U.S. 30-year Treasury yields have climbed to their highest level since 2007 as a global bond sell-off gathers pace driven by persistent inflation worries and expectations of higher government debt. Higher long-end yields are putting direct pressure on equity multiples and growth-sensitive sectors while reinforcing the higher-for-longer outlook. And in European markets the DAX is trading near 26,260 while the FTSE is trading near 10,728. Gold is down 0.2% at $4,447 an ounce. Oil is up 0.1% at $84.02. Bitcoin has edged higher to $64,290. Stocks continue to shrug off the rise in Treasury yields for now with analysts saying the ten-year still has room to climb before triggering a sustained equity selloff. And finally an Australian library has pulled a book on Gaza from its shelves after a survivor of the Bondi terror attack demanded its removal. The title How to Sell a Genocide by American writer Adam Johnson was withdrawn from Waverley Library.

Condor Studio News · 7:00 AM Central · Aug 18, 2026.

Markets are watching the release of several key U.S. economic readings in the next few hours as traders position ahead of tomorrow's FOMC meeting minutes. ADP private payrolls, housing starts, building permits and industrial production are all due before the U.S. open. The DAX is trading near 26,259 while the FTSE is trading near 10,725. Oil is at $83.92. Gold hit $4,455 an ounce. Bitcoin traded near $64,142. And finally, an Australian library has pulled a book on Gaza from its shelves after a complaint from a survivor of the Bondi attack.

Condor Studio News · 6:00 AM Central · Aug 18, 2026.

Chemular has launched a patent-pending child-resistant packaging system for nicotine pouches that snaps onto existing cans without any changes to production lines, artwork or FDA applications. The add-on platform lowers regulatory friction for manufacturers and could speed wider distribution of the high-margin products. Construction Partners beat expectations with nearly one billion dollars in revenue and raised its full-year outlook for the second time this year, fueled by strong demand for AI data center construction in Texas and Oklahoma. Wendy's new leadership withdrew guidance after same-store sales fell seven percent as traffic dropped more than twelve percent. And in European markets the DAX is trading near 26,221 while the FTSE is trading near 10,710. Oil is unchanged at $84.08. Gold is down slightly at $4,445. Bitcoin traded near $64,101. Many recent college graduates blame artificial intelligence for making entry-level jobs harder to find though economists point to post-pandemic hiring slowdowns and higher interest rates as bigger factors. And finally a retired couple with a $3 million estate says their son and daughter in law have cut off all contact over political differences that began in 2016. The conservative Christian parents are now asking whether they should rewrite their will to exclude the younger couple or redirect the money to charity or other heirs.

Condor Studio News · 5:00 AM Central · Aug 18, 2026.

Russian strikes overnight on Ukraine have killed at least ten people, prompting President Zelenskyy to vow a definite response with strikes on Russia. Zelenskyy called on international partners to ramp up pressure on Moscow and back a new special tribunal in The Hague for the crime of aggression. The warning comes as Russia threatens Britain with consequences over reports Ukraine has now used British-made drones to hit targets on Russian soil for the first time. And in European and Asian news, a surprise shift from Labour donor and green energy tycoon Dale Vince sees him backing development of the Rosebank oil and Jackdaw gas fields in the North Sea. Vince told BBC Newsnight that approving the already licensed projects, paired with wholesale energy price controls, could save the country billions and help fund decommissioning costs without undermining net zero. The DAX is trading near 26,228. Oil is at $84.05. Gold hit $4,452 an ounce. Bitcoin traded near $64,199. And finally, an Indian student leader has ended his sixteen-day hunger strike after the Jharkhand government agreed to cancel two controversial recruitment exams following weeks of protests over alleged irregularities.

Condor Studio News · 4:00 AM Central · Aug 18, 2026.

Oil has fallen to $84.27 after the US-Iran ceasefire expired without a peace deal. Brent crude is now pricing in a more extended disruption risk through the Strait of Hormuz where shipping has slowed sharply. The drop comes as China's fuel exports edge back toward pre-war levels while Beijing eases export curbs. Bitcoin has moved to $64,115 as traders weigh the stagflationary signals from sustained geopolitical premium in energy. And in Asian markets the Hang Seng finished at 25,497. In European news the DAX is trading near 26,241. Gold is little changed at $4,457 an ounce. And finally doctors in China have removed a record 3.1 kilogram bladder stone from a man — a mass said to weigh as much as a full-term baby.

