World News
Putin says Ukraine opened 'Pandora's box' with strikes on economic targets
Russian president warns Moscow will target Ukraine's sensitive economic sectors in response to drone strikes on Russian infrastructure, including oil refineries
 "Putin says Ukraine opened 'Pandora's box' with strikes on economic targets")
Bangladesh open to join Saudi Arabia-Pakistan-Turkiye defence alliance
Signed in Makkah on August 7, the pact establishes a framework for collective deterrence and stipulates that an armed attack on any one of the 3 countries would be considered an attack on all 3
 "Bangladesh open to join Saudi Arabia-Pakistan-Turkiye defence alliance")
Syria foreign minister sees Israel security talks resuming despite no trust
Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani says talks frozen since the Iran war could restart soon, with a proposed deal covering security zones and an Israeli withdrawal
 "Syria foreign minister sees Israel security talks resuming despite no trust")
Putin wants to draft 300,000 new troops, said Ukrainian President Zelenskyy
Moscow's forces are pressing ahead with an effort to capture the rest of eastern Ukraine's industrialised Donbas region, where its troops have ground forward at what Kyiv says is a great cost
 "Putin wants to draft 300,000 new troops, said Ukrainian President Zelenskyy")
Panama-flagged cargo ship sinks in Bay of Bengal, 22 crew members missing
Two of the 24 crew members aboard MV Ocean Winner have been rescued from life rafts so far, while search-and-rescue efforts are underway to trace the others
 "Panama-flagged cargo ship sinks in Bay of Bengal, 22 crew members missing")
Iran says Pakistan's Army Chief Asim Munir to visit Tehran on Monday
Pakistan has taken on a mediator role in negotiations between Iran and the US aimed at ending the war which began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran in February
 "Iran says Pakistan's Army Chief Asim Munir to visit Tehran on Monday")
Investors seek clearer Fed guidance from Warsh at Jackson Hole address
Fed Chair Kevin Warsh is under pressure to offer clearer guidance on interest rates and inflation at Jackson Hole, as investors assess sticky price pressures and the outlook for monetary policy
 "Investors seek clearer Fed guidance from Warsh at Jackson Hole address")
Israeli settler siege of Palestinian homes shows grave reality of West Bank
Loui Ridi travelled from Ohio to Qusra to protect his family home, where residents say Israeli settlers have cut off water, electricity and access amid escalating West Bank violence
 "Israeli settler siege of Palestinian homes shows grave reality of West Bank")
US memorandum is best path out of stalled war, says Iranian President
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian defended a recent memorandum of understanding as the best way for the country to move beyond
 "US memorandum is best path out of stalled war, says Iranian President")
Indian, US firms eye investment in Bangladesh, propose land port upgrades
Muktadir's remarks on Saturday came after attending a meeting at the Sylhet Metropolitan Police headquarters
 "Indian, US firms eye investment in Bangladesh, propose land port upgrades")
China's Sinopec first-half profit rises 12% after surge in energy prices
The company, officially known as China Petroleum & Chemical Corp., earned 23.8 billion yuan in the first half of last year
 "China's Sinopec first-half profit rises 12% after surge in energy prices")
Putin rejected Ukraine's offer for Black Sea shipping truce, says Zelenskyy
Russia and Ukraine have stepped up attacks on each other's commercial ships and ports in the Black Sea area, raising fears about the impact on grain supplies to world markets
 "Putin rejected Ukraine's offer for Black Sea shipping truce, says Zelenskyy")
Europe's biggest luxury firms discern green shoots in key China market
Chinese household consumption is stabilizing and even starting to rebound in some categories like high-end cosmetics, improving sentiment on China in the luxury sector
 "Europe's biggest luxury firms discern green shoots in key China market")
People more likely to ditch cars for e-bikes when they feel safe, confident
A Western Sydney trial found that training, guided rides and social support were crucial in helping participants build confidence and use e-bikes more often for daily travel
 "People more likely to ditch cars for e-bikes when they feel safe, confident")
Iran's decades-long war planning helped it withstand US-Israel strikes
Retired Lt Gen KJS Dhillon said Iran's decentralised military structure, missile capabilities and control of strategic chokepoints helped it withstand heavy losses in the conflict
 "Iran's decades-long war planning helped it withstand US-Israel strikes")
Australia confirms first H5N1 bird flu case in mammal as outbreak spreads
Australia has been grappling with rising cases of the highly pathogenic avian influenza after it landed in the country in June
 "Australia confirms first H5N1 bird flu case in mammal as outbreak spreads")
Alibaba Group to raise $10 billion by selling shares for AI expansion
The new share placement comes as the Chinese company ratchets up quarterly capital spending to almost $10 billion, aiming to safeguard its position in a fiercely competitive global AI arena
 "Alibaba Group to raise $10 billion by selling shares for AI expansion")
Using thunderquakes to X-ray Earth: Study shows urban seismology in action
Scientists used ordinary telecom fibre-optic cables to detect seismic waves generated by thunder, opening a new way to study groundwater, sinkholes and underground structures
 "Using thunderquakes to X-ray Earth: Study shows urban seismology in action")
Chinese humanoid robots smash human records at Beijing robot games
More than 2,000 humanoid robots were participating in the event
 "Chinese humanoid robots smash human records at Beijing robot games")
South Korean traders chase 40% coupons as risk appetite survives rout
Equity-linked securities dangling annualized coupons of 40% to 50% have attracted renewed interest from mom-and-pop traders
 "South Korean traders chase 40% coupons as risk appetite survives rout")