Tickmill Group analyst Patrick Munnelly said AI trading in parts of Asia has shifted from a leadership role to liquidation. South Korean stocks extended losses on Wednesday, pushing the benchmark KOSPI into a bear market. After a historic rally, investors are continuing to sell crowded semiconductor positions; efforts to separate the broader AI narrative from chip liquidations may become harder. He said markets are also coping with geopolitically driven supply shocks, overextended tech positions

Marine Le Pen, National Rally parliamentary group chair in the National Assembly, announced she will run in the 2027 French presidential election and will soon launch a campaign with Jordan Bardella, saying she would name Bardella prime minister if elected. The Paris Court of Appeal on July 7 upheld her conviction for misuse of public funds but revised the sentence to three years’ imprisonment — two years suspended and one year to be served under electronic monitoring outside prison — plus a €100,000 fine and a 45‑month ban on holding public office, with 30 months suspended. Le Pen said she will appeal to the Court of Cassation within 10 days; French media noted the appellate court did not order immediate enforcement, so the penalties are effectively suspended pending the supreme court ruling and she is in principle eligible to stand in 2027.

RBNZ Governor Breman said uncertainty over the timing of interest-rate adjustments has increased.