Key Takeaways
- Nvidia (NVDA) is in talks to invest $3 billion in SB Energy, a SoftBank (SFTBY) subsidiary, to support a massive OpenAI data center project in Ohio.
- Ukrainian drones struck Russia's largest Wildberries logistics hub in Koledino and a facility in Domodedovo, sparking fires across 200,000 square meters.
- Hong Kong International Airport reported a 11.7% year-on-year jump in passenger traffic for H1 2026, reaching 32.8 million travelers.
- Construction workers in Belgium discovered a hidden stash of gold bars and coins valued at $10.4 million while building a new sewer line.
- The Nokia 9000 Communicator, widely regarded as the world's first smartphone, officially marks its 30th anniversary today.
Nvidia and SoftBank Target $100 Billion AI Infrastructure
Nvidia (NVDA) is reportedly negotiating a $3 billion investment in SB Energy, a developer backed by SoftBank Group (SFTBY). The capital is intended to fund a sprawling data center campus in Ohio specifically designed to power OpenAI’s next-generation artificial intelligence workloads.
The deal is part of a broader discussion involving approximately $100 billion in credit support from Nvidia (NVDA) to ensure the infrastructure's completion. Market analysts view this as a strategic move by Nvidia to secure its position not just as a chip supplier, but as a primary financier of the global AI build-out. SB Energy is also eyeing an IPO as early as next month, which could raise an additional $5 billion.
Drone Strikes Paralyze Major Russian Logistics Hubs
Overnight drone attacks attributed to Ukrainian forces have caused catastrophic damage to Wildberries logistics centers in the Moscow region. The primary blaze occurred in Koledino, engulfing the company’s largest warehouse, which spans over 200,000 square meters.
A second fire was reported at the Severnoye Domodedovo multimodal hub, further disrupting Russia's e-commerce supply chain. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin claimed that air defenses intercepted over 100 drones, yet the scale of the fires suggests significant penetrations of the capital's defensive perimeter.
Hong Kong Aviation Rebounds with Double-Digit Growth
Financial Secretary Paul Chan announced that Hong Kong International Airport saw passenger traffic surge 11.7% in the first half of 2026. The hub handled 32.8 million passengers during the period, bolstered by a steady stream of "mega events" and a 4.4% increase in aircraft movements.
The city is currently expanding its aviation network and upgrading infrastructure, including the ongoing integration of a three-runway system. Chan noted that the recovery is vital for the city's status as an international financial center, with visitor arrivals for the first seven months of the year already hitting 31.22 million.
Rare Discovery: $10.4 Million Gold Cache in Belgium
In an extraordinary find, construction workers in Sint-Gillis-Dendermonde, Belgium, unearthed $10.4 million in gold while excavating a sewer line. The treasure, consisting of 49 gold bars and thousands of coins, was found bricked into a cellar wall beneath a former brewery.
The gold has been moved to a high-security federal vault while authorities investigate its origins, potentially linked to the Van Assche brewing family. Under Belgian law, potential heirs have five years to claim the find before ownership is legally settled between the property owners and the finders.
Tech Milestone: The Smartphone Turns 30
The tech industry is celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Nokia 9000 Communicator, which launched on August 15, 1996. Featuring a full QWERTY keyboard and an Intel 386 processor, it was the first device to combine email, fax, and web browsing in a mobile format.
Though bulky by modern standards at 397 grams, the Communicator set the blueprint for the mobile productivity era. Former Nokia executives noted that the device was "five years ahead" of its time, predating the modern smartphone revolution by over a decade.
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.