Day News Recap: Deadly conflict, disasters and political shocks dominate a grim global day
Yemen's government says four crew members were killed when a small cargo ship was hit in the Red Sea, in an attack it blames on the Houthis, underlining the continuing danger to shipping in the waterway. ๐In Gaza, health reporting said miscarriages have tripled between January and June as pregnancy care worsens amid displacement and shortages, while Benjamin Netanyahu rejected a 15 point Gaza peace plan drafted by the US led Board of Peace, deepening his public dispute with Donald Trump. ๐ ๐Ukraine and Russia kept up overnight strikes, with President Volodymyr Zelensky accusing Moscow of using North Korean missiles... [Continue Reading]
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Europe closes mixed as energy and precious metals surge, FTSE 100 slips on stronger oil and firmer FX moves
Executive summary: European markets ended the session mixed, with the Euro Stoxx 50, DAX and CAC 40 posting gains while the FTSE 100 finished lower. The biggest moves came in commodities, where Brent crude jumped sharply, gold and silver extended strong advances, and natural gas also rose. FX was comparatively calmer, with the euro and sterling edging higher against the dollar, while USD/JPY climbed. The pattern points to a market still reacting to geopolitical and inflation-sensitive inputs, with energy strength supporting some sectors and pressuring others. [Continue Reading]
Wall Street Opens Mixed as Energy, Metals and Oil Surge While Tech and Crypto Slip
Executive summary: U.S. markets opened with a split tone, as the S&P 500 and Dow Jones edged higher while the Nasdaq Composite and Russell 2000 slipped. The clearest move was in commodities, where WTI crude, natural gas, gold and silver all posted outsized gains, lifting energy shares and signaling a stronger inflation and geopolitics backdrop. Tech, chips and crypto were softer, while banks and defense stocks held modest gains. [Continue Reading]
UAE Tax Authority conducts 103,680 inspection visits in six months
ABU DHABI, 11th August, 2026 (WAM) -- The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) conducted approximately 103,680 field inspection visits across local markets during the first six months of 2026, up 21 percent from around 86,000 a year earlier.The inspections were conducted as part of the authority's regulatory efforts, in cooperation with the relevant entities, to enhance tax compliance, protect consumer rights, and combat tax evasion.The authority said that, during the visits conducted across all emirates, its teams seized and confiscated 8.45 million non-compliant excise products during H1, compared to 17.6 million in the corresponding period in 2025.The seizures included 6.58 million... [Continue Reading]
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Breakfast News Recap: Ebola spreads in Congo as Middle East tensions, Ukraine strikes and oil risks mount
The World Health Organization says the Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo is still spreading, with health teams struggling to keep pace as the response lags behind the virus. ๐In the Middle East, violence has widened on several fronts, with Houthi forces launching ballistic missile attacks on al Makha and Marib in Yemen, while UN peacekeepers said Israeli forces fired 455 projectiles into south Lebanon and breached Lebanese airspace 97 times over the same period. ๐ ๐Gaza diplomacy also remains stalled after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu formally rejected a 15 point peace plan drafted by the US... [Continue Reading]
Europe opens mixed as oil and precious metals surge, FTSE slips while DAX and CAC edge higher
Executive summary: European markets opened with a split tone, as the FTSE 100 slipped while the DAX, CAC 40 and Euro Stoxx 50 posted modest gains. The biggest moves were in commodities, with Brent crude jumping nearly 8%, gold surging above $4,400 and silver and natural gas also rallying sharply. FX was firmer for the euro and sterling against the dollar, while USD/JPY pushed higher, adding to the cross-asset signal that inflation and geopolitical risk are back in focus. [Continue Reading]
Tokyo and Asia-Pacific Close Higher as Nikkei Surges, Oil and Gold Jump on Inflation-Risk Trade
Executive summary: Tokyo led a broadly firmer Asia-Pacific session, with the Nikkei 225 and Nikkei ETF both posting strong gains as commodity prices spiked and the yen weakened. WTI crude, gold, silver and natural gas all advanced sharply, while Hang Seng and Kospi slipped modestly. The move points to a market leaning toward inflation hedges and cyclical exposure, even as some regional equity benchmarks lagged. [Continue Reading]
Tokyo Opens Higher as Oil and Gold Surge, Nikkei Jumps on Risk Repricing
Executive summary: Tokyo and broader Asia-Pacific trading opened with a sharp risk reprice, led by a powerful rally in energy and precious metals. The Nikkei 225 and Nikkei 225 ETF both climbed strongly, while the ASX 200 advanced and the Kospi lagged. WTI crude, gold and silver all posted outsized gains, while USD/JPY moved higher and ether fell. The move points to a market still reacting to inflation, supply and policy uncertainty, with commodity strength feeding into sector rotation across equities. [Continue Reading]
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Trump Media launches premium Truth Social API as market-moving access concerns grow
