Japan’s Nikkei Slides Over 2% as Alphabet Selloff Sparks AI Spending Concerns 
Saudi Oil Tankers Reverse Course as Houthi Threats Disrupt Red Sea Shipping 
Brent Oil Holds Above $100 as Red Sea Attacks, Iran Conflict Threaten Global Supply 
Nasdaq Drops as AI Earnings, Oil Surge and Middle East Tensions Weigh on Wall Street 
Pakistan Seeks $10 Billion U.S. Exchange Stabilization Fund to Boost Forex Reserves 
Canada Vows Trade Fight as Trump Imposes 50% Tariffs 
US Dollar Pauses Rally as Middle East Tensions Support Safe-Haven Demand 
Japan CPI Rises in June, but Core Inflation Stays Below BOJ’s 2% Target 
Gold Price Surges Above $4,100 as Middle East Tensions Boost Safe-Haven Demand 
US Stock Exchanges Face Earnings Test as Trading Boom Meets Crypto Competition 
European Stocks Slip as Earnings, UK Inflation and ECB Decision Keep Investors on Edge 
BOJ Seen Holding Rates at 1% While Keeping Inflation Risk Warning 
India FMCG Q1 Earnings Preview: Higher Input Costs Likely to Weigh on Profit Margins 
Trump Threatens Iran With 'Major Military Punishment' as Red Sea Attacks Push Oil Above $100 
Japan Manufacturing Growth Holds Strong in July Despite Middle East Uncertainty 
Japan Yen Slides Past 163 as Middle East Tensions Lift US Dollar, Oil Prices 
Apple has officially launched the new generation of its iPad Mini, incorporating cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) features designed to enhance user experience. This update aims to position Apple as a leader in integrating AI capabilities into its devices.
Enhanced Performance with A17 Pro Chip
The latest iPad Mini is powered by the A17 Pro chip, which is also featured in the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max models. With a six-core central processing unit, the A17 Pro boosts CPU performance by 30% compared to the previous generation of iPad Minis, making it central to the operation of Apple Intelligence, Apple's proprietary AI software.
AI Features and Software Updates
Apple is set to roll out the first set of AI features in the U.S. version of English this month through a software update to iPadOS 18.1. The initial features will be compatible with iPads equipped with the A17 Pro or M1 chips and later models. Additional functionalities, including image generation tools, Genmoji, and ChatGPT-powered capabilities, will be released over the coming months.
Market Outlook
In September, Apple introduced its long-awaited AI-boosted iPhone 16 lineup. While initial sales data raised concerns about demand, research firm Canalys predicts that the iPhone 16 will significantly boost Apple's sales in the fourth quarter and into the first half of 2025, following record-high shipments in the third quarter.
The new iPad Mini, starting at $499, is now available for pre-order and will begin shipping to customers and Apple Store locations next week.
