- Fed dots show 9 policymakers eyeing hikes in 2026.
- BoE holds rates, but Pill and Greene back tightening.
- GBP/USD falls 0.39% to 1.3234, its lowest level since April 7.
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June 18, 2026
▲ 55▼ 86◆ 16– 204
Markets 38
- U.S. stocks gain 1.9% as Strait of Hormuz reopens
- Brent and WTI crude prices drop to pre-Iran-war lows
- Dollar hits one-year high on rate hike bets
- ECB hikes without regional backing from BoE, SNB, Norges Bank, and Riksbank
- Euro-area inflation and growth concerns largely domestically priced
- EUR/USD forecast at 1.1600, below consensus expectations
- Yen fell to its weakest level in almost two years against the dollar
- The drop erased gains from recent Japanese government and BOJ interventions
- Fed's decision to keep rates unchanged heightened the yen‑dollar rate gap
- BOJ raised its policy rate to 1% the day before, offering little support
- USD/JPY approaches 160.95, near July 2024 highs amid US-Japan rate divergence
- Fed signals potential additional hike in 2024, supporting USD strength despite geopolitical easing
- Japan warns of intervention as JPY trades at levels last seen before 2024 FX moves
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- End of Iran conflict reduces geopolitical risk, prompting equity investors to consider buying
- Analysts forecast a rally in US large‑cap indices, with potential 2‑3% upside in the near term
- Risk‑off assets such as gold and the dollar may see modest declines as investors shift to stocks
- Market sentiment turns bullish ahead of upcoming earnings season
- Nasdaq Composite rose about 2% after reversing Wednesday's decline.
- Progress on a US-Iran peace deal boosted risk sentiment in equity markets.
- U.S. gasoline prices fell, reflecting lower crude price expectations.
- Broad equity indices rallied alongside the Nasdaq gain.
- S&P 500 up 1.08% to 7,500.58
- Nasdaq Composite up 1.91% to 26,517.93
- Dow Jones up 0.14% to 51,564.70
- Intel shares jump 10.6% after Apple partnership announcement
- Fed dot‑plot shows 9 of 18 officials now expect a rate hike in 2026
- US equity indices closed higher, ending the week on a positive note
- Gasoline prices continued to decline following the US‑Iran interim agreement
- The interim pact aims to wind down the conflict, easing geopolitical risk for markets
- GBP/USD hovers near 1.3210, a two‑month low, after the BoE kept its Bank Rate at 3.75%
- BoE vote was 7‑2 to hold rates; two members favored a hike to 4.00%
- Fed left rates unchanged at 3.50‑3.75% and removed “additional rate adjustments” from its statement
- Technicals show GBP/USD below the 20‑period SMA (1.3363) and 100‑period SMA (1.3404), with RSI around 25, indicating bearish bias
- S&P 500 up ~1% for the week, recouping most Wednesday losses after the Fed meeting
- Crude oil prices fell on reports of tankers exiting the Strait of Hormuz
- Amazon's custom chip business could generate $50 bn annual revenue if sold to third‑party data centers, rivaling AMD forecasts
- Nvidia shares rose ~2% and semiconductor equipment makers like Applied Materials and Lam Research gained on AI chip demand
- Key U.S. data ahead: May PCE price index, weekly jobless claims, and Q1 GDP
- SpaceX is gearing up for a bond issuance of at least $20 billion.
- Proceeds will be used to refinance a $20 billion bridge loan taken earlier this year.
- The deal would mark SpaceX's first investment‑grade dollar bond issuance.
- Bank of America, Citi, JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley are expected to run the transaction.
- SpaceX's valuation topped $2 trillion after its Nasdaq debut; shares fell 6% in afternoon trading.
- Euro fell to about 1.1470, its lowest in two months, down 0.22% on the day
- Fed kept policy rate at 3.5%-3.75% but about 50% of members expect at least one more hike this year
- US initial jobless claims dropped to 226K, while continuing claims rose to 1.81M, supporting a restrictive stance
- Germany's IFO forecast 0.8% growth and 2.9% inflation for 2024, weighing on the euro
- DXY back above 100.00, testing 12-month range top near 100.50-100.60 after Fed’s hawkish shift under Chair Warsh
- Markets price 80% chance of September hike (up from 36%) and 44bps of tightening by Q2-2025, lifting 2-year Treasury yields to 4.19%
- ING sees rally near ceiling; MUFG warns of potential breakout but maintains long-term weaker-dollar view
- CME CEO Terrence Duffy announced plans to sue the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).
- The lawsuit challenges the CFTC's approval of Kalshi's perpetual futures product earlier this month.
- Duffy argues the product is a 'swap' under the Dodd-Frank Act, not a 'future,' and was therefore improperly approved.
- CME seeks clarity on regulatory rules before considering listing its own perpetual futures contracts.
- A CFTC spokesperson called CME's action 'lawfare' and an attempt by incumbents to avoid competition.
- SpaceX options saw nearly 1 million call contracts traded on June 16, with most expiring Thursday
- Samsung’s forward‑earnings multiple fell from 26× in early 2023 to about 8.5× a year later
- Call options on Samsung and Hynix now account for roughly 60‑70% of Hynix’s daily trading volume
- KOSPI volatility has risen as meme‑driven derivatives activity spikes
- SpaceX may join the Nasdaq‑100 in early July, while Korean chipmakers represent ~15% of the MSCI emerging‑markets index
- New Fed Chair Kevin Warsh signals departure from traditional monetary policy framework
- Analysts warn that removal of guardrails could increase volatility for growth and tech stocks
- Investors may see heightened downside risk across broad market indices
- Memory chips such as Micron have recorded their strongest yearly gains amid AI demand
- Valuations for these memory makers stay low despite the robust performance
- Analysts view the sector as a cheap entry point as AI growth continues
- SpaceX stock fell 3.6% to about $184.98 per share on Thursday
- Five‑day VWAP sits at $181.71, putting the average post‑IPO buyer roughly at break‑even
- Shares have retreated roughly 20% from the intraday high above $225 since the debut
- IPO price was $135; market value briefly neared $3 trillion before the pullback
- USD/CHF rose to 0.8059, surpassing the previous YTD peak of 0.8042
- RSI broke its recent high, signaling increasing buyer momentum
- Key resistance targets: 0.8100, then 0.8124 and 0.8171; support at 0.8015 and 0.8000
- Put volume on HYG jumped to 190,000 contracts, five times the call volume
- Investor paid $1.3 million for 20,000 Jan‑27 75‑strike puts
- Most‑traded strike was the Aug‑21 77‑strike put, with 40,000 contracts at $0.39 each, needing HYG to fall ~4% to break even
- Energy sector makes up >11% of HYG, linking the bearish bets to recent crude price declines
- Dow hovered around 51,600, with resistance near 51,800 and a ceiling at 51,900.
- Semiconductor rally lifted Intel ~10%, Micron ~6% and Nvidia >1%, but the Dow’s chip exposure is minimal.
- WTI crude fell about 3% to $74 (Brent near $77) after the Strait of Hormuz clearance.
- Fed Chair Warsh’s first FOMC left the dot plot hawkish, with nine of 18 officials now expecting higher rates in 2026.
- Treasury yields slipped modestly following Kevin Warsh's first meeting as Fed chair
- The decline was limited to a few basis points across the yield curve
- Investors now await Warsh's policy guidance and upcoming economic data
- US initial jobless claims fell to 226,000, close to the 225,000 forecast
- Continuing claims rose to 1.81 million, slightly above consensus
- AUD/USD traded around 0.7030, with resistance near 0.7041 and support at 0.7018
- Risk sentiment lifted after the US‑Iran agreement easing Strait of Hormuz concerns
- National Bank of Canada projects USD/CAD to trade within a broad range absent major data surprises
- A sustained break below support could trigger further Canadian dollar strength
- A move above resistance may signal renewed USD outperformance against the CAD
- Volatility could rise if economic data or central‑bank communication shifts interest‑rate expectations
- USD/CAD up 0.21% to around 1.4130, staying above the 1.4100 support level
- Fed left rates unchanged at 3.5‑3.75% but about half of members now expect at least one more hike this year
- WTI crude fell below $75 per barrel, down over 0.9%, adding pressure to the CAD
- Rupiah slipped to record lows, trading above 18,000 per USD, an 8% depreciation year‑to‑date
- Jakarta Composite Index has fallen about 33% since the start of the year
- Social media users allege a "Sell Indonesia" narrative benefiting Singapore, though no evidence is provided
- The sell‑off underscores heightened regional risk aversion toward Indonesian assets
- EUR/GBP rose to 0.8674, its highest level in three weeks.
- Bank of England left its Bank Rate unchanged at 3.75% (7-2 vote), with two policymakers urging a 25 bps hike.
- UK unemployment fell to 4.9% and average earnings (ex‑bonus) stayed at 3.4% YoY.
- German IFO forecasts show inflation at 2.9% this year and GDP growth at 0.8%.
- SpaceX is valued at $2.6 trillion, tying for the world’s fifth‑largest company.
- A roughly 70% rally to $340 per share would place SpaceX at third behind Apple and Alphabet.
- Options pricing shows about a 50% chance of reaching $340 by July 2028 (≈46% by June 2028).
- There is a 38% chance SpaceX could overtake Nvidia by June 2028 and 41% by December 2028.
- Option deltas are used to gauge the market’s probability of these price targets being hit.
- AI investment surge fuels higher corporate earnings this quarter
- U.S. equity indices rise on strong earnings, with the S&P 500 up about 1.2%
- Analysts warn that escalating AI-related capital spending could pressure margins later
- Tech-heavy Nasdaq gains roughly 1.5% as AI‑focused firms report record profits
- Europe confronts multiple headwinds: Russia, China, strained US ties, ageing population, climate change and lagging productivity
- EU stock market capitalization is about 70% of GDP, roughly half the UK's level
- More than 11 million people joined automatic pension enrolment (2012‑2023) with opt‑out rates below 10%, adding long‑term capital
- European Commission proposes reforms in four key areas—supply, demand, market infrastructure, supervision—to boost the Savings and Investment Union
- Capital‑market integration progress described as "snail's pace" versus rapid rearmament, prompting calls for accelerated action
- Japanese pension funds increased overseas bond holdings to a record high
- Rebalancing driven by soaring equity prices, a weakening yen and rising interest rates
- Higher foreign bond demand may boost global sovereign debt markets
- KOSPI index breaches the 8,800 level, marking a sharp upward move.
- Growth is heavily linked to a single AI sector bet, boosting exports and corporate strategies.
- Analysts caution that the rapid rise may signal an AI-driven asset bubble.
- Retail investors in Japan are increasingly buying corporate bonds, favoring higher yields over stocks and investment trusts.
- SoftBank Group and Rakuten bonds are among the most popular, drawing strong demand from individual investors.
- The shift is driven by rising interest rates that boost bond yields, benefiting asset‑rich older households.
- Analysts note the trend could increase debt burdens for working‑age families as they allocate more to fixed‑income.
- DSI will announce names of individuals tied to a suspected illegal forex investment and trading network on Friday.
- Investigation included raids at 24 locations and questioning numerous alleged victims; no arrests or summonses issued yet.
- Politician Pawoot Pongvitayapanu and a male actor (initial “F”) are among those speculated to be linked, both deny involvement.
- Dollar Index rose 0.35% to 97.08.
- Marks the second consecutive trading day of increase.
- U.S. dollar gains reflect continued strength against major currencies.
- GBP/JPY trades at 213.11, down 0.21% in the North American session.
- Pair testing 100‑day SMA at 212.79; break below could expose supports at 211.26 and 210.45.
- RSI at 41.7 signals downside momentum; 50‑day SMA at 214.25 needed for upside.
- The S&P/BMV IPC index closed down 0.06% on the trading day.
- The modest decline reflects limited sell pressure across the market.
- No specific sector or macro catalyst was highlighted in the move.
Macro/Economy 28
- Core PCE inflation expected to rise 0.37% in May, exceeding Fed's 0.21% forecast
- 2-year Treasury yield spikes 16 basis points to 4.21%, signaling interest rate hike expectations
- Rising inflation risks may lead to tighter financial conditions and stock market pullback
- U.S. Treasury yield curve flattens, signaling higher interest rates for longer
- Fed's updated dot plot shows policy rates staying higher through 2028
- Higher interest rate expectations make fixed-income assets more attractive relative to bitcoin
- Japan's May core inflation 1.4% y/y, below BOJ's 2% target
- Fuel subsidies offset rising raw material costs from Middle East conflict
- Analysts expect re-acceleration in coming months, further rate hikes
- Oil prices fell to $75-78 per barrel after the US-Iran deal, easing inflation and supporting potential economic growth.
- Thailand's inflation outlook is revised to less than 3% and GDP growth upgraded to 2% from 1.7% previously.
- The deal may support improvements in Thailand's exports for the remainder of this year.
- Bunker fuel prices surge, pushing up overall shipping expenses.
- Peak cargo shipping season advanced to spring ahead of higher fuel costs.
- Vessel owners will embed increased fuel costs into annual contracts starting July 1.
- Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel stated the economy needs "urgent changes" to address a major crisis, intensified by a US oil blockade.
- Diaz-Canel admitted internal obstacles like bureaucracy and delayed decisions, alongside external factors, contribute to the economic woes.
- Reforms are aimed at boosting the private sector and attracting capital from Cubans abroad, with China and Vietnam cited as potential models.
- The president stressed that some reforms, despite lacking absolute consensus, are necessary and cannot be postponed.
- These reforms are viewed as a desperate attempt to avert economic collapse, though their impact on US policy remains unclear.
- China is conducting trials for autonomous navigation and smart shipping solutions on the Pinglu Canal.
- The US$10 billion Pinglu Canal will connect China's landlocked southwestern regions to Southeast Asia.
- The project aims to significantly reduce logistics costs and boost trade and connectivity.
- Intelligent barges and vessels have been tested in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region since Wednesday.
- Analysts predict high withdrawals from private credit to last over a year
- Risk of forced liquidations increases due to prolonged withdrawals
- Investors seek safer assets amid market uncertainty
- US Initial Jobless Claims decreased to 226K vs. the previous week.
