In other news

Two men in Indonesia's Aceh province were publicly caned for violating Islamic law by hugging and kissing. The men, aged 20 and 21, were arrested in April and sentenced to 80 lashes each. The caning was witnessed by around 100 people and was carried out by a group of people wearing robes and hoods. Aceh is the only province in Indonesia to practice Shariah law, and the punishment is part of the province's Islamic bylaws. Human rights groups have condemned the caning, calling it a 'disturbing act of state-sanctioned discrimination and cruelty.' The incident highlights the ongoing debate about the implementation of Shariah law in Aceh and its impact on LGBTQ+ individuals.

Argentine police raided a villa in a seaside resort as part of a hunt for a 17th-century Italian portrait believed to have been looted by a Nazi officer 80 years ago. The painting, 'Portrait of a Lady' by Giuseppe Vittore Ghislandi, was spotted in a real estate ad for a home believed to be owned by the descendants of Nazi fugitive Friedrich Kadgien. The painting was originally owned by Dutch Jewish art dealer Jacques Goudstikker before being looted by the Nazis. The investigation is ongoing, with Argentine authorities seizing items that could be useful for the investigation.

Divers have discovered human remains, believed to be those of Korean forced laborers, at an undersea mine in Japan where over 100 workers died in a 1942 accident during WWII. The remains were found at the Chosei Mine in Yamaguchi prefecture, which was the site of a mine collapse that killed 183 workers, including 136 Koreans. A Japanese civic group, Kizamu Kai, has been searching for the remains since last year and has confirmed a path to the site where the bones were found. The discovery comes amid improved relations between Japan and South Korea, with the two countries cooperating on regional security and trade issues while trying to put historical differences aside.

A German court has convicted a 16-year-old Syrian national, Mohammad A., of supporting a foiled plot to attack Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna, Austria. The defendant was found guilty of preparing a serious act of violence and supporting a terrorist act abroad. He was given a suspended 18-month sentence. The plot involved attacking fans outside the stadium with knives or explosives, with the suspects aiming to kill 'tens of thousands.' Mohammad A. had supported the Islamic State ideology and was in contact with the main suspect via social media, sharing bomb-building instructions and facilitating contact with an IS member.

The US has imposed a 50% tariff on Indian goods, effective Wednesday, threatening a significant blow to India's exports. The Indian government estimates the tariffs will impact $48.2 billion worth of exports and may lead to job losses and slower economic growth. Labor-intensive sectors such as textiles and leather goods will be hit hardest. The US has exempted some sectors like pharmaceuticals and electronic goods from additional tariffs. India and the US have been negotiating a bilateral trade agreement, but talks have stalled due to disagreements over market access. The Indian government is working on reforms to boost local consumption and reduce its dependence on the US market.

Paul Gallagher, the older brother of Oasis singers Liam and Noel Gallagher, appeared in a London court on charges of rape, sexual assault, and other related offenses. The alleged incidents took place between 2022 and 2024. Gallagher was released on bail and is due to appear in court again on September 24. Meanwhile, his brothers are currently on an international reunion tour.

The Spanish Civil Guard has dismantled an illegal animal trafficking ring in the town of Nules, in the eastern Valencia region, Spain. Two men, aged 30 and 35, were found with over 150 exotic animals, including endangered species such as ring-tailed lemurs, Bali starling, and Asian otters, at an illegal pet store. The animals were being sold online without the necessary permits. The suspects are being prosecuted for trafficking protected species and smuggling. The average market value of the seized animals is nearly $81,500.

Tensions between China and the Philippines are escalating at the disputed Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea as a deadline to resupply troops stationed on a grounded warship approaches. The Philippine Navy reported that a Chinese navy tugboat was spotted near the BRP Sierra Madre, the grounded warship, but downplayed concerns it would attempt to tow the ship away. Philippine coastguard and civilian vessels were intercepted by Chinese coastguard ships while en route to the shoal, leading to heightened tensions in the area.

