We have a curated list of the most noteworthy news from all across the globe. With any subscription plan, you get access to exclusive articles that let you stay ahead of the curve.
We have a curated list of the most noteworthy news from all across the globe. With any subscription plan, you get access to exclusive articles that let you stay ahead of the curve.
We have a curated list of the most noteworthy news from all across the globe. With any subscription plan, you get access to exclusive articles that let you stay ahead of the curve.
We have a curated list of the most noteworthy news from all across the globe. With any subscription plan, you get access to exclusive articles that let you stay ahead of the curve.
In a picturesque mountain region of the United States, a unique parking challenge has hikers sacrificing their sleep, waking at the break of dawn to secure desirable parking spaces.
At Wyoming’s Lupine Meadows Trailhead, enthusiastic visitors fill up the limited parking by as early as 7:30 a.m., causing vehicles to spill over onto grassy verges and transforming single-lane roads into crowded thoroughfares stretching a mile in each direction.
This problem isn’t confined to just one spot; it affects much of Grand Teton National Park as well as the nearby affluent areas of Jackson, Wilson, and Teton Village in Teton County, the wealthiest county in the nation with a per-capita income of approximately $533,000.
Queues to enter the park often begin forming before 7 a.m., and the overflow leads to hikers illegally parking in restricted areas, which in turn blocks other motorists from exiting gracefully.
Officials are increasingly worried, noting that such parking habits could obstruct emergency vehicles from reaching crucial trailheads, potentially risking safety.
Police have been forced to ticket people, and in some cases even tow the most egregious offenders, Teton Park Superintendent Chip Jenkins told Jackson Hole News & Guide.
‘This year, we’re really feeling something different,’ Mr Jenkins told the outlet. ‘We’re seeing a substantial increase in the number of people parking in no parking zones, blocking the lane of traffic, blocking people in.’
Natural attractions such as Jenny Lake, Delta Lake and Death Canyon in the summer, and world-class skiing at the Jackson Hole and Snow King Mountain Resorts, consistently draw millions of tourists to Teton Park every year.
Throngs of tourists visiting Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming are causing lots to fill up as early as 7am. Cars are pictured driving by a full parking lot sign in the park
The situation has led to terrible parking etiquette and cars parking on shoulders for up to a mile outside popular trailheads
Park officials have said cars are blocking roads, stopping people from leaving and potentially hindering emergency vehicles
Grand Teton National Park and mountain range are located in Teton County, which is the wealthiest county in the US
And visitation to the park has grown steadily over the past decade, while the use of trailheads in the region has increased even more dramatically.
Grand Teton National Park experienced a 4.5 per cent increase in visitor numbers in June and July of this year compared with the same period in 2017, and trail use in the park soared by 18 per cent over the same time frame.
The surge has been driven by a post-pandemic interest in reconnecting with the outdoors, National Parks Conservation Association spokesman Kati Schmidt told JH News & Guide.
Meanwhile, viral videos on social media have showcased the park’s small lots filling up shortly after sunrise, advising people to arrive as early as possible if they want to secure spots close to popular trailheads.
That has driven peak visitation levels from 9am or 10am closer to 8am, according to data from traffic counters and revenue collection at entrance stations, Teton Park Superintendent Jenkins told JH News & Guide.
Mr Jenkins said he believes the trend of earlier visitation is here to stay. ‘This is our future. This is not a one-year blip,’ he said.
But solving the issue of parking etiquette and car overcrowding is not expected to be easy.
National Parks are protected land, and simply building bigger parking lots would damage the environment and ecosystem and take from the natural splendor that draws visitors in the first place.
Use of Teton Park’s trailheads has grown tremendously over the past decade, driven by a post-pandemic interest in reconnecting with nature
Peak visitation times have gone from 9am or 10am closer to 8am in Teton Park , according to data from traffic counters and revenue collection at entrance stations
Park officials have been encouraging tourists to explore less popular areas of the park and arrive later in the day
Some parks use shuttle systems to alleviate traffic, but that solution appears ill-fitted for Teton Park, as parking is already so limited and overcrowded that there would be no obvious places for shuttles to pick up and drop off passengers.
Park officials have been studying visitor numbers and patterns to work on a solution, but for now, the strategy has been to promote spreading out visitation.
Tourists have been encouraged to arrive at trailheads in the late afternoon and early evening, and to explore less popular areas of the park.
‘Grand Teton is so much bigger than just Jenny Lake, Lupine and the LSR,’ Jenkins told JH News & Guide.
‘There are many places where people can go where there is capacity – visitors as well as people from the local community.’
Paul Gigot, along with Wall Street Journal columnists Kim Strassel, Kyle Peterson, and Elliot Kaufman, took center stage to scrutinize New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s controversial action concerning Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Initially, Mamdani pledged to pursue Netanyahu’s arrest, but later retracted his statement. The panel delved into the legality of this situation, highlighting Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s determination to dismantle the International Criminal Court (ICC) due to its contentious jurisdiction and perceived threats to U.S. sovereignty.
The Trump administration took a bold step by imposing sanctions on two prominent International Criminal Court officials. This action signals an intensification of efforts to dissolve an institution that has been probing alleged U.S. war crimes in Afghanistan and has issued arrest warrants for senior Israeli figures linked to the Gaza conflict.
In a strong denunciation, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the sanctions on ICC President Tomoko Akane of Japan and senior trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye of Senegal. He labeled the court as “corrupt and fatally politicized,” reflecting a firm stance against its actions.
Rubio condemned the ICC for targeting officials whose governments have not agreed to its jurisdiction. “These individuals have directly engaged in efforts by the ICC to investigate, arrest, detain, or prosecute officials,” he declared, accusing the court of “maliciously abusing its authority and exceeding its mandate.”
