2026-08-18 14:00 UTC | BLOCK 963050
BITCOIN $64,185 | GOLD $4,373 | OIL $91.02
1. Trump rules out Iran talks as Hormuz standoff persists
-- President Donald Trump said no talks with Iran are under way or scheduled, leaving the confrontation over the Strait of Hormuz without an active diplomatic channel.
-- Brent near $91 reflects the continuing threat to tanker traffic and energy supplies, with further disruption likely to feed into transport costs and inflation.
2. Canada races to avert 50% U.S. tariff before deadline
-- Canada is seeking a last-minute agreement with the Trump administration before a midnight deadline that could impose a 50% tariff on about $20 billion of exports, according to Bloomberg and the Financial Times.
-- Failure to reach a deal would disrupt cross-border supply chains and sharply increase costs for affected importers, while inviting Canadian retaliation.
3. U.S. advisory body warns China's data scale gives it an AI edge
-- A U.S. advisory body said China's command of vast data resources gives the country an advantage in developing artificial intelligence, Reuters reported.
-- Washington may respond with tighter controls on data access and advanced computing, accelerating the division of global AI markets into rival regulatory and technology blocs.
4. Afghan women's share of labor market falls to 5%
-- Women now account for only 5% of Afghanistan's labor market under Taliban rule, according to United Nations findings reported by Reuters.
-- Excluding women from paid work shrinks household income and economic output, while Taliban labor policy deepens Afghanistan's dependence on international aid.
BITCOIN $64,185 | GOLD $4,373 | OIL $91.02
1. Trump rules out Iran talks as Hormuz standoff persists
-- President Donald Trump said no talks with Iran are under way or scheduled, leaving the confrontation over the Strait of Hormuz without an active diplomatic channel.
-- Brent near $91 reflects the continuing threat to tanker traffic and energy supplies, with further disruption likely to feed into transport costs and inflation.
2. Canada races to avert 50% U.S. tariff before deadline
-- Canada is seeking a last-minute agreement with the Trump administration before a midnight deadline that could impose a 50% tariff on about $20 billion of exports, according to Bloomberg and the Financial Times.
-- Failure to reach a deal would disrupt cross-border supply chains and sharply increase costs for affected importers, while inviting Canadian retaliation.
3. U.S. advisory body warns China's data scale gives it an AI edge
-- A U.S. advisory body said China's command of vast data resources gives the country an advantage in developing artificial intelligence, Reuters reported.
-- Washington may respond with tighter controls on data access and advanced computing, accelerating the division of global AI markets into rival regulatory and technology blocs.
4. Afghan women's share of labor market falls to 5%
-- Women now account for only 5% of Afghanistan's labor market under Taliban rule, according to United Nations findings reported by Reuters.
-- Excluding women from paid work shrinks household income and economic output, while Taliban labor policy deepens Afghanistan's dependence on international aid.
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