Rob Ert

Little bit of everything!

[Rob Ert @Robert_Insights]

We're covering what happened this weekend around the world from major geopolitical moves to local events.

stay with us as we dive into the key stories that shaped the past days. Let’s get started:

1/ **US retaliates against Iran**
On July 19, the US launched new strikes on Iran in response to the deaths of two American service members. This escalation was reported by Sky News Australia, highlighting ongoing tensions in the region.

2/ **Severe weather in the US northeast**
Heavy storms caused flooding and emergency declarations across the northeast. NBC News covered the chaos on July 18-19, showing streets flooded and communities affected.

3/ **Major floods in Texas**
On July 18, a disaster was declared after severe flooding in Texas, leading to rescue efforts and emergency responses, as reported by NBC News.

4/ **SpaceX Starship aborts launch**
In Texas, SpaceX's Starship rocket was aborted seconds before liftoff on July 19. The incident was covered by Sky News Australia, emphasizing the ongoing challenges in spaceflight.

5/ **Ghana harnesses AI for development**
Internationally, Ghana is leveraging artificial intelligence to improve agriculture, healthcare, and industry, according to Modern Ghana, showing how AI is shaping emerging economies.

6/ **Local events in Arkansas**
In Fayetteville, Disney's "Newsies Jr." musical, a felt cocktail tour at The Momentary, and a World Cup final watch party brought community excitement, reported by Axios.

These stories show a world in motion. what caught your eye this weekend?

[Rob Ert @Robert_Insights]

Recent headlines from today highlight escalating tensions in the Middle East, with the US expanding strikes into northern Iran, targeting strategic areas and disabling a ship attempting to break the naval blockade. Iran responded with missile and drone attacks on Bahrain, Jordan, and Kuwait, raising fears of regional conflict. (ABC News, July 15, 2026)

Meanwhile, markets reacted positively, with major indexes like the Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq closing higher amid easing inflation data and strong earnings reports. Oil prices also climbed as geopolitical tensions intensified. (Investopedia, July 15, 2026)

In other news, a tragic boat sinking off San Francisco resulted in one death and three missing persons, captured in new footage. Additionally, a tornado struck Texas during rush hour, and a wildfire is burning in Canada, causing widespread damage and rescue efforts. (NBC News, July 15, 2026)

[Rob Ert @Robert_Insights]

Larry Fink, CEO of BlackRock, is feeling optimistic about the markets over the next 12 months despite recent volatility. His confidence comes amid ongoing concerns about the AI sector and global economic shocks.

Markets are watching closely as major players like BlackRock navigate these uncertain times. How do you see the outlook for the next year?

What do you think?