June 19, 2026 · Daily Global-Macro Brief

June 19, 2026 300 stories · 341 articles, 41 merged · refreshed 2026-10-12 02:20 UTC ▲ 43▼ 54◆ 23– 180

Markets 37

USD/CAD reaches 14-month high, driven by widening Canada-US rate gap and falling Gold prices
Loonie's traditional link to Crude Oil has broken down, with correlation turning negative
Canadian CPI on Monday and US PCE on Thursday to influence USD/CAD direction

Read on FXStreet ↗ also: FXStreet

Dollar index reaches one-year high at 104.27
U.S. Treasury yields rise to 4.25% on 10-year bond
Oil prices ease after U.S.-Iran peace deal

Read on WSJ Markets ↗ also: WSJ Markets

Elon Musk's personal stake in SpaceX exceeds $1 trillion after the IPO
SpaceX's market cap hit $2.43 trillion, briefly overtaking Amazon and Microsoft
Shares are up 37% since debut, but have slipped in recent days
Insiders hold stakes over $1 billion, e.g., Valor Equity Partners at $96.6 billion and Gwynne Shotwell at $2.4 billion

Read on CNBC Top News ↗

MSCI lowered Indonesia's information flow rating to negative, citing opaque shareholding structures
Jakarta Composite Index dropped about 8%, wiping $80 bn in market value; down 29% YTD in 2026
Foreign investors have sold roughly $3.65 bn of Indonesian stocks so far this year
The rupiah has depreciated over 14% since President Prabowo took office, now below 1997 crisis levels
A downgrade to frontier status could force index funds to dump billions, further pressuring equities and the IDR

Read on The Diplomat ↗ also: WSJ Markets

DXY reached a fresh 13-month high, topping 101.00 before easing.
Fed kept policy rate at 3.75% and dot‑plot now signals a possible hike later in 2024.
Next week’s Q1 GDP estimate (≈1.6% YoY) and May core PCE (projected 0.3% MoM) will test the rally.
Support sits near 100.50, with downside risk to 99.00 if inflation surprises low.

Read on FXStreet ↗

S&P 500 gained 0.9% for its 11th winning week in 12, Nasdaq up 2.4% despite mid‑week selloff
Fed Chair Kevin Warsh signaled a potential rate hike, triggering a 1.2% drop in the S&P 500 on Wednesday
Oil prices fell about 10% after the US‑Iran ceasefire MOU, supporting equities
Chipmakers rallied: Intel +10.6% (weekly +7.6%), Nvidia +2.7%, Broadcom +7.7%, Arm +15.4%; SOXX +7.3%

Read on CNBC Top News ↗

Over $10 bn in leveraged ETF trades on SpaceX stock during its first week
Leveraged Shares alone accounted for $4 bn of volume, with its 2× long ETF (SPCH) leading
Tuesday saw peak daily volume of $4.2 bn across all SpaceX leveraged ETFs
Eleven single‑stock leveraged ETFs launched; the largest short ETF (SSPC) handled $2.56 bn

Read on CNBC Top News ↗

GBP/USD recovers from a nearly three-month low, up 0.18% to 1.3226.
Fed's hawkish tilt keeps DXY anchored near 13-month highs at 101.13.
Ceasefire strains and UK politics cloud Sterling's recovery.

Read on FXStreet ↗

S&P 500 and Nikkei 225 reached record highs this month
SpaceX IPO raised $75 billion, valuing the company at $2.5 trillion within two days
US‑Iran agreement on the Strait of Hormuz pushed US gasoline prices below $4 per gallon

Read on SCMP Economy ↗

Jobs added far more than economists forecast, underscoring a still‑strong US labor market
CPI posted a 4.2% YoY increase, well above the Fed’s 2% goal
Treasury yields climbed, pushing rate‑cut expectations further out and boosting the dollar
Gold slipped while silver fell even more sharply as investors shifted to higher‑yield bonds

Read on Investing.com Commodities ↗

U.K. 10-year gilt yields rise 4.5bps to 3.53%
Public sector borrowing exceeds forecast in May, reaching £13.1bn
Andy Burnham wins special election, potentially challenging PM Keir Starmer

Read on WSJ Markets ↗

Japan's Nikkei rose 0.8% to a record high, extending its weekly gain to 8.5%
South Korea's KOSPI jumped 3.1%, lifting its weekly rise to 15.3%
Brent crude fell 1% to $79.03 a barrel, down 9.5% for the week
U.S. dollar index up 1% to 100.78, pushing the yen to 161.26 per dollar
Spot gold slipped 0.5% to $4,188 per ounce as the dollar strengthened

Read on Channel NewsAsia Business ↗

Yen slipped to 161.25 per dollar, its weakest level since July 2024.
Intervention in late April/early May totalled 11.7 trillion yen ($72.5 bn).
Speculative net short positions on the yen are at their highest since July 2024.
BOJ's recent rate hike left the yen vulnerable amid a wide U.S.–Japan yield gap.
A move above 161.96 would mark the weakest yen since 1986.

Read on Channel NewsAsia Business ↗

Kospi jumped 2.8% to over 9,000, extending its record run
Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix shares reached all‑time highs
Japan's Nikkei rose 0.6% after hitting a record high; Topix unchanged
Australia's ASX 200 fell 0.74% and South Korea's Kosdaq slipped 0.39%
US S&P 500 up 1.08% and Nasdaq up 1.91% after Fed signaled possible rate hike

Read on CNBC Top News ↗

Nikkei closed above 70,000, a record high
KOSPI rose past 9,000 for the first time
AI-driven optimism lifted both markets
Investor confidence boosted by the US‑Iran peace deal and comfort with the BOJ's gradual normalization

Read on Nikkei Asia ↗

AUD/USD trades near 0.7011, on track for a weekly loss
Fed and RBA hold rates steady but signal openness to hikes later in 2024
RSI at 37 (below 50) and price below 20‑day SMA (0.7091) suggest bearish bias
Key data ahead: Australian CPI, US PCE, Q1 GDP and PBoC rate decision
Technical support at 0.6963; 200‑day SMA at 0.6852

Read on FXStreet ↗ also: FXStreet

USD/CHF trades around 0.8080, its highest level since November 2025
Fed hints at possible rate hikes while SNB keeps policy unchanged, widening the divergence
RSI rises to 68.6, approaching overbought territory and reinforcing bullish bias
Immediate resistance at 0.8100; a close above could target 0.8300

Read on FXStreet ↗ also: FXStreet

NZD/USD fell to around 0.5740, down 0.28% on the day and near its lowest level since April
Fed projections now target a 3.8% Federal Funds Rate by year‑end, up from 3.4% in March, supporting the dollar
RBNZ may raise its cash rate to about 2.85% by year‑end, limiting NZD losses but not offsetting USD strength
Israel‑Hezbollah ceasefire eased risk sentiment but had limited impact on the currency pair

Read on FXStreet ↗ also: FXStreet

Nordea expects USD/JPY to remain high while the Fed stays hawkish and US yields stay above Japanese yields
A wide yield spread between US Treasuries and Japanese bonds underpins yen weakness
BoJ may tweak yield curve control but Nordea doubts it will materially strengthen the yen soon
Possible FX intervention could be triggered if USD/JPY rises sharply above recent highs, but not factored into the forecast

Read on FXStreet ↗ also: FXStreet

Schwab partners with Cboe to develop yes-or-no options on S&P 500 performance
Contracts pay fixed cash if the index closes above or below a target; partial payouts via Cboe's Plus Zone
Products slated for launch in the coming months, expanding Schwab into prediction markets

Read on CoinDesk ↗ also: CoinDesk

EUR/USD fell to a multi‑week low near 1.1400 before finding a tentative floor around 1.1450
ECB raised its deposit rate for the first time since 2023 while cutting growth forecasts and lifting inflation projections
US dollar stays ahead as the Fed kept rates at 3.75% and signaled a possible hike, keeping the DXY near a 13‑month high
Technical resistance lies at 1.1500‑1.1550; support at 1.1450, with a break below 1.1400 opening a deeper downtrend
Upcoming US Q1 GDP and May PCE data could push EUR/USD back toward 1.1400 if inflation prints are hot

Read on FXStreet ↗

COLCAP closed up 4.02% in the session
The gain represents the strongest daily rise for the index in recent weeks
Higher-than-average trading volume supported the rally

Read on Investing.com News ↗

MOEX Russia Index down 1.04% at market close
Major Russian blue‑chip stocks led the decline
Broad market breadth showed losses across most listed shares

Read on Investing.com News ↗

USD index hovered around 100.70 after hitting a 13‑month high of 101.13
EUR/USD dropped over 0.80% to 1.1480 amid a broadly strong dollar
GBP/USD trades near 1.3230 after BoE left rates unchanged at 3.75%
USD/JPY steadied near 161.30, close to intervention thresholds
WTI crude fell to about $76.50 per barrel as US‑Iran peace talks weigh on oil

Read on FXStreet ↗

S&P/TSX Composite fell 0.32% by market close
Broad Canadian equity indices recorded modest declines
Market sentiment turned negative amid the session

Read on Investing.com Economy ↗

Thai SET index fell 1.3% week‑over‑week to 1,572.5, staying below the 1,580 resistance level
Institutional investors bought 8.33 bn baht, foreign investors 3.28 bn baht, while retail sold 14.70 bn baht
US‑Iran MoU lifted oil prices; Brent forecast trimmed to $80‑$82 per barrel for 2024, down from $90‑$93
Fed kept policy rate at 3.50‑3.75% and a 72% probability of a 25‑bp hike in September
Bank of Japan raised rates to 1% (31‑year high) while other Asian central banks held or modestly raised rates

Read on Bangkok Post Business ↗

Commonwealth Fusion Systems added $863M in its latest round, bringing its total funding to about $3B, roughly one‑third of all private fusion capital.
TAE Technologies raised $150M in June, reaching $1.79B total, and announced a $6B all‑stock merger with Trump Media.
Helion secured $465M in a Series G round, lifting its total raised to $1.5B and valuing the company at $15.5B.
Pacific Fusion launched with a Series A exceeding $1B to develop inertial‑confinement fusion using coordinated electromagnetic pulses.
The sector’s funding surge is fueled by advances in AI, high‑performance chips, and high‑temperature superconducting magnets, attracting investors such as Google, Bill Gates, SoftBank and others.

Read on TechCrunch ↗

Bank plans to sell £1.575 bn of gilts in Q3 2026 (£725 m short‑term, £600 m medium‑term across five auctions)
APF reduction target of £70 bn set in Sep 2025 will be met by end of Q3 2026, leaving holdings at £488 bn
Short‑maturity (3‑7 yr) gilts will be sold in three auctions; medium‑maturity (7‑20 yr) in two auctions; long‑maturity sales limited
Schedule covers 20 July to week of 14 September 2026, with any size adjustments to be announced in advance

Read on Bank of England ↗

EUR/USD rebounds to ~1.1470 after hitting a three‑month low of 1.1417
US Dollar Index falls to around 100.81 from a peak of 101.13, its highest since May 2025
Fed left rates unchanged at 3.50‑3.75% but kept hike options open; ECB recently raised rates by 25 bps
ECB may consider another 25 bps hike in July if services inflation remains elevated

Read on FXStreet ↗

ECB is closer to ending rate hikes while Fed likely stays tighter, narrowing the EUR/USD rate gap
Eurozone growth lags US, capping near‑term EUR/USD upside
Nordea projects EUR/USD to trade sideways for months, with downside to 1.03‑1.05 and upside only above 1.10 on major data shifts

Read on FXStreet ↗

Andy Burnham's by‑election win positions him to become UK PM by late summer, according to betting markets.
ING notes no political risk premium on the pound over the past month, implying limited fiscal disruption.
The firm maintains a bullish view on EUR/GBP, expecting no further BoE rate hikes and viewing fiscal headlines as an upside risk.

Read on FXStreet ↗

Applied Materials (+9%) and Western Digital (+33%) posted 14‑day RSI above 70 (77 and 78), marking them as overbought.
Citigroup and Morgan Stanley rose 2% and 4% respectively, with RSI 75 and 74, and hit 52‑week highs.
Accenture fell ~25% to an RSI of 23, making it oversold after a $4.2 bn acquisition spree and a revenue miss.
Fox Corp dropped >20% with RSI 26 after announcing a $22 bn acquisition of Roku funded by a $12 bn loan.

Read on CNBC Top News ↗

10-year gilt yield jumped >8 basis points to 4.8394% after the budget deficit rose to £23.3bn in May, the highest in six years
UK deficit of £23.3bn far exceeded the £18.9bn forecast, raising concerns over fiscal discipline
Andy Burnham won the Makerfield by‑election with about 55% of the vote, positioning him to trigger a Labour leadership challenge to PM Starmer
Analysts warn limited fiscal headroom and a possible inflation premium could push yields higher across short‑ and long‑dated gilts

Read on CNBC Top News ↗

S&P/BMV IPC dropped 0.82% at the close of trade.
Broad Mexican equities moved down, pulling the index lower.
The decline was the day's primary market movement.

Read on Investing.com News ↗

Bovespa closed at a 0.03% gain, marking a modest rise
Broad Brazilian equity market showed limited movement
No significant economic or corporate news reported

Read on Investing.com Economy ↗

June 19 (Juneteenth) is a federal holiday this year, falling on Friday, June 19, 2026.
U.S. equity markets (NYSE, NASDAQ) will be closed for the full trading day on June 19.
U.S. Postal Service will not deliver regular mail on June 19; parcel services may operate on a limited schedule.
Normal trading resumes on Monday, June 24, 2026.

