- Fed signaled possible 2026 rate hike, pushing the 10‑year Treasury yield to around 4.45%
- AI infrastructure spending by Amazon, Alphabet, Microsoft and Meta is projected at $750 bn this year, up >80% from 2025
- Major tech firms are tapping debt markets for tens of billions each, with SpaceX eyeing a $20 bn bond issue
- Goldman Sachs expects capex to hit $920 bn in 2024, the highest cash‑flow ratio since the dot‑com era
June 20, 2026
▲ 8▼ 24◆ 5– 115
Markets 6
- Conservative hold in Burnham reduces uncertainty ahead of the next general election
- UK equity indices edged higher in early trade, with FTSE 100 up around 0.2%
- Financial and consumer sectors saw modest gains as political risk receded
- MOEX Russia Index closed unchanged
- Broad Russian equities fell at the close of trade
- Sector performance mixed, with energy stocks among the decliners
- South Korean equity index KOSPI posts gains amid market optimism
- The Korean won depreciates against the US dollar following the equity rally
- Bank of America attributes the currency weakness to capital flows into equities
- Analysts note the inverse relationship could affect foreign investment strategies
- Investor is attempting to pull $80 million from a private credit fund.
- Redemption requests across the private credit market have accelerated in recent weeks.
- The outflow reflects growing investor caution as the asset class loses its former popularity.
- A fully “bulletproof” dividend portfolio is unrealistic; diversification and sufficient capital are essential
- Generating a livable income typically needs a large equity base—roughly $1 million to produce $40‑$50 k in annual dividends at 4‑5% yield
- Investors can increase cash flow by adding higher‑yield sectors (e.g., REITs, utilities) and using income‑boosting tactics like covered calls
- Maintaining a cash reserve and monitoring payout sustainability are key to preserving income during market downturns
Macro/Economy 14
- Medicare Hospital Insurance trust fund projected to run out of reserves by 2028 under current assumptions
- Social Security OASDI trust fund expected to deplete by 2034, creating a shortfall of about 4% of payroll taxes
- Report highlights that rising life expectancy and slower wage growth are key drivers of the funding gap
- Authors caution that relying on volatile assets like DOGE for retirement savings adds risk, as crypto prices remain highly unpredictable
- Spirit Airlines ceased operations, eliminating a low-cost option that served only ~2% of U.S. travelers
- Delta's 2025 revenue reached $58.3 bn, but economy ticket sales fell $1.1 bn YoY; 60% of revenue now from premium cabins and ancillary services
- United posted a 6% rise in adjusted net profit to $3.5 bn and saw premium seat revenue jump 11% in 2025
- U.S. carriers' jet fuel spend rose 56.4% in March 2026 versus February, hitting $5.06 bn (30% higher than March 2025)
- Smaller LCCs such as Allegiant, Breeze and Avelo face limited growth as big carriers leverage scale and loyalty programs
- President Luis Arce announced a state of emergency to clear nationwide road blockades
- Weeks of protests have crippled Bolivia's economy and disrupted transport routes
- Demonstrators are demanding the reinstatement of fuel subsidies and higher education funding
- Legislation would establish a bipartisan commission to review Social Security and Medicare finances.
- Goal is to prevent a projected $500-per-month reduction in benefits for retirees.
- Commission could recommend reforms such as benefit adjustments, tax changes, or eligibility tweaks.
- Proposal comes as program deficits rise and the population ages.
- Convention 177, adopted in 1996, recognized home‑based workers but only 13 countries have ratified it
- India’s informal sector includes roughly 260 million home‑based workers, 57 % of whom are women
- Workers like Shehnaz Bano earn as little as 100 rupees (≈ $1) per garment piece, underscoring wage gaps
- No South Asian nation has ratified the convention, limiting enforcement of labor rights
- Activists urge greater visibility, fair pay, social protection and collective voice for women home‑based workers
- USDA waivers limit SNAP purchases in 23 states, covering about one-third of participants
- Restrictions could shave $830 million from food and beverage sales this year
- Walmart captures ~25% of SNAP grocery spend, followed by Kroger (8%), Costco (6%) and Amazon (5%)
- Major food firms such as Kraft Heinz, PepsiCo, Coca‑Cola and Nestlé are reformulating products to meet new health‑focused rules
- States like Iowa have enacted laws banning synthetic dyes and sugary items from SNAP‑eligible purchases
- Finance Ministry proposes negative income tax (NIT) with cash transfers up to 12,000 baht per year
- NIT phases: phase‑in for incomes ≤32,000 baht, plateau 32,000‑36,000 baht, phase‑out 36,000‑60,000 baht
- Eligibility requires employment and filing a personal income tax return to draw workers from the informal sector (57.2% of GDP)
- Administrative costs expected to be lower by using the PIT filing process
- Goal is to boost labour participation and reduce duplication across welfare programmes
- Super El Nino officially formed this month, with Pacific ocean heat up 2.5 °C above normal
- Farmers in northern Thailand say cacao and other crops could face total loss
- Regional food supply and commodity markets could be strained if El Nino intensifies
- Veteran nuclear industry figures warned private firms like Adani and Tata against hasty entry into India's nuclear market
- India aims to expand nuclear capacity to 100 GW by 2047, up from the current 8 GW
- The sector was opened to private participation in late 2023, prompting concerns over safety, trust and talent development
- China produces about 70% of global rare‑earths and handles roughly 90% of processing.
