U.S. equities opened higher on Wednesday after President Donald Trump postponed the deadline for sweeping new tariffs, easing immediate fears of an escalation in trade tensions. Futures had pointed to modest gains overnight and momentum carried into the cash session as investors weighed the latest signals from Washington.

Shortly after the opening bell, the S&P 500 advanced about 0.4% to trade near 6,250, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average added roughly 191 points to 44,432. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite climbed 0.6% to around 20,530. The benchmarks are building on record closes set late last month, when the S&P 500 finished at a new peak of 6,173.07.

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Several social-media posts late Tuesday said the New York City Democratic Party has selected a figure referred to as “Grok” as its nominee in the 2025 mayoral race. The posts, which surfaced around 10 p.m. in New York, uniformly state that Grok won the party’s nomination but do not provide vote totals, convention details or official confirmation from party officials.

Bloomberg was unable to immediately verify the reports. The city’s Board of Elections and the Democratic Party had not issued statements by early Wednesday.

The Illinois Department of Transportation will fully close both directions of Interstate 55 at its junction with Interstate 80 for three consecutive nights beginning Monday, July 7, to allow crews to repair the I-80 bridge over I-55 in the Joliet, Channahon and Shorewood corridor.

Lane reductions on I-80 will start at 8 p.m., followed by I-55 at 9 p.m. Between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. each night the interchange will shut down entirely, with traffic detoured to local roads. One northbound and one southbound lane of I-55 will reopen at 5 a.m. daily, and IDOT expects the work to be finished by 6 a.m. Thursday, July 10.

Separately, the outbound Kennedy Expressway will be trimmed to a single lane from Washington Boulevard to Addison Street between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. Monday and Tuesday, with reversible express lanes closed at midnight. The overnight restrictions will enable crews to shift the work zone for the next phase of the multi-year Kennedy rehabilitation, which is scheduled to wrap up by Thanksgiving.

Texas Tech University landed five-star offensive tackle Felix Ojo on 4 July after signing the Mansfield, Texas, native to a fully guaranteed three-year, $5.1 million revenue-share contract, according to his agent, Derrick Shelby of Prestige Management. ESPN ranks the 6-foot-7, 285-pound lineman No. 20 overall and the No. 4 offensive tackle in the 2026 recruiting class.

The deal is believed to be one of the largest fully guaranteed agreements since last year’s federal settlement cleared the way for direct payments to college athletes. Ojo selected the Red Raiders over Florida, Michigan, Ohio State and in-state rival Texas, making him the program’s highest-rated commit since ESPN began tracking recruits in 2006.

Texas Tech has emerged as one of the most aggressive spenders in the new marketplace, having allocated more than $10 million for 17 transfer additions during the winter portal window. Ojo’s contract reinforces the school’s strategy of prioritizing funds for line-of-scrimmage talent as head coach Joey McGuire seeks to elevate the program’s national profile.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump told supporters on 4 July that the Army installation commonly known as Fort Bragg has, in his words, reverted to its original name after what he called an attempt by “the radical left” to rename the base. Speaking at an event marking the Army’s 250th anniversary in North Carolina, Trump said, “We changed it back to Fort Bragg.”

Trump coupled the claim with a broad tribute to U.S. military achievements, asserting that the United States “won World War I, World War II and other wars” from Fort Bragg and other installations. He credited “the people of North Carolina” with urging the change and framed the reversal as part of a broader effort to preserve military heritage.

U.S. factory orders surged by 8.2% month-over-month in May 2025, slightly exceeding estimates of an 8.1% increase and reversing the previous month's 3.9% decline. Factory orders excluding transportation rose by 0.2%, matching expectations and improving from prior negative readings. In contrast, Germany's factory orders fell 1.4% month-over-month in May, below the estimated 0.2% decline and the previous month's 0.6% increase. However, on a year-over-year basis, German factory orders grew by 5.3%, surpassing the prior 4.8% growth but falling short of the 5.7% forecast. Domestic orders in Germany declined by 1%, while foreign orders increased by 4% between March and May, according to the VDMA report.

A renewed rally in U.S. technology shares has lifted major equity benchmarks back into record territory. The Nasdaq 100 jumped 1.5% on 24 June, closing at an all-time high for the first time since February. Three days later the broader S&P 500 added 0.5%, likewise reclaiming record ground last seen four months earlier.

