Real-time News

August 2nd - According to Yonhap News Agency, Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Motors announced on Sunday that the two South Korean automakers sold over 100,000 electric vehicles in Europe in the first half of this year, aiming to strengthen their position in the region. Hyundai and Kia stated that they plan to sell a total of 131,032 electric vehicles in Europe in the first half of 2026, a significant increase of 41.8% from 92,365 vehicles sold in the first half of the year. The two companies expect that if the current sales momentum continues until the end of the year, annual electric vehicle sales in Europe will exceed 200,000 units for the first time since they entered the European electric vehicle market in 2014. As of May this year, their cumulative electric vehicle sales in Europe surpassed the 1 million mark.

On August 2nd, in response to Trump's post claiming an agreement had been reached on the framework of a deal to cancel strikes against Iran, a CNN reporter pointed out that, according to reports from CNN and other media outlets, there is no indication that any proposals currently under discussion equate to "ending the Iranian nuclear threat." Details regarding the Strait of Hormuz remain extremely limited. Sources only indicate that it involves the possibility of some kind of potential agreement with Oman.

August 2nd - According to the Beijing Railway Bureau, due to a rain warning, some trains on the Huairou-Miyun Line and the S2 Line of the Beijing Suburban Railway will be temporarily suspended today (August 2nd). Specifically, the following train numbers will be temporarily suspended: Huairou-Miyun Line S503, S504, S513, S514, S517, S518, and S523; S2 Line S205, S206, S287, and S288.

On August 2nd, Yin Yong, Deputy Secretary of the Beijing Municipal Committee and Mayor of Beijing, recently conducted research on the development of the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area. He emphasized the need to leverage Beijing's policy, innovation, and openness advantages in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry, continuously deepen reforms in the pharmaceutical field, improve industry support policies, unleash the vitality of open development, enhance the development level of the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry, and strive to build a globally competitive pharmaceutical and healthcare industry cluster, thus supporting the high-quality development of the capital city through high-quality industrial development.

On August 2nd, the State Council Executive Meeting reviewed and approved the "Draft Decision of the State Council on Amending the Regulations on the Management of Housing Provident Funds," which clearly states the need to better leverage the functions of housing provident funds, broaden the scope of withdrawal and use, expand the system's coverage, improve management and service efficiency, and better meet the diverse housing consumption needs of residents. Experts say this means the fundamental role of housing provident funds in promoting housing consumption and ensuring people's well-being will be further highlighted. Wu Jing, director of the Real Estate Research Center at Tsinghua University, stated that the characteristics of residents' housing consumption and the real estate market situation have undergone significant changes, necessitating corresponding adjustments to the housing provident fund system. This round of reforms will not only reduce housing expenditures for contributors, helping to release demand for improved and rigid housing, but also stabilize market expectations.

Visa (VN) plans to lay off 2,600 employees as restructuring is driven by the application of artificial intelligence and cost reduction.

According to Fox News: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, citing a U.S. State Department report, said that Cuba aims to use radical groups to confront the United States.

The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre reports that a 5.0-magnitude earthquake struck off the east coast of Honshu, Japan, at a depth of 48.4 kilometers.

The China Earthquake Networks Center officially reported that a magnitude 3.0 earthquake struck Xinghai County, Hainan Prefecture, Qinghai Province at 08:25 on August 2nd, with a focal depth of 10 kilometers.

Five provinces in Cuba are experiencing power outages due to a power grid failure.

Turkish Foreign Minister: Today, I spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Araqchi, and we discussed the latest developments in the current (US-Iran) negotiation process. Turkey will continue its efforts to end the regional conflict and establish lasting peace.

Trump Media has launched the Truth API, a paid service that allows subscribers to access posts on Truth Social earlier and in real-time than regular users. The service, costing up to $100,000 per month, is primarily targeted at trading companies and businesses.

On August 2nd, Iranian Foreign Minister Araqchi held separate phone calls with Pakistani Army Chief of Staff Mohammad Munir and Turkish Foreign Minister Fedan Ibrahim on August 1st, local time. During the calls, the parties discussed the latest regional situation and exchanged views on the consequences of the United States' aggressive and destabilizing actions, as well as the escalating regional tensions and security risks. Araqchi warned the US military against any risky actions and emphasized that Iran is fully prepared to safeguard its national sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity, and will resolutely respond to any infringement.

According to Saudi media alhadath, the Iraqi Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief has ordered the establishment of a Joint Security Committee, instructing it to fulfill its responsibilities in protecting sovereignty and good neighborly relations.

On August 2, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated that its air force launched multiple ballistic missiles that morning at a U.S. F-35 fighter jet maintenance hangar and tarmac at the Azraq Air Base in Jordan, in retaliation for the U.S. attack on Qeshm Island. The IRGC claimed the attack destroyed three F-35 fighter jets and severely damaged three others.

The Canadian Public Service Employees Union announced that WestJet flight attendants had issued a 72-hour strike notice. WestJet subsequently issued a 72-hour work stoppage notice.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry stated: As the United States continues to violate the June 28 ceasefire agreement, maintains a maritime blockade of Iranian ports and commercial shipping, launches brutal attacks across the country, intensifies economic pressure and illegal threats, and engages in acts of aggression against Iran, our armed forces will continue their defensive and counter-offensive efforts with all their might.

According to Sky News: Ukrainian President Zelensky thanked the UAE president for his continued diplomatic efforts in facilitating prisoner exchanges between Russia and Ukraine.