Security tensions and geopolitical strains led today’s agenda, with Ukraine’s mass drone strike on Moscow and Russia’s warning to the UK, Iran signaling a potential new offensive as President Trump ruled out extending a ceasefire, and the UAE issuing a rare missile-threat advisory. Public health and markets also drew focus: the WHO said DRC’s Ebola outbreak remains far from under control, while global bond yields climbed on higher oil, AI investment, and inflation; Pakistan’s court ordered Imran Khan moved from prison to a hospital. Humanitarian efforts expanded as the UN scaled aid for 100,000 people after Colombia’s 7.4-magnitude quake.
Today's Stories
Ukraine launched a large drone strike targeting Moscow, according to CBS News. Russia warned the United Kingdom would “pay a price” for supplying Kyiv with long-range attack drones, underscoring rising tensions.
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A Pakistan court directed that former prime minister Imran Khan be moved to a hospital from prison. Khan has been jailed since 2023 on corruption charges that he says are politically motivated.
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The World Health Organization’s director-general warned that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is not yet under control. Authorities report more than 2,300 deaths out of nearly 5,000 cases, the deadliest outbreak in the country’s history.
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Long-term borrowing costs in the US, UK, Germany, and Japan hit new highs as investors react to higher oil prices, AI-related investment, and persistent inflation. The rise signals tighter financial conditions and pressure on governments and corporates.
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According to the report, Iran warned it could launch a new offensive while President Trump said he would not extend a ceasefire deal. The moves raise the prospect of renewed hostilities as diplomatic options remain uncertain.
Read full article →By Supantha Mukherjee STOCKHOLM, Aug 18 (Reuters) - Apple said on Tuesday it will charge a 5% commission on digital transactions in apps distributed outside its App Store, replacing a more complex system as it seeks to comply with the European Union's Digital Markets Act. The company last year changed App Store rules and fees in the EU after the bloc's antitrust regulators ordered it to remove commercial barriers that they said hindered developers from directing customers outside the store.
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India is shifting its posture toward Dhaka and pushing for reciprocity as ties enter a tense phase, The Print reports. The outlet adds that Bangladesh’s leader currently has no plans for a bilateral visit to India and is expected to skip the BRICS summit.
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Researchers report carbon-rich layered chert from India containing potential biosignatures that could represent some of Earth’s earliest microbial life. The study, published in PNAS, adds evidence to the timeline of early life while calling for further analysis to confirm the findings.
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DW reports that Donald Trump said there are no talks or conversations with Iran and asserted that the Strait of Hormuz remains open despite Iranian claims. Meanwhile, Syria, the US, and Turkey condemned Israeli strikes on a Syrian airbase.
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The United Nations is increasing humanitarian assistance in western Colombia following last week’s 7.4-magnitude earthquake. Relief efforts are targeting roughly 100,000 people with shelter, water, and health support as needs continue to grow.
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The incumbent president secured re-election in a contest marked by tension and opposition allegations of intimidation. International observers noted turmoil around the poll.
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The United Arab Emirates warned of potential missile threats and advised people to move to safe locations, its first such alert in months. Authorities did not immediately provide further details as they monitored the situation.
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Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met a Google delegation and inaugurated the company’s office in the country. The move signals deeper engagement by the tech giant in Pakistan’s digital ecosystem.
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CNN reports that threats by Donald Trump toward Oman over its interactions with Iran have angered many Omanis and puzzled regional observers. Analysts cited in the coverage question the rationale and potential implications for regional diplomacy.
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A junior high school student fatally shot a classmate and then himself inside the Ateneo de Zamboanga University campus in Zamboanga City. Authorities are investigating the incident and its circumstances.
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Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal announced that hepatitis C screening will be made mandatory nationwide under the Prime Minister’s prevention program. He urged all eligible Pakistanis to get tested to combat the life‑threatening disease.
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Medical Xpress reports that Korean researchers developed a microfluidic ‘blood–brain tumor barrier’ chip that recreates a patient’s tumor and surrounding vasculature. The tool aims to forecast individual responses to therapies, enabling more personalized treatment planning.
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Kirsten Bridegan testified about the custody dispute and final phone call preceding the ambush that killed her husband, Jared Bridegan. Jurors also reviewed video and audio evidence, including footage of a vehicle near the scene and gunshots captured by nearby cameras, as the trial of Mario Fernandez Saldana continued.
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Canadian home sales edged higher in July while the national benchmark price posted its first monthly gain since 2024, the Financial Post reports. The move hints at tentative stabilization after a prolonged housing slowdown.
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With a 50% U.S. tariff looming on Canadian goods, President Trump said a tentative deal allows a three-day pause while documents are finalized. A finalized agreement has not been announced, leaving businesses uncertain.
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TheCable reports that around 23 people were killed in a reprisal attack on a community in Plateau State. Details remain limited, and officials have not yet provided a comprehensive account.
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Phyllida Law, a prolific stage and screen actor and the mother of Emma and Sophie Thompson, has died at 94. Tributes highlight her long career and contributions to British theatre and film.
Read full article →Punch Newspapers reports that Donald Trump declared the Strait of Hormuz a “new U.S. territory” in a social media post. The statement raises the rhetorical temperature in disputes with Iran over the strategic waterway.
