The Plymouth Brethren Christian Church denied claims that it paid far-right activists to disrupt the 2025 election campaign and coordinated volunteers to support Liberal candidates. A church director said these reports were false and that any political activity by members was done privately and without church support.
Key Facts
The Plymouth Brethren Church denies secretly funding far-right activists to target politicians like Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
The church rejects claims it organized volunteers to assist Liberal candidates at polling booths.
Nine newspapers reported the church paid influencers to disrupt the Labor campaign, including Laurence McIntyre, who has ties to neo-Nazi figures.
Lloyd Grimshaw, a church director, called the reports lies and said no money or support was given by the church to political parties or third parties.
Some church members volunteered at elections to support local candidates or because of economic concerns, but this was not directed by the church.
The church said members faced verbal abuse at polling stations for their involvement.
Grimshaw said individual actions of senior members were personal and not representative of the church.
The church criticized Prime Minister Albanese for calling it a “cult,” calling the term offensive and untrue.
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Peter Byers, a 100-year-old man from East Yorkshire, stays active by walking a mile every day and enjoying fishing trips with his family. He had heart surgery five years ago, which helped him return to a more active life, including dancing and outings with his children.
Key Facts
Peter Byers is 100 years old and lives in Pocklington, East Yorkshire.
He walks into town most days to stay active and social.
Five years ago, he had heart surgery to treat severe aortic stenosis.
The surgery improved his health and helped him enjoy life again.
He participates in American Square dancing and spends time with his children.
Peter served in the Royal Navy and the Royal Corps of Signals, traveling worldwide.
His doctor says age should not stop people from getting needed medical treatments.
Peter uses a mobility scooter but prefers walking and has not used the scooter recently.
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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani introduced a new tax on expensive second homes, aiming to raise $500 million yearly for social programs. The city published a list of nearly one million properties possibly affected, leading to public debate and a lawsuit over privacy concerns.
Key Facts
The tax targets second homes worth over $5 million and condos/co-ops over $1 million in New York City.
The city released a list with addresses and names of owners, including celebrities and wealthy residents.
About 17,000 people received tax notices under this new surcharge.
Some city council members support the tax but criticize how the list was shared.
Opponents say the list unfairly singles out homeowners and raises security and privacy issues.
Supporters say the tax is reasonable and needed to help fund affordability and social services.
The administration aims to use the tax to address inequality and fund universal childcare and faster public transport.
A legal challenge is underway to remove the published property list, causing the mayor’s office to avoid testifying at a recent hearing.
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Schools across the United States are beginning to teach students about artificial intelligence (AI) by showing them both its uses and its mistakes. Educators are encouraging students to experiment with AI tools to understand their flaws, such as giving false information, rather than banning their use outright.
Key Facts
A group of teachers and principals in Charleston, South Carolina, gathered to discuss including AI in classrooms.
An AI tool was asked to create a world map, but it displayed many errors and misspelled country names, showing AI's limitations.
Amanda Bickerstaff, CEO of AI For Education, leads efforts to help schools create safe and ethical AI policies.
Many U.S. public schools shifted from banning AI to allowing controlled use, aiming to teach students critical thinking about AI outputs.
"AI literacy" means understanding how to use AI tools effectively and knowing when not to rely on them.
Tech companies like OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic provide training for schools on AI tools.
37 U.S. states have published official guidance for schools about AI education and use.
Educators want to prepare students for an AI-driven future while preventing overdependence on chatbots.
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Vice President JD Vance will campaign at a steel plant in his hometown of Middletown, Ohio, where his grandfather once worked. He aims to support Republican candidates and promote President Trump’s economic policies that focus on growing U.S. manufacturing ahead of the November midterm elections.
Key Facts
JD Vance is the Vice President of the United States.
He will campaign at the Cleveland-Cliffs Middletown Works steel plant, formerly known as Armco Steel.
Vance’s grandfather worked at this steel plant for nearly 40 years.
Vance highlights his Rust Belt background to connect with voters.
The visit supports Republican candidates and President Trump’s economic policies.
Vance will be joined by U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright at the event.
The steel plant played a key role in his family’s economic success, as described in his memoir "Hillbilly Elegy."
In 2024, President Trump and Vance won about 62% of the vote in Middletown precincts.
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President Donald Trump will visit South Carolina to support Sen. Darline Graham in the upcoming Republican runoff election. The election will decide who replaces the late Sen. Lindsey Graham as the GOP nominee for the U.S. Senate seat in November.
