- USD/JPY holds just below 162.50, trapped between 162.00 support and 163.00 resistance
- BoJ deployed a record 11.7 trillion yen of intervention in spring, lasting under six weeks
- Policy gap of roughly 275 basis points (BoJ 1.00% vs Fed 3.50-3.75%) sustains short yen carry trade
- Japan CPI (July 23) and Fed meeting (July 28-29) are key catalysts for a potential breakout
- Bias remains higher, with resistance at 163.00 and support at 162.00 guiding near‑term moves
July 16, 2026
▲ 48▼ 89◆ 21– 188
Markets 35
- Around 200 workers walked out at Port Hedland, staging an eight‑hour strike.
- BHP shares fell 2.3% after the strike was announced.
- Singapore iron ore futures rose to $102 per tonne, the highest level since early July.
- BHP reported a 3% YoY decline in iron ore production for Q4, while copper output is expected to fall 12% YoY in FY2027 guidance.
- The company approved a $900 million investment to add 20 million tonnes of annual capacity by FY2029.
- Nasdaq index fell sharply amid a broad sell‑off in semiconductor stocks
- TSMC posted a record output but could not offset the chip‑stock slump
- UnitedHealth posted blowout earnings, sending its shares higher
- SpaceX's secondary‑market price slipped below its IPO level
- EUR/USD slipped about 0.2% to near 1.1440 after US initial jobless claims fell to 208,000, below forecasts
- US retail sales rose 0.2% month‑on‑month in June, matching expectations but slowing from May's 1.0% gain
- Eurozone core inflation is projected at 2.4% YoY with headline HICP expected to decline 0.1% MoM
- DJIA up 0.3% to 52,800, outperforming S&P 500 and NASDAQ
- UnitedHealth jumps 6% on earnings beat, driving price-weighted gains
- Initial Jobless Claims at 208K, Philadelphia Fed survey at 5-year high
- USD/CHF trades around 0.8080, up 0.35% on the day
- Middle East tensions keep inflation risks and Fed hike expectations alive, with 58% chance of a rate hike by September
- SNB maintains willingness to counter excessive Franc appreciation
- JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs see trading revenue surge
- Risk-on sentiment drives market gains
- Banks' trading revenue up 25% YTD
- AUD/USD trades near 0.7010 as US Dollar lacks momentum following mixed US data
- US retail sales growth slowed to 0.2% MoM in June from prior 1.0%, limiting USD demand
- Australian inflation expectations fell to 4.7% in July from 5.5%, easing household concerns
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- GBP/USD retreated to just under 1.3500, down roughly 0.5% after stalling near 1.3550 for two sessions
- BoE deputy governor gave dovish remarks while CPI stays at 2.8% and the policy rate remains at 3.75%
- US jobless claims fell to 208K and the Philadelphia Fed survey surged to 41.4, bolstering the dollar
- Technical outlook: resistance at 1.3550‑1.3600, support near 1.3450‑1.3400, bias now lower
- Andy Burnham confirmed as UK Labour leader and will become Prime Minister on Monday, adding fiscal uncertainty
- Chip sector declines as earnings and demand concerns weigh on valuations
- Transport stocks climb on improving freight rates and logistics outlook
- US equity indexes stay within a few points of all‑time highs
- USD/CHF rose over 0.40% to 0.8088 after bouncing off the 0.8042 support level
- RSI moved above the 50 neutral mark, targeting the 60 level, indicating bullish momentum
- A break above 0.8100 could open the path to 0.8171 and 0.8250 resistance levels
- If the pair falls back below 0.8100, the next support zones are 0.8000, 0.7967 (50‑day SMA) and 0.7919 (200‑day SMA)
- DXY rises ~0.3% toward 100.80 after initial jobless claims drop to 208K versus 217K forecast
- EUR/USD falls to ~1.1440 (-0.2%) and GBP/USD slides to ~1.3470 (-0.5%) amid dollar strength
- USD/JPY climbs to ~162.40 (+0.1%) as the yen stays under pressure
- WTI crude drops ~1.6% to about $79/barrel and gold slips ~2% to $3,982/oz
- USD/SGD fell to 1.2875 intraday before rebounding, signalling heightened downside momentum
- Key support levels identified at 1.2875 and 1.2860; minor resistance at 1.2895 and strong resistance at 1.2930
- Near‑term outlook expects the pair to stay below 1.2910
- A close below 1.2860 could trigger a deeper decline toward 1.2830 within 1‑3 weeks
- Portfolio blends U.S. stocks, bonds, international assets, REITs, MLPS and commodities for income
- Fixed‑income targets 5%+ yields, e.g., USIG at 5.3% SEC yield and VWOB at 5.97% yield
- Fed rates expected to stay steady, supporting modest credit risk and ~5‑year duration
- Equity allocation favors AI‑benefiting sectors and fiscal‑policy winners such as financials, energy, manufacturing
- Model rebalanced 6‑8 times a year with tax‑efficiency considerations
- MXN down ~0.30% to 17.43 per USD, after low of 17.37
- US Dollar Index up 0.27% to 100.76 amid higher oil prices and strong US data
- 10-year Treasury yield rose 2 bps to 4.569%, supporting the greenback
- Fed officials Logan and Schmid signaled continued tightening risk
- US retail sales +0.2% MoM; initial jobless claims 208K vs 217K forecast
- USD/CNY fell to 6.7690, with support at 6.7540 (YTD low) and resistance at 6.7860‑6.79.
- Weaker US CPI and PPI reduced USD strength, easing expectations of further Fed tightening.
- Firmer PBoC fixings back gradual RMB appreciation, but soft Chinese growth may cap upside.
- June trade surplus offers flow support, though not a confirmed driver of the currency move.
- Semiconductor shares experience whipsaw volatility, pulling down the Nasdaq
- AI‑focused stocks slide amid heightened market pressure
- Broad tech sector weakness contributes to overall index decline
- GBP/USD slipped slightly after yesterday's strong gains but stays in early‑July bull reversal
- UK May GDP rose 0.7% QoQ while industrial production fell 0.5% MoM
- Scotiabank targets a near‑term retest of 1.3650 for GBP/USD
- EUR/JPY trades near 185.80, slightly down after reaching a one‑month high earlier this week
- ECB officials signal readiness for further tightening; about 70% of economists expect an extra rate hike by year‑end, likely in September
- Japanese yen recovers modestly as risk aversion rises amid renewed Iran‑Israel tensions and higher oil prices
- Small-cap ETFs SPSM and SLYG have risen over 20% year-to-date, versus a 2% decline for SPSM last year
- All 11 small-cap GICS sectors outperform their large-cap peers, a pattern not seen in more than 30 years
- Russell 2000 index is up nearly 20% YTD, its best first half since 1991
- Small-cap earnings estimates are being upgraded, with projected EPS growth of over 20% this quarter
- Emerging markets ETF IEMG is up more than 18% YTD, highlighted as another attractive asset class
- CFTC has overseen prediction markets for over 30 years since its 1992 Iowa Electronic Markets ruling
- SEC could regulate contracts tied to individual stocks as securities‑based swaps under Dodd‑Frank
- Both agencies issued a joint public comment request and signed an MOU to clarify definitions and coordination
- Regulatory boards are thin: only 3 of 5 SEC commissioners seated, while CFTC Chairman Michael Selig is the sole member
- GBP/USD fell over 0.48% to 1.3375 after US retail sales and jobless claims beat expectations
- US retail sales rose 0.2% MoM (core 0.4%) and initial jobless claims dropped to 208K, pushing DXY to 100.72
- Middle East attacks raised energy‑supply risks, lifting odds of an October Fed rate hike to about 57%
- UK economy grew 0.1% in May and fiscal concerns eased with speculation of Shabana Mahmood as finance minister
- Energy company IPOs raised $12.6 billion in the first half of 2026
- Highest half‑year IPO total since the late‑1999 dot‑com peak, surpassing 2025's full‑year $4.3 billion
- Growth driven by investor demand for power to support AI‑intensive data centres
- South Korea's FSC to impose curbs on high-risk ETFs to curb speculative trading
- Measures target leveraged ETFs amid AI-driven market volatility and retail investor leverage
- Regulator aims to stabilize stock market amid wild swings and debt-fueled trading
- Nasdaq falls 0.5% as chip stocks decline
- Semiconductor stocks lead the decline
- Brent crude hovers near $85 a barrel
- Former World Bank VP warns of dangerous concentration in US tech equities
- Calls for urgent global market diversification to protect savers
- Growing capital concentration in a few US tech giants highlighted as systemic risk
- Japanese stock gains decelerate as AI-led rally loses momentum
- Analysts flag sustainability worries despite recent solid earnings
- Modest valuations help curb fears of a bubble in the market
- Executives from SGX, Japan Exchange Group and the Stock Exchange of Thailand urged stronger cross‑border links.
- Improved regional connectivity is seen as key to capturing investment inflows and sustaining market growth.
- The call was made at the Nikkei Asia Forum APAC 2026 in Bangkok on July 16.
- UBS appoints Takehiro Sakuramoto as first dedicated head of its Japan bond section in four years
- Bank targets rising demand from Japanese firms for non‑yen debt issuance
- UBS plans to boost foreign‑currency bond underwriting capacity in Japan, focusing on USD and euro funding
- Shareholders must hold at least 5% of voting rights to request an extraordinary meeting
- Proposal aims to curb frequent activist investor calls for special meetings
- Government and ruling Liberal Democratic Party backing the regulatory change
- Applies to all listed companies on Japan's stock exchanges
- Pair fell 0.34% to 218.80 after hitting 219.62, its highest in 18 years
- Key resistance at 219.00; breach could target 219.61 and 220.50 levels
- Support levels at 218.00, 216.60 and 214.72 (50‑day SMA) if downside continues
- RSI stays bullish but dips, signaling short‑term consolidation risk
- USD/CNH fell to 6.7653, approaching key support at 6.7600
- Minor resistance sits between 6.7720‑6.7780; strong resistance at 6.7820‑6.7860
- UOB projects a 1‑3 week downside bias toward 6.7600 if resistance holds
- Dollar Index up 0.2% to 97.04
- Ends two-session losing streak
- Reflects modest USD strength versus major currencies
- ABC News reports a former White House teleprompter operator earned about $100,000 from Kalshi event contracts linked to President Trump's speeches.
- Federal regulators are probing whether the staffer used nonpublic information, raising potential insider‑trading concerns.
- The investigation highlights scrutiny of prediction‑market platforms like Kalshi for possible misuse of privileged political information.
- NZD/USD trades around 0.5842, near a one‑month high of 0.5850
- US Dollar Index (DXY) rebounds to about 100.70 after dipping to 100.35
- Technical support levels: 0.5831 (100‑day SMA), 0.5819 (200‑day SMA), 0.5807 (50‑day SMA)
- Initial resistance seen near 0.5870; RSI at 63 indicates bullish momentum
Macro/Economy 29
- Pending home sales fell 5.4% in June versus May, missing expectations.
- Average 30‑year fixed mortgage rate held at 6.6% in June, near a year‑high.
- NAHB builder sentiment index dropped to 34 in July, staying below 40 for 15 months.
- 37% of builders cut prices in July, up from 35% in June.
- Median existing‑home price hit a record high in June, keeping affordability pressure.
- EU aims for electricity to account for 46% of total energy use by 2040, up from ~23% today
- Target doubles the electrification rate that has been flat for the past decade
- Plan is framed as an economic and security response to Middle East conflict, seeking to cut oil and gas use
- Shift could reduce European reliance on oil and gas, influencing regional energy markets
- IMF projects Bangladesh GDP growth at 3.5% in FY2027, falling below 3% medium-term
- Bangladesh seeks $5.5bn IMF bailout replacement after exiting earlier program
- IMF cites fiscal, financial, and inflation pressures amid Middle East conflict and global commodity spikes
- Singapore consumers are projected to spend an additional S$1.05 billion (US$815 million) annually in Malaysia's Johor state.
- This spending shift is anticipated once the cross-border rail link connecting Singapore and Johor opens.
- A study by the Singapore Business Federation and retail/F&B associations highlights concerns among local businesses about capital outflow.
- Thailand targets completion of EU FTA negotiations by Dec 2024
- Key obstacles: EU's strict rules on agricultural raw materials and environmental standards
- EU business delegation of over 40 firms reaffirmed interest in Thai investment
- Agreement would give Thai exporters tariff‑free access to EU markets
- Thailand also seeks EU support for its OECD membership bid
- Loan demand fell for the second consecutive month, according to the July survey
- Credit standards were reported as slightly tighter across most banks
- Expectations for loan growth over the next year were revised down to roughly 2‑3%
- Survey noted a modest rise in loan delinquencies
- Beijing pushes faster implementation of state-backed infrastructure projects to sustain GDP growth
- Policy deliberately avoids large-scale fiscal stimulus, focusing on targeted investments
- Analysts view the shift as a move toward higher-quality, sustainable growth
- U.S. administration announced new tariffs affecting steel and aluminum imports.
