All events

Geopolitical · Geopolitical

Wildfires and heatwaves are threatening global efforts to improve air quality and protect human health, the World Meteorological Organisation said on Monday. The UN agency warned that increasingly severe fires are raising exposure to toxic PM2.5 pollution, even as regulations have reduced industrial and transport emissions in Europe and North America.

Social Demographic · Culture

Epic plankton blooms make filming in the North Sea notoriously difficult. But a new documentary gives a rare glimpse of the kaleidoscopic life – seals, sharks, tuna, orcas and shorthorn sculpins – lurking beneath its waves The North Sea, as even its greatest admirers will concede, often glowers an unappetising grey or brown. And we assume that its dull exterior is matched by sediment-filled waters where little life dwells. For years, the friends and family of Peter van Rodijnen wondered why the Dutch cinematographer and diving fanatic spent so much time exploring “this murky bowl of soup”. But, inspired by a childhood of watching Jacques Cousteau’s adventures in rather more enticingly temperate waters, Van Rodijnen’s dedication to North Sea diving gradually revealed its hidden wonders. Over 20 years, as camera technology improved, Van Rodijnen obtained more and more amazing footage of marine life near his home on the Netherlands coast. Nearly a decade ago, he teamed up with director Mark Verkerk. “We started with the idea,” says Van Rodijnen, “that if somebody can make a movie about the North Sea, it’s got to be us. ” Continue reading...

Economic · Economic

The rapport between Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, was evident when the two met during the 11th Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) in Vladivostok last week. “My profound apologies for missing this important event due to urgent matters I needed to attend to back home but I’m now here to repay my debt,” Prabowo told Putin on Wednesday, referring to a missed invitation earlier to be the guest of honour at Russia’s National Day celebration on June...

Economic · Economic

Five small businesses on how the US-Canada trade war has affected them

Economic · Economic

If long-term interest rates decisively breach the 5% threshold, the impact could derail the AI boom

Natural · Natural

Pandemic thrust US biotech and Marc Casper on to the world stage

Natural · Natural

Indonesia extended airport closures and halted free school meals in some areas as ash from Mount Anak Krakatau continued to disrupt activities. (Source: Bloomberg)

Social Demographic · Culture

Egyptian observers said Xi's visit will chart a new course for the China-Egypt comprehensive strategic partnership, strengthen traditional friendship between the two civilizations, and expand cooperation in areas ranging from trade and investment to emerging technologies and cultural exchanges.

Military · Geopolitical

Yemeni army claims large-scale attacks on Houthi positions Yemen’s government-aligned armed forces said they carried out large-scale operations on several fronts against Houthis. In its latest post on X, the media of the Yemeni military said that 13 air strikes targeted positions, gatherings and equipments in the districts of al-Sharyah, Dhi Naim, al-Bayda and al-Sawadiyah. It also said it hit a missile-launching platform, alongside claiming to have destroyed a command and control room and thermal sensing system on Jabal Nasa in the Murays front of al-Dhalea province. Earlier, the army said it recaptured positions in Taiz and al-Hudaydah

Economic · Economic

The change is important for traders who usually place orders closer to the end of the pre-open session. Under the new system, they will no longer be able to put in market orders after 9:05 am and will have to specify a price through a limit order.

Military · Geopolitical

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un commissioned his second naval destroyer and called for building a more reliable nuclear deterrent, state media reported on Monday, as the US, South Korea and Japan began a trilateral military exercise he views as a security threat. The development comes as North Korea dials up pressure on the US after rebuffing President Donald Trump’s decision to scale back a major military drill with South Korea in a conciliatory step towards Kim. Observers say North Korea wants...

Natural · Natural

Anak Krakatau spews smoke and ash as cancellations and delays leave more than 170,000 passengers stranded

Natural · Natural

Indonesia extended airport closures and halted free school meals in some areas as ash from Mount Anak Krakatau continued to disrupt activities.

Geopolitical · Geopolitical

Global oil markets are showing fresh signs of strain after months of war, as conflict-weary traders, anxious buyers, and under-pressure executives huddle in Singapore for the region’s main industry gathering.

Social Demographic · Education

The vast majority of Hong Kong’s students are back in school now. With traffic expected to be horrendous last week, it was good that the government sounded the warning early, urging residents to allow more time for their morning commute. The government did more than that, actually. The Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre was working at its highest operational tier at 6.30am on September 1 to monitor and coordinate public transport and traffic flow. Deployment of staff on the ground ensured...

