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• European equities dropped to session lows after the European Central Bank raised interest rates to their highest level since 2025. • The decision followed a surge in Eurozone headline inflation to 3.3% in August, driven by a 14.3% increase in energy costs. • Higher rates aim to stop rising energy prices from triggering a cycle of higher wage demands and service pricing across the region.

• Asia-Pacific stock markets rose following signals from a U.S. Federal Reserve Governor that interest rates will likely remain steady. • Key gains were seen in Hong Kong's HSI (+2.10%), South Korea's KOSPI (+1.07%), and China's SZI (+1.04%), while Australia's ASX 200 saw a slight dip of 0.14%. • The positive momentum reflects investor optimism regarding U.S. monetary policy, though markets remain sensitive to oil prices and the rebounding Japanese yen.

Telle has previously worked for Trump during his first term as a special assistant to the president for legislative affairsDonald Trump on Thursday named Adam Telle as the acting army secretary after the departure of Daniel Driscoll amid widespread reports of tensions with defense secretary Pete Hegseth.Telle is currently the assistant secretary of the army for civil works. Continue reading...

• Chevron has confirmed it will expand its operations in Venezuela, aligning with President Donald Trump's strategic plan to develop the nation's vast oil reserves. • The announcement comes amid broader geopolitical tensions, including Mark Carney pushing back against a new series of attacks originating from Washington. • This move signals a shift in U.S. energy policy toward leveraging Venezuelan resources, while new polling simultaneously highlights growing concerns over corruption within the U.S. government.

Tory leader expected to install Tom Tugendhat as shadow foreign secretary as Cleverly quits to run for London mayorKemi Badenoch is to reshuffle her shadow cabinet on Monday, and is expected to install Tom Tugendhat as shadow foreign secretary to replace Priti Patel.Tugendhat, a former security minister, was a leadership candidate who had previously declined to join the shadow cabinet. Badenoch is also expected to replace James Cleverly, the shadow communities secretary, who has resigned from the shadow cabinet to run for London mayor. Continue reading...

• Asian stock markets trended upward on Thursday, with South Korea leading the gains across the region. • The rally was triggered by the announcement of a US Treasury buyback plan, which has positively influenced bond yields. • This move matters as US Treasury actions typically dictate global investor sentiment and liquidity in emerging Asian markets.

• U.S. stock markets remained near record highs on Friday despite a surprisingly weak economic report regarding consumer spending. • The S&P 500 rose 0.1% following its record-setting performance the previous day, while the Nasdaq composite climbed 0.2% and the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 136 points. • Treasury yields held steady as investors reacted to data showing that U.S. shoppers spent less than anticipated.

• The S&P 500 reached a historic milestone on August 14, 2026, closing at a record high and surpassing the 7,800 mark for the first time. • Following this record-breaking close, stock futures showed mixed performance as investors reacted to the new peak. • This surge signifies strong market momentum and a significant psychological breakthrough for the index, reflecting positive investor sentiment.

• The S&P 500 reached a new all-time high and the Nasdaq Composite surged following the release of July Producer Price Index (PPI) data. • Wholesale prices remained unchanged month-over-month, defying economist expectations of a 0.2% increase and following a 0.3% decrease in June. • The rally is driven by investor confidence that the Federal Reserve will maintain current interest rates during its upcoming meeting next month.

• South Africa has been confirmed as the host country for the 2025 G20 Summit. • This event marks a historic milestone as it will be the first time the summit is held on the African continent. • The selection highlights the G20's growing recognition of Africa's critical role in global geopolitics and the international economy.

• Major European stock indexes closed lower on Wednesday as investors reacted to new inflation data released from Germany and Italy. • Market volatility was further driven by escalating geopolitical tensions between Iran and the United States. • The decline reflects investor concerns that persistent inflation may influence central bank policies regarding interest rates.

Premier Ben Carroll promises if re-elected to ‘close every loophole’ used by high-profile accused and convicted criminals to hide their identities in the courts The use of suppression orders by convicted rapists will be banned in Victoria, premier Ben Carroll has announced, with his government committed to “closing every loophole” accused people currently “abuse and exploit” to hide their identities in the state’s courts.Carroll and the state’s attorney-general, Sonya Kilkenny, made the commitment to amend the states Open Courts Act to limit the use of suppression orders if re-elected in November. Continue reading...

• Sports fans are facing increased costs and complexity as NFL and MLB games shift from traditional cable to fragmented streaming platforms. • To follow a single team, viewers must now manage multiple paid subscriptions and navigate inconsistent schedules across various apps. • This shift reflects a broader industry trend of "fragmentation," where leagues prioritize high-value streaming deals over centralized accessibility.

• The AUD/JPY currency cross halted a three-day winning streak on Friday, trading around 111.30 during Asian market hours. • The Australian Dollar depreciated due to a surge in global safe-haven demand triggered by escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. • Market instability is further compounded by mixed trade data from China, a critical trading partner for Australia.

• Spain has issued an ultimatum to Italy following a diplomatic dispute over the potential suspension of Schengen Zone open-border policies. • The conflict stems from the ongoing migrant crisis in Ceuta, leading to a "war of words" between the two European Union member states. • Under current regulations, Schengen members are permitted to temporarily reintroduce border controls if there are significant security or public-order concerns.