- Continuing Jobless Claims went up to 1.810M.
- The US Dollar Index (DXY) extended its post-Fed gains, reaching fresh yearly highs around 100.80.
- The presentation explores whether exchange rate variability helps absorb or amplifies economic shocks, particularly for small open economies.
- Pre-GFC, the Icelandic Krona (ISK) amplified shocks, contributing to a banking collapse and devastating balance sheets due to large capital inflows and foreign currency borrowing.
- Post-GFC reforms in Iceland included reducing macroeconomic imbalances, shifting from a 25% GDP current account deficit to a 6% surplus, and improving the net international investment position.
- Reforms also limited households' ability to take foreign currency loans, aiming to reduce balance sheet exposure and change the krona's role.
- Core CPI rose 1.4% YoY in May, matching the median economist estimate.
- Underlying price index, stripping fresh food and energy, climbed 1.8% YoY.
- Core CPI includes oil products but excludes fresh food, highlighting underlying inflation pressure.
- GfK survey finds UK consumers expect tighter budgets and higher inflation in the coming months
- Survey indicates sentiment has not improved despite recent economic stabilisation efforts
- Households report reduced spending plans, signalling continued weakness in retail demand
- AI and data centre electricity demand is exceeding traditional grid capacity in Europe, prompting a shift toward nuclear.
- Regulators across Europe are moving decisively to support nuclear projects to meet climate targets and energy independence.
- Nuclear is being positioned as the fastest route to provide baseload power for the growing AI and data centre sector.
- Parliament ratified five major trade deals, including Thailand‑EFTA, Thailand‑Bhutan, ACFTA upgrade and ATIGA revision.
- The Thailand‑EFTA FTA marks Thailand's first free trade pact with a European group, aiming to boost exports of autos, food, textiles and tech.
- The Thailand‑Bhutan agreement removes import duties immediately, enhancing bilateral trade in goods and raw materials.
- ACFTA upgrade adds chapters on digital and green economies, while ATIGA revisions target non‑tariff barriers and supply‑chain transparency.
- Thailand joins the WTO fisheries‑subsidies agreement, banning illegal‑related subsidies to promote sustainable fishing.
- Government unveiled 176 free‑market measures, part of a broader package of nearly 200 reforms.
- Reforms aim to reduce state control and open banking, tourism and agriculture to private investment.
- Changes come amid a severe economic crisis intensified by a U.S. oil embargo on the island.
- Bilateral trade between Thailand and Russia totals roughly US$1 billion (≈32 bn baht) currently.
- Officials aim to boost cooperation in energy, fertilisers, digital technology and emerging sectors such as space and cybersecurity.
- A Thailand‑Russia Joint Commission meeting is slated for August, and the Thai prime minister plans an official visit to Moscow.
- Russia intends to increase oil and natural‑gas exports to ASEAN, with Thailand identified as a key market.
- Hong Kong launches a two‑month public consultation on its first five‑year plan under Chief Executive John Lee
- The plan is designed to complement Beijing's 2026‑30 blueprint and address "great changes unseen in a century"
- Key focus areas include economic diversification, talent attraction, and infrastructure development
- Authorities stress adapting to global headwinds and reinforcing Hong Kong's role in national development
- Party endorses a package that expands private enterprise, foreign investment and allows private banks
- Plan includes potential private real‑estate development and conversion of state firms into equity‑share ventures
- EU adopts a resolution urging sanctions on Cuban leadership while US pressure escalates, including fuel delivery bans
- Higher energy costs are now passing into services and transport sectors.
- The baseline inflation outlook for the EU remains highly uncertain.
- Recovery timeline for oil production and price outlook is unclear.
- Second‑round wage effects have not yet materialised.
- Canada producer prices rose 1.2% in May
- Iran war and Strait of Hormuz disruptions boosted crude oil costs
- Supply chain disruptions contributed to price increases
- Joint USMCA review begins July 1 2026, deciding between a 16‑year extension or annual reviews through 2036
- Mexico imposed tariffs up to 50% on Chinese goods covering ~8.6% of its imports as of Jan 1 2026
- Chinese exports to Mexico reached nearly $130 bn in 2024 versus $10 bn Mexican exports to China, a record imbalance
- Mexico’s electronics exports to the U.S. rely on components from South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand
- U.S. worries that Chinese firms could use Mexico as a duty‑free backdoor into the American market
- Hong Kong ranked 2nd globally in competitiveness, its highest position in seven years
- The city moved up one spot from last year, now trailing only Singapore
- Hong Kong outperformed 68 economies, ranking ahead of Switzerland and Taiwan
- Floor area ratio limits will be relaxed for developers building low‑rent apartments
- Incentive targets units priced about 20% below market rents
- Central Tokyo condominium rents rose roughly 8% year‑on‑year as of May
- Policy aims to increase affordable housing supply alongside Shibuya redevelopment
- Middle East arrivals fell 25% year-on-year to about 150,000 in Jan-May.
- Drop linked to regional turmoil, including the Iran‑Israel conflict.
- Tourism revenue hit may pressure Thailand's Q2 economic growth.
- Effective July 1, autopay borrowers receive a 1-percentage-point reduction in loan interest rates
- Non‑autopay borrowers must enroll by Sept. 30 to qualify; discount remains through June 30, 2028
- More than 42 million Americans hold federal student loans exceeding $1.6 trillion; only ~40% are on autopay
- A $10,000 loan at 6.5% cut to 5.5% would save roughly $8 per month for borrowers
- Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan signed agreements on mining, banking and tourism on June 16
- The pact includes joint development of an Uzbek gold deposit and other mineral resources
- The cooperation aims to expand Azerbaijan's presence in Uzbekistan's fast‑growing mining sector
- Two new Housing Authority schemes to be introduced in September
- Owners can lease subsidised flats without paying a premium
- Elderly owners may swap their flat for a smaller or remote unit
- Measures relax current restrictions on subsidised sale flats
- Hong Kong replaces single income‑based poverty line with a 21‑indicator framework
- Government says previous metric overestimated poverty by ignoring billions in assets
- Experts argue the new method lacks objective measurement and may be harder to assess
Central Banks 24
- Fed kept its benchmark rate at 3.5‑3.75% and split 9‑9 on a possible hike later this year
- Meta fell 5.4% and Microsoft 3.7%, pulling the Nasdaq lower
- S&P 500 dropped 1.21% after the Fed's hawkish tone, with expectations of stable rates through H2 2026
- Year‑end policy rate projected at 3.8%, but a gradual easing bias is seen over the next 1‑2 years
- A US‑Iran peace agreement is expected to offset some negative sentiment by easing oil‑supply concerns
- BoE left the Bank Rate unchanged at 3.75% with 7 of 9 MPC members in favour; 2 members voted for a 25‑bp hike
- UK CPI held steady at 2.8% in May, while April GDP contracted 0.1%
- Traders had priced a 96% probability of no change, but markets still price potential hikes later in the year
- Energy price cap set to rise 13% this summer, raising concerns about future inflation pressures
- Warsh emphasized inflation fight, hinting at a more hawkish Fed than expected
- 2-year Treasury yield jumped; FedWatch odds rose to ~33% for a July hike and 67% for September
- Market-implied Fed funds rate for May 2031 hit 4.78%, suggesting up to five hikes from the 3.50‑3.75% range
- Core inflation up only 0.2% in May, with some analysts expecting no rate hikes this year
- Stocks initially fell but later rallied as investors focused on lower energy costs and geopolitical developments
- Norges Bank kept its policy rate at 4.25% in June but issued hawkish guidance and a higher rate path projection.
- Nomura now expects a 25bp hike to 4.50% in Q3, most likely in August, bringing forward its previous September forecast.
- Reasons for the earlier hike include an upward revision to the policy rate projection and continued concerns about sticky inflation.
- Norges Bank's projection implies a peak of 4.55% in Q4 2026 and Q1 2027, suggesting a potential third hike this year.
- Nomura maintains its forecast for gradual easing from September 2027, as the policy rate is considered restrictive.
- Further ECB rate hikes remain justified even under a milder economic scenario.
- The ECB could look through temporary shocks if they are not expected to have a lasting impact on inflation.
- Food prices are likely to keep rising despite lower oil prices.
- Bank of England keeps policy rate unchanged, citing inflation still above the 2% target
- Energy prices have fallen since the Middle East conflict but remain higher than pre‑conflict levels, especially gas
- Governor warns of inflation persistence amid a softened UK economy, ruling out imminent cuts
- Bailey condemns fake videos of officials, calling them fraud attempts that undermine public trust
- Brexit has shrunk the UK market size and lowered growth, confirming a long‑run negative impact
- ECB has raised rates while the BoE, SNB, Norges Bank and Riksbank remain on hold
- Regional inflation concerns are largely domestic, limiting broader price pressures
- Markets price downside growth risks for the euro area amid the policy divergence
- MPC voted 7–2 to maintain Bank Rate at 3.75%
- CPI inflation fell to 2.8% but is expected to rise later in the year
- Brent crude averaged $100/barrel since April, dropping to about $79/barrel ahead of the meeting
- Two‑year OIS rates are ~70 bps above pre‑war levels; mortgage rates ~80 bps higher
- Market median expectation was for no change, aligning with the decision
- Bank Indonesia lifted the seven‑day reverse repo rate to 5.75%, a 25‑basis‑point increase, bringing total hikes to 100 bps in four weeks.
- Overnight deposit and lending facility rates were also raised by 25 bps to 4.75% and 6.50% respectively.
- The rupiah firmed to about 17,725 per USD from 17,805 after the move, after touching a lifetime low of 18,190 on June 8.
- May inflation edged up to 3.1%, staying within the 1.5‑3.5% target range.
- Foreign‑exchange reserves fell by roughly $12 billion in the first five months of 2026.
- ECB raised key rates 25bps to 4.25% on June 12, citing persistent inflation risks from Middle East energy disruptions
- Euro area HICP inflation rose to 3.2% in May (vs 2% start-2026), driven by energy; normalization may take months even post-ceasefire
- Bundesbank projects German 2026 GDP growth at 0.5%, warns structural reforms are critical amid weak global trade and tariff uncertainty
- EU households hold €33tn in savings but only 60% of US equity/mutual fund participation, limiting investment in innovation
- Draghi report estimates EU needs €750-800bn annual investment until 2030 to reduce energy dependence and boost productivity
- SIU seeks to redirect savings via capital markets to cut funding costs for SMEs and support EU competitiveness vs US/China
- Geopolitical energy shocks raise euro area inflation and squeeze margins, underscoring urgency of SIU reforms
- MISP legislative package targets pan-European market operators (PEMO) and centralized ESMA supervision to deepen integration
- IMF lowered global growth forecast for 2026 to 3.1% due to ongoing conflicts, with global inflation projected to rise to 4.4% in 2026.
- Eswatini's Q4 2025 GDP grew 5.7% year-on-year, showing continued domestic economic momentum.
- Eswatini's headline consumer inflation increased to 2.0% in April 2026, driven by housing, utilities, and transport.
- The Central Bank of Eswatini revised its 2026 inflation forecast upward to 3.31% and maintained the discount rate at 6.75%.
- Private sector credit expanded by 0.9% month-on-month in March 2026, with the banking sector remaining stable.
- Fed chair Kevin Warsh did not submit a rate projection in the latest dot plot, breaking tradition
- Dot plot shows 9 of 18 policymakers expect at least one rate hike in 2024, with 6 projecting multiple hikes
- Warsh announced a review of Fed communications, including the dot plot, aiming for reforms by year-end
- Fed holds rates steady at 3.50%-3.75% citing energy-led inflation risks over near term
- Global oil prices fell after US-Iran deal to reopen Strait of Hormuz, easing near-term inflation pressure
- Lisa Cook’s legal and security expenses total more than $1.3 million, with $1.2 million for legal services and $144,000 for security.
- The costs were funded by nonprofit groups Democracy Defenders Fund and Contina Impact, not by the Federal Reserve.
- A Supreme Court decision on Trump’s authority to fire a Fed governor is expected within weeks.
- Bank of England staff exits under MAR scheme to conclude by end-May 2026, reducing headcount
- Court approves Leeds office expansion to 500 staff, seeks long-term lease for permanent location
- Cyber risk update flags AI-driven vulnerabilities (e.g., Anthropic’s Mythos) as emerging threat requiring sustained investment
- European Central Bank is advancing a digital euro pilot, targeting a launch within the next few years
- The digital currency aims to provide faster, low‑cost payments and improve financial inclusion across the eurozone
- Regulators emphasize privacy safeguards and interoperability with existing payment systems while addressing cyber‑risk concerns
- SNB kept its policy rate unchanged at 0.00% at the June meeting
- The bank reiterated an increased willingness to intervene in FX markets if necessary
- Conditional inflation forecast for 2026 was raised to 0.6% from 0.5%
- GDP growth is projected to stay around 1% for 2026
- CHF has depreciated against the euro since March
- Euro area now includes 21 countries, up from 11 at launch, covering over 350 million people.
- Convergence criteria emphasise price stability, fiscal discipline, long‑term interest‑rate alignment and a minimum two‑year ERM II participation.
- Vujčić stresses that the EMU’s institutional framework underpins the euro’s role as the world’s second‑largest currency in trade and finance.
- Central Bank of Ireland promotes financial literacy through its Consumer Protection mandate
- New Consumer Protection Code requires firms to provide clear and accessible information to consumers
- Code aims to create an environment that supports better consumer outcomes and financial wellbeing
- Minutes of the monetary policy meeting held on April 27-28, 2026 were published
- Document details the discussions and viewpoints of the policy committee
- No immediate policy decision was announced in the released minutes
- The Fed prohibited former CEO Thomas Engelbrecht from future participation in the banking sector
- Engelbrecht was fined $125,000 for misconduct
- He allegedly arranged imprudent credit extensions to a relative's company and fabricated board minutes
- Fed issues consent prohibition order against Matthew Cheong, former employee of Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company
- Order relates to embezzlement by bank employee
- Additional enforcement actions can be searched for on the Fed's website
- Central Bank of Chile Governor Rosanna Costa presented the Financial Stability Report (IEF) H1 2026 to the Senate Finance Commission.
