People familiar with the matter said U.S. digital media company Puck is in talks with RedBird Capital on an investment that would value Puck at about $250 million.

Energy 1. US media: US diesel inventories fall to record low for this time of year. 2. Iraq tenders for crude oil shipments outside the Strait of Hormuz. 3. Saudi Arabia adjusts oil transportation amid Houthi threats, leading to a surge in Persian Gulf shipping activity. 4. European natural gas reserves are running low; prices may exceed €100 this winter. 5. Thailand plans to increase the proportion of renewable energy and introduce nuclear power in its power planning. 6. According to IRNA: Iran and Gazprom discuss cooperation in the natural gas industry. 7. Kuwait and Qatar increase crude oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz, with export volumes recovering to 70% of pre-conflict levels. 8. EIA report: US strategic petroleum reserves decreased by 3.7 million barrels to 289.7 million barrels in the week ending August 21, a decrease of 1.26%; US crude oil exports decreased by 274,000 barrels per day to 3.792 million barrels per day. 9. Market News: Sources say the Caspian Pipeline Alliance (CPC) blended crude oil exports are expected to reach 1.5 million barrels per day in September, compared to 1.5 million to 1.6 million barrels per day in August. Agriculture/Mining 1. Zinc prices rose for the seventh consecutive day, driven by tightening supply. 2. The US eased import quotas on some beef products to lower prices. 3. Black Sea exports were hampered, and CBOT wheat futures hit a near three-year high. 4. The US Treasury Department issued a general license related to Russia, authorizing transactions related to the import of certain prohibited Russian diamonds. 5. South Africa's wheat production this year is likely to be the lowest since 2019, with government agencies predicting a 7.5% decline compared to last year. 6. The Governor of the Central Bank of Uzbekistan said he hopes to sell gold at favorable price levels. However, the central bank has not yet decided to change its reserve structure, and meetings with international asset management institutions are unlikely to lead to this change. Iran Situation 1. The US Energy Secretary said Washington prefers a diplomatic solution to the Iranian issue. 2. Shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz picked up slightly on Wednesday, while traffic in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait slowed. 3. Sources: The U.S. Department of Justice is preparing to invoke a long-dormant maritime war tribunal to streamline the process of seizing Iranian oil tankers as "trophies." 4. Trump: There is "no timetable" for when Iran will return to negotiations; I'm not in a hurry. The Strait of Hormuz is functioning normally, and large amounts of oil are flowing out. 10 million barrels of oil left the Strait of Hormuz yesterday.

1. Cui Dongshu: The automotive industry's profit decline remains significant recently, and the profit pressure on mainstream automakers will continue to increase sharply. 2. Cui Dongshu: In the first seven months of 2026, the automotive industry's profit margin was 3.6%, revenue increased by 2.7%, costs increased by 3.8%, and profits decreased by 20%. 3. China Passenger Car Association (CPCA): From August 1st to 23rd, the national retail sales of new energy passenger vehicles reached 614,000 units, a 12% decrease compared to the same period last August. 4. From product output to ecosystem development, the overseas expansion of new energy commercial vehicles is on the fast track. 5. Voyah Automobile: First-half revenue reached 18.16 billion yuan, a 42.4% increase year-on-year. 6. Volkswagen CEO warns: Factory costs remain too high and further cost reductions may be necessary. 7. AIVA is discussing battery swapping cooperation with CATL, and its first mass-produced vehicle will debut this year. 8. Shanghai: Baoshan Nanda is accelerating the development of intelligent robots; Jiading Automobile City and Industrial Zone are focusing on intelligent connected new energy vehicles, integrated circuits (intelligent sensors), and high-end medical devices. 9. Li Auto's Q2 revenue reached 25.7 billion yuan, a 11.7% increase quarter-on-quarter; it expects to deliver 95,000 to 100,000 vehicles in Q3, a 1.9% to 7.3% increase year-on-year. 10. Lotus Technology acquired 100% of Lotus UK's equity, integrating Lotus's UK business into the "Geely Group". 11. Honda intends to establish a new production base in the United States, responding to local market demand for hybrid vehicles.