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- US economy shows signs of recovery as inflation rates begin to stabilize
- Thieves steal Renaissance masterworks from MuMe museum during Ferragosto holiday
- Grizzly bear escapes enclosure at Calgary Zoo before being recaptured
- Trump directs Pentagon to reduce military exercises with South Korea after its refusal to aid Iran’s denuclearisation efforts
- One dead as Hurricane Lala hits Hawaii with 91mph winds and heavy rain
- Belgium battles historic wildfire as heat fuels blazes across Europe
- Search continues for missing pilot in Ontario’s Kawartha Lakes region
- Transcript of Pennsylvania state Rep. Chris Rabb on Face the Nation, Aug. 16, 2026
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US economy shows signs of recovery as inflation rates begin to stabilize
6:01 am
US economy shows signs of recovery as inflation rates begin to stabilize
The Supreme Court will hear arguments today on a pivotal case regarding the Biden administration’s immigration policies, specifically the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. This case could have significant implications for the nearly 600,000 individuals currently protected under DACA, as the justices will examine whether the administration has the authority to uphold or revise the program initiated in 2012. The outcome may reshape U.S. immigration policy and impact the lives of many young immigrants across the nation.
In market-related news, the U.S. stock indices showed a modest uptick in pre-market trading as investors await key inflation data scheduled for release later this week. Analysts predict that the upcoming Consumer Price Index report may influence future Federal Reserve decisions on interest rates. Investors are keeping a close eye on the report as it could signal the Fed’s next move in its ongoing efforts to combat inflation.
Key developments across the United States
Biden Admin’s Agenda Moves Forward Amid New Policy Challenges
US POLITICS — The Biden administration is encountering new policy obstacles as it seeks to advance its agenda.
The administration faces challenges in Congress, particularly regarding infrastructure and climate initiatives. These hurdles may impact the overall effectiveness of the administration’s proposed legislative measures.
US-Western Relations Strained Over Military Issues
US DEFENSE — Tensions are rising between the U.S. and its Western allies over military cooperation.
Concerns have been expressed regarding defense strategies and resource allocations among NATO allies. This strain could affect collective military readiness and responses to emerging global threats.
Policy Changes Aim to Address Climate Crisis
US CLIMATE — New policies are being implemented to tackle the climate crisis more effectively.
These initiatives include stricter regulations on emissions and increased funding for renewable energy projects. The goal is to meet international climate commitments and reduce the carbon footprint significantly.
Federal Court Rules on Immigration Policy
US MIGRATION — A federal court has made a significant ruling affecting immigration policies.
The decision has implications for the treatment of asylum seekers and border policies, potentially leading to reforms within the immigration system. This ruling is part of a broader discussion on how to manage migration more humanely.
US Economy Experiences Moderate Growth
US ECONOMY — The U.S. economy is experiencing moderate growth amid ongoing global uncertainties.
This growth is attributed to consumer spending and business investments, despite challenges such as inflation and supply chain disruptions. Policymakers are closely monitoring these economic indicators to adjust fiscal strategies accordingly.
What to watch — Legislative discussions on infrastructure and climate initiatives will unfold in Congress, determining future policy directions.
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Thieves steal Renaissance masterworks from MuMe museum during Ferragosto holiday
5:00 am
Get you up to speed: Thieves steal Renaissance artworks in museum heist during Italian holiday
Thieves stole four Renaissance masterworks by Antonello da Messina from the MuMe Regional Interdisciplinary Museum in Messina, Italy, during the Ferragosto holiday. The theft, reported to have occurred around 9:50pm on Saturday, involved the break-in and removal of valuable artworks valued at up to 80 million euros ($93m).
The MuMe Regional Interdisciplinary Museum’s security systems will likely be scrutinised as investigators assess the methods used by the thieves during the heist. As of now, no arrests have been made, and the investigation continues without a clear timeline for the retrieval of the stolen artworks.
Museum director Marisa Mercurio expressed devastation over the theft, highlighting the significance of the stolen masterworks, while local Culture Councillor Enzo Caruso likened the incident to a “real movie-style heist.” The Culture Ministry is likely to increase security measures at cultural institutions nationwide to prevent similar incidents in the future.
What remains unclear — Authorities have not disclosed the identities or number of suspects involved in the museum heist.
