World | WPN World People News

The Norwegian Royal Court announced on the 28th that King Harald V passed away at 6:35 AM that day at Rikshospitalet (the National Hospital) in Oslo at the age of 89. In accordance with the Norwegian line of succession, Crown Prince Haakon has acceded to the throne as King Haakon VIII.

Born in 1937, Harald lived in exile in the United States during his early childhood due to World War II, returning to Norway after the war in 1945. He became Crown Prince in 1957 and ascended the throne in 1991, reigning for 35 years. He was the first Norwegian king born on native soil since the 14th century and was Europe's oldest reigning monarch prior to his passing. Known throughout his reign for his down-to-earth and pragmatic approach, he was deeply beloved by the public, often referred to as the "grandfather of the nation" and the "people's king."

In his youth, Harald V broke royal tradition by marrying commoner Sonja Haraldsen—a decision that caused significant debate within the royal family and among the public at the time. After taking the throne, he continually pushed to modernize the monarchy, bridging the gap between the Crown and ordinary citizens while increasing transparency regarding royal finances and health.

Beyond modernizing the monarchy, Harald V frequently served as a unifying figure during times of national crisis. Following the 2011 Oslo bombing and the Utøya island mass shooting that resulted in devastating casualties, he publicly wept and stood alongside the victims' families. In subsequent years, his outspoken support regarding immigrants, religious freedom, diverse family structures, and same-sex couples made him a vital symbol of a modern royal house.

Despite facing health challenges and royal controversies in his later years, Harald V consistently refused to abdicate, maintaining that he had taken a lifelong oath before the Storting (Parliament). In addition to concerns surrounding his health, public pressure on the royal family mounted over Crown Princess Mette-Marit's past association with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, as well as a criminal case involving her son from a previous relationship, Marius Borg Høiby.

Following King Harald's death, the Royal Palace lowered its flags to half-mast, and citizens gathered to lay flowers outside the palace grounds. His 53-year-old son, Haakon, has succeeded him as King Haakon VIII. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre stated that the nation has entered an official period of mourning and expressed profound gratitude for the monarch's decades of dedicated service to the country.

On the 26th, the Brazilian government, through the Office of the Attorney General of the Union (AGU), filed a public civil action in the Federal Court of Brasília against the popular communication platform Discord. The lawsuit accuses Discord of failing to comply with child and adolescent protection laws and seeks up to 500 million Brazilian reais (approximately $97 million USD) in collective moral damages. Under Brazil’s Digital Statute of the Child and Adolescent (ECA Digital), which took effect in March 2026, the platform contains age-verification loopholes that expose minors to extreme risks of harmful content; the law mandates that platforms must exercise a duty of care and implement safety-by-design and preventive safeguards.

The lawsuit was triggered by a tragedy in July of this year, when a 13-year-old girl was incited and encouraged by members of an online group to take her own life while livestreaming on Discord, ultimately resulting in her fatal suicide. In the same incident, another 17-year-old was also encouraged to self-harm.

Discord completely failed to detect this severe violation at the time—it did not interrupt the livestream, nor did it report the incident to Brazilian authorities. Five teenagers and one adult were arrested by Brazilian authorities in connection with the suicide, including a suspect as young as 14. Brazil’s National Data Protection Authority (ANPD) subsequently ordered Discord to suspend its livestreaming and video-sharing features in the country. Violations of this administrative order carry fines of up to 50 million reais (approximately $9.7 million USD) per infraction.

The Brazilian government had previously attempted to reach a compliance agreement with Discord, demanding that the platform establish strict age verification rather than allowing registration via arbitrarily entered birthdates, mandatorily link accounts of users under 16 to a legal guardian, and implement real-time monitoring mechanisms to block self-harm and extreme violence. However, negotiations collapsed and led to legal action because Discord's proposed technical and financial remediation plans were deemed "insufficient to eliminate potential risks." In its complaint, the government requested an injunction from the court; if granted, the platform will face daily fines of 500,000 reais (approximately $97,000 USD) if the issues are not remedied within 15 days.

By seeking such substantial collective damages, the Brazilian government aims to send a strong signal to all multinational tech platforms regarding its determination to strictly enforce the newly enacted ECA Digital. The 500-million-real claim in collective moral damages is roughly three times the 153.8 million reais (approximately $30 million USD) fine levied just a day prior (on the 25th) against ByteDance’s TikTok for violating child data protection laws.

