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Former President Barack Obama shared his concerns on Tuesday about the state of American democracy, warning that the country may be on the brink of authoritarianism.
What Happened: Speaking in Hartford, Connecticut, with historian and Boston College professor Heather Cox Richardson, Obama said, "It is consistent with autocracies," when referring to recent political behavior under the Trump administration, <a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/news/2025-06-17/former-president-barack-obama-headlines-forum-at-the-bushnell">according to</a> Connecticut Public Radio. He emphasized that while the U.S. has not fully moved into authoritarian rule, "we are dangerously close to normalizing behavior like that."
Obama's criticism addressed not only the executive branch but also the Republican Party, citing false narratives about the 2020 election. "In 2020, one person won the election, and it wasn't the guy complaining about it. And that's just a fact, just like my inauguration had more people. I say that, by the way, not because — I don't care, but facts are important," he said.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/macro-economic-events/25/06/46011899/over-200-central-banks-reportedly-dump-48-billion-in-us-treasuries-amid-concerns-over-dollars-stability-the-drop-is-unusual">Over 200 Central Banks Reportedly Dump $48 Billion In US Treasuries Amid Concerns Over Dollar&#8217;s Stability: &#8216;The Drop Is Unusual&#8217;</a>
Why It Matters: Obama also cautioned that several leaders in one of the nation's two major parties are willing to ignore facts: "In one of our major political parties, you have a whole bunch of people who know that's not true but will pretend like it is. And that is dangerous."
"If you follow regularly what is said by those who are in charge of the federal government right now, there is a weak commitment to what we understood – and not just my generation, at least since World War II – our understanding of how a liberal democracy is supposed to work," Obama said.
"There has to be a response and pushback from civil society, from various institutions and individuals outside of government, but there also have to be people in government in both parties who say, &#8216;No, you can&#8217;t do that,'" he added.
Despite his concerns, Obama expressed hope for the country's future. "I'm still the ‘hope' guy. I guess the thing when I'm talking to young people that they need to hear the most is, it is important to be impatient with injustice and cruelty," he said.
Earlier this week, referencing the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/events/25/06/45878983/us-cities-brace-for-escalating-immigration-protests-los-angeles-enforces-curfew-national-guard-deployed-amid-trump-crackdown">ongoing crackdown</a> on immigrants, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/45943372/obama-calls-for-dignity-in-immigration-enforcement-as-ice-crackdown-escalates">Obama called for "dignity and respect."</a> He also opposed <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/06/45765479/barack-obama-accuses-republicans-of-trying-to-weaken-obamacare-urges-voters-to-call-their-senators-a">Republican efforts</a> to scale back major provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in the "big, beautiful bill."
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/topics/25/06/46010921/palantirs-head-of-defense-says-xi-jinping-is-decoupling-from-us-warns-america-risks-losing-leverage-if-china-tech-shift-goes-unchecked">Palantir&#8217;s Head Of Defense Says &#8216;Xi Jinping Is Decoupling From Us&#8217; — Warns America Risks Losing Leverage If China Tech Shift Goes Unchecked</a>
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Politics

Obama Warns America Is 'Dangerously Close' To Autocracy, Calls For Civic Resistance: 'I'm Still The Hope Guy'

News

Legal

Global

Reuters Cites EU Commission Website Saying Mars Has Not Offered Remedies To EU Antitrust Regulators Reviewing Its $36B Kellanova Deal

The State Department has restarted foreign student visa processing after a month-long suspension, implementing new screening requirements that mandate applicants provide access to their social media accounts for government review.
What Happened: The U.S. State Department announced Wednesday it is resuming student visa applications suspended in May, but all applicants must now unlock their social media accounts for consular officer examination, <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory/us-resumes-visas-foreign-students-demands-access-social-122997822?ref=biztoc.com">reported</a> ABC News. 
Officials will review posts and messages for content deemed hostile to the American government, culture, institutions, or founding principles.
Students refusing to make their accounts public or allow review face potential rejection, with officials viewing refusal as an attempt to hide online activity. The Trump administration had <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/education/25/05/45635231/trump-administration-freezes-student-visa-appointments-will-step-up-social-media-surveillance-of-applicants">temporarily halted scheduling of new F, M, and J visa </a>interviews while preparing expanded social media vetting procedures.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio launched an <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44183893/marco-rubio-led-state-department-to-revoke-visas-of-foreign-students-with-pro-hamas-views-in-ai-powered-sweeping-surveillance-effort-report">AI-driven &#8220;Catch and Revoke&#8221; initiative</a> in March targeting foreign students with &#8220;pro-Hamas&#8221; views. The program analyzes social media activity, past arrests, and media reports to determine visa revocations. 
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/events/25/06/46011237/trump-was-confronted-at-g7-by-canadas-indigenous-honor-guard-who-said-he-was-filled-with-rage-but-delivered-a-message-of-peace">Trump Was Confronted At G7 By Canada&#8217;s Indigenous Honor Guard Who Said He Was &#8216;Filled With Rage,&#8217; But Delivered A Message Of &#8216;Peace&#8217;</a>
Why It Matters: International students face mounting scrutiny beyond social media vetting. The administration has frozen Harvard University&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/06/45827473/donald-trumps-federal-funding-freeze-for-harvard-university-is-having-a-ripple-effect-on-the-cambrid">federal funding and moved to block foreign student enrollment</a> at the institution, which relies on international students for 27% of its enrollment and significant tuition revenue.
The policy shift affects international education&#8217;s $44 billion annual economic contribution and 378,000 supported jobs nationwide. Over <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/legal/25/06/45947119/harvard-to-ask-judge-to-extend-block-on-trumps-foreign-student-ban-citing-retaliation-and-free-speech-violations">1,500 student visas have been revoked across 222 schools</a>, creating institutional uncertainty for universities dependent on foreign enrollment.
Investor Kevin O&#8217;Leary, who teaches at Harvard Business School, defended international students as &#8220;extraordinary individuals&#8221; worth investing in, calling them <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45671848/kevin-oleary-says-international-students-are-extraordinary-individuals-he-adds-they-dont-hate-america-and-i-want-to-invest-in-them">&#8220;the smartest students in the world&#8221; who &#8220;don&#8217;t hate America</a>.&#8221; 
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Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

US Restarts Student Visas With Mandatory Social Media Access Amid Marco Rubio's AI-Driven 'Catch And Revoke' Initiative Targeting Foreign Applicants

<h3>Companies Reporting Before The Bell</h3>
• 111 (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/YI#NASDAQ">YI</a>) is likely to report earnings for its first quarter. 
• Addex Therapeutics (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ADXN#NASDAQ">ADXN</a>) is expected to report earnings for its first quarter. 
• Cheetah Mobile (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CMCM#NYSE">CMCM</a>) is estimated to report earnings for its first quarter. 
<h3>Companies Reporting After The Bell</h3>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Earnings

