Daily Digest — 11 Jun 2026

Tensions across the Middle East intensified for a second consecutive day as the US and Iran exchanged strikes, with American forces targeting military installations in southern Iran while Kuwait closed its airspace and Israel warned of potential launches from Lebanon. Oil markets responded to the escalation with a modest 0.8% gain to $90.78, though investors appear to be bracing for a “long grind” as hopes of an early resolution to the conflict fade.

Softer core inflation data in the US provided a brief boost to crypto markets, with bitcoin gaining 2.3% to $62,623 and ethereum climbing 1.7%. However, the crypto rally appears fragile amid drying corporate bitcoin purchases and continued ETF outflows, highlighting persistent demand-side weakness in digital assets.

Violence erupted closer to home as anti-immigrant protesters clashed with police in Belfast, with riot police deploying water cannon against crowds throwing bricks and bottles following a knife attack. Meanwhile, Oracle’s shares fell despite beating earnings expectations as investors worried about the company’s plans to raise another $20 billion for data center expansion amid negative free cash flow.

In Albania, thousands gathered in the largest protest yet against a Kushner-backed luxury resort, chanting “Albania is not for sale” as opposition grows to foreign development projects in the Balkans.