Trump Claims Hormuz, Debt Hits 25-Year Peak, Taiwan Drills, SMIC Record

Trump Pledges to Declare Strait of Hormuz US Territory as Blockade Holds

Crowley Upsets Hong in Wisconsin; El-Sayed Wins Michigan Senate Dem Primary

Wisconsin's Democratic primary August 11 produced the cycle's first major upset: Crowley defeated state Rep. Francesca Hong with 39.

30-Year Treasury Clears 5.22%, Highest Since 2001, as US Debt Nears $40 Trillion

The US Treasury sold $25 billion in 30-year bonds August 13 at a stop-out yield of 5. 22% — the highest auction clearing rate since 5.

UMich Consumer Sentiment Falls to 51.0, Misses 54.5 Forecast on Iran Inflation

The University of Michigan preliminary August consumer sentiment index came in at 51. 0, missing the consensus of 54.

Taiwan's Largest-Ever Han Kuang Drills Conclude; 20,000 Reservists Train for China Invasion

Taiwan's annual Han Kuang exercises concluded August 14 after 10 days — the largest mobilization in the exercise's history.

SMIC Q2 Revenue Hits Record $3.01B as AI Demand Drives 93.7% Utilization and 5.7% Price Hike

SMIC reported record Q2 2026 revenue of $3. 01 billion — up 20% quarter-on-quarter and 36.

Apple Quietly Trains China AI Model With Alibaba, Routing Around US Export Control Intent

Apple is training a dedicated AI model for its China market in partnership with Alibaba, structured to comply with Beijing's data-localization and AI deployment regulations.

OpenAI and Anthropic Cut AI Prices; DeepSeek Raises Them — Infrastructure War Begins

OpenAI and Anthropic both cut inference pricing this week; DeepSeek raised it.

Bundibugyo Ebola PHEIC: 4,053 Confirmed, 44% Fatality Rate, 75 New Cases Daily

WHO declared the Bundibugyo virus disease outbreak in the DRC a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on May 17, 2026.

Taliban Five Years On: 3.7 Million Girls Banned from School, Economy Contracts 30%

August 15 marks five years since Kabul fell within 24 hours of the US withdrawal. Five years on, 3.

Uber and Pony.ai Deploy 2,000 Robotaxis in Europe; China Courts Rule AI Job Displacement Unlawful

Uber and Pony. ai are preparing to put more than 2,000 robotaxis on European roads — AI expanding from software into physical infrastructure at scale.

DHS Paid $464M for Aircraft Now Sitting Parked; Federal Procurement Waste Pattern Continues

A US Department of Homeland Security agency paid $464 million for aircraft that were subsequently parked and unused — one of the larger single-line procurement failures disclosed this budget cycle.