- US 10-year yield rises 4.4bps to 4.692%
- Oil prices stay bid, up 1.5% at $82.39
- US Retail Sales contract -0.6% MoM, below forecasts
August 14, 2026
▲ 46▼ 67◆ 23– 179
Markets 40
- US retail sales fell 0.6% in July, versus a 0.2% gain in June and a 0.1% expected rise.
- Dollar index slipped 0.25% to 99.67, while euro rose 0.32% to $1.1564 and sterling up 0.33% to $1.353.
- Probability of a Fed rate hike in September fell to 31%, with a 69% chance of a hike by December.
- Japanese yen weakened to 159.37 per dollar, near a 40‑year low, as BOJ may raise rates in September.
- S&P 500 posts a third consecutive weekly rise
- Market bets increase that the Fed will keep rates unchanged in September
- Equity sentiment turns more bullish on expectations of a steady monetary policy
- 10-year Treasury yield climbed >5 bps to 4.696%
- July retail sales fell 0.6% versus a 0.1% expected gain
- Producer price index was flat, missing a 0.2% rise forecast
- 2-year yield rose 3 bps to 4.171% and 30-year up nearly 6 bps to 5.267%
- U.S. officials signaled an indefinite blockade of Iranian ports, adding geopolitical risk
- DXY opened near 100.00 and pierced 99.50 after July retail sales fell 0.6% versus a 0.1% gain forecast
- Fed rate‑hike odds fell to about 31% for September, while December hike probability rose to roughly 64%
- Two‑year U.S. Treasury yield briefly dropped below 4.10%, its lowest level since June 30
- Japanese yen weakened about 0.7% week‑over‑week, trading near 159 per dollar after earlier intervention
- Alphabet raised 2026 capex to $205 bn, stock fell >7% after announcement
- Microsoft kept 2026 capex flat, Azure revenue rose 43% and shares jumped >15%
- Amazon projected $220 bn capex for the year, also saw >15% share gain
- CoreWeave and Nebius surged 19% and 34% respectively on earnings
- Nvidia’s earnings on Aug 26 are the next key test for the AI‑driven trade
- Nvidia and Wall Street partners are mobilising over $500 bn of third‑party capital for AI infrastructure.
- Goldman estimates total lease commitments for hyperscalers at $1.5 tn, up from $200 bn five years ago, including $1 tn of uncommitted leases.
- Leveraged hedge fund Situational Awareness collapsed, assets falling from $45 bn to about $10 bn after margin calls.
- Hyperscaler AI capex is projected to exceed $1 tn per year from 2027 onward, with borrowing spreading to euro, sterling, yen and other currencies.
- High equity concentration and margin debt could amplify volatility in tech‑heavy markets.
- U.S. 30‑year real yields near 3% – highest in 18 years
- AI hyperscalers have issued about $220 bn of bonds YTD, double 2025 total
- Government deficits of 4‑6% of GDP add supply, lifting nominal yields
- Analysts warn rising real yields could curb equity valuations and growth
- Central banks have stopped buying bonds, further supporting yield rise
- NZD/USD gains 0.75% to around 0.5895, nearing the 0.5900 psychological level
- US retail sales fell 0.6% month‑over‑month in July and consumer sentiment dropped to 51 in August
- RBNZ is expected to raise rates at its next meeting, supporting the Kiwi despite a slowdown in NZ manufacturing
- Technical: pair holds above 100‑period SMA (0.5868) and 200‑period SMA (0.5874) with RSI near 75
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- EUR/USD up 0.2% to mid-1.15s, with support at 1.1500 and resistance near 1.1580
- Eurozone Q2 GDP posted 0.4% q/q (1.0% y/y) and trade balance turned to surplus in June
- 2Y Germany‑US yield spread fair‑value estimate rises to 1.1641, above spot
- RSI back above 60, indicating renewed bullish momentum
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- USD/JPY trades around 159, with the yen up about 0.2% versus the dollar.
- BoJ is weighing a possible rate hike this fall, bolstering yen support.
- Technical levels: resistance above 159.50, support just above 158.50; Q2 GDP data due next week may affect direction.
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- 13F data shows net sell‑offs in major tech names, with holdings down about 2% year‑over‑year
- Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia and Alphabet among the most trimmed positions
- Overall exposure to the tech sector fell to its lowest level since Q2 2022
- Investors remain wary ahead of the upcoming earnings season
- MOEX Russia Index closed 4.18% lower
- Broad Russian stock market ended the session in the red
- Loss reflects continued pressure on Russian equities
- Retail sales growth slowed, missing forecasts
- S&P 500 slipped about 0.5% as investors reassessed AI-driven rally
- Nasdaq Composite fell roughly 0.7% amid dampened AI enthusiasm
- USD/MXN fell to 16.97, rebounded to 17.02, holding near the 24‑month low of 17.00
- US retail sales contracted 0.6% MoM and consumer sentiment slipped to 51, easing dollar pressure
- Market odds show 68% chance the Fed will hold rates steady in September, 32% for a hike
- Banxico meeting minutes and upcoming Mexican retail sales are key catalysts for MXN direction
- Hanwha Ocean shares climbed 5.6% following the Trump memorandum
- Fincantieri shares rose 3.2% on the same policy announcement
- Memo allows foreign shipbuilders to build up to two ships in U.S. yards and three vessel types abroad
- Hanwha pledged $5 billion to expand its Pennsylvania shipyard; Fincantieri has spent over $800 million on U.S. yards
- Austal shares also jumped 5.6% despite potential bid complications
- CNY reached 6.7424 per USD, its strongest level since February 2023
- Broad dollar weakness and lower US Treasury yields supported the yuan's advance
- 10‑year Chinese government bond yield fell below 1.70% for the first time in a year
- PBoC reaffirmed an accommodative policy but did not signal rate or RRR cuts
- Ministry of Finance sold 50‑year special sovereign bonds at an average yield of 2.2831%
- President Trump imposed a 100% tariff on large drones with sensitive capabilities and a 25% tariff on smaller drones.
- A 15% tariff applies to drones and parts from the EU, Japan, Liechtenstein, South Korea, Switzerland and Taiwan; 10% on the UK.
- Drone stocks jumped: Unusual Machines +24.2%, Red Cat +8.8%, Aerovironment +1.3%, Kratos +2.9%.
- Tariffs become effective within 21 days for sensitive items and 180 days for non‑sensitive parts.
- U.S. defense budget targets $75 billion for drones in the 2027 fiscal year.
- US Dollar Index stayed under 100, sliding to fresh lows after four straight soft US data prints
- Preliminary Michigan Consumer Sentiment fell to 51 in August, missing the 55.2 forecast
- EUR/USD ended the week near 1.1550, hitting two‑month highs and approaching 1.1600
- GBP/USD hovered around 1.3560, near three‑month peaks ahead of UK inflation and jobs data
- WTI crude settled in the low $80s per barrel, buoyed by Strait of Hormuz traffic concerns
- KRW up 1.5% YTD versus USD, the second‑strongest Asian currency this year
- USD/KRW fell about 8.9% from its July peak of 1,559 to 1,421
- Kospi rebounded 29.5% from its July 30 low, driven by strong tech earnings
- Foreign investors net bought $1.9 bn of South Korean equities since July 30
- Exporters' repatriation activity and portfolio inflows provide near‑term support for KRW
- July activity indicators will be pivotal after a weak Q2 GDP print
- Fixed‑asset investment expected to remain weak, underscoring property sector woes
- PBOC continues to steer USD/CNY lower via its daily fixing mechanism
- Weaker‑than‑expected activity data could dampen regional risk sentiment and pressure linked currencies
- Top 50 mining companies' market cap grew from $2.17 trillion to $2.38 trillion.
- Sector gained $210 billion in value across seven trading sessions in August.
- The increase represents roughly a 9.7% rise in market capitalization.
- USD/CAD fell to around 1.3877, its lowest level since early July, breaking 1.4000.
- Technical focus shifts to 200‑day SMA near 1.3850, with additional support at 1.3700 and 1.3542.
- RSI sits at 29 signaling oversold conditions; MACD remains in negative territory.
- Fed rate‑hike odds ease amid moderating inflation, while BoC likely to prioritize softer core inflation at its Sep 2 meeting.
- Elevated oil prices continue to underpin the Canadian dollar.
- USD/SGD trades around 1.2800 with support at 1.2770 and 1.2740
- US Producer Price Index came in softer than expected, easing Fed rate‑hike odds
- Geopolitical tensions, including Houthi attacks on Saudi facilities, curb USD downside pressure
- Resistance identified at 1.2830‑1.2840 and 1.2870‑1.2890
- RSI flat; mild bearish momentum persists despite range trade
- S&P 500 fell modestly but stays close to all‑time highs
- Slowing inflation provided a supportive backdrop for equities
- AI‑related stocks contributed to the index's resilience
- Bitcoin 30‑day implied volatility (BVIV) fell to a 2026 low near 36%
- S&P 500 VIX dropped to its lowest level since January
- Treasury MOVE index hovered near the low end of its 66%‑84% range
- US 10‑year Treasury yield rose to 4.661% amid heightened sanctions risk
- Implied‑volatility indexes for crypto, equities, bonds and gold have been trending down for months
- Analysts lift earnings forecasts for a broad set of companies to near‑record levels
- Market pricing of central‑bank rate hikes shows a noticeable increase
- Higher rate expectations add pressure on equity valuations
- US bought yen for the first time in decades, coordinating with Japan
- Intervention aims to prevent further rise in US Treasury yields that could threaten the AI sector
- Japan is selling US Treasuries to fund its yen‑support measures
- Market impact seen as larger than Tokyo's own interventions
- Effects expected to materialise in three to four weeks
- U.S. retail sales slipped in July, signaling weaker consumer spending
- S&P 500 fell back from record highs, easing gains made earlier in the week
- Equity markets reacted negatively, reflecting concerns over the economic slowdown
- Foreign investors sold $26.7 bn of Indian stocks in H1 2026, then bought $3.8 bn recently
- Correction in AI‑related stock valuations steered investors toward safer Indian equities
- Analysts caution that higher oil prices could reverse the renewed inflow into Indian markets
- S&P/BMV IPC slipped 0.66% at market close
- Broad market saw declines across most sectors
- Trading volume was modest, indicating limited participation
- COLCAP closed up 0.84% today
- Broad Colombian equities posted gains
- Market momentum suggests continued optimism
- Gen Z's proportion of equity activity in ETFs is rising compared with older investors
- Gen Z trades less frequently than older working‑age cohorts
- Gen Z uses lower leverage on trades than older groups
- USD/CHF slipped 0.12% to end a four‑day rally, remaining above 0.8100
- Bearish flag pattern holds; RSI flat, suggesting sideways trading ahead
- Break above 0.8150 may trigger moves to 0.8207, 0.8250 and potentially 0.8300
- Support levels at 0.8103, then 0.8079 and 0.8035 if the pair falls further
- USD/KRW fell below its 200‑day moving average near 1478
- Pair is testing an ascending trend line around 1407, seen as interim support
- Break above 1425 needed for short‑term bounce; failure at 1407 could push it to 1388‑1385 and 1375
- KRW led regional gains but rally from ~1560 in early July to near 1415 shows signs of fatigue
- USD/CNH moved between 6.7423 and 6.7479, closing at 6.7449 (-0.02%).
- Analysts forecast the pair to stay within 6.7400‑6.7500 in the near term.
- Potential downside to 6.7300 if momentum stays flat; upside resistance at 6.7580.
- Momentum indicators remain flat, suggesting limited directional bias.
