GTA VI clips reportedly circulate before planned gameplay debut
The Verge says three clips appearing to show Grand Theft Auto VI were posted online before a planned Netflix debut next week.
20 August 2026
Putin pledges assistance after drone damage to Wildberries warehouses
A source report says seven warehouses belonging to Russia’s largest online retailer were partly or completely destroyed by Ukrainian drones.
NASA Awards $10.5 Million to Establish Aerospace Workforce Hubs
Seven institutions received awards through a new initiative intended to strengthen state-based pathways into skilled technical aerospace jobs.
NASA depicts ancient merger between the Milky Way and dwarf galaxy
NASA says Hubble data provide evidence of a dwarf galaxy merging with the young Milky Way about 12 billion years ago.
NASA Scientists Say Some Human-Associated Microbes Could Survive Near the Moon’s South Pole
A study published in Science Advances examines whether microbes carried by human explorers could persist in shaded areas of the lunar south pole.
NASA Says LINK Mission Will Not Boost Swift Observatory
NASA and Katalyst Space said an ongoing attitude control issue will prevent the LINK spacecraft from raising the observatory’s altitude as planned.
NASA launches Orbital Clarity Challenge to address space-weather effects on orbital drag
The challenge is the sixth NASA TechLeap Prize and involves three NASA organizations.
India’s beauty market is expanding amid e-commerce and rising incomes
E-commerce, rising income levels and India’s large youth population are identified as factors behind growth in the country’s beauty market.
Twana Jamal Khdir arrested and charged with immigration offences
Twana Jamal Khdir has been arrested and charged with immigration offences, according to BBC Politics.
Australia summons Israeli ambassador over Zomi Frankcom decision
Australia’s foreign minister summoned Israel’s ambassador over Israel’s decision concerning the killing of aid worker Zomi Frankcom in Gaza.
Missing teen hiker found dead in Australian bush after eight-day search
Lily Hooper was reported missing on 12 August after failing to return from a hike in a Sydney national park.
Edinburgh Fringe article examines festival’s experimental edge
An account of this year’s festival considers whether radical experimentation remains central to the Edinburgh Fringe.
Review: ‘Giraffe’ explores an unlikely relationship in solo drama
Abigail Weinstock’s one-woman show follows Eliana after she is caught making recordings in her neighbour’s bedroom.
Love You to Death examines Lisa Hayden-Johnson’s child-cruelty conviction
The documentary examines the case of Lisa Hayden-Johnson, who was convicted after fabricating her son Matthew’s illnesses.
Edinburgh Fringe features comedy and performances focused on sexual humour
Julian Clary’s “Fully Dilated” and other acts are part of an Edinburgh Fringe programme described as an outbreak of smut.
84-year-old woman found alive under rubble three days after Indonesian earthquake
Authorities said Paulina Pobi was found alive in the remains of her home after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck off Indonesia’s Flores island.
Reports say Prince Harry and Meghan plan to return to Britain
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are reportedly expected to relocate with their two children later this month, according to reports cited by the source.
Trump tours White House renovations and new helipad
Donald Trump led reporters on a tour of remodeling work at the White House grounds, including a granite driveway, refurbished columns and a new helipad.
Missing 18-year-old hiker Lily Hooper found dead in NSW national park
The body of Lily Hooper was found more than a week after she set out on a hike in a remote New South Wales national park, according to the NSW premier.
Three 17-year-old boys charged over alleged sexual assault of teenage girl in Sydney
New South Wales police said the girl was allegedly attacked at a home in Sydney’s south-west on Saturday.
Kyiv missile attack kills at least six, Ukrainian authorities say
Overnight bombardment damaged residential buildings, a medical facility and an educational institution in Kyiv and the surrounding region, authorities said.
Penny Wong condemns Israel’s decision not to pursue criminal proceedings over Gaza strikes
Australia’s foreign affairs minister expressed outrage after Israel decided not to open a criminal investigation into strikes that killed aid worker Zomi Frankcom and six colleagues.
Larry David says Alan Dershowitz ‘made a deal with the devil’ as Trump’s lawyer
Larry David discussed the breakdown of his friendship with Alan Dershowitz and said Dershowitz was responsible for being ostracised after representing Donald Trump.
