Latest News
- Liberia receives first group of deportees classified as third country from the US
- Bus driver arrested following death of 14-year-old boy in Portsmouth crash
- Fighter jets destroy explosive-laden sea drone near Romanian gas platform
- Swiss village Kandersteg faces landslide risk from Spitze Stei rock
- Brazil invests 2.3 billion reais to develop AI supercomputer and balance US, Chinese tech partnerships
- Calgary’s tech sector records over 50% job growth, leading North America
- FBI seizes devices from Eric Swalwell in sexual misconduct investigation
- Woman, 38, arrested for posing as a 12-year-old to gain couple’s trust
LIVE German 2025 Election Results as they come in and analysi on who will be the next German Chancellor.
Knowledge Hub
Global Reaction to DE Elections
Liberia receives first group of deportees classified as third country from the US
6:21 am
Get you up to speed: Liberia receives first group of “third country” deportees from U.S., officials say
Liberia received its first group of deportees from the U.S. on Thursday, comprising roughly 20 migrants from different countries. After arriving at Roberts International Airport, a small group of deportees resisted deplaning but was eventually escorted off the plane; their current whereabouts remain unknown.
The government of Liberia plans to accept up to 1,200 third country deportees from the U.S. over the next year, with new arrivals permitted to apply for asylum. A federal judge in Maryland has temporarily blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to deport Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Liberia, where he was wrongfully deported previously.
The government of Liberia plans to accept up to 1,200 third country deportees from the U.S. over the next year and will allow new arrivals to apply for asylum. Meanwhile, human rights activists have condemned the deportations, asserting they are inhumane and contravene international law.
What remains unclear — The current location and status of the small group of deportees who resisted deplaning are unknown.
Liberia receives first group of deportees classified as third country from the US
The West African nation of Liberia received the first group of “third country” deportees from the U.S. on Thursday, including migrants from Latin America, U.S. officials told WTX US News.
Roughly 20 deportees from different countries landed in Liberia, after being deported from the U.S.
A U.S. official, however, told WTX US News that after the plane carrying the deportees arrived in Liberia, a small group of them resisted and refused to deplane.
They were escorted off the plane, but then returned to it, the official said. Their whereabouts are unknown.
Matthew Jacobs /AFP via Getty Images 
Liberia is the latest country to accept deportees who are not its citizens as part of President Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration and an aggressive White House effort to deport migrants to so-called third countries where they have no ties.
The government of Liberia has said it intends to accept up to 1,200 third country deportees from the U.S. over the next year, and that the new arrivals will be allowed to apply for asylum there.
Liberia is also where the Trump administration has said it is trying to deport Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the man who was wrongfully deported to El Salvador last year and then returned to the U.S. to be prosecuted on human smuggling charges. That effort has been blocked for now by a federal judge in Maryland.
The Trump administration has brokered third country deportation agreements with dozens of nations across the globe, including African countries plagued by armed conflict, political tumult and human rights abuses, including South Sudan, the Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
U.S. immigration officials have also sent regular deportation flights to Ghana, Equatorial Guinea and other African countries that have agreed to receive deportees from other nations.
Human rights activists have denounced the third country deportations as inhumane and illegal under international law, saying some countries are returning deportees to places they fled because of persecution.
But the Trump administration has defended the legality and merits of the deportations, portraying them as an effective way to deter illegal immigration.
For the most part, the administration’s third country deportation effort has focused on migrants whose home countries limit or reject U.S. deportations or who’ve won legal protections from being sent back to their homelands.
Bus driver arrested following death of 14-year-old boy in Portsmouth crash
6:00 am
Get you up to speed: Bus driver arrested after schoolboy, 14, killed in Portsmouth harbour crash | News UK
A 14-year-old boy was struck by a bus while walking along The Hard in Portsmouth on August 17, suffering life-threatening injuries and later dying in hospital. The bus driver, a 39-year-old man from Portsmouth, has been arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
Hampshire Constabulary is appealing for information and witnesses related to the incident, which occurred at approximately 4.25pm on August 17. The driver of the bus has been arrested and released on bail until November 17 while the investigation continues.
