T-REX, a collaboration between REX Shares and Tuttle Capital Management, has launched three new leveraged ETFs: T-REX 2X Long AKAM Daily Target ETF (AKAL), T-REX 2X Long DOCN Daily Target ETF (OCNL), and T-REX 2X Long PENG Daily Target ETF (PENU). These ETFs aim to provide 200% of the daily performance of their respective underlying assets: Akamai Technologies (AKAM), DOCN, and PENG.

Monsters Are Coming! launches on XBOX Series X|S on August 6, 2026, with a new update featuring The Joker Hero, X-Fortress, and expanded challenges. The game, which has evolved since its initial release, now includes new systems, balance updates, and tools to enhance player experience.

Bloodless, a new retro brawler game, is set to release in early September on Google Play. The game features a samurai named Tomoe who, after turning against his former master Shogun Akechi, vows to defeat his army without killing. The game emphasizes fist-based combat and ki techniques over traditional swordplay, offering a unique twist on the revenge genre.

Abu Dhabi's Mubadala Investment is considering a $6.3 billion investment to build one of Japan's largest AI data centers in Akita Prefecture. The 500-megawatt project could attract other investors and become the largest data center in Japan, reflecting global interest in securing AI assets in geopolitically stable regions.

Researchers have achieved a breakthrough in quantum network transmission by using existing fibre optic cables, marking a significant step towards the development of a quantum network. This advancement could revolutionize data transmission and security.

An AI tool added to Google Earth has raised concerns about the trustworthiness of maps, echoing historical inaccuracies like the 'Mountains of Kong' on 19th-century maps. Despite evidence disproving their existence, such errors persisted in maps like The Oxford Advanced Atlas. The incident highlights the enduring influence of maps on perception and the ongoing relevance of copyright protections in the age of AI.

Zulfi Alam thinks his team doesn’t need to “prove” they engineered a new state of matter in their bid to reinvent computing. Science would disagree.

Purpose Investments Inc. has launched a new ETF series, PSY, on the TSX, offering exposure to North American and global securities with an actively managed strategy for income and downside protection. The fund aims to provide a steady income with 6.4% annual distribution and is designed to protect against moderate market declines. This ETF series is the first of its kind in Canada, following the success of the Purpose structured equity family of funds, which now manages over $2.1 billion in assets.

Nazara Technologies plans to raise ₹733.5 crore through a preferential issue of equity shares for strategic acquisitions, business expansion, and AI-led game development. The issue will be subscribed by the founders and senior leadership of Bluetile Games and BestPlay Systems. Founder Nitish Mittersain will step down as CEO, with Raymond Albaladejo Stauffer taking over. Stauffer will invest ₹583 crore, making him one of Nazara's largest individual shareholders. The remaining funds will be invested by other key executives. The funds will also support acquisitions, business expansion, intellectual property investments, and AI-led game development.

Bluefin Bidco Limited and the Independent Directors of Irish Continental Group have agreed on a recommended cash offer for ICG, to be implemented via a High Court-sanctioned scheme of arrangement. The terms were announced on 24 July 2026 and detailed in the Scheme Document published on 5 August 2026. BidCo received irrevocable undertakings from all Independent Directors to vote in favor of the Scheme at the First Scheme Meeting and the EGM Resolutions.

Bluefin Bidco Limited and the Independent Directors of Irish Continental Group have agreed on a recommended cash offer for ICG, to be implemented via a High Court-sanctioned scheme of arrangement. The terms were announced on 24 July 2026 and detailed in the Scheme Document published on 5 August 2026. Irrevocable undertakings from Independent Directors to vote in favor of the Scheme have been received by BidCo.

Milky Mist Dairy Food Ltd's IPO, scheduled for August 11, aims to raise ₹1,553 crore through a price band of ₹133-140 per share. The funds will be used for debt reduction and investments, including cold-chain infrastructure expansion. Singapore's Temasek has invested ₹482 crore, acquiring a 5% stake. The company, with a 30% growth in the past few years, reserves 50% of the shares for qualified institutional buyers, 15% for non-institutional investors, and 35% for retail investors.

