Global financial media focused on several key headlines overnight and this morning:

1. Russia-Ukraine summit remains unscheduled as Trump cites Putin's dislike of Zelensky 2. Buffett denies Berkshire's interest in acquiring railway companies 3. Musk sues Apple and OpenAI alleging harm to AI competition 4. Intel warns that US government stake poses risks to shareholders and international sales 5. US Department of Interior adds copper and potash to critical minerals list 6. Powell's dovish shift significantly increases Waller's chances of becoming Fed Chair

**Russia-Ukraine Summit Remains Unscheduled as Trump Cites Putin's Dislike of Zelensky**

US President Trump stated that he has spoken with Putin in recent days, explaining that the failure to arrange talks between Putin and Zelensky stems from Putin's dislike of the Ukrainian president.

"He doesn't like him," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Monday. "I have people I don't like too, and I don't want to meet with them either."

Trump made these comments when asked whether he had spoken with Putin since last Monday, when Trump called Putin after meeting with European leaders including Zelensky to propose a peace summit. The White House indicated they believe Putin agreed to meet with the Ukrainian president, but the Kremlin has not confirmed this commitment, and no summit has been scheduled.

**Buffett Denies Berkshire's Interest in Acquiring Railway Companies**

Warren Buffett revealed to reporters on Monday that he currently has no intention of acquiring another railway company, though he met with CSX Corporation's CEO earlier this month to discuss how cooperation could improve freight rail operational efficiency.

On August 3, Berkshire Hathaway Chairman Buffett and incoming CEO Greg Abel privately met with CSX CEO Joseph Hinrichs in Buffett's Omaha office without any advisors present. They clearly indicated to Hinrichs that Berkshire would not make a takeover bid for CSX, but believed both parties could achieve benefits similar to "a merger of the two companies" through deeper cooperation.

Following news that "Buffett has no interest in acquiring railway companies," CSX shares fell approximately 5% to close at $32.81 per share; Union Pacific dropped about 2%; Norfolk Southern declined over 2%; while Berkshire Hathaway shares fell less than 1%.

**Musk Sues Apple and OpenAI Alleging Harm to AI Competition**

Musk filed a lawsuit alleging that Apple and OpenAI unfairly favor OpenAI's artificial intelligence applications on iPhones, hindering competition from other chatbot manufacturers.

Musk's X and xAI filed the lawsuit Monday in federal court in Fort Worth, Texas, claiming that Apple's decision to integrate OpenAI into the iPhone operating system harms competition and deprives consumers of choice.

The billionaire founder of xAI, who currently owns the Grok AI team and social network X, stated that Apple prevents any company other than OpenAI from reaching the top of App Store rankings, which represents a prime opportunity for app developers to gain global visibility.

**Intel Warns US Government Stake Poses Risks to Shareholders and International Sales**

Intel warned Monday in a filing addressing transaction-related risks that if the Trump administration acquires a 10% stake in the company, investors, employees, and other stakeholders might have "negative reactions."

SEC filings show that international sales are a core area of concern. In the previous fiscal year, 76% of Intel's revenue came from outside the United States. In fiscal 2024, the company generated $53.1 billion in revenue, down 2% from the previous year.

For Intel's international customers, the company is now directly linked to President Trump's frequently changing tariff and trade policies.

Intel wrote in the filing: "Investors, employees, customers, suppliers, other business or commercial partners, foreign governments, or competitors may react negatively, whether immediately or over the long term. Additionally, litigation related to this transaction or other aspects may arise, and public or political scrutiny facing the company may intensify."

**US Department of Interior Adds Copper and Potash to Critical Minerals List**

The United States has added minerals including copper and potash to its 2025 critical minerals list due to their importance to national security and the economy. The US Geological Survey (an agency under the Department of Interior) has published the draft list in the Federal Register for a 30-day public comment period.

According to the Bipartisan Policy Center, inclusion on this list makes projects more eligible for federal funding support or simplified permitting procedures. Due to fees imposed on imported goods, this could also enhance their competitiveness.

Copper is widely used in transportation, defense, and the US electrical grid—which urgently needs upgrades as data centers and artificial intelligence development drive growing power demand. Potash is a potassium-rich sodium salt primarily used as fertilizer raw material. Silver, lead, and silicon have also been added to the list.

**Powell's Dovish Shift Significantly Increases Waller's Fed Chair Probability**

After last Friday, Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller has emerged as the leading favorite in the chairman race, which would greatly relieve markets.

Another contender—National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett—again called for rate cuts Monday morning and described current Fed Chairman Jerome Powell's Friday speech as "reasonable." However, Waller remains in the lead.

Waller's significant advantage lies in his early warnings that private sector employment weakness was more severe than data indicated, and his dissenting vote advocating for rate cuts at July's meeting. Since then, related data has not only validated his judgment but also prompted Chairman Powell himself to move toward a more dovish stance.

Since reports indicated Waller was becoming the top candidate, his odds have significantly improved. Despite the growing list of candidates, he remains the market's most favored bet, even though his probability of selection had slightly declined previously.