Location · 2088 published stories · 343 outlets · All places
This week features three SpaceX Starlink missions, a Chinese reusable rocket test, and the start of China's Chang'e 7 mission to the Moon. A detailed look at the schedule, including where to watch the Florida launch.
As the US prepares new economic measures against Iran, its leaders face mounting internal pressure from a collapsing economy, disrupted trade, and fears of renewed popular unrest. Oil exports have nearly halted, the UAE has cut off trade, and officials publicly urge an end to the war.
The USS Benfold lost power in the South China Sea in July, leaving hundreds of sailors without water, toilets, or air conditioning for four days before being towed to port. The incident has amplified concerns about extended deployments and crew morale, as the George Washington strike group heads to relieve the USS Abraham Lincoln.
About 2.5 million illegally harvested succulents have been seized in South Africa's Western Cape since 2018, but CapeNature says that's likely under a quarter of the real number. The trade, driven by international demand and local poverty, is pushing species to extinction and straining enforcement.
President Trump's call to 'substantially' reduce US-South Korea military exercises has unsettled Seoul, which must balance alliance fidelity with the president's overture to Kim Jong-un. While some see diplomatic potential, critics warn of a weakened deterrent and a return to 'Korea passing.'
Chinese Ambassador to Moscow Zhang Hanhui said at the SPROUTS forum in Kazan that Presidents Putin and Xi aim to elevate bilateral relations to a higher level amid global instability. He cited a May meeting in Beijing as a qualitative step forward and highlighted 30 years of strategic partnership. The forum, running August 16-19, features 51 business sessions and expects over 200 Chinese companies.
A low-budget Chinese animated film, Niu Lai, mocked for its crude animation, has become a surprise box office hit, earning millions after going viral on social media. The film's success has sparked debate over AI-generated content, audience tastes, and the role of cinemas.
Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan signed a trilateral defence agreement in Mecca on August 7, pledging collective defence and drawing comparisons to NATO. US President Donald Trump praised the move, while India said it is studying the pact's implications.
Bangladesh has said it is open to joining the Saudi Arabia-Pakistan-Turkiye defence pact, with two junior ministers stressing any decision hinges on national interests. Meanwhile, reports of an invitation for Iran to join remain unconfirmed, with Tehran denying receiving any official proposal.
The Philippine Department of National Defense and the Chinese Embassy in Manila clashed publicly over the arrest of 69 Chinese nationals during a raid on a steel company, with Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro alleging a cover-up and the embassy accusing the Philippines of discriminatory law enforcement. The dispute highlights rising tension over the crackdown on Chinese nationals in the Philippines.
Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi is in New Delhi for talks with his Indian counterpart Rajnath Singh, focusing on maritime security and defence equipment cooperation, including the UNICORN mast co-production. The visit follows a recent summit between Prime Ministers Takaichi and Modi and comes amid Japan's efforts to diversify its defence supply chains beyond the US.
As the US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding set to expire on Monday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian called for ending the war from a position of strength, while Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said no decision has been made to restart negotiations. The US is preparing intensified sanctions, and analysts note Iran's increased leverage.
Formula 1 resumed with the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, where Lando Norris secured victory for McLaren, while Max Verstappen crashed on the opening lap. The race marked Zandvoort's farewell, with organizers suggesting it could serve as an alternative venue amid Middle East disruptions affecting the 2026 and 2027 calendars.
President Donald Trump has vowed an intensified economic campaign against Iran, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent signaling unprecedented measures as soon as next week. Options include secondary sanctions on Chinese refiners and banks, while Iran’s key oil trade with China and ties to neighboring countries complicate enforcement. Officials and analysts outline the scale of existing sanctions and the constraints on further pressure.
Bangladesh has said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will not visit India until New Delhi extradites former premier Sheikh Hasina, who faces the death penalty. The statement comes amid strained ties following Hasina's ouster in 2024, with officials from both sides exploring a possible visit.
Bangladesh has indicated it is in no hurry for Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to visit India, citing national interests and the need for progress in bilateral talks. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar responded by emphasizing that any relationship must meet the test of mutual interest, amid ongoing tensions over the extradition of former PM Sheikh Hasina.
Iran executed two men on Sunday in connection with January anti-government protests, with authorities accusing them of acting as agents of Israel and the US. The executions come amid a surge in the number of executions since the start of the Middle East war in February.
Afghanistan's leaders celebrated the fifth anniversary of their return to power at a Loya Jirga in Kabul, touting restored stability and an end to conflict, even as the UN decried a grave human rights crisis, and the administration renewed its call for representation at the United Nations.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi sent an offering to Yasukuni Shrine on the 81st anniversary of Japan's WWII surrender but did not visit in person, while several Cabinet members did. Her speech omitted the word 'remorse,' a departure from her predecessor, drawing attention amid regional reactions from Taiwan, China, and South Korea.
Recent polls show a tight race between Brazil's President Lula and challenger Flavio Bolsonaro, with the president holding a slim but narrowing lead. The campaign is marked by controversies, economic concerns, and questions about both candidates' fitness for office.