The ramifications of these sanctions are significant. Akane and Seye face frozen assets in U.S. jurisdictions, and their financial dealings with Americans or within the U.S. financial system are now severely restricted.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio listens as President Donald Trump speaks during a roundtable on the American mining industry at the State Department on August 7, 2026, in Washington, D.C.(Eric Lee/Getty Images)
“Our whole of government campaign to dismantle the threat posed by the ICC to national sovereignty will be sweeping and we expect more countries to join our campaign by ending their funding and participation in this politicized and unaccountable court,” Rubio said. “The ICC’s ability to target American nationals and those of other non-States Parties must end.”
An executive order signed by President Donald Trump in February 2025 created the sanctions’ framework.
The Trump administration argues that the ICC lacks the power to investigate soldiers, military commanders and political leaders from countries that are not parties to the court, including the U.S. and Israel.
International Criminal Court President Tomoko Akane speaks to the press after meeting with members of the European Parliament’s Human Rights Committee in Brussels, Belgium on March 19, 2025.(Dursun Aydemir/Anadolu via Getty Images)
The ICC said the Trump administration’s latest sanctions “undermine the rule of law,” adding that they amount to “a flagrant attack against the independence of an impartial judicial institution.”
“Such measures targeting judges, prosecutors and staff who work towards the fulfilment of the mandate that was conferred to the ICC by States undermine the rule of law,” the ICC said in a statement.
The court continued: “When judicial actors are threatened for applying the law, it is the international legal order itself that is placed at risk. Threats and coercive measures also impact the ability of victims to seek justice, as they turn to the Court when all other avenues have been exhausted.”
The ICC maintains that it can exercise jurisdiction over nationals of non-member states when they are accused of qualifying crimes committed on the territory of a state that has accepted the Court’s jurisdiction.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gives a news conference in Jerusalem on June 15, 2026.(RONEN ZVULUN / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)
Qualifying crimes under the Rome Statute include genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression.
Afghanistan and Palestine are both members of the court, which the ICC says allows it to investigate alleged crimes committed on their territories, including alleged war crimes by U.S. personnel in Afghanistan and alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity by Israeli officials in Gaza.
In September 2024, the ICC also issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant, the minister of defense at the time.
In a move stirring concern among geopolitical analysts, Donald Trump’s latest overtures to North Korea’s enigmatic leader Kim Jong-un have thrown into question the U.S.’s dedication to its Asian and Pacific allies. Experts fear this dynamic could heighten instability in the already volatile region.
Furthermore, Trump’s actions have rekindled anxieties over North Korea’s nuclear ambitions. The burning question remains whether the U.S. might relent in its firm opposition to Pyongyang’s weapons program—a scenario that could have extensive consequences.
This tension escalated on Monday when the United States declared a significant scaling down of joint military exercises with South Korea and Japan. This announcement sent shockwaves through diplomatic circles, potentially undermining the robust defense alliances woven throughout the region and leaving many surprised.
Trump took to social media to reveal this decision, labeling the exercises as expensive and “conveying a message that is entirely inappropriate and hostile” to North Korea. Previously, Pyongyang has criticized these collaborative military drills, vowing a formidable response to what it perceives as provocations.
Nevertheless, the timing of this unexpected decision coincides with Trump hinting at a potential meeting with Kim Jong-un, prompting widespread speculation about the true nature of their peculiar diplomatic relationship.
South Korean president Lee Jae Myung said on Wednesday he recognised Trump’s “will and efforts to create conditions for dialogue” with North Korea through the reduction of the exercise.
“President Trump’s message this time feels like a major decision made with careful consideration to create peace on the Korean Peninsula, moving beyond hostility and confrontation,” he wrote on social media.
Joshua Kurlantzick, senior fellow for Southeast Asia and South Asia at the US think tank the Council on Foreign Relations, told SBS News the US decision was in one way unsurprising, given its stated foreign policy shift away from global hegemony and toward influence over the “Western hemisphere” alone.
However, he said it was another significant step toward the potential “fading” of the US defence umbrella as allies “no longer feel” that umbrella is as “reliable as it used to be”.
“As a result, and this includes Australia, they are taking various measures.” He said this includes strengthening regional defence ties and increasing military spending.
That said, United States Studies Centre CEO and former National Security Council director for Asia, Michael Green, told SBS News that “the hub-and-spoke” US regional strategic alliance network “survives” the Trump administration as there’s “no other option”.
He said the multi-layered “networking of these traditional US allies is necessary” to counter the risks of a rising China and a loss of US maritime dominance in the Pacific.
“That alone explains 80 or 90 per cent of why you have the Quad [the security alliance between Australia, India, Japan and the US], why you have AUKUS, why you have the US-Japan-Australia trilateral,” he said.
Why Trump wants to meet Kim
During his first term in office, Trump made history as the first sitting US president to meet Kim Jong-un and visit North Korea.
Despite their tumultuous relationship — Kim had previously described Trump as “mentally deranged” while Trump branded him “little rocket man” — the US president later said the pair “fell in love”.
Their three meetings across 2018 and 2019 yielded little, with Trump refusing to accept Kim’s demands for total sanctions relief in exchange for partial denuclearisation.
Relations between the two nations iced over during the Biden presidency, and Trump has had little to do with North Korea during his second term until now.
On Wednesday, Trump announced he would be meeting with Kim later in the year — potentially in November during the APEC summit in Shenzhen, China — but has yet to announce any specific details or goals for such a meeting.
On social media, Trump noted that joint military exercises are expensive and that South Korea has not supported the US in seeking to open the Iran-blockaded Strait of Hormuz as motivation for his sudden change of heart.