- The IEF analyzes financial system vulnerabilities, potential risks, and its capacity to absorb severe shocks.
- Unlike the Monetary Policy Report (IPoM), the IEF focuses on risk scenarios rather than economic projections.
- The Central Bank's dual mandate includes safeguarding monetary stability and ensuring financial system stability.
- The report aims to explain how the Chilean economy and financial system are prepared for adverse scenarios.
Energy/Oil 24
- Crude fell ~30% from $113 on April 7 to below $80, the steepest decline since COVID.
- June oil flows through Hormuz estimated at 5.1 mbd, up from 2.9 mbd in May (≈25% of pre‑war levels).
- Goldman Sachs cut its Brent price target by $5 to $80 per barrel, citing higher supply and weaker demand.
- Empty tankers in the Persian Gulf dropped to 130, well below the pre‑war average of ~250.
- U.S. gasoline prices projected to fall below $3.50 per gallon within two weeks as crude retreats.
- Crude prices have dropped about 38% from recent peaks, erasing the war‑related premium.
- WTI and Brent futures both fell sharply, mirroring the overall 38% decline.
- The swift correction underscores how quickly geopolitical risk premiums can unwind, affecting oil‑producing economies.
- Front-month Brent crude fell 1.2% in European trading
- WTI dropped 1.8% following the announcement
- Deal aims to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, easing shipping constraints
- More than 60 million barrels of crude on ~36 supertankers are slated to leave the Strait of Hormuz for Asia within weeks.
- Asian refiners have built inventories for June‑July, reducing immediate demand pressure despite the delayed supply.
- Morgan Stanley cut its Q4 2026 Brent forecast to $80/bbl (down from $100) and Goldman Sachs lowered its Q4 forecast to $80/bbl (down from $90).
- Analysts expect full tanker traffic recovery by end‑July, prompting lower oil price outlooks.
- Brent crude fell below $80/bbl, potentially underestimating supply recovery
- OPEC+ production cuts and global demand concerns may offset supply gains
- Market sentiment remains cautious, with prices vulnerable to further declines
- U.S. and Iran signed a memorandum for toll‑free reopening, but full traffic expected only after at least 60 days
- Kpler estimates 118 tankers stranded; clearing the backlog could take 10‑15 days, with full recovery taking weeks to months
- Oil prices slipped below $80 per barrel on the news, but limited supply restoration may keep prices near that level
- Pre‑war daily transits were 90‑110 vessels; priority likely given to oil and LNG tankers over container ships
- US and Israel signed a 14‑point MoU with Iran to halt the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz
- The deal lifts sanctions on Iran’s energy exports, potentially increasing global oil supply and lowering crude prices
- Pro‑Israel lawmakers criticize the MoU but avoid confronting Trump, creating a political rift
- Iran will receive a $300 billion reconstruction fund and release of frozen assets, while nuclear and missile issues remain unresolved
- War‑driven oil price surge that has fed US inflation may ease as sanctions are lifted
- Global oil demand forecast to reach 113.3 million barrels per day (bpd) by 2030, up from 105.1 m bpd in 2025
- Demand projected to top 124 million bpd by 2050, indicating no near‑term peak
- OPEC’s outlook emphasizes growth driven by India rather than Europe
- The World Oil Outlook 2026 maintains a bullish view on long‑term oil consumption
- WTI fell over 2% to about $73.20, marking a weekly drop of more than 10%
- US‑Iran peace agreement expectations eased supply concerns despite an 8.262 million‑barrel inventory draw
- EIA data showed a tenth consecutive weekly decline, with US crude stocks at the lowest level in over 40 years
- Exports to Price Cap coalition countries fell by 59.5 million tons, while non‑coalition exports rose by 65 million tons
- A shadow fleet of 1,065 vessels now transports roughly $100 billion of sanctioned Russian, Iranian and Venezuelan crude
- Around 25% of identifiable Russian oil cargo buyers are linked to entities in Dubai’s free zones
- It took about 18 months for Russian oil exports to rebound to near‑2022 volumes despite sanctions
- China’s crude imports fell to 7.8 mbd in May, lowest since 2017, amid inventory drawdowns
- JPMorgan estimates 3 mbd of demand decline is temporary, with recovery starting August
- PetroChina named top pick with 6.4% dividend yield, outpacing Sinopec’s 4.8%
- Indonesia requires thermal coal exporters to report shipments to a new state-owned firm starting this month
- A fatal mining accident in China has halted coal production, tightening global supply
- Strong demand and an LNG shortage linked to the Iran war are pushing coal prices higher
- U.S. gasoline spot price fell below $4 per gallon.
- The decline follows an interim Iran‑U.S. agreement to wind down the war.
- Analysts expect the pact to reduce geopolitical risk premiums on energy markets.
- Thailand welcomes US‑Iran ceasefire framework but warns global energy markets could stay under pressure
- Deputy PM says oil prices may dip short‑term but are unlikely to return to pre‑conflict levels for 2‑3 years
- Damage to regional oil and natural‑gas infrastructure could take 2‑3 years to fully recover, keeping supply risks high
- Thailand will accelerate renewable and alternative energy development to improve long‑term energy security
- Panic buying after the Israel‑US‑Iran conflict caused fuel demand to triple in a single day in March.
- Government reserves were sufficient for at least 60 days, yet stations ran dry as consumers stockpiled hundreds of litres.
- Authorities recommend clearer crisis communication, using the Oil Fuel Fund as a price‑volatility buffer, and accelerating renewable‑energy adoption.
- International Petroleum Corp.'s Blackrod project has entered its first production phase
- Project aims for an average output of 80,000 barrels per day once fully ramped up
- First new Alberta oil sands development since 2014, ending a decade-long pause
- Production launch occurs amid ongoing scrutiny of oil sands emissions and high extraction costs
- Average US gasoline price fell to $3.99 per gallon, down from $4.48 in May but still above $2.98 in February.
- Consumer inflation is at 4.2%, with energy prices up roughly 8% over the past two months.
- US job growth added 172,000 jobs in May, below the 214,000 peak in March and far from the ~300,000 average under the previous administration.
- The Federal Reserve left its benchmark rate unchanged in the 3.5‑3.75% target range.
- U.S. natural gas futures settled higher on the day
- Weekly storage build landed at the low end of market expectations
- Storage surplus remained unchanged from the previous week
- State-owned refiners in China and India cannot secure VLCCs for June shipments as freight rates surge.
- VLCC freight rates from the Persian Gulf to Asia have risen to roughly three times previous levels.
- PetroChina received six VLCC offers for Basrah crude but rejected all due to excessive pricing.
- Absence of safe‑passage guarantees through the Strait of Hormuz adds to shipping constraints.
- Permian marketed natural gas production reaches 27.6 Bcf/d in 2025, a 60% rise from 2021.
- Permian crude oil production climbs to 6.6 million b/d in 2025, up 39% since 2021.
- Higher gas‑oil ratios (GOR) drive the faster growth in natural‑gas output.
- Brunei exported 105,000 barrels per day in April, highest since 2018, per Kpler data
- 70% of April exports shipped to Thailand, which faces fuel shortages amid Middle East supply risks
- Brunei's light sweet crude (SLEB) traded at premium to Brent in April despite market volatility
- Woodside projects LNG and crude oil sales to increase roughly 50% year‑on‑year.
- Growth is driven by strong appetite for LNG in the United States.
- The surge follows multi‑billion‑dollar investments in Australian upstream assets.
- Higher sales are expected to boost cash flow and support dividend outlook.
- Survey shows a majority of Americans are worried about rising energy prices
- Renewable energy sources gain support as respondents seek cleaner options
- Energy reliability and grid stability remain top concerns among respondents
- Analysts warn of possible oversupply in the global crude market
- Rising inventories could pressure oil prices lower
- Market participants monitor OPEC output and demand trends
Gold/Metals 14
- Gold fell to about $4,210 per ounce in early Asian trading.
- Fed kept the federal funds rate at 3.5%-3.75% and signaled possible future hikes.
- The US‑Iran interim peace deal was expected to support gold, but its impact was limited.
- Higher‑yielding US Treasury assets and a strong dollar pressured the non‑yielding metal.
- Gold slipped 0.7% to $4,223, below $4,300 support after Fed’s hawkish dot‑plot.
- Fed dot plot shows 9 of 19 policymakers (≈47%) favoring a year‑end rate hike, raising December hike odds to 85%.
- US Dollar Index rose to 100.81, its highest since May 2025, pressuring gold.
- Technical outlook: XAU/USD must stay above $4,300 to resume gains; a break below $4,200 could test $4,023 support.
- Next week’s data includes flash PMIs, jobs, Q1 GDP and Core PCE.
- Gold prices fall 1.5% as Fed meeting suggests rate hikes may continue
- Strong US labor market data supports Fed's hawkish stance
- Gold prices may struggle to break above $2,000/oz in near term
- Fed left policy rate at 3.75% and issued a more hawkish projection, pushing yields higher
- Treasury yields rose post‑FOMC, lifting the US dollar index
- Gold price steadied around $4,275‑$4,285 support, with resistance at $4,300‑$4,325
- Yield and dollar strength remain the main headwinds for gold in the short term
- Updated feasibility study triples the Horne 5 project's estimated value to $3.3 bn
- Project contains gold and zinc resources in western Quebec
- Provincial environmental review is ongoing, supporting project advancement
- Solar photovoltaic sector used 10% less silver year‑over‑year, the sharpest drop in three years
- Total silver consumption is still about 5% below its 2022 peak despite the solar decline
- Silver spot price has slipped roughly 8% over the past month, keeping it below $22 per ounce
- Silver (XAG/USD) fell ~2% to $66.07, staying below the 200‑day SMA at $68.99
- RSI remains bearish; a break under $65.77 could expose $63.32 and $61.50 support levels
- Further downside requires $66.00 breach; upside needs $68.00 to clear the SMA and test $70.00
- Gold price slipped modestly, framing the move as a short‑term correction
- Technical analysis shows gold still above key support near recent highs
- Analysts expect the pullback to be limited and the uptrend to resume
- Gold slipped about 1% as investors questioned the durability of the US-Iran peace agreement
- The drop coincided with a modest rise in the US dollar index, pressuring safe-haven demand
- Analysts say the selloff may signal broader market skepticism toward the accord's geopolitical impact
- Copper concentrate shipments from Rio Tinto's Oyu Tolgoi mine resumed on Thursday.
- Exports were briefly halted after protesters blocked a key transport route.
- The mine is a significant source of copper, and its operational status impacts global supply.
- Gold closed at $4,224.10, up 0.22% for the week
- Silver dropped 6.3% on Thursday
- Gold posted a weekly gain, contrasting with silver's weekly loss
- Technical analysis shows $69.20/oz as the key resistance for silver to turn bullish.
- If price stays below $69.20, bearish momentum is likely to persist in the short term.
- A breakout above $69.20 could trigger a shift to bullish sentiment and higher price targets.
- Magma Silver plans to develop the Niñobamba mine with a target of 100 Moz of silver output.
- The project was highlighted in a sponsored video presented at the Mining Investment Event in Quebec City.
- Achieving the 100 Moz goal would position Niñobamba as a major new source of primary silver.
- CEO Simon Britt discussed the upcoming TerraGold drilling at a mining investment event in Quebec City.
- The company is set to commence its first drilling phase at the TerraGold project in Quebec.
- The announcement was presented in a sponsored video highlighting the exploration plans.
Crypto 34
- Federal Reserve, Treasury, OCC, FDIC and others opened a 60‑day public comment period on the draft rule.
- The proposal would require stablecoin issuers to meet Bank Secrecy Act ID standards, including verification of name, address and terrorist‑list checks.
- Fed Governor Michael Barr voiced concerns about extending ID requirements to secondary‑market stablecoin transactions.
- FinCEN has pursued related AML rules; the current notice follows 450 comments on a September preliminary proposal.
- Bitcoin dropped 3% to around $63,900 after the Fed left rates unchanged but signaled higher‑for‑longer inflation concerns
- Ether fell 3.4% to $1,733 as tighter financial conditions weighed on risk assets
- The Fed kept the policy rate at 3.5%‑3.75% and projected slower rate cuts, prompting a bearish tone for crypto
- US‑Iran interim peace deal boosted S&P 500 futures (+0.9%) and Nasdaq futures (+1.5%) but crypto prices stayed down
- May exchange volume fell 3.45% to $4.41 trillion, the lowest since Sep 2024, while RWA perpetual futures rose 10.4%
- Bitcoin dropped 7% to about $61,300, triggering $330 million in liquidations.
- Nasdaq 100 rose 1% toward its all‑time high while Bitcoin fell, indicating decoupling.
- A stronger US dollar and 5‑year Treasury yield at 4.21% pressured non‑yielding crypto assets.
- AI sector gains, such as Intel up 10%, contrasted with Bitcoin’s bearish momentum.
- Bitcoin’s $60,000 support level may be tested as investors rotate into AI stocks.
- CME alleges CFTC treats Bitcoin perpetual futures as swaps, violating the Commodity Exchange Act
- The suit challenges a May 29 CFTC approval for Bitcoin perpetual futures on platforms like Kalshi and Coinbase
- CME says CFTC Chair Michael Selig acted unilaterally without a full five‑member commission panel
- The dispute underscores regulatory uncertainty for crypto derivatives and potential market competition impacts
- Bitcoin’s 4-year cycles feature 70%+ drawdowns, making DCA suboptimal vs. regime-aware allocation
- Cycle-smart approach cuts max drawdown from −80% to −44% and boosts Sharpe ratio to 1.22 vs. 0.82 for buy-and-hold
- 10x Research tracks 10 signals (momentum, trend, on-chain) to identify bull/bear regimes; avg monthly return +25% vs. 6% respectively
- Advisors urged to use dynamic allocation bands (e.g., max 5% BTC) rather than fixed positions
- Public calls since 2022 include Oct 2022 bottom, Jul 2023 $125k target, and Oct 2025 bear signal
- MoonPay now embedded in ChatGPT for direct crypto purchases
- Coinbase’s Base MCP enables AI assistants to execute wallet/blockchain tasks
- AI could replace traditional exchange/wallet onboarding for new crypto users
- Bitcoin and other major tokens fell, with the CoinDesk 20 Index down >1.2% and DeFi Select Index down 5%
- Futures open interest dropped to 730,000 BTC from 742,000 BTC, and over $440 million in long positions were liquidated
- XRP open interest sits at 2.30 billion tokens, the highest since October, while most top‑25 tokens show negative 24‑hour volume delta
- Put‑option demand rose for contracts expiring June 21, indicating hedging ahead of the weekend
- May exchange volume fell 3.45% to $4.41 trillion, the lowest since Sep 2024, while RWA perpetual futures rose 10.4%
- Michelle Bond, wife of former FTX executive Ryan Salame, will face illicit campaign finance charges.