Read on MarketWatch Top Stories ↗

Sell‑offs of private business jets since Covid-19 have largely run their course
Very few new jet deliveries were made in China last year
A small number of deliveries remain pending for 2024
Shift in demand across industries suggests limited future sales

Read on SCMP Economy ↗

Macro/Economy 24

Welfare outlays rose from 62% of total spending in 2019 to 66% in 2024, exceeding half of the budget
Civil servant welfare reached 15.1% of total spending in 2024 (542 bn baht), up from 12.7% in 2019
Public welfare spending peaked at 13.1% of the budget in 2021, standing at 12.2% (437 bn baht) in 2024
Public debt is approaching the statutory ceiling of 70% of GDP
Fiscal deficit projected at 4.4% of GDP for FY2026, with a target of 3% by 2029

Read on Bangkok Post Business ↗

U.S. Trade Representative announced a Section 301 probe targeting Germany's plan to cut drug prices for insurers.
The investigation could lead to tariffs on German pharmaceuticals if negotiations fail.
President Trump's MFN policy ties U.S. drug prices to foreign levels; 17 major pharma firms have agreed to lower U.S. prices for tariff exemptions.
German health ministry has not responded, while pharma CEOs warn tighter pricing could delay new drug launches in Europe.

Read on CNBC Top News ↗

China expects a significant increase in inbound tourism for the Dragon Boat Festival, with Fliggy reporting over 600% year-on-year rise in overseas bookings.
The surge is driven by growing foreign interest in traditional Chinese festivals and relaxed visa policies, contributing to a travel boom.
International traveler spending in China rose over 10% to US$135 billion last year, providing a boost to the economy.
Local governments are promoting festival-themed events to convert cultural customs into consumer spending drivers.
This tourism uptick occurs amidst signs of broader consumer spending weakness, with retail sales falling 0.6% year-on-year in May.

Read on Bangkok Post Business ↗

Japan's core inflation rate remained at 1.4% in May, matching expectations.
Core-core inflation eased to 1.8% from 1.9% in April.
Producer price index rose 6.3% in May, driven by higher energy costs.

Read on CNBC Top News ↗

S&P and Moody’s reaffirm Thailand's sovereign rating at BBB+ / Baa1 with stable outlook
JSCCIB calls for targeted investments, reduced blanket subsidies, and regulatory reforms
Panel backs Thailand's OECD membership bid and cites strong foreign‑exchange reserves
Rating reaffirmation viewed as positive signal for investor confidence and SET funding costs

Read on Bangkok Post Business ↗

New Joint Public-Private Consultative Committee will set a four-year reform plan, targeting quick wins in 6‑month, 1‑year and 4‑year horizons
Reform priorities include infrastructure, energy sector, education, and easing investment regulations via the BoI “Thailand Fast Pass”
Government aims for GDP growth above 2% by 2026 while seeking to cut reliance on imported energy, which now equals nearly 10% of GDP
Thailand’s external stability remains strong with foreign reserves around US$300 bn, over 2.5 × short‑term debt, and S&P maintaining its credit rating
IMD ranking improves to 26th for competitiveness, but energy sector remains low at 67th due to high import dependence

Read on Bangkok Post Business ↗

Solar electricity becomes cheapest source of power on record, outpacing coal and gas
A wave of state-level legislative rollbacks threatens clean‑energy adoption
Federal and judicial actions add legal complexity to the renewable‑energy rollout

Read on OilPrice ↗

World population rose from ~2.5 billion in 1950 to ~8.3 billion in 2026, a 3.3‑times increase.
The rapid rise over 75 years is viewed as a historical anomaly rather than a permanent trend.
Future demographic shifts may involve stagnation or decline, making human capital a key competitive edge.

Read on SCMP Economy ↗

Nevada's workforce grew 1.9% from April 2025 to 2026, the highest state rate, versus a 0.2% rise nationally.
The state contributed roughly 12% of all new U.S. jobs despite representing only about 1% of the population.
Job gains were led by professional and business services, education, health, and AI‑related infrastructure, while casino revenues fell nearly 4%.
Nevada job listings rose about 20% compared with February 2020, far outpacing the 2% national increase.

Read on CNBC Top News ↗

Chancellor Friedrich Merz claims the yuan is undervalued by roughly 30%, versus the IMF's 16% estimate
He urges the EU to start "Plaza Accord"‑style discussions to address the yuan valuation and Chinese subsidies
Merz warns that China's high subsidies and a non‑convertible currency are flooding markets and creating overcapacity

Read on SCMP Economy ↗

Extended congressional inaction raises projected tax increases for Social Security.
Benefit cuts are expected to grow larger the longer reforms are postponed.
Fiscal pressure on the program will intensify without timely legislative action.

Read on WSJ Markets ↗

OSFI cuts capital buffer for the country's biggest banks
The reduction is aimed at freeing capital to boost loan growth
Policy supports the government's push to attract investment and revive the economy

Read on WSJ Markets ↗

Global flash PMI figures slated for release next week across major economies
US May PCE inflation report highlighted as a primary data point
Additional inflation releases include Germany's Ifo survey, Japan's Tokyo CPI, and CPI reports for Canada and Australia

Read on FXStreet ↗

Homeowners withdrew $47 bn in equity in Q1 2026, the highest first‑quarter total since 2021
Withdrawals slipped from $49 bn in Q4 2025 but remain near record levels
HELOCs and home‑equity loans accounted for 54% of the withdrawals; cash‑out refinances made up the remainder
Nearly two‑thirds of second‑lien borrowers originated mortgages in 2020‑2022 when rates were 3%‑4%
U.S. home equity is estimated at $11 trillion while 30‑year mortgage rates sit above 6.5%

Read on CNBC Top News ↗

Chinese customs are increasing checks on indium shipments to foreign buyers.
Indium is a key material for high‑speed AI data‑center chips.
The metal is not yet listed on China's export control lists, but scrutiny has risen.
Exporters report tighter documentation requirements and longer clearance times.

Read on OilPrice ↗

France mobilises €13 bn in new institutional funding under the third phase of the Tibi initiative.
Total funding under Tibi reaches nearly €31 bn since 2020, with a goal of €15 bn by the end of 2030.
Half of the new €13 bn will be directed to deep‑tech companies, with new participants including Carac, SNCF, RATP, Naval Group, MBDA and Eutelsat.
The programme aims to support French IPOs and help SMEs scale while remaining anchored in France and Europe.

Read on Channel NewsAsia Business ↗

Government proposes rebuilding 2‑5 aging reactors by the 2040s and 11‑14 by the 2050s.
Utilities view the targets as key to securing talent and supply‑chain stability.
Industry lobby urges faster financial aid and regulatory reforms for investment certainty.

Read on Channel NewsAsia Business ↗

Total assets of EU credit institutions grew 1.6% to €33.50 trillion in Dec 2025.
Non‑performing loans ratio held steady at 1.97% in Dec 2025.
Return on equity was 9.3% and CET1 ratio 16.42% at year‑end 2025.
Data cover 332 banking groups and 2,292 stand‑alone institutions, representing nearly 100% of the EU banking balance sheet.

Read on ECB Press ↗

EU heads asked Brussels to create additional trade‑defence measures targeting China
Commission instructed to engage Beijing in talks to resolve persistent trade frictions
New instruments will complement the EU's existing trade‑defence and industrial‑policy toolbox

Read on SCMP Economy ↗

LDP draft proposes managing the primary fiscal balance over several years rather than a single-year target
Policy shift would replace strict primary‑balance rules with flexible debt‑to‑GDP ratio guidelines
The move aims to curb "excessive austerity" and boost longer‑term investment, per Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi

Read on Nikkei Asia ↗

Italy's growth metrics have outpaced the pre‑2020 average
Recent data shows stronger GDP and employment trends
Analysts question the durability of the post‑2020 rebound

Read on Investing.com News ↗

Students with any work experience are twice as likely to be employed shortly after graduating.
Employers advise students to pursue summer jobs regardless of a 4.0 GPA.
Practical experience is valued more than academic grades in hiring decisions.
Summer employment can significantly improve early‑career prospects.

Read on MarketWatch Top Stories ↗

Hong Kong selected to host the Asian debut of the Hyrox World Championships in June next year
Event expected to draw high-spending visitors from the mainland China market
Estimated 1.5 million athletes have competed in the championships globally
Hosting the event could lift Hong Kong's tourism revenue

Read on SCMP Economy ↗

Climate change threatens global coffee bean production, prompting Japanese drink makers to seek alternatives.
Asahi Soft Drinks and Coca-Cola Japan are testing bean‑free coffee beverages for the domestic market.
The initiative aims to secure supply chains and meet consumer demand for sustainable coffee options.

Read on Nikkei Asia ↗

Central Banks 13

New Fed chief says cuts are not on the agenda, keeping policy tighter
Federal funds rate stays in the 5.25%–5.50% range for now
Inflation remains above the 2% target, supporting a restrictive stance

Read on MarketWatch Top Stories ↗

Bank Indonesia lifted the benchmark rate by 25 basis points to 5.75% on June 18
This marks the third rate increase in a 30‑day period, totaling a 1% rise
The moves aim to stabilise the rupiah and deter capital outflows
Higher rates may pressure equities but support the local currency

Read on Nikkei Asia ↗ also: Nikkei Asia

New Fed task forces are reviewing policy, giving the central bank flexibility on timing
Chair Kevin Warsh said no rate change is expected before the December meeting
The Fed could keep rates unchanged through the rest of the year, postponing any hike or cut

Read on MarketWatch Top Stories ↗

SSM fast‑tracked 80% of simple capital decisions to one‑week approval in Q1 2026, down from months.
Simple securitisation approvals reduced from three months to under ten working days in 2026.
Proposed reporting templates would cut required data points by 55%, lowering compliance costs.
EU banking remains fragmented: about 80% of lending stays domestic and less than 2% of deposits are cross‑border.
Calls for a time‑bound roadmap toward a European Deposit Insurance Scheme and fuller banking‑union integration.

Read on ECB Press ↗

ECB's Cipollone emphasizes the importance of monetary sovereignty in a globalized environment
The euro has strengthened Italy's and the euro area's monetary sovereignty, with a 20% share in global currency use
The ECB aims to preserve the euro's central role and reduce dependencies on non-European solutions for digital payments

Read on ECB Press ↗

The dollar climbed to a one-year high against a basket of currencies.
Investors are digesting the increased likelihood of higher U.S. interest rates.
This market sentiment follows Wednesday's Federal Reserve meeting.
U.S. markets were closed for a holiday, potentially affecting trading dynamics.

Read on WSJ Markets ↗

BOJ may raise interest rates twice by March 2028, says ex-board member Makoto Sakurai
Next hike likely in October or December, with a close eye on inflation data
BOJ to maintain focus on combating inflation, despite asset-price bubble risk

Read on Channel NewsAsia Business ↗

Extends monitoring period for profit and loss attribution test to three years
Introduces targeted approach to identifying risks that cannot be modelled
Reduces barriers to transitioning to full IMA approval

Read on Bank of England ↗

Finance Ministry deployed over 11.7 trillion yen ($72.8 bn) in reserves from April to May to support the currency.
BOJ raised its policy rate to a three‑decade high, yet USD/JPY remains around the 160 level.
10‑yr JGB yield sits at 2.64% versus 4.45% for the U.S. 10‑yr Treasury, sustaining carry‑trade pressure on the yen.
Advance signaling of intervention reduced its surprise effect, limiting short‑term relief for the yen.
High energy import costs and a reflation‑friendly government further constrain yen recovery.

Read on CNBC Top News ↗

Fed Governor Christopher Waller is scheduled to deliver a speech on Monday.
The speech could provide clues on the Federal Reserve's policy outlook ahead of upcoming data releases.
CFTC's weekly positioning report on futures and options will be published Monday, offering insight into trader positions.
Investors will watch for any hints on interest‑rate direction or inflation expectations.

Read on Investing.com Economy ↗

Market focus on Fed policy changes intensifies after comments from former Fed official Kevin Warsh
Investors are re‑evaluating benchmark yields and rate forecasts in response to the new narrative
Analysts recommend tracking two key charts to gauge the evolving Fed stance

Read on MarketWatch Top Stories ↗

Nordea expects the USD to stay supported in the near term as the Fed maintains a relatively hawkish stance
The Fed is projected to keep rates higher for longer than markets currently price, keeping US yields elevated
Medium‑term outlook points to gradual USD depreciation as global growth improves and other central banks tighten
Risks are two‑sided: a sharper US slowdown could trigger earlier Fed cuts, while stronger inflation or data could extend USD strength

Read on FXStreet ↗

Deputy Governor Ryozo Himino delivered the Bank of Japan's semiannual report on currency and monetary control to the House Committee on Financial Affairs on June 19, 2026.
The report reviews monetary policy actions and yen market developments for the Jan‑June 2026 period.
No immediate policy shift was signaled; the Bank indicated continuation of its current monetary stance.

Read on Bank of Japan ↗

Energy/Oil 16

Brent fell about 8% this week, trading in the low $80s; WTI around $77.
US‑Iran memorandum lifts the Hormuz blockade, but the main channel stays closed with roughly 80 mines still to clear.
A similar cease‑fire in April triggered a 16% one‑day Brent drop, then unraveled within hours.
Any incident in the Strait of Hormuz or a breakdown of the Lebanon truce could push Brent back above $90.

