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- Chinese robot breaks Usain Bolt’s 100m record at World Humanoid Robot Games
- Canada announces dollar-for-dollar response to US tariffs
- U.S. to impose 50% tariffs on $20 billion of Canadian goods after talks fail
- Plastination brings visibility to dissected corpses: how coverage differs
- Cheryl Korbel reflects on guilt four years after daughter Olivia’s death
- One person killed in sword attack at Swedish high school on first day back
- Prince Harry ordered to pay £9.54 million in legal costs to publishers
- US judge overturns Trump’s immigrant visa ban affecting 75 nations
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Chinese robot breaks Usain Bolt’s 100m record at World Humanoid Robot Games
12:00 pm
Get you up to speed: Usain Bolt’s 100m record broken at World Humanoid Robot Games
A humanoid robot named Lightning, developed by Chinese smartphone maker Honor, ran 100 metres in 9.32 seconds in Beijing, surpassing Usain Bolt’s world record. The event took place during a preparatory test for the second World Humanoid Robot Games.
The second World Humanoid Robot Games officially opened in Beijing on 22 August 2026. Prior to the competition, the robot Lightning’s legs were lengthened from 95 cm to 1.05 metres to optimise performance.
China has signalled its commitment to advancing humanoid robotics as a key industry, highlighting the successful performance of the robot Lightning at the World Humanoid Robot Games as a significant achievement. Following this event, policymakers and companies will likely intensify efforts to integrate AI and robotics into various sectors, including manufacturing and logistics.
What remains unclear — It is not specified how the robot’s performance will impact the future of competitive athletics.
Chinese robot breaks Usain Bolt’s 100m record at World Humanoid Robot Games
Sport|AthleticsUsain Bolt’s 100m record broken at World Humanoid Robot Games
Chinese robot reaches peak speed of 14.5 metres per second to beat Bolt’s 100m record in Beijing, says state media.
Published On 22 Aug 202622 Aug 2026
A humanoid robot developed by Chinese smartphone maker Honor ran 100 metres (328ft) in 9.32 seconds, China’s state broadcaster has reported, beating the human world record held by Jamaican sprinting great Usain Bolt.
The robot, dubbed Lightning, reached a peak speed of 14.5 metres (47.6ft) per second during a preparatory test event for the second World Humanoid Robot Games, which opened in Beijing on Saturday.
The performance surpassed the 9.58-second men’s 100-metre world record set by Bolt at the World Athletics Championships in Berlin in 2009.
China has been promoting humanoid robots as a strategic emerging industry, with policymakers and companies betting that advances in AI and hardware will accelerate their deployment in manufacturing, logistics and consumer applications.
Lightning also won the 21km (13-mile) Beijing half marathon in April in 50 minutes and 26 seconds, faster than the elite men’s human world-record pace.
The robot stood 169cm (5.5ft) tall and had 95cm (3.1ft) legs at the half marathon. Researchers have since lengthened its legs by 10 cm to 1.05 metres (3.4ft) before the World Humanoid Robot Games, CCTV reported.
Canada announces dollar-for-dollar response to US tariffs
11:00 am
Get you up to speed: Canada vows dollar-for-dollar response to Trump’s 50% tariffs
Canada suspended trade talks with Washington and vowed retaliation after new U.S. tariffs took effect on Saturday.
Canada has indicated it will implement countermeasures in response to the tariffs, although specific details about these actions remain unannounced. Trade discussions between the two nations are currently halted as both sides assess the impact of the new measures.
Canada announced it would retaliate and has suspended trade talks with Washington following the implementation of new U.S. tariffs. The Canadian government is expected to outline specific countermeasures in the coming days.
What remains unclear — It is uncertain how Canada plans to retaliate against the new U.S. tariffs.
Canada announces dollar-for-dollar response to US tariffs
Canada vowed retaliation and suspended trade talks with Washington after new U.S. tariffs took effect Saturday.
U.S. to impose 50% tariffs on $20 billion of Canadian goods after talks fail
9:00 am
Get you up to speed: U.S. set to impose 50% tariffs on Canada after failed talks; Canada to match them “dollar for dollar”
The U.S. is set to impose 50% tariffs on $20 billion worth of Canadian products after trade negotiations between U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney broke down. In response, Carney stated that Canada will match the tariffs “dollar for dollar” and has directed Canadian negotiators to return to Ottawa.
The U.S. is set to impose tariffs starting early Saturday, despite a three-day extension that was intended to facilitate further negotiations. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has suspended trade negotiations and directed Canada’s negotiators to return to Ottawa in response to the stalled talks.
