The Prime Minister of Malaysia stated that cash assistance is expected to reach 16 billions MYR by 2027.

Spot gold has just surpassed the $4,170.00 per ounce mark and is now quoted at $4,169.53 per ounce, up 0.87% for the day; the latest main COMEX gold futures price is $4,194.40 per ounce, up 0.90% for the day.

BP announced that, in response to Hurricane Isaias, it has temporarily reduced oil production in the Gulf of Mexico region and evacuated all personnel from the Na Kika and Thunder Horse offshore platforms.

Tesla (TSLA.US) is downplaying the name "Full Self-Driving" in an effort to gain approval for its driver assistance system in Europe and to distance itself from the long-criticized, potentially misleading term. In recent days, Tesla has started using the name "Tesla Assisted Driving" on its European websites. Meanwhile, its U.S. website still refers to the technology as "Full Self-Driving (Supervised)."

(1) Slovakia's Economy Minister, Denisa Saková, stated that the United States has expressed "absolute understanding" regarding Slovakia's need to continue importing Russian oil and natural gas until the end of 2027. (2) Saková said that Slovakia is working to eliminate its reliance on Moscow's fossil fuels, but if the country continues to receive Russian oil next year, it will need to obtain exemptions from potential US sanctions. (3) Meanwhile, according to the EU's comprehensive ban, Slovakia must stop importing Russian natural gas by the fall of 2027. Saková told reporters in Bratislava on Friday that the US side understands Slovakia’s situation and its supply diversification timetable, and emphasized that Slovakia needs the transition period to continue at least until the end of 2027. (4) This week, Saková held talks in Washington with Jared Agen, Executive Director of the White House National Energy Leadership Committee, and US Deputy Treasury Secretary Francis Brook. (5) To replace supplies from Gazprom, Slovakia plans to sign a short- or medium-term natural gas contract, or a long-term contract, for around 1 billion cubic meters per year. Saková said Algeria, Azerbaijan, and the United States are all potential suppliers, and these supplies would cover about one-third of the total needs of the state-owned gas supplier, Slovenský plynárenský priemysel.