“Kim Jong-un has always treated me with great respect and we met on numerous occasions, actually, two primary occasions, spoken and spent time. I understand him. He understands me,” Trump said on Monday as he alluded to the idea that the pair have been communicating.
Professor in international relations and comparative politics at the University of Sydney, Justin Hastings, told SBS News that he would “struggle to think” what the “point” of a meeting between the two would be, but said North Korea was likely to come out of it better off than the US.
In discussing his relationship with Kim, Trump said that North Korea “has 57 very powerful nuclear weapons” and that, while he “should have never allowed it… he’s got them”.
“I get along with him very well. I can’t let Iran have a nuclear weapon. And I know Kim Jong-un very well. And he’s going to be fine,” Trump said.
The comments further normalise North Korea’s claims to nuclear weapons, in a significant break from US historic policy, which is to demand North Korea give them up.
“If you’re in a situation where the US actually does drop denuclearisation as a policy goal, this will have long-term ramifications for regional security without North Korea actually giving up anything in return,” Hastings said.
Green, however, does not believe that Trump is focused on any short-term political ambition but is instead “looking for legacy”.
“Trump was very successful as a television performer, as a businessman, and as a politician by dominating the news cycle,” he said.
“Part of the answer is; his political fortunes are failing, he’s stuck with the war in the Middle East, he’s not able to tackle inflation, economists anticipate that prices won’t go down before the midterms, so he’s going back to a playbook he knows well, which is just keep changing the subject.
“It’s worked before … But it’s going to have no impact on the politics right now in the US, and probably no positive impact in world diplomacy.”
For North Korea, circumstances are also vastly different from what they were in 2018. Green argued Kim “doesn’t need Trump as much” now, because North Korea is getting “robust support from Russia and China”. In recent years, the country has strengthened ties with its neighbours and has deployed tens of thousands of troops in the war in Ukraine.
What could happen
On Tuesday, Defence Minister Richard Marles said Australia remains “very concerned” about the North Korean nuclear weapons program and that missile tests are a huge issue for the country, even if they appear less so to the United States.
“Australia is very concerned about North Korea’s nuclear program, as well as its missile program,” Marles said at a press conference with Japanese defence minister Koizumi Shinjiro. He added that South Korea remained “critically important” for both Australian and Japanese trilateral security.
Former South Korean ambassador Lee Baek-soon recently wrote that the US-led world order — the “Pax Americana” system — is “at a tipping point” following the war in Iran, and that South Korea and Australia should strengthen ties as a result.
“While one can put all one’s eggs in one basket during periods of stable order, it is wise to put one’s eggs in multiple baskets during times of great rupture,” he wrote. “Rather than rely on the power of others for their survival, nations must rely on their own power and the power of solidarity.”
Whether or not Trump and Kim will meet remains uncertain. On Thursday, Kim’s sister cast doubt over talks, denying that there had been any communication between her brother and Trump.
Kim Yo-jong did, however, say that the pair’s relationship is “still excellent” and that Kim still has “good memories” of the US president.
Kurlantzick said that, at the most extreme end, the US shift could hasten nuclear weapons proliferation throughout Asia and could result in Japan and South Korea having atomic bombs.
“There’s already strong South Korean support for greater homegrown defence capacities,” Kurlantzick said. “This is only going to help that more.”
“If Japan and South Korea, which are wealthy countries with the ability to produce nuclear weapons in a relatively short period of time, move towards producing nuclear weapons, it would be incredibly destabilising … but isn’t out of the question.”
US midterm elections
However, he also believes that the upcoming midterm elections could shift support back toward a more globally-looking US, depending on their outcome.
“Congress, in the last few years, has handed over a lot of powers to president Trump and has been pretty compliant,” he said. “That could change after the 2026 midterm elections; there’s a lot of support in Congress for the policy of supporting US partners in Asia and that includes Australia.”
Hastings said US allies like Australia were being forced into hedging their bets: increasing defence spend in a way that is consistent with US demands while building regional partnerships in the belief that the US might not follow through when needed.
“We’re entering a period where there’s a great deal more uncertainty, and it’s one where countries would benefit by finding other sources of security in addition to continuing to rely, to a certain extent, on what the US is willing to provide.”
Green, who served on the US National Security Council and negotiated with North Korea under the Bush administration while advising the US during the 2018 negotiations, said that the US has shocked Asia in the past but that relationships are often quickly patched up.
Opinion polling for US support, including one released by the Lowy Institute in June, shows that trust in the US is the lowest it has been in decades across the globe. However, as Green points out, support for military alliances with the US is “at record highs” in Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines while remaining “pretty steady” in Australia.
“Trump is unpopular around the world,” Green said, but structural support “is quite robust”.
“The worrisome part is, as his political power weakens, his disposition to do things like this South Korea game … might increase.
“His way of doing things is, when the going gets tough, go out there and get publicity and do something shocking. That could get even more wild in the in the next year or so.”
In a delightful twist of fate, a city in Northern California, once infamous for its somber Gold Rush-era executions, is now vying to become one of America’s most festive Christmas towns, courtesy of the Hallmark Channel.
Nestled in El Dorado County, Placerville was established in 1848, initially known as Dry Diggins. It later acquired the grim moniker “Hangtown” due to its darker past.
The gold found in the nearby rivers and mountains during the Gold Rush era attracted a flood of newcomers, and a series of frontier justice hangings during this time cemented the town’s unfortunate nickname until 1854.
Fast forward to today, and this quaint town of approximately 10,300 residents is celebrated for something much more joyful: its vibrant Christmas festivities.
Placerville finds itself among 25 communities nationwide competing in the Hallmark Channel’s Merriest Christmas Towns contest, a highlight of the network’s 25-year anniversary celebration.
