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August 3: Trump's Iran Talks and the Indonesian Ferry Fire
In currency markets
The United States and Japan say they are prepared to intervene jointly to support the yen if needed, an unusually explicit signal of coordination as authorities try to deter further currency instability.
European heat and fires
Spain has issued heat alerts across six regions, with Gran Canaria under a red warning for extreme temperatures. Catalonia and Aragon are also facing warnings for storms and heavy rain.
In Greece, aerial crews are fighting a major wildfire after a helicopter collision killed two people. Authorities say the Athens region of Attica remains at high wildfire risk as temperatures rise.
Data breaches and AI attacks
Liechtenstein says hackers stole data connected to roughly 31,000 legal entities from its anti-money-laundering register. The government has appointed an investigation team to examine the breach.
Researchers also warn that theft from compromised Coldcard bitcoin wallets is continuing, with reported losses now around $88 million. Separately, CrowdStrike says AI-enabled cyberattacks rose 89 percent in 2025, with attackers exploiting newly disclosed vulnerabilities within one to two days, rather than giving defenders the traditional and increasingly fictional 30-day patch window.
In business
AstraZeneca is in talks to buy Bristol Myers Squibb in a deal that could value the combined pharmaceutical group at nearly $400 billion. If completed, it would be among the industry’s biggest-ever acquisitions and create the world’s fourth-largest drugmaker.
Student loan relief
About 450,000 Americans who say they were misled by their colleges are receiving federal student-loan cancellations after years of delays. For many borrowers, the relief comes after prolonged financial strain and uncertainty over whether their claims would ever be resolved.
Election interference in Germany
Dozens of fake online posts are circulating ahead of four German elections this fall, seeking to discredit candidates and portray the country as deeply divided. Analysts say Russian-linked disinformation campaigns are increasingly targeting local candidates, not just national political figures.
U.S. talks with Iran
President Donald Trump says a new round of talks aimed at ending the war with Iran will begin Monday. The announcement followed his statement over the weekend that he would halt planned new U.S. attacks on Iran.
Indonesian ferry fire
At least five people have died and 41 remain missing after a fire engulfed an Indonesian ferry carrying 271 people. Passengers wearing life jackets were forced to jump into the sea as rescue efforts continued.
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