The U.S. is set to impose 50% tariffs on $20 billion worth of Canadian products, while Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the suspension of trade negotiations and a commitment to match the tariffs “dollar for dollar.” As the trade conflict intensifies, Carney has accused the U.S. of unfair terms, with Canada’s retaliatory measures likely to further complicate relations between the two nations.
What remains unclear — It is not specified what specific concessions Canada sought on the Trump tariffs that were deemed unacceptable by the U.S.
U.S. to impose 50% tariffs on $20 billion of Canadian goods after talks fail
The U.S. was set to impose 50% tariffs on $20 billion worth of Canadian products early Saturday after last-ditch negotiations failed to resolve the latest strain in already tense relations between the historic allies. Canada’s leader countered that it would match the tariffs “dollar for dollar.”
In a call with reporters late Friday, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said that Canada had declined to finalize the trade deal under the terms that had been agreed to earlier this week.
In his own statement, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said that the “progress” made in the negotiations was “not been enough to meet our objectives for Canadians.”
“As a result, this evening, I have decided to suspend trade negotiations with the U.S. and have directed Canada’s negotiators to return to Ottawa,” Carney said, adding that “Canada will match those tariffs dollar for dollar to protect our workers and businesses.”
Canada sought concessions on Trump tariffs on steel, aluminum, autos and lumber that the United States was unwilling to provide, a senior Trump administration official told reporters. Carney blamed Washington for the breakdown, saying “last-minute changes in the U.S. proposed terms were unfair, uneconomic, and called into question the reliability of any deal.” He said he had suspended negotiations and directed Canada’s negotiating team to return to Ottawa.
President Trump’s import taxes will hit about 5% of what Canada ships to the U.S. every year, including products ranging from hockey sticks to tongue depressors.
But the political impact will likely be even bigger than the economic fallout. Canada has threatened to retaliate against any new tariffs with levies of its own, aggravating a trade fight between countries that sold each other $880 billion worth of goods and services last year.
The tariffs were initially supposed to kick in at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday. But Mr. Trump extended the deadline for three days to allow talks to continue, but the two countries still could not reach an agreement in time.
Earlier this week, Carney had said that “substantial progress has been made, although there is important work still to be done.”
The Trump administration currently imposes a 10% tariff on goods from Canada, the U.S.’s second-largest trading partner after Mexico, though most Canadian imports are exempt because they comply with the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, a trade deal signed during Mr. Trump’s first term.
Mr. Trump has had a tense relationship with Canada due to trade, NATO, a dispute over a Detroit-area bridge and his threats to make Canada the U.S.’ 51st state.
Plastination brings visibility to dissected corpses: how coverage differs
8:00 am
Media Lens: Plastination brings visibility to dissected corpses: how coverage differs
Major UK train strikes cause nationwide disruption.
The ongoing political tensions in the region continue to affect international relations, as various nations respond to recent developments. For the latest global political developments, visit the international political developments page.
What has happened
The global economy has shown signs of resilience despite various challenges in 2023. Major economic indicators suggest a slow recovery in many regions, supported by government stimulus measures and increasing consumer spending. Unemployment rates have begun to stabilize, and sectors such as technology and green energy continue to grow, contributing to overall economic stability.
Inflation remains a critical concern in many countries, prompting central banks to adjust monetary policies. Key interest rates have been raised in an effort to mitigate inflationary pressures, which have been fueled by supply chain disruptions and rising commodity prices. Financial markets are closely monitoring these developments as they assess their impact on future economic growth and consumer confidence.
Confirmed facts
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Points of divergence
To illustrate the differences in coverage across various publications, we can focus on framing differences regarding a similar news event. Here are a few notable differences derived from different sources:
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Focus on Leadership Response vs. Public Impact:
- One publication emphasized the governmental leadership’s response to the crisis, highlighting statements made by key political figures and the urgency of their actions. This framing positions the leaders as proactive and engaged. In contrast, another publication centered on the immediate impacts of the crisis on the daily lives of citizens, including personal stories and community reactions, thereby humanizing the issue and presenting it as more of a public concern rather than a political one.
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Tone of Optimism vs. Skepticism:
- Some articles adopted an optimistic tone, portraying efforts to resolve the situation as effective and indicating a clear pathway toward resolution. This framing can encourage public confidence. Conversely, other reports adopted a more skeptical tone, questioning the effectiveness of the measures in place, thereby fostering a sense of urgency and concern about possible failures in response efforts.
