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·20 August 2026 · 21:02 UTCBreaking

Federal agents seize devices from former Rep. Eric Swalwell in sexual misconduct probe; Manhattan DA's office confirmed investigation in April

The probe stems from a former staffer's allegation that Swalwell raped her at a New York City hotel during a 2024 charity gala. Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg's office has encouraged survivors to contact its Special Victims Division.

·20 August 2026 · 20:30 UTC

Woman charged with planning IS-inspired attack on New York state capitol building; she sought to kill officials and destroy 'as much of the building as possible'

Bowie, 35, was apprehended after taking possession of what she thought was an explosive device, and had been seen photographing the capitol. Governor Kathy Hochul said the state has strengthened security amid a rise in political violence, noting there is no immediate threat.

·20 August 2026 · 19:04 UTC

FBI raids ex-US Representative Swalwell's home amid sexual misconduct probe; race for his open seat tight as Aisha Wahab leads by about 300 votes

The FBI declined to comment on the raid, which comes as the House Ethics Committee closed its investigation with no action. The White House released FBI documents this week related to Swalwell's relationship with Fang, and his lawyer called the release 'meant to punish an outspoken critic of the current administration.'

·20 August 2026 · 18:43 UTC

Iran dismisses Trump's 'failed policies' as Treasury's Bessent threatens 'greatest coordinated economic isolation in the history of the world'

Araghchi said the threats aim to divert U.S. public attention from domestic financial problems, calling U.S. 'economic terrorism threatens the global economy and the national sovereignty of countries around the world.' Bessent also threatened secondary sanctions on nations and companies that do business with Iran, saying it's time for allies to decide where they stand.

+1 source·20 August 2026 · 16:11 UTC

North Korea fires about 10 short-range ballistic missiles toward the sea, South Korea says; launches come a day after Kim Yo Jong dismissed Trump's overture

The missiles flew about 300 kilometers each toward North Korea's eastern waters, prompting South Korea to bolster surveillance and coordinate with the U.S. and Japan. The launches follow Trump's order to 'substantially reduce' the Ulchi Freedom Shield drills, which Kim Yo Jong said won't change their 'provocative, aggressive nature.'

+1 source·20 August 2026 · 14:39 UTC

Taiwan proposes record $35B defense budget for 2027, an 18% increase, as China's military pressure grows; budget sends message to U.S. and China

The proposed budget, at 3.93% of GDP, marks the first time Taiwan's defense spending exceeds NT$1 trillion, with funds for drones and missiles that previously lacked parliamentary approval. President Trump has withheld approval of a $14 billion arms package, calling it 'a very good negotiating chip' with China, ahead of a September White House visit by the Chinese leader.

·20 August 2026 · 14:39 UTC

Rescuers recover more bodies after Central African Republic gold mine collapse kills over 100; hopes of finding survivors fade

At the artisanal site in Zamboye near Cameroon, local Red Cross volunteer Gervais Ganagoro said more than 10 bodies were recovered Thursday morning alone, with bodies found every hour. Miner Jérémie Ngbiri, who lost his brother and a friend, said the rescue effort was not up to the task and that some victims suffocated during attempts.

·20 August 2026 · 14:37 UTC

Supporters of Lindsay Clancy, Duxbury mother accused of killing her three children, hold silent rally outside Plymouth courthouse; defense cites postpartum psychosis

Demonstrators dressed in pink and stood behind yellow caution tape, cheering as Clancy's defense team entered the court. Defense attorney Kevin Reddington responded to the rally with a simple 'Thank you,' while some in the crowd shouted 'We love you, Kevin.'

+1 source·20 August 2026 · 14:24 UTC

Tanker off Yemen boarded by six armed people, diverted towards Somalia, UKMTO says; crew condition unknown

The incident occurred 136 nautical miles east of Yemen's Mukalla, where the tanker, travelling west in the Gulf of Aden, reported being approached by an unauthorised vessel. UKMTO provided no further details and did not say whether the tanker or its crew were safe.

+1 source·20 August 2026 · 14:24 UTC

Ben Gurion Airport faces delays as staff shortages and work-to-rule strike halt check-in; passengers stuck on planes, 'we are on the plane waiting'

The disruption came during the airport's busiest period, with nearly 100,000 passengers passing through daily on about 600 flights. Transport Minister Miri Regev, on a private trip to Morocco, ordered the Airports Authority to petition the Labor Court, calling the strike 'bullying.'

·20 August 2026 · 14:09 UTC

Fedorov urges Zelenskyy to hold wartime presidential election, saying 'democracy can't be Russia's hostage'; Kuleba backs call as pressure mounts

A late July poll by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology showed 66% trust in former top general Valerii Zaluzhnyi, while Fedorov had 63% and Zelenskyy 56%. However, Ukraine's constitution bans any vote during wartime, and observers say organizing a vote amid missile and drone attacks is 'next to impossible.'

