Death and alleged torture of man in detention sparks protests in Syria

Picture showing White Helmets volunteer unconscious and with bruises on his body went viral

Syrians have protested over the death of a man who was arrested and allegedly beaten by security forces, sparking widespread anger at a practice thought to have ended with the fall of Bashar al-Assad.

A crowd gathered in the city of Aleppo, demanding accountability for the security forces who are alleged to have carried out the torture, with participants holding signs and slogans such as: “Do not repeat the same oppression that we revolted against.” Protests were also planned to take place in front of Syria’s parliament in Damascus on Tuesday, as well.

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Japan to test hypersonic missiles in Australia – Taipei Times

  1. Japan to test hypersonic missiles in Australia  Taipei Times
  2. Australia, Japan test co-developed high-energy laser  Breaking Defense
  3. Japan and Australia tout progress on high-energy laser and missile range tests  The Japan Times
  4. Japan’s defence minister heads to Australia to meet Marles in wake of melon-gate controversy  The Guardian
  5. Japan Ministry of Defense  mod.go.jp
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Russians pull billions from banks, fearing Kremlin will seize deposits for war – The Washington Post

  1. Russians pull billions from banks, fearing Kremlin will seize deposits for war  The Washington Post
  2. Putin Hit With Humiliating New Crisis as Russians Pull Billions From Banks  The Daily Beast
  3. Russians withdraw billions from banks amid fears Putin could seize deposits  The Telegraph
  4. Russian bank cash withdrawals hit seventh consecutive month of record outflows  eciks.org
  5. In Russia, the Ministry of Internal Affairs has urged citizens to limit cash withdrawals and nighttime money transfers  UA.NEWS
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Ship attack in Hormuz kills crew member while Trump says strait is ‘open and operating’ – CNBC

  1. Ship attack in Hormuz kills crew member while Trump says strait is 'open and operating'  CNBC
  2. Tanker Stops in Hormuz as Iran Raises Efforts to Control Strait  Bloomberg.com
  3. Two Ships Transiting Strait of Hormuz Are Attacked as Oil Prices Rise  The New York Times
  4. Vessel hit by ‘unknown projectile’ in Strait of Hormuz, UKMTO says  aljazeera.com
  5. Oil Prices Climb After Reported Tanker Seizure by Iran  WSJ
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OpenAI launches ChatGPT for Teens with stronger safeguards

Teen version is intended for children aged 13 to 17 and includes content protections on self-harm and sexual chats

OpenAI is launching a version of ChatGPT designed for teenagers – the first generation to grow up with artificial intelligence – who are already using it for schoolwork, questions about daily life and even companionship.

The San Francisco-based company says ChatGPT for Teens, which launches on Tuesday, is tailored for children aged 13 to 17 with stronger protections including content restrictions around things such as suicide, self-harm and romantic or sexual chats. It also provides homework and study support designed to help students learn rather than spit out answers and school essays.

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Christopher Berry-Dee dropped by publisher after allegations of abuse made against him

Bonnier Books will no longer publish UK’s top-selling true crime author following Guardian investigation

The main publisher of the bestselling true crime writer Christopher Berry-Dee has dropped the author after a Guardian investigation into allegations of violence and sexual abuse against him, which he denies. Waterstones has also removed his books from sale.

“We are shocked and appalled by the very serious allegations relating to Christopher Berry-Dee, and our thoughts are with those affected,” said the publisher Bonnier Books in a statement to the Guardian.

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South Korean president jumps to invest in military after Trump cuts joint exercises – Fox News

  1. South Korean president jumps to invest in military after Trump cuts joint exercises  Fox News
  2. Facing Quagmire in Iran, Trump Turns to a Familiar Face: North Korea’s Kim Jong-un  The New York Times
  3. South Korea must brace for ‘worst-case scenario,’ President Lee says, as Trump cuts military drills  CNBC
  4. ‘Not the way it works’: Korea’s miscalculation on trade may cost them on security  Politico
  5. S. Korea stresses US alliance amid confusion over Trump drill cut  NPR
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Iran war latest: UAE residents receive security alert of potential missile threats – thenationalnews.com

  1. Iran war latest: UAE residents receive security alert of potential missile threats  thenationalnews.com
  2. UAE says situation safe after detecting missile threat  The Times of Israel
  3. Live Updates: Latest from Israel, Iran, and the Middle East  The Jerusalem Post
  4. UAE Warns Of 'Potential Missile Threats', Asks People To Seek Shelter  NDTV
  5. BREAKING: UAE issues alert for potential missile threats  Gulf Business
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Harrowing video shows selfie-taking tourists being washed away near Thailand hotspot – New York Post

  1. Harrowing video shows selfie-taking tourists being washed away near Thailand hotspot  New York Post
  2. Honeymooning Couple Killed in Horrific Helicopter Crash  The Daily Beast
  3. Injuries as tourists swept away by flash flood in Thailand waterfall  VnExpress International
  4. Flash flood hits Mae Sa waterfall, tourist swept downstream  Khaosod English
  5. Tourists ignore signs, get washed away  News.com.au
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The Moscow region is hit by a drone blitz as Russian missiles kill 10 in a Ukrainian village – AP News

  1. The Moscow region is hit by a drone blitz as Russian missiles kill 10 in a Ukrainian village  AP News
  2. Ukraine targets Moscow with huge drone strike as Russia warns U.K. will pay price for supplying attack drones  CBS News
  3. Ukraine launches 637 drones toward Moscow, mayor says, with Wildberries facility hit  ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos
  4. Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, August 16, 2026  Institute for the Study of War
  5. Ukraine takes aim at Russia's economy and morale by attacking online retailer Wildberries  PBS
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PBS should fund drug to treat breast cancer, endometriosis and gender dysphoria, experts recommend

Triptorelin, already listed for prostate cancer, should have unrestricted use, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee says

The federal government should fund treatment for thousands of women with breast cancer or endometriosis, and children with gender dysphoria, according to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme’s advisory committee.

The committee met urgently in July in response to AstraZeneca’s announcement it would remove Zoladex from the market, risking leaving more than 7,500 women with breast cancer without an alternative treatment.

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Heavy rain on dry ground may cause UK floods but will not reverse drought

‘First meaningful rain for a long time’ is forecast but water firms continue to ask customers to restrict use

Floods and drought could hit the UK at the same time this week, with heavy rain forecast to fall on hard, parched soil.

While some parts of the UK will have the “first meaningful rain for a long time” in the coming days, it will not reverse widespread drought conditions that have put pressure on wildlife, farmers, firefighters and water resources.

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