Wednesday, September 16, 2026

World

Russia plots assassinations of Ukraine allies in US

The FBI has charged five people connected to a Russian intelligence network that paid operatives to surveil and kill individuals perceived as supporting Ukraine, in the US and across Europe. The indictment — unsealed in Manhattan federal court — marks one of the most direct accusations of Kremlin-backed assassination plots on American soil in recent memory. All five charged individuals remain at large.

MarketPutin out as President of Russia by June 30, 2027?13%

Economy

Iran war costs US $38bn with five-year munitions hole

A Congressional Budget Office report has found the US war in Iran has cost at least $38bn and so badly depleted defensive missile stockpiles that rebuilding them could take five years. The bill is growing at roughly $3bn per month, and the report lands less than two months before midterm elections where the war's price tag is expected to punish Republicans. A separate congressional report notes the conflict is also fuelling domestic inflation.

MarketWill the U.S. invade Iran before 2027?17%

Economy

Saudi pipeline attack cuts oil supply to Europe

Saudi Arabia has cancelled oil deliveries to Europe after attacks shut down its East-West export pipeline to the Red Sea, tightening supply to a continent already navigating energy stress. A senior Iraqi source points to a resistance splinter group as responsible, exposing Iraqi Prime Minister Al-Sudani's deepening struggle to rein in armed factions operating within his borders. The disruption compounds pressure on global energy markets already strained by the ongoing Iran war.

MarketWill WTI Crude Oil (WTI) hit (LOW) $95 in September?53%

Politics

US Supreme Court blocks Trump mail ballot restrictions

The US Supreme Court has halted Donald Trump's push to make mail-in voting significantly harder ahead of November's midterm elections, a ruling that sent the president into a public fury. Election officials are now doubling down on reassuring voters that mail ballots are secure, with the midterms less than two months away. The court's decision preserves access to a voting method used by tens of millions of Americans.

Market2026 Balance of Power: D Senate, D House57%

Tech

OpenAI weighs funding at record $1.2tn valuation

OpenAI is exploring a new funding round that would value the company at $1.2 trillion, capitalising on surging demand following recent model launches and ahead of a planned IPO. The news landed on the same day CEO Sam Altman told a San Francisco conference that the world is "right to be afraid" of AI but should trust companies like his to manage the risks — a position that put him awkwardly between Anthropic's Dario Amodei, who called for a slowdown, and Nvidia's Jensen Huang, who argued against any regulation. The $1.2tn figure would make OpenAI one of the most valuable companies on earth.

MarketWill Anthropic's valuation hit (HIGH) $2.5T by December 31?55%