US officials warn of increasing Russian military activity around undersea cables, raising concerns about potential sabotage. Russia has strengthened a secretive military unit, GUGI, which deploys surface ships, submarines, and naval drones for undersea operations. The US and its allies closely monitor Russian ships near critical maritime infrastructure worldwide. Undersea cables carry vital global communications and electricity, making them potential targets. A coordinated attack could disrupt telecommunications, financial markets, and energy supplies. The US considers such sabotage a significant escalation, with risks of miscalculation and unintended conflict.

Ngā Wai hono i te pō, 27, was crowned as the second Māori queen during an elaborate ceremony in New Zealand's North Island as her father, King Tuheitia, was laid to rest. The new queen, youngest daughter of King Tuheitia, inherits leadership of the Māori monarchy. The Māori movement, Kiingitanga, sees her ascension as a generational shift, symbolizing renewal. Her father’s burial, attended by large delegations, ended a week of mourning. Ngā Wai hono i te pō, a master’s graduate in Māori cultural studies, is seen as a positive influence for younger Māori members.

Hunter Biden, son of U.S. President Joe Biden, pleaded guilty to federal tax charges after evading $1.4 million in taxes between 2016 and 2019. He faces up to 17 years in prison, with sentencing scheduled for December 16. The case, which revealed his extravagant spending on drugs, escorts, and luxury items, has drawn public attention ahead of the U.S. presidential election. Despite not having a leniency agreement, Biden stated he pleaded guilty to spare his family from the trial. The White House confirmed that President Biden will not pardon his son.

A 26-year-old American woman was shot and killed by Israeli forces during a protest in the occupied West Bank. The protest was against settlement expansion. The woman was rushed to Rafidia hospital in Nablus, where she was pronounced dead after resuscitation attempts failed. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are investigating the incident, while the US Embassy has not commented yet. The protest aimed to protect Palestinian farmers from settler violence, a growing concern in the region. This follows recent attacks by Israeli settlers on Palestinian villages, sparking international outrage.

Two loggers were killed in Peru’s Amazon by the uncontacted Mashco Piro tribe in a bow and arrow attack on August 29. The attack occurred in the Pariamanu river basin as loggers encroached on tribal land. Rights group Fenamad warned of increasing tensions between indigenous groups and loggers. Two more loggers are missing, and one was injured. Despite warnings, the Peruvian government has not implemented protective measures. This incident is the latest in a series of violent encounters between the Mashco Piro and outsiders, fueled by deforestation and land encroachment.

A 14-year-old boy, Colt Gray, appeared in court on Friday charged with murdering two classmates and two teachers in a shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia. Gray faces four counts of first-degree murder and could face the death penalty if convicted. His father, Colin Gray, was also arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter and second-degree murder for allegedly allowing his son to access the AR-15 used in the attack. The tragic shooting has shocked the local community, with Georgia law allowing the teen to be tried as an adult.

Hunter Biden, son of US President Joe Biden, has pleaded guilty to nine federal tax charges, including felony tax evasion and filing fraudulent tax returns. The plea was accepted by District Judge Mark Scarsi in Los Angeles, with sentencing set for December 16. Notably, this comes after a lengthy hearing on the day his trial was set to begin. Hunter Biden's guilty plea was made without a pre-arranged deal with prosecutors, a rare move for a high-profile defendant. The charges include felony tax evasion, fraudulent tax returns, and failing to pay and file taxes.

Britain has announced it will send 650 air defense missiles to Ukraine, valued at £162 million ($213.13 million), to bolster the country’s defenses against Russian attacks. The decision was made public on September 6, 2024, during a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, which British Defence Minister John Healey attended at a U.S. air base in Germany. This support follows Russia's largest air assault on Ukraine since the start of the conflict in early 2022. The new missiles are intended to protect Ukraine from increased drone and missile strikes. Ukraine has repeatedly sought enhanced air defense capabilities amid ongoing aggression.

At least 17 students have died in a fire at Hillside Endarasha Primary School in Nyeri County, Kenya, which broke out Thursday night. More than a dozen others have been hospitalized with severe burns. The cause of the blaze is under investigation, according to police spokesperson Resila Onyango. A team of investigators has been sent to the scene. The Kenya Red Cross is offering psychosocial support to students, teachers, and families affected by the tragedy and has established a tracing desk at the school. Authorities are working to determine the exact cause of the fire and assess the full extent of the damage.

Telegram founder and CEO Pavel Durov criticized French authorities for his recent arrest, calling it "misguided." Arrested on August 25 at a Paris-area airport, Durov faces charges related to alleged insufficient moderation on the messaging app, including complicity in illicit transactions, drug trafficking, fraud, and the spread of child sex abuse images. In his first public statement since the detention, Durov denied claims that Telegram operates as an "anarchic paradise" and argued that blaming him for crimes committed by third parties on the platform is an inappropriate approach. Durov's comments were shared on Telegram, defending the platform's moderation policies.