ADXN

CMCM

Earnings Scheduled For June 19, 2025

SpaceX's Starship 36 rocket exploded during a pre-flight static fire test at the company's headquarters in Starbase, Texas.
What Happened: "Starship preparing for the tenth flight test experienced a major anomaly while on a test stand at Starbase," the company said in a post on the social media platform X on Wednesday.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">ANOMALY! Just before Ship 36 was set to Static Fire, it blew up at SpaceX Masseys! Live on X and YT:<a href="https://t.co/GPjZIX1Zyd">https://t.co/GPjZIX1Zyd</a> <a href="https://t.co/CfZhDeSGae">pic.twitter.com/CfZhDeSGae</a>
&mdash; NSF &#8211; NASASpaceflight.com (@NASASpaceflight) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1935548909805601020?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Footage from the test shows the rocket bolted to the stand for the static fire test. The rocket then exploded, briefly turning the screen white before getting engulfed in a violent ball of flames, indicating the severity of the incident.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">On Wednesday, June 18 at approximately 11 p.m. CT, the Starship preparing for the tenth flight test experienced a major anomaly while on a test stand at Starbase. A safety clear area around the site was maintained throughout the operation and all personnel are safe and accounted…
&mdash; SpaceX (@SpaceX) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1935572705941880971?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2025</a></blockquote>
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SpaceX says the company is working with local officials to &#8220;safe&#8221; the test site and has asked people not to approach the area as "safing operations continue."
Why It Matters: The failure at the test comes as SpaceX had been working on the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/space/25/06/45943559/spacex-ax-4-launch-set-after-june-19-following-propellant-leak-delay">Ax-4 launch</a> to the International Space Station, set to carry over 4 astronauts to orbit. The launch had been delayed, citing a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/space/25/06/45878837/spacexs-ax-4-astronaut-mission-to-iss-delayed-over-propellant-leak-new-launch-date-yet-to-be-announced">propellant leak</a> and will now take place no earlier than June 19, the company said.
SpaceX has been a major player in the private space exploration sector and received a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/specialty-etfs/25/06/45876953/cathie-woods-ark-invest-projects-2-5-trillion-valuation-for-elon-musks-spacex-by-2030-7x-growth-through-mars-starlink-optimus">$2.5 trillion valuation</a> projection from ARK Invest's Cathie Wood.
Elsewhere, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk had earlier sounded out alarms over the International Space Station's safety, calling for it to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/space/25/06/45923417/elon-musk-sounds-alarm-over-international-space-station-says-it-should-be-de-orbited-within-2-years">be de-orbited </a>within the next two years.
Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Future Of Mobility coverage by<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/mobility"> following this link.</a>
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</ul>
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

SPACE

Elon Musk's SpaceX Suffers Major Setback As Starship Rocket Explodes In Static Fire Test

Economist Peter Schiff issued warnings about America&#8217;s economic trajectory during Wednesday&#8217;s Federal Reserve meeting, predicting the central bank&#8217;s decade-long policies will trigger an unavoidable crisis worse than 2008.
What Happened: The Federal Open Market Committee kept interest rates unchanged at 4.25%-4.50% for the fourth consecutive meeting, while projecting two rate cuts in 2025. However, Schiff <a href="https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/top-economist-warns-america-heading-toward-economic-disaster-fed-cant-fix?ref=biztoc.com">told</a> Fox Business that Fed Chair Jerome Powell &#8220;basically admitted that they have no idea what&#8217;s going to happen.&#8221;
The Fed&#8217;s updated projections show Personal Consumption Expenditures inflation rising to 3.0% in 2025, up from March&#8217;s 2.7% forecast, while real GDP growth was <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/economic-data/25/06/46004338/no-rate-cuts-yet-fed-flags-slower-growth-sticky-inflation">downgraded to 1.4% from 1.7%</a>. Unemployment is expected to reach 4.5% in 2025.
Schiff argued these forecasts dramatically underestimate the severity of coming problems. &#8220;All of the inflation chickens that the Fed has been releasing for more than a decade are coming home to roost,&#8221; he said, attributing inflation pressures to years of artificially low rates rather than tariffs.
The economist predicted stagflation, combining recession with &#8220;much higher inflation happening at the same time,&#8221; potentially escalating to hyperinflation. He warned of a &#8220;global exodus out of U.S. stocks, out of U.S. bonds&#8221; as foreign investors retreat from American assets.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/topics/25/06/46010921/palantirs-head-of-defense-says-xi-jinping-is-decoupling-from-us-warns-america-risks-losing-leverage-if-china-tech-shift-goes-unchecked">Palantir&#8217;s Head Of Defense Says &#8216;Xi Jinping Is Decoupling From Us&#8217; — Warns America Risks Losing Leverage If China Tech Shift Goes Unchecked</a>
Why It Matters: Schiff&#8217;s warnings align with growing economic concerns about America&#8217;s economic foundations. Nobel laureate Paul Krugman recently <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45583737/paul-krugman-warns-of-emerging-market-style-crisis-in-us-housing-crash-dollar-plunge-and-stagflation-ahead">warned of an &#8220;emerging-market-type crisis&#8221;</a> featuring sudden capital flight, housing crashes, and dollar devaluation.
Concerns about America&#8217;s fiscal sustainability are mounting across Wall Street. Tesla Inc. CEO Elon Musk recently warned the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/macro-economic-events/25/06/45988656/elon-musk-warns-us-faces-de-facto-bankruptcy-if-37-trillion-debt-not-tackled-peter-schiff-says-we-are-already-bankrupt">U.S. faces &#8220;de facto bankruptcy&#8221;</a> as federal debt surpasses $37 trillion, with interest payments consuming 25% of tax revenue. JPMorgan Chase &amp; Co. CEO Jamie Dimon has warned of potential bond market disruption.
The economist insisted that lower rates won&#8217;t solve America&#8217;s problems because cheap money caused them. &#8220;The solution involves much higher interest rates,&#8221; Schiff said, acknowledging this would trigger widespread bankruptcies, defaults, and &#8220;a protracted recession, probably a much worse financial crisis than 2008.&#8221;
Read Also:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/06/46010756/texas-lawmakers-urge-elon-musks-tesla-to-delay-june-22-robotaxi-launch-till-september-report">Texas Lawmakers Urge Elon Musk&#8217;s Tesla To Delay June 22 Robotaxi Launch Till September: Report</a></li>
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Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Image via Shutterstock

Economics

Federal Reserve

Peter Schiff Predicts 'Worse Financial Crisis Than 2008' As Fed Holds Rates: 'The Solution Involves Much Higher Interest Rates' As Years of Easy Money Trigger Stagflation And Investor Exodus

Gorilla Tech Gr (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GRRR#NASDAQ">GRRR</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $0.23 per share. This is a 41.03 percent decrease over earnings of $0.39 per share from the same period last year. The company reported $18.26 million in sales this quarter. This is a 109.01 percent increase over sales of $8.74 million the same period last year.