+3 sources4 updates

20 August 2026 · 15:21 UTCElection fight cracks political unity in Ukraine as Russia bombards Kyiv, killing at least 15 20 August 2026 · 13:34 UTCKremlin says ousted Ukrainian minister's call for elections shows splits in Kyiv; Fedorov cited 'systemic crisis of governance' over corruption +1 more report

·20 August 2026 · 13:56 UTC

North Korea fires suspected ballistic missile toward sea, Japan says; launch follows U.S. decision to scale back drills with South Korea

Kim Yo Jong warned that if the U.S. sees its recent measure as a sign of good faith, it will not get the desired answer. South Korean media, citing the military, reported the projectile was fired off the North's east coast.

+1 source·20 August 2026 · 13:02 UTC

SpaceX recovers Starship upper stage after 24 days at sea, towing it to Christmas Island despite Elon Musk's 'not looking good' fears

The 171-foot-tall Ship 40 survived a controlled splashdown in the Indian Ocean, a first for an upper stage, and will be returned to Starbase in Texas for analysis. SpaceX is targeting late August to early September for Flight 14, its first full orbital test.

+2 sources·20 August 2026 · 12:44 UTC

Australia passes law forcing tech giants to pay for local news or face levies; Meta, Google, TikTok, Microsoft covered

The levy applies to firms with significant social media or search presence and local ad revenue above A$250 million ($178 million). Platforms can avoid charges by signing deals with at least eight publishers, with spending on small outlets earning a 200% offset.

·20 August 2026 · 12:41 UTC

China's Wang Yi urges South Korea not to take sides, blames US 'hostile' policy for Korea tensions

Wang also called for early completion of second-stage free trade agreement talks, citing global economic fragmentation and rising trade protectionism. He expressed hope for peaceful coexistence between the two Koreas and urged a restart of dialogue to restore trust.

+1 source·20 August 2026 · 12:41 UTC

Missing hiker Lily Hooper, 18, found dead in Australia after eight-day search; police apologize for miscommunication that she was alive

A coroner will investigate the cause of death, and a separate probe will examine how the family received the wrong news. Police commissioner Mal Lanyon apologized for any trauma caused, attributing the error to a communication issue with handheld devices.

·20 August 2026 · 12:10 UTC

After democratic socialist Angie Nixon's upset primary win over moderate Alex Vindman, Democrats debate abandoning Florida; Sabato's Crystal Ball moves race to safe Republican

Sabato's Crystal Ball shifted the race to 'safe Republican,' noting a 'silver lining' that donors might redirect funds to more competitive states. Democratic strategist Steve Schale warned of 'downballot implications,' while professor Sharon Wright Austin said abandoning the race would be 'the ultimate slap in the face for Black female voters.'

+1 source·20 August 2026 · 11:29 UTC

Fighting and floods displace over 200,000 in Sudan's Kordofan; IOM chief warns 'warning signs are impossible to ignore'

IOM reports displacement in Sheikan district surged 25 percent in eight months, with drone strikes on el-Obeid's power transformer cutting water, hospital, and phone services. Relief access is further disrupted by supply chain delays via the Red Sea and Strait of Hormuz.

+1 source·20 August 2026 · 11:08 UTC

Century-old 'Sava's Titanic' emerges from Serbia's Sava River as Europe's rivers run dry; historian says 'it's truly something you don't see every day'

The drought has also exposed Nazi warships in the Danube, an ancient Roman bridge in Italy, and a woolly mammoth jawbone in Bulgaria. Half of the EU and UK were in drought by late July 2026, with 9% at the most severe alert level, according to the European Drought Observatory.

·20 August 2026 · 11:08 UTC

Home Office publishes nine-page UK behaviour guide for asylum seekers; Conservatives demand deportation for lawbreakers, Reform calls it 'a disgrace'

The booklet also includes contact details for victim support organisations. The Home Office spokesman noted that returns of failed asylum seekers have reached their highest level since 2010 under this government.

+1 source·20 August 2026 · 11:04 UTC

Four workers die after being hit by express train at Shin-Kanuma Station north of Tokyo; Tobu Nikko Line services partially suspended

The victims, in their 50s and 60s, were among a team of ten removing weeds; three lookouts were tasked with alerting workers, but Tobu Railway could not confirm if the lookout properly warned them. Police are investigating whether safety guidelines were followed, and the driver sounded the horn after seeing a flag signal.

+1 source·20 August 2026 · 10:51 UTC

Missouri judge allows Trump-backed congressional map to stand for November election, rejecting referendum bid; appeal heads to state Supreme Court

The ruling preserves a map that splits Kansas City and stretches Cleaver's 5th District into rural areas, with about 59% of its voters new to the district. Opponents, led by Richard von Glahn, have already appealed, arguing the case is not final in Cole County.