Raw

The mission of the Flock app is quietly subversive: to encourage users to ditch their screens and explore the wonderful world of birdingOn a brilliantly bright afternoon in his gallery and studio in Bolinas, a small town on the northern California coast, Keith Hansen was putting the finishing touches on a watercolor of an almost improbably flamboyant painted bunting.With an ultra-fine sable brush, he made a few intricate additions to the cobalt blue plumage on the bunting’s head, and, satisfied with his work, slipped the watercolor into a stout binder that every few days welcomes a new addition. Continue reading...

• Singapore advanced to the ASEAN football championship semi-finals after securing a draw against Indonesia on August 7, 2026. • Ilhan Fandi scored the equalizing goal, ensuring the Lions finished the group stage unbeaten with eight points from four games. • Singapore finished second in Group A behind Vietnam, maintaining a strong defensive record heading into the knockout rounds.

• The Election Commission (EC) has cancelled voting in Rawalakot following outbreaks of violence during the PoJK polls. • The elections for Mirpur and Muzaffarabad divisions were conducted in two rounds on July 27 and August 2, with additional voting for two seats occurring on August 4. • PPP chief Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has challenged the integrity of the process, alleging massive rigging across both phases of the elections.

• The Indian government is proposing amendments to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), sparking significant political and diplomatic controversy before the Bill has been tabled in Parliament. • Opposition leaders have condemned the proposed changes as "draconian," alleging that the government is attempting to tighten control over civil society organisations and NGOs. • Critics argue that the new regulations create unequal rules for different organisations, potentially stifling independent advocacy and non-profit operations within the country.

• India received a mixed draw for the BWF World Championships, featuring challenging matchups for some and favorable paths for others. • Ayush Shetty faces a difficult start against defending champion Shi Yu Qi, while PV Sindhu and Lakshya Sen have avoided top seeds in their opening rounds. • Sindhu, coming off a Japan Open victory, avoids world number one An Se Young and Akane Yamaguchi until the medal rounds, though she may face Wang Zhi Yi in the pre-quarter-finals.

• PV Sindhu has a favorable path at the 2026 Badminton World Championships in New Delhi, avoiding top seeds An Se Young and Akane Yamaguchi until the semifinals. • Sindhu is projected to face China's third seed Wang Zhi Yi in the pre-quarterfinals, followed by a potential quarterfinal match against Indonesia's Putri Kusuma Wardani. • In contrast, Indian players Lakshya Sen and Ayush face significantly more challenging draws in their respective brackets.

• India is hosting the World Championships for the first time in 17 years at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium from August 17 to 23. • Fifth seeds Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty received a first-round bye, with their primary challenge expected to be the 12th seeded Indonesian pair, Raymond Indra and Nikolaus Joaquin. • While coach Pullela Gopichand believes the draw generally favors Indian athletes like PV Sindhu and Lakshya Sen, Ayush faces a difficult opening match against tournament favorite Shi Yuqi.

• The 18th edition of the Korea Masters badminton tournament, a BWF World Tour Super 300 event, is scheduled to take place from August 4 to 9, 2026. • The event will feature a competitive field including registered Indian players vying for the tournament's prize money. • As a Super 300 event, the tournament provides critical ranking points for athletes aiming to climb the BWF world standings.

Joshua Bonehill-Paine, who was convicted of harassing Jewish MP, says Badenoch has offered him advisory role instead• UK politics live – latest updatesA former neo-Nazi activist who was convicted of harassing a Jewish MP has withdrawn as a Conservative election candidate after his selection prompted an outcry from Jewish groups and others.Joshua Bonehill-Paine said on Wednesday he had withdrawn from next year’s local elections, and that Kemi Badenoch had instead offered him a role as an advisor to her party’s culture and integration commission, specifically focusing on how young men become radicalised. Continue reading...

• Asia multi-strategy hedge funds experienced significant monthly drawdowns, coinciding with a 22% slump in Korea’s Kospi Index and an 8% decline in Japan’s Nikkei 225. • Specific losses were reported by major firms, including a 9% retreat for Hong Kong-based Pinpoint Asset Management and a 6.5% drop for Singapore’s $9 billion Dymon Asia fund. • Singapore-based Arrowpoint Investment Partners saw a milder loss of 2.6%, while Dymon Asia's year-to-date gain from January to July narrowed to 7.5%.

• The Korea Masters 2026, a BWF Super 300 badminton tournament, is scheduled to begin on August 4. • The event will feature a competitive field including several Indian players vying for a share of the tournament's prize money. • This competition is significant as it allows shuttlers to earn critical ranking points and provides a platform for emerging players to challenge top seeds.

• Hamas official Ghazi Hamad stated that the group is willing to hand over its weapons to a new Gaza administration established by Trump’s Board of Peace. • The transition is contingent upon the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip. • This potential disarmament marks a significant milestone aimed at ending years of conflict and destruction to improve the daily lives of Gazan citizens.

• Singapore has been drawn into Group A of the inaugural Fifa Asean Cup 2026, where they will face hosts Indonesia, Malaysia, and India. • The tournament features 14 teams split across two divisions, with the Premier Division taking place in Jakarta and the Challenge Division in Hong Kong. • FAS general secretary Badri Ghent stated that the competition is intended to enhance Singaporean football culture and inspire future generations.

• President Donald Trump announced he may withdraw or delay the nomination of Todd Blanche for attorney general. • The decision stems from a conflict with Republican senators who are currently seeking concessions before confirming the appointment. • This move highlights internal tensions within the GOP and could leave the Department of Justice without a permanent leader for an extended period.