Thieves steal Renaissance masterworks from MuMe museum during Ferragosto holiday
News|Arts and CultureThieves steal Renaissance artworks in museum heist during Italian holiday
As Messina celebrated the Sicilian holiday of Ferragosto, thieves struck the MuMe museum to steal the masterworks by Antonello da Messina.
Published On 17 Aug 202617 Aug 2026
Published On 17 Aug 202617 Aug 2026Thieves have stolen four Renaissance masterworks by Antonello da Messina valued at up to 80 million euros ($93m) from the MuMe Regional Interdisciplinary Museum in the Sicilian city of Messina in Italy.
Cultural officials and Italian media reported the theft on Sunday, saying the heist occurred at about 9:50pm (19:50 GMT) the day before, during Sicily’s major Ferragosto holiday.
Italian news outlet Il Giornale dell’Arte said that the perpetrators had exploited the citywide distraction of the traditional Vara procession, which drew police and large crowds to central Messina.
Italian daily Corriere della Sera reported that the thieves cut through metal perimeter fencing along Viale Annunziata to gain access to the grounds. They then forced open a side door to enter the gallery halls. Once inside, the group breached an armoured glass display case to extract a small, double-sided tempera panel dating back to 1465-1474.
The portable devotional piece features the Virgin and Child with a Franciscan Monk on its front and Christ in Pieta on its reverse. Originally part of the Wilhelm Soldan collection from 1930, it was acquired by the Sicilian region at a Christie’s auction in 2003 following its formal attribution to Antonello.
The perpetrators also dismantled all five remaining tempera-on-wood panels of the historic San Gregorio Polyptych. Commissioned in 1473 by Abbess Fabria Cirino for the monastery of Santa Maria, which was subsequently destroyed in Messina’s 1908 earthquake, the altarpiece stands as the only surviving masterpiece by Antonello that remained in his hometown. The thieves made off with three key sections of the piece.
Italian outlet Repubblica reported that the thieves abandoned the remaining two panels depicting Saint Benedict and Saint Gregory resting against a wall near the museum grounds.
‘A real movie-style heist like at the Louvre’
“We are devastated by what happened. They were two of Antonello da Messina’s most important and best-known works,” museum director Marisa Mercurio told Italian news agency ANSA.
Local Culture Councillor Enzo Caruso told outlet Il Tirreno: “Nobody in Messina could have imagined a real movie-style heist like at the Louvre.”
Caruso said that international interest in Antonello’s oeuvre had expanded after Italy’s Culture Ministry purchased his Ecce Homo painting for $14.9m earlier in the year.
Lynda Albertson, CEO of the ARCA art crimes research association, told La Repubblica that “stealing an Antonello may be far easier than selling one” given the high visibility and historic footprint of the stolen panels.
She explained that high-profile art of this kind rarely gets sold, often spending years traded within the criminal underworld as leverage for other illegal activities.
Born in Sicily around the year 1430, Antonello da Messina stands as one of the defining masters of the early Italian Renaissance. Because few of his works survive today, his surviving paintings are considered irreplaceable cultural treasures.
The theft follows a separate case days earlier in Parma, northern Italy, where police recovered three stolen works by Renoir, Cezanne and Matisse valued at roughly $11.5m.
Grizzly bear escapes enclosure at Calgary Zoo before being recaptured
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Get you up to speed: Fitz the grizzly bear briefly escapes his enclosure at the Calgary Zoo
A one-year-old male grizzly bear escaped its enclosure at the Wilder Institute’s Calgary Zoo on Sunday morning, according to zoo officials. There have been no immediate reports of injuries or casualties.
The Wilder Institute’s Calgary Zoo is conducting an internal investigation regarding the circumstances of the bear’s escape. No further information regarding the status of animal care operations has been provided as officials assess the incident.
Calgary Zoo officials affirmed the one-year-old male grizzly bear escaped its enclosure on Sunday morning and are currently assessing the situation. Authorities have not yet detailed specific measures to recapture the bear but are expected to release further updates as the situation develops.
What remains unclear — It is not known how the bear managed to escape its enclosure.
Grizzly bear escapes enclosure at Calgary Zoo before being recaptured
A one-year-old male grizzly bear escaped its enclosure at the Wilder Institute’s Calgary Zoo on Sunday morning, zoo officials have confirmed.