- Brazil signals a firm retaliation, warning of possible trade barriers.
- Analysts expect the dispute could dent Brazil's export earnings and weigh on the real.
- More than 80% of U.S. adults worry about running out of money in retirement
- Survey respondents say they need about $1.2 million to retire comfortably
- Most respondents are burdened by debt, making the $1.2 million target hard to achieve
- China's 2024 GDP growth estimate is 4.3%
- The estimate is below Beijing's lowest projection for the year
- Analysts argue the figure may still be overstated given economic headwinds
- Only 21% of surveyed firms run AI in production at scale
- 83% report GPU utilization of 50% or less
- 44% can rigorously track AI compute costs
- 64% plan to switch or add an infrastructure provider within 12 months; 38% within a quarter
- 45% intend to evaluate AI-specialized clouds over the next year
- EU's 12‑month rolling trade deficit with China reached €376 bn in May, 8% higher YoY.
- The deficit has spurred a three‑month EU‑China Trade and Investment Consultation launched in late June.
- EU may activate diversification and overcapacity trade defence tools as early as October if talks stall.
- New measures are expected to be calibrated to avoid tit‑for‑tat escalation, keeping risk moderate.
- Federal Reserve Board, FDIC and OCC adopt on‑site review of highly sensitive bank examination data to limit system transfers
- New procedures aim to reduce cybersecurity risk and keep confidential supervisory information protected
- Agencies will notify affected banks of any material data breach within 72 hours of discovery, unless legal constraints apply
- Around 95% of Jobar's buildings were destroyed during the war
- World Bank estimates Syria's total reconstruction cost at $216 billion
- A proposed $21 billion foreign‑backed project could create up to 200,000 jobs but would give locals only 50% of their former homes
- Nearly 90% of Syrians live below the poverty line, limiting financing options
- Government officials have barred residents from rebuilding even with private funds
- Bilateral trade totals about $3.1 bn, with NZ exports of roughly $718 m covered by the deal
- Tariffs on 95% of NZ exports such as kiwifruit, meat, wool and coal will be eliminated or reduced
- The pact includes a pledged $20 bn of NZ investment in India over the next 15 years, though feasibility is debated
- India, now the world’s fourth‑largest economy, is projected to grow over 6% annually, opening new markets for NZ firms
- Domestic opposition cites concerns over migration policy, dairy access, and Māori interests
- Senate report estimates $26.5 billion in consumer costs from CFPB rollbacks
- $15 billion attributed to eliminating the $8 credit‑card late‑fee cap
- $7.5 billion linked to repeal of the $5 overdraft‑fee limit
- Roughly $4 billion from dropping more than 36 enforcement actions and settlements
- Acting director Russell Vought faces Senate oversight hearing on the changes
- Diesel inventories have fallen sharply, tightening supply for truckers and farmers
- Reduced diesel availability is expected to lift transportation and agricultural costs
- Higher fuel costs could add upward pressure to inflation rates in the near term
- Virginia ranks 4th in STEM workforce concentration but lags in attracting educated migrants despite talent programs supporting 22,000 jobs since 2019
- Colorado leads in college-educated workforce (28.1%) but only 57.7% of credentials are 'of value' per Lumina Foundation study
- Georgia and South Carolina top net migration of college-educated workers, with SCWorks training program placing 79% of participants in jobs within 6 months
- Tennessee ranks 8th in net migration of college-educated workers but faces persistent talent demand per U.S. Chamber of Commerce
- Sweden's economy relies heavily on foreign investment
- High taxes fund social benefits, but may deter investment
- The model's sustainability is being questioned
- IRS filed more than 214,000 federal tax liens in FY2025, a 9% increase from the prior year and 36% up from 2022.
- IRS workforce fell 27% to 74,000 employees, prompting concerns that reduced staff will rely more on automated lien filings.
- Automatic lien filings now trigger for tax debts over $10,000, up from a $5,000 threshold before 2011.
- Tax liens can block credit access, mortgage refinancing, and employment, especially affecting gig workers and low‑income families.
- Hong Kong's short-haul visitor arrivals fell 15% in June.
- Overall visitor arrivals increased 7% year-on-year to 3.72 million in June.
- Mainland Chinese arrivals rose 10% to 2.88 million, driving overall growth.
- Factors contributing to the short-haul decline include a strong Hong Kong dollar, higher fuel costs, and reduced flight capacity.
- US lawmakers propose law to restrict big investors in residential real estate
- Potential reduction in new housing supply due to decreased investor cash
- Uncertainty for homebuyers and renters as market dynamics shift
- Services exports have risen at a 9.3% compound annual growth rate over the past 12 years
- Merchandise exports have expanded at roughly one‑third the pace of services
- The services sector is set to become India's top export category for the first time
- The shift underscores challenges to the government's manufacturing‑first strategy
- European chemical producers warn that a sharp rise in Chinese imports is driving accelerating plant closures across the sector.
- PVC maker Vynova announced a production cut after selling its largest German site amid the import surge.
- Ineos' chemicals unit raised concerns about the climate impact of the influx of Chinese goods.
- Industry groups are urging the European Commission to implement faster, stronger trade defence measures.
- Deputy Prime Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow highlights Vietnam's rapid economic growth
- He says the growth can create mutually beneficial trade and knowledge exchange for Thailand
- Stressed the need for open regional economies to sustain partnership
- Only 9.5 million of 18.8 million applicants qualified under the new rules
- Qualified applicants fell from 13.2 million to 9.5 million after stricter screening
- 5.76 million were rejected for not meeting income criteria; 3.56 million excluded under revised rules
- Eligibility ceiling stays at 100,000 baht per person, shifting from household to individual assessment
- Existing recipients can start receiving benefits from Aug 1, with results announced 6 pm Friday
- California abandons recently passed pension reform legislation.
- Public unions argue AI market gains justify expanding pension benefits.
- The reversal could raise the state's long‑term pension liabilities.
- Four acting Greek MPs were among 22 people charged by the European Public Prosecutor's Office.
- The indictment relates to a scheme that falsified grazing land and inflated livestock numbers to claim EU subsidies.
- Investigators allege involvement of state employees and conservative politicians in the fraud.
- The case follows previous charges against dozens of Greek stockbreeders for similar subsidy fraud.
- Toyota Tsusho now offers direct shipping from Japan to Canada and Mexico for auto parts suppliers
- The service eliminates the need to route shipments through the United States, avoiding double tariffs
- Transport costs for small suppliers can be reduced by up to 60% under the new model
- Small parts makers gain direct access to North American carmaking hubs
Central Banks 10
- CPI fell 0.4% and PPI fell 0.3% in June, marking unexpected declines.
- Warsh signals possible rethinking of inflation metrics and highlights AI‑driven price pressures.
- Fed meeting in two weeks; markets expect a rate hike by year‑end amid divided officials.
- Governor Lisa Cook warns AI spending could push up chip and equipment prices, shifting inflation risk higher.
- Warsh’s AI and money‑supply task forces may take months to deliver, adding policy uncertainty.
- Kevin Warsh vows to deliver price stability
- Fed chairman strikes a hawkish tone on inflation
- Bond investors question Warsh's inflation-fighting credibility
- Fed maintains 2% inflation target and uses output gap to guide rate moves
- Positive output gap → rate hikes; negative output gap → rate cuts
- Current focus on energy price shock and macroeconomic impact of AI
- 10-year Treasury yield rose about 5 basis points, reaching roughly 4.3%
- Fed officials reaffirmed a hawkish stance, emphasizing ongoing inflation combat
- U.S. economic data mostly beat expectations, bolstering expectations for higher rates
- BoK lifted its policy rate by 25 basis points to 2.75% in a unanimous 7‑0 vote
- GDP and core inflation are projected above May forecasts, with headline inflation expected at 2.7%
- South Korean memory‑chip stocks slumped, with SK Hynix down 11.5% and Samsung Electronics down over 8%
- Authorities will suspend new single‑stock leveraged ETF/ETN listings and ban related marketing until volatility eases
- BoK raised policy rate by 25 basis points to 2.75%, signalling further tightening
- Q1 GDP grew 3.8% YoY and June core inflation was 2.5%, above BoK 2026 projections
- KOSPI fell up to 7.6% in a sharp correction, easing pressure on KRW
- KRW estimated to be 11% undervalued versus its real effective exchange rate trend
- Logan says "modestly" higher interest rates are needed to bring inflation back to target
- June CPI fell 0.4% month‑over‑month but remains 3.5% YoY; PPI slipped 0.3% M/M, still 5.5% YoY
- CME FedWatch shows only 12.3% odds of a rate hike at the July 28‑29 FOMC meeting
- Markets anticipate a 0.25% rate increase later this year, likely in September or October
- Fed issues prohibition order against James Burns, former chief lending officer of Heritage State Bank
- Action relates to appraisal-related lending misconduct
- Heritage State Bank is based in Lawrenceville, Illinois
- Survey period: May 7 to June 9, 2026
- Sample size: 4,000 people, with 2,031 valid responses
- Survey methodology: Mail survey method via mail or internet
Energy/Oil 18
- China's export controls on rare earth elements could impact $6.5 trillion of global industry
- Heavy rare earth elements export controls suspended until November 2026
- Global critical minerals market remains highly concentrated
- WTI hovered around $79.10, down 0.81% after briefly spiking to $80.29 on Houthi threats
- 50‑day EMA resistance at $80.21; support near $78.37 with 200‑day EMA at $77.34
- U.S. data showed lower jobless claims (208K) and strong Philadelphia Fed manufacturing index (41.4), bolstering the dollar
- Houthis warned of targeting Saudi export routes, including the East‑West pipeline and Bab al‑Mandeb chokepoint, raising supply‑risk concerns
- Recent U.S. naval blockade of Iran and strike waves had little immediate impact on oil prices
- WTI futures stabilize near $80/bbl after recent volatility
- Market participants await clarity on ME conflict escalation
- Brent futures hover around $85/bbl, with limited price movement
- China signals possible removal of its strategic oil buffer, ending a key supply cushion
- Renewed hostilities in the Strait of Hormuz have halted the flow of Gulf crude
- US and other major markets see crude inventories at dangerously low levels
- Analysts warn the loss of the safety net could push Brent and WTI toward record highs
- IEA projects global oil demand to drop about 1 million barrels per day in 2026 YoY
- Marks the first annual demand decline since the COVID‑19 pandemic in 2020
- OPEC's 2026 demand growth forecast mirrors the IEA's downward outlook
- Drop linked to ongoing Middle East trade restrictions and geopolitical turmoil
- Potential downward pressure on crude prices such as WTI and Brent
- Yemen's civil war reignited after a four‑year truce, raising risk of oil trade disruptions
- Houthis pledge to fight alongside Iran, potentially blocking Red Sea shipping lanes
- Less than 50% of Yemen's population currently has electricity access, underscoring a domestic energy crisis
- Analysts warn the threat could tighten global oil markets amid existing energy concerns
- Oil prices remain elevated due to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine.
- Energy stocks, such as ExxonMobil and Chevron, are expected to benefit from rising oil prices.
- Uranium producer Cameco (CCJ) receives a positive note from Truist Securities with a buy rating and $129 target.
- New pipelines could add >14 million bpd capacity by end‑2028, about 60% of pre‑war export volume
- Iraq’s output fell to 1.9 million bpd in June from 4.2 million bpd in February due to Hormuz disruptions
- Saudi Arabia may expand its Red Sea pipeline by 2 million bpd; UAE aims to double export capacity via Fujairah pipeline
- Iran’s recent attack on a Saudi pumping station cut throughput by 700,000 bpd, highlighting pipeline vulnerability
- Threats to Bab el‑Mandeb Strait could block millions of barrels per day diverted through Saudi Red Sea pipeline
- US leads in crude oil and condensate production, maintaining top spot globally
- Total liquids output (including NGLs) further extends US lead over Saudi Arabia and Russia
- 2026 review highlights US dominance in both narrow and broad oil production metrics
- Crude inventories at Cushing fell below 20 million barrels for the week ending July 10
- Five‑day rolling WTI‑Brent differential turned negative, its lowest since Jan 2022
- Negative spread signals extreme tightness as inventories approach tank‑bottom levels
- EIA is reviewing a pilot study on minimum working inventory levels at storage facilities
- Inpex broke ground on the $21 billion Abadi LNG facility in the Tanimbar Islands.
- The project will become Indonesia's second‑largest LNG plant and one of Asia's biggest.