GRRR

UPDATE: Gorilla Tech Gr Q1 Adj. EPS $0.23 Down From $0.39 YoY, Sales $18.26M Up From $8.74M YoY

More than 200 Central banks and foreign entities have withdrawn a substantial amount of U.S. Treasuries from the New York Federal Reserve, signaling potential concerns over the stability of the U.S. dollar.
What Happened: The New York Fed&#8217;s custody holdings of U.S. Treasuries and other assets have seen a significant decline. The holdings dropped by $17 billion last week and have plummeted by $48 billion since late March, coinciding with the onset of the trade tensions sparked by President Donald Trump&#8216;s tariffs, <a href="https://fortune.com/2025/06/18/central-banks-have-dumped-48-billion-in-treasuries-as-foreign-wealth-officials-divorce-the-dollar/">reported </a>Fortune
Bank of America&#8216;s managing director and U.S. rates strategist, Meghan Swiber and fellow strategist, Katie Craig, expressed significant concern over the withdrawal of foreign private investors from the Treasury securities market. Swiber and Craig commented, &#8220;This drop is unusual.&#8221;
Typically, the cash generated from the sale of U.S. debt is placed in the New York Fed&#8217;s reverse repurchase facility, where it is exchanged for Treasuries as collateral. However, that trend has recently reversed, with foreign participation in the facility declining by $15 billion since late March. This points to a notable reduction in U.S. assets held by foreigners at the Fed — roughly $63 billion in just over two months.
Swider told Fortune, "We're of the view that deficits are going to continue to climb higher in the coming years, and what we struggle with is, ‘Who is going to help support that higher level of supply?&#8221;
As per Torsten Sløk, chief economist at Apollo Global Management, foreign buyers constitute about 30% of the U.S. Treasury market, and any decrease in their participation could compel the Treasury to offer higher yields to attract buyers, affecting interest rates across the economy, reported Fortune. 
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<li>SEE ALSO: <a href="https://benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/06/45989307/senate-passes-genius-act-coinbases-brian-armstrong-calls-it-big-milestone-scott-bessent-says-passage-could-drive-stablecoins-into-a-3-7-trillion-market" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Senate Passes GENIUS Act—Coinbase&#8217;s Brian Armstrong Calls It &#8216;Big Milestone,&#8217; Scott Bessent Says Passage Could Drive Stablecoins Into A $3.7 Trillion Market &#8211; Benzinga</a></li>
</ul>
Why It Matters: The recent withdrawal of U.S. Treasuries by central banks and foreign entities adds to the growing concerns about the stability of the U.S. dollar and the potential impact on the global economy. This trend has been accompanied by a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/treasuries/25/06/45960637/treasury-yields-near-5-after-soft-foreign-demand-a-red-flag-for-stocks">rise in Treasury yields</a>, which could signal a weakening of foreign demand for U.S. debt, further exacerbating the situation.
These developments are particularly noteworthy given the historical relationship between the U.S. dollar and Treasury yields. However, this pattern has seen a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/treasuries/25/06/45739830/us-dollar-decouples-with-10-year-treasuries-as-trade-tensions-change-long-standing-relationships-between-asset-classes">significant divergence</a> since April 2025, potentially indicating a shift in global confidence in U.S. assets.
As the U.S. dollar&#8217;s status as the world&#8217;s reserve currency and the confidence in the U.S. government&#8217;s ability to meet its financial obligations are called into question, the U.S. may face increased borrowing costs, potentially impacting various sectors of the economy.
On a year-to-date basis, iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TLT#NASDAQ">TLT</a>) fell 1.05%, while iShares 7-10 Year Treasury Bond ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IEF#NASDAQ">IEF</a>) climbed 2.21%. 
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Image via Shutterstock
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

iShares Trust Barclays 7-10 Year Treasury Bond Fund

iShares Trust Barclays 20+ Year Treasury Bond Fund

Over 200 Central Banks Reportedly Dump $48 Billion In US Treasuries Amid Concerns Over Dollar's Stability: 'The Drop Is Unusual'

The Federal Reserve bumped its median forecast for core inflation, which has left analysts divided as some believe that the central bank is overplaying the inflation story, while others say the impact of inflation cannot be overstated.
What Happened: Despite acknowledging that inflation data was &#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/macro-economic-events/25/06/46006680/powell-holds-line-on-interest-rates-blames-tariff-uncertainty-for-delay-in-cuts">encouraging</a>,&#8221; Jerome Powell noted during his press conference on Wednesday that the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/economic-data/25/06/46004338/no-rate-cuts-yet-fed-flags-slower-growth-sticky-inflation">inflation median forecast</a> has risen from 2.5% forecast in December, 2.8% in March, to 3.1% now. &#8220;That&#8217;s due to the effects of the tariffs.&#8221; 
Jeffrey Buchbinder, the chief equity strategist, and Jeffrey Roach, the chief economist at LPL Financial, said in their note that &#8220;Inflation&#8217;s importance to financial markets cannot be overstated.&#8221;
They explained, &#8220;Higher inflation can constrain economic growth, tighten financial conditions, drive interest rates higher, and even restrain stock valuations,&#8221; adding that it also &#8220;dampens the present value of future earnings and, historically, correlates with lower stock valuations.&#8221;
However, Jamie Cox, the managing partner at Harris Financial Group, said, &#8220;The Fed continues to overplay the inflation story and isn&#8217;t paying attention to burgeoning demand weakness.&#8221;
&#8220;Concerns from the Fed around deteriorating economic conditions and rising inflation remain roughly balanced and potentially keeping Fed policy changes in the abyss for the foreseeable future,&#8221; said Charlie Ripley, senior investment strategist for Allianz Investment Management.
Northlight Asset Management CIO, Chris Zaccarelli, on the other hand, explained that the Fed was waiting to see if tariffs increase inflation or the jobs market starts to falter, and whichever part of their dual mandate is impacted first will likely guide whichever direction they take, &#8220;although the bias is still toward cutting rates (or at least keeping rates unchanged; not raising rates).&#8221;
Meanwhile, Eric Teal, CIO at Commercia Bank, said that &#8220;The economy is less rate sensitive, and we believe a significant amount of easing would be required to impact consumer behavior.&#8221;
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/06/45993387/trumps-tariffs-trigger-layoffs-monopoly-maker-hasbro-slashes-jobs-these-companies-are-cutting-to">Trump&#8217;s Tariffs Trigger Layoffs: Monopoly Maker Hasbro Slashes Jobs — These Companies Are Cutting Too</a>
Why It Matters: Craig Shapiro, a macro strategist at Bear Traps Report, said in an X post after the conference that &#8220;Powell wasn&#8217;t as dovish as I would have thought.&#8221;
He was skeptical of even two rate cuts by the end of the year, saying, &#8220;Frankly it&#8217;s not even clear to me that he (Powell)is a 2 cuts guy for 2025.&#8221;
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Powell wasn&#39;t as dovish as I would have thought. Frankly it&#39;s not even clear to me that he is a 2 cuts guy for 2025 The Fed sees an economy that has begun to slow with deteriorating labor market momentum and says that still elevated policy uncertainty from tariffs primarily… <a href="https://t.co/sLEOVtGpD7">https://t.co/sLEOVtGpD7</a>
&mdash; Craig Shapiro (@ces921) <a href="https://twitter.com/ces921/status/1935426398069690823?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 18, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Price Action: Major benchmark indices closed mixed after Wednesday&#8217;s announcement of holding the interest rate steady at 4.25%-2.75%.
The SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) and Invesco QQQ Trust ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>), which track the S&amp;P 500 index and Nasdaq 100 index, respectively, declined slightly on Wednesday. The SPY was down 0.015% at $597.44, while the QQQ was 0.017% lower at $528.99, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a> data.
During the market close on Thursday, the futures of the S&amp;P 500, Dow Jones, and the Nasdaq 100 indices were trading lower.
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</ul>
Photo courtesy: Domenico Fornas / Shutterstock.com