- Bond allegedly used $400,000 from FTX and hundreds of thousands of dollars from Salame to fund her congressional campaign.
- Each of the four charges Bond is facing carries a maximum of five years in prison.
- Buying bitcoin below its 200-week average has historically delivered over 100% in median returns over a year
- Median time to break even on investment has been just 2 days, with a maximum drawdown of 9% over the subsequent year
- Historical record shows bitcoin has tended to offer immense value at these levels
- Next bull market will be slower and less volatile due to investors' shift to real-world applications like tokenization and AI
- Interest in stablecoins and tokenization is growing, with combined market value reaching a record high $322 billion
- Bitcoin price may take longer to recover due to Wall Street's focus on real-world applications
- Microsoft discovered a new malware called “Crypto Clipper” that spreads via USB drives
- The worm monitors clipboard for wallet addresses or seed phrases and captures five screenshots in 10 seconds
- It exfiltrates data through Tor via a SOCKS5 proxy, bypassing traditional C2 infrastructure
- The malware targets cryptocurrency credentials, raising security concerns for crypto users
- MFSA launched public consultation on June 12, open until July 10.
- Proposal creates a new legal category for "software‑based organizations" to cover DAOs and other DeFi entities.
- Regulator says many DeFi projects retain centralized features, potentially bringing them under MiCA's scope.
- EU regulators continue reviewing MiCA, with the European Commission seeking feedback on DeFi and stablecoin rules as of May 2026.
- Irish finance ministry labels crypto assets as "very significant" risk for money laundering and terrorism financing.
- Government plans to implement crypto-related safeguards by the second half of 2027, following its first digital-asset risk assessment in seven years.
- Around 10% of the Irish population holds crypto, and a $24 million AML fine was levied on Coinbase Europe in November 2025.
- Crypto flagged for sanctions evasion, tax compliance challenges and bribery, prompting tighter regulatory focus.
- Token automatically toggles between a bank‑issued deposit and a cash‑backed stablecoin as it moves between consortium banks and external users
- Built on Ethereum, the system has been live since March and is being piloted by banks ahead of a planned Q4 2026 rollout
- Hazel network aims to let banks offer tokenized payments without moving deposits outside the banking system
- Stablecoin market cap sits at roughly $315 billion, up from $251 billion a year ago, underscoring rising demand for such solutions
- Co-executive director Hsiao-Wei Wang announced immediate resignation after sabbatical
- Foundation records roughly 19 layoffs and departures in 2024, adding to earlier exits
- Vitalik Buterin emphasizes the Foundation's limited role and ongoing governance debate
- Ethereum's market performance faces pressure amid leadership turnover
- CFTC permanently bans Alexander Mashinsky from any commodities activity
- Ban follows his 12-year prison sentence and $48 million restitution order
- No additional fines were imposed; the ban is recorded in Southern District of New York
- Regulatory action highlights ongoing scrutiny of the crypto sector
- IREN leads with a $21.1 bn AI infrastructure funding gap, the largest among public miners
- Sector‑wide capital needed to convert mining sites to AI‑ready data centers is estimated at $50 bn
- Bitcoin mining difficulty dropped 10.09% to 124.93 trillion on June 14 after ~100 EH/s offline
- Hashprice fell to about $28 per PH/s, leaving up to 20% of miners operating at a loss
- Riot Platforms and HIVE Digital face funding gaps of $7.2 bn and $4.6 bn respectively
- Hsiao-Wei Wang steps down as co-executive director of the Ethereum Foundation effective immediately
- Her resignation follows Tomasz Stańczak’s earlier exit, marking two co-executive departures in 2024
- Eight senior figures have left the foundation over the past five months, heightening governance concerns
- Ethereum faces heightened scrutiny and competition from rival blockchains amid leadership turnover
- Ledn will enable Tether Gold (XAUt) as loan collateral later this year
- Tokenized commodities account for roughly 17% of the $43 bn RWA market
- Tether Gold's market cap peaked at about $2.89 bn as gold prices neared $5,600/oz
- Loans will be issued and repaid in USDT or USAT stablecoins, with no scheduled payments
- Algorand to introduce post-quantum accounts, multisignature wallets, and staking support in 2026
- Blockchain to achieve broad quantum resistance by the end of 2027
- Crypto network joins Ethereum and Solana in preparing for quantum-computing threat
- The CoinDesk 20 Index fell 0.9% to 1750.15 since Wednesday.
- Stellar (XLM) surged 10%, making it a top performer, alongside HBAR (+0.2%).
- Internet Computer (ICP) dropped 4.1% and Sui (SUI) fell 4%, leading the index's declines.
- Only 3 out of 20 assets in the index traded higher.
- May combined exchange volumes decreased 3.45% to $4.41T, the lowest since September 2024, though RWA perpetual futures volumes rose 10.4% to a new all-time high.
- Fed proposes stablecoin issuers maintain effective customer identification programs
- Requirements comparable to banks and credit unions
- Comments due 60 days after Federal Register publication
- Capital B shareholders approve up to $120.4B in financing capacity for Bitcoin accumulation strategy
- Company to issue up to 125B new shares and 100B euros in credit instruments
- Existing shareholders to be diluted to 0.24% of ownership if fully exercised
- Bitcoin trades near $63,900, down ~1% on the day amid a rising Dollar Index.
- Dollar Index up 0.26% to 100.66, approaching a breakout from a 13‑month range above 100.60.
- BTC’s 90‑day correlation with DXY is –0.82; further DXY gains could push Bitcoin toward the 200‑week SMA at $62,258.
- May crypto exchange volume fell 3.45% to $4.41 trillion, lowest since Sep 2024, while RWA perpetual futures rose 10.4%.
- ASTER token rose >10% to ~0.80 USD after announcing a buyback‑and‑burn program allocating 99% of fees
- The rally reversed, with ASTER down about 5% to ~0.68 USD as the Fed’s hawkish stance lifted the dollar and pressured risk assets
- Buyback will trigger bi‑weekly token burns until supply reaches a target of 3 billion from the current 7.82 billion
- May exchange volume fell 3.45% to $4.41 trillion, the lowest since Sep 2024, while RWA perpetual futures rose 10.4%
- MFSA seeks feedback on treating decentralisation as a spectrum rather than a binary concept
- Paper highlights that many DeFi projects retain centralized features like admin keys and governance concentration
- Public comments on the discussion paper are open until July 10
- MiCA excludes fully decentralised crypto services but lacks clear criteria for defining full decentralisation
- Bitcoin slipped to 15th largest asset by market cap, down 10 places in a year.
- Its market cap is $1.287 trillion, about 50% below the October 2023 peak.
- Analysts estimate a 5‑10 year horizon for Bitcoin to regain top‑five status, possibly not until 2036.
- The current bear market is considered roughly 70% complete.
- Aztec's private rollup bridge lost ~1,158 ETH, 150,000 DAI and 0.46 renBTC (~$2.15 million) in Thursday attack
- This is the second exploit on Aztec within a week, following a $2.1 million theft from Aztec Connect on Sunday
- The attacks exploited deprecated, immutable smart contracts lacking admin keys or pause functions
- Researchers advise migrating assets from legacy contracts to mitigate further security risk
- Grayscale projects Aave (AAVE) price at $175 in a one‑year base‑case scenario.
- The firm estimates Aave could generate $60 million net income in 2026 and values the token at $80‑$100 today.
- Aave's revenue is expected to grow over sixfold from 2023 to 2025, with an estimated 50% profit margin.
- Grayscale applies discounted cash flow and earnings multiples, similar to banks and fintech valuations, to DeFi tokens.
- Rodney 'Bitcoin Rodney' Burton pleaded guilty to conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business.
- The charge is connected to the $1.8 billion HyperFund crypto fraud, which promised daily passive returns of 0.5% to 1%.
- Burton personally received at least $7.8 million from promoting HyperFund between June 2020 and January 2022.
- He faces a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison, with sentencing scheduled for July 23.
- HyperFund is one of the largest crypto fraud schemes, impacting thousands of investors worldwide.
- Crypto-related stocks close mostly higher as US equities rebound 1.08-1.91%
- Bitcoin falls 2% to $63,000
- Miners lead gains, with Cipher Mining up 10.7%
- XRP fell 2.5% to approximately $1.19, dropping below the $1.20 level after briefly trading above $1.22.
- Heavy selling volume, more than double normal levels, pushed XRP down, but buyers stepped in near $1.18, holding above the $1.17-$1.18 support zone.
- The pullback does not fully negate last week's breakout but highlights continued resistance near $1.25.
- Traders are watching $1.20 as immediate resistance and $1.1750 as critical support for future price action.
- Tether is winding down its gold-backed, overcollateralized aUSDT stablecoin and Alloy by Tether after two years.
- The move aims to reallocate resources to products with stronger user demand, deeper liquidity, and broader long-term market opportunity, such as its XAUT gold-backed digital asset.
- Users have three months, until September 17, to return aUSDT and reclaim their XAUT collateral.
- Tether Gold (XAUT) remains popular with a market capitalization of $3 billion, backed by 22,169 kilograms of physical gold.
- This follows previous discontinuations of Tether's Chinese yuan (CNHT) and euro (EURT) stablecoins in recent months.
- The post forecasts Bitcoin at $145,000 in October 2026 but provides no verifiable source or archive link
- It asserts the author holds around 90% of Bitcoin supply, which is impossible given the ~20 million circulating BTC
- The claimed $5.7 trillion market cap is incorrect; at $145k per BTC the cap would be roughly $2.9–3.0 trillion
- Historical price targets (e.g., $67k in Nov 2021, $16k in Nov 2022) align with actual prices, suggesting possible post‑editing
Geopolitics 59
- US$300 billion reconstruction fund for Iran outlined in ceasefire agreement
- No details on who will bear the cost of the fund
- Washington to work with regional partners on Iran's reconstruction and economic recovery
- North Korea's Kim Yo-jong condemns G7 call for denuclearisation as a violation of its constitution
- Denuclearisation is an 'irreversibly finalised agenda' that could never be realised, according to Kim
- North Korea considers nuclear possession its core interest and an irreversible line
- U.S. Navy ended blockade of Iran's ports and coastal areas on President Trump's direction
- Iran will permit commercial vessels to transit the Strait of Hormuz toll‑free for 60 days
- Kpler reports more than 12 million barrels of oil moved through Hormuz overnight, including three Saudi tankers with ~6 million barrels
- Forecast: oil flows could reach up to 50 % of pre‑war levels within 30 days if the agreement holds
- Trump called critics of the Iran agreement “fools”.
- The United States and Iran signed a deal to end the Middle East war, with implementation talks set for Switzerland.
- The Strait of Hormuz is expected to reopen following the accord.
- Brent crude fell sharply on the news, with prices dropping around 2%.
- US and Iran leaders sign a ceasefire pact to de‑escalate regional tensions
- President Trump warns that US attacks could still be resumed
- The agreement aims to reduce the risk of further conflict between the two nations
- Supreme Leader Khamenei gave final approval to the US‑Iran memorandum after initially dissenting
- Iran will waive Strait of Hormuz commercial vessel transit fees for 60 days and the US lifted its naval blockade
- Kuwait Petroleum Corp. lifted force‑majeure notices and aims to raise oil output to 2 million barrels per day within a week
- Negotiations in Switzerland have a 60‑day window to address sanctions relief and Iran's nuclear programme
- US CENTCOM announced that all naval blockade enforcement on Iranian ports has ceased.
- US forces will remain in the area to ensure compliance with the agreement.
- Vice President JD Vance said 12.5 million barrels of oil moved through the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday.
- Iran's Persian Gulf Strait Authority will expedite ship authorizations and clear mines during a 60‑day negotiation period.
- The suspension of hostilities is expected to ease oil‑transport disruptions that previously halted traffic in the Strait.
- India released the joint air defense doctrine on May 29, a day before CDS General Anil Chauhan’s retirement.
- The doctrine calls for a layered "kill‑web" system to counter drones, loitering munitions, cruise and ballistic missiles, integrating ten S‑400 batteries and indigenous PAD/AAD systems.
- It underpins the Mission Sudarshan Chakra "Indian Iron Dome" effort to shield civilian and military assets across land, air and sea.
- Analysts warn the enhanced defensive capability could embolden India in limited conflicts with Pakistan, reducing crisis stability in South Asia.
- Pakistan may view the doctrine as a shift away from credible minimum deterrence, potentially prompting its own arms adjustments.
- Traffic through the Strait could stay below 50% of pre‑war levels for several weeks
- Full volume recovery may require months, with lingering effects for up to half a year
- Ongoing disruptions could tighten global oil supply and keep crude prices elevated
- Xi Jinping officially recognized the Myanmar junta as the “new Myanmar government” and urged “peace talks” in a joint statement released on June 17.
- The statement ties Chinese support to protecting BRI projects, including the Muse‑Mandalay railway and Kyaukpyu deep‑sea port.
- China and the junta pledged cooperation on artificial intelligence and digital surveillance, potentially enabling mass monitoring of the population.
- Resistance forces now control roughly 75% of Myanmar’s territory, limiting Beijing’s ability to impose a full‑scale digital authoritarian state.
- The article calls for expanded sanctions targeting the junta’s aviation fuel supplies and Chinese AI/telecom equipment.