- Capacity is expected to boost regional gas supply, enhancing Indo‑Pacific energy security.
- Construction marks a major step for Japan‑Indonesia energy cooperation.
- IEA members agreed to release a record 400 million barrels of oil and refined products after Iran war disruptions
- U.S. released 172 million barrels under Trump and 180 million barrels under Biden during the crisis
- India and South Africa announced plans to top up their strategic petroleum reserves (amounts not disclosed)
- The moves aim to enhance energy security as oil markets remain volatile
- Chevron will sign two MoUs on Friday to push forward West Qurna 2 and Nassiriya developments
- West Qurna 2 currently produces about 460,000 barrels per day
- The projects could become Chevron's largest upstream investment in years
- The expansion aligns with a planned exit from the Hormuz shipping route
- Natural gas futures fell modestly amid bearish price pressure
- Inventory build was slightly below normal, preserving the surplus
- Storage surplus remains at 181 Bcf, close to the five‑year average
- Eni will boost capital spending in Southeast Asia and Latin America as new focus regions
- Shift is driven by ongoing Strait of Hormuz shipping disruptions and lasting Middle East geopolitical risk
- CEO warns Russia and Gulf producers will face long‑term supply constraints, reshaping global oil supply
- India’s refining capacity now exceeds 5.5 million barrels per day, positioning it as a swing producer of diesel, jet fuel and gasoline.
- Supply gaps from Middle‑East disruptions and reduced Russian diesel exports have accelerated India’s export role.
- Analysts project India could supply up to 10 % of global diesel demand during tight market periods.
- Dana Gas halted production at the Khor Mor gas field after credible security threats
- Facility has faced repeated rocket and drone attacks from armed groups
- Shutdown coordinated with the Kurdistan Regional Government, Sulaymaniyah authorities, and the Iraqi federal government
- Closure aims to protect personnel and infrastructure amid rising regional volatility
- Curad-1 exploration well in Somalia being drilled by TPAO, potential major discovery
- Success could yield oil bypassing Strait of Hormuz, reducing geopolitical transit risks
- Frontier well positioned as industry seeks new hydrocarbon provinces amid Gulf instability
Gold/Metals 14
- Gold hovered near $4,000 per ounce, confronting a key resistance point.
- Higher real yields have reduced gold's appeal despite continued safe‑haven buying.
- Analysts warn that further rate hikes or sustained high rates could push gold lower.
- Gold's price movement is now more tied to bond yields than to geopolitical risk.
- XAU/USD trades near $4,015, down 1.10% after hitting $3,974 earlier in the session
- US CPI and PPI for June came in below expectations, but Fed rate‑hike odds remain
- WTI crude rises to about $80 per barrel, up roughly 12% for the week, supporting inflation concerns
- Technical resistance at $4,200; key support at $4,000 with a deeper floor near $3,800
- Gold price tests key support at $1,850/oz amid rising geopolitical tensions
- Fed outlook complicated by escalating Ukraine-Russia conflict and US-China trade tensions
- Gold sentiment remains mixed as investors weigh inflation concerns and economic uncertainty
- Forecast lifted by 6.7% to $12,700/tonne for 2026
- Supply deficits and tariff-driven tightness cited as key drivers
- AI-fueled optimism also factored into higher price outlook
- Gold futures slipped as overseas conflicts intensified
- Silver prices fell alongside broader metal weakness
- Geopolitical risk continues to drive volatility in precious metals
- Global silver inventories fell 5% in H1 2024, widening a 10‑tonne deficit.
- New U.S.–Canada trade restrictions could cut cross‑border silver shipments by up to 12%.
- Analysts forecast a 3%‑5% rise in silver prices for 2024 if the deficit persists.
- Real yields have risen to 1.9%, yet gold's correlation with yields has weakened
- Analysts cite stronger inflation expectations and safe‑haven demand as drivers
- Gold may hold current price levels despite higher real rates
- The decoupling suggests gold is viewed as a hedge beyond yield dynamics
- Silver (XAG/USD) down 3.5% on the day, trading around $55.75, near the $55 support level
- US Dollar rebound and stable Treasury yields keep pressure on non‑yielding silver
- Technicals show a descending channel below 50‑, 100‑ and 200‑day SMAs; RSI near 34
- Fed rate‑hike expectations stay high, backed by rising oil prices and inflation concerns
- Gold hovers around $1,950 per ounce, lacking clear upward momentum
- U.S. dollar index remains weak at roughly 104.5 but hasn't lifted gold prices
- Analysts warn a break below $1,940/oz could trigger further downside
- U.S. sanctions on Cuba force closure of Canada’s only cobalt refinery
- The incident reveals limited Western processing capacity for cobalt
- Raises concerns about resilience of battery‑metal supply chains
- The Treasury will issue a $1 commemorative coin for the United States' 250th anniversary.
- Although called a “gold coin,” its composition includes no gold or other precious metals.
- The collector's item will be sold at a premium above its $1 face value.
- Predictive Discovery (ASX/TSX: PDI) acquires a 12% equity stake in Awalé Resources (TSXV: ARIC).
- The investment expands PDI's exposure to gold exploration in Côte d'Ivoire.
- The move aligns PDI with other major miners such as Newmont and Fortuna.
- All three stocks trade below $5 per share
- Analysts estimate upside potential ranging from 30% to 70%
- Low valuations may appeal to value‑focused investors
- Gold consolidating within a narrow band after six consecutive indecisive hourly candles
- Price action lacks clear direction, reflecting uncertainty in near-term market sentiment
- Traders await a catalyst to break the current consolidation pattern
Crypto 37
- US Treasury adds 4 Iran central bank crypto wallets to sanctions list
- Tether freezes $131 million in USDT linked to the wallets
- Total blocked USDT linked to Iran's central bank now $475 million
- Citadel Securities invests $400 million in Crypto.com, valuing the exchange at $20 billion.
- Funding will support Crypto.com’s expansion into tokenized securities, derivatives and other asset classes.
- CEX spot trading volume rose 15.3% in June to $1.11 trillion, with RWA perpetual volumes hitting a record $311 billion.
- The US Senate unanimously adopted a resolution opposing clemency for former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried.
- The resolution signals strong legislative opposition to any potential pardon for SBF.
- Prediction markets currently place the odds of a Trump pardon for SBF by July 31 below 1%.
- Ether up ~11% in 7 days vs. Bitcoin’s 4% gain and broad crypto underperformance
- U.S. spot Ether ETFs saw $96M inflows in 3 days, 90% to BlackRock’s low-fee ETHA/ETHB funds
- Robinhood Chain’s $800M daily DEX volume, settled in Ether, fuels new demand source
Read on CoinDesk ↗
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- Visa introduced the Visa Stablecoin Platform, enabling banks and fintechs to issue, store, and settle Open USD stablecoins.
- Circle's USDC market share faces pressure as its shares dropped about 5% following the Visa announcement.
- CEX spot trading volume rose 15.3% in June to $1.11 trillion, while RWA perpetual volumes hit a record $311 billion.
- Open Standard's Open USD is backed by Visa, BlackRock, Alphabet, and Coinbase, aiming to eliminate minting fees and return most reserve income to distributors.
- Keyrock acquires BlockFills' trading and brokerage assets to deepen institutional crypto presence
- Deal adds derivatives expertise, client base, and regulatory licenses in Cayman Islands and UK
- Several senior BlockFills executives join Keyrock, including Perry Parker and Dan Schak
- AI-powered crypto scams rose 1,400% YoY, with average payment tripling to $2,764 (Chainalysis, FBI)
- Dual authorization and out-of-band verification cited as most effective defenses against AI impersonation
- Advisors warned against granting AI agents direct wallet permissions due to elevated attack risks
- Criminals launder billions via crypto, exploiting regulatory gaps
- Only 34% of 149 jurisdictions largely compliant with FATF crypto standards by April 2026
- Stablecoin use by illicit actors rises, including custom stablecoins resistant to seizure
- FATF warns criminal networks are exploiting stablecoins to bypass asset freezes
- Task force urges nations to accelerate implementation of crypto AML regulations
- Increasing stablecoin crime prompts calls for stricter oversight and enforcement
- Tether invested $20 million in Argentine neobank Ualá, which serves over 11 million customers across Argentina, Mexico, and Colombia.
- Ualá's CEO clarified Tether is solely a financial investor, with no immediate USDT integration due to regional regulations.
- The investment was part of Ualá's larger $197 million funding round, led by Allianz X, valuing the neobank at $3.2 billion.
- This move is part of Tether's broader Latin American expansion, following investments in Belo, Adecoagro, and Mercado Bitcoin.
- Tether funds these investments using excess capital from USDT reserves, reporting a $1.04 billion profit in Q1.
- A long-dormant bitcoin wallet moved 5,908 BTC worth $383 million to a new address.
- The coins were accumulated in late 2017 when bitcoin traded near $16,000 and have gained 284%.
- The wallet's move suggests custody changes or preparation for an over-the-counter deal rather than an immediate sale.
- Bitcoin surged to ~$65,000 on softer-than-expected June CPI (3.5% YoY vs 3.8% forecast)
- Long-term holders (5+ months) and short-term holders are selling into the bounce, signaling weak conviction
- Profit-taking by short-term holders exceeds $4M/day, mirroring May’s selling pattern near $82k
- Alpaca raises $135M to expand into tokenized markets and AI-native financial services
- BNP-backed brokerage infrastructure provider targets onchain business convergence with TradFi
- Funding supports development of agent-first infrastructure for DeFi and AI-driven trading
- Polygon will cut jobs as it transitions operations toward payments services.
- The restructuring follows a $250 million deal to acquire Coinme and Sequence announced in January.
- The move signals a strategic shift for Polygon's blockchain platform toward payment processing.
- Bitcoin up roughly 6% over the past week, trading near $30,000
- Increased buying activity observed across spot markets, futures contracts, and Bitcoin ETFs
- Options market shows about $3.2 billion of open contracts, indicating heightened interest
- Geopolitical tensions pose a risk that could quickly erode recent gains
- Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets approved BitPay's crypto-asset service provider application
- License granted under the EU's Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework
- BitPay plans to expand stablecoin payment services across Europe
- Regulatory approval could boost broader crypto adoption in the region
- Former CFTC commissioner cautions lawmakers against making ethics a decisive factor in crypto market‑structure legislation
- Blockchain Association CEO argues ethics concerns are outside the industry's focus
- Debate could shape the final form of upcoming crypto regulatory reforms
- E*TRADE retail clients can now buy, sell and hold Bitcoin, Ether and Solana on a spot basis
- The service is powered by crypto infrastructure provider Zero Hash for custody and settlement
- Launch expands crypto access within Morgan Stanley's brokerage platform
- Tradable plans to move up to $1 billion of private credit assets onto Stellar.
- The deal expands Stellar's tokenized real‑world asset offerings for institutional investors.
- Signals growing institutional interest in blockchain‑based tokenization.
- Proposed bill would mandate federal registration, custody standards, and segregation rules for crypto platforms
- Requires plain-language disclosures on risks, conflicts, and trading activity for retail investors
- Introduces Bank Secrecy Act obligations and fraud-prevention tools for digital asset firms
- Aims to prevent FTX-like collapses by clarifying asset treatment in insolvency
- Lacks bipartisan urgency despite years of negotiations
- Users spent a record $324 million on onchain gacha in June
- Bitcoin dropped to its lowest level in 21 months
- Demand for tokenized collectibles remains strong despite crypto weakness
- Prediction markets notional volume surged to $113.8bn in Q2, a record high
- Volume growth occurred amid declines in spot CEX trading, derivatives volume, and stablecoin market cap
- Trend suggests shifting investor preference toward speculative event-based wagers
- Tokenized stocks market cap surged to a record $2.3B, per latest data
- Growth driven by new tokenized equity products from crypto exchanges
- Investors increasingly seek exposure to tokenized traditional stocks via blockchain
- Galaxy introduced two Morpho-based vaults (Quality and Enhanced) for institutional clients
- Vaults are offered through Fireblocks Earn, reaching over 2,400 institutional custodial clients
- Quality Vault targets blue‑chip collateral for capital preservation; Enhanced Vault seeks higher yields via liquid restaking, Pendle and Ethena tokens
- Galaxy manages an average loan book of $1.4 bn and $3 bn in staked assets across five custodians
- Launch adds to a fast‑growing DeFi curation market, with rivals like Robinhood and Kraken expanding similar products
- $70,000 strike call now has highest open interest at $1.63 billion, overtaking the $80,000 call.
- $80,000 call falls to second place, while the $60,000 put remains the most‑watched downside bet.
- Dealers hold net long gamma above $70,000, likely selling into strength and capping rapid BTC upside.
