- U.S. equity indices fell, with the S&P 500 slipping as investors awaited inflation data
- Crude oil prices rose, with WTI gaining roughly 1% amid supply concerns
- Deadlock over the Strait of Hormuz kept geopolitical risk elevated
August 11, 2026
▲ 56▼ 64◆ 10– 198
Markets 33
- EUR/USD trades at 1.1541, below its 100‑day SMA of 1.1567
- US headline CPI forecast to fall to 3.4% YoY, core CPI to 2.5% for July
- WTI crude climbs >1.3% to $83.40 amid heightened Middle East tensions
- CME Group will introduce compute futures on Oct 5, subject to regulatory approval
- Contracts will track hourly rental rates for Nvidia H100 and Blackwell B200 GPUs
- Each contract represents one month of rental cost for an Nvidia H100 GPU
- The new asset class could channel up to $500 bn into AI infrastructure investments
- Compute futures provide a public benchmark price for AI computing capacity
- DXY trades around 99.80, holding above the 200‑day EMA near 99.50 for a seventh session
- Futures show 0% chance of a Fed rate cut through July 2027, first cut priced at 0.5% in Sep 2027
- Core PPI consensus at 4.2% YoY versus core CPI at 2.5%, widening the producer‑consumer price gap
- Resistance at the 100.00 handle; bullish bias while the 99.50 support band holds
- DJIA briefly topped 54,200 intraday but closed flat under 54,000, erasing a 370‑point range
- U.S. 10‑year Treasury yield rose above 4.72% after trading near 4.61% the prior session
- Crude oil prices rose about 1% to just over $83 per barrel, with Brent trading above $88
- U.S. labor force participation slipped to 61.5%, the lowest level since 1976 outside the pandemic
- Average daily UK FX turnover reached $4,609 billion, a 20% increase from October 2025
- Year-on-year growth of 14% compared to April 2025
- FX swaps recorded largest increase in average daily turnover, rising by $332 billion
- Singapore's FTSE Straits Times Index rose 1.3% to a record high after the city-state lifted its 2026 growth forecast.
- Singapore's 2026 growth forecast was raised to 4.5%-5.5% (from 2.0%-4.0%) due to a global AI investment boom and milder Iran war impact.
- Southeast Asian currencies like the Thai Baht, Philippine Peso, and Indonesian Rupiah weakened due to rising oil prices and fading US-Iran peace hopes.
- The Indonesian Rupiah is Asia's worst-performing currency YTD (-6.4%), also affected by concerns over fiscal policy and central bank independence.
- Tech-heavy benchmarks, including South Korea's KOSPI (+1.1%) and Taiwan equities (+0.4%), saw gains.
- USD/SGD expected to trade between 1.2785 and 1.2815 in the short term
- Downside move requires a clear break below 1.2765 to target 1.2740
- Upside breakout above 1.2840 would signal loss of downside bias
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- USD/SGD last traded around 1.2800 after post‑payroll decline
- Resistance identified at 1.2830‑1.2840 and 1.2870‑1.2890
- Support noted near 1.2770 and 1.2740
- Near‑term direction tied to broader USD moves and upcoming US CPI, PPI, and retail sales data
- AUD/USD trades just above 0.7050, its highest level since early June
- RBA kept the cash rate unchanged at 4.35% and will not meet again until Sep 29, creating a seven‑week gap
- Fed’s next policy decision is set for Sep 16, with US CPI, PPI and other data likely to drive FX moves
- Technical outlook: resistance at 0.7100, support near the 50‑day EMA around 0.7000; bullish bias while above 0.7000
- RBA forecasts inflation returning to target midpoint only by late 2027 and unemployment rising to 4.8% by 2028
- US 10-year Treasury yield fell 1 basis point to 4.69%
- WTI crude reached a seven‑day high of $84.61 per barrel
- July CPI expected to ease to 3.4% YoY (core to 2.5%)
- Fed rate‑stay odds for September at 65%, hike odds at 35%
- ADP employment average posted 8.25K jobs, prior week revised down by 4K
- IDR rose to near a two‑month high, trading around 17,800 per USD after weak US payrolls.
- Bank Indonesia succession clarity, with Destry Damayanti as sole governor candidate, bolsters the currency.
- Technical downside bias persists; support at 17,680–17,580 and resistance at 17,840–17,950/19.70.
- Key upcoming risks: US CPI data, oil price movements, and the BI policy meeting on Aug 19.
- USD/MXN fell to 17.08, its lowest level in 25 months, on stronger Mexican output and Fed‑pause hopes
- June industrial output in Mexico posted a 1.7% YoY gain, beating forecasts
- US July CPI is expected to ease to 3.4% YoY (headline) and 2.5% YoY (core), which would support the peso
- Banxico is projected to keep its policy rate at 6.50% through year‑end, maintaining the carry advantage
- Super Micro Computer shares rose >8% after Q4 beat and Q1 guidance of $1.01‑$1.10 EPS, revenue $14.5‑$15.5B.
- CoreWeave jumped 14% as Q2 operating margin hit 5% vs 2.7% estimate, revenue $2.58B (+112% YoY).
- H&R Block surged 15% on FY2027 outlook of $6.04‑$6.24 EPS and $4.11‑$4.16B revenue, above consensus.
- Cava Group gained ~7% after Q2 earnings of $0.19 EPS and revenue $368.4M beat forecasts.
- Lumentum posted Q4 beat but shares slipped modestly; up >120% YTD despite 22% drop over three months.
- GBP/USD trades around 1.3500, its highest level since mid‑July
- BoE rate‑vote dissent has tightened to 6‑3, with three dissenters since July
- UK second‑quarter GDP forecast trimmed to 0.4% growth, down from 0.6%
- US CPI data due Aug 12 expected at 0.1% MoM and 3.4% YoY, could shift GBP/USD
- Technical: resistance at 1.3550, support at 1.3450; bullish bias while EMA near 1.3400 holds
- CLO exchange-traded funds recorded $2.3 bn net inflows in July, bringing year‑to‑date inflows to $11.8 bn.
- Janus Henderson AAA CLO ETF (JAAA) amassed $5.73 bn of YTD inflows, now holds about $30 bn AUM and offers a 30‑day SEC yield of 4.87%.
- BBB‑rated CLO ETF (JBBB) received $260 m in July, raising its AUM to $1.44 bn with a 30‑day SEC yield of 5.97%.
- CME FedWatch indicates a 50% probability of a September rate hike, bolstering demand for floating‑rate CLOs.
- Analysts recommend CLOs for diversification but advise most investors stay in AAA‑rated tranches.
- Used EV prices have risen just over 5% since February amid increased supply
- Year‑over‑year sales are up 25% through May, still above 20% despite a weaker June
- Inventory turnover is faster for used EVs at 38 days versus 81 days for new EVs
- More than 9,000 used EVs are listed in the $25,000‑$30,000 price bracket
- Demand is concentrated at the lower‑price end of the used EV segment
- GBP/USD trades near the top of its one‑month and multi‑month ranges, facing resistance at 1.3600‑1.36
- Support identified in the mid‑lower 1.34s, with a near‑term range of 1.3450‑1.3550
- Improved UK political risk perception and slightly tighter yield spreads bolster the pound
- Upcoming data releases include Q3 GDP, trade and June industrial production figures
- DXY holds just under the 100.00 level as markets await July CPI.
- EUR/USD hovers near 1.1540, while USD/JPY stays around 159.00.
- USD/CAD drops to a two‑month low amid rising oil prices.
- WTI crude ticks up to $83.30 per barrel; gold steadies near $4,400/oz.
- RBA left rates unchanged at 4.35%, limiting AUD/USD movement.
- USD/JPY trades flat above 159.00 after earlier intervention-driven losses
- Key support levels at 159.14, 158.95 and 158.81; resistance at 159.40 and 160.83
- US CPI due Wednesday, with July inflation expected to be lower than June
- Iran's security chief calls for US to end war and release frozen Iranian funds
- USD/CHF trades around 0.8113, staying above the 50‑day SMA (0.8067)
- 21‑day SMA at 0.8112 acts as resistance; a break could target 0.8150 and 0.8200
- US CPI release on Aug 12 (consensus 0.1% MoM) may influence USD strength
- RSI near 52 and MACD negative suggest mixed momentum, downside break of 0.8000 possible
- EUR/USD trades near 1.1563, aligned with a fair‑value estimate from 2‑year Germany‑US yield spreads
- Near‑term range set between 1.1500 support and 1.1580 resistance, with 200‑day MA at 1.1630
- RSI in the upper 50s shows fading bullish momentum while sentiment‑driven correlations rise
- Dollar's late‑July Fed‑driven decline has limited impact, keeping the euro in tight consolidation
- NZD/USD trades around 0.5880, down 0.03% on the day
- WTI crude holds near $82.10, up more than 6% since week start
- CME FedWatch shows ~50% chance of a 25‑bp rate hike in September, up from 42% on Friday
- Safe‑haven demand for USD supported by Strait of Hormuz uncertainty
- NZD pressured by higher inflation expectations and domestic political uncertainty
- GBP/USD trades at 1.3508, little changed as markets await US CPI (expected 3.4% YoY) and UK Q2 GDP (expected 1.1% YoY)
- Fed September rate‑hike odds rise to 52% ahead of inflation data
- WTI crude falls to $82.50 from near $84.69 after Pakistan headline
- Core CPI forecast at 2.5% YoY, headline CPI at 3.4% YoY for July
- Bond prices are seen as undervalued, offering a rare buying chance
- Oil prices jumped sharply, raising inflation concerns
- Analysts advise watching bond yields for potential upside
- Big healthcare equities are trending down while tech indices rise
- Investors are using healthcare as a proxy short on AI-related tech
- Sector divergence suggests growing skepticism on healthcare growth prospects
- Nasdaq fell 0.6%
- US stocks declined for second consecutive session
- Market sentiment remains cautious
- European indexes up in early trading
- Energy stocks boosted by 3.5% rise in oil price
- WTI crude oil price at $92.50 per barrel
- GBP/JPY flat at 215.17, facing resistance at 50‑day SMA 215.43
- RSI flat at the 50‑neutral level, indicating limited conviction
- Key support levels: 215.00 and 100‑day SMA at 214.53; downside breach could test 211.47 low
- Upside resistance after 215.43: 216.00, then 216.50 and 217.00
- Dollar Index down 0.001% to 96.15
- Session ended flat with minimal movement
- No notable catalysts reported
- S&P/BMV IPC slipped 1.32% to close the session
- Broad-based sell‑off saw most listed stocks finish lower
- The decline follows recent regional market weakness
- CFTC used emergency authority to mandate Kalshi continue offering prediction markets in New York
- New York Attorney General Letitia James sued Kalshi for alleged breach of state gambling regulations
- The dispute underscores a federal‑state jurisdiction clash over derivatives and prediction‑market platforms
- Article highlights why investors are drawn to rapidly rising stocks.
- Mentions psychological factors influencing investment decisions.
- Provides reading recommendations and brief market updates.
- No specific price levels or data points are cited.
Macro/Economy 21
- US dollar held steady as traders await July Consumer Price Index (CPI) data, crucial for near-term Federal Reserve policy expectations.
- Traders have trimmed bets for a September Fed rate hike to about 50% chance after recent jobs data, down from 58% a week prior.
- A resurgence in inflation, potentially from rising oil prices, could revive tightening bets, while disinflation would dampen them.
- The Japanese yen remains weak against the dollar, raising prospects of further intervention unless fundamentals improve and the Bank of Japan raises rates.
- The Reserve Bank of Australia kept its cash rate at 4.35% as expected but warned of potential future hikes to combat inflation.
- Singapore's MTI raised its 2026 GDP forecast to 4.5%-5.5%, citing strong H1 performance and accelerating global AI-related capital expenditure.
- Economists view the upgrade as a 'bullish signal' from the AI investment boom, but emphasize Singapore's economy remains diversified with contributions from construction, finance, and information & communications.
- Maybank and OCBC also upgraded their GDP forecasts for Singapore, with Maybank raising its 2026 forecast from 3.1% to 3.3%.
- Despite optimism, MTI highlighted weak spots in sectors affected by Middle East conflict supply disruptions (e.g., chemicals) and dampened domestic consumer sentiment due to inflationary pressures.
- The government has announced nearly S$2 billion in support packages to cushion the impact on households and businesses.