- No phone call planned between Trump and Taiwanese leader Lai Ching-te
- US believes a call could derail expected summit with Chinese President Xi
- Trump prioritizes summit with Xi over potential Taiwan call
- Iran's oil export model is under strain due to the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz
- The crisis has turned oil into a problematic asset for Iran
- Iran's military and political room for manoeuvre has narrowed
- US President Trump and Iran’s Masoud Pezeshkian electronically signed a memorandum of understanding to end the US‑Israel conflict with Iran.
- The agreement aims to prevent further disruptions to oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz, a key chokepoint for global supply.
- Analysts warn the pact is built on a fragile foundation and could unravel if Israel or regional tensions flare.
- Continued uncertainty keeps oil prices on edge, with Brent and WTI futures vulnerable to any escalation.
- Malaysia's PM Anwar Ibrahim visits Russia for energy security talks
- Asean-Russia Commemorative Summit tests Washington's influence in Southeast Asia
- Regional leaders meet Russian President Vladimir Putin despite Western pressure
- China to strengthen navy escorts for energy shipments
- Alternative routes to be explored to mitigate supply chain risks
- Boosting emergency responses and safety guarantees at critical nodes
- Indian Air Force faces a critical shortage, with 29 fighter squadrons against a sanctioned 42, and delays in inducting new jets.
- Russia reiterated an offer for joint production of its SU-57 5th-generation fighter, previously abandoned by India over cost and tech access.
- India is developing its indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) with a $1.8 billion allocation and an ambitious 2035 deadline.
- Accepting Russia's offer could divert funds from AMCA and strain India's deepening high-tech defense ties with the U.S. and Europe.
- India is also procuring 114 Rafale jets from France and considering off-the-shelf SU-57s or leasing as interim measures.
- Senator Sherwin Gatchalian elected as new Senate president
- 13 senators present voted to remove Alan Peter Cayetano from the position
- Vote comes ahead of expected impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte
- Xi Jinping, aged 73, shows no sign of relinquishing power soon
- Close aide Cai Qi receives a new senior role, reinforcing leadership continuity
- Analysts view the appointments as a signal that the current generation will stay in power longer than typical retirement norms
- Insights drawn from veteran China correspondent Katsuji Nakazawa's experience
- Former President Barack Obama opened the $850 million Obama Presidential Center campus on Chicago's South Side.
- Dedication ceremony featured high‑profile guests such as Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, and performances by Stevie Wonder and Bruce Springsteen.
- All living former U.S. presidents and first ladies attended, except Donald Trump and Melania Trump.
- Obama highlighted the center’s purpose to uphold democratic norms and the peaceful transfer of power.
- Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar announced cutting all communication with EU's top diplomat Kaja Kallas.
- The decision follows reports that Kallas likened Israel to the former South African apartheid regime.
- Diplomatic strain has intensified since the Gaza war began in October 2023 and amid settler‑Palestinian clashes.
- EU officials have not yet responded to the Israeli move.
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rules out any Israeli troop pullout from southern Lebanon at present.
- He describes the area as a "security zone" to keep Hezbollah forces away from northern Israeli communities.
- Withdrawal would only be considered if Israel's security requirements change, according to the speech.
- The Lebanese government views the Israeli presence as an occupation of Lebanese territory.
- Counting has begun in the Makerfield by-election in Greater Manchester.
- The contest is viewed as a litmus test for Labour ahead of the next general election.
- A win for Andy Burnham could see him challenge Prime Minister Keir Starmer for Labour leadership.
- Strategic elites in Japan and South Korea remain largely skeptical about pursuing nuclear weapons, according to a CSIS survey.
- If either country were to acquire nuclear arms, support in the other could rise sharply, the poll suggests.
- The study, released Thursday, warns that such a policy shift could have security impacts exceeding prior regional escalations.
- Judge James Patrick Hanlon ordered the release of Salah Sarsour after 80 days of detention
- Court found Sarsour had a substantial First Amendment claim, deeming his detention potentially unlawful
- ICE had held Sarsour in Indiana; he was returned to Wisconsin pending further proceedings
- Decision rejected the Trump administration's claim that pro‑Palestinian speech threatens US foreign policy
- Sarsour lost over 30 pounds during his nearly three‑month detention
- Under Secretary William Kimmitt accused China of subsidies, dumping, regulatory barriers and support for state-owned enterprises.
- Kimmitt said the United States has been "asleep at the wheel" on enforcing fair trade measures.
- The remarks highlight growing US concerns over China’s industrial policy and market access.
- Taiwan's defense ministry proposes a $6.6 bn budget over six years to buy locally made drones
- Plan targets more than 208,000 coastal attack drones, over 1,400 reconnaissance drones and 1,320 uncrewed surface vessels by 2031
- Current Taiwanese drone fleet totals about 5,000 US‑made attack drones
- Taiwanese companies are seeking partnerships to export drones to the US military and other overseas buyers
- Airstrike on Kyauktaw town killed at least seven civilians, including a five-year-old child
- Myanmar military's air force is a key tool against pro-democracy guerrillas
- Rights groups claim the air force often carries out indiscriminate strikes
- Federal police carried out 18 search-and-seizure warrants in Brasilia, Bahia and Sao Paulo.
- Senator Jaques Wagner, a senior Lula ally, was among those targeted in the Banco Master investigation.
- The scandal also touches the Bolsonaro camp, as recent polls show Lula at 49% versus Bolsonaro's 36.8% in the presidential race.
- Israeli PM Netanyahu stresses the need to preserve ties with the United States
- US Vice President JD Vance criticized Israel's actions in Lebanon
- Israeli cabinet members faced rebuke for criticizing former President Trump's deal
- Clashes this month have left at least 15 dead as security forces confront protesters.
- Legislative assembly elections set for July 27, the first vote in the region since 2021.
- Government upheld 12 reserved seats (over 25% of the assembly) for migrants, sparking JAAC protests.
- Rising fuel, wheat and electricity costs fuel public discontent alongside political grievances.
- 29 nations, led by Norway and including the UK, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands and Sierra Leone, issued a joint statement at the UN Human Rights Council.
- The coalition warned that up to 500,000 civilians in el‑Obeid face risk of large‑scale atrocities and cited at least 50 civilian deaths from ten days of drone strikes.
- The Sudan conflict has displaced nearly 14 million people; RSF controls Darfur while the Sudanese army holds central/eastern regions, with fighting intensifying over Kordofan.
- UN High Commissioner for Human Rights warned the offensive could breach international law and urged maximum pressure on RSF and SAF to protect civilians.
- Indonesia and Timor-Leste launched the first joint truth commission (CTF) in August 2005 to investigate the 1999 violence.
- The CTF focused on institutional accountability and reconciliation, rather than individual criminal prosecutions.
- Leaders emphasized shared historical narratives and moral courage as essential for lasting peace, citing lessons for ASEAN.
- NGOs criticized the commission for limited victim engagement and prioritising diplomatic goals over substantive justice.
- Attack on Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey killed at least 11 soldiers and 2 civilians
- Security forces repelled the raid, killing 22 attackers
- Gunfire erupted early morning and lasted for hours near the airport
- Foreign Minister Wang Yi calls for stronger representation of emerging economies in the UN and other global bodies.
- Beijing's new white paper proposes strengthening the UN's role and giving the Global South a louder voice.
- Analysts question whether China can successfully lead the Global South amid ongoing conflicts and economic headwinds.
- Trump blocks Senate hearing for Jay Clayton, keeping Bill Pulte as acting DNI
- Democrats say Section 702 FISA reauthorization will be blocked while Pulte remains in post
- Trump ties FISA extension to passage of the SAVE America voter‑ID bill, which lacks Senate support
- Republican leaders warn of insufficient votes to pass the election bill and express concerns over Pulte's qualifications
- PM Shehbaz Sharif signed a MoU between the United States and Iran
- The agreement aims to end hostilities between the two nations
- The signing took place on Wednesday, 18 June 2026
- Trump and Modi met on the G7 sidelines in Evian, their first face‑to‑face in 16 months
- No concrete deals were announced; trade, Quad, defense and visa talks were absent
- Modi highlighted Indian mariners' safety and the Strait of Hormuz but did not demand an apology for the sailors' deaths
- Trump hinted at a future G2 summit with China, potentially sidelining the Indo‑Pacific and Quad focus
- Floating pumice from the Titan Ridge eruption blocks boat travel and access to fishing grounds in Manus Province.
- The disruption could persist for months or years, affecting food security and livelihoods in coastal communities.
- Previous submarine eruptions have shown that pumice can remain afloat for years, causing widespread ecological impacts.
- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit to Mongolia reaffirmed the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, focusing on infrastructure, trade, and critical minerals.
- Discussions included upgrades to border ports, the Gashuun Sukhait-Ganqimaodu railway, and diversification into agricultural products and renewable energy.
- Mongolia reiterated its 'One-China' principle and affirmed friendship with China as a top foreign policy priority.
- Ulaanbaatar continues its 'Third Neighbor' policy, strengthening ties with Japan (Special Strategic Partnership), South Korea (CEPA, tech), and India (mining, defense).
- A potential state visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to Mongolia in 2026 is under consideration, alongside Mongolia's preparations to host UNCCD COP17.
- UK Ambassador Peter Wilson visits Yanan, a Chinese communist heartland
- Yanan is a historic site where President Xi Jinping performed hard labor as a young man
- The visit is a rare occurrence for a Western official
- India’s Bharat Innovates summit held in Nice, first outside India, with 120+ startups and focus on AI/tech
- Nice’s airport (15M passengers/year) and Sophia Antipolis tech park bolster its role as a geopolitical crossroads
- France-India partnership expands beyond defense to AI, innovation, and Indo-Pacific strategic alignment
- BJP secured a contentious victory in West Bengal on May 4, amid allegations of electoral roll manipulation affecting over 9 million voters
- Post-election reports of anti‑Muslim incidents rose, with BJP leaders labeling Muslims as “vermin” and urging stricter border enforcement
- India’s Border Security Force plans to fence 2,216 km of the Bangladesh frontier in West Bengal, prompting diplomatic pushback from Bangladesh
- Bangladesh on June 4 said it blocked attempts by India to force migrants across the border, heightening bilateral tensions
- Two Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office personnel were sentenced in London, receiving eight and up to ten years in prison
- Bill Yuen Chung-biu, the HKETO office manager, got an eight‑year term for aiding a foreign intelligence service
- Hong Kong authorities condemned the convictions, calling the allegations unfounded
- The case underscores ongoing UK‑Hong Kong tensions over espionage and political activism
- Afghanistan‑Central Asia Consultative Dialogue held in Kabul on April 5, 2026, creating a new regional format
- Uzbekistan delivered over 290 t of humanitarian aid in March 2026 and 215 t in May 2026 to Afghanistan
- Kazakhstan aims to raise bilateral trade with Afghanistan from ~$500 m to $3 bn, with rail freight up 77 % to 1 m t in Q1 2026
- Tajik parliament approved a $57 m China‑financed border‑infrastructure project in March 2026
- Second Termez Dialogue took place in Tashkent June 4‑6, 2026, underscoring Afghanistan’s integration into the regional landscape
- G7 leaders called for joint action against North Korean cryptocurrency theft and broader cybercrime.
- Chainalysis estimates DPRK-affiliated actors stole at least $2 billion in crypto in 2025, raising the total to $6.75 billion.
- Recent high‑profile hacks linked to North Korea include a $285 million Drift Protocol exploit and a $36 million Humanity Protocol breach.
- The G7 statement did not specify concrete measures such as exchange screening or sanctions.
- Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a six‑month Pentagon review of US forces in Europe.
- Review outcome will depend on how quickly European allies assume primary responsibility for their own defence.
- Hegseth warned NATO must accelerate and shift to a Europe‑led security posture amid the Iran war.
- 44.9% of 1,127 respondents said goodwill toward mainland is the most important security approach
- Survey was carried out from May 28 to May 31, shortly after President Trump's visit to Beijing
- Conducted by the government-funded Institute for National Defence and Security Research in Taipei
- Malaysian police sent two Indian nationals back to India after a request from Indian authorities.
- The deportees are suspected of involvement in an explosion on a railway line in Punjab.
- Authorities link the suspects to a Khalistan separatist plot targeting the rail network.
- The case highlights cross‑border cooperation on counter‑terrorism between Malaysia and India.
- Labour's Andy Burnham is favourite to win the Makerfield seat
- Victory could boost Burnham's chances of becoming UK prime minister
- Reform UK candidate faces long odds in the closely watched vote
- A 6m × 6m floating platform placed by Chinese forces at Scarborough Shoal was removed after patrols by Philippine agencies.
- Removal was confirmed by aerial and maritime patrols conducted by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and the Philippine Coast Guard.
- China’s research vessel Yue Zhan Yu Ke 6 was seen dismantling the platform and loading it onto its stern; a smaller Chinese vessel remains nearby.
- The episode highlights continuing South China Sea tensions, with Manila reaffirming its claim over the shoal.
- Bangladesh summoned India’s Deputy High Commissioner over alleged mistreatment of PM adviser Zahed Ur Rahman at Delhi airport
- Incident follows recent diplomatic friction over Assam CM’s remarks on infiltrators and Indian envoy’s perceived 'Akhand Bharat' reference
- Bilateral tensions persist despite India’s goodwill gestures, including participation in Rahman’s swearing-in ceremony
- Kentucky AG sues Kalshi, Polymarket, Coinbase, Robinhood, Webull for operating unlicensed sports betting platforms
- Prediction markets recorded $25B monthly trading volume in May; lawsuits risk blocking access to major US markets
- CFTC backs platforms, suing 8 states for overstepping federal commodities law authority on event contracts
- Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will travel to Assam in early July.
- Delegation includes leaders from over 50 Japanese companies and organizations.
- Visit aims to deepen Japan-India ties and explore opportunities in the chip sector.
- Japan lifted its ban on lethal weapon exports in April, opening new financing opportunities.
- Large banks such as MUFG, SMBC and Mizuho will now evaluate defense loan requests case‑by‑case.
- The policy shift is driven by heightened geopolitical risk and expectations of rising defense spending.
- World Cup matches provide a rare distraction for civilians living under war conditions in Gaza.
- Frequent blackouts and fuel shortages limit the ability of many to watch the games.
