Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 06:26pm on 23 Aug 2026,Sunday International
A goat herder’s discovery of a small gold nugget has sparked a major gold rush in Cheporor village in western Kenya. Manasse Lomachar, 33, sold three grams of gold for $280, drawing thousands of prospectors hoping to change their fortunes. At the peak, authorities estimated that around 10,000 people arrived, though the number has since fallen to about 2,500. More than 200 small businesses have also emerged around the mining site. However, poor sanitation, lack of clean water, safety concerns and child labour risks have raised alarms. Officials are still assessing the size and commercial potential of the gold deposit. (PC: BBC)
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 03:30pm on 23 Aug 2026,Sunday International
US President Donald Trump said Canada wants the “benefits of being a State, without being one” after trade talks between the two countries collapsed. The breakdown triggered new 50% US tariffs on several Canadian goods. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney called the move a “miscalculation” and said Canada would respond with matching tariffs from September 8. Carney said the US had “asked too much and offered too little”. The new US tariffs will cover goods including dairy, wine, cement, clothing and hockey equipment. The trade dispute has raised fresh uncertainty over economic ties between the two neighbouring countries. (PC: BBC)
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 01:07pm on 23 Aug 2026,Sunday International
The four astronauts of NASA’s Artemis II mission—Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen—will receive the Congressional Space Medal of Honor on August 28. The prestigious award has been given to only 30 astronauts, including Neil Armstrong and John Glenn. During their 10-day lunar flyby mission, the crew travelled 252,756 miles from Earth, breaking the distance record set by Apollo 13 in 1970. Their mission marked a major milestone in the United States’ plans to return humans to the Moon and eventually reach Mars. The ceremony will take place at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. (PC: Reuters)
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 01:00pm on 23 Aug 2026,Sunday International
More than a dozen former international cricket captains have urged Pakistan’s government to ensure humane treatment and proper medical care for jailed former Prime Minister and 1992 World Cup-winning captain Imran Khan. The appeal highlights concerns about Khan’s health, particularly reported problems with his eyesight, and calls for treatment by doctors of his choice. The captains also stressed that Khan should be treated with dignity and basic human consideration while in prison. The appeal comes amid continuing political and legal tensions surrounding Khan’s imprisonment and growing concerns from his family and supporters about his health and prison conditions. (PC: Reuters)
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 12:32pm on 23 Aug 2026,Sunday International
A retired schoolteacher, his wife and their two children were found dead inside their locked home in Rangpur, Bangladesh, prompting a major police investigation. The bodies of Ganapati Chakraborty, 65, his wife Pritilata, 50, daughter Agami, 23, and son Priyam, 12, were recovered from different parts of the house on Saturday night. Police initially suspect strangulation, though the exact cause of death will be confirmed after autopsy reports. Relatives raised concerns after the family’s phones remained switched off for two days. Police, CID and Detective Branch teams have launched a joint investigation. (PC: India Today)
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 10:40am on 23 Aug 2026,Sunday International
Jaish-e-Mohammed has rebuilt its Markaz Subhan Allah headquarters in Pakistan’s Bahawalpur, 15 months after the complex was heavily damaged in India’s Operation Sindoor strikes, according to visuals accessed by India Today TV. The facility has been restored with fresh construction, rebuilt domes and renovated structures. Intelligence inputs cited in the report said Pakistan provided funds for the reconstruction. The May 7, 2025, strikes targeted terror infrastructure following the Pahalgam attack that killed 26 people. The Bahawalpur complex has long been linked to JeM’s recruitment, training and operations against India. (PC: India Today)
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 10:37am on 23 Aug 2026,Sunday International
A 17-year-old girl was killed and two boys, aged 12 and 17, were seriously injured in a sword attack at Brinell School in Fagersta, central Sweden. Another person suffered minor injuries. Police arrested an 18-year-old man and are investigating the case as murder and attempted murder. Officers fired shots after reaching the scene, though it remains unclear whether the suspect was hit. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson called it a “serious incident” and said police were working intensively to establish the motive behind the attack. Authorities are continuing their investigation. (PC: BBC)
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 08:27am on 23 Aug 2026,Sunday International
US President Donald Trump renewed his “51st state” jibe at Canada as a trade dispute escalated after Washington imposed a 50% tariff on its neighbour. Trump accused Canada of wanting the benefits of being a US state without becoming one and criticised tariffs imposed on American farmers. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney called the tariffs an attack on Canada and vowed a “dollar-for-dollar” response. The dispute followed the collapse of trade negotiations, with both sides blaming each other for failing to finalise an agreement, further straining economic ties between the two countries. (PC: HT)
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 05:49am on 23 Aug 2026,Sunday International
Chinese humanoid robots made headlines at the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing by surpassing established human athletic records. One robot completed the 100-metre sprint in 9.39 seconds, beating Usain Bolt’s 9.58-second world record set in 2009. Another humanoid achieved a standing high jump of 2.88 metres, exceeding the human record of 2.45 metres. The five-day event features more than 2,000 robots competing across 51 events, including running, football and table tennis. The competition highlights China’s rapid advances in humanoid robotics, although experts note that the technology still faces significant challenges in real-world applications. (PC: Reuters)
Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 04:05am on 23 Aug 2026,Sunday International
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has claimed that the world has accepted Iran’s victory in its war with the United States, arguing that continued conflict is unnecessary. Iranian state media reported that Pezeshkian said global opinion had recognised Tehran’s success and criticised the US. His remarks come as President Donald Trump’s administration prepares an unprecedented economic campaign against Iran, seeking to increase isolation and pressure Tehran over its nuclear programme and the Strait of Hormuz. The US is also demanding that Iran reopen the strategic waterway to international oil and gas shipments, keeping tensions high despite claims of victory from Tehran. (PC: X)