President Trump says Interest Rates in the United States should be 1%, or less, because we are the Best Credit in the...
President Donald Trump made multiple posts on Truth Social in the last hour: - "Interest Rates in the United States should be 1%, or less, because we are the Best Credit in the World, BY FAR. Our Country is BOOMING with new Investment! If we stopped Trading with every country that we have a Deficit with, which is most of them, we would make, at least, 1.5 Trillion Dollars a year. The word "Deficit" is nothing more than a fancy word for LOSS. We are "carrying" almost every country in the World, and that cannot go on any longer. LOWER... [Continue Reading]
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Israel and Morocco agree to open embassies and appoint ambassadors
Israel and Morocco have agreed to raise the level of their diplomatic relations, open embassies and appoint ambassadors in both countries. The agreement was announced on Wednesday in a statement posted by the official Israeli government account in Arabic on social media. It marks a further step in the relationship between the two countries, which normalised ties in 2020.According to the statement, the two foreign ministers reached the understanding as part of an effort to deepen bilateral relations. The move includes the opening of embassies and the naming of ambassadors on both sides, although no timetable was given in the... [Continue Reading]
US senator blames Trump vaccine policy as measles deaths rise in worst outbreak in decades
A Republican senator has publicly blamed the Trump administration's vaccination policy for a rise in measles deaths in the United States, as the country faces its most severe outbreak in more than 35 years. Bill Cassidy, who chairs the Senate Health Committee and is a doctor, raised the issue during a hearing on Wednesday in Washington. He said the government should appoint public health officials who base decisions on science rather than political ideology.Cassidy said three people had died in a measles outbreak in Pennsylvania, with a fourth death still under review. He also pressed Dr Nicole Saphier, the administration's... [Continue Reading]
Wall Street Slips as Fed-Hike Jitters Hit Tech, Chips and Small Caps, Apple and Meta Buck the Trend
Executive summary: U.S. stocks finished lower across the board, with the S&P 500 down 1.1%, the Nasdaq Composite off 1.0% and the Dow Jones Industrial Average falling 1.8%. The sharpest pressure came in AI and chip shares, while Apple and Meta stood out as notable gainers. Higher oil, a weaker gold price and a jump in USD/JPY pointed to a market still digesting the latest rate and inflation backdrop. [Continue Reading]
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US Federal Reserve raises rates again amid stubborn inflation and Trump pressure
The United States Federal Reserve has raised interest rates by 25 basis points to a range of 3.75% to 4.00%, in a move aimed at tackling inflation that remains above target. The Federal Open Market Committee voted unanimously on Wednesday, local time, to approve the increase. The decision is the first policy move since the central bank paused earlier this year to assess the effects of tariffs and energy-price shocks.Officials said the increase was intended to support a "timelier return" to the Fed's 2% inflation goal. The central bank's latest Summary of Economic Projections showed a majority of policymakers expect... [Continue Reading]
Wall Street Opens Lower as Yields, Oil and Crypto Pressure Risk Appetite
Executive summary: U.S. equities opened softer, with the S&P 500, Nasdaq Composite and Dow Jones all in the red as higher oil, firmer Treasury-yield pressure and a broad risk-off tone weighed on sentiment. Chips, small caps, defence and crypto-linked assets were among the sharpest early losers, while natural gas and crude moved higher and the dollar strengthened against the yen. [Continue Reading]
Latvia's airBaltic files for US Chapter 11 protection as flights continue normally
Latvia's airBaltic has voluntarily initiated a US Chapter 11 process as it seeks to restructure its financial obligations. The airline said the move was prompted by acute financial stress linked to a combination of financial and geopolitical factors. It said flights and services are continuing without interruption.The company said on Monday that all flights are operating as scheduled and that tickets and reservations remain valid. It also said passengers can continue to book and travel as usual. In addition, airBaltic said existing bookings, employee wages and vendor payments would continue without interruption, while refunds, vouchers, gift cards and credits linked... [Continue Reading]
Noontime News Recap: Israel warns of renewed Gaza war as deadly strikes and global security cases mount
