news

Saturday, August 29

World

Russia Is Bombarding Europe With a New Wave of ‘Gray Zone’ AttacksWSJ · 1h

NATO member states say Russia is intensifying “gray‑zone” attacks across Europe. The shift follows what officials describe as Moscow’s growing appetite for conflict as it encounters setbacks in the war with Ukraine. The pattern is being closely monitored by alliance leaders.

The ICC Tried to Take On the World’s Big Powers. Now It’s Fighting for Survival.WSJ · 2h

The International Criminal Court is confronting heightened geopolitical pressure after it opened investigations involving senior officials from Israel and Russia. The court’s actions have drawn criticism from the two nations and sparked broader debates over its jurisdiction and political independence. As a result, the ICC now faces questions about its future viability amid growing tensions with major world powers.

Inside Trump’s Plan to Give the Pentagon a Stake in Venezuela’s Oil RichesWSJ · 3h

President Donald Trump announced a deal that would give the U.S. Pentagon a stake in Venezuela’s oil reserves, concluding months of secretive negotiations. The agreement is described as granting the United States rights to a portion of some of the world’s largest proven oil reserves. Media reports note that the plan would provide the United States with a significant share in a Venezuelan oil venture, which officials have called the “biggest oil deal in history.” The announcement has been covered by multiple outlets, including AP News, The Washington Post, MS NOW, Yahoo News Singapore, inkl and Livemint.

US oil deal denounced by both sides of Venezuelan politicsFT · 5h

Both hard‑line supporters of President Nicolás Maduro and members of the Venezuelan opposition have condemned a newly announced oil agreement with the United States. The government’s hard‑liners describe the deal with former President Donald Trump as “looting” and a betrayal of the revolutionary project, while opposition figures denounce it as evidence of Washington’s interference in Venezuela’s internal affairs. The criticism from across the political spectrum highlights the contentious nature of the pact and the deep divisions over any cooperation with the United States.

China Rebuts Claims It Could Have Given Nepal Warning of Deadly FloodsWSJ · 8h

A massive flood struck northern Nepal and China’s Tibetan region, leaving more than 3,000 people missing. Nepal has suggested that China might have been able to issue an advance warning of the disaster. Beijing has rejected that claim, saying it had no opportunity to provide such a warning. Both sides have not detailed the cause of the flooding, and rescue efforts continue in the affected areas.

James Cleverly steps down from shadow cabinet to run for London mayorFT · 9h

James Cleverly has resigned from the Conservative Party’s shadow cabinet to campaign for the London mayoralty. The former home secretary and foreign secretary said the capital is “under assault” from the policies of current mayor Andy Burnham as he launches his bid. Cleverly’s departure from the front bench was reported by several UK outlets, including the BBC, The Guardian and the London Evening Standard. His candidacy adds a high‑profile figure to the upcoming mayoral contest, with the former cabinet minister positioning his campaign around criticism of the incumbent’s record in the city.

This Right-Wing Stronghold in Brazil Is Getting Pummeled by Trump’s TariffsWSJ · 11h

U.S. tariffs on machinery have weakened backing for conservative candidates in Brazil’s presidential election, hitting a region known as a right‑wing stronghold. The levies are reported to have undermined support for those candidates ahead of the vote.

Warsh charts a forward-looking path for the Fed at Jackson HoleFT · 11h
Russian Strike on Ukraine Ammo Depot Kills at Least 37WSJ · 11h

A Russian strike hit an ammunition depot near Kyiv, killing at least 37 people, according to multiple reports. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the storage of munitions in a populated area was “absolutely unacceptable.” Ukrainian authorities have opened an investigation into the incident, which involved explosions at the warehouse located close to residential homes. The attack is described by various outlets as one of the deadliest of the year, with both drone and conventional strikes cited as the cause of the blast.

