A student opened fire at a high school in Thailand, killing multiple people and wounding others, authorities said. The shooting occurred early Friday local time, with the suspect still at large as emergency responders rushed to the scene. Thai officials have not released a full casualty toll or confirmed motive, but described it as a targeted incident inside the school grounds.

In Australia, the Attorney General warned that smart glasses users could subject women and children to harmful conduct, while major delays gripped Sydney airport. Separately, Taiwan's president was evacuated in the middle of the night as part of a military exercise preparing for a potential Chinese invasion.

Oil prices jumped on reports of renewed Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, including a strike on Najran province that killed 11 civilians. Brent crude rose 1.59 percent to $83.80 a barrel. Vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has dwindled this week as markets watch Iran-Oman talks.

Those commodity swings could influence sentiment when European and US markets open later, ahead of high-impact US jobs, earnings and unemployment data at 8:30 a.m. Central.

This is the 1:00 AM Central VixShield flash.

Meta is staring down a potential 72-hour crisis in India that could strip the social media giant of its legal safe harbor protections and upend its entire business there. Regulators are demanding changes to content moderation rules, putting the firm's immunity at immediate risk. And in Asian markets, China's exports jumped more than expected in July, with AI-driven shipments leading the surge. That data comes as traders watch for any ripple from the upcoming US jobs report. The dollar drifted higher overnight on expectations around Iran talks. Gold is heading for its best week since January, with the same jobs data in focus. Oil rose on concerns over Strait of Hormuz reopening plans. Into the European open, all eyes remain on today's average hourly earnings, non-farm payrolls and unemployment rate out of Washington.

This is the 12:00 AM Central VixShield flash.

And in Asian news, China's exports jumped 23% in July, easily beating estimates and signaling resilient global demand for the country's high-tech components despite trade tensions. Imports, however, cooled, pointing to softer domestic consumption.

In Australia, major airlines are blaming a shortage of air traffic controllers for a chaotic morning of flight cancellations and long delays at Sydney Airport, leaving passengers stranded for hours.

Officials in Spokane, Washington, are still battling wildfires that have wiped out entire neighbourhoods, burning down at least 860 buildings including hundreds of homes.

Traders will watch tomorrow's U.S. jobs report and hourly earnings data for fresh clues on the path for Fed Chair Kevin Warsh and interest rates into the European and American sessions.

This is the 11:00 PM Central VixShield flash.

Bitcoin climbed above $64,000 in Asian trading, reaching $64,337 as escalating Iran tensions drove fresh flows into digital assets. Iran's chief negotiator accused the Trump administration of "theater diplomacy" while tanker traffic near the Strait of Hormuz slowed to a near standstill.

In Asian markets, Micron shares fell but were spared the worst of the memory-chip selloff following its latest results, while Atlassian shares surged after posting strong quarterly earnings in Australia.

Traders are now positioning ahead of Friday's key US jobs report, average hourly earnings and unemployment data for direction into the European and US sessions.

In a human interest story from Australia, an aviation crew completed a daring midwinter rescue in Antarctica, extracting a sick researcher from a remote ice station in complete darkness and temperatures below minus 40 degrees.

This is the 10:00 PM Central VixShield flash.

Parents in South Korea are opening brokerage accounts for their newborns in record numbers as families race to give children a financial head start from the very first days of life. The surge in so-called infant investment accounts has seen applications spike, with many parents linking them directly to a baby's birth registration. Authorities and banks say the trend reflects intense pressure to secure every possible edge in one of the world's most competitive societies.

Lower oil prices are lending fresh support to the gold rally, with the metal now trading near $4,311 an ounce. Bitcoin holds near $64,361 while Ethereum trades around $1,902. Oil has slipped below $78 a barrel.

Traders in Tokyo and Hong Kong are watching what some are calling a "weaponized" yen after the unprecedented U.S.-Japan intervention that could reshape global currency markets. Gas shortages and high prices continue to derail Southeast Asia's power buildout, adding fresh pressure on the region's energy plans.

All eyes now turn to tomorrow's big jobs report — including non-farm payrolls, the unemployment rate and average hourly earnings — that could sway the Federal Reserve's path under Chair Kevin Warsh.

And finally, it is British life: Downing Street has vowed to stop local councils from trying to limit standing-room-only in pubs, saying the move would undermine a cherished part of national culture.

This is the 9:00 PM Central VixShield flash.

And in European and Asian news, hackers targeted US private equity firms including Blackstone and the CME Group, according to fresh cybersecurity data released Thursday. The incidents have heightened concerns about systemic vulnerabilities in financial infrastructure amid a busy earnings calendar.

Honeywell Aerospace fell into Wall Street’s penalty box after issuing gloomy guidance, triggering a 21% selloff in its shares only weeks after spinning off as a standalone company. SoFi’s record growth continues to be largely ignored by analysts more focused on rival Robinhood.

