India continues to battle relentless monsoon rains as severe flooding disrupts normal life across several states. In Assam, the flood death toll has risen to 100, with more than 6.5 lakh people affected across 10 districts. Hundreds of villages remain submerged, thousands of hectares of farmland have been damaged, and rescue operations are continuing with the Indian Air Force airlifting and airdropping relief supplies.

Assam floods: Death toll rises to 100, Assam begins doorstep damage assessment

Taiwan has demonstrated AI-powered drone boats as part of efforts to showcase advanced unmanned maritime technology. The autonomous vessels are designed to use artificial intelligence for navigation, surveillance and coordinated operations, highlighting Taiwan’s growing focus on smart maritime systems and next-generation defense technology.


Taiwan demonstrates AI-powered drone boats that could transform naval warfare

Taiwan has conducted a nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) decontamination exercise as part of its ongoing annual Han Kuang military drills. The exercise, held in Hualien on Taiwan’s east coast, simulated a chemical weapons attack targeting military personnel and armored vehicles.

Troops practiced identifying contaminated areas, detecting hazardous substances and decontaminating personnel, tanks and armored vehicles. The drill is part of Taiwan’s broader effort to strengthen military readiness and prepare for a range of potential threats.

The Han Kuang exercises are Taiwan’s largest annual military drills and are taking place across the island through August 14. The exercises have attracted heightened attention amid growing tensions between Taiwan and China and discussions surrounding Beijing’s 2027 military readiness goals.


Taiwan holds NBC decontamination drill amid rising China tensions 

The Russia-Ukraine war continues to intensify, with both sides exchanging strikes and reporting casualties and damage.
Russian strikes in the Kyiv region have reportedly killed at least three people, including a child, while others were wounded. Fires also broke out in multiple districts following the attacks, according to Ukrainian emergency authorities.

Moscow has also claimed that Russian forces struck three vessels near Black Sea ports, alleging that the ships were carrying military-related cargo for Ukraine. Videos released by Russia reportedly show vessels being hit at sea.
Meanwhile, Ukraine continues to use long-range drones against targets inside Russian territory. Experts say these attacks have allowed Kyiv to put pressure on Russian critical infrastructure and targets in Crimea.

Russia-Ukraine war: Russia relying on ballistic terror, says Zelensky

Pet care is no longer just a discretionary expense. As pet ownership rises and animals are increasingly treated as part of the family, owners are also spending more on their health and wellbeing. Singapore is a useful window into this shift, where the cost of looking after a dog or cat can run from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands. Here's a look at why pet care is emerging as a fast-growing consumer spending category.

How much does pet care cost in Singapore?

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has released its comprehensive Annual Report, shining a major spotlight on the evolving behavior, immense growth, and emerging vulnerabilities of India's retail investors. Driven by surging digital adoption, mutual fund Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs)—with Tier-3 cities now leading the charge—household savings are accelerating their structural shift toward market-linked assets.

SEBI's annual report puts spotlight on retail investors

Thailand is grappling with a deadly school shooting after a 14-year-old student allegedly opened fire at a school in Nonthaburi province, near Bangkok.

The shooting reportedly left nine people dead and 23 others wounded. Authorities are investigating the incident, with further details on the circumstances and victims expected to emerge.

Thailand shooting: Nine killed, 23 wounded in shooting at Thailand's Nonthaburi School 

An undated video purportedly showing Mojtaba Khamenei has emerged, sparking fresh questions over his whereabouts and current status. The footage has surfaced amid heightened scrutiny surrounding Iran's leadership and growing speculation about Mojtaba Khamenei.

Mystery deepens over Mojtaba's whereabouts 

India is battling severe weather as an intense monsoon surge triggers flooding across multiple regions. Assam’s flood death toll has reached 99, with hundreds of thousands affected, while Delhi has broken a 15-year rainfall record after receiving more than its usual August rainfall in just over a week.

Assam floods: death toll rises to 99 | Delhi: Aug rain crosses monthly average 

FIFA and its president, Gianni Infantino, have issued a fierce denial against explosive allegations published by British newspaper The Daily Telegraph.The newspaper reported that a six-figure exit package was paid by UEFA to a female employee who was allegedly in a relationship with Infantino during his tenure as the European governing body's general secretary. In response, a FIFA spokesperson stated that the claims are "categorically untrue" and slammed any insinuations of misconduct as defamatory.

FIFA denies Daily Telegraph's allegations against Infantino 

Kosovo’s parliament descended into chaos after an opposition lawmaker threw eggs at acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti during a tense parliamentary session. The incident took place as lawmakers debated the formation of a new government following Kosovo’s June snap election.

The opposition MP reportedly shouted “Shame” while throwing eggs toward Kurti, prompting lawmakers from Kurti’s Vetevendosje party and police officers to intervene.

Kurti’s party won the election but does not have enough seats to form a government on its own. Negotiations with other parties remain crucial as Kosovo faces a prolonged political deadlock and the possibility of another election.


Kosovo Parliament chaos: Oppn MP throws eggs at acting PM Albin Kurti amid political deadlock

Singapore’s elite Overseas Networks and Expertise (ONE) Pass targets top-tier professionals earning a fixed monthly salary of at least S$30,000 (roughly US$23,000 to $23,400). The scheme has seen massive uptake, with total pass holders reaching 8,500, driven heavily by high-earning corporate, financial, and tech talent flocking from global hubs like India.

Visa targets professionals earning $23,000 per month

The exponential growth of artificial intelligence is colliding with a hard physical limit: the electrical grid. As large language models, massive GPU training clusters, and complex inference workloads scale up, they are introducing massive and erratic power demand swings that are heavily straining national electrical systems.