- July CPI expected to show 0.1% monthly increase, 3.4% annual rate
- Core inflation rate expected to rise 0.2%, 2.5% annual rate
- Fed may hold off on rate hikes if inflation data remains muted
- Private credit firms are tightening loan terms to mitigate risk of 'shadow defaults'
- Delayed interest payments on billions of dollars of loans raise concerns about unreported defaults
- Firms are reevaluating lending standards to avoid potential losses
- Q2 GDP grew 5.9% year‑on‑year, the strongest pace in recent years
- Growth was propelled by a surge in electronics exports tied to global AI demand
- Authorities lifted the 2024 full‑year GDP growth outlook in response to the strong quarter
- The robust performance underscores Singapore's resilience amid a mixed global growth backdrop
- M2 money supply increased by 0.4% month-over-month in July
- Year-over-year, the money stock rose 2.1% to $XX trillion
- Liquidity expansion suggests continued accommodative stance
- Manufacturers' sentiment index rose to +18 in August, up from +13 in July, the highest level since March 2026
- Non-manufacturers' confidence increased to +28, up from +25 in July
- Semiconductor-driven sub‑indices surged: chemicals index to +33 from +23, metal & machinery to +25 from +12
- Transport equipment sentiment stayed flat at 0, indicating mixed automotive conditions
- Forecasts show manufacturers' index may ease to +16 by November, while non‑manufacturers remain at +28
- The Trump administration approved an exemption from existing ownership reporting requirements for U.S. companies.
- The exemption applies to firms that meet specific criteria set by the Treasury, reducing filing obligations.
- Regulators say the change aims to lower compliance costs while maintaining market transparency.
- Target: reduce public‑sector staff by 15% by 2032
- New civil service posts frozen; vacancies filled only when essential
- From FY2028 retirements will not be replaced, except medical, dental and prison staff
- Eleven support‑service categories eliminated upon retirement starting FY2027
- Personnel costs account for roughly 70% of Thailand's recurrent budget
- Iran anticipates deeper economic malaise as sanctions and external pressure mount
- Private‑credit lenders are tightening loan terms and reducing sweeteners for borrowers
- U.S. President Trump reportedly changed aircraft after receiving an Iranian threat warning
- Singapore H1 GDP grew 6.1% YoY, with Q2 growth at 5.9% YoY
- Government raised 2026 growth forecast to 4.5‑5.5%; Standard Chartered to 4.9% from 3.9%
- AI‑related demand drove growth while oil sector drag was limited
- Private investment in machinery added 1 percentage point to GDP growth
- Exports rose double‑digit but higher imports trimmed net export contribution
- Total credit card balances reached $1.26 trillion in Q2 2026, up $21 bn (1.7% QoQ).
- Late‑stage delinquency (90+ days past due) rose to 12.8% from 7.6% in the prior quarter.
- Annual delinquency transition rate held at 6.97% over the past year.
- Around 60% of the 175 million cardholders carry revolving balances; 55% use cards for essential expenses.
- 56% of surveyed borrowers say it will take six months or longer to repay their credit‑card debt.
- EU Commission created Scaleup Europe Fund with a €5 bn target and a €1 bn first closing
- Finnish satellite intelligence company ICEYE became the fund's inaugural portfolio company, valued above $11 bn
- Fund is managed by EQT and includes backing from investors such as Allianz, APG, Santander and other European institutions
- Mandate covers deep‑tech, life sciences, clean tech, advanced manufacturing and digital technologies
- Fund may expand to €25 bn by 2027, positioning it alongside major US and Asian growth funds
- Law enacted in July bars investors owning >350 homes from buying existing single‑family homes
- Institutional investors hold <3% of the rental market but own 25% of homes in Atlanta, 21% in Jacksonville, 18% in Charlotte
- Invitation Homes built/acquired over 6,000 new homes in the past five years and bought builder ResiBuilt in January
- CEO expects price reductions medium‑to‑long term, citing mortgage rate volatility and high construction costs as short‑term headwinds
- Company posted better‑than‑expected earnings in July despite softer rent growth
- Licensing delays are estimated to cost the United States billions of dollars in lost exports.
- The export-control regime is reported to erode American companies' global market share.
- Survey finds no measurable strategic advantage from the current export-control licensing system.
- US-China Business Council conducted the flash survey of firms in July.
- Employers may contribute up to $2,500 tax‑free per employee per year to a child's Trump Account
- Employees can also fund the account with pretax dollars, with total contribution limit of $5,000 per child annually
- Treasury will seed a one‑time $1,000 deposit for children born 2025‑2028 as part of a pilot program
- Over 7 million children are already enrolled; more than 50 companies have pledged contributions
- A Mercer poll showed only ~4% of firms plan to adopt Trump Account contributions in 2026‑27, with two‑thirds opting out
- Record number of izakaya closures reported in 2024
- Operating costs rise as food and labor expenses increase
- Customers still seek social drinking experiences despite closures
- Sector shift may reshape traditional Japanese drink culture
- China now represents just over 33% of foreign investment in Bangladesh's power industry
- Total foreign investment in the sector has reached $1.18 billion
- China contributes more than 50% of all renewable energy investment in Bangladesh
- Ongoing energy shortages are driving factory closures and financial pressure in Bangladesh
- Tokyo government will facilitate links between domestic universities and foreign startups and investors
- Program targets cutting‑edge fields such as artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies
- Aim is to boost Japan's global competitiveness through increased industry‑academia collaboration
- 47% of workers aged 24‑28 projected to have enough retirement savings, highest among generations (Vanguard 2025)
- Gen Z households with retirement accounts are three times higher than Gen X at the same age (ICI 2024)
- Gen Z starts investing at average age 19, versus 25 for millennials, 32 for Gen X, and 35 for boomers (Charles Schwab 2024)
- Trump announced he will explore federal authority to overturn NYC's pied-à-terre tax.
- The tax targets secondary homes over $5 million and is projected to raise $500 million, possibly $340‑$380 million.
- A Staten Island judge temporarily blocked the tax enforcement; the city is filing an appeal.
Central Banks 6
- BoJ sold a record 8.45 trillion yen on July 30, the largest single‑session intervention ever
- Roughly half of the engineered 9‑yen move has been given back, leaving USD/JPY just below 159.5
- Yen policy rate stays at 1.00% versus a Fed upper bound of 3.75%, maintaining a 275‑bp differential
- US CPI due on Aug 12 (0.1% MoM, 3.4% YoY) could test the 160.00 resistance and pressure the yen further
- Technical support at 158.00 (200‑day EMA) and resistance at 160.00
- Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee warned that rapid price rises, not job losses, are the primary economic concern.
- He described the labor market as "stable, without being good," indicating modest hiring and layoff rates.
- The Fed’s focus on curbing inflation above its 2% target may keep interest rates higher, supporting a stronger US dollar.
- The US dollar showed strength against major currencies, notably the Swiss franc, in recent trading.
- Destry Damayanti, BI's deputy governor, nominated as new Bank Indonesia governor after Perry Warjiyo's resignation
- Nomination likely to pass due to Prabowo's parliamentary majority; first woman to hold role permanently
- Rupiah gained 0.79% to 17,755/USD following announcement, but remains near record lows amid policy uncertainty
- Yen intervention fades, JPY weakens versus the dollar
- Crude oil prices climb again, lifting both WTI and Brent
- Intel reports earnings above analysts' expectations
- Analysts warn of heightened FX volatility after the intervention wanes
- RBA kept the cash rate unchanged at 4.35% in a unanimous decision.
- Inflation is projected to return to the 2‑3% target midpoint only by late 2027.
- Base case is no further hikes, but risk leans toward a possible rate increase in Q4 if demand or energy prices stay high.
- May 2024 policy rate hike of 100 basis points to 8.75% – first increase in over three years
- July inflation rose to 7.3%, with expectations to ease to the 5% target by early 2025
- Governor signals policy will remain steady at 8.75% for the rest of the year
- Foreign exchange reserves targeted to rise to about $8 bn by year‑end, up from $6.6 bn
- Growth projected at 4‑5% for 2024‑25, IMF forecasts 3% growth for 2024
Energy/Oil 16
- Crude oil gained over 2% before settling higher amid renewed Strait of Hormuz tensions
- US CPI data for July due Wednesday, seen as key for Fed rate decisions
- S&P 500 closed down 0.3% while European indices were mixed, with Frankfurt up and Paris/London lower
- Recent US job data showed a surprise loss of >20,000 jobs, easing expectations of a September rate hike
- Brent crude closed near $88/bbl, well below May's >$100 peak and the $110 high in May.
- Brent futures fell more than 7% last week after hints of a possible Hormuz reopening.
- Analysts warn that a prolonged deadlock could push Brent to $120‑140/bbl by early Q4.
- China's crude imports are rebounding, eroding the supply cushion that kept prices down.
- Negotiations for a temporary Oman‑Hormuz shipping route continue, but no agreement is in place.
- Average diesel price across IEA‑tracked countries is $1.94 per liter in July
- Diesel price is roughly 14% higher than in February before the war
- Prices remain above June levels even as crude oil slid through the summer
- Gasoline prices are following a similar upward trend
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- API reports US crude stocks up 9.072 million barrels in week to Aug 7, versus a 0.5 million‑barrel draw forecast
- Prior week inventories also increased, adding 2.69 million barrels
- Higher imports relative to exports drove the unexpected build
- Commercial crude inventories (ex‑SPR) have fallen just over 49 million barrels over the past 17 weeks
- SPR inventory drops to its lowest level since 1983, roughly 350 million barrels.
- Reduced emergency stock heightens risk of supply disruptions amid geopolitical tensions.
- Analysts warn tighter inventories could push WTI and Brent prices higher.
- Potential policy actions include releases from the reserve or new strategic storage measures.
- OPEC+ members produced 1.1M bpd above agreed quotas in June, per S&P Global data
- Saudi Arabia and Iraq led overproduction, undermining cartel's supply discipline
- Market surplus deepens as demand growth slows amid global economic headwinds
- $55 billion megaproject includes an 800‑mile pipeline for LNG export.
- Project previously struggled with financing, high Arctic costs and property tax burdens.
- Trump administration backing pushes Japan and South Korea to consider investment.
- Alaska LNG is courting more buyers as it approaches a final investment decision.
- Only six commodity vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, the lowest count in recent weeks.
- The figure is down from the 10‑day average of 11 vessels.
- Four vessels moved inbound to the Persian Gulf, while two moved outbound.
- Kpler shipping data cited by Reuters and Bloomberg confirm the decline.
- Prices slipped, erasing gains made the previous day.
- Soft LNG demand and comfortable storage levels capped price rallies.
- Power‑sector demand stayed high due to hot summer weather but couldn't offset weakness.
- WTI trades around $82.13, up more than 7% for the week
- Support levels at $81.33 (21‑day SMA) and $78.79 (50‑day SMA); resistance at $86.82 (100‑day SMA)
- RSI at 53.5 shows a mild bullish tilt; MACD near zero indicating waning downside momentum
- Geopolitical risk from potential Strait of Hormuz closure adds a risk premium to oil prices
- CTG capacity projected to reach 9.4 billion cubic meters by 2030, about three times current output
- The 15th Five-Year Plan (2026‑2030) formally incorporates coal‑to‑gas as a strategic domestic supply pillar
- China is the only country with a large‑scale synthetic gas industry, targeting reduced import exposure amid geopolitical tensions
- Rystad Energy expects the expansion to serve as a buffer against global supply shocks
- Ukrainian military says drones hit the Orsknefteorgsintez refinery in Orenburg, Russia.
- The plant is about 1,500 km (930 miles) from the front line; fire was recorded and damage is being assessed.
- The attack follows a series of Ukrainian drone operations targeting Russian energy infrastructure.
- Potential short‑term reduction in Russian oil output could weigh on Brent and WTI prices.
- Refinery outages in Europe reduce diesel output by roughly 5% YoY.
- EU diesel inventories fell to 1.2 million tonnes, the lowest level in 18 months.
- Demand for diesel in freight and agriculture remains robust, with usage up 3% month‑over‑month.
- Analysts warn of potential price spikes of 5‑10% if supply gaps persist.