Lithium Americas has secured $175 million in financing from YA II PN, Ltd. to bolster its liquidity as it advances the Thacker Pass project, aiming to produce 40,000 tonnes of battery-grade lithium carbonate annually. The funding complements a $2.23 billion DOE loan and investments from GM and Orion, supporting the project's progress towards a late 2027 completion amidst global economic and geopolitical challenges.

DNOW Inc. reported a second-quarter 2026 revenue of $1.307 billion, with gross profit at 18.6% and adjusted gross profit at 20.8%. Net loss was $21 million, or ($0.11) per diluted share, with adjusted net income at $21 million, or $0.12 per diluted share. Adjusted EBITDA was $60 million, or 4.6% of revenue, and cash flow from operating activities was $133 million. The company repurchased $25 million of common stock in the quarter and $75 million year-to-date under a $160 million share repurchase program. U.S. midstream revenues surpassed $1 billion annually for the first time, with strong sequential growth in the gas utility and upstream sectors.

DNOW Inc. reported a second-quarter 2026 revenue of $1.307 billion, with gross profit at 18.6% and adjusted gross profit at 20.8%. Net loss was $21 million, or ($0.11) per diluted share, with adjusted net income at $21 million, or $0.12 per diluted share. Adjusted EBITDA was $60 million, or 4.6% of revenue, and cash flow from operating activities was $133 million. The company repurchased $25 million of common stock in the quarter and $75 million year-to-date under a $160 million share repurchase program. U.S. midstream revenues surpassed $1 billion annually for the first time, with strong sequential growth in the gas utility and upstream sectors.

Investors should not judge Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) solely by their yield, as a high distribution yield may not indicate a better investment. A consistent distribution track record is more indicative of sustainable cash flows. Factors such as occupancy rates, balance sheet strength, asset quality, governance, and growth prospects are crucial for evaluating REITs. A slightly lower but sustainable yield is often more valuable than a higher yield that may not be maintained.

Sunrise Realty Trust, Inc. and Southern Realty Trust Inc. have entered into a definitive merger agreement to consolidate their commercial real estate lending operations into a single public company. The merger is expected to enhance stockholder value through increased margin, broader index inclusion, improved trading liquidity, and access to more efficient leverage. Pro forma loan commitments as of June 30, 2026, are $604 million, with total assets at $534 million. The combined entity is anticipated to achieve a 20% to 17.5% reduction in incentive fee and an 8% to 7% reduction in hurdle rate under SUNS management, leading to increased earnings potential and a stronger competitive position.

Sunrise Realty Trust, Inc. and Southern Realty Trust Inc. have entered into a definitive merger agreement to consolidate their commercial real estate lending operations into a single public company. The merger is expected to enhance stockholder value through increased margin, broader index inclusion, improved trading liquidity, and access to more efficient leverage. Pro forma loan commitments as of June 30, 2026, are $604 million, with total assets at $534 million. The combined entity is anticipated to achieve a 20% to 17.5% reduction in incentive fee and an 8% to 7% reduction in hurdle rate under SUNS management, leading to increased earnings potential and a stronger competitive position.

Indo-MIM's shares surged by 82% to Rs 862, surpassing their IPO price of Rs 485. The company's strong debut was driven by robust demand from institutional and high-net-worth investors. With a 28.1% year-on-year revenue growth in FY26, Indo-MIM, a global MIM technology leader, is likely to see profit bookings in the near term.

SoftBank has secured a $10 billion loan backed by its stake in OpenAI, adding to its borrowing for AI investments. The loan, which includes early repayment provisions, will be used for general corporate purposes and is part of SoftBank's larger $65 billion planned investment in OpenAI. This follows a $40 billion bridge loan obtained earlier, with SoftBank serving as the guarantor.