- EUR/GBP traded around 0.8548, staying within the mid‑0.8500s range on Friday
- Eurozone Q2 GDP grew 0.4% (annual 1%) and employment rose 0.1%, both in line with forecasts
- Technical resistance at 0.8549‑0.8550 and 100‑SMA 0.8557; support near 0.8545‑0.8541
- Traders await clearer signals from the Middle East conflict affecting energy prices and ECB outlook
- Singapore July non‑oil exports expected to follow June’s 20.7% YoY surge
- Malaysia CPI forecast to hold at 1.9% YoY, indicating contained inflation
- Thailand Q2 GDP growth seen slowing, adding pressure on the THB
- Bank Indonesia likely to keep its policy rate unchanged at 5.75%, supporting the IDR
- NOK expected to remain roughly unchanged for the next six months after July EUR/NOK dip
- Higher oil prices and Norges Bank's NOK purchases drive outlook, with two‑sided risk from Middle East tensions
- Modest NOK appreciation projected for 2027 if USD weakens and global risk sentiment improves
- European equity indices opened mixed in early trade
- Technology stocks posted gains, lifting broader markets
- Mining shares fell, pulling down sector performance
Macro/Economy 26
- US retail sales contracted 0.6% in July, missing a 0.1% consensus
- Preliminary August consumer sentiment dropped to 51, 8% lower than July
- Two-year Treasury yield traded briefly beneath 4.10%, its lowest since June 30
- US announced tariffs of up to 100% on imported drones from China.
- Analysts predict a 'lose-lose outcome' for both the US and China.
- The move further intensifies the tech and trade rivalry between the two nations.
- New levies complicate manufacturers' efforts to relocate production amidst existing supply chain issues.
- Hong Kong revised its full-year 2026 economic growth forecast to 3.5-4.5%.
- The previous forecast range was 2.5-3.5%.
- The economy expanded by 4.3% in the second quarter.
- Growth was supported by buoyant external trade and resilient domestic demand.
- Indonesia aims to close more than 750 state-owned enterprises, retaining no more than 300 by Dec 31.
- To date 290 SOEs have been shut, with a target to save over 70 trillion rupiah in overhead costs this year.
- Already saved about 50 trillion rupiah (~US$2.8 bn); a special court may be created to investigate past mismanagement.
- Apple taps Alibaba and Baidu for AI services in China.
- Ford partners with CATL on a $3.5 billion battery plant in Michigan.
- Chinese EV battery makers hold close to 70% of the global battery market in 2025.
- Chinese automakers account for nearly 63% of the global electric‑vehicle market in 2025.
- US curbs on chips and AI have accelerated Chinese domestic innovation.
- Q2 2026 GDP grew 6% YoY, above the 5.8% advance estimate and Reuters median forecast
- Growth accelerated from 5.4% in Q1 and exceeds last year's 5.2% expansion
- All sectors except agriculture posted gains, driven by stronger exports and steady household spending
- Bank Negara Malaysia left its benchmark rate unchanged for the sixth meeting, citing muted inflation
- Governor projects 2026 growth around 5%, at the upper end of the central bank's 4‑5% outlook
- Current payroll tax applies only to earnings up to $160,200; removing the cap would extend taxes to all wages.
- High‑income workers would pay additional Social Security taxes, while future benefit formulas remain unchanged.
- The measure is aimed at improving the long‑term solvency of the Social Security program.
- CEO-to-worker pay ratio in S&P 500 rose to 312 : 1 in 2025, up from 285 : 1 in 2024
- Average CEO compensation in S&P 500 jumped 21% to $22.8 million (excluding Elon Musk)
- Elon Musk earned $158 billion in 2025, a 2.5 million‑to‑1 gap with Tesla’s median employee
- Manufacturing sector disparity reached $696 million vs $93 k for workers (≈11,000 : 1)
- US consumer sentiment fell 8% and the labor market shed 23,000 jobs in July 2025
- Nominal US policy rate at 5.25%-5.50% but real rates remain near 2% after inflation adjustment
- Housing price growth outpaces rate hikes in 10 highlighted metros
- Equity valuations in selected stock picks stay attractive despite higher borrowing costs
- Health‑insurance sector faces pricing pressure as insurers adjust to the rate environment
- Headline CPI expected to rise 0.1 pp to 2.9% y/y in July, up 0.4% m/m
- Core CPI measures (CPI‑trim/median) projected at 1.8‑1.9% y/y, under BoC's 2.0% target
- Ex‑food/energy inflation forecast to hold steady at 1.7% y/y
- Soft core inflation suggests the Bank of Canada may keep focus on underlying price pressures
- Investor Sentiment Index fell to 26% positive outlook, its lowest since 2023, with 45% saying conditions have worsened
- First‑quarter 2026 home purchases down 23% versus prior quarter
- 32% of surveyed investors plan to buy no properties this year; only 9% intend to increase purchases
- Over 60% now expect home prices to rise in the next six months, up from 52% previously
- Mortgage rates are at their highest level in over a year after rising sharply since the Iran conflict
- Inflation in Iran accelerating, eroding purchasing power
- Essential food items like fruit and dairy becoming unaffordable for households
- War-related disruptions causing scarcity of non‑essential goods
- Household consumption reduced to basics amid soaring prices
- Coal demand forecast to rise to 1.6 bn tonnes in 2030, up from ~1.2 bn tonnes in 2024
- Increase driven by higher electricity generation and industrial activity
- Government will create a coal trade exchange to boost market transparency and domestic supply
- India remains the world's second‑largest coal consumer after China
- No immediate impact on global oil or gas markets
- Zhu Rongji, former Chinese premier and chief architect of 1990s reforms, died on Aug 12, 2026 at age 97
- He led major policies such as state‑owned enterprise privatization, fiscal consolidation, and opening to foreign investment in the early 1990s
- His passing revives debate on the impact of his reforms as China confronts slower growth and structural challenges
- White House report estimates U.S. loses tens of billions of dollars annually to illegal transshipment
- Hundreds of thousands of U.S. jobs are reportedly affected by the scheme
- Transshipments primarily involve Chinese goods routed through Southeast and Northeast Asian partners
- The U.S. government is deploying AI tools to detect and combat the illicit trade
- The report highlights broader concerns over trade security and revenue loss
- Companies are allocating several billion rupees to build lithium‑ion battery material factories in India
- Chinese restrictions on technology transfers have delayed domestic cell production, curbing demand for these materials
- Material producers now face a shortage of local customers and may need to export to sustain capacity
- India targets a 20% ethanol blend (E20) in gasoline across the country.
- Scientists warn the higher blend could reduce fuel efficiency and increase wear on older vehicles.
- Overproduction of rice and sugarcane is cited as a key factor behind the policy drive.
- President Prabowo aims for 6% GDP growth by 2027
- State revenue to rise about 7% to 3,426 trillion rupiah ($192 bn)
- Goal to reduce the budget deficit over the same period
- 2016 tariffs on Chinese copper led to increased orders at Revere Copper Products
- Production activity has risen since the tariffs, but employment levels remain flat
- Supply chains were reshaped, yet the promised job growth has not materialized
- Citi and JPMorgan will co‑finance two U.S. gas‑powered plant projects in Pennsylvania and Texas
- The financing amount totals $4.61 billion, part of Japan’s $550 billion U.S. funding initiative
- Japan’s involvement marks the first time U.S. banks are participating in the Tokyo‑led financing program
- Dysprosium and yttrium imports to Japan have fallen about 80% versus two years earlier
- Chinese export controls force Japanese material firms to draw down existing rare‑earth inventories
- Supply constraints threaten EV battery and semiconductor equipment production in Japan
- Public investment push yields double-digit earnings growth for materials and infrastructure companies in 2024
- Vietnam's leading steelmaker posted a 100% rise in first‑half net profit year‑on‑year
- Sector earnings up at least 10% year‑to‑date, outpacing broader economic growth
- Treasury may permit “discount Roth conversions" for families
- Eligible contributions could qualify for a $2,500 tax credit
- Targeted at parents saving for children’s accounts, sometimes called “Trump accounts"
- Rule is still proposed; implementation timeline not yet set
- Operating surplus of HK$338 million (US$43.3 million) recorded for FY 2025-26
- Marks a turnaround after three consecutive years of losses
- Surplus will be used to fund ongoing urban renewal projects
- Announcement made at URA's 25th anniversary banquet
- Empirical analysis shows Japanese wages were rigid both upward and downward during deflation, with stronger upward rigidity
- Wage freezes suppressed wage growth, widening the wage‑productivity gap
- Downward nominal wage rigidity, deflation, and job‑security emphasis caused firms to impose larger wage markdowns
- Model indicates easing wage rigidity could raise wages and aggregate productivity via labor reallocation
- Refurbished iPhone sales more than double after Apple’s July price hikes
- Memory shortages push component prices sharply higher
- A weak yen inflates import costs for smartphones and servers
- Used server sales see notable growth amid rising new‑equipment prices
Central Banks 5
- Markets price ~80% chance of a rate hike at the September 17-18 meeting, potentially raising the policy rate to 1%
- BOJ may accelerate tightening, aiming for quarterly hikes after September if inflation pressures persist
- Underlying inflation is near the 2% target, with wholesale inflation at three‑year highs and a weakening yen boosting import costs
- June hike set the policy rate at a 31‑year high of 1%, marking the second increase this year
- Yen trades at 159.37 per dollar, edging toward the 160 intervention threshold
- 10-year US Treasury yield around 4.7% versus under 2.9% for Japan's 10-year bonds
- Traders largely expect the BOJ to raise rates in September, possibly faster than before
- Recent benign US inflation data reduces immediate Fed hike odds
- Europe to release France July inflation and EU Q2 employment/GDP data
- The central bank will strengthen supervision of lending and payment services offered by non‑bank entities.
- New rules aim to ensure fair consumer treatment and curb irregular or fraudulent transactions.
- Enhanced oversight is intended to bolster financial stability and mitigate systemic risks in Thailand.
- Bank Indonesia expected to hold its benchmark rate at 5.75% in the upcoming meeting.
- Rupiah stability remains the main priority, with reliance on SRBI yields and FX intervention.
- Leadership transition under Acting Governor Destry Damayanti lowers the chance of an August hike.
- Non‑rate tools are preferred over immediate borrowing‑cost increases.
- U.S. dollar fell following release of July retail sales data
- Retail sales reinforced market view that the Fed will keep rates unchanged next month
- FX markets now price a higher probability of a rate hold at the upcoming Fed meeting
Energy/Oil 17
- Brent crude up about 5% this week, approaching $100 per barrel
- Iranian attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz and US blockade heighten supply concerns
- US crude inventories unexpectedly rose by 17 million barrels, partially offsetting demand pressure
- Stalled US‑Iran settlement talks reinforce upward pressure on oil prices
- Brent futures up 1.7% to $88.52 per barrel
- WTI crude up 1.4% to $82.40 per barrel
- Both benchmarks fell 2% on Thursday but are up over 5% for the week
- US Treasury Secretary warned of "economic isolation" of Iran and indefinite naval blockade
- UAE said Iran attacked two ADNOC vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz
- Senator Vance identifies ensuring cheap oil and gas as the US's primary objective in any potential conflict with Iran.
- The statement underscores the critical role of energy security in US foreign policy decisions regarding the Middle East.
- This priority suggests a focus on mitigating potential economic impacts of geopolitical instability on global energy markets.
- WTI crude up 5.33% on week to $81.19, driven by renewed Hormuz Strait risk premium
- Demand outlook deterioration countered earlier supply-loss optimism
- Inventory report suggested crude rally had overshot fundamentals
- Brent crude rose 1.67% to $88.52/bbl; WTI up 1.42% to $82.40/bbl on Friday
- Shipping traffic through Strait of Hormuz fell below monthly average after tanker attacks and U.S.-Iran tensions
- OPEC forecasts weaker demand growth while U.S. crude inventories posted largest weekly increase in 3.5 years
- Natural gas futures edged higher, buoyed by recovering LNG feedgas volumes.