Read on FXStreet ↗ also: CNBC Energy·OilPrice·Investing.com Commodities

WTI settled at $75.22, down $7.22 (8.73%) from the previous week
Weekly price range was $81.00 high to $72.83 low
Traders stripped a geopolitical risk premium after a US-Iran breakthrough
Market anticipates additional Iranian barrels easing supply concerns

Read on OilPrice ↗ also: OilPrice·Investing.com Commodities

NYMEX WTI down >10% WoW as Strait of Hormuz shipping normalises, easing crude flow disruption
Around 10m barrels resumed transit through Strait of Hormuz; flows still ~10m b/d below typical levels
OPEC maintains long-term demand growth outlook; IEA forecasts eventual oil demand decline

Read on Investing.com Commodities ↗ also: CNBC Energy·OilPrice·MarketWatch Top Stories·FXStreet·WSJ Markets·Nikkei Asia

Moscow retailers are limited to selling a set amount of gasoline per customer as authorities enforce rationing.
Ukrainian drones have repeatedly struck Russian refineries and fuel infrastructure, curbing domestic refining capacity.
The latest strike hit Gazprom Neft's Moscow operations, prompting the government to intervene to keep supplies flowing.
Analysts warn the shortages could tighten domestic fuel markets and lift global crude benchmarks such as Brent and WTI.

Read on OilPrice ↗

Kuwait plans to boost oil production to 2 million barrels per day within a week
Current average output was about 573,000 bpd in May
Increase follows the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and resumption of commercial shipping
KPC CEO says pre‑war production levels could be restored in weeks

Read on OilPrice ↗

WTI fell to the mid‑70s and Brent slipped just under $80 per barrel after the US‑Iran cease‑fire eased the war premium
U.S. crude stocks at the Cushing hub dropped to roughly 20 million barrels, near the operational floor after eight weeks of draws
Refining capacity loss of over 1 million barrels/day keeps middle‑distillate margins at multi‑year highs despite lower crude prices
Analysts project a real supply glut only later in 2024‑2025, with Brent expected to drift to the low‑70s by Q4 2024
Technical support: WTI around $75 (deep shelf $74) and Brent around $78‑78.5; resistance near $77‑80

Read on FXStreet ↗

OPEC World Oil Outlook 2026 projects global demand rising from 105.1 mbpd in 2025 to 113.3 mbpd by 2030
Demand is expected to exceed 124 mbpd by 2050, with no peak in sight
India alone projected to add over 8 mbpd of demand by 2050; emerging economies to drive most growth
Internal combustion vehicles still estimated to represent about 75% of the global fleet in 2050
U.S. shale output is forecast to plateau around 2030, limiting future supply growth

Read on Investing.com Commodities ↗

Brent futures slipped to $76.71 per barrel, down 3.57% on Thursday
Price is the lowest since early days of the Middle East war, over 25% lower from its May peak above $100
Global crude inventories have been drawing about 4 million barrels per day since the war began, with U.S. stocks down over 50 million barrels in nine weeks
Analysts warn that reopening the Strait of Hormuz does not instantly restore supply, keeping risk premiums high

Read on Investing.com Commodities ↗

National average gas prices have fallen to $3.99/gallon, down from a four-year high of $4.56/gallon in late May, following a tentative peace agreement.
Experts predict gas prices may not return to pre-conflict levels ($2.98/gallon) soon due to the time needed to rebuild oil supply chains.
GasBuddy forecasts prices could drop below $3.75/gallon by July 4, but hurricane season poses a significant wildcard risk.
Consumers can save on fuel costs through retail memberships (Walmart+, Amazon Prime), wholesale clubs (Costco, Sam's Club), and gas rewards credit cards.

Read on CNBC Top News ↗

Hormuz Strait reopening reduces acute energy supply threat but economic fallout persists for months
Global inflation forecast raised to 4% in 2025; fertilizer prices may surge 38% due to Gulf supply disruptions
ECB hiked rates, Fed raised inflation outlook to 3.6% by December, signaling prolonged tight monetary policy

Read on CNBC Economy ↗

Brent futures fell about 8% week‑over‑week, despite a 0.5% rise to $80.38 per barrel on Friday
WTI rose 1.23% to $77.54 per barrel; trading was light due to a U.S. federal holiday
Iran announced new transit permits for the Strait of Hormuz, limiting expectations of seamless shipping
Analysts project Brent could fall to $60‑$65 by Q1 2027 as supply normalises; Commerzbank cuts year‑end forecast to $80
More than 85 million barrels of stranded oil are expected to enter markets, and U.S. sanctions on Iranian oil may be lifted

Read on Channel NewsAsia Business ↗

Gastech 2026 scheduled for Sept 14‑17, expects over 50,000 participants
Thailand's three LNG terminals total 27 mtpa capacity (11.5 mtpa Map Ta Phut, 7.5 mtpa Nong Fab, 8 mtpa joint PTT‑Gulf project)
More than 1,000 speakers and 1,000 companies from 150 nations will attend to highlight investment opportunities
New power development plan to be completed in September, setting the gas‑vs‑renewables balance
Pilot direct power purchase agreement scheme to let private renewable plants sell electricity directly to industrial users

Read on Bangkok Post Business ↗

Equinor, Petoro, Shell, TotalEnergies and ConocoPhillips commit over $400 million (4 bn NOK) to a new subsea development
The project is aimed at increasing gas production from the Troll field, Norway's largest offshore gas reservoir
Investment highlights a strategic push to boost Norway's gas output amid rising demand
The subsea upgrade is expected to extend the field's life and enhance long‑term supply

Read on OilPrice ↗

First LNG tanker to transit the Strait of Hormuz since the U.S.-Iran agreement was signed
The Malta‑flagged vessel Disha arrived at Dahej Port on India's west coast
Petronet LNG chartered the ship, which docked at the Petronet LNG jetty in Bharuch
The cargo marks a reopening of a key shipping route for Indian gas imports

Read on OilPrice ↗

Deal operationalized this month, creating a new oil import route for India via Oman
Provides a reliable alternative to the Strait of Hormuz amid ongoing US-Iran tensions
Freight movements through Hormuz expected to stay disrupted, boosting Oman’s role

Read on Nikkei Asia ↗

Cosmo Energy plans $1.9 bn investment in Middle East oil projects
Company expects Strait of Hormuz to reopen, underpinning supply outlook
Investment aims to meet long‑term oil demand despite regional risks

Read on Nikkei Asia ↗

Gold/Metals 13

Gold prices down 1.2% to $1,930/oz
Fed officials signal more aggressive rate hikes
Hawkish tone weighs on precious metals

Read on WSJ Markets ↗ also: FXStreet·Investing.com Commodities

XAU/USD fell 1.69% to around $4,147, extending a third week of losses
US Dollar Index rose above 101.00, its highest in 13 months, pressuring gold
Two-year Treasury yields jumped 13 basis points; markets price an 18‑bp Fed hike in September with 72% probability
Goldman Sachs cut its year‑end gold target to $4,900/oz, $500 lower than its previous forecast
Gold remains below its 200‑day SMA at $4,466; a break below $4,100 could open the $4,000 level

Read on FXStreet ↗ also: FXStreet

Gold prices have fallen by approximately $263/ounce (over 6%) and silver by $8.30/ounce (over 11%) in recent days.
Gold futures are currently near $4139/ounce, down from $4402, while silver futures are near $63.355/ounce, down from $71.65.
The Federal Reserve's cautious stance and a stronger US dollar are identified as key drivers for the metals' decline.
After three consecutive days of drops, traders anticipate potential short covering, which could lead to a price recovery for gold and silver.
Intraday strategies suggest buying gold between $4135-$4140 and silver between $63.200-$63.400, targeting higher price levels.

Read on Investing.com Commodities ↗

Goldman Sachs lowers year-end gold forecast to $4,900, down from $5,400
Rate cut expectations delayed to March 2027 and December 2027
Gold price at risk of dipping below $4,000, a level not seen since November

Read on Cointelegraph ↗

Gold climbs above $4,100 per ounce amid dollar weakness
Silver breaches $70 per ounce, marking a multi‑year high
Palladium rebounds to $1,350 per ounce after prior decline
Investors shift from the U.S. dollar to hard assets as confidence wanes

Read on OilPrice ↗

Silver fell >3.32% on Friday, trading below $65.00 as USD strength lifts yields.
Price broke the 200‑day SMA at $69.11, triggering a bearish technical outlook.
Bears target a break below $61.06, with next support at $60.00 and $54.39.
RSI stays bearish, though downside momentum is beginning to lose steam.

Read on FXStreet ↗

Silver (XAG/USD) down 1.31% on the day, marking a third straight decline and a notable weekly loss.
Fed’s June meeting left rates unchanged but signaled support for another hike, raising expectations for higher US rates.
CME FedWatch now shows a high probability of a rate hike in the coming months.
Israel‑Hezbollah ceasefire lifted risk appetite, cutting safe‑haven demand for silver.

Read on FXStreet ↗

Gold's share of global reserves is rising while central banks cut US Treasury exposure
Above‑ground gold stock growth has stayed at ~1.7‑1.8% per year for over a century
Mining equities now represent only ~1% of global market cap, down from >10% in the post‑war commodity era
Silver demand from data centres could grow sharply, potentially rivaling other industrial uses
More than 2,000 tonnes of gold have been repatriated to countries since 2011

Read on Investing.com Commodities ↗

Gold broke support at 4245 and could test 4160/4150, with downside targets of 4130, 4100 and possibly 4060-4020
Silver fell below 6920, targeting 6820-6800 and 6350-6295, with a risk of a deeper drop to 5800-5750
Both metals remain in a two‑month bear trend; long positions are risky unless support holds above 4160 for gold and 6150 for silver

Read on Investing.com Commodities ↗

Australian miner St Barbara (ASX: SBM) had its initial project description for a 15‑mile processing hub accepted by federal regulators.
The hub will support planned gold mining operations in Nova Scotia, enhancing production capacity.
Regulatory green light moves the project toward construction, boosting outlook for SBM and the Canadian gold sector.

Read on Northern Miner ↗

Pirate Gold (TSXV: YARR) announced initial drilling at Moby Dick reveals broad copper-gold zones.
The discovery points to a regional mineralization system across central Newfoundland.
Positive results could lift the junior miner's exploration outlook and market valuation.

Read on Northern Miner ↗

Underground work at Newmont's Cadia mine in New South Wales was halted following a local quake.
This is the second shutdown of the Cadia operation within the past nine months.
Cadia is one of Australia's largest gold mines, contributing roughly 10% of Newmont's total gold output.

Read on Northern Miner ↗

Elevated gold bullion prices raise cash required to fund inventory levels
Retailers' working capital tightens even as profit margins improve
Major gold retailer plans to increase output of lighter, affordable jewelry

Read on Nikkei Asia ↗

Crypto 26

Franklin Templeton filed for two new ETFs: US Equity Bitcoin DRIP Index ETF and US Innovation Bitcoin DRIP Index ETF.
These proposed ETFs would systematically reinvest dividend income from US stocks into Bitcoin-linked investments.
Funds would launch with a 5% Bitcoin exposure and 95% US equities, maintaining limits through quarterly rebalances.
Bitcoin exposure can be gained via Bitcoin ETPs, futures, options, depositary receipts, or a Cayman Islands subsidiary.
The filing reflects a trend of asset managers experimenting with new Bitcoin investment strategies, despite recent spot Bitcoin ETF outflows.

Read on Cointelegraph ↗ also: CoinDesk

$13 bn of Bitcoin options set to expire on June 26, with Deribit holding 79% of open interest.
Put options have a net advantage of $1 bn‑$3.4 bn versus calls, leaving bulls exposed.
78% of $6 bn call OI sits above $72,000, while only 28% of $4.5 bn put OI is below $57,000.
Strategy’s recent BTC buying and subsequent sell‑off coincided with outflows from US spot Bitcoin ETFs.
Even a 12% rally from $63,000 would not flip the expiry in favor of calls.

Read on Cointelegraph ↗

WhiteBIT received MiCA authorization from Austria’s Financial Market Authority, enabling EU-wide service via passporting.
The license arrives less than two weeks before the EU MiCA transition deadline of July 1, after which unlicensed crypto firms must cease EU operations.
Austria has so far licensed nine crypto-asset service providers under MiCA; the regulator described application volume as "significant".
WhiteBIT’s parent W Group serves over 35 million customers globally and plans to launch a dedicated European platform, whitebit.eu.
OKX Europe data shows roughly 7.6 million of 18.5 million European crypto app downloads (≈41%) were linked to exchanges not yet MiCA‑authorized.

