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World news from every region: conflicts, elections, diplomacy, disasters and the people at the centre of them.
7520 articles · page 156 of 157 · The World front page
Sicily, Italy’s largest island and historically one of the most conquered places on Earth, has undergone a remarkable transformation from a sleepy, run-down region into a premier destination teeming with cultural and natural wonders, according to a travel feature by Mark Chipperfield published in multiple Australian outlets.
· 3 sourcesThe United States government has announced that visitors from several Pacific countries will now be required to post a bond of up to $27,000 before entering the country, a dramatic increase aimed at cracking down on visa overstayers. The policy, effective immediately, has drawn sharp reactions from affected nations and travel advocates, who warn it could strain bilateral ties and harm tourism.
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr has dismissed calls for a moratorium on new data centre developments in Canberra, arguing that the territory's existing planning and environmental standards already meet or exceed proposed national regulations. His comments come as data centres continue to proliferate in the region, drawing both economic investment and criticism over their energy consumption and environmental impact.
· 2 sourcesA significant fire tore through a boat shed on the Gold Coast late Saturday night, requiring a major emergency response as ten firetrucks worked to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to neighboring properties.
· 3 sourcesA seven-year-old boy was found alone on a bench at 2000 metres up Japan’s Mount Fuji in fog and rain, after his father reportedly left him there for hours, according to Australian media reports. The child was discovered by other climbers and later taken to safety, sparking concerns over parental supervision on one of the world’s most iconic hiking routes.
· 3 sourcesTropical Storm Moke is expected to slam into the southern coast of Hawaii’s Big Island on Saturday evening, bringing heavy rain and strong winds just days after Hurricane Lala devastated parts of the archipelago. The National Weather Service has warned of significant flooding and mudslides, particularly in areas still recovering from Lala's impact.
· 2 sourcesIran's parliament has moved forward with a draft law that would impose service fees on ships permitted to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, according to state media reports, as Iraqi President Nizar Amidi separately declared that Iraq's territory will not be used to launch attacks against any state. The developments mark the latest escalation in regional tensions surrounding the strategic waterway.
· 2 sourcesLando Norris converted his pole position into a second straight victory at the Dutch Grand Prix on Sunday, while Max Verstappen's contract extension stole headlines off the track. The weekend also saw Williams confirm contracts for Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz, and a pattern of post-signing struggles emerged for several drivers.
· 3 sourcesA new three-part documentary series marking 25 years since the MV Tampa stand-off seeks to present a more nuanced account of the 2001 diplomatic crisis that fundamentally reshaped Australia’s border protection policies. The series airs as Australia continues to debate the legacy of the Pacific Solution and offshore processing.
· 3 sourcesRussian President Vladimir Putin has warned that Ukraine’s military actions have opened a ‘Pandora’s box’ and threatened to retaliate against the country’s most vulnerable economic sectors, while rejecting current peace proposals as unacceptable. The remarks, made in an interview with the state-controlled channel Vesti, signal a hardening of Moscow’s position as the war enters its third year.
Once considered a near-universal life stage, parenthood is increasingly becoming a deliberate choice — and with that choice, according to journalist Liam Mannix, comes a heightened pressure to be 'the best parents possible,' raising questions about how society supports families.
· 3 sourcesLawyers for U.S. President Donald Trump have moved to block subpoenas issued by the BBC to his daughter Ivanka Trump and son Donald Trump Jr., calling the broadcaster's attempt to compel their testimony 'cynical,' while the BBC contends the depositions could shed light on a matter already under scrutiny.
Pam Ahern, now 64, has spent decades rescuing farm animals, but a defining moment came when her partner presented an ultimatum: him or the pig. She chose the pig. In a new interview with The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald, Ahern describes how she rejected societal expectations to marry and have children, instead devoting her life to animal welfare and founding the Edgar’s Mission sanctuary in Victoria.
· 3 sourcesVeteran Australian actor Catherine McClements has revealed that her role in the upcoming series *Dalliance* forced her to examine her own unconscious age biases, particularly around sexuality and intimacy in later life. The six-part drama, which premieres later this year, follows a group of people over 60 navigating romance and desire, challenging stereotypes about ageing and relationships.
· 3 sourcesA 64-year-old Australian who has just inherited $700,000 faces a pivotal financial decision. While the prospect is daunting, financial planners suggest directing the funds toward retirement savings, debt reduction, and low-risk investments — but warn against hasty moves without personalised advice.