Momentum carried into the new quarter. On 2 July the S&P 500 notched its sixth record close of 2025, while the Nasdaq recorded its third of the year. During the session the Nasdaq Composite touched 20,382 and finished around 20,374, up 0.86%; the S&P 500 hovered near 6,211 after breaching its previous peak of 6,204.

Chipmaker Nvidia advanced about 2.6% and Tesla rallied 3.6%, helping power the move as investors continued to favour megacap growth stocks tied to artificial-intelligence spending. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lagged, underscoring a market still concentrated in a handful of heavyweight technology names.

On July 1, 2025, U.S. stock markets closed mixed amid a volatile trading session characterized by seasonally low liquidity. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by just under one percent, driven by gains outside the technology sector. In contrast, the Nasdaq Composite and the S&P 500 both closed lower, with the Nasdaq declining by more than 0.8 percent and the S&P 500 edging down marginally. The downturn in the Nasdaq and S&P 500 was largely attributed to weakness in large-cap technology stocks, including major companies such as Tesla and Nvidia, which weighed heavily on the tech-heavy Nasdaq index.

U.S. equities began the third quarter with a sharp sector rotation, as economically sensitive and small-cap shares outperformed the large-cap technology stocks that led gains in the first half of the year. By late morning in New York, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up about 0.7% and the Dow Jones Transportation Average advanced more than 2%, while the Nasdaq 100 fell roughly 1%. The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies also traded higher, mirroring strength in the iShares Russell 2000 ETF.

Traders cited profit-taking in last quarter’s technology winners and renewed interest in lagging groups such as retailers. The SPDR S&P Retail ETF rose around 2.3%, contrasting with the 0.8% drop in the tech-heavy QQQ ETF. Volatility gauges remained subdued, suggesting the moves reflected rotation rather than broader risk aversion.

Republican commentator Scott Jennings has characterized the recent U.S. military strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities as a de-escalation rather than an escalation, framing the operation as a strategic success that dismantled Iran's nuclear ambitions. Jennings described Iran's response as 'flaccid' and indicative of capitulation, asserting that it serves as a complete vindication of President Donald Trump's approach to Iran, which involved allowing Israel to weaken Iran before the U.S. intervention.

He emphasized that the strikes prevented further conflict and reinforced the perception that Iran is reluctant to engage militarily with the U.S. The strikes have been widely praised by Jennings and others as part of a broader series of victories for President Trump, who is reported to have had an exceptionally successful week, including a Supreme Court ruling expanding his powers, record-high Dow Jones Industrial Average levels, and ceasefires involving Israel, Iran, and Rwanda. CNN hosts and other commentators have acknowledged this period as potentially the best week of Trump's presidency. Additionally, Jennings accused Democrats in Congress of leaking a low-confidence report to undermine the administration's success regarding the Iran strikes, which he maintains were entirely successful.

The race for New York City mayor is underway with multiple candidates emerging as frontrunners. Curtis Sliwa has announced his candidacy, emphasizing his campaign as one for the hardworking New Yorkers rather than donors, lobbyists, or political machines. He has secured the full support of the New York City Council Republican delegation. The current mayor, Eric Adams, has recently highlighted New York City's role as a global innovation hub, particularly in advancing US-India technology ties. Public discourse continues around identifying the likely next mayor, with various commentators and observers discussing potential outcomes in the upcoming election.

President Donald Trump highlighted the benefits of the One Big Beautiful Bill, emphasizing its positive impact on American workers. He recognized James Benson, a third-generation autoworker from Michigan who was a lifelong Democrat until experiencing the advantages of the Trump tax cuts. The bill includes provisions to make interest payments on car loans for vehicles made in America fully tax deductible, providing financial relief to autoworkers. Additionally, the legislation eliminates taxes on overtime pay, benefiting workers such as a lineman from Pennsylvania and a trucker from Missouri. This change is expected to increase the take-home pay of typical overtime workers by nearly $1,500 annually.

U.S. stock markets showed a positive performance on June 26, 2025, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 indices reaching new record high closing prices during the trading session. The Nasdaq advanced by 1.00%, contributing to the overall upward momentum. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rebounded with a gain of 404 points.

Market optimism was driven by expectations of lower U.S. interest rates, which encouraged buying activity. Despite the strong gains, some reports indicated that the S&P 500 and Nasdaq fell just short of new record closing highs by the end of the day.