• European markets are expected to open flat following an indecisive trading session in the Asia-Pacific region. • Investors are maintaining a cautious stance as they await the release of the U.S. Non-Farm Payroll (NFP) data. • President Trump indicated that the conflict with Iran may conclude soon, noting that the Strait of Hormuz remains largely open.

Family says celebrity blogger remains under medical care after viewers alerted authorities over disturbing TikTok broadcastPerez Hilton is “able to communicate”, according to a new statement released by his family, one day after the celebrity blogger appeared to self-harm during a disturbing TikTok livestream that prompted his hospitalization.In a message posted to Hilton’s blog on Wednesday evening, his family thanked supporters for the outpouring of concern. Continue reading...

• Stock futures reached new record highs driven by strong corporate earnings and a historic surge in call option buying. • Market analysts suggest that while some individual companies showed disappointing micro-level results, the broader macro trend remains positive. • The rally underscores the continued durability of the global compute build-out, benefiting the technology sector as a whole despite isolated losses.

Kellie Sloane says ‘leaking a report is never good’ as Reformer Jean-Claude Perrottet tells inquiry group signed up members to ‘dodgy’ branchesFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe younger brother of a former Liberal premier has told an anti-corruption watchdog that a group of young conservative power breakers, now under investigation for soliciting illegal donations, recruited members to “dodgy” branches controlled by rival factions.Jean-Claude Perrottet, the younger brother of ex-New South Wales premier Dominic Perrottet, appeared before the Independent Commission Against Corruption’s (Icac) on Wednesday. Continue reading...

The company will release its second quarter earnings on Tuesday, giving investors a look at its potential profitFor the first time since SpaceX went public, the world will get a first-hand look into the trillion-dollar corporation’s financials. The Elon Musk-run business will report its second quarter earnings on Tuesday, while nervous investors look to gain more insight into the rocket ship company’s potential for profit.SpaceX had a blockbuster initial public offering in June with the largest-ever stock market debut in history. The IPO transformed SpaceX into a $2tn company and briefly crowned Musk the world’s first trillionaire. But since then, the company’s stock has plummeted by 24%, erasing nearly $500bn in market cap. Continue reading...

• Asian shares showed mixed results and European markets trended higher on Tuesday following a Wall Street rally fueled by easing oil prices. • Market analysts are debating the effectiveness of recent currency interventions, noting that such moves may not address core economic drivers like inflation and interest rates. • BMI, a unit of Fitch Solutions, suggests that US-backed operations carry more signaling weight than solo actions by Tokyo, though the scale of US contribution may be limited.

• European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has called for the implementation of tighter border checks and physical barriers in response to the migration crisis in Ceuta. • The move follows widespread European criticism of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's management of the situation. • This intervention aims to defuse growing tensions between the European Commission and the Spanish government.

• The Cockroach Janta Party, led by Abhijeek Dipke, is organizing a "Parliament march" that critics claim uses veiled language and dogwhistling to incite violence. • The movement is allegedly leveraging a genuine cause regarding the careers of millions of students to further specific political ambitions. • Concerns are rising as activist Sonam Wangchuk has been hospitalized, potentially ending his hunger strike and disrupting the party's political strategy.

• UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed deep concern over the escalating military conflict between the United States and Iran following attacks on civilian and military infrastructure in the Gulf region. • The UN chief emphasized that there is no military solution to the current hostilities, urging both nations to prioritize diplomacy over armed confrontation. • This intervention highlights the international community's fear of a wider regional war and the urgent need for a durable settlement to prevent further civilian casualties.

• Iran has launched attacks against several Gulf countries, including Jordan, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, and the UAE, following new military strikes by the United States. • In a significant escalation of the Middle East crisis, Tehran has announced its intention to close the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. • Separately, the sudden death of South Carolina Senator Graham, who has served in the Senate since 2003, is expected to cause major political shockwaves in Washington.

Jordan, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman and the UAE reportedly came under attack as Tehran says it is closing Strait of HormuzIndia’s foreign ministry has condemned an attack on the commercial vessel – GFS Galaxy – off the coast of Oman earlier today.It said 10 of the 11 Indian nationals on board have been rescued, while one remains missing.The continuing incidents of attacks on commercial shipping in the region are deeply worrisome. We reiterate our call for immediate de-escalation of tensions, and the conclusion of ongoing negotiations for a diplomatic solution so that peace and stability can return to the region. The targeting of commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure in the region must end, and free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through the international waterways in the region, in keeping with international law, must be restored at the earliest.We have taken control of the strait of Hormuz with power, and we will preserve it with power as well. Continue reading...

• On July 8, 2027, a sell-side sidecar was triggered on the KOSDAQ index, following a similar trigger on the KOSPI. • The event occurred amidst volatile market conditions, as evidenced by activity at the Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul. • These triggers are designed to temporarily halt trading to prevent extreme market volatility and panic selling.

• Director Na Hong-jin, known for *The Wailing* and *The Chaser*, has released a new trailer for his upcoming alien thriller titled *Hope*. • Produced by Forged Films and Plus M Entertainment, the film is scheduled to premiere in South Korean cinemas on July 15. • The movie will expand to United States theaters on September 9, with distribution handled by Neon.