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- Russia Launches Major Missile Strikes Across Ukraine, Targeting Cities
- Meloni leads Italy’s longest-serving government since World War II
- Conservation and education initiatives for polar bears and belugas in Churchill, Man.
- President Trump commutes prison sentence of John Dougherty, lawyer confirms
- London gangs operate ‘league’ system to score violence against rivals
- Holidaymakers resort to jumping through bushes in sunbed scramble in Spain
- Lithuania calls for stronger EU response to threats from Russia’s attacks
- ICC leaders denounce diplomatic efforts to undermine international law
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Russia Launches Major Missile Strikes Across Ukraine, Targeting Cities
11:01 am
Russia Launches Major Missile Strikes Across Ukraine, Targeting Cities
The United Nations Security Council convened yesterday to address escalating tensions between Israel and Hamas, following a series of violent altercations in Gaza that have led to over 200 casualties in the past week alone. The discussion, spearheaded by the United States, focused on the need for immediate humanitarian aid access and a renewed ceasefire strategy as violence continues to spiral, prompting urgent calls from various global leaders for a de-escalation of hostilities. The situation has raised significant international concern regarding regional stability and security.
In economic news, the ongoing conflict has prompted a surge in oil prices, with Brent crude reaching $88 per barrel amid fears that escalating violence could disrupt supply chains in the Middle East. Market analysts are closely monitoring these developments, particularly in light of the upcoming G20 summit, where discussions on energy security and economic recovery are expected to take centre stage.
Key developments across the world
Climate injustices have been laid bare in the Nepal-Tibet flood disaster | Letters
GLOBAL SECURITY — Devastating floods have hit parts of Nepal and Tibet, causing significant loss of life. Reports indicate that over 140 people have died, raising urgent concerns about climate resilience and disaster preparedness in vulnerable regions.
The floods have left thousands displaced and damaged essential infrastructure, shedding light on the need for enhanced international cooperation in addressing climate-induced disasters. Humanitarian organisations are mobilising aid, but logistical challenges hinder effective response efforts.
Boy dies after car hit by train on level crossing in Co Mayo – Sky News
INTERNATIONAL LAW — A tragic accident in Co Mayo, Ireland, resulted in the death of a 12-year-old boy when a car was struck by a train at a level crossing. The incident has reignited discussions about railway safety regulations and the protection of vulnerable road users.
As authorities investigate the circumstances around the accident, calls for improvements to safety measures at crossings are growing, with various local advocacy groups stressing the importance of preventing future tragedies. The emotional toll on the community has been profound, highlighting the need for more stringent legal protections.
Deadlocked jury in Lindsay Clancy’s murder trial to deliberate for seventh day – Reuters
WORLD POLITICS — The jury in the Lindsay Clancy murder trial continues deliberations after reaching a deadlock, creating tensions around the courtroom process. This case has drawn considerable media attention due to its sensational nature and implications for judicial proceedings.
The prolonged deliberation raises questions about the effectiveness of juror decision-making in high-stakes trials and the public’s perception of justice. Legal experts note that a failure to reach a verdict could lead to a retrial, further complicating the legal landscape surrounding this case.
Tensions flare in Lindsay Clancy trial courtroom over holdout juror – CNN
DIPLOMACY — Courtroom tensions escalated in the Lindsay Clancy trial following a heated exchange regarding a juror’s behaviour. This development highlights the challenges of maintaining impartiality and unity among jurors in a trial of significant public interest.
The incident reflects broader concerns regarding the judicial system’s ability to handle cases with intense scrutiny, prompting discussions on potential reforms to improve juror management and courtroom decorum. The implications for the trial’s outcome remain uncertain as deliberations continue.
Moment Ceuta migrants parade round baby dolphin before ‘beating it to death’ – The Sun
GLOBAL MIGRATION — Shocking footage has emerged showing migrants in Ceuta with a baby dolphin, leading to outrage and calls for accountability. Activists are condemning the incident as emblematic of the human disregard for wildlife amidst migrant crises.
This incident highlights the complex interactions between human migration and environmental conservation, revealing the urgent need for policies that address both human rights and wildlife protection in border areas. The societal implications of such events compel a reevaluation of ethical standards in humanitarian contexts.
What to watch — The outcome of the Lindsay Clancy trial could have significant implications for public perceptions of the judicial system in the US.
