Today's top stories, with context, in just 15 minutes.
On today's podcast:
1) Talks between the US and Iran over a permanent peace deal are continuing, according to an American official, despite clashes that threatened to shatter an already fragile ceasefire. The US is still committed to finding a diplomatic solution with Iran, with ongoing discussions described as technical talks, aiming to agree a permanent peace by around mid-August. The US and Iran are trying to resolve issues including the Islamic Republic's nuclear program, with the US seeking a moratorium on Iran enriching uranium and the relinquishment of existing stocks of near-bomb grade uranium.
2) President Trump fired two Democratic members of the US Election Assistance Commission, and the Republican member resigned, according to a White House official. The commission's bipartisan mission is to help election officials improve the administration of elections and help Americans participate in the voting process, as stated on its website. The terminations were called "deeply concerning" by Michael Waldman, president of the Brennan Center for Justice, who said they leave the agency without leadership and unable to carry out its major responsibilities.
3) SK Hynix's US debut is paving the way for a fresh wave of leveraged products tied to the South Korean memory giant's shares. At least half a dozen products will launch next week, delivering two times the daily return of SK Hynix's American depositary receipts, with some preparing inverse wagers. The emergence of leveraged ETFs is not viewed as a healthy sign as it may be indicative of late-cycle retail behavior and could fuel already heightened volatility.