Finance news

+++ USA +++: Heat wave affects Independence Day celebrations in the USA

US court - Government is not allowed to detain migrants indefinitely without a hearing +++ US immigration authorities record 10,000 arrests in five days +++ The news blog.

Pope visits Africa-Europe crossing as anti-migrant policies rise in US, EU

Pope Leo on Saturday visited Italy’s Lampedusa island, a major port of call for migrants risking the perilous crossing from Africa, in a stark message to US and EU leaders. The Catholic Church’s first US pope, who has clashed with the administration of President Donald Trump over its treatment of migrants, is marking July 4, the United States’ 250th anniversary of independence, on a migration frontline. Leo’s visit also comes just two weeks after the European Union’s approval of new migrant...

Blaming China won’t bring jobs back to ‘post-industrial’ economies

Almost anywhere you look these days, you can find claims from political, academic and other various sources that China’s supposed overproduction and exports of manufactured goods pose unfair advantages. These sources may also claim such unfair advantages justify protectionist countermeasures. But it is difficult to counter one’s own folly. For decades, the US, much of Europe and even Japan, long proud of its manufacturing skills, have prided themselves on becoming “post-industrial” and...

‘No one lifts a finger’: Gaza’s fate eclipsed by Middle East war

The Gaza war was the spark that touched off years of Middle East conflict culminating in the US-Israeli war with Iran, but as Washington and Tehran wrangle over terms for peace, the devastated territory’s fate seems largely out of mind. “Ever since the United States went to war with Iran, the whole world has forgotten Gaza and its tragedy. We no longer have anyone standing by us,” Palestinian Ahmed Jamali, 53, told Agence France-Presse from the displacement camp in Gaza where he lives. “We are..

The end of ‘just in time’? Asia rejigs supply chains post-Hormuz

How many crises does it take to change the way the world trades? For Asia, the answer appears to be three. First Covid closed the factories that fed the logistics networks, then Russia’s invasion of Ukraine choked off Black Sea grain exports and sent energy prices spiralling. Now, the US-Israel war on Iran may have hammered the final nail in the coffin of “just in time” supply chains that some economists say are no longer fit for purpose. “Taken together, they show that serious disruption is now

Trump warns American identity under ‘renewed attack’ as US turns 250

US President Donald Trump lashed out on Friday at what he called a fresh threat against the country’s identity, taking aim at domestic “radicals and extremists” on the eve of America’s 250th birthday. In a speech dripping with patriotism, Trump lauded American exceptionalism and praised its past leaders, speaking at Mount Rushmore with its giant carved heads of four of his legendary predecessors. But he added at the foot of the iconic monument: “As we approach this magnificent anniversary, we...

Heatwave upends Fourth of July events across US, strains power grids

A dangerous heatwave upended Fourth of July celebrations across swathes of the central and eastern United States on Friday, forcing officials in the nation’s capital and elsewhere to cancel or postpone dozens of parades, concerts and fireworks displays. Among the events disrupted by the sweltering heat was the Great American State Fair on the National Mall in Washington, a centrepiece of President Donald ‌Trump’s efforts to mark the nation’s 250th birthday. The fair, designed to showcase all 50.

Is ‘no Greenland seafood for China’ the US’ new security doctrine?

An unmistakable pattern has emerged in the US’ strategy to contain China. Washington has sought to deny China access to frontier technologies and key commodities, and to redirect related supply chains to revitalise American industries. In this context, US President Donald Trump’s intense interest in America taking over Denmark’s Greenland becomes clear. Deny the Chinese their favourite seafood, which many can’t live without, and revive the US food industry. You think I am pulling your leg. This.

Can Taiwan fix its military manpower shortage by training reservists in advanced weapons?

Taiwan is requiring its reservists to train longer and harder, introducing drones and US-made Himars rocket systems into a revamped 14-day call-up programme as it races to offset worsening troop shortages amid a demographic decline. One of the biggest reforms of Taiwan’s reserve force in decades, the overhaul reflects growing concern that a shrinking pool of military-age recruits and mounting pressure from Beijing mean the island can no longer rely solely on its standing military. From this...

The US has failed to understand China

China is such a giant player in the global economy that understanding how the US-China contest of the century for international primacy will evolve has become crucial. Some Westerners, especially those in the United States, feel so threatened that they have resorted to protectionism, with global fragmentation and perhaps even preparations for a third world war already in the cards. Kishore Mahbubani’s book Has China Won? highlighted deep misunderstandings and structural tensions between China...

US withdrew forces from Nigeria after operation against ISIS, AFRICOM chief says

AFRICOM Commander Gen. Dagvin Anderson described May’s joint U.S.-Nigerian as a model for future security cooperation in Africa.

Japan, other middle powers should 'fill the vacuum' left by US: Kevin Rudd

Asian Americans push for wider share of the spotlight as US celebrates 250

Europe has replaced most US cuts within Nato, top commander says

European Nato allies have mostly replaced the assets that the US has cut from its rescue plans in case of a war in Europe, Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe John Stringer said in an interview. Stringer made the assurance ahead of the alliance’s summit in Ankara next week, at which allies will try to smooth over recent announcements by the US signalling that it is pivoting away from the continent. “European allies have definitely stepped up in terms of backfilling the adjustment in the US...

On the 250th birthday of the USA: Mamdani indirectly criticizes Trump's immigration policy

The United States of America turns 250 years old. US President Trump has announced big speeches about this. New York's mayor beats him to it.

