U.S. Department of Labor data show electricity prices rose 4.2% YoY in July, the hottest month on record, as widespread air-conditioning boosted demand and bills. Electricity gains have outpaced overall inflation in recent months, adding to consumer energy spending pressure alongside rising gasoline costs.

The People’s Bank of China released its Q2 2026 Monetary Policy Implementation Report, saying total social financing (TSF) and broad money (M2) are broad macro‑financial aggregates that capture diverse financing channels. The report notes that, mathematically, rising bond financing can cause M2 or deposit growth to diverge from loan growth and that such divergence does not necessarily indicate weaker support for the real economy or idle funds. Compared with nominal GDP growth, TSF and M2 growth remain higher, indicating monetary and financial conditions are relatively loose.

Al Arabiya cited sources saying Pakistan is actively mediating to extend the 60-day ceasefire agreed under the US‑Iran memorandum of understanding. Mediators say they need more time to resolve remaining differences between Tehran and Washington; Pakistan is reportedly supportive.