Hillary Mukabwa is a young designer from Kenya who creates clothes and bags using traditional hand-woven cotton fabrics. He wants to keep this old craft alive as modern mass production becomes more common.
Key Facts
Hillary Mukabwa is the founder and lead designer of Mukabwa Studio in Nairobi, Kenya.
He uses hand looms to make cotton fabrics by hand.
Mukabwa turns these fabrics into clothing, bags, and other items.
His work focuses on preserving traditional craft methods.
Modern mass production is making traditional craft less common.
Mukabwa’s approach is slower and more deliberate compared to factory-made fashion.
The article highlights efforts to reconnect with cultural heritage through art and fashion.
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Rwandan President Paul Kagame said the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is supporting an armed group called FDLR on its soil, which threatens Rwanda’s security. He said Rwanda will take necessary steps to protect itself and stressed the importance of solving this problem to achieve peace between the two countries.
Key Facts
President Kagame accused the DRC of arming and supporting the FDLR, a Rwandan Hutu armed group active in eastern DRC.
The FDLR is linked to those involved in the Rwandan genocide and is seen by Rwanda as a security threat.
Rwanda denies supporting the M23 rebel group in eastern DRC, which Kinshasa accuses Rwanda of backing.
Testimonies from former FDLR fighters support Rwanda’s claims of DRC involvement.
Rwanda operates a center to disarm and reintegrate former fighters from armed groups coming from eastern DRC.
In 2025, Rwanda and DRC signed a peace agreement in Washington to stop backing armed groups and promote cooperation.
Qatar facilitated peace talks and agreements between the two countries and conflict parties in the DRC.
International missions from the US, Europe, UN, and African Union monitor peace efforts and ceasefires.
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Thousands of Rohingya refugees protested in Bangladesh’s Cox’s Bazar camps to demand better living conditions and more international support. They marked the ninth anniversary of fleeing violence in Myanmar and called for justice, dignity, and a safe return home.
Key Facts
Over 1.2 million Rohingya refugees live in about 30 camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh.
Refugee camp conditions have worsened due to less funding, smaller food rations, and cuts to aid services.
Aid groups like Oxfam warn that reduced help could reverse progress made in the camps.
One in three Rohingya refugees might face serious hunger from September to December.
Bangladesh says it is overwhelmed and wants a safe, dignified return of Rohingya to Myanmar.
The 2017 Myanmar military crackdown on Rohingya is being investigated as genocide by the United Nations court.
Sixteen diplomatic missions say it is not safe for refugees to return home yet due to conflict and insecurity.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged more global action and funding for Rohingya assistance.
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A rare and powerful tornado hit the small village of Pomas in southern France, causing heavy damage to homes, the town hall, and the local school. Thirty-nine people were injured, some seriously, but no deaths were reported. Emergency teams are working to help residents and assess the damage.
Key Facts
The tornado struck the Aude department in southern France on August 24, 2026.
Pomas, a village of about 1,000 people, was the hardest hit area.
Around 300 of the village’s 476 homes were damaged or destroyed.
Thirty-nine people were injured; 17 were hospitalized with two severe cases.
Important buildings like the town hall and the nursery school were destroyed.
Over 7,200 households in the region lost power after the storm.
Emergency crews, including firefighters and search teams with dogs, have been working overnight.
The mayor described the situation as similar to living through wartime due to the destruction and shock.
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A woman in a town in Spain celebrated her 100th birthday with a special event where all her neighbors gathered outside her window to sing and dance. The town came together to honor her big milestone.
Key Facts
The woman turned 100 years old.
She lives in a town in Spain.
Neighbors joined outside her window to celebrate.
The celebration included singing and dancing.
The event showed the community coming together for the woman’s birthday.
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In South Dakota, a group of Native American tribes and organizers stopped a mining company from drilling on sacred land called Pe’ Sla in less than a week. This rare success showed how strong community action can protect important places from mining that threatens the environment and Native culture.
Key Facts
Pe’ Sla is a sacred prairie in the Black Hills of South Dakota important to the Great Sioux Nation.
