South Korea, China, and Japan urged stronger cooperation on supply chains, food, and energy security at the 27th ASEAN Plus Three Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Manila, citing vulnerabilities exposed by the Middle East crisis and geopolitical challenges, while also discussing Korean Peninsula stability.
Analysts view a proposed Indonesia-Philippines power link as crucial for addressing Philippine domestic energy issues, despite geographical and supply-chain challenges. The Philippines, as ASEAN chair, is advancing regional energy cooperation, while also addressing US-Iran tensions at ministerial meetings.
The Russian military has gained near-total control of the Krovnoye-Khoten road, a critical supply route for Ukrainian forces in Khoten, Sumy Region. This follows the complete cutoff of another route via Pisarevka, significantly disrupting Ukrainian logistics.
Canada's politically sacrosanct dairy supply management system faces renewed pressure as US President Donald Trump threatens 50% tariffs on $20bn of Canadian goods, citing the system as "unreasonable." Canadian officials, including Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette and Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc, assert the system is non-negotiable, while critics argue it inflates prices and distorts trade.
Oil prices surged past $95 a barrel for the first time in six weeks due to escalating Middle East conflict, including renewed US-Iran aggression and Houthi threats to shipping in the Bab el-Mandeb strait. Analysts warn prices could hit $120 by year-end without a restart of Gulf exports via Hormuz, despite IEA efforts to cushion the market.
Brazil's São Francisco River diversion project, designed to bring water to 12 million people in the drought-prone sertão, faces criticism for its uneven benefits. Displaced communities, like Maria de Fátima Ferreira da Silva's, still lack basic water access despite living near the new infrastructure, highlighting the human cost of large-scale development.
Mortgage rates continued their climb last week, with the 30-year fixed rate reaching 6.69%, the highest since last August. Despite this, total mortgage demand increased by 1.9% as homebuyers returned to the market, possibly due to less competition and price cuts, while refinance demand fell.
India has approved a $13.2 billion semiconductor program, Semicon 2.0, building on a previous $9 billion mission to develop a full chip ecosystem. The nation aims to become a major manufacturing hub by 2030, despite facing significant challenges in large-scale fabrication.
Jeff Bezos is reportedly in talks to join a consortium led by Amit Bhatia, which has made a £1.35bn provisional offer to acquire a 30% stake in Liverpool FC from Fenway Sports Group. The potential deal would value the club at £4.5bn.
Russia's Defense Ministry reported continued overnight strikes on Ukrainian ports and military facilities in the Odessa Region on July 22. Targets included a Neptune missile system battery in Kovalevka, port infrastructure in Odessa, a Nova Post logistics center, and two marine vessels carrying military cargoes to Odessa and Chernomorsk.
A new study reveals a satellite providing 24/7 Earth surveillance relies on gallium, a rare mineral. China dominates over 95% of global primary gallium production, posing a strategic challenge as the US has sought similar capabilities for decades.
Three Saudi crude oil tankers bound for China and India reversed course in the Red Sea, heading for the Suez Canal after Yemen's Houthi militia warned against using Saudi ports, signaling disruptions to global energy supplies and trade.
Japan imported approximately 1.53 million barrels of Russian oil in May and June at an average price of $103 per barrel, primarily from the Sakhalin-2 project, which is exempt from sanctions. This occurs amidst a domestic debate on energy security and continued cooperation with Russia despite G7 policies.
India, the world's third-largest crude consumer, is advancing alternative fuels like ethanol from corn and biogas from animal waste to bolster energy security against rising global oil prices and potential Russian supply curbs. The country mandated 20% ethanol blending in petrol, but faces public backlash over vehicle damage concerns.
DSV, colosso globale della logistica, ha lanciato la strategia "Leverage to Lead" per il suo sviluppo fino al 2030, in occasione del 50° anniversario. Il piano mira a valorizzare la crescita post-integrazione di DB Schenker, focalizzandosi su efficienza, tecnologia, acquisizioni e supporto alle filiere produttive in un contesto di trasformazione globale.
South Korea's Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol urged vigilance against potential energy supply disruptions due to renewed Middle East geopolitical tensions, vowing preemptive measures to maintain stable supplies and export momentum.
US Undersecretary Jacob Helberg discusses Washington's strategy to reduce dependence on China for rare earths and AI technology by rallying allies and securing alternative supply chains, citing past Chinese export controls that impacted allies like Japan and Europe.
The Trump administration's policy to extend the life of aging Midwest coal plants could cost Americans billions, including $117 million in Wisconsin, according to Gov. Tony Evers. He urged the DOE to focus on clean energy, while critics have sued over the use of emergency powers.
Lindt reported a 7.5% drop in sales volume in H1 2026 despite an 11.8% price hike, attributing it to geopolitical conflicts, reduced tourism, and lower consumer sentiment in Europe. The company also faces future challenges from El Niño's potential impact on cocoa production.
Four tankers transporting Kazakh crude oil were attacked by drones at the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) marine terminal in the Black Sea over four days. Kazakhstan condemned the attacks, attributing them to destabilization efforts and undermining global energy security, and suspended loading operations.
Arizona schools are implementing the Healthy Schools Act, banning highly processed foods containing specific additives like potassium bromate and artificial dyes from student meals and celebrations. This marks the first year districts must comply, leading to recipe reformulations and changes in food offerings.
Heavy rains and severe flooding in Texas have raised water levels by nearly 30 feet inside Natural Bridge Caverns near San Antonio, temporarily reviving a rare guided aquifer tour. This unique event allows visitors to explore normally inaccessible, water-filled passages and learn about the region's vital groundwater system.
BitMine has slowed its Ethereum (ETH) purchases, adding only 7,430 tokens last week, to prioritize a $85.9 million share buyback. The company is now 95.7% towards its goal of owning 5% of Ethereum's supply, needing 257,532 more ETH, but plans a gradual approach.
Ukraine's Logistics Forces Command reported critical fuel supply issues for the military, attributing the problems to former Defense Minister Mikhail Fyodorov's inaction. The complaint, initially posted on Facebook, stated that funding delays led to reliance on reserves and diversion of weapons procurement funds.