- Kazakhstan aims to develop its rare‑earth deposits to become a non‑China source.
- Washington, Tokyo and other governments are seeking to cut reliance on Chinese minerals.
- Kazakhstan has mining expertise, but processing and refining capacity remains limited.
- Japanese companies say supply-chain disruptions from the Middle East are unlikely to ease soon
- Firms expect higher shipping and input costs to become the new normal
- Diversification away from Middle East sources is being pursued, but full recovery to pre‑conflict levels is doubtful
- Mitsui OSK Lines says tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz will resume only after safety is confirmed
- Hong Kong launched a two-month public consultation on its inaugural Chinese-style five-year plan.
- The plan is slated for release in the third quarter, aiming for tighter integration with the Greater Bay Area.
- Officials including Xia Baolong and Chief Executive John Lee visited the Northern Metropolis project as part of the rollout.
- The strategy seeks to align Hong Kong's economic policies with Beijing's regional development objectives.
- China announced its Australian beef import quota is fully used, triggering a 55% tariff.
- The tariff takes effect on Saturday, raising costs for Australian exporters.
- Australian producers will need to seek alternative markets as China is the world's largest beef importer.
- Japan stopped accepting new visa applications for restaurant workers under the specified skilled worker program two months ago
- Approximately 50,000 foreign workers hold the visa and remain in the country
- Job postings for those workers have doubled, intensifying competition among restaurants
Central Banks 1
- BOK projects full-year inflation at 2.7%, above its 2% target.
- SK Hynix and Samsung will allocate about 10%–10.5% of semiconductor profits to bonuses, amounting to roughly 700 million won and 626 million won per worker.
- Luxury sales near chip hubs rose 53.6% YoY, with jewelry up 146.3% and watches up 85.3%.
- Department-store stocks rallied, with Lotte up 148% YTD and Shinsegae up 190% YTD.
Energy/Oil 3
- Strait of Hormuz, closed for months, now sees limited ship traffic
- Oil and gas market turmoil is prompting faster clean energy investment
- Policy focus is shifting toward energy security rather than climate goals
- Iraq will keep sending crude and naphtha through Syria's Mediterranean port of Baniyas even after Hormuz traffic resumes.
- The alternative route was created after the Strait of Hormuz closure caused export disruptions and storage buildup.
- Iraq's normal export volume is about 3.6 million barrels per day, and the Baniyas corridor helps sustain that flow.
- The move underscores Iraq's desire to avoid reliance on Hormuz for future export security.
- Rising AI chip production and data‑center power needs are boosting regional electricity demand.
- The extra load is being met largely by coal and gas plants, reversing recent clean‑energy gains.
- Taiwan's CPC Dalin refinery reports higher throughput as fuel consumption climbs.
Gold/Metals 2
- Guinea redirects vessels previously used for bauxite to ship iron ore
- Export surge aims to capture higher prices for China's green steel production
- Shipbrokers note the move before seasonal rains halt mining output
- Analysts say increased Guinean supply supports China's broader steel goals
- Gold futures trade near $4,173/oz, below the 50‑EMA $4,264 and 200‑EMA $4,306
- Immediate support sits at $4,124; a break could drive price toward $3,885 (20‑EMA)
- Oil benchmarks poised to lose ~10% this week as Hormuz closure concerns ease
- ECB and BOJ raised rates; Fed held steady but hints at further hikes, pressuring precious metals
Crypto 8
- European Commission opened a public comment period to revise MiCA, dubbed "MiCA 2.0"
- Key focus areas include stablecoin reserve rules, allowing non‑interest incentives, and DeFi certification for CASPs
- MiCA 1.0 enforcement began on Dec 30, 2024, with first licences issued in early 2025
- Regulators aim to define criteria for decentralisation to decide if DeFi platforms fall under MiCA
- Potential changes could make euro‑denominated stablecoins more competitive by permitting higher‑quality sovereign assets as reserves
- Bitcoin-to-altcoin rotation volume hits its lowest level since 2021, indicating a collapse of the altseason trend.
- The top 10 non‑stablecoin altcoins now represent about 80.5% of the $600 bn crypto market, showing increased concentration.
- Altcoins with market caps above $1 bn fell from roughly 106 in 2021 to about 50 in June 2026.
- Bitcoin dominance (BTC.D) has risen to 58.75%, near its 100‑week EMA, with potential movement toward 60% or a fallback to 57%.
- Bitcoin fell ~2% over the holiday week and is ~50% below its $126,279 all‑time high.
- The cryptocurrency slipped back below $65,000, trading around $63,000.
- Bitcoin ETFs iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) and Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) have each lost about 40% over the past year.
- A survey of advisors shows 22% are actively investing in digital assets, while roughly half remain on the sidelines.
- AI tool Mythos can reduce smart‑contract audit costs to near‑zero, cutting weeks of work to minutes
- Continuous AI‑driven auditing may become industry standard, reshaping reasonable due‑diligence expectations
- Researchers caution AI cannot replace human judgment for social‑engineering and incentive‑based vulnerabilities
- SEC Commissioner Rogelio Quevedo announced the regulator is prepared to accept tokenized asset offerings.
- Four firms have entered the SEC's Strategic Sandbox, including one testing tokenized real estate and two testing US equity access.
- The agency aims to give overseas Filipino workers regulated investment options while using AI to curb scams.
- Tokenization is positioned as both a capital‑markets innovation and an investor‑protection tool in the Philippines.
