Aug 3 — Reports said Moonshot AI planned to file for a Hong Kong IPO as soon as this month to raise about $3 billion; Moonshot AI said the reports were false.

China Automobile Dealers Association said its dealer inventory warning index was 61.1% in July 2026, up 3.9 percentage points YoY and MoM and remaining above the 50% expansion-contraction threshold. Dealers expect August to remain seasonally weak as nationwide heat suppresses showroom traffic and keeps consumers cautious, though concentrated graduation and back-to-school demand should provide some lift and sales are expected to be stronger than July.

Italy's defense ministry said its navy, operating as part of an EU long-running military operation in the Mediterranean, intercepted an EU‑sanctioned Russian 'shadow fleet' tanker west of Pantelleria. The tanker captain refused to cooperate and an Italian boarding team conducted an inspection, supported by a Greek navy vessel and a Polish maritime patrol aircraft.