Jerome Powell Blames Trump Tariffs For Inflation—Analyst Claps Back, Says Fed Is 'Overplaying' The Card

Israel Defense Forces conducted a significant overnight military operation against Iran, deploying 40 fighter jets that struck dozens of military targets using over 100 munitions, according to official IDF statements. 
What Happened: The strikes targeted critical infrastructure in Tehran and other Iranian regions, marking a major escalation in regional tensions.
The operation specifically targeted an inactive nuclear reactor in Iran&#8217;s Arak region, including its reactor shielding structure essential for plutonium production. The facility, under construction since 1997 but never completed due to international intervention, was originally designed to produce weapons-grade plutonium. 
Iran had deliberately halted conversion efforts that would have prevented weaponization capabilities, using the reactor as leverage against Western powers.
Israeli forces also struck the Natanz nuclear weapons development site, which houses specialized equipment and components that accelerate Iran&#8217;s nuclear weapons program. The IDF stated the strikes were designed to undermine Iran&#8217;s nuclear weapons capabilities permanently.
Additional targets included Iranian military production facilities manufacturing ballistic missile components, air-defense systems, and missile assembly materials. Air defense batteries, missile storage sites, radars, and related military infrastructure were destroyed during the operation.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">תקיפות חיל האוויר הלילה באיראן: 40 מטוסי קרב תקפו עשרות מטרות צבאיות עם יותר מ-100 חימושים צה״ל תקף כור גרעיני שאינו פעיל במרחב אראכ שבאיראן 40 מטוסי קרב של חיל האוויר תקפו במהלך הלילה, בהכוונה מודיעינית מדויקת של אגף המודיעין, עם יותר מ-100 חימושים, עשרות מטרות צבאיות בטהראן… <a href="https://t.co/llhYbkFXIF">pic.twitter.com/llhYbkFXIF</a>
&mdash; צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) <a href="https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1935574764862492767?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2025</a></blockquote>
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See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/events/25/06/46011237/trump-was-confronted-at-g7-by-canadas-indigenous-honor-guard-who-said-he-was-filled-with-rage-but-delivered-a-message-of-peace">Trump Was Confronted At G7 By Canada&#8217;s Indigenous Honor Guard Who Said He Was &#8216;Filled With Rage,&#8217; But Delivered A Message Of &#8216;Peace&#8217;</a>
Why It Matters: U.S. markets responded with cautious trading as investors weighed geopolitical implications. S&amp;P 500 futures declined 0.32% to 6,014.75, while Nasdaq futures dropped 0.48% to 21,840.50. 
President Donald Trump remained noncommittal about <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/market-summary/25/06/46010350/as-trump-weighs-options-on-iran-dow-futures-slip-defense-stocks-tick-up-in-after-hours-session">potential U.S. military support for Israel</a>, telling reporters &#8220;I may do it, I may not do it&#8221; when asked about striking Iran. A White House Situation Room meeting addressed the conflict, though details remain classified.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei characterized the strikes as evidence of Israeli weakness, stating that American involvement demonstrates &#8220;that regime&#8217;s weakness and inability.&#8221;
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">The very fact that the Zionist regime's American friends have entered the scene and are saying such things is a sign of that regime's weakness and inability.
&mdash; Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) <a href="https://twitter.com/khamenei_ir/status/1935367026479960399?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 18, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Read Next: 
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/46011509/bill-ackman-calls-for-northrops-b-2-bombers-boeings-gbu-57s-to-help-israel-finish-the-job-in-gaza-pave-way-for-trumps-nobel-peace-prize">Bill Ackman Calls For Northrop&#8217;s B-2 Bombers, Boeing&#8217;s GBU-57s To Help Israel &#8216;Finish The Job&#8217; In Gaza, Pave Way For Trump&#8217;s &#8216;Nobel Peace Prize&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Image Via Shutterstock

iShares Dow Jones US Aerospace & Defense Index Fund

SHLD

Israel Launches Overnight Strikes On Iran, Targeting Nuclear Site, Military Infrastructure With 40 Fighter Jets

