Morning Edition · Thursday, June 18, 2026
Markets
Iran and the United States Sign an Interim Deal, and Oil Retreats as Markets Reprice War Risk
An agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and ease sanctions on Iranian crude pushed Brent below $78 and lifted equity futures, though both sides describe the deal differently.
Geopolitics
Ukraine Mounts a Large Drone Assault on Moscow, Striking a Refinery and Halting Airports
Russia said it shot down 555 drones nationwide as Ukraine continued its campaign against Russian energy infrastructure, even as global oil prices fell.
Markets
SpaceX's Public Debut Makes Musk the First Trillionaire and Tests an AI-Era IPO Wave
The rocket company's listing valued it above $2 trillion despite heavy losses, raising questions about how investors price frontier technology.
Macro
Bank Indonesia Raises Rates a Third Time to Defend the Rupiah
The central bank lifted its benchmark to 5.75 percent as a firmer dollar and fears of Federal Reserve tightening pressure emerging-market currencies.
Geopolitics
Hegseth Orders a Six-Month Review of US Forces in Europe and Faults NATO Over the Iran War
The defense secretary linked the future of American troops on the continent to how quickly Europeans take responsibility for their own security.
Tech
Google Loses Gemini Co-Leader Noam Shazeer to OpenAI
The departure of a foundational AI researcher, less than two years after Google paid billions to bring him back, intensifies the competition for senior talent.
World
Cuba's Communist Party Approves Market Reforms Under US Economic Pressure
Party officials presented a package of free-market measures as a response to economic war while insisting it is not a retreat from socialism.
Markets
Tehran and Tel Aviv Stocks Climb as War Risk Recedes
Equity markets on both sides of the Middle East conflict advanced as the US-Iran agreement removed an immediate threat of escalation.
Geopolitics
Israel Cuts Contact with the EU Foreign Policy Chief Over an Apartheid Comparison
Foreign Minister Gideon Saar cut ties with Kaja Kallas after a report that she compared Israeli policy in the territories to apartheid.
Markets
Israeli Chipmaker Tower and Cyber Startup Dream Lead a Tech Valuation Surge
Tower Semiconductor's market value overtook a major Israeli bank, while Dream Security raised fresh capital at a $3 billion valuation.
Geopolitics
Taiwan Presses the US to Approve an Arms Package and Offers China Talks on Parity
President Lai Ching-te urged swift approval of a weapons sale while repeating his willingness to negotiate with Beijing on equal terms.
World
Russia Courts Southeast Asia as It Reroutes Trade Around Sanctions
Moscow praised a business forum with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations as Brunei's sultan proposed energy and tourism cooperation.