😲Trump-Epstein “Birthday Book”

🌇 Good morning. It's Tuesday, Sept. 9, and we're covering, Nikkei Breaks 44,000 After PM Ishiba’s Resignation Sparks Rally, SpaceX Buys $17B Spectrum From EchoStar To Power Starlink’s 5G Push, Trump-Epstein “Birthday Book” Letter Released By House Democrats, and much more. First time reading? Sign up to get this newsletter: Sign up here. 

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MARKETS

Cryptocurrency Prices by Market Cap

• The global cryptocurrency market cap today is $3.88 Trillion, a 1.32% increase in the last 24 hours.

• The total crypto market volume over the last 24 hours is $106.66B, which makes a 28.86% increase.

• The total volume in Defi is currently $14.57B, 13.66% of the total crypto market 24-hours.

• The volume of all stablecoins is now $102.3B, which is 95.91% of the total market 24-hour volume.

• Bitcoin’s dominance is currently 57.61%, a decrease of 0.24% over the day.

BUSINESS & FINANCE

Nikkei Breaks 44,000 After PM Ishiba’s Resignation Sparks Rally

Japan’s Nikkei 225 surged 0.9% to a record high above 44,000, extending gains after Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced his resignation. The broader Topix rose 0.52%, with tech stocks leading the charge—Advantest (+7.6%), Tokyo Electron (+3.6%), and Renesas (+2.6%) all posting strong gains. Analysts say investors are betting on fresh fiscal stimulus under Ishiba’s successor, with Julius Baer forecasting the Nikkei could climb to 46,000 within 12 months. The yen strengthened slightly to 147.38 per dollar.

Why It Matters: Ishiba’s exit introduces short-term uncertainty, but investors see it as paving the way for longer-term political stability and pro-growth policies—a bullish backdrop for Japanese equities. (Read Deeper)

Naira Strengthens To N1,527/$1 In Parallel Market, Best Level Since July

The naira gained further on Monday, appreciating to N1,527/$1 in the parallel market — its strongest level since July 25, 2025. The move extends a week-long upward trend, improving from N1,530.96/$1 on Friday and marking steady gains throughout last week. Analysts credit the gains to improved capital inflows, higher crude production, rising non-oil exports, and reduced imports. The resolution of Nigeria’s $7 billion FX backlog also boosted investor sentiment.

Why It Matters: The naira’s recovery signals growing market confidence and validates the CBN’s recent policy moves. However, experts warn that upcoming 2027 election spending and campaigns could strain FX reserves and increase dollar demand, pressuring the currency in the medium term. (Read Deeper)

TECHNOLOGY & SCIENCE

SpaceX Buys $17B Spectrum From EchoStar To Power Starlink’s 5G Push

Elon Musk’s SpaceX struck a $17 billion deal to acquire wireless spectrum licenses from EchoStar, a move aimed at supercharging Starlink’s direct-to-cell satellite service and expanding its 5G ambitions. The deal also lets EchoStar’s Boost Mobile users tap into Starlink coverage, extending service to areas without reliable cellular access. The purchase allows SpaceX to deploy new “cell towers in space” — upgraded Starlink satellites with laser connectivity that can expand network capacity more than 100-fold.

Why It Matters: This deal cements SpaceX’s transition from broadband provider to a global wireless carrier, positioning Starlink as a direct competitor to major telecom players. With spectrum rights locked in, SpaceX can move faster on deploying its next-gen Starship-powered satellites, edging closer to a world where “no service” zones disappear. (Read Deeper)

Do Humans And Chimps Share 99% Of Their DNA

You’ve probably heard that humans and chimpanzees share 98.8% of their DNA. But the truth is more complicated. That figure comes from comparing stretches of DNA that line up neatly between the species. In those regions, only about 1 in 100 nucleotides (A, C, G, T) differ. But this ignores harder-to-align parts of the genome sections with insertions, deletions, or rearrangements. When those are included, scientists estimate the real genetic difference is closer to 5–10%, and some recent studies put it as high as 15%. For context, humans are 99.9% identical to one another, yet still show enormous variation.

Why It Matters: Humans and chimps do share the same basic genetic toolkit, but it’s the way that toolkit is used that makes the difference. (Read Deeper)

AROUND DE WORLD & POLITICS

Trump-Epstein “Birthday Book” Letter Released By House Democrats

House Democrats released a 2003 letter allegedly signed by Donald Trump in Jeffrey Epstein’s 50th birthday “book,” featuring Trump’s signature inside a crude drawing of a woman’s torso. Trump has denied writing or signing the note, calling it a fabrication and suing The Wall Street Journal for defamation after it first reported on the letter in July. The White House dismissed the release as proof of “false stories,” while Trump allies pointed to signature inconsistencies. However, experts note that Trump’s handwriting has shifted over the years, with earlier samples resembling the one in question.

Why It Matters: The resurfacing of Trump’s past ties to Epstein adds political heat as multiple probes into Epstein’s dealings continue. While Trump isn’t accused of wrongdoing here, the letter’s existence and his aggressive denials — spotlight the lingering fallout of his past associations with Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. (Read Deeper)

France In Fresh Political Crisis After MPs Oust Prime Minister

France’s Prime Minister François Bayrou has been forced to resign after losing a confidence vote in parliament by 364–194. His fall leaves President Emmanuel Macron scrambling to find a fifth prime minister in less than two years, underscoring deep political instability. Options now include naming a successor from Macron’s camp, pivoting to the left, or dissolving parliament for new elections.

Why It Matters: Macron’s second term is increasingly defined by drift and division. With no parliamentary majority, his reforms, especially on pensions and debt—face roadblocks from both left and right. (Read Deeper)

ENTERTAINMENT & SPORTS

Nottingham Forest Sack Nuno Espirito Santo After Internal Rift With Owner

Nottingham Forest have dismissed head coach Nuno Espirito Santo just three games into the Premier League season, ending his 21-month tenure at the City Ground. The Portuguese manager’s departure follows weeks of speculation about his strained relationship with owner Evangelos Marinakis, particularly over transfer business. (Read Deeper)

EXTRA BREVITI

• New research shows that the bacteria living in your gut and mouth may be shaping how well you sleep. (Read More)

• Intel Overhauls Leadership as Product Chief Exits. (Read More)

• U.S. Designates Visa Application Centers for 7 African Countries Without Local Services. (Read More)

• Lachlan Murdoch Secures Control of Family Empire as Siblings Cash Out. ( Read More)