Pete Lien & Sons, a local mining company, was approved by the US Forest Service to drill for graphite on Pe’ Sla without an environmental review.
Graphite is a mineral used in electric car batteries, making it important for green energy.
Native groups organized quickly and united to stop the drilling after it began.
Tribal leaders say mining on sacred land often causes pollution and harms their traditions.
Similar threats exist elsewhere, like Oak Flat in Arizona and Minnesota’s Boundary Waters.
More than 75% of key minerals for clean energy are located near Native American reservations.
The community’s victory at Pe’ Sla is seen as a rare example of Indigenous power stopping mining projects.
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Gao Zhen, a Chinese artist known for sculptures of Mao Zedong, was sentenced to three years in prison for slandering China’s "heroes and martyrs." He was detained in 2024 after returning to China and charged under a law from 2018 that bans defamation of these figures.
Key Facts
Gao Zhen is known for provocative sculptures of Mao Zedong, including Mao kneeling and a firing squad of Mao statues aiming at Jesus.
Gao was detained on August 26, 2024, after returning to China with his family.
He was convicted of slandering "heroes and martyrs" under a 2018 Chinese law.
The law does not apply retroactively, but Gao’s artworks were created more than 10 years before the law was passed.
His family reports Gao has health problems from detention, including fainting and heatstroke.
His wife and son have been unable to leave China since his arrest; his son is a US citizen.
Human rights groups say Gao’s prosecution is an effort to discourage independent art and expression.
Gao produced new artwork while detained and remains mentally sharp, according to his family.
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Reports from Russia show that some men of fighting age are being forced or pressured into military service through intimidating methods, including being taken against their will or threatened with false charges. Local officials deny these claims, saying only draft evaders are targeted. This situation is causing fear and mental health problems among those affected.
Key Facts
A man with a health exemption faced pressure to join the military due to wartime rules in Russia.
Videos show men being forced into vehicles in Penza, a city southeast of Moscow.
Some men were allegedly summoned to police stations and bullied into signing military contracts.
Local authorities deny wrongdoing and accuse those sharing videos of spreading false information.
Vulnerable groups, like people with addictions or migrants, are actively targeted by recruiters.
Threats of imprisonment and planted evidence are used to coerce men into service.
Experts believe recent forced recruitment cases are local actions, not a nationwide policy.
The incidents occur amid rumors of a wider Russian military mobilization and forthcoming attacks in the Ukraine conflict.
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After U.S. envoy Jared Kushner ended talks with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, Israeli attacks on Gaza resumed, hitting residential areas and killing civilians. Israel and Hamas remain in conflict over control of Gaza and disarmament, while Israel also advanced settlement construction in East Jerusalem.
Key Facts
Jared Kushner met with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu on August 17 to discuss a ceasefire in Gaza.
Talks created two groups focused on disarmament and humanitarian issues but did not solve main disagreements.
Israel continued strikes against Gaza shortly after Kushner left, including attacks on crowded civilian areas.
Hamas says Israel’s attacks and refusal to withdraw violate President Trump’s 15-point peace plan from July 30.
Israeli Defense Minister ordered the military to treat any kite, balloon, or drone from Gaza as an “act of war.”
Gaza’s health ministry reported over 1,200 killed and 4,200 wounded since the October ceasefire, with a total of over 73,000 Palestinians killed since October 7, 2023.
Israel issued a tender on August 18 for over 1,200 housing units in East Jerusalem as part of illegal settlements.
Several Western countries condemned Israel’s settlement plans as harmful to the chance of a two-state solution.
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Hundreds of Rohingya refugees protested in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, on the ninth anniversary of the genocide against them in Myanmar. Over one million Rohingya remain in overcrowded camps in Bangladesh with worsening conditions, while efforts for justice and safe return continue amid ongoing violence in Myanmar.
Key Facts
The Rohingya are a Muslim ethnic group from Myanmar who have been denied citizenship since 1982.
In August 2017, a military crackdown in Myanmar forced over 700,000 Rohingya to flee to Bangladesh.
