater government access. Attendees include executives from Hugging Face, Anthropic, and others; Meta and Alphabet may participate. Markets show mixed responses as investors watch the policy discussion unfold.
The Gaza ceasefire framework is facing renewed pressure as Netanyahu rejects the 15-point plan, insisting Hamas must fully disarm before any withdrawal. U.S.-led mediators say the roadmap remains operative, while Hamas calls on Washington to pressure Israel. Violence persists, with casualties mounting in Gaza and settlements in the West Bank intensifying.
Natalie Harp, a longtime Trump aide known as the “Human Printer,” is drawing renewed scrutiny as reports detail her proximity to the president and influence over information reaching him. The coverage centers on her letters to Trump and her visibility at events, with lawmakers weighing the implications for governance and access.
Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries has met Jared Kushner to discuss housing, immigration and affordability as Democrats eye potential gains in November. Officials say the conversations are part of broader groundwork as Jeffries signals willingness to work with the White House on policy changes while maintaining a tough stance on accountability.
The Department of Labor’s inspector general has released a 44-page report detailing a toxic workplace and misconduct claims around former Labor Secretary Chavez-DeRemer, including pressure on staff, personal tasks during official time, and an alleged inappropriate relationship with a security detail member. She resigned earlier this year.