A New York-based federal judge has issued a nationwide preliminary injunction blocking the Trump administration's plan to shut down the Job Corps program, a residential job training initiative for low-income youth. The injunction prevents the U.S. Department of Labor from suspending most of the program while ongoing litigation proceeds. The judge ruled that Congress created and funded the Job Corps, and the Department of Labor cannot unilaterally terminate it. This ruling ensures that thousands of youths enrolled in the program will not be displaced during the legal challenge. The decision represents a temporary halt to the administration’s efforts to wind down the decades-old program.

On July 7, 2025, U.S. stock markets experienced a notable decline following President Donald Trump's announcement of a new series of tariffs, which heightened trade tensions and investor concerns. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 422.17 points, or 0.94 percent, closing at 44,406.36. The S&P 500 dropped 49.37 points, or 0.79 percent, ending the day at 6,229.98, near its recent all-time high.

The Nasdaq Composite also declined, losing 188.59 points, or 0.92 percent, to close at 20,412.52. Earlier in the week, markets showed mixed performance with fluctuations in major indexes including the Dow Jones ranging between 42,152 and 44,815 points, the S&P 500 oscillating around 5,972 to 6,192 points, and the Nasdaq moving between approximately 19,383 and 20,367 points. The tariff-induced sell-off on July 7 marked a shift in market sentiment, reflecting renewed worries over trade policies impacting Wall Street.

Indian equities opened sharply lower on Monday after the United States bombed three Iranian nuclear sites over the weekend, escalating the conflict in West Asia and sending global investors into risk-off mode. The benchmark BSE Sensex slumped as much as 816 points, or about 1%, to 81,592.17 in early trade, while the NSE Nifty 50 fell to 24,929.55, breaking below the 25,000 mark for the first time in a week.

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The Democratic primary race for New York City mayor is approaching its conclusion with the final debate held on June 12, 2025, featuring seven candidates including frontrunner Andrew Cuomo. During the debate, Cuomo faced intense scrutiny over past scandals that led to the end of his governorship, while other candidates presented their visions for the city's future. Experts anticipated that candidates would target President Donald Trump in the debate, following an earlier sparring with Cuomo that had little impact on voter sentiment. As the primary election nears, candidates are making a final push to gain advantage, with early voting concluding on June 22, 2025. Cuomo is emphasizing his extensive public service record and accomplishments in an effort to overcome the controversies surrounding his political career. The crowded field of challengers continues to vie for the Democratic nomination ahead of Tuesday's primary election.

YoungHoon Kim, a South Korean individual recognized as the world’s highest IQ record holder with a confirmed IQ of 276, has publicly affirmed his Christian faith by declaring that Jesus Christ is "God, the way, the truth, and the life." His declaration has been widely reported and confirmed by the Lifeboat Foundation, which verified his IQ record in conjunction with the Official World Record, the World Memory Sports Council, and the World Memory Championships, an official partner of Guinness World Records. In addition to his religious statement, Kim has also praised former U.S. President Donald J. Trump, estimating Trump's IQ to be around 200 and calling him the most intelligent president in human history. Kim has further expressed his belief that Jesus Christ will return within this generation, linking his views to both Christian doctrine and scientific perspectives, including references to quantum physics. His statements have attracted attention for the intersection of high intellectual achievement and religious conviction.

The Federal Reserve left its target range for the federal funds rate unchanged at 4.25%–4.50%, as widely expected. Chair Jerome Powell said the committee is “well positioned to wait and learn more” about the economy, citing uncertainty from both the Trump administration’s tariffs and escalating tensions in the Middle East. Updated projections still point to two quarter-point cuts later in 2025.

U.S. stocks showed a muted reaction: the Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.10% to 42,171.66, the S&P 500 edged down 0.03% to 5,980.87, while the Nasdaq Composite added 0.13% to 19,546.27. The 10-year Treasury yield ticked up to 4.395%. West Texas Intermediate crude settled at $75.15 a barrel as traders assessed potential supply disruptions stemming from the region.

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China's industrial production slowed again in May despite a trade truce with the United States. While retail sales saw a strong rebound, driven by a 53 percent year-on-year surge in sales of household appliances, audio-visual equipment, communication devices, cultural and office supplies, and furniture, industrial output and fixed asset investment growth remained subdued. The ongoing trade uncertainty and a weak real estate sector continued to weigh on China's industrial and investment performance, increasing pressure on the government to implement more aggressive measures to stimulate growth. Meanwhile, in the United States, industrial production also declined in May for the second time in three months, reflecting weaker utility output and soft manufacturing, alongside a drop in capacity utilization.

