1. Australia Recognizes Palestinian Statehood
Australia will formally recognize Palestinian statehood at this month’s UN General Assembly, marking a major shift in its Middle East policy. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the move as a commitment to peace and international law. The announcement has drawn praise from pro-Palestinian groups and criticism from Israeli officials.
📎 Read more on The Guardian
2. India’s Pigeon Feeding Row Turns Tense
In Maharashtra, a Jain monk has vowed to begin an indefinite hunger strike on August 13 over the closure of a traditional pigeon feeding site. Declaring it a matter of faith, he warned that “arms will be taken up” if necessary, sparking public and political debate.
📎 Full story on Times of India
3. Markets Eye Tariff Deadline & Trump–Putin Summit
Global markets are bracing for the looming end of the U.S.–China tariff truce. Investors are also watching the August 15 Trump–Putin summit in Alaska, where Ukraine’s conflict will be a key topic.
📎 More on Financial Times
4. Bitcoin Nears Record High as Commodities Ease
Bitcoin is approaching its all-time high amid strong institutional demand. Meanwhile, oil and gold prices have slipped due to optimism over Ukraine peace talks, signaling shifting investor sentiment.
📎 Read the market update on The Guardian
5. Stocks Climb Ahead of Inflation Data
U.S. stock futures are trending upward as traders anticipate inflation numbers and key tech earnings. Nvidia and AMD struck a deal to share China revenues with the U.S. government for export license access, while Intel remains in the spotlight ahead of its CEO’s White House visit.
📎 Full report on Investopedia
