News

US President Trump: Halg Island was bombed to pieces.

Sina Azodi, director of the Middle East Studies Program at George Washington University, said the reason for the U.S. strike on Larak Island was "where Iran is dispersing its assets in its efforts to control the Strait of Hormuz." The U.S. is trying to weaken Iran's ability to monitor and surveillance ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, not just its ability to strike ships. The attack on the island is consistent with a pattern since July, when Iran's entire southern coastline was on the U.S. target list. The U.S. claim that Iran was preparing to lay mines is credible. When asked if Iran had been waiting for an opportunity to strike Jordan, he said Tehran's war plans "were prepared in advance."

According to Fox News, US President Trump stated, "We spend billions of dollars in aid to NATO and other countries, including South Korea, but when we ask them for help, they refuse. We cannot continue to support countries that do not stand with us."

Market news: Thailand plans to strengthen regulations on the gold trading industry, including online and physical gold bar trading, in order to curb money laundering, fraud, and other financial crimes.

According to Fox News, US President Trump stated that if Iran possesses nuclear weapons, the Middle East will virtually disappear, and Israel will certainly disappear.

According to Fox News: US President Trump stated that Iran must not be allowed to possess nuclear weapons, and Iran will not possess nuclear weapons.

According to Fox News: When discussing the midterm elections, US President Trump warned about the stakes involved and predicted a strong performance from the Republican Party.

According to Fox News, US President Trump stated that he does not live in fear of being shot because of a past attempted murder and acknowledged the risks associated with being president. Trump said, "It's a dangerous profession. Only presidents with significant influence get shot."

Australia's private sector lending rate rose 8.4% year-on-year in July, down from 8.50% previously.

Australia's seasonally adjusted business inventories fell 0.4% year-on-year in the second quarter, compared with a previous reading of -0.3%.

Australia's seasonally adjusted business inventories fell 0.2% quarter-on-quarter in the second quarter, in line with expectations of 0.2% and the previous reading of 0.50%.

Australian corporate profits rose 7.4% year-on-year in the second quarter, compared with 3.2% in the previous quarter.

Australian corporate profits rose 1.8% quarter-on-quarter in the second quarter, below the expected 2.8% and the previous reading of -1.30%.

Australian private sector lending rose 0.6% month-on-month in July, compared with 0.80% in the previous month.

The Hang Seng China Enterprises Index (HSI) opened down 164.16 points, or 0.64%, at 25420.63 on Monday, August 31. The Hang Seng Tech Index opened down 19.54 points, or 0.42%, at 4585.61 on Monday, August 31. The Hang Seng China Enterprises Index (HSCEI) opened down 46.31 points, or 0.55%, at 8444.08 on Monday, August 31. The Hang Seng Red Chip Index (HSC) opened down 34.49 points, or 0.81%, at 4224.69 on Monday, August 31.

Hong Kong stocks opened lower, with the Hang Seng Index down 0.64% and the Hang Seng Tech Index down 0.42%. Mainland property and banking sectors led the gains, while gold stocks fell sharply. Meituan (03690.HK) rose 2.52% after its earnings report, and Beike (02423.HK) rose more than 4%.

The yield on Japan's 5-year government bond rose 2.5 basis points to 2.210%.

According to Al Jazeera, US sources revealed that Iran launched a medium-range ballistic missile attack on US military bases in Jordan.

According to Al Jazeera: U.S. officials said that Iran's missile attack on U.S. military bases in Jordan proves that Iran is no longer as powerful as it once was.

The U.S. military stated that its actions in the Strait of Hormuz in response to the Iranian threat are aimed at protecting freedom of navigation and the smooth flow of global trade.