- Brothers Isiah Angelo Garcia and Raymond Christian Garcia entered guilty pleas for kidnapping and robbery of a Minnesota family.
- Victims were forced at gunpoint to transfer $8 million in cryptocurrency to the perpetrators.
- Crypto‑related assaults and kidnappings rose 75% in 2025, with $101 million losses reported in the first four months of 2026.
- The defendants agreed to pay more than $8 million in restitution; sentencing has not yet been scheduled.
- Sonic token (S) dropped 5% to $0.031 over the past 24 hours.
- Former executives Andre Cronje, Michael Kong, and David Richardson resigned from the board.
- Matt Visser was appointed CEO, with Kosta Kourkoumelis as COO.
- The token has fallen about 97% since its launch in January 2025.
- Vibes Series 3 trading cards will roll out nationwide in Target stores.
- Circulating cards across all series now total 15 million.
- Pudgy Penguins previously sold over 1 million toys through Walmart in 2023.
- NFT holders earn 5% of net revenue from physical product sales.
Geopolitics 45
- Iran announced the Strait of Hormuz will be closed, a key oil transit chokepoint.
- The decision follows accusations that the US and Israel violated a ceasefire with strikes in Lebanon.
- Iranian Revolutionary Guard warned vessels to stay away, citing security risks.
- Closure could disrupt up to 20% of global oil shipments, raising supply concerns.
- US and Iran sign preliminary agreement to end Persian Gulf war
- Energy shortages in Asia may take several months to normalize
- Asian countries face peak energy demand during summer
- Iran announced closure of the Strait of Hormuz citing Israeli attacks in Lebanon.
- President Trump warned he will impose US tolls on vessels transiting the strait if a final Iran deal isn’t reached within 60 days.
- The proposed tolls would be collected as “services rendered,” potentially raising shipping costs and affecting oil freight rates.
- G7 summit in Evian, France produced a joint declaration on critical minerals
- Members will coordinate to develop processing and industrial capacity for diversification
- Goal is to reduce China's oversized control over metals, minerals and rare earths
- Focus sectors include defense, automotive and clean‑energy industries
- Ivan Cepeda, a 63-year-old senator, has emerged as the new face of Colombia's left wing.
- He will face Abelardo de la Espriella, a far-right candidate backed by Donald Trump, in the run-off election.
- Cepeda has promised to bolster social programmes and advance agrarian reforms to reduce inequality.
- Swiss Burgenstock retreat hosts delegations from the US, Iran, Qatar and Pakistan to prep a US-Iran cease‑fire implementation
- Talks were postponed after Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon, adding uncertainty to the preliminary agreement
- US President Trump and Iranian counterpart signed a memorandum to halt the war on all fronts, including Lebanon
- Switzerland and Qatar highlighted their mediation role, with Swiss foreign minister meeting Qatar's prime minister at the resort
- President Rodrigo Paz issues state of emergency, expanding constitutional powers for order restoration
- Military may be deployed to clear blockades that have halted the economy for 50 days
- Emergency takes effect immediately; Congress must be notified within 24 hours
- Trump alleges Meloni repeatedly asked for a photo at the G7 summit in France to raise her domestic ratings
- Meloni called the claim "made‑up" and said the attacks are senseless, defending her stance on national interest
- The dispute led Italy's foreign minister to cancel a planned US visit, heightening diplomatic tension
- Trump reiterated criticism of NATO spending, saying the US contributes "hundreds of billions" to defend allies like Italy
- Judge orders Begona Gomez to hand in passport and appear bi‑monthly in court
- Gomez faces jury trial on corruption charges tied to the prime minister's family
- Travel ban adds political pressure on Pedro Sanchez's minority coalition government
- US envoy Steve Witkoff and Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araqchi scheduled to meet in Switzerland.
- Talks aim to build on a ceasefire in Lebanon and advance a provisional Iran‑U.S. war pact.
- Switzerland’s Burgenstock venue provides a discreet setting for implementing a US‑Iran memorandum of understanding.
- Israeli fire in Gaza resulted in nine fatalities, according to medics.
- Among the dead were a child and a journalist covering the conflict.
- The incident adds to the growing civilian death toll in the Gaza war.
- Reports suggest Starmer is ready to step down as UK PM
- A senior source counters, saying Starmer remains committed to his role
- Political uncertainty could influence UK policy outlook
- Zelensky says Ukrainian drones struck an oil refinery in Russia's Tyumen region, over 2,000 km from Ukraine.
- Ukraine asserts it has developed long‑range drones capable of operating beyond 3,000 km.
- The attack targets a western Siberian oil‑refining facility amid the ongoing conflict.
