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• Global stock markets mostly rose on Friday as investors sought guidance on future interest rate trajectories amid persistent inflation. • Market attention has shifted from the recent euphoria surrounding Nvidia's strong earnings report to an upcoming policy speech by US Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh. • Asian equity markets showed mixed results, with gains in Tokyo and Hong Kong offset by retreats in Seoul and Shanghai as tech firms struggled to maintain their rally.

• Gold prices declined 0.16% to trade at $4,594, remaining below key moving averages as market participants await the upcoming Jackson Hole symposium. • Technical indicators show a mixed outlook, with the MACD in a strong sell configuration and the RSI at 48.63, suggesting mild bearishness. • The ADX reading remains neutral, indicating that gold currently lacks a dominant trend amid limited trading flows.

• Bank of Thailand Governor Vitai Ratanakorn announced that current restrictions on gold trading are effective and may be tightened further to stabilize the baht. • The current online gold trading limit is set at THB 50 million per person per day, but officials are considering reducing this cap to THB 30 million or less. • These measures are designed to manage the gold-baht link and curb speculative trading that could lead to currency volatility.

• Brokers project a neutral outlook for the Thai stock market on August 28, 2026, as investors await critical signals from tonight's Jackson Hole symposium. • Yuanta has adopted a conservative profit forecast for Delta Thailand, citing supply constraints that are currently limiting the company's production capacity. • Market participants are balancing these concerns against positive catalysts, including recent domestic economic data and general global market movements.

• US stocks ended nearly flat as higher-than-expected inflation data created uncertainty regarding the Federal Reserve's future interest-rate trajectory. • Market volatility was tempered by resilient economic growth, though investors remained cautious in anticipation of Nvidia's upcoming earnings report. • Traders are now focusing on Fed Chair Kevin Warsh's upcoming Jackson Hole speech for critical signals on policy direction.

• Global stock markets remained steady as positive outlooks for Nvidia provided a boost to technology shares. • In Asia-Pacific, the MSCI broadest index (excluding Japan) rose 0.3%, marking its third consecutive day of gains. • South Korea's KOSPI climbed 1.5% despite the Bank of Korea raising interest rates by 25 basis points to 3%, a move that aligned with market expectations.

Regulations will require new sites to avoid pushing up power prices by building renewable energy plants and minimising water useGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastPlanned datacentres around Australia may avoid strict new rules being proposed by Anthony Albanese if they can secure approvals in the coming months, amid growing calls growing for a moratorium.The prime minister is aiming to come to an agreement with national cabinet on federal regulations for datacentres at a meeting on Wednesday. Continue reading...

• Indian cybersecurity startups are increasingly expanding their operations overseas to build global credibility and attract higher levels of investment. • CEO Mohit Anand of Mitigata notes that an international presence is often critical for startups seeking to secure significant funding rounds. • A key example is SAFE Security, which raised $70 million in a Series C round in July 2025, led by Avataar Ventures with support from global firms like Susquehanna Asia Venture Capital.

Radio host’s indecent assault and sexual touching trial enters fourth week, with shock jock Jason Morrison telling court complainant C appeared ‘stuck’ beside JonesFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastFellow shock jock Jason Morrison has told the Alan Jones trial that guests at a luncheon hosted by the 2GB breakfast presenter were joking that Jones and a young staffer “look like a great couple” as the pair sat next to each other at a Sydney restaurant.Morrison, who often filled in for Jones, told the court a fellow guest made the “sarcastic” remark about the two men at the event on the lower north shore 20 years ago. Continue reading...

• Brentford secured a dominant 3-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur during the opening Saturday of the 2026-27 Premier League season. • Despite the loss, Spurs debuted a "new-look" squad under manager Roberto De Zerbi, though Brentford managed the win even after missing a penalty. • In a separate development, Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris and player Granit Xhaka detailed their ambitious plans to compete on a European scale.

• The U.S. Postal Service has finalized new election plans under the Trump administration that allow the agency to refuse delivery of ballots from states that fail to comply with updated procedures. • USPS describes these changes as a "neutral administrative check" intended to strengthen election confidence, despite receiving over 200,000 public responses containing both support and opposition. • Critics argue the rule has legal deficiencies and could create significant implementation difficulties, potentially impacting the broader political and social landscape of voting.

• Indian equity indices closed the week on a stagnant note as geopolitical tensions in West Asia and rising crude oil prices weighed on investor sentiment. • Market activity saw a divergence in institutional flow, with foreign portfolio investors net selling ₹543 crore while domestic institutions bought ₹2,124 crore. • The Nifty is expected to remain rangebound in the near term unless significant new triggers emerge to break the current volatility.

• KBRA has affirmed the credit ratings for Northwest Bancshares, maintaining a stable outlook for the company. • The rating decision is supported by the organization's strong funding capabilities and the maintenance of solid profit margins. • While KBRA noted the presence of loan risks, it characterized these factors as manageable within the current financial framework.

• The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.68% on Friday, recovering from a sharp sell-off on Thursday triggered by rising Treasury yields and disappointing Walmart results. • Investors remain cautious as fluctuating oil prices and the Federal Reserve's interest rate outlook continue to impact market volatility. • Market participants are now focusing on upcoming PCE inflation data and Kevin Warsh’s Jackson Hole speech for clues regarding future monetary policy.