- Strong pipeline exports to Mexico added demand support.
- Near‑term heat forecasts indicate continued high power‑sector usage.
- Rystad Energy says European winter temperatures must be at least 2 °C above average to cut LNG demand to last winter's level
- Forecasts indicate a strong El Niño forming for winter 2026‑2027, potentially the most intense since 2015
- Analysts consider the probability of such temperature rise and demand reduction a long shot
- Current LNG demand remains high, with no immediate relief expected
- Tanker carrying about 1 million barrels of sanctioned Russian crude grounded near Oman
- Oil slick now covers roughly 2,000 square kilometres in a protected marine area
- Spill involves sanctioned Russian crude, raising geopolitical and environmental concerns
- Potential impact on regional oil supply modest; broader market impact likely limited
- Court overturns 2024 SCA ruling, halting Shell and Impact Africa seismic surveys
- 2014 exploration right revoked, delaying offshore oil development on the Wild Coast
- Legal setback adds pressure to South Africa's offshore sector, which trails neighboring Namibia
- European gas storage sits roughly 17 percentage points below the five‑year average and may only reach about 70% before the heating season
- US LNG cargoes are increasingly rerouted to Asia, cutting European supply for several months
- EU bans on Russian LNG (effective early next year) and pipeline gas (from 2027) could sustain oil‑gas price divergence
- More than 540,000 barrels of low‑sulfur fuel oil departed Malaysia last week
- First Malaysian fuel oil shipment to the U.S. West Coast since 2021
- Tightening global feedstock supplies linked to recent Strait of Hormuz closure
- Crude oil price slipped modestly after the report, trading around $80 per barrel
- U.S. natural gas inventories rose to 2.5 trillion cubic feet, above forecasts
- OPEC's production forecast was revised upward to 27.5 million barrels per day
- Analysts cut 2024 oil demand growth outlook to 1.5 million barrels per day
- Kazakhstan filed a confidential arbitration alleging $10.7 bn in over‑priced contracts or bribes at the Kashagan field.
- The case targets the North Caspian Project consortium, which includes major international oil firms and state firm KazMunayGas.
- The alleged misconduct involves unjustified cost increases in contracts for the development of the giant offshore field.
- The accusations were reported by the ICIJ, citing multiple sources, and could affect future foreign investment in Kazakhstan’s oil sector.
- Noreva forecasts natural gas prices could exceed $10 per MMBtu in some U.S. hubs, up from current $2‑$4.5.
- Meta, Amazon, Microsoft and Google plan gigawatt‑scale gas plants (Meta 7.5 GW, Amazon 7.6 GW, Microsoft & Google ~1 GW each).
- Gas accounts for about 50% of electricity cost; a 2‑3× price rise would markedly increase data‑center operating expenses.
- Tighter supply growth and rising AI‑driven demand could tighten the market despite stable futures today.
- New pipelines linking West Texas to global markets may amplify regional price differentials.
- TerraPower and South Korea's SK Innovation signed a preliminary global SMR partnership.
- The deal lets SK Innovation join TerraPower's sodium‑cooled Natrium reactor projects in the U.S. and overseas.
- TerraPower's Natrium reactor in Kemmerer, Wyoming has a construction permit and aims for commercial operation by 2031.
- Doosan Enerbility won a contract to manufacture key Natrium reactor components, terms undisclosed.
- Rising AI and data‑center electricity demand is spurring global interest in SMRs, per South Korea's industry ministry.
- Indonesia has ~580 MW of operational AI data center capacity, with >1.3 GW announced under development
- Developers secured ~1.2 GW of electricity commitments for new AI campuses in West Java
- Reserve margins on the Java‑Madura‑Bali grid could fall below recommended levels by 2027 without new generation
- Major gas projects (Masela, Tanggulo, Tangguh, ENI Kutei) will boost natural‑gas output for captive power
- Abundant land, natural‑gas and geothermal give Indonesia an edge over energy‑constrained rivals like Singapore
- Japan is evaluating a last‑resort reinsurance scheme for oil tankers operating in high‑risk zones such as the Middle East
- The backstop aims to protect domestic insurers and keep crude shipments moving despite the Iran war
- Targeted routes include the Strait of Hormuz, a key chokepoint for global oil supply
Gold/Metals 17
- Gold up ~0.9% to $4,386 as the dollar index falls 0.4% to 99.57
- US retail sales drop 0.6% and Fed hike odds fall to 31% from 55%
- US 10-year Treasury yield rises 3.5 bps to 4.684%, supporting gold
- Gold must break $4,400 to resume bullish run; support at $4,311
- Copper futures reached a record near $6.90 per pound last week.
- COMEX‑LME spread suggests a 14.6% chance of a 15% tariff by Jan 2027 and 37% chance of a 30% tariff by Jan 2028.
- U.S. copper imports hit over 200,000 metric tons in July, the highest level in 12 years.
- Wider premium supports near‑term copper prices but adds volatility as tariff uncertainty grows.
- Silver (XAG/USD) up 0.39% to $64.70 but capped by higher US Treasury yields
- Technical resistance at 100‑day SMA $68.76 and 200‑day SMA $71.64; RSI shows short‑term bullish momentum
- Break below $63.28 would expose 50‑day SMA $61.35 and support near $56.57
- Gold remains under the $4,500 per ounce resistance level.
- Spot gold has hovered around $4,470, near its 200‑day moving average.
- Lower real yields and a softer dollar are cited as structural supports for a bullish outlook.
- Gold miners delivered earnings that rank as their second‑best quarter on record
- Profit growth was driven by higher gold prices and lower production costs
- Despite strong results, gold prices and miner stocks showed little movement, keeping market reaction muted
- Gold rose 0.4% on Friday, ending the week in positive territory
- Silver increased 0.2% on Friday, also posting weekly gains
- Both precious metals recorded weekly advances, supporting a modest bullish trend
- Faraday Copper (TSX: FDY) will conduct confirmation drilling at BHP's former San Manuel mine.
- The combined Arizona project is projected to contain more than 18 billion pounds of copper.
- Positive drilling results could significantly expand Faraday's copper resource base.
- Faraday trades under FDY on TSX and CPPKF on US OTC markets.
- Approximately 31 tonnes of gold, valued at about $4.4 billion, are held at the Bank of England.
- Venezuelan government and opposition have agreed to jointly pursue the gold's return.
- The recovered gold is intended to finance reconstruction efforts in Venezuela.
- Gold rose about 3% to around $2,115 per ounce, its highest level in several months
- Silver gained roughly 5% to near $26 per ounce, outpacing gold's gains
- Copper also climbed, reaching about $4.00 per pound, supporting broader metal strength
- Analysts say further upside is possible if inflation stays sticky and central banks keep rates high
- Gold hovers near a key resistance level, capping further gains
- Analysts flag heightened sell‑off risk if resistance is broken
- Weekly closing price will be crucial for direction
- Technical indicators point to weakening momentum
- No major macro events slated to alter gold's short‑term outlook
- XAG/USD trades around $65, after bouncing from intraday low $63.51
- Immediate technical support at $64.38 (23.6% Fib) and $63.60 (50‑period SMA); key resistance zone $68‑$69
- 4‑hour MACD remains below zero, indicating weakening bullish momentum
- US dollar weakness after softer US data reduces near‑term Fed rate‑hike expectations, supporting silver
- LME copper stocks fell for 40th consecutive day, now just over 200,000 tons – lowest since February
- Yangshan import premium slipped below $100/ton after peaking at $115, signaling weaker Chinese demand
- A top ten copper producer trimmed output guidance due to weather conditions
- Upcoming ICG report (20‑24th) and possible US copper tariff decision could influence prices
- Critical‑mineral shortages projected to 2035 hinge on processing reliability, not just mined tonnage.
- GEM Mining Consulting warns that bottlenecks in refining could limit supply of copper, lithium, and nickel.
- Investors should monitor miners' processing upgrades as a key factor for future metal availability.
- Shortages risk intensifying if processing capacity fails to keep pace with demand growth.
- Gold fell below $1,440 per ounce, breaking a key resistance level
- Silver dropped under $3.30 per ounce, triggering a sell‑off
- Gold down about 2% and silver down roughly 3% on the day
- Analysts warn further declines if support at $1,430 (gold) and $3.20 (silver) is breached
- Gold price holds steady at $1,930/oz despite market fluctuations
- Inflation concerns and rate hike expectations weigh on global markets
- Gold's value remains relatively unchanged over the past quarter
- International Seabed Authority (ISA) received 31 exploration applications by 2024, up from 22 in 2020
- Nodules on ocean floor contain nickel, cobalt, copper, and rare earths—key for EV batteries and green tech
- Environmental concerns delay commercial mining; Norway approved first deep-sea mining licenses in January 2024
- China holds largest ISA exploration contracts (19), followed by Russia (7) and UK (4)
Crypto 27
- OCC conditionally approved a national trust charter for World Liberty Trust Company
- Charter conditions include a minimum $20 million capital base and hiring an internal audit manager
- World Liberty's USD1 stablecoin ranks fourth in market cap, valued at about $4 billion
- Similar OCC charters have been granted to Ripple and Circle
- Reuters estimates the Trump family has funneled over $1.6 billion through World Liberty
- Bitcoin dropped 1.14% below $63,000, reaching its lowest level since August 3rd and erasing last week's gains.
- Spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded $192 million in back-to-back outflows, marking the first such occurrence since late July.
- Crypto markets lagged, with Bitcoin and Ether slipping, despite U.S. stocks gaining on cooler-than-expected producer price data (PPI cooled to 4.7%).
- Derivatives data indicates growing bearish positioning in tokens like Bitcoin Cash (BCH) and Hedera (HBAR), with negative funding rates and CVD.
- Bitcoin's 30-day implied volatility (BVIV) cooled below 36%, while options positioning remains mixed.
- KPMG US issued unqualified audit opinion on Tether’s 2025 financial statements, confirming reserves exceeded liabilities by $6.8B
- Audit included physical verification of gold holdings and review of reserve assets (U.S. Treasuries, cash, equivalents)
- Tether’s $183B stablecoin issuance backed by dollar-denominated reserves, addressing market scrutiny over transparency
- SEC delays on innovation exemption and Reg Crypto meeting increase regulatory uncertainty
- Spot Bitcoin ETFs record $333 million net outflows this week, reversing $853 million inflows last week
- U.S. 30-year Treasury auction yields rose to 5.22%, the highest since 2001, raising crypto opportunity cost
- XRP remains near $1 support, vulnerable to a breach
- JPMorgan terminated banking services to Polymarket in late 2025 citing regulatory worries
- Polymarket was previously barred from U.S. users after a $1.4 million CFTC settlement in 2022
- The platform secured a new, undisclosed banking partner after JPMorgan's exit
- Bitcoin ETF position up 25% in the second quarter
- Ether ETF position more than quadrupled in the same period
- Moves signal heightened institutional appetite for crypto assets
- Bank Leumi will let customers buy, hold and sell Bitcoin, Ether and Solana starting early 2027
- Galaxy Digital will supply trading and custody services through its GalaxyOne Institutional platform
- Leumi becomes the first Israeli bank to offer direct crypto trading, joining a growing trend of banks adding digital assets
- Bitcoin slipped to $63,000 after regulatory delay.
- BLSH shares dropped 9% following Q2 earnings and exemption postponement.
- SECZ fell over 5% extending a 27% plunge, trading 60% below its recent high.
- Coinbase (COIN) down 3% and Circle (CRCL) down 4.2% amid tokenized securities uncertainty.
