1Healtheuropesays.com
Covid-19 fears return in South Korea as mask, test kit sales surge
South Korea's three major convenience store chains, 7-Eleven, GS25 and CU, have reported significant increases in sales of Covid-19-related products over the past month. Sales of Covied-19 self-test kits increased by 62% month-on-month between Aug 1 and Aug 26, while sales of masks rose 17% and cold medicines and fever and pain relievers increased 15% and 14% respectively. Demand for masks for children and infants was particularly high, with sales increasing 341% from the previous month. Industry sources suggest that this increase in Covid19 infections is prompting consumers to revive shopping habits that became commonplace during the pandemic. The rise in infections is not limited to South Korea, with China recording about 522,000 new Covid 19 cases in July.
2Sportsfarmonline.com.au
Tears of joy as 'Fed Express' rolls into Hall of Fame
The first man ever to win 20 grand slam singles titles, Swiss tennis player, Roger Federer, has been inducted into the Hall of Fame. Federer made a tearful speech during the Hall's first red-carpet show, which began 90 minutes before the induction ceremony. His career was highlighted by his fluid movement, quick approach to the net, and a dazzling one-handed backhand that earned him a record 237 consecutive weeks as the world's No.1 player in the ATP rankings. Federers, who celebrated his 45th birthday three weeks ago, won eight Wimbledon titles and is only one of eight men with a career grand slam. He also held six Australian Opens and one French Open.
3Techm.ajupress.com
Chinese RoboTaxi Company Pony.ai Enters South Korean Market
Chinese robo-taxi company, Pony.ai, has entered the South Korean market with plans to introduce fully autonomous robo taxis to Seoul, aiming for commercial service by 2028. The company will establish a joint venture with FutureLink to secure domestic certification and introduce a total of 200 unmanned robo taxis in Seoul. The remaining 190 vehicles will be gradually introduced after completing domestic certification procedures by June next year. Concerns have been raised that the introduction of robo taxiis could lead to conflicts with traditional taxi operators, similar to those experienced during Uber's entry into the South Korea market. There are concerns that the entry of Chinese autonomous driving companies could weaken domestic industrial competitiveness.
4World965wtou.com
Australia’s far-right party makes further gains, taking seat in western state
Australia's far-right One Nation party has made further gains, winning a seat in a state parliament in Western Australia, held by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's centre-left Labor Party. Gym owner Luke Herdegen, led by Senator Pauline Hanson, scored One Nation's first lower house seat in the Western Australia parliament, taking a seat that had been held by Labor for decades. The victory underscores the challenge One Nation poses to Australia's main centre-Left and centre-right parties ahead of an election in Victoria state later this year.
5Environmentinkl.com
India's Asiatic Wild Buffalo Is Losing Its Genetic Identity to Domestic Cattle Interbreeding
The Asiatic wild buffalo (Bubalus arnee) is losing its genetic identity to Domestic Cattle. The wild buffalo is genetically distinct from domestic buffalo, which have been kept in India for thousands of years. The two animals share a common ancestor but diverged enough over millennia to be classified as a separate species. The Wildlife Institute of India estimates that the wild population in India is now in the "Endangered" category on the IUCN Red List. A study published in PLOS ONE found evidence of domestic cattle gene flow in nearly every wild population tested across India and Southeast Asia. The hybrid buffalo can breed again, carrying its mixed genetic load into the next generation and the next after. This process is referred to as "genetic pollution". The wild bionis are a keystone grazing species in the tall-grass ecosystems of northeastern India.
6Financeinkl.com
Economic growth data next milestone for Reserve Bank
The Reserve Bank (RBA) is set to review Australia's economic growth rate following higher than expected inflation data. The Australian Bureau of Statistics is expected to reveal national accounts figures on Wednesday. Westpac senior economist Pat Bustamante expects GDP growth to slow to 0.2% for the June quarter, despite higher interest rates and rising fuel prices. However, Bustamantes expects the annual rate to slow down to 1.7% year-on-year, which may not be enough to convince the RBA that enough spare capacity is opening up in the economy to control inflation. Meanwhile, central banks in New Zealand and Canada are meeting to decide on interest rates. Wall Street investors are taking caution after Federal Reserve chair Kevin Warsh reiterated the central bank's focus on fighting inflation, increasing prospects for a US rate hike.
7Politicsisraelnationalnews.com
US Embassy: Hezbollah is taking orders from Iran, it must disarm
The US Embassy in Beirut has called on Hezbollah to surrender its weapons and accused the Iran-backed terror group of refusing negotiations due to its orders from Tehran. The embassy identified the Lebanese government as the sole legitimate interlocutor for negotiations regarding Lebanon's future. This comes amid a dispute over a deal reached by Israel and Lebanon in June, which includes a gradual Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon in exchange for the complete disarmament of Hezbollah. Hezbollah was not a party to the agreement and has rejected direct negotiations with Israel regarding the surrender of its weapons.
8Politicsinkl.com
Singapore has overhauled its baby bonus scheme. Will it work to boost birth rates this time?
Singapore is reviving its baby bonus scheme, introduced in 2001, as the city's fertility rate and birth rate fall to record lows. In 2025, births in Singapore fell below 30,000 for the first time in its post-independence history, and the fertility rate dropped to 0.87 per woman, a record low. The new scheme includes measures such as expanded childcare leave, financial support for parents, affordable caregiving options, and housing subsidies. It is estimated that nearly 70,000 Singapore dollars ($55,000) by the time a child is 17. Demographic experts are cautiously optimistic about the new scheme, which appears to offer more sustained and holistic support for families. Low birth rates could threaten Singapore's ability to sustain its economy.
9Politicsdunyanews.tv
South Korea names veteran technocrat Lee Hyoung-il as new finance chief in cabinet reshuffle
South Korea has announced a major cabinet reshuffle, naming First Vice Finance Minister Lee Hyoung-il as the new deputy prime minister and minister of economy and finance. The administration also appointed ruling Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Seung-won to lead the Ministry of Justice and Kang Shin-chul, former deputy commander of the South Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command, as the defense minister. The reshuffle comes as President Lee Jae Myung's administration seeks to revitalize its international policy momentum as it enters its second year, amid concerns over its expansionary fiscal policies. Hyoungil, who has held the vice finance minister position since June last year, inherits an economy running hotter than expected and will be working with a central bank that is tighteningening policy.
10Weatherthrowbacksavl.iheart.com
Death Toll Rises To Over 600 In Nepal Flood
The death toll from the flooding in Nepal has risen to 675, with over 2,500 people still missing. The disaster began when a glacier collapsed, leading to a massive wall of water moving through a mountain town near the Chinese border. Over 3,000 people have been evacuated, including 163 foreigners, including 113 Indians, 26 Chinese, and two Americans. The Nepal Red Cross reports that over 90,000 have been affected by the disaster. The United States has pledged $3.6 million in humanitarian aid and India has dispatched special flights carrying medical aid and essential supplies. The government estimates that rebuilding could cost between $4 billion and $5 billion.
