Key Takeaways
- Meta (META) deactivates 756,000 Australian teen accounts as the platform prepares for the enforcement of a landmark underage social media ban.
- Starlink officially launches in Vietnam, accepting orders under a new five-year pilot framework that allows for 100% foreign ownership in the telecom sector.
- President Vladimir Putin visits the disputed Kuril Islands, sparking a diplomatic protest from Japan and reaffirming Russia's control over the territory.
- Needham raises Liquidia Corporation (LQDA) price target to $110, citing strong quarterly revenue of $171.7 million and accelerating sales of its flagship drug, Yutrepia.
- President Trump targets "dark matter" capital flows with new tariff proposals aimed at closing loopholes in international trade and taxing untracked economic activity.
Trump Proposes Tax on "Dark Matter" Trade Flows
President Donald Trump has unveiled a plan to tax the "dark matter" of the global economy—referring to the untracked capital flows and services that underpin the U.S. trade deficit. According to reports from the Financial Times, the administration is seeking to expand its tariff authority to include these obscure economic channels, which officials argue have allowed foreign competitors to bypass traditional trade barriers.
The move is part of a broader "One Big Beautiful Bill" legislative push, which seeks to make recent tax cuts permanent while introducing aggressive new levies on major importers. Analysts suggest this strategy could fundamentally alter how the U.S. interacts with global financial markets, though critics warn it may provoke retaliatory measures from key trading partners.
Meta Purges Underage Accounts Amid Australian Ban
Meta (META) announced on Thursday that it has removed 756,000 accounts suspected of belonging to Australian users under the age of 16. This enforcement action comes as Australia prepares to implement a world-first social media ban for minors, with potential fines for non-compliance reaching A$99 million ($69.75 million).
The company stated it deactivated 462,000 Instagram accounts and 294,000 Facebook accounts between December and June. Meta is utilizing AI-driven tools to scan profile data and contextual clues, such as birthday mentions, to identify underage users. Despite these efforts, Australian regulators have expressed skepticism, noting that independent studies show a significant portion of teens continue to access the platforms via workarounds.
Starlink Enters Vietnam Market
SpaceX's Starlink has officially begun taking orders for its satellite internet service in Vietnam, marking a major milestone for the country’s digital infrastructure. The service is being launched under a five-year pilot program established by the Vietnamese government, which permits Starlink to operate without the foreign ownership caps typically applied to the telecommunications sector.
The residential service plan is priced at approximately 1.13 million dong ($43) per month, with an initial equipment cost of roughly $350. To comply with local cybersecurity laws, Starlink has committed to building four gateway stations across the country, ensuring that data traffic remains under Vietnamese jurisdiction.
Geopolitical Tensions: Putin Visits Disputed Islands
Russian President Vladimir Putin conducted a high-profile visit to the island of Iturup in the Kuril chain, territory that has been the subject of a decades-long dispute with Japan. During the visit, Putin overseen naval drills and reaffirmed that Russian control of the islands is an "enshrined reality" following World War II.
Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi issued a strong protest, stating the islands are Japan's "inherent territory" under international law. The visit further strains relations between Tokyo and Moscow, which have deteriorated significantly since Japan joined Western sanctions against Russia in 2022.
Analyst Updates: Liquidia and Boyd Group
In the equity markets, Needham significantly raised its price target for Liquidia Corporation (LQDA) from $70 to $110, maintaining a "Buy" rating. The upgrade follows a strong Q2 earnings report where the company neared a 30% market share for its inhaled prostacyclin product, Yutrepia. Management has reaffirmed a long-term revenue goal of $1 billion by 2027.
Conversely, Jefferies lowered its price target for Boyd Group Services Inc (BYD.TO) to C$225 from C$250. While the company reported record quarterly revenue exceeding $1 billion, reported net earnings fell to $1.3 million due to higher financing costs and depreciation, leading to a more cautious outlook from analysts.
Ed Liston is a senior contributing editor at TheStockMarketWatch.com. An active market watcher and investor, Ed guides an independent team of experienced analysts and writes for multiple stock trader publications.