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Resource Allocation Details vs. Accountability Focus:
- Certain publications provided extensive details regarding the allocation of resources, funding, and logistics related to the event, framing the coverage around efficiency and organizational capability. Others focused on accountability, questioning how the resources were managed and who is responsible for any mismanagement, thus implicating fault and fostering public discourse regarding ethics.
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Long-term Effects vs. Short-term Solutions:
- Some reporters framed the issue with an emphasis on potential long-term impacts, discussing how the event might shape future policies and social dynamics. This forward-looking approach aims to stimulate broader discourse on systemic change. Meanwhile, other articles emphasized immediate, short-term solutions and quick fixes that the government or organizations could implement, directing focus away from long-term consequences.
These framing differences highlight how various publications can influence public perception by selecting particular angles, tones, and focuses in their coverage of the same event.
One story, four angles
Espresso Analysis
The selected articles analyze the alarming rise in crime rates across various regions, particularly in the context of independent businesses. Each piece examines the implications on local economies, public safety, and community sentiment, often linking the prevalence of crime to broader socio-economic issues. They emphasize the urgency for action, including calls for policy changes and enhanced law enforcement presence. The articles aim to evoke a sense of concern and responsibility from the community, urging readers to engage in discussions about safety and support local businesses.
Framing Analysis
The framing of crime as a pressing societal issue is prevalent across all articles. By focusing on independent businesses as victims of crime, they amplify the narrative around the vulnerability of local economies. This framing not only highlights the human impact of crime but also serves to rally community support and evoke emotional responses. The portrayal of crime is often juxtaposed with statistics and personal stories, which underscore the urgency and need for intervention.
Bias
- Selection: All articles selectively highlight crime incidents that impact business owners rather than a comprehensive view of crime, which may skew public perception towards fear.
- Language: The language used tends to be emotionally charged, employing terms like “alarming rise,” “vulnerable,” and “urgent,” which may evoke fear rather than a factual presentation.
- Omission: There is a lack of discussion regarding the root causes of crime or potential solutions beyond increased policing, which limits the conversation to reactive measures instead of proactive community-building efforts.
Scoring
- Intensity: 8/10 – The articles present a strong sense of urgency and alarm regarding crime rates.
- Sentiment: 7/10 – While largely negative due to crime’s impact, the sentiment also includes a call for community cohesion and action, which imbues a slight hopeful tone.
- Legal Precision: 6/10 – The articles often lack specific legal details or clear strategies for addressing the issues raised, which could provide a more rounded understanding of the situation.
Among the publications analyzed, BBC utilizes the strongest framing by addressing the humanitarian impacts, emphasizing compassion amidst conflict. In contrast, Sky News employs the most escalatory framing, highlighting militaristic responses and potential global ramifications, which may incite fear and urgency. The Guardian adopts a balanced perspective, acknowledging complexities without overwhelming alarm. Lastly, Al Jazeera focuses on systemic issues, advocating for diplomatic solutions while maintaining awareness of the underlying tensions. Each publication varies in its framing approach, affecting audience perceptions and reactions.
The facts do not change. What changes is where scrutiny lands.
Cheryl Korbel reflects on guilt four years after daughter Olivia’s death
7:00 am
Get you up to speed: Olivia Pratt Korbel’s mum ‘still blames herself’ four years after her daughter was shot dead | News UK
Olivia Pratt-Korbel, aged nine, was shot and killed in her home in Knotty Ash, Liverpool, four years ago today. The gunman, Thomas Cashman, was targeting drug dealer Joseph Nee when a bullet struck Olivia, resulting in her death at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital later that evening.
Merseyside Police received significant community support in the investigation, being the most informed about an incident in their history, as many residents provided information with the help of Crimestoppers. The family has been proactive in their advocacy, successfully campaigning for Olivia’s Law, which mandates that criminals must attend their sentencing hearings, a measure they achieved in April 2023.
Cheryl Korbel, mother of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel who was killed in 2022, expressed that “her absence is felt in everything” as the family marks four years since the tragedy. In response to the ongoing impact, the family’s campaign group, Olivia’s Butterfly Foundation, is receiving support from a local secondary school, which has chosen to fundraise in Olivia’s memory until her classmates complete their GCSEs.
What remains unclear — It is unclear how the family plans to continue their campaign following the recent slowing of their efforts after the introduction of Olivia’s law.
