Canada’s public broadcaster CBC changed its policy after criticism for not calling the September 11 attacks “terrorism.” CBC will now allow the use of the term “terrorism” for 9/11 but will continue to follow rules of attributing causes and motivations to experts for other events.
Key Facts
CBC had a policy not to label specific events as terrorism unless quoting someone else.
A memo reminding CBC journalists of this policy before the 9/11 anniversary caused public and official backlash.
The FBI director, U.S. ambassador to Canada, some Republican lawmakers, and Canada’s Conservative party criticized CBC.
CBC’s senior director stated they never denied 9/11 was terrorism but followed strict attribution rules.
CBC decided to make an exception for the 9/11 attacks to improve clarity for the public.
Canada’s Culture Minister praised CBC’s policy change on social media.
The Canadian government officially recognizes 9/11 as the deadliest terrorist attack.
U.S. officials viewed the original CBC policy as disrespectful to the victims of 9/11.
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The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) changed its policy after telling journalists not to call the September 11, 2001 attacks by Al Qaeda a "terrorist attack." This initial guidance caused strong criticism from political leaders, leading CBC to reverse its decision.
Key Facts
CBC originally advised its journalists not to use the phrase "terrorist attack" for 9/11.
The policy was shared in an internal memo reported by The Toronto Sun.
The memo recommended avoiding direct labeling of the 9/11 attacks as terrorism.
Political leaders criticized CBC’s initial guidance widely.
Following the backlash, CBC reversed the policy and allowed the use of "terrorist attack."
The attacks on 9/11 were carried out by the group Al Qaeda.
The incident had significant impact on international and U.S. security policies.
CBC’s reversal shows the influence of public and political pressure on media language decisions.
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Piracy near Somalia has increased sharply, with 13 ships attacked since the start of the year, including two recent hijackings in the Gulf of Aden. This rise is linked to regional conflicts involving the US and Iran that have distracted international naval forces, making pirate attacks more likely.
Key Facts
Two cargo ships were seized in the Gulf of Aden within four days last week.
At least 13 ships have been attacked by Somali pirates since early 2024.
Regional conflicts include the US-Iran tension around the Strait of Hormuz and a blockade by Iran’s allies in Yemen at the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
Pirate groups see an opportunity because international forces focus on these other conflicts.
The MV Lutuf, a Cameroon-flagged ship, was hijacked off Somalia’s Puntland coast on August 17.
Drone strikes have targeted people supplying pirates, with local officials blaming Turkey for the attacks.
Six ships are currently held by pirates demanding millions in ransom.
The surge in piracy is partly caused by overfishing by foreign vessels harming Somali fishing communities, pushing pirates to target more ships closer to the coast.
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A couple from the San Francisco Bay Area survived a deadly flood in the Himalayas caused by a glacier collapse. The flood killed nearly 600 people and left thousands missing in Nepal and Tibet, with many survivors rescued from dangerous conditions.
Key Facts
A glacier broke apart in the Himalayas, causing massive flash floods in Nepal and Tibet on August 26, 2026.
Nearly 600 people died, and around 2,500 remain missing after the disaster.
About 90 Americans are believed to be among those missing, according to the U.S. State Department.
The flood hit areas near the Nepal-China border, including the village of Timure and Nepal's Rasuwa District.
Anjana Raja and her partner, Pattabiraman Venkatesan, were on a pilgrimage to Tibet and escaped the flood by running and climbing to higher ground.
They spent the night in a goat shed with other survivors before being rescued by helicopter.
Cellphone videos showed people struggling and some being swept away by the floodwaters.
The couple described their survival as a miracle and said the experience made them appreciate life more.
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Iceland is holding a close referendum to decide if it should restart talks to join the European Union (EU), after stopping talks in 2013. The vote focuses mainly on concerns about fishing rights and national control, with the final decision dependent on future agreements and approvals.
Key Facts
Icelanders are voting on whether to resume EU membership talks 13 years after they stopped.
The latest polls show a very close race, with the No side slightly ahead at 51.6%.
Iceland already participates in the EU single market and Schengen zone but is not an EU member.
If talks restart, Iceland could finalize membership talks in one or two years, but a second referendum and parliamentary approval are needed.
A major concern is Iceland’s fishing industry, which makes up almost 40% of exports and is tied to national sovereignty.
