September 23, 2026

06 Market

Mongolia positions itself as Asia’s next data centre hub– www.euronews.com

pgnewser August 26, 2026 0

Mongolia positions itself as Asia’s next data centre hub– www.euronews.com
News Source
EXCERPT:

Mongolia is positioning itself as a global data centre hub, signing agreements for 863 megawatts of data centre capacity on the sidelines of a United Nations conference on desertification that brought 197 delegations to Ulaanbaatar this month.

The move to attract data centre investment was the most concrete economic outcome of the 12-day COP17 conference of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, where delegates are discussing how to restore land degraded by climate change.

According to Deputy Prime Minister Togmid Dorjkhand, Mongolia has three main competitive advantages: cheap renewable energy, a cold climate that reduces cooling costs, and a vast land area and stable legal framework.

“We have a lot of energy generation potential, above the ground and under the ground and we have all kinds of deposits, uranium and coal and other resources,” Togmid told Euronews.

“And yes, we are a very cold country, eight months a year are very cold. Cold weather is important for the data centres because they need a lot of cooling, so the colder the weather the more you save on cooling.”

Iran War Half Drags On

pgnewser August 21, 2026 1

The on-again, off-again (and not-quite, but nearly) ceasefire trend of the Iran War continues. President Trump has cut off all negotiations with Iran, however, and is calling on Iran to surrender. The administration announced plans to step up its economic war against Iran. The administration also claims it has mostly re-opened the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump declared, “ANY country that allows its financial institutions, businesses, airports, or government entities ⁠to provide any type of lifeline to Iran will itself face TREMENDOUS Economic Consequences.”

Iran war live: Tehran accuses Trump of ‘economic terrorism’ – The Independent
News Source

EXCERPT:

Iran has accused US president Donald Trump of threatening “economic terrorism” after the US treasury said it would introduce the “toughest sanctions in history” against Tehran.

Trump has promised to wage “Economic Warfare and Isolation on an unprecedented scale”, suggesting the US will extend sanctions to allies that have helped mediate peace ‌talks.

Scott Bessent urges US partners to back plans to ‘squash’ Iran economy– www.bbc.co.uk

pgnewser August 21, 2026 0

Scott Bessent urges US partners to back plans to ‘squash’ Iran economy– www.bbc.co.uk
News Source
EXCERPT:

The Iranian economy has long been struggling under the weight of decades of international sanctions, which left it in tatters.

Earlier this year, Iran experienced weeks of protests due to the spiralling cost of living and inflation – with everyday Iranians blaming the regime for their difficulties.

Official figures show that in the 12 months to February 2026, the price of basic necessities increased by an average 60%, while food prices doubled in the same period.

At the time, Trump told demonstrators “help is on the way” as he urged them to “keep protesting”.

A little over a month later, the US joined Israel in its attack on Iran – and later implemented a blockade on Iranian ports, threatening further sanctions.

In April, the US launched a wave of sanctions on foreign banks and firms doing business with Tehran after it became apparent military operations had not led to the overthrow of Iran’s regime nor its surrender, as Trump had initially hoped.

U.S. Military Opens Hormuz Shipping Corridor, Restoring Millions of Barrels of Oil to Global Market › American Greatness– amgreatness.com

pgnewser August 21, 2026 0

U.S. Military Opens Hormuz Shipping Corridor, Restoring Millions of Barrels of Oil to Global Market › American Greatness– amgreatness.com
News Source
EXCERPT:

The U.S. military has established a protected shipping corridor through the Strait of Hormuz that is moving nearly 10 million barrels of oil a day into global markets despite continued Iranian attacks, according to U.S. officials.

The operation has been underway for several weeks, with 15 to 20 tankers regularly traveling through a southern channel near Oman, two U.S. officials told Axios. Current shipments amount to roughly half the oil that passed through the strait before the war disrupted traffic.

The effort provides a significant boost to global energy supplies after the conflict sent oil prices sharply higher.

“We have been controlling the southern lane of the Strait of Hormuz for two months now,” one U.S. official told Axios. “The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps can be a nuisance, but they don’t control the strait. We do.”

The operation includes escorting loaded tankers out of the Persian Gulf while helping empty vessels enter, collect oil from Gulf countries and return safely through the strait.

Major Supermarket Chain Closes 39 Stores With Dozens More Set To Follow– wltreport.com

pgnewser August 21, 2026 0

Major Supermarket Chain Closes 39 Stores With Dozens More Set To Follow– wltreport.com
News Source
EXCERPT:

Your local Kroger may be in danger of closing.