Trump directs Pentagon to reduce military exercises with South Korea after its refusal to aid Iran’s denuclearisation efforts
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Get you up to speed: Trump orders scale-back of military exercises with South Korea after refusal to help with Iran’s denuclearization
President Trump announced on Sunday that he has ordered the Pentagon to significantly reduce joint military exercises with South Korea, citing the country’s recent refusal to join U.S. efforts to denuclearise Iran. The exercises, involving 18,000 South Korean soldiers, are designed to enhance readiness against threats from North Korea.
President Trump has directed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to significantly reduce joint military exercises with South Korea due to their perceived costs and implications for North Korea. The exercises, which have included participation from 18,000 South Korean soldiers, were initially intended to enhance readiness against North Korean threats and have been scheduled for 11 days.
President Trump stated that he has requested Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth to “substantially reduce” joint military exercises with South Korea, citing their high cost and the perception of hostility toward North Korea. North Korea responded by threatening unspecified actions against the U.S. and South Korea, labelling the exercises a “rehearsal for an aggressive war,” fuelling further regional instability.
What remains unclear — It is uncertain how much the reduction in military exercises will impact U.S.-North Korea relations.
Trump directs Pentagon to reduce military exercises with South Korea after its refusal to aid Iran’s denuclearisation efforts
President Trump announced Sunday that he has ordered the Pentagon to scale back joint military exercises with South Korea, saying that the country recently declined to join the U.S. effort to denuclearize Iran.
Mr. Trump said on his Truth Social platform that the exercises are costly and they “send a signal that is totally inappropriate and hostile” to North Korea, which has been “unthreatening and respectful” as long as he has been president.
“Based on my very good relationship with Kim Jong Un, of North Korea, I am not happy with the fact that the United States has, long ago, agreed to participate in Joint Military Exercises with South Korea,” Mr. Trump said.
The president said “it is too late to cancel” the joint military exercises, adding that he ordered Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to “substantially reduce” them.
Mr. Trump also said that he “recently asked the President of South Korea if they would like to join us in the Denuclearization of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” and the country declined.
However, he said his decision to reduce military partnership with South Korea is “somewhat unrelated.”
The 11 days of exercises involving 18,000 South Korean soldiers were designed to beef up readiness against North Korean threats.
North Korea on Friday threatened unspecified stern steps against the U.S. and South Korea, describing their military drills as a “a rehearsal for an aggressive war” that are triggering greater instability in the region.
The warning was typical of the harsh rhetoric that North Korea often deploys ahead of major U.S.-South Korean military exercises. Experts say North Korea has often used its rivals’ drills as a pretext to ramp up testing activities to expand its weapons arsenal and promote public support for leader Kim Jong Un.
U.S. and South Korean forces were expected to practice joint operations in complex scenarios, including a live-fire exercise to test joint precision targeting and manoeuvre, a wet gap crossing, and distribution of prepositioned military equipment, according to the U.S. military.
The U.S. military has said the exercise “reinforces the role of the alliance as the linchpin for regional peace and security” and reaffirms “the ironclad commitment between the United States and the Republic of Korea to defend their homelands.”
Mr. Trump met with the reclusive North Korean leader three times during his first term to discuss the country’s nuclear program, most recently in 2019. “I believe North Korea has tremendous potential,” Mr. Trump said at the time.
Since returning to office, President Trump has expressed interest in continuing those discussions.
His announcement came a day after he posted a photo of himself standing next to North Korea’s Kim, writing that the two leaders get along great “despite the unfriendly look on this particular picture.”
This is not the first time that Mr. Trump has sought to end the exercises. During his first term, he also issued a surprise announcement that called the war games “provocative.”
“We will be stopping the war games, which will save us a tremendous amount of money, unless and until we see the future negotiation is not going along like it should,” Mr. Trump told reporters after his 2018 meeting with Kim Jong Un in Singapore.
One dead as Hurricane Lala hits Hawaii with 91mph winds and heavy rain
12:00 am
Get you up to speed: At least one dead after Hurricane Lala lashes Hawaii with 91mph winds | News World
Hurricane Lala impacted Hawaii, resulting in at least one confirmed death due to a car accident as the storm brought strong winds and heavy rainfall. Over 60,000 residents are without power, and two homes in Naalehu have been destroyed by floods.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecasts that Hurricane Lala will continue to impact the region into Sunday, while 60,000 residents remain without power due to the storm’s effects. Hilo International Airport and Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport have both been closed, resulting in the postponement of 190 flights.
