- S&P 500 futures up 0.1% and Nasdaq 100 futures up 0.2% on Sunday night
- Dow Jones futures rose 11 points (0.02%)
- S&P 500 recorded a third straight week of gains, hitting fresh all‑time highs last week
- Key upcoming catalysts: Fed meeting minutes (Wed), Walmart earnings (Thu), Home Depot (Tue) and Lowe’s (Wed)
- Investors will watch August Empire State manufacturing index and NAHB Housing Market Index
August 16, 2026
▲ 19▼ 20◆ 4– 106
Markets 10
- U.S. equity futures unchanged on Sunday after a quiet week on Wall Street
- Investors are looking for clues from the Federal Reserve on future interest-rate policy
- No major catalyst moved markets, keeping risk sentiment neutral
- MOEX Russia Index closed down 4.29% at the end of trading
- Broad Russian equities posted losses across most sectors
- Negative sentiment persisted amid ongoing geopolitical pressures
- Q2 earnings season saw a record number of company reports across major indices
- Stock price moves were unusually subdued despite strong earnings surprises
- Analysts note a growing disconnect between earnings data and market pricing
- Volatility indices fell, indicating reduced trader activity during the period
- Equity fund inflows rose threefold compared with the prior week.
- Weekly inflows reached a multi‑billion‑dollar level, the highest in recent months.
- U.S. equity indices hovered close to all‑time highs amid the surge in inflows.
- 13% of U.S. large‑cap mutual funds beat their benchmarks in the last 10 years
- 87% lagged the market, showing persistent underperformance
- Active managers continue to struggle against passive index funds
- Low outperformance persists despite periods of market volatility
- Japan's largest banks are expanding dedicated teams and services to attract ultra‑wealthy clients.
- Rising stock and property prices have lifted private fortunes, increasing demand for fee‑based banking services.
- Inherited wealth and higher asset values are heightening competition among banks for stable fee income.
- Analysis covered dozens of hours of influencer content across stock pickers and educators
- Only about 15% of TikTok‑recommended stocks beat the S&P 500 over a 12‑month horizon
- Most advice centers on high‑growth US equities, with limited coverage of bonds or commodities
- A majority of creators lack formal financial licensing or disclosed conflicts of interest
- Two AI-picked small-cap stocks posted gains of +39% and +34% MTD
- Both stocks belong to the small-cap segment, highlighting strong relative performance
- AI-driven selection shows potential for outperformance in niche equity space
- Tadawul All Share Index (TASI) closed up 0.89% for the session
- Broad gains across Saudi equities, with most sectors posting modest advances
- Energy and banking stocks led the upward movement
Macro/Economy 14
- China to increase yuan's share in trade settlements to 50% by 2025
- PBOC to allow yuan to trade within a 2% band against the US dollar
- China's yuan strengthens 2.87% against the US dollar
- Record-high temperatures above 40 °C hit South and Southeast Asia in May 2024
- Heat stress threatens rice and wheat yields, raising food price pressures
- Electricity demand for cooling spikes, increasing household energy costs across the region
- Economist says yuan‑baht direct settlements can cut international trade fees
- Digital yuan settlement framework may be extended to other local currencies
- Reduced settlement costs could improve trade efficiency and lower financing expenses
- Citi urges Thailand to speed up government procedures and maintain policy stability
- Improved efficiency seen as essential to capture a larger share of global investment flows
- Delays in reforms could limit Thailand's ability to attract foreign direct investment
- Monzo founder Tom Blomfield warns unemployment could surge sharply over the next five years as AI replaces human labor
- Elon Musk predicts near‑100% unemployment within a decade if AI adoption continues unchecked
- Capital on Tap data shows UK SME AI spending approaching a $1 trillion scale
- Former Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin won the CT-1 primary with ~54% of the vote, defeating incumbent Rep. John Larson who got 33%.
- Larson, who championed the Social Security 2100 Act, lost his seat as Congress prepares to address the trust‑fund shortfall projected for Q4 2032.
- The proposed bill would eliminate the payroll‑tax cap ($184.5k in 2026) and tax investment income over $400k to fund benefit expansions through 2036.
- Walmart (WMT) and Target (TGT) will release earnings this week.
- Analysts will assess consumer demand as inflation remains elevated.
- Results could indicate the health of U.S. retail spending trends.
- Hong Kong releases its inaugural five-year development plan, the first such strategy in its history.
- Economist Stephen Roach warns that Chinese-style central planning may “over‑promise and under‑deliver.”
- Critics argue the plan could signal increased government intervention in Hong Kong’s traditionally laissez‑faire economy.
- The plan is positioned as a “starting gun” for future growth rather than a “death knell,” according to local commentators.
- US trade policy changes and interest rate trends will affect Hong Kong economy, but impact seen as primarily psychological
- Finance Secretary Paul Chan expects growth momentum to persist in the second half of 2026
- Hong Kong welcomed 31 million visitors in the first seven months of 2026, up 12% year‑on‑year
- Hundreds of thousands of migrant workers exited Thailand after last year’s Cambodia border clash.
- Thailand is focusing on retaining existing foreign workers, especially Myanmar nationals, to ease labour shortages.
- ILO data and employer surveys warn the economy remains vulnerable due to reliance on low‑cost, proximity‑based migrant labour.
