African families’ heartbreak as young men trapped on Russian battlefields
SCMP •

African families’ heartbreak as young men trapped on Russian battlefields

Instead of celebrating her son’s birthday this month, Zimbabwean mother Rodwin Chitewere spent the day praying for his body to be brought home from Russia, where he was reportedly killed fighting Moscow’s war against Ukraine. In Botswana and South Africa, too, women are desperate for sons and husbands to return from a conflict many say they were duped into joining, as authorities warn recruiters a...

In 1993, an art historian found a forgotten painting; 33 years later, its female creator was rediscovered

In 1993, an art historian found a forgotten painting; 33 years later, its female creator was rediscovered

Times of India •

A remarkable find by an art historian in 1993 ignited a relentless pursuit to recover the lost masterpieces of Michaelina Wautier. This accomplished 17th-century painter's works had long been misattributed to men throughout history. The pivotal recovery of her 'The Five Senses' series in 2020 heralded a new era, culminating in a landmark exhibition at London's Royal Academy in 2026, finally restor...

Chinese robotaxi firms see eased regulatory bottleneck in Europe as deployment picks up

Chinese robotaxi firms see eased regulatory bottleneck in Europe as deployment picks up

SCMP •

The business environment for Chinese robotaxi operators in Europe has become more open and friendly over the past year, which would help facilitate Chinese firms to commercialise their self-driving technology worldwide, according to Pony AI founder and CEO James Peng. “Compared to last year, there is a clear increase in the openness towards autonomous driving and the willingness to gradually open ...

Erin Patterson challenges convictions over mushroom lunch – as it happened

Erin Patterson challenges convictions over mushroom lunch – as it happened

The Guardian •

This blog is now closedErin Patterson argues mushroom murder convictions should be quashed due to ‘catastrophic’ failure of justiceGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastLimited accomodation during sequestering ‘issues of convenience’, Patterson’s barrister saysKidd says Patterson’s case must be considered in the context of other cases where jurors had unsupervised access to “o...

Mongolia apologises after China raises security concerns about protesters at oil camp

Mongolia apologises after China raises security concerns about protesters at oil camp

SCMP •

A senior Mongolian official has apologised after the Chinese embassy raised concern that Mongolians were “harassing the camp” of a Chinese-invested oil exploration company on Friday. According to Mongolian media, protesters went to the Kherlen Tohoi XXVIII oil exploration area on August 14, attempted to halt exploration work by Mongolia Foison Energy and conducted a social media live stream. Socia...

In Singapore’s battle of casinos,  Marina Bay Sands holds winning hand against Sentosa

In Singapore’s battle of casinos, Marina Bay Sands holds winning hand against Sentosa

SCMP •

At Singapore casino Resorts World Sentosa’s Lunar New Year lucky draw for high rollers earlier this year, the biggest prize was a bottle of Martell Cognac. Across the harbour at rival Marina Bay Sands, the top sweepstakes winner walked away with a new Mercedes-Benz CLA 200 worth much more. It is one of the incidents that has made the casino duopoly in one of the world’s top gambling venues more lo...

Australia news live: defence force personnel join search for missing 18-year-old bushwalker Lily Hooper

Australia news live: defence force personnel join search for missing 18-year-old bushwalker Lily Hooper

The Guardian •

Follow today’s news liveFollow our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast‘Collapsing confidence’ in housing market, Wilson saysTim Wilson has jumped on that reporting around rent increases and says there has been a collapse in confidence since the budget which is hurting renters.We’ve had, since the budget, collapsing confidence, a lack of will to invest in housing that is going to be...

Ukraine's sacked defence minister Fedorov calls for wartime presidential elections

Ukraine's sacked defence minister Fedorov calls for wartime presidential elections

France 24 •

Ukraine's popular ex-defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov called for wartime elections on Tuesday evening, stating that the nation was facing a crisis of governance. Fedorov was dismissed last month, sparking days of protests across Ukraine. It is the first time since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022 that a Ukrainian political figure demands presidential elections. 

UK inflation rises to 2.9% as Iran war drives up energy bills

UK inflation rises to 2.9% as Iran war drives up energy bills

The Guardian •

Accelerating prices in July add to pressure on households, with chancellor saying ‘there is more to do to restore hope’Business live – latest updatesUK inflation rose to 2.9% in July as the impact of the Iran war on energy prices triggered a renewed cost of living squeeze for British households.The Office for National Statistics said inflation rose from a 15-month low of 2.6% in June, driven by th...

UK inflation rises to 2.9% as Iran war fuels living costs squeeze

UK inflation rises to 2.9% as Iran war fuels living costs squeeze

The Guardian •

Higher energy costs push up CPI but jobs slowdown could deter Bank of England from raising interest ratesUK inflation rose to 2.9% in July as the impact of the Iran war on energy prices triggered a renewed cost of living squeeze for British households.Underscoring the challenge for Andy Burnham’s government to give “breathing space” to hard-pressed consumers, the Office for National Statistics sai...

Will Putin’s Kuril Islands visit push Japan closer to Ukraine?

Will Putin’s Kuril Islands visit push Japan closer to Ukraine?

SCMP •

Japan is weighing how far to push back after Russian President Vladimir Putin visited a disputed island last week, as analysts debate whether tougher measures would have much impact on Moscow. Some observers urged Japan to recall its ambassador, impose additional sanctions and deepen cooperation with Ukraine to show it would not be “bullied”, while others said Tokyo had little economic leverage le...