Many Rohingya refugees have reported serious abuses, including rape, torture, and killings by Myanmar forces.
The 2017 violence is being investigated as genocide by the International Court of Justice.
Bangladesh currently hosts about 1.2 million Rohingya refugees, mostly women and children.
Living conditions in the refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar are worsening due to less international aid.
Myanmar’s government and military do not recognize the Rohingya as an official ethnic group.
The Rohingya crisis has been called a genocide by the United Nations and U.S. officials.
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China has strongly rejected the US threat to impose sanctions on countries trading with Iran, calling such measures illegal. The US announced sanctions targeting entities involved with Iran but avoided immediate penalties on Chinese institutions to prevent global financial disruption ahead of a planned summit between President Trump and China’s leader Xi Jinping.
Key Facts
China buys about 80% of Iran’s oil exports and continues trading despite US pressure.
The US Treasury sanctioned 60 individuals, entities, and ships linked to Iran trade but excluded Chinese banks.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent avoided sanctioning China directly to protect the global financial system.
China warned it will take all necessary steps to protect its national interests against unilateral sanctions.
Iran’s economy suffers due to war and US blockades but remains defiant against sanctions.
An oil tanker was hit near the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route, amid rising tensions.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said military options remain possible around the Strait of Hormuz.
The US sanctions campaign against Iran is described as an aggressive attempt to cut off Iran’s global financial connections.
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The US has placed sanctions on some Chinese companies connected to Iran's secret networks but avoided targeting major Chinese banks or the country as a whole. This approach aims to warn China about Iranian oil while allowing trade between the US and China to continue before President Trump and President Xi meet on September 24.
Key Facts
The US sanctioned Chinese businesses linked to Iran’s secretive or "shadow" networks.
Major Chinese banks were not targeted by these sanctions.
The US did not impose broad sanctions on China itself.
These measures warn China about its involvement with Iranian oil.
The sanctions aim to keep US-China trade relations stable.
President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping plan to meet on September 24.
The meeting is viewed as important for US-China relations.
The news was reported from Beijing by Al Jazeera’s Katrina Yu.
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The United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross have urged countries to adopt laws restricting autonomous weapons, also called killer robots. They warn that these weapons, which can target humans without human control, are being developed rapidly and could soon be used in wars.
Key Facts
The UN and Red Cross renewed their call for international rules on autonomous weapons.
Autonomous weapons can target and attack people without human help.
These weapons are being developed quickly but have not yet been confirmed on battlefields.
The organizations emphasize protecting civilians from these weapons.
The UN and Red Cross said current international laws are struggling to keep up with technology.
A meeting is planned in Geneva in November to strengthen rules on these weapons.
Scientists and engineers who create these systems have asked for limits on their use.
The call aims to push governments to act now to prevent future harm.
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President Donald Trump said he is thinking about renaming Lake Ontario to "Lake America" due to worsening trade tensions between the United States and Canada. This follows his previous action of renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America amid trade disagreements.
Key Facts
President Trump announced the possible renaming of Lake Ontario to "Lake America."
The statement came amid a growing trade war between the U.S. and Canada.
The U.S. imposed 50% tariffs on $20 billion worth of Canadian goods recently.
Canada is expected to respond with its own trade measures against the U.S.
Ontario is Canada’s largest province and an important center for the auto industry.
Trump said the U.S. might not do much business with Ontario going forward.
This follows a similar action where Trump renamed the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America by executive order last year.
The trade conflict escalated after talks between the two countries failed.
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A three-year-old boy hurt in a crocodile enclosure at a zoo has left the hospital and is recovering at home with his family. The boy was injured after being thrown into the enclosure, and a man was arrested but later released on bail.
Key Facts
The incident happened on June 18 at Johnsons of Old Hurst zoo in Cambridgeshire.
The boy was seriously injured after being thrown into a crocodile enclosure.
A 30-year-old man from Norfolk was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder but was later bailed.
The boy returned home a few weeks ago and is playing, sleeping in his own bed, and adjusting well.
He had seven surgeries related to his injuries.
The family has set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for medical and living expenses.