- The outflow underscores structural weaknesses in Thailand’s labour market, potentially pressuring wages and productivity.
- Surveys show increasing preference for Indian institutions over US, UK, Canada and Australia
- Stricter student visa rules and rising overseas tuition costs are key drivers
- Uncertainty about post‑graduation job prospects abroad fuels domestic enrollment
- Mexico will back a domestically produced electric bus to cut reliance on Chinese manufacturers.
- The initiative is part of a wider strategy to strengthen the country's industrial base and capture value from the global clean‑transport transition.
- No specific production targets or timelines were disclosed, but the policy signals support for local EV manufacturing.
- Advocate begins a hunger strike to highlight proposed SNAP benefit reductions
- Proposed cuts would affect millions of low‑income families reliant on food assistance
- Protest underscores growing concerns over food insecurity under the Trump administration
- 70‑year‑old veteran seamstress Jen Kwong reflects on four decades in Hong Kong’s once‑thriving textile trade.
- Yu Chau Street, known as the “Bead Street”, sees a wave of shop closures as demand for handcrafted ribbons and beads dwindles.
- The decline mirrors the broader contraction of Hong Kong’s textile manufacturing, which peaked in the 1990s and has since shrunk sharply.
Central Banks 2
- Libya's central bank and the People's Bank of China agreed to link Libyan banks to the Cross-Border Interbank Payment System (CIPS).
- The move is part of China's broader strategy to expand yuan usage and cut reliance on the US dollar across African markets.
- If adopted widely, the yuan could become the primary currency for trade and finance in Africa, challenging the dollar's dominance.
- Yen has lost roughly 50% of the gains it made after the July 31 joint US‑Japan intervention
- The joint operation was the first coordinated currency support effort in 28 years
- Japan's currency authority says it will remain defiant and continue to act despite the yen's recent weakness
Energy/Oil 4
- Gas storage at its lowest level in 17 years across Europe
- Less than three months remain before the start of the heating season
- Available gas supply for purchase is tighter than in 2022
- Analysts warn Europe must increase purchases now to avoid shortages
- Oil majors collectively earned $93 billion in extra profit in H1 2024
- Eight largest oil companies posted record first‑half earnings as prices rose
- Prices stay elevated due to near‑total closure of the Strait of Hormuz
- Profit boost likely to continue while Hormuz trade remains restricted
- U.S. Energy Secretary claims Middle East oil exports rebounded to 15 million barrels per day.
- He also stated exports topped the pre‑war average of 20 million bpd on Sunday.
- Strait of Hormuz vessel‑tracking data suggests actual outflows are about half that, roughly 7‑8 million bpd.
- Global oil demand growth has slowed, limiting price upside
- Inventory builds and weaker consumption keep Brent and WTI near recent levels
- Reduced appetite for oil raises concerns for producers and OPEC
Crypto 11
- Over 1,700 unlicensed crypto platforms were forced to cease EU services on July 1, leaving only 323 licensed providers.
- Regulators report a surge in scams, with the FCA receiving 4,465 fake‑impersonation reports in H1 2025 and 480 victims.
- Up to 10 million EU users were instructed to migrate assets, creating a large attack surface for fraudsters.
- WhiteBIT found 41% of crypto incidents in 2024 involved impersonation or fake investment offers.
- Bank lobbyists are pushing the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act to ban stablecoin yield, threatening crypto rewards.
- The Clarity Act requires 60 Senate votes by mid‑September; several Republicans have signaled opposition.
- Traditional deposit rates have slipped to near‑zero, weakening banks' claim that higher stablecoin yields endanger lending.
- The 2023 GENIUS Act already limits stablecoin issuers from offering yield, but exchange loopholes remain.
- JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon says banks will fight any legislation allowing stablecoin rewards.
- SafePal disclosed breach exposing personal order details of 39,798 customers
- No cryptocurrency funds, seed phrases, private keys, or bank information were compromised
- Affected users face heightened phishing risk; SafePal patched the flaw and engaged third‑party auditors
- Data breach pertains to orders placed between March 2 2025 and April 11 2026
- AWR token posts a 7.1% growth in 2023, leading the domestic tokenisation surge
- Institutional investors commit $5‑$15 million per project, with some offerings drawing up to $72 million
- The CES licensing framework is being finalised to underpin digital‑asset issuance and investor protection
- Bitcoin price hovers around $63,000, close to recent highs
- Michael Saylor calls Bitcoin "digital monetary energy", adding bullish narrative
- Stable price reflects continued demand despite lack of new catalyst
- SEC postponed its open meeting on the Reg Crypto proposal and innovation exemption.
- Delay linked to uncertainty over the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act ahead of Senate vote.
- Rulemaking could take about a year, with another year for implementation, possibly spanning into the next administration.
- No further SEC action expected until after the Senate recess in early October.
- Investors now prioritize token revenue, usage and value capture rather than CoinMarketCap rank.
- Institutional OTC spot flow rose to ~72% in H1 2026, up from 59% a year earlier, favoring revenue‑generating tokens.
- Tokens with strong fundamentals, like Hyperliquid’s HYPE (up ~20% YoY) and Arbitrum, attract more capital, while broader crypto fell 36% vs crypto stocks up 23%.