Further reading from global news sources
The Guardian
Climate injustices have been laid bare in the Nepal-Tibet flood disaster | Letters
BBC News
County Mayo: Boy, 12, dies after car hit by train
The Irish Times
Boy (12) dies and man injured after train hits car at crossing in Co Mayo
Reuters
Deadlocked jury in Lindsay Clancy’s murder trial to deliberate for seventh day
CNN
Tensions flare in Lindsay Clancy trial courtroom over holdout juror
Meloni leads Italy’s longest-serving government since World War II
10:00 am
Get you up to speed: Meloni sets a record, leading Italy’s longest-serving government since WWII
In Abetone Cutigliano, Italy, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her party marked a record by leading the country’s longest-lasting government since World War II. The government surpassed the previous record of 1,412 consecutive days in power, established by former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.
Giorgia Meloni’s government has benefited from Italy’s 2018 electoral law, which allowed her coalition to secure an absolute majority in the 2022 elections. Amidst rising voter volatility, a new far-right party led by Roberto Vannacci has quickly gained popularity, posing a challenge to Meloni’s administration just seven months after its formation.
Supporters of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni celebrated her government’s record of longevity, with local officials like Andrea Tonarelli highlighting the milestone as a source of community pride. However, analysts caution that this longevity may not equate to genuine political stability, noting the rise of new challenges such as the far-right National Future party and Italy’s economic vulnerabilities, with forecasts predicting a mere 0.6 percent growth for 2026.
What remains unclear — It is uncertain how the rapid rise of Roberto Vannacci’s far-right party will impact Meloni’s government and its claim to stability.
Meloni leads Italy’s longest-serving government since World War II
NewsMeloni sets a record, leading Italy’s longest-serving government since WWII
As supporters celebrate the milestone, analysts warn longevity is not tantamount to stability.
Published On 4 Sep 20264 Sep 2026
Published On 4 Sep 20264 Sep 2026In the mountain resort of Abetone Cutigliano, nestled in the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines, supporters of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni are celebrating.
On Friday, the Italian leader and her party set a record – leading the country’s longest-lasting government since World War II.
Famed for political instability, Italy has seen 68 governments in eight decades. While the late Silvio Berlusconi keeps the title of longest-serving premier, having held the premiership for a longer period over four terms, the government led by the far-right Brothers of Italy has now overtaken his record of 1,412 consecutive days in power.
Abetone Cutigliano, the prime destination for skiing enthusiasts, was one of the municipalities that made the accomplishment possible, overwhelmingly voting for Meloni’s party in the national elections of October 2022. Andrea Tonarelli, a councillor with Brothers of Italy’s local branch, said a seafront celebratory event is being held to mark the occasion.
“Those of us who can’t go will gather at the party’s local office to watch the rally,” the 35-year-old told WTX News.
For Tonarelli, an engineer for the municipality, the milestone is a “point of pride”.
“Ten years ago, this result would have been unthinkable,” he said. “I feel emotional saying this, but the merit goes to those people who were able to get hold of the youth like me.”
A self-professed mountain dweller who joined Brothers of Italy in 2017, Tonarelli said he was enticed by the party’s opposition to the left’s “armchair environmentalism” that restricts hunting, thwarts big infrastructure projects and opposes selective woods logging.
He also embraced the party’s “patriotic” resolve to put “Italians first”, including through border protection and the promotion of local products and traditional heritage.
“Our main characteristic is believing in what we do and giving it our 100 percent,” he said. “This is not a milestone reached by Giorgia Meloni, by the party, or by a single militant. This is a milestone by an entire community that makes history in this nation.”
‘Profoundly symbolic’
Grazia Di Maggio, the youngest member of the Chamber of Deputies for Brothers of Italy, hailed the government’s record-breaking longevity as “profoundly symbolic”.
“Giorgia Meloni is the first woman to hold the office of prime minister and she comes from a right-wing background, which means no shortcuts and no favouritism,” the 31-year-old told WTX News, hinting at Italy’s rebuke of Benito Mussolini’s totalitarian dictatorship and subsequent weariness of far-right ideologies.
Meloni has sought to distance herself from fascism, declaring in 2022 that the Italian right had handed the ideology “over to history”.
For Di Maggio, who left the southern region of Basilicata at the age of 18 and started her political career leafleting while pursuing a degree in communications in Milan, Meloni’s accomplishment sets an example.
“It’s a story that shows that passion, sacrifice and personal value can make a difference,” she said. “It demonstrates that a right-wing government can be credible, stable and uphold its responsibilities.”
