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Bailee Lynn Rios, 36, accused of driving on wrong side of road to cause fatal crash NBC news helicopter was coveringA California woman was allegedly driving under the influence when she sped down the wrong side of the road, ran a red light and plowed her SUV into a Los Angeles metro bus on Tuesday, killing two passengers, prosecutors say, in a tragedy compounded when a news helicopter covering the crash plummeted from the sky, killing three.Bailee Lynn Rios, 36, has been charged with two counts of murder over the deaths of the two people on the bus, identified as Daniel Castillo, 46, and Gage Weida, 31. Rios was being held on $4.1m bail and is set to be arraigned on 18 September. Online court records did not list a lawyer who might speak on her behalf, and the public defender’s office did not immediately return a message about whether it was representing her. Continue reading...

• The World Health Organization expressed cautious optimism regarding the trajectory of the current Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. • This event is the second largest Ebola outbreak on record, though overall case counts remain high. • The trend suggests a potential shift in the ability to control the virus within the affected regions of the DRC.

NBC4 colleagues Eliana Moreno and George Marciniw were working to report on a collision between a bus and an SUVMore details are emerging after a local news helicopter crashed in a Los Angeles neighborhood on Tuesday evening, killing two people on board and one person on the ground.Eliana Moreno, an aerial photojournalist, and pilot George Marciniw were identified as two of the victims. Continue reading...

• The global AI market is entering a high-growth phase with projections showing steady expansion through 2035. • Market value is expected to rise from $318.30 billion in 2025 to $430.79 billion in 2026, eventually reaching $6.56 trillion. • This rapid scaling creates new revenue opportunities and adoption trends across various global industries and regions.

Accident occurred as news crews in Los Angeles were covering a bus crash that had killed at least two people hours earlierA news helicopter crash in a Los Angeles neighborhood has killed at least three people, after it came to the ground and burst into flames near the site of a bus crash that occurred hours earlier.The helicopter crashed near a one-storey commercial building in the neighborhood of Chatsworth in the San Fernando Valley, as news crews were covering the bus crash that left at least two people dead and six others injured, according the Los Angeles Fire Department. Continue reading...

Study challenges belief that temple’s curves were designed to correct optical illusions that would have ruined its clean linesA mathematician has uncovered what may be one of the longest-running myths in history after studying optical illusions and the Parthenon, the famed Greek temple that overlooks Athens.Scholars have marvelled at the building on the Acropolis hill for more than 2,000 years and heaped praise on its architects for their clever use of geometry. Its subtle curves are said to correct optical illusions that would have otherwise ruined the Parthenon’s clean lines. Continue reading...

• BRICS member countries approved the New Delhi Declaration during the 2026 summit to establish a consensus on global governance and security. • The agreement follows intense negotiations and covers specific issues including terrorism, conflict resolution, trade challenges, and reforms to the United Nations. • This outcome represents a major diplomatic win for India by securing alignment among nations with differing geopolitical interests on Global South representation.

• European Union governments are attempting to fast-track the approval of key legislative documents before the French presidential elections in April. • Diplomats cited by the Financial Times believe a victory for far-right National Union leader Marine Le Pen could disrupt a large portion of the bloc's agenda. • This acceleration aims to secure critical policy goals before a potential shift in French leadership alters the EU's political direction.

• Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman urged institutions to prioritize the responsible adoption of artificial intelligence rather than avoiding the technology. • The Minister stated that faster AI integration requires strict safety, accountability, and the continued use of human oversight to manage risks. • Financial institutions and regulators must now oversee AI deployment to prevent potential harms and reduce reliance on outdated legacy systems.

• Industry leaders concluded the Global Fintech Fest (GFF) 2026 in Mumbai with a focus on AI-led growth and secure digital payments. • Participants stated that future growth depends on turning artificial intelligence and emerging technologies into scalable and inclusive financial solutions. • This shift means fintech companies must prioritize security and accessibility to expand their market reach and user adoption.