- Perpetual‑futures volumes remain multiple of spot, driving short‑term price moves.
- Two trillion‑dollar‑size firms approved crypto products this summer.
- Banks such as Swissquote, DBS, BBVA, BNY Mellon, Santander and others have added crypto custody or trading services since 2017.
- Partnerships with specialist providers are driving the convergence of TradFi and DeFi, rather than firms building infrastructure in‑house.
- The shift reflects client demand and clearer regulations, moving from “long bitcoin, short bankers” to offering custody, tokenization and regulated trading.
- 66 proposals under review for the Hegotá upgrade, which targets native privacy features
- Only one EIP (FOCIL) is slated for inclusion; three others (EIP-8141, 8250, 8272) may also be added
- Hegotá upgrade expected to ship next year, with core developer calls shaping the 2027 roadmap
- Preceding upgrade, Glamsterdam, aims for scalability and hardening, slated for H2 2026
- DefiLlama delays its mobile launch citing phishing apps on the Apple Store
- Founder reported a fake app that drained funds from a small crypto wallet
- Apple removed the fraudulent app within days of the report
Geopolitics 40
- Jared Kushner met Hamas officials in Alamein, Egypt, to push Trump's Gaza roadmap after Israel rejected it
- Hamas says it will comply with the second phase if Israel fulfills first‑phase commitments, citing over 1,250 Palestinian deaths since the ceasefire
- Eight foreign ministers condemned Israel's rejection and urged US enforcement of the plan
- The meeting included Egyptian intelligence chief Hassan Rashad, Qatari diplomat Ali Al Thawadi, a senior Turkish official, and Board of Peace members Tony Blair and Nickolay Mladenov
- Recent Israeli strikes injured at least five Palestinians in Gaza
- Ukraine launched hundreds of drones; Russia says 822 were intercepted
- At least six people were killed in the attacks
- Wildberries logistics hub near Moscow was struck
- The sortie is the largest drone attack reported in the conflict
- Israel killed senior Hezbollah commander Abu Hassan Alaa and carried out its bloodiest strikes since the June ceasefire, with 11 fatalities.
- The United States is preparing fresh sanctions on Iran in response to the heightened Middle East tensions.
- Escalation is expected to push markets into risk‑off mode, benefiting safe‑haven assets like the USD, US Treasuries and gold.
- Trump envoys met mediators in Cairo to discuss a Gaza peace plan, which Netanyahu deemed unacceptable.
- India-China relations strained over border disputes and historical grievances
- Experts debate whether politics or history is the main barrier to improved relations
- Pakistan's role in India-China tensions sparks disagreement
- The June 17 US‑Iran Memorandum of Understanding expires on Monday with no extension agreed.
- Both parties claim the other has violated the deal; the US has not lifted sanctions or ended its naval blockade.
- Iran is negotiating a separate agreement with Oman on new shipping routes, contingent on a political solution.
- Recent reshuffle of Iran's security council signals a tougher stance on future negotiations and Hormuz control.
- Escalating US rhetoric and attacks heighten risk of further disruption to oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz.
- Erdogan calls for the Strait of Hormuz to be reopened to resume global oil shipments
- Turkey and Iran jointly stress the need to keep oil moving through the strategic waterway
- Statement comes amid heightened US‑Iran tensions over the chokepoint
- Minister Itamar Ben‑Gvir urged nightly killings of dozens of Palestinians in Gaza.
- The statement marks a further escalation in Israel‑Palestine tensions.
- International officials are expected to condemn the remarks and call for restraint.
- Potential to heighten regional instability and affect investor sentiment in the Middle East.
- Russian forces bombed a steel plant in the Voronezh region
- Ukrainian forces launched attacks on the Moscow region
- Escalation raises risk of broader regional conflict
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says the US is preparing unprecedented economic pressure on Iran.
- Iran already faces a naval blockade and "thousands" of existing sanctions.
- Officials warn that further targeting could cause blowback on the US economy.
- Specific measures have not been disclosed, but pressure points are being evaluated.
- Democrats projected to recapture the U.S. House in the November 2026 midterms
- A sweeping "blue wave" flipping both chambers is deemed unlikely by Sabato
- Sabato calls the current political climate the most partisan era in over a century
- Voter dissatisfaction is seen as secondary to deep partisan divide in shaping outcomes
- Trump directed the Pentagon to scale back joint US‑South Korea drills slated to start this week
- He called the exercises costly and sending an "inappropriate and hostile" signal to North Korea
- The decision follows his claim that South Korea declined to help denuclearise Iran
- No immediate changes to other US military commitments were indicated
- President Erdogan warns that ongoing Israeli strikes on Lebanon pose a serious concern for Ankara
- Erdogan's remarks were made in an exclusive Al Jazeera interview on Aug 16, 2026
- The statement highlights potential strain on Turkey's regional diplomatic and security considerations
- DAP voted on Sunday to stay in the ruling coalition, keeping the government intact
- The decision gives Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim short-term political stability
- Analysts warn DAP must deliver concrete reforms before the next election to avoid credibility loss
- Violence in the occupied West Bank has risen under Netanyahu's far‑right government
- Settler attacks are trapping Palestinian families inside their homes
- The escalation comes ahead of Israel's national elections scheduled for October
- 294 sub‑Saharan migrants arrested while trying to enter Spanish enclave Ceuta
- 61 Moroccan nationals detained for allegedly facilitating the migration attempts
- Over 20,000 security personnel deployed daily along the Ceuta border after a prior surge of 72,000 migrants and at least 90 deaths
- In 2022 Ukraine asked SpaceX CEO Elon Musk to enable Starlink coverage around Sevastopol for a Black Sea Fleet attack.
