World News
Why London's housing crisis is driving away its most valuable residents
High housing costs, limited construction and uninspiring homes are pushing working-age Londoners to smaller towns
 "Why London's housing crisis is driving away its most valuable residents")
Sony, TSMC to invest $6.3 billion in next-gen image sensor microchips
A joint venture owned about 60% by Sony and 40% by TSMC will start commercial production as early as 2029 in southern Japan's Kumamoto prefecture
 "Sony, TSMC to invest $6.3 billion in next-gen image sensor microchips")
Joe Biden's cancer has spread further, says Hunter: 'It's very painful'
Hunter Biden said the former US president's prostate cancer has spread beyond his bones and is causing severe pain, but added that Joe Biden continues to speak out on issues he cares about
 "Joe Biden's cancer has spread further, says Hunter: 'It's very painful'")
Iran holds firm on Strait on Hormuz, pushes Trump back to June deal
The Strait of Hormuz is Iran's best leverage to get Washington to release Iran's frozen assets, lift economic sanctions and end its naval blockade
 "Iran holds firm on Strait on Hormuz, pushes Trump back to June deal")
'Low-key approach': Trump rules out fresh military offensive on Iran
Trump said the US is only 'semi-negotiating' with Iran and is monitoring its worsening economy, as talks on reopening the Strait of Hormuz remain stalled
 "'Low-key approach': Trump rules out fresh military offensive on Iran")
Trump names staff secretary Will Scharf as new White House counsel
Trump said that, beginning September 1, Scharf will be replacing David Warrington, who will be leaving the administration to join the private sector
 "Trump names staff secretary Will Scharf as new White House counsel")
8 political parties join hands to form 'Progressive Front' in Nepal
The alliance was announced at a programme held in Kathmandu on Saturday
 "8 political parties join hands to form 'Progressive Front' in Nepal")
Nepal PM Shah to hold meetings with Indian, Chinese envoys on Monday
Nepal PM Balendra Shah will hold separate meetings with the Indian and Chinese ambassadors, signalling a shift towards direct diplomatic engagement after 100 days in office
 "Nepal PM Shah to hold meetings with Indian, Chinese envoys on Monday")
Paramount to sign contract with theatre chains guaranteeing 30 films/year
Paramount Skydance has offered AMC and Regal three-year deals to guarantee 30 theatrical releases a year if its $110 billion Warner Bros deal goes through
 "Paramount to sign contract with theatre chains guaranteeing 30 films/year")
Yemen's Houthis claim attack on Aramco oil facility in Saudi Arabia
Meanwhile, Iran has made new demands about the restart of negotiations and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz
 "Yemen's Houthis claim attack on Aramco oil facility in Saudi Arabia")
Women's public role shrinks in China as rhetoric shifts to family: Study
China's official rhetoric has increasingly linked women to family and motherhood, while their representation in the country's political and policy leadership has declined
 "Women's public role shrinks in China as rhetoric shifts to family: Study")
Pentagon pushes defence cos for weapons production after depleted stocks
The Pentagon is pushing US defence firms to accelerate weapons production as the Iran war depletes stocks of key munitions and missile interceptors
 "Pentagon pushes defence cos for weapons production after depleted stocks")
Talks with US won't happen while interim deal is breached: Iranian minister
Iran says it will not resume talks with the US while Washington breaches a June interim deal, while an agreement with Oman on Strait of Hormuz shipping lanes nears completion
 "Talks with US won't happen while interim deal is breached: Iranian minister")
Currency defence gets makeover as central banks in Asia guard reserves
Asian central banks are seeking new ways to support weak currencies and preserve forex reserves as West Asia tensions, oil risks and high US rates weigh on markets
 "Currency defence gets makeover as central banks in Asia guard reserves")
Israel rejects Trump's 15-point plan for Gaza, says PM Benjamin Netanyahu
Israel rejects Trump's Gaza peace plan and says it will not withdraw until Hamas fully disarms, raising fresh uncertainty over the ceasefire
 "Israel rejects Trump's 15-point plan for Gaza, says PM Benjamin Netanyahu")
Cyprus to supply natural gas to Europe by 2028 as EU seeks new sources
Gas from the Cronos field off Cyprus is expected to reach European markets by March 2028 via Egypt, offering an alternative supply as Europe seeks to reduce reliance on Russia
 "Cyprus to supply natural gas to Europe by 2028 as EU seeks new sources")
Households in India, Asia-Pacific regions vulnerable to El Nino shocks: S&P
S&P said the effects of the El Nino period starting in 2026 will reach Asia-Pacific mainly through weaker rainfall and climate disruption, and the macroeconomic impact is likely to be manageable
 "Households in India, Asia-Pacific regions vulnerable to El Nino shocks: S&P")
Russia, China take note as Iran conflict depletes US weapons stocks
The Iran war has depleted US weapons stockpiles, resulting in a significant erosion of firepower. A more drawn-out Iran conflict benefits Moscow and Beijing, some analysts say
 "Russia, China take note as Iran conflict depletes US weapons stocks")
China's producer inflation eases to 3-month low in July, CPI slows
China's leaders, confronting a two-speed economy of strong factory output and exports but weak domestic demand, have pledged to bolster growth by accelerating fiscal spending
 "China's producer inflation eases to 3-month low in July, CPI slows")
US CPI to show inflationary pressures easing after recent war-driven rise
The closely watched consumer price index is seen rising 0.1% in July following a 0.4% decline in the prior month
 "US CPI to show inflationary pressures easing after recent war-driven rise")