KUWAIT INTERCEPTS IRANIAN MISSILES & DRONES FOR SECOND TIME AMID ESCALATING REGIONAL TENSIONS
(@FirstSquaw)
(@FirstSquaw)
Iranian media: US strikes targeted the vicinity of Jask and Khorramabad
(@FirstSquaw)
(@FirstSquaw)
TRUMP MEDIA’S NEW PRODUCT PROMOTION SPARKS ETHICS DEBATE ON WALL STREET
A promotional email teasing a new product from Trump Media has triggered political and ethical debate across Wall Street, as financial firms assess the implications of paying a company in which President Donald Trump is the largest shareholder for promotional posts and related services.
(@FirstSquaw)
A promotional email teasing a new product from Trump Media has triggered political and ethical debate across Wall Street, as financial firms assess the implications of paying a company in which President Donald Trump is the largest shareholder for promotional posts and related services.
(@FirstSquaw)
CHINA TIGHTENS GRIP ON RARE EARTHS, RAISING PRESSURE ON GLOBAL AI SUPPLY CHAIN
China continues to dominate the global critical minerals supply chain, controlling about 89% of rare earth refining, 99% of gallium refining, and 69% of germanium refining. Exports of key minerals such as tungsten have fallen sharply to major buyers including South Korea and the U.S., while stricter export licensing rules introduced since 2023 require government approval before shipments can leave the country. The tightening controls are creating supply bottlenecks for semiconductor and AI industries, reinforcing rare earths as both a strategic geopolitical tool and a key economic advantage.
(@FirstSquaw)
China continues to dominate the global critical minerals supply chain, controlling about 89% of rare earth refining, 99% of gallium refining, and 69% of germanium refining. Exports of key minerals such as tungsten have fallen sharply to major buyers including South Korea and the U.S., while stricter export licensing rules introduced since 2023 require government approval before shipments can leave the country. The tightening controls are creating supply bottlenecks for semiconductor and AI industries, reinforcing rare earths as both a strategic geopolitical tool and a key economic advantage.
(@FirstSquaw)
RETAIL OPTIONS TRADING HITS RECORD HIGH AS SPECULATIVE ACTIVITY SURGES ACROSS MARKETS
Retail investors generated a record $6.7 billion in daily options premiums in June, up 15% from the previous monthly high, 65% above the 2025 average, and more than double the seven-year average. Semiconductor options led the surge, followed by space and metals & mining stocks. Overall retail trading activity also reached new records, with total turnover across listed securities and ETFs climbing to $500 billion, including a record $370 billion in single-stock trading, underscoring elevated speculative participation in equity markets.
(@FirstSquaw)
Retail investors generated a record $6.7 billion in daily options premiums in June, up 15% from the previous monthly high, 65% above the 2025 average, and more than double the seven-year average. Semiconductor options led the surge, followed by space and metals & mining stocks. Overall retail trading activity also reached new records, with total turnover across listed securities and ETFs climbing to $500 billion, including a record $370 billion in single-stock trading, underscoring elevated speculative participation in equity markets.
(@FirstSquaw)
SOUTH KOREA’S BEAR MARKET SHOWS NO SIGNS OF EASING AS FOREIGN SELLING & RETAIL LOSSES MOUNT
(@FirstSquaw)
(@FirstSquaw)
U.S. INVESTOR LEVERAGE HITS RECORD HIGH AS NET CREDIT BALANCE PLUNGES TO ALL-TIME LOW
U.S. investors are more leveraged than ever, with net credit balance—cash balances minus margin debt—falling to a record -$992 billion in May 2026. The historic deficit highlights growing reliance on borrowed funds to finance stock purchases, increasing the risk of amplified market volatility and forced selling if sentiment weakens.
(@FirstSquaw)
U.S. investors are more leveraged than ever, with net credit balance—cash balances minus margin debt—falling to a record -$992 billion in May 2026. The historic deficit highlights growing reliance on borrowed funds to finance stock purchases, increasing the risk of amplified market volatility and forced selling if sentiment weakens.