- Musk refused, stating SpaceX would be "explicitly complicit in a major act of war".
- The refusal was also justified by existing US sanctions covering Crimea.
- Thailand aims to become a key participant in the long‑delayed Dawei deep‑sea port project in Myanmar.
- Russia has expressed interest in investing in major infrastructure projects in the region, including the Dawei port.
- The partnership could enhance Thailand's strategic and economic influence in the Greater Mekong sub‑region.
- Anwar stresses that middle powers must uphold a rules‑based international order as superpowers drift away from it
- He warns that the US‑China rivalry forces smaller nations to choose sides or craft independent strategies
- Malaysia aims to balance relations with both superpowers while protecting its sovereignty and trade interests
- Trump's envoys, including Jared Kushner and Nickolay Mladenov, met mediators from Egypt, Qatar and Turkey in Cairo.
- Israel reported airstrikes that wounded at least five Palestinians, with one fatality, in Khan Younis and Nuseirat.
- Hamas said it would cooperate with Trump's peace plan only if Israel withdraws forces and halts attacks.
- Five Arab nations, plus Turkey, Pakistan and Indonesia, condemned Israel's rejection of the plan.
- Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu called the Trump roadmap "unacceptable" on Aug. 9.
- Lula addressed over 10,000 supporters at Vila Euclides Stadium near São Paulo
- Flavio Bolsonaro gathered thousands at Copacabana Beach; Jair Bolsonaro remains under house arrest
- Women make up about 53% of Brazil's 158 million eligible voters; nearly 400 femicides reported in Q1 2026
- Lula pledged to develop Brazil's rare‑mineral reserves for domestic benefit, while Bolsonaro promised major trade deals
- Brazil's presidential election is set for 4 October 2026
- Iraq's Integrity Commission seized millions of dollars in cash and jewelry linked to corruption
- Dozens of officials were detained during raids in Baghdad's Green Zone
- The operation was announced on 16 August 2026
- Israeli troops entered Qusra, south of Nablus, on Aug 16, 2026.
- Villagers say the army turned residential houses into temporary barracks.
- The raid adds to rising tensions over military and settler outposts in the occupied West Bank.
- 15 Palestinians, including two children, have been trapped in three homes for two weeks.
- Israeli army intercepted a UNICEF convoy and expelled a water tanker, leaving residents without water or electricity.
- Settlers have established over 300 outposts since October 2023, while Israel plans 104 new settlements.
- Iran's military offers a $30,000 reward for killing or capturing U.S. soldiers
- The bounty doubles to $60,000 if the act is carried out by a woman
- Army chief Amir Hatami says the program responds to numerous public requests
- No U.S. ground troops are currently deployed inside Iran, aside from an April rescue mission
- The announcement raises geopolitical tensions in the Middle East
- Migrants staged a sit-in protest in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta
- Thousands of migrants (estimated >2,000) are sheltering on beaches awaiting asylum decisions
- The influx began roughly two weeks ago after a massive surge across the border
- Spanish authorities are reviewing asylum claims amid growing humanitarian concerns
- Party research institute invokes former leader Jiang Zemin's legacy in a People’s Daily article
- Call urges rallying around President Xi Jinping amid economic or geopolitical difficulties
- Publication coincides with the centenary celebrations of Jiang Zemin's birth
- Beijing's top economic planning agency recommends accelerating plans to commandeer civilian ships for military operations
- The recommendation cites Britain's use of commercial vessels during the 1982 Falklands conflict as a precedent
- Rising maritime security threats and great‑power competition are driving the push for civilian‑military integration
- The plan calls for integrating civilian fleets into naval logistics, transport, and combat support roles
- Chinese workers arrested at a steel plant in Misamis Oriental in May
- Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro accused by Chinese embassy of anti‑China actions
- President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. says he wants to "reset" bilateral ties amid the dispute
- The U.S. White House report lists Thailand among countries involved in transshipment activities.
- The Thai National Shippers' Council says the inclusion may undermine U.S. confidence in Thai exports.
- Shippers caution that reduced confidence could affect future export volumes and trade relations.
- Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has made 11 foreign trips since taking office in October
- Trips target the United States and Southeast Asian partners to reinforce alliances
- Diplomatic push aims to counter intensifying criticism from China
- No immediate policy shifts or economic measures were announced
- Hong Kong will fly the national and regional flags at half-staff on Tuesday
- Flags will be lowered at Admiralty headquarters, Government House, border checkpoints and Hong Kong International Airport
- The tribute coincides with Zhu Rongji’s cremation, per a notice from Xinhua
- BJT says opposition's fraud allegations lack evidence and must be substantiated
- Party remains unfazed ahead of scheduled no‑confidence debate in the Senate
- BJT demands any election evidence be presented before the government
- Admiral Brad Cooper visited the USS Abraham Lincoln, calling the crew "awe-inspiring"
- The carrier has been deployed for over 250 days without a port call
- The 5,000-strong crew has among the lowest mental‑health case rates, yet several sailors attempted to jump overboard
- The Navy is redeploying USS George Washington from near Japan to replace Lincoln
- Former captive Rom Braslavski asked Minister Itamar Ben Gvir to execute Palestinian prisoners by hanging
- Ben Gvir replied he will work to fulfill the request, calling it a "greatest dream"
- The statement adds to existing Israeli-Palestinian tensions
- Malta FM Chris Fearne says the Mediterranean should be seen as a bridge linking Europe and Africa, not a border.