Hampshire Police are appealing for information and witnesses following the death of the 14-year-old boy, with the bus driver arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and released on bail pending further inquiries. In response to the incident, a petition has been launched urging Portsmouth Council to enhance safety measures at the bus stop, citing concerns over its design and the risk it poses to pedestrians.
What remains unclear — It is not confirmed whether the bus driver’s actions led to the dislodging of the lamppost that struck the boy.
Bus driver arrested following death of 14-year-old boy in Portsmouth crash
Tributes have been paid to a 14-year-old schoolboy killed after being struck by a bus.
The teenager was walking along The Hard in Portsmouth when he was struck, according to Hampshire Constabulary.
Pictures from the scene appear to show a single-decker bus stopped at the scene close to Portsmouth Harbour
One family friend posted on Facebook: ‘Such a great young man with so much to live for. A true credit to his family.
‘Rest in eternal peace. Sending love to your whole family. We will never forget you sweetheart.’
Sign up for all of the latest stories
A petition asking Portsmouth Council to make the bus stop safer claimed the schoolboy had been struck by a falling lampost.
It read: ‘This young boy was struck by a lamp post that had been dislodged by a bus mounting the kerb, resulting in him being rushed to critical care.
‘This heartbreaking incident is a grim reminder that the current location of the bus stop poses significant risks to safety due to its inadequate design and space constraints.’
It added the bus stop has a ‘dangerously narrow pavement’ that cannot safely accommodate waiting passengers with car drivers regularly seen performing ‘dangerous maneuvers’ to get past buses.
A Hampshire Police spokesman said: ‘We are appealing for information and witnesses as a young boy has died following a bus crash in Portsmouth.
‘At about 4.25pm on Monday August 17, police were called to The Hard after reports of a serious collision involving a pedestrian and a bus.
‘The pedestrian, a 14-year-old boy from Portsmouth, was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries and has since sadly passed away.
‘His family are being supported by specialist officers.’
The spokesman added: ‘The driver of the bus, a 39-year-old man from Portsmouth, was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and then released on bail until November 17 while further inquiries are carried out.’
A note attached to flowers left at the scene, which is close to a bus transport hub, says: ‘RIP Fly High. I will never forget our memories. We had such a good time in science.
‘Can’t believe what happened. We will all miss u lots. Forever 14.’
A Stagecoach spokesperson has said: ‘We can confirm that one of our bus drivers was involved in a collision with a pedestrian in Portsmouth yesterday, which resulted in the pedestrian sustaining injuries.
‘We are cooperating fully with Hampshire Constabulary and the local authorities, who are leading the investigation. As the matter is ongoing, it would not be appropriate for us to comment further at this stage.’
Fighter jets destroy explosive-laden sea drone near Romanian gas platform
5:00 am
Get you up to speed: Fighter jets destroy explosive-laden sea drone close to huge gas platform | News World
Two Romanian F-16 fighter jets destroyed a marine drone packed with explosives in the Black Sea near the Neptun Deep gas platform at around 6.30am local time. The decision to engage the drone was made to protect hundreds of workers at the platform and secure critical infrastructure.
The Romanian military has confirmed that the drone did not originate from Ukraine, according to Defence Minister Radu Miruţă. This incident marks the fourth time this year that an unmanned aircraft has been shot down in Romania.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen characterised the drone incident as part of an “escalating campaign of threats,” while Romanian President Nicușor Dan condemned the actions and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to vigilance alongside NATO allies. In response to the threat, Romanian defence minister Radu Miruță confirmed that the drone had been destroyed to protect personnel and critical infrastructure at the Neptun Deep platform, as the situation continues to evolve amid regional tensions.
What remains unclear — It is not specified who is responsible for the drone that was shot down in the Black Sea.
Fighter jets destroy explosive-laden sea drone near Romanian gas platform
A picture of the drone uploaded by Romania’s defence minister (Picture: Radu Miruţă)
A marine drone packed with explosives was destroyed by fighter jets in the Black Sea a few hundred metres from an under-construction gas project.
Two Romanian F-16 planes were sent to respond after the drone was spotted by a commercial ship in the vicinity of the Neptun Deep platform at around 6.30am local time (4.20am UK time).
