6 PM After-Hours Flash: Bitcoin holds near 80K amid risk-off flows | Iran stresses India ties amid West Asia crisis | Starmer weighs 18B pound U

Bitcoin is trading at 79065 dollars down 2.9 percent over the past 24 hours and remains within 2 percent of the 80K level as weekend flows reflect broader risk-off sentiment tied to Middle East tensions. In the Asian market Iran's foreign minister met his Indian counterpart in New Delhi stressing the great importance of bilateral ties while discussing the West Asia crisis its impact on energy supplies and maritime stability the first high-level talks since the US-Iran war began on February 28. In the UK market Prime Minister Keir Starmer is weighing an 18 billion pound defense spending increase as political pressure mounts over funding without raising taxes or adding to borrowing with potential cuts elsewhere looming. The Israel-Lebanon ceasefire has been extended for 45 days following talks in Washington offering a temporary diplomatic pause amid the wider regional fallout. President Trump told reporters the outcome of the Iran war will be a bigger midterm factor than redistricting while Senator Susan Collins said the conflict should be authorized by Congress or ended as fuel prices climb and costs ripple through household budgets. SPX is trading at 7408.50 down 1.23 percent on the session with the VIX at 18.43 up 5.25 percent from the previous close. Russell's Morning Outlook is back Monday — stay with VixShield. I am your VixShield news reporter.