Iceland fought to become fully independent in 1944 and fears losing control over fishing waters under EU rules.
Early voting showed more than 20% of voters had cast ballots before the main voting day.
Iceland’s economy is strong by GDP per person but has high interest rates and inflation, which some say EU membership could help lower.
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Nikolay Mladenov, the top envoy for the US-led Board of Peace, warned that Gaza could be "gone for good" if there is no reconstruction, Israeli withdrawal, and disarmament of armed groups in the area. He said worsening conditions for Palestinians might lead to another security crisis.
Key Facts
Nikolay Mladenov is the top envoy for the US-led Board of Peace.
He warned that Gaza faces serious risks without rebuilding efforts.
He said Israeli withdrawal from Gaza is needed.
Mladenov called for the disarmament (demilitarisation) of armed groups in Gaza.
He expressed concern that worsening Palestinian living conditions could cause more violence.
The warning was given during an interview with Al Jazeera.
The situation involves security and humanitarian issues in Gaza.
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The UK will experience frequent rain showers and strong winds over the bank holiday weekend, affecting many areas, especially in southern England and Wales. Some parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland will stay mostly dry, but travelers and festival-goers should prepare for wet and windy weather.
Key Facts
The weekend will have heavy rain and showers across much of England and Wales, with some storms including lightning.
Northern England may have longer spells of rain on Saturday, increasing flood risk in some places.
Scotland and Northern Ireland are expected to stay mostly dry during the weekend.
Sunday starts dry for many, but afternoon showers and storms will spread from the west.
Southeastern England may experience the least rain, especially on bank holiday Monday.
Strong winds are expected in southern England, Wales, and the Channel Islands, with gusts up to 40-50 mph.
Winds will continue on Monday but be slightly weaker, mostly affecting southern regions.
Temperatures will be cooler than average for late August, around 15 to 22 degrees Celsius.
Several major festivals are happening this weekend, so it is important to follow weather updates for safety.
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Colombian security forces captured Luis Saúl Pérez Nieto, a suspected senior leader of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, with help from the U.S. The arrest shows stronger military cooperation between Colombia and the U.S. to fight organized crime under Colombia’s new president, Abelardo de la Espriella.
Key Facts
Luis Saúl Pérez Nieto was captured in Colombia and is suspected of leading Tren de Aragua’s drug and weapons trafficking networks in Latin America.
Tren de Aragua started as a prison gang in Venezuela but became a large criminal group across countries.
Pérez Nieto escaped from Venezuela’s Tocorón prison in 2023 with another gang leader, Héctor Guerrero Flores.
Guerrero Flores was killed in a U.S. military strike in Venezuela earlier in 2026.
Colombia’s new president, Abelardo de la Espriella, supports strong action against drug cartels with U.S. help.
The U.S. Southern Command praised the arrest and emphasized cooperation with Colombia to fight narco-terrorism.
Medellín is named as a key city for this new U.S.-Colombia regional anti-cartel alliance.
The U.S. designated Tren de Aragua as a foreign terrorist organization in 2025, treating cartels as national security threats.
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England is facing a serious risk of running out of water due to low rainfall, high temperatures, and increasing demand. By 2055, there could be a daily shortfall of around five billion litres of water. Efforts to reduce water use and improve water management are being discussed to avoid this shortage.
Key Facts
England has experienced nearly three months of little rain in some areas, causing drought conditions.
Rivers have fallen to low levels, forcing the Environment Agency to restrict farmers’ water use to protect wildlife.
England may face a water supply shortfall of about five billion litres per day by 2055.
People in England use more water per person (136.5 litres daily) than people in Denmark (97 litres daily).
Household water use accounts for nearly 60% of total water consumption in England and Wales.
Reducing shower times by one minute per person could save nearly one billion litres of water daily by 2050.
Water companies’ campaigns to reduce water use have had limited success, partly due to negative public views of the industry.
Water pricing and use of water meters are higher in Denmark, which helps control water consumption better than in England.
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Dolly Parton started the Imagination Library in 1995 to give free books to children from birth to age five. The program began in Tennessee and has since expanded to several countries, sending over 300 million books to help children learn to read and grow emotionally.
Key Facts
Dolly Parton created the Imagination Library to honor her father, who could not read or write.
The program sends one free book a month to children aged 0-5.
It started in Tennessee and later expanded to the US, Canada, UK, Australia, and Ireland.