Trump says US to take control of 65bn barrels of Venezuelan oilFT · 13h
Warsh puts Fed on collision course with Trump ahead of midtermsFT · 15h
Dozens killed in Russian strike on ammunition depot near KyivFT · 16h

A Russian strike on an ammunition depot near Kyiv killed dozens of people, according to local reports. The attack was part of a series of lengthy air raids conducted with Moscow’s jet‑powered drones, which have generated 27 alerts since Thursday. Officials described the campaign as one of the longest sustained attacks of the war, highlighting the intensity of the drone operations and the resulting civilian casualties in the capital region. No further details on the extent of damage or response measures were provided.

Swiss wealth managers urge delay to ownership register after Liechtenstein hackFT · 17h
Trump deportations take a bite out of an unexpected industry: US fast foodFT · 18h
US campaign to isolate Iran closes in on DubaiFT · 19h
What the Indiana state fair reveals about Trump’s AmericaFT · 20h
‘In a flash, everything was gone’: Nepal rushes to rescue flood survivorsFT · 22h

Business

Prediction Markets and States Clashed, Setting Off a Furious Political BattleNYT · 2h

A legal dispute over the future of prediction‑market platforms such as Kalshi and Polymarket has escalated into a broader political confrontation. The case has drawn the involvement of the Trump administration, the president’s son, and the attorneys general of nearly every state. The clash reflects deep divisions over how these markets should be regulated and the role of federal and state authorities in overseeing them.

Victims’ families and campaigners seek answers over Air India crashFT · 3h
Inside Trump’s Plan to Give the Pentagon a Stake in Venezuela’s Oil RichesWSJ · 3h
Inside Trump’s Plan to Give the Pentagon a Stake in Venezuela’s Oil RichesWSJ · 3h
SpaceX and Rivals Dodge Traffic as Satellites, Debris Crowd Low-Earth OrbitWSJ · 4h

SpaceX and other satellite operators are navigating increasingly crowded low‑Earth orbit as the number of man‑made objects, including satellites and debris, continues to grow. The congestion is prompting concerns about the risk of collisions in the region. Industry participants are adjusting flight paths to mitigate the potential hazards.

Treasury Bars Some Reporters From G20 Finance MeetingNYT · 4h
Trump’s Venezuelan Oil Deal Relies on a Powerful and Divisive PartnerNYT · 5h

The administration plans to work with a private Venezuelan oil company that maintains close ties to the government, a partnership described as both powerful and divisive. The arrangement, highlighted in recent reporting, underscores the reliance of the Trump administration on a partner whose influence in Venezuela is significant yet controversial. Officials have indicated that the deal will involve cooperation with this firm, emphasizing its strategic importance while acknowledging the contentious nature of its connections to the country's leadership.

US oil deal denounced by both sides of Venezuelan politicsFT · 5h

Both hard‑line supporters of President Nicolás Maduro and members of the Venezuelan opposition have condemned a newly announced oil agreement with the United States. The government’s hard‑liners describe the deal with former President Donald Trump as “looting” and a betrayal of the revolutionary project, while opposition figures denounce it as evidence of Washington’s interference in Venezuela’s internal affairs. The criticism from across the political spectrum highlights the contentious nature of the pact and the deep divisions over any cooperation with the United States.

Warsh, After Talking Tough on Inflation, Faces a ‘No-Win Situation’ on RatesNYT · 6h
Fed Chairman Warsh Seeks to Calm Elevated Inflation ConcernsNYT · 8h
40,000 Pounds of Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer Reported Stolen in CaliforniaNYT · 8h

A truck carrying roughly 40,000 pounds of Pabst Blue Ribbon beer was reported stolen. The brewer announced on its social‑media channels that it has set a deadline for the return of the missing product. In its statement the company added, “P.S., this is real and we are deadly serious.” No further details about the theft, the location of the incident or any investigation have been released.