Nasa launches robotic mission to save space telescope

Nasa launched a robotic mission on Friday to try to prevent one of its ageing telescopes from burning up in the atmosphere, a complicated operation expected to last several months. The unprecedented US$30 million effort involves sending a robot to rescue the Swift space telescope that is currently falling towards Earth. If successful, the mission could pave the way for giving other satellites a second life. Initially scheduled for Tuesday, the robot’s launch was postponed due to weather and then

Hormuz Turns Oil Outlooks Into a Guessing Game

Numbers Report – July 03, 2026 In the latest edition of the Numbers Report, we will take a look at some of the most interesting figures put out this week in the energy and metals sectors. Each week we’ll dig into some data and provide a bit of explanation on what drives the numbers. Let’s take a look. 1. Hormuz Turns Oil Outlooks Into a Guessing Game - Energy market research organizations have started to recalibrate their global supply outlooks for 2026 and 2027, with the US Energy Information A

Oil Markets Grow Numb to U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Drama

Oil prices remain stuck in a tight range as traders look past geopolitical headlines and wait for clarity on the fragile U.S.-Iran ceasefire. Friday, July 03, 2026 Following weeks of extremely volatile and geopolitics-driven trading, oil prices have been exceptionally calm this week, with ICE Brent trending within a narrow range of $71-73 per barrel. This partly stems from pre-holiday liquidity dips; however, it could also be seen as the oil markets’ general fatigue with gauging the current stat

Military: NATO general – Europe has largely offset US cuts

According to NATO's supreme commander in Europe, the European allies have largely closed the gaps. Europe should still make more equipment available.

America’s first sphere of influence becomes the test of its power at 250

As the United States marks the 250th anniversary of its founding, it confronts a new world order dominated by its relationship with China. In this wide-ranging series, we examine the pressure points and possibilities in those ties, from hard tech to soft power. Here, Teresa Elena Frontado and Igor Patrick look at how Beijing is testing long-standing US influence in the western hemisphere. Asked during the 2024 presidential campaign whether he was concerned about Brazil and Mexico drifting...

Shipping: Freight rates climb to four-year high

Overseas imports for the Christmas business are starting much earlier than before this year. This is also due to the policies of US President Donald Trump. The shipping companies charge surcharges.

Alibaba bans staff from using Claude Code over Anthropic spyware concerns

Alibaba Group Holding has banned its employees from using Anthropic’s Claude Code for work, citing security risks related to the US artificial intelligence firm’s previous use of hidden code to track Chinese users – a move that has sparked widespread backlash in recent days. “As Claude Code was recently discovered to carry back-door risks, after comprehensive evaluation, Claude Code has now been added to a list of high-risk software with security vulnerabilities,” Alibaba said on Thursday in an.

Bitcoin price current: Bitcoin is recovering thanks to weaker US jobs data

Bitcoin is gaining after its recent setback and is continuing its price recovery. Weaker US labor market data are fueling hopes of a break in interest rates and a less restrictive monetary policy.

China’s satellite engine smashes record, leaves US rival far behind

China has tested a satellite engine with a record-breaking operating life, a key technology that could help propel the world’s largest communications, military and deep-space spacecraft into their intended orbits faster and more reliably. The upgraded engine, developed by the China Academy of Aerospace Propulsion Technology in Xian, can produce 750 newtons of thrust, according to Chinese media reports. The Chinese engine fired for 11,617 seconds – 3.2 hours – across five orbit-raising manoeuvres

Europeans to fill almost all gaps left by US in NATO defense plans, source says

The U.S. told its allies in May that it had decided to shrink the pool of military capabilities committed to the transatlantic alliance in a crisis.

Merz hits back at Trump for ridiculing Germany’s defence spending drive

Germany ⁠does not have to shy ⁠away from talking up its record on defence spending, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Friday, when asked about US President Donald Trump calling Germany’s past efforts “ridiculous”. The issue of defence spending has loomed large as Nato leaders prepare to gather ‌next week in Ankara, where Europeans aim to set aside strife with Trump over Iran and Greenland and show they are stepping up to defend the continent. “Germany is doubling its defence budget within four..

Anwar vows Malaysia to pursue Jho Low over 1MDB despite potential US pardon

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Friday said Malaysia would maintain its legal pursuit of Jho Low even if the fugitive financier were to receive a US presidential pardon. Low, the alleged mastermind behind the 1MDB scandal, was charged in 2018 with conspiring to launder billions of dollars from the sovereign wealth fund and violating anti-bribery laws in Malaysia. He also reportedly used the stolen loot to gain access to Hollywood A-listers and buy luxury homes, a superyacht and fine art...

Stock market: Dax climbs to record high

At the start of trading, the leading German index continued the previous day's rally. Financial market expert Oliver Roth identifies US interest rate hopes, the coalition's reform plans and dwindling skepticism about the Iran deal as drivers.

Carlson’s split with Republicans to deepen rifts in US right, Chinese think tank says

High-profile conservative commentator Tucker Carlson’s split with President Donald Trump and the Republican Party will jeopardise the party’s prospects in the US midterm elections and intensify the quarrel over its identity and direction, according to an official Chinese think tank. The former Fox News host has repeatedly expressed his dissatisfaction with the current administration, in particular its decision to go to war with Iran. In an interview with the Columbia Journalism Review published.

As the US marks its 250th birthday, it operates an empire in all but name

There will be parades and speeches, fireworks and barbecues, and a healthy dose of patriotism. This Fourth of July, Americans celebrate the 250th anniversary of their country’s independence from the British empire. Many remain unaware of when their continental republic became an empire of its own. Neither will many of them know that at the turn of the 20th century, the founding principle of the Declaration of Independence was betrayed, despite impassioned opposition from some of the most...