By 2025, over 300 million books had been mailed through the program.
The books help build reading routines and support children's social and emotional development.
Families in different countries praised the program for its diverse and thoughtful book choices.
Some children call Dolly Parton "The Book Queen" because of her connection to the books.
The program works with local organizations to reach families worldwide.
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Holly Ratchford, who managed an apartment complex in San Diego in 1999, has spoken publicly for the first time about Omar al-Bayoumi, a Saudi man accused of helping two 9/11 hijackers. Bayoumi introduced her to the hijackers, who later crashed a plane into the Pentagon during the 9/11 attacks. Families of 9/11 victims have filed a $1 trillion lawsuit against Saudi Arabia, alleging the government’s involvement.
Key Facts
Omar al-Bayoumi moved into Parkwood Apartments in San Diego with his family in September 1999.
Bayoumi introduced Holly Ratchford to two men who later hijacked American Airlines Flight 77 and crashed it into the Pentagon on 9/11.
Bayoumi is accused of supporting the hijackers Nawaf al-Hazmi and Khalid al-Mihdhar while they lived at Parkwood.
A U.S. federal judge ruled there is reasonable evidence that Bayoumi and a Saudi diplomat coordinated with the Saudi government to aid the hijackers.
Saudi Arabia denies these allegations and is appealing the lawsuit brought by families of 9/11 victims and survivors.
Holly Ratchford has given a sealed statement to the court but is now speaking out publicly about her experiences.
The 9/11 attacks involved 19 hijackers from al-Qaeda and caused nearly 3,000 deaths, including at the Pentagon and World Trade Center.
Ratchford managed the apartment complex where Bayoumi and the hijackers lived before the attacks.
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The United States and Venezuela have reached an agreement that gives the U.S. majority control of over 65 billion barrels of Venezuela's oil reserves. This deal is expected to bring nearly $100 billion in private investment to Venezuela and more than double U.S. oil reserves.
Key Facts
The U.S. will control more than 65 billion barrels of Venezuela’s proven oil reserves.
Venezuela has the largest proven oil reserves in the world.
The agreement is described as "historic" by both U.S. and Venezuelan officials.
The deal will bring about $100 billion in private investment to Venezuela.
Venezuela’s interim leader, Delcy Rodriguez, supports the agreement and expects it to help the country’s economy.
U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, helped negotiate the deal.
There are still questions about how the transfer of oil assets to the U.S. will happen and under what terms.
The deal could help lower gas prices in the U.S. and strengthen U.S.-Venezuela relations amid past tensions.
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Anjana Raja, an American woman, survived a deadly landslide flood in Nepal while traveling with her husband near the Chinese border. The flood caused massive destruction, killing 584 people and leaving over 2,400 missing, as rescue efforts continue.
Key Facts
Anjana Raja and her husband were on a bus near the Chinese border in Nepal when a huge landslide flood approached.
The flood was a mix of water and mud about 50 to 60 feet high, described as looking like a giant serpent.
The bus driver and passengers fled the bus just before the flood hit.
Raja told her husband to leave the bus immediately to avoid dying.
They ran to a nearby camp and climbed to higher ground to escape the floodwaters.
The flood destroyed vehicles, homes, and swept away people and objects.
As of the latest reports, 584 people have died, and over 2,400 are still missing in Nepal and neighboring Tibet.
Raja and her husband have maintained contact with their family back in California after the incident.
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UK Chancellor John Healey plans to delay reaching the goal of spending 3% of the UK's economy on defense by 2030. The US may pressure the UK to increase defense spending by threatening to challenge British control over the Falkland Islands. Meanwhile, floods in Nepal have caused deaths and missing people, including some British citizens.
Key Facts
Chancellor John Healey will postpone the target of spending 3% of the UK’s GDP on defense by 2030.
Healey resigned earlier as defense secretary over disagreements on defense spending plans.
The US Pentagon is considering measures, including possibly opposing UK sovereignty over the Falklands, to encourage the UK to meet NATO’s 5% spending pledge.
King Charles III has expressed shock and sent condolences over a fatal crash that killed two police officers.
New polls show the Labour Party rising in popularity, while Nigel Farage’s Reform UK loses support.
British economic advisor Lord O’Neill criticized potential UK tax increases amid worries about economic growth and the Iran war’s impact.