- Starmer secured a landslide victory in the 2024 general election, but his tenure is now under scrutiny
- Intensifying pressure from within the Labour Party urges him to consider stepping down
- Andy Burnham's recent return to Parliament heightens the likelihood of a leadership challenge
- Al Jazeera cameraman Ahmed Wishah killed in Israeli airstrike on Bureij refugee camp
- He is the 12th Al Jazeera media worker killed in Gaza since the war began in October 2023
- The strike also left two other people dead and at least one injured, raising Saturday's death toll to 10
- CPJ reports at least 260 Palestinian journalists have been killed since October 2023
- Gaza health ministry says 73,018 people have been killed and 173,273 wounded since the conflict began
- Washington shifts energy policy focus from economics to security for SMRs
- SMRs deemed essential for military readiness and defense supply chains
- Strategic competition with China over AI, semiconductors, and industrial capacity drives the change
- Domestic nuclear capacity emphasized to reduce reliance on foreign energy sources
- Israeli strike in Gaza City killed at least five Palestinians, two of whom were children
- The attack occurred early Saturday despite Israeli statements that a ceasefire was in place
- The incident heightens doubts about the ceasefire's durability and risk of further escalation
- Poll shows only 11% of Israelis say they "won" the US‑Israel war on Iran, while 71% distrust Trump on the deal
- Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Security Minister Itamar Ben‑Gvir publicly denounce the interim MoU
- The MoU calls for an immediate cease‑fire in Lebanon and respect for Lebanese sovereignty, yet Israel continues attacks
- Trump and Vice President JD Vance defend the agreement, claiming it demonstrates U.S. support for Israel
- Iran reaffirmed its commitment to the memorandum of understanding with the United States.
- Tehran warned it will take reciprocal measures if Washington does not meet its obligations.
- The statement heightens concerns over a possible escalation in bilateral relations.
- A senior Chinese foreign‑policy scholar says America's global institutional dominance is ending.
- The expert argues China lacks both the will and capacity to fill a hegemonic role.
- Beijing is pursuing a path of sovereign equality and multilateralism rather than global dominance.
- Trump plans up to four US-China face-to-face meetings in 2026
- First summit already held in Beijing earlier this year
- Xi expected to travel to the US in September for a state visit and in December for the G20
- Announcement comes as US midterm elections loom
- Beijing will make maritime surveys east of Taiwan a routine activity
- Surveys follow recent Japan‑Philippines talks on regional security
- China says activities include drills, coastguard patrols and resource surveys
- Taiwan's novel "Travelogue" becomes the island's first International Booker Prize winner.
- The book presents a distinct Taiwanese historical perspective that diverges from mainland China's official narrative.
- Beijing has voiced concern, saying the portrayal could fuel separatist sentiment and reshape cross‑strait discourse.
- The cultural award adds another layer to ongoing tensions over Taiwan's identity and its future relationship with China.
- Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi urged G7 leaders to coordinate stockpiling of critical minerals, including rare earths.
- The proposal aims to secure supply chains for technology and defense sectors amid global shortages.
- Analysts warn the initiative could heighten geopolitical friction in East Asia and provoke supply‑chain disputes.
- No concrete policy steps have been announced; discussions are slated for the upcoming G7 summit in France.
- China’s State Council released a white paper titled “More Just and Equitable Global Governance” on Wednesday.
- The document sets out Beijing’s vision to reshape global governance and calls for Hong Kong to serve as a hub for international organisations.
- Analysts say Hong Kong could lead in setting standards and attracting bodies such as UN agencies under the new initiative.
- US Justice Dept. indicted ex‑president Raul Castro and sanctioned current leader Miguel Diaz‑Canel.
- Washington signals a shift toward pursuing regime change in Havana as a policy objective.
- Cuba’s economy spirals after Venezuela halted subsidised oil in January, its deepest crisis since the 1990s.
- Around a few thousand residents gathered at the Ngong Shuen Chau barracks on Stonecutters Island.
- The event marked the 29th anniversary of Hong Kong’s handover on July 1.
- Visitors were drawn by displays of PLA military equipment and skill demonstrations.
- Families, students and seniors queued from early morning, with some arriving hours before opening.
- Russia is positioning itself as an alternative energy partner for Southeast Asian nations facing supply uncertainty
- At the ASEAN‑Russia summit in Kazan, Putin and regional leaders agreed to deepen political and economic ties
- Analysts say Moscow aims to become a “third power” amid intensifying US‑China rivalry in the region
- The push follows disruptions from the Iran conflict affecting regional energy markets
- German-Philippines deal worth several million dollars to redevelop former US military base at Clark International Airport
- Agreement announced during President Frank-Walter Steinmeier's visit, the first German head of state in Manila since 1963
- Project aims to convert the former airfield into an industrial hub for German companies, signalling a shift to economic investment as a strategic tool
- Analysts view the move as a blurring of defence and economic lines in Asia-Pacific geopolitics
- Anti‑government protests lasted 50 days before a deal was signed
- The government and the Confederación de Organizaciones Bolivianas (COB) reached a labor agreement
- The settlement aims to end the nationwide unrest and restore economic stability
- Chinese President Xi met Myanmar's President Min Aung Hlaing in Beijing on June 16.
- Beijing urged Min Aung Hlaing to secure peace agreements with ethnic armed groups to protect Chinese investments.
- Min Aung Hlaing, who took office in April after leading the 2021 coup, faces renewed pressure to negotiate a political settlement.
- Thousands of foreigners forced to work in Southeast Asian scam hubs are still held in Cambodian detention centers.
- Detained individuals report receiving only one plain rice meal per day.
- Many lack funds for flights, leaving them unable to return home or leave the facilities.
- ASEAN leaders met Russia in Kazan, the first in-person summit since 2015 (eight years ago)
- Moscow pledged to deepen energy integration with ASEAN member states
- Energy cooperation is highlighted as vital after the region’s recent supply‑chain disruptions
- Supreme Court upheld incitement conviction and barred Rong Chhun from political activities
- Restrictions were extended on June 19, 2024, ahead of upcoming elections
- Opposition groups say the ruling curtails democratic freedoms and silences critics
- US restored the "Pacific Command" name, removing "Indo-" from its Indo‑Pacific Command
- Three Indian Navy sailors were killed in US strikes in the Gulf of Oman
- President Trump and Prime Minister Modi met to address the strained bilateral relationship
- Anwar Ibrahim received a royal pardon in 2018 after three years in prison.
