Putin's 2030 Reign & Niger's Rebuff

Heyo, reader! We hope you’re having a good Monday morning!

2️⃣ This Morning’s Two Reports:

• 🇷🇺 Putin's Uncontested Triumph: Steering Russia till 2030

• 🌍 Niger Says No to US Military Bases: A Sovereignty Stand

📊 Market Snapshot | Extended Edition

Stocks (Year-to-date)

• DOW: 🔼 2.65% (38,714.77)

• S&P 500: 🔼 7.89% (5,117.09)

• NASDAQ: 🔼 8.18% (15,973.17)

Cryptocurrency (Year-to-date)

• BTC: 🔼 52.82% (67,505.60)

• ETH: 🔼 52.71% (3,593.09)

Real Estate Mortgage Rates

• 15-year: 6.60% +0.05

• 30-year: 7.09% +0.07

📎 Market Clips

• Turkey adopts a fresh tightening approach, reversing its pause on rate increases

• Gold encounters its initial weekly decline in four weeks as expectations for rate cuts fade

• Stock Highlights: Cardlytics, Inc. surges by over 75%

_{*Stock numbers as of market close Friday, cryptocurrency as of 9:25pm EST yesterday. Real estate rates as of yesterday via Mortgage News Daily. Source for Market Clips.}

First Report

🇷🇺 Putin's Uncontested Triumph: Steering Russia till 2030

In Russia's latest election, a stage-managed spectacle devoid of any real competition, President Vladimir Putin clinches a resounding victory, with preliminary counts showing him leading with 87.3% of the vote. This event ensures Putin's rule over Russia until at least 2030, making him the country's longest-serving leader since Joseph Stalin. Amidst a climate where opposition voices are either jailed, exiled, or silenced, and with Russia's aggressive stance since its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, this election underscores Putin's tight grip on power. The lack of credible opposition and the dismissal of the electoral process as mere "costly bureaucracy" by Putin's own spokesman highlight the orchestrated nature of this victory, which, while inevitable, plays a crucial role in affirming Putin's authority both at home and on the international stage. 🗳️✊

TL;DR ⏳: Putin's predictable landslide win in a tightly controlled election reaffirms his hold on Russia amidst silenced opposition.

Second Report

🌍 Niger Says No to US Military Bases: A Sovereignty Stand

Niger's military leaders have made a bold move by canceling a military agreement with the United States, which allowed US troops and staff to operate on Nigerien soil. This revocation affects around 1,100 US military personnel stationed in Niger, including those at the strategically important drone base near Agadez, instrumental in combating Islamic State and al-Qaida affiliates in the Sahel region. This decision comes on the heels of a visit by top US officials, criticized by Niger's junta for not adhering to diplomatic norms, highlighting tensions over Niger's sovereignty and choice of international partners. 🚫✈️

TL;DR ⏳: Niger's junta ends a key military deal with the US, challenging the presence of American troops and questioning the country's sovereignty over its choice of allies and its fight against terrorism.

⚡ Quick Hits

1. 🏙️ Chicago starts moving migrants out of shelters due to resource shortage

2. 🚨 Homeless individual causes widespread fear in two states following triple homicide during crime spree

3. 🌪️ Ohio's governor issues emergency declaration following deadly storms

4. 🤖 Elon Musk's xAI is now open-sourced

5. 🌸 Washington, D.C.'s cherry blossoms to be removed post-festival

6. ⚖️ White House calls for quick Senate action on TikTok legislation

7. 💰 European Union commits $8 billion in aid to Egypt amid migration concerns

8. 🌋 Iceland's volcano begins subsiding as lava nears Grindavik

9. 🛒 Target reveals nationwide rollout of new self-service checkout

10. 🚗 Hertz's Stephen Scherr steps down as electric vehicle strategy fails

Games

Fun Fact: Did you know? There's a spot in New York where water and fire hang out like old pals! Presenting Eternal Flame Falls, where a cheeky natural gas leak beneath a waterfall keeps a flame burning eternally. Nature's own magic trick – because who needs logic when you can have a flaming waterfall? 🌊🔥