- Bitcoin price hovered around $64,100, down about 1% on the day, with other major cryptos also slipping.
- Bitcoin slipped to $64,000 after hitting a monthly high of $65,500.
- Iranian strikes on U.S. bases in the Gulf added to the crypto sell‑off.
- XRP futures open interest rose to a 10‑day high of 2.21 billion while spot fell 0.6%.
- Ether dropped 1.7% and its open interest fell to 14.35 million, near a five‑week peak.
- CEX spot trading volume rose 15.3% in June to $1.11 trillion; RWA perpetuals hit $311 billion.
- Bitcoin realized losses mimic previous bear-market reversals
- BTC price battleground shifts to $69,000
- Glassnode analysts identify early signals of bear-market bottom
- Vlad.fun, a memecoin launchpad on Robinhood Chain, has suspended its platform.
- The halt is attributed to a "serious internal integrity issue" involving team members.
- The specific nature of the alleged misconduct has not been disclosed by the platform.
- Hyperion DeFi will deploy 500,000 HYPE tokens to support institutional perpetual futures markets on Hyperliquid's HIP-3 permissionless listings.
- Under the agreement, Hyperion will receive an equity stake in Skew Technologies and a share of listing-service revenue.
- The service is designed to help institutional clients launch custom perpetual futures markets on Hyperliquid.
- Hyperliquid's HIP-3 framework allows developers to launch custom perpetual markets by posting HYPE as bonded capital, expanding the token's utility.
- Bitcoin failed twice this week to breach $65,000 resistance, staying near $64,000
- Profit‑taking and weak spot‑trading volume indicate lack of conviction in the rally
- Crypto Fear & Greed Index remains in "Extreme Fear" territory
- Traders watch upcoming catalysts: Clarity Act hearing, Q2 options expiry, and Iran strike tensions
- Base creator Jesse Pollak admits to being 'definitively wrong' on social experiences driving crypto adoption
- Pollak steps back from leadership of the Base App
- Prediction markets and perps show Base trailing behind other crypto assets
- MicroStrategy stock has slipped roughly 40% year-to-date.
- The drop mirrors Bitcoin price swings but core investors remain unfazed.
- Company continues to be a major corporate holder of Bitcoin.
- Injective submits filing to become an SEC-registered transfer agent
- Aim is to create a regulated pathway for on-chain tokenized securities ownership records
- Approval could allow on-chain record-keeping for tokenized equity and other securities
- Bitcoin drops 1.5% from recent highs
- Move follows reversal in US equities after inflation cues turned to profit‑taking
- Micron reported losses exceeding 30%, adding pressure on risk assets
- Crypto sentiment turns cautious as broader market sells
- Ledger introduced Ledger Agent Stack, an open-source toolkit for AI agents to read balances, prepare transactions, and propose payments
- All sensitive actions must be approved on a Ledger hardware device, preventing autonomous fund movement
- Toolkit also supports storing AI credentials and using Ledger devices as security keys for services like GitHub and 1Password
- First product under Ledger’s 2026 AI roadmap, adding hardware‑based security to AI‑driven crypto applications
- MoonPay buys Glide, a crypto infrastructure startup founded by ex-Robinhood Wallet engineers
- Deal aims to expand cross-chain crypto deposit capabilities
- Targets improved user experience for crypto deposits and withdrawals
- ARK Invest director of research disputes a16z’s thesis that traditional finance will adopt permissioned blockchain.
- ARK argues institutions will increasingly rely on decentralized finance (DeFi) infrastructure.
- The debate underscores contrasting views on blockchain’s role within traditional finance.
Geopolitics 59
- Protests in Kyiv and other cities against defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov's removal
- Over 1,000 people gathered in Kyiv, chanting 'shame' and waving Ukrainian flags
- Fedorov appointed only 6 months ago, known for modernising Ukrainian military
- US Central Command launched a new wave of strikes to degrade Iranian military capabilities
- Iran responded by attacking US allies in the Gulf region
- Combat has reignited over the strategic Strait of Hormuz a month after a preliminary cease‑fire deal
- Escalation raises concerns for regional security and global oil supply
- Iran threatens to retaliate against US targets in the Middle East if Trump's threats are carried out
- Tensions escalate as US and Iranian forces engage in a series of attacks and counter-attacks
- Oil prices fall as market becomes increasingly desensitized to US-Iran war developments
- IEA warns of potential economic shock if Hormuz Strait is disrupted
- Global oil supply at risk of 3.5 million bpd disruption
- World has just weeks to avoid economic shock
- US redeployed 6 coastguard ships from Middle East to South China Sea
- Chinese analysts say move unlikely to alter balance of power in disputed waters
- Coast Guard to conduct maritime security operations and cooperative activities with allies
- Iran warned Houthis to shut the Bab El‑Mandeb Strait shipping lane if the US strikes Iranian power infrastructure
- Houthis have positioned missiles and drones near the strait, ready to block oil transit
- The threat adds geopolitical risk to global oil supply, potentially pressuring WTI and Brent prices
- Washington scales back military deployments in Eastern Europe
- NATO members voice heightened worries about collective security
- Potential strain on alliance cohesion amid Russian activity
- Analysts monitor possible ripple effects on regional stability
- US carried out its sixth consecutive night of attacks on Iranian infrastructure, hitting an airport, a bridge and a communications tower.
- Iran's IRGC claimed retaliatory strikes on a Bahrain airbase and launched 32 drones at facilities in Kuwait.
- Iran warned its attacks could spread to new areas if US strikes continue, while the US says it remains open to diplomacy.
- US officials asked allied governments to warn Iran of a suspected Israeli plot targeting Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf
- Israel denied the report; earlier Israeli strikes killed senior Iranian officials Ali Larijani and Kamal Kharazi involved in the talks
- The interim agreement, which halted hostilities and reopened the Strait of Hormuz, faces threats from Israeli actions and internal Iranian factions
- The episode highlights an alliance security dilemma, forcing Washington to manage a key ally whose moves could derail the peace process
- Iran's IRGC warned it may make the Bab al-Mandeb Strait its next front against the US.
- The strait connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, a key artery for global maritime trade.
- Iran would depend on Houthi allies in Yemen to block the passage if the threat materialises.
- Experts debate the seriousness of the threat and its potential impact on regional stability and global supply chains.
- Three export control bills – AI Overwatch Act, Match Act, Chip Security Act – are slated for inclusion in the NDAA.
- The bills aim to restrict Chinese access to advanced semiconductor chips and chipmaking equipment.
- Beijing warns the measures could cause arbitrary disruption and damage to global supply chains.
- The move heightens US‑China technology tensions and may tighten export restrictions on AI and chip tech.
- President Trump has not ruled out sending US troops into Iran amid rising tensions
- US airstrikes against Iranian targets continue as conflict escalates
- Analysts warn a ground invasion would be logistically complex and strain US military capabilities
- June parliamentary vote reaffirmed PM Nikol Pashinyan, curbing Russia's influence in the South Caucasus
- Russia's bid to dominate the region suffers a setback, prompting a power vacuum
- China and Japan see opportunity to expand overland trade corridors linking Asia and Europe
- The shift may recalibrate strategic calculations of Moscow, Washington, Brussels, Beijing and Tokyo
- Iran has ordered the Houthi movement to stand by for possible closure of the Bab el‑Mandeb strait
- The order is contingent on the United States carrying out threats to hit Iranian power infrastructure
- Houthis have positioned stockpiles of drones and advanced missiles for potential maritime attacks
- The move raises risk of disruption to Red Sea shipping lanes that handle roughly 10 % of global trade
- China prioritizes domestic J-35 production for its navy over export to Pakistan
- Sale could disrupt regional balance of power and risk U.S. tech leakage via Pakistani F-16 maintenance ties
- J-35s remain critical to China's naval modernization amid U.S. carrier fleet dominance
- Ma Zhaoxu’s US visit seen as preparatory step for Xi Jinping’s potential Washington trip later in 2024
- Trip may include stop in Miami, host of December G20 summit, per sources
- Ma oversees US-China relations, signaling focus on bilateral diplomacy
- Chinese academics asserted Beijing's sovereignty over Batanes Islands during a Guangzhou university seminar
- Claim seen as a warning amid ongoing Japan-Philippines maritime border negotiations
- Batanes lies between Taiwan and northern Luzon, escalating South China Sea territorial disputes
- Cambodian government struggles to crack down on widespread online scam compounds due to their sheer scale.
- The scam industry deters foreign tourists and investors, negatively impacting Cambodia's economy and international relations.
- Ongoing border tensions with Thailand, rooted in organized crime, include daily warning shots and recent injuries to Cambodian soldiers.
- Thai fighter jets are reportedly flying into Cambodian territory, significantly increasing the risk of renewed conflict.
- Pakistan's National Security Committee says any water diversion will be treated as an act of war, implying nuclear response.
- India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty after the April 2025 terror attack in Kashmir, citing Pakistan's support for militancy.
- Pakistan views India's hydro‑coercion as an existential threat, lowering its nuclear escalation threshold.
- China's downstream vulnerability and Afghanistan's dam projects add further strategic pressure on Pakistan's water security.
- Thailand's FM announced Myanmar's military and some rebel groups are open to dialogue, acknowledging no military solution.
- Thailand facilitated separate talks in Pattaya between military negotiators and six ethnic armed groups.
- The shadow National Unity Government (NUG) was excluded from Pattaya talks, expressing strong reservations.
- ASEAN is pursuing "calibrated engagement" with Myanmar's military, despite warnings it could embolden the regime.
- Prospects for a lasting resolution remain remote, as talks involved only a fraction of opposition groups, potentially allowing the military to maintain control.
- Democratic backsliding has persisted for roughly 20 years worldwide
- Authoritarian regimes are becoming more coordinated and technology‑savvy
- Surveys show declining trust in the United States and growing confidence in China
- Trump will speak Thursday at 9 p.m. ET, focusing on alleged threats to U.S. election integrity
- He is expected to repeat false 2020 fraud claims and promote the SAVE America Act voting‑ID bill
- Polls show Democrats favored to retake the House as Trump's popularity slips ahead of the midterms
- Allies are stalling other legislation while pushing the election reform agenda
- The speech may also touch on Iran and the economy, but no specific policy details have been released
- Syria seized missiles, rockets and drones hidden in an oil tanker‑truck at the al‑Tanf border crossing
- Customs officials say the cargo was intended to transit Syria before reaching Hezbollah in Lebanon
- Hezbollah denied any involvement; Iraq will set up a high‑level committee to investigate the smuggling attempt
- More than 500 people feared dead after two vessels sank off Myanmar in early July
- One boat carried about 250 passengers, the other around 280, mostly Rohingya refugees
- Incidents raise the 2026 total of missing or dead migrants in the Andaman Sea/Bay of Bengal to ~300
- In 2025, over 6,500 Rohingya attempted sea crossings, with nearly 900 deaths or disappearances
- Monsoon-season storms and overcrowded boats increase the risk of fatal voyages
- Qatar publicly rejected Israeli media reports alleging its participation in a planned strike on Iran.
- Doha emphasized the allegations are false and aim to undermine its role as a regional mediator.
- No evidence was presented; the claim remains unverified.
- Ukraine has approached Japan to co‑produce Patriot interceptor missiles with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.
- Such cooperation would require Japan to breach its long‑standing restrictions on lethal weapons exports.
- Analysts say the move is unlikely, citing legal hurdles and potential strain on Japan's regional relationships.
- The issue highlights a test of Japan's pacifist stance amid its broader support for Ukraine.
- Rubio announced at a Washington conference that the US will prioritize "far-left terror" in its international counterterrorism agenda
- The statement was delivered to officials from more than 60 countries
- Democrats warned the move could politicize counterterrorism and divert resources from other extremist threats
- Anutin's July 16‑20 visit includes the World AI Conference and opening a BOI office in Chengdu.
- Meetings with Xi and Premier Li will cover trade, investment, security and Thailand‑Cambodia border tensions.
- Discussions may address Chinese arms supplies to Cambodia and transnational crime concerns.
- China’s defence minister is slated to visit Thailand next week for further security talks.
- White House pushes new visa restrictions for F (students), J (exchange visitors) and I (media) categories
- Department of Homeland Security issues final rule fixing admission periods for affected visa holders
- Regulation specifically tightens limits on Chinese journalists as part of broader immigration crackdown
- Lisandro Martinez and Giovani Lo Celso displayed a "Las Malvinas son Argentinas" banner after Argentina's 2-1 win over England
- FIFA's disciplinary committee will assess the incident, with possible fines between $5,000 and $20,000 for political messaging
- UK Business Minister Peter Kyle called the banner an "egregious violation" and urged a thorough probe
- Past similar cases saw fines of up to 30,000 Swiss francs for Argentina and 20,000 Swiss francs for Serbia
- A 16-year-old boy was shot in the chest by Israeli forces in Bani Naim, east of Hebron.