The Reserve Bank of India's temporary measures to boost foreign currency inflows have renewed interest in NRI fixed deposits, particularly FCNR(B) and NRE deposits. While many NRIs may be comparing interest rates to decide where to invest, experts suggest that the choice should be driven by financial goals, currency outlook, and risk appetite rather than headline returns alone. The RBI's June monetary policy measures removed the ceiling on FCNR(B) deposit interest rates until September 30, 2026, and will bear the foreign exchange hedging cost under a special swap facility. NRE deposits allow NRIs to park overseas earnings in India in Indian rupees, with fully repatriable principal and interest, while FCNR(B) deposits are maintained in a permitted foreign currency, shielding depositors from currency risk.

Baroda BNP Paribas Mutual Fund raised over Rs 1,200 crore through its ESG Best-in-Class Strategy Fund and Services Fund launches in 2026, attracting investors from over 5,700 pin codes. The Services Fund raised Rs 590 crore, while the ESG Fund raised Rs 640 crore. The funds were launched to offer long-term equity investment opportunities in India, reflecting investor interest in thematic investments aligned with structural trends.

Maggie Fanari, CEO of J. Rothschild Capital Management, has a bullish outlook on SpaceX and Anthropic. She joined RIT Capital Partners in 2024 and has a history with the Rothschild family, which holds a significant stake in RIT. Fanari emphasizes RIT's strategy of maximizing growth while minimizing risk, with a strong track record of 10.6% average annual returns since 1988.

Digital Science launches Altmetric MCP, connecting AI agents to Altmetric's research attention data, enabling real-world engagement tracking across various platforms. This new Model Context Protocol server allows for AI-assisted analytics, providing a more comprehensive measure of research impact beyond citation counts. Existing Altmetric API customers can immediately connect without additional licenses.

The Davenport Equity Opportunities Fund (DEOPX) saw a 9.92% increase in the second quarter, leading to a 5.67% gain for the year-to-date. The fund's performance was positively impacted by its absence from the oil and gas sector, which previously posed a challenge.

Nazara Technologies plans to raise Rs 733.5 crore through a preferential issue of equity shares, entirely subscribed by Bluetile Games and BestPlay Systems founders and senior leadership. This fundraising follows a leadership change where Nitish Mittersain steps down as CEO, effective September 1, and continues as managing director. Raymond Albaladejo Stauffer, former CEO of Bluetile and BestPlay, will now lead as CEO.

Nexus Select Trust, backed by Blackstone, plans to acquire two malls in eastern India within 60-90 days, aiming to add Rs 125-150 crore of stabilized net operating income annually. The trust, which has a pipeline of eight assets and aims to double its portfolio by 2030, previously acquired Diamond Plaza in Kolkata. Future acquisitions are likely to be funded through debt, with Nexus maintaining an 18% loan-to-value ratio for growth.

SBI Mutual Fund launches Magnum Equity Ex-Top 100 Long Short Fund, targeting long-term capital growth by investing outside the top 100 stocks using a long-short strategy with equity derivatives. The fund, part of the Specialized Investment Fund framework, will be open for subscription from August 7 to August 20. It aims to generate returns by investing in equity and related instruments of stocks outside the Top 100, with limited short exposure through derivatives to enhance returns and manage risk.

After a week using Zed, a Rust-based code editor, the author found it significantly faster and more responsive than Cursor, a $20 subscription-based editor built on Electron. Zed's performance improvements and lack of noticeable slowdown with extensions make it a preferable choice for the author, despite Cursor's AI features and generous usage limits.

MidCap Financial Investment Corporation reported a net investment income of $0.40 per share for the quarter ended June 30, 2026, a slight increase from $0.38 per share in the previous quarter. The net asset value (NAV) per share decreased by 3.2% to $13.37, influenced by a net loss on the portfolio and stock buybacks below NAV. New investment commitments totaled $6 million, gross fundings were $21 million, and net repayments reached $160 million, including a $12.5 million repayment from Merx. The company repurchased 2,755,221 shares at an average price of $11.58 per share, costing $31.9 million and generating $0.07 per share of NAV accretion. A dividend of $0.31 per share was declared for September 24, 2026.