The city’s holiday traditions include the Hangtown Christmas Parade, the Hometown Holiday on Main celebration and Christmas Tree Lane, when a stretch along Highway 50 is decorated with Christmas trees and lights.
The public will be able to vote in the contest, while a panel of judges will also help select the “Merriest Christmas Town,” according to the Hallmark website.
The towns will be judged on their “community spirit, holiday traditions, neighborhood charm, and goodwill.”
Other communities in the running include Ashland, Oregon; Bemidji, Minnesota; and Berlin, Maryland.
Each of the 25 communities participating in the contest has already been designated an Official Hallmark Christmas Town.
But the grand-prize winner will receive an even bigger distinction: the opportunity to serve as a filming location for a Hallmark movie.
Voting is open online once per day through 11:59 p.m. ET on Sept. 4, 2026.
President Donald Trump revealed he’s considering a particular individual to step into the role of Press Secretary, as his team sifts through a plethora of candidates eager for this prestigious position at the White House.
This announcement came as he was preparing to board Air Force One earlier in the week. At 80 years old, the President was questioned about the successor to Karoline Leavitt, who had recently disclosed her plans to leave the post.
In a lighthearted moment, he turned to the cluster of reporters and said, “Maybe you, maybe you,” when someone inquired whether Scott Jennings, a frequent television commentator known for his conservative views, was in the running for the position.
“Scott Jennings is good,” Trump affirmed with confidence, humorously suggesting that one of the reporters surrounding him could also be a potential candidate for the role.
“I’ll say this,” he remarked, “Never in my life have I received so many job applications.” His words underscored the intense competition for a spot in his White House team.
‘They all want that job, they love that job,’ Trump said. ‘She’s made that job very glamorous.’
Leavitt, 28, who will be departing at the end of the month, was quite open about the demands of the job when she announced she was leaving the front lines of the Trump administration.
President Donald Trump, 80, said he has ‘never had so many job applications in my life’ as he continues his search to replace Karoline Leavitt as press secretary
When asked if he’d consider Scott Jennings, a conservative commentator, Trump replied: ‘Scott Jennings is good’
‘Being a mother and welcoming a new baby while working in one of the most demanding jobs in the world has been the most rewarding yet challenging season of my life,’ she said.
‘The truth is since returning to the White House after the birth of my daughter, I have felt in my heart that I cannot be the best mom my two young children deserve while devoting the constant time, energy, and attention required of the White House Press Secretary.’
Her announcement came shortly after Leavitt returned to Pennsylvania Avenue from maternity leave, telling everyone: ‘Let’s get back to work.’
The mother-of-two had returned from maternity leave on July 16 after giving birth to her daughter in May. She also has a two-year-old son with her husband Nicholas Riccio, 61.
One source close to Leavitt, the youngest ever White House press secretary, reveals she had been strongly weighing whether to quit during maternity leave, as the President would contact her often and repeatedly ask when she was coming back.
‘No doubt one of the hardest decisions of her life so far,’ the source told the Daily Mail.
Another source says that, after returning from maternity leave, Leavitt very quickly realized she definitely needed out.
‘First week back she realized she wasn’t feeling it anymore,’ the source said. ‘Trump really didn’t want her to leave as he actually trusts her and doesn’t like having to deal with new people in his circle when he wants to focus on getting stuff done in his time left in office.’
Leavitt became the youngest ever White House press secretary at the age of 27. She will depart the White House at the end of the month
Two sources also explain that Leavitt has been confiding to those close to her over the past two months that she is ready to step down.
‘She was just trying to figure out how to politely step down with his [Trump’s] blessing,’ one of those sources explained.
The President posted on Truth Social that it was ‘a decision I totally understand and respect,’ calling Leavitt ‘one of the best White House press secretaries in the history of the office.’
Trump added that Leavitt would remain a ‘top outside adviser’ and an ‘influential voice’ in the Republican Party as the White House gears up for crunch midterm elections this November.
Rarely has a press secretary wielded the level of access Leavitt has commanded, from sitting in on classified Situation Room meetings to steering crisis strategy around the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.
She first entered Trump’s orbit in 2018 and went on to be his press secretary for his 2024 campaign. Leavitt also previously worked as an assistant White House press secretary in 2020.
She took on the role as White House press secretary at the age of 27 when Trump came back into power.
Revelations about ADHD within the Thomas family have unfolded further as Scarlett Thomas, daughter of actor Ryan Thomas, disclosed her own diagnosis. This news comes following her father’s recent public statements on dealing with the same condition.
Known for her role on Waterloo Road, Scarlett shared that she was diagnosed with ADHD three years ago. She opened up about her experiences and how the diagnosis has influenced her daily life.
Posting a candid video on Snapchat, Scarlett, who is also the daughter of Coronation Street’s Tina O’Brien, took a light-hearted approach, urging her family to relax regarding her ADHD assessment.
Her father, Ryan Thomas, alongside his brothers Scott and Adam, have frequently discussed ADHD on their podcast. In an insightful episode in March, Ryan shared his journey towards understanding his own diagnosis.
Scarlett expressed her perspective by saying, “The word ADHD, get it away and put it in the bin because what do you mean somebody talks too much?”
‘What do you mean somebody has a different personality and suddenly they’ve got a disorder.
Ryan Thomas’s daughter Scarlett, 17, has revealed she’s been diagnosed with ADHD , after her dad shared his own struggles with the condition
The Waterloo Road star shared she first received her diagnosis three years ago, and in a video shared how she feels she’s treated differently since learning she had the condition
‘I don’t get it. I was diagnosed in year nine, it’s literally just a personality. It doesn’t make sense to me. Anyway, that’s my take on that. I say it because my uncle Adam talks about it and he needs to chill out.’