Thievery or Innovation? The Music Industry Grapples With A.I.NYT · 11h
Trump Says U.S. Struck Deal for Control of More Than 65 Billion Barrels of Venezuela’s OilNYT · 11h

President Donald Trump announced that the United States has reached an agreement with Venezuela that gives the two countries control over more than 65 billion barrels of Venezuelan oil reserves. He said the deal covers the extensive reserves and will be implemented through a partnership that includes a private company, according to a U.S. official who briefed the press. The official did not disclose the name of the private firm or provide further details about the terms of the arrangement. No additional information about the timeline or operational aspects of the partnership was released.

Teleprompter Operator Who Bet on Trump Speeches Is Ordered to Pay FineNYT · 13h
High Debt and Rising Prices Catch Up to Trump, as Midterms NearNYT · 13h
Trump says US to take control of 65bn barrels of Venezuelan oilFT · 13h
How Big Tech Blinded Itself to the Grassroots AI RevoltWSJ · 15h

An article titled “How Big Tech Blinded Itself to the Grassroots AI Revolt” observes that the technology sector is operating within its own echo chamber. The piece characterizes the industry’s current strategy as a failing playbook.

Swiss wealth managers urge delay to ownership register after Liechtenstein hackFT · 17h
How Dolly Parton Built an Empire on Owning Her SongsWSJ · 17h
Alex Gerko earned a record £895mn from trading firm XTX in 2025FT · 17h
Trump deportations take a bite out of an unexpected industry: US fast foodFT · 18h
News Quiz for August 29, 2026WSJ · 18h
The Strongest El Niño in a Generation Is Wreaking Havoc on Global EconomyWSJ · 18h

The current El Niño, described as the strongest in a generation, is already disrupting the global economy. The weather pattern is affecting a range of sectors, with impacts reported in shipping, copper production and the fish‑feed industry. Analysts note that the phenomenon’s influence is spreading across markets, prompting concerns about broader economic consequences as the event continues.

Catastrophic Flood Exposes the Risks of Nepal’s Hydropower BetNYT · 18h
As Deadly Flash Flooding Batters Nepal, Some Fear ‘the Entire Himalayas Are Melting’NYT · 19h
“The Invisible Hand of Maria Edgeworth”: An Economist, ErasedNYT · 19h

Markets & Economy

Modi’s Developed-Nation Dream Strains Against India’s Growth GapBBG · 2h
Colombia Ends Talks with Rebels In Blow to Petro Peace ProcessBBG · 3h
‘A Roth IRA on Steroids’: Wealthy Americans Find Another Tax-Free Way to InvestWSJ · 4h
Most Insurers Invest for the Long Term. Mark Walter’s Did the Opposite.WSJ · 4h
Day Traders Are Abandoning Korean Chip Leveraged ETFs in DrovesBBG · 4h
US oil deal denounced by both sides of Venezuelan politicsFT · 5h

Both hard‑line supporters of President Nicolás Maduro and members of the Venezuelan opposition have condemned a newly announced oil agreement with the United States. The government’s hard‑liners describe the deal with former President Donald Trump as “looting” and a betrayal of the revolutionary project, while opposition figures denounce it as evidence of Washington’s interference in Venezuela’s internal affairs. The criticism from across the political spectrum highlights the contentious nature of the pact and the deep divisions over any cooperation with the United States.

US Jobs Report Seen Backing Warsh View of Labor MarketBBG · 8h

US payroll growth rebounded in August, bringing employment gains back in line with the broader steadiness that has characterized the labour market in recent months. The return to a more robust hiring pace is seen as supporting the view that the market remains resilient, allowing the Federal Reserve to keep its attention focused on the fight against inflation rather than on urgent labour‑market concerns. Analysts say the latest data reinforce the picture of a labour market that, while not booming, is holding steady enough to let policy makers concentrate on price stability.

