The day's stories across politics, business, finance, tech, science, and health — each with key points, tone, and the original source linked for verification.
Meta bans TikTok ads on its platforms in US, Japan and other countriesSweeping school closures across Malaysia as haze worsensNorthern Ireland’s Sinn Fein faces police probe as protest tensions festerLawyer Lim Tean handed 3 more charges including committing act that could defeat course of justiceICE agent shoots man in car with five-year-old child in New York: MayorElection Results TN: Who is winning Dharapuram?BJP faces its first Bengal bypoll testPutin offers help to Iran to end Middle East warMeta bans TikTok ads on its platforms in US, Japan and other countriesSweeping school closures across Malaysia as haze worsensNorthern Ireland’s Sinn Fein faces police probe as protest tensions festerLawyer Lim Tean handed 3 more charges including committing act that could defeat course of justiceICE agent shoots man in car with five-year-old child in New York: MayorElection Results TN: Who is winning Dharapuram?BJP faces its first Bengal bypoll testPutin offers help to Iran to end Middle East war
Meta has banned TikTok ads on its platforms in the US, Canada, Egypt, Indonesia, Japan, Thailand, and Vietnam, effective immediately. This ban follows Meta's earlier ban on TikTok ads in the UK and Ireland and extends the rivalry between Meta and TikTok.
### Sweeping School Closures Across Malaysia as Haze Worsens Malaysia is experiencing a severe haze crisis, with 37 areas recording unhealthy air quality levels. Schools in 37 districts across the country, including Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, have been closed due to worsening conditions. The education ministry has urged schools and educational institutions to close if API readings exceed 180 or remain above 150 for three consecutive days.
Northern Ireland's Sinn Fein faces a police investigation into a protest that blocked a Protestant parade, prompting calls for prosecution of lawmakers involved. The standoff has escalated into a political crisis, impacting the region's power-sharing government.
Lawyer Lim Tean, 61, has been handed three additional charges following an arrest warrant issued against him on August 4th. The charges include failing to present a valid passport upon leaving Singapore via Tuas Checkpoint, allegedly leaving the country unlawfully to avoid serving his jail sentence, and failing to comply with the duty to surrender to custody at the State Courts. Lim was previously convicted of three charges under the Legal Profession Act in July 2024 and sentenced to six weeks in jail and a fine o…
An ICE agent shot a man inside a car with a five-year-old child in New York, prompting Mayor Zohran Mamdani to claim the agent fired in self-defense. The incident is under investigation by DHS.
The Dharapuram by-election result 2026 is a crucial test for TVK, as it seeks to consolidate its position after winning the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly election. The main candidates are TVK's P. Sathyabama, DMK's S. Suganya, AIADMK's K. Banumathi, Naam Tamilar Katchi's M. Karthika, and CPI's P. Lakshmanan. The turnout was approximately 80.30%, and the final result will establish whether TVK can convert its new position in state politics into a by-election victory. The official portal of the Election Commission of Ind…
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is set to face its first bypoll test in West Bengal, marking a significant electoral challenge after the BJP's recent victory. The counting of votes for the Nandigram and Rejinagar Assembly bypolls began on Friday, with BJP candidates expected to secure a majority. The BJP's strong showing in the May 2026 Assembly elections has implications for its performance in this bypoll, and the BJP's fielding of Hasirani Rath and the Congress's backing of Milan Pradhan are expected to influen…
Russian President Vladimir Putin met Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian in Turkmenistan for talks ahead of a regional summit, offering to help end the Middle East war. The two countries have strengthened diplomatic and military ties since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, with Putin and Pezeshkian meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Kyrgyzstan last month. The contacts came amid Iran-US negotiations at a standstill.
Protesters in New York City staged a rally to demand tougher action against sexual violence, following a lawsuit filed by a Cornell University student against fraternity members and the university. The student, identified as Jane Doe, accused several fraternity members and the university of failing to adequately investigate and punish those involved in sexual assault.
