Three weeks before the 9/11 attacks, FBI and CIA analysts discovered that two al-Qaeda operatives, Khalid al-Mihdhar and Nawaf al-Hazmi, were still in the United States. Despite receiving intelligence reports about their travel and presence, crucial information was overlooked, delaying urgent investigations to track them down. Confusion over similar names and a lack of communication within agencies contributed to missed opportunities to prevent the attacks.
Key Facts
Khalid al-Mihdhar and Nawaf al-Hazmi traveled from Thailand to the U.S. in January 2000.
These two men were linked to Walid Mohammed bin Attash, involved in a 2000 Yemen attack.
The CIA tracked al-Mihdhar traveling through the UAE, Malaysia, and Thailand but missed following up on their final destination.
In August 2001, an FBI analyst found that al-Mihdhar and al-Hazmi were still in the U.S. and put them on a terrorist watchlist.
The FBI's bin Laden unit saw this as a critical moment but did not treat the case with urgency.
A CIA report from March 2000, which identified their U.S. travel, was ignored because it was marked "information only."
Analysts confused the identities of several key operatives, mixing up information about al-Mihdhar, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, and Khallad.
The main planner of the 9/11 attacks, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, avoided detection despite being under investigation.
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Australian police have charged a 27-year-old dual Russian-Australian citizen with passing Ukrainian military information to people he thought worked for Russian intelligence. The man joined the Ukrainian military, accessed military details, and shared them with supposed Russian agents, risking the safety of Ukrainian forces.
Key Facts
The suspect traveled to Russia in October 2024 for training and kept in touch with people believed to be linked to Russian intelligence.
He enlisted in the Ukrainian military in May 2025 and accessed sensitive military information.
Australian authorities charged him with foreign interference and he appeared in court in Brisbane.
Police and intelligence agencies conducted the investigation, and more arrests may follow.
The suspect is unemployed, and police say he did not receive military training in Australia.
Russia’s embassy in Australia said it was not aware of the case and is trying to find out more.
Separately, Russian authorities arrested nine people accused of working for Ukrainian intelligence, including suspects with explosives and surveillance drones.
A foreign national was detained near the Norwegian border for allegedly trying to use a drone to spy on Moscow for Ukraine.
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Violence by the Rapid Support Forces has forced thousands of families to leave their homes in Sudan’s North Kordofan region. Many of these displaced people have moved to the capital city of North Kordofan, el-obeid, where temporary camps have been set up.
Key Facts
The Rapid Support Forces, a paramilitary group, attacked villages in North Kordofan, Sudan.
These attacks caused a large number of families to flee their homes.
Many displaced families sought refuge in el-obeid, the capital city of North Kordofan.
Temporary displacement camps have been established in el-obeid.
The violence in the region is increasing, worsening the displacement crisis.
Journalists, such as Al Jazeera’s AlMigdad Alruhaid, have reported from these camps to highlight the situation.
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A small charter plane crashed near a remote military radar base in western Alaska, killing all eight people on board. The U.S. military and government agencies are investigating the cause of the crash.
Key Facts
The plane was a Cessna 441 that took off from Anchorage, Alaska.
The crash happened near Cape Newenham Long Range Radar Site Airport, about 450 miles west of Anchorage.
There were eight people on the plane: two pilots and six passengers.
The military said those on board were on an important mission.
The radar site helps detect potential threats like missiles or aircraft approaching North America.
Alaska Senators Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski expressed condolences and requested investigations.
The charter company, Security Aviation, specializes in flights to remote parts of Alaska.
The crash is under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
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Typhoon Maysak hit China's Guangxi province in early July, causing floods and heavy rain. More than a month later, China reported at least 159 deaths and 10 people missing due to the storm and related dam collapses.
Key Facts
Typhoon Maysak struck southwestern China’s Guangxi province in early July.
At least 159 people died, and 10 are still missing after the storm.
Two cities, Nanning and Guigang, were the hardest hit by the flooding.
Six dams collapsed in Nanning, causing floods that killed 107 people.
Rainfall in some areas reached up to 90 centimeters (35 inches).
Military rescue teams helped evacuate people trapped by floods in Guigang.
The storm caused about 14 billion yuan (around $2 billion) in economic damage.
Climate change is making storms stronger in Asia, which is warming almost twice as fast as the world average.