The fundraiser has collected over £113,000 so far.
The family is focused on the boy’s rehabilitation at home and continues to visit the hospital for follow-up care.
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President Donald Trump said the U.S. is thinking about renaming Lake Ontario to "Lake America." This comes amid worsening trade talks and tensions between the U.S. and Canada, especially with Ontario's government.
Key Facts
President Trump mentioned the possible renaming on his social media platform, Truth Social.
The suggested new name is "Lake America" instead of Lake Ontario.
This idea is linked to stalled trade talks between the U.S. and Canada.
Relations between Washington and Ottawa have become more tense recently.
President Trump specifically referenced Ontario and its Premier, Doug Ford, in the dispute.
The name change suggestion signals frustration about continuing business ties with Ontario.
The situation reflects ongoing political and economic disagreements between the two countries.
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A United Nations committee has called on India to improve protections for tribal peoples, disadvantaged castes, and Bengali-speaking Muslims who face violence and discrimination by police. The committee asked India to investigate abuses like extrajudicial killings, torture, and hate crimes and to ensure equal treatment under the law.
Key Facts
The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) criticized India for violence against tribal peoples, Scheduled Castes, and ethnic minorities.
The committee reported cases of police violence, torture, unlawful arrests, and killings based on racial or ethnic backgrounds.
Bengali-speaking Muslims and Rohingya migrants in India have faced hate crimes, racial profiling, and forced deportations.
CERD urged India to investigate these abuses and bring those responsible to justice.
The caste system in India continues to influence social status and access to resources.
India appeared before CERD for review in 2024 for the first time since 2007.
CERD’s recommendations are not legally binding but carry significant international influence.
India’s delegation highlighted the country’s diversity and legal safeguards during the review.
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Flight-tracking data showed a U.S. military plane flew from Latvia to Moscow, but Russian officials said they were unaware of this flight. The plane was a Boeing C-17A Globemaster III, used to transport troops or cargo, and it arrived at a major airport near Moscow.
Key Facts
A U.S. Air Force Boeing C-17A Globemaster III flew from Riga, Latvia, to Moscow’s Vnukovo airport.
The plane came from Camp Springs, Maryland, where the U.S. military’s Joint Base Andrews is located.
Flight information did not publicly list Moscow as a destination.
The Kremlin denied knowing about this flight.
U.S. European Command had no comment on the flight-tracking data.
Kremlin spokesman said there are no planned meetings with U.S. officials in Moscow this week.
The C-17A is a large transport aircraft used to move troops or cargo.
This is an ongoing news story with more details expected.
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The United States announced new economic sanctions against Iran and countries trading with it, including China. China said it opposes the sanctions and will take necessary steps to protect its interests. The US Treasury Secretary warned that countries working with Iran could face isolation.
Key Facts
The US plans to expand sanctions targeting Iran and its trading partners.
China is Iran’s largest buyer of oil but has reduced imports under US pressure.
China opposes the US sanctions, calling them illegal and unilateral.
China’s foreign ministry said China and Iran’s trade follows international law.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called the sanctions the biggest financial attack on Iran.
President Trump plans to call world leaders to urge them to stop business with Iran.
Bessent warned that no banks or businesses are safe from US sanctions.
Talks between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are scheduled next month.
Iran claims it is ready to handle the new sanctions with plans covering two years.
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Tropical Storm Julio has formed in the Pacific Ocean but is not expected to affect any land areas. Forecasters say Julio will get a bit stronger before merging with Tropical Storm Iselle, which is also not threatening land.
Key Facts
Julio formed about 815 miles southwest of Baja California, Mexico.
Julio has maximum winds of 45 mph.
Julio is forecast to strengthen slightly soon.
Julio will be absorbed by Tropical Storm Iselle to the north.
Iselle has winds of 70 mph and is about 660 miles west of Baja California.
Neither Julio nor Iselle have coastal watches or warnings.
Tropical Storm Lala is in the Central Pacific with 50 mph winds but poses no threat to land.
Tropical Storm Moke has weakened and is no longer a tropical cyclone after passing near Hawaii.
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