US stocks are anticipated to open higher on Monday following a period of steep declines. Easing tensions in the Middle East have alleviated risk aversion, while investors prepare for a busy week filled with key events, including earnings reports from major tech companies and the release of critical inflation data. However, Tesla shares have dropped due to price cuts in key markets.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has issued a stern warning to the European Union over its stance on Ukraine, stating that the EU’s current approach could lead to a breaking point. Orban emphasized that Hungary’s position is to adhere to NATO’s original mission as a defense alliance, criticizing the EU’s involvement in military matters without having military capabilities of its own. He also highlighted the contrasting views within Europe, pointing out that while many European governments support the war in Ukraine, Hungary and the Vatican advocate for peace. Orban suggested that European citizens might eventually pressure their governments to change their pro-war stance and called for a change in leadership in Brussels.
In a bid to reduce plastic and microplastic pollution, the UK government has announced a ban on wet wipes containing plastic. The ban, to be tabled in Parliament before the summer recess in July, will apply England-wide, with Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales expected to follow suit. Wet wipes containing plastic have been found to pollute waterways and contribute to microplastic ingestion by animals and humans.
Indonesia’s Constitutional Court has dismissed appeals from two losing presidential candidates who alleged widespread fraud in the recent elections. The court ruled that the candidates had failed to provide sufficient evidence to support their claims.
Candace Owens has risen to prominence for her outspoken political views and social activism. An African-American woman, she has gained attention for her opposition to the Black Lives Matter movement, modern-day feminism, and the #MeToo Movement.
Torrential rainfall has wreaked havoc in southern China, leaving at least four dead and 10 missing. Cities in Guangdong province, including Zhaoqing and Shaoguan, have been particularly hard hit, with over 110,000 people evacuated. Guangzhou has experienced record-breaking rainfall, while neighboring Jiangxi province also faces flooding. The China Central Meteorological Observatory has issued a rainstorm warning through Tuesday, with further heavy rain anticipated.
At least 16 individuals, including students, have been apprehended during pro-Palestinian demonstrations at Yale University. This action mirrors the recent crackdown at Columbia University, where similar protests erupted. The Yale students established a ‘Gaza Plaza Liberated Zone’ on campus, echoing the actions of their Columbia counterparts. The protests have sparked reports of harassment against Jewish students at both universities.
The Russian Urals region and northern Kazakhstan have experienced severe flooding, leading to the evacuation of thousands of residents. Authorities are now concerned about the potential for drinking water contamination due to the proximity of a uranium mine to floodwaters. Environmental experts warn that elevated uranium salts in the Tobol River could pose a risk to public health.
In a catastrophic event described as a “once in a century” horror, southern China is facing widespread flooding that has claimed the lives of eleven people and left millions without homes. The city of Qingyuan in Guangdong Province has been severely impacted, with videos shared on social media showing torrents of water demolishing walls and bridges.
Three German citizens have been arrested on suspicion of spying for China and illegally exporting a special laser with potential military uses. The suspects allegedly acted for Chinese intelligence since before June 2022 and violated German export laws. One suspect allegedly acted as an agent for an employee of China’s Ministry of State Security, obtaining information on military technologies in Germany.