DUP education minister accused of dragging feet before revising guidelines that also apply to PE and gamesSchools in Northern Ireland must give girls the choice to wear trousers as part of their uniforms as well as for PE and games, according to revised guidelines.From next year schools will no longer be able to prohibit female pupils from wearing trousers, Paul Givan, the country’s education minister, said on Friday. “Today, I am taking that decision, that will be formally communicated, schools will be hearing from me,” he told the BBC. Continue reading...

• Researchers have made recent breakthroughs in photonics and physics, reshaping our understanding of the universe and its fundamental interactions. • These studies have offered novel insights into how light and matter interact, spanning cosmic formation theories and revolutionary optics engineering applications. • The discoveries are paving the way for advanced quantum communication and ultrafast computing systems, which could significantly impact the future of technology.

Even if the legislation passes, tech companies may still find ways to frustrate its intent and keep Australians hooked on their feedSocial media could become a “choose your own adventure” between the doom-scrolling status quo, or just the feed of the friends you want to see, if the government’s planned digital duty of care legislation passes, and the tech companies don’t muck around on compliance.But that’s a big if. Continue reading...

Draft legislation enforces digital duty of care including limiting children’s exposure to misogynistic and eating disorder contentAustralia will allow social media account holders to opt out of the powerful algorithms pushing dangerous and divisive content into users’ feeds, part of new laws designed to boost online safety.Users over 16 years of age will be given new tools to turn off algorithm-driven content, with platforms facing fines of more than $100m for non-compliance. Continue reading...

• Prime Minister Anthony Albanese introduced "my feed, my way" rules to allow social media users to opt in or out of platform algorithms. • The digital duty of care bill requires tech companies to protect children from harmful material, including pornography and content promoting eating disorders. • These regulations give individuals direct control over how their social media feeds are curated rather than relying on automated platform decisions.

Ed Miliband to reassert support for Palestinian rights and a two-state solution in move likely to draw fierce criticism from US and IsraelEd Miliband will announce what he has described as a broad reset of the UK’s relations with Israel on Tuesday, promising the government will take a more active approach in supporting the Palestinian cause.In an intervention that is expected to draw fierce criticism from the US and Israel, the foreign secretary will impose a UK ban on the trade in goods and some services from illegal Israeli settlements. He has also told civil society groups he is determined to reassert the call for a two-state solution to the conflict with an appeal for the protection of Palestinian rights and respect for international law. Continue reading...

• Labor frontbencher Mark Butler rejected Coalition claims that a proposed opt-out algorithm for social media feeds amounts to censorship. • The plan is part of digital duty of care legislation that aims to give Australians more choice over the content they see online. • This policy affects how social media companies curate user feeds and whether users can disable automated recommendation systems.

• New migraine prevention guidelines were released on Monday to help physicians navigate treatment options and secure insurance prior authorizations. • The updated framework emphasizes the integration of the newest prevention medications currently available on the market. • These changes matter because a "wealth of new treatment" has emerged, requiring updated clinical standards to ensure patients access modern therapies.

• Hong Kong Women won the toss and elected to field first against India during their Women's Asia Cup 2026 match on Thursday, September 3, in Dubai. • India enters the contest with strong momentum following a dominant opening victory over Thailand, driven by a powerful top-order batting performance. • This match serves as a critical early-stage encounter in the tournament as teams compete for regional supremacy in Asia.

Togo-sponsored resolution calls to phase out traditional map that depicts continent as similar size to GreenlandThe UN general assembly will vote on Friday on a resolution for the world to formally phase out the traditional Mercator map of the globe in favour of one that more accurately displays Africa’s size.Robert Dussey, Togo’s foreign affairs minister, said the resolution was sponsored by Togo and backed by countries including the African Union’s 54 other member states. He did not specify the total number. Continue reading...