- Hormuz Strait disruptions have kept crude supplies constrained, supporting Brent above $85/bbl
- Analysts say a swift resumption of tanker flows is needed to prevent further price spikes
- Recovery in traffic could stabilize oil prices and ease market volatility
- Renewed National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (NEEAP) targets 11.6% reduction in energy demand by 2035
- Cumulative energy savings of 815,382 terajoules and 26.1 million metric tons of CO2-equivalent emissions avoided
- Previous plan (2016-2025) exceeded target with 60,886 GWh electricity savings, worth ~$3.9 bln
- Demand for power rising due to AI infrastructure boom; Malaysia fastest-growing data-center hub in Southeast Asia
- New law mandates power-saving measures for top energy consumers to meet 2030 emissions reduction targets
- 3 reactors at EDF’s northern France plant shut down due to jellyfish clogging cooling pumps
- Output at a 4th reactor halved; only 1 reactor remains fully operational
- No safety or environmental impact reported by EDF
Gold/Metals 13
- Gold target set at $5,000 per ounce amid rising safe‑haven demand
- Higher oil prices bolster inflation expectations, supporting gold
- Ongoing war and geopolitical risks increase demand for gold as a hedge
- Elevated sovereign debt levels keep investors seeking gold protection
- Gold slipped 0.18% to $4,381, near $4,380 as the US Dollar Index held at 99.82
- July US CPI is forecast at 3.4% YoY, with core CPI projected at 2.5% YoY
- Market odds show a 52% probability of a 25‑bp Fed rate hike in September
- Hormuz tensions keep energy prices elevated, limiting further gold gains
- Gold approaching $4,450 per ounce, its highest level in about two months
- Silver above $65 per ounce, reaching a seven‑week high
- U.S. jobs report showed a loss of 23,000 jobs in July, lowering odds of a September Fed hike
- Oil prices remain elevated amid stalled U.S.-Iran talks to reopen the Strait of Hormuz
- Wednesday's CPI report could decide whether a September Fed rate hike stays off the table
- First Quantum Minerals seeks to resume operations at the halted Cobre Panamá copper mine
- Government officials met with workers and suppliers to discuss restart plans
- Thousands of mine workers have returned to the site amid restart hopes
- A restart could restore a significant portion of Panama's copper output
- RBI's dollar sales to support the rupee led to a steep decline in silver imports
- Silver imports fell sharply year‑to‑date, marking the lowest levels in recent years
- A stronger rupee raised the local price of silver, curbing demand among Indian buyers
- Renewed geopolitical tensions risk pushing oil prices higher
- Higher energy costs could raise global inflation expectations
- Rising inflation may trigger a sell‑off in gold, pressuring prices lower
- Gold price stays above recent support level, preserving uptrend
- Real yields have risen, adding pressure on gold's price
- Despite yield pressure, gold's technical outlook remains bullish
- XAG/USD fell 2.70% to $64.77 after hitting a daily high of $66.49
- A break below $63.28 could trigger a pullback toward $61.76 and $60.00 support levels
- Bullish continuation would need a rise above $68.93 (100‑day SMA) and the $70.00 psychological barrier
- Gold futures up ~8% in August, with a 7.1% weekly gain – highest since June.
- Closed a full standard deviation above its 50‑day moving average, first overbought signal in 103 trading days.
- Bespoke data shows gold typically falls 0.22% the week after such overbought closes.
- Historical declines average -0.34% after one month, -0.53% after three months, and -0.62% after 12 months; only 37% end positive after a year.
- Gold's price action suggests a potential divergence from traditional drivers.
- Market participants may be re-evaluating the key factors influencing gold's value.
- The current economic or financial landscape could be prompting new considerations for gold.
- Lake Victoria Gold (LVG) reports initial resource of ~600,000 ounces of gold at Tembo, Tanzania
- The deposit lies adjacent to Barrick Mining's Bulyanhulu mine
- Resource estimate may enhance LVG's valuation and development outlook
- Project remains at exploration stage with no financial terms disclosed
- Blue Moon Metals (TSXV: MOON, Nasdaq: BMM) purchased 33 tungsten and antimony projects
- Deal valued at $20.5 million
- Projects located in the western United States, near the company's Springer complex
- Gold closed 0.5% higher, marking a third straight session of gains
- Silver fell 0.5%, ending a two‑day winning streak
- Analysts expect a potential demand boost for both metals in coming weeks
Crypto 32
- Bitcoin down 1.68% over 24 hours
- XRP close to dropping below $1 for the first time since 2024
- CPI report on Wednesday is the week's defining catalyst
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- ADI Chain and Shipfinex are partnering to tokenize commercial ships, aiming to open the $680 billion ship-finance market to a wider capital pool.
- Shipfinex currently holds only a preliminary 'In-Principle Approval' from Dubai's VARA, not a full operating license, and no tokens have been issued yet.
- The partnership targets institutional investors, with Shipfinex earmarking ~35 vessels worth $500 million for future tokenization.
- This initiative expands real-world asset (RWA) tokenization beyond financial instruments into physical infrastructure.
- The venture faces competition from existing players like Galactica and Ethra Ship, which already have live maritime tokenization deals.
- eToro swung to a $7.2 million loss in crypto trading in Q2 2026, from a $37.7 million profit a year earlier.
- Cryptoasset revenue fell to $1.35 billion from $1.91 billion in Q2 2026.
- Adjusted diluted EPS of $0.68 beats analysts' $0.61 estimate, but shares fell 11%.
- Russia's central bank proposed allowing Bitcoin, Ether, and Tether's USDT to trade on regulated exchanges.
- This proposal follows a new law signed by President Vladimir Putin last week.
- The move signals a potential shift in Russia's approach to cryptocurrency regulation, moving towards integration into the financial system.
- AUSTRAC suspended Cryptolink for 3 months due to missing transaction reports and non-response to inquiries
- 96 crypto ATMs across Australia forced offline, halting cash-to-crypto services
- Regulator fined Cryptolink AUD 56,340 ($36,600) for prior AML/CTF breaches
- Ravencoin network under attack via critical software flaw allowing invalid blocks since Aug 7
- Two major mining pools (2Miners, RavenMiner) rebuilding chain from pre-exploit block, risking reversal of transactions
- RVN price down 17% in 24h to $0.0029; exchanges halt deposits/withdrawals amid network uncertainty
- Coinbase secured Financial Services Permission from ADGM regulator to arrange and custody tokenized securities in Abu Dhabi
- Plans to issue digital securities backed by shares under ADGM oversight, treated as securities and DeFi-composable assets
- UAE becomes key hub for Coinbase’s tokenization push, complementing existing Dubai derivatives and Project Diamond initiatives
- U.S. 30-year Treasury yield at highest since 2007, nearing levels last seen in 1960s–90s when rising yields competed with equities
- Historical precedent: 1987 Black Monday 22.6% crash linked to rising opportunity cost of capital as yields climbed
- Bitcoin's $500k–$1M price forecasts face headwinds as rising yields reduce appeal of risk assets lacking earnings/cash flow
- BTCPay Server is offering a bounty of 10% of recovered stolen bitcoin, up to 3 BTC (approx. $190,000), for information leading to its return.
- The theft stemmed from a vulnerability that allowed attackers to obtain LND Lightning node credentials and drain connected merchant wallets.
- Affected merchants include Foundation and Citadel21; BTCPay is collaborating with exchanges, blockchain analytics firms, and law enforcement to trace funds.
- The flaw was identified by the volunteer Bitcoin Red Team, which uses AI tools to scan bitcoin projects for bugs, and BTCPay is compensating them.
- Merchants are advised to keep most holdings in cold storage and regularly move excess funds from hot wallets, especially during this period of rapid, AI-driven change.
- Thailand has implemented a 0% tax on crypto, aiming to establish itself as a global crypto hub.
- The Bitcoin Red Team is now utilizing open-source Chinese AI.
- This shift occurred after OpenAI restricted the Bitcoin Red Team's access to its AI services.
- Luke Dashjr loses BIP editor privileges due to concerns over BIP 110
- Developers raise concerns over stalled minority fork
- Dashjr's role in BIP 110 sparks controversy
- Flowdesk received VARA approval for a full broker-dealer license in Dubai
- The firm previously secured MiCA authorization for operations in France
- The licensing move reflects growing regulatory frameworks for crypto firms globally
- Coinbase is a key backer of Flowdesk's expansion into regulated markets
- MoneyGram Ramps now supports Solana wallets/exchanges for cash-to-crypto conversions
- Service enables deposits in 25+ countries and withdrawals in 170+ territories
- Expands MoneyGram’s stablecoin strategy alongside USDC and MGUSD initiatives
- Anthropic agreed to a $9B, 20-year deal for 191 MW of compute capacity from Riot Platforms' Texas facility
- Riot's stock fell 5.4% intraday but is up 53% YTD; deal aligns with miners pivoting to AI/HPC
- Bernstein notes such AI-miner partnerships are critical to mitigate AI data center power constraints
- Bitcoin has been confined to a $62,000‑$66,000 range for several weeks
- ETF inflows are roughly balanced by selling from miners and corporate holders like MicroStrategy
- Trading volume and implied volatility have fallen to multi‑year lows, the lowest in three years
- Wednesday's U.S. CPI report is viewed as the next catalyst that could break the stalemate
- September historically sees Bitcoin down about 4% on average, its weakest month since 2013
- The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has set a meeting this week to review digital asset policies.
- The discussion could lead to regulatory actions despite the CLARITY bill not being enacted.
- Potential new rules may affect cryptocurrency markets and investor compliance.
- Itaú partners with OpenAssets to test tokenized fixed-income securities and investment funds in Brazil.
- ANBIMA-led pilot selected 20 use cases from 39 proposals submitted by more than 50 banks, asset managers and tech firms.
- Tokenized real-world assets on public blockchains rose from $18.9bn in Aug 2025 to $38.3bn today, per RWA.xyz.
- Tests run on a private, permissioned DLT network in a simulated environment without real financial transactions.
- Lawmakers have only 36 days left in the calendar year to approve the CLARITY Act.
- The CLARITY Act is the primary U.S. legislative proposal targeting cryptocurrency regulation.
- Failure to pass the bill within this window could delay crypto regulatory reforms into 2025.
- Company bought roughly 25 times more BTC than it sold in 2023 despite recent sales.
- Recent sales temporarily disrupted its long-standing Bitcoin accumulation strategy.
- CEO announced the firm will resume Bitcoin buying in the current year.
- Bitcoin fell to its lowest level in a week ahead of the US CPI release
- Retail investors increased purchases of gold ETFs, lifting XAU/USD to a nine‑week high
- Gold prices reached their highest levels since June
- Market focus shifted to upcoming inflation data as crypto weakness persisted
- House expected to flip Democratic with an 84% probability; Senate Democratic odds at 47%
- Maxine Waters and Shontel Brown, both crypto skeptics, could chair the House Financial Services and Agriculture committees if Democrats win
- Senator Elizabeth Warren could lead the Senate Banking Committee, adding further crypto criticism if Democrats secure Senate majority
- The Crypto Clarity Act faces a low chance of passage this year, potentially delaying new crypto rules
- SharpLink reported Q2 2026 net loss of $394M, up from $12M in Q2 2025
- Ether price fell 23% in Q2, directly impacting SharpLink's crypto-related revenue
- Loss driven by impairment charges and lower valuation of digital asset holdings
- eToro to acquire TradeZero as part of US expansion
- Crypto-related revenue falls 30% in Q2 2026
- Acquisition aims to boost US presence
- MARA pledged 18,750 BTC (~$1.2 bn) as collateral to secure $600 m in term loans
- Two Prime loan to MARA carries a 7.65% fixed rate and matures in August 2028
- Lenders are expanding facilities, offering larger sizes, longer maturities and bespoke terms for institutional crypto borrowers
- USDT market cap dropped by $4 billion in the last 60 days, a historically large contraction
- CryptoQuant assesses Bitcoin sell pressure as "closer to exhaustion"
- Further downside in Bitcoin is unlikely unless additional USDT outflows occur
- IGV ETF up 40% from April low, now within 13% of its all-time high
- Bitcoin down 29% in 2026, trading about 50% below its all-time high
- 20-day rolling correlation between IGV and Bitcoin turned negative for first time since May 2024
- CryptoQuant confirms a floor of 1,432 BTC stolen based on victim reports.
- Galaxy Research's high‑confidence minimum stands at 1,730 BTC, with 450+ BTC directly reported by victims.
- TRM Labs estimates roughly 1,816 BTC taken from over 5,200 addresses across four waves.
- Total loss figures remain estimates and may rise as more victim disclosures are verified.