- Settlers beat a 30-year-old man in Abu Njeim and attacked a family in Khirbet Emneizal, stealing livestock.
- Israeli forces arrested 32 Palestinians across the West Bank on Thursday, including 13 in Beit Ummar.
- UN OCHA reported settlers carried out an average of six attacks per day in 2024, the highest rate on record.
- UN Secretary-General Guterres condemned Israel's designation of Givat Ze'ev as a city, calling it illegal under international law.
- Bashar al-Assad was removed from power in December 2024.
- Syria has cut ties with several former allies following the leadership change.
- The new regime is seeking to deepen its strategic partnership with Russia.
- Analysts say the shift could alter regional power dynamics in the Middle East.
- Nicaragua announced it is severing diplomatic relations with Italy.
- The rift follows Italy's demand to extradite Alessio Casimirri, convicted for the 1978 Aldo Moro murder.
- Nicaragua's constitution prohibits extraditing its own citizens, blocking Italy's request.
- Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani condemned Nicaragua, labeling its government extremist.
- Sandworm, the GRU's elite hacking unit, has started using the Clickfix attack method
- Ukrainian CERT reported 10 compromised websites displaying fake CAPTCHA PowerShell commands
- The campaign led to at least one organization’s network breach via the FreakyPoll malware
- Clickfix attacks have been ongoing since spring and continued through the summer
- Iran says US attack hit within meters of Shahid Baghaei Specialized Hospital, forcing evacuation of 211 chemotherapy patients
- Tehran accuses Washington of committing a war crime and vows retaliation against US military sites in the Gulf
- US has not responded to the allegations, while US senators demand release of investigation findings within a week
- The incident raises concerns that the conflict could spiral further and delay peace negotiations
- U.S. State Department approved a $1.96 bn foreign military sale to Saudi Arabia
- Package includes up to 20,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems and warheads
- Deal aims to strengthen Saudi air defence amid rising tensions with Iran‑backed Houthis
- BAE Systems named as the principal contractor for the weapons
- Approval follows breakdown of U.S.-Iran ceasefire and escalating regional conflict
- Congressional report claims Seoul is singling out Coupang for regulatory pressure
- Coupang, a Seattle‑based e‑commerce platform listed on NASDAQ as CPNG, is the focus
- The accusations could raise concerns for U.S. companies operating in South Korea
- Three European outlets (The Insider, Der Spiegel, Le Monde) reported a joint China‑Russia plan against Starlink.
- Investigation uncovered documents on military cooperation covering air defense, loitering munitions, and space weapons.
- Counter‑Starlink tactics are a key focus of the partnership, though specific methods remain undisclosed.
- Gen Z protests erupted in 13 districts over HSC exam delays due to floods and education minister's 'farm chickens' remark
- Education Minister Milon apologized after audio clip sparked outrage; government agreed to retests and suspended 4 teachers
- Home Minister warned political groups may exploit student anger; exams resumed on July 16 with concessions
- Former Autostrade per l'Italia head Giovanni Castellucci sentenced to 12 years in jail
- Found guilty of vehicle homicide and negligence in 2018 Genoa bridge collapse
- 43 people killed in one of Italy's worst infrastructure disasters
- Activist barred from running for mahalla chair despite 100 resident signatures supporting candidacy
- District hokim (governor) rejected candidate without clear legal justification, citing unspecified approval process
- Gap persists between Uzbekistan’s self-governance laws and local political realities
- Ex‑PM Sheikh Hasina announces plans to re‑enter Bangladesh despite a death‑penalty verdict
- Hasina has been living in exile in India since the BNP‑led government ousted her in 2023
- Her return could reignite competition between the Awami League and ruling BNP, limiting Islamist parties' gains
- Security chief Chris Tang urged booksellers to ensure titles comply with national security legislation
- Police raided two independent bookstores and arrested five individuals on suspicion of sedition
- Tang said the government will not compile a list of banned books, citing risk of circumvention by title changes
- Wildfire in southern Spain kills 12, highlights escalating climate risks
- Global capital and political focus divided between security spending, markets, and climate crises
- Climate change increasingly competing with geopolitical conflicts for attention and resources
- Anti-Rohingya petition in Malaysia garnered ~500k signatures before removal, escalating community tensions
- State elections in Johor and Negeri Sembilan cited as catalyst for coordinated hate speech surge against Rohingya refugees
- Prominent figures, including Deputy PM's daughter, amplify dehumanizing rhetoric; Facebook groups with 50k+ members promote expulsions
- Singapore court awards S$460,000 (≈$357k) in damages to two ministers for defamatory Bloomberg article
- Judgment found article implied ministers engaged in shady transactions, despite accuracy of reported facts
- Bloomberg removed article and replaced it with retraction notice following court ruling
- Meeting scheduled to advance CLARITY Act before Senate August recess
- Act aims to clarify regulatory framework for emerging technologies
- Negotiations ongoing to secure bipartisan support
- Bangladesh will build a 108‑km fence covering part of its 271‑km border with Myanmar
- The fence aims to curb transnational crime and illegal crossings
- Decision driven by escalating instability in Myanmar's Rakhine state
- Project reflects heightened security concerns for Dhaka
- South Korea currently dispatches dozens of cargo ships daily from Busan.
- A pilot vessel is slated to depart for the Arctic Ocean within the next several weeks.
- The initiative seeks to open a northern shipping lane to shorten transit times and diversify routes.
- The project forms part of a broader strategy to enhance the country's maritime competitiveness.
- ABC, NBC and CNN announced they will not air Trump's election security speech on their main broadcast channels.
- The speech will be streamed only on alternative platforms rather than primary TV channels.
- Networks cited concerns about providing a live national platform to the former president.
- Senate HELP committee questioned Erica Schwartz for CDC director nomination
- Sean Kaufman was examined for the assistant secretary for preparedness and response role
- Public health experts described Schwartz as cautiously optimistic but both nominees faltered
- Resolution urges US to ratify the Rome Statute and become a member of the International Criminal Court.
- Trump administration, via Secretary of State Marco Rubio, pledged to dismantle the ICC and impose sanctions on its officials.
- ICC investigations target alleged war crimes by Israel in Gaza and US actions in Afghanistan.
- Iraqi authorities confiscated cash equivalent to $19 million.
- Several kilograms of gold jewelry were also recovered.
- The assets were found in secret hideouts tied to a former deputy oil minister.
- The seizure was announced on 16 July 2026.
- Teleprompter operator Gabriel Perez placed bets on President Trump's speech content, allegedly earning $90,000
- President ordered Perez placed on unpaid administrative leave and he will no longer work at the White House
- Federal regulators have opened an investigation into Perez's activities with the prediction market
- Government counsel argues contractors' deceit and neglect were primary causes of Wang Fuk Court blaze
- Construction and fire service firms allegedly circumvented supervision or ignored statutory duties
- Inquiry highlights systemic failures in regulatory compliance and oversight
- PAS seeks to capitalize on Johor state election defeat to gain bargaining power
- Party argues supporters helped deliver BN victory, potentially paving way for cooperation
- PAS and BN have long competed for Malay-Muslim voters, but explored cooperation in the past
- Two young hackers sentenced to 5.5 years each for 2024 TfL cyberattack
- Attack exposed data of millions of London transport customers
- One of Britain’s largest data breaches in recent years
- Taiwan won WBSC Premier12 baseball title but competed as 'Chinese Taipei', underscoring diplomatic isolation
- Baseball’s role in Taiwan shifted from colonial tool to national symbol, despite international naming restrictions
- Taiwan’s exclusion from U.N. and other bodies makes sports one of few global platforms for visibility
- BJP-led West Bengal government proposed removing eggs from school midday meals, citing vegetarian dietary traditions
- 96% of Kolkata residents are non-vegetarian, but policy reflects broader debate on public vs. private dietary choices
- Controversy underscores India's struggle to balance traditional social norms with modern public sphere freedoms
Tech/AI 37
- EU Commission requires Google to open 11 Android AI features to competitors, with rollout starting January 2025
- Google must provide anonymized search data to OpenAI and other AI chatbots, using a formula to set data pricing
- Regulators say safeguards will protect privacy and security, while Google warns the rules could undermine user safeguards
- Goal is to foster alternatives to Google Search and its Gemini AI service within the EU market
- US undersecretary Jacob Helberg discusses AI policy and ban on foreign access to Anthropic models
- US aims to maintain edge in AI development despite Chinese competition
- Global initiative to exclude China from AI supply chain
- TSMC pledges extra $100B for Arizona fab expansion
- Total US investment now stands at $265B
- Expansion aims to meet booming AI chip demand
- Huawei raises its 2024 smartphone shipment target by 20% to roughly 60 million units.
- ChangXin Memory Technologies files for an IPO to raise more than $8.54 billion, the biggest Chinese chip IPO.
- Nvidia cuts over half of its Asian AI‑chip customers after new U.S. export‑control compliance checks.
- Taiwan's new supplier improves high‑end glass‑cloth output, easing some chip substrate shortages.
- Huawei hosts an international launch in Kuala Lumpur, showcasing smartphones, wearables and a tablet.
- Starship triggered a last‑second abort less than a second before the scheduled 6:45 p.m. ET liftoff.
- The incident marks the 13th flight test attempt for the vehicle from Starbase, Texas.
- Launch postponed by at least 24 hours while engineers investigate the cause of the automated scrub.
- Engines ignited briefly before shutting down, prompting a hold on the booster.
- 50% of surveyed enterprises shipped an AI agent that passed internal tests but failed in production.
- Only 5% fully trust automated evaluation, with 29% citing poor alignment with real-world outcomes.
- 66% allow or plan zero‑human‑in‑the‑loop deployment for low‑risk agents (34% already, 33% within 12 months).
- Around 17% rely on model providers' native evals or have no dedicated evaluation tooling.
- Huang met Japanese semiconductor materials executives in Tokyo to bolster AI and robotics partnerships
- Meeting held at yakitori restaurant near Kanda Station, signaling informal yet strategic ties
- Move aligns with Nvidia's push to expand AI infrastructure and robotics ecosystem in Japan
- Nadella says Anthropic's Fable AI model is overly editorially controlled, limiting user requests
- Anthropic halted Fable access after a U.S. export control directive, restoring it on July 1 with stricter safeguards
- Microsoft has invested $5 billion in Anthropic, with the startup committing $30 billion to Azure cloud services
- Anthropic shares are down 17% YTD while the Nasdaq Composite is up 11% YTD
- Chinese startup Moonshot AI announced an open‑source model that it claims surpasses recent Anthropic and OpenAI releases
- Mayor Daniel Lurie asked California regulators to tighten AV rules following a July 4 traffic jam that stranded dozens of Waymo robotaxis for hours
- The jam was triggered by a December power outage and a fireworks event drawing 100,000 spectators, highlighting AV vulnerabilities in extraordinary incidents
- Lurie proposes four core operational capabilities, real‑time data sharing, and immediate lane removal for robotaxis during emergencies
- Waymo operates roughly 1,000 robotaxis in the Bay Area and reports over 500,000 paid rides each week
- Xpeng aims to produce over 1,000 humanoid robots each month by the end of 2026
- The company plans a global rollout of its next‑generation Iron robot in 2027
- Xpeng is positioning itself against Tesla in the emerging physical AI market
- Manufacturing capacity in Guangzhou will underpin the robot production scale
- Draper cites four past missed opportunities, including early bets on Tesla, SpaceX and Bitcoin
- He says AI startup valuations have surged, creating a bubble that could correct sharply
- He announces a new, high‑risk investment he describes as an "impossible" bet
- Nasdaq Composite slipped 1.5% as semiconductor shares fell.
- Chip stocks led the sell‑off, reflecting waning AI‑related demand.
- Fresh wave of selling hit the broader tech sector.
- xAI filed a lawsuit on Tuesday against Terry Wayne Harwood, the first user accused of using Grok to generate CSAM.
- Harwood was previously arrested for possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material in South Carolina.
- The complaint alleges Harwood used two xAI accounts over several months to "nudify" non‑sexual images, including a girl estimated as young as 10.
- xAI says it assisted law enforcement by identifying the misuse of its Grok chatbot.
