US consumer confidence slumps in June

The U.S. consumer confidence index dropped by 5.4 points in June, falling to 93.0 from 98.4 in May, according to the latest survey results published by The Conference Board, a U.S. non-profit research organization, on Tuesday morning.

The drop in the index, which is based on a benchmark of 100 points set in 1985, erased nearly half of May's gains. The Present Situation Index, which is based on consumers' assessment of current business and labor market conditions, fell 6.4 points to 129.1. The Expectation Index, based on consumers' short-term outlook for income, business, and labor market conditions fell 4.6 points to 69.

The results, based on data collected before June 18, came at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty.

The slump in consumer confidence spanned all age groups and nearly every income level. Consumers showed caution about major purchases amid uncertainty over U.S. tariffs, and with fewer Americans now expecting their incomes to rise soon.

Yemenis took to the streets on Friday in Al-Sabeen Square in the capital, Sanaa, as well as in other areas under Houthi control, to express solidarity with Iran and Lebanon.

The demonstrations were held to protest ongoing military operations by the United States and Israel against the two countries.

Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi reiterated on Friday that his forces will stand firmly with Iran. He stressed that the group is ready to take action should the situation require it.

Officials from the group stood behind those remarks while attending the demonstrations.

"As our leader said, we should observe and monitor, and move the situation, with our hands already on the trigger, in the sense that we are ready for any new situation, for any emergency and for what the situation calls us, because we are ready," said Houthi official Ali Al-Dailami.