- Parliamentary group wrote to CEOs of HSBC, Nationwide, NatWest, Santander UK and Starling seeking explanations
- Major UK banks have imposed restrictions on crypto‑related payments and account openings
- Lawmakers warn limited banking access could hinder growth of UK crypto firms and affect investment decisions
- Keel completes shutdown of US Bitcoin mining operations
- Q2 revenue falls 50%
- Pivoting toward AI and high-performance computing infrastructure
- Eliminates the 1 million‑won (≈$770) Travel Rule threshold for crypto transfers
- Info‑sharing obligations now apply to every transaction between registered crypto service providers
- Aligns South Korea with stricter global AML standards for digital assets
- Regulatory tightening may dampen short‑term crypto trading activity
- Decta to use USDC through OpenPayd's infrastructure for international treasury settlement
- Aims for faster transfers and more efficient liquidity management
- Stablecoin adoption gains traction in financial institutions
- Administration pledges to keep negotiating with Democrats until a September CLARITY vote despite Senate delay after August recess
- Senate expected to hold a cloture vote in mid-September, needing 60 votes to move the bill forward
- Unresolved issues include Democratic ethics demands on Trump-linked crypto interests and banking groups' push to permit stablecoin reward payments
Geopolitics 57
- Syrian court convicts Bashar al-Assad of crimes including killings, torture, and arbitrary arrest
- Assad sentenced to death in absentia after a trial
- First conviction against Assad, who was ousted in December 2024
- US House advances Russia and Iran sanctions package
- Senate approved the package by 86-11 vote
- Sanctions aim to squeeze Moscow's war economy
- Turkey, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a defense pact in Mecca on Aug 7, 2026
- The agreement, dubbed a "Muslim NATO," lacks disclosed operational details
- Experts suggest possible expansion to Egypt, Qatar, Azerbaijan, Jordan and Syria
- The pact may reshape regional security dynamics amid ongoing Middle East tensions
- Red Sea attack killed four crew members and two rescuers.
- Incident occurred amid heightened tensions threatening commercial shipping routes.
- U.S. forces responded by striking a vessel in the Gulf of Oman the same day.
- The attacks raise concerns over maritime security and potential trade disruptions.
- North Korea launched a suspected ballistic missile into the sea on Wednesday.
- It is the second missile launch by Pyongyang in less than a week.
- Japan's Defence Ministry says the missile landed outside Japan's exclusive economic zone.
- South Korean military reported the projectile was launched from North Korea's east coast.
- 2026 Fiscal Transparency Report says China failed to meet minimum transparency standards for overseas loans
- Lack of transparency could trigger unexpected defaults and debt restructurings in emerging-market borrowers
- Report cites deficiencies in China's domestic finance disclosures and claims against foreign borrowers
- US Central Command said a Navy helicopter launched two Hellfire missiles at the Panama‑flagged Vela Nova, disabling its engine room.
- The vessel was accused of trying to transit the Gulf of Oman and violate the US‑Iran blockade on Iranian ports.
- CENTCOM reported having disabled 55 commercial vessels and three non‑compliant ships since reimposing the blockade.
- The incident occurs amid stalled US‑Iran diplomacy and heightened tensions over the Strait of Hormuz.
- Regional shipping routes remain at risk as Houthi attacks continue in the Bab al‑Mandeb Strait.
- At least 10 people killed and dozens injured in overnight attacks across Ukraine
- Kyiv accuses Moscow of launching missiles supplied by North Korea
- President Zelensky warned of more ballistic projectiles and troops from Pyongyang, without providing evidence
- Iran says Strait of Hormuz will stay closed unless the US ends the war and releases frozen Iranian assets
- Tehran demands an end to the conflict and unfreezing of overseas Iranian funds before reopening the waterway
- Additional conditions have been sent to the US through mediators, raising the bar for any deal
- Closure could halt oil shipments through the strait, impacting global crude supply
- Pakistan's defence minister says signals indicate a possible arrangement on the Strait of Hormuz in the past 2‑3 days
- Iran demands the US lift the naval blockade, sanctions and pay war reparations before the strait can reopen
- Oil traffic through the strait, which carried about 20% of global oil trade pre‑conflict, remains at a trickle, keeping Brent prices well above pre‑war levels
- US forces fired on a Panama‑flagged vessel attempting to bypass the blockade, underscoring continued tensions
- China’s naval/coast guard expansion east of Taiwan raises Pacific Island Forum (PIF) maritime security concerns
- Beijing’s increased patrols and research vessels could disrupt key shipping routes to Micronesia, Melanesia, and Polynesia
- PIF split on China’s submarine missile testing underscores divergent regional threat perceptions
- Heightened tensions may raise maritime insurance costs and transit times for Pacific Island economies
- PIF urged to integrate Taiwan’s east coast waters into ‘Ocean of Peace’ framework for regional stability
- First formal regional defense pact excluding U.S. signed by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye on Aug 7
- U.S. military presence in Gulf states drew attacks, undermining Washington’s role as sole security guarantor
- Pact stipulates collective response to attacks but lacks clear activation criteria, creating ambiguity for U.S.
- China detains Japanese nationals, including top executives, for violating export restrictions on dual-use goods
- Dual-use items include critical minerals for drone and advanced semiconductor manufacturing
- Detentions follow a string of enforcement measures by Chinese authorities
- Myanmar's military junta held a controlled election in late 2025, leading to Min Aung Hlaing assuming the presidency in April 2026, aiming for international legitimacy.
- The junta launched a diplomatic campaign across India, Laos, China, and Thailand to secure border stability, trade, and hedge against Western sanctions.
- China provided diplomatic validation but withheld new financial commitments for major infrastructure projects, conditioning future investments on "ensured security."
- Thailand, under PM Anutin, adopted a "calibrated engagement" approach, prioritizing border stability, trade, and Myanmar's gradual reintegration into regional forums like ASEAN.
- Myanmar made minor concessions, such as moving Aung San Suu Kyi to house arrest, to soften regional criticism without surrendering executive authority.
- Israel and Venezuela re‑established consular ties after 17 years of diplomatic suspension
- Renewal follows Israel's disaster‑relief delegation sent to Venezuela after June earthquakes
- Move comes amid heightened U.S. pressure following the January raid that ousted former President Maduro
- About 2.4 million Afghan girls have been denied secondary education since the Taliban's 2021 return to power.
- The UN characterises the restrictions as “gender apartheid” and urges the Taliban to lift the ban.
- The Taliban’s policy limits girls to primary schooling only, citing its interpretation of Islamic law.
- Human Rights Watch and three other advocacy groups filed a lawsuit in the Southern District of New York.
- The suit challenges President Trump's 2020 executive order sanctioning ICC judges and prosecutors.
- Plaintiffs argue the sanctions impede the court’s ability to prosecute perpetrators of grave international crimes.
- Thailand's NSC will meet special envoys on Tuesday ahead of a Malaysia visit scheduled for Aug 17‑18.
- Authorities highlight long‑standing dual‑nationality challenges, including name changes that impede identity verification along the southern border.
- Thailand seeks Malaysian cooperation to create joint personal databases and enforce the one‑nationality rule for Thai citizens.
- Dual nationality is considered a possible factor in security incidents in Thailand's Deep South, prompting tighter monitoring.
- South Carolina polls closed at 7 p.m. ET for the GOP Senate nomination.
- Minnesota and Wisconsin polls will close at 9 p.m. ET.
- Minnesota Senate race pits progressive Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan against centrist Rep. Angie Craig.
- Wisconsin gubernatorial primary sees Democratic socialist Francesca Hong as frontrunner.
- The PLA Navy marked its 99th anniversary on Aug. 1, a year before its centenary goals.
- China is redefining its aircraft carrier strategy, emphasizing indigenous design over U.S. replication.
- U.S. defense analysts estimate Beijing plans to expand its carrier fleet to at least three ships within the next decade.
- On July 8, Trump allegedly left Air Force One in Turkey via a catering truck to a smaller Air Force aircraft.
- Around a dozen journalists on the original plane were unaware of the swap and continued the flight.
- U.S. officials cited a credible Iranian assassination threat as the reason for the secret operation.
- A father and his sons are using basic tools to clear debris from their destroyed home.
- Israel's restriction on heavy machinery hampers debris removal and body recovery efforts.
- Civil defence officials warn the lack of equipment delays locating trapped victims.
- Romanian army divers used explosives to destroy two Russian-made Gerbera drones in the Black Sea.
- Drones were located near the Neptun Deep offshore gas project, Romania's largest EU gas field.
- Romania confirmed the drones are not Ukrainian and coordinated the response with Ukrainian partners.
- China is boosting container shipments via the Arctic from its east coast to Europe
- Houthi attacks on Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb shipping lanes are prompting caution
- Melting Arctic ice now permits a summer passage, offering an alternative route
- Shipping operators are reducing reliance on traditional Middle East chokepoints
- If the conflict continues, the Arctic route could reshape trade patterns
- Pakistan interior minister Mohsin Naqvi met Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi in Tehran.
- Discussions centered on mediating the US-Israeli conflict with Iran and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
- Reopening Hormuz could ease global oil shipments, but no concrete timeline was provided.
- Total widows in Gaza have risen to over 50,000, with 28,224 newly widowed since the war began.
- More than 22,500 widows were already registered with the Ministry of Social Development before the conflict.
- Humanitarian officials urge immediate financial aid, psychosocial services, healthcare, and legal support for affected families.
- The Ministry expects the widows count to increase further as many remain unregistered.
- Fish exports from Yemen's Red Sea fell about 70% since the war began (2018 study)
- Over 30,000 fishermen have been affected by restrictions and danger
- 113 fishermen have gone missing since 2023, with no information on their whereabouts
- Sea mines have killed 264 fishermen and maimed 215 others
- Ongoing fighting forces fishermen to stay near shore or abandon the trade
- Israeli forces blew up the house of Farouk Ramadan in the West Bank village of Tal on Aug 11, 2026
- Ramadan was killed in July while confronting a large‑scale settler attack in the same village
- Video footage released shows the demolition of the home
- The action follows ongoing tensions over settler violence in occupied territories
- US MH-60 helicopter launched missiles at the Panama‑flagged M/V Vela Nova in the Gulf of Oman
- The ship attempted to breach the US‑enforced blockade of Iran's ports
- US Central Command confirmed the vessel is disabled and will not transit to Iran
- The incident heightens geopolitical tension surrounding US sanctions on Iranian maritime trade
- Trump called Democratic nominees “jihadists” in Oval Office remarks.
- Comments followed Abdul El‑Sayed’s win in Michigan’s Democratic Senate primary.
- Republicans such as Rep. Nancy Mace and Sen. Tommy Tuberville echoed anti‑Muslim rhetoric.
- Less than 90 days remain before November midterms, with all 435 House seats and 34 Senate seats contested.
- Implementation of the provisional peace declaration remains slow a year after signing.
- Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signed the agreement on Aug 8, 2023.
- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reiterated Washington's commitment to the peace process.
- Optimism persists among officials, but concrete steps toward stability are limited.
- Israel has intensified restrictions on goods entering Gaza.
- Prices for essential items have surged sharply as supplies dwindle.
- Residents now rely on lighters and fans as primary energy sources.
- The 73rd anniversary of the 1953 Korean Armistice was marked by calls to replace the armistice with a “peace regime.”
- South Korean officials cite the armistice’s limitations, including no maritime boundaries and restricted NNSC access in the north.
- Inter‑Korean communication via the UNCMAC‑KPA hotline has remained active since September 2019, despite North Korea halting other channels in April 2023.
- Five Central Asian presidents and Azerbaijan's president gathered in Cholpon-Ata, the first such meeting since November 2025
- Kyrgyz‑Azerbaijani Development Fund was expanded from $100 million to $200 million
- Tajik president proposed a large regional oil refinery amid an ongoing fuel crisis
- Leaders signed the Cholpon‑Ata Declaration, but the text was not published, continuing recent confidentiality trends
- Next formal C5+1 summit slated for early October in Turkmenistan; Azerbaijan will miss the September C5+1 forum in Seoul
- Wisconsin governor primary: progressive Francesca Hong leads polls by double digits over moderate David Crowley.
- Minnesota Senate primary: progressive Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan faces moderate Rep. Angie Craig in a tight race.
- Hong is endorsed by DSA Milwaukee; Flanagan backed by Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, while Craig has support from Hakeem Jeffries and Nancy Pelosi.
- Outcomes may steer the Democratic Party's ideological direction ahead of the 2024 midterm elections.