Guggenheim Ties Weigh on Acrisure Debt, Dragging High-Yield Credit MarketsBBG · 9h
Key Takeaways From the Fed’s Annual Jackson Hole ConferenceBBG · 9h
Warsh Says Inflation Isn’t Slowing, Vows to Reach 2% TargetBBG · 11h
Supercars Fuel a New Hybrid BoomBBG · 13h
A $2,000 Sweater Reveals Fashion’s True CostBBG · 13h
Warsh Sets the Tone for Fed’s Road AheadBBG · 13h
Trump says US to take control of 65bn barrels of Venezuelan oilFT · 13h
Can the US Defy Fiscal Gravity?BBG · 13h
$700 Cash Grants Transform Lives in MalawiBBG · 14h
Russia Tests Ukraine and NATO With EscalationBBG · 14h
Nepal Rescuers Race to Find Thousands MissingBBG · 15h
By The Way: Headlines You Should SeeBBG · 15h
Iran War Exposes Limits of US Military EnduranceBBG · 15h
Three Finance Ministers on Avoiding Debt CrisesBBG · 15h
Warsh Says Fed Must Act if Inflation Stays HighBBG · 16h
Focus on the Long Bond in This Summer of Rising YieldsBBG · 16h
Russia Extends Diesel-Export Ban as Ukraine Ramps Up AttacksBBG · 16h
Swiss wealth managers urge delay to ownership register after Liechtenstein hackFT · 17h
How Dolly Parton Built an Empire on Owning Her SongsWSJ · 17h
Where the US-Canada Trade War Stands After Talks Fell ApartBBG · 17h
Why the FCC Is Becoming America’s China Uber-Hawk: New EconomyBBG · 17h
Alex Gerko earned a record £895mn from trading firm XTX in 2025FT · 17h
Poland Sees Growth Slowing to 2% in 2030 on Fiscal TighteningBBG · 18h
Is the 60-40 portfolio dead?FT · 18h
The Strongest El Niño in a Generation Is Wreaking Havoc on Global EconomyWSJ · 18h
World Economy Latest: US Inflation Stays Stubborn, Spending StallsBBG · 19h
Turkey’s Markets Regulator Tightens Rules for Hedge FundsBBG · 20h
Vietnam Restates Readiness for ‘Constructive’ US Trade TalksBBG · 22h
John Healey Seeks Drama-Free UK Budget as Economic Heat Rises on BurnhamBBG · 23h

Tech

SpaceX and Rivals Dodge Traffic as Satellites, Debris Crowd Low-Earth OrbitWSJ · 4h
SpaceX and Rivals Dodge Traffic as Satellites, Debris Crowd Low-Earth OrbitWSJ · 4h
Nvidia Wants to Run the World’s Robots. China Is an Eager Customer.WSJ · 13h
Nvidia Wants to Run the World’s Robots. China Is an Eager Customer.WSJ · 13h
How Big Tech Blinded Itself to the Grassroots AI RevoltWSJ · 15h
An AI Oracle’s Rise and FallWSJ · 16h

The report covers several distinct stories. It chronicles the ascent and subsequent decline of an artificial‑intelligence “oracle,” detailing its early promise and later setbacks. In a separate piece, homeowners express frustration over persistent mold problems in their residences. A travel feature describes a reflective journey along the Camino in Spain, highlighting the route’s contemplative appeal. Finally, an analysis advises employers to temper their expectations for November, suggesting a more modest outlook for hiring and performance targets. Each segment offers a concise overview of the respective issue.

Alex Gerko earned a record £895mn from trading firm XTX in 2025FT · 17h
More Schools Are Imposing Phone Bans. Do They Really Work?WSJ · 18h

Deal Flow

M&A / Strategic

US is in talks with Venezuela to take a major stake in oil fields2d
PE firm Advent and payments fintech Stripe abandoned their $50B take-private of PayPal2d

Private‑equity firm Advent and payments fintech Stripe have withdrawn their proposal to take PayPal private in a deal valued at about $50 billion. The abandonment ends the discussions that had been reported around the potential transaction. No further details on the parties’ next steps were provided.

