Here are some of the most important news stories today.
Boris Johnson asks Queen to suspend UK Parliament ahead of Brexit: Live updates
By Ivana Kottasová, CNN Updated 10:56 a.m. ET, August 28, 2019 Parliament suspension: The Queen has approved Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s request to suspend Parliament just days after it returns from summer recess next week, and only weeks before the Brexit deadline.
Epstein accuser says Prince Andrew ‘knows exactly what he’s done’
Virginia Giuffre, one of several women who have accused the late disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein of sex crimes, renewed allegations of wrongdoing against Britain’s Prince Andrew on Tuesday, saying he “knows exactly what he’s done.”
Trump’s invitation to Putin would abandon one of America’s greatest achievements
President Donald Trump is setting up another obliteration of American norms by pushing his Miami golf resort as the venue for the next G7 and proposing an invitation to Russia.
Seven arrested after a 15-year-old girl alleges gang rape and public shaming in India
Seven people have been arrested in India after a 15-year-old girl was allegedly gang raped — then publicly punished for “false accusations.”
Harvard student sues Uganda’s President Museveni for blocking him on Twitter
A student at Harvard University filed a lawsuit against Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni for blocking him on Twitter.
‘Anti-groping’ stamps sell out in Japan
A new device aimed at tackling sexual harassment on crowded trains and public transport has sold out just half an hour after it went on sale in Japan.
A passenger jet pilot swerved to avoid drone near Gatwick Airport
A passenger jet approaching London’s Gatwick Airport was forced to take evasive action after the pilot noticed a drone ahead, a near-miss report has revealed.
UFC fighter Paige VanZant says she makes more on Instagram than she does in fights
Ultimate Fighting Championship star Paige VanZant wants equal pay.
This is what it looks like when an explosion creates gold in space
The first observation of a collision between neutron stars, detected in August 2017, created gravitational waves, light and heavy elements like gold and platinum. But astronomers have realized they also witnessed a kilanova, the kind of explosion that creates gold and platinum, the year before as well.
Virgil van Dijk, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo – who will be named Europe’s best player?
Uefa will name its Men’s Player of the Year on Thursday with Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk up against Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona’s Lionel Messi for the award. Last year, Luka Modric ended Ronaldo and Messi’s dominance of the award – and Van Dijk will be hopeful of leaving the duo empty-handed again after a stellar season with the Reds.
Mexico bar attack leaves 23 dead
At least 23 people have been killed in a Mexican bar fire that police believe followed an attack linked to drug cartels. Eight women and 15 men died in the blaze in the Caballo Blanco (White Horse) bar in Coatzacoalcos, a port city in Veracruz, on Tuesday night.
Alexis Sanchez: Man Utd forward set to join Inter Milan on loan
Inter Milan have agreed a loan deal to sign forward Alexis Sanchez from Manchester United. Inter boss Antonio Conte is keen to sign Sanchez before the European transfer window closes on Monday. If a deal goes through, Sanchez will link up with ex-United team-mate Romelu Lukaku, the striker having joined the Serie A club for £74m this summer.
The ancient tombs kept under lock and key – BBC Reel
A sense of mystery surrounds the keyhole-shaped kofun tombs in Japan. Although the iconic Mozu Tombs in Sakai city, Osaka have recently been awarded UNESCO World Heritage status, surprisingly little is actually known about these intriguing monuments, kept under lock and key by the Japanese government.
Africa Live: Malawi bans three-day nationwide protest – BBC News
Kenya’s so-called moral policeman is facing criticism for banning the hit song, Wamlambez, that includes slang references to oral sex. Ezekiel Mutua, the Kenya Film Classification Board boss, said the lyrics were deemed to be “pure pornography” and should not be played where children could hear them.
The number of species on Earth is uncountable
Some scientists estimate around 2 million animal and plant species inhabit Earth. Others approximate around 8 million. Bug experts note there are probably some 5.5 million insects species alone. One recent analysis estimates tens of millions of animal species (this number is dominated by insects and tiny arthropods).
Sophie Turner and Jonathan Van Ness shading that ‘Game of Thrones’ ending will make your day
Before joining the cast of Queer Eye, Jonathan Van Ness was most famous for Funny Or Die web series Gay of Thrones. And before she was a Jonas Sister and hardcore Shawn Mendes/Camila Cabello shipper, Sophie Turner was most famous for playing the Stark sibling with the best hair (fight me), Sansa, on Game Of Thrones.
KFC’s first-ever Beyond Chicken sold out completely in five hours
If you weren’t lining up for some kind of fried chicken product this week, were you even living? First Popeye’s sandwiches sold out. Now KFC has proved that whether the chicken is the real thing or not, people will queue for that finger-lickin’ deliciousness.
Inside ‘Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance,’ Disney’s most ambitious ride
ORLANDO – There are few words that can properly convey what it’s like to stand on the deck of a Star Destroyer for the first time in your life. “Awesome” barely begins to cover it. That experience was part of a sneak peek at “Rise of the Resistance,” which Disney says is the most ambitious theme park ride it has ever created.