Former US secretary of state joins Roxane Gay, Rachel Cargle and others in heralding groundbreaking feministHillary Clinton led tributes to Gloria Steinem on Thursday, hailing the American feminist icon who died at 92 at home in New York as “one of the architects of the entire structure of women’s equality”.Clinton, a former US secretary of state, presidential candidate and first lady, appeared on the CBS Mornings TV show to deliver a tribute, urging younger generations to use Steinem as a role model in supporting each other in promoting the causes she championed. Continue reading...

• Health experts are warning of a potentially severe 2026 flu season in the US, driven primarily by the H3N2 strain. • A new flu vaccine has been developed specifically for adults over 50 to provide enhanced protection against the virus. • This development is critical as H3N2 strains often lead to higher rates of hospitalization and complications among older populations.

The prime minister said Britain needed to be brutally honest about the ‘series of wrong turns’ it had taken in the last 40 yearsAndy Burnham has blamed Brexit and Margaret Thatcher for a decade of low growth in the UK, arguing that Britain needs to be brutally honest about having taken “a series of wrong turns” in the last 40 years.In his first Commons appearance since he took over as prime minister around six weeks ago, Burnham told MPs he wanted to build a new sense of optimism so “we can make this next decade better than the last”.Hinted that he would commit to spending 3% of GDP on defence by 2030, saying he had appointed John Healey as his chancellor “precisely because” of his position on military spending.Opened the door to looking again at electoral reform in Labour’s next manifesto. “I do believe there needs to be a mandate to make that change. There are different views in this house, but I believe we will need to get a consensus at the next election. And if there is that consensus, then a change can be made in the next parliament.”Announced he would attend the Cop31 climate summit in Turkey and continue pursuing green energy – but that he would be “pragmatic” on supply, amid expectations he will approve the Jackdaw gas field. “The mistake is saying it’s got to be one or the other for political purposes. The truth is, it’s going to have to be both.” Continue reading...

• The U.S. Congress is scheduled to return to session next week to address a significant backlog of pending legislation. • Political analyst Loren Duggan notes that lawmakers facing upcoming re-election bids may struggle to support controversial bills due to political risks. • This tension highlights a growing difficulty in passing key laws as members prioritize their electoral viability over legislative compromise.

• Major technology corporations have generated a $160 billion profit boost resulting from the surging valuations of their external AI investments. • This financial gain highlights the deep integration of the modern tech sector through strategic venture-style funding and corporate partnerships. • The trend underscores the massive scale of capital flowing into artificial intelligence and the high returns currently being realized by Big Tech.

Social services minister says social media was playing a role in the increase of sexual violence among teenagersFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe government is considering allowing users to opt in or opt out of social media algorithms, and is looking at a recent UK ban on depictions of strangulation and suffocation in pornography.The social services minister, Tanya Plibersek, said social media was “playing a huge role” in the increase in sexual violence among teenagers and choking, and confirmed the options were being considered as the government develops its second action plan to end family and domestic violence against women and children. Continue reading...

• A new study on online opt-in polling reveals that while removing fraudulent respondents generally improves data quality, no single screening method reliably solves the problem. • The research specifically examined how these bogus respondents—individuals who rush through surveys for rewards without providing truthful answers—affect estimates of voter turnout and vote choice for the 2024 presidential election. • This finding highlights a critical vulnerability in digital data collection, as inconsistent purging methods can lead to unreliable political forecasting and skewed results.

Helipad relocation led in part to incident where Marine One, carrying the president, had close call with passenger jetSafety officials say the relocation of a helipad amid Donald Trump’s multi-project White House reconstruction led in part to an incident earlier this month in which a military helicopter carrying the president came too close to a passenger jet.A preliminary report published Thursday by the National Transportation ⁠Safety Board (NTSB) blamed “communication issues” for the failure of the crew of Marine One, the presidential helicopter, to give the required three minutes’ notice to air traffic controllers that they were about to take off from the White House. Continue reading...