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- President Trump slated to attend a White House innovation meeting on Wednesday next week
- Meeting precedes the CFTC Innovation Advisory Committee inaugural session on Thursday
- Attendees include CEOs from Coinbase, Ripple, Gemini, Robinhood, Polymarket, Kalshi and leaders from CME, Nasdaq and ICE
- The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency granted conditional approval for World Liberty Financial to operate as a trust bank.
- The approval is preliminary and subject to further compliance requirements before a full charter is issued.
- World Liberty Financial is positioned as a flagship crypto venture linked to the Trump family.
- Ireland's AML framework will tighten rules on transfers from private crypto wallets
- Proposed standards also apply to overseas digital asset companies
- Regulation aims to curb illicit crypto activity and align with EU anti‑money‑laundering goals
- Payward reported a 17% year‑over‑year increase in Q2 revenue.
- Crypto spot trading volume fell during the quarter.
- Funded accounts jumped 42%, driving higher non‑transaction revenue.
- A Bitcoin wallet hack resulted in a loss of about $116 million.
- The incident highlights risks of self‑custody amid rising institutional interest.
- ETF inflows into Bitcoin have resumed, prompting strategies to increase BTC exposure.
- Crypto miners are pursuing multi‑billion‑dollar AI-related deals.
- Bitcoin price slipped to $62,500, near August lows
- Trader cautions that a weak weekly close may trigger further declines
- Drop occurs despite recent positive US inflation data
- US equity markets continue to hover near all‑time highs
- MSCI's new "non-operating company" screen could drop Strategy, Metaplanet and Yellow Cake from the MSCI ACWI IMI
- The proposal would exclude firms with digital assets ≥50% of total assets, a threshold Strategy calls arbitrary
- Strategy's shares fell 4.3% as bitcoin slipped to $62,600
- MSCI's earlier digital‑asset plan faced similar criticism, prompting a revised consultation
- Binance will stop processing transactions for 11 crypto platforms, including HTX.
- HTX was recently added to the EU sanctions package targeting Russia.
- The restriction underscores growing regulatory pressure on crypto intermediaries.
- Users of the affected platforms may face reduced trading access.
- World Liberty Financial (WLFI) postponed token sale for Maldives resort due to Iran war disrupting travel
- Tokenization project aimed to represent resort loan interests as tradeable digital assets via Securitize
- WLFI token down 88.5% from September 2025 peak amid broader crypto market pressures
- Binance Bitcoin futures open interest declined alongside BTC price
- CryptoQuant analysis flags pressure on leveraged longs
- Bitcoin eyes new August lows
- RedotPay postponed a planned $1B U.S. IPO, now unlikely before 2027, due to legal issues including a $470M lawsuit from Binance
- Company secured a U.S. money transmitter license and is preparing a U.S. product launch, prioritizing regulatory compliance
- RedotPay claims 8.5M users as of July and describes itself as the world’s largest stablecoin payment card issuer
- SEC announced cancellation of an open meeting set for Friday to discuss tailored crypto offering regime
- Meeting postponed due to an "unforeseen scheduling issue" according to the commission
- Senate entered August recess without voting on the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act
- SEC Chair Paul Atkins said the agency remains ready to issue crypto rules if legislation stalls
- MSCI's new "non‑operating companies" screen would drop firms failing 4 of 5 financial ratios
- Strategy (MSTR), Metaplanet (3350) and Yellow Cake would be removed from the MSCI ACWI IMI index under the test
- Feedback period runs until Sept 30, with any changes applied only after the November 2026 index review
- Strategy holds 840,447 BTC (~$53 bn) and Metaplanet holds 43,000 BTC (~$2 bn), the largest listed bitcoin treasury firms
- Neutrl temporarily halted redemptions of its NUSD stablecoin
- The pause follows an undisclosed reserve shortfall
- BA Labs had flagged the NUSD integration as high risk due to counterparty, operational and liquidity exposure
- Endowment’s crypto exposure dropped by $2 million, now about $12 million.
- Investments include Bitwise Solana staking ETF, Grayscale Ethereum staking ETF, and iShares Bitcoin ETF.
- Loss mirrors broader price declines in Solana, Ethereum and Bitcoin.
- Nigel Farage wins a UK by-election, triggering a restart of the standards investigation.
- Parliamentary commissioner for standards reopens probe into his cryptocurrency donations.
- No details on the amount or sources of the crypto gifts have been disclosed.
- New fee model raises costs for resource‑heavy transactions
- Simpler transactions will have lower fees
- SOL burn rate will increase under the proposed changes
- Aim is to curb network congestion and improve fee fairness
- Shinhan Asset Management partners with Plume to tokenize a won-denominated ultra-short-term bond fund
- Pilot marks South Korea's first major tokenized fund initiative in traditional asset management
- Project leverages blockchain for fund issuance and secondary trading
- Crypto payments represent only 0.2% of online transactions among euro‑area merchants
- Physical‑store crypto usage stays under 1% of point‑of‑sale transactions
- Mobile payments continue to grow, outpacing crypto adoption
- ECB data shows crypto remains a marginal payment method in Europe
Geopolitics 53
- Trump plans to declare Strait of Hormuz a US 'territory' amid ongoing war with Iran
- Iran rejects Trump's claims, saying the strait is under its control
- US and Iran have been engaged in uneasy negotiations with no clear end to the war in sight
- Japan PM Takaichi calls Putin's visit 'absolutely unacceptable'
- Tokyo has repeatedly requested Russia to avoid the visit, citing the islands' inherent Japanese territory
- Analysts link Putin's visit to Japan's defense white paper, which identifies Moscow as a critical threat
- International community's policies toward the Taliban were built on flawed assumptions about the group's nature and goals.
- Taliban's rule is rooted in an ideological mission, not a desire for political power or international legitimacy.
- Analytical framework used by the international community was ill-suited to understanding the Taliban's nature and behavior.
- Taliban has issued hundreds of decrees since 2021, systematically removing 20 million Afghan women and girls from public life.
- Girls are barred from school beyond 6th grade (March 2022), women from universities (Dec 2022), and medical institutes (Dec 2024).
- Women dismissed from civil service, banned from NGO/UN work, and beauty salons closed (July 2023), destroying an estimated 60,000 jobs.
- Restrictions define daily life, including travel without a male guardian, bans from public spaces, and mandatory face covering, labeled 'gender apartheid' by UN experts.
- Persecution extends to other groups like the Hazara minority, facing forced evictions, legal protection removal, and ongoing attacks.
- Yemen's Houthis claim to have targeted Saudi Aramco's Jazan refinery with drones
- Second reported attack on the Red Sea facility in less than a week
- Storage tank sustained negligible damage, according to a Bloomberg source
- China's Y-20B can be converted into an aerial refuelling tanker
- Boosts PLA Air Force capacities in the western Pacific
- Enhances China's military reach beyond the first island chain
- NATO fighters shot down a drone over eastern Latvia, with authorities linking it to 'Russian electromagnetic warfare'.
- Airspace alerts were issued across eastern and southern Latvia and later lifted; Finland also temporarily restricted airspace as a precaution.
- Latvian Prime Minister emphasized strengthening border surveillance and anti-drone capabilities due to repeated incursions.
- The incident underscores heightened anxiety in Baltic states and Finland, a new NATO member, amid Russia's war in Ukraine.
- Latvia's Ministry of Defense expects similar incidents as long as Russia's aggression against Ukraine continues.
- Xi Jinping's state visit to Washington is scheduled in less than six weeks, the first since 2015.
- Earlier this year, disorganized US planning for Trump's China trip frustrated Chinese officials.
- Ongoing chaos in the Trump administration is raising concerns in Beijing over diplomatic preparations.
- Sources say Chinese officials are closely monitoring the situation ahead of the upcoming visit.
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says the US will apply economic isolation on Iran "like never seen before" and keep a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
- US Navy plans to sustain the Strait of Hormuz blockade indefinitely, rotating ships as needed.
- USS Abraham Lincoln has been deployed for over 250 days in the Middle East, with the carrier USS George Washington set to replace it after departing Vietnam on Aug. 12.
- Reports of severe conditions aboard the Lincoln are contested; US Central Command denies claims of a brawl and any fatalities.
- US team sent to Taiwan for 2-week coastguard training programme
- Training focuses on small-boat operations and team coordination
- Part of efforts to strengthen partnership between US and Taiwan
- Syrian oil production returns to Damascus control in Deir ez-Zor and Hasakah
- Recovery of key oil fields, including Omar, Tanak, and Conoco gas field
- Potential weakening of Russia's influence in the country
- Three-nation Mecca Joint Deterrence Agreement mirrors NATO Article 5, expanding Saudi-Pakistan SMDA to include Turkiye
- Pakistan may deploy up to 80,000 troops under pact; Saudi nuclear umbrella unclear despite past SMDA commitments
- India monitors pact amid Pakistan’s potential use as deterrent in future tensions, following 2026 Operation Sindoor precedent
- Vice President JD Vance says reducing gasoline prices is now top US priority in the Iran conflict.
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warns of new, unprecedented economic sanctions on Iran expected next week.
- Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz has driven oil prices up, but recent declines show price easing from early war peaks.
- The US aims to keep oil and gas cheap for Americans while maintaining pressure on Tehran’s nuclear program.
- Iran’s conditions for reopening the strait include ending the war, lifting blockades, and a $300 billion reconstruction fund.
- The Abraham Lincoln carrier has been at sea for nine months, exceeding the typical six-month deployment length.
- Trump said the ship will be rotated soon, with a similar carrier set to replace it.
- Reports cite deteriorating living conditions and several suicide attempts among crew members, prompting calls for investigations.
- The carrier was originally deployed to the South China Sea in November 2025 before being rerouted to the Middle East after US-Israeli strikes on Iran.
- Houthi forces fired six ballistic missiles at al-Makha, a Red Sea port city.
- The attack killed at least four civilians, with some reports suggesting up to eight deaths including two security personnel.
- Targets included civilian infrastructure and fishing boats, escalating the conflict between Iran-backed Houthis and Saudi-backed Yemeni forces.
- Houthis also claimed drone strikes on an Aramco facility in Najran and a refinery in Jazan, Saudi Arabia.
- Nigel Farage won the recent by-election, keeping his seat in parliament.
- A financial inquiry into Farage's affairs could threaten his political future.
- The inquiry may affect Reform UK's prospects in upcoming elections.
- Singapore imposed financial sanctions and travel bans on four Israeli individuals linked to extremist violence in the West Bank (2025).
- The action shows Singapore will criticize Israeli settlement actions while preserving broader defence and tech cooperation.
- Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan reaffirmed support for a future Palestinian state and the principle of saying “no” to violations of international law.
- Bilateral ties continue in technology, cybersecurity and life‑science sectors despite the sanctions.
- Indonesia and China conducted a two-ship naval exercise on Aug 12, 6:30‑9:30 a.m., within Taiwan’s exclusive economic zone.
- Taiwan demanded an explanation, citing sovereignty concerns, while Indonesia described the drill as a non‑threatening "passex" activity.
- The exercise follows recent Japan‑Philippines maritime cooperation and increased China Coast Guard patrols east of Taiwan.
- Analysts view the drill as a signal of Indonesia’s alignment with China amid broader regional security tensions.
- Lebanese PM Nawaf Salam seeks a clear timetable for Israeli forces to pull out from southern Lebanon
- Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem denounces the proposed agreement, saying it puts the Lebanese army under undue pressure
- US officials met with Lebanese leaders to discuss the military track of the trilateral framework, with next talks slated for early September
- Since March 2, Israeli attacks have reportedly killed 4,335 people, wounded 12,277 and displaced over 1 million in Lebanon
- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemns Delcy Rodriguez’s tribute to Fidel Castro
- The incident underscores tension as Venezuela balances closer ties with Washington
- China seeks to preserve its economic interests in Venezuela despite US pressure
- US Treasury placed Thailand on transshipment list, accusing it of facilitating Chinese tariff evasion
- The alleged evasion is estimated to cost US tariff revenue $19‑26 billion annually
- Dozens of other US trading partners were also listed, raising concerns over supply‑chain compliance
- 39-year-old Andres Manuel Lopez Beltran claims his US visa was revoked.
