World News
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Trump Briefed on Alleged Assassination Threats from Iran: ‘Big Threats’
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has claimed there are "big threats" against his life, following a US intelligence briefing on alleged Iranian plots to assassinate him. On Wednesday, the former president stated on his Truth Social platform that “the entire US military is watching and waiting,” following attempts by Iran that “didn’t work out, but they will try again." Trump added, “I am surrounded by more men, guns, and weapons than I have ever seen before."
China Conducts First Public Test Launch of Intercontinental Ballistic Missile
For the first time, China has publicly confirmed the successful launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) into the Pacific Ocean, a move that could spark international concern over the country’s expanding nuclear capabilities. The ICBM, equipped with a dummy warhead, was launched by the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Rocket Force at 8:44 a.m. Beijing time on Wednesday. The missile "fell into expected sea areas," according to a statement from China's defense ministry, which described the test as part of its "routine annual training plan" and stressed it was not aimed at any specific country or target.
‘Leave Immediately,’ Starmer Urges Britons in Lebanon as UK Troops Deploy to Cyprus
Two British warships are stationed in the region, ready for deployment if an evacuation is necessary. Royal Air Force planes and helicopters are also on standby. The UK prime minister has urged Britons in Lebanon to "leave immediately" as around 700 UK troops are being sent to Cyprus in case an emergency evacuation becomes necessary. Sir Keir Starmer stated, "We are ramping up contingency plans due to the escalation," as concerns grow over a potential full-scale conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
TikTok Bans Russian State Media Accounts for “Covert Influence Operations” Ahead of US Election
The popular video-sharing app TikTok has taken action against accounts linked to Russian state media, citing their involvement in "covert influence operations." This move is part of the platform's broader efforts to curb disinformation ahead of the upcoming US presidential election in November. The accounts impacted belong to Rossiya Segodnya, a media group that operates RIA Novosti and Sputnik news services, as well as TV-Novosti, which oversees the RT news channel. Previously, these accounts were restricted in the UK and the EU, with their content labeled as state-controlled media. Now, TikTok has imposed a permanent ban on them worldwide.
What’s the UN’s new ‘Pact for the Future’, and why did Russia oppose it?
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has adopted an ambitious pact aiming to make the organization more relevant and effective on the global stage in the 21st century, amid growing criticism over its failures to prevent wars and hold accountable those who violate its charter. Russia and Iran were among seven nations that opposed the "Pact for the Future," but they were unsuccessful in stopping the document from moving forward during the summit held on Sunday and Monday.
E-Bike Seizures Surge as Police Remove ‘Death Traps’ from Streets
One e-bike seized by police was found to be capable of reaching 70 mph, as concerns grow over the increasing number being modified using cheap conversion kits. Police seizures of illegally modified electric bikes have soared amid growing fears they are becoming "death traps" for pedestrians and riders, an investigation has found. Forces across the UK confiscated 937 e-bikes in the year leading up to 11 August, according to Freedom of Information figures – a significant increase compared to 511 recorded in the previous 12 months.
Sweden Accuses Iran of Cyberattack Inciting Revenge for Quran Burnings
Sweden has accused Iran of orchestrating a cyberattack involving thousands of text messages calling for revenge over the burning of the Quran. On Tuesday, the Swedish Prosecution Authority announced that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) hacked into a local SMS provider in 2023, sending around 15,000 messages urging retaliation for the desecration of Islam’s holy book. A statement from Sweden’s Security Service (SAPO) clarified, "[A] cyber group acted on behalf of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard to conduct an influence campaign." The campaign sought to portray Sweden as an Islamophobic nation and sow division within the country, according to SAPO.
Canadian Alleges ‘Psychological Torture’ During Chinese Imprisonment
Michael Kovrig, a former Canadian envoy whose arrest in China led to a diplomatic crisis, has accused Chinese authorities of subjecting him to "psychological torture" during his imprisonment. Kovrig was detained in December 2018, held in solitary confinement, and interrogated relentlessly over 1,000 days. He claims these actions violated international law, including United Nations guidelines on solitary confinement. Kovrig’s arrest followed Canada’s detention of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou on behalf of the United States. In what has been widely described as "hostage diplomacy," both Kovrig and fellow Canadian Michael Spavor were imprisoned on spying charges, only to be released after US prosecutors dropped their extradition request for Meng.
China Unveils Measures to Revitalize Struggling Economy
China’s central bank, the People's Bank of China (PBOC), has introduced a significant set of measures aimed at boosting its slowing economy. PBOC Governor Pan Gongsheng announced plans to lower borrowing costs and increase banks' lending capacity, following months of underwhelming economic data that suggest China may miss its 5% growth target for the year.
Project 2025 Mastermind Allegedly Told Colleagues He Killed a Dog with a Shovel
Kevin Roberts, the architect behind Project 2025—a right-wing policy manifesto advocating for increased immigrant deportations if Donald Trump is re-elected—allegedly told university colleagues two decades ago that he killed a neighbor’s dog with a shovel. This claim comes from former colleagues who worked with Roberts when he was a history professor at New Mexico State University (NMSU) around 2004.
Families Flee Southern Lebanon Amid Israeli Bombardment
Amid Israeli airstrikes on Hezbollah-linked targets in southern Lebanon, families rushed to escape. Many packed belongings and headed north in cars, trucks, and on motorcycles. Some residents, like Zahra Sawli from Nabatieh, reported intense bombardment and received warnings from the Israeli military to evacuate areas near Hezbollah positions. Zahra described hearing bombings early in the morning, with strikes intensifying by noon. "I saw a lot of strikes, glass shattering, and many people stuck in traffic trying to flee," she told the BBC. Roads leading to Beirut became clogged with vehicles, and some, like one family of five, arrived in the capital on a single motorbike, exhausted and desperate.
Iranian President Accuses Israel of Escalating Conflict
Iran's new president, Masoud Pezeshkian, has accused Israel of intensifying tensions in the Middle East. Speaking during his first official visit to the U.S. at the UN General Assembly in New York, Pezeshkian warned that no one would benefit from a wider war in the region. The reformist leader, who assumed office in July after advocating for improved relations with the West, emphasized that Israel is pushing for a broader conflict. “If a larger war erupts, it benefits no one, and Israel is the one seeking this escalation,” he said.