The New York Court of Appeals overturned the decision to collect approximately half a billion dollars from Donald Trump in a fraud case. The judges confirmed Trump's responsibility but overturned the punishment, as it violates the Eighth Amendment.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in a conversation with Emmanuel Macron, stated Ankara's readiness to join initiatives for peace talks between Ukraine and Russia. The leaders also discussed the escalation in the Middle East, particularly the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated the unacceptability of NATO military contingent appearing in Ukraine. Moscow calls on Britain not to hinder negotiations, accusing it of prolonging the conflict.
Valentyna Zhytnyk, a Ukrainian jewelry designer and former Miss Ukraine Earth, has her Zgarda piece permanently exhibited at the House of Ukraine Museum in San Diego. This marks the first time a Ukrainian artist's jewelry has joined the museum's collection.
Soho House, once a global club, is preparing for privatization. MCR Hotels leads a group of investors that will buy out shares at a price of about $9 per share.
Mishcherri Fox from New York found a 2. 30-carat white diamond at the Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas. The stone, valued at $27,000, will be used for her engagement ring, saving money for the wedding.
The largest Martian meteorite, sold at Sotheby's auction for $5. 3 million, caused controversy regarding the legality of its export. The Government of Niger has launched an investigation and suspended the export of similar meteorites.
Today, August 15, the presidents of the USA and the Russian Federation will meet at the Elmendorf-Richardson military base in Anchorage. The US Secret Service is providing unprecedented security for both leaders, deploying hundreds of reinforcements and special equipment.
Ether shows a surge in demand, raising the total market capitalization to a record $4. 2 trillion. Bitcoin is trading above $120,600, Ether is approaching its 2021 record.
Zohran Mamdani leads Andrew Cuomo by 19 points in the New York City mayoral race, according to a Siena College poll. Elise Stefanik has narrowed the gap with Kathy Hochul to 14 points in a potential 2026 race.
August 11 marks World Steelpan Day, Hip Hop Day, and Kinetic Sand Day. Christians also honor Saints Theodore and Basil of Kyiv-Pechersk.
In Sicily, Etna is erupting lava from an effusive vent on the southern slope of Bocca Nuova. The lava flow is moving south, and no significant seismic changes have been recorded.
A selection of five new horror series released in 2023-2024 is presented. Among them: "Mayfair Witches", "The Foundling", "Lockwood & Co.", "Hysteria" and "Dead Boy Detectives".
On August 5, an earthquake of magnitude 5. 6 occurred in Iran, with its epicenter located 125 kilometers southeast of the city of Bam. No reports of casualties or destruction have been received.
Judge denied rapper Sean "Diddy" Combs bail, he remains in a New York prison. Sentencing on charges related to prostitution is expected on October 3.
France and 14 other states signed a joint statement calling on the world to recognize the Palestinian state. This happened after a conference in New York aimed at reviving the two-state solution.
Donald Trump is seriously considering a full presidential pardon for rapper Sean "Diddy" Combs, whose sentencing is expected in October. The White House has not commented, but sources confirm discussions.
Malta will announce its recognition of the State of Palestine at the UN General Assembly in September 2025. This was announced by Prime Minister Robert Abela, emphasizing the commitment to establishing peace in the Middle East.
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te canceled his trip to Latin America after the US opposed his stopover in New York. The Trump administration denied permission for the stopover after objections from China, intensifying concerns about the US position.
Donald Trump said he was not seeking a meeting with Xi Jinping, but was ready to visit China only at his invitation. Earlier, the Trump administration denied the Taiwanese president a stopover in New York after objections from China.
Shane Devon Tamura from Las Vegas opened fire in an office building in Manhattan, killing four people, including a police officer, and wounding one more, before committing suicide. The motive for the shooting, which occurred in a skyscraper with NFL and Blackstone offices, remains unknown.
The Trump administration did not allow Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te to stop over in New York on his way to Central America after protests from China. This decision raised concerns about a softening of the US position towards China.
In central Manhattan, an unknown assailant wounded two people, including a police officer, and then committed suicide. The incident occurred near an office building on Park Avenue.
President Donald Trump expresses frustration over how his administration is handling the uproar surrounding Jeffrey Epstein's affairs. The scandal overshadows his agenda, despite attempts to appease the public.
In August 2025, five new films will be released in Ukrainian cinemas: "Freaky Friday 2", "Count Dracula: A Love Story", "Weapon", "Caught Red-Handed" and "The Roses". Among them are comedies, mysticism, horror, thrillers and dramas, covering themes of family relationships, mysterious disappearances and the criminal underworld.
The median rent in the US has increased from $824 in 2008 to over $1300 in 2025, forcing Americans to spend a significant portion of their income on housing. On average, 38.3 hours of work per month are needed to cover rent, but in Vermont, this figure reaches 60.2 hours, and in New York, 90.2 hours.
Christine Cabot, HR Director at Astronomer, has resigned after being seen hugging CEO Andy Byron at a Coldplay concert. This happened after an official investigation initiated by the company's Board of Directors.
U. S. federal prosecutors have charged Michael Hann, who manufactured seven improvised explosive devices using artificial intelligence advice. He stored five of them and shotgun shells on the roof of a residential building in the SoHo neighborhood of New York.
Warner Bros. announced a large-scale celebration of the 20th anniversary of the film "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" in 2025, which will include a re-release in cinemas, fan meetings, and exclusive merchandise. Events will take place in Europe, Asia, and North America, and new 3D Bitmoji lenses for Snapchat will also be launched.
In South Korea, 10 people died and 9 went missing due to four days of heavy rains and landslides. The most affected area was Sancheong County, where 793.5 mm of precipitation fell.