- He blames Secretary of State Marco Rubio and deputy Christopher Landau for the action.
- The US State Department has not confirmed the revocation amid a broader crackdown on Mexican officials linked to cartels.
- Lopez Beltran, former Morena party secretary of organisation, intends to run for a seat in the Chamber of Deputies next year.
- President Claudia Sheinbaum says she is unaware of any investigations and calls the move interference in Mexican politics.
- Cyberattacks reported in at least seven states, including Minnesota, Arkansas, Georgia, New Jersey and Michigan
- More than 30 Minnesota communities faced coordinated attacks, prompting boil‑water advisories and temporary plant shutdowns
- FBI found over 2,800 water system controllers exposed online, underscoring critical infrastructure vulnerability
- U.S. intelligence agencies suspect Iran's IRGC involvement, but official attribution remains pending
- Incidents caused loss of pressure, localized flooding and heightened public anxiety over water safety
- Trump shifts from direct talks with Putin to a more skeptical stance on Russia's willingness to compromise
- U.S. assessment of Putin has grown less optimistic, signaling a potential change in Ukraine support strategy
- Kazakhstan faces heightened pressure as it balances relations with both the United States and Russia
- Japarov disclosed he had planned to hand the presidency to security chief Kamshubek Tashiev but judged him "not ready"
- Tashiev and five others received four‑year sentences for a coup attempt, later converted to three years probation; prosecutors are appealing for harsher punishments
- Presidential election set for Jan 27, 2027, with Japarov confirming his own bid for a second term
- 2025 law bars candidates with criminal records from running for president, limiting Tashiev's eligibility
- The "Letter of 75" case prompted a shift of the election date from Jan 24 to Jan 27
- Parliamentary committee recommends appointing a polar ambassador and establishing a Polar Affairs Desk within the MEA.
- Arctic warming is roughly four times the global average, influencing Indian monsoons and threatening about 11,000 km of coastline.
- Over 90% of India's merchandise trade is shipped by sea; emerging Arctic routes could reshape logistics and the India‑Middle East‑Europe corridor.
- Polar regions contain hydrocarbons, fisheries and critical minerals essential for India's energy security and renewable‑tech supply chains.
- Nepal cancelled the 17th IATS conference (Aug 23‑29) after formal request from Chinese officials citing security concerns.
- The conference was set to host scholars from 40 countries; about a dozen Indian scholars withdrew following a visit by Chinese religious figure Venerable Master Yinshun.
- Chinese diplomatic pressure follows earlier warnings against Nepal's participation in the CTA oath‑taking ceremony, highlighting Beijing's push to control Tibetan Buddhism abroad.
- The move underscores ongoing geopolitical tensions surrounding the Dalai Lama's succession and China's broader influence in the Himalayan region.
- President Marcos Jr. announced that joint oil and gas exploration talks with China have "moved forward".
- A provisional understanding was reached on resupply missions to the BRP Sierra Madre at Second Thomas Shoal.
- Marcos aims to finalize an oil deal before his term ends in mid‑2028, despite ongoing maritime disputes.
- Citi sees US tariffs and export controls on AI as unlikely to significantly disrupt China's AI exports.
- Restrictions on “open-weight” AI models are flagged as a “genuine wild card” that could reshape the sector.
- The analysis comes ahead of a US‑China leadership summit scheduled for next month.
- Sipahiyan-i-Mihan briefly seized a district centre in Badakhshan, the first Taliban loss of a district since 2021
- National Resistance Front and Afghanistan Freedom Front report ongoing clashes in Badakhshan, Zebak and other provinces
- UNDP 2026 assessment finds 75% of Afghans cannot meet basic needs and over 80% of households are in debt
- Pakistan is suspected of political outreach to Afghan opposition groups, but no public proof of direct support
- Drone entered Latvian airspace, prompting NATO Eurofighter jets to intercept and shoot it down
- Latvian authorities issued air alert and advised population to seek shelter
- Incident deemed a threat to national security, per Defence Minister Raivis Melnis
- UN's IIMM report documents a year‑long investigation alleging systematic attacks on civilians by Myanmar’s military
- Findings label the campaign as "war crimes and crimes against humanity," heightening diplomatic pressure on the junta
- Analysts say the report is unlikely to halt Min Aung Hlaing's push for regional recognition of his post‑election government
- Three joint statements signed covering strategic partnership, economic resilience, and science‑technology cooperation
- Economic resilience statement emphasizes critical minerals and supply‑chain security amid global volatility
- Vietnam targets high‑income status by 2045, leveraging Australian technology and defense collaboration
- Defense cooperation expanded with updated Joint Vision on training, maritime security, and counter‑terrorism
- Vietnam adopts more assertive Indo‑Pacific language, aligning with Australia and other regional partners
- 80% of minors still use social media months after Australia's under-16 ban took effect
- Platforms urge caution on early data, citing evolving age assurance technologies
- Maximum penalties for non-compliance could double to A$99 million under proposed amendments
- New Zealand's security agency labels China as the sole country conducting espionage at scale
- China's Wellington embassy dismisses the report as a product of foreign interference and Cold War mentality
- Diplomatic tensions rise amid existing geopolitical and security concerns between the two nations
- Bill introduced on March 25 would let a new Ministry of Home Affairs authority seize assets of NGOs whose foreign‑fund registration is cancelled
- Foreign contributions to Indian NGOs rose from $1.2 billion in FY 2010‑11 to $2.67 billion in FY 2024‑25
- A 31‑member joint parliamentary committee will review the bill, with a report due in the first week of the winter session
- US lawmakers label the proposal an “attack on Christians,” prompting diplomatic talks between US and Indian officials
- Foreign Minister Penny Wong said One Nation's rise could leave Australia "lonely in a dangerous world"
- One Nation leader has made harsh comments about regional leaders, raising diplomatic concerns
- Wong warned the populist shift could damage Canberra's foreign relations and standing in Asia
- Taiwan wrapped up a multi‑day combat drill aimed at testing invasion and blockade response capabilities
- The exercise featured the first intentional mobile internet throttling to assess cyber‑defense resilience
- Civil defence units participated, signalling heightened readiness amid rising cross‑strait tensions
- Boost operational capabilities and national security of the RTAF
- Expand space and satellite capabilities for strategic coverage
- Enhance emergency response and disaster relief services
- Strengthen joint operations and common operational procedures
- Upgrade technical data links and integrate advanced systems
- Activist Alon Lee Green alleges soldiers aided 'terrorist' settlers in Qusra
- Video shows Israeli soldiers drinking tea with settlers surrounding Palestinian homes
- Incident took place in the occupied West Bank village of Qusra
- Over 73,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began in October 2023.
- An art space opened in April in Deir el‑Balah offers daily drawing sessions for children like 16‑year‑old Maryam.
- Founder Abdullah al‑Ghafri maintains the centre despite high rental costs, seeking investors to keep it operating.
- Vote counting halted nationwide due to attacks on polling officials and ballot theft
- Electoral commission will review the suspension decision within 24 hours
- Suspension follows reports of violence across multiple constituencies
- President Trump signed an executive order last week to end birth tourism for Chinese nationals
- A 10-year visa applicant plans a weeks-long visit next year and a return trip in two years while pregnant
- The new rules will increase scrutiny on visa applications, potentially delaying or denying such travel plans
- Lawyer Keith Griffin sentenced to 1 day in prison with time served for role in Lion Air crash compensation cases
- Families of 189 victims in 2018 crash say justice remains elusive despite legal proceedings
- Case highlights systemic failures in cross-border compensation for aviation disasters
- Crew selected wrong radio frequency, losing comms with ATC in Romanian airspace
- Hong Kong aviation authority expressed 'serious concern' over incident
- Incident occurred on Hong Kong-London flight last month
- 16,000+ public submissions received for Hong Kong's inaugural 5-year plan
- General support for integration into national development and emerging sectors
- Blueprint to be delivered next month
- Trump and Musk reportedly reconciled after a public falling out
- Details of their renewed relationship remain unclear
- No significant market impact expected
- Singapore’s Workers’ Party chief Pritam Singh disbarred for professional misconduct
- Legal ruling reflects strict Singaporean standards; not expected to weaken political standing
- Analysts view disbarment as isolated issue with minimal impact on his opposition role
- Zhejiang museum mislabeled 'Red Army' as 'red car' in Long March exhibit
- Errors highlight scrutiny over Communist Party history displays
- Mistakes undermine 'red tourism' promotion efforts
- Thai government says military ties, including Cobra Gold exercises, will not be used as tariff leverage.
- Bloomberg report had suggested Thailand might threaten to curb joint exercises if U.S. tariffs increase.
- Trade talks aim to lower tariffs from 36% to 19% while addressing forced‑labor and overcapacity issues under U.S. Section 301.
- Kyaw Zwar Minn was charged with trespassing for remaining in Myanmar House after his dismissal following the Feb 2021 coup
- Police say the alleged trespass occurred between May 2021 and November 2024
- The trial will resume on September 25 at Westminster Magistrates' Court amid UK diplomatic concerns
- Former PM Fumio Ishiba says Japan should look past WWII grievances
- Comments made on August 15, the anniversary of Japan's WWII surrender
- Highlights ongoing regional tensions over wartime memory
- Future Nobel Prize winners Hideki Yukawa and Sin-Itiro Tomonaga were recruited by the Imperial Japanese Navy during WWII.
- Their scientific contributions were directed toward technical challenges with military applications.
- The historical case underscores the difficulty of separating basic research from defense projects.
Tech/AI 25
- 471M breach notices in H1 2026 vs 297.5M in all of 2025, led by Canvas incident (275M)
- 25% of breaches AI-enabled in past year, up 56% YoY per IBM study
- Malicious insider attacks rose to 21 in H1 2026 vs 3 in all of 2025, linked to layoffs and North Korean IT scams
- Only 24% of breach notices included incident details in H1 2026 vs 93% in 2021 due to legal/state variability
- 78% of firms plan to increase cybersecurity budgets amid rising threats
- GLM-5.3 scored 84.5% on CyberGym, slightly higher than Mythos 5's 83.8%
- GLM-5.3 lags behind Mythos 5 in converting discovered flaws into working attacks
- Z.ai to release GLM-5.3 publicly in about two weeks after completing security assessments
- Amazon pledged carbon neutrality by 2040 in 2019, but emissions have risen by double‑digit percentages.
- Google and Microsoft pledged carbon‑free operations by 2030 in 2020, yet their emissions are also climbing sharply.
- All eight largest AI‑focused companies have seen emissions increase by double‑digit levels over the past six years.