Read on Cointelegraph ↗

Bitcoin traded above $63,000, staying near week‑to‑date lows after the Fed’s hawkish meeting
CME FedWatch tool shows about a 40% chance of a July rate hike at the next FOMC meeting
US‑Iran tensions resurfaced over the Strait of Hormuz, with Iran seeking longer‑term control
WTI crude oil hovered around $75 per barrel, its lowest level since early March
Analysts warn a potential "black swan" event could occur in the second half of the Bitcoin bear market

Read on Cointelegraph ↗

Bitcoin slipped 2.5% to just under $62,400, marking a fourth consecutive daily decline
CoinDesk Smart Contract Platform Index fell 4% and DeFi Select Index dropped similarly, while CD20 fell 3.3%
More than $450 million in leveraged long positions were liquidated in the past 24 hours after the Fed's hawkish meeting
Funding rates for ADA, XLM and BCH turned negative, down to –20% to –30%, signaling bearish sentiment
Traders lifted Bitcoin put options, eyeing a potential slide to $52,000

Read on CoinDesk ↗

Digital credit market saw a significant selloff, with Strive CEO Matt Cole attributing it to 'leverage liquidation event' from margin calls.
STRC fell to $82.50 and SATA dropped below $93 before both rebounded, indicating strong buying interest off intraday lows.
Cole emphasized that the selloff was not due to weakening issuer credit quality, comparing it to historical leveraged U.S. Treasury market stresses.
Investors' use of leverage to enhance returns on high-yield digital credit assets triggered forced selling as prices declined.
Despite the turbulence, Cole maintains long-term conviction, stating dividend reserves and company's underlying credit profile remain intact.

Read on CoinDesk ↗

Bitcoin network activity is approaching all-time highs, primarily due to a surge in low-value microtransactions.
Microtransactions (below 0.01 BTC) now account for approximately 80% of daily network transactions, nearly doubling their 2023 share of 44%.
The increase is fueled by data-inscription protocols like Ordinals and Runes, and near-record usage of the OP_RETURN opcode.
CryptoQuant's Bitcoin 'Network Activity Index' is positive for the first time in 2024, and the mempool is at its highest since February 2025.
While economic value is disproportionately small, sustained growth in non-financial activity could increase block space competition and raise fees.

Read on Cointelegraph ↗

Algorand aims to achieve 'broad quantum resilience' by the end of 2027, addressing the threat of quantum computers to cryptography.
The roadmap includes new accounts based on the quantum-resistant Falcon signature scheme and an updated consensus mechanism.
This initiative responds to growing concerns that quantum computers could break current cryptographic systems, potentially by 2030.
Algorand is among several entities, including the US NSA, Google, Tezos, and Circle, preparing for quantum-resistant cryptography.
Google researchers suggest quantum computers may require fewer resources than previously estimated to break blockchain encryption.

Read on Cointelegraph ↗

Bitcoin fell to about $62,700, down 1.9% in 24 hrs and 1.3% for the week.
Ether dropped 2.3% to $1,695, while XRP, Solana and BNB each fell 2‑3%.
A break below the $59,000‑$60,000 support zone could push Bitcoin toward a $45,000 target.
Broad market sell‑off saw Brent crude slide ~9% on the week after the US‑Iran deal.

Read on CoinDesk ↗

Three-quarters of investors in BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF have never owned an ETF before.
BlackRock's crypto ETFs have been an on-ramp for many digital asset investors to engage with ETPs.
Investors in BlackRock's crypto ETFs are increasingly buying other BlackRock funds, such as S&P 500 and gold.

Read on Cointelegraph ↗

Malware steals clipboard data, targeting Bitcoin, Ethereum private keys and BIP‑39 seed phrases
Spreads automatically via USB drives, creating shortcut files and scheduled tasks on infected PCs
Uses Tor (renamed ugate.exe) for C2 communication and can execute arbitrary code as a backdoor
Detected as Trojan:Win32/CryptoBandits.A; Microsoft advises disabling autoplay and blocking .lnk execution

Read on Cointelegraph ↗ also: CoinDesk

Rep. Bryan Steil introduced the "Stop Lawmakers from Predicting Act" targeting members of Congress, spouses, and dependent children
Bill would bar policy‑related wagers on platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket and impose a $2,000 fine or 10% of bet value for violations
White House officials, including President Trump and VP Vance, are explicitly excluded from the proposed restrictions
If enacted, the law could take effect 180 days after presidential signature
Proposal follows prior congressional attempts after a soldier allegedly earned $400,000 betting on Venezuela's leadership change

Read on Cointelegraph ↗

Bitcoin trades around $62,000, approaching yearly low near $59,000
Around $4 billion in leveraged long positions are clustered at the $59,000 level
Mid-size investor inflows fell to lowest since April 4: ~3,500 BTC on Binance, ~3,000 BTC on Coinbase, ~1,700 BTC on Coinbase Prime
RSI hovers near oversold; a dip below 30 could prompt a relief bounce
Analysts caution against overly bearish bias, citing a potential bottom forming in late June

Read on Cointelegraph ↗

Bitcoin miners are repurposing facilities for AI, with firms like Hive Digital and Hut 8 positioning as AI infrastructure providers.
Nvidia plans a $20 billion bond issuance to fund its AI expansion, supporting miner demand for data‑center power.
Tokenized real‑world assets on‑chain total $43 billion, up 37% over six months, with tokenized funds comprising ~80% of the market.
Ripple invested in Flutterwave, valuing the fintech at $3.3 billion and extending its RLUSD stablecoin across 35 African countries.
Former FTX CEO Sam Bankman‑Fried’s appeal was denied, upholding his fraud conviction.

Read on Cointelegraph ↗

Tate's Hyperliquid wallet balance fell from $100,000 to about $14,000 in one day
He incurred roughly $86,000 loss from a 57.36 BTC long and a 14.33 BTC short position
Total all‑time perpetual futures losses on Hyperliquid now total about $804,000
The leveraged trades used about 40x leverage, with the long entry near $66,000 per BTC

Read on Cointelegraph ↗

Users withdrew about $8.45 bn from Aave in April 2026 after a rsETH bridge exploit.
The rsETH bridge hack cost attackers roughly $292 million, sparking collateral doubts.
Several Aave markets hit full utilization, prompting emergency risk controls and liquidity freezes.
Aave's core contracts stayed intact, yet the episode highlighted external asset and concentration risks.

Read on Cointelegraph ↗

Binance's MiCA license application in Greece faces possible rejection, with deadline July 1 for EU transitional period.
Lawyers say MiCA does not bar the ECB from communicating with national regulators, though licensing decisions rest with member states.
Binance holds about $47.5 bn in stablecoins, roughly 65% of centralized‑exchange stablecoin reserves, up from $35.9 bn a year earlier.
ECB President Lagarde reportedly signaled to Greece that Binance is “not welcome” in Europe, raising concerns over central‑bank influence.
ESMA review is ongoing, but it does not have authority to grant CASP licenses under MiCA.

Read on Cointelegraph ↗

Former contributor estimates Ethereum needs about $30 million annually for core development
Foundation unstaked and sold over 38,000 ETH (~$50 million) to raise cash
Leadership turnover reaches 19 departures this year, including co‑executive director Hsiao‑Wei Wang
Vitalik Buterin says the foundation holds only ~0.16% of total ETH supply, limiting funding capacity

Read on Cointelegraph ↗

GoMining unveiled a SDK and API for its GoBTC Pay protocol, letting merchants accept Bitcoin directly
Payments settle on-chain in about 12 hours with a 0.2% transaction fee shared equally between wallet providers and miners
The initial rollout will onboard 10 merchants, differing from Square’s Lightning service that converts Bitcoin to fiat for retailers
GoMining’s model aims to address high fees and slow settlement of Bitcoin payments while preserving non-custody and on-chain finality

Read on CoinDesk ↗

Binance will enable crypto trading for Philippine users through BlockShoals under the SEC's CASP sandbox.
Both firms lack a local VASP license and are prohibited from processing peso transactions, per the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.
The arrangement follows earlier 2023‑2024 restrictions that saw the Binance website blocked by local telecom regulators.
The BSP says sandbox participation does not exempt entities from complying with all applicable licensing requirements.

Read on Cointelegraph ↗

Bitcoin may test a liquidity zone between $50,000 and $60,000, potentially setting a Q3 macro bottom
Binance traders are showing aggressive short positions, targeting the $60,000 support level
If the $50k-$60k liquidity is seized, further downside may be limited, with a bounce expected later in the quarter

Read on Cointelegraph ↗

AllUnity introduced SEKAU, a SEK‑backed stablecoin issued as a MiCA‑authorized e‑money token
SEKAU is fully reserved 1:1 with segregated Swedish krona and backed by Banking Circle and Marginalen Bank
The token launches on five blockchains – Ethereum, Solana, Base, Tempo and Polygon – with more planned for 2026
AllUnity's EUR‑stablecoin EURAU holds a $1.4 million market cap, ranking 16th among 23 euro stablecoins
SEKAU follows the company's Swiss franc stablecoin CHFAU, expanding its multi‑currency stablecoin portfolio

Read on Cointelegraph ↗

XRP fell 3.4% to about $1.15, breaking the $1.15 support level on heavy volume.
Trading volume surged to 134.2 million XRP, roughly 170% above its average, around 15:00 UTC.
New support cluster is now $1.13‑$1.10, with resistance stacked between $1.17 and $1.25.
Overall crypto exchange volume in May dropped 3.45% to $4.41 trillion, the lowest since Sep 2024.

Read on CoinDesk ↗

Deribit saw 337 contracts of $61,500 puts (June 22) and 380 contracts of $55,000 puts (July 3) bought.
Out-of-the-money puts targeting a $52,000 strike (314 contracts) were added, signaling bets on a deeper drop.
The activity follows a hawkish Fed, a stronger dollar and pressure on Strategy's stock, with BTC at ~$62,400, down 0.8% intraday.
May crypto exchange volume fell 3.45% to $4.41 trillion, the lowest since Sep 2024, while RWA perpetual futures rose 10.4%.

Read on CoinDesk ↗

CFTC permanent trading ban bars Mashinsky from all US commodity, futures and derivatives markets
Consent order also prevents him from ever registering with the regulator
Mashinsky, serving a 12‑year prison term, was previously barred by the FTC from any crypto‑related activities
The settlement ends the CFTC’s first case against a digital‑asset lending platform
SEC settlement talks with Mashinsky remain ongoing, with a court deadline of mid‑August

Read on Cointelegraph ↗

Binance saw a net inflow of about 57,700 ETH over the past few days, indicating potential sell pressure.
Ether futures open interest fell 31% to $10.3 bn, the lowest since April 2025.
The estimated leverage ratio dropped to 0.83 from a June‑2 peak of 1.10, the largest unwind since Oct 2025.
ETH price is trading around the $1,700 resistance zone, with weekly RSI near 31 and daily RSI at a record‑low 11.

Read on Cointelegraph ↗

Geopolitics 67

US and Iran signed a MoU on June 17 to end the war and start a 60‑day window for nuclear negotiations
The deal includes a $300 billion reconstruction fund for Iran and lifts sanctions on its oil exports
Pakistan’s mediation could attract investment, revive the Iran‑Pakistan gas pipeline and secure discounted Gulf oil
Technical talks in Switzerland were cancelled, underscoring the fragility of the early implementation stage
Restored oil traffic through the Strait of Hormuz is expected to support global crude markets

Read on The Diplomat ↗

Iran and the United States sign a peace agreement that takes effect immediately.
The Strait of Hormuz is set to reopen at once, ending the US naval blockade.
Both sides agree to restore normal shipping and trade flows through the strategic waterway.
China grounds its domestically produced C919 passenger jets pending safety inspections.

Read on SCMP Economy ↗

Vice President JD Vance publicly defended the newly signed US‑Iran memorandum of understanding.
The agreement triggers a 60‑day negotiation window between Washington and Tehran.
The deal aims to halt hostilities, despite criticism from US officials and Israel.

Read on Al Jazeera ↗

U.S. and Iran signed a memorandum to end the conflict, allowing toll‑free commercial transits through the Strait of Hormuz for 60 days
Three Saudi super‑tankers carrying roughly 6 million barrels of oil have crossed the strait since the agreement
U.S. Navy lifted its blockade of Iranian ports and halted enforcement operations
Residents in Tehran report a return to normal daily activities

Read on CNBC Top News ↗ also: OilPrice·SCMP Economy

Talks scheduled for June 23 and 25 in Washington as announced by the State Department
Israel and Lebanon have held direct talks for the first time since 1993, with recent ceasefire pauses
Hezbollah remains excluded from negotiations while fighting that killed at least 47 people in southern Lebanon continues
The talks aim to advance a US-backed roadmap for Lebanon's reconstruction and Hezbollah disarmament

Read on Al Jazeera ↗

UNICEF says a child has been killed each day on average for over eight months since the ceasefire
At least 265 Palestinian children killed since the October 2025 truce, with over 400 injured
Overall Palestinian death toll exceeds 73,000 with more than 173,000 wounded since Oct 7, 2023

Read on Al Jazeera ↗

Right‑wing Israeli ministers publicly denounce the Iran‑US deal signed by President Trump
US Vice President JD Vance sharply rebukes the Israeli ministers' criticism
Analysts discuss potential implications for Prime Minister Netanyahu's political position

Read on Al Jazeera ↗

Iran says vessels must obtain permission and purchase mandatory insurance to cross the Strait of Hormuz
US reports roughly 20 ships used an alternative route along Oman's coast overnight
The demand follows an interim US-Iran agreement to reopen the strait, creating shipping uncertainty

Read on SCMP Economy ↗

A new ceasefire was declared, but Israeli strikes hit Lebanon within minutes.
The attacks targeted locations in southern Lebanon, raising concerns of escalation.
International observers warned the incident could undermine the fragile truce.

