Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.
On today's podcast:
1) Traders are looking for clarity on Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh's economic outlook and strategy for bringing inflation back to target ahead of his address at Jackson Hole. Warsh’s address is shaping up as a crucial moment for markets as doubts about his commitment to taming inflation have helped push up long-term yields. The speech will be more significant for the foreign-exchange, gold and bond markets than for equities, according to Ulrich Urbahn, head of multi-asset strategy and research at Berenberg.
2) Iran's top diplomat said resuming diplomacy with the US "isn't impossible" after "creative discussions" with Qatar. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said progress "hinges on U.S. understanding of one simple fact: pressure doesn’t work" and called on Washington to build trust and uphold its commitments. The US remains hawkish in its public comments, with President Trump signaling he will not lift a blockade of Iranian ports just to restart talks.
3) Nepal will need at least “a few billion dollars” to recover from the devastation caused by flash floods, according to Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle. At least 469 people have been confirmed dead and more than 1,500 people are missing across Nepal and China after flash floods wiped out bridges, roads and entire settlements. Multilateral institutions including World Bank and Asian Development Bank have committed funds for humanitarian needs, while neighboring countries including India and China have provided supplies and financial assistance.