UK imposes trade ban on Israeli settlements, sparking global reaction
The United Kingdom has imposed an import ban on goods from illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank, Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband announced, accusing "settler terrorists" of carrying out "ethnic cleansing" and saying the Israeli government had "turned a blind eye" to violence against Palestinians. The move is the strongest condemnation of Israeli settlement policy by a British government on record.
Israel responded by closing Britain's consulate in East Jerusalem. Canada and France announced parallel measures, with France saying it would launch a process to ban settlement products. Australia, however, declined to join the UK, Canada and France, drawing criticism from Labor Friends of Palestine, who urged Foreign Minister Penny Wong to take a stronger stand against violence affecting Palestinians.
US President Donald Trump declined to say whether the United States opposed the allied sanctions, leaving Washington without a public position on the coordinated Western action.
The sanctions have also stirred debate within Britain's Jewish community. Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis warned that the measures could put British Jews at greater risk, a claim Miliband rejected, insisting that ministers can confront the actions of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government while also fighting antisemitism.
Trump gave $45,000 cash holiday gifts to White House aides
Financial disclosure forms released by the administration showed that President Donald Trump gave cash holiday gifts to several White House aides last year, including $45,000 to executive assistant Natalie Harp and a gift to communications adviser Margo Martin. The total number of recipients was reported as either three or four. A White House spokesperson said Trump has a longstanding practice of giving Christmas gifts and described the payments as personal and legal.
Amazon cargo plane crash at Miami airport kills five
A Boeing 767-300 cargo plane operated by 21 Air for Amazon Prime Air crashed at Miami International Airport on Sunday after overshooting the runway on a flight from Puerto Rico. The aircraft struck vehicles and caught fire, killing five people and seriously injuring five others, officials said.
The National Transportation Safety Board said Monday that both black boxes had been recovered and sent to Washington, where investigators will use them to confirm data such as the plane's speed on landing.
Philippines ferry fire leaves at least five dead, 86 missing
A fire broke out aboard the passenger ferry June Aster as it neared Coron, a tourist destination in Palawan province, during a voyage from Manila. The Philippine Coast Guard said at least five people were killed and 86 remained missing.
August 2026 ties for hottest month on record, agencies say
August 2026 tied July 2023 as the warmest month globally on record, according to the European climate agency. One assessment put the average temperature at 1.65C above pre-industrial levels, while another said it exceeded 1.5C above that benchmark. Scientists attributed the result to climate change and a strong El Niño and warned that further heat records could be broken in the months ahead.
Norway holds funeral for King Harald V, ending national mourning
Norway held a funeral for King Harald V in Oslo on Wednesday, concluding 13 days of national mourning after his death last month at the age of 89. Tens of thousands of people lined the streets as European royals and world leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and the Prince of Wales, joined three Nordic kings in paying their respects. A nationwide minute of silence was observed.
Pochettino says Tottenham should receive Chelsea's 2016-17 Premier League title
Former Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has said Chelsea should be stripped of the 2016-17 Premier League title for financial rule breaches and the trophy awarded to Spurs, who finished second that season. His comments follow Chelsea being fined £10m by the Football Association in July and handed a suspended two-window transfer ban. Pochettino's call is a personal view, not an official ruling.
Iceland to become first UK high street retailer in Falklands
Supermarket chain Iceland has confirmed it will open a store in Stanley, the capital of the Falkland Islands, in early December in partnership with local retailer Kelper Stores. It will be the first UK high street brand to operate in the British territory.
Emergency slide deploys on new Air Force One, delaying Trump
President Donald Trump's departure to a Republican convention in Dallas was delayed after an emergency slide deployed on the new Air Force One while the Qatari-donated jet was parked on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews. The mishap occurred before he boarded.
Andrew and Tristan Tate denied bail in US extradition fight
A US judge denied bail to Andrew and Tristan Tate on Wednesday, ordering the brothers to remain in custody in Florida while they fight extradition to the United Kingdom. The influencer brothers were arrested in Miami in July on UK rape and sex trafficking charges. Prosecutors told the court the Tates had boasted of holding multiple passports and flying on private jets; their lawyers argued such claims were part of an online persona.