The Federal Reserve left its <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/economic-data/25/06/46004338/no-rate-cuts-yet-fed-flags-slower-growth-sticky-inflation">benchmark rate unchanged</a> at 4.25%-4.50% for a sixth straight meeting and Chair Jerome Powell signaled no near-term cuts despite mounting <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/45999380/trump-powell-again-markets-breathe-iran-rejects-demands">White House pressure</a>. While traders still price in two quarter-point reductions later this year, the Fed's pause keeps borrowing costs and deposit payouts locked near current levels across the economy.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">What It Means For Savers?</h3>
Checking and savings: The average interest on basic checking remains 0.07%, according to the FDIC and standard savings pay just 0.38%, leaving everyday depositors with microscopic earnings. High-yield online accounts still offer about 4–4.7% according to NerdWallet, so shopping around matters more than ever.
Money markets: Traditional money-market accounts average 0.59%, but top high-yield versions also skirt the 4% line, offering a better parking spot for large cash cushions.
Certificates of deposit: The typical 12-month CD yields 1.62% as <a href="https://www.forbes.com/advisor/banking/cds/cd-calculator/">per</a> Forbes, yet national leaders advertise yields of more than 4%. Savers willing to open an online account or lock up funds longer can quadruple that rate.
See also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/46010639/elizabeth-warren-says-americans-deserve-lower-interest-rates-but-trumps-reckless-tariffs-stand-in-the-way-the-fed-is-getting-boxed-out">Elizabeth Warren Says Americans &#8216;Deserve&#8217; Lower Interest Rates, But Trump&#8217;s &#8216;Reckless&#8217; Tariffs Stand In The Way: &#8216;The Fed Is Getting Boxed Out&#8217;</a>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">What It Means For Borrowers?</h3>
Mortgages: Thirty-year fixed home-loan rates hover near 6.8% according to an AP <a href="https://apnews.com/article/mortgage-rates-housing-interest-financing-home-d16e61390390d6b96a75c1c98e91276f">report</a>, down slightly but still double pandemic lows. Forecasts from Realtor.com <a href="https://www.realtor.com/news/trends/mortgage-rates-experts-predict-fed-rate-cut">suggest</a> rates will stay in the 6–7% corridor into 2026 unless growth stalls.
Personal loans: Average APRs sit at 12.65%, up three points from pre-2023 levels as per Bankrate. Analysts say meaningful relief will lag any eventual Fed cuts by months.
Credit cards: Credit-card APRs have climbed with every Fed move since 2022. The average rate sits above 21%, Investopedia <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/average-credit-card-interest-rate-5076674?">reports</a>.
Photo Courtesy: Poetra.RH On Shutterstock.com
Read next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/46011509/bill-ackman-calls-for-northrops-b-2-bombers-boeings-gbu-57s-to-help-israel-finish-the-job-in-gaza-pave-way-for-trumps-nobel-peace-prize">Bill Ackman Calls For Northrop&#8217;s B-2 Bombers, Boeing&#8217;s GBU-57s To Help Israel &#8216;Finish The Job&#8217; In Gaza, Pave Way For Trump&#8217;s &#8216;Nobel Peace Prize&#8217;</a>

Personal Finance

Jerome Powell-Led Fed Has Left Interest Rate Unchanged: What Does It Mean For Savings, Mortgages, Credit Cards And Your Bank Account

111 (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/YI#NASDAQ">YI</a>) reported quarterly losses of $(0.20) per share. This is unchanged from the same period last year. The company reported $486.35 million in sales this quarter. This is a 0.48 percent decrease over sales of $488.68 million the same period last year.

111 Q1 Adj. EPADS $(0.20), Same YoY, Sales $486.35M Down From $488.68M YoY

President&nbsp;Donald Trump&nbsp;has reportedly given the go-ahead for potential military action against Iran, with the final decision contingent on Tehran&#8217;s response to the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict.
What Happened:  Trump has privately authorized plans for a potential attack on Iran, but has not yet issued the final order, The Wall Street Journal <a href="https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/iran-israel-conflict-news">reported</a> on Wednesday. The President is waiting to see if Iran will comply with his demands to abandon its nuclear program.
Trump has publicly acknowledged the possibility of an attack, stating, &#8220;I&nbsp;have ideas on what to&nbsp;do but I haven't made&nbsp;a final—I like to make&nbsp;the final decision one second&nbsp;before it's due.&#8221;
The Pentagon is preparing for any eventuality, ensuring maximum force protection. Trump hopes that the threat of joining Israel&#8217;s ongoing strikes on Iran will force Tehran to meet his demands. However, he acknowledged that he might still decide against a U.S. attack.
As Trump deliberates his next move, the U.S. military continues deploying forces to Europe and the Middle East. Meanwhile, Iran has declared it will not enter negotiations under the threat of military force and has vowed to retaliate if attacked.
Hegseth said Wednesday that the U.S. is bolstering its defenses in the Middle East—a key move given that any strike on Iran's Fordow facility could provoke retaliation from Tehran against American troops and bases in the area.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/06/46009971/trump-cheers-incredible-stablecoin-bill-passed-by-senate-get-it-to-my-desk-asap-no-delays" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trump Cheers ‘Incredible' Stablecoin Bill Passed By Senate: ‘Get It To My Desk, ASAP — No Delays</a>
Why It Matters: The potential for military action against Iran comes at a time of heightened tensions in the Middle East. The ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran has been escalating, with Israel launching airstrikes against Iran&#8217;s nuclear infrastructure and military leadership.
Trump&#8217;s consideration of a U.S. attack on Iran has implications for global security and geopolitical stability. The situation is further complicated by the recent&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/46010064/ayatollah-assassination-discussion-rejected-by-putin-i-do-not-even-want-to-discuss-this-possibility">rejection of discussions</a> about the potential assassination of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei&nbsp;by Russian President Vladimir Putin. This indicates a strong stance in support of Iran&#8217;s leadership, potentially complicating any U.S. military action.
The possibility of military action against Iran has also impacted financial markets, with U.S. stock futures slipping as Trump weighs his options. The<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/market-summary/25/06/46010350/as-trump-weighs-options-on-iran-dow-futures-slip-defense-stocks-tick-up-in-after-hours-session"> defense sector </a>is seeing a slight uptick in after-hours trading, reflecting investor uncertainty and the potential for increased defense spending.
Trump&#8217;s comments on Iran also come in the wake of Federal Reserve Chair&nbsp;Jerome Powell&#8217;s&nbsp;decision to&nbsp;keep <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/macro-economic-events/25/06/46006680/powell-holds-line-on-interest-rates-blames-tariff-uncertainty-for-delay-in-cuts">interest rates </a>unchanged, citing trade and geopolitical risks as factors affecting the economic outlook.
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>READ MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/news/events/25/06/45993589/kevin-oleary-says-the-last-48-hours-at-the-g7-summit-prove-these-two-things-are-what-matters-most-to-" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kevin O&#8217;Leary Says &#8216;The Last 48 Hours&#8217; At The G7 Summit Prove These Two Things Are What &#8216;Matters Most To Every Aspect Of The Economy&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>
Image via Shutterstock
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Trump Greenlights Iran Attack Plans, Awaits Tehran's Next Move For Final Order: Report

