News about World markets

A group of IT billionaires is building a self-sufficient infrastructure on a remote ranch in Argentina in preparation for a nuclear war or a global catastrophe. Nearly $10 million has already been invested in the project.

The artificial intelligence (AI) race between the U.S. and China is accelerating at a dizzying pace. Time and again, the U.S. seems to pull ahead, but China quickly closes the gap.

Due to disruptions at Black Sea ports, Ukraine will be able to export about 29.6 million metric tons this season, which is 54% lower than the previous estimate of 64.4 million metric tons, according to the country’s Ministry of Agrarian Policy. Wheat exports could fall by 53%—to 8.3 million metric tons—compared with an earlier forecast.

Automatic citizenship by birthplace is still in effect in 33 countries. Most of these countries are located in North, Central, and South America, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina. Outside the Western Hemisphere, this practice is much less common.

The Romanian company Transgaz has signed a memorandum of understanding with the U.S. company Argent LNG to explore investments in one of the largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the United States, with the aim of ensuring energy security in Central and Eastern Europe and facilitating the transport of U.S. gas to the Republic of Moldova, Ukraine, and other countries in the region via Romanian infrastructure.

Diageo, the world’s largest producer of spirits, has for the first time abandoned its target of a 5–7% annual increase in sales. Instead, the company is preparing for a prolonged period of weak demand and is launching a $1 billion cost-cutting program.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the rise in prices in July was driven by a 3.4% increase in the cereal price index compared to the previous month. Wheat prices rose particularly sharply—by 5.8%. This was due to concerns about disruptions to exports from the Black Sea and damage caused by heat waves in key agricultural regions.

GPS watches for children and other tracking devices designed for safety can themselves become a source of danger. Researchers have discovered vulnerabilities that allow attackers to track users’ locations, access cameras and microphones, and remotely control the devices.

The National Energy Regulatory Agency (ANRE) has published new maximum prices for gasoline and diesel fuel, which will be in effect from August 8 through August 10.

eBay expects third-quarter revenue to exceed analysts’ forecasts. The online marketplace anticipates further sales growth in categories with high buyer engagement—ranging from luxury goods and collectibles to auto parts and refurbished electronics.

Russians sharply increased the amount of cash in circulation in July. According to the Bank of Russia, the figure rose by ₽643.4 billion (approximately €7.2 billion), which is nearly one and a half times the increase seen in June. Since the beginning of the year, the amount of cash has increased by ₽2.1 trillion (about €23.5 billion).

Winemakers in southeastern France are facing a new threat in the wake of massive wildfires: even the grapes that survived may be unsuitable for winemaking due to what is known as a “smoky aftertaste.” Producers fear that the aftermath of the fires will cause the industry no less damage than the fires themselves.

The American corporation Procter & Gamble (P&G) has agreed to acquire the dietary supplement manufacturer Thorne for $3.8 billion. The deal will allow the owner of brands such as Ariel, Gillette, Oral-B, and Pampers to significantly strengthen its position in the rapidly growing market for health and wellness products.

Earlier this week, a downward trend in fuel prices emerged in Moldova and around the world due to the drop in oil prices on global markets. This trend is taking hold, albeit very gradually.

The Swiss Cooperation Office in the Republic of Moldova has a new director. Diplomat Richard Коли has taken the helm of the office, succeeding Guido Beltrani, who has completed his four-year term.

U.S. President Donald Trump has demanded an explanation from Pentagon chief Pete Hegset regarding a shortage of missiles, the Washington Post reports, citing informed sources.

The heat is changing travel preferences in Spain: the north of the country is becoming the top destination for summer vacations. According to data from the Rentalia platform, by August, tourists had booked nearly 90% of short-term rental properties along the Spanish coast.

The EU has announced a new financial package for Ukraine.

A prolonged heat wave and falling water levels in the Danube have once again exposed sunken German military vessels near the Serbian town of Prahovo. The wreckage, left over from World War II, continues to hinder navigation on one of Europe’s key inland waterways, creating problems for freight transport.

The French fashion house Chanel significantly strengthened its position in the global luxury goods market in the first half of 2026, posting results that substantially outperformed those of most of its competitors. Strong demand for the new collections, created under the leadership of Creative Director Matthieu Blazy, enabled the company to maintain steady growth even amid a challenging macroeconomic and geopolitical environment.