(@FirstSquaw)
WIRECARD SHORT SELLER FAHMI QUADIR REINVENTS CAREER AFTER YEARS OF TARGETING CORPORATE FRAUD
Prominent short seller Fahmi Quadir, known for exposing companies including Wirecard, is reinventing her career after years spent identifying corporate fraud and betting against overvalued firms, marking a new chapter beyond activist short selling.
(@FirstSquaw)
Prominent short seller Fahmi Quadir, known for exposing companies including Wirecard, is reinventing her career after years spent identifying corporate fraud and betting against overvalued firms, marking a new chapter beyond activist short selling.
(@FirstSquaw)
U.S. DATE NIGHT COSTS HIT RECORD $189, YOUNG AMERICANS OPT FOR $7 COFFEE DATES
The average cost of a date night in the U.S. has climbed to $189, prompting many younger Americans to replace traditional dinner outings with $7 coffee dates as rising living costs reshape dating habits.
(@FirstSquaw)
The average cost of a date night in the U.S. has climbed to $189, prompting many younger Americans to replace traditional dinner outings with $7 coffee dates as rising living costs reshape dating habits.
(@FirstSquaw)
Jordan’s armed forces say they sustained no casualties and suffered no equipment damage.
(@FirstSquaw)
(@FirstSquaw)
Jordan’s military intercepted 10 missiles fired from Iran, according to a report by the Jordanian news agency.
(@FirstSquaw)
(@FirstSquaw)
NASA's FIRMS is showing a large fire at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan after numerous ballistic missile impacts at the U.S. base. - WSN
(@FirstSquaw)
(@FirstSquaw)
Hitachi Energy Enters eVTOL Charging Market With New Deal; Valuation Shows 22% Upside Potential - YAHOO
(@FirstSquaw)
(@FirstSquaw)
U.S. missiles targeted Jask energy facilities and water desalination pumps, Iranian media reports.
(@FirstSquaw)
(@FirstSquaw)
Europe Plans €2.2 Trillion Spending Surge on Electrification and Artificial Intelligence Through 2035
(@FirstSquaw)
(@FirstSquaw)
Oil depot, warehouse in Moscow Oblast reportedly set ablaze by Ukrainian drones - KYIV INDEPENDENT
(@FirstSquaw)
(@FirstSquaw)
Japanese Officials Face Questions Over Costly Travel and Political Expenditures
(@FirstSquaw)
(@FirstSquaw)
Israeli Channel 12: Lebanese Army begins deployment in the first trial areas of southern Lebanon agreed upon with Israel during Washington talks.
(@FirstSquaw)
(@FirstSquaw)
Japan Invests $2.4 Billion in Nvidia Chips for Humanoid Robotics - Zerohedge
(@FirstSquaw)
(@FirstSquaw)
U.S. NATIONAL DEBT SWELLS BY $11 TRILLION UNDER TRUMP, INCLUDING $3.3 TRILLION SINCE RETURN TO OFFICE
The U.S. national debt has reportedly increased by $11 trillion during Donald Trump’s time in office, accounting for about 28% of the current $39.5 trillion federal debt. Of that, approximately $3.3 trillion has been added in the first 18 months since his return to office, highlighting the rapid pace of federal borrowing.
(@FirstSquaw)
The U.S. national debt has reportedly increased by $11 trillion during Donald Trump’s time in office, accounting for about 28% of the current $39.5 trillion federal debt. Of that, approximately $3.3 trillion has been added in the first 18 months since his return to office, highlighting the rapid pace of federal borrowing.
(@FirstSquaw)
TOP 1% OF AMERICANS NOW HOLD MORE WEALTH THAN THE ENTIRE U.S. MIDDLE CLASS COMBINED
Wealth concentration in the United States has reached a historic level, with the richest 1% of Americans now owning more wealth than the entire U.S. middle class combined, highlighting the widening gap in household wealth distribution.
(@FirstSquaw)
Wealth concentration in the United States has reached a historic level, with the richest 1% of Americans now owning more wealth than the entire U.S. middle class combined, highlighting the widening gap in household wealth distribution.
(@FirstSquaw)