Arctic thaw turns into new test of Russian, Chinese and US power
For a long time, the Arctic was associated with the "dead land" of the North and was not considered a place suitable for economic activity or human life. Today, however, it is increasingly seen as a v
Azerbaijan
azernews.az
20.08.2026
State Dept. Declares U.S. Citizen in China Wrongfully Detained
U Min Zin, a scholar who studied Myanmar, is one of two U.S. citizens the department has designated as wrongfully detained in China.
Politics
nytimes.com
20.08.2026
How China and Russia could hobble Trump’s plans to isolate Iran
Iran's deep trade ties with Beijing and Moscow could prove difficult for the US to disrupt, say analysts.
World
aljazeera.com
20.08.2026
Dem’s ‘sexist’ remark against cancer survivor provokes Republican to go scorched earth: ‘Guy’s got a problem’
Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mike Collins calls Jon Ossoff's viral remark about White House aide Natalie Harp "sexist" and "misogynist."
Politics
foxnews.com
20.08.2026
Harvard student accused of slavery taunts targeted for deposition in explosive school lawsuit
Attorneys for a former Harvard-Westlake School student who alleges he endured racist and sexual abuse from water polo teammates are seeking to question a Harvard University student
World
independent.co.uk
20.08.2026
Piracy fears prompt calls for ban on Meta smart glasses in UK cinemas
Trade body says local chains would have to balance concerns with potential benefits provided by AI-enabled technologyCinemas across the UK are considering banning customers from wearing Meta’s smart g
World
theguardian.com
20.08.2026
Racism and sexism have become normalised in Britain, says equalities minister
Exclusive: Bridget Phillipson says politicians have helped fuel hatred and that police are not taking violence against women and girls seriously enoughUK politics live – latest updatesRacism and sexis
Politics
theguardian.com
20.08.2026
Russia Warns West Against New Arms Race
In 2025, Putin and China's Xi Jinping had already called the U.S.'s proposed Golden Dome shield a "threat to strategic stability."
Politics
newsweek.com
20.08.2026
Reds vs. Cardinals prediction, odds, line, time: 2026 MLB picks for Thursday, Aug. 20 by proven model
SportsLine's model simulated St. Louis Cardinals vs. Cincinnati Reds 10,000 times and revealed its MLB picks for Thursday afternoon's matchup
Sport
cbssports.com
20.08.2026
Researchers gain access to crucial deliberations on deep-sea mining
As competition between the United States and China intensifies over critical minerals, pressure is mounting to begin exploitation of deep-sea minerals before a code to regulate mining of the seabed in
Science
phys.org
20.08.2026
West Ham condemn ‘offensive and divisive’ chant about Israel winger Manor Solomon
Club urge fans to drop chant with anti-Palestine messageSection of away crowd sang chant at BurnleyWest Ham have condemned “an offensive and divisive chant” and urged fans not to sing it at their firs
Sport
theguardian.com
20.08.2026
Trump threatens to crush Iran with ‘Economic D Day’ - but he is running out of cards to play
The US president has threatened to impose unprecedented economic punishment on Iran, but experts tell Maira Butt that China may prove a huge obstacle
World
independent.co.uk
20.08.2026
Netflix’s Engaging Crime Drama ‘Blood Sacrifice’ Spotlights Inept Policing: TV Review
Culture
variety.com
20.08.2026
Assad officer extradited to Syria on war crimes charges for first time
Lebanon handed over former General Adel Issa, as Syria steps up its pursuit of wanted members of the former regime.
World
bbc.co.uk
20.08.2026
China: Robots box and dance at Beijing's 2026 World Robot Conference
More than 300 companies are displaying humanoid robots, industrial machines, service robots and other forms of embodied artificial intelligence at the Beijing's 2026 World Robot Conference. The five-d
World
france24.com
20.08.2026
Israel’s Ben-Gvir posts video of gallows site for hanging Palestinians
Far-right minister says those convicted in military courts of terror offences will be executed after passing of death penalty law that does not apply to IsraelisIsrael’s far-right national security mi
World
theguardian.com
20.08.2026
Taiwan proposes a record $35B defense budget for 2027 as China’s military pressure grows
Taiwan's government has proposes a record-high defense budget of over 1 trillion Taiwan dollars, or $35 billion, for next year
World
independent.co.uk
20.08.2026
In Iran, contact with foreigners could soon be a crime
A new bill would impose sweeping restrictions and penalties for ties with foreign institutions and contacts with foreign-based media, making it even more difficult to access information within Iran.
World
dw.com
20.08.2026
Taiwan proposes boosting 2027 defense spending 18% to a record high
Taiwan also faces calls from Washington to spend more on its own defense, mirroring U.S. pressure on Europe, something President Lai Ching-te has enthusiastically embraced.
World
japantimes.co.jp
20.08.2026
Australian court told why mushroom killer Erin Patterson should stay in prison forever
Prosecutors say their no-parole demand is harsh but is called for by nature of crime
World
independent.co.uk
20.08.2026