- He calls for stronger, coordinated EU action to tackle growing migration crises across the region.
- Fearne reiterates Malta's support for a two‑state Israel‑Palestine solution, continued aid to Ukraine, and efforts toward Libyan elections.
- Foreign Minister Penny Wong attacked One Nation's call for a monoculture in a Sydney speech on Friday
- She warned the policy would damage social cohesion within Australia
- Wong said it would also harm relations with friends and allies abroad
- 724 trucks carrying food and critical aid entered Afghanistan via Pakistan on Sunday
- Border remained largely closed after October clashes between the two nations
- UN OCHA confirmed the convoy as part of international humanitarian assistance
- Prime Minister Tarique Rahman conditions any India visit on the extradition of former PM Sheikh Hasina.
- Hasina fled Bangladesh during the 2024 anti‑government uprising and is currently in India.
- Bangladesh has sentenced Hasina to death for crimes against humanity, heightening diplomatic tension.
- India and Bangladesh relations have deteriorated since the protests that toppled Hasina's government.
- Incident occurred on 16 Aug 2026 at a Palestinian‑owned café in Reykjavik, Iceland.
- Two Israeli tourists removed a framed map bearing the slogan “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.”
- CCTV footage shows the tourists ripping the map and confronting staff.
Tech/AI 13
- New financing structures introduced for AI compute purchases
- Buyers gain flexibility to choose ownership, leasing, or revenue‑share models
- Backstops aim to lower upfront capital costs and speed AI deployment
- Zuckerberg published a 6,500‑word essay promising AI personal agents for everyone
- Critics cite Meta’s history of rage‑bait ads and limited consumer AI tools as a credibility gap
- New AI model "Glimmer" requires specific hardware, limiting accessibility for average users
- Industry peers stress safety and slower rollout, while Meta pushes rapid deployment
- The manifesto drew widespread negative reaction, signaling low consumer confidence in Meta’s AI push
- Tegmark says AI could eventually outsmart the entire human species.
- Recent suicides and murders linked to AI chatbots have sparked regulatory pushback.
- He criticizes the tech industry's focus on profit and power over solving human problems.
- Tegmark questions why food items like sandwiches face more regulation than AI.
- Data center construction by hyperscalers outpacing energy supply growth
- Study finds AI's indirect emissions from supported industries may exceed direct usage
- Net‑zero pledges by tech firms are being abandoned as AI demand rises
- CEO Dario Amodei argues public negativity toward AI is a long‑standing trust issue, not driven by his risk messaging
- He acknowledges AI’s negative perception as a problem and calls for delivering tangible benefits, such as real cures for disease
- Amodei rejects the notion that regulation forces concentration, saying well‑crafted rules can curb frontier AI power while supporting smaller players
- Anthropic continues to propose policies aimed at slowing large AI firms while advantaging smaller competitors
- Archer Aviation acquires Wisk Aero; Boeing receives a 16.5% equity stake in Archer as part of the deal
- Joby Aviation purchases Resonant Sciences for $500 million, creating a dedicated defense unit called Joby Defense
- Uber divests its entire stake in Serve Robotics while maintaining a partnership that runs until 2027
- Yulu secures $93 million in Series C financing ($63 million equity, $30 million debt)
- Aurora Innovation and Kodiak AI obtain California DMV permits to test self‑driving trucks on public roads
- FCC is reviewing a potential prohibition on Chinese-made optical transceiver modules.
- The move extends the US-China tech conflict beyond semiconductor chips to AI data‑link hardware.
- Optical transceivers are critical for high‑speed AI data transmission, raising supply‑chain concerns.
- AI model can forecast individual depression risk up to 4 years in advance
- Built using data from two adolescent depression clinical trials
- Major Depressive Disorder impacts over 332 million people worldwide
- Early prediction could enable preventive public‑health interventions
- AI infrastructure and platform providers will keep earning even if open-weight models expand
- Demand for specialized hardware, cloud compute, and AI tooling stays robust
- Open-weight AI models are unlikely to erode revenue streams of established AI firms
- Xiaowei was given unrestricted access to WeChat for a 24‑hour trial, serving over 1 billion users
- Tencent emphasized the agent’s privacy‑by‑design architecture and low‑latency inference in its earnings release
- The AI assistant excelled at routine tasks such as bill splitting and taxi hailing but faltered on complex queries
- The rollout was disclosed alongside Tencent's latest earnings results, underscoring its strategic AI push
- SpaceX is assessing AI technologies to enhance satellite and launch capabilities
- AI could improve autonomous navigation and data processing for missions
- No immediate financial impact or timeline disclosed
- Scientists at Xidian University created a sensor that generates an electric field to 'feel' objects without physical contact
- The system aims to detect approaching targets and differentiate material type and surface condition before touch
- Research was published in a peer‑reviewed journal last month, highlighting a bio‑inspired approach to robotics perception
- South Korea is studying an underwater data center concept to expand AI capacity
- A pilot facility will be located off the coast of Ulsan
- The Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology is designing the project
Companies 17
- SanDisk, Seagate, Western Digital, and Micron have seen year-to-date gains of 496%, 238%, 171%, and 208%, respectively.
