The people of 27 August

U.S. president Donald Trump signs an executive order directing federal agencies to call Lake Ontario "Lake America." The change applies only to U.S. federal usage; Canada need not adopt it, and no international authority exclusively determines names of shared waters.

Politics · 27 Aug

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and its Spokesperson's Unit confirms Al-Qassam Brigades commander Ismail Mohammad Ibrahim Barim, who held Edan Alexander, Avera Mengistu, and Matan Zangauker as hostages, was killed in a strike in Khan Yunis.

Conflict · 27 Aug · with Avera Mengistu

It is reported that Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu held secret meetings with Hamas during the 2014 Gaza War. The Prime Minister's Office denies the reports.

Conflict · 27 Aug

Qatari prime minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani talks with Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi in Tehran, including on the Strait of Hormuz and efforts to end the war.

Conflict · 27 Aug · with Abbas Araghchi

The IDF also confirms that they have recently killed two Hamas militants that invaded the Re'im Base in Re'im during the October 7 attacks in separate strikes in the Gaza Strip, including a body guard to former leader Yahya Sinwar and a Nukhba forces militant.

Conflict · 27 Aug

United States Central Command commander Brad Cooper says that the military has cleared all Iranian naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz and its routes.

Conflict · 27 Aug

Iran's Supreme National Security Council secretary Mohsen Rezaei says that Iran is preparing a set of conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz after mediators called for them to do so.

Conflict · 27 Aug

King Rukidi IV of Uganda's Tooro Kingdom, the youngest person to reign as a monarch, dies at the age of 34.

Politics · 27 Aug

Algerian president Abdelmadjid Tebboune declares three days of national mourning after 12 people were reported to be killed in wildfires in northeastern Jijel.

Disasters · 27 Aug

Zambian presidential candidate Brian Mundubile surrenders to police and is questioned over an alleged national security threat after two weeks in hiding following the disputed presidential election, in which he finished second.

Politics · 27 Aug

In athletics, Brazilian Alison dos Santos and American Masai Russell break the world records in men's 400 metres hurdles (45.80 seconds) and women's 100 metres hurdles (12.09 seconds), respectively, at the 2026 Weltklasse Zürich in Zurich, Switzerland.

Sport · 27 Aug · with Masai Russell