· 3 sourcesIn comedy clubs across China, women are using a foreign language and sharp wit to transform cultural pressures into punchlines, while pioneering hip-hop group Salt-N-Pepa reflect on four decades of being dismissed as sellouts or a passing fad. Both stories underscore a recurring theme: women in male-dominated entertainment spheres are having the last laugh on their terms.
· 2 sourcesA woman who was told by Specsavers she needed bifocals has been involved in a car accident after her undiagnosed cataracts impaired her vision. A leading researcher says the condition should have been detected during the eye test.
· 3 sourcesA new report has revealed that hundreds of lobbyists move freely through the corridors of Parliament House, prompting an unnamed member of parliament to warn that these professional influencers can become powerful enemies if crossed. Critics argue the unrestricted access undermines democratic transparency and gives corporate interests an outsized voice in policymaking.
Victoria’s 43rd premier, Jeff Kennett, has broken his characteristic silence on contemporary politics, offering unfiltered opinions on Julia Gillard, Daniel Andrews, and the broader state of political leadership. Now 78, Kennett made clear he is not interested in nostalgia but, true to form, has firm ideas on why the political class is failing, according to a wide-ranging interview published across three major Australian newspapers.
· 3 sourcesA mandated review of Queensland's voluntary assisted dying laws, which came into effect in 2023, was triggered in January but has yet to be publicly initiated, prompting former health minister Yvette D'Ath to outline possible reasons for the delay. The laws, which allow eligible terminally ill Queenslanders to access life-ending medication, include a statutory review mechanism that is now overdue.
· 3 sourcesThe United States has deported a group of people to Liberia, with the West African nation's government announcing the move on Tuesday, just two days before the flight arrived. However, some Liberian politicians have stated they were not consulted, raising questions about the process and the prospects for those being returned.
Reform UK has proposed a social housing policy that would prioritise UK-born citizens over foreign-born British citizens, as Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch separately ruled out any coalition with Nigel Farage’s party and condemned defectors as ‘some of the most dishonest people I have met.’
· 4 sourcesWhile 33,124 residents of northwestern Indiana remain without power for a 12th consecutive day after severe storms toppled power lines, a fast-moving wildfire near Reno, Nevada, has forced the evacuation of 42,000 people, creating a dual emergency that is stretching state and local resources.
· 5 sourcesThe UK is moving toward widespread use of libido-controlling medications for sex offenders, with an expert involved in evaluating the program stating that voluntary treatment could be rolled out to thousands of male prisoners in England and Wales by December 2028. The expansion follows pilot programs in 20 prisons and has reignited debate over the ethics of chemically suppressing sexual desire as a condition of parole.
· 2 sourcesIran has announced that its weapons production continues unabated during the ongoing conflict with the United States, but officials refuse to disclose specific details, citing wartime operational security. The statement, reported by state-controlled media on August 22, 2026, offers a rare glimpse into Iran’s defense industrial base amid a high-intensity confrontation that has tested its military capabilities against advanced American forces.
An Australian hotel group is eliminating key cards in favor of smartphone-based room access, marking the latest step in the hospitality industry's move toward contactless and digital-first guest experiences.
· 3 sourcesThe Indonesian government has deployed additional troops to the island of Borneo to combat worsening wildfires that have already scorched more than 200,000 hectares of land between January and July, officials confirmed Saturday.
European football has been marred by two separate crowd disturbances this week, with a pitch invasion at a German Cup match leaving eight hospitalised and about 100 injured, and a Dutch league game where home fans suffered burns after fireworks were set off in the stands. The incidents, in Mannheim and Leeuwarden, have reignited concerns over stadium safety and fan behaviour.
· 2 sourcesThe Omaha Police Department has agreed to stop carrying electric shock gloves—devices that deliver a jolt of electricity—in the hallways of Nebraska’s largest public school district, after the district requested the practice be halted. The agreement covers most Omaha middle and high schools and came to light after the Associated Press reported that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement planned to equip officers with similar devices, which have already been used in some jails.
The ongoing war in Gaza has led to a severe shortage of burial space, forcing families to retrieve bodies from makeshift graves as the death toll continues to rise, according to reports from the region. Al Jazeera describes the conflict as a genocidal war, a characterization that Israel strongly rejects. The crisis highlights the immense strain on Gaza’s infrastructure and the human toll of the prolonged hostilities.
The Trump administration has formally proposed a rule to gut the 2001 Roadless Rule, a landmark environmental regulation that protects nearly 58.5 million acres of national forest from road construction, logging, and mining. The proposal, published in the Federal Register, would eliminate protections for the Tongass National Forest in southeast Alaska and allow states to petition for exemptions elsewhere, triggering immediate backlash from conservation groups and scientists who warn it will fragment critical wildlife habitat, degrade water quality, and accelerate climate change.