Condor Studio News · 3:00 AM Central · Aug 18, 2026.

A Palestinian-American man has returned to his family home in the occupied West Bank, joining relatives who have been physically defending the property against an ongoing siege by Israeli settlers. The family says they fear settler violence and military restrictions could ultimately rob them of their home. UK job vacancies have fallen to a five-year low as smaller firms scale back recruitment, citing labour and operating costs. Oil is up zero point five percent at $85.54. Gold is up zero point one percent at $4,453. Bitcoin is up zero point one percent at $64,234. In Asian and European markets the Hang Seng is trading near 25,455 while the DAX is trading near 26,339. And finally, Jeremy Clarkson reveals how he's beating the hosepipe ban and keeping the Farmer's Dog pub's grass mostly green. The television personality and farmer shared his tactic for accessing water at the Oxfordshire venue made famous by his show.

Condor Studio News · 2:00 AM Central · Aug 18, 2026.

South Korea must brace for the worst-case scenario, its president has warned, after President Trump cut joint military drills with Seoul. President Lee said the annual defensive exercises are not intended to attack North Korea or raise tensions on the peninsula. The move has raised fresh questions about alliance commitments. The Nikkei finished at 67,680 while the Hang Seng is trading near 25,361. Oil is at $85.14. Gold hit $4,449 an ounce. Bitcoin traded near $64,170. And finally it was either feed my animals or feed myself. Pet food banks say donations have dipped sharply over the summer leaving owners forced to choose between themselves and their pets. and the daily habits you must ditch now.

Condor Studio News · 1:00 AM Central · Aug 18, 2026.

Tensions between the United States and Iran are escalating as a ship was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz and the temporary ceasefire has expired with both sides now digging in for prolonged conflict. Iran has declared it will pursue a fully offensive strategy in the region while President Trump has threatened to bomb Gulf ally Oman over any joint management deal with Tehran. The moves have pushed diesel crack spreads above $100 a barrel for the first time on record amid a global supply crunch. And in European and Asian news the Child Maintenance Service faces fresh scrutiny likened to the new Post Office scandal after fathers plunged into poverty by inflated demands have taken their own lives while the agency's boss appeared dismissive before a Lords committee. The Nikkei finished trading near 67,811. Gold is little changed at $4,449 an ounce. And finally Ricky Gervais says he will marry his partner of 44 years Jane Fallon but only to avoid inheritance tax on their combined £142m fortune.

Condor Studio News · 12:00 AM Central · Aug 18, 2026.

Bitcoin is overdue for moves of 30% or more, Fundstrat says. The digital asset strategy team notes that the cryptocurrency's recent 30-day price swings are among the smallest on record, signaling extremely low volatility that has historically preceded much larger moves. Bitcoin rose over 2% earlier amid short covering. The cryptocurrency is down nearly 27% year-to-date. In Asian markets the Nikkei finished near 67,948 while the Hang Seng is trading near 25,291. Oil holds at $85.07 a barrel. Gold remains at $4,451 an ounce. And finally, Narcan was found in the apartment where actress Hayden Panietere died of suspected overdose, as a neighbor described the hellish scene that unfolded.

Condor Studio News · 11:00 PM Central · Aug 17, 2026.

Torrential rains have killed one person in South Korea and triggered widespread flooding in the Philippine capital of Manila. More than 800 mm of rain fell in Geoje over the weekend, causing a landslide that buried part of an apartment building. Rescue crews pulled three residents from the rubble alive, but one was later pronounced dead. Authorities evacuated nearly 400 people, while power was knocked out to thousands of homes and a dozen schools were flooded. In the Philippines, monsoon rains forced the suspension of government work and shifted classes online, with earlier storms in northern Luzon already claiming at least 23 lives. The Nikkei finished near 68,099 after posting a nearly one percent loss on the session. Oil is at $85.06. Gold hit $4,451 an ounce. Bitcoin traded near $64,061. The moves come as the US-Iran ceasefire has expired, pushing oil higher on renewed supply risks and setting a cautious tone heading into the European open. And finally, these extreme weather events continue to disrupt local economies and supply chains across the region.

Condor Studio News · 10:00 PM Central · Aug 17, 2026.