MidCap Financial Investment Corporation reported a net investment income of $0.40 per share for the quarter ended June 30, 2026, a slight increase from $0.38 per share in the previous quarter. The net asset value (NAV) per share decreased by 3.2% to $13.37, influenced by a net loss on the portfolio and stock buybacks below NAV. New investment commitments totaled $6 million, gross fundings were $21 million, and net repayments reached $160 million, including a $12.5 million repayment from Merx. The company repurchased 2,755,221 shares at an average price of $11.58 per share, costing $31.9 million and generating $0.07 per share of NAV accretion. A dividend of $0.31 per share was declared for September 24, 2026.

In July 2026, the worst-performing stock ETFs included the Tema Space Innovators ETF NASA and Baron First Principles ETF RONB. The Tema Space Innovators ETF, a large blend fund, fell 28.69%, while the Baron First Principles ETF, a large growth fund, also underperformed. These ETFs were part of a screening for the worst-performing stock ETFs in the United States, excluding those with less than $100 million in assets and exchange-traded notes.

Microsoft is offering a discounted Visual Studio Professional 2026 license for $29.97, down from $499.99, until August 9. This professional-grade development tool aids in building apps, websites, and software across various platforms and languages, including .NET and C++. It integrates with Azure and GitHub, and features AI-powered tools like IntelliCode and CodeLens to enhance coding efficiency and accuracy.

SoftBank reported an 18% decline in Q1 net profit, but earnings exceeded expectations due to strong gains from Intel and ByteDance investments. Despite no valuation increase from its stake in OpenAI, SoftBank's AI strategy remains focused, with a cumulative investment in OpenAI expected to reach $64.6 billion by October.

The Hartford International Opportunities Fund (I Share) underperformed the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index in Q2 2026. Despite a rebound in international equities driven by improved risk appetite, robust corporate earnings, and AI investments, the fund's weak selection in industrials and utilities was only partially offset by better choices in financials and materials.

Paranovus Entertainment Technology stock surged 65.5% in pre-open trading after the company confirmed the acquisition of Heyviva athletic wear brand from Jabanero Inc. The $33 million deal, structured as an asset purchase, includes U.S. trademarks, customer data, inventory, and social media accounts. The transaction is expected to generate synergies with Paranovus's existing social commerce and TikTok e-commerce operations. The stock's significant price increase was driven by the acquisition news, with no major macro data releases influencing the stock's pre-market action.

Nazara Technologies is raising Rs 733.5 crore through a preferential issue, led by incoming CEO Raymond Stauffer and Bluetile founder. The fundraise follows Nitish Mittersain's departure as CEO, with Stauffer investing Rs 583.5 crore for 1.91 crore shares, giving him a 4.67% stake. Other investors include Marc Sylvester Schutze, Maxime Loppin, Alexandre Paul Jean Noirot-Cosson, Alexander Osou, and Hugo Rémy Gaston Blavin. The investment signifies strong confidence in Nazara's global gaming platform.

Ras Al Khaimah attracted Dh771.5 million in new investments during the first half of 2026, with 967 new businesses joining the Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The emirate saw 1,399 investors from 68 nationalities, reflecting confidence in its business environment. Dr Rashid Khalfan Al Nuaimi highlighted the renewal of 9,963 business licenses and the opening of 70 company branches. The investments are expected to create around 2,449 jobs, supporting economic development and reinforcing the UAE's attractiveness for investment.

ClearOne stock surged 90.2% after shareholders approved the issuance of 12.5 million new shares to Vivani Medical, a key step in merging with Cortigent, Inc. The approval, disclosed on August 5, de-risks the transaction and boosted the stock to $7.00. ClearOne also canceled First Finance's warrants and secured a new CFO agreement, reinforcing investor confidence in the merger. The move is company-specific, with the broader market showing modest gains. The merger, announced on July 1-2, 2026, aims to transform ClearOne into a neurostimulation-focused entity under Cortigent Holdings.

ClearOne stock surged 90.2% after shareholders approved the issuance of 12.5 million new shares, a key step in the merger with Cortigent, Inc. The approval, disclosed on August 5, de-risks the transaction and boosted the stock to $7.00. ClearOne also canceled First Finance's warrants and secured a new CFO agreement, reinforcing investor confidence in the merger. The move towards a neurostimulation-focused entity under Cortigent Holdings is driving the stock's rally, independent of broader market trends.