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Top ministers from Indonesia and China met in Jakarta to discuss improving defense cooperation and strengthening food and energy security. They agreed to work together on political, economic, security, and technological issues to support their countries' development and stability.
Key Facts
Indonesia and China held a Comprehensive Strategic Dialogue in Jakarta on August 21, 2026.
Both countries want to increase defense cooperation, including joint military exercises.
They plan to enhance food, energy, and mineral security to support national resilience.
The talks included cooperation in advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and communications satellites.
Indonesia and China aim to expand trade and improve market access for Indonesian products.
China’s foreign minister emphasized opposing unilateral bullying and protecting developing countries' rights.
Defense ministers from both countries discussed strengthening their defense industries and personnel.
The dialogue signals solidarity and cooperation between these two major emerging-market countries.
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Japan and South Korea experienced extreme rainfall last week, breaking hourly rainfall records and causing widespread flooding and power outages. In addition, two Pacific storms, Hurricane Lala and Tropical Storm Saudel, are affecting areas near Hawaii and Micronesia, with Saudel expected to become a strong typhoon near Japan.
Key Facts
On 13 August, Chiba near Tokyo received 115mm of rain in one hour, setting a record.
Sakura city also set a record with 97mm of rain in one hour.
A level five emergency warning for heavy rain was issued in Japan, the highest alert since May.
Over 100,000 households were asked to evacuate, and more than 20,000 people in Chiba lost power.
Thirteen people died from the flooding, including some trapped in vehicles; one person is still missing.
Geoje in South Korea recorded 124.5mm of rain in one hour on 17 August, with over 400mm total overnight.
Hurricane Lala passed south of Hawaii as a Category 1 hurricane on 15 August, then weakened and later strengthened to Category 4 but is not expected to hit any more land.
Tropical Storm Saudel formed near Micronesia and may become a strong typhoon, posing a threat to the Northern Mariana Islands and Okinawa next week.
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A strong earthquake measuring between 6.7 and 7.2 in magnitude struck southern Peru, causing damage to homes, schools, and medical centers. Three people were lightly injured, and emergency teams responded as residents evacuated and sought shelter.
Key Facts
The earthquake happened on August 20, 2026, at about 1 pm local time.
The epicenter was near Upahuacho, about 800 kilometers from Peru’s capital, Lima.
US Geological Survey reported magnitude 6.7 at a depth of 99 kilometers; Peru’s Geophysical Institute estimated magnitude 7.2 at 108 kilometers deep.
At least 22 homes, 6 schools, and 12 medical centers were damaged.
Three people were reported with minor injuries.
Emergency crews were sent to the towns of Puquio and Coracora, the latter being near the epicenter with around 10,000 residents.
A 4.2-magnitude aftershock was recorded later on the same day.
The quake was felt with varying strength across several regions, including Lima, Cusco, and Arequipa.
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French police clashed with migrants on a northern France beach while trying to stop a dinghy from crossing to the UK. The action is part of a UK-France deal to reduce small boat crossings, which has led to fewer successful crossings but raised safety concerns from charities.
Key Facts
French police used Pava spray and slit an inflatable dinghy during an attempt to stop migrants from leaving for the UK.
The UK and France made a £660 million deal to prevent small boat crossings in the Channel.
Since April, 185 small boat crossing attempts have been stopped by the authorities.
Extra French police units, including a 50-person riot squad, have been deployed on beaches.
Smugglers now load more people onto fewer boats, with a record 230 people crossing on one boat this month.
So far in 2024, around 15,897 migrants have crossed, a decrease compared to previous years.
Charities warn that increased police action may endanger migrants’ lives.
The UK Home Secretary praised the joint work with France to disrupt smuggling gangs and stop crossings.
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Israeli settlers set fire to a Palestinian family's home while they were sleeping inside. This incident is part of ongoing violence by settlers in the West Bank, an area controlled by Israel but home to many Palestinians.
Key Facts
The fire was started by Israeli settlers.
The Palestinian family, including a mother and her children, were inside the home during the fire.
The event took place in the occupied West Bank.
Human rights groups report increasing violence by settlers in this region.
Many Palestinian communities in the West Bank face threats of being erased or displaced.
The incident reflects ongoing tensions between Israeli settlers and Palestinians in the area.
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Several countries including the UK, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Canada, and Norway have condemned Israel’s plans to build a large new settlement in the occupied West Bank, calling it illegal and harmful to peace efforts. The plan would split the West Bank, separating East Jerusalem from other areas Palestinians see as part of their future state. The United Nations and other nations also criticized the move, which comes amid rising violence and displacement in the region.