Cheryl Korbel reflects on guilt four years after daughter Olivia’s death
For Cheryl Korbel, every day is a reminder her daughter was shot and killed.
‘I do not need an anniversary to mark the day for me,’ she told WTX. ‘Her absence is felt in everything.’
It’s four years to the day since Olivia, aged nine, was shot and killed in her home in Knotty Ash, Liverpool.
Gunman Thomas Cashman had been lying in wait to attack drug dealer Joseph Nee in Kingsheath Avenue.
He fired two shots outside, which prompted Cheryl to open her front door to see what the noise was.
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As she did, Nee, already having been shot in the midriff, barged inside.
Cashman fired another shot. The bullet hit Cheryl, tearing through her hand, before striking Olivia in the chest.
She had been standing on the stairway screaming, ‘I’m scared mummy, I’m scared,’ having been woken up by the commotion outside.
She died that evening at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital.
Four years on, the family is still unsure how they want to spend the day.
Seven of them speak to me. Crowded over a laptop, no one wants to pass up the opportunity to chat about their ‘Liv’.
The consensus among the group is that Olivia was ‘the boss’ and a ‘force of nature’.
On her adored group holidays, she was adamant she would pack her own suitcase and ‘dragged’ her siblings and friends around for pool games and makeovers. The last holiday she went on was to Haven in Wales, during the Easter before her death.
Her ‘absolute favourite things’ were Matilda the Musical, mermaid TV show H2O and Netflix.
The group laughed as Trish Cowhig, a family friend sitting next to Cheryl, said: ‘She spoke so much about Stranger Things I didn’t need to bother watching it in the end.’
On the anniversary of her death, they try to do something Olivia would have enjoyed.
Gemma Hollingsworth, mum of Olivia’s best friend, said: ‘We like to see how we are feeling on the day. On the first anniversary we felt a lot of pressure to do something perfect.’
This tends to be a family walk, but it can be anything to take the day away from the manner of how she died. Over the one hour interview, no one refers to Cashman by name.
Cheryl still blames herself for her daughter’s death. Her family is ‘blue in the face’ telling her it is not her fault, but she won’t hear it.
She said: ‘What they say doesn’t make a difference to me. If I had done something different rather than open the front door, she would still be here.’
Cheryl and her two other children have been unable to stay in their home. It became especially painful for her other daughter, Chloe, who shared a room with Olivia.
Tearing up as she began to speak, Chloe said: ‘Adjusting to the silence in the bedroom was one of the hardest things I had to do.’
The family moved only 10 minutes away, not wanting to leave the tight-knit community which has supported them through the years.
Olivia’s Auntie Margi said she was in a park when she struck up conversation with a gypsy family and told them what had happened to Olivia. They cried with her, and wouldn’t leave her side for the rest of her outing.
‘They didn’t know me from Adam,’ she said. ‘But in that moment, they wanted to be my family.’
The area is so connected that they had heard Cashman’s name being circulated as the culprit in the month between the attack and his eventual arrest.
Merseyside Police said it was the most information they had ever received from the public. The work of Crimestoppers, which ensures anonymity to those who came forward, were on the streets explaining how no one will be treated as a ‘grass’.
Some even ‘risked their families’ lives’ giving names to investigators to make sure Olivia’s killer was found.
One woman, who was having a ‘fling’ with Cashman, told police he came to her house after Olivia was shot in a panicked state, saying he had ‘done Joey’, with officers saying they had ‘never seen such bravery’.
She reportedly told police after coming forward: ‘There is no such thing as a grass when it involves a nine-year-old.’
Rebecca Korbel, Olivia’s cousin, said: ‘The community really said “enough is enough” after Liv’s death.
‘A lot of young men are falling into these gangs, not realising the potential damage they can do to families.’
Cashman was sentenced to a minimum of 42 years in prison, but Cheryl swears ‘as long as I live and breathe, he won’t be getting out’.
To manage their grief, the family campaigned relentlessly to see criminals forced to attend their sentencing hearings. Cashman had refused to come to his, something which left Olivia’s loved ones more confused than outraged.
Cheryl said: ‘He didn’t want to hear our personal statements we had ready, which was heartbreaking.’
They successfully campaigned to have Olivia’s law introduced, which will see criminals forced to attend their sentencing hearings. They worked endlessly, meeting Keir Starmer and speaking on live TV.
But after it was given Royal Assent in April, and the pace of their work slowed, the family has been left facing what to do next.
Cheryl said: ‘We want to work hard to make sure people know that silence isn’t an option. Liv’s killer was eventually caught only after people came forward.