- He assumed the premiership in 2022, 24 years after his previous ouster.
- He says his priority is strengthening Malaysia's economy rather than the next election.
- U.S. maintains travel ban for Iranian nationals attending the World Cup
- Restrictions impact Iranian fans and officials seeking entry to the tournament
- Diplomatic discussions on the travel policy are ongoing
- Around several thousand demonstrators gathered in Tirana to oppose the resort development.
- The project is financially backed by former US official Jared Kushner.
- Protesters claim the plan lacks transparency and may involve corruption.
- 'Lying flat' has shifted from a niche subculture to a mainstream phenomenon over the past five years.
- The term first gained traction on Chinese social media in 2021 during the COVID‑19 pandemic.
- China's top intelligence agency claims foreign actors are exploiting the trend to erode young people's belief in striving.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced he sent back a state decoration to Poland's President Andrzej Duda.
- The gesture was presented publicly as part of a diplomatic exchange between the two leaders.
- The move underscores the ongoing diplomatic relationship between Ukraine and Poland.
- Counter‑terrorism officers arrested a 36‑year‑old white Scottish man suspected of anti‑Muslim attacks.
- Five men (ages 22‑39) were wounded in separate incidents across Edinburgh; three required hospital treatment.
- Police said there is no further public threat and the suspect is being held in custody.
- UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Scottish First Minister John Swinney condemned the attacks as hate‑motivated.
- Authorities linked the incidents to rising far‑right and anti‑immigrant tensions in the UK.
- President Trump claims the reflecting pool's paint is peeling due to vandalism
- He says the grass surrounding the pool was destroyed three days earlier
- No proof or details are offered to substantiate the vandalism allegations
- The comments were posted on his social media platform on Friday night
- Russian glide‑bomb strike on Zaporizhzhia killed 5 civilians and injured 11 people.
- President Zelenskyy warned that Russia is preparing for a "massive" attack in his nightly address.
- Separate attacks in Kharkiv killed 1 and wounded 9; a drone strike in Kherson injured a 72‑year‑old woman.
- Russia freed 24 Filipino detainees held for months without charges.
- The release followed a meeting between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and President Vladimir Putin in Kazan.
- The freed individuals arrived in Manila on two flights on Sunday.
- Philippine Foreign Secretary Theresa Lazaro accompanied Marcos in the talks.
- President Trump accuses Prime Minister Meloni of repeatedly seeking a joint G7 photo.
- The dispute is tied to broader tensions over Iran and NATO policy.
- The row underscores a personal rift between the US leader and a key European right‑wing figure.
Tech/AI 13
- Japan aims to mobilise 10.5 trillion yen (≈$65.1bn) in physical AI funding by fiscal 2040
- The investment will be shared between public and private sectors across 17 strategic sectors
- Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's government unveiled the plan to boost AI-driven growth
- Focus on physical AI applications such as robotics, manufacturing and infrastructure
- Signal President Meredith Whittaker says AI chatbots are not sentient or friends
- She warns that tools like Microsoft Copilot could gain access to credit cards, browsers, Signal messages, home address and calendar
- Whittaker warns such pervasive access would act as a backdoor, raising privacy and security concerns
- China unveiled a wind‑powered underwater data centre off Shanghai in May
- Project cost is about $238 million
- Facility has a 24 MW power capacity
- The centre aims to support the growing AI and data‑centre demand
- John Jumper leaves DeepMind after nearly 9 years to join Anthropic.
- Jumper co-won the 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for AlphaFold protein‑structure predictions.
- His move follows recent departures, including Character AI co‑founder Noam Shazeer heading to OpenAI.
- Anthropic gains a leading AI researcher, potentially strengthening its generative‑AI capabilities.
- Data centers projected to become one of the largest U.S. electricity consumers by 2030
- Several states have paused or banned new data‑center projects citing rising utility bills
- Global forecasts show data‑center power and water demand could double by 2030
- iOS 27 adds custom‑duration location sharing and pause option in Find My, usable from fall
- Apple Wallet can scan receipts, split bills with Apple Cash, and digitize loyalty cards on iPhone and Apple Watch
- Maps “Flyover” receives higher‑resolution 3D visuals and new “Local Lists” for trending places
- Apple Pay redesign lets users swipe between cards, view rewards and add funds to eligible debit cards later this year
- Goldman Sachs trims its outlook for worldwide smartphone sales, citing higher memory component prices.
- The downgrade reflects concerns that memory cost inflation will squeeze manufacturers' profit margins.
- Analysts expect the revised forecast could temper growth expectations for major smartphone makers.
- The Home Office plans to roll out facial age estimation (FAE) at UK borders starting in 2025.
- Internal tests show the AI frequently misclassifies children as adults, indicating bias and inaccuracy.
- Misclassification could strip minors of legal protections and place them in adult detention centers.
- The technology is being adopted despite known flaws, drawing criticism from watchdogs and NGOs.
