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Venezuela has initiated an investigation into El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele and his senior officials regarding alleged torture of 252 migrants detained in El Salvador after deportation from the United States. Venezuelan Attorney General Tarek William Saab announced the investigation Monday in Caracas, presenting photos and testimonies from the men who reported being beaten, sexually abused and fed rotten food in an El Salvador prison. Some were denied medical care or treated without anesthesia, according to Saab, who urged the International Criminal Court and UN Human Rights Council to take action. The Venezuelans were deported to El Salvador from the US in March after President Donald Trump used the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to deport alleged Tren de Aragua gang members without due process. The deportations sparked criticism from human rights groups and legal challenges against the Trump administration. Family […]

A United States government employee has been prevented from leaving China following a personal visit to the country, Washington confirmed. The employee works for the US Patent and Trademark Office, an agency within the US Department of Commerce, and was subject to an "exit ban" while traveling in China in a "personal capacity," the US Department of State announced Monday. "The Department of State has no higher priority than the safety and security of American citizens," a State Department spokesperson stated. "We are tracking this case very closely and are engaged with Chinese officials to resolve the situation as quickly as possible." The confirmation follows a Washington Post report Sunday that identified the individual as a Chinese-American man employed by the US Commerce Department who was barred from leaving China after allegedly failing to disclose his government employment on a […]

The World Health Organization has reported that Israel's offensive in central Gaza has severely impacted its operations after attacks on WHO facilities. The UN agency stated that Israeli forces attacked a staff residence in Deir al-Balah on Monday and mistreated those sheltering there. Its main warehouse was also attacked and destroyed. The WHO reported that one detained staff member remains in Israeli custody and demanded their immediate release. The Israeli military confirmed detaining "several individuals suspected of involvement in terrorism" in the area, stating most were subsequently released. This marks the first major Israeli ground operation in Deir al-Balah since the conflict began, displacing tens of thousands of civilians amid warnings of severe hunger. Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry reported 33 deaths from malnutrition across the territory in the past 48 hours, including 12 children. The UN has received increasing reports […]

Lawyers for the Trump administration and Harvard University will face each other in a Boston courtroom Monday with billions in federal funding hanging in the balance. The White House has frozen over $2bn in federal grants to Harvard, demanding changes to the university's hiring, admissions and teaching practices to combat antisemitism and eliminate DEI programs focused on diversity, equity and inclusion. The administration has also blocked Harvard's access to visa systems for international students. Harvard has filed lawsuits seeking summary judgment, hoping for a swift decision based on established facts without a full trial. The hearing will take place before US District Judge Allison Burroughs, who has previously ruled in Harvard's favor regarding the foreign student visa dispute. While an immediate ruling after Monday's hearing is unlikely, Harvard's attorneys have requested a decision by September 3, the deadline the administration […]

Japan's ruling coalition has lost its majority in the upper house, though Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba stated he has no plans to resign. Sunday's closely contested election occurred amid public frustration with the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and junior partner Komeito coalition over rising prices and potential US tariffs. Speaking after polls closed, Ishiba said he "solemnly" accepts the "harsh result" while focusing on trade negotiations. The coalition required 50 seats to maintain control of the 248-seat upper chamber but secured only 47. The main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party finished second with 22 seats. This defeat, combined with losing the lower house majority last year, significantly undermines the coalition's influence. Half the upper chamber seats were contested Sunday, with members serving six-year terms. Jeffrey Hall from Kanda University of International Studies explained that right-wing parties had eroded LDP's conservative support […]