Israel's defence minister has said it is only a matter of time before the country resumes full scale war in Gaza and presses ahead with a migration plan for Palestinians, even as the United States approved a major weapons sale to Israel. The comments point to a further hardening of the conflict after months of fighting and diplomatic pressure. πIn Gaza City, at least 20 people, including five children, were killed when a war damaged building collapsed in the Tal al Hawa area during rescue efforts. The collapse underlines the continuing danger from damaged infrastructure and the strain on emergency... [Continue Reading]
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US war with Iran costs more than $38 billion as munitions shortfalls deepen, CBO says
The US war with Iran has cost more than $38 billion by the beginning of August, according to a new estimate from the Congressional Budget Office. The figure covers spending by the Department of Defense from 28 February to 1 August, a little more than five months into the conflict. The CBO said the estimate was based on government databases and public reporting because the Pentagon did not provide information for the assessment.The report said the largest single cost was $21.7 billion for replacing munitions. It also warned that the US has probably used between half and two-thirds of its... [Continue Reading]
Europe opens lower as oil and yields bite, autos and crypto lead the retreat
Executive summary: European equities started the session in the red, with the DAX, Euro Stoxx 50 and CAC 40 all lower, while the FTSE 100 was only marginally softer. The move comes alongside a jump in Brent crude, firmer natural gas, a stronger dollar against the euro and sterling, and a sharp slide in Ether. Autos were among the weakest areas, while gold eased and silver advanced, underscoring a mixed risk backdrop at the open. [Continue Reading]
Tokyo and Asia-Pacific Sell Off as Oil Jumps, Yen Weakens and Crypto Slides
Executive summary: Asia-Pacific markets ended broadly lower in Tokyo trading, with the Nikkei 225, Kospi, Hang Seng and ASX 200 all under pressure as higher crude prices, a firmer dollar and weaker risk appetite rippled through equities. WTI crude surged, USD/JPY moved higher, and Ether fell sharply, reinforcing a defensive tone across regional assets. [Continue Reading]
Wall Street closes lower as megacap split widens, Meta surges while Nvidia and small caps slide
Executive summary: U.S. equities finished broadly lower in a session defined by a sharp divergence inside big tech. Meta jumped +9.3% and Apple rose +4.8%, but Nvidia fell -6.0% and the SOXX chip ETF dropped -5.6%. The S&P 500, Nasdaq Composite, Dow and Russell 2000 all closed in the red, while WTI crude and natural gas advanced and the dollar strengthened against the yen. [Continue Reading]
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US 10-year Treasury yield hits 19-year high as oil prices surge further
The 10-year US Treasury yield climbed as high as 5.04%, its highest level since 2007, as a jump in oil prices intensified concerns about inflation and borrowing costs. The move came after the benchmark yield had already risen sharply earlier in the day, before easing back slightly. Market participants said the latest rise reflected a broader sell-off in government bonds as investors reassessed the outlook for interest rates.Oil prices were a key driver of the latest move, with the wholesale benchmark rising to more than $109 a barrel, up from about $86 at the end of August. The increase followed... [Continue Reading]
UN warns Gaza rubble clearing may destroy evidence and remains
The United Nations human rights chief has warned that rubble clearing in Gaza may be destroying evidence of war crimes and concealing human remains. Volker Turk said areas of the enclave continue to be levelled by bulldozers and heavy machinery, with what he described as no respect for the dead under the rubble. His comments were issued on Tuesday as more remains were uncovered from destroyed sites.Turk said the remains being recovered appeared to include entire families, with many of the victims believed to be women and children. He said the discovery of extensive remains in Gaza City had revived... [Continue Reading]
US confirms weapon deployed in Earth's orbit, raising space arms race concerns
The United States has confirmed that it has deployed a space weapon in Earth's orbit, marking the first time it has acknowledged such an offensive capability. The disclosure has prompted warnings from Russia and China that the move could accelerate an arms race in space. The development adds a new layer to an already intensifying competition over military and strategic capabilities beyond Earth.According to the supplied report, US officials did not disclose how the weapon operates. That lack of detail leaves key questions unanswered about its purpose, range and intended use. The confirmation itself is significant because it is the... [Continue Reading]