- Hungarian lawmakers approved Andras Baka, a former supreme court chief and critic of Viktor Orban, as the country's new president.
- Baka was previously fired during Orban's time in power, highlighting a shift in political appointments.
- The presidential post became vacant following the contested removal of the previous president, an Orban ally.
- The appointment aligns with efforts by pro-EU conservative Prime Minister Peter Magyar to loosen Orban's influence over state institutions.
- FBI confirmed a probe into a North Korean hired by an unnamed U.S. federal agency.
- Thousands of North Korean IT workers are believed to have infiltrated U.S. and European firms using fake identities.
- North Korea is attributed to 76% of global cryptocurrency thefts, earning about $2 billion in 2025 despite sanctions.
- The Justice Department previously charged a Maryland man for aiding a North Korean hacker to secure a remote FAA contract.
- Myanmar claimed to agree to repatriate 300,000 Rohingya from Bangladesh and 5,000 from Malaysia, but Bangladesh denied any such proposal
- Since 2017, Myanmar has repeatedly made repatriation commitments under bilateral, UN, and Chinese-mediated deals but never implemented them
- Rohingya repatriation remains stalled due to Myanmar’s lack of control over Rakhine State and refusal to guarantee safety and rights
- A strong China is seen as key to maintaining the 'long peace' between major powers.
- China's economic growth and stability contribute to global stability.
- The 'long peace' refers to the 40-year period without a third world war between the US and Soviet Union.
- Philippine Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio charged with 'grave threats'
- Charge stems from February 2025 National Bureau of Investigation complaint
- Part of ongoing Senate impeachment trial
- Hong Kong opens Economic and Trade Office in Kuala Lumpur
- Minister sees office as bridge to Greater Bay Area
- Strengthening regional ties and Hong Kong's presence
- US judge dismisses bribery case against Indian billionaire Gautam Adani
- Judge rebukes senior Department of Justice official's conduct as 'concerning'
- Adani's wealth swelled by $2 billion after the case's dismissal
- Thailand's gun deaths surge after Debsirin school shooting as another fatality reported in Nonthaburi
- Former MP allegedly shot local official over money dispute, highlighting persistent gun crime issues
- Police report increasing incidents of armed violence despite ongoing efforts to curb gun ownership
- Opposition lawmakers walked out of a parliamentary session on the Tabung Haji inquiry
- Anwar accused them of staging 'political drama'
- The confrontation comes after PH lost power in Negeri Sembilan
- US House panel seeks academics who may have lost jobs to Chinese hires
- Committee investigates alleged preference for Chinese applicants in US research positions
- Academics can come forward if they believe they were denied opportunities due to bias
- Elbridge Colby, US Undersecretary of War, said the US remains "more engaged than ever" in the Indo‑Pacific during a Manila speech.
- He called for regional partners to shoulder more of their own defense costs, emphasizing a "deterrence by denial" posture along the First Island Chain.
- The visit marks the first senior Pentagon official trip to Southeast Asia in 18 months, with stops planned in Indonesia, Thailand and Cambodia.
- Colby referenced recent tensions, citing the July 20 clash at Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea.
- Government and lawmakers from ruling and opposition parties will study internet voting for overseas Japanese voters
- Goal is to address mail‑in ballot rejections caused by postal delays and short campaign periods
- Proposal targets national elections, with details on implementation yet to be defined
- President Vladimir Putin granted a pardon to former US Marine Robert Gilman, 32, on humanitarian grounds
- Gilman had been detained in Russia since 2022
- US officials, including the White House, urged his release for medical treatment
- Canadian police charged Ali Assakereh with a bomb threat targeting the US consulate in Halifax.
- A car near the consulate was found with a propane tank and containers of flammable liquids.
- Downtown Halifax streets were evacuated while authorities investigated the threat.
- The incident follows two shootings at the US consulate in Toronto earlier this year.
- Alphabet reform launched in 1993 with an initial 2000 deadline, later extended to 2005, 2010 and most recently 2023.
- Cyrillic continues to dominate government documents, media and university libraries despite new Latin‑script textbooks and training.
- President Mirziyoyev created the State Language Development Department (2019) and Uzbek Language Development Fund (2020) to speed up the transition.
- Older generations and entrenched bureaucratic habits keep many agencies offering dual‑alphabet website options.
- Three decades after independence, the dual‑alphabet reality highlights persistent political, social and economic challenges.
- The series, serialized 2014‑2022 and spanning five anime seasons with a finale slated for late 2026, is set against the 1904‑1905 Russo‑Japanese War.
- It foregrounds territorial disputes over Hokkaido and Sakhalin, highlighting the impact on Ainu, Nivkh and Uilta peoples.
- Historical references include the 1881 People’s Will bomb of Tsar Alexander II and the war’s role in sparking the 1905 Russian Revolution.
- Japanese victory is portrayed as cementing Japan’s rise as a major power and accelerating Ainu assimilation in Hokkaido.
- Protagonist Asirpa serves as a cultural bridge, advocating for Ainu language preservation and heritage amid Japanese and Russian influences.
- At least 14 suspected illegal miners killed in mine dump collapse in South Africa's North West province
- Eight injured, search and rescue operations ongoing for unknown number of trapped miners
- Collapse occurred while miners were digging for platinum group metals at disused dump
- Lebanon's parliament votes to abolish death penalty, replacing it with life imprisonment
- First Arab country to formally abolish capital punishment
- Justice Minister calls the vote a 'historic step' for Lebanon
- Leonardo’s SignalTrace links phones/smartwatches to vehicles via recurring electronic signatures
- Software associates device signals with license plates and time-stamped locations
- Investigators can trace unknown devices by prior associations with known vehicles
- Privacy advocates warn of mass surveillance risks from such tracking systems
- 23-year-old paratrooper Xia Shiyuan died after falling from an aircraft during a training drill.
- The incident occurred on May 27 in Golmud, Qinghai province.
- Beijing confirmed the death, adding to recent reports of multiple military accidents.
- Australian PM Anthony Albanese sidesteps apology for 'insulting' melon joke
- Joke made during interview with Bush Deep podcast
- Albanese previously apologized for comments about singer Kylie Minogue
- 10 drivers arrested for alleged street racing on Hong Kong highway
- Police deployed drones and 'stealth cars' to capture and apprehend suspects
- 9 men and 1 woman aged 25-51 arrested between August 3-10
Tech/AI 29
- Nvidia signs MoUs with six major Wall Street firms to establish AI compute as a bankable infrastructure asset.
- The goal is to channel more than $500 billion into AI computing infrastructure, treating it as long-lived, revenue-generating assets.
- Nvidia's move could widen the gap with smaller decentralized compute networks, which face technical and operational limits.
- Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang unveils 'big concept' for AI financing, backed by Wall Street's top power brokers
- Partners aim to raise $500 billion, potentially more, for AI factory construction and build-out
- Executives see AI equipment as 'real assets' with 'real value', comparable to traditional investments
- US and China solidify AI leadership with 24 and 29 international partners respectively
- Europe's efforts to establish a 'G3' pole in AI face significant challenges
- Pax Silica framework expands to secure supply chains for key advanced technologies
- River AI raises $1.1 billion to expand custom AI tools for enterprise clients
- API allows complex reinforcement-learning training runs in 15-20 minutes, 2-4x cost-effective
- Open-weight models shift enterprise AI from general-purpose models to customized models
- IBM and Together AI signed a $240 million multi-year agreement to build a large-scale AI inference cluster.
- The cluster will be hosted on IBM Cloud and utilize Nvidia's HGX B300 systems, including Blackwell processors and Spectrum-X networking.
- Initial deployment will feature approximately 2,000 Nvidia Blackwell 300 chips and be located in the U.S.
- The infrastructure aims to provide inference for open-source AI models, addressing business concerns over costs and cybersecurity.
- Together AI anticipates the cluster will be fully utilized well before it's ready for service, indicating strong demand.
- Gemini app hits 1 billion MAU, becoming the 14th Google product to reach the milestone
- 63% of users engage via voice; the app creates over 150 million images each day
- More than 100 million active users on iOS; Gemini 3.5 Flash model launched for coding and AI agents
- Growth follows Q2 2026 earnings that reported 950 million monthly users and daily active users tripling YoY
- Brad Lightcap, OpenAI’s COO since 2022, announced his exit to start a new venture
- Lightcap previously served as CFO (2018‑2022) and led special projects before leaving
- His departure follows recent exits of other senior staff, including No.2 executive Fidji Simo
- OpenAI is preparing for a high‑profile IPO amid the leadership reshuffle
- Ryanair will use Google's Gemini AI and DeepMind models under a five-year cloud deal.
- AI tools will automate crew scheduling, fleet maintenance and operational decisions for 35,000 staff.
- The partnership complements existing AWS use, aiming to cut outages and support 300 million passengers by 2034.
- Chinese mine receives first sodium-ion battery truck for field testing
- Battery pack rated at 676 kWh, the largest reported for sodium-ion technology
- Sodium-ion positioned as low‑cost alternative to lithium for EVs and storage
- Industry hopes sodium-ion can ease lithium supply constraints
- White House lifts the 2023 ban on TikTok use on US government devices
- Justice Department finds the new US joint venture version exempt from the 2022 prohibition
- OMB memo formally rescinds the directive that barred TikTok on government hardware
- Accel raised $550 million for a new India-focused venture fund, closing it in weeks.
- The fund is oversubscribed and part of a $3.5 billion coordinated global fundraising effort.
- Accel still has over 55% of its prior $650 million India fund unallocated, indicating ample capital.
- Target sectors include AI, consumer internet, fintech, advanced manufacturing and deep tech, with deployment slated for 2027.
- Other venture firms are also scaling India bets, e.g., Peak XV ($1.3 billion) and General Catalyst ($5 billion).
- Oracle Cloud Infrastructure will provide access to Quantinuum's Helios quantum computer via OCI's quantum service.
- Helios, commercially launched in November, will be deployed in a U.S.-based Oracle AI data center and integrated with existing OCI services.
- The partnership aims to merge quantum, AI and high‑performance computing for hybrid workloads, with a service preview expected in the coming months.
- Alpha Compute signed a term sheet to acquire Pennsylvania land and natural gas rights for $55 million.
- The site will host a 200 MW data center, with plans to expand on‑site generation to 1 GW.
- Construction aims for Q3 2027 operation; total build‑out cost projected at about $500 million.
- Model evaluated 650 distinct approaches to the Riemann hypothesis using 60 coordinated sub‑agents.
- The effort consumed roughly 31 million output tokens over about 36 hours.
- Progress raised the proven lower bound for which the hypothesis holds, though a full proof remains unclaimed.
- The work follows recent AI‑driven breakthroughs on other mathematical problems, sparking debate in the research community.
- Guangdong Aerospace Research Academy completed final expert review of star navigation system
- System designed to guide hypersonic weapons at speeds of Mach 5 and above
- Provides guidance capability when GPS or BeiDou signals are jammed or unavailable
- Nemotron 4 will feature at least 1 trillion parameters, according to project staff.
- The largest variant could be ready for release as early as late fall 2024.
- Nvidia also unveiled Nemotron 3.5 Lightning and the open-source NeMo Switchyard library.
- The effort places Nvidia among a small group of U.S. firms offering open-source AI models.
- Brookhaven National Laboratory approached the Chinese Institute of High Energy Physics in May 2023 to buy a combined superconducting magnet.
- The Chinese magnet delivers roughly 40% higher performance than comparable US-made versions.
- The component is used in a leading particle accelerator, underscoring US interest in advanced superconducting technology.
- Alibaba's Qwen app offers three membership tiers for AI office assistant
- Annual plans range from 200 yuan (US$29.60) to 1,499 yuan
- Users can purchase extra video generation capabilities
- French press alliance seeks regulator action against Google’s AI-generated article summaries
- Traffic to member sites fell 33-38% due to AI summaries, per Arcom estimate
- Alliance cites prior €500M fine on Google for unpaid press content use in 2021
- Anthropic to go public this fall, despite investor concerns
- Company addresses questions on Chinese rivals and AI infrastructure boom
- Tensions with Trump-era policies also discussed
- AI-fueled memory chip shortage continues to pressure global PC manufacturers
- HP, Asus and Acer start using CXMT memory chips to alleviate supply constraints
- CXMT secures a breakthrough foothold in the worldwide PC component market
- CEO Yang Zhilin, PhD‑trained in the U.S., rejected a senior role at Apple
- He returned to China to co‑found Moonshot AI and launch its Kimi model
- Moonshot AI has grown to compete with OpenAI and Anthropic in generative AI
- The move highlights ongoing brain‑drain concerns for U.S. tech talent
- University of Tokyo's Intelligent Space Systems Lab has built and launched 15 microsatellites.
