Japan is expanding its fight against investment fraud with a new system that uses artificial intelligence to spot warning signs earlier. The Consumer Affairs Agency announced the package on September 1. It will analyze consumer complaints for language and patterns linked to fraudulent schemes and failing businesses. The package says AI will supplement existing keyword searches and support earlier alerts, investigations and enforcement when complaint data indicate serious risks.
South Korea’s consumer prices rose 3.1% in August from a year earlier, official data showed. Fuel costs remained a major source of price pressure during the month, with petroleum product prices climbing 14.2%. Mobile phone service charges also recorded a sharp annual increase of 26.7%, largely due to a temporary comparison base effect. Core consumer prices, excluding food and energy, rose 3.4% from a year earlier, marking the strongest annual core reading since May 2023.
News
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Bishkek during the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit. The August 31 meeting covered political ties, trade, defence, energy, space, mobility and contacts between people. Modi and Putin also discussed regional conflicts and cooperation through major multilateral forums. The talks marked their first in-person meeting of 2026 and continued a series of high-level exchanges between India and Russia.
Business
South Korea’s consumer prices rose 3.1% in August from a year earlier, official data showed. Fuel costs remained a major source of price pressure during the month, with petroleum product prices climbing 14.2%. Mobile phone service charges also recorded a sharp annual increase of 26.7%, largely due to a temporary comparison base effect. Core consumer prices, excluding food and energy, rose 3.4% from a year earlier, marking the strongest annual core reading since May 2023.
Travel
On Mondays and Saturdays, flight G9 0628 will leave Sharjah at 4 p.m. and arrive in Gdansk at 8 p.m. The return flight, G9 0629, will depart Gdansk at 8:50 p.m. It will reach Sharjah at 6:10 a.m. the following day. On Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, Sharjah departures are scheduled for 8:15 a.m. Return flights will leave Gdansk at 1:05 p.m. and arrive in Sharjah at 10:25 p.m. All published times are local.
Sports
Messi said he reached the decision after extensive consideration following Argentina’s 2026 World Cup final against Spain. He wrote his retirement message on July 21, two days after the final in New Jersey. Messi later said the death of his father, Jorge Messi, in August reinforced his decision to publish the message. He described leaving the national team as painful while stressing the pride he felt representing Argentina. Messi also thanked teammates, coaches, family members and supporters who accompanied him throughout his international career.
Technology
Japan is expanding its fight against investment fraud with a new system that uses artificial intelligence to spot warning signs earlier. The Consumer Affairs Agency announced the package on September 1. It will analyze consumer complaints for language and patterns linked to fraudulent schemes and failing businesses. The package says AI will supplement existing keyword searches and support earlier alerts, investigations and enforcement when complaint data indicate serious risks.