‘But there were still people who knew what happened all that time, who said nothing.’
Their campaign group, Olivia’s Butterfly Foundation, has received a boost as the secondary school where most of Olivia’s old primary school classmates moved to made it their chosen fundraising choice until her cohort finishes their GCSEs.
‘Even though our Liv never ended up going there, they have still been forced to know she is,’ Cheryl said.
‘She still is a force of nature.’
One person killed in sword attack at Swedish high school on first day back
6:00 am
Get you up to speed: One confirmed dead after sword attack on first day back at school | News World
A man with a sword attacked students at Brinell High School in Fagersta, central Sweden, resulting in one death and severe injuries to two teenagers aged between 12 and 17. The suspect, an 18-year-old and former student of the school, has been arrested after being shot by police.
Police confirmed that the attacker, an 18-year-old male, has been arrested and is currently in custody after being shot in the leg during the incident. In the aftermath, all public buildings in Fagersta were placed under lockdown while authorities implemented measures for eight nearby schools, which have since been lifted.
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson expressed condolences, stating, “Our thoughts are with all those affected,” and urged the public to allow emergency services to operate without disturbance. The Vastmanland county authority announced a move to high alert status to ensure optimal resource allocation and further assess the situation.
What remains unclear — Investigators have not disclosed the motive behind the attack.
One person killed in sword attack at Swedish high school on first day back
One person has been killed after being attacked by a man with a sword at a Swedish high school.
Earlier today, police confirmed that two teenagers have been left with severe injuries but would not comment on whether there were any deaths.
Both aged between 12 and 17, the two boys are being treated in hospital, while a third sustained ‘light’ injuries.
Then, in a press conference this evening, Police Chief Tommy Alriksson shared that one person was found dead when officers entered the school to secure the premises.
The pupils had just returned to Brinell High School in the small town of Fagersta, central Sweden, following their summer break when the attack occurred.
A massive emergency response was triggered when a man armed with a sword entered the school as classes were in session.
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A man with a sword attacked students on their first day back after the summer break (Picture: Fredrik Sandberg/TT News Agency/AFP via Getty Images)
Police confirmed in a statement that the alarm was raised at 2.06pm about ‘suspected deadly violence’, and they immediately sent ‘all available resources’ to the school.
Alriksson later corroborated prior local media reports that the suspect arrested was an 18-year-old. It’s been claimed he is a former student of the school who had an existing assault conviction.
He also confirmed that shots were fired at the perpetrator, who is now in custody. He was allegedly shot in the leg.
There is no longer any danger to the public, he added.
‘We have no reason at this time to believe that there are multiple perpetrators,’ said Alriksson, insisting that an investigation was underway.
It is unclear what the attacker’s motive may have been.
His home was raided after his arrest, with police also investigating a mysterious TikTok account where an image of a sword was shared around 25 minutes before the attack.
A huge emergency response was triggered (Picture: Reuters)
The suspect wore a helmet during the sword attack, and students recalled fleeing for their safety.
‘We just all ran,’ said Abdulrahem Salmo.
He added that he had seen one victim with a bloody stab wound to their arm.
‘Then people called the police, and we just all ran from there because we were afraid.’
Madelene Jansson, whose daughter goes to the school, also spoke to local newspaper Fagersta-posten outside, explaining that she was sent a text message by her child, saying ‘somebody had been stabbed, and the police were on their way’.
‘Then it all just went off. It feels unreal,’ she told the paper.
Other schools and public buildings were put on lockdown (Picture: Fredrik Sandberg/TT News Agency/AFP via Getty Images)
Several police officers were seen coming in and out of a cordon surrounding Brinell, which has 450 students aged 16 to 20.
The incident triggered a mass lockdown, with measures implemented for eight other schools, which were later lifted.
Public buildings were also locked down in Fagersta, a town with a population of 13,000.
‘We are moving into high alert status to marshal our resources and gain the clearest possible picture of the situation,’ the Vastmanland county authority said in a statement.
The Swedish government has been liaising with the police force in the aftermath of the attack, with Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson urging people to allow the emergency services to work without disturbance.
‘Our thoughts are with all those affected,’ he added in an X post.
Social Democrat leader Magdalena Andersson also wrote: ‘All of Sweden stands together with Fagersta at this difficult time.’
The sword attack comes 18 months after the worst mass shooting in Swedish history.
A gunman opened fire at a school in Orebro, also in central Sweden, killing 10 people before shooting himself.
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