Stable or static?
Analysts have questioned Brothers of Italy’s claim to a newfound political stability.
“Political stability is not measured by the government’s longevity,” Paolo Carusi, a lecturer in contemporary history at Roma Tre University, told WTX News.
In previous decades, “governments would fall but political ideologies would remain stalwart,” Carusi said. “The current political scene is characterised by voter volatility … Italians don’t feel like voting any more – and if they do, they tend to reward parties that run for the first time.”
Carusi argued that two main factors enabled Meloni’s government to survive longer than others. First, Italy’s latest electoral law, dating back to 2018 and applied to the 2022 election that brought Meloni to power, worked to her advantage by allowing the right-wing coalition to obtain an absolute majority.
Second, Brothers of Italy gave up on much of its electoral programme to maintain stability, unlike previous governments that had alienated coalition partners by pursuing their own agendas.
As a result, Meloni is now grappling with the rapid ascent of a new far-right party led by former army general Roberto Vannacci, which has become the country’s fourth most popular political force only seven months after its launch.
In the upcoming 2027 general election, Vannacci’s National Future will be able to “claim to be the only true upholder of right-wing values,” Carusi said.
Political scientist Piero Ignazi, who lectures at the University of Bologna, said the government’s longevity signalled a period of stasis.
“Stability can be useful to create change, or it can be a way to remain static or even shift into reverse,” the analyst said, arguing that the latter describes the trajectory of Meloni’s government.
Italy’s economy remains fragile, with forecasts projecting its growth at a lacklustre 0.6 percent in 2026. Next year, it is expected to rank last in growth and first in public debt within the European Union.
Alongside Italy’s economy, social policies are also a cause for concern, Ignazi said.
The government has reformed the law to criminalise actions that previously resulted only in fines or civil penalties.
“The government introduced 52 new felonies and all of them have to do with the expression of public dissent and the right to protest,” he said. “This marks a dangerous setback which I believe is the harbinger of more to come if another right-wing government is elected.”
Conservation and education initiatives for polar bears and belugas in Churchill, Man.
9:00 am
Get you up to speed: Polar bear, beluga conservation, education in Churchill, Man.
Churchill, Man. is experiencing an influx of thousands of beluga whales, with hundreds of polar bears expected to arrive in the area shortly. The immediate situation involves a significant gathering of these marine mammals and land predators around the community.
Churchill, Man. currently hosts thousands of beluga whales, attracting significant attention from researchers and wildlife enthusiasts. The annual presence of polar bears in the area is expected to begin shortly, as they typically converge around the community in preparation for the winter season.
Local authorities in Churchill, Man. are preparing for an influx of polar bears, which are set to join the existing population of beluga whales. Measures are being planned to ensure public safety as the seasonal gathering of wildlife increases.
What remains unclear — It is not clear how the arrival of polar bears will affect the local ecosystem and community safety.
Conservation and education initiatives for polar bears and belugas in Churchill, Man.
Churchill, Man. is home to thousands of beluga whales this time of year, and soon hundreds of polar bears will also gather around the community.
President Trump commutes prison sentence of John Dougherty, lawyer confirms
7:00 am
Get you up to speed: John “Johnny Doc” Dougherty’s prison sentence commuted by President Trump, lawyer says
Former Philadelphia labor leader John “Johnny Doc” Dougherty was granted an early release from prison following a commutation signed by President Trump, confirmed by his attorney George Bochetto. Dougherty was sentenced to six years for bribery and embezzlement and is expected to be released from a federal penitentiary in Lewisburg.
John Dougherty’s legal team expects him to be released from a federal penitentiary in Lewisburg on Friday morning. Records from the Office of the Pardon Attorney still do not show an official approval for the commutation despite the confirmation from his attorney.
John “Johnny Doc” Dougherty’s early release from prison was confirmed by his attorney, George Bochetto, who stated that President Trump signed a commutation due to Dougherty’s need to care for his ailing wife. Dougherty’s release is slated for Friday morning, despite opposition from prosecutors who argued he had not served enough of his sentence.
What remains unclear — Records from the Office of the Pardon Attorney do not yet confirm the approval of Dougherty’s commutation despite his attorney’s statement.
President Trump commutes prison sentence of John Dougherty, lawyer confirms
Former Philadelphia labor leader John “Johnny Doc” Dougherty was granted an early release from prison after President Trump agreed to sign a commutation to end his six-year sentence early, his attorney George Bochetto confirmed to WTX US News Philadelphia Thursday.
