Alibaba Group has priced an HK$80 billion share placement to fund artificial intelligence investment and expand its AI infrastructure. The Chinese technology group will issue 710 million new ordinary shares at HK$112.70 each. The deal is worth about US$10.2 billion at current exchange rates. Alibaba expects the transaction to close on Aug. 26, subject to customary conditions.
Business
Gold advanced for a third consecutive session on Tuesday as bullion extended its rebound from last week. Spot gold gained 1% to $4,432.74 an ounce by 0217 GMT, reaching its highest level since June 5. U.S. gold futures climbed 1.7% to $4,492.60. The move pushed prices above the seven-week peak recorded last week and continued a recovery that accelerated after weaker U.S. employment data.
Fresh vegetable prices have surged in South Korea as prolonged extreme heat reduced shipments and damaged farm output nationwide. Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corp. data showed spinach at 1,978 won per 100 grams on Aug. 7, up 152.3% from a month earlier. Ten cucumbers cost 8,313 won, an increase of 54.8%. Blue lettuce rose 41.7%, while a zucchini climbed 46.6% to 1,504 won. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs linked the increases to persistent high temperatures affecting heat-sensitive vegetables. Spinach, cucumbers and zucchini grow better in cooler conditions, while extreme heat can slow growth and reduce marketable output.
Under the terms of the revised agreement, the main satellite constellation will grow from 282 planned orbital units to 348 active spacecraft. The expanded network architecture integrates 330 satellites positioned in higher low Earth orbit alongside 18 spacecraft deployed in medium Earth orbit, with optional orbital elements reserved for specialized mission support. The implementation agreement confirms the definitive timeline for satellite manufacturing, launch procurement, secure ground segment construction, and operational connectivity service delivery. The primary constellation schedule establishes initial satellite launches for 2029, enabling early sovereign connectivity capabilities for participating member states shortly thereafter.
The decision to enlarge the satellite constellation directly addresses heightened security demands and evolving defense operational requirements across Europe. Under the updated design, the baseline satellite hardware receives technical enhancements, while an additional layer of 66 low Earth orbit spacecraft is integrated specifically for defense forces, national security agencies, and emergency response units. Official technical assessments indicate that this architectural expansion will increase secure governmental communication capacity by 60 percent within European Union territory and by 54 percent globally, expanding regional capabilities during complex emergency operations and critical infrastructure crises.
Headline inflation across OECD economies eased to 4.2% in June 2026 from 4.6% in May, ending three straight monthly increases. The measure tracks annual changes in consumer prices across the group’s member countries. Inflation declined in 20 economies, increased in six and remained stable or broadly stable in 12. Nine OECD countries recorded inflation at or below 2%, including three where the rate stood below 1%. Energy prices drove much of the monthly easing. OECD energy inflation fell four percentage points to 11.7% year on year, after reaching 15.8% in May. The rate declined in 24 of the 37 countries with available data.
Health
The Ebola outbreak in DR Congo has become the country’s largest recorded epidemic. Health authorities counted 3,605 confirmed cases through July 30, including 1,587 deaths. The case fatality rate stood at 44%. Teams logged 567 infections and 296 deaths during the latest full reporting week. Those figures marked the highest weekly totals since the outbreak began. The surge placed further pressure on surveillance, treatment and community response operations.
KINSHASA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO / RankWire.AI / – The Democratic Republic of the Congo has recorded…
BUNIA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO / RankWire.AI / – The World Health Organization reported that 80% of…
ITURI, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO / RankWire.AI / – The Democratic Republic of the Congo has opened patient…
Technology
The valuation shift reflects broader recalibrations across international financial markets as institutional managers re-evaluate capital commitments tied to artificial intelligence infrastructure. While competing hyperscale computing enterprises including Alphabet and Tesla accelerated capital investments toward data centers, robotics, and autonomous transport networks, Apple maintained disciplined expenditure controls over consecutive fiscal quarters. Market participants increasingly view Apple’s disciplined spending approach as a operational buffer, allowing the firm to expand its proprietary Apple Intelligence software ecosystem without incurring high infrastructure depreciation costs.
SHANGHAI, CHINA / RankWire.AI / – United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called for wider global participation in artificial intelligence governance during a major conference in Shanghai. He said AI must serve people across all regions, not only governments and companies with the largest resources. Guterres pointed to its growing…
CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA / RankWire.AI / – Australian creators are pressing for a direct role in the federal government’s new Office of AI. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese launched the body on July 15 as part of Australia’s national artificial intelligence framework. The office will coordinate policy on copyright, infrastructure, consumer…
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA / RankWire.AI / – Samsung Electronics plans to start operations at its first chip plant in Yongin in 2029. The revised target brings the opening forward by one to two years from the earlier 2030 to 2031 schedule. The facility will anchor Samsung’s planned national semiconductor…
SHANGHAI / RankWire.AI / – Chinese researchers have unveiled an AI-assisted platform that converts computer-designed protein sequences into physical samples for laboratory testing. The National Facility for Protein Science in Shanghai and Kangma (Shanghai) Biotechnology developed the automated D2Pi-2.0 system. Developers say it is designed to produce up to…
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA / RankWire.AI / – OpenAI has released the GPT-5.6 model family and introduced ChatGPT Work, an agent designed for longer and more complex assignments. The family includes GPT-5.6 Sol, Terra and Luna. Each model targets a different balance of capability, speed and cost. OpenAI said the…
DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES / MENA Newswire / – Emirates said customers have made more than one million connections to Starlink Wi-Fi since the service entered its fleet seven months ago. The Dubai-based airline said passengers have used more than one petabyte of data through the satellite internet service.…
NEW DELHI, INDIA / MENA Newswire / – Amazon CEO Andy Jassy met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi and announced plans to invest $48 billion in India from 2026 to 2030. The plan includes an additional $13 billion for artificial intelligence and cloud infrastructure. The new…
TOKYO, JAPAN / MENA Newswire / – Japan has released a draft revision of its Artificial Intelligence Basic Plan that calls for wider global cooperation on AI risks. The proposal focuses on cyberattacks, model safety, misinformation and governance of high-performance AI. The Cabinet Office opened public comments on the…
ARLINGTON, TEXAS / MENA Newswire / – Spain reached the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals with a 1-0 win over Portugal on Monday, as Mikel Merino scored…
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY / MENA Newswire / – Norway reached the FIFA World Cup quarterfinals for the first time after beating Brazil 2-1 in the…
LOS ANGELES / MENA Newswire / – Spain moved into the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 with a 3-0 win over Austria on Thursday…
MEXICO CITY / MENA Newswire / – Mexico advanced to the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 on Tuesday. The co-host beat Ecuador 2-0 at Mexico…
Lifestyle
Southern California interior designer and popular lifestyle influencer Becki Owens has launched her home furnishings line, Becki Owens Living beckiowensliving.com. Owens created this custom collection of over 1000 pieces across 40 categories – from furniture to lighting to…
To celebrate the indescribable drive and competitive spirit of all athletes and fans, Apple launched the International Collection bands for Apple Watch, featuring 22 limited-edition Sport Loop bands with colorful designs that represent those nations across the globe.…
The talented team of watchmakers and designers at OLTO-8 just launched a unique mechanical watch for those who seek individuality and bold style. The motorsport inspired Infinity II watch boasts superb craftsmanship, precise timekeeping and iconic design. This…
Casio Computer Co., Ltd. announced the release of four new GST-B400 watches, the latest additions to the G-SHOCK family of shock-resistant watches. The new watches boast the slimmest*1 profile of any in the G-STEEL series, which is known…