Tens of thousands without power and schools close as cold snap persists – The Irish Times

Five people died, including off-duty NYPD officer Didarul Islam, in a shooting at a high-rise office building in Manhattan, New York. The suspect, 27-year-old Shane Devon Tamura, died from a self-inflicted gunshot after opening fire in the lobby and upper floors, with the motive still unclear and a documented mental health history reported. Want More Context? 🔎

Emergency services responded to an incident at St Pancras Station where a man was found unconscious, requiring CPR and treatment with a blood transfusion bag. The situation escalated following an argument involving far-right activist Tommy Robinson, who was seen filming in the area, while forensic officers collected evidence at the scene. Want More Context? 🔎

President Donald Trump stated he declined an invitation to Jeffrey Epstein’s private island, Little Saint James, calling it one of his "very good moments." During a meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Trump reiterated that he never visited the island and criticized Epstein for hiring staff away from him, while also not ruling out potential clemency for Epstein's accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell. Want More Context? 🔎

Two children have died and another is unresponsive after a barge collided with their sailing camp boat off Miami Beach on July 28, 2025. The incident, which involved an adult counselor and five children aged 7 to 12, is under investigation by the Coast Guard and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, with condolences extended to the affected families. Want More Context? 🔎

Two men, Matthew Bird, 21, and Oliver Dawes, 24, were killed in a light aircraft crash in Thorganby, Selby, after their Cessna performed aerobatic maneuvers and nosedived into a field on July 28. The Air Accidents Investigation Branch is investigating the incident, and both families expressed their heartbreak over the loss of their loved ones. Want More Context? 🔎

At Futian Port between mainland China and Hong Kong, officials discovered four endangered ball pythons hidden in a woman's bra after she appeared flustered and insisted she had nothing to declare. The woman admitted to transporting the snakes for a small fee, leading to their removal and an ongoing investigation, as ball pythons are illegal to keep as pets in China. Want More Context? 🔎