- The companies have adopted a disciplined approach to supply agreements, buybacks, and specialization.
- Their non-GAAP gross margins have significantly improved, with Seagate's at 47% and Western Digital's at 51% in the last quarter.
- Wells Fargo lifts JPMorgan price target to $390 from $375, implying over 7% upside
- JPMorgan market value at $965 bn after a 21% share rise in the past three months
- Analyst projects JPMorgan could reach $1 tn market cap soon and $2 tn within 7‑8 years
- H2 2026 revenue grew year‑on‑year, driven by higher freight volumes
- Net profit increased, reflecting improved operational performance
- Fuel expenses rose, partially offsetting earnings gains
- Morgan Stanley projects Nvidia's neocloud funding could add billions of dollars to revenue
- Neocloud aims to expand Nvidia's AI cloud services and attract enterprise customers
- Revenue boost expected to complement existing GPU and data‑center earnings
- Deal valued at more than $7 billion, according to Bloomberg
- OpenRouter previously raised $113 million Series B at a $1.3 billion valuation
- Startup reports 8 million global users and access to over 400 AI models
- Acquisition aligns Stripe with AI model aggregation services
- BGRIM reports 8.3% YoY growth in electricity sales for Q2
- Net profit rose 9.1% YoY to THB 1.51 billion
- Revenue increased 4.0% YoY to THB 15.3 billion
- Inovance's overseas total addressable market could exceed $489 bn by 2030, more than triple its current $163 bn
- Goldman rates Inovance a "buy" with a 92.90 CNY price target, implying upside of over 50% from Friday's close
- Estun's market share in Southeast Asia is projected to rise to about 10% by 2030, up from 3% this year, with a $20 bn TAM outside China
- Goldman remains neutral on Estun, setting a price target of 11.80 HKD
- Chinese EV makers are leveraging the domestic market to challenge Tesla's sales growth.
- Domestic manufacturers are applying fast‑response production to rival SpaceX's launch cadence.
- New Chinese entrants are developing humanoid robots and brain‑interface tech that compete with Musk's Neuralink and Tesla Bot projects.
- Analysts shift to bullish stance on memory companies as AI demand rises
- Apple receives downgrade with lowered price target
- Cisco is downgraded, reflecting weaker outlook
- Full-year profit fell 44% year-on-year.
- Revenue from China-label IMF sales weakened, driving the profit decline.
- The results underscore the company's exposure to slowing demand in China.
- Bangchak Corp announces a science‑focused education program aimed at Thai students
- Program will provide scholarships, curriculum development and hands‑on labs for high‑school and university levels
- Bangchak plans to roll out the STEM outreach initiative through university and private‑school partnerships starting 2024
- Ferrari's limited-edition electric hypercar Luce fetched $40 million at a charity auction
- The $40 million price marks a record sale for a Ferrari vehicle
- All proceeds from the auction will be directed to charitable causes
- Sasha Quinton, EVP and president of CBG at Scholastic, sold shares worth more than $1.2 million.
- The sale was disclosed in a Form 4 filing with the SEC.
- No concurrent insider purchases or other transactions were reported.
- CCO Neil Shah sold approximately $5.5 million of SharkNinja shares
- The transaction was disclosed as an insider sale to regulators
- Details on share count and motivation for the sale were not provided
- Targets ~10% revenue growth for 2026, after H1 revenue of 1.287 bn baht
- Q2 traffic averaged 95,571 vehicles, impacted by Middle East conflict and higher energy prices
- H1 net profit reached 525.16 million baht, maintaining profitability despite cost pressures
- Launching New Business Venture strategy to expand into infrastructure services and digital payments
- Phillips 66 (PSX) offers a 2.25% yield with a $1.27 quarterly dividend and price target raised to $255.
- Crescent Energy (CRGY) provides ~4% yield after a $0.12 quarterly dividend and price target set at $18.
- Viper Energy (VNOM) raised its base dividend 32% to a 4.5% yield, with price target lifted to $59.
- All three firms received reaffirmed buy ratings, citing solid Q2 earnings and strong cash flow.
- Phillips 66 targets net debt of $14.6 bn by end‑2026, ahead of its $15.5 bn goal.
- Disney and Pixar are co‑creating an exclusive theatrical experience for Hong Kong Disneyland
- A new large theatre at Toy Story Land will host the show, targeted for opening in the first half of 2027
- Concept art suggests the home‑grown character could be a pangolin, Disney's first local‑origin figure in the park
Thai Markets 3
- Retailers urged to refuse alcohol sales to anyone under 20 years old
- Sales also prohibited to visibly intoxicated customers
- Authorities will increase public awareness and enforcement of the new rules
- TikTok identifies a "discovery economy" linking content, creators and communities to commerce in Thailand
- It cites tourism, food, wellness, hospitality and culture as primary sectors to monetize
- TikTok projects the new commerce model could generate roughly $271 million in revenue for Thai creators
Other 38
- A magnitude 7.7 quake struck north of Flores Island at 05:30 UTC on Saturday
- At least 48 people confirmed dead and dozens injured in the disaster
- Survivors reported houses collapsing and chaotic evacuations at a local hospital
- 17 individuals arrested by Hong Kong police.
