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Mortgage rates ticked up slightly across most loan types on Aug. 24, 2026, with the average 30-year fixed rate hovering near 6.7%. The Federal Reserve has kept its benchmark rate unchanged, and upcoming inflation data could influence future moves.
Ofgem is due to announce its latest energy price cap on Wednesday, with forecasts predicting a 4% rise in typical annual bills from October 1. New data from Money Wellness shows households in debt owe more than three years ago, leaving them vulnerable to further increases.
Asian shares mostly declined at the start of a week dominated by bond-market pressure, Iran sanctions, and the Jackson Hole symposium. US futures were lower, while oil slipped. Reports varied on index levels, but the 10-year Treasury yield eased from recent highs after the Treasury's surprise buyback increase.
Iranian state television has aired a video purporting to track Barron Trump's movements and offering a $10 million reward, prompting security concerns. The broadcast, linked to the Revolutionary Guards, follows similar threats against First Lady Melania Trump and other US officials amidst escalating tensions.
Gilas Pilipinas will play Jordan and Iran in the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers' fourth window without naturalized player Justin Brownlee, as confirmed by head coach Tim Cone. The team enters with a 2-4 record and a four-game losing skid, but Cone expressed confidence in the size of his roster, including Kai Sotto's return.
Energy Minister Terje Aasland said Norway will continue developing Barents Sea oil and gas regardless of the EU's moratorium on Arctic drilling, and rejected the 'green battery' label. He emphasised Norway's sovereign right to develop resources, while the EU weighs energy security against environmental concerns.
Indian equities opened higher on Monday but surrendered most gains by mid-morning, with the Sensex and Nifty ending mixed. Gains in IT stocks were offset by caution over possible new US sanctions on Iran and elevated crude prices, while volatility rose ahead of Tuesday's F&O expiry.
Singapore's consumer prices rose 2.2% year-on-year in July, the highest in nearly two years, but the increase was below economists' expectations. Core inflation also accelerated to 2%, yet remained lower than forecast, with the central bank and ministry attributing the rise to higher electricity, services, and food costs.
Gold prices in Delhi climbed to a more than five-month high on Monday, while silver rose for a third straight session. Analysts say the next moves in bullion may hinge on US inflation data and the Federal Reserve's response to ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Indian government bonds opened on a cautious note in a holiday-truncated week, with the benchmark yield expected to trade between 6.83% and 6.88% after a Friday close of 6.8495%. Elevated Brent crude prices and the threat of US sanctions on Iran weighed on sentiment, while RBI's weekend inflow announcement and policy signals provided some support.
Chicago corn futures surged to a three-year high after the Pro Farmer Crop Tour projected a U.S. corn crop well below USDA forecasts, citing adverse summer weather. Wheat rose on Black Sea disruptions, while soybeans slipped despite strong export demand.
A video from the Freedom 250 Grand Prix showing a brief interaction between President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump has generated widespread online speculation, with lip readers offering differing interpretations. The presence of aide Natalie Harp nearby has fueled further discussion, though no confirmed evidence links her to any tension.
Ampol's first-half net profit jumped more than four-fold to A$857.2 million, driven by soaring refining margins following the U.S.-Iran conflict. The company declared a record interim dividend of 185 cents per share, up from 40 cents a year earlier, while warning that market conditions remain tight.
Graduate job vacancies in the UK fell to 8,383 in July, the lowest since Adzuna began tracking, while overall vacancies dropped to 791,490. Employers cite national insurance hikes and AI investment, though some sectors like travel and IT are still hiring.
The RAC estimates 20 million leisure car trips over the August bank holiday weekend, the highest since 2015, with Friday predicted to be the busiest day. Drivers face higher fuel costs and congestion hotspots, while Network Rail warns of engineering works on key routes.
Luis Manuel Aviles, a Nicaraguan immigrant and father of a Navy sailor on a record-setting deployment, was arrested by Border Patrol in Florida and remains in ICE custody. Family members describe him as a hardworking resident with a work permit, while DHS says he entered illegally and that military ties do not exempt anyone from immigration law.
Iran's Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei warned that Tehran could halt all oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf if the US continues its economic war. The threat comes amid heightened tensions over US plans for tougher sanctions, with Iranian officials responding defiantly.
Iran has discovered over 200 billion cubic metres of natural gas in Fars province, announced Sunday by Petroleum Minister Mohsen Paknejad. The find, described as sweet gas with low hydrogen sulphide, comes amid damage to the energy sector from joint US-Israeli strikes. Production from the new field is likely several years away, according to Bloomberg.
Syria confirmed US-mediated talks with Israel in Jordan on Sunday, marking the first high-level contact in months. The meeting aimed to ease tensions after Israeli strikes and address mechanisms to prevent further conflict. Sources said Foreign Minister Assad al-Shaibani met with Mossad chief Roman Gofman, though the meeting was not officially confirmed.
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump led a lap and waved the green flag to start the Freedom 250 Grand Prix, an IndyCar race through Washington, D.C., streets on August 25. The race, celebrating America's 250th anniversary, was made possible by a Trump executive order fast-tracking permits. Roger Penske, a longtime Trump friend, said the event was 'terrific' and premier.