Mehrullah Safi, 28, a disabled Afghan National Army (ANA) soldier, sits with his children at their house in Jalalabad province, Afghanistan. August 2, 2017. Picture taken on August 2, 2017. REUTERS/Parwiz

 

North Korea

 

South Korea said an agreement with the United States to scrap a weight limit on its warheads would help it respond to North Korea’s nuclear and missile threat after it conducted its sixth and largest nuclear test two days ago. South Korean officials believe more weapons tests by the reclusive state are possible, despite international outrage over Sunday’s nuclear test and calls for more sanctions against it. 

 

Putin calls tougher North Korea sanctions senseless, warns of 'global catastrophe'

 

North Korea's nuclear scientists take center stage with H-bomb test

 

Reuters TV: Haley calls for strongest U.N. sanctions against North Korea

 

U.S.

 

Hurricane Irma, a powerful Category 4 storm, plowed toward the Caribbean and the southern United States as islands in its path braced for possible life-threatening winds, storm surges and flooding. 

 

Stormed-tossed Texans set to return to work as recovery picks up

 

President Donald Trump is expected to rescind a program shielding from deportation some immigrants who came to the United States illegally as children, throwing their fate to Congress, which would have six months to find a fix. 

 

U.S. crude rises on returning refineries; gasoline slumps to pre-Harvey levels

 

Business

 

Europe’s financial markets shake off North Korea jitters

 

Hyundai is at loggerheads with its Chinese partner over efforts to cut supplier costs, as they grapple with cut-throat competition and the impact of a stand-off between Beijing and Seoul, four people familiar with the dispute said. Hyundai, along with affiliate Kia Motors, has been caught up in a political row over a missile defense system deployed in South Korea, but opposed by China. That has come against the backdrop of ever tougher competition from local Chinese automakers. 

 

Toymaker Lego to cut 8 percent of staff as sales decline

 

"Angry Birds" maker Rovio plans IPO to boost growth

 

Taxify takes on Uber in crowded London taxi-hailing market

 

 

Sweat falls from Rafael Nadal of Spain during his fourth round match against Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine at the US Open, New York, U.S. - September 4, 2017. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly

 

Deals

 

Private equity giant Blackstone Group has called off the sale of its A$3.5 billion ($2.8 billion) Australian shopping mall portfolio, a source said, as the looming arrival of Amazon.com spooks buyers of bricks-and-mortar stores. 

 

Noble Group in talks to extend $2 billion credit facility deadline

 

Breakingviews - Elliott shows tail wags dog in German M&A

 

Tronc buys New York Daily News

 

United Tech to buy Rockwell Collins for $30 billion

 

Russia

 

Russia reserves the right to further cut the number of U.S. diplomatic staff in Moscow, President Vladimir Putin said in response to what he called Washington’s “boorish” treatment of Russia’s diplomatic mission on U.S. soil. 

 

Putin said that any decision by the United States to supply defensive weapons to Ukraine would fuel the conflict in eastern Ukraine and possibly prompt pro-Russian separatists to expand their campaign there. 

 

World

 

Special report: Behind the scenes, Zimbabwe politicans plot post-Mugabe reforms

 

Disabled in war, Afghan soldiers seek a living on the streets

 

Russian frigate fires cruise missiles at Islamic State targets near Syria's Deir al-Zor

 

Merkel wants EU to consider halting Turkish accession talks

 

Defying warnings, residents refuse to leave Mumbai's crumbling buildings

 

Commentary

 

 

The UK is facing "large problems" as it stumbles toward a post-Brexit trade deal with the U.S., writes columnist John Lloyd. "For the UK government, the United States is the obvious – perhaps the only – port in a storm that may engulf the British economy" after it leaves the European Union, says Lloyd. But obstacles to such a deal range from British aversion to American chickens that are washed in chlorine, genetically modified grain and growing international aversion to President Donald Trump.