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The United States has signed a nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia that could permit the kingdom to enrich its own uranium, dropping the so-called 'gold standard' restrictions the US required of the UAE in 2009. Lawmakers from both parties are warning the deal could accelerate nuclear proliferation in the Middle East and weaken America's leverage over regional nuclear programs.

U.S. stock markets fell as Treasury yields climbed sharply, pressuring equity valuations. The Dow, S&P 500 and Nasdaq all declined as investors reacted to rising borrowing costs in the bond market. Rising yields often weigh on stocks, particularly technology and growth shares, and the move has sharpened concerns about interest rates staying higher for longer.

Electric vehicle sales are falling sharply, prompting questions about whether EVs could become a niche product rather than a mainstream choice. The slowdown comes despite years of industry investment and government incentives, and is fueling debate among automakers, analysts and consumers over pricing, charging infrastructure and demand. Industry watchers are divided on whether the decline is a temporary dip or the start of a longer retreat from electrification targets.

Small drones are increasingly being used as weapons in Myanmar's civil war, with resistance forces and the military alike rigging flying machines to drop bombs on enemy positions. The conflict, which began after the 2021 coup, has seen improvised drone attacks become a cheap and accessible way for under-equipped groups to strike targets. Observers say the trend highlights how low-cost drone warfare is spreading to smaller conflicts worldwide.

Small recreational drones are being converted into combat tools by forces fighting in Myanmar's civil war, dropping bombs on opposing troops. The tactic highlights how cheap consumer technology is reshaping warfare for under-equipped armed groups. Observers note that civilian aerial craft, once used for photography and racing, are now a common sight on the battlefield, adding a new dimension to a conflict that has intensified since the 2021 military coup.

Private foreign purchases of longer-term US Treasuries dropped to roughly $263 billion over the past 12 months, nearly half the approximately $506 billion bought in the previous year, according to figures circulating among market watchers. Commenters note foreign money is not leaving the United States but shifting into other assets, raising questions about who will fund US debt issuance going forward.

New figures show bank lending to eurozone businesses fell by half in August compared with the previous month. The sharp slowdown points to tighter credit conditions for European companies, as higher interest rates make banks more cautious about extending loans. Analysts say weaker borrowing could weigh on business investment and the wider eurozone economy in the months ahead.

German consumer confidence has dropped to its lowest level since May, according to figures reported by the Wall Street Journal, with rising energy costs cited as the main driver. Households in Europe's largest economy are under pressure from elevated heating and electricity prices, weighing on their willingness to spend and raising fresh concerns about the country's economic outlook.

Reports from Palestine this week say Israeli forces sprayed foul-smelling 'skunk water' over areas of Gaza, a chemical dispersal typically used for crowd control, while carrying out further demolitions of Palestinian homes in the occupied West Bank. The combined actions have drawn attention to the widening range of Israeli measures across both territories and renewed criticism from observers of the occupation's impact on Palestinian civilians.

The Rhine's flow where it enters the Netherlands has dropped to well below 600 cubic metres per second, less than half the typical September level of around 1,500 m³/s, and it is still falling. Commenters describe the river as being in uncharted territory, linking the record-low discharge to climate change and prolonged drought.

Amazon has expanded its drone delivery operations in Richardson, Texas, where Prime Air drones now drop packages quickly to customers. But residents complain the constant buzzing and whirring overhead is disrupting daily life, with some saying the noise makes their homes unbearable. The tensions highlight growing friction as rapid drone delivery scales up in American suburbs.

Bangladesh's startup sector raised its lowest level of investment in five years during the first half of the year, according to a report by The Business Standard. The drop is attributed to hurdles facing investors, including difficulties moving money into the country and a cautious funding climate. The slowdown raises concerns about the survival of early-stage companies and the country's broader startup ecosystem.

Australia's home auction clearance rate has dropped to its lowest point in ten weeks, a sign that buyers are pulling back just as the Reserve Bank of Australia weighs another interest rate hike. Weak clearance rates typically point to softer housing demand and could add pressure on sellers to lower price expectations ahead of the central bank's decision.

Home sellers are cutting their asking prices as they rush to sell properties and pay off mounting debts, pushing housing prices down. The trend points to financial pressure on owners rather than weak demand alone shaping the market. Observers are watching whether the wave of distressed sales continues to drag prices lower in the coming months.

Foreign aid contributions from nearly all of the world's top 10 donor countries declined in 2025, according to Our World in Data. The drop marks a broad retreat in development assistance among the largest donors, raising concerns about funding for humanitarian and development programmes in recipient countries.