- The lab, once led by the "father of satellite startups," supplies core tech and talent to new firms.
- Japan's nascent space startup sector is leveraging university research to accelerate growth.
- Chrome rolls out device‑bound session credentials (DBSCs) in latest Windows and macOS releases
- DBSCs store a unique encryption key in the device’s TPM (Windows) or Secure Enclave (macOS/iOS)
- The feature is designed to block session‑cookie theft, a growing vector for account takeovers
- By binding sessions to hardware, Chrome adds a layer beyond 2FA and passkeys
- Spotify will roll out "AI Persona" badges to artist profiles starting mid‑September
- Badges will appear on profile banners, About sections, search results, and playlist track rows
- AI‑generated artists will be excluded from editorial and algorithmic recommendations unless followed
- Artists can self‑disclose AI status via Spotify for Artists and may appeal badge decisions
- OpenAI launches a preview desktop app for Linux
- Supports Ubuntu 24.04/26.04 LTS, Debian 13, Fedora 43 and 44
- App provides access to ChatGPT, ChatGPT Work, and Codex
- Follows Anthropic's Claude Linux app released a month earlier
- Block Blast! adds ad‑free version to Apple Arcade on Sep 3
- Game reports 70 million daily active users and 300 million monthly active users worldwide
- Downloads peaked at about 50 million per month in late 2024 and have since declined
- Apple Arcade subscription costs $6.99 per month, or $19.95 via Apple One plans
- Lifetime installs estimated between 725 million and 868 million
- Pass-ta-key attack extracts all passkeys stored in Google Password Manager on Windows machines with malware
- Attack exploits storage outside TPM, contradicting common security assumptions about passkey protection
- Researcher clarifies attack is not novel but highlights confusion over passkey security claims
- Japan's H3 rocket successfully launched on Tuesday, marking a new phase for orbital missions
- Mitsubishi Electric, Japan's leading large‑satellite supplier, will scale up output to meet rising demand
- The ramp‑up aims to support Japan's broader goal of expanding its satellite launch cadence
Companies 65
- Intel increased its common stock offering to $20 bn, priced at $95 per share
- Net proceeds expected at $19.7 bn after expenses, with a 30‑day option for an additional $2.25 bn
- Intel shares fell roughly 4% on the announcement despite a 175% rise in 2026
- Proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes, including capital expenditures and working capital
- Morgan Stanley sets $300 price target, implying 122% upside from current levels
- AI business acquisition of Cursor expected to drive substantial stock appreciation
- Cursor's high adoption rate and $1B+ annualized revenue support bullish thesis
- Riot Platforms signed a 20-year, $9.1 billion agreement to provide Anthropic with 191 megawatts of AI computing capacity.
- The deal, potentially worth $16.1 billion with extensions, reflects a strategic pivot by bitcoin miners towards AI infrastructure for stable revenue.
- Riot projects $7.3 billion to $8.2 billion in cumulative net operating income from the base term of the agreement.
- The company is financing data center investments by selling its bitcoin holdings, which declined by 4,300 BTC last quarter.
- Riot's shares surged over 20% in pre-market trading following the announcement.
- Revenue doubled YoY to $2.58 bn, slightly above the $2.56 bn estimate
- Backlog reached about $104 bn at end‑June, excluding $25 bn of new commitments
- Operating expenses more than doubled to $2.62 bn, resulting in a $626 m net loss
- Shares jumped 9% in after‑hours trading following the earnings release
- Meta was compelled to unwind its $2 billion purchase of AI startup Manus following a Chinese regulator directive.
- China's National Development and Reform Commission ordered the deal reversal in April 2024.
- Manus will resume operating as an independent company, with users needing to back up data generated after Dec 29, 2025.
- The unwind highlights tighter Chinese tech export controls amid intensifying US‑China AI competition.
- Meta continues its AI push, recently releasing its first coding agent.
- Nasdaq announced purchase of Level Markets, an off‑exchange equity execution venue
- Deal aims to enhance Nasdaq’s always‑on market vision and liquidity connectivity
- Acquisition broadens Nasdaq’s role in capital formation across equity markets
- Bumble is dropping its defining women-first messaging rule, allowing either person to initiate conversations.
- Tests in Canada showed higher chat initiation rates and more mutual conversations after the change.
- The reply window for messages will be extended from 24 hours to 72 hours to increase interactions.
- The changes aim to combat user fatigue and slowing growth, following user demands for more flexibility.
- Bumble recently forecast Q3 revenue below Wall Street estimates and reported a 16.4% decline in paying users.
- Joby Aviation buys Resonant Sciences for $500M to expand defense market presence
- Deal includes Resonant's radio-frequency and mission systems for national security customers
- Joby expects to fund deal with $450M in cash and $50M in common stock
- Blackstone and Quebec’s La Caisse pension fund will buy a 25% stake in Aeroplan
- Deal valued at close to $2 billion
- Transaction aims to help Air Canada achieve an investment‑grade credit rating
- Provides Blackstone exposure to a high‑margin loyalty business
- Revenue and earnings topped analysts' expectations
- CEO called the results an "important inflection point" for AI services
- Shares rallied sharply after the earnings release
- Company increased its 2026 capital spending target to support expanding AI workloads
- Q2 revenue topped analysts' forecasts, driven by surging demand for GPU cloud services
- Management reaffirmed outlook for continued growth as AI adoption accelerates
- GM and Procura Auto Parts created a purchasing facility worth up to $4.5 bn.
- Funding provided by a JPMorgan‑led bank syndicate, with repayment via irrevocable payment undertakings due by July 31 2029.
- Prepayments are recorded as assets and unsecured debt, keeping inventory costs off GM’s balance sheet.
- The arrangement excludes payments from adjusted automotive free cash flow until parts are actually used.
- Berkshire Hathaway announced a $20 billion share purchase initiative.
- AI‑picked stocks have risen 204% since the selections were highlighted.
- The buying spree targets a mix of technology and consumer companies.
- Sales projected to more than double year‑over‑year, driven by AI-related demand
- Quarterly earnings beat analysts' estimates, delivering a blowout profit
- Company raises its outlook for the next fiscal year, but shares remain flat after hours
- Annual profit increases 7% year‑on‑year
- Growth driven by stronger net interest margin and fee income
- Earnings beat analysts' expectations, supporting a bullish outlook for the bank
- Bloomberg says founders Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni knew Phia was using cookie stuffing as early as Dec 2023.
- Cookie stuffing accounted for a sizable share of Phia's sales; revenue dropped sharply after the practice was halted.
- Phia removed the feature on July 7, began reversing misattributed transactions, and hired a head of compliance.
- The company lost almost half its full‑time employees since the start of the year, and retailers like Nike and Nordstrom were unaware of being listed.
- Fortuna Mining (FSM) will buy the Bambadji gold project in Senegal for $200 million (C$279 million).
- The assets are being purchased from Barrick (B, ABX) and Iamgold (IMG).
- The acquisition expands Fortuna's gold production pipeline into West Africa.
- Deal adds a new high‑grade gold project to Fortuna's portfolio, pending closing later this year.
- Polymarket hired Travis VanderZanden, founder of Bird, as chief growth officer to lead marketing.
- New compliance and risk team includes former Robinhood, Coinbase, FBI, and Nasdaq executives.
- Platform expects trading volume surge from NFL season in September and U.S. midterm elections in November.
- Polymarket's U.S. exchange launched in May and operates separately from its international market.
- CFTC investigation after WSJ report on misleading marketing prompted policy overhaul.
- Revenue outlook for fiscal 2027 set at $65B-$72B, above analysts' $52.5B average estimate
- Q4 revenue came in at $11.12B, slightly below the $11.55B consensus but within prior guidance range
- Gross margin for Q4 rose to 17.5%, beating the preliminary 15%-17% outlook and earlier 8.2%-8.4% range
- Shares jumped 7% in extended trading following the upbeat guidance
- Customers with >$1B revenue grew to nine, up from four a year earlier
- Revenue rose 6% YoY to $63.67 bn, missing consensus of $65.03 bn
- Adjusted EPS of $2.60 beat estimate of $2.42, excluding a 31‑cent tariff refund benefit
- Fiscal 2027 EPS outlook exceeds long‑term guidance, prompting price target lift to $265 from $245
- Shares rose >1% to a record close of $239.71 after intraday peak of $258.30
- Focus on higher‑margin specialty pharma and MSO businesses to drive profit growth
- Uber divested its full ownership of Serve Robotics, as disclosed in a regulatory filing
- Uber had been trimming its stake since 2025 before the final selloff
- Differing views on fleet scaling led Serve to forgo renewing the partnership that expires in early 2027
- The surprise sale was only learned by Serve Robotics when the filing became public
- Uber Freight confirmed unauthorized access to its systems but said operations remain uninterrupted
- Hackers identifying as "Helix" posted roughly 1 million Uber Freight files online
- The incident was identified, contained and remediated, with federal law enforcement engaged
- Brad Lightcap, OpenAI's former operating chief, announced his exit to pursue new ventures.
- His departure follows recent exits of chief revenue officer Fidji Simo and three other senior executives.
- Lightcap helped expand OpenAI's go‑to‑market team from ~50 staff to over 700 since 2023.
- The exits come as OpenAI prepares for a potential IPO and justifies its $852 billion valuation.
- Itaú teams with OpenAssets on ANBIMA‑led pilot to issue, trade, and settle tokenized fixed‑income securities and investment funds
- Brazil is emerging as a tokenization hub, with prior pilots targeting $1 bn of debt by VERT Capital and $200 m by Mercado Bitcoin
- Citi estimates tokenized securities could grow to $5.5 tn globally by 2030, adding weight to Itaú's $562 bn asset base
- JPMorgan commits a nine‑figure investment, estimated around $200 million for the 2028 Games.
- The partnership makes JPMorgan the Olympics' first global banking partner, covering both Olympic and Paralympic events.
- JPMorgan will add over 100 business bankers in Southern California, a 30% staff increase, to support the Games.
- The deal follows JPMorgan's broader sports‑industry push, including US Open sponsorship and arena naming rights.
- The Olympic Partners program, created in 1985, has seen previous sponsors like Panasonic and Toyota exit in 2024.
- Investors are negotiating to buy a minority stake in Liverpool FC
- Deal values the club at approximately $8 billion
- Agreement includes an option to acquire the remaining shares later
- Jeff Bezos is reported among the prospective investors
- CEO David Ellison says operations will move out of California on Oct 1 unless settlement talks begin.
- The $110 bn Paramount‑Warner Bros Discovery merger faces a 12‑state antitrust suit citing 27% film market share and potential loss of ~2,500 jobs in LA County.
- Possible relocation states are Tennessee, Texas or Georgia; a merger pause triggers a $7 million per day ticking fee.
- Mobile MAU fell to 10.4 million in June 2026, down 27.2% YoY
- Mobile DAU dropped 25.6% YoY to about 3 million in July 2026
- Overall MAU halved from 22.1 million in Q4 2024 to 10.7 million in Q2 2026 (≈52% decline)
- Stickiness rate stayed around 29% in June, similar to Threads
- Meta's Threads daily active users rose 21.3% YoY to 147 million in July 2026
- River AI secured $1.1 billion in a seed/Series A round, the largest ever for a two‑month‑old startup
- Funding led by General Catalyst and AMP PBC, with participation from Nvidia, AMD Ventures, Y Combinator and Temasek
- Founder Igor Babuschkin, former DeepMind and OpenAI researcher, aims to rebuild the AI stack for personalizable agents
- River says its platform can complete reinforcement‑learning runs in 15‑20 minutes, offering 2‑4× cost savings versus closed‑source alternatives
- Target appoints Chandhu Nair as its inaugural chief AI officer and senior vice president.
- Nair brings experience from Lowe's, Staples and Gap, focusing on coordinated AI across inventory and decision‑making.
- The retailer is expanding generative AI tools, including the Trend Brain platform for trend forecasting.
- Walmart, Gap and Best Buy are also accelerating AI integration, highlighting a broader retail AI race.
- Targets Level 4 autonomous driving rollout by 2028.
