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Israeli strikes over the weekend killed one of the militants who abducted Noa Argamani into Gaza during the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack. Argamani, who was rescued by Israeli forces in June 2024, became one of the most recognized faces of the hostages. News of the militant's death is drawing attention amid ongoing strikes and stalled ceasefire efforts.

Israeli forces have killed a global jihadist militant identified as one of the terrorists who kidnapped Noa Argamani during the October 7 attack. Argamani, who was later rescued from Gaza, became one of the most recognized hostages of the Hamas-led assault. The announcement is drawing attention as part of Israel's continuing campaign against those responsible for the abductions.

Elon Musk said Chinese AI models are generally outstanding and that China leads the world on performance per unit of compute. The remarks were carried by the South China Morning Post alongside comments in which he also praised Xi Jinping's leadership, drawing wide attention and debate over whether the praise reflects genuine technical assessment or diplomatic flattery.

Toyota is preparing an electric version of the Corolla, the best-selling car in history. Reports say the model will join the company's growing battery-electric lineup, a notable shift for a manufacturer that has long favoured hybrids and resisted a full pivot to EVs. The move is drawing wide attention, with observers weighing what it signals about Toyota's broader electrification strategy.

Lucasfilm has tapped Jon Watts to direct its next Star Wars movie. Watts is best known for helming Marvel's Spider-Man trilogy starring Tom Holland. Details on the film's plot and release timing have not been announced, and the news was reported by The Hollywood Reporter.

Instinct, a startup building AI agents, has raised $1 billion in its latest funding round, according to a Reuters report. The sizable round underscores continued heavy investor appetite for agentic AI companies, which develop software that can autonomously carry out tasks. Details on investors, valuation and use of funds were not immediately available, but the raise puts Instinct among the best-funded players in a fast-growing and closely watched corner of the AI industry.

Brazilian digital bank Nubank is reportedly in early-stage talks with British challenger bank Monzo over a full takeover, while private equity firm Advent International has been named as one of several buyout firms interested in acquiring a minority stake. If a deal proceeds, it would mark one of the largest acquisitions in the UK fintech sector and a major expansion for Nubank into the British market.

Cities across the United States are increasingly deploying unarmed civilian response teams to handle 911 calls, particularly those involving mental health crises, homelessness, and nonviolent disturbances. NPR reports the model is now operating in nearly 100 cities, reducing the role of armed police in situations where de-escalation and social services may be more appropriate than law enforcement.

Attention is turning to the 2026 US midterm elections, with analysts assessing which party is best positioned to win control of Congress. Coverage focuses on early polling, competitive Senate and House races, and the political landscape heading into the vote. With control of both chambers potentially at stake, the midterms are shaping up as a key test for both major parties.

Liu Huan, one of China's best-known singers and a pioneer of C-pop, has died at the age of 63. He performed at the 2008 Beijing Olympics opening ceremony, singing alongside Sarah Brightman, and was regarded as a founding figure of modern Chinese popular music. Tributes are circulating as fans and musicians mourn one of the country's most iconic voices.

Jon Watts has been hired to direct a new Star Wars film, according to American media reports. Watts, best known for directing the three Spider-Man films starring Tom Holland, will helm the first part of a planned series. The announcement is drawing attention from film fans curious about the director's take on the franchise.

Michael Burry, best known for predicting the 2008 housing collapse, is serving as an adviser to a newly launched fund focused on short positions targeting risks in the private credit market. The move signals growing investor concern that pockets of the fast-growing private lending sector may be mispriced or vulnerable as interest rates stay elevated.

An author known for writing a memoir about life in Appalachia has launched a campaign for a US congressional seat, and is drawing a clear line between her own story and JD Vance's 'Hillbilly Elegy'. 'I'm not JD Vance,' she says, positioning herself as offering a more authentic account of the region than the vice-president's best-selling memoir, which many in Appalachia criticised as stereotyping. The race is now being watched as part of the broader fight over who gets to speak for the region.

