The Dow reached 42,000 following the Fed’s rate cut, setting a new record. Though expected, the milestone is still notable.
—

However, don’t expect mortgages to become significantly cheaper anytime soon. The stock market responds to Fed decisions much faster than the housing market does.
—

Also, Bitcoin surged above $62,000 following the Fed’s jumbo interest rate cut. The cryptocurrency continues to gain momentum amid economic shifts.
—

In addition, the US Federal Reserve’s large rate cut is expected to ease pressure on the yuan, giving China’s central bank more flexibility to stimulate its economy. With the yuan up 2.5% against the dollar since July, the Fed’s half-point cut allows Beijing to focus on lowering its own borrowing costs, possibly as soon as Friday, when loan prime rates are set.
—

On the other side, the Bank of Japan kept interest rates steady, expressing confidence in the country’s economic recovery. Unlike much of the developed world battling high inflation, Japan has long faced deflation concerns and only shifted to positive interest rates in March after years of negative rates aimed at stimulating spending; the bank signaled that further rate hikes could follow if consumer spending continues to rise.

SpaceX satellites are blotting out several suns. Astronomers say Starlink radiation leaks are making it hard for their telescopes to see distant stars.
—

Olive Garden is shifting focus to takeout, partnering with Uber for delivery as dine-in sales decline. This move reflects the chain’s response to changing customer preferences.
—
Trump Media stock hit a new low just before Donald Trump becomes eligible to sell his shares. The timing adds pressure as the stock continues to decline.
—

A Delta Air Lines flight from Salt Lake City to Portland on Sunday was forced to return shortly after takeoff due to cabin pressurization issues on the Boeing 737-900. Paramedics met the 140 passengers upon landing, with 10 individuals receiving treatment for bloody noses or ruptured eardrums.
—

A report revealed that several controversial ventures by India’s Adani Group closely aligned with diplomatic efforts by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, raising concerns about his relationship with billionaire founder Gautam Adani. Deals in Kenya, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka followed shortly after Modi’s visits or meetings with their leaders, reflecting his strategy to counter China’s influence in Africa and Asia. However, the Indian opposition has accused Modi and Adani of “collusion,” claiming it weakened India’s global standing.
—

India’s competition with China also includes an Indian electric vehicle company that plans to start selling e-scooters in Europe next year. While electric two-wheeler sales in India surged 33% to over 900,000 in 2023-24, driven by government incentives, Hero, the country’s largest manufacturer, aims to enter the UK market by mid-2025, followed by Spain and France.
—

In another blow for China, Myanmar’s civil war is jeopardizing China’s plans for a key trade route through the country, including a Chinese-funded rail link to a new sea port on Myanmar’s coast. The 2021 military coup disrupted the project as the ruling junta lost control of much of the country, particularly along the economic corridor. The regime suspects China of backing both sides of the conflict, as rebel groups are using Chinese-made weapons, and analysts believe China views the junta as “incompetent” and is urging for elections.

—

Netflix is shifting its focus in Southeast Asia towards more “locally authentic” content to attract viewers, according to a top executive. While South Korean and Japanese content remains popular, there is growing demand for Southeast Asian shows, with Netflix offering six original Indonesian titles, 10 Thai ones, and a zombie movie from the Philippines.
—

Drought in eastern Europe has lowered Danube River water levels, exposing German World War II shipwrecks that pose shipping hazards due to their remaining armaments. As interest in these wrecks grows, some parts are being taken by visitors, raising concerns about preservation and safety.
—

Walmart is intensifying competition with credit card networks by introducing a new option for consumers to pay for online orders directly via instant bank transfers, bypassing traditional credit card processing fees. This move signals growing tensions between retailers and payments companies, potentially reshaping the payments landscape.
—

The German government has initiated an internal investigation to understand how it was caught off guard by UniCredit acquiring a significant stake in one of its historically important banks Commerzbank. The move raises concerns about oversight and the potential implications for the country’s financial sector.

—

Aldar Properties sold $381 million in unbuilt homes in Abu Dhabi within 24 hours, reflecting the strength of the UAE’s property market, with Emiratis making up half the buyers. Real estate transactions and prices are surging in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai, where home prices in June rose 21.3% year-over-year, and further increases are expected.
—

Saudi Arabia is entering the space tourism market, partnering with Spain’s Halo Space to host commercial near-space trips using high-altitude balloon capsules, with the first test launch set for late September or early October. This marks a key step in the kingdom’s plans to offer space flights by 2026, contributing to the Middle East’s rapidly growing space sector, projected to reach $75 billion by 2032.
—

Tunisia’s government jailed opposition figure Ayachi Zammel, one of two candidates running against President Kais Saied, ahead of next month’s election, with his campaign calling the sentence politically motivated. Despite Saied’s crackdown on the opposition and undermining of democratic institutions, European countries continue to collaborate with Tunisia on reducing migration, with the EU pledging $120 million to combat smuggling while reportedly overlooking human rights abuses against migrants.

—

Rolls-Royce is set to secure a contract with the Czech government to build Europe’s first fleet of small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs), seen as a reliable and low-carbon energy solution. SMRs are designed to avoid the budget overruns and delays of traditional nuclear plants by being mostly pre-assembled off-site, and Rolls-Royce, leveraging its experience from Royal Navy submarines, is also competing to build SMRs in the UK as European countries seek energy security in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
—

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) unanimously voted to modify market rules, allowing approximately 1,700 securities to be quoted in increments of $0.005 starting in November 2025. This change aims to enhance pricing precision and market efficiency.
—

The European Union has delayed a vote on imposing tariffs of up to 35% on Chinese-made electric vehicles, with China lobbying to soften or drop the policy. Some EU countries, including Spain and reportedly Germany, oppose the tariffs, which come as part of a broader Western pushback against China’s growing dominance in the EV market; the US already announced a 100% tariff in May.
—

Football fans are increasingly investing in expensive vintage jerseys, with classic kits becoming valuable collector’s items. Arsenal’s 1991-1993 “bruised banana” away kit can sell for up to $560, and West Germany’s 1990 World Cup-winning shirt might fetch $400, while the most coveted jersey is the 1988 Netherlands team’s Adidas kit, which could go for as much as $1,200.
—

Amazon has appointed Samir Kumar, a 25-year company veteran, to lead its India operations as the company plans to invest $26 billion in the country by 2030. Despite its expansion, Amazon is facing regulatory scrutiny, with India’s antitrust body accusing it of favoring select sellers and engaging in “predatory pricing.” The company reported $580 million in net losses in 2023 due to significant price cuts, but this strategy is driving massive sales as Amazon aims to capture market share despite short-term financial losses.
—