IMF says prolonged conflict in the Middle East and further disruptions to energy production and shipping routes pose the biggest risk to regional economies. The IMF forecasts a 1.3% contraction for the Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan region in 2026.
Key points
Risk: prolonged conflict and energy-shipping disruptions are the biggest regional risk.
Forecast: 1.3% contraction for the Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan region in 2026.
Sources
KOSPI stocks halt trading for 20 minutes amid tech rout
KOSPI stocks halted trading for 20 minutes after the index fell over 8% on Thursday. The drop was driven by a sell-off in tech and semiconductor shares amid AI skepticism and hotter-than-expected US inflation data.
Key points
Trading halt: 20 minutes triggered by an 8% plunge.
This is the ninth circuit breaker activation for the KRX this year.
Sources
mirrormirror_ai launch licensing AI content with 10x speed, 90% cost savings
mirrormirror_ai is a marketplace that lets brands book identity-verified models to generate AI content with permission. Brands report lookbooks and campaign visuals up to 10× faster and up to 90% cheaper.
Key points
Marketplace: brands browse, book talent, agree on usage rights, receive signed license and embedded provenance.
Performance: brands produce lookbooks and campaign visuals up to 10× faster with up to 90% cost savings.
Sources
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GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast Bomb strike plans for Iran
The US military has developed strike plans that could include using the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast Bomb against Iranian energy infrastructure and nuclear sites if President Donald Trump orders renewed combat operations. The bomb is the largest non-nuclear bomb in the US arsenal.
Key points
Plan: Use GBU-43/B bomb on Iranian energy infrastructure and nuclear sites.
Condition: Deployment only if President Donald Trump orders renewed combat operations.