News

US Markets: The Market Falls Politely, Because It's Already Used to It

On August 31, the Dow lost 0.6%, the S&P 500 slipped 0.5%, and the Nasdaq fell 0.4% after the United States and Iran exchanged real strikes for the first time in a month. Yet the indices are closing out August firmly in the green: the Nasdaq is up 4.05%, the S&P 2.96%, and the Dow 2.05% for the month. The direct takeaway is this: the elites stopped seeing another exchange of strikes as a reason to panic long ago. Combat operations have become background noise for a market

Wrapping up the month's results. In August 2026, the Vigil Journal international expert council prepared findings and recommendations for the State Duma of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Labor, the Ministry of Digital Development, the FSB, and the Central Bank of Russia — eight agencies, each with its own specific set of risks.

Separately — an expert review of the Valle del Verde structural investment project, with an investment volume of $3.5 billion. Projects like this exist at the intersection of economics, regulation, and high-stakes

Russia–China: Putin Meets Xi Jinping at SCO Summit in Bishkek

The leaders discussed strategic partnership and the possible finalization of the "Power of Siberia 2" pipeline project. Putin also announced readiness to make the visa-free regime with China permanent. Moscow is doubling down on its pivot to the East amid the ongoing confrontation with the West.

US–Iran: IRGC Downs Second American MQ-9 Drone Over Gulf of Oman in a Single Day

At the same time, an Axios source reported that an Iranian missile was fired at an F-35 that was providing cover for vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran

Xi Jinping Launches Diplomatic Marathon: SCO, Kyrgyzstan, Egypt

From August 30 to September 3, Xi Jinping is making state visits to Kyrgyzstan and Egypt, and on August 31–September 1 he is taking part in the SCO summit in Bishkek, where he is discussing deepening cooperation with regional leaders. Particularly telling is the visit to Egypt, the first in ten years, timed to coincide with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations and focused on security, technology, and maritime logistics. The way I see it, while Western diplomacy is preoccupied with its own crises, Beijing is methodically consolidating control over key transportation

US Resumes Strikes on Iran for the First Time in a Month — Jordan Under Retaliatory Fire

On August 30, American forces struck two Iranian missile installations on Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz. CENTCOM explained the strike by saying the IRGC was preparing to launch missiles carrying naval mines into the strait. Iran responded with a missile strike on American bases in Jordan. This marks the first US attack on Iran since the end of July — a six-month conflict that Trump had promised to end within four weeks has still found no resolution: shipping through the Strait

US Markets: The Market No Longer Loves AI, It's Stress-Testing It

Nvidia reported quarterly revenue exceeding 100 billion dollars for the first time in history and issued a strong forecast, while CEO Jensen Huang stated that his only regret is not having invested more and earlier. Yet the stock still fell by 1.6%. The direct takeaway: elites are no longer buying the AI story on faith, they demand proof that the massive capital expenditures will pay off, and even a record-breaking report is treated not as a reason for euphoria but as the minimum price of admission. The bar of

Hungary Officially Recognizes Russia as a "Threat" for the First Time

The new government of Peter Magyar, which replaced Orban, has enshrined in its directives to the UN General Assembly a condemnation of Russian aggression and support for Ukraine's territorial integrity, while energy contracts with Russia remain intact. Budapest is demonstrating loyalty to Brussels but is not ready to sever profitable ties.

Russia Launches Massive Strike on Energy Facilities in 15 Ukrainian Regions

The attack involved 127 missiles and 109 drones — Ukrainian air defense claimed to have intercepted 102 missiles and 99 UAVs, though this has not been confirmed

CIA Director Ratcliffe Arrives in Moscow for Talks

CIA Director John Ratcliffe arrived in Moscow for negotiations. He flew in aboard a military transport Boeing C-17 from Riga — the first visit by a Trump administration official of this level to Russia since January. Quiet diplomacy between security officials may carry more weight than public statements.

Ex-President Kocharyan Detained in Armenia With Son Sedrak

In Armenia, former President Robert Kocharyan was detained along with his son Sedrak. The detention took place in a corruption case, one day after Pashinyan demanded that former presidents Kocharyan and Sargsyan be stripped of their

US Markets: Selling AI to Buy Fear of Iran and Canada

On August 24, the Nasdaq plunged 0.76–0.8%, the S&P 500 lost 0.28%, and the Dow alone managed to stay in the green at 0.26%, as Bessent announced "Operation Economic Outcast" — a new package of sanctions against Iran — while US-Canada trade talks collapsed for good, resulting in 50% tariffs on 20 billion dollars' worth of Canadian goods. The direct conclusion: the elites are simultaneously locking in profits in the overheated AI segment and hedging against the fact that Washington is opening two economic war fronts at once —

Pashinyan announces Armenia will soon submit its EU membership application

Armenia's Prime Minister stated that the process will begin in the near future, with a referendum to follow once Brussels responds and a "roadmap" is prepared. Yerevan is openly moving toward Europe, despite calls from its Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) partners.

Pashinyan says he would welcome Armenia's expulsion from the CSTO

Yerevan froze its participation in the organization back in 2024. In response, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted that Armenia is free to leave the bloc on its own. Both sides now effectively acknowledge the rupture with the CSTO as