US-Iran Sanctions Push: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent unveiled “Operation Economic Outcast,” warning countries—including China—that any financial or commercial ties with Iran could trigger exclusion from the US dollar system, with new secondary sanctions covering sectors like digital assets, technology, gold, aviation and shipping. China-Trade Friction: In parallel, the US escalated pressure on Iran’s trading partners while Reuters reports the new sanctions list did not include major Chinese financial institutions—raising questions ahead of a planned Xi-Trump meeting. Trademark Rules Update: China’s revised Trademark Law passed in June, with key changes taking effect Jan. 1, 2027, including a shorter opposition period, stronger anti-bad-faith filing rules, and new protections for unregistered well-known marks. Pentagon University Review: The Pentagon ordered 30 universities, including Southern Illinois University Carbondale, to review foreign partnerships and assess whether sensitive research may be exposed. Tech and Markets: Alibaba announced a $10.2bn placement to fund AI expansion as shares slid; Nvidia’s upcoming earnings are being watched for signs of cracks in the AI boom. Robotics Showcase: China’s humanoid robots dominated Beijing’s World Humanoid Robot Games, with sprinting performances beating human records. EV Safety Abroad: Chinese EV maker Skywell’s engineers arrived in Turkey to investigate fires tied to the ET5, as owners report disputes over fees and warranty coverage.