• The CEO of the Recording Academy defended the newly introduced Asian Pop category following backlash and the announcement that BTS will not submit their album *ARIRANG* for the 2027 Grammys. • The CEO expressed sadness over BTS's decision but emphasized the organization's commitment to expanding its global reach and celebrating international artists. • This conflict highlights ongoing tensions between global superstars and the Grammy Awards regarding recognition and the legitimacy of new genre categories.

Jamie Raskin targets football body’s proposed commercial sell-off and links to Trump administrationUS politics live – latest updatesFifa could face a sweeping US congressional investigation into its expanding financial and political ties to Donald Trump and his family if Democrats reclaim the House of Representatives in November, a senior party figure has warned.Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on the House judiciary committee, accused global football’s governing body of a “smash-and-grab scam of colossal proportions” after it proposed a multibillion-dollar privatization of its commercial operations. Continue reading...

• All seven members of BTS have announced they will boycott the 2027 Grammy Awards via an online statement. • The decision follows the introduction of a new Asian pop prize, which requires nominated songs to feature "meaningful use" of an Asian language. • The move comes amid criticism from K-pop fans who argue the category pigeonholes Asian artists rather than celebrating them on a global scale.

K-pop superstars will not submit Arirang album or its songs for 2027 ceremony, in wake of new Asian pop category being announcedBTS, the biggest pop act in east Asia, have withdrawn themselves from the 2027 Grammy awards, intimating that their decision is due to the addition of a new award for best Asian pop music performance.Writing on Instagram, each of the South Korean group’s seven members said: “We have decided not to enter the Grammys this year. I hope that music can be heard and loved for what it is, rather than being divided by region or language.” Continue reading...

• India has been placed in Group A for the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026, where they will compete against host nation Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia. • Pakistan was drawn into Group B, facing opponents Vietnam, Thailand, and the Philippines in the group stage. • The tournament is split into two tiers: Division 1 matches will be hosted entirely in Indonesia, while Division 2 matches will be hosted by Hong Kong.

• OpenAI researcher Miles Wang is departing the company to launch a new AI startup specifically focused on accelerating drug discovery. • Wang is currently in negotiations to raise approximately $200 million in funding, with a target valuation of $2 billion. • Venture capital firm Lightspeed is reportedly in discussions to lead the funding round for the new venture.

• Wall Street analysts have issued new upgrades, downgrades, and initiations for a diverse range of companies, including Alphabet, Ford, Rivian, and Rocket Lab. • These shifts occur ahead of the quarter's busiest earnings week, with over 150 companies (more than 30% of the S&P 500) scheduled to report. • Market attention is focused on upcoming reports from four of the "Magnificent 7" tech giants, which will likely drive volatility and trend direction.

Bryan Kohberger, convicted of killing four college students in 2022, claims he pleaded guilty due to bad legal adviceA man convicted last year of killing four college students in Idaho has filed to withdraw his guilty plea and seek a new trial, claiming he pleaded guilty due to bad legal advice.Bryan Kohberger was convicted of breaking into a six-bedroom house in 2022 and killing four University of Idaho students in their early 20s. The victims – Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin – were found dead with dozens of knife wounds. Goncalves also showed evidence of asphyxiation and blunt force trauma. Continue reading...

• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is visiting Washington to navigate critical diplomatic challenges, including the ongoing conflict with Iran and tensions with Donald Trump. • The visit focuses on Gaza ceasefire negotiations, the release of hostages, and the delivery of humanitarian aid, as the military campaign shifts toward a political challenge. • A primary point of contention is the post-war governance of Gaza, with Israel opposing Hamas's military rebuilding while the U.S. seeks a framework to prevent prolonged conflict.

• Political scientist Robert Pape has issued a warning regarding a potential "August energy shock" that could cause global oil prices to skyrocket. • The prediction was intensified on Monday following recent escalations involving the Houthis, a Yemeni military organization. • This development matters as it suggests a heightened risk of instability in critical energy shipping lanes, potentially triggering global economic volatility.

• The official cricket schedule for the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, has been released, featuring T20 format matches with full international status. • Defending champions India have been granted direct entry into the quarter-finals for both the men's and women's tournaments. • The draw has placed rivals India and Pakistan on opposite sides of the bracket, meaning they cannot face each other until the final.

• Mayor Andy Burnham has unveiled a comprehensive economic agenda designed to balance immediate cost-of-living relief with a broader long-term political and economic vision. • The plan shifts the public discourse toward a debate over Burnham's specific economic model and its viability for the region. • This development raises critical questions among business and political leaders regarding whether Burnham's public style and tone remain effective as his profile and responsibilities expand.

• Fidelity National Financial (NYSE:FNF), a prominent title insurer, has drawn investor attention after scheduling its upcoming quarterly earnings release and webcast. • The announcement focuses on the timing of the financial reporting, which typically provides critical insights into the company's performance and the health of the real estate market. • This event is significant as earnings reports often trigger stock price volatility and influence analyst ratings for the title insurance sector.

Joanna Ruth Shields’ body was discovered in a pool of water with suspicious marks, driving speculation she was attackedA young woman whose body was found in the backcountry of California’s Big Sur with suspicious marks on her face and neck died of alcohol withdrawal, the Monterey county sheriff’s office said on Thursday.The discovery of Joanna Ruth Shields’ body back in April had driven widespread suspicion that she had been the victim of a violent attack. A group of hikers found Shields, 37, naked in a pool of water in the Sykes hot springs area of the Ventana wilderness with marks on her neck and a cut across her forehead. Continue reading...