The US dollar rose 0.41% against the yen to 158.41 as markets eyed potential progress on an Iran nuclear deal ahead of Friday’s jobs report. The S&P 500 traded near 7710 while the VIX fell to 15.38, reflecting easing fear into the close.

Tomorrow’s calendar is dominated by nonfarm payrolls, average hourly earnings and the unemployment rate. In human interest news, a top Ugandan footballer was killed by robbers armed with paving stones during a violent home invasion.

This is the 1:00 PM Central VixShield flash.

Bitcoin is trading above $64,696 this afternoon as traders price in a potential pause from the Federal Reserve in September. Kalshi markets show growing bets the S&P 500 could push toward 8,000 by year end. Fed Chair Kevin Warsh signaled he remains ready to raise rates if inflation stays stubbornly above 2%, yet markets are shrugging off the hawkish tone for now.

The dollar's long-standing global dominance is showing early signs of erosion with last week's rare joint U.S.-Japan intervention to support the yen. President Trump and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent framed the action as a friendly gesture toward an ally, but the move itself is being read by crypto traders as a clear tell that dollar dominance is no longer absolute. For digital asset holders this raises the risk of faster de-dollarization flows, higher FX volatility, and potential pressure on U.S. yields if reserve demand softens.

In corporate news, Salesforce chief Marc Benioff insists Wall Street is dead wrong to fear artificial intelligence killing his company even after the stock fell more than 30% this year. Chip stocks are staging a comeback with Macom and SiTime jumping while Western Digital and Sandisk shares tumble. A hacker has pleaded guilty to stealing data from more than 165 Snowflake customers, which netted him and his accomplices more than $2.5 million in ransom payments. Krispy Kreme reported 43% EBITDA growth as its turnaround picks up speed and T-Mobile is changing how customers can finance phone upgrades.

Gold is holding near $4,294 an ounce.

Looking into the close, traders are watching for any fresh signals from Iran as the macro calendar turns to tomorrow's big jobs report.

This is the 12:00 PM Central VixShield flash.

Top Ugandan footballer has been killed by robbers armed with paving stones. The attack has sent shockwaves through the East African sports community with tributes pouring in for the slain player.

Merck KGaA delivered a strong second quarter with group net sales of €5.434 billion, up 3.4% reported and 4.1% organically. EBITDA pre rose 9.4% to €1.6 billion, lifting the margin 160 basis points to 29.4%. Life Science grew 8% organically while Electronics accelerated to 11.7% on semiconductor strength; Healthcare slipped 3.4% on patent expiry and competition. The company raised full-year guidance, especially for its Electronics division, citing sustained AI tailwinds. Insmed raised BRINSUPRI revenue guidance after strong Q2 growth and expanded its peak sales outlook. EasyJet has agreed to a £5.7 billion takeover by US private equity firm Apollo Global Management after rival bidder Castlelake walked away. Small caps are quietly outperforming the S&P 500 and the Magnificent Seven so far this year. Traders on prediction market Kalshi now see it as likely the S&P will hit 8,000 sometime in 2026.

This is the 11:00 AM Central VixShield flash.

Traders are closely monitoring escalating tensions with Iran as the S&P 500 and Nasdaq ticked higher while the Dow posted modest gains. Sandisk shares fell sharply after disappointing earnings, pulling down several AI-related names including Western Digital. The VIX eased to 15.51, down 3.0%. Oil dropped to $76.57 a barrel on a reduced geopolitical risk premium.

In Washington, the U.S. Senate committee voted to hold Dr. Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress over his refusal to answer questions in a hearing focused on his handling of the Covid-19 pandemic. The panel will now refer the case for potential prosecution, escalating years of bitter battles between lawmakers and the former top health official.

Fundstrat's Tom Lee forecast the S&P 500 could reach 8,000 by the end of August. U.S. layoffs have fallen to the lowest level since the 1960s, pointing to continued labor market resilience.

In European news, easyJet agreed to a £5.7 billion takeover by U.S. firm Apollo Global after rival bidder Castlelake withdrew.

This is the 10:00 AM Central VixShield flash.

Logistics chains are buckling as Gulf shipping grinds to a halt after a Houthi missile claim forced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the critical chokepoint for oil tankers, container vessels and global supply routes. Dow futures are rising as traders monitor frantic last-minute negotiations aimed at reopening the waterway for both energy and everyday goods.

Western Digital and SanDisk shares are tumbling despite solid earnings beats, while Constellation Energy is leading the Nasdaq 100 after strong nuclear utility results. DoorDash shares are climbing after the delivery giant posted a 36 percent jump in second-quarter revenue and raised its full-year outlook. The FDA has approved Moderna’s first mRNA flu shot, granting traditional approval for adults 50 to 64 and accelerated approval for those 65 and older.

Initial jobless claims and preliminary productivity figures crossed the wires this morning, with more labor-market data expected tomorrow.

Nigerian security forces have freed more than 300 hostages seized by militants in a major rescue operation.

This is the 9:00 AM Central VixShield flash.