Dougherty was convicted in 2023 of bribing a city councilmember and embezzling about $600,000 from Local 98 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. He was also found guilty in November 2021 in his first trial on counts of bribery and fraud in connection with using former Councilmember Bobby Henon to advance work and projects for IBEW Local 98.
Dougherty was sentenced to six years in prison in July 2024 and has four years left in his sentence.
As of Thursday night, records on the Office of the Pardon Attorney website do not yet show a commutation approval. The agency’s website shows Mr. Trump denied a commutation of sentence for Dougherty in July.
“President Trump has signed a commutation so that Johnny Doc can be released from prison to take care of his gravely ill wife, Cecilia Dougherty,” Bochetto said. “Cecilia Dougherty is in desperate need of care. Her money has run out for private nursing, and she desperately needs John by her side. And that’s why now.”
Bochetto said they hope Dougherty will be released from a federal penitentiary in Lewisburg Friday morning.
“We’re going to have a crew there to receive John and bring him to his wife,” Bochetto said.
Bochetto added he received a phone call Thursday afternoon from the White House informing him of the commutation.
Dougherty served as the head of IBEW Local 98 for nearly 30 years and was a longtime Democratic power broker in Pennsylvania politics.
“We are all just so grateful to President Trump, who really has risen above politics. John Dougherty is an icon of Democratic politics in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania. Donald Trump is a Republican,” Bochetto said. “The president has risen above partisan politics and recognized the need and the compassion that this case presented and commuted John’s sentence so he can return home and take care of his wife.”
Prosecutors had opposed Dougherty’s request, saying they did not believe he had served enough of his sentence to merit release.
WTX US News Philadelphia reached out to the White House for confirmation and is waiting to hear back.
London gangs operate ‘league’ system to score violence against rivals
6:00 am
Get you up to speed: London gangs in sick ‘league’ where points are awarded for level of violence inflicted | News UK
Gangs in London are participating in a violent ranking system that awards points based on the severity of crimes committed, including stabbings and shootings. A recent operation by the WTXpolitan Police has led to the arrest of over 400 individuals across Lambeth and Southwark in response to a spike in gang-related violence.
The WTXpolitan police conducted a ten-day operation from August 17 to 26, leading to over 400 arrests in response to a surge in gang violence in Lambeth and Southwark. Detective Constable Faisal El Issaoui highlighted the existence of a points-based system among gangs, with murder being the highest-scoring act, reflecting the severity of gang-related crime in the capital.
The WTXpolitan police are intensifying operations against gang violence, having arrested over 400 individuals during a ten-day crackdown in response to recent murders in Lambeth and Southwark. Detective Constable Faisal El Issaoui warned that the violence level among groups, including the Latin Kings and Los Trinitarios, is “off the scale,” as gangs employ a point-scoring system to quantify their criminal activities.
What remains unclear — The specific number of incidents that have contributed to the gangs’ league-style crime ranking remains undisclosed.
London gangs operate ‘league’ system to score violence against rivals
Gangs in London are locked in a league in which points are awarded depending on the level of violence inflicted on enemies, WTX can reveal.
We can also reveal another London area has also been rocked by a South American narco war.
WTX joined the WTXpolitan police’s top ‘gang hunter’ for a ride along across South London ‘turf’ being fought over by rivals.
Detective Constable Faisal El Issaoui understands the fabric of the gangs and the complex series of alliances they have formed in the capital over decades.
Some are associated with the drill rap scene and even consider themselves as modern versions of the infamous Crips and Bloods gangs, which stalked the streets of Los Angeles from the 1970s before spreading to other cities.
The gangs in London compare their sick crimes through a Premier League-style table in which they get points for stabbings, shootings and other crimes.
A murder would be the maximum three points, while a non-fatal stabbing one.
The detective, who is the Met’s expert witness in court on gang matters, gave WTX a run down on the scale of the gang activity in south London during a 10-day operation.
The operation was to suppress gang activity after a series of murders across Lambeth and Southwark.
More than 400 people were arrested in the crackdown across August 17-26.
Every few minutes we would pass another shrine to a victim of gang crime – some gang affiliated themselves – and others just by accident of birth being brought up on gang turf where gangsters from rival areas ‘shoot first and ask questions later’.
There are two gangs on just one stretch of road – Lower and Upper Tulse Hill – while in nearby Brixton the notorious 67 gang operate having been born out of the drill rap scene.
