Stronger

• Singapore's Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) has upgraded its 2026 GDP growth forecast to a range of 4.5% to 5.5%. • The revision follows a strong performance in the first half of 2026, where GDP growth reached 6.1% year-on-year. • This economic acceleration is primarily attributed to increased demand related to Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies.

• The London Stock Exchange (LSE) has reported a significant increase in trading volumes driven by strong corporate quarterly earnings. • Positive investor sentiment and favorable economic indicators are fueling cautious optimism across multiple market sectors. • A growing pipeline of upcoming IPOs from various industries suggests sustained momentum and broader market activity.

• EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has called for urgent action and a meeting of interior ministers following a surge of migrant crossings into the Spanish territory of Ceuta. • While Finland and Denmark supported Italy's stance on border security, Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš proposed the temporary suspension of Spain's Schengen membership. • Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez defended Spain, noting that Ceuta is not part of the Schengen area and accusing some critics of being driven by prejudice and fake news.

• European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has called for stronger EU borders and improved migration controls following a crisis in Ceuta. • Von der Leyen identified five key areas for improvement, emphasizing the need for more efficient processes to return migrants to their home countries. • The crisis has exposed deep political divisions, with Spanish leader Pedro Sánchez criticizing other EU governments for a lack of support.

European Commission president says work needed in five areas of migration control including returning more peopleThe president of the European Commission has called for action to strengthen Europe’s borders after tens of thousands of people arrived and quickly left the Spanish territory of Ceuta, triggering a furious row between Madrid and other European countries.In a letter to Spain’s prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, on Monday, Ursula von der Leyen said: “From this incident, it is clear that we must do more to further strengthen our borders at critical points, including vigilant monitoring and the use of physical barriers where needed.” Continue reading...

• Manchester City is preparing for an upcoming preseason tour of Asia with a squad that is expected to be stronger than initially anticipated. • While early expectations suggested a youth-focused roster, the team is balancing its lineup against the needs of 19 players who recently competed in the World Cup. • This selection process is critical as key players from the FA Cup and Carabao Cup-winning sides are currently on mandatory rest and recuperation.

• DNB, Norway's largest bank, is seeing steady stock performance driven by strong earnings and increased net interest income. • The bank maintains solid capital ratios and liquidity, reinforcing its stability and dominant position within the Nordic financial sector. • This financial flexibility allows for strategic investments and risk management, which are expected to shape the company's medium-term earnings narrative.