• The 30-year Treasury bond futures market has declined throughout the year as investors demand higher yields to hold long-duration government debt. • Persistent inflation and elevated oil prices, driven by a six-month conflict between the U.S. and Iran, are putting upward pressure on bond yields. • Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh faces internal division between "hawks" advocating for rate hikes and those urging patience due to a softening labor market.

• U.S. tech companies are expanding their recruitment efforts beyond Silicon Valley to secure specialized talent capable of building and maintaining advanced AI systems. • This shift stems from a labor-market contradiction where AI automates routine software and back-office tasks while simultaneously increasing the demand for high-level experts. • Key required skills now extend beyond basic application development to include GPU infrastructure, distributed computing, model architecture, and energy management for large computing environments.

President Lee Jae Myung has long pushed for stronger homegrown defences, yet Donald Trump’s move has sparked alarm in some quartersAt their first summit, in August last year, South Korean president Lee Jae Myung told Donald Trump: “If you, Mr President, become the peacemaker, then I will assist you as the pacemaker.”The remark at the Oval Office captured the thrust of Lee’s approach to the North: dial down the military posturing and make repeated peace overtures to revive dialogue, even if they have been consistently rejected by Pyongyang largely over Seoul’s insistence on denuclearisation. Continue reading...

• Outlook Therapeutics reported a $20.3 million loss for the third quarter, coinciding with the FDA approval of its intravitreal treatment, LYTENAVA. • Management projects that LYTENAVA could generate over $500 million in annual U.S. sales by 2030 due to its direct-to-retina delivery method. • The company plans to apply for a permanent reimbursement code by October 1, a critical step for ensuring market access and revenue predictability.

• The Athletic has highlighted 12 exciting new Premier League signings to watch this season, including high-potential young talents. • A key focus is 19-year-old Quenda, a versatile former Sporting CP player who has officially joined Chelsea after agreeing to a deal in 2025. • Quenda's athletic profile is significant, having recorded a match-high 78 sprints during Japan's World Cup last-32 loss to Brazil according to FIFA data.

• Investors are shifting their focus toward corporate earnings to sustain stock market growth while the US Federal Reserve remains silent on its next interest rate move. • Strong financial results and positive guidance, particularly driven by heavy spending on AI infrastructure, are currently bolstering market confidence. • These earnings reports are critical as they serve to offset broader economic risks and ongoing concerns regarding high interest rates.

Move to dilute ZEV mandate from 80% down to as little as 50% could add millions of tonnes of CO2 to emissions and comes amid record UK heatwaves Andy Burnham’s government has said it will look at cutting electric vehicle sales targets, in proposals that could add millions of tonnes a year to the UK’s future carbon dioxide emissions.The government launched a consultation on Friday on cutting the target for new EVs to as little as 50% of all new cars in 2030, down from 80% under existing rules. The consultation will include several options, including leaving the headline target unchanged, or cutting it to 70%, 60% or 50%. Continue reading...

Twenty-one birds released on Bodmin Moor where it is hoped they will one day return to produce their own youngThey took a little coaxing at first – after all, they had got used to a safe, comfortable aviary tucked away in woodland on the edge of Bodmin Moor. But after a few minutes, the birds stepped out into freedom and the bolder ones were soon soaring into the blue, the first white storks to be released into the wilds of Cornwall.Yan Swiderski, the founder of the Cornwall Stork Project, had tears in his eyes. “I do feel a bit emotional,” he said. He sounded a little like a proud father wanting to play down the achievements of his offspring – and failing. “They’re a little bit clumsy at the moment. They aren’t used to flying free … but they do look majestic, don’t they?” Continue reading...

• Economists have upgraded Singapore's economic growth forecasts following a strong performance in the second quarter. • The positive outlook is driven by robust AI-related demand across the region, with supporting data from Singapore, Taiwan, and South Korea. • Major US tech companies have signaled continued investment in AI infrastructure, providing a "bullish signal" for long-term expansion.

• A recent survey by KeyBank reveals that 77% of companies rate their current business outlook as either "excellent" or "very good." • Businesses with positive outlooks are 26 percentage points more likely to seek growth capital compared to those with neutral or negative views. • The data suggests a strengthening trend in buy-side M&A activity, with significant growth expected to materialize in 2027 and 2028.

• Analysts maintain a broadly positive outlook for the global economy in the second half of 2026, despite noting a significant accumulation of risks. • Taiwan, Malaysia, and Singapore are expected to outperform consensus expectations, and India's outlook is improving, while caution remains for Indonesia and Thailand. • Inflation in Asia will likely be driven by oil prices and El Niño's impact on food costs, leading to divergent monetary policy paths across the region.

Researchers find microplastics can persist in compost, leaching into agricultural soilsPlastic contamination should be a central concern in efforts to deal with food waste, which campaigners call one of the most overlooked problems of the climate crisis, researchers have said.This is despite the fact that, as the chef, author and activist Max La Manna puts it, food waste management is “one of the few climate problems where everyone wins”. Continue reading...

• AM Best has revised the credit outlook for Investors Heritage Life to negative, although the company's financial strength rating remains stable. • The outlook change is driven by ongoing capitalization pressures that may impact the insurer's long-term financial stability. • This revision signals a potential future downgrade if the company cannot improve its capital position or mitigate financial risks.

• IBM has underperformed the broader market over the past year, though Wall Street analysts maintain a cautiously optimistic outlook for the stock. • For the fiscal year ending in December, analysts project a 6.5% growth in diluted earnings per share (EPS), reaching $12.34. • The positive outlook is supported by the company's strong history of earnings surprises, suggesting potential for upside performance.