Day News Recap: Middle East shipping risks deepen as global markets turn risk off
Qatar has warned that losing access to Bab al Mandeb while the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked would be catastrophic, as Houthi forces consolidate gains near the chokepoint and more than 3,400 people fled to Djibouti in 48 hours amid renewed fighting in Yemen. π πThe conflict widened further as the Houthis launched fresh missile and drone attacks on Saudi targets, while Saudi Arabia carried out dozens of air raids across Yemeni governorates after the cross border exchange left civilians wounded in the kingdom. π πUN agencies said Gaza needs full access for investigators as recovery teams continue to pull... [Continue Reading]
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Europe closes lower as DAX leads selloff, gold softens and energy prices stay firm
Executive summary: European equities ended broadly lower, with Germanyβs DAX posting the steepest decline among the major benchmarks in the supplied data. The move came alongside a firmer dollar, weaker euro and sterling, softer gold and platinum, and a rise in natural gas and Brent crude. The session points to a market still sensitive to inflation, rates and energy-price pressure, while autos and cyclicals underperformed. [Continue Reading]
US confirms on-orbit space weapons as debate grows over military competition in orbit
The United States has acknowledged that it has deployed weapons in Earth orbit, in a rare public confirmation that has drawn fresh attention to the militarisation of space. US Air Force Secretary Troy Meink said the systems are "on-orbit space control weapons" intended to defend US forces against hostile action. He did not say when they were placed in orbit, how many there are, or what specific capabilities they have.Meink made the remarks at the Air, Space and Cyber Conference, where he said the United States must remain ready to meet evolving threats. He described space control as involving kinetic... [Continue Reading]
Noontime News Recap: Gaza access call, Middle East strikes and Baltic tensions dominate noon briefing
The United Nations has urged Israel to give international investigators full access to every part of Gaza as recovery teams continue to pull human remains from the ruins, with the death toll still rising and pressure growing for a clearer picture of what happened on the ground. πIn the Middle East, oil prices jumped as fighting threatened supply routes, after Yemen's Iran aligned Houthis fired dozens of missiles and drones at a military air base in Khamis Mushait in southern Saudi Arabia. The exchange underlined how the conflict is spilling across borders and raising fears for energy flows. π πSaudi... [Continue Reading]
French energy strike cuts Dunkirk LNG terminal capacity
A 24-hour strike in France's energy sector is reducing output at the Dunkirk LNG terminal and briefly taking electricity capacity offline. The industrial action began on Tuesday and is affecting several parts of the power and gas system, according to the supplied data. The disruption comes as Europe continues efforts to refill gas storage before winter.Fluxys data showed that delivery capacity at the Dunkirk terminal was expected to fall to 4 gigawatt-hours per day, down from a normal minimum of 9.4 GWh per day. EDF data also showed that 6.5 gigawatts of electricity were taken offline overnight on Monday. The... [Continue Reading]
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Europe opens lower as DAX leads the retreat, dollar firms and energy stays mixed
Executive summary: European markets opened under pressure, with the DAX, FTSE 100, Euro Stoxx 50 and CAC 40 all lower in early trade. The move came alongside a firmer dollar, weaker euro and pound, softer gold and silver, and a modest rise in natural gas. Autos and broader cyclical sentiment were among the weakest pockets, while palladium was a rare gainer in the commodity complex. [Continue Reading]
Tokyo and Asia-Pacific Open Lower as Oil Surges Above $102 and Rate Anxiety Hits Risk Assets
Executive summary: Asia-Pacific markets opened under pressure, with Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong and Australia all lower as WTI crude jumped above $102 and the yen weakened against the dollar. The move points to a market dominated by inflation concerns, higher-rate expectations and a broad risk-off tone, while gold, silver and platinum also fell sharply. [Continue Reading]
Iran war pressure clouds Gulf states' US spending commitments