UK consumer goods giant Unilever will sell its Colman's mustard brand to resolve antitrust concerns amid a $45B merger of its food business with McCormick2d
Solstice Advanced Materials and Element Solutions mutually terminated their $14.5B merger2d
Apollo will acquire a co-controlling stake in private jet fixed-base operator Atlantic Aviation from KKR at a $10B valuation2d

Apollo is set to acquire a co‑controlling stake in private‑jet fixed‑base operator Atlantic Aviation from KKR. The transaction values Atlantic Aviation at $10 billion. Under the deal, Apollo will obtain a share that gives it joint control of the company, while KKR will retain an ownership interest. The acquisition marks a significant investment in the business‑aviation services sector.

Quant hedge fund AQR is pursuing an appraisal arbitrage trade in Permira and Warburg Pincus' $8.4B LBO of investment and accounting software maker Clearwater Analytics2d
Anthropic almost acquired AI startup MatX for $7B2d
SoftBank is in talks to buy a majority stake in OpenAI-backed humanoid robot startup 1X Technologies at a $6B valuation2d
EQT raised its $3.7B tender offer for Japanese price comparison website Kakaku by a negligible < 0.01¢/share despite activist Oasis Management rallying against deal terms2d
Japanese trading house Itochu Corp. offered to buyout $3.4B-listed Japanese IT services and consulting firm Dentsu Soken in a cash deal2d
Canadian energy company Enbridge formed a JV with KKR and Apollo to invest $2B to expand its British Columbia natural gas pipeline system2d
Swedish miner Boliden agreed to acquire Brazilian holding company Votorantim's controlling stake in Brazilian zinc producer Nexa Resources2d
Chinese conglomerate Fujia Group is considering selling its majority stake in Hexie Health Insurance2d

Fujia Group, a Chinese conglomerate, is reportedly weighing a sale of its majority stake in Hexie Health Insurance. The consideration of the transaction has been noted without further details on timing, potential buyers or valuation. No official comment has been released by either company.

DigitalBridge Group, the data center PE firm being acquired by SoftBank, will acquire Australia's largest smart-meter provider PLUS ES from Ausgrid Group2d
Crypto custodian firm BitGo will buy NYDIG's institutional trading business2d
Rupert Murdoch plans to eventually merge Fox Corp and News Corp2d

Court documents indicate that Rupert Murdoch’s plan to eventually merge Fox Corp with News Corp may be revived, according to filings referenced by several media outlets. The prospect of a Fox‑News Corp reunion has prompted a decline in Fox Corp’s share price, while company officials have said no merger is currently under way. The renewed attention follows News Corp’s recent record‑quarter earnings report, which has spurred speculation about a possible re‑combination of the two Murdoch‑controlled entities. The filings and market reaction have been reported by Indian Television Dot Com, TIKR.com, idnfinancials.com, AD HOC NEWS and Whalesbook.

VC

Identity verification startup Socure raised a $156M series E extension at a $5.2B valuation led by Summit Partners and will acquire agentic compliance/risk operations platform Fravity2d

Socure, an identity verification startup, announced a Series E extension financing of $156 million that values the company at $5.2 billion. The round was led by Summit Partners. In conjunction with the funding, Socure said it will acquire Fravity, a platform that provides agentic compliance and risk‑operations capabilities. The acquisition is intended to broaden Socure’s product portfolio and strengthen its offering in compliance and risk management for its customers. The capital is expected to fund product development and international growth initiatives. No other terms of the deal were disclosed.

Chinese AI startup DeepSeek is set to raise $7.4B in a new funding round at a $74B valuation from Monolith, Shixiang Capital, CATL, and others2d
RQD* Clearing, a clearing and custody firm, raised $74 million in a minority investment led by Bain Capital Tech Opportunities2d
Metriport, an open-source healthcare data infrastructure company, raised $26M in new funding led by Matrix2d
CivilGrid, an underground infrastructure data platform, raised a $26M Series A led by Spark Capital2d
Atorie, an AI-powered fashion startup, raised a $9.5M seed round from a16z Speedrun, Night Capital, and Jeremy Liew of Lightspeed2d

Atorie, a startup that uses artificial intelligence to develop fashion products, announced the closing of a $9.5 million seed financing round. The round was led by a16z Speedrun and also included participation from Night Capital and Jeremy Liew of Lightspeed. The funding will be used to advance the company’s AI‑driven design and production capabilities.