The platform is part of a project that is set to make Romania the biggest gas producer in the European Union when it comes online next year.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote on X: ‘An escalating campaign of threats is underway, unsettling our citizens and seeking to divide our Union.’
Nicușor Dan, Romania’s president, congratulated the jet pilots and coast guard for their response and blamed Russia.
In posts to his social media, he wrote: ‘I strongly condemn the intensification of these types of irresponsible incidents on the part of the Russian Federation.
Sign up for all of the latest stories
‘We remain vigilant alongside NATO allies to defend ourselves and repel such challenges.’
Romanian defence minister Radu Miruţă said he had received confirmation from the Ukrainians that the drone did not originate with them.
He said: ‘In order to protect the lives of the several hundred people who were working on the platform and to secure the critical infrastructure, the decision to destroy the drone was made.’
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called in the incident ‘hybrid warfare’ (Picture: Reuters)
It comes just four days after a pair of Spanish fighter jets were deployed to shoot down a drone that entered Romanian airspace on Sunday.
According to news agency Reuters, it was the fourth unmanned aircraft to be shot down in Romania – a member of Nato – since the start of this year.
The country shares a 382-mile land border with Ukraine, and its proximity has meant it is occasionally impacted directly.
In May, a drone from Russia hit a block of flats in the eastern town of Galați, which is close to the border with Ukraine.
Two people were injured in the incident, which also started a fire in the building, prompting an evacuation.
Comment now
Comments
Add WTX as a Preferred Source on Google
Swiss village Kandersteg faces landslide risk from Spitze Stei rock
4:00 am
Swiss village Kandersteg faces landslide risk from Spitze Stei rock
Landslide risk
Spitze Stei, a rock formation above Kandersteg, is unstable and could trigger a landslide potentially twice the size of the one that occurred in Blatten in May 2025.
Spitze Stei, a rock formation above Kandersteg, is unstable and could trigger a landslide potentially twice the size of the one that occurred in Blatten in May 2025.
Geological Risk
Potential landslides from the Spitze Stei rock formation could be twice the size of the May 2025 collapse in Blatten, posing significant danger to nearby communities.
Potential landslides from the Spitze Stei rock formation could be twice the size of the May 2025 collapse in Blatten, posing significant danger to nearby communities.
Resident Insight
“You are aware that it’s happening, but not afraid,” says resident Brigitte Jüni, reflecting the community’s acceptance of their precarious situation.
“You are aware that it’s happening, but not afraid,” says resident Brigitte Jüni, reflecting the community’s acceptance of their precarious situation.
Swiss village lives in the shadow of an unstable mountain
Kandersteg is a village of around 1,300 people in the Swiss Alps, surrounded by steep valleys, glaciers and towering peaks. Above it sits Spitze Stei, an unstable rock formation large enough to trigger a landslide potentially twice the size of the one that buried parts of Blatten in May 2025.
Residents live with the risk rather than in fear of it. Leaflets set out evacuation routes and map the areas that could be affected, and the mountain is under constant monitoring — authorities say there would be at least 24 hours’ warning before a major collapse.
“You are aware that it’s happening, but not afraid,” says resident Brigitte Jüni. “It’s nature and you never know.”
Rudolf Isler, born in the village, has watched rocks fall from the slope for years. “We are not afraid of the Spitze Stei rock,” he says. “The problem here is about global warming and rising temperatures.”
That is the underlying cause. As glaciers retreat and permafrost thaws, water seeps into cracks in the rock, and the frozen ground that once held slopes together loses its grip. Switzerland, home to more Alpine glaciers than any other European country, lost four per cent of its glacier volume in 2023, after a six per cent loss the year before.
The danger is not only falling rock. A collapse could strike Lake Oeschinen below, sending a wave towards the village.
Greenpeace climate expert Nathan Solothurnmann warns the problem will spread. “Maybe even one day we will have to abandon certain valleys, certain villages because it’s becoming impossible to live there.”
Watch the video above.
Brazil invests 2.3 billion reais to develop AI supercomputer and balance US, Chinese tech partnerships
2:00 am
Get you up to speed: Brazil launches AI supercomputer push while balancing US and Chinese tech
Brazil will invest about 2.3 billion reais ($444.2 million) to enhance its artificial intelligence ecosystem, with a significant portion allocated to a supercomputing infrastructure project in Rio de Janeiro developed in partnership with Chinese firms Huawei Technologies and iFlytek. A separate supercomputer is expected to be installed in Rio Grande do Norte, with Brazil anticipating its ranking among the world’s ten most powerful AI processing machines.