Scarlett’s uncle Adam has previously shared his own experience with ADHD, and earlier this year Ryan revealed he’d received a diagnosis.
Speaking on their podcast, At Home With The Thomas Bro’s podcast, Ryan said: ‘ADHD for me has been a big problem and I’ve not actually spoke about it yet because If I’m really honest, I was quite embarrassed that I had ADHD.
‘It felt like I had a condition and growing up, as kids, ADHD, I don’t feel like, was ever a thing – or it was loosely spoke about.’
Ryan said he decided to get assessed for ADHD after being told by his fiancée Lucy Mecklenburgh that he would repeatedly lose things and struggled to concentrate.
The Coronation Street star continued: ‘After the whole process, I was diagnosed – and I’m on medication.
‘And friends that are on the medication have said it changes your life instantly, like the limitless pill. And it’s been quite disheartening for me because I’m on the medication every day.
‘I’ve been on it for the last three, four weeks. And I still feel overwhelmed. I still misplace things.
In a video posted on her Snapchat , Scarlett declared that her family needed to ‘chill out’ about her ADHD diagnosis
‘There is a part of me that I recognise – that I can sit down and write something on a piece of paper, which is very rare that that happens with me.’
Ryan defended his controversial decision to allow Scarlett to skip sitting her GCSEs.
Scarlett, who appeared in BBC’s Waterloo Road in 2023, recently shared that she did not sit the nationwide exams in a video posted to her TikTok page.
The caption read: ‘I’m watching everyone get there [sic] GCSE results today wondering if I could’ve had good results but I will forever wonder.’
The clip caused much controversy online, with many complaining that it was ‘unacceptable’ for the teenager to forgo sitting the exams and attending school to focus on her budding acting career.
Under one post which criticised the decision from her parents, her father weighed in in the comment section and hit back.
He defiantly said: ‘Is it even anyone’s business or concern though?’
The actress has made it clear that she wants to follow in the footsteps of her famous parents into the entertainment industry, and has a passion for acting and singing.
While most young people in England do sit GCSEs, they are not a legal requirement under the Education Act of 1996. Students can choose to pursue other qualifications or leave formal education at 16.
Her first TV appearance was in Waterloo Road – one of several shows that made her uncle Adam a household name.
In January, Ryan also shared his pride upon learning that Scarlett had signed a record deal, calling it ‘one of the best days of his life’.
WHAT IS ADHD?
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a behavioural condition defined by inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsiveness.
It affects around five per cent of children in the US. Some 3.6 per cent of boys and 0.85 per cent of girls suffer in the UK.
Symptoms typically appear at an early age and become more noticeable as a child grows. These can also include:
Constant fidgeting
Poor concentration
Excessive movement or talking
Acting without thinking
Inability to deal with stress
Little or no sense of danger
Careless mistakes
Mood swings
Forgetfulness
Difficulty organising tasks
Continually starting new tasks before finishing old ones
Inability to listen or carry out instructions
Most cases are diagnosed between six and 12 years old. Adults can also suffer, but there is less research into this.
ADHD’s exact cause is unclear but is thought to involve genetic mutations that affect a person’s brain function and structure.
Premature babies and those with epilepsy or brain damage are more at risk.
ADHD is also linked to anxiety, depression, insomnia, Tourette’s and epilepsy.
There is no cure.
A combination of medication and therapy is usually recommended to relieve symptoms and make day-to-day life easier.
After a thrilling five-season run packed with exhilarating treasure hunts, perilous escapades, and a rollercoaster of near-death experiences, the adventures of the Pogues have reached their saga’s conclusion.
On August 20, Netflix unveiled the final chapter of the hit teen adventure series Outer Banks, wrapping up the story after seven eventful years. This closing season chronicles the journeys of John B (Chase Stokes), Sarah Cameron (Madelyn Cline), Kiara Carrera (Madison Bailey), Pope Heyward (Jonathan Daviss), and Cleo (Carlacia Grant) as they embark on a last daring quest, seeking revenge for JJ (Rudy Pankow) and aiming to complete their unfinished mission.
With the final episodes now available for streaming, fans are left pondering a pressing question: Is there a chance for a sixth season of Outer Banks?
Will There Be a Season 6 of Outer Banks?
Unfortunately for enthusiasts of the series, this marks the end of the line. There will be no Season 6 for Outer Banks.
From the start, Netflix had planned the conclusion with Season 5, ensuring fans knew the end was coming. The decision was not a sudden cancellation; rather, the creators Josh Pate, Jonas Pate, and Shannon Burke always intended for Outer Banks to be a five-season narrative.
In a November 2024 letter to fans, the creators explained that they had envisioned the series as a “five-season journey” and that they were preparing for the final chapter.
In other words, there isn’t currently a Season 6 waiting in the wings. The fifth season was always meant to bring John B and the rest of the Pogues’ story to a close.
And the finale certainly reflects that intention. The ending gives the characters some much-needed closure, including a flash-forward showing John B and Sarah married and starting a family.
But if you’re not quite ready to leave Kildare Island behind, there is a small ray of hope.
Is There Going To Be an Outer Banks Prequel?
While the original Outer Banks is finished, Netflix may not be completely finished with the show’s universe.
Deadline has reported that a potential prequel series is in development at Netflix, with the working title Kildare. The project is being developed by Outer Banks creators Josh Pate, Jonas Pate and Shannon Burke.
There is one important caveat: Netflix has not ordered the prequel to series. At this point, it’s still in development, meaning there’s no guarantee Kildare will actually make it to viewers.
Still, the project appears to be further along than a purely hypothetical spinoff, with Josh Pate telling Deadline that they’re working on the script.