A new report has revealed 39 Kroger supermarket stores some of which are identified under a different banner have closed its doors.

The closings won’t end there though.

Dozens more are set to close its doors by the end of 2026.

Fox Business was the first to break the story and provided insight on what led Kroger to make the tough call:

Kroger has closed at least three dozen stores since announcing plans last year to shutter 60 locations that were not “delivering sustainable results” by the end of 2026.

The Cincinnati-based grocery giant did not release a full list of stores or banners slated for closure, but online searches listed 39 locations across nine banners as no longer operating. Local reports also confirmed that many of the locations were part of the broader store overhaul.

As of January 2026, Kroger operated 2,697 supermarkets across 35 states under roughly 20 banners, including Fred Meyer, Fry’s Food and Drug, Harris Teeter, Jay C, King Soopers, Mariano’s, Pick ’n Save, QFC and Ralphs, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing.

The company said the closures are intended to help it “run more efficiently and ensure the long-term health of our business,” according to FOX 26 Houston, which reported that two Houston-area locations were slated to close in April.

The closures come as Kroger announced plans last month to acquire regional grocery chain Giant Eagle for $1.65 billion, which would add another 197 supermarkets and 11 standalone pharmacies across northern Ohio, western Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland and Indiana.

30-year Treasury yield tops 5.33%, new 19-year high on inflation, spending concerns– www.cnbc.com

pgnewser August 21, 2026 0

30-year Treasury yield tops 5.33%, new 19-year high on inflation, spending concerns– www.cnbc.com
News Source
EXCERPT:

 

Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., Aug. 5, 2026.

Jeenah Moon | Reuters

Treasury yields rose on Tuesday, with long-dated fixed income hitting their highest level in more than two decades amid a worsening U.S. fiscal situation and persistently higher inflation.

The yield on the U.S. 30-year Treasury added more than 1 basis point to trade at 5.323%%, nearing the highest level since 2002.

The 10-year Treasury note yield — the main benchmark for mortgages, auto loans and credit card debt — was less than 1 basis point higher at 4.732%.

The yield on the 2-year Treasury note, which typically reacts in line with short-term Federal Reserve interest rate decisions, edged up less than a basis point to 4.186%.

One basis point equals 0.01%, and yields and prices move inversely to one another.

The moves follow news that the U.S. fiscal deficit jumped to $432.3 billion in July, its highest monthly total since March 2021, pushing the year-to-date shortfall to nearly $1.8 trillion. Interest paid to finance the nearly $40 trillion national debt has cost the government about $1.2 trillion this year.

IRS Probes UnitedHealth Group Over Foreign Money Transfers – HEALTH CARE un-covered

pgnewser August 21, 2026 0

IRS Probes UnitedHealth Group Over Foreign Money Transfers – HEALTH CARE un-covered
News Source

EXCERPT:

In a big scoop this week, STAT’s Bob Herman revealed that the Internal Revenue Services is investigating UnitedHealth Group over what the agency says was an underpayment of taxes between 2017 and 2020 involving transfers of money to a foreign subsidiary.

According to STAT, the IRS is “seeking to significantly increase taxable income” reported by the company during those four years, and the dispute could extend to tax years after 2020. UnitedHealth disclosed in a recent regulatory filing that it received notices from the IRS in March.

Mamdani’s City Grocery Store Official Explains How Their Plan to Keep Privately Owned Stores in Business Will Make Things Even Worse (VIDEO)– www.thegatewaypundit.com

pgnewser August 21, 2026 0

Mamdani’s City Grocery Store Official Explains How Their Plan to Keep Privately Owned Stores in Business Will Make Things Even Worse (VIDEO)– www.thegatewaypundit.com
News Source
EXCERPT:

A woman who is supposedly the lead person from Zohran Mamdani’s team for city-owned grocery stores was recently asked if their plan will put privately owned stores out of business, which, it obviously will.

She explained that privately owned stores that are in trouble will be able to apply for grants from the city, which is only going to make things worse, and far more expensive.

To recap, taxpayers pay for city-owned grocery stores and then, when those stores threaten privately owned stores, taxpayers will fund grants for those stores. The taxpayers just keep paying and paying, no matter what happens.

Townhall reports:

In an interview on Wednesday, Waverly Neer, a senior vice president of the NYC Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), which is overseeing Mamdani’s city-run grocery-store rollout, revealed that one proposal under consideration would let nearby grocers apply for grants to offset revenue lost to the city’s subsidized stores. In other words, New York City may use taxpayer money to undercut local businesses, then use more taxpayer money to compensate them for the damage they caused.