- Linus Torvalds states Linux kernel will not be an “anti‑AI” project and invites dissenters to fork or exit
- AI code reviewer Sashiko claims to detect 53.6% of bugs that humans later fix, with false‑positive rate estimated under 20%
- Debate continues as developers worry AI‑generated code may add noise and raise licensing concerns
- Gemini 3.5 Pro launch postponed from June, missing internal performance goals
- Alphabet shares slipped nearly 3% after the delay was reported
- OpenAI and Anthropic have rolled out or restored advanced models amid regulatory scrutiny
- Google updated Gemini training data but results fell short of expectations
- Google Vids now creates personal AI avatars from a selfie and voice recording
- Gemini Omni enables video generation using combined text prompts and reference images
- Step‑by‑step editing lets users modify videos without restarting from scratch
- Personal avatar access limited to users 18+ in selected regions
- Vids integrated into Google Workspace, targeting business updates and training videos
- AI Mode now supports app linking with Instacart, Canva and YouTube at launch
- Users can add grocery items to Instacart cart, generate Canva designs, and save YouTube Music playlists directly from chat
- Rollout begins in the United States, with more third‑party apps slated for future release
- Expansion aims to boost AI Mode usage and compete with OpenAI's ChatGPT and Anthropic's Claude
- Elorian, founded by ex-Google DeepMind researcher Andrew Dai, raised $55m seed at $300m valuation
- Valuation exceeds historical benchmarks like Thinking Machines' record rounds
- Focus on visual AI for next-gen AGI, citing uneven progress in visual understanding/reasoning
- AMI Labs CEO Alexandre LeBrun avoids 'AGI' and 'superintelligence' labels, calling them undefined and unhelpful
- World models aim to predict real-world states for robotics, complementing LLMs which lack physical-world understanding
- AMI Labs seeks Asian partners (e.g., South Korea) for real-world AI training, citing advanced robotics/semiconductor sectors and $880B AI investment plan
- Fireworks hits $17.5B valuation after $1.5B raise, up from $1B annualized revenue in 2023
- Startup competes with Amazon/Google in inference cloud market, offering cheaper AI model alternatives
- Processes 40 trillion AI tokens daily vs. 22-27 trillion for OpenAI/Google, per disclosed metrics
- x402 Foundation, backed by Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Stripe and 36 other members, aims to create an HTTP‑based payment standard for AI agents and machines.
- Protocol, originally built by Coinbase, is now stewarded by the Linux‑affiliated foundation to enable automated micropayments without card fees.
- Foundation, three months old, has formed a technical steering committee and is searching for an executive director.
- CEX spot trading volume rose 15.3% in June to $1.11 trillion, with RWA perpetual volume reaching a record $311 billion.
- Xona Space Systems will launch six low-Earth-orbit navigation satellites in October 2026.
- The full Pulsar constellation of 258 satellites aims for centimeter-level accuracy by early 2020s.
- Signals are projected to be up to 100 times stronger than GPS, improving indoor and jam‑resistant positioning.
- State Grid Shanghai reduced peak electricity demand by 97.8 MW in a two‑hour test.
- First city‑level coordination of data‑center loads with the power grid in China.
- Aims to boost grid efficiency amid rising AI computing demand nationwide.
- Largest single‑city load adjustment recorded in China to date.
- Visa and Artemis identify infrastructure bottlenecks hindering AI adoption
- Commercial adoption of autonomous AI agents is being held back
- Infrastructure gaps need to be addressed for broader AI adoption
- Chip stocks experienced declines.
- Concerns regarding the sustainability of artificial intelligence enthusiasm impacted market sentiment.
- Asia equities displayed a mixed performance.
- Senior AI executive says ASEAN is well positioned to adopt humanoid robots in factories and warehouses
- High prevalence of physical labor in the region creates ample data for training AI systems
- Potential rollout could boost productivity and address labor shortages across ASEAN economies
- 44 Japanese firms form a consortium to build a sovereign AI foundation model
- Tokyo will buy 27,500 Nvidia Rubin chips for the "physical AI" project
- SoftBank, Sony and Honda are the primary partners driving the effort
- The initiative aims to keep Japan competitive as the US and China advance frontier AI
- Researchers used two Tianzhou cargo spacecraft missions to culture human reproductive cells
- Early-stage reproductive cells showed significantly reduced growth and differentiation in microgravity
- Results highlight biological challenges for future long-term human presence beyond Earth
- Government unveiled the Blueprint for Digital Education Development in primary and secondary schools last month
- Blueprint emphasizes four pillars: students, teachers, schools, and society as partners
- Policy incorporates feedback from educators and researchers on AI pedagogy
- Launch coincided with Digital Education Week, signaling push for AI integration in curricula
- New Grok AI model detects duplicated content three times faster than previous version
- X identified 1.5 million stolen posts and will return over $1 million in payouts to original creators
- Platform suspends roughly 208 bots per minute and will remove repeat offenders from the creator program after three violations
- NotebookLM rebranded as Gemini Notebook
- Update makes each notebook a secure container with built‑in code execution for data analysis
- Available now to Google AI Ultra paid plan users and Workspace business customers; Pro rollout in coming weeks
- Product has 30 million users and over 600,000 organizations since its 2023 debut
- DoorDash released “dd‑cli”, a limited‑beta CLI for ordering via AI agents
- Tool currently available to U.S. and Canadian macOS developers on a waitlist
- Allows developers to integrate ordering, deals, and checkout into custom software
- Follows DoorDash’s earlier AI experiments like iMessage ordering and chatbot
- Mozilla discovered Stardust transmitted birthdate, birth‑control type, reproductive goals, and symptoms to RudderStack
- Data was tied to a unique identifier, which the FTC says is not truly anonymous
- Of six period‑tracking apps tested, Stardust was the only one sharing sensitive health data with a third party
- RudderStack is contractually prohibited from selling the data, but both firms can receive US law‑enforcement requests
- Mozilla recommends Euki as a privacy‑clean alternative
- $10M Series A led by Sandberg Bernthal Venture Partners with participation from U.S. AutoForce, Westlake Financial, and early-stage funds
- Self Inspection uses smartphone photos + AI to assess vehicle damage, generating repair estimates and reducing costs by $80M+ for clients
- Platform already processed 1M+ inspections for rental fleets, Stellantis, and automotive finance companies; expansion into Europe planned
- China plans to deploy multiple ground‑based telescopes for asteroid detection
- A satellite constellation will complement the ground network in orbit
- Project led by Li Mingtao, chief scientist at the China National Space Administration
- Executive Chairman Kenichiro Yoshida stresses human "connectedness" still shapes Asia amid AI growth
- He asserts AI will boost creators rather than replace them
- The comment was made at the Nikkei Asia Forum APAC 2026 in Bangkok
- Municipalities along the Linear Chuo Shinkansen route demand a clear completion schedule
- First segment between Tokyo and Nagoya projected to cut travel time to about 40 minutes
- Project has experienced over a decade of postponements despite recent construction approval
- No new timeline has been set, raising concerns about economic benefit delivery
Companies 66
- Short sellers targeting SpaceX shares have an estimated $8.7 billion in paper profit since IPO
- SpaceX shares slipped below IPO price of $135, with 49% of tradable shares out on loan
- Weakness in shares reflects investor concern over debt-funded AI spending
- Board views $53 billion bid (≈$60.50 per share) as undervaluing PayPal despite a 2% share rise to $56.73
- Consortium backed by $50 billion financing from JPMorgan and Morgan Stanley, with $17 billion equity from Stripe and Advent
- Potential regulatory hurdles and financing certainty cited as key concerns; antitrust remedies may involve splitting Braintree
- PayPal's July 28 earnings will be closely watched for growth trends in its core checkout business
- Thousands of Hyundai union workers walked off the line July 13‑15 at Ulsan plant
- Strikes to resume with four‑hour walkouts July 20‑22 after 15 negotiation rounds failed
- Dispute centers on Hyundai’s plan to introduce Boston Dynamics’ Atlas robot, a 6‑ft, 100‑lb lifting machine
- First auto‑industry factory stoppage addressing humanoid robots
- Adjusted EPS $6.38 vs. $4.90 expected
- Revenue $112.03B vs. $110.85B expected
- 2026 earnings outlook lifted to $19.50‑$20 per share from >$18.25
- Stock jumped more than 7% in morning trading
- Medical benefit ratio improved to 86.7% from 89.4% a year earlier
- Uber agreed to buy Delivery Hero in an all‑stock deal valued at $14.8 billion
- The acquisition would expand Uber’s delivery presence to almost 100 markets worldwide
- Delivery Hero will sell its business in 14 overlapping markets to SSW Partners for $1.6 billion
- Deal requires a minimum acceptance of 50% + 1 share; Prosus will divest its 17% stake
- Transaction faces regulatory review and pits Uber more directly against DoorDash and Just Eat
- Stripe has offered to buy PayPal for about $53 billion, merging Stripe’s merchant network with PayPal’s 400 million consumer accounts
- The deal could give Stripe control over PayPal’s stablecoin PYUSD and its payment rails, while promoting Stripe’s OpenUSD and Tempo blockchain
- Regulators are expected to scrutinize the transaction for antitrust concerns and compliance with emerging U.S. stablecoin rules
- Analysts are divided on whether PYUSD would be replaced by OpenUSD, but agree the strategic prize is ownership of the payments infrastructure
- If completed, the transaction would rank among the largest fintech M&A deals, potentially reshaping the digital payments landscape
- USITC launches probe into Samsung's memory chips and products sold by Google, Nvidia, Broadcom, and Super Micro Computer
- Netlist alleges infringement of its patents on dynamic random access memory
- Target date for probe completion set within 45 days
- TSMC will add $100 bn of U.S. capital expenditure for new fabs and packaging plants
- Full‑year capex target raised to $64 bn
- Projects focus on cutting‑edge chipmaking and advanced packaging in Arizona
- Investment aims to meet surging AI chip demand
- Revenue growth forecast lifted to roughly 40% for the year
- Q2 EPS 80¢ beats estimate of 79¢, but revenue $12.56B slightly misses $12.59B forecast
- Shares fell more than 8% in after‑hours trading following the earnings release
- Netflix projects Q3 revenue growth of 12% and aims to double ad revenue to $3B for the year
- Company will shift its "What We Watched" engagement report to an annual release starting 2027
- Teleprompter operator Gabriel Perez earned over $90,000 from Kalshi prediction market bets tied to Trump statements
- Kalshi flagged the trades as suspicious, froze the account and referred the activity to the CFTC
- Perez has been placed on unpaid administrative leave and will not operate the teleprompter for Thursday's address
- Alphabet stock fell 4% on Thursday following Bloomberg report that Gemini 3.5 Pro is delayed by months.
- Delay linked to coding performance falling short of internal expectations amid competition from OpenAI and Meta.
- Rivals recently launched new AI models: Meta's Muse Spark 1.1 and OpenAI's GPT-5.6 Sol.
- Alphabet said it is testing the model, shipping other versions, and engaging with the U.S. government.
- Trump Media (DJT) will debut a paid API on Aug. 1 giving institutional clients real-time access to Trump’s Truth Social posts
- The service already has signed‑up institutional customers despite DJT shares falling 84% since the March 2024 IPO
- DJT reported a $406 million net loss for Q1 2026 and holds roughly 42% of its own stock in a trust for Donald Trump Jr.
- Trump’s @realDonaldTrump account, with 12.9 million followers, is considered a market‑moving source for Wall Street
- Shares have risen about 100% in the past 90 days
- AI adoption is seen as a catalyst for higher cybersecurity spending
- Analysts remain bullish, forecasting further upside for the stock
- Engine start failure triggered an automatic launch abort during the Starship V3 test flight.
- SpaceX shares fell more than 3% in extended trading, closing at $131.11, below the $135 IPO price.
- The mission was the 13th Starship test flight; FAA cleared the rocket after prior anomalies and identified four corrective actions.
- GE Aerospace lifted its full-year profit outlook, citing improved margins
- Quarterly order intake growth decelerated after a period of rapid expansion
- Shares fell modestly after earnings despite the upgraded outlook
- Alcoa lowered its 2024 alumina output guidance following operational problems at the Pinjarra refinery in Australia
- Alumina prices have remained stable despite heightened uncertainty from the Iran war
- The guidance reduction is likely to weigh on Alcoa's share price, signaling a bearish outlook for the company
- Competition Commission of India imposed a 1.4 bn rupee (≈$14.4 m) fine on HP India and its reseller partners.
- HP was found to have colluded to inflate bids for government computer contracts and raise prices of ink cartridges and toner.
- Regulator said the practice aimed to outcompete other OEMs and deter counterfeit ink sales.
- Fairlife dairy production in the U.S. is temporarily halted due to ransomware.
- Operations in Canada remain unaffected.
- Fairlife is projected to generate roughly $4 billion in sales by 2024.
- No timeline given for system restoration; prior food-sector ransomware incidents caused weeks-long disruptions.
- Coca-Cola disclosed the incident to the U.S. SEC.
