Real-time News

On Monday, September 14th, the German DAX 30 index opened down 93.66 points, or 0.37%, at 25463.50; the UK FTSE 100 index opened up 22.86 points, or 0.21%, at 10673.30; and the French CAC 40 index opened down 42.73 points, or 0.52%, at 8137.04. The Stoxx 50 index opened down 40.78 points, or 0.64%, at 6284.35 on Monday, September 14; the Spanish IBEX 35 index opened down 53.60 points, or 0.27%, at 19784.90 on Monday, September 14; and the Italian FTSE MIB index opened down 222.53 points, or 0.42%, at 52289.50 on Monday, September 14.

South African media reported on the 14th that a traffic accident occurred in the Western Cape province of South Africa on the evening of the 13th, resulting in at least 21 deaths.

The China Earthquake Networks Center automatically determined that an earthquake of approximately magnitude 3.0 occurred near Li County, Aba Prefecture, Sichuan Province (31.53°N, 103.30°E) at 14:53 on September 14. The final result is subject to the official rapid report.

September 14th - Data center provider Firmus Technologies Pty is seeking to raise up to $5 billion in its Australian initial public offering (IPO). Sources familiar with the matter say the provider aims to list by the end of October. Discussions are ongoing, and details of the offering, including size and timing, are subject to change, according to sources. Compiled data suggests the deal would be one of the largest IPOs in Australian history, comparable to Medibank Pvt's 2014 offering, which raised just under $5 billion. This would be a welcome boost to the country's primary market, which has raised just over $1 billion so far this year, compared to over $2 billion annually in the previous two years. The Australian company has already signed contracts with several major US technology companies prior to the listing, including an agreement with OpenAI to provide computing power from two data center sites in Malaysia.

On September 14th, Nikkei reported that US AI giant OpenAI is open to training its models in Australia, with a senior executive stating that negotiations are underway regarding issues such as copyright protection. Australia is seeking a greater role in AI development, moving beyond simply hosting data centers, and aims to position itself as a standard-setter in infrastructure development and application deployment. Prime Minister Albanese announced plans in July to legislate "national standards," stating that these rules will seek to ensure that companies using Australian creators' data respect copyright protection. Ann O'Leary, OpenAI's Vice President of Global Policy, stated at an event hosted by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute in Canberra that the company supports the government's approach and is interested in training its models in Australia.

According to Nikkei, OpenAI says it is in talks regarding training models in Australia.

On September 14th, EU Financial Services Commissioner Maria Luis Albuquerque rejected the banking sector's request to split the ambitious plan to revive the EU financial system into two parts. In a television interview, she stated that Europe is best served by a single approach to reforms, reducing red tape, lowering barriers to cross-border activity, and relaxing some regulations. She said, "If we really want to do something meaningful, we need to see this as a holistic solution because everything is interconnected. We need to address the real obstacles that are holding us back, and these obstacles stem primarily from fragmentation, from the lingering 'home-host' debate." Last week, leaders of 11 top banks from the EU, Switzerland, and the UK called for the EU to prioritize "simplification" reforms in the short term and allow more time to discuss thorny issues such as the European Deposit Insurance Scheme. She added: "This is not for the banks; it's for the EU economy."

On September 14th, according to foreign media reports, GasPort Limited, the operator of one of Pakistan's two major liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminals, is planning to purchase US shipments to fill the gas supply gap in the Persian Gulf and alleviate the severe energy shortage that has persisted for months. GasPort Chairman Iqbal Z. Ahmed stated, "If we look to the West, we can change the status quo and break the Middle East's control over supplies." He added that the company will seek to establish long-term alternative supply partnerships, stating, "The US energy industry is about to experience massive expansion. All we need to do is establish long-term partnerships with them." He urged the government to push forward with relevant negotiations and consider allowing private companies like GasPort to import LNG.

September 14th - The security situation in the border region between Tajikistan and Afghanistan remains complex and severe. Recent incidents, including stray bullets landing in Tajikistan and illegal border crossings by Afghan personnel, have resulted in casualties and property damage. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese Embassy in Tajikistan advise Chinese citizens to refrain from traveling to the border region between Tajikistan and Afghanistan (from Shamshidin Shokhin District in Khatlon Region to Khorog, the capital of Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region). Chinese citizens and organizations already in the area are urged to evacuate or relocate to other relatively safe areas in Tajikistan as soon as possible, closely monitor the situation, and strengthen security precautions and emergency preparedness.

Petronas: METLEN has signed a liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply agreement with the company to enhance energy security and supply diversification in Southeast Europe.

September 14 - The public relations department of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said on the 14th that the Revolutionary Guard shot down a U.S. MQ-1 drone over the Strait of Hormuz.

Bangladesh's Energy Minister: We are seeking alternative LNG sources, focusing on the United States, despite high transportation costs.

Euro Stoxx 50 futures fell 0.41%, German DAX futures fell 0.35%, and UK FTSE 100 futures rose 0.18%.

September 14th - According to the latest memory industry research from TrendForce, the NOR Flash market is undergoing the most significant supply and demand shift in nearly a decade. With AI accounting for the majority of production capacity, coupled with the upgrading of demand for high-end applications, the increase in NOR Flash bit output from suppliers is limited. It is estimated that the supply and demand imbalance will continue in the second half of 2026, with overall contract prices remaining at a high level, and the price of high-capacity products may even double.

ECB Governing Council member Kazak: The possibility of further policy tightening is increasing, and we can take action gradually without rushing.

ECB Governing Council member Kazak said the output gap is narrowing, which means the transmission to prices and wages may be strengthened.

September 14 - The National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) today approved and released my country's third standard for brain-computer interface (BCI) medical devices, which is also the world's first standard for BCI medical devices that uses artificial intelligence technology to process EEG data. The new standard will be officially implemented on September 1 next year.

South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the Houthi attacks on Saudi civilians and economic facilities and called for an immediate halt.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on parliament to remove the Prosecutor General from office as soon as possible.