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Regular consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages has been linked to a significantly higher risk of stomach cancer, according to a new US study that researchers say is the first to establish such an association among Americans.

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Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al Shaibani is set to arrive in Islamabad for a two-day visit to Pakistan, the Pakistani foreign ministry said, the first such trip in nearly two decades. Al Shaibani will be in Pakistan on Wednesday and Thursday at the invitation of his counterpart Ishaq Dar, the ministry said in a statement.

"During the visit, the two sides will hold in-depth discussions across the entire spectrum of bilateral relations, review avenues for further enhancing bilateral cooperation, and exchange views on regional and international developments," said the foreign ministry. “The visit marks an important step towards further enhancing Pakistan-Syria relations and advancing cooperation between the two countries."

At least 12 people were killed, and 33 were wounded after a Russian missile barrage struck Kyiv overnight into Thursday, with explosions heard across the Ukrainian capital through the night, local authorities said. The air raid alert stayed in place into the early morning as emergency crews responded across the city.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday that Ukrainian attacks on Russian infrastructure had caused damage but had not resulted in any “critical consequences.” Speaking at a meeting of the Council for Strategic Development and National Projects in Moscow, Putin ordered the government to develop a program to restore damaged infrastructure at what he called a “qualitatively new” level.

“There are no critical consequences from such attacks, there have not been and cannot be. But they certainly cause us harm; that is obvious, and we understand, see and know this,” Putin said.

Petrol stations across Moscow have brought back purchase limits amid fuel shortages triggered by Ukrainian drone strikes on refineries, compounded by high seasonal demand, according to Reuters witnesses and fuel suppliers. The shortages first began building in May and had extended to most regions of Russia by July, though Moscow's fuel stations had managed to lift an earlier round of restrictions back in June.

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani told Axios on Wednesday that he had assured Israel that Damascus was not cooperating with Turkey to build up a military presence at a Syrian airbase. Despite the assurance, Israel went ahead and struck the site.

“[T]here was no intention to establish a Turkish base there, nor to establish a permanent Turkish military presence or deploy Turkish forces at the site,” Al-Shaibani told Axios.

South Korea on Saturday is set to flag off a container ship bound for Europe via the Arctic, testing whether ​a route opened by melting sea ice can be commercially viable, but risking friction with Western allies, as the voyage requires Russian cooperation.

Amazon announced to expand its drone delivery ​service to reach hundreds of U.S. cities and towns by year-end, up from 11 locations where it currently ‌operates, serving multiple surrounding communities.
 

Beijing is hosting the World Robot Conference (WRC) 2026, running from 19–23 August, showcasing everything from robot chefs to humanoids and specialised industrial machines. This year's edition marks a shift in focus, from flashy demonstrations toward real-world, commercial deployment of robotics technology.

Several US Federal Reserve officials are concerned that prolonged inflation could become embedded in the economy, according to minutes of the latest policy meeting.

Rate hike signals

Many policymakers warned that inflation remaining above the Fed's 2 per cent target for several years could begin influencing wage demands, price-setting decisions, and inflation expectations.

The minutes also showed support among some regional Fed presidents for higher borrowing costs. Several policymakers indicated they could back a rate hike in September if price pressures remain elevated.

Jorhat district in Assam has imposed a night curfew along a five-kilometre stretch of the Assam-Nagaland border following intelligence inputs about possible extremist infiltration.

District Magistrate Jay Shivani has prohibited the movement of people and vehicles in the border belt from 8 pm to 5 am.

The order cited inputs from the Intelligence Branch and district police warning that extremist groups could attempt to enter Assam through Nagaland and create disturbances in Jorhat.

The curfew has been imposed under the BNSS. Army and security personnel, police, magistrates, forest officials and other law enforcement personnel on duty are exempt from the restrictions.
 

Israel has opened tenders for the construction of around 1,200 settlement homes in the E1 area of the occupied West Bank, east of Jerusalem.

Why it matters

The strategically important development has drawn international condemnation, with critics warning it could effectively divide the West Bank and isolate East Jerusalem.

The move comes as the Israeli government faces accusations of seeking to make the creation of a future Palestinian state impossible. Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank are considered illegal under international law by the UN and most of the international community.

