Real-time News

On August 26th, it was reported that the rapid increase in demand for AI computing power has led to a significant rise in memory chip prices, with upstream price increases being passed on to downstream end-users. Recently, Amazon raised prices on several hardware products. Among them, the entry-level model of the Echo series smart speaker, the best-selling model, saw the largest increase, rising from $49.99 to $79.99 (approximately RMB 538), an increase of about 60%. The 16GB basic version of the e-reader rose from $109.99 to $149.99 (approximately RMB 1000), an increase of about 36%. Before Amazon's price increase, tech companies such as Apple, Microsoft, and Dell had already addressed cost pressures by raising product prices and reducing standard memory in hardware. Market research firm IDC previously warned that the global memory shortage may continue until 2027, and industry forecasts indicate that memory chip prices may peak in 2028 and then gradually decline and stabilize.

On August 26, Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee met with Peking University Party Secretary He Guangcai to exchange views on promoting cooperation between Hong Kong and the Mainland in higher education, cultivating international talent, and strengthening scientific research collaboration. Lee stated that the Hong Kong SAR government is accelerating the development of the Northern Metropolitan Area and has reserved ample land for the planning of a university town. Through quality improvement and expansion, the government aims to enhance higher education, scientific research and innovation, and talent training facilities to attract more high-level international talent to Hong Kong. During the meeting, both sides exchanged views on the development model of the Northern Metropolitan University Town. Lee was greatly encouraged by Peking University's strong support for deepening cooperation between Beijing and Hong Kong in higher education. He pointed out that he looks forward to Peking University and Hong Kong universities continuing to deepen cooperation through the Beijing-Hong Kong University Alliance, further promoting complementary advantages between the two universities, and cultivating more globally competitive high-level talent for the country and Hong Kong.

On August 26, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian held a regular press conference. It was reported that China announced President Xi Jinping's attendance at the 2026 Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit. What message does China hope to convey through its attendance at the summit? Lin Jian stated that during this year's Bishkek Summit, President Xi Jinping will exchange in-depth views with leaders of participating countries on deepening cooperation in various fields within the SCO under the new circumstances, as well as on major international and regional issues. He will also make plans and arrangements for guiding the SCO's high-quality development and participating in the reform and construction of the global governance system. China is willing to work with all parties to further consolidate consensus at the Bishkek Summit, jointly write a new chapter of cooperation, and make positive contributions to promoting the security, stability, development, and revitalization of countries in the region and building a community with a shared future for mankind.

The chart shows that at 22:00 Beijing time on August 26, there will be large foreign exchange options contracts for Euro, Japanese Yen, British Pound, and Australian Dollar expiring, including 6 contracts with strike prices exceeding 1 billion. Please manage your risks.

The governor of Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, Russia, said an industrial facility in the region was damaged in a drone attack.

August 26th - Alibaba's agent product, QwenWork, has launched its international version for public beta testing. Starting today, overseas individual and corporate users can experience it through the international website (qwenwork.ai). The web version and PC client are currently available.

A member of the Iranian parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee said on Wednesday that Iran would take preemptive action if its adversaries’ rhetoric escalated into serious threats.

Israel Defense Forces: The Rear Command app recently issued an alert regarding rocket and missile attacks in the Kibbutz Alumim area. This alert was issued due to a miscalculation. There is no suspicion of a security incident.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi: We are considering providing incentives for companies to diversify their fuel sources.

The yield on UK two-year government bonds fell to 4.303%, a two-week low.

On August 26th, Mio, General Manager of Xiaohongshu's Commercial Channel Business Group, announced the platform's 2026 channel strategy: In the coming year, the platform will focus on four key areas: industry in-depth cultivation, customer management, ecosystem co-construction, and capability accumulation, promoting the upgrade of agents to "industry business partners." The platform will open up AI capabilities covering the entire agent service process and provide additional incentive support. On the product level, Xiaohongshu announced that its commercial products will undergo capability upgrades, building an AI product system.

Hyundai Motor: The rollout of software-defined vehicles is not expected to be further delayed.

On August 26th, it was reported that in July, total electricity consumption in China exceeded 1 trillion kilowatt-hours again, with electricity consumption for internet data services increasing by 40% year-on-year. Computing power is becoming a significant source of new electricity consumption. In August, the peak electricity load of a smart computing center in Changshu, Jiangsu Province, increased by over 70% compared to the same period last year. The peak electricity load of the computing power industry reached 200,000 kilowatts, accounting for approximately 4.1% of the city's total electricity load. The State Grid Changshu Power Supply Company stated that the computing power industry contributed nearly half of the city's increased electricity load, accounting for approximately 49%, reflecting that computing power load is gradually replacing seasonal air conditioning load as the core driver of electricity consumption growth this summer. In July, the electricity consumption of 106 computing power centers in Jiangsu Province exceeded 1.3 billion kilowatt-hours, a year-on-year increase of 31%, with supercomputing and smart computing centers accounting for over 80% of the total.

On Wednesday, August 26, the German DAX 30 index opened down 20.99 points, or 0.08%, at 26,264.07; the UK FTSE 100 index opened up 4.14 points, or 0.04%, at 10,890.30; the French CAC 40 index opened up 31.73 points, or 0.38%, at 8,470.93; the Euro Stoxx 50 index opened up 16.42 points, or 0.25%, at 6,472.05; the Spanish IBEX 35 index opened up 61.85 points, or 0.31%, at 20,118.45; and the Italian FTSE MIB index opened up 56.69 points, or 0.11%, at 52,777.00.

The Bank of Thailand: The Monetary Policy Committee unanimously voted to keep interest rates unchanged.