Quantum Dots now emit entangled photons at 50% transmission, a significant breakthrough for quantum network transmission using existing fibre. This advancement could lead to the development of a quantum network.

Old videos and AI-generated images have been circulating online about the mass crossings into Ceuta, Spain. These misleading visuals, including AI-generated photos and recycled footage, have been mixed with genuine reports of around 72,000 migrants crossing from Morocco. Notably, a dramatic image of a 'soldier' raising a rock above a migrant, falsely attributed to Reuters, was widely shared despite being AI-generated. Additionally, videos showing Moroccan security forces in riot gear were also circulated. Misleading images, such as one showing shoes floating in the sea, were identified as AI-generated by verification tools.

Harworth Group plc has received an unsolicited takeover offer from Peel Pepper (UK) Limited, owned by Peel Holdings Group Limited. Harworth's board is reviewing the offer terms with advisers and has advised shareholders to take no action. The offer comes as oil prices remain muted amid Iran deal developments. Harworth's share capital consists of 326,956,352 ordinary shares, trading on the London Stock Exchange.

The Tamil Nadu government introduced a carbon credit scheme and a Rs 600-crore soil restoration plan in its 2026-27 Agriculture budget to combat climate uncertainties, including the Super El Nino. The budget allocates Rs 60 lakh for demonstration projects and carbon trading, allowing farmers to earn income through sustainable practices like DSR and AWD, which reduce emissions by 50%. The 'Tamil Nadu Soil Fertility Mission' with a five-year plan and Rs 600 crore investment aims to restore soil organic carbon and reclaim alkali lands.

The Lok Sabha has passed the Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, to attract foreign investment, boost domestic manufacturing, and support India's digital economy. The Bill amends various acts and simplifies tax frameworks for offshore funds, while offering tax exemptions on interest and capital gains from government securities for FIIs and BIS. It extends tax exemptions for foreign companies supplying to Indian electronics manufacturers until March 31, 2041.

The Lok Sabha passed the 'Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026', aiming to attract foreign investment by potentially allowing banks to charge MDR on UPI transactions and easing rules for foreign fund managers. The bill could lead to increased foreign investment in India, potentially boosting jobs and market liquidity, but may also result in additional costs for consumers through higher fees for merchants.

Technocraft Ventures, an EPC company, is set to launch its IPO on August 7 to raise ₹252 crore. The IPO includes a fresh issue and an offer for sale, with a price band of ₹200-212 per share. SBI Securities has given a 'Neutral' rating, citing strong execution and earnings growth but concerns over customer concentration and working capital. Anand Rathi and Swastika have recommended 'Subscribe' and 'Subscribe – Long term', respectively.

Dhoot Transmission will pay Bain Capital nearly Rs 50 crore for consulting services it may never use, as part of its IPO process. The five-year management consultancy agreement with Bain Capital Advisors (India) mandates a lump sum fee of Rs 600 million if Dhoot goes public before the contract ends, after adjusting for any fees already paid. The agreement terminates upon listing, meaning Bain receives full payment for work it may not perform. The red herring prospectus does not detail any post-listing obligations for Bain.

The Indian Pickleball Association (IPA) is developing India's pickleball ecosystem without government funding, relying instead on corporate sponsorships and private investment. IPA president Suryaveer Singh Bhullar acknowledges the challenge of sustaining programs and growth, but has secured corporate sponsors for India's five teams in the upcoming World Cup. The IPA's recognition by the Sports Ministry includes a two-year observation period before eligibility for government grants.

Tamil Nadu's Agriculture Budget 2026-27 introduces a carbon trading scheme for farmers, a ₹600 crore soil fertility mission, and climate resilience measures. The budget aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% through sustainable farming practices like Direct Seeded Rice and Alternate Wetting and Drying irrigation. Despite these initiatives, DMK president M K Stalin criticized the budget as 'empty', arguing it overlooks farmers' distress. The government also anticipates severe climatic impacts in 12 districts due to the expected Super El Niño phenomenon.