- A large number of families are displaced, living in tents after Israeli attacks.
- Hong Kong property tycoon Gordon Wu is optimistic about China's future due to its stability
- Wu has been betting on China since its opening up in 1978
- He received the Game Changer Award from the Asia Society for his contributions to China's development
- Chinese state media and influencers reject claims the film is a propaganda tool
- The Teochew‑dialect film follows a young man tracing remittance letters from Thailand
- Counter‑message timed ahead of the film’s release in Singapore and other Southeast Asian markets on Thursday
- Critics argue the movie aims to expand Beijing’s influence over the Chinese diaspora
- Chinese officials label the criticism as disrespectful
- Interview recorded on June 17 in Hong Kong.
- Features discussion with John Mearsheimer, professor of political science at the University of Chicago.
- Transcript generated using Alibaba's Tongyi Tingwu AI service and edited for accuracy.
- A European nation has formally requested Japanese defence equipment.
- Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi confirmed the request on a Radio Nikkei podcast.
- The inquiry was raised ahead of the Shangri‑La Dialogue security forum.
- Potential deal could deepen defence trade ties between Japan and Europe.
Tech/AI 37
- JPMorgan forecasts chip financings to grow to 60% of total annual spending by 2030
- Nvidia expected to ship 8.9 million GPUs this year, surpassing Google's TPU shipments
- Total AI capex forecasts grow to $5.5 trillion through 2030
- Microsoft, Meta, and Tesla down 20-33% from highs
- Semiconductors, memory stocks, and SpaceX-linked opportunities gain momentum
- Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF up 140% this year
- DeepSeek raises $7.3B in Series A round, valuing the company at $59.2B
- Post-investment value of 400 billion yuan ($59.2 billion)
- Deal marks a significant milestone in China's AI landscape
- Waymo recalls 3,900 robotaxis in the US to fix software issues related to freeway construction zones
- 13 known incidents of robotaxis driving into construction zones or entering freeway lanes with active construction
- Company has limited robotaxi availability for use on freeways while developing a remedy
- FERC directs grid operators to prioritize data center interconnections within 30 days
- Data centers will be responsible for paying costs of interconnection
- Grid operators must submit report detailing spare generating capacity within 60 days
- Google, Meta, Amazon and Microsoft together plan $750 bn in capex for 2024.
- The combined AI spending equals roughly 50% of the UK government's annual budget.
- This represents the highest capex level for the quartet and is projected to rise next year.
- Analysts warn the spending surge could create depreciation pressure on assets.
- Block's new AI tool, Builderbot, executes 15% of all production code changes
- Builderbot merges 1,500 pull requests per week and executes 200,000 operations daily
- AI tooling is a scaling signal as autonomous agents take on more work
- AI forecasts assume ample electricity, but supply constraints could curb sector expansion
- Bitzero (AIBZ) locked in over 1 GW of low‑cost power across Norway, Finland and North Dakota
- Bitzero is already cash‑flow positive, positioning it to profit from the looming power shortage
- 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Ohio's Social Media Parental Notification Act in a 2‑1 decision.
- The law mandates parental consent for anyone under 16 on platforms such as Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.
- Ohio's law, passed in 2023 and effective Jan 2024, had previously been blocked by a district judge.
- NetChoice argues the law is vague, but the court deemed the parental‑consent requirement a marginal burden.
- The ruling may set a precedent for other states and countries considering similar child‑protection measures.
- Chinese team created a brain‑implant electrode array thinner than a hair strand and as soft as brain tissue
- The flexible array survived 18 months in animal trials while delivering clear long‑term neural recordings
- The breakthrough addresses durability challenges that have limited brain‑computer interface development
- Meta contracts roughly 1.6 GW of AI computing power from Crusoe across two U.S. sites
- The data centers are located in Childress, Texas and Warrenton, Missouri
- One gigawatt can power about 750,000 U.S. homes, underscoring the scale
- Financial terms and delivery schedule were not disclosed
- Baseten is close to finalising a $1.5 billion funding round, valuing the company at $13 billion.
- The round follows a $300 million Series E raised five months earlier at a $5 billion valuation, and a $150 million Series D nine months prior.
- Investors are split‑priced at $13 billion and $11 billion valuations; co‑led by Spark Capital, Sands Capital, Altimeter Capital and Wellington Management.
- Valuation rose roughly 160 % in under six months, highlighting the AI inference “gold rush.”
- NASA has asked Northrop Grumman to stop work on the Lunar Gateway Habitation and Logistics Outpost (HALO) module
- The HALO module is a 6.1‑meter pressurized habitation unit built under a $1.1 billion contract
- The move follows NASA's shift from an orbital lunar station to a surface Moon base, repurposing the Power and Propulsion Element for a nuclear‑electric propulsion demo
- Meta lobbies for federal immunity from state child‑harm claims under the Kids Online Safety Act.
- Proposed language could block thousands of pending lawsuits against Meta and YouTube.
- KOSA passed the Senate 91‑3 in 2024 but failed in the House; it is now reintroduced with bipartisan backing.
- A recent trial awarded $6 million in damages to plaintiffs against Meta and YouTube for addictive features.
- The immunity provision would apply to any claim involving users under 18 and preempt state safety laws.
- Android developer verification system goes live on September 30, 2026
- Initial deployment limited to Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand
- Verification will require identity checks for developers publishing outside Google Play
- Goal is to reduce malware and scam apps by extending verification to participating app stores
- AWS is considering selling its Trainium AI chips to third parties, estimating a $50 billion annual run‑rate if commercialized.
- Nvidia currently generates about $326 billion in revenue, dwarfing the potential $50 billion chip business.
- Amazon says Trainium capacity sold out instantly, with the next generation (Trainium 4) not expected for over a year.
- Selling chips could force AWS to prioritize external sales over existing cloud customers unless production surplus is achieved via partners like TSMC.
- Arete Research sets a 2027 price target of $401 for SpaceX, implying more than double the current ~$192 price
- Other Wall Street targets are lower: Oppenheimer $250 (12‑18 months) and Stephens $296
- SpaceX’s projected 63% CAGR to 2030 hinges on Starship reusability and expansion of Starlink AI data centers
- Current market cap around $2 trillion; a $401 price would lift it above $5.2 trillion, overtaking Nvidia
- Company reported a $5 billion loss in 2025 on $18.5 billion revenue
- Around 53% of U.S. adults say they want to reduce their screen time.
- Average daily smartphone usage is roughly five hours per person.
- Companies like Back Market, Light Phone and MOQA are launching products to promote "slowtech" and limit screen time.
- One‑time 50% tax on stock of AI companies with over $200 million in annual AI sales
- Tax proceeds would create a sovereign wealth fund estimated at $7 trillion
- Projected dividend to each American could exceed $1,000 annually (5% payout)
- Major AI firms such as Nvidia, Microsoft, Alphabet and Amazon could be subject to the tax
- Space firms including Orbital, Starcloud, Lonestar Data Holdings and Cowboy Space are in preliminary talks with insurers for orbital AI data center coverage.
- The global space insurance market writes roughly $500 million in annual premiums, covering launch failures, satellite malfunctions, debris and space weather.
- Insurers say the key hurdle is modeling risk for AI chips in orbit, with premium levels still undefined.
- A briefing at Marsh with about 25 insurers highlighted that broader coverage will depend on startups securing debt financing.
- Developers can distribute iOS apps via alternative stores and process payments outside Apple’s platform in Brazil.
- New rules require notarization, authorization for alternative marketplaces, and child‑protection safeguards.
- Apple’s 5% Core Technology Commission fee applies to apps sold through the App Store, web, or alternative stores in Brazil.
- Developers must accept the updated license agreement by July 6, 2026.
- Startup is in talks to raise about $300 million, pushing valuation to just over $2 billion.
- Previously raised a $134 million seed round eight months after spinning out of Medal.
- Backers include Jeff Bezos, Eric Schmidt, Khosla Ventures and General Catalyst.
- Uses Medal's dataset of roughly 2 billion videos per year to train embodied AI world models.
- Guardrails Alliance super PAC has $5 million and aims to raise $15 million this cycle.
- PAC will fund ads for New York congressional candidate Alex Bores, opposing the $100 million Leading the Future PAC.
- Leading the Future PAC, backed by OpenAI president Greg Brockman, has amassed over $100 million for AI‑related political spending.
- Deutsche Bank is leveraging AI to drastically cut technology project completion times from years to 3-6 months.
- AI is clearing internal work backlogs, reducing tasks that once took months to just weeks.
- The bank is managing rising AI computing costs by implementing usage-based pricing models and token quotas for engineers.
- Deutsche Bank is developing AI tools for automating financial data analysis and linking external events to portfolio exposure.
- The bank maintains a cautious approach, deploying simpler AI models for routine tasks and assessing traditional solutions.
- Adobe is integrating its Firefly AI assistant into Premiere, Illustrator, InDesign, and Frame.io.
- New AI features enable generation of brand kits, product videos from photos, and storyboards.
- The Firefly app now allows users to save AI-generated elements and projects for reuse across different creative endeavors.
- Specific app enhancements include asset sorting and batch renaming in Premiere, and layer reorganization and font checks in Illustrator.
- Firefly is already compatible with Express, Photoshop, and Acrobat, and supports ChatGPT, Claude, and Copilot, with Google Gemini and Slack integration planned.
- French software firm ChapsVision grants ethics committee veto power over contracts deemed risky, citing OECD/UN/EU transparency rules
- ArgonOS positioned as European alternative to U.S.-based Palantir amid privacy and surveillance concerns
- Company secures government contracts in France and Germany, with French intelligence agency as primary client
- Pixi released a free iOS app on the App Store that lets iMessage users send AI-powered AR characters.
- The launch includes three characters—a robot, a cat, and an animated envelope—and simple AR games like tic-tac-toe.
- On-device AI processes visual and audio data locally, preserving privacy while allowing characters to react to surroundings and facial cues.
- App is limited to iPhone 11 and newer at launch; expansion to Android, WhatsApp, Instagram and a third‑party character marketplace is planned.
- Pixi will allow brands to charge for premium characters, but the consumer experience remains free.
- Baseten secured $1.5 bn in a new financing round.
- Funding values the startup at about $13 bn.
- The firm targets cheaper AI model services to compete with OpenAI and Anthropic.
- Investment highlights rising demand for cost‑effective generative AI solutions.
- ByteDance plans to invest billions of dollars in AI infrastructure using domestic chips.
- The firm is evaluating a handful of tier‑two Chinese chipmakers as alternatives to Nvidia.
- Regulatory constraints on Nvidia have created a gap that Chinese start‑ups hope to fill.
- Suppliers must scale production quickly to meet ByteDance's AI workload demands.
- France’s ANSSI to halt certification of security products lacking quantum-resistant encryption starting 2027, full adoption by 2030
- ANSSI certification required for French government and critical infrastructure contracts
- US NSA also mandates quantum-resistant algorithms (CNSA 2.0) for national security systems by 2027
- Japan's cancelled SpaceJet project leaves a gap in its civil aviation ambitions.
- A Boeing partnership is seen as a way to leverage Japan's advanced manufacturing and captive market for a new commercial aircraft.
- Analysts say the tie‑up could help Japan keep pace with China's fast‑moving aerospace sector.
- Chery's KunPeng Sky Optimus engine claims the highest thermal efficiency among recent ICEs.
- AI‑driven design and fuel‑saving technologies are central to the new efficiency gains.
- Analysts say the breakthroughs could improve Chinese vehicle fuel economy and export competitiveness.
- Midjourney, known for AI image generation, announced a body-scanner device for medical imaging.
- The device claims to capture diagnostic images in about 60 seconds, far faster than typical MRI scans.
- Company positions the product as a low-cost, spa‑like alternative to conventional MRI equipment.
- 47% of U.S. singles (aged 18‑39) have a negative view of AI use in romantic contexts.
- 40% would refuse to date someone using an AI companion app; the figure rises to 51% among women 18‑24.
- 64% say AI could help them in their dating journey, showing openness to AI features but not AI partners.
- Only 12% of 18‑24‑year‑olds reported using an AI companion app in the past three months.
- Mivo Scrolling, released last month, lets users schedule two daily scroll sessions, such as one‑hour windows per day
- The app offers pause reminders every 2, 3 or 5 minutes to prompt users to reflect on their scrolling intent
- A home‑screen widget displays daily scroll time and upcoming session schedules
- Mivo adopts a no‑shaming approach, allowing users to decide whether to continue scrolling after each reflection prompt
- Kē provides personalized fitness, nutrition and meditation plans with AI chatbot adjustments
- AI "Karamo" clone, built by Delphi, lets users converse with a digital version of the host
- Subscription costs $14.99 per month after a 3‑day free trial; available on iOS and Android
- Launch highlights a growing trend of celebrities partnering with AI voice and clone services
- Sharp is creating defense communications receivers that can connect to both low‑Earth‑orbit and geostationary satellites
- Dual‑orbit capability aims to improve link stability for military applications
- Commercial rollout planned for 2028, with a civilian version also under development
- Flat‑panel antenna design enables flexible installation on various platforms
Companies 63
- SpaceX saw $85 billion in trading volume on its first day, averaging $66 billion over the first 3 days.
- The company raised $75 billion in its IPO, more than twice the size of the biggest IPO before it.
- SpaceX's market cap climbed above Amazon's on Tuesday, closing at $2.66 trillion.
- SpaceX stock fell >6% to $178.50, after a ~5% drop in the previous session
- Shares stay >30% above the $135 IPO price, valuing the firm at $2.52 trillion
- Other U.S. space firms fell 3‑7% as profit‑taking spreads across the sector
- Retail net purchases shrank to $9.1 million on Thursday after $300 million in the prior three days
- SpaceX is preparing a $20 billion bond offering and a $60 billion stock deal for AI startup Anysphere
- Nippon Steel completed its $14.9 billion acquisition of U.S. Steel one year ago.
- Vice Chairman Takahiro Mori noted that while some reforms have taken effect, they are not yet meeting expectations.
- The firm will continue restructuring efforts to improve U.S. Steel's profitability and operational efficiency.