Nvidia Corporation's (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) venture capital arm, NVentures, has joined a $650 million funding round for TerraPower, a nuclear energy company founded by Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) co-founder Bill Gates.
What Happened: The investment also includes participation from HD Hyundai and aims to bring TerraPower's Natrium reactor <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/06/39263769/bill-gates-terrapower-ventures-into-advanced-nuclear-plant-construction-aiming-to-combat-climate-cri">online in Wyoming by 2030</a>.
TerraPower's reactor design, developed with the U.S. Department of Energy's Advanced Reactor Demonstration Project, features a 345-megawatt small modular reactor (SMR) coupled with a molten salt energy storage system that can scale up to 1 gigawatt.
Construction has begun on non-nuclear parts of the facility, but <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/06/39263769/bill-gates-terrapower-ventures-into-advanced-nuclear-plant-construction-aiming-to-combat-climate-cri">full regulatory approval</a> from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission is not expected until 2026, <a href="https://www.theregister.com/2025/06/18/nvidia_ai_smr_investment/">reported</a> The Register.
See Also: &nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/macro-economic-events/25/06/45988656/elon-musk-warns-us-faces-de-facto-bankruptcy-if-37-trillion-debt-not-tackled-peter-" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Elon Musk Warns US Faces ‘De Facto' Bankruptcy If $37 Trillion Debt Not Tackled, Peter Schiff Says, ‘We Are Already Bankrupt'</a>
The company originally planned to launch in 2028, but delays followed the loss of its <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/22/12/30104492/bill-gates-backed-terrapowers-nuclear-plant-delayed-amid-limited-fuel-supply-from-russia">Russian fuel supply after</a> the Ukraine invasion.
Why It's Important: With generative AI models demanding massive computing power, data centers are struggling to find clean, scalable and reliable energy sources. Nuclear energy—particularly small modular reactors—is <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/content/45335750/google-is-betting-big-on-nuclear-reactors-should-you">increasingly viewed by tech giants</a> as a long-term solution.
Head of NVentures, Mohamed Siddeek, said nuclear will be essential "as AI continues to transform industries."
TerraPower has already signed an <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44438883/bill-gates-says-nuclear-energy-can-solve-ais-power-crisis-terrapowers-bold-deal-marks-a-new-era-for-u-s-data-centers">agreement to supply nuclear power</a> to Sabey Data Centers and joins a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/12/36201383/microsofts-nuclear-power-play-can-ai-revolutionize-energy-for-tech-giants">growing list of nuclear efforts</a> across the tech sector. Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>), Microsoft and Alphabet Inc.'s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) Google have all <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/10/41358363/nuclear-stocks-soar-as-amazon-becomes-latest-tech-giant-to-invest-in-nuclear-power">announced partnerships</a> or projects involving nuclear energy.
Price Action: Nvidia shares have risen 5.18% since the start of the year and are up 11.24% over the past 12 months. On Wednesday, the stock advanced 0.94% to close at $145.48, per <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a>.
Benzinga&#8217;s Edge Stock Rankings indicate consistent upward momentum for Nvidia across short-, medium and long-term timeframes. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound'">Additional performance insights are available here</a>.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound'"><img decoding="async" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/19023716/Screenshot-2025-06-19-at-11.45.39%E2%80%AFAM.png" alt="" class="wp-image-954818" /></a></figure>
Read More:
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<li><a href="https://benzinga.com/news/25/04/44735140/most-people-dont-have-the-balls-to-do-it-says-mark-cuban-praising-musk-for-going-all-in-with-his-own-money-f" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">‘Most People Don&#8217;t Have The B&#x2A;&#x2A;ls To Do It,&#8217; Says Mark Cuban, Praising Musk For Going ‘All In&#8217; With His Own Money For His Startups</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: Hepha1st0s On Shutterstock.com
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Tech

AMZN

GOOG

GOOGL

MSFT

NVDA

Bill Gates Lands Nvidia As Partner In $650 Million Nuclear Push To Power AI Revolution

Lockheed Martin Skunk Works&#xAE; (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LMT#NYSE">LMT</a>) and <a href="https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=4452676-1&amp;h=1128739475&amp;u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.electra.aero%2F&amp;a=Electra.aero%2C+Inc.">Electra.aero, Inc.</a> ("Electra") signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore opportunities for Electra's EL9 ultra-short takeoff and landing (Ultra-STOL) aircraft.
Lockheed Martin, a global defense technology company, will collaborate with Electra to explore ways to accelerate the development of the EL9 in areas including digital engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, sustainment, and global business development.
Additionally, the Skunk Works and Electra teams will assess opportunities for potential programs of record with the U.S. Department of Defense and global customers.
The Electra EL9 will transform commercial and military aviation for applications including last mile logistics, mobile power generation and emergency response. The Ultra-STOL EL9 can quietly take off and land in 150 feet and from unimproved surfaces, enabling operations in austere areas while retaining the safety, cost and range benefits of a fixed-wing aircraft. The EL9's ability to carry 1,000 lbs. over 1,000 miles enables an array of novel use cases for commercial and defense users.
The agreement deepens the strategic relationship between Lockheed Martin and Electra. In 2022, Lockheed Martin Ventures signed a strategic cooperation agreement to invest in Electra's Series A funding round.

Lockheed Martin Skunk Works And Electra.aero Sign MOU To Accelerate Development Of EL9 Ultra-STOL Aircraft For Defense And Commercial Applications

During the Paris Air Show, Textron Aviation Defense LLC., a <a href="https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.textron.com%2F&amp;esheet=54278008&amp;newsitemid=20250618711147&amp;lan=en-US&amp;anchor=Textron+Inc.&amp;index=1&amp;md5=fb94da89109dfde196e2fef11daa8c23">Textron Inc.</a> (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TXT#NYSE">TXT</a>) company, and <a href="https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.taithailand.com%2FEN%2Fhome&amp;esheet=54278008&amp;newsitemid=20250618711147&amp;lan=en-US&amp;anchor=Thai+Aviation+Industries+Co.%2C+Ltd.&amp;index=2&amp;md5=392a27b6f128a20f5f9efb0116a35f6a">Thai Aviation Industries Co., Ltd.</a> signed a Memorandum of Agreement to work together on a sustainment program for the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF). This program will support RTAF's fleets of Beechcraft T-6TH and AT-6TH aircraft.
The <a href="https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fdefense.txtav.com%2Fen%2Ft-6c&amp;esheet=54278008&amp;newsitemid=20250618711147&amp;lan=en-US&amp;anchor=Beechcraft+T-6TH&amp;index=3&amp;md5=20e6ecbd7088577f7b76784d438c92a6">Beechcraft T-6TH</a> trainer and <a href="https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fdefense.txtav.com%2Fen%2Fat-6&amp;esheet=54278008&amp;newsitemid=20250618711147&amp;lan=en-US&amp;anchor=AT-6TH&amp;index=4&amp;md5=f441984abdd2e546873446069d7d552d">AT-6TH</a> light attack aircraft are designed and manufactured by <a href="https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fdefense.txtav.com%2F&amp;esheet=54278008&amp;newsitemid=20250618711147&amp;lan=en-US&amp;anchor=Textron+Aviation+Defense+LLC&amp;index=5&amp;md5=ce0632406b13c618d1d3e096f4a67fa4">Textron Aviation Defense LLC</a>., a wholly owned subsidiary of <a href="https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Ftxtav.com%2F&amp;esheet=54278008&amp;newsitemid=20250618711147&amp;lan=en-US&amp;anchor=Textron+Aviation+Inc.&amp;index=6&amp;md5=0d8933d54285b3e2e453faf7b4a262c8">Textron Aviation Inc.</a>
Textron Aviation Defense, based in Wichita, Kansas, USA, is the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) for these aircraft. Thai Aviation Industries, located in Bangkok, Thailand, is the prime contractor for this program and has a long history of providing support for RTAF.
 &nbsp;