Read on Al Jazeera ↗

At least 47 people killed and 97 wounded in Israeli attacks on Lebanon since midnight.
12 Israeli air raids and artillery strikes hit southern Lebanon after the 4 pm ceasefire deadline.
US‑Iran talks on a broader regional peace deal stalled as fighting continued.
Hezbollah and Israel had agreed to a ceasefire brokered by Qatar, the US and Iran, but violations occurred immediately.

Read on Al Jazeera ↗

MSMT estimates North Korea stole roughly $1.6 billion in cryptocurrency in Q1‑Q3 2025
UN Panel of Experts was dissolved in 2024 after a Russian veto, ending two decades of sanctions consensus
Pyongyang now describes itself as a “responsible nuclear‑weapons state” and stresses “nuclear deterrent capability” in official media
Russia and China, now outside the UN monitoring body, dispute the MSMT findings and influence sanction enforcement
Analysts warn the terminology shift could reshape diplomatic negotiations and the effectiveness of future sanctions

Read on The Diplomat ↗

Swiss‑planned technical talks between the US and Iran were called off on Friday.
Israel’s air strikes in Lebanon killed 18 civilians and led to a ceasefire agreement at 4 p.m. local time.
Oil prices fell after reports of a ceasefire in the Strait of Hormuz, easing shipping disruptions.
The 14‑point MOU extends the ceasefire and calls for reopening the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.

Read on CNBC Energy ↗

Israel and Hezbollah reached a ceasefire at 4 p.m. local time on Friday
Negotiators included the US, Qatar and Iran in brokering the deal
The US Dollar Index slipped 0.05% to 100.75 after the announcement

Read on FXStreet ↗

Chinese submersibles completed more than 40 dives in the Central Arctic over a 56‑day mission
Manned submersible Fendouzhe reached a record depth of 5,277 m at the Gakkel Ridge
AUV Wukong 6000 performed multiple dives to 3,800 m during its 2024 Arctic tests
China’s 14th and 15th Five‑Year Plans target a three‑dimensional space‑ground‑sea monitoring capability in polar regions
Beijing views the Arctic as a strategic commanding height for future military‑civil competition

Read on The Diplomat ↗

Australia supplied new aerial and underwater drones to the Philippine coastguard.
The drones are intended to significantly enhance Manila's capability to monitor activities in the disputed South China Sea.
Systems will help gather evidence and improve deterrence in contested waters, including the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.
This development follows repeated confrontations between Philippine and Chinese vessels in the region.

Read on SCMP Economy ↗

US and Venezuela join forces to combat armed gangs in key mining region
Cooperation aims to attract American investment in Venezuela's mineral-rich areas
Newly friendly Caracas government seeks to boost economic ties with Washington

Read on WSJ Markets ↗

Trump praised Modi but gave no concrete defense pact, leaving India uncertain about U.S. support
U.S. imposed 50% tariffs on Indian goods and three Indian sailors were killed in a U.S. aircraft incident, deepening tensions
A pending trade delegation to New Delhi may address some issues, but the U.S. "America First" focus limits India's strategic priority

Read on The Diplomat ↗

US and Iran agree to resume nuclear talks
Diplomacy returns to pre-war state
Memorandum sets up new talks after two conflicts

Read on SCMP Economy ↗

G7 nations agree to limit China's share of rare earths and permanent magnets to 60% by 2030
Target to reduce China's share to 50% as soon as possible
No specific timeline or mechanism for achieving the targets

Read on SCMP Economy ↗

China's research vessel conducted a marine environmental survey east of Taiwan from Tuesday to Thursday.
The survey aims to reinforce Beijing's jurisdictional claims in the area.
The move follows Japanese-Philippine maritime boundary talks.

Read on SCMP Economy ↗

Trump described the U.S.-Iran deal as an "unconditional surrender" by Tehran
The memorandum outlines a 60‑day cease‑fire and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz
U.S. Central Command announced it has lifted all blockade enforcement in Iranian waters
Trump claimed his presidential power has "no limits" despite the cease‑fire

Read on CNBC Top News ↗

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani calls off a planned trip to the United States.
Cancellation follows President Donald Trump's comments that mocked PM Giorgia Meloni.
Tajani described Trump's words as "grave and offensive" and said they offended all of Italy.
Meloni said she was "stunned" by the remarks.

Read on SCMP Economy ↗ also: CNBC Top News·Al Jazeera

EC dismissed allegations of voting‑note irregularities, citing a Jan 28 court ruling that candidates may bring documents into polling stations.
Former election inspector's warning was logged on June 28, two days after the election, with no evidence it was given before voting.
EC confirmed that candidates advancing to the next round are barred from bringing documents into voting areas as of June 26, 2024.
The commission must decide by early September (within 90 days) whether to pursue or dismiss the collusion allegations.

Read on Bangkok Post Most Recent ↗

UN hearing examined the impact of armed conflict on children, calling for stronger protection measures
Israeli envoy accused the UN official of bias and defended Israel's actions regarding child casualties
UN official maintained that the report accurately reflects civilian harm and urged accountability

Read on Investing.com News ↗

The 2015 Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act (INARA) requires any Iran nuclear deal to be sent to Congress within five days, with a 30‑day review period.
Lawmakers, led by Sen. Lindsey Graham, are urging President Trump to submit the recent US‑Iran memorandum that lifts sanctions and opens the Strait of Hormuz.
The memorandum includes immediate sanctions relief for Iran’s oil sector and a halt to hostilities, but legal experts argue it may violate INARA’s restrictions.
A joint resolution of disapproval would need a two‑thirds majority in both chambers to override a presidential veto, making congressional blockage unlikely.
Trump has hinted at sending the text to Congress but has not done so, and administration officials have not clarified the memo’s legal status.

Read on Al Jazeera ↗

Andy Burnham secured a by-election victory, raising his standing within Labour.
The win has sparked speculation of a leadership challenge to Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Starmer is confronting growing internal pressure as party factions debate his leadership.

Read on Al Jazeera ↗

Iran's deputy FM Saeed Khatibzadeh says Tehran will move forward step‑by‑step in US‑Iran negotiations if the US shows seriousness
Progress is tied to Israel stopping attacks on Lebanon, where at least 47 people were killed in recent fighting
Switzerland talks were cancelled after intensified Israel‑Hezbollah clashes; US Vice President JD Vance also cancelled his trip
MoU includes a 60‑day period during which Iran will not charge navigation fees in the Strait of Hormuz, with a new mechanism to be discussed later
Iran demands the release of all frozen Iranian funds as a condition for any future agreement

Read on Al Jazeera ↗

Poland's nationalist President Karol Nawrocki strips Ukrainian President Zelensky of the country's highest honor
The move follows a dispute over Zelensky naming a Ukrainian army unit after a WWII nationalist insurgent linked to anti-Polish massacres
Tensions rise just days before Poland hosts the annual Ukraine Recovery conference
The decision adds strain to already fraught Warsaw‑Kyiv relations and broader NATO ally dynamics

Read on SCMP Economy ↗

Norwegian government will prohibit all trade with Israeli settlements in Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
Draft legislation also bans purchase of property, construction services and commercial enterprises linked to settlements.
Consultation on the bill runs until 19 September, after which it could be enacted into law.
Norway joins the UK, Australia, Canada, France and New Zealand in coordinated sanctions targeting settlement‑related networks.
Critics note Norway's $2 trillion sovereign wealth fund holds stakes in 8,700 firms, including 11 Israeli companies already divested.

Read on Al Jazeera ↗

US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran occurred in February, prompting global repercussions
Former Pentagon colonel David Des Roches and journalist Mehdi Hasan discuss war justification and costs
Panel includes experts on civil society, Middle East scholarship, and security policy
Discussion recorded shortly before a US‑Iran deal was announced

Read on Al Jazeera ↗

Over 15 cabinet ministers believe Andy Burnham will become prime minister
A clear majority of the cabinet view Burnham's takeover as inevitable
Cabinet members remain reluctant to press Starmer for a departure timetable

Read on SCMP Economy ↗

Zelensky gives Belarus a one‑week deadline to withdraw equipment allegedly used by Russia in attacks on Ukraine.
He says signal relay stations in two Belarusian border regions are being used to guide Russian strikes.
Ukraine threatens to take action against Belarus if the equipment is not removed, though Reuters could not verify the claims.

Read on SCMP Economy ↗

Roman Lavrynovych (22) received a seven‑year sentence; Stanislav Carpiuc (27) got two years.
Arson attacks in May 2025 targeted a London house tied to Starmer and a former Toyota car.
Prosecutors allege the men were paid by a Russian‑speaking figure known as “El Money”, though no state link was proven.
Starmer said the incidents must be viewed in the broader context of the Ukraine war and sanctions on Russia.

Read on Al Jazeera ↗

Lloyd's of London creates a $400 million war‑risk insurance facility for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz
Chubb named lead underwriter, supported by Lloyd’s syndicates and specialist market partners
Facility adds marine war‑risk capacity amid heightened regional tensions

Read on OilPrice ↗

Ukrainian drones struck Moscow's Maryino district, the capital's most extensive drone attack in years
Kyiv's strike set fire to an oil refinery in the Kapotnya area, sparking worries of Russian fuel shortages
Local shopkeeper Andrei Kondratyev says Russians must "get used to" the new reality of attacks on the city

Read on SCMP Economy ↗

Iran's foreign ministry confirms the planned US‑Iran talks in Switzerland have been postponed.
The memorandum of understanding to end the war was signed digitally, reducing urgency for an in‑person meeting.
Swiss officials say they remain ready to host a new round of talks in the coming days.

Read on FXStreet ↗

The Tibet Aid Program, launched in 1994, now emphasizes soft infrastructure like education and ideology per the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026‑2030).
Han Chinese cadre cohorts replace local Tibetan staff, with thousands of professionals on three‑year rotations, consolidating political control.
Promotion pathways reward Han cadres; former TAP aide Wang Qiang became Lhasa mayor, with 11 of 14 vice mayors being Han Chinese.
The plan expands state‑run boarding schools, removing Tibetan children from villages and enforcing Chinese‑only language environments.
The program aligns with CCP directives on national security and cultural progress, embedding political apprenticeship into border governance.

Read on The Diplomat ↗

Bangladesh will fence parts of its 270‑km border with Myanmar to curb cross‑border crime and illegal crossings.
The Arakan Army now controls northern Rakhine, eliminating effective Myanmar state authority along the frontier.
Over the past 18 months, hundreds of Bangladeshi fishermen and Rohingya have been detained by the AA, and narcotics seizures have risen.
The fence aims to restore unilateral security control but cannot solve refugee flows or illicit trade.
Bangladesh hosts ~1.2 million Rohingya refugees, and the AA’s dominance may delay repatriation plans.

Read on The Diplomat ↗

Kenya revoked electronic travel authorizations for Taiwan's Ocean Affairs Council delegation after Beijing pressure.
A Taiwanese scholar was detained for over 20 hours, with passport and phone confiscated before the delegation withdrew.
IUU fishing imposes an estimated $50 billion annual economic loss, underscoring Taiwan's AI‑driven monitoring role.
The exclusion raises concerns over the credibility of the Our Ocean Conference and upcoming BBNJ treaty implementation.

Read on The Diplomat ↗

Saudi Arabia pulled financing for a proposed $1.5 bn arms agreement between Pakistan and Sudan, halting the deal.
The cancellation also puts a $4 bn defense contract with Libya at risk, threatening Pakistan's broader African market push.
The setback highlights Pakistan's dependence on Gulf patronage and limits its ability to become a major security actor in Africa.

Read on The Diplomat ↗

Chinese Academy of Sciences announced a sea‑skimming hypersonic flight project on Monday
Target speed exceeds Mach 5, with flight just above the sea surface to stay below radar horizon
Program funded under CAS's Stable Support Programme to explore technology for future weapons
U.S. Navy analysts warn the capability could pose a new threat to surface vessels

Read on SCMP Economy ↗

U.S. intelligence says China has no fixed plan to invade Taiwan in 2027 and is not set on a specific timeline
The "Davidson window" marks a 2027 capability milestone when the PLA could conduct high‑intensity operations
"Xi window" reflects President Xi's confidence in PLA loyalty and effectiveness, influencing the decision to launch an invasion
China is expected to rely on gray‑zone tactics—blockades, cyber attacks, and information warfare—rather than a full‑scale assault in the near term

Read on The Diplomat ↗

U.S. and South Korean officials met on June 3 to discuss civilian uranium enrichment and reprocessing plans.
Conservative mayor Oh Se‑hoon won a third term in Seoul, bucking the nationwide progressive surge.
Progressive President Lee Jae‑myung’s cabinet stresses non‑proliferation, while the mayor has previously advocated nuclear latency.
Analysts expect South Korea to acquire enrichment and reprocessing capabilities within the next decade, raising future proliferation concerns.

Read on The Diplomat ↗

Ukrainian Roman Lavrynovych received a 7-year prison term.
Romanian Stanislav Carpiuc was sentenced to 2 years.
Both were convicted of conspiracy to damage property by fire targeting Starmer's car and two properties in May 2025.
The plot was allegedly directed by an unidentified Russian-speaking figure.

Read on SCMP Economy ↗

Aung San Suu Kyi turned 81, celebrated with a video greeting from her son.
She remains jailed by Myanmar's military junta following the 2021 coup.
The junta has added a 33-year sentence on charges of election fraud and corruption.