The Indian Cricket Board's Centre of Excellence (CoE) treated 32 top cricketers, including 20 centrally contracted players and 12 targeted/India 'A' category players, during the fiscal year 2025-2026. The CoE's budget was increased by nearly Rs 35 crore compared to the actual expenses in the previous financial year. The CoE's projected expenses for 2026-27 now stand at Rs 127 crore, compared to Rs 92 crore in actual expenses last year. The majority of injuries were soft-tissue injuries. The report also mentions th…
The decline in oil prices is attributed to easing supply concerns following US President Trump's comments on Iran talks, which have reduced the likelihood of an immediate US-Iran conflict. Brent crude futures fell 72 cents, or 0.7%, to $103.53 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures fell 52 cents, or 0.6%, to $90.97. Despite a slight weekly decline in WTI, Brent prices are expected to rise due to ongoing US economic pressure on Iran and the impact of hurricanes on oil production.
As a tenured professor in mathematics, I am addressing the concerns of students who are unsure whether pursuing a PhD in math is the right career move in the face of rapidly advancing LLMs. The situation is uncertain, and no one has the answers at this time. However, I want to provide guidance to help students make informed decisions.
A 20-year-old Assam college student, Himashri Boro, disappeared after a dance competition on a train, where she felt unsafe due to inebriated men in the compartment. Her family accused the Railway Protection Force (RPF) of negligence, demanding a thorough investigation into her death. Boro’s body was found near railway tracks in Andhra Pradesh’s Srikakulam district on Wednesday. The initial investigation by the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) suggested that Boro might have fallen from a moving train, but later ad…
Three dozen Border Security Force personnel sustained injuries in a road accident that occurred in Assam. The incident resulted in significant casualties, necessitating immediate medical attention and a thorough investigation to ascertain the cause and prevent future occurrences.
A US judge has sentenced Raheim Hamilton, co-founder of the dark web marketplace Empire Market, to 40 years in prison for facilitating $430 million in illegal transactions. This sentencing underscores the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement in combating illegal activities on the dark web.
Companies are still struggling to fully utilize AI despite its potential to transform industries and businesses. Only 20% of companies are fully utilizing AI, while 40% are only partially utilizing it. The reasons for this include a lack of understanding of AI capabilities, fear of potential risks, and reluctance to invest in necessary technology and training. However, the benefits of AI are clear: improved decision-making, increased efficiency, and enhanced customer experiences. Companies that embrace AI can unlo…
Hong Kong has rejected the US downgrade to the lowest tier in its human trafficking report, accusing the US of double standards. The downgrade cites shortcomings in prosecutions and victim identification, but highlights improvements in victim screening and training. Hong Kong has about 380,000 foreign domestic workers, with the government charging no more than 10 per cent of a worker's first month's salary upon successful placement.
South Korea successfully test-flies its first domestically developed hypersonic weapon, highlighting progress in conventional defense capabilities and tensions with North Korea.
Porsche Experience Centre Singapore, set to open in April 2027, will be the first permanent handling track in Singapore, featuring a dedicated track layout for Porsche 911 GT3s and showcasing the brand's latest models and motorsport heritage. The centre, located minutes from Changi Airport, will create new jobs and is expected to attract significant investment for Singapore.
Russian President Vladimir Putin pledged to "do everything" to help end the Middle East conflict during talks with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, offering to assist in finding a diplomatic solution. This comes as Iran-US negotiations appear to have reached an impasse, with Pezeshkian stating talks with Washington were "meaningless." Putin and Pezeshkian are attending the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) summit, which brings together leaders of former Soviet republics, including Armenia, Azerbaijan, a…
The World Trade Organization (WTO) has revised its global trade outlook, projecting 3.9% growth in merchandise trade in 2026, up from 1.9% in March, primarily driven by the AI boom, which has driven 47% of global merchandise trade growth in the first half of 2026. Despite disruptions from the Middle East conflict, global trade has proven resilient, with Asian economies leading the way. The AI boom has accelerated, defying expectations of moderation. The WTO now expects commercial services trade growth to rebound t…
The British prime minister, Andy Burnham, criticized the Green Party for their motion declaring that Zionism is racism. He also mentioned that the motion "shouldn't be supported in any way, shape or form" and that all political parties in the UK should do everything they can to support the two-state solution between Israel and Palestine.
OpenAI, the artificial intelligence company, has shut down a group of ChatGPT accounts originating from Russia and Iran, following concerns about misinformation and propaganda spread through these networks.
The GST 2.0 overhaul simplifies the tax system, reduces administrative burdens, and aims to make doing business easier and more efficient. Key changes include rationalizing e-way bills, increasing prosecution thresholds, converting criminal offenses to civil ones, and simplifying registration and returns. The reforms are expected to reduce litigation and improve the ease of doing business.