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Asia Times
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- 1Iran's military demands US withdrawal from West Asia●Iran's military: Americans must leave West Asia, we will not retreat one step
Iran's armed forces have issued a statement declaring that American forces must leave West Asia, vowing that Iran "will not retreat one step." The tough rhetoric, carried by regional outlets including Kurdistan 24, underscores Tehran's ongoing confrontation with the United States over military presence in the region. It signals defiance and escalates tensions at a time of heightened friction between the two countries.
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Europe is preparing for intensified competition with Asia over liquefied natural gas supplies, according to a Financial Times report. As both regions vie for limited cargoes, buyers could be forced to bid up prices, with implications for Europe's energy security and household and industrial costs. The competition centres on securing winter supply and attracting flexible US and Qatari cargoes away from Asian buyers.
- 3Bangladesh startup funding hits five-year low in first half●Investor hurdles drag Bangladesh startup funding to 5-year low in Jan-Jun
Startup funding in Bangladesh fell to its lowest level in five years during January-June, according to The Business Standard, which attributes the decline to obstacles facing investors. The report suggests difficulties in raising and deploying capital are squeezing the country's early-stage ecosystem, leaving founders with fewer financing options at a time when startups elsewhere in South Asia are also competing for scarcer venture funding.