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Gold drops to seven-month low as fading U.S.-Iran deal hopes lift September Fed hike odds to 67%
Gold slid to a seven-month low, with spot prices at $3,981.69 per ounce, while silver, platinum and palladium also moved lower. The decline came as dimming prospects for a lasting U.S.-Iran peace deal stoked inflation concerns and pushed the implied probability of a Federal Reserve rate hike in September to 67%. Cleveland Fed President Beth Hammack said she could back higher rates if inflation pressures do not ease. Investors are awaiting June ADP employment data and Thursday’s nonfarm payrolls report for fresh signals on the policy path.
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Oil edges up as Iran rejects direct talks with U.S. envoys; Brent at $73.45, WTI at $70.13
Oil prices climbed after Iran said it would not hold direct talks with U.S. envoys, weighing on prospects for an interim ceasefire in the Middle East and prompting a fresh repricing of geopolitical risk. Brent futures rose 0.69% to $73.45 a barrel and WTI gained 0.91% to $70.13. U.S. inventory figures from the API showed crude stocks fell 6.1 million barrels last week and gasoline inventories also declined, adding support to prices. Tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has also recovered to prewar levels, easing fears of supply disruption.
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US lifts export controls on Anthropic’s Claude Fable 5 and Mythos 5
The US Department of Commerce has lifted export controls on Anthropic’s most advanced AI models, Claude Fable 5 and Mythos 5, allowing the company to restore access for overseas users. The restrictions were imposed after Amazon identified a jailbreak that could bypass Fable’s safety guardrails, prompting an emergency suspension of foreign use. Anthropic said the controls were removed after it worked with the government to strengthen protections, though it did not disclose the specific technical changes.
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Trump administration lifts export controls on Anthropic’s Mythos and Fable AI models
The Trump administration imposed emergency export controls on Anthropic’s newest AI model, Claude Fable 5, and ordered it taken offline over alleged “jailbreak” risks; the earlier Mythos model had also been restricted. Anthropic has been allowed to provide Mythos 5 to trusted organizations, while the public release of Fable 5 is limited to a version the company says has “no offensive capability.” The episode marks a sudden tightening in U.S. AI oversight, disrupting model deployment timelines and weighing on short-term demand expectations for high-end chips and advanced-node foundry manufacturing.
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ACCC blocks Coles’ Kalgoorlie supermarket and Liquorland plan near airport
Australia’s competition regulator has used newly granted powers to block Coles’ plan to open a second supermarket and a Liquorland store near Kalgoorlie Airport, citing risks to competition. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said the acquisition was likely to substantially lessen competition in the local market. It is the first time the ACCC has used the new powers to stop a supermarket expansion. Coles said it disagrees with the decision and is considering an appeal.
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Albanese calls alleged bank data breach involving a former EY employee “serious”
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described an alleged bank data breach as a “serious issue”, linked to claims that a former EY employee illegally accessed a politician’s banking information. Assistant Treasurer Dan Mulino released a consultation paper proposing tougher oversight of accounting, auditing and consulting firms, with a focus on conflicts of interest, partnership limits and audit surveillance. EY declined to comment. Two suspects have been charged and the case has been adjourned to August 25.
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