- Forecast Q3 revenue of $12.86 bn and EPS of $0.82, versus consensus of $13.0 bn and $0.84
- Shares fell about 8.6% in after‑hours trading to $67.99
- Will cut viewing‑hours reports to once a year starting 2027 and stopped quarterly subscriber numbers in 2025
- Targets $3 bn in ad revenue by year‑end, expanding advertising, live events, and video‑games
- Dassault Systemes is negotiating to buy drug‑trial software firm ArisGlobal for roughly $2 billion.
- The transaction would be the company's second‑largest acquisition after the $5.8 billion Medidata deal in 2019.
- Dassault reported Q1 revenue of €1.51 billion ($1.77 billion), matching analysts' expectations.
- The deal would broaden Dassault's life‑sciences software suite as its automotive business slows.
- Negotiations are ongoing and the transaction is not yet guaranteed.
- Jim Cramer warns to trim parabolic AI winners amid recent volatility
- Buy recommendations: Corning, GE Vernova, Eaton, FedEx Freight and Johnson & Johnson
- Home Depot and Starbucks identified for reductions; Home Depot shares already sold
- AI hyperscalers face pressure from high memory prices and large AI spend
- No specific price targets; moves reflect portfolio rebalancing
- Roblox unveils 'Build', an AI tool that converts text prompts into playable mobile games
- Public alpha begins July 28, first for New Zealand users aged 9+, with paid tiers planned
- AI‑generated games will be ranked by player retention to curb low‑quality content
- 52% of game industry professionals say generative AI is negatively impacting the sector
- Roblox will roll out AI agents for playtesting and analytics in the coming months
- Short sellers hold about 185 million SpaceX shares, roughly 29% of the public float.
- Short interest jumped from ~40 million shares (5‑7% of float) three weeks earlier.
- SpaceX stock fell ~20% in July, trading around $131, below the $135 IPO price.
- Lockup releases could add ~11% of shares around Q2 earnings, with additional 4% tranches later.
- Elon Musk retains ~42% of shares, locked until June 2027.
- Government placed British Steel under state ownership following a public interest test
- New legislation eases ministerial powers to forcefully nationalise steel firms
- A revamped leadership team appointed to stabilise operations and pursue commercial sustainability
- Prime Minister said the move secures the future of British steelmaking
- Completed $9.9 bn acquisition of Masimo, targeting $125 m in cost savings and 15‑20 c EPS accretion in year one
- Bioprocessing segment expected to add $1 bn of revenue over the next three years with >30% operating margin
- Every 100 bps margin improvement on Masimo's $1.2 bn revenue could add roughly $11.5 m to operating income
- Shares trade at ~23× forward earnings, near the low end of Danaher's historical valuation range
- BP will sell stakes in more than 10 venture companies to Verdane
- The portfolio, valued at roughly $1.2 billion, is slated for completion by Q2 2027
- BP will retain a small number of investments with strategic relevance
- The venture arm, launched in 2007, has underperformed financially, prompting likely layoffs
- IPO priced at $21 per share, below the marketed range of $23‑$27
- Shares opened at $20.9 and closed at $20.67, down 1.57%
- Debut valuation reached $3.2 billion
- Brookfield retains voting control after the offering
- Investor caution persists despite AI‑driven data‑center demand
- Verizon will sell 274 company-owned retail stores, leaving about 1,000 owned locations.
- The restructuring includes laying off roughly 500 corporate employees, affecting ~3,000 total staff.
- The move follows earlier cuts, including a 13,000‑job layoff round announced in November and a 179‑store sale.
- Verizon aims to improve customer experience via franchise operators and new simplified plans with lower fees.
- Drill results extend gold mineralization at the Argus North and Main targets
- Assays indicate a potentially sizable and deep gold system
- A new zone with possible gold mineralization was identified
- NHTSA denies Tesla's petition to avoid recall fix for 19,900 vehicles with potentially excessive headlight glare
- Tesla argued the issue was inconsequential to motor vehicle safety, but NHTSA disagreed
- The recall covers 2017-2023 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles
- Indian consumer court orders Maruti Suzuki to provide a new car to a customer who alleged E20 fuel damaged his car
- First-of-its-kind ruling may embolden other vehicle owners to seek compensation
- Potential liability for carmakers over India's ethanol-blended fuel policy
- Producers will pursue acquisitions to replace reserves within a two-year horizon
- M&A activity follows a decade of weak investment in new mining projects
- Investor Rick Rule predicts a consolidation wave as firms scramble for assets
- NTSB preliminary report confirms driver manually overrode Full Self Driving (FSD) in fatal Texas crash
- Electronic data shows driver pressed accelerator pedal to 100% at time of impact
- Contradicts driver's initial claim that autopilot was engaged at time of crash
- Trump Media & Technology Group launched Truth API, a licensed data feed for financial services firms
- Truth API provides immediate access to posts from top Truth Social accounts, faster than manual monitoring or scraping
- API available to enterprise customers starting August, expected to create a new revenue stream
- Micron signs long-term agreements with Qualcomm, Harman, and others for AI-powered automobile chip components
- Agreements aim to secure stable supply and pricing for better production planning and investments
- Demand for memory chips driven by AI adoption in vehicles, data centers, and consumer electronics
- Compensation package valued at up to $448 million, comprising 1 million shares
- Targets require market cap to reach $184 billion and share price $531 by July 15 2033
- CEO must remain in role through Sep 15 2029 (first two tranches) and Sep 15 2030 (last three) to earn awards
- Snowflake stock up ~24% YTD; recent $6 billion AWS deal and higher product revenue forecast
- CXMT's Shanghai STAR Market IPO was more than 200 times oversubscribed by retail investors
- The online tranche lot‑winning rate for retail investors was 0.4714 %
- The strong oversubscription signals high demand for Chinese semiconductor equities
- Second-quarter revenue reached a record level, topping prior quarters
- Strong loan growth contributed the primary boost to earnings
- Fee income rose, aided by the recent acquisition of BTIG
- The BTIG deal added roughly a one‑month revenue uplift
- BYD aims to build 3,000 'flash-charging' stations across Europe by March 2027
- 6,000 charging stations planned in overseas markets, including Europe
- Cutting-edge flash-charging technology to support EV deliveries
- Tether invested $20M in Ualá as part of a $197M funding round led by Allianz X
- Ualá is a leading Argentine neobank expanding its digital financial services
- Tether's latest investment follows $20M in Brazilian crypto exchange Mercado Bitcoin
- Hong Kong to invite ride-hailing firms to apply for licences in August
- Licence approvals to begin in batches from end-November
- Leading operators express interest in joining the market
- ALS holds ~70% market share in Southeast Asia and 69% in Thailand, cementing its dominant position.
- Company aims to grow vended laundry services in Thailand, driven by urbanisation and the senior‑living market.
- Introduces cashless payments, app‑based wallets and AI‑driven predictive maintenance to boost operator efficiency.
- Emphasises sustainability with products that reduce water and energy use and local manufacturing support.
- Gunkul aims to supply clean power to overseas AI investors, leveraging assets in Thailand, Philippines and Japan
- BOI AI‑related investment proposals topped 1 trillion baht in Q1 2026, a 2.4‑fold YoY increase
- Direct PPA scheme targets 2 GW of renewable capacity for data centres; Gunkul plans an extra 1,000 MW of wind and solar domestically
- Two‑thirds of Gunkul's generation capacity will stay in Thailand, with one‑third allocated to overseas operations
- Didi Global and Toyota cite energy‑security risks from the Iran conflict as a catalyst for cleaner‑energy strategies
- Both companies plan to diversify away from oil‑dependent transport fuels despite transition hurdles
- Executives highlight diversification as a long‑term priority for Asian transportation sector
- Seven & i Holdings is in final-stage negotiations to invest in Zabka Group
- Zabka operates roughly 10,000 franchised convenience stores across Poland
- The proposed investment is valued at several billion dollars, marking Seven & i's entry into Eastern Europe
- The deal would give Seven & i a foothold in the Polish retail market, the largest in the region
- Sony plans to phase out disc-based PlayStation models in favor of digital-only consoles
- Digital transition expected to improve profit margins by reducing manufacturing costs
- Analysts warn the move could weaken the console's cultural presence and appeal to collectors
- Cohu Inc. submitted a Form 4 filing with the SEC on July 16
- Form 4 discloses insider transactions as required by regulation
- No material impact on the company's stock or operations reported
- SpaceX stock fell in after-hours trading following the latest market update
- Analysts point to recent launch schedule delays as a possible cause
- The move is isolated, with no immediate spillover to broader equity markets
- National director Joseph Daly bought $9,907 worth of shares
- Purchase disclosed in recent filing
- Insider transaction may indicate confidence in the company
- Central Nevada Gold has acquired the Mule Canyon mine from Newmont (NEM).
- The mine, located in western Nevada, previously produced gold before being placed on care and maintenance.
- Company plans to restart operations to tap existing gold resources at the site.
- T-Mobile inadvertently removed free-line promotions for a subset of longtime subscribers
- Affected customers could see price increases of $6 per line, potentially higher without the free lines
- The issue is blamed on technical errors, and the company says it is working to restore the free lines
- T-Mobile publicly acknowledged the mistake and pledged a prompt fix
- Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months
- $95 annual fee offset by a $100 annual Chase Travel hotel credit
- New 3X points on gas/EV charging and vacation home rentals added in June 2026
- Complimentary Apple TV for a year if activated by Dec 31, 2026
- Eligibility limited to once per lifetime and subject to the 5/24 rule
- Ryan Beiermeister joins Founders Fund as a partner after two years as VP of Product Policy at OpenAI
- She departed OpenAI in February following a dispute over a proposed "adult mode" feature
- Beiermeister has a long‑standing relationship with partner Trae Stephens, dating back to their time at Palantir
- She says the fund will target AI infrastructure, defense, energy, climate, biotech and regulated‑frontier startups
- Anton Bukov claims he was dismissed from 1inch in 2025 after advocating management changes
- Bukov announced plans to start a new venture, details not yet disclosed
- No immediate operational impact on 1inch reported
- All sixth-generation RAV4 models now electrified; plug-in hybrid variant adds larger battery
- Powertrain combines 2.5 L Atkinson-cycle engine (186 hp) with dual electric motors
- New RAV4 PHEV targets all‑electric daily driving range, improving on previous Prime model
- Toyota aims to maintain RAV4’s US sales lead amid growing SUV market
- Beehiiv launches "Community" tool enabling subscriber chat and paid membership tiers
- New AI Copilot assists creators with audience growth, campaign drafting, and performance analysis
- Programmatic ads and redesigned editor introduced; publishers earn >$1 million per month from ad network
- Rivals Riverside and Substack have recently rolled out comparable features
- OnePlus will stop launching new smartphones in North America and Europe after the OnePlus 15 rollout in late 2025
- The move reflects a strategic shift toward the Indian market and tighter integration with parent company Oppo
- No further product rollouts are planned for the US and EU, ending the brand's presence in those regions
- The decision follows months of speculation and earlier vague denials from the company
- Fora secured $60 million in Series D funding, led by Forerunner and Tactile Ventures
- Valuation hit $1 billion, total capital raised now $138.5 million
- AI assistant Via will be expanded to help agents with research and itinerary building
- Agents on the platform have booked over $3 billion in travel since launch
- Italy's data protection authority imposed a €1.7 million fine on WINDTRE for security failures
- Breaches exposed personal data of over 365,000 customers, including payment details of 41,359 individuals
- Violations stemmed from inadequate credential management and missed vulnerability checks
- OpenAI released a $70 ChatGPT-branded basketball as part of its new merch line.
- The rubber ball is marketed as a reminder to pause from AI work and play outdoors.
- Other items include a $230 mini keyboard and a $175 quarter-zip hoodie.
- The launch has drawn skepticism over its market relevance and product‑fit.
- Five-year plan urges Greater Bay Area to become a leading equine hub
- Calls for a distinctive racing circuit aimed at mainland Chinese and international tourists
- Equine industry flagged as a strategic economic driver in national planning frameworks
- Club seeks government support to grow racing tourism
- Newtek adds a 13‑month CD offering a 4.30% APY, the highest rate in its lineup.
- Minimum deposit is $2,500; a $5,000 investment would generate $233.33 interest over 13 months.
- Newtek's CD rates span 2.00%–4.30% APY across terms from 6 months to 5 years.
- Competing banks provide similar rates (e.g., Happen Bank 4.15% APY for 11‑month CD) with lower minimum deposits.
- No monthly fees, but early‑withdrawal penalties apply based on the term.
- Nissan unveiled a fully redesigned Elgrand minivan, its first major redesign in 16 years
- The new Elgrand targets Japan’s premium minivan segment to help revive domestic sales
- Launch is part of Nissan’s broader turnaround plan to improve profitability in its home market
- GU, Uniqlo's sister brand, launched its 2026 fall and winter line on July 16 in Tokyo.
