Daily Digest — 14 Jul 2026

Oil prices rose again on Tuesday as the US and Iran edged closer to direct confrontation, with President Trump now threatening to attack Iran’s underground nuclear facility at “Pickaxe Mountain” and the Houthis retaliating against a Saudi airport after strikes on Sanaa. Brent crude gained 1.6% to $⁠79.38 on fears that a toll on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz could choke supply—a development that directly impacts energy markets across the Gulf and Asia. In parallel, the US launched new strikes on Iranian military assets, widening a conflict that has already pushed gold above $⁠4,030 as investors seek safe havens.

China’s exports rose at their fastest pace since 2021, driven by an AI boom and tariff-induced stockpiling, while Beijing watched stalled US-Mexico-Canada trade talks with amusement. In the UK, frontrunner Andy Burnham backed a controversial asylum bill, facing Labour dissent, as the investigation into Ann Widdecombe’s death rekindled debates about politician safety and social media’s role in normalising violent language. The North Sea oil industry is urging Burnham to approve new drilling, a tension between climate goals and energy security.

Crypto markets slipped as expectations of a July Fed rate hike rose ahead of inflation data, with bitcoin down 0.1% near $⁠62,687. A solo miner struck gold, earning $⁠200,000 using just $⁠150 of equipment—a reminder of bitcoin’s decentralised grit. Binance.US is rebuilding after regulatory setbacks, targeting a return to 20% US market share through ultra-low fees. In tech, video-generation startup PixVerse raised $⁠439 million, valuing it above $⁠2 billion, while established tech winners are “grinding again,” chasing AI’s defining moment.

Elsewhere, Japan developed a method to recover up to 90% of lithium from used EV batteries—a win for sustainable resource use. The Quranic guidance in The Pen 68:10-13 warns against following the despicable oath-taker, a verse as relevant as ever amid political rancour. In football, Spain’s Lamine Yamal celebrated his 19th birthday eyeing a World Cup final berth after defeating France. And the UK heatwave continues with no significant rain forecast for at least a week, adding strain to an already parched summer.