“I think ultimately the goals of these locations, not just here in East Harlem, but you know, any borough location is to be complementary to the neighborhood,” Neer said. “And really, you know, rising tides, right? We can we can all cooperate and work together in a meaningful way. ”

US bond selloff resumes despite Treasury intervention– www.channelnewsasia.com

pgnewser August 21, 2026 0

US bond selloff resumes despite Treasury intervention– www.channelnewsasia.com
News Source
EXCERPT:

Analysts have seen the jump in yields as reflective of several dynamics, including high oil prices due to the Iran war, a surge in costly artificial intelligence investment and a flood of US government issuance because of the deficit.

Sundaram also pointed to uncertainty about new Fed Chair Kevin Warsh, who has signalled the Fed will offer less guidance on future actions.

Among US indices, the Dow fell the most at 1.3 per cent. Its biggest loser was Walmart, which slumped 9.2 percent after reporting the lowest US sales growth in six years.

Bourses in Paris and Frankfurt also retreated, while stocks in Asia rallied thanks to strong showings on Wednesday by market titans Apple, Microsoft and Amazon.

Seoul soared nearly six per cent as chipmaker SK Hynix rocketed 12.7 per cent, helped by the firm announcing a US$29 billion share buyback, and Samsung climbed more than nine percent.

Tech firms also lifted Tokyo more than one percent higher, while Hong Kong and Shanghai were also well up.

While Jobs Were Lost, the Unemployment Rate Went Down

pgnewser August 17, 2026 0

The U.S. economy lost 23,000 jobs in July, but the unemployment rate went from 4.2% in June to 4.1% in July. Last month, 20,000 jobs were added. The labor participation rate hit 61.4%, which is the lowest this has been in five years.

US economy loses 23,000 jobs in July, unemployment rate falls to 4.1% – gulftoday.ae
News Source

EXCERPT:

The US economy unexpectedly lost 23,000 jobs in July, while the unemployment rate fell to 4.1%, compared with 4.2% in June.

The US Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics said in its monthly report that nonfarm payrolls declined by 23,000 in July, compared with an increase of 20,000 jobs in June, falling short of the Dow Jones forecast for a gain of 83,000 jobs.

The unemployment rate fell to 4.1%, while the labour-force participation rate declined to 61.4%, its lowest level in more than five years.

Bessent’s Quixotic Attempt to Strengthen the Yen | American Enterprise Institute– www.aei.org

pgnewser August 17, 2026 0

Bessent’s Quixotic Attempt to Strengthen the Yen | American Enterprise Institute– www.aei.org
News Source
EXCERPT:

George Santanyana, the Spanish philosopher, famously said that those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.

When it comes to foreign currency intervention, it is surprising that of all people, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, a former hedge fund operator, seems to have forgotten the many earlier attempts at foreign exchange intervention that failed for want of being supported by fundamental economic policy change. This has induced Mr. Bessent to embark on a quixotic attempt to prop up the swooning Japanese yen with foreign exchange intervention without requiring that the Bank of Japan hikes interest rates or that the Japanese government addresses Japan’s public finance sustainability problem.

If there is one episode of failed foreign exchange intervention with which Mr. Bessent should be more than familiar, it is that in support of the pound sterling in 1992. In that year, the Bank of England failed to prevent a humiliating sterling devaluation despite massive foreign exchange intervention and then large interest rate hikes. After all, Mr. Bessent was a principal advisor to George Soros in his successful attempt to break the Bank of England on what came to be known as Black Wednesday.

Trump slaps new tariffs on drones, including from some key U.S. allies – National– globalnews.ca

pgnewser August 17, 2026 0

Trump slaps new tariffs on drones, including from some key U.S. allies – National– globalnews.ca
News Source
EXCERPT:

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday he will impose tariffs on imports of drones and their components, including from some key U.S. allies, with the Trump administration saying the country was “too reliant” on foreign sources of drones.

A proclamation signed by Trump imposes a 100% ad valorem tariff on drones of a certain size or with certain capabilities that are particularly sensitive for national security purposes, the White House said, adding that a tariff of 25% will be imposed on drones that are smaller in size.

A 15% tariff will be imposed on drones and components from the European Union, Japan, Liechtenstein, South Korea, Switzerland, and Taiwan, and a 10% ad valorem tariff will be imposed on drones from the UK, the White House added.

Trump has made tariffs a central pillar of his foreign and trade policies despite legal setbacks and criticism from some analysts.