RUSSIA-WEST RIVALRY EXPANDS TO NIGER AMID MINERAL WEALTH CONCERNS

The competition between Russia and Western nations has extended to a new battleground in West Africa, specifically focusing on countries with substantial mineral resources. Niger, which recently experienced a coup, has engaged in discussions with coup leaders from Mali and Burkina Faso. The talks revolve around the potential deployment of Wagner Group forces from Russia in case the West-backed Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) attempts to remove them through military means.

In Mali, a coup occurred in 2021, resulting in the expulsion of the French army. To fill this gap, Russia's Wagner Group was employed by the ruling military junta, leading to rallies marked by Russian flags. Similarly, Burkina Faso, where a coup transpired in November of the previous year, also enlisted the Wagner Group after expelling Western military advisors. The underlying concern is control over valuable mines and critical minerals like cobalt and uranium.

Both Mali and Burkina Faso have issued warnings that any military intervention in Niger would be perceived as a declaration of war against them, prompting their potential withdrawal from ECOWAS, which holds Western influence. The tussle between Russia and the West for control over valuable mineral resources is increasingly shaping the dynamics of these West African nations.

MAUI WILDFIRE CLAIMS 93 LIVES, THE DEADLIEST IN US IN A CENTURY

The Maui wildfires in Hawaii have resulted in a tragic death toll of 93, marking it as the deadliest US wildfire in over a century. This toll is expected to rise as cadaver dogs continue to search through the wreckage of Lahaina, the historic resort town devastated by the fast-moving blaze. The cost to rebuild Lahaina is estimated at $5.5 billion, with more than 2,200 structures damaged or destroyed, and over 2,100 acres burned. Hawaii Governor Josh Green anticipates the death toll will increase as more victims are found. The state's emergency notification systems are under scrutiny, as some residents questioned the adequacy of warnings prior to the fire. Over 1,400 people have sought refuge in emergency shelters, and officials are providing hotel rooms for those who lost their homes. This tragedy surpasses Hawaii's previous worst natural disaster, the 1960 tsunami, and stands as the highest wildfire death toll since 1918.

US NAVAL BODY TO SHIPS: STAY AWAY FROM IRAN WATERS TO AVOID SEIZURES

Dubai : A US-led naval coalition in the Gulf has warned ships in the region to stay away from Iranian waters to avoid possible seizure, the US navy said. The warning shows tensions remain high in and around the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran seized tankers in late April and early May, while Washington and Tehran finalise a deal to free five US citizens detained in Iran and the US allows $6 billion in Iranian funds held in South Korea to be unfrozen.

“The International Maritime Security Construct is notifying regional mariners of appropriate precautions to minimise the risk of seizure based on current regional tensions, which we seek to deescalate,” commander Timothy Hawkins, spokesman for the Bahrain-based US Fifth Fleet, said late on Saturday “Vessels are being advised to transit as far away from Iranian territorial waters as possible.” About a fifth of the world’s crude oil and oil products pass through the Strait of Hormuz, a choke point between Iran and Oman at the mouth of the Gulf.

The deal to release US citizens from Iranian prison and allow them to return to the US would remove a major irritant between Washington and Tehran, which remain at odds on issues from the Iranian nuclear programme to Tehran’s support for regional Shia militias. The United States would release some Iranians from US prisons as part of the deal, Iran’s mission to the United Nations has said.

RUSSIAN WARSHIP FIRES WARNING SHOTS AT CARGO VESSEL IN BLACK SEA

A Russian warship fired warning shots at a Palau-flagged cargo ship in the Black Sea as it headed towards the Ukrainian port of Izmail. The Russian patrol ship fired on the vessel after the captain didn't respond to a request to halt for inspection. A Russian military team boarded the ship using a helicopter, and after inspection, the cargo vessel continued to its destination. This incident raises concerns for shipowners, insurers, and commodity traders about the risks in the Black Sea.

Meanwhile, Russian forces shelled the Kherson region in southern Ukraine, resulting in the deaths of seven civilians, including a 23-day-old baby, a couple, and another individual. Another person was critically injured and died in the hospital. Russian shelling also struck a neighboring village, causing casualties and damage to houses. Ukrainian authorities condemned the attacks, emphasizing the ongoing threat to civilian lives from Russian forces.

RUSSIA REPORTS RARE ECONOMIC GROWTH AMID WAR

Russia's economy saw a surprising growth of 4.9% in the April-to-June period compared to the previous year, marking the country's first annual gain in economic growth since the war in Ukraine began. Despite challenges such as a widening budget deficit, sanctions limiting exports, and rising inflation, Russia's economy is growing. Industrial production increased by 2.5% in the first half of the year, and non-oil and gas income rose by 20%. Despite these positive indicators, concerns remain about the long-term economic impact of the ongoing conflict.