Key Facts
President Trump plans to campaign for Sen. Darline Graham in South Carolina before the Republican runoff.
The runoff election is between Sen. Darline Graham and Rep. Ralph Norman.
This election is to choose the Republican candidate to replace the late Sen. Lindsey Graham.
Gov. Henry McMaster appointed Darline Graham as interim senator shortly after Lindsey Graham’s death.
President Trump strongly endorses Darline Graham and has encouraged her to run.
Darline Graham is new to politics and emphasizes she is not a career politician.
South Carolina is a Republican stronghold and has not elected a Democrat statewide in decades.
President Trump’s visit shows his interest in securing GOP wins before the midterm elections.
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President Donald Trump announced plans to intensify economic sanctions against Iran, describing it as an “economic D-Day” to pressure Tehran into ending its nuclear program and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. Treasury Secretary warned that the U.S. would target countries and companies that continue doing business with Iran as part of this new sanctions effort.
Key Facts
President Trump is launching a stronger campaign of economic sanctions against Iran.
The goal is to force Iran to stop its nuclear activities and to allow oil and gas shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.
The effort is described as “unprecedented” economic warfare and isolation.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned of secondary sanctions on countries and companies dealing with Iran.
China and India are major buyers of Iranian oil and could be affected by these sanctions.
Iran has endured nearly 50 years of U.S. sanctions and remains resistant so far.
The U.S. also has military pressure on Iran, including naval blockades and strikes on nuclear sites.
This intensified campaign comes amid ongoing conflict and just months before U.S. midterm elections.
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The U.S. government has deported over 160 Haitians to Haiti after ending the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program that allowed about 350,000 Haitians to live legally in the U.S. The deportees arrived in Cap-Haitien because the main airport in Port-au-Prince is closed due to gang violence.
Key Facts
More than 160 Haitians were deported from the U.S. to Haiti on August 20, 2026.
The deportations follow the U.S. Supreme Court allowing the Trump administration to end the TPS program for Haitians.
The deportees included people with TPS and some who had served prison sentences in the U.S.
The plane landed in Cap-Haitien, not Port-au-Prince, due to ongoing gang violence and flight bans in the capital.
About 70% of Port-au-Prince and nearby areas are controlled by gangs, causing safety concerns.
Haitian officials said some deportees were born outside Haiti but are of Haitian descent.
Deportees were given $65, food, and drink upon arrival and help to reach their home regions.
Some deportees face dangerous journeys home because gangs control the main roads in Haiti.
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Heavy storms with strong rain and winds hit parts of the Northeast U.S., causing possible tornadoes in Long Island, New York, and Dover, Delaware. The storms caused flooding, damaged buildings, and power outages, but no injuries were reported.
Key Facts
A possible tornado struck Atlantic Beach on Long Island, damaging a popular beach club with broken furniture and debris.
Dozens of cabanas were damaged or destroyed at the Sun and Surf Beach Club, but no one was trapped or injured.
Nassau County declared a state of emergency due to flooding and rescue efforts for people trapped in vehicles.
The Long Island Expressway in Queens was closed because of severe flooding during the heavy rain.
A confirmed tornado touched down in Dover, Delaware, causing damage to hotels and buildings, but no reported injuries.
The tornado in Dover caused fallen trees, downed power lines, and flooded roads.
Over 1,000 people lost power in northern Delaware due to the storm.
Flash flood warnings were issued for parts of eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
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Queensland police arrested a 32-year-old man after he allegedly raped and assaulted a woman during her morning walk in a Brisbane suburb. The man returned to the crime scene later that day and was caught with the help of dashcam footage.
Key Facts
The victim is a woman in her 20s who was walking in the Brookfield area around 6:30 a.m. when attacked.
The attacker allegedly approached her from behind near a local bridge.
After the attack, the man fled on foot but later drove back past the crime scene.
Police received dashcam footage from two people that helped identify the suspect’s vehicle.
The suspect was stopped and arrested later that afternoon in Raceview, near Ipswich.
The man faces six charges including rape, stalking, assault, and deprivation of liberty.
The victim is receiving medical and psychological care at home with her family.
Police thanked the victim for her bravery and confirmed the attack was random.
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Vice President Vance said that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has a secret plan to reduce the United States' $40 trillion national debt. This plan is supported by President Donald Trump and aims to help the economy grow faster than the debt.