- California DMV issued permits allowing Aurora Innovation and Kodiak AI to test driverless trucks over 10,000 lb on public highways
- Permits require a safety driver and prohibit testing on roads with speed limits of 25 mph or less unless on a direct route
- New rules lift a previous ban on heavy‑duty autonomous vehicles, prompting a lawsuit from Teamsters California over safety and economic impact concerns
- Kodiak has begun testing around its Mountain View office; Aurora previously launched routes in Texas such as Dallas‑Houston
- AI-linked equities have dropped sharply, creating valuation gaps
- BofA points to 16 AI-related stocks across hardware, internet and energy as attractive
- Analysts see upside potential as AI demand stays strong despite short-term weakness
- Opportunities span hardware manufacturers, internet platforms, and energy firms using AI
- NCSC reports active abuse of macOS screen‑sharing flaw (CVE-2026-65400) on systems with port 5900 exposed
- Vulnerability rated 7.1/10 severity; enables remote code execution and full system control
- Exploits have installed a Monero miner, granting attackers root access
- Apple issued patches for macOS Tahoe, Sequoia and Sonoma last week
- First flight lasted about 30 minutes, using over 1 MW of electric power
- Maximum take‑off weight exceeds 25,000 lb, similar to a small regional jet
- Electricity cost for the flight was roughly $5, far below jet‑fuel expenses
- Test took place at Plattsburgh International Airport, New York on Aug 12
- All‑electric propulsion promises quieter, emission‑free flights amid rising fuel prices
- SpaceX now accounts for over 75% of total mass launched to orbit
- Falcon 9 flights have risen from a few dozen to several hundred per year in the last five years
- Reusable rockets and high cadence are reshaping the global launch market, pressuring European providers
- European policymakers view the shift as a strategic dilemma limiting regional launch options
- Visible watermarks on AI images, videos and songs can now be turned off
- Toggle applies to Gemini models Nano Banana, Omni and Lyria; available in Gemini and Flow, Search support coming
- Invisible SynthID watermark and C2PA metadata remain mandatory for verification
- Google will open‑source Credentio library for developers to embed local AI provenance checks
- Meta released Glimmer, an open-weight AI model that users can download and run on their own hardware
- Glimmer contrasts with Muse Spark, which remains locked behind Meta's APIs
- Zuckerberg's accompanying letter argues AI should be "for everyone" rather than controlled by a few labs
- OpenAI slashes GPT‑5.6 Luna price by 80%
- Anthropic launches Claude Opus 5 at about half the price of its Fable 5 model
- Chinese AI firms Moonshot and DeepSeek gain users in Silicon Valley and Europe
- Rising AI costs drive enterprises to seek cheaper models
- China and Brazil announce joint satellite to provide 24‑hour disaster early‑warning coverage across all of South America.
- The meteorological satellite will monitor weather, climate and environmental conditions for the entire continent.
- The project follows nearly 40 years of China‑Brazil space cooperation and aims to enhance regional resilience to natural hazards.
- SpaceX and Blue Origin plan orbital AI data centers with up to 1M and 51,600 satellites respectively
- Insurers face $500M–$750M annual premium market today vs. potential multi-billion-dollar orbital infrastructure
- Technical risks include radiation, collisions, debris, and unproven repair/replacement logistics in orbit
- Chinese scientists achieve 420km (260 miles) atom entanglement distance record
- Breakthrough lays groundwork for intercity quantum networks
- Distance exceeds previous demonstrations by four times
- Uber and Chinese autonomous vehicle maker Pony.ai plan to deploy 2,000 robotaxis in four unnamed European cities.
- The expanded partnership aims to carve out market share in the nascent robotaxi industry.
- Pony.ai will supply the autonomous vehicle technology, while Uber provides its ride-hailing platform.
- Fleet management (maintenance, charging) can be handled by local providers, with ownership varying by market.
- This builds on previous collaborations, including a planned commercial service in Zagreb, Croatia.
- Gene-editing therapies for nervous system require further studies before human trials
- Techniques mature for animal experiments but not yet for human applications
- Stanford professor Karoly Nikolich highlights current limitations in safety
- Big Tech companies' earnings boosted by gains on investments in startups like Anthropic
- Investment gains in AI and other emerging tech areas contribute to inflated earnings
- Notable companies affected: Alphabet, Microsoft, Meta
- Analysts warn Waico must avoid being seen as opposed to the US and its allies
- Waico is not intended as an alternative to the US-led Pax Silica partnership created in December
- Perceived split could deter prospective member countries from joining the AI organization
- AI investment surge is driving strong demand for peripheral chips used in data centers and other applications
- SMIC will keep prices unchanged despite softness in smartphone and automotive segments
- Higher peripheral chip prices could boost revenue for China's leading contract chipmaker
- Starlink opens its ordering portal for Vietnamese customers
- The service has been granted a five-year operating licence
- Vietnam waived foreign‑ownership limits to allow SpaceX entry
- Launch expands Starlink's presence in Southeast Asia
- Global Innovation Labs and Z Venture Capital will create a joint fund this year
- Targeted at early‑stage Japanese startups in artificial intelligence, space and defense
- Fund aims to bring Silicon Valley technology and expertise to Japanese companies
- Goal is to accelerate global expansion of participating deep‑tech ventures
- First known instance of hidden AI-readable text in a US court filing
- Hidden prompts were invisible to human readers but legible to software
- Judge warned the tactic sets a dangerous precedent as AI use in courts expands
- Publishers routinely shut down online game servers with little notice, a practice deemed intolerable for over 15 years
- The Stop Killing Games movement, highlighted by Ross Scott, seeks legislation to preserve access to older titles
- A California bill aimed at keeping online games playable has cleared a key legislative hurdle, signaling potential policy change
- Kog claims its software can achieve up to 30× faster LLM inference, demonstrated 3,000 tokens per second on a 2B‑parameter model
- Demo used AMD MI300X and Nvidia H200 datacenter GPUs, targeting enterprise hardware rather than laptops
- CEO reports 200 tangible business leads and aims for a 10× speed boost on a larger model by September to secure Series A funding
- Team of 11 spends weeks‑months per GPU to reverse‑engineer performance, limiting short‑term chip coverage
- Backed by Bpifrance, French Tech 2030 and other French investors, Kog seeks European AI sovereignty tailwinds
- Unforgetful integrates with existing Apple Reminders and replaces its notifications
- Notifications repeat until the task is marked done, preventing missed reminders
- Snooze intervals increase with each snooze, but only one reminder is shown at a time
- App priced at $19.99 per year and includes voice input and lock‑screen widgets
Companies 58
- Jane Street posted a $15 bn loss for July, its worst month on record
- Loss stemmed from failed bets linked to Leopold Aschenbrenner’s hedge fund
- The decline underscores risk in the firm’s situational‑awareness trading strategies
- Goldman Sachs is negotiating with insurers, asset managers and banks to join Nvidia's $500 billion AI financing plan.
- Nvidia aims to raise over $500 billion of third‑party capital to fund AI compute infrastructure.
- The deal could involve up to $125 billion of optional backstop support from Nvidia, representing 25% of potential financing.
- Goldman will provide junior capital and private‑credit financing, and help place debt in private credit funds and public markets.
- The financing structure shifts away from vendor guarantees, broadening the investor base for AI infrastructure funding.
- Loaded up on AI stocks before July's market reversal, including Sandisk (-47%), Micron (-29%), Bloom Energy (-32%), Taiwan Semiconductor (-15%), and Nebius (-31%)
- Held $745M in CoreWeave, another AI infrastructure name caught in the July rout
- Forced to unload $35B in assets to Citadel at a discount due to liquidity crunch
- Berkshire Hathaway increased its stake in Alphabet by 83% to $37.9 billion
- Delta Air Lines holding climbed 44% to 57.3 million shares, valued at $5.4 billion
- Housing bets increased with Lennar Class A shares up 30% to 13.1 million shares
- Workday stock surged nearly 18% on Thursday, pushing its market value above $51 billion after buyout talks with Silver Lake.
- The S&P 500 Software & Services index has risen roughly 25% quarter‑to‑date, underscoring sector strength amid AI‑related worries.
- Morgan Stanley and Zacks analysts argue a premium private‑equity deal would prove current software valuations are too low.
- European software shares, led by SAP, rallied after U.S. peers such as Salesforce, Adobe and ServiceNow posted gains of 1.9%‑4.5%.
- Berkshire Hathaway doubled its stake in a U.S. housing-related stock
- The conglomerate raised its Alphabet holding, adding new shares
- Berkshire also increased its investment in Delta Air Lines
- Consortium led by Jeff Bezos' K5 Global to purchase roughly one-third of Liverpool FC for about $7.1 billion.
- Deal includes an option to buy a majority stake at a valuation near $8 billion within 12 months.
- K5 Global contributes over $1 billion; other investors include EE Capital and former Facebook co‑founder Eduardo Saverin.
- Bezos will not sit on the club’s board; vice‑chairman Amit Bhatia and reps from K5 Sports and EE Capital will join.
- Liverpool FC is valued at $6 billion, ranking as the fourth‑most valuable soccer club worldwide.
- Nvidia reduces its $250 billion guarantee commitment for OpenAI's new data centre
- Investor concerns rise over Nvidia's balance‑sheet risk exposure
- The cut may temper near‑term demand growth for Nvidia's AI chips
- Stripe and Advent have reportedly offered $60.50 per share, valuing PayPal at about $53 billion.
- CEO Enrique Lores' turnaround plan includes a 20% workforce reduction over the next 2‑3 years.
- Negotiations are ongoing and could conclude in the coming weeks, though PayPal has not confirmed the talks.
- Amazon revives arbitration clause for employee and consumer disputes
- Class-action lawsuits are barred under the new policy
- Arbitration requirement applies to all new US-based claims
- Company expects reduced litigation costs and faster dispute resolution
- Jane Street reported a $15 billion hit tied to a recent tech sell‑off
- The loss underscores the firm's exposure to volatile equity positions
- No immediate ripple effect on broader market indices was reported
- Nvidia holds 122.8 million Class A shares in SpaceX, valued at $21 bn as of Q2 end.
- The stake's market value fell to $17.2 bn after SpaceX share price dropped from $170.86 to $140.
- Nvidia's SpaceX holding is its second‑largest investment, behind its $22 bn stake in Intel.
- The shares originated from Nvidia's $10 bn investment in xAI, part of a $20 bn round in Jan.
- Musk said SpaceX will exclusively use Nvidia GPUs and expects a significant allocation of Vera Rubin GPUs next year.
- Quarterly revenue topped $11.5 billion, exceeding analysts' expectations
- Revenue growth driven by heightened demand for AI services
- Company is gearing up for an initial public offering later this year
- Results place Anthropic among the largest AI firms by revenue
- Diana Shipping ends its takeover attempt of Genco Shipping after nearly a year of negotiations
- The withdrawn offer was the latest development in a prolonged acquisition battle between the two firms
- The decision removes uncertainty for Genco Shipping's shareholders and may affect both companies' stock prices
- Added new holdings in Amazon (AMZN) and AMD (AMD) per latest 13F filing
- Reduced positions in unnamed chipmakers, indicating a shift away from the sector
- Moves signal a focus on growth-oriented tech stocks amid broader market volatility
- The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals remanded DJI's Pentagon blacklist challenge to the lower court
- DJI remains on the U.S. defense blacklist pending further review
- The legal dispute, ongoing for years, could affect DJI's access to U.S. government contracts
- No immediate impact on DJI's commercial sales reported
- Oracle plans $165 billion data center development in New Mexico.
- Transwestern Pipeline postponed Green Chile Project start from Aug 15, 2024 to Feb 1, 2027.
- Six‑month delay threatens Oracle's Project Jupiter timeline in Doña Ana County.