A new analysis says the war involving the United States and Iran is putting pressure on Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, and could make it harder for them to deliver nearly $4 trillion in economic commitments to the United States. The report, released by the Peterson Institute for International Economics, says the conflict is forcing the three Gulf states to weigh domestic priorities more heavily. It argues that the strain is already affecting fiscal positions and growth prospects.The 15-page report says the war has increased the need for spending on defence, energy infrastructure and trade. It also... [Continue Reading]
Wall Street Opens Lower as Oil Surges, Tech and Small Caps Slip, and Energy Takes the Lead
Executive summary: US stocks opened under pressure, with the S&P 500, Nasdaq Composite, Dow Jones and Russell 2000 all lower in early trading. The sharpest move in the data is a jump in WTI crude above $103 a barrel, while energy shares outperformed and tech, chips, defence, gold and several industrial metals weakened. Bitcoin and ether were firmer, adding a risk-asset split to an already uneven open. [Continue Reading]
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Europe opens lower as Brent jumps, metals slide and rate-sensitive assets wobble
Executive summary: European markets opened under pressure, with the DAX, CAC 40, FTSE 100 and Euro Stoxx 50 all lower in early trade. The sharpest cross-asset move was in Brent crude, which surged more than 6%, while gold, silver, platinum and palladium all fell. The euro and pound also weakened against the dollar, adding to the risk-off tone. Ether and natural gas moved higher, and global autos outperformed on a relative basis. [Continue Reading]
BRICS summit in New Delhi adopts declaration amid divisions over Iran, Ukraine and tariffs
BRICS leaders have adopted a joint declaration on the first day of their two-day summit in New Delhi, despite visible divisions over the wars in Iran and Ukraine. The New Delhi Declaration called for restraint in the Middle East and criticised unilateral tariffs, but it avoided naming the United States, Israel or Iran. The agreement was reached as leaders from the expanded 11-member bloc gathered in the Indian capital for talks on war, trade and global economic pressure.The declaration was adopted on Saturday, with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin among those attending the summit. According to... [Continue Reading]
Nepal flood response under scrutiny as missing toll remains high
Nepal's government is facing renewed criticism over its response to the catastrophic flooding that has devastated mountain communities in Nepal and Tibet. The disaster has killed at least 1,410 people and left 5,651 missing across the wider affected area, according to the supplied report. Prime Minister Balendra Shah, who took office six months ago, is now under close scrutiny as rescue and relief efforts continue.The report says Shah visited Nuwakot in Nepal the day after flood damage there, while families in other affected areas say help has been slow to arrive. One man from Dhanusa district said he asked the... [Continue Reading]
Houthis seize strategic Mayun Island in Bab al-Mandeb Strait
Houthi forces have taken control of Mayun Island, also known as Perim, in a move that strengthens their position at the southern entrance to the Red Sea. The island sits in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, one of the world's most important shipping corridors, and the takeover gives the group a new physical foothold there. The seizure was confirmed by a senior military official from Yemen's internationally recognised government and by a Houthi official.Mayun is a small volcanic island of about 13 sq km, but its location gives it outsized strategic value. It lies in the middle of the Bab al-Mandeb... [Continue Reading]
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ECB chief economist defends rate rise as eurozone inflation stays above target
The European Central Bank's chief economist has described the bank's latest interest rate increase as a measured adjustment, after policymakers raised borrowing costs by a quarter of a percentage point. Philip Lane said the move came in response to a significant inflation problem, with eurozone inflation still running above the bank's 2% target. He made the comments at the Dublin Economic Workshop's annual conference in Wexford.The ECB lifted rates from 2.25% to 2.5% in a decision announced the previous day. Lane said energy prices were at the centre of the move, and argued that governments should respond to inflation pressures... [Continue Reading]
Australian fuel prices set to rise as oil spikes and markets sell off