Key Facts
Israel plans to build over 1,200 new housing units in the E1 settlement project in the West Bank.
A group of seven countries issued a joint statement calling the construction “unacceptable” and illegal under international law.
The new settlement would cut the West Bank in two, affecting the connection between East Jerusalem and other Palestinian areas.
Egypt, Malaysia, and the United Nations also condemned the settlement expansion.
The Israeli government approved the E1 plan in August last year despite international criticism.
The construction is part of an expansion that could include around 3,400 units in total.
Human rights groups warn this increase in settlements is causing forced displacement of many Palestinians.
The expansion happens as Israel prepares for elections in October 2026, and violence in the West Bank is rising.
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Australian police charged Vladimir Teslov, a dual Russian-Australian citizen, with attempting to share Ukrainian military information with people he believed were Russian agents. Teslov had joined the Ukrainian military and allegedly tried to pass on details about its personnel and locations, which could threaten their safety.
Key Facts
Vladimir Teslov is 27 years old and holds both Russian and Australian citizenship.
He traveled to Russia in October 2024 for military-style training.
Teslov joined the Ukrainian armed forces in May 2025.
He allegedly tried to share Ukrainian military information with individuals he thought were connected to Russian intelligence.
The charges against him include attempted foreign interference, which can carry a 20-year prison sentence in Australia.
Teslov was arrested in Brisbane, where police searched multiple properties and seized devices.
Authorities do not believe he posed a direct threat to Australia and have found no connections to other known espionage cases in Brisbane.
The investigation involves cooperation between Australian and international agencies, and further arrests may be possible.
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A fire destroyed a restaurant with apartments in Thusis, a town in the Swiss Alps. Five people are missing, and eight others were injured. Firefighters and police are investigating how the fire started.
Key Facts
The fire happened just after midnight local time in Thusis, Switzerland.
The building was completely destroyed by the fire.
Five people have not been found and are considered missing.
Eight people were injured: two seriously, two moderately, and four slightly.
Nearly 100 firefighters responded, and a crane was used to open the roof after the stairwell collapsed.
Fourteen people escaped from the building.
Injured people were taken to hospitals in nearby cities including Chur, Thusis, Ilanz, and Zurich.
Police and public prosecutors are working together to find the cause of the fire.
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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle lived in Montecito, California, for about six years after leaving the British royal family. As they plan to return to the United Kingdom, the town is reflecting on their time there, while continuing to be a popular spot for many celebrities.
Key Facts
Montecito is a wealthy coastal town near Santa Barbara, California, known as a quiet place favored by celebrities.
Prince Harry and Meghan bought a $14.7 million estate in Montecito around six years ago.
Their arrival brought a lot of media attention, with reporters and photographers frequently visiting the area.
The local community had mixed reactions but generally supported the couple living there.
Other celebrities like Oprah Winfrey, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Ellen DeGeneres also live in Montecito.
Santa Barbara tourism promoted Montecito with the tagline “Fit for Royalty” during Harry and Meghan’s stay.
Meghan publicly criticized the British royal family for alleged racist treatment and poor media handling.
The couple has been involved in legal disputes over security funding during their time in the United States.
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Five activists from the UK group Palestine Action were convicted for damaging a Barclays Bank branch while protesting the bank’s ties to an Israeli defense company. Their court is now deciding if their actions should be treated as terrorism, even though they were not charged with terrorism initially.
Key Facts
Five Palestine Action activists caused about £212,000 ($290,000) in damages during a protest in Burnley, UK.
They targeted Barclays Bank because of its investments in the Israeli defense company Elbit Systems.
The activists were convicted in August 2024 and face sentencing in September 2024.
The judge is considering applying terrorism-related laws to their case after the conviction.
These terrorism laws have only recently been applied and mostly in cases involving Palestine Action activists.
Palestine Action was not listed as a terrorist group at the time of the protest or trial.
Thousands of people have been arrested for supporting Palestine Action since the group was banned in July 2025, equated legally with groups like al-Qaeda and ISIL.
Supporters of the activists and some legal experts say using terrorism laws in this way is unusual and may target political protest groups.