- Thrive allocates roughly 90% of capital to its top 15 investments per fund
- Its 2022 early-stage fund of $516 million is now valued at over $3.7 billion
- Gross IRR across all funds is 41% and net IRR is 33%
- Manages about $60 billion in assets and returned more than $1 billion to investors in the last 12 months
- Kushner criticizes Silicon Valley's spray‑and‑pray AI investing, urging disciplined, concentrated bets
- Chief revenue officer Denise Dresser and operating chief Brad Lightcap left OpenAI within weeks of each other
- OpenAI's enterprise revenue grew over 20% month‑over‑month in July, with business customer growth of 32%
- Enterprise business now serves 2 million customers, double the count from a year earlier
- Executive exits raise investor concerns as OpenAI prepares for a potential IPO valued at $852 billion
- Matter, Instapaper, Raindrop.io, Plinky, Paperspan, Readwise Reader, DoubleMemory, Recall emerge as alternatives to Pocket
- Many apps offer import features for Pocket users
- Some apps offer premium features for subscription fees
- SanDisk stock rose about 35% over the past week
- Shares have climbed more than 60% from recent lows
- Analysts upgraded the company after announcing new financial targets
- The rally makes SanDisk one of the week’s top gainers
- Thrive Capital owned 904,038 Amazon shares valued at about $215.5 million as of June 30
- Amazon's market value topped $3 trillion for the first time in early August, driven by strong earnings and AI-linked cloud demand
- Thrive maintains stakes in Figma, Oscar Health and Shopify, and its SpaceX holding was valued at $3.23 billion at June end
- Earlier this year Thrive raised more than $10 billion for its latest fund focused on early- and growth-stage tech investments
- Parks segment delivered a "big surprise" in the latest quarter, driving profitability.
- Disney+ is expanding internationally and a free ad‑supported tier is under consideration.
- Disney's stock is down more than 8% over the past year, prompting CEO concern.
- Cost‑cutting measures have affected roughly 1,000 employees, with further layoffs in ESPN, Pixar and National Geographic.
- CEO rules out spinning off ESPN despite rising sports rights costs.
- US Court of Appeals upholds preliminary injunction against several Alternative Funding Programs (AFPs) for importing Gilead medications from overseas
- AFPs may be forced to shrink or go out of business due to the ruling
- Gilead claims AFPs bypassed FDA oversight and quality safeguards by importing medications through unauthorized foreign channels
- Judge James Donato orders Google to fix Play Store download process within one week
- Ruling mandates easier access for third‑party app stores such as Aptoide in Google Play
- Court finds Google's current implementation adds unnecessary anticompetitive friction
- Apple proposes a 15% commission for standard apps on purchases made via external links
- Small business developers would pay a reduced 5% commission; Video, News, and Mini Apps partners would pay 10%
- Subscription renewal fees would be set at 10% under the proposal
- The Supreme Court rejected Apple’s request to pause the case, forcing disclosure of the new fee structure
- Apple compares its rates to Google Play, which charges 20% for standard apps and 15% for special programs
- Reddit stock jumped more than 11% following announcement of S&P 500 addition
- Index funds will need to purchase about 16.7 million Reddit shares, roughly three times its 5.98 million average daily volume
- Reddit is down over 31% YTD and 42% from its September 2025 peak despite the inclusion news
- Historically, new S&P 500 constituents outperform on announcement day but lag the index by ~2% over the following three months
- Gemini reports $108M Q2 net loss
- 37% revenue growth driven by credit card and staking revenue
- Exchange revenue fell 38% and trading volume dropped by two-thirds
- Rocket Lab introduces GHOST, a portable spaceport that enables launch‑anywhere, launch‑anytime capability for its Electron rocket.
- GHOST (Global Hypersonic & Orbital Spaceport Technology) is designed for multi‑launch campaigns and critical national‑security missions.
- The company’s Neutron vehicle remains ambiguous, with Stage 2 readiness unchanged for 12 months.
- Blue Origin is pursuing a two‑pad launch strategy as part of its expansion plans.
- Alphabet's SpaceX stake valued at $94B as of June 30, up from $900M in 2015 (100x growth)
- SpaceX IPO at $135/share; shares now at $141.29, down 17.3% from June 30 close
- Top 5 institutional holders (Alphabet, Fidelity, Gigafund, Baillie Gifford, BlackRock) own ~75% of reported SpaceX shares
- RedotPay's US IPO delayed amid unresolved regulatory approvals
- Company claims to have secured a US money transmitter license
- Legal and compliance hurdles cited as primary obstacles
- Nintendo shares jumped 7% after Pokémon Pokopia sales exceeded 5 million units
- Switch 2 console shipments fell 34.4% year-on-year to 3.82 million in the June quarter
- Fiscal 2027 Switch 2 sales forecast lowered to 16.5 million units
- Stock has rallied over 26% in the past month despite a 16% year-to-date decline
- Shares dropped about 4% in early trading on Friday.
- Forecast Q4 revenue of $10.25 billion, above the $9.54 billion consensus estimate.
- Projected Q4 margin to hold at 50.4%, flat with prior quarter.
- Valuation at 32.14× forward earnings, lower than peers Lam (34.59×), KLA (36.85×) and ASML (33.39×).
- Chinese premium EVs meet safety standards of global brands
- Domestic EVs gain traction among high-end buyers
- Chinese brands offer competitive tech and driving experience
- Shein aims for a premium valuation on par with H&M and Inditex.
- Internal documents argue the company should be viewed as a global fashion giant, not a regional Chinese brand.
- Analysts suggest the market could price Shein similarly to established peers despite its private status.
- SMIC sees orders for mature-node AI chips rise sharply above its 2024 forecasts
- Company will add new equipment to factories to meet the unexpected demand surge
- AI infrastructure boom globally is creating shortages of AI-related semiconductor capacity
- Q2 loan marketplace volume reached $4.3 billion, up 132% YoY
- Net income rose 192% to $87 million; net revenue more than doubled to $226 million
- Net income margin expanded to 38.8%, a 10.5‑point increase
- Marketplace volume grew 262% YoY; third‑party loans accounted for 65% ($2.8 billion)
- Added 102 loan‑origination partners, total now 489; expects Q3 volume $4.8‑$5.2 billion
- Uber and Pony.ai will roll out 2,000 autonomous taxis in four European cities.
- The partnership follows a pilot launch in Zagreb, Croatia, the first European robotaxi service.
- Uber also plans robotaxi pilots in Tokyo, Madrid and the Middle East with Pony.ai and other partners.
- Waymo currently leads with about 5,000 vehicles, underscoring competitive pressure on Uber's rollout.
- Pony.ai is scheduled to release its quarterly earnings on Tuesday.
- LG Electronics (Thailand) Co Ltd cites prolonged hot weather driving growth in the cooling appliance segment
- Government stimulus packages expected to lift consumer spending in the second half of the year
- Company sees potential for growth in the Thai market
- Chinese sales slipped in the latest reporting period, prompting a reassessment of growth targets.
- Volkswagen is weighing capacity cuts and potential mass layoffs at its European factories.
- The automaker is deepening ties with local partners such as Xpeng while trimming its own operations.
- Hiroshi Okuda, who became Toyota president in 1995 as the first non‑family chief in 28 years, has died.
- Akio Toyoda led the company for more than 13 years after family leadership returned in 2009.
- In 2023 non‑family executives Koji Sato and then Kenta Kon took the presidency, with Daisuke Toyoda identified as the next generation leader.
- Brookfield bought a portfolio of rental apartments for over 100 billion yen ($627 million)
- The assets span four major Japanese urban centers
- Marks Brookfield's first direct entry into Japan's residential real‑estate market
- Highlights continued foreign investment flow into Japanese housing
- Australian EV sales are accelerating amid rising fuel prices and supportive policies.
- Chinese manufacturer BYD is using low‑cost models to gain market share.
- Japanese automakers, traditionally dominant, face growing competition from Chinese EVs.
- Higher gas prices linked to the U.S.-Iran conflict are boosting EV demand.
- Dentsu will reduce overseas subsidiaries by up to 30% by fiscal 2028.
- The plan follows a profit swing in Jan‑Jun 2026 after a loss the prior year.
- AI‑driven rivals such as Accenture and Google are intensifying competition.
- Restructuring aims to restore profitability and refocus on core domestic business.
- Director Sonalee Parekh sold shares worth $76,000
- Transaction disclosed in recent filing
- No other insider activity reported
- 8 Rivers Capital disposed of approximately $1.4 million in Net Power (NASDAQ:NPWR) stock.
- The sale was disclosed in a recent filing with the SEC.
- No other material changes to Net Power's ownership structure were reported.
- Q1 2026 revenue rose year‑over‑year, beating internal expectations
- Net earnings remained flat, leading to no change in the share price
- Management reaffirmed guidance for the full year despite mixed quarterly results
- Prairie Creek site remains under development despite previous dead‑ends.
- Honey Badger conducts on‑site assessment to determine next steps.
- Project's continuation hinges on technical and economic feasibility.
- Blue Moon Metals (TSXV: MOON, Nasdaq: BMM) denies Viceroy Research's claims regarding project permits
- Company also rejects assertions about financing gaps for the Nussir copper development
- Analyst firm counters short-seller narrative, supporting Blue Moon's development strategy
- Project valued at 15 billion baht (≈ $460 million).
- Construction slated to begin on 21 August 2024.
- Located in Bang Na district, Bangkok, on a large mixed‑use site.
- Will feature residential units, office towers, international schools, hotels and retail space.
- Limited to 1,963 units, priced at $741,172 each
- Hybrid power exceeds 1,050 horsepower
- Accelerates 0-100 kph (62 mph) in 2.4 seconds
- State Superior Court issued preliminary injunction requiring Kalshi to stop offering sports, election, and other wagers in Washington
- Kalshi must deploy IP‑address/residency geofence by August 19 and a multi‑source geofencing solution by September 2
- Court found Kalshi lacks a state gambling license and its ads may mislead consumers about legality
- Cyclospora outbreak has sickened over 24,000 U.S. people and caused two deaths this summer.
- Senator Elizabeth Warren alleges Taylor Farms' political contributions and lobbying to the Trump administration may have compromised the federal response.
- Warren's letter calls the government's handling of the outbreak "botched" and urges investigation into possible influence‑peddling.
- Samsung maintains its position in the foldable phone market amidst growing competition from Google, Motorola, and Chinese OEMs.
- The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra features iterative improvements, including a slightly slimmer design compared to its predecessors.
- Most compromises associated with foldable phones have been addressed in the Z Fold 8 Ultra, except for its high price.
- The device retains a similar size and shape to Samsung's previous tablet-style foldable models.
- Marubeni plans $12B overseas investments over next few years
- CEO cites stronger yen as key to enhancing acquisition firepower
- Firm aims to leverage currency strength for strategic global expansion
- Private funds now manage $2 trillion in assets under Wall Street management
- Investors should scrutinize fee structures, liquidity terms, and performance track records
- Due diligence on fund managers' experience and alignment of interests is critical
- Regulatory disclosures and risk factors must be reviewed before committing capital
- COO Sachin Jain sold $110 worth of CoreWeave shares
- The sale was disclosed in a recent filing
- No significant change to Jain's ownership stake
- Czinger's 21C Spyder features organic-looking brake assemblies created with direct-metal laser sintering
- Brake components use topology‑optimized shapes to reduce weight while maintaining performance
- The hybrid supercar showcases the company's in‑house 3D‑printing capabilities as a parts supplier
Thai Markets 2
- Fuel costs rose 43%–49% year‑on‑year, squeezing airline margins
- Thai AirAsia posted a 2 billion baht operating loss in Q2
- Bangkok Airways saw operating profit fall 39.3% YoY
- Tourism fee set at 450 baht per foreign visitor
- Collection to begin as early as April 2027
- Fee aimed at boosting tourism revenue for the ministry
Other 46
- 28‑year‑old Luigi Mangone pleaded guilty to two federal offenses: interstate stalking resulting in death and stalking through use of interstate facilities resulting in death.
- The victim was UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, shot in December 2024; Mangone’s federal sentencing is scheduled for Dec 18, 2026.
- Separate state charges for second‑degree murder and firearm offenses remain pending, with a motion filed to dismiss them.
- Around 500,000 hectares have burned across Europe due to extreme heat and drought.
- In Croatia, one person died, 40 were hospitalized and 2,000 residents were evacuated from Omis.
