Daily Digest — 6 Apr 2026

Global markets held their breath as Trump’s ultimatum to Iran over the Strait of Hormuz reached a critical juncture, with Iranian officials dismissing the Tuesday deadline while condemning the threats as “incitement to war crimes.” Oil remained elevated at $111 despite a slight dip, as Vietnam’s gig workers faced doubled diesel prices amid Iran’s blockade of the crucial shipping lane.

Cryptomarkets surged on renewed ceasefire speculation, with Bitcoin reclaiming $69,000 as shorts were squeezed out. Gold held steady above $4,690 as investors sought safe havens, while stock futures slipped after last week’s 6% surge in the S&P 500.

The conflict’s human cost continued mounting with two killed in Haifa amid Iranian attacks, while a complex US rescue operation extracted a downed airman from Iranian territory. In the UK, NHS workers prepared for strikes over pay disputes, adding domestic pressure to global uncertainties. AI data centers face insurance scrutiny as massive capital inflows stress-test the sector amid rapid technological advancement.