World News
Elon Musk's SpaceX completes $60 billion acquisition of AI startup Cursor
The deal became effective on Aug. 14, according to a regulatory filing, two months after SpaceX formally announced it had agreed to acquire the company.
 "Elon Musk's SpaceX completes $60 billion acquisition of AI startup Cursor")
France's top court blocks social media ban for children under 15
France's Constitutional Council said the proposed ban disproportionately infringed freedom of expression and lacked safeguards for the right to privacy.
 "France's top court blocks social media ban for children under 15")
Goldman taps investors for backing Nvidia's $500 bn AI infra financing
US insurers, money managers and banks are expected to form the core investor base as Goldman explores private credit and debt structures for the financing.
 "Goldman taps investors for backing Nvidia's $500 bn AI infra financing")
As Europe gets hotter, its transportation systems struggle to cope
Rail services are being cut, tracks are buckling and highways are cracking as Europe's ageing transport infrastructure struggles with increasingly intense heatwaves.
 "As Europe gets hotter, its transportation systems struggle to cope")
US says Iran naval blockade can continue indefinitely as talks stall
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said that the US military has the capability to maintain a naval presence in the region to enforce its blockade of Iran
 "US says Iran naval blockade can continue indefinitely as talks stall")
US consumer sentiment drops by 4.2% in Aug as West Asia conflict drags on
US consumers' one-year inflation expectations rose to 4.3% in August from 4.2% in July as the Middle East conflict raised concerns over living costs.
 "US consumer sentiment drops by 4.2% in Aug as West Asia conflict drags on")
Houthis hit Saudi's Aramco Jazan refinery for second time in a week
The Houthis said two drones hit the Saudi Aramco refinery in Jazan, days after an earlier attack set a crude storage tank ablaze.
 "Houthis hit Saudi's Aramco Jazan refinery for second time in a week")
Trump allows Navy to build ships abroad, orders return to steam catapults
Trump's directive would allow foreign shipbuilders to construct up to two vessels overseas while ordering the Navy to replace EMALS with steam catapults.
 "Trump allows Navy to build ships abroad, orders return to steam catapults")
2 UAE oil tankers attacked while sailing through Strait of Hormuz
Two ADNOC tankers suffered minor damage in drone attacks while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, as the UAE accused Iran of acts of piracy.
 "2 UAE oil tankers attacked while sailing through Strait of Hormuz")
China July bank loans post record contraction as credit demand falters
China's new yuan loans contracted by a record 340 billion yuan in July, as weak household and corporate borrowing pointed to subdued credit demand.
 "China July bank loans post record contraction as credit demand falters")
DeepSeek launches V4 Pro at prices up to 14 times higher than V4 Flash
DeepSeek said the V4-Pro-0813 substantially improves its capabilities for AI agents and is available through its API, app and web products.
 "DeepSeek launches V4 Pro at prices up to 14 times higher than V4 Flash")
Indians, Pakistanis view each other as top geopolitical threat: Survey
According to American think tank Pew Research, 54% of surveyed adults in India described Pakistan as their greatest geopolitical threat, followed by China at 21%
 "Indians, Pakistanis view each other as top geopolitical threat: Survey")
Large explosion hits Italian munitions factory near Rome; no injuries
The plant produces ammunition and other defence-related products. Its products include fuzes, ammunition, grenades, missile warheads, rockets and propellant powders
 "Large explosion hits Italian munitions factory near Rome; no injuries")
White House puts India in Tier 1 of China-linked transshipment risk
White House report names India among 40-plus economies at risk of Chinese goods being rerouted to evade US tariffs; exporters could face tougher origin checks and retrospective duties
 "White House puts India in Tier 1 of China-linked transshipment risk")
North Korea slams US-South Korea drills, threatens self-defence action
North Korea warned it could exercise its right to self-defence as the US and South Korea prepare for annual military drills
 "North Korea slams US-South Korea drills, threatens self-defence action")
Trump admin to roll out 'economic isolation' plan for Iran next week
Iran's economy has already taken a significant hit from the war, with much of its industrial capacity destroyed and crude exports severely curtailed by the US blockade
 "Trump admin to roll out 'economic isolation' plan for Iran next week")
2026 likely the hottest year on record driven by El-Nino, say experts
El Nino brings powerful consequences for the globe, drying out some regions, like Western and Southern Africa, Australia and India, while potentially raising rainfall in others, such as southern US
 "2026 likely the hottest year on record driven by El-Nino, say experts")
US court dismisses Trump admin lawsuit alleging antisemitism at Harvard
The decision from US District Judge Richard G Stearns said President Donald Trump's administration failed to prove an ongoing violation of federal civil rights laws
 "US court dismisses Trump admin lawsuit alleging antisemitism at Harvard")
Trump gives green light to US companies to aim hacks at cybercriminals
The practice would align the United States more closely with countries like China and Russia, where spy agencies have long relied on private-sector hackers to help with national security missions
 "Trump gives green light to US companies to aim hacks at cybercriminals")
Trump orders Navy to return to older jet-launch system on aircraft carriers
The new mandate would likely cost billions of dollars and revert the Navy's most advanced ships to a system that takes more sailors to operate and is more difficult to maintain
 "Trump orders Navy to return to older jet-launch system on aircraft carriers")