China has warned against external interference in its relationship with South Korea, following comments by South Korean President Lee Jae-myung that Seoul cannot act against the US policy stance. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun stated that the China-South Korea relationship is based on mutual interests and should not be interfered with by third parties. Lee had said that as supply chains change, South Korea can no longer maintain its previous logic of relying on the US for security and cooperating with China on the economy, and must rebalance its relationship with Beijing amid intensifying US-China competition.

China's retail stock traders are riding a US$1 trillion bull run in the stock market, driven by state support and potential foreign inflows. The Shanghai Composite Index has hit its highest level in a decade, and individual investors are optimistic about further gains. The rally is seen as a victory for Wu Qing, chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, who has implemented market-boosting measures. Investors like Jacky Jia, a 47-year-old software engineer, have seen significant returns and expect the trend to continue. The government's pledge to put a floor under stocks in a shaky economy has contributed to the optimism.

The South China Morning Post has curated seven lifestyle stories from the past week that resonated with readers. The stories include a new character in the game Black Myth, a film called 'Nobody' that drew inspiration from the Chinese literary classic 'Journey to the West', a reflection on the special ties between Hong Kong and Beijing palace museums, and the rise of Hong Kong martial arts actor Yuen Biao. Other stories not detailed in the snippet include history of Hong Kong-style curry. These stories were selected from the publication's recent reporting and are intended to provide readers with a snapshot of current lifestyle and entertainment trends in the region.

A South Korean court has rejected the arrest warrant for former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, a top aide to impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol, in connection with the martial law declaration last year. Han is under investigation for his role in the botched declaration and faces charges of assisting Yoon in summoning cabinet ministers to legitimize the decree and perjury for testifying that he was unaware of the plan. The court's decision is seen as a major setback for prosecutors investigating Yoon's martial law fiasco.

European banks experienced widespread unauthorised direct debits from PayPal accounts due to a failure in PayPal's fraud-checking system, resulting in blocked payments worth around 10 billion euros. PayPal acknowledged the disruptions, assured resolution, and worked with banking partners to update accounts. The incident affected payment transactions across Europe, particularly in Germany, and was reported to supervisory authorities.

Scientists have discovered a new species of armoured dinosaur called Spicomellus afer, which lived 165 million years ago in what is now Morocco. The dinosaur had metre-long spikes sticking out from its neck and is considered one of the strangest dinosaurs ever discovered. The discovery has forced experts to rethink how ankylosaurs, a group of armoured dinosaurs, evolved. The findings suggest that ankylosaurs may have started with elaborate armour in the Jurassic period and evolved to become simpler and more functional in the Cretaceous period. The research was led by Prof Richard Butler from the University of Birmingham and Prof Susannah Maidment from the Natural History Museum.

The White House has fired Susan Monarez as director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), citing that she was 'not aligned with the president's agenda'. Monarez's lawyers claim she was targeted for refusing to follow 'unscientific, reckless directives' and accused Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr of 'weaponising public health'. The move comes amid concerns over the CDC's approach to immunisations under Kennedy's leadership, with several senior CDC leaders resigning in protest. The CDC has faced controversy, including the firing of around 600 employees and criticism over its handling of Covid vaccines.

A Chinese national, Zhenhao Zou, was sentenced to life in prison for drugging and raping 10 women between 2019 and 2023. Two victims, referred to as Rachel and Female D, reported being attacked within 24 hours of each other in October 2022. The Metropolitan Police initially questioned whether the two women were the same person due to the similar nature of the attacks. Rachel, who was attacked first, did not report the crime to the police, fearing she lacked evidence and worried about people finding out. Female D contacted the police after Zou's trial and conviction in March 2025. The police investigation revealed that Zou was confident in his ability to get away with the crimes and had researched ways to obtain date-rape drugs and spy cameras.