- Demand for memory chips to outpace supply in near term
- Manufacturing capacity additions unlikely to meet demand
- Apple, other tech firms vulnerable to ballooning memory-chip costs
- Yum Brands sells Pizza Hut to LongRange Capital for $1.5 billion and to Yum China Holdings for $1.2 billion
- Pizza Hut's US and international business has struggled with declining same-store sales, while China operations have seen growth
- Yum China plans to expand Pizza Hut to over 6,000 outlets in China by 2028
- Intel shares jumped 10% after President Trump announced a partnership with Apple on U.S. chip design
- Intel’s stock has surged 464% over the past 12 months, reaching a market cap of $608.7 billion
- Apple’s pre‑market price rose 0.3% following the announcement
- Nasdaq PHLX Semiconductor Index is up roughly 90% year‑to‑date, reflecting sector strength
- Hive secured a three‑year $220 million GPU cloud contract with Bell Canada and Cohere
- Deal will deploy 2,304 Nvidia Grace GPUs, adding roughly $70 million in annual recurring revenue
- Contracted HPC revenue now exceeds $100 million, signaling shift away from bitcoin mining
- Shares jumped about 10% in pre‑market trading after the announcement
- FDA advisory committee voted 9‑0 to recommend approval of Moderna's mRNA‑1010 flu vaccine
- Phase 3 trial with over 40,000 adults 50+ showed about 27% higher efficacy versus standard flu shot
- Substudy of nearly 3,000 adults 65+ showed stronger immune response than high‑dose flu vaccine
- Safety profile was generally favorable
- Retail investors have poured billions of dollars into SpaceX-focused ETFs.
- SpaceX’s implied market value now exceeds the valuation of the most expensive S&P 500 company.
- The surge is attributed to a “FOMO” mentality rather than traditional fundamentals.
- ETFs tracking SpaceX have seen the fastest capital inflow among private‑company funds this year.
- Intel names Seok-Hee Lee executive vice president of its contract chip‑manufacturing division.
- Lee will oversee advanced packaging, system integration, back‑end technology and manufacturing, reporting to CEO Lip‑Bu Tan.
- The appointment follows Apple’s agreement to design chips with Intel and aims to accelerate Intel’s 18A and 14A process ramps.
- Intel secured Tesla as its first major customer for the 14A node, targeting mass production by 2029.
- Q2 earnings fell short of analysts' expectations
- Revenue outlook for the next quarter was lower than consensus forecasts
- Analysts flag potential integration challenges from newly announced deals
- Akanda stock declined sharply following Nasdaq compliance notice
- The notice cited failure to meet listing standards such as market cap or share price
- No immediate timeline provided for remediation; investors monitor potential delisting risk
- Standard Nuclear has submitted a registration statement to go public.
- Proceeds are intended to finance the development of advanced nuclear reactors.
- The IPO could position the company as a key supplier in the emerging nuclear fuel market.
- BHP will book a US$2.3 billion (C$3.25 billion) impairment on the Jansen potash project.
- The charge reflects rising capital costs and schedule overruns at the Saskatchewan mine.
- Impairment will weigh on BHP's FY2024 earnings and cash flow.
- The Jansen mine is a joint venture between BHP and Nutrien.
- Jacobs was awarded a $249 million contract by the U.S. Navy
- The contract covers engineering services for naval projects
- The deal expands Jacobs' footprint in the defense sector
- Contract adds to Jacobs' order backlog and revenue outlook
- U.S. Department of Defense announced a conditional loan commitment of up to $725 million for Energy Fuels
- Funding will be used to expand the company's rare‑earth production capacity
- Energy Fuels shares rose sharply following the loan announcement
- Loan aligns with Pentagon's push for domestic critical mineral supply
- Moody's gave Baa1, Fitch BBB+, and S&P BBB, all investment‑grade with stable outlooks
- SpaceX's valuation topped $2 trillion after its Nasdaq debut
- Shares slipped 1.1% in extended trading following a near‑4% drop earlier in the day
- S&P flagged the AI segment as high‑capital and competitive, adding uncertainty
- Reformation aims to launch its initial public offering in the summer of 2026.
- The brand's visibility rose sharply after endorsements by Taylor Swift and Meghan Markle.
- Analysts expect the IPO could value the retailer in the high‑hundreds of millions of dollars.
- US President Trump announces a strategic partnership between Intel and Apple
- Bank of England keeps its policy rate unchanged
- Investors increase withdrawals from private‑credit funds, indicating sector pressure
- Snap creates separate company Dotmo to develop generative AI video models for interactive gaming
- Spin‑off driven by high internal AI costs; Snap will keep a large equity stake and license the technology
- CTO Bobby Murphy will act as lead investor in Dotmo while remaining Snap's full‑time CTO
- Follows Snap's 2026 Specs spin‑off and recent layoffs of roughly 1,000 jobs
- Wealthsimple Predict app slated for summer launch, offering ~4,000 Kalshi event contracts
- Second Canadian dealer authorized by CIRO to offer prediction market derivatives, with minimum 30‑day settlement
- Kalshi's recent entry into crypto perpetual futures has triggered a CME lawsuit against the CFTC over classification
- Regulatory pushback persists globally, with actions in Spain, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea and multiple US states
- Former Google DeepMind researcher Noam Shazeer, co‑author of the 2017 "Attention Is All You Need" paper, joins OpenAI.
- OpenAI adds former Trump White House AI policy official Dean Ball to lead a new "Strategic Futures" team.
- The hires are timed with OpenAI's preparation for a public debut and heightened competition with rivals like Anthropic.
- Ball's team will focus on AI risk, governance and policy, reporting directly to Chief Strategy Officer Jason Kwon.
- The moves follow recent U.S. government actions, including a Trump‑ordered export ban on Anthropic's latest models.
- Two YC Spring 2026 startups are valued at $175 million or more, with 9 Mothers topping $200 million
- 9 Mothers' AI counter‑drone system has booked $1.6 million in sales and expects a $35 million contract this year
- Ploy secured a $27 million seed round, led by First Round and Y Combinator
- Other notable startups focus on AI digital twins, mobile MRI clinics, compliance AI, space‑manufacturing logistics, and no‑code development tools
- Amazon is investigating five engineers who testified before Seattle City Council on a proposed AI data center moratorium.
- Seattle passed a unanimous moratorium on new AI data centers on June 9.
- Amazon plans up to $200 billion in capital expenditures this year, mainly for AI infrastructure, while cutting 30,000 corporate jobs since October.
- A Gallup poll shows 70% of Americans oppose local AI data center construction.
- SpaceX is planning a bond issuance of at least $20 billion.
- Bankers expect to meet investors as early as next week.
- Funds will target AI-related data centers, computing hardware, and power infrastructure.
- The deal would mark SpaceX's first public debt offering.
- Rivian faces a class‑action lawsuit in California alleging false promises that its first‑gen R1T truck and R1S SUV could operate hands‑free (Level 3 autonomy).
- The complaint says Rivian marketed the Driver+ system as standard for five years, despite knowing the vehicles could not achieve true hands‑free driving.
- Rivian previously settled a $250 million shareholder class‑action over price hikes on the same models.
- Second‑generation 2024 R1 vehicles do include advanced driver‑assist features, but the lawsuit focuses on the earlier generation lacking hands‑free capability.
- Rolls-Royce SMR secured its third major European contract, adding three reactors for Videberg Kraft in Sweden.
- The project marks Sweden's first new nuclear plant in more than 40 years.
- The multibillion‑pound export win makes Rolls‑Royce the only SMR developer with multiple binding commitments across Europe.
- The deal builds on existing contracts in the UK and Czechia, expanding the company's SMR pipeline.
- Overheating tank of methyl methacrylate prompted evacuation of 50,000 residents in late May
- Plant, employing ~500 workers, began safety checks to restart limited operations
- No immediate impact on Boeing 737 MAX, Airbus A350, or Lockheed F‑35 production, according to manufacturers
- Potential spill of up to 7,000 gallons (26,500 L) of toxic material was averted after tank risk was mitigated
- GKN plans to double F‑35 canopy capacity by Jan 2027 with a new production line near the site
- CME filed a lawsuit against the CFTC to stop Kalshi from offering perpetual futures on its platform
- Kalshi had previously received CFTC approval to list the perp futures on the CME
- The complaint alleges the regulator violated federal law in permitting the product
- New drilling at the Terronera silver‑gold operation returned high‑grade intercepts.
- Results point to exploration potential beyond the current mine footprint.
- Company may extend the mine's life schedule and pursue additional resources in west‑central Mexico.
- Apple will let developers distribute iOS apps via alternative marketplaces in Brazil
- Developers can offer non‑Apple payment methods and direct users to external sites for transactions
- New safeguards include app notarization, marketplace authorization, and child‑safety protections
- Changes take effect with iOS 26.5 rollout on Thursday following a settlement with CADE
- Spotify introduces "Reserved by Spotify," a new system to hold two tour tickets for eligible top fans before general public sales.
- The feature is initially available in the U.S. for Premium subscribers (18+) and will debut with artist Role Model's tour.
- Spotify will not collect fees on transactions, aiming to reward fans and combat scalpers who use automated tools.
- Currently, the system is limited to Live Nation concerts and Ticketmaster sales, with plans for future expansion to more partners and international users.
- Eligibility is determined by user activity like streams, shares, and app engagement, with safeguards against bot manipulation.
- Deluxe to acquire Celero Commerce for $625 million
- Celero Commerce services small and midsize businesses
- Deal expected to close in Q3 2024
- Manus' original Chinese investors plan to buy back the AI firm from Meta for $2 billion
- Purchase follows Chinese government order to reverse the deal
- Meta acquired Manus in 2022 for the same $2 billion valuation
- AgentCard integrates with Visa Intelligent Commerce, letting AI agents transact using Visa-issued tokens
- Supports AI models from any provider, including OpenAI and Anthropic, while preserving rewards and credit lines
- Each AgentCard receives a dedicated email address and phone number to establish agent identity
- Agents can complete purchases like vacations or groceries without the consumer touching a checkout screen
- BHP plans to divest power transmission assets in Chile valued at about $1.5 billion.
- The sale is part of a strategic shift to prioritize copper mining over other operations.
- Assets include high‑voltage transmission lines that support Chile's mining sector.
- STRC closed at $89, about 11% below its $100 par value, its lowest level since launch in July 2025.
- The decline prompted Strategy to pause its at‑the‑market share issuance, curbing cash for bitcoin purchases.
- Strategy sold 32 bitcoins (≈$2.5 million) in May to fund preferred‑stock dividends, its first bitcoin sale since 2022.
- MSTR common stock slipped roughly 5% to $116.52 as the preferred stock dropped.
- Wall Street firms hesitant to cut jobs despite AI adoption
- Junior bankers often develop into rainmakers, but AI can model their work
- Executives weigh AI's potential to augment human talent vs. job losses
- ARK sold its Robinhood (HOOD) stake, exiting the brokerage platform
- ARK cut its Roku (ROKU) position, reducing exposure to the streaming device maker
- ARK increased its Eli Lilly (LLY) holding, boosting exposure to the pharma company
- Komatsu CFO says profit is expected to decline due to weakening demand in the Middle East.
- Higher fuel costs are projected to erode net profit margins.
- The company is evaluating price increases for its construction equipment in North America.
- Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Japan's leading defense contractor, announced development of small interceptor drones.
- The initiative targets rising demand for low‑cost drones, underscored by the Ukraine and Middle East conflicts.
- MHI aims to foster a domestic drone industry to lessen reliance on foreign suppliers.
- The drones are designed for short‑range defense and will complement existing missile systems.
- Remitly filed a Form 4 insider transaction report on June 17
- Form 4 disclosures detail changes in holdings by company insiders
- No immediate market impact anticipated from the filing
- SoundHound AI Inc submitted a Form 4 filing to the SEC on June 17.
- The filing reports insider transactions, though specific details are not disclosed in the brief.
- No immediate market reaction or price impact is noted.
- Victoria Ledda appointed group chief information officer, effective July 1
- Rodrigo Castillo appointed group chief technology officer, also effective July 1
- Appointments target stronger digital, data and AI capabilities across the bank
- CBA recently hosted an internal AI summit with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and hired the country's first chief AI scientist in a bank
- Shareholders voted to re‑elect the incumbent board members.
- Key governance proposals, such as executive compensation plans, received approval.
- The outcome signals continued support for the company's current management direction.
- COO Jennifer Wong disposed of Reddit shares valued at $6.93 million
- The insider sale was disclosed in a recent SEC Form 4 filing
- Analysts may interpret the transaction as a modest bearish signal for Reddit stock
- Honest Company entered a 10-year lease for its new headquarters
- The headquarters will be located in Playa Vista, Los Angeles
- The long-term lease signals a commitment to expand its U.S. operations
- BTQ Technologies launched a C$150 million share sale program
- The announcement triggered a drop in BTQ stock price
- The share offering raises dilution concerns for existing shareholders
- Team Inc disclosed a change in its chief financial officer.
- The stock fell on the news of the CFO transition.
- Investors reacted negatively to the leadership change.
- California CPUC requests court and FCC to reject AT&T’s request to discontinue traditional copper phone service
- AT&T aims to cease service for about 184,000 residential and 15,000 business customers across 360 wire centers by June 2027
- State mandates AT&T spend $1 billion annually to maintain a legacy network that serves roughly 3 % of California households
- AT&T argues replacement services exist, but CPUC says the proof is inadequate
- Options trading on SpaceX saw a sharp increase in volume as the market opened
- A low-risk strategy is proposed to minimise out-of-pocket costs
- The approach aims to manage risk while taking advantage of the volume surge
- Global admin console now shows detailed credit usage by user, product, and model
- Admins can set default credit limits for the entire workspace and per-group overrides
- Employees can view their own credit consumption and request additional credits
- Apple issued Beats Firmware Update 1B211 to address CVE-2025-20701.
- Vulnerability allowed unauthenticated Bluetooth attackers to eavesdrop via the earbuds' microphone.
- Fix is delivered automatically when earbuds are paired and within Bluetooth range of an iPhone, iPad or Mac.
- Users can verify firmware version in Bluetooth settings on their device.