Discord issued a statement expressing regret over the lawsuit, calling the requested damages disproportionate and arguing that they do not accurately reflect the platform's efforts to maintain safety and comply with Brazilian law, adding that it will continue to communicate with Brazilian authorities to seek a resolution.

On the 21st, U.S. District Judge Jeannette Vargas in Manhattan, New York, ruled that the Trump administration's policy suspending visa interview appointments and the issuance of immigrant visas across 75 countries worldwide was "patently unlawful." The ruling stated that the restrictive policy substantially exceeded the statutory authority of the Secretary of State and infringed upon consular officers' authority to adjudicate visas. However, on the 24th, the Department of State announced a worldwide suspension of visa interview appointments at U.S. embassies and consulates and directed consular officers to pause all visa adjudications, claiming it was to accommodate an "internal review and public charge rule training program" launched across global diplomatic posts. Citing internal State Department documents, the Associated Press reported on the 24th that the Trump administration is planning another unprecedented, hardline immigration control measure: revoking the non-immigrant visitor and business visas (B1/B2 visas) of up to 200,000 foreign nationals who have already applied for asylum in the U.S. This plan was officially confirmed on the 25th in a statement by State Department Spokesperson Tommy Pigott.

Spearheaded by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the restrictive policies aim to conduct a comprehensive review and overhaul of immigration procedures to screen out applicants who might require U.S. social assistance and become a "public charge" after entry. The affected regions include Afghanistan, Russia, Iran, as well as multiple Latin American and African nations. Since its implementation, the ban has plunged tens of thousands of immigrant applicants worldwide and their families in the U.S. into severe legal limbo and distress. Now, the Department of State is citing official training—without disclosing specific training curricula or a definitive timeline—as what is effectively a tactical maneuver to circumvent the judicial ruling.

The successive waves of immigration policies have triggered widespread panic and anxiety among asylum seekers. While it may not lead to immediate deportation, revoking their visas strips them of their original lawful status. On the 26th, immigrant rights groups—including plaintiffs such as the Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC), African Communities Together (ACT), and the National Immigration Law Center (NILC)—formally filed an emergency motion to enforce the court order, accusing the administration of blatantly defying the judicial ruling. Plaintiff attorneys condemned the government for using "internal training" as a pretext to persist with a ban already declared unlawful, attempting to evade legal constraints while continuing to inflict irreparable harm on affected immigrant communities. [Reported and compiled by Reporter Lin Yiran]

US-Canada trade negotiations collapsed on the eve of the deadline, with the United States promptly imposing a 50% tariff on $20 billion worth of Canadian goods, deepening the trade war between the two nations.

The conflict stemmed from US President Donald Trump’s allegations that Canada discriminates against American businesses—specifically highlighting bans on US alcohol in several Canadian provinces. However, these bans were originally implemented by Canada in retaliation against earlier US tariff measures. Although Trump claimed during negotiations that both sides were close to reaching a "fair deal" and even extended the deadline, the talks ultimately fell apart after the US introduced excessive, last-minute demands.

Canadian Prime Minister Carney explicitly rejected these demands, accusing Washington of undermining Canadian sovereignty and emphasizing, "When you are attacked, you are in a fight." Carney immediately recalled his negotiators and pledged a dollar-for-dollar tariff retaliation. In response, Trump countered that Canada wants all the benefits of being an American state without actually becoming one.

Domestic pushback within Canada has been equally fierce. Manitoba Premier Kinew and former chief negotiator Steve Verheul both warned that capitulating to Trump would only invite endless demands, urging the nation to stand firm and united. Political scientist Andrea Lawlor noted that this incident sends a clear signal to the world: Washington now prioritizes its own interests over shared economic harmony. It demonstrates that dialogue with the Trump administration can disintegrate at any moment, and even if economic pressure eventually forces both sides back to the negotiating table to strike a deal, its enforceability remains highly uncertain.

The European Commission (EC) on August 24 approved an additional €6.1 billion (about NT$226.8 billion) in financial assistance for Ukraine to purchase military equipment, including air defense systems, missiles, ammunition and radar. The EU said the funding comes on top of an earlier €16 billion military procurement program, of which €8.35 billion has already been disbursed, underscoring Europe’s continued efforts to strengthen Ukraine’s defense capabilities.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that as Russia’s offensive intensifies, the EU is accelerating efforts to help Ukraine protect its people and defend its airspace. She stressed that Europe would continue to stand with Ukraine and provide the necessary support whenever it is needed. The latest aid package focuses on strengthening air defense and early-warning capabilities in response to the growing threat from Russian missile and drone attacks.

Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz co-chaired a “Coalition of the Willing” meeting in Kyiv on August 24, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening support for Ukraine’s war effort. CNN reported that France and Ukraine are considering establishing production lines in Ukraine to manufacture the SCALP (Storm Shadow) cruise missile, jointly developed by Britain and France, further enhancing Ukraine’s long-range strike capabilities. Britain also plans to share technical information on some missile components with Ukraine, deepening military cooperation between the two countries.

Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz is calling on his cabinet to accelerate reforms aimed at easing the burden on businesses and boosting economic growth. Government ministries are expected to swiftly implement reform decisions reached before the summer recess, including measures involving taxation, pensions, deregulation and digitalization.

According to reports, Merz said ahead of a cabinet meeting in Neuhardenberg, Brandenburg, that Germany is facing major challenges to growth and employment. He stressed that economic growth and jobs are currently the government’s top priorities, saying the administration must remain fully focused and keep its sights firmly on these goals.

Merz plans to urge cabinet ministers to quickly implement the reforms agreed upon before the summer recess, covering areas such as taxation, pensions, deregulation and digitalization. He emphasized that the government had made historic decisions before the summer break and must now put them into practice as quickly as possible. The next step, he said, is to turn policies into concrete measures rather than allowing them to remain at the legislative and planning stages.

In recent years, Germany’s economy has been weighed down by high energy costs, weak external demand, cumbersome bureaucracy and declining industrial competitiveness. The speed at which reforms can be implemented will be crucial to restoring investor confidence and supporting economic recovery.

Merz stressed that the government’s top priority is to reduce the burden on businesses quickly and comprehensively, particularly by supporting skilled workers and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as they cope with the current economic challenges.

Following his recent request to scale down joint U.S.–South Korea military drills, U.S. President Donald Trump publicly stated on the 19th that he hopes to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un again this year. Emphasizing the friendly relationship they had built, Trump further specified that North Korea possesses 57 nuclear weapons. However, on the afternoon of the 20th, North Korea launched approximately 10 short-range ballistic missiles from the Pyongyang area toward the waters east of the Korean Peninsula. South Korea convened an emergency meeting the same day, ordering the military to intensify surveillance and maintain full combat readiness.

South Korea's military detected the missile launches toward the northeastern waters at around 5:00 PM on the 20th. The missiles reached a maximum altitude of approximately 90 kilometers, flew about 320 kilometers, and ultimately landed near the eastern coast of the Korean Peninsula. Japan also detected suspected missile launches, with one missile landing outside Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Prior to the launches, Kim Yo Jong, sister of Kim Jong Un and Vice Department Director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, condemned the joint U.S.–South Korea military exercises. She argued that scaling down the drills was not a policy concession and that U.S. hostility toward North Korea remained unchanged. However, she noted that Kim Jong Un still cherishes personal memories of his interactions with Trump and that the two leaders continue to maintain a good relationship.

On the morning of the 21st, authorities from the U.S., Japan, and South Korea held a trilateral phone conference regarding North Korea's ballistic missile tests to share intelligence and discuss response strategies. Following the meeting, they released a statement condemning the launches as a violation of UN Security Council resolutions and pledged to cooperate closely to continuously monitor North Korea's actions. The South Korean government also issued a statement on the 21st, emphasizing that it remains committed to peaceful dialogue, ongoing communication with North Korea to ease regional tensions, and close cooperation with the United States to implement the denuclearization policy and achieve peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.

According to the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll, a majority of Americans believe President Donald Trump and his family are using cryptocurrency to profit, raising strong concerns that Trump allows private commercial interests to influence national policy. The survey of 1,166 U.S. adults found that 63% consider it "inappropriate" for Trump and his family to profit from crypto ventures. Nearly 70% believe his private business interests substantially shape presidential decision-making. Views vary across party lines: two-thirds of independent voters share these doubts, along with 90% of Democrats who believe Trump’s policies serve personal interests, and half of Republican supporters who hold the same concern.

