On Aug. 27 local time, U.S. Central Command commander Adm. Brad Cooper said U.S. forces have cleared sea mines laid months earlier by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps from internationally recognized shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz. Cooper said Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) routes are now free of Iranian mine threats and that clearance operations were conducted over recent months using U.S. Navy divers, SEALs and combined air, land and maritime forces, including Marine Corps avia

Japan's hybrid bond issuance is recovering as yield-seeking investors and borrowers seeking acquisition and refinancing funds without equity dilution return to the market. Higher yields and relatively wide spreads are attracting demand for subordinated hybrid debt, and rating agencies are granting partial equity credit to some issues. Despite higher interest rates, issuance in the fiscal year to Sept is expected to reach about ¥1.18 tln, the largest since FY2021. Nomura senior credit analyst Kazuma Ogino said corporate earnings remain broadly resilient and market credit concerns are limited; many bonds carry first-call options around five years, and expected calls would help limit investors' long-duration rate exposure, supporting demand.

The Standing Committee of the 14th National People’s Congress approved a revised Agricultural Law on Aug. 28; the law takes effect Jan. 1, 2027. The statute sets policy goals to adapt the rural economic system to the socialist market economy, boost rural productive capacity, raise agricultural output quality and efficiency, and guarantee a stable, secure supply of grain and other key farm products. It also targets higher farmer incomes and living standards, multi‑channel rural employment, livable and productive rural communities, reduced urban‑rural and regional disparities, urban‑rural integration, and gradual modernization of agriculture and rural areas.