- BofA lifts Nvidia target to $2,100 from $1,550, keeping a Buy rating
- Dynatrace price target raised to $50 (up from $48) after management meeting
- Meta, Snowflake, and SanDisk added to BofA's AI‑focused buy list; Meta down 13% YTD, SanDisk up >820% YTD
- Analysts cite AI-driven growth, multi‑year contracts and pricing power as key catalysts for the picks
- Near ban on generative AI tools for junior school pupils announced by the prime minister
- Use of AI in education for older children will also be restricted
- Policy follows 2024 ban on smartphones in schools to address falling test scores
- Authorities cite risk of AI harming learning outcomes
- In the Weights queries multiple LLMs (Grok, Gemini, GPT, Claude, Llama) to score name recall
- Macaulay Culkin leads the leaderboard with a strength score of 988
- Tech blogger scored 641, placing him in the top 6% of names
- GPT-5.4 Mini flagged the name Anthony Ha as ambiguous, highlighting model hallucinations
- Founders aim to explore model bias and why different models return varied results
- Kyber secured a $5 million funding round led by Lightspeed
- Provides an SDK that syncs video, audio, sensor data and control inputs with millisecond latency
- Targets large-scale fleets, aiming to support millions of robots, drones and remote IT devices
- Already deployed with customers in defense, telecom, robotics and AI; team of 25 with offices in Paris, San Francisco and Singapore
- Robot mimics human motions to lure deep‑water squid to the surface
- Sea trials underway on the research vessel Song Hang in the northwestern Pacific
- Testing will run through September, with the robot adapting its behavior to squid bites
Companies 20
- Jio Platforms will file draft IPO paperwork with Indian regulator on June 19, 2026
- The company plans to issue up to 270 million new shares in the listing
- Reported FY2026 after‑tax profit of ₹79.35 billion on revenue of ₹382.59 billion
- IPO would be the largest ever in India by market size
- Shinkei Systems develops robots to humanely kill fish, reducing stress and spoilage
- The company aims to vertically integrate the fish harvester and processor chain, re-shoring processing from China
- Founders Fund backs Shinkei's bet on re-shoring the seafood supply chain, citing quality and sustainability benefits
- STRC dropped to $83, 17% below its $100 par and its lowest level since debut in July 2025
- Strategy repurchased $1.5 bn of 2029 convertible notes at an 8% discount, cutting cash reserves to about $1 bn
- Bitcoin fell from above $80,000 to around $62,500, creating an $11.1 bn unrealized loss on 846,842 BTC held by Strategy
- Shareholders approved moving STRC dividend payments to semi‑monthly, but cash coverage shrank to roughly six months versus the target 24 months
- MSTR common stock is down roughly 80% from its November 2024 peak, trading near $112
- Goldman sets $125 price target for ALGT, implying ~30% upside from current price
- Allegiant's $1.5 bn acquisition of Sun Country creates a combined fleet of 195 aircraft
- Shares have risen 18.5% YTD, outperforming the S&P 500's ~10% gain
- Analyst highlights unique fuel hedge and pricing power after Spirit's exit
- 11street launched a storefront on JD Worldwide, tapping JD's roughly 700 million consumer base.
- Chinese cross‑border platforms provide a low‑cost route for Korean sellers into China and other overseas markets.
- The trend highlights rising demand for Korean products abroad and a shift toward digital export channels.
- Geely plans EV manufacturing at Proton's Malaysia factory in the first half of 2027
- The expansion aims to capture higher EV demand spurred by the oil price crisis
- Overseas push targets offsetting weak sales in China, focusing on the Zeekr brand
- Nippon Life has held a SpaceX stake through a venture capital fund for more than 10 years
- The insurer's paper profit on the stake is estimated at up to $3 billion
- SpaceX's current market valuation is roughly $2.4 trillion
- The gain underscores the investment clout of Japan's largest life insurer
- German arms maker Rheinmetall is evaluating a joint venture for its first defense production site in Japan.
- The planned facility would target the local market and serve as an export hub for defense equipment.
- CEO said partnership talks could start soon, aiming for a "win-win" arrangement with a Japanese partner.
- Zhongji Innolight, a Chinese optical component supplier for Nvidia and Google, announced a $700 million investment.
- The new facility will be built in Bac Ninh province, Vietnam, near existing tech manufacturers.
- The investment reflects rising AI infrastructure demand that is straining global data‑center supply chains.
- The plant aims to boost production of optical components for AI servers.
- BDMS announces $800 million wellness hub project
- Will be a 45‑story high‑end residence in central Bangkok
- Targeting Thailand's aging population and affluent foreign visitors
- First‑half earnings expected to drop sharply
- Top‑line revenue forecast to fall by double‑digits
- Bottom‑line profit projected to decline by double‑digits
- Drop linked to reduced U.S. tobacco leaf imports amid trade tensions
- TEPCO is negotiating a capital tie-up with five individual partners.
- Potential investors include SoftBank, Japan Industrial Partners and three foreign investment groups.
- The five parties will commence a detailed due diligence process shortly.
- WCFO will roughly double its production capacity for fiber-optic cable components in Cambodia.
- A new plant will be built to support the increased output.
- Expansion targets rising AI-related data center investment across Southeast Asia.