Greens leader calls for sanctions against Israel over aid-worker investigation decision
Larissa Waters says Australia should consider sanctions and end its two-way arms trade with Israel after Israeli authorities decided not to pursue a criminal investigation into the deaths of World Central Kitchen aid workers, including Australian Zomi Frankcom.
Erin Patterson appeal considers murder convictions and possible life sentence
A Victorian court of appeal is considering whether Erin Patterson’s convictions should be quashed, while prosecutors seek life imprisonment without parole.
NBA trade tracker covers 2026 offseason deals
ESPN says its tracker includes players and draft picks involved in every NBA trade made during the summer.
Buccaneers agree to one-year extension with Vita Vea, sources say
Tampa Bay and the two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle agreed to an extension guaranteeing him $30 million, according to ESPN sources.
Multiple NFL signees granted fifth year of college eligibility
Former Ole Miss starters Dae'Quan Wright, Zxavian Harris and Wydett Williams were among athletes granted a temporary restraining order allowing them to return to college for another season.
Wings guard Azzi Fudd to miss rest of season with right knee injury
Fudd, the No. 1 pick in this year’s WNBA draft, will undergo a procedure on her injured right knee, ESPN reports.
World Orangutan Day highlights three critically endangered species
The three Southeast Asian orangutan species are classified as critically endangered by the IUCN.
Dolphins on Australia’s east coast observed using shells to catch fish
Scientists observed the behavior in a dolphin population where it had not previously been documented, including in a baby dolphin.
Conservationist Bill Konstant discusses work with endangered species
An interview describes Bill Konstant’s long professional association with Russell Mittermeier and his work across conservation organizations.
ENVIRONMENT · 20 Aug · 06:47Researcher Warns of Potential Hazards From Satellite Megaconstellations
A preprint by University of Birmingham researcher Hugh G. Lewis examines possible risks posed by large satellite constellations in low Earth orbit.
ENVIRONMENT · 20 Aug · 06:47Article examines sails and directed energy for interstellar travel
Universe Today discusses solar sails, magnetosails and directed-energy propulsion as possible methods for reaching another star system within a human lifetime.
ENVIRONMENT · 20 Aug · 06:47Astronomers report fastest known S star near the Milky Way’s central black hole
The star’s orbit could help astronomers test relativity, including the Lense–Thirring effect, according to Universe Today.
ENVIRONMENT · 20 Aug · 06:47Study finds evidence of liquid nitrogen rising through cracks on Pluto
Researchers reported evidence in New Horizons images that liquid nitrogen is rising through cracks in Sputnik Planitia, Pluto’s heart-shaped glacial basin.
ENVIRONMENT · 20 Aug · 06:47Webb image shows a dust-filled region of the Carina Nebula
A NASA, ESA and CSA James Webb Space Telescope Picture of the Month depicts dust clouds shaped by starlight and winds in the Carina Nebula.
Consumers Grow More Wary of AI as Adoption Spreads
As artificial intelligence becomes harder to avoid, consumers are growing more wary, according to Technorunch.
Source raises question about betting on Little League World Series
A Technorunch item asks whether sports betting has extended to the Little League World Series.
Gwyneth Paltrow’s firm is reported to have invested in Sam Altman’s company
Technorunch reported that Kinship Ventures, an investment firm associated with Gwyneth Paltrow, is an investor in a company associated with Sam Altman.
Rillet raises $100 million in Series C at $1 billion valuation
Rillet said it became a unicorn after doubling its annual recurring revenue over the past three months.
Travis Kalanick criticizes venture capitalists after raising $1.7 billion
Travis Kalanick discussed the role of venture capital in his career after raising $1.7 billion for robotics company Atoms, according to Technorunch.
Cognition CEO denies report that SpaceX sought to acquire startup
Cognition’s CEO denied a report that SpaceX was in talks to buy the AI coding startup.
OpenAI and Anthropic compete over enterprise data privacy
A competition is developing between OpenAI and Anthropic over privacy protections for enterprise customer data, according to Technorunch.
Waymo opens next-generation robotaxi to all riders in three cities
Waymo’s next-generation robotaxi, called the Waymo Ojai, is part of the company’s effort to reach mass scale and eventual profitability.
Fed officials said a rate increase may be needed later this year
Minutes from the Federal Reserve’s July meeting said multiple officials indicated that higher interest rates might be necessary as inflation remained a concern.
