The American Express Times
Friday, August 21, 2026
Chinese comic crosses an ever-tightening line
Chinese comedian Guo Degang is under investigation after he altered the lyrics of a patriotic song during a Wuhan performance without prior approval. The incident underscores the tightening government controls over artistic expression and the enforcement of strict ideological conformity in China’s cultural sector.
★ Featured Stories
Lust in translation
Katy Simpson Smith’s novel *The Maltese Version* follows two women writers whose personal and professional lives become intertwined amid themes of love, identity, and the…
Pair Attacked Woman at Knifepoint in Park
Two Afghan nationals, Khan Agah and Noorullah Ahmdzai, were convicted of raping a woman at knifepoint in Barking Park, East London, in August 2023. Their…
AmBank sharpens credit strategy
AmMB Holdings Bhd plans to focus on loan growth within mid-tier corporate and SME sectors while tightening retail lending criteria, especially for mortgages. This strategic…
Sunway Healthcare’s 2Q26 earnings jump
Sunway Healthcare Holdings Bhd nearly doubled its net profit to RM78.16 million in Q2 2026, driven by strong hospital performance and increased foreign patient revenue.…
★ All Stories
Gas prices aren’t falling for a very simple reason
Crude oil prices have dropped significantly since April, but retail gasoline and diesel prices have fallen only marginally due to ongoing disruptions in global refining…
The Democrats haven’t quite hit Tea Party territory — yet
The Democratic Party is experiencing a growing divide between moderate and progressive factions, with left-leaning candidates gaining influence but support remaining mixed among its diverse…
Americans are moderating their drinking, studies find
Federal data show that the prevalence of alcohol use disorder among Americans aged 12 and older dropped from 10.6 percent in 2021 to 8.9 percent…
Trump ends ambiguity in attacks on global court
The Trump administration has expanded sanctions against the International Criminal Court by targeting its president and a senior prosecutor, intensifying U.S. opposition to the tribunal.…
Trump reverts to economic pressure on Iran
Former President Donald Trump has renewed calls for intensified economic sanctions against Iran, warning of severe consequences for nations continuing trade with Tehran. The move…
U.S. Navy helps to move oil through Strait of Hormuz
Since May, the U.S. military has escorted oil tankers through the southern corridor of the Strait of Hormuz to safeguard the transit of about five…
The childhood friends who turned out to be sisters
Two women adopted separately from India into Dutch families discovered they are biological sisters through a DNA testing match on MyHeritage, leading to an emotional…
Democrats look for voting rights backlash
Alabama Democrats, including former Senator Doug Jones and Representative Shomari Figures, are mobilizing Black voters in response to new redistricting maps that reduce minority representation…
A missing $1,000 pen becomes a Senate race focus
Opponents of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton have revived a 2012 incident in which he took a $1,000 pen without permission, using it as part…
Republicans in Wyoming reject the far right
Wyoming Republican primary voters rejected many far-right Freedom Caucus candidates, instead favoring more moderate conservatives for key state offices, including the governorship where State Senator…
I spent my summer in the cemetery. There, I found strange solace.
A writer and their family traveled through cemeteries across the Upper Midwest in the summer of 2026 to confront mortality and find peace amid a…
Dizzy? Don’t rule out migraines.