Pope Leo XIV celebrated an open-air Mass in Lourdes, France, urging the Catholic Church to acknowledge its own faults. His remarks, delivered at one of the world's best-known pilgrimage sites, call for humility and self-examination within the institution and are drawing attention as an early signal of his papacy's tone on reform and accountability.

Attention is on the Merseyside derby between Liverpool and Everton, with Liverpool manager Gareth Taylor providing an update on nine players ahead of the fixture. Fans on both sides of the city are checking availability news as the rivals prepare to meet, with injury and fitness questions shaping expectations for one of English football's best-known local rivalries.

Truecaller is bringing its scam-fighting intelligence to the open web, TechCrunch reports, marking a strategic move beyond its core caller ID business. The Swedish company, best known for identifying spam calls, appears to be repositioning itself as a broader fraud-protection service as scam attempts increasingly shift to websites, messages and other online channels.

The New York Times has ranked Breaking Bad as the best television series of the 21st century, placing the Bryan Cranston-led crime drama at the top of its list. The ranking has sparked debate among viewers and critics, many weighing in on whether the AMC series deserves the honor over other acclaimed shows of the era.

The MTV Video Music Awards handed out their 2026 prizes, with Madonna taking Artist of the Year and Taylor Swift winning Video of the Year. Sienna Spiro was named Best New Artist, capping a breakout run. The full winners list is drawing attention as fans react to Madonna's return to the top of a major awards show and Swift's latest Video of the Year honour.

The Guardian has published a letter responding to its obituary of Tim Curry, the British actor best known for The Rocky Horror Picture Show and his stage and screen career. The letter, printed in the paper's correspondence section, offers readers' reflections on his life and work following his death.

George Russell claimed victory at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix for Mercedes, securing a so-called 'grand slam' — pole position, fastest lap, race win and leading every lap. The result has prompted debate over whether the British driver is fully back to his best form, and it narrowed the gap in the championship standings to Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli.

Fortune highlights a comparison for people weighing whether to buy a home or invest instead, arguing that the S&P 500 has delivered far stronger returns than the housing market over the long term. The piece feeds an ongoing debate about whether homeownership remains the best path to building wealth, especially with mortgage rates and home prices still elevated.

Michael Burry has sent a stark warning to investors in Big Tech stocks, cautioning them about the risks of the current rally. Burry, the investor best known for betting against the housing market before the 2008 crash, has a track record of contrarian calls, so his remarks are being closely watched. The warning lands amid renewed debate over stretched valuations in technology shares and the sustainability of the AI-driven market boom.

Giorgio Armani's chief executive said the Italian fashion house is open to bringing in more than one investor as it considers selling a 15% stake. The comment signals flexibility over the structure of the deal, which is being watched closely across the luxury industry as it could shape the future ownership of one of Italy's best-known fashion brands.

Sam Neill, the New Zealand actor best known for playing Dr Alan Grant in Jurassic Park, has died at the age of 78, according to a breaking news report. Tributes and reaction are expected from fans and colleagues of the actor, whose career spanned more than five decades in film and television.

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 has become the best-selling electric vehicle in the United States outside of Tesla's lineup, according to InsideEVs. The milestone underscores Hyundai's growing strength in the American EV market as Tesla's dominance faces increasing competition from Korean and other legacy automakers.

A new opinion piece argues that US-China relations are best understood through the 'porcupine dilemma' — the idea that both powers manage their rivalry by keeping a careful distance rather than pursuing closer agreements. The author suggests that diplomacy between Washington and Beijing is less about striking deals and more about managing spines and space, shaping how the world's two largest economies coexist.

The Premier League has announced the nominees for its September awards, recognizing the best player and manager performances of the month. Fans are debating the shortlists, with some arguing over notable omissions and others backing their club's representatives. The winners are typically decided by a combination of public vote and an expert panel.

Nikola Jokic could sign a five-year, $360 million contract next summer, which would make it the richest deal in NBA history. The Denver Nuggets star is widely regarded as the best player in the league, and the potential extension has fueled discussion about soaring NBA salaries and the league's new financial landscape.