So while fans shouldn’t start looking for a premiere date just yet, there is at least a potential new chapter of the Outer Banks universe in the works.
What Would the Outer Banks Prequel Be About?
If Kildare moves forward, don’t expect it to simply pick up where the original series left off.
The proposed prequel would be set 20 years before the events of Outer Banks and explore the origins of the social divide that has long separated the wealthy Kooks from the working-class Pogues.
That’s potentially a pretty significant shift for the franchise. Rather than following John B, Sarah, Kiara and the gang on another treasure hunt, Kildare would go back in time to explore how the island became the place fans know from the original series.
The idea also gives Pate, Pate and Burke an opportunity to dig deeper into one of the show’s defining conflicts. From the beginning, Outer Banks has revolved around the divide between the Kooks and Pogues, and the prequel could finally show how that feud took shape.
Because the story would take place two decades before the original series, there’s no indication that fans should expect the original cast to return as their familiar characters. Instead, Kildare could introduce a new group of characters while expanding the history of the island itself.
Photo: Netflix
When Did Outer Banks Season 5 Premiere?
Outer Banks Season 5 premiered on Thursday, August 20, 2026, at 3 a.m. ET on Netflix. The final season consists of 10 episodes.
All five seasons are now streaming on Netflix.
So, no, there won’t be a Season 6 of Outer Banks. But the story may not be completely over. If Netflix ultimately gives Kildare the green light, fans could get another trip to Kildare Island — just not the one they were expecting.
The eagerly anticipated murder trial regarding the death of Tupac Shakur has revealed significant hurdles for prosecutors as it unfolds nearly three decades after the fact. Among these challenges are the deaths of several crucial witnesses, a lack of cooperation from others, and a prosecution strategy that hinges significantly on the words of the accused himself.
Now at 63, Duane “Keffe D” Davis stands accused of supplying the firearm used in the infamous 1996 drive-by shooting in Las Vegas that claimed the life of Shakur and injured Marion “Suge” Knight, the founder of Death Row Records. Although Davis is not charged with pulling the trigger, he is at the center of a trial expected to span four to five weeks, which kicked off on Monday.
Prosecutors allege that three men besides Davis were in the car during the attack; however, all three, including Davis’ nephew Orlando “Baby Lane” Anderson, have since passed away. This complication arises while Anderson himself had been targeted and assaulted by Knight’s group earlier that night, adding another layer to this complex case.
Tupac Shakur in Poetic Justice. Picture by: Shutterstock USA: 1 646 419 4452 UK: 020 8068 3593 eamteam@shutterstock.com World Rights(Columbia/Kobal / Shutterstock)
Davis’ legal defense is firm in its denial of his involvement. His lawyer, Michael Sanft, has cast doubt on the prosecution’s narrative, suggesting that the story being advanced by the state might well be a fabrication invented by Davis himself.
Former FBI Special Agent Wade Lee testified that Davis sat down with investigators in 1998 after a drug-trafficking bust and began cooperating with authorities.
Duane Davis looks on during his murder trial, related to the 1996 killing of rapper Tupac Shakur, at Clark County District Court at the Regional Justice Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, on August 18, 2026. The trial of the former gang leader accused of orchestrating the murder of rapper Tupac Shakur began on August 10, 30 years after one of America’s most high-profile unresolved killings. The proceedings, expected to last a month, will likely not make clear who fired the shots that killed the California hip-hop legend on the night of September 7, 1996, while he was in Las Vegas to see a Mike Tyson boxing match.(John Locher / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)
Davis sat down for multiple interviews with investigators, then spoke out on a BET documentary and detailed the night of the slaying in his memoir, prosecutors said.
Davis is a former leader of the South Side Compton Crips, which was a rival of the Mob Piru Bloods, a gang affiliated with Knight, who is serving a 28-year prison sentence for another Compton dispute that turned deadly.
Former FBI special agent Wade Lee testifies during the Duane Davis murder trial, related to the 1996 killing of rapper Tupac Shakur, at Clark County District Court at the Regional Justice Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., August 19, 2026.(David Becker/Pool via REUTERS)
The two groups had a bloody rivalry, highlighted by a brawl in the summer of 1996 that preceded Anderson’s beating at the MGM Grand casino on Sept. 7, 1996, shortly before Shakur was gunned down in what prosecutors allege was retaliation.
Defense attorney Michael Sanft cross examines James McDonald during the murder trial of Duane “Keffe D” Davis related to the 1996 killing of rapper Tupac Shakur, at Clark County District Court Regional Justice Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. on Tuesday, August 18, 2026(John Locher/Pool via REUTERS)
Knight, who is on the witness list, has said in prior interviews he does not intend to cooperate with prosecutors. James “Mob James” McDonald, a former Mob Piru associate, told the court to “treat me as a hostile witness” when he took the stand and later told Davis directly, “I don’t want to send you to prison.”
“At the time, again, the gang culture, they had that same culture as the La Cosa Nostra, which was, you know, ‘we don’t talk to the cops,’” said Chris Swecker, a former assistant director of the FBI.
He also has a background in gang investigations and helped implement the National Gang Intelligence Center.
Reginald Lilburn Wright Jr. prepares to testify during the murder trial of Duane “Keffe D” Davis related to the 1996 killing of rapper Tupac Shakur, at Clark County District Court Regional Justice Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. on Tuesday, August 18, 2026.(John Locher/Pool via REUTERS)
“You would think a victim would say, ‘Hey, that’s who shot me.’ Not the case in that culture,” Swecker added. “And so that’s partly why … nobody was charged originally with the crime.”
Davis’ own words are now central to the state’s case against him.
“The need to brag and the need to get street cred sort of overrode caution,” Swecker said. “And now he sits in that defendant’s chair.”