Sheikha Mahra bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, daughter of Dubai's ruler, is engaged to rapper French Montana after announcing her divorce from her first husband on Instagram last year. The princess, 31, declared her divorce using a controversial Islamic tradition called 'triple repudiation.' French Montana proposed to her during Paris Fashion Week in June. This will be the second marriage for both Mahra and Montana.

An F-35 fighter jet crashed at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska after the pilot spent 50 minutes on a conference call with engineers trying to fix a problem with the landing gear. The crash was caused by ice in the hydraulic lines, and an investigation found that 'crew decision-making' and lack of 'oversight for the hazardous material program' contributed to the crash. The incident has raised concerns about the production of the F-35 by Lockheed Martin and the overall F-35 program, with critics like Elon Musk calling for changes.

A 39-year-old Oregon father, Andres Castro, died of a heart attack on a flight from Bolivia to Oregon on August 25, 2025. The incident occurred when Castro suddenly stopped breathing next to his wife, forcing the pilots to make an emergency landing in Colombia. Despite efforts to save him, Castro was pronounced dead at a hospital. His family is now struggling to transport his body back to the US for a funeral, with estimated costs of $25,000. A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to help the family cover the expenses. Castro leaves behind his wife, Suanny, son AJ, siblings, and parents. The family has reached out to Senator Ron Wyden for assistance in bringing Castro's body back home.

The Powerball jackpot has surged to $950 million after no winning ticket was sold for Wednesday night's drawing. The lottery's drought is nearing three months, with the last win being a $204.5 million ticket sold in California on May 31. While the jackpot wasn't won, three players from Mississippi, Ohio, and Virginia won $2 million each for matching the Match 5 + Power Play option, and three other ticket holders from Arizona, New York, and Virginia scored $1 million for matching all five white balls. The next drawing is estimated to be worth $950 million, with a cash option of $428.9 million.

The Australian government has expelled two Iranian diplomats after alleging that Iran was behind recent antisemitic attacks in Sydney and Melbourne. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that the country's domestic spy agency, ASIO, had gathered credible intelligence linking Iran to the attacks on a Sydney restaurant and a Melbourne synagogue. The Australian government also plans to designate Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization. The move comes after Australia announced plans to recognize Palestinian statehood at the United Nations General Assembly, which triggered a scathing response from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, plans to deport 600,000 asylum seekers from Britain, citing the need to prevent 'civil disorder' due to mass migration. The proposal includes withdrawing from the European Convention on Human Rights and repealing the Human Rights Act to facilitate forced deportations. Critics argue the plan lacks detail and would abandon Britain's human rights commitments.

A Russian software developer, Sergei Irin, has been sentenced to 15 years in a maximum-security prison for donating $500 to a Ukrainian defense fund in 2022. Irin, who worked for Yandex, was arrested on suspicion of treason and held up a sign in court reading 'Putin is a d---head' as he was sentenced. The donation was made to the Come Back Alive charity, which supports Ukraine's defense forces. Irin also admitted to feeling negatively towards the Putin regime and participating in opposition rallies. He was fined $62,000 in addition to his prison sentence.

Japan's top trade negotiator, Ryosei Akazawa, has canceled a trip to the United States due to unresolved issues related to the U.S.-Japan trade deal. The trip was intended to discuss U.S. tariff measures and finalize a $550 billion investment package for the U.S. in exchange for reduced tariffs on Japanese imports. Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary, Yoshimasa Hayashi, stated that the trip was canceled due to the need for further technical discussions. Hayashi also emphasized that Tokyo will urge the U.S. to amend its presidential order on reciprocal tariffs and lower tariffs on automobiles and auto parts. The trade deal, announced in July, saw reciprocal tariffs on Japanese exports lowered to 15% from 25%, but sticking points emerged over the investment package. Bank of Japan board member Junko Nakagawa warned that exports and industrial production in Japan may be negatively affected due to the tariffs.