Trump Media & Technology Group has launched a premium data service for Truth Social that can deliver selected posts, including those from Donald Trump, within milliseconds to paying subscribers. The move has drawn attention because Trump's posts have repeatedly been able to move markets, particularly when they touch on tariffs, sanctions, military action or energy policy. The service is being marketed to investors and trading firms that want faster access to those messages than the general public.According to the supplied material, the premium Truth Social API was introduced earlier this month. The company says subscribers can receive posts from selected... [Continue Reading]
Wall Street closes sharply higher as tech, chips and energy lead a broad risk-on surge
Executive summary: U.S. equities finished higher across the board, led by a powerful rebound in technology and semiconductor shares, while oil, gold and silver also jumped. The Nasdaq Composite rose 2.67%, the S&P 500 gained 2.01% and the Dow added 1.50%, with Nvidia, Microsoft and Tesla among the standout large-cap winners. The move came alongside a sharp rise in WTI crude and a weaker Ether price, underscoring a session where inflation-sensitive commodities and growth stocks both drew heavy attention. [Continue Reading]
Day News Recap: Ukraine strikes deep in Russia as heat, war and security alerts spread
Ukraine said its drones hit the Taneko refinery in Nizhnekamsk in Russia's Tatarstan region, in an attack that also struck a hostel, as the death toll from the wider strike rose. ๐Oil prices climbed sharply as traders lost hope that the Strait of Hormuz would reopen soon, with the prolonged closure keeping one of the world's most important shipping routes under pressure. ๐ Iran also appointed former Revolutionary Guard commander Mohsen Rezaei as secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, a move that comes as talks over the strait continue. ๐In the Middle East, Yemen's Houthis renewed missile and drone... [Continue Reading]
Trump says Iran should pay for damage and deaths across Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and Gaza
President Donald Trump made multiple posts on Truth Social in the last hour: - "Also, with respect to the Iran negotiations, Iran should be responsible for the damages and death caused to the people of Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and Gaza!" - "I see that Representatives of the Islamic Republic of Iran are asking for compensation for the damage done to them during the last five month Military Conflict (started because, THEY WILL NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON), even though it was never mentioned in any of our negotiations or meetings! But it is an interesting idea because now I am... [Continue Reading]
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Oil prices rise as Strait of Hormuz closure drags on
Oil prices rose sharply on Monday as hopes faded that the Strait of Hormuz would reopen soon, with traders reacting to the continued closure of one of the world's most sensitive energy routes. Brent crude futures climbed more than $2 and were up 3.3% at $84.64 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate rose 3.1% to $80.63. The move came after a brief easing last week, when prices fell on expectations that a deal might be close.Tehran has said the waterway will not reopen until the United States meets a set of demands, including ending military threats and sanctions and providing... [Continue Reading]
Europe closes higher as oil and precious metals surge, DAX leads regional gains
Executive summary: European equities finished broadly higher, with the DAX leading major benchmarks and commodity-linked assets driving the dayโs biggest moves. Brent crude jumped sharply, gold and silver extended strong gains, and the euro and pound firmed against the dollar, while ether slipped. The move set points to a market still balancing growth optimism, inflation sensitivity, and renewed attention on energy costs. [Continue Reading]
Wall Street Opens Higher as Tech, Chips and Commodities Lead a Broad Risk-On Move
Executive summary: U.S. markets opened sharply higher, led by AI and chip stocks, with the Nasdaq Composite, S&P 500 and Russell 2000 all advancing. The strongest moves came in SOXX, XLK and crude oil, while gold also extended its rally. The opening tone points to a broad risk-on session, with investors rotating into growth, energy and defensive hedges at the same time. [Continue Reading]
Breakfast News Recap: China evacuates a million as wildfires, drones and Gaza tensions dominate
More than one million people have been evacuated across eastern China as Typhoon Dolphin brings heavy rain, flooding risk and transport disruption, while Hong Kong recorded its hottest day ever after the storm pushed warm air over the city. ๐ ๐In Canada, British Columbia is battling fast moving wildfires that have forced about 22,000 people from their homes, with one 80 year old woman killed while trying to leave and federal aid now approved. ๐ ๐Russia said its air defences intercepted 456 Ukrainian drones overnight across around 15 regions, including Tatarstan, in one of the largest reported drone attacks of... [Continue Reading]
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European markets open firmer as oil and precious metals surge, DAX leads gains