Andhra Pradesh IT and Electronics Minister Nara Lokesh dismissed concerns over proposed data centres in Visakhapatnam, saying the state has secured its target of 6.5 GW of data centre capacity without compromising environmental safeguards. He said the estimated 3 TMC water requirement would come from industrial allocations through dedicated pipelines from the Polavaram project, leaving residential water supplies untouched.

Lokesh said operators would also be required to source at least 70% of their power from clean energy. He highlighted the economic benefits of the projects, including jobs across chip manufacturing, logistics, power electronics and other sectors, and urged people not to be misled by what he called misinformation about the data centre plans.

Prince Harry is coming back home. The Duke of Sussex is all set to move back to London along with his wife Meghan Markle and their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, this month from the US. According to multiple reports, Harry and Megan will not resume their royal duties after moving to the UK. READ MORE

The Trump administration declared tubas, trombones, trumpets, and French horns a national security threat. Brass instruments could soon face a 25% tariff on imports, parts, and accessories, as part of a wider push to expand tariffs on aluminium, steel, and copper.

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced Heidi Overton, a senior White House aide and medical doctor, as his pick to lead the Food and Drug Administration. If confirmed by the Senate, Overton will take charge of an agency facing a wide range of pending decisions on drugs, vaccines, food regulation and electronic cigarettes.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi spoke by phone Wednesday with Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, to discuss the latest regional developments and diplomatic efforts, according to a post on Araghchi’s Telegram channel.

Bangladesh is holding its 23rd presidential election today (Thursday) with voting being scheduled to take place from 2:00pm to 5:00pm at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban. READ MORE

China has completed the first phase of construction on Antelope Reef in the Paracels archipelago, building a man-made island in the hotly-disputed South China Sea that analysts say will form part of its largest military ​base. Satellite images reviewed by Reuters show the reclaimed feature in outline for the first time

The story of the Gaza zoo finding a way to keep going centers on the relentless efforts of its owner, Mahmoud Gomaa, who repeatedly relocated his animals across the Gaza Strip to save them from ongoing military conflicts

Bangladesh says Qatar has “assured it of all possible support” to help address the country’s ongoing energy crisis. Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman met Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani in Doha 

Frustrated by his inability to care for his 71-year-old mother, a wheelchair user, a 44-year-old man pushed her onto the railway tracks in front of an approaching express train at Manavur railway station in the Tiruvallur district on Tuesday night, killing her on the spot.

People in Bengaluru are 'protesting against the irreversible impact of the Tunnel Road project on Bengaluru’s green cover, geological heritage and biodiversity. Environment activist Dattatraya T Devare said, “The proposed Tunnel Road project between Hebbal and Silk Board, the short tunnel between Hebbal and Veterinary College, nine elevated corridors and the metro double-decker projects would permanently damage the environment. No detailed studies have been conducted by experts on these projects, and the consequences of these projects cannot be predicted.”

Veteran Dasara elephant Abhimanyu, who holds the distinction of carrying golden howdah six times, has been left out of Jamboo Savari during Mysuru Dasara, this year. It has been officially retired from Dasara duties after it turned 60 this month.

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to investigate the fire at Shika Inn hotel on Mirza Ghalib Street in central Kolkata that killed nine people, including a child, officials said. The SIT will now investigate the circumstances that led to the fire and examine whether the hotel complied with the required safety norms.

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Amit Shah is set to chair the Southern Zonal Council meeting in Tamil Nadu today, bringing together representatives from five states and three Union Territories. From water sharing to education and major infrastructure projects, here's what is on the table.

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The NALSAR controversy is moving from courtrooms to the streets, with a protest against BCI chairman Manan Kumar Mishra planned in Delhi today. But what exactly triggered the demand for his resignation? Here's all you need to know.

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US President Donald Trump said the United States and Canada are close to finalising a trade agreement, with Washington considering lower tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminium. Trump said US farmers would no longer face tariffs under the proposed deal. 

The US has also paused for three days the planned 50% tariff on a range of Canadian goods, following a request from Ottawa to allow more time to finalise the agreement. 

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed the delay until the end of August 21, saying "substantial progress" had been made but important work remained. Trump said the pause would allow both sides to "iron out the details" and expressed confidence that the agreement would benefit both countries.
 

Trump has announced a dramatic new economic offensive against Iran, but his warning goes beyond Tehran. Countries and companies that continue helping Iran could also face severe consequences. So, who could be next in Washington's crosshairs?

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