1. [Forbes] Booth released the top 100 global brands worth 2020, with a total value of $2.54 trillion, up from $2.33 trillion last year. In the top 100, more than 50 brands belong to companies in the United States. Others on the list are from Japan (6), Germany (10) and France (9).

2. According to a report released by the Indian real estate brokerage company, due to the impact of the epidemic and blockade measures, the average transaction volume of the real estate market in India’s eight major cities fell sharply by 79% in the second quarter of this year (April to June). The number of housing transactions was only 19038 units.

3. European stocks closed mixed. Britain’s FTSE 100th index rose 0.40% to 6129.26, France’s CAC40 index fell 0.22% to 4928.94, and Germany’s DAX30 index fell 0.03% to 12835.28.

4. The Baltic dry index fell 2.24% to 1264.

5. On the 28th local time, the Singapore Tourism Board issued a notice saying that the restrictions on tour groups would be relaxed. However, tour operators still have to apply to the Tourism Bureau and obtain the approval of the Ministry of Trade and Industry, and tour groups are required to comply with epidemic prevention restrictions in terms of number of people, duration of activities, and so on. 

6. Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Turkey) Co., Ltd. (ICBC Turkey), Tencent, Istanbul New Airport Operation Company and new airport duty-free shop jointly held WeChat Pay business online signing event on the 28th. Since then, Chinese tourists can use WeChat Pay at the duty-free shop at Istanbul’s new airport. 

7. Toyota, Mitsubishi local factories closed, employees “early retirement” reached a 10-year high. Mitsubishi Motors of Japan officially announced that it would close the production plant of Pajero Manufacturing, a subsidiary of Sakanzhu-cho, Gifu Prefecture. In addition, a number of Japanese car assembly plants have also been closed recently, mainly because the demand for cars is decreasing sharply as a result of the COVID-19 epidemic, so the major Japanese automakers have decided to reduce their own car production. With the upheaval in the global car market, Japan’s move is likely to further exacerbate the unrest.

8. Statistics from the Russian central bank and Russian customs show that in the first quarter of 2020, the share of the US dollar in Russia-China trade fell by 5 percentage points to an all-time low of 46 %, less than half for the first time. The share of the domestic currency and the euro is at a record high of 24% and 30%  respectively. However, the ruble’s share has barely changed and has remained at an average of 7 % for the past three years.

9. Indian Interior Ministry: The night curfew will be lifted from August 1st, and the gym will open on August 5th. Subway, cinema, swimming pool, bar and other places are not open for the time being. All schools will remain closed until August 31. Before August 31, the COVID-19-controlled area will continue to strictly enforce the blockade.

10. EU: Sanctions imposed on attackers involved in the network for the first time. Restrictive measures (assets freeze, travel ban) were imposed on six individuals and three entities involved in cyber attacks. Their actions include attacks on the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical weapons. Individuals and entities of the European Union are not allowed to provide funds to the targets of these sanctions.

11. John Coates, chairman of the Tokyo Olympic Games Coordinating Committee, said that with or without COVID-19 vaccine, the Tokyo Olympic Games will be held in 2021. Preparations are being made in the light of the fact that there is no vaccine next year.