Latest London news
To get the latest news from the capital, visit WTX’s London news hub.
Then in Elephant and Castle it is South American inspired gangs battling over the drugs market.
Most notably the Latin Kings with Colombian Associations and Los Trinitarios, a Dominican drug smuggling operation. Officers told WTX the level of violence between these groups was ‘off the scale’ with one revenge attack involving the gouging out of an opponent’s eyes.
But in terms of systematic violence, the idea of a league with points awarded for brutality, with murder being awarded the most exposes the entrenched gang culture.
The 67 and Lower Tulse Hill are the most prominent gangs at the moment and are among those involved in a league to commit the most serious criminal offences and inflict the most harm on each other.
‘The gangs use a point scoring system. It’s scored on the seriousness of what they do’, the detective constable told WTX.
‘For example, a stabbing would be a point. It’s graded on the act of the seriousness of the act itself. Obviously things like murders tally up. They use football terms like we’ve got three or one nil or three two’
Another officer who works on gang crime told WTX: ‘It’s like a sick version of a fantasy football league only it’s real.
‘It shows the lengths these gangs will go to outdo each other. And people get caught in the middle.
‘Including sometimes normal people who they term civilians or ‘civs’. They are ruining communities but we are onto them.’
Holidaymakers resort to jumping through bushes in sunbed scramble in Spain
5:00 am
Get you up to speed: Sunbed wars take a bizarre twist after holidaymakers jump through bushes | News World
A video captured by Anthony Bryson shows a chaotic scene of holidaymakers rushing for sunbeds at a resort in Salou, Spain, at around 9am in August. The footage highlights one man diving through bushes to secure a spot, while other tourists followed suit before Bryson remarked, “Get a grip.”
The incident occurred at a holiday resort in Salou, Spain, where a group of holidaymakers was observed racing for sunbeds at approximately 9am in early August. Although the situation appeared chaotic, Anthony Bryson noted that later in the day, there were still sunbeds available, raising questions about the necessity of the morning rush.
Spanish holidaymakers have been captured in a chaotic rush for sunbeds at a resort in Salou, with footage of the incident garnering over eight million views on social media. Despite the frenzy, holidaymaker Anthony Bryson noted that there were still available sunbeds later in the day, questioning the necessity of the rush.
What remains unclear — It is not known why the holidaymakers rushed for sunbeds despite available spots later in the day.
Holidaymakers resort to jumping through bushes in sunbed scramble in Spain
Sunbed wars have reached new heights after one holidaymaker was filmed jumping through the bushes to beat the morning rush.
Anthony Bryson, 35, a landlord from Norwich, captured the chaotic scenes while on holiday in Salou, Spain, with his partner and child at the beginning of August.
The footage shows a crowd of holidaymakers sprinting towards the pool at around 9am, with towels being thrown over loungers to claim their spot.
However, one man in particular can be seen diving through the bushes as he raced towards the sunbeds.
Other tourists quickly followed his lead by taking the shortcut, before Anthony, filming, said, ‘Get a grip’.
Anthony’s clip has since gone viral on social media, racking up more than eight million views on TikTok.
One holidaymaker decided to dive through trees to reserve a bed (Picture: Kennedy News & Media)
The landlord said he had spotted holidaymakers rushing for sunbeds on previous mornings, so he decided to try and film it.
‘I’d seen people rushing for sunbeds a few mornings – this time I was ready to film the stampede at 9am,’ Anthony said.
‘I found it amusing – it wasn’t anything I’ve ever seen before.
‘There’s a guy who runs through the bushes and one lady who expertly puts four towels on like a blackjack table.
The footage has gone viral on social media (Picture: Kennedy News & Media)
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Despite the scramble to get beds, Anthony said that he was able to find some spots later in the day without any trouble.
‘We went later on and there was space anyway, so I’m not really sure what the fuss or the rush was about,’ he added.
‘I’m still in the dark as to why [everyone was rushing out]. I’m not really sure if it was even a case of there not being enough beds for everyone.
‘We went down later on and there were still sunbeds.’
Anthony said he was particularly amused by how far some holidaymakers were willing to go to secure their spot.
‘We all run for things – we all run to what’s important in life and for these people, it was the sunbeds in that case,’ he said.
‘It was just a really, really bizarre thing to see.
‘We’ve seen this before [in] Black Friday sales, we see people running for things – it was just the first time I’d seen people stampeding for a plastic sunbed.’
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