- Honda announced cuts to vehicle production at its Chinese factories
- Affiliated parts suppliers now expect a decline in sales volumes
- Rising cost pressures are fueling discontent among supplier staff
- Some suppliers are considering shifting focus to other customers
- Claude Guillemot, co‑founder of Ubisoft and chairman of Guillemot Corp, died in a plane crash in France
- Guillemot was 69 years old at the time of his death
- Ubisoft announced the tragedy on Saturday, offering condolences to his family
- CEO aims to finalize a new cost‑cutting package by July 2026
- Plan is intended to trim operating expenses and improve margins
- Cost reductions are part of broader effort to offset slowing luxury car demand
- Staff count reached 3,500, up from a handful of employees
- Jane Street aims to add over 500 new hires in 2024
- The firm is positioning itself in the AI sector, increasing its tech profile
- JTBC, South Korea's major broadcaster, defaulted on loan repayments this week.
- The default follows heavy spending on FIFA World Cup broadcast rights.
- Seoul streets turned red as fans celebrated the national team's World Cup match.
- Zipair Tokyo launches wagyu beef sales through Bic Camera stores in Akihabara
- Service initially limited to tourists on Zipair's Singapore and US destinations
- JAL Cargo Service joins partnership to handle premium beef logistics
- Collaboration aims to boost ancillary revenue and tourist spending in Tokyo
- PixVerse, an AI video platform backed by Alibaba, secured rights to use "Captain Tsubasa" characters
- License lets users generate videos featuring the manga series during the FIFA World Cup
- "Captain Tsubasa" has sold over 90 million copies and been translated into more than 20 languages
- Launch aims to tap global soccer enthusiasm and expand PixVerse's content library
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- Scheme aims to cut approval times by 20‑50% for large projects.
- Nine new projects worth 52.1 bn baht approved, total now 25 projects valued at 223.2 bn baht.
- Between 2023‑2025, 78 large‑scale projects worth 480 bn baht received promotion approval.
- Experts say addressing bottlenecks could unlock an additional 350 bn baht of investment by 2027.
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- Fire at the Viva Dominicus Beach resort in Bayahibe nearly destroyed the property
- Around 1,700 tourists were evacuated and one Italian visitor died
- Hotel occupancy was about 84% when the blaze occurred
- Evacuated guests were moved to hotels in Punta Cana and Bayahibe, with embassies coordinating assistance
- Two passenger trains collided on the same track near Bedford, killing the driver.
- Over 80 people received hospital treatment; 28 remain hospitalized, nine in critical condition.
- More than 20 ambulances, specialist rescue teams and six air ambulances were dispatched to the scene.
- British Transport Police and the Rail Accident Investigation Branch are conducting an investigation; cause not yet known.
- At least 30 people have died in Kigonze camp since the start of May.
- The death toll is described as unprecedented for the displaced‑persons camp.
- Some fatalities have been confirmed as Ebola, indicating possible rapid spread.
- Testing refusal by patients and relatives hampers full cause verification.
- Scientists detect H5 bird flu in Australia for the first time
- Virus found in a migratory brown skua in remote Western Australia
- Samples from a giant petrel also test positive for H5
- H5 strain now confirmed on every continent
- Netherlands secured a 5-1 victory over Sweden in Group F
- Cody Gakpo and Brian Brobbey each scored twice for the Dutch
- The win puts the Netherlands on four points, topping the group
- Sweden remain on three points after Anthony Elanga's lone goal
- Seven suspects (four men, three women) were arrested.
- Six 1 kg gold bars worth HK$7 million (US$893,000) were stolen.
- The robbery occurred around 12:30 am at an airport car park.
- Some suspects are believed to have fled to mainland China.
- A Thai-brand herbal inhaler was found with six plant species of biosecurity concern at Cairns Airport.
- Australian biosecurity officers urged all travelers to declare plant-based products to avoid penalties.
- The traveler avoided a substantial penalty by complying with the declaration requirement.
- Trump claimed federal authorities made "multiple arrests" for vandalizing the Reflecting Pool
- The $14 million renovation has seen the blue coating peel and algae turn the water green
- 67‑year‑old David Hearn was detained for five hours after touching the pool's coating
- Law‑enforcement agencies have not confirmed the arrests and declined to comment
- UNESCO advisory body recommends inscription of Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan.
- Nomination will be considered at the 48th World Heritage Committee session in Busan, July 19–29, with deliberations July 24–26.
- If approved, the temple becomes Thailand's ninth World Heritage Site and the first cultural site in southern Thailand.
- The site reflects over 1,500 years of religious and cultural traditions, featuring a 13th‑century bell‑shaped stupa housing Buddha relics.
- Authorities plan stricter construction controls and visitor management to protect the temple.
- Government approved boundary change removing 155,865 rai from Thap Lan National Park
- Land to be transferred to state agencies, chiefly the Agricultural Land Reform Office
- Protest scheduled for June 24 urging review and protection of the Dong Phayayen‑Khao Yai World Heritage site
- Authorities plan to study adding 86,966 rai of adjacent forest to the park in future expansion
- About 450 encroachment cases will continue in court, with no automatic rights granted
- RMDs must be taken starting at age 73 under the SECURE Act 2.0
- The average federal tax rate on RMDs for many retirees is around 22%
- Roth conversions can offset RMD taxes but may push income into higher brackets
- Charitable distributions and qualified charitable trusts can reduce taxable RMD amounts
- Allocate a dedicated portion of retirement savings for travel costs
- Start saving early to reduce the need for large withdrawals later
- Incorporate travel budgeting into overall retirement financial plan
- Medicaid eligibility reforms can erode assets intended for inheritance
- Improper IRA withdrawals may trigger unexpected tax liabilities
- Many estate plans fail to address these tax and benefit changes, needing updates
- One of Iceland's two remaining whaling ships set sail this week, ending a two-year hiatus.
