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Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has officially stepped down, marking the beginning of a new era of uncertainty for the world’s most influential central bank. Powell’s tenure spanned the COVID-19 pandemic, historic inflation spikes, and the most aggressive rate-hiking cycle in decades. The Fed now faces what analysts are calling a “regime change.” The new leadership will inherit an economy where inflation remains stubbornly persistent – the 30-year US Treasury yield has just broken to its highest level in nearly 20 years, sending global bond markets reeling. ...

Global bond markets are suffering a severe sell-off as mounting inflation data spooks investors worldwide. The 30-year US Treasury yield has climbed to its highest level in nearly two decades, reflecting deep concerns about the long-term inflation outlook. The bond rout has spilled over into equity markets. The Dow Jones Industrial Average plunged 400 points, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite also posting significant losses. Oil price volatility has further amplified the selling pressure. ...

The US Department of Justice has filed terrorism charges against a commander of Kataib Hezbollah, an Iraqi Shia militia group, accusing him of planning attacks targeting New York City. BBC News also reported on the case, alleging that the Iraqi militant leader “directed” the terrorist activities. The charges underscore ongoing US national security concerns and the potential threat posed by Middle Eastern armed groups to the American homeland. Kataib Hezbollah is a US-designated foreign terrorist organization and has long been viewed as a key instrument of Iranian influence in Iraq. These charges could further escalate tensions between Washington and Tehran, with potential ripple effects across regional security dynamics. ...

The two-day Washington summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping has concluded, with Trump describing the talks as “very successful.” However, despite choreographed ceremonies and diplomatic warmth, few concrete trade deals or policy breakthroughs were confirmed. The summit covered a broad range of topics including bilateral trade, technology competition, and geopolitical security. Both leaders projected positive diplomatic gestures, but made little visible progress on core areas of disagreement. ...

US President Donald Trump has said that a 20-year suspension of Iran’s nuclear programme would be sufficient to meet American requirements. He emphasized that Tehran must demonstrate “real” commitment, including removing nuclear fuel and halting uranium enrichment. The comments came in the aftermath of Trump’s summit with Xi Jinping, signaling that the administration is actively pushing on multiple diplomatic fronts simultaneously. The Iranian nuclear issue has long been a centerpiece of international security concerns, with US-Iran tensions spanning years. ...

US President Donald Trump has warned Taiwan against declaring independence, saying he wants Beijing and Taipei to “cool down” tensions over the self-governing island. The comments came shortly after Trump concluded a two-day summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Washington. Trump described the talks as “very successful,” though observers noted that despite choreographed ceremonies and diplomatic pageantry, the summit produced no concrete trade breakthroughs or policy shifts. Analysts suggest Trump’s swift warning to Taiwan following the summit signals a careful balancing act – demonstrating engagement with Beijing while avoiding further escalation on one of the most sensitive issues in US-China relations. The stance reflects the administration’s attempt to navigate great-power competition within the framework of the long-standing “One China” policy. ...

[Flash] Bitcoin Tumbles Below $79,000 as Rising Bond Yields and Inflation Worries Rattle Markets Bitcoin has dropped below the $79,000 level, driven by a combination of rising U.S. bond yields and persistent inflation concerns. The broader crypto market is under pressure as investor risk appetite wanes. Meanwhile, escalating tensions involving Iran have added to global market uncertainty, with analysts noting that geopolitical risks are having a sustained impact on financial markets. ...

[Flash] CME, ICE Push U.S. Regulators to Scrutinize Hyperliquid Over Manipulation Risks The Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) and Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) have jointly urged U.S. regulators to scrutinize decentralized derivatives platform Hyperliquid over alleged market manipulation risks. The move by two traditional finance giants signals growing wariness toward emerging competitors in the crypto derivatives space. Hyperliquid’s Policy Center responded that on-chain perpetual contracts offer greater efficiency and transparency.

[Flash] Five Italian Divers Die During Cave Scuba Dive in Maldives Five Italian divers have died during a cave scuba diving expedition in the Maldives. Local search and rescue authorities say operations to recover the remaining divers have been temporarily suspended due to bad weather conditions. Cave diving is widely recognized as one of the most dangerous water sports, requiring specialized training and equipment.

[Flash] Judge Declares Another Mistrial in Harvey Weinstein New York Rape Case A New York judge has declared another mistrial in the rape case against Harvey Weinstein. This marks yet another significant procedural setback in a case that has been a focal point of the American justice system and public attention since the #MeToo movement. The mistrial will further extend the already lengthy legal proceedings.