Today's News Digest
A new trilateral defence pact between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan signals a major geopolitical realignment in the Middle East, while the U.S. labour market contracted in July and extreme weather events—from Indian floods to South Korean heatwaves—are intensifying across the globe.
World
Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan forge defence pact
The three nations signed a trilateral defence agreement in Mecca treating an attack on any member as an attack on all, signalling a significant geopolitical realignment amid Middle East tensions and challenging traditional U.S. regional influence.
Colombia's hard-right president takes office amid rebel threat
New president Abelardo de la Espriella, Trump-endorsed, is fast-tracking military partnerships with the U.S. to target drug traffickers, while the ELN guerrilla group prepares to return to armed conflict.
Spain and Italy clash over migrant border controls
Spain threatened retaliation after Italy maintained border checks following a mass migrant crossing from Morocco to Ceuta, escalating tensions over migration management in the Mediterranean.
Mediterranean smuggling network dismantled in Spain-led raid
Authorities arrested 78 people and broke up one of Western Mediterranean's largest criminal networks, which moved synthetic drugs from Spain to Algeria and smuggled migrants and weapons on return journeys.
Mexico and Peru restore diplomatic ties
Relations between the two countries were restored after a months-long breakdown triggered by former Peruvian Prime Minister Betssy Chávez's asylum seek at the Mexican embassy in November 2025.
Iran's nuclear program continues despite conflict slowdown
Officials and experts report that while regional conflict has slowed Iran's nuclear advancement, the program has not stopped, maintaining strategic ambiguity amid ongoing tensions.
Sudan's el-Obeid faces relentless drone strikes and mass atrocity risk
The U.N. warns that hundreds of thousands of civilians in the besieged city endure constant drone attacks, critical water shortages, cholera outbreaks, and high rates of sexual violence against women and girls.
Activists report abuse in Israeli custody
More than 20 people who attempted to break an Israeli blockade to Gaza described beatings, electric shocks, and other abuse during detention; Israel denied the accusations.
Cambodia's PM refines authoritarian model
Hun Manet has made repression less visible and more sophisticated, strengthening the authoritarian system he inherited and tightening control over the country.
Thailand school shooting kills seven
A 14-year-old student killed his grandparents before opening fire at his high school, shooting five teachers and himself; the incident revived debate about gun laws in Thailand.
Business & Markets
U.S. labour market sheds 23,000 jobs in July
The U.S. lost jobs across education, government, and retail sectors in July as labour force participation slumped, signalling a cooling in the labour market.
Meta fined $942 million in child safety case
Meta received its largest child safety ruling against a social media company, combining a $567 million fine with a previously ordered $375 million penalty for a total of $942 million.
Trump administration pays $1.2 billion to halt U.S. wind projects
The administration agreed to pay German firm RWE $1.2 billion to cancel wind energy projects, continuing a pattern of deals to halt renewable energy development.
Technology & Science
ByteDance trains massive AI model to rival Anthropic
TikTok's parent company is training an AI model with 10 trillion parameters, positioning itself as a major competitor to leading AI firms like Anthropic.
Solar telescope captures vortexes on Sun's surface
The world's largest solar telescope observed vortexes on the Sun's surface for the first time, confirming their existence after they were previously too small to detect.
AI chatbots failing people in crisis, researchers warn
Clinicians and researchers say AI companies must open their safety data, as chatbots have repeatedly failed to properly assist people experiencing mental health crises.
Court rules Trump wind power hold violates law
A court determined that the Trump administration's hold on all wind projects clearly violates the law, blocking the sweeping renewable energy restrictions.
Climate & Environment
Over 20 million households face hosepipe bans amid drought
More than 20 million households have been placed under hosepipe bans due to higher demand and low rainfall, with drought declared across affected regions.
South Korea battles historic heatwave as president declares national disaster
South Korea is experiencing extreme heat conditions, with the president calling it a 'national disaster' and ordering all agencies to mobilise resources; drone warnings and airport sheltering are in effect.
New Delhi on red alert as heavy rains disrupt city
Heavy rains have pounded New Delhi and surrounding towns, disrupting traffic and leaving commuters stranded across the region.
Wildfire damage could take hundreds of years to recover
Experts warn that habitats destroyed by summer wildfires—including those of snakes and rare moths—could require hundreds of years to fully recover.
Humanitarian & Social
Haitians face deportation after U.S. removes TPS protections
Hundreds of thousands of Haitians face imminent arrest and deportation to a country racked with crime, violence, and political unrest after the U.S. removed Temporary Protected Status.
Youth agitation spreads in Indian state over jobs and recruitment
Weeks after the CJP protests shook Delhi, a new youth-led movement over jobs and recruitment is gathering force in Jharkhand state.
Vietnam grapples with surge in foreign visitors and justice system strain
Vietnam's Soviet-style criminal justice system is being tested as the country experiences a surge in foreign visitors while attempting to supercharge its economy through tourism.