Nepal’s US$5 billion flood damage tab puts UN climate change fund to the test
SCMP

Nepal’s US$5 billion flood damage tab puts UN climate change fund to the test

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 see...

Middle East Live: Several killed in Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon
France 24

Middle East Live: Several killed in Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon

At ⁠least ​nine ​people were killed, including two ​children, ‌and ⁠five ‌others were injured ⁠in Israeli strikes on ​a ‌residential building in ‌a town ​in southern Lebanon early on Monday, ​Lebanon's ​state ​news agency ​reported. The Israeli army had demanded early Monday that residents of Deir Zahrani in southern Lebanon leave a specific zone ahead of strikes against Iran-backed Hezbollah. Fol...

Ancient roots: China pioneering sex therapist warns of rise of ‘relationship blind’ phenomenon

Ancient roots: China pioneering sex therapist warns of rise of ‘relationship blind’ phenomenon

SCMP

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 attaini...

Germany’s far-right AfD thanks Elon Musk as France warns state election win a ‘serious moment’

Germany’s far-right AfD thanks Elon Musk as France warns state election win a ‘serious moment’

The Guardian

Lead candidate in Saxony-Anhalt welcomes further ‘strong’ cooperation with Musk as French minister says ‘We cannot forget our history’The candidate who led the far-right Alternative für Deutschland party to a historic state election victory in Germany has thanked Elon Musk for his support, as one French minister warned that this was a “serious moment” for Europe.The AfD more than doubled its suppo...

Hong Kong’s yuan pool is growing. Can it turn liquidity into global demand?

Hong Kong’s yuan pool is growing. Can it turn liquidity into global demand?

SCMP

Hong Kong’s top financial regulators have urged local banks to make greater use of the city’s growing pool of offshore yuan liquidity, while also flagging the need to prepare for a coming wave of autonomous AI systems used in the financial sector. Speaking at the Hong Kong Association of Banks (HKAB) Distinguished Speaker Luncheon, Eddie Yue Wai-man, chief executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Autho...

USS Lincoln heads home as war with Iran escalates

CBS News

Nearly 5,000 troops aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln are finally heading home after nearly 300 days of deployment. Meanwhile, fighting amplified in the Gulf region over the weekend as the U.S. and Iran traded attacks. Tom Hanson has the details.

US envoys bring ‘more effective’ Ukraine peace proposals to Kyiv, official says

US envoys bring ‘more effective’ Ukraine peace proposals to Kyiv, official says

France 24

US envoys brought new, “more effective” proposals to Kyiv aimed at ending the war with Russia, a senior Ukrainian presidential official said on Sunday. President Volodymyr Zelensky and US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner described talks positively but announced no breakthrough, as Zelensky warned fighting could continue into winter.

European chamber chief in Hong Kong heads to Brussels to ‘reset city’s image’

European chamber chief in Hong Kong heads to Brussels to ‘reset city’s image’

SCMP

The head of the European Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong (EuroCham) aims to “reset” perceptions about the financial hub during the organisation’s first-ever “door-knock” mission to Brussels, emphasising that the city remains “significantly, fundamentally” distinct from its mainland Chinese counterparts. With Hong Kong set to unveil its first five-year plan on September 16 – the same day the missi...

Australia news live: Chalmers says next election will be a ‘referendum on super’; new NSW laws to combat organised crime

Australia news live: Chalmers says next election will be a ‘referendum on super’; new NSW laws to combat organised crime

The Guardian

Follow the day’s news liveOne Nation has come up with a plan to give people their superannuation earlier, reducing the amount they’ll have at retirement in exchange for a current cash boost.Pauline Hanson says under their plan anyone paying rent or a mortgage can take up to a quarter of their super as a “pay boost” for up to three years. Continue reading...

EU to boost Greenland investment amid Trump annexation claims

EU to boost Greenland investment amid Trump annexation claims

France 24

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is expected to announce increased EU investment in Greenland on Monday, including in critical minerals, satellite communications and renewable energy. Her two-day visit signals support for Greenland and Denmark amid US President Donald Trump’s push for American control of the Arctic territory.

Susan Sarandon says she is losing movie roles because of her support for Palestine

Susan Sarandon says she is losing movie roles because of her support for Palestine

The Guardian

Oscar-winning actor says she and other outspoken critics of Israel have found it ‘impossible’ to get hired by major studiosThe Oscar-winning actor Susan Sarandon has said she is still losing work because of her outspoken support for Palestinians, despite what she ⁠described as a broader shift ⁠in public opinion against ​US support for Israel.Speaking at the Venice film festival, where she is promo...

China marks major tunnel milestone for Central Asia railway bypassing Russia

China marks major tunnel milestone for Central Asia railway bypassing Russia

SCMP

Fresh off Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Kyrgyzstan, project officials have announced the successful drilling of a key tunnel along the long-stalled China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan (CKU) railway. This marks the first milestone for the flagship project under Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative, offering China a critical trade corridor bypassing Russia. The 210-metre (690-foot) tunnel was the fi...

Nuclear waste plan for Japanese resort town sparks backlash: ‘not our problem’

Nuclear waste plan for Japanese resort town sparks backlash: ‘not our problem’

SCMP

The rural Japanese town of Hitachiomiya sprawls down the Naka River valley in northwest Ibaraki prefecture, surrounded by lush forests and overlooked by the picturesque Yamizo mountains. Just 140km (87 miles) from Tokyo, its golf courses attract weekend players, while onsen hot spring resorts in the surrounding hills keep local business steady year-round. The local tourism association’s website hi...

Fuentes Criticises Owens Focus: Far-right pundit says she hijacked Kirk tributes; urges return to faith

Fuentes Criticises Owens Focus: Far-right pundit says she hijacked Kirk tributes; urges return to faith

Times of India

Nick Fuentes has criticized Candace Owens over her coverage of Charlie Kirk’s death, arguing that the conversation has shifted away from Kirk’s influence on young men. Fuentes said Kirk inspired followers through his faith, work ethic, family values and public message. He also condemned what he described as excessive speculation and personal investigations, urging people to resist cynicism and foc...

Australia news live: Chalmers says next election to be fought on super after One Nation reveals plan; Sydney to get urban solar farm

Australia news live: Chalmers says next election to be fought on super after One Nation reveals plan; Sydney to get urban solar farm

The Guardian

Follow the day’s news liveOne Nation has come up with a plan to give people their superannuation earlier, reducing the amount they’ll have at retirement in exchange for a current cash boost.Pauline Hanson says under their plan anyone paying rent or a mortgage can take up to a quarter of their super as a “pay boost” for up to three years. Continue reading...