Hawaii Governor Josh Green confirmed the death of one individual due to a car accident caused by Hurricane Lala’s severe weather, while county mayor Kimo Alameda urged residents via Facebook to prioritise safety and shelter in place. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has announced that residents should have completed preparations to protect life and property, as warnings remain in effect for multiple Hawaiian islands while Lala continues to weaken.
What remains unclear — It is not known how many individuals were affected by the power outages or if further fatalities have occurred.
One dead as Hurricane Lala hits Hawaii with 91mph winds and heavy rain
At least one person has died after Hurricane Lala pelted Hawaii with strong winds and torrential rain.
The core of the first tropical storm to form in the central Pacific this year ‘brushed’ just south of Big Island yesterday.
Lala brought with it winds of up to 91mph, dumped 25 inches of rain on the island, and whipped up a 3ft storm surge, a change in sea level.
One person died in a ‘terrible car accident’ as the storm rolled by, Hawaii Governor Josh Green said.
County mayor Kimo Alameda urged residents on Facebook this morning to ‘stay home, stay sheltered, stay safe!’ as the storm now pulls back.
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The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration warned yesterday evening that the ‘damaging’ Category 1 hurricane will continue Sunday.
More than 60,000 are without power and two homes in Naalehu have been swept away by ‘life-threatening’ floods, Honolulu-Star Advertiser reports.
A vehicle drives near a downed utility pole dangling above Mamalahoa Highway (Picture: Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle/AP)
A young green sea turtle fills up on grass as ocean waters rise (Picture: AFP)
Hurricane Lala’ rolled past Hawaii’s Big Island yesterday (Picture: Zuma Press Wire/Shutterstock)
At least one person has died in the storm (Picture: Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle)
Mudslides are a major worry among those living around Mauna Kea volcano, where many live off the grid and in ramshackle homes.
The weather agency added: ‘Preparations to protect life and property should now be complete.’
Lala will begin to weaken as it passes south of the smaller main Hawaiian Islands, though it may strengthen next week.
Maui, Molokai, Kahoolawe, Oahu, Lanai, Kauai and Ni’ihau remain under tropical storm warnings, while most of the islands are at risk of floods.
‘I think stocking up is part of life over here’
Big Island, home to 210,000, is Hawaii’s largest island.
Locals began to hunker down on Friday, packing into gymnasiums, courthouses and schools-turned-shelters, emptying supermarkets of food, petrol and sandbags and tying posessions down, according to Hawaii News Now.
Bobby Camara, 75, told The Associated Press that he planned to shelter, ‘cross my fingers and hope the lights don’t go out’ at his care home in Hilo.
‘I think stocking up is part of life over here,’ he said, adding: ‘You learn to be self-reliant.’
Hawaiians have stocked up on supplies, including sandbags (Picture: Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chroni)
Mike Caputo, who lives in Keaau on Big Island’s east coast, said albizia, a common large tree, is so brittle that the storm may easily down it.
‘They can make roads impassable,’ he added.
Nearly 40 roads have been shut due to mudslides and trees and power lines torn down by the winds, county officials said.
Christine Matsuda, who lives in Waimea, said the gusts have ‘rattled’ her home.
‘We’re finding unexpected leaks in places that don’t see water under normal conditions,’ she said.
Hilo International Airport (ITO) and Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole (KOA) were closed yesterday, postponing 190 flights.
A notice on their websites says: ‘Due to the declared state of emergency ahead of Tropical Storm Lala, travellers are strongly advised to check directly with their airline for the most up-to-date status and travel advisories.’
Hurricanes are circular storms that form over warm waters, with very low air pressure at the centre. Unlike a typhoon, they form in the North Atlantic, the northeastern Pacific, the Caribbean Sea or the Gulf of Mexico.
Only 19 hurricanes have passed within 100 miles of Hawaii, most during periods of El Niño, a weather system that blows warm ocean water west.