Key Facts
The national debt of the United States is about $40 trillion.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has a plan to lower this debt.
The plan is described as very discreet, meaning it is not widely shared yet.
Vice President Vance spoke about this plan on Thursday night.
President Donald Trump supports this plan to reduce the debt.
The goal is to have the U.S. economy grow faster than the debt increases.
No further details about the plan were provided in the statement.
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Strong storms hit the Northeast U.S., causing flooding, damage, and power outages. Possible tornadoes touched down in Long Island, New York, and Dover, Delaware, leading officials to declare emergencies and warn residents to stay safe.
Key Facts
Heavy rain and strong winds struck the Northeast U.S., including Long Island and Delaware.
A possible tornado damaged a beach club in Atlantic Beach, Long Island, but no serious injuries were reported.
Flooding closed part of the Long Island Expressway in Queens, causing traffic jams.
Rescue teams helped people trapped in vehicles due to floodwaters on the south shore.
Dover, Delaware, experienced a likely tornado that caused power outages, downed trees, and flooded roads.
More than 1,000 customers lost power in northern Delaware.
The National Weather Service issued flash flood warnings for parts of eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Officials urged people to stay home and stay safe during the severe weather.
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The U.S. Treasury sanctioned 15 people linked to a cocaine trafficking network that moves drugs from Ecuador through Mexico to the United States. The operation uses Ecuadorian fishing boats to secretly transfer cocaine to fast boats that travel north to the U.S. The U.S. and Ecuador are cooperating to increase patrols and fight drug trafficking in the region.
Key Facts
The U.S. Treasury sanctioned 15 individuals involved in cocaine trafficking from Ecuador to the U.S.
The drugs are moved using Ecuador-based fishing vessels near Manta, Ecuador, transferring cocaine to fast power boats heading north.
The drugs pass through Mexico, controlled by cartels including the Sinaloa Cartel and CJNG.
The traffickers include members of Ecuadorian gangs Los Choneros and Los Lobos, labeled as foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs) by the U.S.
Ecuador has seen a rise in drug-related violence, with a high homicide rate recorded in 2025.
Ecuador’s government, led by President Daniel Noboa, works closely with President Donald Trump’s administration on anti-drug efforts.
Two U.S. warships with helicopters and interceptor boats will begin patrolling Ecuador’s waters to help counter drug trafficking.
The U.S. Southern Command is involved in expanding joint operations with Ecuador to stop drug shipments in the Eastern Pacific Ocean.
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Rep. Seth Moulton and Sen. Ed Markey took part in their final televised debate before the Massachusetts Democratic Senate primary. Moulton, a younger House member, is challenging Markey, an experienced Senator, in a tough race.
Key Facts
Seth Moulton is a 47-year-old U.S. Representative.
Ed Markey is an 80-year-old U.S. Senator.
Both competed in the last debate before the Massachusetts Democratic Senate primary.
The debate was broadcast by WCVB-TV, WBUR-FM, and The Boston Globe.
Moulton is trying to unseat Markey in the Democratic primary.
The race is described as competitive and heated.
This debate was the final event before voters make their choice in the primary.
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Liberia received its first group of migrants deported by the U.S. to a country where they have no citizenship, part of President Trump's immigration enforcement policy. About 20 deportees from various countries arrived, and Liberia plans to accept up to 1,200 such deportees in the next year, allowing them to apply for asylum.
Key Facts
Liberia welcomed the first group of "third country" deportees sent from the U.S., including migrants from Latin America.
Around 20 deportees from different countries arrived on Aug. 20, 2026, at Roberts International Airport near Monrovia, Liberia's capital.
Some deportees initially refused to leave the plane and their current whereabouts are unknown.
Liberia agreed to accept up to 1,200 deportees over the next year and will allow them to seek asylum there.
This deportation practice is part of President Trump's efforts to reduce illegal immigration by sending migrants to countries where they have no citizenship or ties.
The Trump administration has made similar deals with countries in Africa, including South Sudan, Central African Republic, and Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Human rights groups criticize these deportations as illegal and harmful, while the administration defends them as legal and effective.
The policy mainly targets migrants whose home countries refuse to take them back or who have legal protections against deportation to their own country.
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Dallas McInerney, the chief executive of Catholic Schools New South Wales, was fired after giving evidence at an investigation into alleged illegal political donations linked to the NSW Liberal party. The Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac) is looking into claims that McInerney approved payments disguised as consulting fees to a conservative political group.