U.S. equities opened higher on Wednesday after President Donald Trump postponed the deadline for sweeping new tariffs, easing immediate fears of an escalation in trade tensions. Futures had pointed to modest gains overnight and momentum carried into the cash session as investors weighed the latest signals from Washington.

Shortly after the opening bell, the S&P 500 advanced about 0.4% to trade near 6,250, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average added roughly 191 points to 44,432. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite climbed 0.6% to around 20,530. The benchmarks are building on record closes set late last month, when the S&P 500 finished at a new peak of 6,173.07.

Read more

Several social-media posts late Tuesday said the New York City Democratic Party has selected a figure referred to as “Grok” as its nominee in the 2025 mayoral race. The posts, which surfaced around 10 p.m. in New York, uniformly state that Grok won the party’s nomination but do not provide vote totals, convention details or official confirmation from party officials.

Bloomberg was unable to immediately verify the reports. The city’s Board of Elections and the Democratic Party had not issued statements by early Wednesday.

The Illinois Department of Transportation will fully close both directions of Interstate 55 at its junction with Interstate 80 for three consecutive nights beginning Monday, July 7, to allow crews to repair the I-80 bridge over I-55 in the Joliet, Channahon and Shorewood corridor.

Lane reductions on I-80 will start at 8 p.m., followed by I-55 at 9 p.m. Between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. each night the interchange will shut down entirely, with traffic detoured to local roads. One northbound and one southbound lane of I-55 will reopen at 5 a.m. daily, and IDOT expects the work to be finished by 6 a.m. Thursday, July 10.

Separately, the outbound Kennedy Expressway will be trimmed to a single lane from Washington Boulevard to Addison Street between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. Monday and Tuesday, with reversible express lanes closed at midnight. The overnight restrictions will enable crews to shift the work zone for the next phase of the multi-year Kennedy rehabilitation, which is scheduled to wrap up by Thanksgiving.

Texas Tech University landed five-star offensive tackle Felix Ojo on 4 July after signing the Mansfield, Texas, native to a fully guaranteed three-year, $5.1 million revenue-share contract, according to his agent, Derrick Shelby of Prestige Management. ESPN ranks the 6-foot-7, 285-pound lineman No. 20 overall and the No. 4 offensive tackle in the 2026 recruiting class.

The deal is believed to be one of the largest fully guaranteed agreements since last year’s federal settlement cleared the way for direct payments to college athletes. Ojo selected the Red Raiders over Florida, Michigan, Ohio State and in-state rival Texas, making him the program’s highest-rated commit since ESPN began tracking recruits in 2006.

Texas Tech has emerged as one of the most aggressive spenders in the new marketplace, having allocated more than $10 million for 17 transfer additions during the winter portal window. Ojo’s contract reinforces the school’s strategy of prioritizing funds for line-of-scrimmage talent as head coach Joey McGuire seeks to elevate the program’s national profile.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump told supporters on 4 July that the Army installation commonly known as Fort Bragg has, in his words, reverted to its original name after what he called an attempt by “the radical left” to rename the base. Speaking at an event marking the Army’s 250th anniversary in North Carolina, Trump said, “We changed it back to Fort Bragg.”

Trump coupled the claim with a broad tribute to U.S. military achievements, asserting that the United States “won World War I, World War II and other wars” from Fort Bragg and other installations. He credited “the people of North Carolina” with urging the change and framed the reversal as part of a broader effort to preserve military heritage.

U.S. factory orders surged by 8.2% month-over-month in May 2025, slightly exceeding estimates of an 8.1% increase and reversing the previous month's 3.9% decline. Factory orders excluding transportation rose by 0.2%, matching expectations and improving from prior negative readings. In contrast, Germany's factory orders fell 1.4% month-over-month in May, below the estimated 0.2% decline and the previous month's 0.6% increase. However, on a year-over-year basis, German factory orders grew by 5.3%, surpassing the prior 4.8% growth but falling short of the 5.7% forecast. Domestic orders in Germany declined by 1%, while foreign orders increased by 4% between March and May, according to the VDMA report.

A renewed rally in U.S. technology shares has lifted major equity benchmarks back into record territory. The Nasdaq 100 jumped 1.5% on 24 June, closing at an all-time high for the first time since February. Three days later the broader S&P 500 added 0.5%, likewise reclaiming record ground last seen four months earlier.

