Top Stories
Same event, multiple sources, transparently cited.
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Ousted Ukrainian Defence Minister Urges Wartime Elections Amid Governance Crisis
Former Ukrainian defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov called for wartime elections citing governance failures and corruption.
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Shein delays Hong Kong IPO debut to September with lower valuation
Shein postponed its Hong Kong IPO to September, setting a reduced valuation of $25-$27 billion amid investor delays.
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Australia enacts law imposing levy on tech giants absent local news deals
Australia passed a law on August 20, 2026, requiring major tech firms to pay a 2.5% levy on ad revenues unless they strike deals with local news publishers.
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Kaohsiung attracts NT$2.7 trillion investment in six years, emerging as semiconductor and AI hub
Kaohsiung has secured over NT$2.7 trillion in investments under Mayor Chen Chi-mai, transforming into a center for advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, AI, and finance.
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Israel strikes Syrian Abu al-Duhur airbase citing Turkish military presence claims
On August 18, 2026, Israel launched airstrikes on Syria’s Abu al-Duhur airbase, alleging Turkish military buildup despite denials from Syria and Türkiye.
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Samsung and SK Hynix reveal record shareholder return plans amid AI chip surge
Samsung and SK Hynix announced shareholder return programs worth up to US$79 billion and US$29 billion respectively amid growing AI chip demand.
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Alibaba reports 9% revenue rise in April-June quarter driven by AI cloud growth
Alibaba's revenue rose 9% year-on-year to about 269 billion yuan in Q1 2026, led by a 45% jump in AI cloud services amid a profit decline.
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North Korea fires about 10 missiles after US ends joint drills with South Korea early
North Korea launched around 10 short-range ballistic missiles a day after the US cut short joint drills with South Korea.
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Malaysia to Abolish Universities and University Colleges Act in 2026
The Malaysian government will repeal the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 and table a new bill in Parliament this year.
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Moderna and Merck's personalized mRNA vaccine cuts melanoma recurrence in Phase 3 trial
Moderna and Merck announced that their personalized mRNA vaccine intismeran autogene significantly reduces melanoma recurrence in a large Phase 3 trial.
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ComfortDelGro invests over S$10 million in BYD electric and hybrid vehicles for private-hire fleet
ComfortDelGro announced a S$10 million-plus investment to add BYD electric and hybrid cars to its Zig private-hire fleet in Singapore.
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Pilot killed as small plane collides midair with Pennsylvania State Police helicopter
A Cessna 150 collided midair with a Pennsylvania State Police helicopter near Carlisle Regional Airport on August 19, killing the pilot and injuring two troopers.
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Malaysia will not reinstate broad-based GST but may adjust SST and tax policies
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia will not bring back GST as a broad tax but may tweak SST and adopt some GST elements.
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Malaysia to face milder impact from Strait of Hormuz disruptions due to LNG exports
Malaysia expects less severe impact from Strait of Hormuz disruptions because it exports liquefied natural gas despite being a net oil importer.
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Developer Withdraws Kota Damansara Data Centre Application After Public Concerns
The developer withdrew its planning permission application for a Kota Damansara data centre following community opposition and local MP intervention.
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Pentagon orders 30 US universities to review and cut foreign ties over security risks
The Pentagon ordered 30 US universities, including Harvard and MIT, to review and end foreign academic ties deemed national security threats by August 31, 2026.
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Amanda Anisimova Drinks Red Bull, Not Beer, During Cincinnati Open Match
Amanda Anisimova drank a Red Bull energy drink, not beer, during her August 17 Cincinnati Open match as commentators initially speculated otherwise.
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Max Verstappen extends Red Bull contract through 2030 amid 2026 season struggles
Four-time F1 champion Max Verstappen signed a new Red Bull contract until 2030 ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix weekend.
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World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka upset by Sara Bejlek in Cincinnati Open fourth round
Sara Bejlek, ranked 35th, defeated world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka 7-6 (9-7), 6-4 to reach the Cincinnati Open quarterfinals.
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Malaysia to launch first online Jualan Ihsan Rahmah 9.9 sale on September 9
Malaysia will hold its first online Jualan Ihsan Rahmah 9.9 sale on September 9 to offer discounts on essential goods nationwide.
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South Korea’s PanStar Acro launches first commercial Arctic shipping route to Europe
South Korea’s container ship PanStar Acro departed Busan on August 22 to test Arctic shipping route to Europe via Russia’s Northern Sea Route.
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Four workers killed by express train at Shin-Kanuma Station in Japan
Four workers died after being struck by an express train while removing weeds at Shin-Kanuma Station on August 20, 2026.
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Russian missile strikes kill at least six in Kyiv and surrounding areas overnight
Russian ballistic and drone attacks hit Kyiv and nearby districts overnight, killing between 6 and 17 and injuring dozens.
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Japan posts third straight monthly trade deficit in July 2026 amid soaring oil costs
Japan recorded a 634.5 billion yen trade deficit in July 2026, driven by rising import costs despite export growth.