- Founded Mind Robotics, raising $900 million in 2024 to integrate humanoid robots on Rivian’s factory floor.
- Launching the $58,000 R2 SUV to broaden market appeal beyond premium EV segment.
- Expanding Rivian’s own charging network to become one of the largest in the United States.
- Will discuss these initiatives at Disrupt 2026 in San Francisco, Oct 13‑15.
- Evergrande cleared to recoup roughly HK$6 billion (US$764.7 million) from a third party.
- Judge Linda Chan dismissed Yingjia International Properties' injunction attempt.
- Court found the borrower’s arguments against loan enforcement to be fabricated.
- The ruling could bolster Evergrande's short‑term liquidity position.
- Kyoto Fusioneering has raised $121 million in committed capital.
- U.S. DOE and Tennessee grants will fund the Unity-3 breeding blanket prototype at Oak Ridge National Lab.
- Unity-3 will test liquid lithium and other materials, providing data for startups like Realta Fusion and Thea Energy.
- The firm is moving its U.S. headquarters to Oak Ridge to become a primary supplier for future fusion plants.
- Erebor Bank is negotiating a $1.5 billion funding round that would value it at $9.5 billion.
- Deposits grew from $1.1 billion in March to $4.6 billion by July, driven by crypto, AI and defense clients.
- The capital will support a mandatory 12% leverage ratio and fund a $200 million credit facility for Valar Atomics.
- Existing investors including 8VC, Andreessen Horowitz and others are expected to participate.
- AI Persona badges to appear on profiles of AI-generated artists starting mid-September 2025
- AI Persona music excluded from editorial and algorithmic recommendations by default
- Users must explicitly follow AI Personas to include their music in personalized recommendations
- Hong Kong development revenue rose to HK$1.35 bn, up from HK$475 mn in H1 (≈180% increase)
- Operating profit jumped to HK$166 mn, more than fivefold versus the prior period
- Company is paring mainland investments and building cash reserves amid an uncertain outlook
- Luxury-home market now the primary growth driver for Wharf
- Minor International (MINT) will buy 100% of Bonchon International for $50 million (1.65 bn baht)
- Acquisition includes 55% stake from VIG Partners and 45% from founder Seo Jin-deok
- Deal will be financed through borrowing and is expected to close later this month
- Minor expects higher earnings from royalty and franchise fees; Bonchon operates 110 outlets in Thailand and Australia
- Mat Ishbia lost $600M due to a failed acquisition and misjudged interest rate positions
- Timing of rate bets exacerbated losses amid market volatility
- Ishbia's financial setback highlights risks in leveraged corporate strategies
- Gap to open 50 new stores in mainland China this year
- Return to Hong Kong by year's end
- Localisation drive attracts more Chinese consumers
- Trump Media reported a $238 million net loss in Q2, primarily due to $190.4 million in unrealized losses from digital assets and securities.
- The company plans to revamp its digital asset treasury strategy for a more disciplined approach, aiming to manage volatility and improve balance sheet productivity.
- Despite Q2 losses, Trump Media increased its direct Bitcoin exposure in July, holding approximately 14,139 BTC (worth ~$890.5 million) by month-end.
- Current strategies include using options to manage Bitcoin volatility and deploying BTC through lending and other yield-generating arrangements.
- Trump Media warned of counterparty credit risk and potential asset loss associated with its Bitcoin yield strategies, as some counterparties may not be rated.
- CMAN H1 net profit rises 7.6% to 256 million baht
- Revenue declines 4.6% to 1.888 billion baht YoY
- Gross profit margin improves to 40.1% from 36.6% in H1 2025
- Compal Electronics adds new AI server manufacturing lines in Taiwan, Vietnam and the U.S.
- The move shifts focus from traditional PCs to high‑growth AI infrastructure demand.
- Expansion aims to capture a share of the global AI server market surge.
- Q2 revenue jumps 48% to $7.8 bn, driven by e‑commerce, fintech and gaming
- Shopee e‑commerce sales climb 48.2% to $5.6 bn, beating competition from TikTok Shop and Lazada
- Digital financial services and gaming segments expand, supporting overall growth
- COO Christian Voigtlander sold shares worth $1.63 million in ICU Medical.
- The sale was disclosed in a recent Form 4 filing.
- No accompanying statement on the reason for the sale was provided.
- FlightAware claims Kalshi used its data and branding without permission to run flight‑cancellation betting markets.
- Kalshi introduced U.S. flight‑cancellation markets about a month ago, allowing bets on the number of flights canceled per airport.
- The lawsuit seeks a jury trial; the amount of damages sought has not been disclosed.
- Hiroshi Okuda, former Toyota Motor president, passed away at 93.
- Okuda spearheaded Toyota's expansion into the United States, setting up production amid 1970s trade frictions.
- He later advised the Japanese government and represented Japan's business community.
- EVP and GM collectively sold shares worth $249,811
- Transaction disclosed in recent SEC filing
- No indication of broader insider activity at CSW Industrials
- US freight railroads' appeal against a new rule requiring at least two-person crews is denied
- The rule aims to improve rail safety, but railroads argue it will increase costs
- The decision is seen as a win for labor unions and a setback for the rail industry
- Director Janey Whiteside sold Lyft shares worth $241,740
- The transaction was disclosed in a recent SEC filing
- No other insider sales were reported in the same filing period
- IPO price fixed at $13 per share
- Expected gross proceeds of approximately $81.3 million
- Pricing indicates market confidence in the company's growth prospects
- SCE secured a tentative ruling in the Eaton wildfire liability case.
- The decision may reduce SCE's potential liability for damages from the 2015 fire.
- Outcome could set precedent for future utility liability litigation.
- Around 500 BAAC employees protested, demanding President Chatchai Sirilai's resignation.
- Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas will call an urgent board meeting this week to review eight union demands.
- Union seeks immediate suspension of Chatchai, investigation into alleged overspending, and non‑renewal of his contract.
- Sebastiaan Bock named head of Barrick's international gold and copper business
- Appointment coincides with plan to split North American and overseas assets
- Overseas arm will focus on expanding gold and copper production
- No change to Barrick's near‑term financial guidance announced
- Snail shares fell sharply amid unclear catalyst
- Trading volume spiked as price dropped
- Analysts flag bearish outlook for the stock
- Canadian billionaire Eric Sprott invests an additional US$7.18 million (≈$10 million) in Max Power Mining (CSE: MAXX, OTC: MAXXF).
- The capital increase is earmarked for the Lawson natural hydrogen project in Saskatchewan.
- The funding boosts Max Power Mining's efforts to develop clean hydrogen production in Canada.
- Cava posted year‑over‑year sales growth despite a summer of food‑safety scares in the restaurant sector
- Customers are substituting lettuce with grain bowls and pitas to avoid perceived contamination
- Industry‑wide food‑safety incidents have pressured fast‑casual dining trends, but Cava remains resilient
- Oracle stock declines after analyst cites unclear AI spending plans
- Investors remain cautious pending clearer guidance on AI investments
- Analyst warns lack of AI spend clarity could keep buyers on the sidelines
- Frida will sell body wash, deodorant, flossers and more for ages 6-11 at Walmart and Amazon, priced $6.99‑$19.99
- Kids personal care market valued at $82 bn in 2022, projected to reach $137 bn by 2030 (≈7% CAGR)
- Frida has generated over $2 bn in retail sales and grown ~30% annually over the past five years
- The launch targets a gap between baby and adult aisles, leveraging Walmart's new dedicated kids‑care shelf
- Claire Stapleton, a 2018 walkout organizer, resigned in 2024 alleging retaliation after a demotion.
- She joined Google in 2007, spent 12 years there, and helped shape the company's public image.
- Her book "Don't Be Evil" critiques Google's departure from its original "Don't be evil" ethos.
- Amex Gold Mining's bulk sample sets up a 2028 mine start date
- Potential to shave years off mine build
- CEO Victor Cantore discusses project timeline
- VinSpace signs launch contract with SpaceX for satellite missions in 2027
- Satellites to launch on SpaceX Transporter rideshare mission
- Project supports VinSpace's strategy to build capabilities across the space value chain
- Meccha Chameleon sold several million copies worldwide within its first month of release
- The two-person indie studio partnered with Google and popular creator Hikakin for collaborations
- The game entered the global top‑15 list for sales, boosting the developer's profile
- Songmont launches its first overseas pop‑up store in Bangkok’s CentralWorld mall.
- The opening is positioned as a testbed for China’s broader luxury export drive.
- Early shoppers include regional buyers like a 29‑year‑old Indian customer purchasing Chinese‑designed shoes.
- Mineralys Therapeutics stock fell today
- No clear catalyst identified in the news
- Slide may reflect broader sector weakness
- The 100‑year‑old company is developing a new neon pigment to match a lost historic shade.
- Neon signage is declining as many original signs are retired or removed.
- Remaining artisans are working to keep traditional neon craftsmanship alive.
Thai Markets 4
- July CPI came in at 2.0% YoY, below Bloomberg consensus of 2.4%
- Core CPI averaged 0.8% in the first seven months, under the government's 1.5% full-year forecast
- BoT expected to keep policy rate at 1% through year‑end as demand remains subdued
- USD/THB slipped 0.2% to 33.00, its lowest since 22 June; THB down 4.5% YTD versus USD
- Each deputy prime minister receives 100 million baht in emergency flood‑response funding.
- Reservoirs hold about 44.84 billion cubic metres, 58 % of total capacity, leaving ~31.83 billion cu m available.
- Authorities monitor 12 provinces for flood risk, issuing cell‑broadcast alerts for Lao River areas.
- Programme extended to Grade 7-9 students starting November 2026
- Coverage increases from about 6 million to over 6.6 million students
- Includes educational opportunity schools in the second semester of the 2026 academic year
- Prime Minister Anutin submitted a royal command request to remove NBTC chair Sarana Boonbaichaiyapruck
- The move cites alleged lack of qualifications, with the PM emphasizing adherence to legal procedures
- A legal expert warned the case could become a political hot potato, urging careful review
- Central Administrative Court dismissed Sarana's petition on procedural grounds, not ruling on the qualification issue
Other 52
- Day‑ahead electricity price hit $164.39/MWh, up 21.8% on the day.
- Nuclear generation expected to be trimmed by 7.3 GW on Wednesday.
- Heatwave‑driven output cuts push French power prices sharply higher.
- Trump's executive order to split the MMR vaccine draws sharp criticism from medical groups and public health experts.
- American Academy of Pediatrics leads a lawsuit challenging the order, securing a temporary injunction that reverses most changes.
- Major pharmaceutical companies label the directive as "idiotic" and warn it could disrupt vaccine production and pricing.
- Rule takes effect on Oct. 13, barring federal Medicaid and CHIP funds from covering gender-affirming treatments for children
- Prohibited services include puberty blockers, hormone therapy and surgeries, though surgeries for minors are rare
- State Medicaid programs may still use their own funds for such care; 27 states already have restrictions on gender-affirming treatment for youth
- President Trump tied the policy change to the November midterm elections, urging voters to consider it
- 9th Circuit judges voted 3-0 to reject Meta and TikTok's Section 230 immunity defense
- State attorneys general seek more than $1.4 trillion in damages from Meta
- Jury selection begins Aug 12, with the full trial set for Aug 19 in district court
- The decision keeps the massive lawsuit alive, allowing states to proceed to trial
- Death toll surpasses 2,000 people.
- Confirmed infections exceed 4,300 cases.
- Outbreak spreading rapidly across multiple provinces.
- Health authorities call for intensified response measures.
- A major earthquake struck western Colombia, causing extensive building collapses.
- Search and rescue operations are ongoing as authorities look for survivors under rubble.
- The quake is reported as the strongest in Colombia this century, highlighting severe damage.
- Court will consider three key cases on Wednesday: Indigenous land‑rights clarification, soy moratorium challenge, and fast‑track licensing law
- Deforestation in the Amazon fell to its lowest level in a decade during the first half of 2026
- Agribusiness lobby seeks a "time limit" on Indigenous claims; ABIOVE withdrew from soy moratorium after states revoked tax incentives
- New licensing law fast‑tracks mines, highways and industrial projects, prompting environmental groups to warn of increased ecosystem risk
- Jury members will remain anonymous as selection starts on September 8
- Trial concerns the December 2024 killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson
- Mangione faces murder, weapons and forgery charges; federal death penalty removed but stalking charge remains
- Trump issued an executive order to split the combined MMR vaccine into three separate shots.