Microsoft has fired two employees, Riki Fameli and Anna Hattle, for breaking into the office of its president, Brad Smith, as part of a protest against the company's alleged support for the Israeli military's actions in Gaza. The protest, organized by the group No Azure for Apartheid, involved seven current and former Microsoft employees who entered Smith's office and demanded that the company end its direct and indirect support to Israel. Microsoft stated that the employees' actions were a serious breach of company policies and its code of conduct, and that it was cooperating with law enforcement regarding the incident. The protest is part of a larger movement by tech workers to hold their companies accountable for their involvement in military actions and human rights abuses.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping is hosting a massive military parade in Beijing's Tiananmen Square on September 3 to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. The event will feature over 10,000 troops, 100 aircraft, and hundreds of pieces of ground equipment, showcasing China's growing military power. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin will be among the 26 foreign leaders attending the parade, in a show of unity among the three autocratic leaders. The gathering comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions, with China's increasingly assertive posture toward Taiwan and its territorial disputes with neighboring countries. The absence of leaders from major Western capitals is notable, despite China's crucial role in the Allied powers during World War II.

Paleontologists have discovered a new species of ankylosaur dinosaur, Spicomellus, in Morocco, which lived around 165 million years ago during the Jurassic Period. The dinosaur was characterized by its elaborate armor, including long spikes on its ribs and neck, and a pelvic shield. Researchers believe that the armor may have served both defensive and display purposes, such as attracting mates. Spicomellus is considered the oldest-known member of the ankylosaur group and its discovery has provided new insights into the evolution of these armored dinosaurs.

The article discusses how the Trump administration's tariffs on solar panels have affected India's nascent solar industry. India had been working to become a clean-energy manufacturing hub and had made significant progress, with its solar manufacturing capacity growing 50-fold in a decade. However, the tariffs have made Indian-made solar panels less competitive in the US market, which was India's biggest export market. The article also highlights India's reliance on Chinese suppliers for solar cells and silicon wafers, making it challenging for India to compete with China in the global renewable energy market. The Indian government has implemented incentives to encourage local manufacturing, but it remains to be seen whether the domestic market can absorb the locally made solar modules.

Tennis player Taylor Townsend defeated Jelena Ostapenko 7-5, 6-1 in the second round of the U.S. Open. After the match, Ostapenko confronted Townsend, telling her she had 'no education' and was disrespectful for not apologizing for a shot that clipped the net. Townsend stood her ground, saying she wouldn't tolerate disrespect and was proud to represent herself and her culture. Ostapenko later claimed she was being respectful and that there are rules in tennis that most players follow. The incident sparked a heated exchange on social media, with Ostapenko receiving messages accusing her of being racist.

The article discusses the lasting impact of the India-Pakistan Partition on the lives of people who experienced it and their descendants. It highlights personal stories of individuals who were displaced and their struggles to come to terms with their new circumstances. The article also provides historical context, explaining the events leading up to the Partition and its ongoing effects on the region. The tone is reflective and somber, with a negative sentiment towards the violence and displacement caused by the Partition. The primary intent is to inform readers about this significant historical event and its ongoing impact.

The article discusses the scamming hub in Shwe Kokko, Myanmar, which has continued to operate despite a crackdown in February that removed over 9,000 workers. The town's construction activity and entertainment venues remain operational, with the use of alternative power sources such as solar panels and generators. The region is described as 'ground zero' for the global online scamming industry by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, with experts estimating that the scam networks generate between US$50 billion and US$75 billion annually.

The Japanese town of Toyoake is considering a non-binding measure to limit residents' smartphone use to two hours a day. The proposal aims to address issues such as online addiction, sleep deprivation, and behavioral problems associated with excessive smartphone use. The measure, which would apply to all residents, has sparked controversy and backlash on social media, with some critics labeling it an attack on individual freedom. The town's mayor, Masafumi Koki, has defended the proposal, stating that it is not mandatory and is intended to encourage families to discuss their smartphone use. The proposal is set to be voted on next month, and if passed, will take effect in October.