Key Facts
Dallas McInerney led Catholic Schools New South Wales and was removed from his job following an Icac inquiry.
Icac investigates if McInerney arranged illegal political donations from Catholic Schools NSW to lobbying firms.
The payments in question totaled $265,900 over four years.
McInerney denied deleting important evidence from his phone and iPad during the inquiry.
His membership in the Liberal party was suspended when the inquiry was announced.
McInerney is linked to a faction allied with federal opposition leader Angus Taylor, who is not accused by Icac.
The board of Catholic Schools NSW said it lost confidence in McInerney’s leadership.
An interim CEO, Peter Yates, will lead the organization while a new CEO is found.
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The United States has added new economic sanctions against Cuban state-owned companies and officials, including those linked to the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP). The sanctions aim to stop Cuba from supporting repression and spreading Marxism, while Cuba says the measures will hurt its economy and public services.
Key Facts
The US targeted nine Cuban state-owned firms in mining, metal, and construction sectors.
The Ministry of Construction and officials from ICAP were included in the sanctions.
ICAP was founded by Fidel Castro in 1960 to build international support for Cuba.
The sanctions accuse Cuba of spreading communist ideas and engaging in anti-American activities.
Fernando Gonzalez Llort, ICAP’s president and a former spy, was specifically sanctioned.
Cuba criticizes the sanctions for worsening its economic problems and limiting basic services.
Since early 2024, the US has enforced an oil blockade, causing power outages and protests in Cuba.
Cuban officials say the sanctions threaten hospitals and public welfare on the island.
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A jury in Alabama decided that The New York Times defamed Kai Spears, a University of Alabama basketball player, by wrongly saying he was involved in a fatal shooting. The jury awarded Spears $9.25 million in damages after the newspaper admitted it made a mistake in its report.
Key Facts
The jury was made up of eight people and reached its verdict after a nine-day trial.
The New York Times incorrectly reported that Kai Spears was in a car connected to a shooting that killed a 23-year-old woman.
The Times based its report on an anonymous source but later corrected the story.
Spears sued in 2023, saying the false report caused him emotional harm and wrongly linked him to a murder.
The shooting happened in January 2023 and involved other basketball players from the University of Alabama.
The Times stated it was disappointed with the verdict and planned to consider legal options.
The newspaper said it had not lost a defamation lawsuit in the U.S. for over 50 years before this case.
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A federal court is being asked to stop the Kennedy Center from putting President Donald Trump’s name back on its building. The Kennedy Center’s board, which supports Trump, voted to include his name on the building and rename the plaza in his honor, but legal issues remain because Congress says the center can only honor John F. Kennedy.
Key Facts
Rep. Joyce Beatty requested a federal court block to stop the Kennedy Center from restoring President Trump’s name on the building.
The Kennedy Center board approved adding “President Donald J. Trump” to the building’s facade and renaming the plaza after him.
The center would add another inscription if the Trump Kennedy Center Fund raises $100 million.
Congress named the center as a memorial only to John F. Kennedy, forbidding naming it after anyone else or adding others’ names on the exterior.
Judge Christopher Cooper ruled in May that adding Trump’s name was illegal and ordered it removed.
The Kennedy Center removed Trump’s name but kept scaffolding and a tarp where the name was.
The Kennedy Center says it won’t engrave Trump’s name before September 8 to allow time for legal proceedings.
Lawyers for the Kennedy Center say the scaffolding is needed for roof repairs and water testing.
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A young woman in California, who was on juvenile probation for killing a teen at age 15, was arrested again for allegedly dealing drugs while living in a UC Davis dorm. She was part of a state program that allows young offenders to live in less restrictive settings like university housing while serving their sentences.
Key Facts
The woman was 15 when she killed 15-year-old Omari Lowery and was placed on juvenile probation.
After serving about three years in secure custody, a judge allowed her to move to a less restrictive program at UC Davis.
She joined the Underground Scholars program, which supports incarcerated and formerly incarcerated students.
Seven months after moving into the UC Davis dorm, she was arrested for allegedly selling drugs and possessing ammunition.
Police found marijuana, vape cartridges, a digital scale, cash, texts about drug sales, and live ammunition in her dorm room.
She faces charges in Yolo County as an adult and a probation violation in Sacramento County juvenile court.
Prior to this arrest, she was featured as a success story and worked as a youth advocate for a state youth restoration office.
Similar programs exist across California, moving young offenders into community-based settings, including college campuses.
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