Executive summary: European equities opened higher, led by the DAX, while Brent crude and precious metals posted outsized gains that are likely to shape the sessionโs tone. The move points to a market balancing stronger commodity inflation signals against a still-supportive risk backdrop for stocks and currencies. [Continue Reading]
Tokyo and Asia-Pacific close higher as Nikkei surges, gold and oil extend risk bid
Executive summary: Tokyo led a broadly firmer Asia-Pacific session, with the Nikkei 225 jumping +4.7% and the Nikkei 225 ETF rising +4.9%. Autos, commodities and energy-linked assets outperformed, while Hong Kong lagged slightly and the yen weakened further against the dollar. The move points to a strong risk-on tone, but also to a market still sensitive to currency moves, commodity inflation and policy expectations. [Continue Reading]
Tokyo Opens Higher as Gold Surges, Oil Firms and Asia-Pacific Risk Appetite Stays Mixed
Executive summary: Tokyo and broader Asia-Pacific markets opened with a firmer tone, led by gains in Japanese equities and resource-linked assets, while Hong Kong lagged. Gold extended a powerful rally, crude oil also moved higher, and the yen stayed weak against the dollar. The move set reflects a market still balancing inflation hedging, commodity strength and uneven regional equity sentiment. [Continue Reading]
Day News Recap: Russia escalates Ukraine strikes as wildfires, storms and Middle East tensions spread
Russia intensified its overnight bombardment of Ukrainian cities, killing 13 people and injuring 90, as the latest wave of strikes hit multiple areas and deepened fears over the coming winter. ๐Volodymyr Zelensky warned Ukraine could enter winter with virtually no working thermal power plants after fresh Russian strikes killed four in the Kyiv region, while Kyiv also said its 40 day strike campaign inside Russia had hit oil and gas infrastructure at least 100 times. ๐ ๐Ukraine also said Russia may deploy 30,000 to 50,000 North Korean troops on Russian territory to support the war effort, adding to concerns over... [Continue Reading]
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Trump highlights Clinton endorsement of his Gaza plan as the only viable option
President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social at 9 August 2026 at 17:51 BST: "Hillary Clinton: "The world may not like Trump's Gaza plan, but there is no alternative: If even I, an implacable opponent of the president, can accept this as the best option, then surely others can too?"https://www.ft.com/content/2472e584-758b-4a3f-83d1-9fba042a9312" Explanation: President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social at 9 August 2026 at 17:51 BST: Hillary Clinton: "The world may not like Trump's Gaza plan, but there is no alternative: If even I, an implacable opponent of the president, can accept this as the best option, then surely others can... [Continue Reading]
US Senate passes Russia energy sanctions bill as House vote is delayed
The US Senate has passed a tougher sanctions package aimed at Russia's energy revenues, adding fresh pressure on a central source of funding for Moscow's war effort in Ukraine. The bill passed by 86 votes to 11 and now moves to the House of Representatives, where a vote is not expected until at least early September because of the congressional summer recess. The legislation is framed as a way to increase economic pressure on Russia while also targeting the maritime networks used to evade existing embargoes.The measure, called the Lindsey Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, would impose... [Continue Reading]
US July payrolls unexpectedly fall, raising questions over Fed policy path
The US economy unexpectedly shed jobs in July, according to the latest employment report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Nonfarm payrolls fell by 23,000 last month, while June figures were revised to show a 20,000 increase. The unemployment rate also eased to 4.1% from 4.2%, even as the labour force participation rate declined further.The report came in well below expectations. Economists had forecast payroll growth of 80,000, after June had previously been reported as a gain of 57,000. The latest revision and July decline point to a softer labour market than markets had anticipated.The data also reinforced the view... [Continue Reading]
Netanyahu signals possible unilateral action as Iran war drags on
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has suggested that Israel may act alone as the war with Iran continues, even as Washington and Tehran appear close to an interim deal on the Strait of Hormuz. The remarks came during a state ceremony in West Jerusalem and were framed by Netanyahu as a matter of Israel's security. The comments add to signs of strain in the US-Israeli campaign against Iran and raise fresh questions about the next phase of the conflict.Netanyahu said he was determined to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and described the United States as Israel's greatest ally.... [Continue Reading]
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Australian silicon maker to exit US market after new tariffs
Australia's only silicon manufacturer, Simcoa, says it will pull its business out of the United States on 14 August after a new tariff decision made sales there uneconomic. The company says the additional levy on its silicon exports has left it with no viable way to continue in the market. Simcoa has said it will instead look for alternative buyers in South-East Asia and India.The company's vice-president, David Miles, said the business had no choice but to leave the US market for good. He said Simcoa had a limited amount of stock already in warehouses in the United States, most... [Continue Reading]