Nepal has been hit by devastating floods, causing many deaths and missing people, including four Britons.
Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, is returning to the UK after leaving due to controversies linked to Jeffrey Epstein, and will rent an expensive home near London.
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Cambodia’s government says it has stopped large scam operations in the country and closed all scam compounds. However, rights groups and experts doubt this claim because they have not seen proof and believe scams may still be happening in smaller, hidden places.
Key Facts
Senior Minister Chhay Sinarith told diplomats that large scam activities are fully controlled in Cambodia.
The government claims no scam compounds remain after law enforcement actions and new laws.
Criminal groups may still operate in guesthouses, rental homes, cars, and coffee shops.
Scam compounds have spread in Cambodia, Laos, the Philippines, and near Myanmar-Thailand borders during the pandemic.
Amnesty International and other experts say the claim of full eradication is doubtful and question if key criminals have been stopped.
Between July 2025 and August 2026, authorities investigated 793 sites, raided 624, detained nearly 30,000 suspects, and deported over 58,000 foreign nationals.
Around 3,477 suspects were arrested and wait for trial, coming from 29 different countries.
Reuters has not independently confirmed Cambodia’s claim of ending scam compounds.
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Canada is attracting many top researchers from U.S. universities by offering significant government funding for studies in areas like climate change and medicine. This move comes as U.S. federal research grants face cuts and other challenges under President Trump’s administration, leading some researchers to seek better opportunities in Canada.
Key Facts
Canada is hiring 64 professors from around the world, with over 75% coming from U.S. universities.
The Canadian government has created a C$504 million fund to support research in fields such as climate change and medicine.
U.S. federal research grants have been frozen for some institutions, creating uncertainty for researchers.
President Trump’s administration has criticized universities for political bias and diversity policies.
Researchers like Seth Guikema from the University of Michigan are moving to Canada for better funding and a more supportive environment.
Some researchers moving to Canada are U.S. citizens, while others are Canadians returning home after working abroad.
Canadian Industry Minister Melanie Joly welcomed the incoming researchers but said Canada is making its own decisions amid rising U.S.-Canada trade tensions.
U.S. universities remain highly ranked but some academics see Canada as a more welcoming place for science and research.
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President Donald Trump announced that the United States has secured majority control over a large portion of Venezuela's oil reserves through an agreement between the two countries. He described this deal as the biggest oil agreement in history.
Key Facts
President Trump made the announcement on Truth Social.
The agreement gives the U.S. majority control over a significant part of Venezuela’s oil reserves.
This deal involves Venezuela, a country known for having large oil resources.
Trump called it the largest oil deal ever made.
The announcement came on a Friday evening.
The deal marks a new cooperation between the U.S. and Venezuela regarding oil resources.
No additional details about the terms of the deal were provided in the announcement.
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The trial of Duane Davis, also called "Keefe D," is nearing its end, with closing arguments expected on Monday. Davis is accused of planning the drive-by shooting that killed rapper Tupac Shakur in 1996, but he denies these claims.
Key Facts
Duane Davis is on trial for the 1996 murder of Tupac Shakur.
He is also known by the nickname "Keefe D."
Davis is accused of organizing the shooting, which was a drive-by attack.
Witness testimony in the trial finished on Thursday.
Lawyers and the judge worked together on jury instructions on Friday.
Closing arguments in the trial are scheduled for Monday.
Duane Davis denies the accusations against him.
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Spain has asked the European Union’s border agency, Frontex, for help to process about 5,000 migrants who arrived in Ceuta from Morocco a month ago. The request includes extra officers to speed up identification and decide who can stay or must return, amid local protests and unrest.
Key Facts
Around 5,000 to 8,000 migrants remain in Ceuta after crossing from Morocco on July 30.
Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska requested assistance from Frontex and the European Commission.
Spain asked for 10 extra Frontex officers to help with screening and processing migrants.
More than 72,000 migrants crossed the border during the sudden influx.
Official reports say 82 people died on the Spanish side and 14 on the Moroccan side during the crossing.
Some migrants, including unaccompanied children, are staying in tents on Trampolin Beach.
Local residents have protested and attacked migrant camps, setting tents on fire.
Spanish authorities arrested 12 migrants for stoning an army vehicle; 11 were expelled from Ceuta.
Spain also requested emergency funding from the EU to manage the situation.
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