- HK$3.67 million (≈US$470,500) seized in the operation.
- Scams targeted 22 victims, extracting about HK$2.5 million, with the largest loss of HK$700,000.
- Malaysian "runners" were used to collect the crime proceeds.
- Thieves took five wooden panels of the 170 cm × 203 cm Polittico di San Gregorio altarpiece, leaving two panels behind
- A small two‑sided painting from the Wilhelm Soldan collection was also taken from a secure case
- The theft follows Italy’s recent $15 million purchase of an Antonello piece and comes days after recovery of stolen French paintings in Parma
- Hurricane Lala downgraded from Category 1 to tropical storm after passing south of Hawaii
- Up to 90 cm (35 in) of rain forecast on the Big Island, triggering flash floods and mudslides
- Around 130,000 Hawaiian Electric customers lost power and one death reported
- Tropical storm warnings remain for Maui, Oahu, Kauai and other islands
- The Nonthaburi school shooting and killing of a provincial chief have revived demands for stricter firearm regulations.
- Critics say existing gun licences are too easy to obtain and lack adequate health and safety assessments.
- Proposed reforms include tighter licensing criteria, mandatory background checks, and limits on carry permits.
- Death toll rises to 84 following the capsizing of a passenger ferry on Lake Kariba.
- The ferry, with a capacity of 90, was reportedly carrying up to 153 passengers.
- At least 18 of the victims were children.
- The accident occurred during heavy winds near the Zambian border.
- Search and recovery operations are ongoing.
- U.S. prosecutors are examining four firms allegedly controlled by Mark Walter's businesses
- Loans from Walter's insurers were reportedly routed through these entities
- The probe centers on potential financial misconduct involving the Dodgers owner's holdings
- USS Lincoln has been deployed for more than eight months and ranks among the lowest mental‑health case numbers of the Navy's 11 carriers
- Multiple sailors have attempted to go overboard amid reported morale and mental‑health issues
- USS George Washington is slated to replace Lincoln in the Middle East theater
- Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand demands hearings and accountability over service‑member conditions
- Five teenagers died in the crash on the M9 near junction 3
- Four other occupants were seriously injured
- Police say a car was traveling the wrong direction at about 3 a.m. Sunday
- BBC asks US federal court to compel testimony and documents from Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner and Donald Trump Jr.
- The request is tied to Donald Trump's $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the broadcaster.
- Filing was submitted on Friday, arguing the family members have personal knowledge relevant to the case.
- Search teams are still combing rubble nearly seven days after the quake.
- The earthquake caused extensive damage, prompting a large-scale rescue effort.
- Aid agencies have expanded assistance to the affected regions.
- In community‑property states, debts incurred during marriage may be treated as joint liabilities.
- A prenup can keep individual debts separate, yet creditors can still pursue jointly owned assets in some states.
- Prenup service costs range from $599 (HelloPrenup) to $5,000 flat‑fee bundles (Neptune) and monthly plans starting at $39.95 (LegalShield).
- Typically each partner needs separate legal counsel; fees vary by location and complexity.
- Ex‑SFC enforcement manager Tong Ka‑lei, 39, faces 12 criminal counts for illicit system access
- Charges allege breach of Hong Kong's Crimes Ordinance by viewing confidential case files and licensee data
- Court appearance scheduled at Eastern Court, underscoring regulator cybersecurity concerns
- Wildfire in the High Fens park expanded to roughly 160 hectares, doubling in size within 24 hours
- More than 250 firefighters and emergency personnel have been mobilised to combat the blaze
- EU neighboring countries are providing aid, including crucial aerial firefighting support
- Combined emissions of six major vehicle and industrial pollutants have fallen by nearly 80% since the 1970 Clean Air Act.
- Research shows wildfire smoke poses a greater prenatal risk than traditional human-made air pollution sources.
- Warmer, drier conditions from fossil‑fuel burning intensify wildfires, increasing toxic smoke exposure.
- Indoor temps in surveyed subdivided flats and rooftop huts peaked at 52.21°C (126°F) this summer
- Survey covered 86 households across nine districts, with 78 living in subdivided units
- 80% of residents reported dizziness or headaches due to the heat
- Study conducted by CarbonCare InnoLab and the Concerning Subdivided Units Alliance from June 22 to July 12
- Disney and Square Enix showcased a new Kingdom Hearts 4 trailer at the D23 fan convention
- The action‑RPG is scheduled to launch in 2027
- The franchise includes nine titles that have each grossed over $1 billion for Disney
- Trailer features a new world based on Pixar's "Coco" and introduces a Paper Mickey Mouse setting
- An original anime series for Disney Channel and Disney+ was announced, with no release date yet
- Younger Hongkongers are turning to supplements to boost energy, immunity and performance
- One consumer spends about HK$2,000 (US$255) per month on multiple supplement categories
- Experts warn excessive supplement use should not replace a balanced diet
- This article is the first of a five‑part Health Matters wellness series
- Proposes architectural modifications to slow attackers and give occupants more time to escape or shelter
- Recommends features such as reinforced doors, staggered corridors, and protected windows to improve safety
- Study aims to reduce casualty rates in school shootings through design‑based prevention measures
- Attorney General Todd Blanche publicly supports US Attorney Jeanine Pirro.