The controversy stems from financial disclosures showing that in 2025 alone, Trump and his family earned more than $1.4 billion in massive gains from digital assets, including the World Liberty Financial crypto platform and the "$TRUMP" meme coin. In stark contrast, an estimated one million retail investors—who entered the market following heavy promotion by the Trump family, particularly his son Eric Trump—suffered roughly $3.8 billion in wiped-out wealth, intensifying public criticism that Trump is using his public office for private gain.

The issue escalated further with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) granting conditional preliminary approval for World Liberty Financial to convert into a national trust bank. Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren condemned the move as one of the most shameless acts of self-enrichment in the history of the U.S. financial system. Former White House ethics lawyer Richard Painter noted that Trump holding vast private banking interests alongside regulatory authority creates a depth of conflict of interest "unprecedented" in U.S. history. White House spokesperson Anna Kelly rejected all allegations, stating that Trump's investments are placed in an independent third-party trust and involve no conflict of interest.

With upcoming congressional midterm elections, this negative perception could deal a blow to the governing Republican Party. A late-July CNN poll indicated that 66% of respondents did not trust Trump to prioritize national interests over personal interests. Additionally, 49% of voters viewed the Republican Party as corrupt, compared to 41% for the Democratic Party. Voter anxiety and anger over government corruption are poised to influence the midterm political landscape and reshape the balance of power in U.S. politics over the next two years.

On the 18th, the U.S. government imposed a new round of sanctions against the International Criminal Court (ICC), targeting current Japanese President Tomoko Akane and Senegalese Senior Trial Lawyer Abdoulaye Seye. This marks the latest in a series of sanctions directed at ICC judges and human rights groups under Executive Order 14203, signed by Donald Trump on February 6, 2025. The measures include freezing any assets held by the two individuals within U.S. jurisdiction or connected to the U.S. financial system, restricting their visa entry, and prohibiting U.S. persons or entities from engaging in transactions with them.

In a statement, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio denounced the ICC as a "corrupt and fatally politicized" institution, accusing it of abusing its authority and exceeding its mandate. The U.S. Department of Justice also issued a letter reaffirming that it does not recognize the ICC's jurisdiction over citizens of countries that are not parties to the Rome Statute. The U.S. sanctions against the ICC are widely seen as direct retaliation for the arrest warrants issued in 2024 against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and others.

In response, the ICC strongly condemned the U.S. sanctions as a "blatant attack" on the court's independence and the international rule of law. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi expressed that the situation is "extremely regrettable" in a media interview. Japanese Foreign Ministry Press Secretary Toshihiro Kitamura further noted that as one of the ICC's largest financial contributors, Japan will continue to support the court's efforts to uphold the rule of law in the international community. Several other global leaders—including UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and European Council President António Costa—issued statements urging the U.S. to lift the sanctions and stressing that judicial bodies must operate independently without external pressure.

In March 2023, while serving as a pre-trial judge, Akane was placed on Moscow's criminal wanted list and sentenced after issuing an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Now facing U.S. sanctions as well, she has emerged as a judicial symbol of standing up against major global powers.

According to recent polls, Donald Trump's approval rating has plummeted to 33%—a record low for his second term—driven by military action against Iran and widespread dissatisfaction with his handling of the economy. A majority of the public believes the country is heading in the wrong direction.

The primary driver behind this steep decline is the conflict with Iran evolving into a prolonged war. The fighting has disrupted 20% of the global oil trade and caused gas prices to surge, intensifying the cost-of-living burden on everyday Americans and contradicting his campaign promises to avoid foreign wars and rein in inflation.

An overwhelming 80% of respondents—including 87% of Democrats and 71% of Republicans—believe the US military intervention in Iran will become protracted, while only 16% expect it to end within weeks. Only 20% of respondents consider the war worthwhile. The nationwide survey polled 1,166 adults with a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.

Addressing concerns over rising fuel costs, Trump argued that paying higher gas prices is "worth it" to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, but public sentiment indicates otherwise. The crisis has even eroded the Republican Party's traditional advantage on the economy, marking the first time in nearly a decade that voters trust Democrats more to handle the economy and cost of living.

Furthermore, the GOP's long-standing lead on immigration policy is rapidly diminishing. Despite a decline in unauthorized border crossings, rising enforcement-related tensions and an increasing number of detentions—including children—have narrowed the gap between the two parties on immigration to just two percentage points, down from a 26-point Republican lead in January. Facing compounding public discontent, Republicans are growing deeply anxious about defending their congressional majorities in the upcoming November midterm elections.