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London’s St Pancras station was evacuated after police carried out a controlled explosion on an unattended car, the Evening Standard reported. The incident caused rail delays while authorities secured the area.
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The European Cancer Organisation called for a renewed and coordinated push on tobacco control to reduce the cancer burden across Europe. The group is pressing policymakers to intensify actions to curb smoking and related harms.
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Phys.org highlights how AI-driven advances in biotechnology, including reports of AI-designed viable viruses, are moving faster than regulatory frameworks. Researchers and policymakers are calling for updated governance to balance innovation with biosecurity.
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The Department of Labor and Employment asked a Pasig court to lift a preliminary injunction halting the P85 minimum wage increase in Metro Manila. The request aims to clear the way for implementation of the pay hike.
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Vietnam has cleared a former member of parliament involved in a fatal crash after intense online outrage, Macau Business reports. The decision has sparked debate about accountability and the role of public pressure in legal outcomes.
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BRICS countries condemned the EU’s carbon border adjustment, arguing it burdens developing economies. They called for increased international funding to support adaptation and transition efforts in the Global South.
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A US modeling study published Tuesday finds that the health threat rising temperatures pose to older people has been significantly underestimated. Researchers highlight climate change as a key driver increasing exposure and vulnerability.
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Fairphone has launched its modular, user-repairable phone in the United States for $650. Components such as the USB port and display are swappable with a single Torx driver to extend device life and simplify fixes.
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The Canadian Real Estate Association reported that July home sales fell 5.3% from a year earlier, while edging slightly higher month over month. CREA says market conditions are becoming more balanced as supply and demand move closer to alignment.
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A couple and their teenage daughter died, and a younger girl is in critical condition after four people got into difficulty in open water off Shoreham-by-Sea. A major emergency response was mounted near the local RNLI station as police investigated the incident.
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Emergency services, including ambulances, helicopters, and lifeguards, responded to reports of two adults and two children in difficulty in the water at Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex. Local reports indicated the four, believed to be from the same family, were pulled from the sea as authorities assessed the situation.
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Tribune.com.pk reports that Memon said any creation of new provinces must proceed strictly through constitutional processes. He cautioned against extra-constitutional steps in reshaping administrative boundaries.
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The United States expressed interest in Namibia’s nuclear energy plans, including potential future use of small modular reactors and microreactors. Discussions focus on avenues for cooperation, with no commitments announced.
Read full article →Business Insider reports that Ukraine’s battlefield experience has renewed emphasis on electronic warfare among NATO partners. Training and capability development, including in countries like Norway, are being reprioritized to address contested electromagnetic environments.
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BBC News reports that Premier League chief Richard Masters criticized FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s proposal to sell parts of the World Cup to private investors, calling it a self-inflicted wound. His remarks add to broader backlash over the plan.
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The government announced plans to procure 405 key defense items from Indian industry, aiming to strengthen domestic manufacturing and reduce import dependence. The move aligns with broader indigenization and procurement reforms.
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The Israel Football Association informed FIFA it is rescinding its earlier letter backing Gianni Infantino’s re-election. The move, conveyed by IFA chairman Shino Moshe Zuares, comes ahead of FIFA’s upcoming elections.
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India defeated South Africa 6–1 to record their biggest-ever victory at the Women’s Hockey World Cup. The result puts India atop Pool D with four points from two matches.
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Police in west London are investigating a triple stabbing in which one person died. Authorities remain at the scene and have launched an inquiry into the incident.
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An infectious disease expert outlines what Legionnaires’ disease is, its symptoms, and how it spreads through contaminated water systems. The guidance comes amid an outbreak in the Toronto area.
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ZDNET evaluated Omarchy Quattro, a Linux distribution that embraces AI across the user experience. Despite skepticism about AI on Linux, the reviewer found the approach workable and indicative of how open-source systems may integrate such tools.
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Physicists at the University of the Philippines report uncovering universal dynamics governing time crystal formation. The findings aim to clarify how these non-equilibrium phases emerge across different experimental platforms.
Read full article →Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal claimed the BJP orchestrated the arrest of AAP leader Satyendar Jain, who was detained over alleged irregularities in Delhi Jal Board tenders. He said the “lies will be exposed,” while the case proceeds through legal channels.
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Pete Crow-Armstrong homered to lead off the game and later hit a two-run walk-off in the 10th inning to lift the Cubs past the White Sox. The rare feat made the 7–5 win at Wrigley Field a memorable night for the rookie outfielder.
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Kenya’s Medical Supplies Authority reports that recent digital reforms have lifted its medicine order fill rate to 90 percent. The improvements aim to enhance availability of essential drugs and reduce delivery delays across the health system.
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The Cape Peninsula University of Technology has closed all campuses and ordered students to evacuate university residences following an arson incident and escalating violence. Authorities are assessing the situation as academic activities are suspended.
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The Guardian reports that FIFA president Gianni Infantino took action against official Kevin Lamour after Lamour opposed a plan to sell part of the World Cup to private investors. The article highlights internal dissent and governance tensions within FIFA.
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