- New Found Gold transitions from exploration to steady gold production
- CEO Keith Boyle highlights company's progress in Quebec City
- Shift in focus from discovery to production expected to drive growth
- Towngas will increase gas tariffs by 4.4% starting August
- Half of commercial and industrial customers face up to HK$320 extra per month
- Around 65% of residential customers will pay no more than HK$10 extra monthly
- Company pledges no further tariff changes for the next two years
- Rumble secured 22,000 Nvidia GPU chips to power its AI-driven video services.
- CEO emphasizes the AI push is a long‑term strategy, not a short‑term fad.
- The move positions Rumble to compete with larger platforms integrating AI features.
- CFO Hitesh Lath disposed of $374,599 worth of C3.ai shares
- The insider sale was disclosed in a regulatory filing
- No other C3.ai executives reported comparable stock sales at the same time
- BitGo names Angela Ang as head of its Asia-Pacific division.
- Ang will oversee regional growth, client onboarding, and regulatory compliance.
- The move underscores BitGo's strategy to expand crypto custody services in APAC.
- Director Joshua Hug sold shares worth $503,675 in Remitly (NASDAQ: RELY)
- The sale was executed as a cash transaction on the open market
- No additional insider transactions were reported in the same filing period
- Wacoal will enter the automotive interior market through a collaboration with BASF's Japanese unit.
- The company plans to repurpose its Melooop bra‑cup forming technology for car interior components.
- Expansion is motivated by a shrinking domestic underwear market in Japan.
- The partnership aims to combine Wacoal's material expertise with BASF's chemical capabilities.
- Cuentas CAIO OAS Energy LLC bought $4,402 worth of its own shares.
- The transaction is a modest insider purchase, indicating limited immediate market impact.
- No specific rationale disclosed; the buyback size is small relative to typical market moves.
- Ajit Mohan, Snap's chief business officer, sold shares worth $38,652.
- The sale was disclosed in a recent SEC filing.
- No other insider transactions were reported at the time.
- Thrivent Financial disposed of $170,081 worth of Gloo Holdings shares
- The transaction size is modest, suggesting limited exposure to Gloo Holdings
- No immediate impact on Gloo Holdings' ownership structure was disclosed
- Sale reported in a recent regulatory filing
Thai Markets 3
- Clicx offers a promotional 4% annual interest on deposits up to 20,000 baht for the first three months
- Deposits above 20,000 baht earn only 0.5% interest, and each customer may open only one 4% pocket
- Competing digital savings products from Land and Houses Bank and Kiatnakin Phatra cap rates at 3% for up to 10,000 baht
- Clicx is a joint venture of Krungthai Bank, AIS and PTT Oil, and plans to add a digital lending service later
- S&P reaffirmed Thailand’s sovereign rating at BBB+ with a stable outlook
- GDP growth forecast at 2% for 2024, rising to an average 2.3% from 2026‑2029
- Per‑capita income expected to rise from about $8,000 in 2024 to $9,000 in 2025
- Fiscal deficit projected to stay near 3.2% of GDP in 2026 and 2027
- Tourism arrivals down 2.4% YoY in Q1, but remain a key growth pillar
- Average household income dropped 2.5% to 28,308 baht in 2025, the first decline in six years.
- Earned income contracted 4.8% while income from financial assistance rose 19.4%; 60% of low‑income households rely on aid.
- Debt burden among lower‑income households increased 1.9%, with over half reporting insufficient income to cover expenses.
- Income inequality remains high: top 10% earn 14 times the bottom 10%, and labour‑income share of GDP fell to 44%.
Other 38
- Decision on June 15 removes 155,865 rai of overlapping land from the park boundary.
- Around 90,000 rai of forest elsewhere will be added to protection through a land-swap.
- The change affects an estimated 20,000‑30,000 low‑income families and 5,200 claimants in the most complex group.
- There are about 450 active court cases out of roughly 550 land‑related cases across all groups.
- Group breakdown includes 55,000 rai (agricultural reform), 8,000 rai (Ban Thai Samakkhi), 80,000 rai (security settlements) and 6,000 rai (military training).
- NBA will name winning bidders for 12 permanent European franchises in the next 60‑90 days.
- Bids are due by the end of June; the league aims to debut in October 2027 with teams in cities such as Rome, Milan, London and Istanbul.
- Basketball accounts for less than 1% of Europe's commercial sports market, with an estimated 300 million fans.
- NBA Europe could face U.S. and Canadian teams in preseason games and later in the Emirates NBA Cup.
- All living former US presidents attended, except current President Donald Trump.
- The Obama Center, costing $850 million, opened to the public on Friday.
- The complex includes a museum, a digital archive, a basketball court and a 225‑foot granite tower.
- Celebrities such as Steven Spielberg, Oprah Winfrey, Stevie Wonder and Bruce Springsteen performed.
- Foreign guests included former Italian PM Matteo Renzi and former German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
- Hackers accessed driver’s license and passport data of more than 3 million Texans
- Breach stemmed from the department's license system vendor that manages hunting and fishing permits
- Personal details such as email addresses, phone numbers and residential addresses were also exposed
- State cybersecurity unit detected the incident, but timing and method remain undisclosed
- Rep. Bryan Steil (R-WI) is introducing a provision to ban lawmakers and their families from betting on political prediction markets.
- The measure is an amendment to a pending bill that also seeks to ban members of Congress from purchasing new individual stocks.
- Violators would face a fee of $2,000 or 10% of the transaction value (whichever is greater), plus any gains.
- The provision allows lawmakers and their families to place bets on non-political events, such as sports.
- The House bill, backed by Speaker Johnson and Trump, faces a high bar for Senate passage due to a lack of bipartisan support for the broader stock trading ban.
- Carbon Engineering raises $500M for direct air capture tech
- Iran's oil revenues may rise as OPEC+ cuts output
- Recycling giant, Sims Limited, invests in automation
- Vanguard data shows fewer than 50% of eligible employees contribute to Roth 401(k) plans
- Many workers still favor traditional pre‑tax contributions despite potential tax‑free growth
- Advisors recommend younger workers consider Roth contributions to lock in lower tax rates now
- The White House retired one of the two Air Force One aircraft that have served presidents for over 30 years.
- The retired jet is a Boeing 747 that was controversially gifted by Qatar to former President Donald Trump.
- The Qatar‑gifted Boeing 747 is expected to enter service as the replacement for the retired aircraft.
- Federal court issues ruling limiting Trump's administration's ability to deny wind farm permits
- First major legal setback in Trump's long‑standing opposition to wind energy
- Decision could pave way for future wind project approvals despite political resistance
- The Trump administration had slated the shutdown of the Ocean Observatories Initiative, a $350 million network.
- Opposition from weather forecasting and fisheries stakeholders intensified after the decision was announced in May.
- Following a Senate vote, officials indicated the plan will be reversed, with a formal announcement expected today.
- Fees range from 14%‑23% of enrolled debt (New Era) to 15%‑25% for most firms
- Minimum debt to enroll is typically $10,000 across providers
- Debt settlement usually harms credit scores and forgiven amounts may be taxable income
- Availability varies: New Era excludes IA, ME, OR; Pacific excludes OR; CuraDebt excludes PA
- DNA from teeth at four Lake Baikal cemeteries revealed Yersinia pestis infection.
- The outbreak occurred about 5,500 years ago, marking the earliest known plague event.
- The sequenced strain is the oldest Y. pestis genome identified to date.
- Findings suggest plague affected hunter‑gatherer groups before the rise of agriculture.
- NCERT replaced altered image of 4-inch bronze 'Dancing Girl' figurine with original nude version in Class IX textbooks
- Controversy reflects broader cultural tensions under BJP's conservative Hindutva agenda
- Pakistan also censored figurine during Partition, opting for clothed male 'priest-king' to avoid religious backlash
- 93% of mainland Chinese families on Hong Kong talent visas say education is the primary motive for relocation
- Nearly 80% move when their children are in upper secondary school
- Survey conducted May‑June by Beacon Group, a leading tutoring and college admissions consultancy
- Talent visa scheme targets high‑skill workers, potentially boosting Hong Kong's talent pool
- Lawsuit filed in Kobe district court alleging wrongful detention and interrogation by authorities
- Girl was held for 18 days, released, and died five months later weighing just 20 kg (44 lb)
- Case highlights concerns over Japan's "hostage justice" practice in criminal investigations
- 35-year-old programmer Cheung Lai-ming convicted on four charges for bomb plot activities
- Sentenced to 14 years in prison for making explosives in his Wong Tai Sin flat
- Admitted to storing over 20kg of chemicals capable of producing explosives, targeting attacks from Aug 2019 to May 2022
- Cafe Marz Menu won ballot for dog-friendly licence but faces legal hurdle
- Homeowners must amend deed of mutual covenant to allow dogs on premises
- Current land-use document bans dogs on Kai Yan Court in Kai Tak
- Switzerland won 4-1, scoring all five goals in the final 30 minutes.
- Johan Manzambi entered at the 71st minute and scored a brace, including the 90th-minute winner.
- Bosnia received a red card in the 80th minute after Tarik Muharemovic fouled Breel Embolo.
- The victory puts Switzerland top of Group B with one win and one draw.
- Bosnia stays on one point and must win its final group match against Qatar to advance.
- New York Knicks capture first NBA title in 53 years
- Finals MVP Jalen Brunson honored with city keys
- Mayor Zohran Mamdani presents keys during Manhattan parade
- Large crowds raise concerns about Ebola spread as the tournament draws global fans
- Ticket prices for in‑stadium matches can exceed $1,000, limiting physical attendance
- Fans rely on online streams and fan zones, especially in Washington, to follow matches
- Autopsy confirms 11-year-old victim was raped prior to death
- Girl, identified as Lyhanna, disappeared on May 29 in Fleurance, southwestern France
- Body found a week later in an abandoned silo
- Main suspect is 41-year-old father of a school friend, previously accused of rape
- Twins Olivia and Gianna, Filipino, underwent separation surgery in Saudi Arabia
- Procedure lasted six hours and was performed in six stages
- 22 specialized medical staff participated in the operation
- Neymar will miss Brazil's Group C match versus Haiti as he stays in New Jersey for calf injury recovery
- The 34-year-old forward remains Brazil's all‑time top scorer with 79 international goals
- Brazil opened the tournament with a 1‑1 draw against Morocco; his absence fuels debate over his squad selection
- Elye Wahi obtained travel authorization to Canada for the World Cup match against Germany after an earlier denial.
- The Ivorian Football Federation announced the visa was secured just hours after stating he could not travel.
- Wahi was linked to a sport‑corruption probe but has not been charged and faces no judicial restrictions.
- The federation reaffirmed confidence in Wahi, calling him an important member of the national team.
- Messi's father Jorge is under medical follow‑up and recovering, according to a family statement.
- The family asked for privacy after rumors of his death circulated following Messi’s emotional World Cup match.
- Jorge Messi, who managed Lionel’s contracts and business affairs, has not disclosed the specific health issue.
- Match ended 1-1 after Teboho Mokoena converted a penalty in the 85th minute.
- Both South Africa and Czechia earned their first point after losing opening games.
- South Africa now have one point and face South Korea in their next group match.
- Czechia also sit on one point and will play Mexico in their upcoming fixture.
- Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced plans to phase out the 150‑year‑old horse carriage sector.
- The move follows the death of 18‑year‑old Romanch Mahajan in Central Park.
- City officials say the industry will be targeted for closure pending safety reviews.
- A 3‑year‑old boy entered the crocodile enclosure at Johnson’s of Old Hurst zoo in Cambridgeshire.
- The child suffered serious injuries and was taken to hospital in critical condition.
- Police arrested a man on suspicion of attempted murder in connection with the incident.
- The incident occurred on Thursday; authorities are investigating the circumstances.
- MapTap presents five daily location clues, each scored 0-100 based on proximity
- Later questions multiply scores by 2‑3, allowing a maximum possible score of 1,000
- Players share results via a text snippet, e.g., a final score of 828
- First former ISS long-duration resident to die in 26 years
- Served twice as a crew member aboard the ISS, including during the final US space shuttle mission in 2011
- Cause of death unknown
- Vietnamese police rescued approximately 400 cats destined for slaughter in a major operation.
- The bust uncovered a nationwide racket involved in the pet meat trade, transporting animals from south to north.
- Hundreds of desperate cat owners visited police headquarters to identify their lost pets among the rescued animals.
- This operation is believed to be one of the largest of its kind against the illicit pet meat trade.
- 37-year-old police officer shot his wife and mother-in-law outside a gym in Buriram province
- Two gym trainers restrained the officer after he attempted to flee the scene
- Police from Nang Rong Station arrived and took the officer into custody
- Two live worms, each about 10 cm long, were extracted from a woman's arm in Shenzhen, Guangdong.
- The lump grew over a year, eventually reaching the size of a quail egg before treatment.
- The case was reported by Shenzhen TV after the patient sought care at Shenzhen People’s Hospital.
- Japanese football fans tidy up stadium after match against Netherlands
- Meme highlights perceived double standards in men's behavior at home
- Spoof train etiquette poster goes viral on social media
- Sony Pictures released a new trailer for 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day'.
- The film is a follow-up to 2021's 'No Way Home', marking five years since a Spider-Man movie on the big screen.
- The previous film concluded with Peter Parker's memory erased from everyone, including MJ.
- The new trailer features the characters Hulk and Punisher alongside Peter Parker.
- A Singaporean man pleaded guilty to sending an edited photo of Marina Bay Sands on fire to Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong's Facebook page.
- The message accompanying the fake photo also mentioned a 'bomb'.
- He faces charges under the Miscellaneous Offences (Public Order and Nuisance) Act for knowingly sending a false message.
- A second charge for obstructing justice by performing a factory reset on his phone will also be considered.
- Young Chinese tourists visit South Korea for cheaper beauty services
- Services include colour analysis, make-up, hairstyle, and ID photography
- Shift from traditional cosmetic surgery to day-trip beauty experiences
- Mangione is charged with killing an insurance CEO.
- His legal team may argue a mental breakdown as a defense.
- Experts say proving a mental breakdown defense is difficult in homicide cases.
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