Urge

• The US has vowed to apply its toughest pressure on Iran and expanded sanctions against Hezbollah to curb regional instability. • While Hamas has expressed support for Donald Trump’s Gaza peace roadmap, Iran has dismissed the US campaign as a failed attempt to force its capitulation. • China has rejected the use of sanctions, urging the involved parties to seek political and diplomatic solutions instead.

• Bitcoin and gold have experienced a significant price surge, with Bitcoin recording its strongest weekly performance in over three years. • The rally is driven by investors engaging in "debasement trades" following signals of bond market intervention from Scott Bessent. • This market shift has put downward pressure on the U.S. dollar, prompting a flight toward alternative stores of value.

• Bitcoin has reached its highest price level since mid-May, driven by a weakening US dollar and a selloff in the US bond market. • EU residents were advised in 2025 to stockpile 72 hours of food, water, and essentials to prepare for cyber-attacks and climate disasters like the wildfires in France and Spain. • Cash usage has increased significantly, with over 31 million banknotes currently in circulation compared to 24 million in 2019, with the €50 and €100 notes being the most popular.

Attorney general considering appeal after justice Desmond Fagan knocks back terror order request for Mohommed Farhat who wrote ‘Fuk Israel’ on carsGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe New South Wales government could appeal a supreme court judge’s controversial decision to refuse its request for a terror order over a Sydney man convicted of writing “Fuk Israel” on cars and setting another vehicle alight in late 2024.Justice Desmond Fagan this week found disparaging Israel was “political comment” not antisemitism. He rejected the state’s application that Mohommed Farhat be subjected to a one-year extended supervision order under the Terrorism Act when released from prison. Continue reading...

• New Jersey sportsbooks generated $97 million in gross revenue during July, marking a 29.7% increase compared to the same month last year. • The surge was driven by $816.9 million in total wagers and an 11.9% hold rate, the highest reported by operators so far this year. • High betting activity tied to the FIFA World Cup knockout rounds and championship match served as a primary catalyst for the revenue growth.

• South Korea's KOSPI index surged 5.89%, reversing previous losses and boosting investor confidence. • The rally was primarily driven by SK Hynix's announcement of a massive $28.69 billion share buyback plan. • Additional support for the market came from easing U.S. Treasury yields, which helped spark a sharp rebound in chip-related stocks.

• The US government is considering extending export controls to cloud services to prevent China from accessing advanced AI models and computing power. • This move follows a surge in Chinese AI capabilities and aims to close loopholes that allow Chinese firms to bypass hardware restrictions via third-party cloud providers. • Some experts warn that these regulations could inadvertently weaken US market dominance if data centers in Southeast Asia shift toward Chinese chips.

• Asia Pacific leaders are calling for a comprehensive overhaul of scam defenses as AI-powered attacks increasingly exploit weak identity controls and governance. • New regulatory rules in Australia are placing heightened pressure on firms to detect fraudulent activity more rapidly to mitigate financial losses. • Expert Soin emphasized that organizations must establish clear lines of authority during incidents and conduct regular simulation exercises involving senior decision-makers.

Radio 2 DJ, who stepped back from work commitments in June, says operation went ‘incredibly well’Trevor Nelson, the BBC Radio 2 DJ, has revealed he had surgery after being diagnosed with a brain tumour and is now on the mend.The broadcaster, 62, said in June that he was taking a break from work commitments to deal with health issues. Continue reading...

• Stock futures declined as Treasury yields surged, effectively erasing the market gains previously triggered by comments from Scott Bessent. • The market volatility was primarily driven by a spike in oil prices, which fueled inflation concerns and pushed bond yields higher. • This shift suggests that short-term interventions may be insufficient to alter a structural upward trajectory in bond yields.

• Moderna and Merck announced that a personalized mRNA cancer vaccine, used alongside the immunotherapy drug Keytruda, successfully reduced the risk of recurrence and spread of melanoma in a late-stage trial. • The positive interim analysis caused Moderna’s shares to surge by as much as 160 per cent on Wednesday. • This development marks a significant milestone in the emerging field of personalized cancer treatment, potentially benefiting thousands of high-risk patients who have undergone tumor removal surgery.

• On August 20, Asian markets saw a strong rebound, with South Korea's KOSPI Index surging 5.89% to 6,852.58 points and Japan's Nikkei 225 rising 1.36% to 66,216.79 points. • Major tech stocks led the rally, including SK Hynix (up over 12%), Samsung (up over 9%), and Kioxia (up over 6%), while the Korea Exchange activated a Sidecar mechanism to manage program buying. • The momentum is driven by Samsung's plan to announce a shareholder return exceeding 100 trillion won (~$71.9 billion) and a $120 billion conditional revenue agreement between Google and Marvell for custom AI chips.

• Rapid7 warns that the surge in AI-driven vulnerability disclosures and accelerated exploitation speeds are overwhelming traditional patching cycles. • Security defenders are being forced to shift their strategy, prioritizing actual exposure and risk over standard CVSS severity scores. • This shift matters because the traditional model of patching based on severity is no longer sustainable against the volume and speed of modern AI-enhanced threats.

Recycling system in Cambridgeshire that could save thousands of litres a day is deemed not in line with rulesThe largest water reuse system in the UK, which could save thousands of litres of water a day for people living in one of the driest regions of the country, is not allowed to be switched on because of drinking water regulations.As water supplies in England reach critical levels, the Guardian can reveal that a model water recycling system within an urban housing development in Cambridgeshire has not been switched on since it was made ready in 2021. Continue reading...

Company’s robots have gained global fame via videos of them performing martial arts and as dancers for pop starsUnitree, the world’s biggest humanoid robot maker, has made a spectacular entry on to China’s stock market, with its shares surging by more than 600%.The Chinese company’s robots have gained global fame via viral videos of them performing martial arts, running at Olympic speeds and serving as backup dancers for pop stars. Continue reading...

• UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres marked World Humanitarian Day 2026 by warning that attacks on aid workers are illegal and demanding immediate global action. • The campaign emphasizes the need for accountability for those targeting humanitarian staff and urges the world to respect existing protections. • This call for action comes as rapidly evolving military technology and shifting warfare dynamics make it harder for aid organizations to identify threats and maintain safe routes.

• Euro zone bond yields have climbed to multi-year peaks, driven primarily by a surge in oil prices and broader global economic instability. • Higher-debt nations, specifically Italy and Spain, experienced the most significant yield increases, while fiscal concerns in France, the UK, Japan, and the U.S. added further pressure. • This trend highlights growing investor anxiety regarding fiscal stability across major economies during a period of volatile energy costs.

More than 40 charities write to Pat McFadden and review head Alan Milburn over fears of stricter eligibility rulesMore than 40 of the UK’s leading charities have warned ministers against imposing tougher benefit sanctions or cuts on disabled young people, as the government considers how to encourage more young people into work.The charities raised concerns that an imminent review of young people and work by Alan Milburn could bring in stricter eligibility rules for keeping disability benefits – or remove them altogether – as part of a wider plan to boost flagging youth job rates. Continue reading...

National Trust for Historic Preservation filing comes after president made emergency bid for construction to continueA historic preservation group that sued to block construction of Donald Trump’s White House ballroom urged the US supreme court on Tuesday to suspend the project while it considers whether the work can continue.The National Trust for Historic Preservation filed its request less than a week after the Trump administration asked the nation’s highest court to allow the White House to continue construction on its $400m ballroom project during the appeals process. Continue reading...

Bridget Phillipson writes to watchdog asking it to look into claims Tether.bet and Fispay operated without a licenceThe Gambling Commission has been urged to investigate claims that companies linked to Reform UK donors and allies of Nigel Farage have been operating without a licence.The Labour party’s chair, Bridget Phillipson, has written to the watchdog asking it to look into Tether.bet, a Montenegro-based gambling company, and Fispay, a UK company owned by Reform’s data protection officer, Mowbray Jackson.Whether Tether.bet, and its operators, provided or advertised remote gambling facilities to consumers in UK without the required licenceWhether Fispay Ltd, or any other UK company, provided or supported gambling facilities or services to consumers in the UK without the required licence.” Continue reading...

Suppliers could factor water scarcity into charges as part of Ofwat proposal to reduce consumptionWater companies could be allowed to raise bills for customers during periods of drought under proposals being considered by the sector’s regulator for England and Wales.Suppliers would be permitted to factor “water scarcity” into bills as part of efforts to reduce consumption under Ofwat’s plans, which are being likened to surge pricing – the practice where private hire firms raise taxi fares at times of higher demand. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Campaigners say millions are missing out on key rights including sick pay and protection against unfair dismissalAndy Burnham is being urged to protect 4 million gig economy workers by prosecuting companies that use widespread “bogus” self-employment practices to deny people their rights.As the prime minister fleshes out his agenda, the Fabian Society and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation have warned that millions of workers are missing out on key statutory rights including parental leave, redundancy pay and protection against unfair dismissal. Continue reading...

• SanDisk has experienced a significant price surge, signaling a broader trend of renewed opportunities within the value stock sector. • The report identifies three industry-leading companies characterized by strong financial fundamentals and attractive current valuations for investors. • This analysis is supported by Steve, the Founder of Alpha Picks, who utilizes a data-driven, systematic approach to remove emotional bias from stock selection.

• Dozens of Canadian cultural organizations are urging Prime Minister Mark Carney to maintain taxes on foreign streaming giants, such as Netflix, to fund domestic content. • The request follows a previous decision by Ottawa to alter streaming rules after the U.S. identified the legislation as a trade irritant. • This funding is critical for the sustainability of the Canadian cultural sector, which relies on these contributions to produce local programming.

Senior colleagues dismiss Bragg’s migration figures as ‘personal views’ while others say critical response is an ‘overreaction’Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastLiberal senator Andrew McLachlan has publicly backed Andrew Bragg and urged colleagues to “follow his lead” after a public speech that has split colleagues and triggered a rebuke from opposition leader, Angus Taylor.At the National Press Club on Wednesday, Bragg announced a policy to slash the national construction code and suggested net overseas migration should be dropped from the current level of about 300,000 to below 180,000 a year to keep pace with new housing builds. Continue reading...

• Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung opened "Conviction 2026," a national-level forum on Digital Assets and Artificial Intelligence, in Ho Chi Minh City on August 14. • The event gathers a diverse group of stakeholders, including state management agencies, technology firms, financial institutions, investment funds, and international partners. • The forum aims to foster connections between policy, technology, resources, and markets to drive innovation in AI and digital assets.

• A coalition of 50 Canadian screen organizations is urging the Liberal Party government to maintain strict requirements for contributions from global streaming platforms. • The government claims recent policy shifts are intended to reduce financial burdens on families, denying that the changes are linked to trade negotiations with President Donald Trump’s administration. • CMPA chair Kyle Irving criticized the government's stance in June, arguing that federal officials have "sold out Canadian culture" to benefit large U.S. corporations.

• AI infrastructure stocks surged on Wall Street on August 13, led by CoreWeave, which jumped 19.5% following reports of a $104 billion backlog. • Other AI cloud providers, including Nebius and ERock, also rallied amid a wave of mega AI contracts and M&A activity supported by Goldman Sachs and Bank of America. • The broader market session was characterized by a dense calendar of corporate earnings, high-profile IPOs, and strategic financial sector consolidations.