FITCH says the UK prime minister's position within Labour has strengthened and approval ratings have risen, which will help maintain political stability for the remainder of the parliamentary term.

Russian Urals crude from west Russian ports to Asia normally transits the Red Sea. Compliant tankers operating under Western constraints depend on P&I clubs and war-risk cover; rising Red Sea risk has prompted insurers to tighten cover and in some cases require insured ships to avoid the Bab el-Mandeb. Sanctioned "shadow fleet" vessels, which use little Western insurance or maritime services, are not bound by those insurer no-sail constraints and can continue to use the shorter Red Sea route. The split is imposing higher insurance and rerouting costs on compliant ships—detours around the Cape of Good Hope add several weeks to voyages and materially raise freight—giving sanctioned vessels a marked transport-cost advantage.

Shanghai Gold Exchange gold T+D closed up 0.99% at 948.91 yuan/gram in the evening session on Friday, Aug 14. Shanghai Gold Exchange silver T+D closed up 1.06% at 15,780.0 yuan/kg in the evening session on Friday, Aug 14.