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British rapper and social media star Yung Filly, whose real name is Andres Felipe Valencia Barrientos, will face a new trial in Australia on three rape charges from an incident after a 2024 music show. He was found guilty of assaulting the woman but the jury could not agree on some rape charges, so prosecutors plan to retry him.
Key Facts
Yung Filly is a British rapper and social media celebrity named Andres Felipe Valencia Barrientos.
The alleged incident happened in Perth, Australia, in September 2024 after a concert.
He was found guilty of assaulting a 20-year-old woman, causing her bodily harm.
The jury found him not guilty of choking and certain rape charges.
The jury was deadlocked on three rape charges, meaning no majority agreement.
Prosecutors will retry him on those three rape charges.
The alleged victim is willing to testify again in the new trial.
Barrientos has been free on bail and returned to Britain for a time during the legal process.
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A rare collection of Mahatma Gandhi’s handwritten notes was sold for $1.69 million at an auction in Mumbai, setting a record price for an Indian historical document. The notes, written between 1944 and 1946, offer personal insights into Gandhi’s thoughts on truth, non-violence, and self-restraint.
Key Facts
The collection includes 688 handwritten messages by Gandhi to freedom fighter Anand T Hingorani.
The notes were written after the death of Hingorani’s wife and provided guidance and encouragement.
These messages were later published in a book called "A Thought for the Day."
The auction took place at Saffronart in Mumbai and included 86 items related to Gandhi.
Other items auctioned included Gandhi’s portable spinning wheel and letters about spiritual discipline.
The sale price of $1.69 million is the highest ever paid for an Indian historical document at auction.
The buyer’s identity was not revealed, but the notes will stay in India.
The collection covers more than two decades of Gandhi’s life and his friendship with Hingorani.
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Imran Khan, former prime minister of Pakistan, was sent back to jail after medical tests at a public hospital instead of the private hospital ordered by the court. Khan and his wife were sentenced to 17 years in prison and will have their next court hearing on September 16.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court ordered Khan to be treated at a private hospital in Islamabad within 48 hours.
Khan was taken to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), a public hospital, due to security concerns at the private clinic.
Qualified doctors examined Khan and declared him medically fit.
Khan’s sister, who is a medical doctor, was present during the medical check.
Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, were sentenced last year to 17 years in prison.
Khan was prime minister from 2018 to 2022 before being removed in a no-confidence vote.
Khan and his party say the legal cases against him are politically driven.
His arrest in 2023 triggered protests across Pakistan, some of which turned violent.
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Violent attacks by Israeli settlers in parts of the West Bank controlled by the Palestinian Authority have nearly doubled since 2025. These attacks are shifting from Area C, controlled by Israel, into Areas A and B where Palestinians have civil and security control, pushing deeper into territory planned for a future Palestinian state.
Key Facts
Israeli settlers have increased violent attacks in Areas A and B of the West Bank, which are under Palestinian Authority control.
Almost two-thirds of settler violence incidents in 2026 happened in Areas A and B.
The West Bank is divided into Areas A, B, and C based on the 1995 Oslo peace agreements, with different levels of Palestinian and Israeli control.
Area C, about 60% of the West Bank, is under Israeli control and contains all Israeli settlements considered illegal under international law.
Since 2024, settlers have been creating new farming outposts in Areas A and B to gain a foothold in strategic Palestinian areas.
Attacks in Area B rose from 25% last year to 55% in 2026, while attacks in Area C fell from 67% to 37%, showing a change in settler strategy.
The Israeli government has not taken strong action to stop the establishment of outposts that violate Israeli law, aligning with settler goals.
Some senior Israeli ministers openly support ending the Oslo agreements and expanding settlements into Palestinian areas.
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In Benin, many children under 5 have stunted growth due to malnutrition and incorrect beliefs about nutrition. Experts say stunting causes lasting health and brain development problems and is hard to reverse if it occurs in early childhood.
Key Facts
Over 30% of children under 5 in Benin suffer from stunted growth.
Stunting means children are shorter than average for their age because of poor nutrition.
Stunting mostly happens in the first 1,000 days of life and is mostly irreversible.
Some local beliefs wrongly discourage giving children nutritious foods like milk and eggs.
Families often keep animals like goats and chickens for sale rather than daily nutrition.
The Benin government aims to reduce stunting rates to under 30% by 2030.
Volunteers measure children's arm circumference to detect wasting, another sign of malnutrition.
Lack of knowledge about proper child feeding contributes to the problem.
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