Read on SCMP Economy ↗

Pastor Yang Zhijin received a three‑year prison term, with 30 congregants also sentenced for alleged cult activity.
The Full Range Church, estimated to have tens of thousands of members, has been labeled a cult by the CCP since 1995.
Since 1998, Chinese courts have processed about 23,000 cult cases, acquitting only 69.
Authorities said the church interfered with freedom of marriage, a charge highlighted as China hits a record low birth rate in 2026.

Read on The Diplomat ↗

Security forces killed Maoist leader Nambala Keshava Rao in May 2025 and commander Madvi Hidma by November 2025
Maoist‑affected districts fell from 223 in 2011 to just two by April 2026; 706 killed, 2,218 arrested, 4,839 surrendered since 2024
Home Minister Amit Shah announced India is "nearly Naxal‑free", citing BJP alignment, drone/AI surveillance, and welfare schemes
Analysts warn military victory does not address tribal grievances; post‑conflict development and women’s reintegration remain unresolved

Read on The Diplomat ↗

Ukraine used nearly 200 drones in its biggest-ever attack on Moscow.
Gazprom's Moscow refinery was hit, causing a large explosion and 16 injuries.
Four Moscow airports temporarily halted flights after the strike.
Russia warned it will carry out frequent massive group strikes against Ukrainian targets.

Read on CNBC Energy ↗

Two Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office staff were sentenced in the UK for espionage.
Bill Yuen Chung-biu received an eight‑year prison term; Peter Wai Chi-leung faces up to ten years.
The Chinese embassy in London condemned the verdict, urging Britain to stop "acts of slander and suppression".
The case adds tension to China‑UK diplomatic relations over Hong Kong‑related issues.

Read on SCMP Economy ↗

7.8-magnitude earthquake strikes southern Philippines on June 8
At least 76 people killed, with many more injured or displaced
Quake alters coastline, exposing previously submerged coral

Read on SCMP Economy ↗

China displayed portable laser weapons designed for single soldiers at a Beijing defense fair.
The 'Lijian' series, developed by Harbin Xinguang Optic-Electronics Technology, aims to shoot down drones.
The technology realizes a concept previously seen in science fiction.
The weapons were exhibited at the Defence Information Equipment & Technology Exhibition in Beijing.

Read on SCMP Economy ↗

African nations struggle to find qualified teachers for Chinese language education
Confucius Institutes face challenges in expanding language training
Shortage hinders China's growing influence in Africa

Read on SCMP Economy ↗

Israel and Hezbollah reached a ceasefire on Friday, ending clashes that killed 47 people in Lebanon.
US‑Iran negotiations in Switzerland were postponed, delaying the next phase of the Middle East peace process.
Iran's chief negotiator warned Tehran will not compromise on its red‑line demands, keeping diplomatic tensions high.

Read on SCMP Economy ↗

Leaders from 10 of ASEAN's 11 members attended the summit in Kazan.
The Kazan Declaration 2026 and a 2026‑2030 Comprehensive Plan of Action were adopted to expand trade, energy and security ties.
Russia pledged to increase food and energy supplies to ASEAN amid global fuel and fertilizer shortages.
ASEAN members emphasized cooperation on maritime security, counter‑terrorism and cybercrime.
Singapore remains the only ASEAN country to sanction Russia, while maintaining broader ties.

Read on The Diplomat ↗

Foreign fishing vessels have been entering Malaysian waters off Terengganu at night
Local fishermen report repeated incursions near Pulau Redang and Pulau Bidong
Security gaps raise concerns for the development of Malaysia's blue‑economy ambitions

Read on SCMP Economy ↗

Interior Minister Sar Sokha spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on US law firms to prevent sanctions designation.
The H.R. 5490 bill’s Section 7 list, which included Sokha, was removed during a December House Foreign Affairs Committee markup.
Lawmakers emphasized that Cambodia remains a target for sanctions over alleged cyber‑scam and human‑trafficking activities.
Critics note Sokha’s past ties to the Prince Group and other entities previously sanctioned by the US Treasury.
The episode highlights growing US scrutiny of Cambodia’s “scam‑economy” and potential political risk for the ruling elite.

Read on The Diplomat ↗

National Assembly approved the amendment with 216 votes for and 42 against.
The proposal would shift presidential election from a popular vote to a joint Senate‑National Assembly vote, needing a two‑thirds majority.
Opponents warn the change could allow President Mnangagwa to extend influence beyond his term ending in 2028.
Critics allege intimidation and arrests of dissenters during the consultation process.
The bill now proceeds to the Senate for further approval.

Read on Al Jazeera ↗

Indian airlines have sharply reduced flight departures in major cities
Fuel price and supply constraints are linked to the ongoing US‑Iran war
The slowdown challenges the government's plan to boost regional connectivity

Read on Nikkei Asia ↗

President Lai hopes Washington will approve new arms sales for Taiwan "soon"
Lai stresses Taiwan's defense agenda is defensive, not intended to provoke China
Statement underscores ongoing cross‑strait tensions and Taiwan's refusal to accept Chinese rule
US decision on the arms package remains pending

Read on Nikkei Asia ↗

Polls show a majority of Japanese public backs reforming the imperial succession rules
Traditionalist conservatives insist on preserving the male‑only succession law
Princess Aiko, daughter of Emperor Naruhito, remains excluded from the throne under current rules

Read on Nikkei Asia ↗

Cambodia elected to UNESCO's Intergovernmental Committee for Intangible Cultural Heritage for the 2026‑2030 term
Thailand's applications for traditional Thai costume and Muay Thai remain unaffected
Thailand will serve on UNESCO's executive board from 2025 through 2029
Minister emphasized committee membership grants no veto power over heritage listings

Read on Bangkok Post Most Recent ↗

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio has scheduled a trip to the Middle East for next week
The itinerary was disclosed by news outlet Axios
Trip is expected to include meetings with regional officials and policymakers

Read on Investing.com News ↗

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni says she never begged President Trump for a G7 photograph.
Meloni posted a video stating she was "stunned" by Trump's alleged claim.
She emphasizes that Italy does not beg, refuting the narrative.

Read on Al Jazeera ↗

President Trump presented a Qatar‑built Boeing 747 for use as an Air Force One backup
The aircraft will be integrated into the presidential fleet alongside existing planes
The unveiling underscores continued diplomatic ties between the United States and Qatar

Read on Investing.com Economy ↗

Qatar donates a new VC-25B aircraft to the United States
The plane will replace the current Air Force One for presidential transport
It arrived at the Presidential Airlift Group and will start commissioning flights
President Trump plans to use the aircraft for trips to China and Turkey

Read on SCMP Economy ↗

44‑year‑old Vietnamese citizen Tuan Phan was deported to South Sudan under the Trump administration’s third‑country deportation program.
He spent more than a year in detention in South Sudan before being repatriated.
South Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed his return to Vietnam on Friday.

Read on SCMP Economy ↗

Mayor Sadiq Khan posted a Marina Bay photo, labeling London and Singapore as global powerhouses
Critics argue the two cities are "worlds apart" and question the comparison
Khan said the trip aims to "supercharge" ties between the UK and Singapore

Read on SCMP Economy ↗

Tech/AI 19

White House ordered Anthropic to stop exporting Mythos and Fable models outside the United States.
Trigger: a South Korean telecom with alleged China ties accessed Mythos and an Amazon researcher reported a jailbreak of Fable 5.
Anthropic complied within roughly 90 minutes, pulling both models from all users.
The episode revives doubts about export controls, recalling past failures with encryption (PGP) and spyware.
A policy reversal could reshape US AI firms' access to foreign markets.

Read on TechCrunch ↗

Apple plans $100 price hikes on iPhone Pro ($999) and Pro Max ($1,199) models
AI-driven memory shortage could lift average smartphone prices by 20% in 2024
DRAM and NAND supply limited to Micron, SK Hynix and Samsung; new fab capacity years away
Analysts expect price increases across most Mac and iPad models as well
Apple may tap cash reserves to help boost memory supply

Read on CNBC Top News ↗

Micron's quarterly report on June 24 will check the pulse of chip demand
AI-related spending strength could give investors confidence to keep stoking the rally
Second-quarter earnings growth for the S&P 500 estimated at 22.9%

Read on Channel NewsAsia Business ↗

Delhi High Court upheld India's temporary ban on Telegram from June 16‑22, deeming it legal and reasonable
The ban affects Telegram's roughly 150 million Indian users, its largest market
Government justified the block by citing exam paper leak concerns and the app's ability to conceal user identities
Telegram reported removing more than 900 links related to the leaked exam content prior to the ban
The ruling raises concerns about a precedent for government control over internet platforms in India

Read on Channel NewsAsia Business ↗

John Jumper, co‑creator of AlphaFold and Nobel laureate, departs Google DeepMind after nearly nine years.
Jumper will join AI startup Anthropic, adding to recent talent shifts including Noam Shazeer moving to OpenAI.
The move highlights intensifying competition for AI researchers among big tech and startups.
AlphaFold has predicted over 200 million protein structures, accelerating scientific research.
Anthropic is currently facing a legal and regulatory dispute with the U.S. government.

Read on CNBC Top News ↗ also: Channel NewsAsia Business

Trump reverses his view, stating Anthropic is no longer a national security threat, after saying it might have been a week ago
Anthropic disabled access to its advanced models Fable 5 and Mythos 5 following Trump's order to block foreign users
Trump noted he could invoke the Defense Production Act against Anthropic but does not see a need to do so now
G7 summit in France featured tech CEOs, including Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, meeting with Trump and other leaders

Read on Channel NewsAsia Business ↗ also: CNBC Top News

AI education begins at age six under new Ministry of Education guidelines
Curriculum will cover artificial intelligence at every grade level
President Xi Jinping cites AI as a top national priority

Read on Al Jazeera ↗

Anthropic was forced to pull its Fable 5 and Mythos 5 models after a national security review.
Amazon researchers reported a method to bypass Fable 5's guardrails, prompting the action.
Cybersecurity experts signed an open letter warning the ban could be dangerous.
Anthropic said similar jailbreaks exist in other AI models.

Read on TechCrunch ↗

17 new measures aim to embed AI in consumer products, retail and services.
Seven ministries, led by the Ministry of Commerce, coordinated the initiative.
Plan includes smart products, robots, subsidies, infrastructure and standards to spur consumption.
Goal is to create new drivers of consumption growth and strengthen domestic demand.

Read on SCMP Economy ↗

Eurocommerce seeks exemption for AI-generated ads from EU transparency rules
Retailers argue AI-generated ads not meant to mislead users should be excluded
Exemption could dilute value of disclosure to consumers, industry group says

Read on Channel NewsAsia Business ↗

VPN downloads in India jumped 49% to 208,000 daily on June 17 after the Telegram restriction
Proton VPN App Store downloads rose 113% and Turbo VPN up 85%; on Google Play Proton VPN up 64% and Turbo VPN up 35%
Signal downloads increased 72% on the App Store and 322% on Google Play; Viber App Store downloads rose 216%
Telegram daily active users in India still grew 17% on the day of the ban

Read on TechCrunch ↗

AI-related companies in South Korea, Taiwan and Japan attract heightened investor demand
The surge is fueling a broad rally across Asian equity markets
Retail participants, from taxi drivers to students, are joining the buying spree

Read on WSJ Markets ↗

NASA awarded Katalyst Space Technologies a $30 million contract in September 2025.
The mission aims to launch a small servicing satellite within 10 months to capture and boost the Swift telescope.
Katalyst will use three robotic arms to latch onto Swift and raise its orbit to a safe altitude.
The rescue effort targets a $500 million astronomy mission at risk of re‑entry.

Read on Ars Technica ↗

Genting announced a US$20 billion investment to develop a smart city in the Johor–Singapore special economic zone.
The project will feature an artificial intelligence research centre and an agricultural‑technology hub to attract global professionals.
Located in Johor, the development leverages proximity to Singapore’s financial hub and aims to boost regional tech investment.
The initiative underscores growing private‑sector focus on AI and smart‑city infrastructure in Southeast Asia.

Read on Nikkei Asia ↗

China's push for semiconductor self‑sufficiency creates new rivals for foreign equipment suppliers
Tokyo Electron President Toshiki Kawai says the company can maintain its technological advantage
He views the semiconductor sector as a future pillar of Japan's economy

Read on Nikkei Asia ↗

Samsung's foundry sees increased orders as AI-driven chip demand strains TSMC capacity
Chinese chip designers turn to Samsung despite lower yields, valuing capacity availability
Huawei aims to overcome export limits with logic‑stacking chips, but faces yield and overheating challenges, delaying AI‑processor rollout to 2030
Surge in AI chip demand coincides with a decline in IT‑related freelance exports from South Asia

Read on Nikkei Asia ↗

Japan's government will "actively and continuously review" AI-related legislation.
The draft policy focuses on high‑performance AI models such as Anthropic's Claude Mythos.
Goal is to speed up regulatory response to cybersecurity and other AI‑driven threats.
Policy details were released on Thursday, outlining ongoing legal reforms.

Read on Nikkei Asia ↗

Generative AI tools will be prohibited for students in grades 1‑7 (ages 6‑13).
Students aged 14‑16 may use AI only under teacher supervision; ages 17‑19 must learn appropriate use.
The restrictions start with the new school year beginning in late August 2024.
The policy follows earlier bans on smartphones and a planned ban on social media for under‑16s.