Prosecutors opened Monday by describing Shakur’s killing as revenge for the beating of Anderson, Davis’ nephew, inside the MGM Grand after a Mike Tyson fight on Sept. 7, 1996. They argue Davis obtained a gun, helped hunt down Shakur and handed the weapon into the back seat before someone opened fire.
“Remarkably, you will learn that from Duane Davis himself,” Chief Deputy District Attorney Binu Palal told jurors.
Defense attorney Michael Sanft countered that Davis exaggerated and made up stories for attention and book sales.
“What they are telling you, they’re representing it to be a fact when it really is fiction,” he told jurors in his own opening statement. “And it’s up to you to determine what the facts are in this case.”
Denvonta Lee testifies in the Duane Davis murder trial, related to the 1996 killing of rapper Tupac Shakur, in Clark County District Court at the Regional Justice Center, in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., August 20, 2026.(Steve Marcus/via REUTERS)
He also said that police never tried corroborating Davis’ claims when other suspected parties were still alive and attacked the investigation as incomplete.
Former LAPD Detective Daryn Dupree testified Wednesday that Davis once denied involvement in the murder of Christopher Wallace, better known as the rapper Notorious B.I.G., by saying, “we did the other one,” which Dupree testified he understood as a reference to Shakur.
Dupree also described Davis’ claim that Sean “Diddy” Combs was supposed to provide money for Shakur’s murder.
Combs is currently in prison after being convicted of federal prostitution charges. He has not been charged in the deaths of Shakur or Wallace. He was a close associate of Wallace, who was killed in Los Angeles six months after Shakur, and whose Bad Boy Records was a rival of Knight’s Death Row Records.
WATCH: Retired LAPD detective Moses Castillo says Tupac Shakur murder trial may hinge on Keffe D’s ghostwriter
Then on Thursday, prosecutors played hours of Davis’ 2008 police interview.
On the recording, Davis said he was inside the Cadillac, initially had the gun and passed it toward the back seat. He identified Anderson as the man who ultimately opened fire on Shakur and Knight.
On Monday, jurors were shown surveillance video from MGM showing the initial fistfight involving Knight’s entourage and Davis’ nephew, Anderson.
Thomas Kern, a former Las Vegas crime scene analyst who now works for Customs and Border Protection, testified Tuesday that he was present at Shakur’s autopsy. The forensic pathologist determined his death to be a homicide caused by multiple gunshot wounds to his chest and abodmen.
By Friday more than a dozen witnesses had testified, including photographer Leonard Jefferson, who took one of the last known photographs of Shakur alive.
Also on the witness list is Yusef Jah, a ghostwriter who worked with Davis on his book, “Compton Street Legend: Notorious Keffe D’s Street-Level Accounts of Tupac and Biggie Murders, Death Row Origins, Suge Knight, Puffy Combs, and Crooked Cops.”
A tragic accident on the A66 has claimed the lives of seven individuals, including two police officers, after a Volkswagen collided head-on with a police car while driving in the opposite direction.
This devastating crash happened around 3:40 a.m. today near South Bank in Middlesbrough, Teesside, and occurred during a police chase.
Both officers in the marked police vehicle, along with five passengers in the Volkswagen Passat, were found dead at the scene, marking a chilling reminder of the perils on the roads.
Cleveland Police confirmed that the police vehicle involved in the crash was moving in the correct direction along the A66.
This tragedy follows another recent accident where five young men lost their lives in a head-on collision on an Irish motorway. That incident involved a stolen BMW traveling the wrong way on the M9 in County Kildare and resulted in fatalities in the early hours of Sunday.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct has launched an investigation into the crash in Teesside following a mandatory referral from Cleveland Police.
The watchdog said officers spotted a suspicious vehicle and a pursuit began before the car travelled onto the A66 where it collided with the police car.
Police are still working to formally identify all occupants of the Volkswagen Passat but have informed the the families of those identified and offered them specialist support.
Residents in Lime Road, Teesville, said they were woken at around 3.30am by the police pursuit, about a mile away from the crash scene.
Police officers at the scene of a fatal crash involving a police car and a Volkswagen Passat on the A66 near Middlesbrough
Emergency services at the scene on the A66 in South Bank, Middlesbrough, where multiple people died in a crash at 3.40am on Saturday
Neil Hutchinson, 47, said: ‘There were police cars tearing down the street at half past three with lights flashing and their sirens going, it woke me up.
‘You could tell from the noise that they were travelling at high speed. Two cars went down the street and then a few seconds later there was a third, they were obviously going after another vehicle.
‘It’s a narrow street with cars parked on either side so it must have been a serious situation to be going at that speed down this road.
‘We woke up this morning to the news that people have been killed.
‘They were travelling in the direction of the A66 so it must have been part of the same incident.’
Another resident said: ‘A car shot down the street at speed and the police were right behind it and they were all travelling at very high speed, it was terrifying and must have woken the whole street.
‘It’s tragic that it’s ended with people dead.’
The A66 is currently closed in both directions between Normanby Road and Church Lane and is expected to remain shut ‘for some time’.
The road is the major artery through Teesside and the location of the crash is surrounded by industrial units and factories.
A large number of emergency service vehicles were at the scene this morning and motorists are being urged to use alternative routes.
Police are pictured at the site of the road closure on the A66 in Teesside this morning
A large number of emergency service vehicles remain at the scene and motorists are being urged to use alternative routes
Chief Constable Victoria Fuller said: ‘First and foremost, our thoughts are with the families of everyone involved in today’s incident.
‘No one should leave their home and not return safely, including police officers serving their communities and protecting the people of Cleveland.
‘This tragic incident will be felt across Cleveland, within our communities and throughout the entire policing family.