· 2 sourcesCanterbury Bulldogs playmaker Matt Burton was sent to the sin bin late in the second half of Saturday's NRL match after being penalised for a professional foul, leaving his team to defend a narrow lead with 13 men.
· 3 sourcesGWS Giants star forward Jake Stringer produced a moment of brilliance during the match at Adelaide Oval, snapping a classy goal from a tight angle in the left-forward pocket. The goal, which drew praise from commentators and fans alike, showcased Stringer's renowned ability to score from difficult positions under pressure.
· 3 sourcesHull City delivered a stunning performance against Manchester United on Sunday, securing a 2-0 victory through a brilliantly executed set-piece. Defender Nobel Mendy celebrated triumphantly after heading home the second goal, leaving United manager Erik ten Hag searching for answers after his side's defensive lapse.
· 3 sourcesAustralian heavyweight Teremoana Teremoana delivered a statement performance on Saturday night, obliterating American DeAndre Savage via knockout in the first round of their scheduled ten-round bout, further cementing his status as a rising force in the division.
· 3 sourcesBronson Xerri has scored a vital try for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs despite the team being reduced to 12 players, demonstrating the resilience of the NRL side in a tense match.
· 3 sourcesSt. George Illawarra Dragons hooker Jacob Liddle was assisted from the field by trainers during a match on Saturday after suffering a lower leg injury, casting doubt on his availability for upcoming fixtures.
· 3 sourcesThis week, two seemingly unrelated stories from the Francophone world underscore a changing literary and educational landscape: Éric Rohmer’s long-lost novel ‘Élisabeth’ has been republished in English to rapturous reviews, while Algeria announced it will teach English before French in primary schools for the first time, marking a deliberate break from France’s cultural influence.
· 2 sourcesYarra mayor Stephen Jolly will wait until next month to learn his fate after pleading not guilty to punching a protester, as a separate inquiry into the death of a man on a known-leaking road reveals a litany of missed opportunities that devastated his widow Bina Rajthala after an eight-year wait.
· 6 sourcesA mega great white shark turned on a group of recreational fishermen off the New South Wales coast, according to reports from the Sydney Morning Herald, Brisbane Times, and The Age. The incident, reported on August 22, 2026, has prompted renewed attention to shark encounters in Australian waters, though no injuries have been reported.
· 3 sourcesElvira was in the grip of a heroin addiction when she discovered she was pregnant with her first child — and, like many in her situation, she felt she had no right to become a mother. A dedicated clinic in Melbourne is working to change that by providing holistic care for pregnant women struggling with substance use disorders.
· 3 sourcesThe number of children treated for severe malnutrition in Somalia has jumped 32% in the past year, according to UNICEF, as the country grapples with an unrelenting drought compounded by sharp reductions in international humanitarian funding.
President Joseph Aoun's efforts to rein in Hezbollah and restore state sovereignty have stalled, with the militant group's influence undiminished as Lebanon remains embroiled in an intensifying war with Israel, according to a New York Times report published August 22.
· 4 sourcesManly Sea Eagles rookie Clayton Faulalo produced the play of the round, faking out Kalyn Ponga with a dazzling sidestep before sprinting 70 metres to score a spectacular try in the NRL clash against the Newcastle Knights.
· 3 sourcesSydney Roosters winger Dom Young was sent to the sin bin during Saturday's NRL clash after a tackle on Manly's Tolu Koula that officials deemed a hip-drop style tackle, adding to the league's ongoing scrutiny of the dangerous technique.
· 3 sourcesA forensic psychiatrist testifying for the defense told a Massachusetts court on Friday that Lindsay Clancy was experiencing a 'command hallucination' when she killed her three young children in January 2023, a key claim in the insanity defense being mounted by her legal team.
· 2 sourcesDavid and Anne Moffat are considering a wrongful death lawsuit against the UK Treasury after a coroner ruled that the Treasury’s disciplinary process materially contributed to the suicide of their daughter Chloe, a 26-year-old personal assistant. The couple, who have spent the past year investigating the circumstances of her death, say they fear the department will not learn from its mistakes without legal action.
The AFL finals landscape has shifted dramatically: Collingwood icon Scott Pendlebury’s playing days are in jeopardy after a serious injury, while Carlton have surged into premiership contention with a comeback victory over minor premiers Fremantle. In a day of high drama, Blues CEO Graham Wright also offered a promising update on young talent Elijah Hollands, underscoring the club’s growing optimism.
· 6 sources