Here’s a roundup of the most significant news stories from around the world today:
- Japan to Release Fukushima Nuclear Plant Water into Sea: Despite protests from local fishermen and opposition from China, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced that Japan will commence the release of radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the sea on August 24.
- US Banks Face Credit Rating Downgrades: S&P Global Ratings has downgraded the credit ratings of several US banks. This move comes only two weeks after Moody’s Investors Service took a similar step by downgrading the ratings of ten US banks.
- Hun Manet Becomes Cambodia’s New Prime Minister: Cambodia’s parliament has approved Hun Manet, aged 45, as the new prime minister. This follows his father, Hun Sen’s, 38-year rule over the country.
- ASEAN and China Enhance E-Trade Cooperation: Indonesia’s Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan has announced that ASEAN and China have reached an agreement to enhance electronic trade cooperation, aiming to bridge the digital economy gap in Southeast Asia.
- US Court Rules on AI-Generated Artwork: The District Court of Washington, D.C. has ruled that artwork created solely by artificial intelligence (AI) without human involvement cannot be patented or copyrighted under US law.
- Singapore to Hold Presidential Election: Singapore will hold a presidential election on September 1 after three candidates submitted their nomination papers, according to election official Than Meng Duy.
- BHP Group Reports Lower Fiscal Year Profit: Australia’s largest mining company, BHP Group, disclosed a 37% year-on-year decrease in profit for the full fiscal year 2023 due to rising costs and labor market challenges.
- Dubai International Airport Records Surge in Passengers: Dubai International Airport (DXB) witnessed a 49% increase in passenger numbers during the first half of 2023, reaching 41.6 million, surpassing pre-COVID-19 levels.
- Indonesia Faces Current Account Deficit: Indonesia’s central bank announced that the country recorded a current account deficit of 0.5% of GDP in the second quarter of 2023 due to plummeting commodity prices and weakening global economic conditions.
- India Mulls Suspension of Rice Exports: The world’s largest rice exporter, India, is considering suspending additional grain exports as it grapples with rising domestic food prices, potentially tightening global supply.
- Hong Kong Expresses Opposition to Fukushima Water Release: Hong Kong leader John Lee has strongly voiced opposition to Japan’s plan to release radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea, and Hong Kong plans to regulate seafood imports from Japan in response.
- Baidu Reports Strong Revenue Growth: Chinese search engine giant Baidu Inc. posted higher-than-expected revenue for the second quarter of 2023, driven by robust ad revenue.
Stay informed with these highlights from today’s news, offering a glimpse into the diverse and evolving global landscape.