‘We are providing specialist support to all families involved at this extremely difficult time.
‘The investigation has been referred to the IOPC, which is the standard approach when a death occurs following police contact. We will cooperate fully with their investigation.
‘While this investigation takes place, we strongly urge people to avoid speculation.’
Anna Turley, MP for the Redcar constituency where the crash happened, said: ‘My heart goes out to every family, friend and loved one now facing the most unimaginable loss following this morning’s devastating accident on the A66.
‘Cleveland Police have confirmed that seven people have sadly lost their lives. Their families and loved ones are now facing an unimaginable loss that will be felt forever.
IRELAND: Alex McCarthy was one of the five boys who died in a collision in County Kildare last Sunday
IRELAND: Jeremy O’Brien (left) and Joey Carthy (right) were among five teenagers to lose their lives in the collision last Sunday
IRELAND: Kamil Pustowski (left) and Jack Kennedy (right) died in the crash on the M9
‘Two of the seven people who have lost their lives were Cleveland Police officers, on duty serving our community. They went to work to keep people safe, and they should have come home to their families. Their loss will be felt deeply by their loved ones, fellow officers and right across the communities they served.
‘Cleveland Police are investigating the accident, alongside the Independent Office for Police Conduct. It is crucial that we respect that process and avoid speculation at this deeply painful time.
‘I cannot begin to imagine how difficult this has been for the emergency services responding to such a devastating incident. Thank you to every one of them for their courage, care and professionalism.
‘I am being kept updated by Cleveland Police and by the Home Office as Minister and will share further official information when appropriate.
‘The A66 will remain closed in both directions between Normanby Road and Church Lane. Please avoid the area and use alternative routes.’
The chairwoman of Cleveland Police Federation said ‘words cannot describe the pain’ following the death of two police officers in a crash on the A66.
Lauren Somerville said: ‘Words cannot describe the pain the Cleveland Police family are feeling today. Our colleagues who should have been going home to their loved ones at the end of their shifts are not. And that is just unfathomable.
‘Cleveland Police Federation will be offering full support to our fallen colleagues’ families and they have all of our love and care at this time.
‘When the time is right we will pay full tribute to our brave colleagues. But we can assure that their sacrifice will never be forgotten.’
In a statement, the federation said it was supporting the two officers’ close colleagues and asked people to ‘spare a thought’ for the Cleveland Police officers at work following the deaths.
North East Ambulance Service said it had been called to a two-vehicle crash and sent 14 units to the scene.
This included ambulance crews, a specialist paramedic, a hazardous area response team and a doctor from Great North Air Ambulance Service.
A spokesman for the ambulance said: ‘Sadly, despite the best efforts of everyone attending, a number of patients died at the scene.
‘We send condolences to all of those affected by such a tragic event and thank everyone for all they did to help.’
A Cleveland Police spokesman previously said: ‘We are working to identify the victims and contact their families.
‘This is a quickly-evolving incident and we ask that members of the public respectfully avoid speculation.’
IOPC director of investigations Nicola Marfleet said: ‘This is a tragic incident, and my thoughts are with family and friends and all those affected, including the emergency services in attendance.’
She added investigators had been sent to start reviewing evidence, and the watchdog is cooperating with Cleveland Police to establish the circumstances of the collision.
Anna Turley, MP for the Redcar constituency where the crash happened, said: ‘I am deeply saddened to hear of the fatal collision on the A66 this morning.
‘My thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those who have lost their lives, and with everyone affected by this terrible incident.
‘Thank you to all of our emergency services, who have worked through the night responding to this devastating incident.’
She added: ‘We would ask everyone to avoid speculating online to respect the families and the police while they do their work at this terrible time.’
An AirAsia flight experienced a rather unpleasant episode that required thorough disinfection and cleaning. Reports allege that a female traveler relieved herself while seated during the journey from Malaysia to China. The incident sparked a lively debate among passengers on Chinese social media.
According to VN Express International, flight AK1516 left Kota Kinabalu airport at approximately 10:30 p.m. on August 18, with plans to land in Shanghai around 3 a.m. the next day.
As the aircraft prepared to land, about 40 minutes from its destination, a pervasive odor spread through the cabin, as reported by Asia One. The intensity of the smell was such that it roused many passengers from their slumber.
A photo depicting the scene of the accident with poop emojis obscuring the mess. Weibo
Witnesses on the flight, including one identified by the surname Zhao, pinpointed the source of the smell to a woman in her 40s positioned between two boys, as detailed by local news sources.
“It was just before 2 a.m. and we were all asleep,” he recalled. “She hurried toward the toilet carrying a bag.”
Passengers initially assumed she was going to vomit but the “strange smell” indicated was not the case.
That’s when they noticed fecal matter splattered on the aisle rug and on the woman’s seat. When confronted by angry passengers, she said was feeling unwell.
However, they found this explanation bizarre given that the lavatory was less than 15 feet away and had not yet been shuttered for landing.
A crew member wiped the area with tissues and sprayed air freshener, but it did nothing to mask the scent.
As a result, passengers were forced to sit in the smell for an excruciating 40 minutes, which was exacerbated by the fact that they’d switched off the air conditioning for landing.
In a statement, AirAsia reps said they flagged the malodorous situation to the Captain and ground crews, who boarded and disinfected the area after the passengers had deplaned.
Crew members operating the return flight were also made aware of the condition of the cabin.
AirAsia China general manager Frank Tang Ting praised the crew members for their “professionalism, composure and rapid response” to the revolting ordeal, claiming that they “remained focused on ensuring passenger safety” despite the less-than-ideal circumstances.
“Passenger safety and well-being are our top priority,” he added. “We appreciate the passengers’ understanding in the face of this unexpected situation.”