IPOs / Listings / Issuances / Block Trades

Anthropic will publicly file for its potential $100B IPO after Labor Day2d
Dubai-based private aviation group Vista Global is considering raising $1B at a $10B valuation in a Switzerland or Italy IPO2d
German auto parts maker Mahle is reviving plans for a $300M-$400M India IPO of its Indian business2d
Indian advanced thermal engineering solutions Tempsens Instruments surged 110% in its trading debut after raising $68M in India IPO2d

Debt

Moderna plans to raise $2B in a convertibles sale2d
France's TotalEnergies may be reimbursed $1.3B for loans to sanctioned Russian LNG venture Arctic LNG 2 as part of the transfer of its 10% stake to a subsidiary of Russian operator Novatek2d
Australian iron ore miner Fortescue is considering raising $445M in a debut panda bond sale2d
Madison Dearborn Partners-backed wealth management platform Wealthspire raised $300M in a debut junk bond sale2d
Uplifters Foundation plans to build new $3M houses in the fire-impacted Pacific Palisades neighborhood in LA by selling $250M in munis2d
Indian resources conglomerate Vedanta plans raise $105M in a third local FX bond sale this year2d

Funds / Secondaries

Swiss PE firm Partners Group got a $1B private credit mandate from Indonesian SWF Danantara2d
Real estate credit manager BridgeInvest raised $610M for its flagship fund2d
Private markets investment firm Siguler Guff is considering raising $350M-$400M CV for four Indian portfolio companies2d
Permanent Capital Ventures raised $200M for its second fund2d

Reforma

Dan pasteles con fotos de desaparecidos en GuanajuatoNacional · 15m
Investigación comprueba red de 'Andy', dice OposiciónNacional · 2h

Los diputados de la oposición afirmaron que una investigación reciente a una empresa vinculada a un amigo del empresario conocido como “Andy” López ha demostrado la existencia de una supuesta red de huachicol fiscal. Según los legisladores, los resultados de la pesquisa confirman que la compañía investigada estaría involucrada en prácticas de evasión y fraude tributario relacionadas con el robo de combustible. La oposición utiliza estos hallazgos para acusar al gobierno de falta de control y de permitir la proliferación de este tipo de actividades ilícitas. No se han publicado detalles adicionales ni respuestas oficiales.

Atacan con explosivos a policías en ZacatecasNacional · 3h

Según informó la autoridad local, en Villa García, municipio de Zacatecas, en la zona limítrofe con el estado de Aguascalientes, se registró un presunto ataque con explosivos contra agentes de la policía estatal. El incidente dejó dos policías heridos, quienes fueron atendidos en el lugar y trasladados a un centro médico. Las causas del ataque y la posible autoría no fueron precisadas en el comunicado inicial. Las autoridades señalaron que se continuará con las investigaciones para esclarecer los hechos.

Será Santiago Giménez jugador del PortoPortada · 4h
Inhabilitó EU drones de traficantes de migrantes.- DefensaPortada · 8h

La Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional informó que Estados Unidos inhabilitó tres drones que traficantes de personas utilizaban para vigilar a las autoridades en la frontera con México. Según el comunicado, los dispositivos fueron desactivados en territorio estadounidense, impidiendo su uso para la observación de operativos de seguridad fronteriza. La medida forma parte de los esfuerzos para contrarrestar las actividades de los grupos dedicados al tráfico migratorio.

Opera helicóptero y aerotaxis de MaraPortada · 17h
Sugieren fomentar cultura digital en escuelasPortada · 17h
Van contra empresa de amigo de 'Andy'Portada · 17h