Textron Aviation Defense And Thai Aviation Industries Sign Memorandum Of Agreement At Paris Air Show To Sustain Royal Thai Air Force's T-6TH And AT-6TH Fleets

<ul>
<li>The companies will work together to design the passenger experience, deploy charging infrastructure and integrate Archer's Midnight eVTOL aircraft into daily operations across Jetex's international portfolio of 40 private aircraft terminals in more than 30 countries.</li>
<li>This strategic alliance builds on Archer's growing infrastructure network and partnerships with other leaders in the industry, establishing a vertiport network that can support the growth of Archer's air taxi operations globally.</li>
</ul>
<a href="https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.archer.com&amp;esheet=54278578&amp;newsitemid=20250618354819&amp;lan=en-US&amp;anchor=Archer&amp;index=1&amp;md5=77f8e27d7a3ea370de1e1480dc3eb69e">Archer</a> (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ACHR#NYSE">ACHR</a>) today announced a strategic partnership with <a href="https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.jetex.com%2F&amp;esheet=54278578&amp;newsitemid=20250618354819&amp;lan=en-US&amp;anchor=Jetex&amp;index=2&amp;md5=cc0f9f6a4f46daec65d4d87243e9e695">Jetex</a>, a leading global aviation services provider, focused on developing infrastructure across Jetex's international portfolio of private terminals to support Archer's planned commercial air taxi network1.
This collaboration, planned to focus initially on infrastructure in the United Arab Emirates, is expected to expand to additional sites around the world across Jetex's global portfolio, which includes 40 private aircraft terminals in more than 30 countries.
Building upon Archer's prior partnerships with other leading infrastructure providers, this approach advances Archer's plans to scale a vertiport network that can support the growth plans for Archer's air taxi operations globally.
Under this partnership, the two companies plan to enhance Jetex's strategically located fixed base operator (FBOs) locations to better suit Archer's <a href="https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.archer.com%2Fmidnight&amp;esheet=54278578&amp;newsitemid=20250618354819&amp;lan=en-US&amp;anchor=Midnight+aircraft&amp;index=3&amp;md5=46bcfc43eefa1e0a20353c3b6e96cd36">Midnight aircraft</a>. Archer plans to work with Jetex to design the passenger experience and integrate eVTOL aircraft into daily operations. These upgrades will be paired with Jetex's luxury service standards to deliver an efficient, tech-enabled customer journey.

ACHR

Archer And Jetex Announce Strategic Global Partnership To Launch Air Taxi Charging Infrastructure And Integrate Archer's Midnight eVTOL Aircraft Into Daily Operations Across Jetex's International Portfolio Of 40 Private Aircraft Terminals In More Than 30 Countries

Economic sentiments among some of America&#8217;s top corporate leaders have taken a sharp dip during the second quarter, reaching their lowest level since 2020.
What Happened: On Wednesday, the Business Roundtable, a non-profit lobbyist association, released its second quarter of 2025 CEO Economic Outlook Survey, a composite index that tracks the plans and predictions of leading CEOs and their organizations for the next 6 months.
This time around, the reading showed a 15-point decline in sentiments to 69, marking its lowest level since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, based on a survey conducted from June 2 to June 13.
The decline places the index well below its historical average of 83, but it is still above the 50-point threshold, a sign that the economy continues to expand despite the uncertainties. 
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/06/46010639/elizabeth-warren-says-americans-deserve-lower-interest-rates-but-trumps-reckless-tariffs-stand-in-the-way-the-fed-is-getting-boxed-out">Elizabeth Warren Says Americans &#8216;Deserve&#8217; Lower Interest Rates, But Trump&#8217;s &#8216;Reckless&#8217; Tariffs Stand In The Way: &#8216;The Fed Is Getting Boxed Out&#8217;</a>
Subindices for hiring, capital expenditure and sales growth witnessed similar declines, dropping 19, 15, and 11 points, from the prior quarter, respectively.
According to Business Roundtable&#8217;s CEO, Joshua Bolten, &#8220;Driving this quarter's decline in the Index is broad-based uncertainty, arising substantially from an unpredictable trade policy environment.&#8221;
He also said that &#8220;extending and enhancing tax reform is critical, but it is not sufficient,&#8221; since the country&#8217;s businesses need the administration to pursue and close trade deals, which can help provide much-needed certainty for investment decisions. 
Why It Matters: A recent CFO survey, taken a couple of months ago by Duke University and the Federal Reserve Banks of Richmond and Atlanta, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/03/44492183/cfos-increasingly-alarmed-over-tariffs-as-business-confidence-wavers-15-say-they-are-concerned-about-duties-in-q1">indicated similar trends</a>, with most CFOs expressing concerns regarding President Donald Trump&#8217;s tariffs and duties.
The Employee Confidence Index, a survey conducted by Glassdoor in March, plunged to 44.4%, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/politics/25/03/44461799/employee-confidence-hits-new-low-as-economic-anxiety-grows">its lowest level</a> since the study first began in 2016, with employees becoming more concerned regarding inflation and recessions than they were a couple of months ago. 
According to the survey, public sector employees were the least confident about the future, with a score of just 38.1%, due to the changes brought about by the Elon Musk-led Department of Governmental Efficiency. 
Photo Courtesy: Peshkova on Shutterstock.com
Read More: 
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/topics/25/06/46010921/palantirs-head-of-defense-says-xi-jinping-is-decoupling-from-us-warns-america-risks-losing-leverage-if-china-tech-shift-goes-unchecked">Palantir&#8217;s Head Of Defense Says &#8216;Xi Jinping Is Decoupling From Us&#8217; — Warns America Risks Losing Leverage If China Tech Shift Goes Unchecked</a></li>
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'Unpredictable Trade Policy Environment' Sinks CEO Sentiment To Pandemic-Era Lows In Business Roundtable Survey

Billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman is advocating for direct U.S. military intervention in Gaza, proposing the deployment of Northrop Grumman Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NOC#NYSE">NOC</a>) B-2 Spirit bombers equipped with Boeing Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BA#NYSE">BA</a>) GBU-57 bunker-buster bombs to help Israel conclude its military campaign.
What Happened: Writing on X Wednesday, the Pershing Square Capital Management CEO outlined a comprehensive Middle East peace plan that would position President Donald Trump for a &#8220;Nobel Peace Prize.&#8221; 
&#8220;How about the following? The United States helps Israel finish the job with some B-2s and some GBU-57s,&#8221; Ackman wrote, calling for Israel to end the Gaza conflict in exchange for hostage returns and Saudi-funded reconstruction.
Ackman&#8217;s proposal specifically references advanced U.S. military hardware designed for precision strikes on fortified targets. 
The GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator is a precision-guided bunker buster designed to strike deep underground targets. It can be carried by the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber.
The comments <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/events/25/06/45966450/bill-ackman-warns-iran-an-existential-threat-to-america-says-it-is-time-to-finish-the-job">escalate Ackman&#8217;s previous statements</a> calling Iran &#8220;an existential threat to Israel, America and the world.&#8221; Earlier this month, he argued against negotiations with Tehran, stating &#8220;it is time to finish the job&#8221; regarding Iran&#8217;s nuclear program.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">How about the following? The United States helps Israel finish the job with some B-2s and some GBU-57s. Israel ends the Gaza war in exchange for the return of the hostages, a commitment for a new civilian government in Gaza, and reconstruction overseen and funded by the Saudis…
&mdash; Bill Ackman (@BillAckman) <a href="https://twitter.com/BillAckman/status/1935421336157053172?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 18, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/events/25/06/46011237/trump-was-confronted-at-g7-by-canadas-indigenous-honor-guard-who-said-he-was-filled-with-rage-but-delivered-a-message-of-peace">Trump Was Confronted At G7 By Canada&#8217;s Indigenous Honor Guard Who Said He Was &#8216;Filled With Rage,&#8217; But Delivered A Message Of &#8216;Peace&#8217;</a>
Defense stocks have shown volatility amid Middle East tensions. After-hours trading Wednesday <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/market-summary/25/06/46010350/as-trump-weighs-options-on-iran-dow-futures-slip-defense-stocks-tick-up-in-after-hours-session">showed gains for major contractors</a>: Northrop Grumman up 0.88%, RTX Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RTX#NYSE">RTX</a>) up 0.60%, and Lockheed Martin Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LMT#NYSE">LMT</a>) up 0.30%. The Global X Defense Tech ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SHLD#NASDAQ">SHLD</a>) has surged 56.80% year-to-date.
Trump has maintained strategic ambiguity <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/market-summary/25/06/46010350/as-trump-weighs-options-on-iran-dow-futures-slip-defense-stocks-tick-up-in-after-hours-session">regarding potential U.S. involvement</a>, telling reporters Wednesday, &#8220;I may do it, I may not do it&#8221; when asked about striking Iran. The president warned Tehran residents to evacuate &#8220;immediately&#8221; earlier this week, stating &#8220;Iran can not have a nuclear weapon.&#8221;
Ackman&#8217;s vision extends beyond <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/05/45414969/trump-attempts-to-make-good-on-his-proposal-for-a-middle-eastern-riviera-but-in-dubai-jeddah-and-riy">military action to economic transformation</a>. He proposes expanding the Abraham Accords to include Saudi Arabia, predicting &#8220;an economic boom emerges in the Middle East&#8221; with Gaza becoming &#8220;a beautiful place to live and work.&#8221;
The investor&#8217;s peace plan reflects former President Barack Obama&#8216;s 2009 Nobel Peace Prize recognition. 
Both defense contractors, Northrop Grumman and Boeing, show strong momentum but rank poorly on valuation, according to Benzinga Edge Stock Rankings. NOC also maintains a positive price trend across short-, medium-, and long-term timeframes. Click <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound">here to view the full breakdown</a> of BA.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="880" height="632" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/19023322/image-296.png" alt="" class="wp-image-954814" style="width:579px;height:auto" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/19023322/image-296.png 880w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/19023322/image-296-300x215.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/19023322/image-296-768x552.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 880px) 100vw, 880px" /></a></figure>
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/topics/25/06/46010921/palantirs-head-of-defense-says-xi-jinping-is-decoupling-from-us-warns-america-risks-losing-leverage-if-china-tech-shift-goes-unchecked">Palantir&#8217;s Head Of Defense Says &#8216;Xi Jinping Is Decoupling From Us&#8217; — Warns America Risks Losing Leverage If China Tech Shift Goes Unchecked</a></li>
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Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo courtesy: Mike Mareen / Shutterstock.com

Bill Ackman Calls For Northrop's B-2 Bombers, Boeing's GBU-57s To Help Israel 'Finish The Job' In Gaza, Pave Way For Trump's 'Nobel Peace Prize'

The National Transport Safety Board, or NTSB, has issued a safety warning over engines used in aircraft manufactured by Boeing Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BA#NYSE">BA</a>) and Airbus SE (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EADSF#OTC">EADSF</a>).
What Happened: The agency warned that the CFM International Leap 1B engine could potentially let in smoke into the aircraft's cabin or cockpit when damaged, the agency said in a statement issued on Wednesday.
"The NTSB found that the engine load reduction device, or LRD, a safety feature designed to reduce the severity of vibrations transmitted from a damaged engine to the airframe, can result in damage to the engine oil system." the agency said in the statement before adding that such a condition "can allow smoke" to enter aircraft's the ventilation system.
The agency also recommended evaluating other engines from CFM, like Leap 1A and Leap 1C. The recommendations stem from two separate incidents in 2023 when a bird was ingested into the engines, leading to smoke in the aircraft's cabin.
Why It Matters: The news comes in as the aviation industry has been dealing with the aftermath of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner operated by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/06/45911791/boeing-dreamliner-carrying-over-200-passengers-crashes-shortly-after-takeoff-near-indias-ahmedabad-b">Air India Flight 171 </a>crashed in India's Ahmedabad. The crash resulted in over 241 lives lost.
Another Air India 787 Dreamliner returned to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/06/45945153/air-india-boeing-787-8-returns-to-hong-kong-mid-flight-due-to-technical-issue-prompting-fresh-scrutiny-of-airlines-safety-protocols">Hong Kong mid-flight</a> due to a technical glitch, which prompted safety concerns. "AI315 returned to Hong Kong shortly after take-off due to a technical issue. The flight landed safely … and is undergoing checks as a matter of abundant precaution," the company stated.
Elsewhere, Boeing is also <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/06/45973965/boeing-lockheed-martin-compete-for-key-role-in-trumps-175-billion-golden-dome-project">vying for defense contracts</a> as part of U.S. President Donald Trump's Golden Dome missile defense system. Interim Defense and Space CEO Steve Parker noted that the aerospace giant has &#8220;done a lot of work&#8221; on the project.
Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Future Of Mobility coverage by<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/mobility"> following this link.</a>
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Photo courtesy: JHVEPhoto / Shutterstock.com

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