Countless things happen around us every day, and only a handful are talked about. Yet some become important given the time and circumstances, and not knowing them can leave one behind. Here, briefly, is some important news from around the world for Jagonews24 readers.

Delhi has decided to exempt Singapore from the sudden ban India imposed last month on parboiled rice exports. Speculation has since begun over whether Bangladesh might get the same facility.

After the war in Ukraine began, Europe insisted it would stop buying Russian energy entirely by 2027. But a major flaw in that plan has become clear: despite its condemnation, the 27-nation bloc is itself set to import a record amount of LNG (liquefied natural gas) from Russia this year.

Elon Musk has announced audio and video calling on X (formerly Twitter), taking the popular microblogging site a step further towards becoming an "everything app". He did not say whether the feature will be for everyone or only for verified subscribers.

Russian President Vladimir Putin had already said he would not attend the G20 summit in New Delhi. Now Chinese President Xi Jinping may also skip it, British news agency Reuters reported. Premier Li Qiang would represent China in his place.

A devastating fire broke out in a multi-storey residential building in Johannesburg, South Africa. The death toll has risen to 64, and many injured people are being treated in hospital.

Scientists in the UK have developed a new injection to shorten lengthy cancer treatment. It can be given to a patient in just seven minutes. The UK's National Health Service (NHS) said it will cut cancer treatment time by up to three-quarters.

India's opposition alliance, named INDIA, is meeting again, in Mumbai from Thursday 31 August. Alliance leaders are to hold informal talks on Thursday afternoon followed by a dinner hosted by NCP leader Sharad Pawar. The main meeting is due at the Grand Hyatt hotel in Santacruz from 11am on Friday.

In a few days the G20 summit begins in New Delhi. Heads of government of member countries such as the US, UK, China, Japan, Saudi Arabia, France and Germany are expected to attend alongside India, and the Delhi authorities are sparing no effort to make it grand.

Korvi Rakhsand, founder of Bangladesh's Jaago Foundation, has won the Ramon Magsaysay Award. The Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation announced four winners from different countries on Thursday 31 August. The award is regarded as Asia's Nobel.

Hurricane Idalia struck the coast of Florida, with three deaths reported. It was a Category 3 storm when it made landfall, but has since weakened into a tropical storm and changed course towards Georgia and South Carolina.

Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered that any Israeli minister must seek permission before holding secret talks with officials of other countries. The order followed reports of unprecedented secret talks between the foreign ministers of Israel and Libya.

Despite opposition from neighbouring countries, Japan began releasing treated radioactive water from the Fukushima power plant into the Pacific Ocean on 24 August. Now Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has eaten sashimi from the Fukushima coast and praised its taste, to show that the release poses no threat to public health.

A professor at Visva-Bharati University has been accused of mentally and physically harassing four female students. The complainants say no action has been taken despite complaints to the authorities.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.