AI power demand swings stress electrical systems

China's next-generation "artificial sun" has achieved a major breakthrough, sustaining temperatures of 100 million degrees for 1,000 seconds. Scientists believe this fusion technology could revolutionize clean energy and bring humanity closer to unlimited power. 

Fusion named a key priority in China's 2026-2030 national plan

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced that talks between Iran and Oman regarding a temporary shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz are nearing completion, but the strategic waterway will remain closed until the United States meets separate conditions

Araghchi says Oman talks near end but Hormuz remains closed

Turkey is rapidly surging ahead in the global defense sector, spearheading a technological arms race to develop next-generation unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs). Building on the global success of the Bayraktar TB2 and Akıncı, Turkish aerospace giants Baykar and TAI are introducing cutting-edge platforms like the carrier-capable Bayraktar Kızılelma stealth fighter drone and the flying-wing ANKA III.

Turkiye joins global race to develop next-gen combat drones

US Vice President JD Vance spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, August 8, 2026, as India and the United States look to deepen their Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. The call comes amid heightened tensions and major geopolitical developments in West Asia.

US VP Vance dials PM Modi amid West Asia war

Taiwan has scrambled its ageing French-made Mirage fighter jets during the annual Han Kuang war games, demonstrating how the aircraft could be rapidly re-armed and returned to combat during a conflict with China. Crews at Hsinchu air base showcased the rapid attachment of Magic II and MICA air-to-air missiles, while ground teams rehearsed repairing bomb- and missile-damaged runways and taxiways. The 10-day exercises are focused on strengthening Taiwan's readiness for a potential Chinese attack.

Taiwan steps up military, civilian preparedness

The Bangladesh government has officially ruled out any possibility of Shakib Al Hasan returning to international cricket. This decision follows his controversial virtual participation in a media event alongside ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.


Former star's New Delhi appearance draws backlash 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the 57th Convocation Ceremony of IIT Delhi as the Chief Guest on August 8, 2026. Returning to the campus in person, following his virtual address during the pandemic-era 51st convocation, the Prime Minister delivered an inspiring speech to the graduating batch.

Prime Minister Modi addresses 57th IIT Delhi convocation ceremony 

UN Chief Antonio Guterres has backed calls for a prompt, impartial inquiry into the recent killings of protesters in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

UN warns Pak over crackdown on peaceful protesters

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has announced temporary checks on air and sea travel from Spain, citing a surge in irregular migration linked to crossings from Morocco into Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta. The move tightens controls between the two Schengen-area countries and comes amid growing migration pressures across Europe.

Meloni calls for Spain's Schengen suspension

Britain’s high streets are discovering an uncomfortable truth: when the weather heats up, shopping cools down. An unusually intense spell of summer heatwaves in July didn’t just push up temperatures, it reshaped consumer behavior in ways retailers couldn’t ignore. Instead of strolling through bustling town centres, shoppers chose to shop online.


Heatwaves are reshaping UK retail

Ukraine's expanding drone campaign is now hitting Russia's commercial infrastructure, with repeated strikes targeting warehouses operated by wildberries, Russia's largest e-commerce platform.

Wildberries attack: Russian sellers count the costs

One Night Only is a high-concept romantic comedy starring Callum Turner and Monica Barbaro, released in theaters on August 7, 2026, by Universal Pictures. Directed by Will Gluck, the filmmaker behind hit rom-coms like Easy A and Anyone But You.

'One Night Only': Stars Callum Turner & Monica Barbaro lead the rom-com 

The ongoing conflict has severely aggravated Iran's economic collapse, pushing average annual inflation to over 60%, driving food inflation past 130%, and forcing sharp cuts to subsidized fuel quotas. The International Monetary Fund projects Iran's wartime economy to contract by 6.1%.

Iran inflation surges to 66% as war hits household budgets

As the U.S. midterm elections approach, political observers in Tehran are closely monitoring sliding domestic approval ratings for President Donald Trump. Public dissatisfaction with the protracted military conflict with Iran, rising inflation, and energy market pressures have cratered support for the White House's handling of both foreign and domestic policy.

US-Iran War: Tehran tracks Trump's falling rates ahead of polls

 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' Earns $1 Billion Within Six Days'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' Earns $1 Billion Within Six DaysSony and Marvel's superhero blockbuster Spider-Man: Brand New Day has officially crossed the $1 billion milestone at the global box office in just six days. The film, directed by Destin Daniel Cretton and starring Tom Holland, is now the second-fastest movie in cinema history to hit ten figures

'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' earns $1 billion within six days 

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat stated that Gen Z protests reflect genuine distress and valid grievances rather than anti-national sentiment. Speaking in Mumbai at an I.I.M.U.N. event on August 6, 2026, he emphasized that young protesters are "our own people" and deserve logical engagement and empathy instead of hostile labels.

RSS says Gen Z protests reflect genuine distress

In a firm counter-move against China’s periodic cartographic aggression, the Government of India has formally added 27 specific sites and geographical features in Arunachal Pradesh to the official Survey of India maps. Developed in close coordination with the Arunachal Pradesh state government, this initiative officially standardises the indigenous names of these locations to enhance public awareness and reinforce India's absolute sovereignty over the region.

India names 27 sites in Arunachal Pradesh

A New Mexico court has ordered Meta to pay $567 million into a teen mental health fund, ruling that Facebook and Instagram contributed to harming young users and created a public nuisance.

The court also directed Meta to implement stronger youth safety measures, including limits on teen usage, stricter controls on adult interactions with minors, notification restrictions, and safeguards against inappropriate AI chatbot interactions.

The landmark ruling could influence similar lawsuits across the United States, where dozens of states and more than 1,300 school districts are pursuing legal action against social media companies over alleged harm to children.

Meta Hit With $567 Million Penalty Over Teen Mental Health | Facebook & Instagram Under Fire

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