Momentum carried into the new quarter. On 2 July the S&P 500 notched its sixth record close of 2025, while the Nasdaq recorded its third of the year. During the session the Nasdaq Composite touched 20,382 and finished around 20,374, up 0.86%; the S&P 500 hovered near 6,211 after breaching its previous peak of 6,204.

Chipmaker Nvidia advanced about 2.6% and Tesla rallied 3.6%, helping power the move as investors continued to favour megacap growth stocks tied to artificial-intelligence spending. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lagged, underscoring a market still concentrated in a handful of heavyweight technology names.

On July 1, 2025, U.S. stock markets closed mixed amid a volatile trading session characterized by seasonally low liquidity. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by just under one percent, driven by gains outside the technology sector. In contrast, the Nasdaq Composite and the S&P 500 both closed lower, with the Nasdaq declining by more than 0.8 percent and the S&P 500 edging down marginally. The downturn in the Nasdaq and S&P 500 was largely attributed to weakness in large-cap technology stocks, including major companies such as Tesla and Nvidia, which weighed heavily on the tech-heavy Nasdaq index.

U.S. equities began the third quarter with a sharp sector rotation, as economically sensitive and small-cap shares outperformed the large-cap technology stocks that led gains in the first half of the year. By late morning in New York, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up about 0.7% and the Dow Jones Transportation Average advanced more than 2%, while the Nasdaq 100 fell roughly 1%. The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies also traded higher, mirroring strength in the iShares Russell 2000 ETF.

Traders cited profit-taking in last quarter’s technology winners and renewed interest in lagging groups such as retailers. The SPDR S&P Retail ETF rose around 2.3%, contrasting with the 0.8% drop in the tech-heavy QQQ ETF. Volatility gauges remained subdued, suggesting the moves reflected rotation rather than broader risk aversion.

Republican commentator Scott Jennings has characterized the recent U.S. military strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities as a de-escalation rather than an escalation, framing the operation as a strategic success that dismantled Iran's nuclear ambitions. Jennings described Iran's response as 'flaccid' and indicative of capitulation, asserting that it serves as a complete vindication of President Donald Trump's approach to Iran, which involved allowing Israel to weaken Iran before the U.S. intervention.

He emphasized that the strikes prevented further conflict and reinforced the perception that Iran is reluctant to engage militarily with the U.S. The strikes have been widely praised by Jennings and others as part of a broader series of victories for President Trump, who is reported to have had an exceptionally successful week, including a Supreme Court ruling expanding his powers, record-high Dow Jones Industrial Average levels, and ceasefires involving Israel, Iran, and Rwanda. CNN hosts and other commentators have acknowledged this period as potentially the best week of Trump's presidency. Additionally, Jennings accused Democrats in Congress of leaking a low-confidence report to undermine the administration's success regarding the Iran strikes, which he maintains were entirely successful.

The race for New York City mayor is underway with multiple candidates emerging as frontrunners. Curtis Sliwa has announced his candidacy, emphasizing his campaign as one for the hardworking New Yorkers rather than donors, lobbyists, or political machines. He has secured the full support of the New York City Council Republican delegation. The current mayor, Eric Adams, has recently highlighted New York City's role as a global innovation hub, particularly in advancing US-India technology ties. Public discourse continues around identifying the likely next mayor, with various commentators and observers discussing potential outcomes in the upcoming election.

President Donald Trump highlighted the benefits of the One Big Beautiful Bill, emphasizing its positive impact on American workers. He recognized James Benson, a third-generation autoworker from Michigan who was a lifelong Democrat until experiencing the advantages of the Trump tax cuts. The bill includes provisions to make interest payments on car loans for vehicles made in America fully tax deductible, providing financial relief to autoworkers. Additionally, the legislation eliminates taxes on overtime pay, benefiting workers such as a lineman from Pennsylvania and a trucker from Missouri. This change is expected to increase the take-home pay of typical overtime workers by nearly $1,500 annually.

U.S. stock markets showed a positive performance on June 26, 2025, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 indices reaching new record high closing prices during the trading session. The Nasdaq advanced by 1.00%, contributing to the overall upward momentum. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rebounded with a gain of 404 points.

Market optimism was driven by expectations of lower U.S. interest rates, which encouraged buying activity. Despite the strong gains, some reports indicated that the S&P 500 and Nasdaq fell just short of new record closing highs by the end of the day.

