Daily News Update

China has consistently promoted the renminbi's global role, even amidst historical concerns regarding capital outflows and currency depreciation [2017-05-11] (caixin). Recent strategic moves, such as broadening access to onshore repo markets and establishing a digital yuan international hub, have laid the groundwork for deeper financial integration [2025-09-26] (bloomberg), [2025-09-29] (caixin). These multi-year efforts reached a milestone when Xi Jinping explicitly called for the renminbi to attain global reserve currency status [2026-02-01] (ft, ft).

The emergence of Moltbook, where AI agents talk to each other [2026-02-01] (ft), is the culmination of a trend where agents transitioned from early concepts [2024-12-11] (ft, ft) to essential professional tools [2025-02-25] (bloomberg, bloomberg). These agents moved beyond simple automation, proving helpful for neurodivergent workers [2025-11-08] (cnbc) and eventually establishing themselves as social figures through the rise of AI influencers [2025-09-01] (ft). Moltbook now provides a dedicated space for this new class of digital entities to interact autonomously.

In late 2025, Peter Mandelson was dismissed from his role as the UK ambassador to the United States after Keir Starmer acted on emerging emails detailing Mandelson's ties to Jeffrey Epstein [2025-09-11] (ft, bloomberg, cnbc), [2025-09-17] (reuters, reuters). Further revelations showed that Epstein had transferred funds to Mandelson’s husband, raising questions about the extent of their personal and financial relationship [2026-01-30] (ft, ft, bloomberg, ft). These files provided the backdrop for the latest disclosure that Mandelson had advised Epstein on how JPMorgan could 'threaten' the UK government to avoid banker taxes [2026-02-01] (ft). The scandal significantly damaged Mandelson's political career and forced his firm, Global Counsel, to distance itself from him [2025-09-11] (ft, bloomberg, cnbc).

The 2026 turmoil in New York's Diamond District [2026-02-01] (ft) follows a period of unprecedented price escalations where bullion repeatedly hit record highs [2024-04-07] (bloomberg, bloomberg). Analysts had specifically forecast gold reaching $4,000 by 2026 as investors sought safety amid economic risks [2025-09-17] (marketwatch, reuters). This surge was heavily fueled by fears over U.S. tariffs and shifting trade policies earlier in 2025 [2025-01-30] (bloomberg, ft, bloomberg). The global impact was so profound that nations like Zimbabwe even resumed minting gold coins to capitalize on the soaring bullion value [2025-04-27] (bloomberg).