Australian motorists are expected to face higher fuel prices in the coming weeks after a sharp rise in global oil markets. Prices are on track to climb by 20 to 30 cents as Brent crude moved to its highest level since mid-May, briefly pushing towards US$110 a barrel before settling above US$108 in late Friday trade. The move comes as investors sell stocks and bonds amid growing concern about the Middle East conflict and wider market stress.The latest increase in oil prices has fed through quickly to expectations for retail fuel costs in Australia. The market reaction has also been... [Continue Reading]
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Algeria cuts diplomatic ties with UAE and closes airspace to Emirati aircraft
Algeria has expanded its rupture with the United Arab Emirates by closing its airspace to Emirati civilian and military aircraft, adding a transport restriction to the diplomatic break announced on Thursday. The Algerian defence ministry said the ban would take effect on Friday, while commercial flights to and from Algiers airport will be allowed to continue until the end of 2026. The move follows Algeria's decision to sever diplomatic relations and order the UAE ambassador to leave within 48 hours.The foreign ministry said the decision came after what it described as repeated warnings and the exhaustion of all avenues to... [Continue Reading]
Peru joins US-led Shield of the Americas security alliance after talks with Marco Rubio
Peru has announced that it will join the US-led Shield of the Americas security alliance, a regional initiative focused on intelligence sharing and military cooperation against drug cartels. The move was confirmed in Lima after talks between Peru's newly elected right-wing leader, Keiko Fujimori, and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. It places Peru among the latest governments in the region to sign up to the coalition, which is also known as the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition.Fujimori said the decision reflected Peru's own experience confronting organised violence, saying the country had previously had to deal with terrorism and now faces... [Continue Reading]
Netanyahu moves to sue Haaretz over UAE warning report before 7 October attacks
Benjamin Netanyahu has told lawyers to begin defamation proceedings against an Israeli newspaper over its report that the United Arab Emirates warned him Hamas was planning an operation before the 7 October 2023 attacks. His office said the story was part of a "sinister plot" and denied that any warning was given by the UAE before the assault. The newspaper has rejected the claim and said it stands by its reporting.The report was based on book extracts and said UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan spoke with Netanyahu in late September 2023, days before the Hamas-led attack. It... [Continue Reading]
British man charged over alleged Russian-linked sabotage plot as court case moves to the Old Bailey
Joshua Cammidge, a 31-year-old man from Swindon, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Thursday after being charged with terror offences in connection with an alleged plan to help Russian security forces sabotage a drone factory. Prosecutors say he is accused of assisting the GRU Volunteer Corps and of carrying out preparatory conduct under the National Security Act 2023. District Judge Daniel Sternberg adjourned the case until a hearing at the Old Bailey on 25 September.The Crown Prosecution Service alleged that Cammidge researched four drone manufacturing sites and a WiFi jamming device, and that he carried out reconnaissance on potential targets.... [Continue Reading]
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Chinese cargo ship completes Arctic route to the UK via Russia's Northern Sea Route
A Chinese container ship has arrived at Teesport in the United Kingdom after completing a 25-day voyage through Russia's Northern Sea Route. The vessel, Dubai Tower, is operated by Chinese shipping company Sea Legend and is being presented as part of a seasonal China-Europe Arctic container service. The journey is being watched closely because it offers a faster alternative to established Asia-Europe shipping corridors.The ship left Ningbo-Zhoushan Port in eastern China on 15 August carrying about 1,500 containers. Those containers included energy-storage equipment, power batteries and photovoltaic components, according to the supplied material. The service is described as the first... [Continue Reading]
THE GROWTH ILLUSION: HOW GDP TRICKERY MASKED THE DEATH OF THE MIDDLE CLASS