Dozens of roads are closed (Picture: AFP)
Lala’s path as of Friday (Picture: National Hurricane Center)
Lala curdled from a tropical storm into a hurricane (Picture: NOAA/AFP/Getty Images)
Lala would have been the first hurricane to make landfall in 34 years if initial projections were correct.
The hurricane rolled onto the island two days after Kīlauea, a volcano along the southeastern shore of Hawaii Island, erupted.
For some 10 hours, lava flowed and spurts reached 500ft, with officials warning another episode is likely.
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Belgium battles historic wildfire as heat fuels blazes across Europe
11:00 pm
Belgium battles historic wildfire as heat fuels blazes across Europe
Largest wildfire
Belgium’s High Fens nature reserve has experienced a wildfire that has more than doubled in size to around 3,000 hectares, marking the largest in Belgium’s recorded history.
Belgium’s High Fens nature reserve has experienced a wildfire that has more than doubled in size to around 3,000 hectares, marking the largest in Belgium’s recorded history.
Strategic Response
Belgium’s activation of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism facilitated the deployment of international firefighting resources, indicating a coordinated regional response to the unprecedented wildfire threat.
Belgium’s activation of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism facilitated the deployment of international firefighting resources, indicating a coordinated regional response to the unprecedented wildfire threat.
Official Response
“We have activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, deploying three helicopters and two water-bombing aircraft to support ongoing firefighting efforts,” stated the Belgian government.
“We have activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, deploying three helicopters and two water-bombing aircraft to support ongoing firefighting efforts,” stated the Belgian government.
Europe continues to battle wildfires as Belgium sees biggest blaze in recorded history
Published on •Updated
Wildfires are continuing to burn across several parts of Europe, with firefighters battling major blazes in Belgium, Germany, France, Croatia, Spain and Greece amid persistent heat and dry conditions.
A fire in Belgium’s High Fens nature reserve has more than doubled in size in 24 hours, to around 3,000 hectares. The fire, which started two days ago, is now the largest wildfire in Belgium’s recorded history.
Authorities in the country’s Wallonia region said more than 250 firefighters and other emergency service workers were deployed on Saturday night. The reserve is particularly vulnerable to wildfires because of its extensive peatlands and pine forests, which have been dried out by prolonged hot weather
In a post on social media, Belgium’s unified defence force said it had sent personnel and vehicles to support firefighters.
Firefighters from neighbouring Germany and Luxembourg have also been sent to help contain the fire, which is heading towards the border with Germany. Local farmers have also been assisting with the blaze.
Belgium activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism on Saturday, which brought in three helicopters and two water-bombing aircraft from Sweden, the Netherlands and the Czech Republic.
On Saturday afternoon, some residents in Belgium’s Liège province were asked to evacuate their homes. Local media reports that 600 people had been asked to leave, and that a rest shelter had been set up in a gymnasium in the neighbouring Malmedy municipality.
Across the border inside Germany, emergency services made significant progress in fighting a fire in the Hürtgen forest that forced evacuations on Friday. Around 2,000 people who had to leave the village of Gey were able to return home on Saturday evening, German news agency dpa reported.
In France, authorities say there were no major flare-ups overnight as they continue to tackle large-scale fires in the southwestern Landes region. More than 1,700 hectares have been scorched since Thursday, mostly pine forests. French media reports that 550 firefighters, assisted by military personnel and six water-bombing aircraft are in attendance. The fire remains out of control.
Another fire in the northeast of the country has begun to improve. 100 hectares have burned in the Ardennes region. The situation had been described as “unprecedented in the recent history”, according to the deputy director of the Ardennes fire service, David Gouzou.
In Croatia, four people have been arrested on suspicion of starting wildfires on the coastline. Fires ripped through pine forests and olive groves amid high temperatures and droughts.
In Greece, fire crews have spent a second day fighting an outbreak in a forest on the island of Skyros. The local mayor told media he believed the fire would be fully extinguished within a day.
Authorities in Spain’s Aragon deployed what they called the largest firefighting arsenal in the region’s history as French reinforcements were due to help contain a wildfire that has threatened a 1,000-year-old monastery.
The fire, which broke out just over a week ago in its Huesca municipality of Las Peñas de Riglos continued to spread, affecting an area of up to 16,600 hectares. Windy conditions have caused the blaze to spread further, hindering efforts to contain it.
Additional sources • AP, AFP
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