World News
20 killed, buildings toppled as 7.7 magnitude quake hits Indonesia's coast
The powerful earthquake struck near Flores early Saturday, triggering a tsunami warning for four Indonesian provinces as authorities urged residents along affected coastlines to move to higher ground
 "20 killed, buildings toppled as 7.7 magnitude quake hits Indonesia's coast")
6 dead, including shooting suspect, in Michigan; police launch manhunt
Three people were found dead at a home and another was critically injured in Missaukee County, while a fourth victim was later found dead at another house during the search for the suspect
 "6 dead, including shooting suspect, in Michigan; police launch manhunt")
Trump dismisses concerns over USS Abraham Lincoln crew's long deployment
Families of sailors and Marines aboard the aircraft carrier have raised concerns over food shortages, contaminated water and poor living conditions as its West Asia deployment nears nine months
 "Trump dismisses concerns over USS Abraham Lincoln crew's long deployment")
US tax court strikes down digital ad tax, orders refunds to Apple, Google
State's first-of-its-kind tax on digital ads ruled unconstitutional under federal and state law, with officials ordered to repay money collected from Apple, Google and Peacock TV
 "US tax court strikes down digital ad tax, orders refunds to Apple, Google")
Online forum Reddit to join closely-tracked S&P 500 index next week
Inclusion in the benchmark index is expected to boost Reddit's visibility and attract investments from mutual funds and ETFs that track or benchmark the S&P 500
 "Online forum Reddit to join closely-tracked S&P 500 index next week")
Will declare Strait of Hormuz 'US territory' after defeating Iran: Trump
Trump had earlier claimed that the US exercised "total control" over the Strait of Hormuz and that he "will keep it" amid stalled negotiations with Iran regarding the reopening of the strategic route
 "Will declare Strait of Hormuz 'US territory' after defeating Iran: Trump")
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.
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")