Market news
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Putin's $133M Yacht Flees to Arctic Port Under Naval Escort
Russian President Vladimir Putin's luxury yacht, valued at $133 million, is moving to the Arctic port of Murmansk under heavy escort following Ukrainian drone strikes on naval bases.
Ukraine Confirms Strike on St. Petersburg Oil Terminal
Ukrainian President Zelensky confirmed a military strike on oil infrastructure in St. Petersburg early on July 4, according to Russian Telegram media reports.
Niseko Turns to Video Games to Lure Off-Season Tourists
The Japanese ski resort town of Niseko, facing hotel rate swings of more than 10x between peak and off-peak seasons, is using video game content to attract visitors during the slow period.
Trump says Iran eager to reach deal, allows week for mourning
President Trump stated at US Independence Day celebrations that Iran is keen to negotiate and that the US granted a week for funeral ceremonies out of goodwill.
Iran's Isfahan Province to Conduct Controlled Explosions of Unexploded Ordnance
Authorities in Iran's central Isfahan province announced that controlled explosions of unexploded ordnance will be carried out on Saturday in areas south of Isfahan city.
Iran Prepares for Up to 3,000 Possible Deaths During Khamenei Funeral: Report
A German media report says Iranian authorities are planning for potential mass casualties during Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's funeral, with contingency plans estimating 1,500 to 3,000 deaths.
Medvedev Says US-Iran Agreement Extremely Difficult
Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council, stated that reaching a final agreement between the US and Iran would be extremely challenging, according to TASS.
Gold's 30% Crash Reveals Rare Divergence Between Retail and Institutional Investors
Gold has fallen 30% from its all-time high, but a never-before-seen divergence has emerged: retail ETF outflows are occurring alongside heavy central bank buying, while the December 2026 gold options market shows a bullish put/call ratio of 0.50.
Asia Equities First-Half 2026: Best and Worst Performers Amid Geopolitical and AI Volatility
Asian stock markets experienced significant swings in the first half of 2026, driven by Iran-related tensions and shifting AI investment trends. Federal Reserve policy expectations and energy supply recovery also influenced market performance.
US Construction Hiring Rate Falls to Record Low in May
The US construction hiring rate dropped to 3.5% in May, the lowest since records began in 2000, continuing a four-year downtrend.
AI Disrupts Entry-Level Jobs in Hong Kong, Experts Warn
Experts say AI is increasingly replacing or reshaping entry-level roles in Hong Kong’s job market, making prospects tougher for new graduates.
Acting DNI Pulte Removes Dozens of Intelligence Staff
Acting Director of National Intelligence Bill Pulte has reportedly removed dozens of intelligence personnel from their positions, marking a significant shake-up within the U.S. intelligence community.
Half of Americans Fear AI Job Displacement: Reuters
A Reuters report finds that about 50% of Americans worry that artificial intelligence could put them or a family member out of work, highlighting growing public concern over AI-driven job displacement.
JPMorgan Sees Gold Range-Bound Near Term, Then Rally to $4,500 in Q4
JPMorgan forecasts gold will trade sideways in the short term before rebounding to an average of $4,500 per ounce in the fourth quarter.
US Job Growth Concentrated in Healthcare, Raising Economic Concerns
Recent data shows U.S. job growth is heavily focused on the healthcare sector, while other industries lag. This narrow expansion raises doubts about the overall strength of the economy.
High AI-Spending Firms See 10% Headcount Rise, Study Finds
A study of ~22,000 US companies shows that firms with the highest AI investment experienced a 10.2% increase in headcount over two years, while low-AI firms saw no net hiring.
AI Data Centers Use More Water Than Big Tech Discloses – WSJ
A Wall Street Journal analysis finds that only Meta reports both direct and indirect water consumption, while Microsoft, Google, and Amazon primarily disclose only data center water usage, potentially understating total water use.
South Korea Exports Hit Record ~$270B in Q2 2026 on AI Demand
South Korea's exports surged to a record ~$270 billion in Q2 2026, led by a 199.5% YoY jump in semiconductor shipments as AI and data center investments fuel demand.
Trump pardons six for 'fixing their car' under Biden
President Trump announced on Truth Social that he signed pardons for six individuals he claims were persecuted by the Biden administration for car repairs, citing weaponization of the justice system.
One in Three U.S. Men Over 20 Out of Labor Force
Roughly one-third of American men aged 20 and older are neither employed nor actively seeking work, reflecting a long-term rise in labor force non-participation that has sparked economic debate.
Iran's President Praises Supreme Leader for Resisting US Coercion
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian lauded the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei for standing firm against US pressure, asserting that few nations can withstand such coercion.
Foreign Officials Mourn Iran's Slain Supreme Leader at Funeral
Top foreign officials gathered in Tehran on Friday to pay their final respects to Iran's slain Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, marking the start of a week of funeral ceremonies. His body is lying in state as allies and mourners converge on the capital.
Russian Guided Bomb Hits Europe's Largest Poultry Farm in Ukraine
A Russian guided bomb struck Europe’s largest poultry farm in Chornobaivka, Kherson region, causing a massive fire that destroyed a significant part of the production complex.
Pakistan Army Chief Visits Tehran for Khamenei Funeral, Meets Iranian FM
Pakistan's army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, met Iran's Foreign Minister in Tehran on Friday while attending the funeral of slain Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.