Top Stories
Same event, multiple sources, transparently cited.
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US Stock Market Volatility Hits 2026 Low as Midterm Election Risks Loom
The VIX dropped to 14.2 on August 14, marking 2026’s lowest volatility level amid record-high S&P 500 ahead of typical midterm election season swings.
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Paul Pogba and AS Monaco End Contract Early After Injury-Plagued Season
Paul Pogba and AS Monaco mutually terminated his contract after one injury-hit season less than a year into a deal through 2027.
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Red Bull's Isack Hadjar to miss 2026 Dutch GP with hand/wrist injury
Red Bull's 21-year-old rookie Isack Hadjar will miss the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix due to a hand or wrist injury sustained during training or the summer break.
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Record 907 aid workers attacked in 2025 amid rise in armed drone violence
In 2025, a record 907 aid workers were killed, injured, or kidnapped worldwide, with drones increasing risks, the UN reported.
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Aston Villa sign Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki and left-back Matteo Ruggeri
Aston Villa signed goalkeeper Zion Suzuki from Parma and left-back Matteo Ruggeri from Atletico Madrid on August 19, 2026.
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Nick Kyrgios provisionally suspended after positive cocaine test at Mallorca Open
Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios was provisionally suspended on August 4 after testing positive for a cocaine metabolite from a June 22 sample.
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COE premiums rise across most categories in August 19 Singapore bidding exercise
Singapore's August 19 COE bidding saw premiums rise in four of five categories as demand remained strong.
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Turkey denies plans to deploy troops in Syria after Israel airstrikes on Aleppo base
Turkey rejected Israel's claims it intends to deploy troops at Abu al-Duhur base after Israeli airstrikes on the Syrian facility on August 18, 2026.
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Iran Plans Potential Strikes on US Military Sites in Europe if War Escalates
Iranian forces are considering attacks on US military bases in southeastern Europe, including Bulgaria and Cyprus, amid rising tensions with the US.
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China’s LandSpace recovers Zhuque-3 rocket booster on land for first time
LandSpace launched and recovered the first stage booster of its Zhuque-3 rocket on land on August 19, 2026.
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South Korea considers Jeonbuk for new financial hub to ease Seoul overcrowding
South Korea is exploring Jeonbuk province, 200 km south of Seoul, as a new financial center to reduce concentration in the capital region.
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Malaysia reviews RM1,700 minimum wage amid rising living costs
Malaysia’s government is reviewing the RM1,700 monthly minimum wage to assess its adequacy against changing economic and living conditions.
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Hong Kong Exchange posts record Q2 net income on IPO and trading surge
Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing Ltd reported a record HK$5.38 billion net income in Q2 2026, driven by a surge in IPOs and trading activity.
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USS Benfold lost power for four days in South China Sea after generator failure
The USS Benfold lost power for four days in July during an engineering failure in the South China Sea, disrupting life aboard the ship and requiring a tow to Subic Bay.
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TikTok developing peer-to-peer payments through direct messages in the US
TikTok is creating a feature letting US users send money via direct messages using TikTok Pay, currently in early hidden-code testing.
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French civil servant Christian Nègre accused of drugging nearly 250 women during job interviews
Christian Nègre, a former French Culture Ministry official, faces accusations from nearly 250 women who say he drugged them during job interviews from 2009 to 2018.
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Charges to be filed over death of stray dog Rocky during Port Klang operation
Selangor police will file charges tomorrow against individuals linked to the death of stray dog Rocky during a July operation in Port Klang.
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MACC closed 2021 corruption investigations into former minister Xavier Jayakumar in 2024
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission closed corruption probes into ex-minister Xavier Jayakumar in 2024 due to lack of evidence.
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Former UBB CEO Razlan Raghazli charged with RM139.89 million cheating in Sessions Court
Razlan Raghazli, ex-CEO of UBB Investment Bank, was charged with cheating RM139.89 million and pleaded not guilty today.
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Flight attendants face highest radiation-related cancer death risk, pilots second
A study finds U.S. flight attendants and pilots have elevated odds of dying from radiation-related cancers compared to other workers.
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US 30-Year Treasury Yield Hits 5.3%, Highest Since 2007, Amid Global Bond Sell-Off
On August 18, 2026, the US 30-year Treasury yield rose to 5.3%, its highest level since 2007, driven by a global sovereign bond sell-off.
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Brandon Nakashima rallies past Daniil Medvedev at Cincinnati Open third round
Brandon Nakashima saved three match points to upset Daniil Medvedev 6-7(3) 7-6(4) 6-1 at the Cincinnati Open on August 18.
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China allows limited shipments of Nvidia H200 AI chips to ByteDance and Tencent
ByteDance and Tencent have each received about 10,000 Nvidia H200 AI processors amid eased Chinese import controls, sources say.
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Peter Seah steps down as National Wages Council chairman; Hsieh Fu Hua takes over
Peter Seah stepped down as National Wages Council chairman and was succeeded by Hsieh Fu Hua on August 19, 2026.