- Heatwaves have driven record-high temperatures across multiple European regions.
- Magnitude 7.4 quake struck western Colombia on Monday, killing at least 281 people
- Thousands injured and many families displaced, with makeshift shelters set up in Pereira
- Government declared an economic emergency but has not disclosed reconstruction cost estimates
- Poor neighborhoods in Pereira and the city of Cali were heavily damaged
- Survivors report loss of homes, livelihoods and basic services, including power outages
- CFTC launched internal review of mention markets on platforms like Kalshi, focusing on speech‑based contracts.
- Kalshi's mention markets generated about $3.3 million in trading volume last month, far below crypto contracts.
- Former teleprompter operator allegedly earned $90,000 betting on President Trump's speech content.
- Washington judge blocked Kalshi's mention, sports, election, and other high‑volume markets pending state law compliance.
- CFTC Innovation Advisory Committee will discuss prediction markets, AI, and crypto on Aug 20.
- WSJ story highlighted a loss in a SpaceX pre-IPO fund, prompting reader backlash
- Several readers reported being stuck in similar funds with limited liquidity
- Funds targeting pre-IPO shares often lack transparency on valuation and exit timing
- Investors face heightened risk of loss if target companies delay or cancel IPOs
- Families of drug war victims began public hearings before the Truth Commission, launched in May 2024.
- Official death toll is about 6,000, while rights groups estimate 20,000‑30,000 extrajudicial killings.
- Former President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested and transferred to the ICC in March 2025 on crimes against humanity charges.
- The commission lacks prosecutorial power but will share findings with Philippine courts and the ICC.
- Council upheld assisted dying law passed by parliament with 291 votes in favour and 241 against
- Law permits euthanasia for patients with incurable, terminal illnesses under strict consent criteria
- Court rejected bill banning under‑15s from social media, citing insufficient legal safeguards and privacy concerns
- President Macron will ask the prime minister to draft a new, legally robust social‑media age‑verification law
- From 2029, the judiciary will release annual counts of wiretap authorizations that employ spyware, based on the 2028 Wiretap Report.
- The reporting will cover only real-time communications interceptions, not remote device hacks that extract stored data.
- Senator Ron Wyden, who has pushed for transparency, highlighted the move; Italy reported 4,321 spyware targets in 2023.
- The Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts will update reporting forms and procedures to capture the new spyware category.
- Privacy advocates say the data could reveal usage in the tens of thousands, enhancing government accountability.
- Oct 2025 decree lists "promotion of LGBTQ+ culture" as a non‑military security threat
- July 14‑16 attacks saw over 15 trans women beaten and humiliated in Bogor
- Trans gender change allowed only after surgery and court approval; same‑sex acts can be criminalized under moral laws
- Government’s anti‑LGBT rhetoric linked to economic turmoil and shrinking civil space
- Broadcasting Bill bans LGBTQ+ content, leading to media self‑censorship
- DOJ asks Supreme Court for a stay on the injunction that halted ballroom construction
- Appeals court set an Aug 21 deadline to stop work unless Congress authorizes the project
- Project cost estimated at $400 million, with funding now expected from taxpayers
- Planned ballroom spans 90,000 sq ft and includes bomb shelters and other security features
- Three paintings by Cézanne, Renoir and Matisse recovered in Parma
- Combined value exceeds $10 million
- Nine Moldovan suspects investigated, five believed to have carried out the burglary
- Heist occurred on March 22 and lasted under three minutes
- Artworks seized from an apartment in Parma
- Ministry of Education preparing a school safety framework for cabinet approval
- Authorities increasing security measures at multiple schools following recent threat incidents
- Bill aims to standardise safety protocols, emergency response and coordination with police
- More than 80 job seekers filed complaints with anti‑human trafficking police
- Alleged losses total over 20 million baht
- Victims were promised jobs in Canada and Finland
- Police are investigating the recruitment scam as human‑trafficking fraud
- Catania airport closed until at least 2 pm GMT Saturday due to volcanic ash
- Over a third of 1,974 scheduled flights cancelled and 600 diverted since eruption began
- Airport, which handles ~40,000 passengers daily, left ~300 travelers stranded on Thursday
- A 7.4-magnitude quake struck Colombia, killing at least 287 people
- Nearly 13,000 homes were destroyed across the coffee-growing region
- Authorities report 379 people still missing after the disaster
- World Bank pledged $200 million in emergency funds for relief and reconstruction
- Melissa Farris, 41, arrested and charged with two felonies for depredation of US property and destruction of veterans' memorials
- Charges carry potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison
- Arrest follows recent vandalism of the memorial with soap, graffiti and the phrase “Clean hands dirty $”
- Case occurs amid a public dispute between President Trump and US Attorney Jeanine Pirro over earlier Reflecting Pool charges
- Three charitable-deduction provisions were amended by Congress this year
- Tax benefit is greater for contributions made earlier in the calendar year
- The most common charitable giving method now incurs higher costs for donors
- 46% of Americans aged 18‑34 have a favorable or very favorable view of democratic socialism (poll of 1,088 respondents).
- 80% rate the US economy as bad or really bad, and 50% expect it to get worse.
- 45% cite housing as their biggest financial pressure, and 45% say AI will negatively impact their careers.
- 44% of US paycheck-to-paycheck workers incurred late fees, interest or overdraft charges in last 6 months
- Chime Card offers 5% cash back (Prime members) and no overdraft fees via SpotMe® up to $200
- Citi Simplicity® Card provides 18-month 0% APR on purchases/balance transfers with no late fees or penalty APR
- Investment scam cases in H1 2024 fell 15% YoY to HK$1.65b losses
- Fraudsters impersonated non-existent overseas firms to lure investors
- Police warn of rising sophistication in scam tactics targeting retail investors
- On August 5, HHS announced immediate decertification of the organ procurement organization.
- Allegations claim organs were harvested from donors who may have still been alive.
- The decision has heightened anxiety among Chinese students and parents in the US.
- The move underscores ongoing scrutiny of US organ transplant practices.
- Cyberattack on France's General Direction of Public Finances compromised taxpayer data
- Data of 678,000 individuals and businesses was extracted
- Ministry will notify affected users and advise precautionary measures
- Investigation continues to determine specific data types and further impact
- Eureka Forbes initiates audit after authorities rescued four children aged 14-16 from supplier YY Harness
- The rescued children were paid $105‑$125 per month and worked six days a week
- India's National Human Rights Commission ordered supply‑chain checks for Eureka, Havells and Unilever India
- Supplier YY Harness, a small electrical wiring firm, identified the major companies among its clients
- New tourist offering combines sumo exhibitions, kabuki performances and local cuisine
- Activities target foreign visitors seeking authentic Japanese cultural experiences
- Initiative launched at Tokyo Tower and Sumo Club Entertainment venues
- Government aims to construct at least 250 cable‑car lines across the country
- First line, the Dharamshala Skyway, opened in Himachal Pradesh in 2022
- Project led by a Tata Group subsidiary and backed by central authorities
- Goal is to reduce road traffic and improve mobility in congested cities
- Jason Arday, 41, was discovered unresponsive in south London on Friday.
- He had resigned from the University of Cambridge last week after plagiarism and racism allegations.
- Metropolitan Police have not confirmed his identity; a formal investigation is underway.
- Finlay Tarling, 19, died after a serious accident on Stage 8 of the Tour of Portugal
- Collision involved a vehicle traveling opposite direction, not part of the race
- Stage was suspended with about 20 km remaining and the podium ceremony cancelled
- Partner works late hours, often not off until 4 a.m.
- Significant schedule mismatch with a standard 9‑to‑5 job
- Success depends on communication, flexibility, and planning
- Nine PBS alleges loss of 50TB of TV shows and videos dating back 70 years
- Lawsuit filed on July 28 in Denver District Court against Iron Mountain Data Centers
- Cloud provider Open Source Storage is defunct and unresponsive
- Data stored at Iron Mountain's Denver facility includes over 11,000 files
- Hulu released an R-rated director's cut of the 2008 film "The X-Files: I Want to Believe"
- Original film grossed $68 million against a $30 million budget
- Release follows renewed interest from the series' 2016 and 2018 revivals
- One pilot died after helicopter crashed in an eastern German forest
- Crash occurred during liming work near the town of Chemnitz
- No other occupants were on board; cause of accident not disclosed
- Two interdepartmental teams honored with the Chief Executive’s Award for Exemplary Performance
- Award presented by Hong Kong chief executive John Lee Ka-chiu
- Recognized for professional spirit, competence and pursuit of excellence in public service
- 64-year-old retiree owned residential, commercial and parking properties
- Scammer contacted via WhatsApp after a Facebook rental listing
- Victim lost HK$10 million (about US$1.3 million) in the fraud
- No tenancy agreement was signed; fraudster posed as prospective tenant
- Police disclosed the case on Friday
- At least eight workers died after a toxic gas leak at Ferdaus Steel Shipbreaking Yard in Sitakund, Chattogram.
- Several workers lost consciousness and were rushed to a local hospital.
- The yard, which dismantles imported vessels, faces heightened safety scrutiny after the accident.
- At least seven workers died after a tunnel collapsed at a hydropower project in India's Uttarakhand state.
- The incident occurred overnight at the Vishnugad-Pipalkoti hydroelectric project in Chamoli district.
- Out of 22 workers in the tunnel, 12 have been rescued alive.
- 73-year-old entrepreneur Huang Xiaochi to become China's first space passenger
- Scheduled to embark on suborbital mission aboard CYZ1 in 2028
- Will reach the Kármán line, the boundary of Earth's atmosphere
- 17-year-old Chen Tsz-kin diagnosed with incurable muscle-wasting disease at 18 months
- Condition gives average life expectancy of 18 years
- Survived two near-death episodes in 2024 from influenza and a respiratory virus infection
- Described his emotional state as "incredibly low" after the scares
- Shared his experience on Facebook, highlighting mental‑health challenges
- Sentenced to six years and eight months in prison
- Stole diamonds worth HK$11 million (≈US$1.4 million)
- Theft occurred between April 2023 and February 2024
- Pleaded guilty to three counts of theft
- Received a prison term of 3 years and 8 months
- Stole more than S$100,000 (about US$78,000) in valuables
- Broke into a Capella Singapore suite and two homes in Serangoon
- 41‑year‑old Chinese citizen pleaded guilty to housebreaking
- International Islamic University Malaysia scheduled a talk by analyst Abdul Razak Baginda, former lover of a Mongolian murder victim
- The announcement sparked anger on social media and among the public
- University academics have called for a review of the planned appearance
- 47-year-old moving services manager pleaded guilty to molesting 11-year-old daughter
- Seven assaults occurred between August 2023 and March 2024
- More than 200 photos and videos of the assaults were found
- Family bankruptcy prompted a career shift to private chef work
- Now earns up to US$118,600 annually as a private chef
- Studied at New York Film Academy and completed a master's degree in Britain
- Previously lived in Manhattan aiming for a Hollywood directing career
- Tickets for the Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang went on sale Thursday
- Fans report confusing ticketing arrangements and broken links
- Event marks Malaysia's first F1 race in almost a decade, scheduled Oct 2-4
- Hundreds of people gathered in Central to see Cavill filming on Thursday night
- The set recreated Hong Kong's iconic neon signs and hawker stalls
- Cavill's appearance follows his recent casting in the upcoming Highlander series
- Indigenous Bajau aim to shape tourism on Sabah's southeastern coast
- New Bajau-led festival will feature traditional crafts, dance, and music
- Community seeks a larger role in cultural presentation and tourism planning
- Small‑batch whisky, gin and spirit producers are multiplying across Japan
- Tasting tours are becoming a popular niche tourism activity
- Toyama's Saburomaru Distillery was highlighted as the top experience
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