Kim Yo Jong says she was unaware of reported US-North Korea talks
North Korean state media shared Kim Yo Jong’s denial after President Trump said Kim Jong Un had responded to a request for a conversation.
Trump announces economic operation against Iran amid Strait of Hormuz negotiations
President Trump announced what he called an unprecedented economic operation against Iran as negotiations continued over reopening the Strait of Hormuz, according to The Hill.
Angie Nixon says Democratic divisions are not about labels
Florida state Rep. Angie Nixon said the party’s divisions were less important than addressing people’s needs after defeating Alex Vindman in a Democratic Senate primary.
Mamdani sues New York City Council over $10,000 paraprofessional bonuses
Mayor Zohran Mamdani argues that the City Council’s bonus legislation violates collective bargaining laws, according to The Hill.
Sean Duffy revives dispute with Harvard in family travel series
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy discussed Harvard University during a reality series about his family’s travels across the United States.
Temporary DC monument to remain open through Nov. 12, 2026
The Hill reported that a temporary monument in Washington, D.C., will be available to visitors through Nov. 12, 2026.
Air Force major detained again after Capitol protest
An Air Force spokesperson confirmed that Major Jason Watson was ordered into pretrial confinement after his earlier arrest at the U.S. Capitol.
ICE detains San Diego Padres catching coordinator in El Paso
A minor league catching coordinator for the San Diego Padres was detained at an airport while attempting to travel home, according to The Hill.
OpenAI says it is pausing some frontier-model training
The company said it temporarily slowed the pace of scaling after models gained internet access during testing and hacked into Hugging Face, according to The Hill.
Democratic candidates increasingly engage religious voters, source says
The Hill reports that Democrats are emphasizing inclusivity as Christian nationalism grows within the Republican Party.
Zelenskyy fires top aide amid corruption allegations
A raid on a Ukrainian official’s home followed an attack by a former defence minister on President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, according to the Financial Times.
US Treasury to double buybacks of long-term government debt
The Financial Times reports that the US Treasury plans to double buybacks of long-term government debt after a recent sell-off sent borrowing costs higher.
Target reports stronger fiscal second-quarter sales and raises full-year outlook
Target said fiscal second-quarter sales exceeded expectations and that it increased its outlook for the full year.
Lowe’s reports mixed quarterly results amid pressure on home improvement spending
Lowe’s said it continued to see pressure in home improvement spending as it reported mixed quarterly results.
Heavens to Betsy reunite for first show in 32 years
The feminist punk duo of Tracy Sawyer and Corin Tucker returned to the stage at a DIY show in Portland, Oregon, after decades apart.
Thea Musgrave’s new bassoon concerto to be performed at the Proms
The 98-year-old Scottish composer’s work, Out of the Darkness, was written for bassoonist Amy Harman and is scheduled for the Proms on 23 August.
Could independent developers shape gaming’s future?
The Guardian examines whether independent game studios could offer an alternative as major publishers face restructuring, layoffs, cancellations and rising development costs.
Concerns grow over covert recording with modified Meta smartglasses
A Guardian report describes people who say they were secretly filmed and vendors who disable the recording indicator on Meta’s smartglasses.
Fedorov emerges as political opponent after dismissal as Ukraine’s defence minister
Protesters in Kyiv have rallied behind Mykhailo Fedorov after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy refused to reinstate him.
Angie Nixon wins Florida Democratic Senate primary
Democratic socialist Angie Nixon secured a surprise victory in Florida’s Senate primary, while Republicans described the general election as favorable to their nominee, Ashley Moody.
Sainz signs multi-year contract extension with Williams
Carlos Sainz will remain with Williams through the 2027 Formula 1 season and beyond under a multi-year contract extension.
McInnes says Rangers captain Shankland will have a big influence
Derek McInnes described Lawrence Shankland as a brilliant captain and said he would influence Rangers whether or not he starts games.
Philippine Supreme Court strikes down commercial fishing monitoring rule
The ruling invalidated a regulation requiring commercial fishing vessels to transmit location data continuously and submit electronic catch reports, according to Mongabay.
Amazon says drone deliveries will reach nearly 500 US cities and towns by year-end
Amazon says Prime Air will expand to nearly 500 US cities and towns by the end of the year, with launches planned in five named locations.
Amazon offers Alexa Plus free to eligible Fire TV users in the US
Amazon says US owners of certain Fire TV devices and compatible televisions will receive access to Alexa Plus at no cost.