PAK MILITARY CONVOY ESCORTING CHINESE STAFF IN GWADAR ATTACKED

Karachi/Islamabad : Two terrorists were killed in Gwadar, Balochistan province, during an attack on a military convoy transporting Chinese workers for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The militants used small arms and grenades in their assault. The Baloch Liberation Army Majeed Brigade claimed responsibility, targeting Chinese interests due to perceived exploitation of Balochistan's resources. While Pakistani officials downplayed the incident as terrorism, the Chinese embassy urged Pakistan to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens and projects. Gwadar's significance as a CPEC focal point and its proximity to the Strait of Hormuz makes security paramount. The attack occurred shortly after Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar was appointed caretaker prime minister, though no direct link has been established.

CHINA SLAMS VISIT OF ‘TROUBLEMAKER’ TAIWAN VP TO US, VOWS STRONG STEPS

Beijing : China on Sunday condemned a brief US visit by Taiwan vice-president William Lai, saying he was a separatist and “troublemaker through and through”, and Beijing would take strong steps to protect its sovereignty, drawing a rebuke from Taipei.

Lai, frontrunner to be Taiwan’s next president at elections in January, arrived in New York late on Saturday for what was officially billed as a transit stopover on his way to Paraguay. China especially dislikes Lai, who has previously described himself as a “practical worker for Taiwan independence”, though he has repeatedly said on the campaign trail that he is not seeking to change the status quo and that only Taiwan’s people can decide their future.

Taiwan’s China-policymaking Mainland Affairs Council said China was the real troublemaker, pointing to its standoff this month with the Philippines in the South China Sea and continued military harassment of Taiwan, among other actions.

11 PERSONS BANNED FROM TV IN PAKISTAN

Pakistan electronic media watchdog has stopped TV channels from giving air space to 11 people, including journalists, accused of criticising the military and the Shehbaz Sharif-led previous government and declared ‘proclaimed offenders’ or absconders by courts.

The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) issued a directive on Saturday, citing a decision from the Sindh High Court that such people cannot enjoy certain rights like appearing on television, the Dawn newspaper reported.

While warning the news channels of serious penalties in case of a violation of the directive, PEMRA has also referred the matter to the Council of Complaints, reported Dawn.

The 11 persons include Sabir Shakir, Moid Peerzada, Wajahat Saeed Khan, Shaheen Sehbai, Adil Farooq Raja, Ali Nawaz Awan, Murad Saeed and Hammad Azhar.

MISS UNIVERSE CUTS TIES WITH ORGANISER IN INDONESIA AFTER SEX ABUSE CLAIMS

Jakarta : The Miss Universe Organization said it was cutting ties with its Indonesian franchisee and cancelling this year’s Malaysia pageant after contestants accused local organisers of sexual harassment. The US-based organisation said in an emailed statement late on Saturday it had decided to sever its contract with PT Capella Swastika Karya and its national director Poppy Capella, who also holds the licence for Miss Universe Malaysia. Six Miss Universe Indonesia contestants filed complaints with police accusing organisers of sexual harassment, saying they were subjected to topless “body checks”, their lawyer said on Tuesday. “It has become clear that this franchise has not lived up to our brand standards, ethics, or expectations as outlined in our franchise handbook and code of conduct,” the Miss Universe Organization said, adding that providing a safe place for women was its utmost priority. Jakarta police did not comment on Sunday. A police spokesperson said on Tuesday the report would be investigated.

CHINA’S MINISTER VISITS CAMBODIA DAYS AFTER NEW PM TAKES CHARGE

PHNOM PENH: China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi (left) visited Cambodia over the weekend to reaffirm his country’s commitment to Cambodia after its incumbent Prime Minister handed the job to his son Hun Manet following a one-sided election last month. Mr. Wang is the first foreign leader to visit after the handover.

55 KILLED, OVER A MILLION AFFECTED IN BANGLADESH FLOODS, SAY OFFICIALS

CHITTAGONG: At least 55 people have been killed and more than a million affected by two weeks of torrential rains causing floods and landslips in southeast Bangladesh, officials said on Sunday. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department said 312 millimetres of rainfall was recorded on August 7 alone.

9+ 10 = 21. HACKERS TRICK AI WITH ‘BAD MATH’ TO EXPOSE ITS FLAWS AND BIASES

Hackers are testing the limitations of AI systems in a unique public contest at the DEF CON hacking conference. Participants, including Kennedy Mays, have managed to manipulate a language model into stating that 9 + 10 = 21. The hackers are exploring various ways to reveal flaws and biases in generative AI systems, aiming to uncover potential missteps like claiming to be human, spreading misinformation, or advocating abuse. This contest involves battling against advanced models from companies like Alphabet, Meta, and OpenAI. The initiative is supported by the White House and aims to prompt companies to develop improved safeguards against the challenges associated with large language models (LLMs).