We are fed a daily diet of triumphant economic headlines. The S&P 500 hits record highs, corporate earnings smash forecasts, and central bankers beam at GDP charts pointing up and to the right. Politicians line up to remind us how much "wealthier" we are compared to our parents or grandparents. On paper, they are right. The average worker makes vastly more dollars today than at any point in human history. But step outside the spreadsheet and into the street, and the math fails the reality test. If we are so undeniably prosperous, why does buying a modest home feel like... [Continue Reading]
Dubai Property Market Faces Litmus Test as Nakheel Waterfront Investors Await Final Judicial Verdict
Hundreds of international and local investors who purchased land plots in Nakheelβs massive "Waterfront" project nearly two decades ago are holding their breath. Following the official cancellation of the project by the Dubai Land Department and its integration under Dubai Holding, a special judicial committee appointed by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has been tasked with resolving the liquidation and settling investor claims. βBecause the decisions of this specialized committee are legally binding and final, with no avenue for appeal, the upcoming rulings are being viewed as a critical turning point for the regulatory reputation of Dubai's... [Continue Reading]
Is the Italian Prime Minister the Visionary Leader Europe Needs? An Analysis of Executive Decisiveness, National Security, and the Contrast in European Integration Policies
A Continent in Institutional Deadlock While the rest of Europe remains entangled in a web of bureaucratic deadlock and human rights litigation, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has quietly established herself as a leader operating far ahead of her continental peers. For years, European leaders have debated how to handle radicalism and unchecked migration, often waiting for institutional consensus that arrives too late. Meloni, conversely, has demonstrated a willingness to prioritize state security over political correctness, offering a blueprint for a continent facing asymmetric threats. The Contrast in European Legislative Approvals The contrast between Italyβs swift, executive decisiveness and the... [Continue Reading]
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The Unspoken Stats: Who is Raping Europe?
Answering this question requires a direct look at the empirical data so, below is the comprehensive, data-verified draft for my article, formatted to analyse the relationship between immigration demographics and police-recorded sexual offense figures across Europe. Data vs. Perception: An Asymmetric Analysis of Migration and Sexual Offence Statistics in Europe While my primary field of research is rooted in macro-geopolitics, the responsibilities of independent journalism often demand transitioning from international balance-of-power metrics to domestic social realities. A recent high-profile criminal incident in England involving the gang rape of a 17-year-old girl by four Afghani nationals where one of them is... [Continue Reading]
Fear the Shia, Arm the Sunnis: The Uncomfortable Numbers Behind Americaβs War Narrative
βWhen fear is managed carefully enough, a nation can be taught to look away from the blood on the floor and stare instead at the shadow on the wall.β A friend of mine, whose name I will not reveal because he asked me not to, sat across from me over dinner and placed a question on the table that would not leave me alone. He was born into a Muslim Shia background, and for the angle of this article, that detail matters, not because I wish to reduce a man to a sect, but because sect has become one of... [Continue Reading]
Lessons learned from Dubai β¦ or not?
It might be early to assess the impact of war on Dubai, the self-declared crisis proof planet, but some lessons can be drawn from its magic well, right now. First and foremost, I remember a saying about fairness: No, not the boomerang, and that what goes around comes around (the dark tales related to Lebanon and Gaza), but about a simple rule of thumb. If you expect the world to be fair with you because you are fair, youβre fooling yourself: thatβs like expecting the lion not to eat you because you didnβt eat it. It applies to humans and... [Continue Reading]
The Madness of Power, From Balfour to the Edge of World War Three
A Voice in the Wilderness of War: Who Still Dares to Speak Truth While Empires March There are moments in history when the world suddenly accelerates toward disaster, moments when anyone who has studied history can feel the temperature rising even before the explosions reach their peak. The current escalation in the Middle East is one of those moments. According to the facts we now see unfolding, the United States and Israel made the unilateral decision to attack Iran without the approval of the United Nations, without a global coalition mandate, and without the support of most of the international... [Continue Reading]
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