Read on Bangkok Post Most Recent ↗

SpaceX may attempt Starship Flight 13 as early as next month, planning a suborbital flight with Indian Ocean splashdown
Orbital Starship flight pushed to Flight 14 after a failed engine restart on the previous test
Isar Aerospace scrubs Spectrum test launch due to fluid system anomaly; company has raised nearly $1 billion

Read on Ars Technica ↗

Companies 42

Jio Platforms will issue up to 270 million shares in its upcoming IPO
Reliance Industries holds more than 66% of Jio, while Google and Meta own 7.7% and ~10% respectively
The proceeds will be used to reduce debt of subsidiary Reliance Jio Infocomm
Jio serves over 527 million subscribers, roughly 50% of India's wired and wireless internet market

Read on CNBC Top News ↗ also: CNBC Top News

Shanghai Disneyland has reached 100 million cumulative visitors, a 5% year-on-year increase in 2024.
The park's revenue is a key driver for Disney's experiences division, accounting for 40% of the company's overall revenue.
Disney is planning further global expansion, with a new cruise ship in Singapore and a park in Abu Dhabi.

Read on CNBC Top News ↗

US Commerce Secretary claims ASML may have shipped EUV lithography machines to China, violating export controls
ASML CEO Fouquet denies any EUV system exists in China, citing internal tracking and firewall protocols
US government has not provided public evidence; Commerce Dept also investing $150M in rival xLight EUV tech

Read on TechCrunch ↗

Indian firm RMZ plans to scale its data center capacity to 2-3 gigawatts over the next five years.
This expansion is part of a $35 billion investment push, announced in April.
RMZ is in final discussions for three data center projects, aiming for over 1 gigawatt total capacity.
The company also plans to acquire land by year-end to support an additional 2 gigawatts of capacity.
RMZ sees this expansion as a stepping stone into allied businesses like GPUs, power infrastructure, and software.

Read on Channel NewsAsia Business ↗

India's Nifty IT index fell 4-8% after Accenture forecast quarterly sales below Wall Street view
Accenture cut annual revenue outlook and reported softer bookings in its managed services business
Indian IT sector faces concerns over AI disruption and geopolitical uncertainty

Read on Channel NewsAsia Business ↗

Charles Schwab partners with Cboe to offer yes-or-no contracts on S&P 500
Predictive contracts tied to index performance
New product aims to tap into growing interest in prediction markets

Read on WSJ Markets ↗ also: Cointelegraph·Investing.com Economy

Go raised ¥88.6 billion ($553 million) in its IPO, the largest in Japan this year
Shares fell about 4% after debut, closing at ¥2,314 versus the ¥2,400 issue price
Japan’s taxi driver numbers have dropped roughly 20% in recent years, spurring robotaxi plans
Go controls 85,000 partner vehicles and holds an 80% share of taxi‑app usage time in Japan
IPO proceeds will fund R&D and strategic acquisitions to develop robotaxi services

Read on TechCrunch ↗

BP may sell all or part of its UK upstream portfolio, valued at around £2 billion ($2.7 billion).
A potential sale to Ithaca Energy fell through earlier this month.
The move would make BP an outlier among UK majors, most of which have already sold down or formed joint ventures.

Read on OilPrice ↗

A NetJets Cessna Citation Latitude crashed near Laredo, Texas, killing 50-year-old VC founder Joshua Baer and injuring others.
The accident marks the first fatal crash for the Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary since its acquisition in 1998.
Preliminary NTSB findings point to fuel exhaustion and loss of engine power as likely causes.
Two pilots and three teenage passengers survived; rescue footage shows bystanders assisting.
Berkshire's equity portfolio update: Alphabet now marginally ahead of Coca-Cola in value after recent share purchases.

Read on CNBC Top News ↗

UniCredit aims to lift its Commerzbank holding to 42.5%
Offer to Commerzbank shareholders will be reopened for an additional two weeks
Stake increase follows the initial offer period, deepening the strategic partnership
No immediate impact on either bank's share price reported

Read on WSJ Markets ↗

Jio Call Agent AI assistant to join calls, transcribe and act on commands, launching later 2024 for >500 million Jio users
Reliance plans up to $110 billion investment in AI infrastructure and rolls out AI products for health, education, agriculture and small businesses
Board approved draft prospectus for Jio Platforms IPO of up to 270 million new shares
Reliance shares have fallen about 17 % year‑to‑date, underscoring growth pressure
Partnerships with Google, Meta and Nvidia support the AI expansion

Read on TechCrunch ↗

Alamos Gold (TSX: AGI) forecasts reduced Q2 production at Young-Davidson mine
Disruptions stem from recent earthquakes and severe storms in northern Ontario
The company did not disclose the magnitude of the output decline

Read on Northern Miner ↗

EnCore Energy (Nasdaq: EU) secured federal approval to build the Dewey Burdock uranium project in southwest South Dakota.
The project will be the state's first underground uranium mine, tapping brine for extraction.
Approval ends more than a decade of local opposition and clears the way for construction to commence.

Read on Northern Miner ↗

Kalshi is in informal talks with investment banks about a potential IPO.
The platform reported $2 bn in annualized revenue, with sports contracts accounting for about 53% of weekly notional volume.
Kalshi’s valuation rose to $22 bn after a $1 bn Series F funding round led by Coatue Management.
Regulatory pressure intensifies as at least 18 U.S. states have sued prediction markets over sports betting contracts.

Read on Cointelegraph ↗

Allbirds sold its shoe business for $43 million and raised $100 million before rebranding to Smartbird.
New CEO Nadia Carlsten, former AWS exec, will recruit a team and target AI infrastructure customers with 100‑1,000‑chip clusters.
Carlsten’s compensation includes a $700,000 salary and $9 million in stock options.
Smartbird aims to have compute clusters deployed for several customers by year‑end, focusing on data‑sovereign AI workloads.

Read on TechCrunch ↗

Roth Capital initiates coverage with a buy rating and a $45 price target, implying ~60% upside from the latest close
Nano's KRONOS micro-modular reactor (15 MW) is positioned to supply power for AI data centers
Stock up ~17% in the past month and ~33% over three months as AI-driven power demand rises
Consensus: 5 of 6 analysts rate Nano Nuclear as buy or strong buy
IEA projects global electricity demand to grow by 849 TWh in 2025, boosting SMR interest

Read on CNBC Top News ↗

Amazon India returns more water to communities than it consumes, achieving 'water positive' status in 2024, one year ahead of plan
Tech giants face scrutiny over AI data center water usage amid India's severe water shortages, with Mumbai having just 40 days of supply left
Amazon plans $35B investment in India by 2030, including $8.2B in Maharashtra for AWS data centers

Read on Channel NewsAsia Business ↗

Zealand Pharma’s survodutide saw 19% patient dropout rate vs ~4% for leading drugs, prompting UBS to slash peak sales forecast by ~80%
Petrelintide, Zealand’s amylin-based drug, now viewed as key stock driver with late-stage trials expected in H2 2024
Zealand stock down 38% YTD after two worst single-day drops since 2010 amid efficacy and tolerability concerns
Analysts see 2027 as potential inflection point for Zealand, with survodutide’s liver disease potential gaining focus
Competition intensifies as Lilly’s retatrutide shows superior efficacy, raising bar for obesity drug market

Read on CNBC Top News ↗

Rheinmetall to establish first defence-related manufacturing facility in Japan
Potential joint venture with Japanese company to target local market and exports
CEO Armin Papperger to visit Japan soon for talks with industry and government leaders

Read on Channel NewsAsia Business ↗

Turkish Competition Board approved Uber's acquisition of Getir's delivery arm
Uber will invest $500 million in Turkey to boost jobs and tech infrastructure
Deal expands Uber's footprint in the Turkish market
Seller is Emirati sovereign investor Mubadala

Read on Channel NewsAsia Business ↗

Hyundai Motor Group will buy SoftBank's 9.65% stake in Boston Dynamics for $325 million.
The purchase will give Hyundai full ownership, adding to its existing >90% stake.
Hyundai aims to approve the deal at a board meeting scheduled for June 22.
SoftBank will exercise a put option to sell its remaining stake, per the original agreement.

Read on Channel NewsAsia Business ↗

Apple’s cash reserves are being outpaced by rivals in the race for DRAM and NAND
AI-driven demand has lifted memory component prices, tightening supply for smartphone makers
Higher cost pressures could force Apple to redesign products or accept lower margins

Read on WSJ Markets ↗

Marvell will use TSMC's upcoming 1.4‑nm A14 chip production technology for its next‑generation AI data‑center products.
The strategy focuses on high‑speed connectivity demand in AI supercomputing and data‑center workloads.
The partnership is intended to drive stronger growth for Marvell as the AI data‑center market expands.

Read on Nikkei Asia ↗

Government introduces tax breaks for battery EVs and plug‑in hybrids to lower purchase costs
Incentives aim to stimulate demand in Bangladesh's emerging EV market
Chinese automaker BYD, already operating in Bangladesh, stands to benefit from the policy
The package is part of broader efforts to develop the country's automotive sector

Read on Nikkei Asia ↗

OpenAI will start displaying advertisements to ChatGPT users in Japan
Ads will be matched to users' interests and appear within chat conversations
Japanese ad agencies Dentsu and Hakuhodo subsidiaries will supply the ads

Read on Nikkei Asia ↗

Four former executives of MDI Ventures and BRI Ventures convicted of corruption
Sentences range from two to five years in prison
Case stems from a $25 million investment in agricultural startup Tanihub that collapsed
Verdict viewed as unsettling Indonesia's financing ecosystem

Read on Nikkei Asia ↗

Hitachi Energy announced plans to acquire Canduct, a Canadian transformer materials supplier.
The acquisition is intended to expand Hitachi Energy's production capacity in North America.
Deal targets rising demand for power grid infrastructure supporting data centers.
Hitachi Energy was created after Hitachi bought ABB's power business in 2020.

Read on Nikkei Asia ↗

Renesas Electronics completes acquisition of Pictorus, a US chip design software developer
Deal aims to strengthen Renesas' software operations and expand its strategic software business
Acquisition follows Renesas' $5.9 bn purchase of Altium, deepening its foothold in design software
Financial terms of the Pictorus deal were not disclosed

Read on Nikkei Asia ↗

Alibaba Cloud launched its fifth data center in Japan, expanding its local presence to five sites.
The new facility introduces AI services featuring the Qwen model, claimed to rival OpenAI's GPT‑5.5.
Offerings target corporate demand for in‑house AI agents and model development.

Read on Nikkei Asia ↗

Nippon Steel acquired U.S. Steel about a year ago
The U.S. government holds a "golden share" that can influence corporate actions
Reports indicate the Trump team may have urged Nippon Steel to keep an aging plant open
Company says political connections and public communication are now more critical than the golden share

Read on Nikkei Asia ↗

Japanese builder Obayashi announced a $540 million acquisition of Multiplex Global.
Multiplex operates in Australia, the United Kingdom and Canada.
Overseas projects already account for about 33% of Obayashi's annual revenue.
The deal aims to offset weakening construction demand in Japan.

Read on Nikkei Asia ↗

Itoham Yonekyu Holdings announced a $460 million purchase of Greenlea Group.
The acquisition aims to expand beef exports to the United States and Europe.
Deal will help scale Itoham's international operations in the meat sector.

Read on Nikkei Asia ↗

China's 618 online shopping festival faces subdued demand due to sluggish consumer spending
Alibaba will deploy AI-driven features such as automated bargain‑hunting to attract shoppers
The move aims to offset weak economy and stimulate sales during the festival

Read on Nikkei Asia ↗

TD Bank will deploy employee‑monitoring software to selected staff
The tool will record work activity and productivity metrics
Announcement made via internal memo; no immediate operational impact noted

Read on Investing.com News ↗ also: Investing.com News

Dynacor announced the appointment of Daniel Misiano as its new President and CEO.
Misiano will assume responsibility for overseeing the company's operations and strategy.
The leadership change was approved by Dynacor's board of directors.

Read on Investing.com News ↗

Aura's Ink frame uses color e‑ink limited to six colors (red, blue, green, yellow, white, black)
Price is $499 for the Ink frame versus $229 for the LED Aspen model
Photos auto‑rotate once per day; manual changes take about a minute to render
Powered by USB‑C and requires charging roughly once a month

Read on TechCrunch ↗

Blue Lagoon Resources (CSE: BLLG) plans to use cash generated at the Dome Mountain mine to fund exploration aimed at a 1 Moz gold target.
The company emphasizes safety protocols and community engagement during its operations at Dome Mountain.
The cash deployment underscores Blue Lagoon's strategy to expand its resource base despite modest cash flow.

Read on Northern Miner ↗

XXIX Metal announces advancement of its Opemiska copper project study
CEO Guy Le Bel discussed the study at the Mining Investment Event in Quebec City
The initiative aims to assess copper resource potential

Read on Northern Miner ↗

Mining automation adoption increases in Eastern Canada
Laurentide Controls leads the charge with business development efforts
Automation expected to improve efficiency and reduce costs in the region

Read on Northern Miner ↗

Elastic agreed to buy Deductive AI for up to $85 million.
Deductive AI, founded in 2023, posted $1 million ARR and a $33 million valuation after a $7.5 million seed round.
The acquisition will embed AI‑driven bug‑fixing into Elastic’s observability platform.
Deal underscores the trend of large tech firms buying AI‑native startups to broaden product offerings.