Social Demographic · Education

Behind many sexual difficulties lie questions that extend far beyond the confines of the bedroom. After years of assisting clients in navigating issues of intimacy and relationships, one of China’s pioneering sex therapists has observed how gaps in education and communication shape individuals’ most private struggles. Originally from Taiwan, Tong Songzhen began her career as a nurse before attaining a doctorate in sexology from Shu-Te University. Since 2016, she has established sex therapy...

Natural · Natural

Even as rescuers search for the thousands still missing in Nepal after catastrophic flooding that killed 1,250 people, the nation’s leaders face a second immense challenge – how to pay for recovery and rebuilding. The tab is expected to come to at least US$5 billion, an enormous sum for one of Asia’s poorest countries, and the fund it is hoping to tap is new, underfunded and untested. Nepal is seeking compensation for climate change-related damages from a United Nations fund set up to help...

Economic · Economic

Asian stock markets saw gains thanks to a rise in US technology stocks on Friday. Oil prices also increased following tanker attacks between Iran and the US in the Strait of Hormuz. Investors are now keenly awaiting US inflation data that will influence Federal Reserve interest rate policies. Meanwhile, the yen showed volatility amid speculation regarding possible rate hikes by the Bank of Japan.

Geopolitical · Geopolitical

Israeli air strikes kills two in Gaza, including a child An Israeli aerial strike on Sunday targeting a civilian car killed two Palestinians in the al-Nasr neighborhood in western Gaza City, including one child, local sources report. Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip have killed over 73,651 people since October 2023, with thousands more missing and presumed dead under the rubble. pic. An Israeli airstrike on Sunday targeting a civilian car killed two Palestinians in western Gaza, including one child, local sources report. twitter. com/3StGsa0AG4 — Middle East Eye (@MiddleEastEye) September 6, 2026

Military · Geopolitical

Israeli army announces expulsion orders in south Lebanon, minutes before strikes The Israeli military early on Monday ordered residents of Deir Zahrani in southern Lebanon to leave the area. Following the forced displacement orders, local media reported Israeli air strikes on the area just minutes later, with the attacks resulting in numerous casualties.

Geopolitical · Geopolitical

The assailant rushed toward Amy Acton and injured several people at the event

Geopolitical · Geopolitical

Leader Kim Jong Un says vessel will form part of Pyongyang's nuclear response system, strengthen naval forces.

Economic · Economic

The Indian equity market ended the week on a positive note, with the Nifty increasing by 0.1 percent on Friday. Factors such as global market trends and easing fears of US interest rate hikes lent support to this rise. The India VIX, often seen as a fear gauge, declined by 5.8 percent, signaling lower market worries.

Geopolitical · Geopolitical

Move comes as Iran's top negotiator warns of heavier responses to new attacks after US strikes on Iranian oil tankers.

Natural · Natural

Peat fires in Borneo are releasing ancient stores of carbon - and sending a toxic smog across South East Asia.

Geopolitical · Geopolitical

Israeli attacks kill and wound Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank An Israeli drone strike has killed one Palestinian and wounded another in the Rimal neighbourhood, west of Gaza City, a source at al-Shifa Hospital has told Al Jazeera. In the occupied West Bank, Israeli forces and settlers shot and wounded several Palestinians in the village of Hajeh, east of Qalqilya.

Geopolitical · Geopolitical

Iran accuses US of making world pay for war it started Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Baghaei has accused Washington of blaming Tehran for turmoil caused by the US-Israeli war against Iran. In a post on X, Baghaei said the Strait of Hormuz remained fully open until the US and Israel attacked Iran on February 28. He said Washington’s “illegal and brutal war” disrupted commercial shipping, halted oil tankers and drove up global energy prices. Baghaei accused the US of starting the conflict and then attempting to make the rest of the world bear its costs while portraying Iran as responsible for the resulting crisis.

Economic · Economic

Oil edged higher on renewed concern that escalating US-Iran tensions may disrupt crude supplies and stoke inflation after the two sides traded attacks over the weekend.

Social Demographic · Education

Lan Xiaohuan is a professor of economics at China Europe International Business School. His book, How China Works: An Introduction to China’s State-led Economic Development, has sold millions of copies in China and has been translated into multiple languages. Here, he discusses the economic realities behind China’s record trade surplus, the case for a stronger social safety net, and how public data infrastructure shapes the artificial intelligence race with the United States. This interview...

Natural · Natural

Also in today’s newsletter: Huawei set for New York trial and Indonesian wildfires spread