- President Trump had criticized Pirro over the handling of alleged vandalism at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.
- Blanche said his backing aligns with Trump’s stance during an NBC Meet the Press interview.
- Annual regatta held in Saint-Louis, Senegal on 16 Aug 2026
- Thousands gathered to watch the traditional canoe race
- Event underscores the city’s historic fishing heritage
- Tommy John died at age 83 in Bradenton, Florida
- He recorded 288 wins over a 26‑year MLB career (1963‑1989)
- Underwent the first successful UCL reconstruction in 1974, now known as Tommy John surgery
- More than 2,600 pitchers have had the procedure since its inception
- 12 fatalities and at least 10 injuries reported in the M3 motorway crash near Mezokeresztes
- The bus was carrying Polish tourists; police say the driver likely fell asleep
- Driver was arrested shortly after the accident
- Crash occurred around 1 a.m. on Sunday, about 140 km east of Budapest
- Family seeks to prevent Medicaid from seizing home after mother's death
- Mortgage lender refuses to discuss mortgage status or options
- Legal and estate planning steps may be needed to protect the property
- Ronaldo, 41, says this could be his last playing season
- He has scored 976 career goals and is nearing 1,000
- Will finish the season with Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr
- Customs is actively following up on a complaint about Opatra's sales practices
- Woman alleges she paid more than HK$60,000 (US$7,700) for products
- Opatra's Sha Tin outlet temporarily suspended operations
- Arsenal defeated Manchester City 3-0 in the Community Shield match.
- Goals were scored by Riccardo Calafiori, Kai Havertz and Martin Ødegaard.
- New City manager Enzo Maresca recorded his first loss in charge.
- Arsenal's recent signings Bruno Guimaraes (£75m) and Christos Tzolis (£34m) featured.
- 84‑year‑old Gail Rudnick recalls past norm of marrying within 3‑4 months, now many delay milestones
- Half of single Americans say they are cutting back on dates due to rising costs
- Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows Americans spend less time socializing than 20 years ago
- Rudnick urges embracing failure and prioritizing "togetherness" over career‑only focus
- The pen fetched S$461,500 (US$360,000), about ten times its top estimate.
- 111 bids were placed during the online auction.
- Pre‑sale valuation ranged from S$30,000 to S$50,000.
- The item is a sterling‑silver Montblanc Meisterstuck No 146 engraved with “SM Lee Kuan Yew”.
- Film opened with negligible box‑office earnings (near zero) before gaining momentum
- Critics and social media called the animation "rough" and "broken" and said the plot was confusing
- Despite criticism, it generated some of the loudest online discussion in recent days
- Competed with two Hollywood blockbusters: Christopher Nolan's epic and Spider‑Man: Brand New...
- University of Hong Kong rises five spots to 62nd place
- City University climbs four spots to 95th place
- Both schools rank within the top 100 of 1,000 global institutions
- Experts rank Mediterranean diet as the healthiest eating pattern
- U.S. consumers face challenges adopting it due to lifestyle and cooking habits
- Emphasis placed on home cooking and shared meals for better adherence
- Around 500 cadets took part in a two-week PLA summer camp organized by the Hong Kong garrison.
- Training, including martial arts, bayonet practice and marching drills, persisted even on the city's hottest day.
- Cadets cited the scorching heat as the biggest challenge, while some expressed hopes to join Hong Kong's disciplined services.
- Incident occurred on April 13 at Caritas St Joseph Secondary School during a break between math papers.
- Candidate Ray Lau, a private candidate, reported feeling unwell and requested a lift due to anxiety.
- The Hong Kong examination authority said the invigilator was correct, noting the candidate had not requested the lift in advance.
- The case highlights ongoing concerns about accommodations for students with anxiety in high‑stakes exams.
- Burnham posts videos on his own X and TikTok accounts
- He appears on entertainment channels run by high‑followership creators
- His communications team described as more astute than that of predecessor Keir Starmer
- Immigration chief rejects claim that world‑class snooker players use talent scheme primarily for tax avoidance
- Notes that zero‑tax Middle Eastern destinations would be more logical if tax avoidance were the sole motive
- Highlights Hong Kong's public safety, transport convenience and education system as key draws for global talent
- Maximum temperatures forecast to hit 35°C on Sunday and Monday.
- Heat warning in effect since 06:45 on Sunday, with citywide temps ranging 28‑33°C.
- Tai Po recorded 34.8°C at noon on Sunday.
- Weak winds expected; squally thunderstorms anticipated by midweek.
- Over 20 years since Osaka's first cat cafe opened, the sector continues to innovate.
- New venues blend coworking spaces and themed decor, such as traditional bathhouse designs.
- Operators aim to increase adoption rates by creating more inviting environments for rescued cats.
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