Daily Links — Thursday, August 6, 2026

Thursday's desk opens on the number that'll get the room talking: Iraq's budget deficit has reached 80 trillion dinars, per the PM's economic advisor — even as Baghdad pushes ahead on digital payments and platform regulation. On the rails front, SWIFT launched a consumer cross-border-payments step with Bank of America and JPMorgan among the first to go live. A Senate panel voted to hold Fauci in contempt, the Yemen war reignited with a Hormuz deal reportedly 'close,' and China's COVID positivity is topping 20%. Here's everything on the desk.

Iraq & the Dinar

• Iraq's budget deficit reaches 80 trillion dinars, says PM's economic advisor — Channel 8
• Iraq advances digital payments and a platform-regulation framework — Channel 8
• The economy of the capital and the capital cycle — Al-Sabah

Money & Markets

• SWIFT announces a step forward in consumer international money transfers — Bank of America and J.P. Morgan among the first live — Business Wire

Around the World

• Yemen war reignites as the Houthis intensify Saudi shipping attacks and a ground assault — with a Hormuz deal 'close' — ZeroHedge

The COVID Reckoning

• Senate panel votes to hold Fauci in contempt — The Epoch Times
• China's COVID-19 positivity rate exceeds 20% as hospitals overcrowd, doctors say — The Epoch Times

Home Front

• Voter files in Arizona's largest county were illegally obtained in 2020, records show — The Epoch Times
• Another House Democrat loses to a Democratic Socialist challenger in Michigan — The Epoch Times

Links are shared for discussion. Not financial advice — always do your own research.