Vestibular migraine, a form of migraine primarily causing dizziness instead of headache, remains difficult to diagnose and treat due to its overlap with balance disorders…
Manchester City needs a midfield makeover
Manchester City suffered a 3-0 loss to Arsenal in the Community Shield, exposing weaknesses in their midfield and raising questions about the squad’s readiness under…
Drawing out other tales of survival
Elizabeth Smart has launched a new podcast called “The Survivor Files With Elizabeth Smart,” featuring conversations with violent crime survivors about their trauma and healing…
Aging friends on life and what matters most
Robb Moss’s documentary "The Bend in the River" follows five longtime friends as they reflect on their lives and aging, using archival footage spanning nearly…
The wild summers that shaped a young chef
In the mid-1970s, a teenage Anthony Bourdain began his culinary career working in Provincetown restaurants, where early challenges and local influences shaped his passion for…
UK and Israel Clash Over West Bank Settlement Expansion
The United Kingdom condemned Israel’s plan to build approximately 1,200 new homes in the E1 West Bank settlement area and summoned Israel’s chargé d’affaires to…
Refugee who fled Sudan war passes GCSEs and targets World Cup dream
Nasser Hamid, a 20-year-old refugee from Sudan living in Ipswich, has passed his GCSE exams in mathematics and English after resettling in the UK. His…
Thames Water Warns Drought Could Last Months
Thames Water has warned that drought conditions in southern England may continue through the end of the year, despite recent water use reductions and a…
Reform Councillor Charged Over Post About Nigerians
Sunderland City councillor Glenn Gibbins has been suspended by Reform UK after being charged over a social media post related to Nigerians. This case highlights…
Shopper calls 999 after buying no-alcohol gin and tonic
A man in Hertfordshire called emergency services after mistakenly buying non-alcoholic gin and tonic from Tesco and then attempting to exchange it. Hertfordshire Police released…
The Last Midwives of Afghanistan Fight Taliban Restrictions
A small number of midwives in Afghanistan continue to provide essential maternal care despite a Taliban ban on women’s healthcare training that limits new medical…
Evaluating the Seriousness of Trump’s Sanctions Threat on Iran
President Donald Trump has threatened new sanctions on Iran, with the Senate recently approving legislation that could expand punitive measures, though it still requires House…
Vladimir Putin has pushed his people to breaking point
Russia’s ongoing missile attacks on Kyiv amid mounting battlefield setbacks and domestic hardships reveal increasing strain within the Kremlin as it faces a challenging military…
What was so ‘unbearable’ about Starmer’s No 10?
Baroness Sue Gray resigned as chief of staff at No 10 Downing Street after describing her working environment as toxic, with internal mistrust and orchestrated…
‘Keep at it’: Grandmother passes GCSE maths on fifth attempt
Wynne Hindle, a 52-year-old grandmother from Sudbury, Suffolk, passed her GCSE mathematics exam on her fifth attempt after four years of studying at West Suffolk…
Tinder Conman Claimed Cancer to Swindle £70k
Joseph Gibson, 35, used elaborate lies about military service and wealth to defraud multiple victims of nearly £70,000 through fake medical treatment and investment schemes.…
Trevor Nelson reveals brain tumour diagnosis
BBC Radio presenter Trevor Nelson has revealed he was diagnosed with a brain tumour and has taken time off work to focus on recovery following…
Putin arrests unhappy Russians as fights break out over fuel shortages
Russian authorities have arrested protesters and imposed fuel purchase limits as Ukraine’s drone strikes have severely damaged key oil refineries, causing widespread fuel shortages and…
Afghanistan Faces Severe Shortage of Female Health Workers by 2030
Afghanistan is projected to face a loss of 25,000 female teachers and healthcare workers by 2030 due to Taliban restrictions on women's education, particularly banning…
British Church Leader Faces Charges Over Religious Conversion in India
British church leader Pankaj Devnoor has been charged in India with attempting to convert Hindus, reportedly under the Freedom of Religion Act 2026 before the…
The Wreck of the Slovenian: A Century-Old River Boat Revealed
The wreck of the century-old riverboat Slovenian has recently become more visible along a riverbank, attracting attention from local residents and historians. This exposure provides…
Harry and Meghan’s security plans for return a ‘private matter’, Burnham says
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle plan to return to the UK later this month, possibly settling near London as their children prepare to start school,…
More pupils get top GCSE grades as gap between boys and girls shrinks
The 2026 GCSE results show a slight rise in top grades and a return to pre-pandemic pass rates across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, with…
Hosepipe ban for 10m people to last until next year, Thames Water admits
Thames Water announced that its hosepipe ban affecting 10.1 million customers will remain until the end of the year due to ongoing drought conditions. The…
Joseph Gibson sentenced for £68,000 fraud using false cancer claims
Joseph Gibson was sentenced to three years and two months in prison for defrauding four people of around £68,000 by falsely claiming he had cancer…
Du Pre effects to sell at auction next month
The personal items of celebrated cellist Jacqueline du Pré, including letters and childhood memorabilia, will be auctioned next month in Wiltshire with bids anticipated to…