A New York-based federal judge has issued a nationwide preliminary injunction blocking the Trump administration's plan to shut down the Job Corps program, a residential job training initiative for low-income youth. The injunction prevents the U.S. Department of Labor from suspending most of the program while ongoing litigation proceeds. The judge ruled that Congress created and funded the Job Corps, and the Department of Labor cannot unilaterally terminate it. This ruling ensures that thousands of youths enrolled in the program will not be displaced during the legal challenge. The decision represents a temporary halt to the administration’s efforts to wind down the decades-old program.

On July 7, 2025, U.S. stock markets experienced a notable decline following President Donald Trump's announcement of a new series of tariffs, which heightened trade tensions and investor concerns. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 422.17 points, or 0.94 percent, closing at 44,406.36. The S&P 500 dropped 49.37 points, or 0.79 percent, ending the day at 6,229.98, near its recent all-time high.

The Nasdaq Composite also declined, losing 188.59 points, or 0.92 percent, to close at 20,412.52. Earlier in the week, markets showed mixed performance with fluctuations in major indexes including the Dow Jones ranging between 42,152 and 44,815 points, the S&P 500 oscillating around 5,972 to 6,192 points, and the Nasdaq moving between approximately 19,383 and 20,367 points. The tariff-induced sell-off on July 7 marked a shift in market sentiment, reflecting renewed worries over trade policies impacting Wall Street.

Indian equities opened sharply lower on Monday after the United States bombed three Iranian nuclear sites over the weekend, escalating the conflict in West Asia and sending global investors into risk-off mode. The benchmark BSE Sensex slumped as much as 816 points, or about 1%, to 81,592.17 in early trade, while the NSE Nifty 50 fell to 24,929.55, breaking below the 25,000 mark for the first time in a week.

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The Democratic primary race for New York City mayor is approaching its conclusion with the final debate held on June 12, 2025, featuring seven candidates including frontrunner Andrew Cuomo. During the debate, Cuomo faced intense scrutiny over past scandals that led to the end of his governorship, while other candidates presented their visions for the city's future. Experts anticipated that candidates would target President Donald Trump in the debate, following an earlier sparring with Cuomo that had little impact on voter sentiment. As the primary election nears, candidates are making a final push to gain advantage, with early voting concluding on June 22, 2025. Cuomo is emphasizing his extensive public service record and accomplishments in an effort to overcome the controversies surrounding his political career. The crowded field of challengers continues to vie for the Democratic nomination ahead of Tuesday's primary election.

YoungHoon Kim, a South Korean individual recognized as the world’s highest IQ record holder with a confirmed IQ of 276, has publicly affirmed his Christian faith by declaring that Jesus Christ is "God, the way, the truth, and the life." His declaration has been widely reported and confirmed by the Lifeboat Foundation, which verified his IQ record in conjunction with the Official World Record, the World Memory Sports Council, and the World Memory Championships, an official partner of Guinness World Records. In addition to his religious statement, Kim has also praised former U.S. President Donald J. Trump, estimating Trump's IQ to be around 200 and calling him the most intelligent president in human history. Kim has further expressed his belief that Jesus Christ will return within this generation, linking his views to both Christian doctrine and scientific perspectives, including references to quantum physics. His statements have attracted attention for the intersection of high intellectual achievement and religious conviction.

The Federal Reserve left its target range for the federal funds rate unchanged at 4.25%–4.50%, as widely expected. Chair Jerome Powell said the committee is “well positioned to wait and learn more” about the economy, citing uncertainty from both the Trump administration’s tariffs and escalating tensions in the Middle East. Updated projections still point to two quarter-point cuts later in 2025.

U.S. stocks showed a muted reaction: the Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.10% to 42,171.66, the S&P 500 edged down 0.03% to 5,980.87, while the Nasdaq Composite added 0.13% to 19,546.27. The 10-year Treasury yield ticked up to 4.395%. West Texas Intermediate crude settled at $75.15 a barrel as traders assessed potential supply disruptions stemming from the region.

Read more

China's industrial production slowed again in May despite a trade truce with the United States. While retail sales saw a strong rebound, driven by a 53 percent year-on-year surge in sales of household appliances, audio-visual equipment, communication devices, cultural and office supplies, and furniture, industrial output and fixed asset investment growth remained subdued. The ongoing trade uncertainty and a weak real estate sector continued to weigh on China's industrial and investment performance, increasing pressure on the government to implement more aggressive measures to stimulate growth. Meanwhile, in the United States, industrial production also declined in May for the second time in three months, reflecting weaker utility output and soft manufacturing, alongside a drop in capacity utilization.