Miliband urges US to reopen Strait of Hormuz ahead of first one-to-one talks with Rubio
UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband has called on the United States to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz as he travels to Washington for his first official one-to-one meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. He said free passage through the Gulf waterway was essential to ease cost-of-living pressures on British families. The talks are also expected to cover the war in Ukraine and what Miliband described as the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza.Miliband said he was looking forward to his second meeting with Rubio, after the pair first met on the sidelines of a foreign ministers' summit in... [Continue Reading]
Trump warns Iran over Strait of Hormuz as deal may be near
US President Donald Trump has said a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz could come as soon as today or tomorrow, while warning that Iran would be hit very hard if negotiations fail. His comments came as the strategic waterway remained at the centre of talks involving the United States, Oman and Iran over traffic through the passage. The latest remarks add urgency to a dispute that has already unsettled global energy markets and shipping.Trump said negotiators had a very good day and told reporters in California that the strait would be open very soon, or Iran would face... [Continue Reading]
Argentina grain exports disrupted as maritime pilots strike over deregulation decree
Argentina's grain export system has been disrupted after maritime pilots walked off the job, preventing ships from entering and leaving key ports. The strike has affected more than 45 vessels, according to a business chamber representative, and has slowed commercial activity in one of the world's most important food-export corridors. The disruption is centred on ports along the Parana River, through which most of the country's soy, corn and wheat shipments move.The walkout began on Monday after the government published a decree on Friday that deregulates river navigation services. The decree was signed by President Javier Milei and says it... [Continue Reading]
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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 Nakheelโs 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. โBecause 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]
The Mirage of the Umbrella: The Shifting Sands of the U.S.-Israel-GCC Alliance
As I sat in a recent debate at the historic Carlton Club in London, listening to Faisal Abbas, the Editor-in-Chief of Arab News, I felt a tangible shift in the room, not because a new fact had been revealed, but because an old illusion had finally lost its last breath. The old-world order has not merely changed, it has evaporated, leaving the Gulf to realize it is no longer watching a distant fire from the safety of marble towers and air-conditioned ministries, but is instead standing directly inside the smoke. The GCC today is caught in a lethal crossfire between... [Continue Reading]
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The Glass Elevator to Nowhere: A World Trapped in a Chocolate Factory
As a journalist in my mid-fifties, I thought my skin had thickened to the point of being impenetrable. I have covered the rise and fall of regimes, the grinding gears of the Cold War's leftovers, and the digital revolutions that promised to unite us. I thought I had seen every trick in the political playbook. Then came Donald Trumpโs 2026 foreign policy, and I realized I was not watching a statesman; I was watching a child play with a chemistry set he does not understand. The Willy Wonka of the West: Rule by Whim Walking into a press briefing lately... [Continue Reading]
When Deterrence Becomes Reality
Yesterday the war crossed a line! For years the Sejjil ballistic missile existed mostly as a symbol. A weapon paraded in military videos, discussed in defense briefings, whispered about in strategic circles as one of Iranโs most serious capabilities. A weapon that analysts described as deterrence, not something meant to be used. But on March 15, 2026, that line disappeared. Iran reportedly launched the Sejjil (also known as Ashoura) as part of what Tehran called the 54th wave of Operation True Promise 4, a massive strike package that also included the Fattah hypersonic missile and the Qadr ballistic missile system.... [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]
There Is Good in Every Bad
Power, Greed, Oil, and the Theater of Modern Geopolitics The Business Model of Power Donald Trump does not govern like a traditional politician. He governs like a negotiator who believes every geopolitical crisis is leverage, every war threat is a bargaining chip, and every market panic is an opportunity. When markets tremble, someone profits. The question is, who? Global markets react instantly to political tension. Gold rises when conflict looms. Oil spikes when instability threatens production. Stock markets collapse on fear, then rebound on reassurance. Volatility is not chaos, it is opportunity. Historically, gold has surged during major geopolitical crises,... [Continue Reading]
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