Reflections of a reformed grammar Nazi
SCMP •

Reflections of a reformed grammar Nazi

“Nothing bad can happen. It can only good happen.” Donald J. Trump It would be easy to write off the regular word salads of America’s 47th president as the increasingly incoherent ramblings of an elderly man in obvious mental and physical decline. However, one can also argue that Trump’s seemingly dyslexic struggles with the English language reflect a deliberate disregard for grammar rules that re...

Fast-moving Hawk wildfire is about 27% contained in Reno, Nevada, officials say
The Guardian •

Fast-moving Hawk wildfire is about 27% contained in Reno, Nevada, officials say

Tens of thousands are still under evacuation orders or warnings amid ‘human-caused’, wind-driven blazeThe Hawk fire is about 27% contained, authorities said on Monday afternoon, two days after the fast-moving, wind-driven wildfire sparked near Reno, Nevada.Authorities added that 23,000 people are under a “go-now” order and 40,000 people are under a “get-set” warning, an improvement from the 90,000...

Japan enlists 1,800 people to drag a 360-tonne castle keep using ropes and rollers
The Guardian •

Japan enlists 1,800 people to drag a 360-tonne castle keep using ropes and rollers

After repairs to Hirosaki Castle in Aomori prefecture, officials employed a technique known as hikiya to move the structure more than two metresTo chants of “so-re, so-re”, about 1,800 people came together in northern Japan over the weekend to pull a 360-tonne castle keep a little more than two metres closer to its original resting place as part of ongoing renovations.The keep – a fortified tower ...

Australia’s top music charts ban AI songs to protect human artists

Australia’s top music charts ban AI songs to protect human artists

SCMP •

Music made by artificial intelligence will be banned from Australia’s top charts under new guidelines aimed at protecting “the human nature of artistry”, an industry body said on Tuesday. Under new rules in force from Friday, music must be “substantially human made” to be eligible for the charts, the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) said. “Wholly AI-generated tracks will not be eli...

Colombia’s new president Abelardo de la Espriella announces immigration crackdown

Colombia’s new president Abelardo de la Espriella announces immigration crackdown

The Guardian •

Far-right leader echoes ally Donald Trump and says operations to ‘track down illegal immigrants’ should begin this week, amid earthquake aftermathColombia’s far-right president, Abelardo de la Espriella, has announced a crackdown on immigrants, ordering authorities to detain and deport people who are in the country irregularly or have committed crimes.In office for just over two weeks, the million...

Want to keep a big dog in Hong Kong? Experts share what you should know

Want to keep a big dog in Hong Kong? Experts share what you should know

SCMP •

Heat, humidity and crowded living spaces could pose challenges for Hongkongers hoping to keep large or aggressive dogs as pets, experts have said, urging potential owners to consider the needs of such animals before deciding to house them. They issued the warning after a woman and two small canines were mauled in two separate attacks last week. The woman was found collapsed in Ping Yeung Tsuen, ho...

Viral false claims about quakes, Hiroshima expose Japan’s online conspiracy problem

Viral false claims about quakes, Hiroshima expose Japan’s online conspiracy problem

SCMP •

Two outlandish claims that gained large audiences online in Japan recently have “shocked” misinformation experts, who say conspiracy-style narratives are feeding on disaster anxiety, fading wartime memory and an online information ecosystem that rewards outrage and suspicion. In the aftermath of the July 28 earthquake in Kumamoto prefecture in southern Japan, a social media user claimed that seism...

Owens Rebukes TPUSA Post: Candace Owens slams Tyler Bowyer; dispute over Erika Kirk

Owens Rebukes TPUSA Post: Candace Owens slams Tyler Bowyer; dispute over Erika Kirk

Times of India •

Candace Owens has pushed back against TPUSA chief operating officer Tyler Bowyer after he compared the backlash faced by Erika Kirk with financial support for Lindsay Clancy. Owens criticized Turning Point USA’s handling of events following Charlie Kirk’s death, arguing that people can oppose fundraisers for Clancy while also believing TPUSA should stay out of the case. Her latest comments add ano...

UK’s Burnham plans US trip to lobby Trump on Ukraine Patriot missiles

UK’s Burnham plans US trip to lobby Trump on Ukraine Patriot missiles

SCMP •

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he and other European leaders plan to travel to the US next month to lobby President Donald Trump to let Ukraine access some of its Patriot air defence missile stocks ahead of the winter. “I’m looking forward to going to New York in September,” Burnham said in an interview with Bloomberg in Kyiv on Monday evening, referring to the coming UN General Assembly meet...

UK’s Burnham plans US trip in September to lobby Trump on Ukraine needs

UK’s Burnham plans US trip in September to lobby Trump on Ukraine needs

SCMP •

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he and other European leaders plan to travel to the US next month to lobby President Donald Trump to let Ukraine access some of its Patriot air defence missile stocks ahead of the winter. “I’m looking forward to going to New York in September,” Burnham said in an interview with Bloomberg in Kyiv on Monday evening, referring to the coming UN General Assembly meet...

Massachusetts woman suspected of killing police officer husband found dead

Massachusetts woman suspected of killing police officer husband found dead

The Guardian •

Karen Solomon had been missing for six days after her husband Kurt Solomon was found dead at their homeA mental health advocate suspected of killing her police officer husband was found dead on Monday, six days after she disappeared from her Massachusetts home, authorities said.Karen Solomon, an advocate who called for improvements and greater awareness of police mental health issues, had disappea...

Australia news live: Coles blames competitor’s Ooshies for slowing sales; young people the first generation to earn less than their parents at same age

Australia news live: Coles blames competitor’s Ooshies for slowing sales; young people the first generation to earn less than their parents at same age

The Guardian •

Supermarket chain says growth slumped amid ‘competitor’s collectibles campaign’. Follow today’s news liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastNumber of NSW households in urgent need of priority housing hits highest level in over a yearThe number of NSW households in urgent need of priority social housing has reached 13,776, the highest in more than a year.The waitlist has sat...

TikTok Mom Dies In Crash: creator ‘Mama A’ killed in 2-car wreck; GoFundMe aids 4 kids

TikTok Mom Dies In Crash: creator ‘Mama A’ killed in 2-car wreck; GoFundMe aids 4 kids

Times of India •

Alyshia Rushing, known as TikTok’s “Mama A,” died at 26 after a two-vehicle crash in Montgomery, Alabama, on August 22. Police are investigating the crash, which also killed Landon Dunn. Rushing leaves four children, and a GoFundMe has been launched to support them and their father with daily needs, schooling, housing, childcare and counseling.

Gavin Newsom says California will sue Trump administration again to block ‘Orwellian rules’ meant to curb mail-in voting – live

Gavin Newsom says California will sue Trump administration again to block ‘Orwellian rules’ meant to curb mail-in voting – live

The Guardian •

California governor also highlighted two new proposed state laws that would make it a crime to interfere with the delivery of mail ballotsUS supreme court rules Trump can proceed with crackdown on mail-in votingSign up for the US Breaking News emailDonald Trump has threatened to increase tariffs on Canadian cars, trucks, auto parts and steel to 50% today, after trade negotiations between Washingto...