Global equities staged a tentative recovery as softer-than-expected US jobs data eased immediate pressure on the Federal Reserve to resume interest-rate hikes, prompting a rebound in recently battered technology shares. Asian and European markets mostly advanced, with chipmakers and other tech names leading gains after a steep unwinding of artificial intelligence-related bets earlier in the week. The dollar weakened against major peers, while the yen clawed back some losses after briefly touching a 40-year low versus the greenback on expectations of higher US borrowing costs.

Investors have been recalibrating their outlook for US monetary policy since Thursday’s labour-market report showed the economy added fewer than half the jobs forecast in June and previous months’ figures were revised lower. The data signalled a cooler labour backdrop than many had assumed, giving the Fed “some breathing room to hold off from hiking rates,” according to market participants. Still, the prospect of further tightening this year has not disappeared, with analysts noting that elevated inflation and Fed Chair Kevin Warsh’s emphasis on price stability keep the door open to additional moves if conditions warrant.

The relief on rates came as tech shares tried to stabilise following sharp swings tied to concerns over an AI-fuelled rally that has propelled global benchmarks to lofty levels. Earlier, Seoul’s Kospi index had been hit hard, at one point plunging almost 7% in a single session after doubling in the first half of the year, with heavyweights SK hynix and Samsung Electronics sliding more than 8%. The selloff was compounded by margin calls on leveraged retail investors and reports that Apple was in talks to source chips from two Chinese suppliers, adding pressure to established chipmakers. Tokyo’s market also felt the strain, with Kioxia briefly losing around 14%.

Market strategists characterised the turbulence in Korea as an intense expression of a broader reassessment of AI-linked trades. “Korea is now the sharper version of the broader AI unwind,” said Stephen Innes at SPI Asset Management, adding that strong long-term earnings stories can still become “terrible trading vehicles” when leverage and momentum collide. While the latest US jobs data has helped stem some of the selling and supported a rebound in chip stocks, investors remain wary that stretched valuations, uncertain timelines for returns on massive AI investments and lingering rate-hike risks could fuel further volatility. For now, a combination of softer US economic signals and a partial recovery in tech has steadied global markets, but traders continue to watch incoming data and central-bank commentary for clues on whether the reprieve will last.

Pemerintah Provinsi Sumatera Utara memperketat langkah penertiban pertambangan emas tanpa izin (PETI) di Kabupaten Mandailing Natal, dengan fokus pada kawasan Sungai Batang Gadis di sekitar Muara Mais dan wilayah Kotanopan. Operasi terbaru dilakukan sebagai tindak lanjut arahan tegas Gubernur Sumut Bobby Nasution, di tengah sorotan publik dan media sosial terhadap masih berlanjutnya aktivitas tambang ilegal di daerah tersebut. Pemprov menegaskan penindakan ini menjadi bagian dari komitmen untuk menegakkan hukum sekaligus melindungi lingkungan.

Penertiban dijalankan melalui tim terpadu yang melibatkan Dinas Perindustrian, Perdagangan, Energi, dan Sumber Daya Mineral Sumut, Dinas Lingkungan Hidup dan Kehutanan, Satpol PP, Pemerintah Kabupaten Mandailing Natal, serta berbagai instansi terkait. Di Kotanopan, petugas masih menemukan aktivitas PETI menggunakan alat berat di sejumlah titik, yang dikaitkan dengan pemilik berinisial GD dan PW. Terhadap aktivitas yang masih beroperasi, tim melakukan penghentian langsung di lokasi sesuai kewenangan dan ketentuan peraturan perundang-undangan yang berlaku.

Di kawasan Sungai Batang Gadis sekitar Muara Mais, Kepala Dinas Lingkungan Hidup dan Kehutanan Provinsi Sumut, Heri Wahyudi Marpaung, menyatakan tim terpadu sempat dihadapkan pada situasi di mana para pelaku PETI melarikan diri setelah mengetahui kedatangan petugas, menyeberangi sungai menuju kawasan hutan. Meski demikian, aparat berhasil mengamankan sejumlah barang bukti dan menemukan beragam peralatan yang digunakan untuk mendukung aktivitas penambangan emas ilegal. Kepala Dinas Perindustrian, Perdagangan, Energi, dan Sumber Daya Mineral Sumut, Dedi Jamiansyah Putra Harahap, menambahkan bahwa peralatan di lokasi juga dihancurkan sebagai bagian dari penegakan hukum, di samping penyitaan barang bukti untuk proses lebih lanjut.

Laporan lapangan menunjukkan kerusakan lingkungan yang cukup serius di sepanjang bantaran Sungai Batang Gadis dan area sekitar PETI lainnya. Pengerukan intensif mengubah bentang alam dan morfologi sungai, merusak daerah aliran sungai, serta mengikis tanah hingga mendekati badan Jalan Lintas Sumatera. Kondisi ini dinilai meningkatkan risiko bencana banjir dan longsor yang dapat mengancam keselamatan masyarakat serta mengganggu infrastruktur jalan nasional. Di sisi lain, hilangnya vegetasi, terbentuknya lubang-lubang bekas galian, dan potensi penurunan kualitas air sungai menambah daftar tantangan pemulihan ekosistem yang kini menjadi agenda lanjutan pemerintah daerah.