- Health experts say the split has no scientific basis and would face logistical challenges, with no manufacturer interest.
- About 9% of parents already delay or skip the MMR vaccine, and splitting could increase missed vaccinations.
- Development of separate monovalent vaccines could take over a decade and likely not be ready before Trump's term ends.
- U.S. measles cases are at their highest in decades, underscoring risks of reduced vaccination coverage.
- FlightAware filed a federal lawsuit in New York alleging Kalshi used its flight data and trademark without permission
- Kalshi launched flight‑cancellation contracts on July 14, the same day it submitted a CFTC filing for the products
- The case could set precedent for whether prediction‑market platforms can rely on third‑party data without a commercial agreement
- Police dismantled more than 1,000 criminal gangs
- Approximately 8,200 suspects were detained nationwide
- Operation targets new online crimes like predatory lending and debt‑collection harassment
- The crackdown follows a top security official's announcement of a year‑long campaign
- Hong Kong is experiencing an intense heatwave driven by a southwesterly airstream.
- Higher energy demand due to the heatwave could trigger power outages, particularly in older districts.
- Power supply and air-conditioning disruptions have already affected residents, office workers, and businesses.
- The Hong Kong Observatory recorded high temperatures on Tuesday.
- Artists and cultural rights defenders, particularly queer and trans artists, face increasing surveillance, censorship, and attacks across Southeast Asia.
- ArtsEquator’s RADAR Database recorded 159 challenges to artistic freedom in 2025 across Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.
- Moral policing, often targeting LGBTQ+ expression, manifests through public accusations, cancellations, and online harassment, not just formal bans.
- Vietnam saw 22 challenges to artistic freedom in 2025, nearly double 2024, including the cancellation of VietPride events due to 'external reasons'.
- Despite repression, artists persist in building community and preserving memory, with some legal victories like Filipino drag artist Pura Luka Vega's acquittal.
- Chinese rare-earth mine in Laos stopped operations to ensure legal compliance
- Halting highlights regulatory risk in a rapidly expanding rare-earth sector
- Major rare-earth producers reported strong first-half earnings, showing industry profitability
- 14 suspected illegal miners were killed in the collapse
- Eight people were injured
- The dump collapse occurred near Rustenburg, North West province
- Incident reported on 11 August 2026
- Acting FDA commissioner stresses lettuce safety despite recent recalls
- FDA issues updated guidance on produce handling and contamination prevention
- Agency aims to restore consumer confidence in fresh produce
- Cabinet adopts seven urgent safety measures for schools nationwide
- Measures include weapon and drug screening, mental health counseling, and emergency drills
- Public consultation on the draft school safety bill runs Aug 10‑Sept 9 before parliamentary submission
- Police investigate suspect's online activity, collaborating with US FBI and tech crime unit
- $1 million is often cited as a benchmark for comfortable retirement.
- Survey indicates some households could retire on $500,000.
- Required retirement savings depend on spending patterns, longevity, and investment returns.
- Inflation and healthcare costs can erode the purchasing power of a $1 million nest egg.
- Financial planners suggest tailoring retirement targets to individual circumstances.
- Education minister Dharmendra Pradhan stepped down after pressure from youth protests
- Protest group "Cockroach Janata Party" demanded accountability for medical exam paper leak
- At least 20 young people reportedly committed suicide after a retest was announced
- Calls intensify for reforms to India's high‑stakes entrance examinations
- 437 public schools will not charge additional maintenance fees to students
- The policy aims to ensure free access to school facilities and services
- Announcement scheduled for 12 August 2026 by the municipal authority
- Market surge leads investor to contemplate withdrawing $1,000 cash from brokerage account
- Decision hinges on comparing car loan interest cost versus potential market gains
- No clear downside identified; outcome depends on individual portfolio composition
- FBI says attacks on social media accounts are rising, especially against student‑athletes and young boys
- Hackers use brute‑force password cracking and phishing emails that mimic platform support
- Victims often face sextortion, harassment, stalking, and may experience self‑harm
- FBI advises using unique passwords, password managers, and multi‑factor authentication, and avoiding storing intimate pictures online
- 18 dead, including children as young as 10, after a pick-up truck carrying farm workers crashed in Ismailia governorate
- 47 people injured, about 30 taken to hospital in nearby El-Kassasin
- President Abdel Fattah el‑Sisi ordered an investigation and ministries pledged financial assistance to victims' families
- Egypt's road fatalities have risen over 10%, with children under 15 recording the highest toll
- Iceland will experience its first total solar eclipse in 72 years on Wednesday
- Reykjavík will see a total eclipse for the first time since 1433
- Hundreds of visitors are expected to travel to Iceland to witness the event
- Taylor Farms recalled 236,192 cases of lettuce due to potential Cyclospora contamination
- Only 5,900 cases, just under 2.5%, were sold to Taco Bell's parent company Yum
- The outbreak has sickened over 23,000 people across 47 states
- Two deaths have been linked to the contamination
- More than 500 people have been hospitalized
- Poland confirms tournament preparations remain on schedule for Sep 5-27
- UEFA's 55 member associations voted to boycott FIFA events, but no team withdrawals reported
- New Zealand and France have confirmed participation; England, Canada and the US pending
- Traditional heat studies use daily minima, maxima, and means; new research breaks data down to the hour
- Hourly analysis uncovers finer-scale temperature spikes that may be missed in daily averages
- Researchers suggest hourly metrics could improve health risk assessments for heatwaves
- The study, led by Weilin Liao and Xuanzong Zhang, highlights the accelerating intensity of extreme heat
- Hong Kong health officials warn against postponing childhood vaccines despite US scaling back recommendations
- Centre for Health Protection stresses vaccination schedules must be based on scientific evidence, not arbitrary changes
- Parents are urged to follow existing Hong Kong immunisation timetable to maintain public health protection
- Passenger set up a spoof Wi‑Fi network, causing pilots to shut off the plane's legitimate Wi‑Fi for about 30 minutes
- Flight safety was not compromised and no aircraft systems were affected
- Delta is cooperating with federal law enforcement and aviation regulators; FAA and FBI have not yet commented
- President Trump nominated Danielle Thumann Severs as FCC commissioner
- Nomination would create a 3-1 Republican majority on the FCC
- FCC currently operates with a 2-1 Republican majority due to an empty Democratic seat
- Senate confirmation needed before Severs can take the post
- Ransomware group "The Gentlemen" alleges illegal access to university data
- Approximately 1,900 credentials may have been compromised
- Around 130 records reportedly exposed in the breach
- University is conducting a review of its IT security systems
- Pokémon card market estimated at $10-15B, outperforming S&P 500 (+28% vs +13%) and Bitcoin (-29%) in 2025
- Retailers like Costco, Target, Walmart report surging card sales (Target +70% YoY, Walmart +200% YoY online)
- ATH Labs' Deadstock tokenizes high-grade cards on Arbitrum blockchain to modernize slow, fragmented trading
- eBay's $2.62B in 2025 card sales highlights dominance of incumbents despite blockchain innovation
- Parents can submit online consent forms for children's seasonal flu vaccinations starting Monday.
- A digital consent system will be implemented via the eHealth mobile application for the upcoming school year.
- The initiative aims to simplify procedures and save parents time by eliminating manual form filling.
- Actress Ha Young apologizes for controversy over great-grandfather's ties to Japan's colonial rule
- Records confirm great-grandfather Ahn Sang-ho was a councillor of the Daejong Chinmokhoe in 1916
- Apology comes a day after actress called accusations 'groundless'
- Former Deloitte IT manager, Ho Man-kit, 40, pleaded guilty to theft in Hong Kong.
- He stole 423 Lenovo laptops valued at HK$1.2 million (US$153,000) from Deloitte's Hong Kong office.
- The thefts occurred over 17 months, from September 2021 to February 2023.
- Laptops were sold to an electronics recycler to fund his stock trading addiction.
- Foreign tourists now pay 10‑20 times higher admission fees than Indian residents at major sites such as the Taj Mahal.
- The price disparity stems from a two‑tier fee structure introduced amid rising inflation.
- Domestic visitors continue to pay the original rates, widening the gap between local and foreign ticket prices.
- 10,293 signatures gathered for the citizen-sponsored Sex Worker Protection Bill.
- Bill classified as a money bill, meaning it needs the prime minister's endorsement before parliamentary debate.
- Advocates cite UN CEDAW recommendations to decriminalise sex work and extend labour protections.
- Request includes applying Social Security Act Section 33 benefits to sex workers on par with other employees.
- Symbolic rally held outside the Office of the Public Sector Development Commission in Bangkok.
- $20,000 is being considered for investment in CDs
- Goal is to keep the process simple for beneficiaries
- Decision hinges on safety and return compared to alternatives
- Krieng Kalptinan, former deputy interior minister, died at 74 after battling cancer
- Served five terms as MP for Ubon Ratchathani, first elected in 1995
- Originally a Democrat MP before joining the Pheu Thai Party
- A $100 bill was found in the shared laundry facility of an Airbnb rental.
- The property’s landlord has not been present for several months.
- The guest assumes the money was left by a previous tenant.
- Seven healthcare professionals are on trial for alleged negligence in Maradona's 2020 death
- Court testimony says warning signs were ignored during his home hospitalization
- Cause of death: heart failure and acute pulmonary oedema, two weeks after admission
- Trial began in mid‑April and is ongoing in Argentina
- Retirement nest egg totals $2.2 million.
- Current lifestyle described as modest with occasional upgrades.
- Goal: relocate abroad for retirement.
- Assessing cost of living and affordability in target country.
- Considering whether savings will sustain desired retirement lifestyle.
- Three Nepali climbers – Kili Pemba Sherpa, Gyalu Sherpa, Nima Sherpa – died in a Broad Peak avalanche.
- Recovered bodies arrived at Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport for mourning.
- The avalanche on Broad Peak in Pakistan claimed the three mountaineers.
- Match set for 21:00 GMT on Aug 12, 2024 at Salzburg Stadium, Austria
- Opta simulations give PSG a 45% chance to win in regulation, Villa 29.6% and draw 25.5%
- PSG have fitness doubts for Barcola, Dembele, Dou, Ruiz, Hakimi and Hernandez
- Aston Villa miss Leon Bailey, Johan Manzambi and Amadou Onana due to injuries
- Lucas Digne transferred back to PSG for a reported €10 million
- Ho Feng-shan, dubbed the "Chinese Schindler," saved roughly 18,000 Jews during WWII.
- A local developer advertised homes at US$40,000 using his legacy in the promotional copy.
- Manli Ho, 75, demanded the ad be removed, calling the use of her father's humanitarian record exploitative.
- Man fell overboard from sightseeing vessel near Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge
- Search underway in waters west of Hong Kong after incident reported at ~3pm Tuesday
- Authorities reviewing security footage to determine circumstances of disappearance
- 80-hectare hollyhock garden in southwestern China's Chengdu
- Inspired by wife's childhood memory, took root in 2013
- Personal project of Zhou Xiaolin and wife Yin Jie
- Brain scans of 12 dogs showed temporal cortex and caudate activation only for happy faces
- Machine‑learning analysis identified distinct whole‑brain patterns separating fear from anger and sadness
- Researchers plan to explore how dogs integrate body language, voice cues, and scent in future work
- A 72-year-old man was found dead on a mountain trail in Hong Kong's Sha Tin district.
- He had been reported missing by his family three days earlier after failing to return home.
- Police, firefighters, and other services conducted a multi-day search operation.
- Free open-air concert in Frankfurt on 20 August 2026 featuring Frankfurt Radio Symphony and Grammy-winning artists
- ECB to showcase 10 shortlisted euro banknote designs at event, inviting public feedback on future currency design
- Event highlights ECB’s cultural engagement and Europe-wide unity theme
- Zhu Senlin, former Guangdong governor, died on Monday at age 95 due to illness.
- He was a key figure in Guangdong's economic transformation during China's opening up in the 1990s.
- Zhu is remembered as a pragmatic and steady administrator who spent over five decades in the southern province.
- Heart failure survival rates rose ~37% over past decade due to new diagnostics and treatments
- Mechanical circulatory support and heart transplants now extend life for previously untreatable cases
- Global heart transplant waitlists exceed 90,000 patients, with 51% survival at 5 years post-transplant
- Thailand’s heart transplant success rate improved to 81% in 2022 from 72% in 2012
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