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Markets Rebound as Hopes for Iran–U.S. Dialogue Ease Geopolitical Tensions

U.S. stock futures edged higher on Wednesday as signs of potential diplomatic movement in the Iran–U.S. standoff helped calm volatile markets. Futures tied to the S&P 500 rose about 0.3%, the Nasdaq 100 gained 0.5%, and Dow Jones Industrial Average futures added 0.2% after a turbulent prior session.  The shift in sentiment followed reports that Iran has quietly approached the United States to discuss terms for ending the escalating conflict , a development that helped cool fears of further disruption in global energy markets. This diplomatic signal contributed to a rebound after Tuesday’s sharp sell-off, when concerns over widening conflict and rising oil prices rattled investors.  The conflict, now in its fifth day, has seen continued strikes and mounting casualties, adding to market unease. Iran is preparing for the funeral of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, killed in recent attacks, while regional tensions remain high.  Despite the ongoing uncertainty, Wednesda...

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US Apologizes After Georgia Raid Detains Hundreds of Korean Workers

Members of the press interview a South Korean worker who was detained in a huge immigration raid last week at the site of a US car battery project involving Hyundai Motor and LG Energy Solution in the US state of Georgia, at the car park of the Incheon International Airport in Incheon, South Korea.

A senior U.S. diplomat has expressed “deep regret” over a recent immigration raid in Georgia that led to the detention of more than 300 South Korean workers at a Hyundai Motor battery plant. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau met with South Korea’s First Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo in Seoul, where both sides agreed to use the incident as a turning point to strengthen bilateral ties and improve visa policies.

The workers, who returned to South Korea last week to emotional reunions, were detained during a large-scale operation that shocked the Korean public and strained relations between the two allies. Seoul has urged Washington to establish clearer guidelines for existing business visas and to create a new visa category for Korean professionals, especially those involved in major investment projects in the U.S.

Landau acknowledged the significant contributions of Korean companies to U.S. manufacturing and assured that the detained workers would face no disadvantages upon re-entry. Both governments pledged to expedite consultations to prevent similar incidents in the future, underscoring the importance of stable labor mobility in sustaining economic cooperation.

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