Read on TechCrunch ↗

Uber soft‑launches in Nepal on June 5, joining a sector with about 30 existing rivals
Company will use its global brand and tourist familiarity to attract riders
Operates via a local‑partner model while awaiting clearer regulatory rules

Read on Nikkei Asia ↗

Michelle Yeung earned roughly $250,000 a year as a software engineer before launching Matcha House.
She worked undercover at Starbucks and saved over $200,000 before quitting her tech job in March 2025.
The cafe opened in July 2025 and is projected to be profitable within its first year, with Yeung expecting a $33,000 salary in 2026.
Matcha House now employs about 10 part‑time workers and is gradually recouping its startup costs.

Read on CNBC Top News ↗

Thai Markets 3

Thailand climbed four places to 26th in the 2026 IMD World Competitiveness Ranking
Energy intensity ranked 67th globally, with energy imports accounting for nearly 10% of GDP
S&P reaffirmed Thailand's BBB+ sovereign rating and projects about 2% GDP growth this year
Government will create four sub‑committees to drive reforms, targeting measurable gains in 3‑4 years
International investment ranking improved from 30th to 24th, while trade ranking slipped from 4th to 9th

Read on Bangkok Post Most Recent ↗

SET index moved between 1,570 and 1,610 points, touching near 1,610 – highest in 2.5 years
Fed signaled a "hawkish hold" with possible year‑end rate hike, sparking global stock consolidation
US‑Iran peace deal boosted sentiment, keeping SET resilient despite mid‑week profit‑taking
Sector rotation saw electronics sold off while commerce and finance names like MTC, SAWAD, KTC gained
Outlook: SET likely to range 1,550‑1,620 next week; investors urged to accumulate selectively

Read on Bangkok Post Business ↗

Thailand’s aging population is boosting demand for preventive care and NCD management.
Government is intensifying focus on early detection, wellness and digital health solutions.
Healthcare delivery is shifting to smaller hospitals, secondary facilities and pharmacies.
DKSH sees strong growth potential in treatment‑related and lifestyle‑preventive products.
Health‑care spending still lags behind rising population needs.

Read on Bangkok Post Business ↗

Other 40

Judge Leonie Brinkema extended block on the $1.8 billion anti‑weaponization fund.
DOJ argued a written declaration was unnecessary and raised separation‑of‑powers concerns.
Acting AG Todd Blanche testified the fund is not moving forward but has not filed a sworn statement.
President Trump said he wants to move forward with the fund, prompting the judge's doubts.

Read on CNBC Top News ↗

At least 30 people have died at the Kigonze displacement camp in the DRC since May.
Symptoms suggest rapid Ebola spread, but diagnostic testing has only just begun.
Health authorities are scrambling to confirm Ebola presence and contain the outbreak.

Read on Al Jazeera ↗

More than 70 healthcare workers infected, 17 have died since the outbreak began.
Total deaths have risen to 232 with 896 confirmed cases across 31 health zones.
African Union pledged nearly $1 bn, but donor funding for sanitation fell to $38 m, only 21% of the $80 m appeal funded.
Over 5 million displaced people in eastern DRC face heightened risk, with camps housing up to 100,000 residents.

Read on Al Jazeera ↗

Non‑race sports betting is the fastest‑growing gambling segment in Australia
It has overtaken lotteries in net spending on gambling
Government plans to ban advertising for sports betting to slow the growth

Read on Nikkei Asia ↗

One fatality and up to 50 injuries reported after collision of EMR trains near Bedford.
Collision occurred at 17:45 GMT, prompting a major incident declaration and suspension of services at London St Pancras.
Passengers advised to avoid travel; Thameslink services also cancelled, causing significant delays.
Emergency services, including an air ambulance, responded to the scene.

Read on Al Jazeera ↗ also: SCMP Economy

Judge Friedrich issued a 26‑page ruling allowing the memoir recordings to be released.
Biden, 82, argued privacy rights would be breached, but the court said public interest prevails.
The Heritage Foundation will receive the files; Biden plans to appeal the decision.

Read on Al Jazeera ↗

Princess visited remote Kanchanaburi villages in 2019, prompting road improvements that cut travel times
Her support enabled student accommodation, allowing more children from isolated areas to continue schooling
Prison rehabilitation programs she championed in Trat province now provide five‑month skill training for first‑time offenders
She made four visits to Trat prison since 2010, fostering agro‑tourism and learning centers

Read on Bangkok Post Most Recent ↗

Cabinet approved the Defective Item Act (Lemon Law) this week
Defect presumption limited to 6 months for general items and 1 year for vehicles
Maintenance timelines set at 60 days (general) and 90 days (cars); replacement within 7 days (general) and 14 days (electronics)
Consumers may demand discount, contract termination, or damages if providers breach agreements
Law extends protections to financial institutions for leased products such as cars and EVs

Read on Bangkok Post Most Recent ↗

The U.S. presidential aircraft will temporarily use a former Qatari-owned Boeing 747, painted navy with a red stripe.
Trump said the jet will be used for upcoming trips, including the NATO summit in Ankara and a July 4 flyover.
The Qatari jet serves as a bridge until the new Boeing VC-25B jets, originally slated for 2024, arrive in 2028; security modifications cost under $400 million.

Read on CNBC Top News ↗

Earth-based Helium-3 (tritium decay, wells) is far cheaper to access than lunar regolith extraction.
Lunar mining costs are orders of magnitude higher, making it non‑competitive at present.
Scalability and accessibility favor terrestrial sources over Moon‑based production.
A new graphic compares cost, scalability, and accessibility across major Helium-3 sources.

Read on OilPrice ↗

Reform UK MP Sarah Pochin suggested a strong England World Cup showing could lower domestic violence.
Anti‑abuse charities condemned the comment, saying it shifts responsibility from perpetrators to football players.
The remarks have sparked political backlash and calls for the MP to retract the statement.

Read on Al Jazeera ↗

Illegal betting platforms and social media ads proliferate as the World Cup approaches
Young Hongkongers increasingly drawn to illegal sites offering rebates and prediction markets
Authorities warn gambling addiction is becoming harder to quit than drugs

Read on SCMP Economy ↗

Decree authorises government to freeze assets of illegal online betting operators
Frozen funds will be sent to the Justice Ministry for review before moving to the National Public Security Fund
Finance Ministry rule makes banks and fintechs liable for unpaid taxes if they process transactions from prohibited betting platforms
Companies and individuals advertising illegal betting platforms also become liable under the new rule

Read on Channel NewsAsia Business ↗

Original target to unveil the university town concept plan in the first half of 2024 is expected to be missed
The plan must align with Hong Kong's inaugural five-year plan, slated for release in the third quarter of 2024
At least two higher‑education institutions have been told they may receive space in the first phase of the Northern Metropolis project

Read on SCMP Economy ↗

NBTC board reviewing draft third digital TV master plan (2026‑30) after a 2‑year delay
Decision on a national streaming platform due by June 30, with three options: new platform, use existing platforms, or tighten regulations
Board split: supporters cite media sovereignty, opponents question economic viability and innovation impact

Read on Bangkok Post Business ↗

Rising ocean temperatures are causing widespread coral bleaching worldwide
Researchers deployed the autonomous surface vehicle Yellowfin in the Marshall Islands to map reefs that can survive higher heat
The study aims to identify heat-tolerant coral populations for future restoration efforts

Read on Ars Technica ↗

Deep-sea isopods can survive more than 5 years without food due to a huge stomach and low metabolism
A gene (ND1) helps control energy production, allowing the isopods to slow down or speed up energy use
Horizontal gene transfer from a symbiotic bacterium may have contributed to the isopods' unique adaptation

Read on Channel NewsAsia Business ↗

Trust in news fell to 28% in 2026 from 38% in 2025, the steepest decline globally
Analysts cite sustained attacks on media and rise of social media influence operations as key drivers
Report covers 48 markets, highlighting broader erosion of trust in journalism

Read on SCMP Economy ↗

Lululemon apologizes for marketing video featuring a Japanese drum on the Great Wall in China
Video withdrawn due to controversy surrounding cultural sensitivity
Event was meant to promote yoga-themed event in suburban Beijing

Read on SCMP Economy ↗

Government removed the poverty line as a criterion for allocating assistance
A new framework will use 21 indicators to identify vulnerable groups
Policy shift aims to include non‑income‑based needs such as carers

Read on SCMP Economy ↗

Two new marble blocks were installed on the Parthenon's western side
The facade appears whole for the first time in roughly 220 years
The Acropolis attracted about 4.6 million visitors in the past year

Read on SCMP Economy ↗

Ghost fishing nets from vessels off neighboring coasts litter the Anambas archipelago
Local coastal communities shoulder the majority of cleanup and collection efforts
Rapid growth‑driven consumption in the region intensifies plastic pollution

Read on SCMP Economy ↗

Police arrested 58 individuals in the operation.
Authorities seized over 500,000 ringgit (about US$124,000) in illegal proceeds.
The sweep targets unlicensed football betting as the World Cup draws punters.

Read on SCMP Economy ↗

Germany, after a 7-1 win over Curacao, need a victory to secure top‑two finish and direct Round of 32 entry
Ivory Coast, fresh from a 1-0 win over Ecuador, must beat Germany to reach the knockout stage for the first time
A German win combined with an Ecuador loss could create a three‑way tie in Group E, forcing tiebreakers

Read on Al Jazeera ↗ also: Al Jazeera

Fire broke out at Takinogawa Dai-san Elementary School in Tokyo on Friday
8 pupils and 2 teachers injured, 10 others evacuated
Fire extinguished at 1.45pm with 75 fire engines and dozens of firefighters

Read on SCMP Economy ↗ also: Al Jazeera

USA defeated Australia 2-0 with an own goal and a strike by Alex Freeman
Christian Pulisic missed the match due to a calf injury
The win took the United States to six points in Group D
USA still have one group match remaining against Turkey

Read on Al Jazeera ↗

18-year-old Lamine Yamal says playing the full 90 minutes is "very early" as he recovers from a hamstring injury.
He returned as a 71st‑minute substitute in Spain's 0‑0 draw with Cape Verde.
Coach Luis de la Fuente expects Yamal to be available for about an hour against Saudi Arabia.
Spain, pre‑tournament favourites, have not progressed past the last 16 since their 2010 title.

Read on Al Jazeera ↗

Frank Stronach, founder of Magna International, found guilty of sexual assault and indecent assault
Verdict delivered by a Toronto court after trial proceedings
Sentencing to be determined in upcoming hearing

Read on Investing.com News ↗

Kone suffered multiple fractures to his tibia and fibula in the 51st minute of the Group B match against Qatar.
He underwent successful surgery in Vancouver that lasted about 1.5 hours with three surgeons present.
Kone will miss the rest of the 2026 FIFA World Cup; Canada next faces Switzerland in Vancouver.

Read on Al Jazeera ↗

Two sons are set to receive a $30,000 annuity from their grandmother
The annuity must be withdrawn within five years of inheritance
Options include leaving it invested, using for education, or seeking financial advice

Read on MarketWatch Top Stories ↗

Parents consider providing financial aid while avoiding dependency
Mental‑health challenges may keep children living paycheck‑to‑paycheck
Balancing frugality with assistance is a key dilemma

Read on MarketWatch Top Stories ↗

Individual is 60 years old and works as a waiter.
Has only $2,000 saved in a Roth IRA.
Expresses fear of having to work until death due to insufficient retirement funds.

Read on MarketWatch Top Stories ↗

Driver halted a cab on Castle Peak Road to let two passengers unload four suitcases.
Passengers crossed two traffic lanes, creating a safety hazard.
The taxi fleet terminated its collaboration with the driver and authorities have requested a report.

Read on SCMP Economy ↗

Police confiscated 21 protected green sea turtles during a raid on Bali's Pegametan coast on June 10
A 67-year-old man identified only by initials KS was arrested on suspicion of storing the turtles
Local residents reported suspected illegal turtle trading, prompting the police operation

Read on SCMP Economy ↗

Nine suspects arrested in connection with two burglaries at a Tin Shui Wai farm.
Total losses exceed HK$2.7 million (about US$344,500) in cash, watches, jewellery and gold.
Stolen items have already been pawned in Macau, suggesting organized syndicate activity.
Senior Inspector Lam Ka-kit said each suspect had a specific role in the coordinated thefts.

Read on SCMP Economy ↗

Petmento, part of Sage laGreen Funeral Services, has formally asked Hong Kong authorities to permit animal ashes in the same niches as owners.
Providers cite rising demand for combined human‑pet burial options as the pet afterlife market expands rapidly in Hong Kong.
Current regulations prohibit mixing animal ashes with human remains, prompting industry lobbying for rule changes.

Read on SCMP Economy ↗

Man married woman 3 days after 5-minute video call
Regrets decision just 9 days later
Blames parental pressure for rash decision

Read on SCMP Economy ↗

Hong Kong singer Eason Chan bought a HK$182.53 million (US$23.29 million) property in Southern district
The luxury home has four rooms and a garden, according to agent listings
Chan joins a list of celebrities who have recently snapped up high-end properties in Hong Kong

Read on SCMP Economy ↗

Hong Kong experienced sunny intervals on the Dragon Boat Festival
City issued top-tier black rainstorm warning twice on Friday
Hiking experts warn of safety hazards

Read on SCMP Economy ↗

Dragon boat races went ahead despite a black rainstorm warning issued twice
Crowds packed beaches and waterfronts in Stanley, Aberdeen, Sha Tin, Tai Po, Tai O and Sai Kung
Stanley hosted 185 competing teams

Read on SCMP Economy ↗