- The brand appointed a new creative director who previously worked at luxury house Prada.
- GU aims to raise global profile and improve profitability with the high‑profile hire.
- Isuzu Motors is piloting swappable battery packs for its electric garbage trucks in Yokohama.
- The system enables battery exchange in minutes, aiming to cut vehicle downtime.
- The trial seeks to boost efficiency for heavily used commercial electric vehicles.
- Article contains a brief reference to Netflix with no substantive detail
- No specific price, financial metric, or market impact is provided
- Content appears to be a placeholder or teaser rather than a news report
Thai Markets 5
- Thai creative industry growing rapidly, with GVA at 8% of national economy in 2023
- Cloud 11 project aims to become centre for creative economy and innovation hub in Asia
- 250,000 sqm facility in Bangkok's Phra Khanong district with 11 key sectors driving creative economy
- 4 billion baht of Savings Plus bonds will be sold in two 2 bn baht tranches
- 3‑year bonds pay 1.80% annual fixed rate; 10‑year bonds pay 2.80%, interest paid quarterly
- Minimum purchase: 100 baht on Paotang app, 1,000 baht on Bond Connect; investor cap 50 million baht
- Subscription periods: July 31‑Aug 31 via app, Aug 3‑5 via Bond Connect, allocations announced Aug 6
- After 15% withholding tax, net yield remains higher than typical Thai bank deposits
- Second phase of Thailand's 2 GW direct PPA pilot being prepared after first‑phase issues
- Energy Ministry projects nearly 10 GW electricity demand from data centres in the Eastern Economic Corridor
- Major Thai energy firms such as Gulf Development, PTT's Global Power Synergy and Gunkul Engineering expected to benefit
- Scheme expansion beyond the EEC will depend on renewable generation and transmission infrastructure
- USD/THB broke above the 33.50 level despite a softer dollar backdrop
- Thailand's low carry and higher oil prices worsen its terms of trade
- MUFG's valuation metrics suggest the baht is modestly overvalued, pointing to further downside
- Escalating Middle East tensions raise growth risks, likely keeping Thai policy accommodative
- ROH failed to repurchase the Royal Orchid Sheraton Riverside for 4.873 billion baht by the July 14 deadline
- ONEAM and trustee MFC gave ROH 30 days to return possession, after which an auction may be ordered
- The hotel was acquired in 2021 for ~4.5 billion baht, financed by a 1.35 billion‑baht loan from GSB and ~3.15 billion baht from investors
- Unitholders could receive repayment by Jan 2027 if the auction proceeds as planned
- ROH says financing of US$187 million (5.6‑5.7 billion baht) is approved, but payment‑structure disputes delayed the buyback
Other 37
- Death toll rose to 33, with 71 injured including the venue owner.
- Fire likely fueled by 7.6 cm spray‑foam insulation releasing combustible gases.
- Emergency exit doors were reportedly latched and fire alarm did not sound.
- Police have interviewed over 100 witnesses and reviewed footage from 16 cameras.
- Incident revives safety concerns after the 2009 Santika nightclub fire.
- Sen. John Cornyn and Sen. Thom Tillis remain undecided on confirming Todd Blanche as Attorney General
- Tillis required a meeting with Epstein survivors; Blanche scheduled it for 4:30 p.m. ET
- If either GOP senator votes against the nominee, the 21-member committee could stall the confirmation
- The nomination faces scrutiny over the DOJ's $1.8 billion "Anti-Weaponization" fund and Blanche's handling of Epstein victim files
- DRC confirmed Ebola cases rose to 2,124, surpassing 2,000 in just two months
- WHO warns the true case count could be at least double the reported figure
- Uganda discharged its last Ebola patient, starting a 42‑day countdown to be declared Ebola‑free
- 51 new cases were reported on Wednesday in Ituri and North Kivu provinces
- Healthcare workers in Ituri have staged a strike over unpaid compensation
- More than 2,000 Ebola cases confirmed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo over the past two months
- 796 deaths recorded, making it the third‑largest Ebola outbreak on record
- WHO says the disease is spreading faster than any previous outbreak in the country
- 6.5M children already enrolled in Trump Accounts
- Goal is to enroll 70M children under 18
- Financial incentives, including $1,000 seed money, to spur enrollment
- Malaysia's finance ministry confirms US$47.7m investment in eFishery was a victim of orchestrated fraud
- Investment followed a robust evaluation and governance process
- Independent due diligence and financial statement verification were conducted
- Regulators demand an added liquid waste processing step, risking further postponement
- The project, under construction for over three decades, may miss its fiscal 2026 target
- This would mark the 28th delay since the plant's inception
- No immediate impact on broader energy markets is expected
- Survey shows rare‑earth procurement costs for Japanese companies up >20% year‑on‑year
- 61% of Japan's rare‑earth imports sourced from China
- 10% of firms say they cannot pass the higher costs onto customers
- China's export restrictions identified as primary driver of price increase
- Cancer is the leading cause of death in Hong Kong
- Population rapidly greying with aging challenges
- Health Matters series offers advice on prevention, detection, and management
- Mandatory evacuations underway across Texas Hill Country due to life‑threatening flash floods
- Forecast calls for up to 20 cm (8 in) of additional rain through Friday morning
- Nearly 90 road and highway closures reported as bridges and roads are damaged
- Two deaths confirmed so far, with more storms expected overnight
- Rainfall adds to a week of downpours reminiscent of the 2023 deluge that killed over 130 people
- The US will head the probe into a Ryanair Boeing 737 engine failure that occurred over Greece.
- The incident involved a single engine shutdown on a commercial flight, prompting safety concerns.
- US authorities will coordinate with Greek and European regulators during the investigation.
- No injuries were reported, and the aircraft landed safely.
- Prime Minister Keir Starmer names 26 new life peers, including London Mayor Sadiq Khan.
- Nominees include 16 Labour, 5 Liberal Democrat, 3 Conservative, and 2 crossbench selections.
- Conservatives hold 246 seats in the Lords versus Labour's 216, giving the opposition a numerical advantage.
- Reform UK receives no peerages despite holding seven MPs in the Commons.
- The appointments are among Starmer's final decisions before his expected resignation on July 20.
- Giovanni Castellucci received a 12‑year prison term for the 2018 Genoa bridge disaster
- The collapse killed 43 people in August 2018
- Families say the verdict confirms the tragedy was preventable
- Sentencing announced on 16 July 2026
- At least 1 person confirmed dead after a sudden crowd surge
- Nearly 100 people taken to hospitals with injuries
- Incident occurred in Puri, Odisha during the annual Rath Yatra procession
- Tens of thousands of devotees were gathered for the festival
- Police raided offices of nine luxury firms, including Bulgari and Chanel, in Milan.
- Investigations focus on subcontractors allegedly employing Chinese workers.
- No company is currently under formal investigation; prosecutors have not filed charges.
- Milan prosecutor Paolo Storari announced the raids.
- A former Trump teleprompter aide reportedly earned $100,000 from prediction market bets on the president's statements.
- The bets were placed on Kalshi, a CFTC‑regulated prediction market platform.
- The case adds to ongoing scrutiny of insider trading using non‑public political information.
- Kalshi is seeking federal protection, prompting CFTC lawsuits against several states over regulatory authority.
- Nature paper detects helium loss from exoplanet orbiting LHS 1140, ~50 light‑years distant
- Measured escape rate indicates substantial atmospheric erosion, implying a thin residual atmosphere
- Loss driven by stellar radiation and low gravity, echoing processes that stripped early Earth and Venus
- Fire at Algiers orphanage kills 11 people and injures 19.
- Incident occurs amid an intense nationwide heatwave that has sparked hundreds of fires.
- Local authorities are investigating the cause and managing emergency response.
- 42% of U.S. adults receive financial help from parents, according to Northwestern Mutual's 2026 study.
- Support is highest among Gen Z at 72%, over half of Millennials, and one‑third of Gen X.
- Experts recommend clear communication and using aid for debt repayment, health coverage, or home‑purchase assistance.
- Early wealth transfers can maximize impact, but parents should first evaluate retirement and caregiving needs.
- Hackers Owen Flowers (18) and Thalha Jubair (20) sentenced to 5 years 6 months in prison
- Arrests are said to severely hamper operations of the Scattered Spider cybercrime group
- TfL cyberattack attributed to the duo caused approximately £29 million ($47 million) in losses
- Indonesia supplies several hundred thousand migrant workers to the global fishing fleet.
- Workers are recruited online and placed on foreign-flagged vessels without proper rights information.
- Victims endure months of abuse, isolation, and forced labor at sea.
- Taco Bell's lettuce supplier, Taylor Farms, identified as source of cyclosporiasis outbreak
- Washington Post reports the outbreak is affecting U.S. consumers
- No immediate financial market impact noted
- Tossawat back in Thailand squad after a three‑year absence
- ASEAN Hyundai Cup kicks off on July 24 with Thailand's first match on July 25 vs Laos
- Group B also includes Malaysia, the Philippines and Myanmar
- Second seed Kunlavut beat Jason Teh 21-11, 21-16 to advance to the quarter-finals.
- He becomes the only Thai player left after compatriots exited in earlier rounds.
- Mixed doubles pair Dechapol Puavaranukroh/Supissara Paewsampran lost 16-21, 16-21 in the second round.
- Panitchaphon Teeraratsakul, after upsetting fourth seed Jonatan Christie, fell to Kodai Naraoka 21-10, 16-21, 16-21.
- The mosque commemorates its centennial on July 16, 2026.
- Originally built to honor Muslim soldiers who died in World War I.
- Celebration underscores the mosque's symbolic role for Islam in France amid political tension.
- Scammer repeatedly tries to modify the email address linked to a dormant Robinhood account
- The account holds no assets or positions
- Account holder reports ignoring the scammer's attempts
- Fans use rituals like staying in the same spot and locking bathroom doors during matches
- President Javier Milei and ordinary citizens follow personal lucky habits for the final
- Sociologist says superstitions are a long‑standing part of Argentine football culture, citing past coach Bilardo
- Smoke from Canadian wildfires drifted over the New York/New Jersey stadium before kickoff
- Air quality alerts were issued for the surrounding region
- Spain and Argentina are set to contest the World Cup final despite the haze
- Forecasts suggest weekend rain could clear the smoke
- New species named Colobus congoensis, locally called "Likweli", discovered in DRC rainforest
- Fifth new monkey species identified in Africa in the past 75 years
- Distinctive orange‑cream facial mask and unique vocalizations characterize the species
- Researchers urge IUCN to list it as endangered due to limited range and small population
- SPCA apologised and cancelled its major weekend fundraising event.
- Cancellation follows criticism of its request to police to delete videos of a dog and pups killed in mainland China.
- Critics argue the move undermines efforts to raise public awareness of the animal cruelty case.
- Marla-Svenja Liebich, a German far-right activist, was transferred to a men's prison despite legally changing gender to a woman in 2024.
- Liebich was initially taken to a women's prison in Chemnitz before being transferred to a men's prison on the same day.
- The decision was made by experts in consultation with the Saxony Ministry of Justice.
- Hong Kong rugby player Faizal Solomona Penesa acquitted of molesting a woman at a bar
- Magistrate rules athlete touched complainant's buttocks by accident
- Penesa admits lesser offence of common assault and criminal damage
- A policewoman in southern China has supported the parents of a colleague for 20 years after his death.
- The colleague, Deng Wenguo, died in 2006 while saving people from drowning in a reservoir in Dongguan, Guangdong.
- Deng Wenguo was posthumously recognized as a martyr by China’s Ministry of Civil Affairs.
- Two of four mainland schools for Hong Kong pupils surpassed the city average in university entrance exams.
- These schools are the only mainland institutions approved for Hong Kong's Diploma of Secondary Education (DSE) exams.
- Most students from these two schools successfully passed core subjects, exceeding the citywide average.
- Senior Superintendent Ian Chow Ngai-kong, 51, was found guilty of indecently assaulting a subordinate.
- The incidents occurred three times at the force's headquarters in Wan Chai.
- One assault took place at a work party, visible to several colleagues.
- The magistrate dismissed the defendant's testimony and his claim of an affair.
- Hong Kong resident dies in car crash in New Zealand
- At least second fatal crash involving Hong Kong residents in New Zealand this year
- Chinese consulate in Christchurch extends condolences to victim's family
- High viewership as Chinese audiences tune in by the millions
- Late-night streaming spikes, with fans staying up for matches
- Brands capitalize on the surge, securing sponsorship and ad deals
- Haaland's performance goes viral on Chinese social platforms
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