The supercomputing infrastructure project in Rio de Janeiro is set to primarily focus on developing large language models for various applications. Brazil plans for the supercomputer in Rio Grande do Norte to be operational by the end of next year, with tender expectations pointing towards US chipmaker Nvidia as the potential supplier.
Brazil’s government is investing approximately 2.3 billion reais ($444.2 million) to enhance its artificial intelligence ecosystem, with projects strategically split between US and Chinese firms. The supercomputer is anticipated to begin operations by the end of 2027, with the projects intended to reinforce national data sovereignty and technological independence.
What remains unclear — It is not specified how the government will ensure the balance of ties with both US and Chinese tech firms beyond the current investments.
Brazil invests 2.3 billion reais to develop AI supercomputer and balance US, Chinese tech partnerships
Economy|GovernmentBrazil launches AI supercomputer push while balancing US and Chinese tech
The government has announced investments of about 2.3 billion reais ($444.2m) to bolster its artificial intelligence ecosystem.
Published On 21 Aug 202621 Aug 2026
Brazil will invest about 2.3bn reais ($444.2m) to bolster its artificial intelligence ecosystem, splitting projects between United States and Chinese tech firms in a strategic move that underscores its efforts to balance ties with both superpowers.
Just more than half the total, 1.3bn reais ($251m), will fund a supercomputing infrastructure project in Rio de Janeiro developed in partnership with China’s Huawei Technologies and iFlytek, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva‘s government said on Thursday.
The infrastructure will be used primarily to develop large language models for general and sector-specific applications, it said.
Separately, about 1 billion reais ($193.1m) will be allocated through a tender for a supercomputer that Brazil expects to rank among the world’s 10 most powerful AI processing machines.
The machine will be installed in the northeastern state of Rio Grande do Norte, chosen for its energy potential. Lula attended an announcement ceremony in the state on Thursday.
The Reuters news agency quoted unnamed government officials as saying they expect US chipmaker Nvidia to win the tender. Science and Technology Minister Luciana Santos told the Folha de S Paulo newspaper last week that she anticipated the company would be the supplier.
“The strategy is not to depend on a single company, technology or country,” Lula’s administration said in a statement, adding that the investments are aimed at strengthening national sovereignty over data.
China, a leading player in AI, has expanded its role as Brazil’s largest trading partner. The US, meanwhile, remains the biggest source of foreign direct investment in Latin America’s largest economy despite losing market share in trade and recently imposing additional tariffs on Brazilian goods.
The investments will be funded by the National Fund for Scientific and Technological Development (FNDCT) through phased disbursements. The government expects the supercomputer to begin operating by the end of next year, while the cooperation agreement with the Chinese companies is scheduled to start in July 2027.
Calgary’s tech sector records over 50% job growth, leading North America
1:00 am
Get you up to speed: Calgary’s tech sector sees North America’s highest growth 3 years and counting
A new report from CBRE Group reveals that Calgary’s tech sector experienced job growth exceeding 50% from 2022 to 2025. This figure places Calgary more than 20 points ahead of the next leading metropolitan area in terms of tech job growth.
Calgary’s tech sector experienced a job growth rate of over 50% from 2022 to 2025, significantly outperforming the next closest metropolitan area by more than 20 percentage points. The findings from the CBRE Group indicate a robust demand for talent within the region’s technology landscape.
Calgary’s city officials welcomed the CBRE Group report, highlighting the area’s leading position in tech job growth as a sign of economic resilience. Looking ahead, local leaders have committed to supporting initiatives that will further enhance the tech ecosystem and attract talent.
What remains unclear — The report does not disclose the specific number of new jobs created in Calgary’s tech sector during this period.
Calgary’s tech sector records over 50% job growth, leading North America
A new report from CBRE Group shows that job growth in Calgary’s tech sector was more than 50% between 2022 and 2025, more than 20 points ahead of the next metropolitan area.
Local insights
Related Election News
© 2026 WTX News.