- Iceland joins Norway and Japan as the only three countries that openly permit commercial whaling.
- A protester chained himself to the vessel's mast in Reykjavik before it departed.
- Iran will lodge a formal complaint with FIFA over U.S. visa rules limiting team entry to match day
- U.S. requires the team to arrive one day before each match and leave the same day for three group games
- Restrictions are said to have disrupted Iran's 2‑2 draw with New Zealand and could affect upcoming games vs Belgium and Egypt
- White House World Cup Task Force says terms could be renegotiated, but no decision yet
- Government will reassess the age cutoff that defines "elderly in need" for welfare support
- Review prompted by death of a 70-year-old resident found hanging in Lai King Estate
- Welfare chief Chris Sun Yuk-han pledged to identify priority cases and prevent further incidents
- No specific new age limit disclosed yet; decision expected in coming weeks
- New measures aim to ease cross‑border flow of data, materials and capital in the Northern Metropolis megaproject.
- Pilot initiatives will launch this year within a joint Hong Kong‑Shenzhen innovation zone.
- The megaproject covers 30,000 hectares (74,131 acres) near the mainland border.
- Government is drafting dedicated legislation to accelerate development of the project.
- Hong Kong has successfully attracted international visitors since the Covid-19 pandemic.
- Kuok Hui Kwong calls for deeper use of traditional festivals to boost tourism.
- Emphasises building a competitive edge through cultural tourism amid strong regional competition.
- Fossil DNA indicates horses first evolved in North America millions of years ago
- Genetic evidence points to a now‑extinct Dalian horse in China as the conduit to Europe
- Findings overturn the traditional view that horses arrived in the Americas with Europeans
- Study reconstructs a migration route from North America → China → Europe
- Polymarket and similar platforms have attracted Hong Kong users seeking quick profits
- Authorities view the surge as illegal gambling, raising enforcement concerns
- Regulators warn that unlicensed prediction markets could face crackdowns
- The trend reflects broader interest in crypto‑based betting amid World Cup hype
- Three Japanese films entered the competition for the Palme d'Or.
- Japan was named the Cannes Film Market's Country of Honour.
- A dedicated event showcased the growth of Japan's intellectual property rights sector.
- A total of 22 films competed for the Palme d'Or at Cannes.
- Germany won 2-1 against Ivory Coast
- Match took place on 20 June 2026
- Result impacts group stage standings in World Cup 2026
- Almiron was shown a red card for covering his mouth, the first dismissal under FIFA's new rule
- He will miss Paraguay's decisive Group D match against Australia on June 22
- Paraguay still secured a 1-0 win over Turkey despite playing with ten men
- The rule was introduced to curb on‑field gestures following recent anti‑discrimination measures
- The incident underscores challenges for players adapting to new officiating regulations
- The couple intends to allocate their entire estate to charitable organizations.
- They stress finding local needs and collaborating with existing groups to maximize impact.
- Their giving strategy aims to create lasting community benefits despite having no direct heirs.
- Fear of outliving retirement savings can cause regret
- Psychological barrier may deter retirees from spending
- Addressing the fear can improve retirement satisfaction
- Mothers handle roughly 73% of cognitive household labor while fathers handle about 27%
- Fathers who play with their children report higher happiness than in most other daily activities
- Five habits to adopt: keep fun simple, start with action, allow interruptions, drop manager mode, treat joy as a goal
- Regular play boosts adult stress resilience and strengthens family connections
- Al Jazeera released a day‑9 recap of the FIFA World Cup 2026 on 20 June 2026
- The summary was shared by journalist @RahulP_Journo on social media
- The recap covers the matches and events of the tournament's ninth day
- Police detained a suspect tied to three burglaries in Ma On Shan.
- The thefts were reported between April 26 and June 3.
- Combined losses exceed HK$700,000 (≈ US$89,750) in cash, gold ornaments and jewellery.
- Two flats in Sausalito estate and a house in Tai Shui Hang Village were targeted.
- Incident occurred just before midnight on June 18 at Telford Plaza in Kowloon Bay.
- A ceiling panel detached near the Phase One entrance, striking a woman's leg.
- MTR staff assisted, called police and escorted the victim to hospital.
- MTR Corp has opened an investigation into the cause of the panel failure.
- Collision occurred around 4 pm on New Clear Water Bay Road in Sau Mau Ping.
- Motorcyclist suffered multiple injuries and was pronounced dead at United Christian Hospital.
- Bus involved was a KMB double‑decker operating route 290A between Tsuen Wan West and Choi Ming.
- Police are investigating; no other injuries reported.
- Tha Phra Chan, a historic Bangkok pier, has long served as a hub for Thai herbal medicine.
- Daily sales have dropped from many thousands of baht to only a few thousand after COVID.
- Shop owners struggle to obtain Thai FDA approval due to lack of scientific documentation and costly compliance.
- Foreign tourist footfall is low; most customers are Thai locals, keeping business quiet.
- Future preservation may rely on foreign interest and regulatory reforms.
- Federal judge blocked the planned two‑year closure of the Kennedy Center in May.
- Management will maintain operations after July 5, keeping public spaces open but limiting stage programming.
- Board will consider three renovation options – full closure, partial closure with limited programming, or phased closures – with a vote expected in mid‑July.
- Two freight trains collided on a Munich bridge around 1:40 am Saturday
- One person killed; several others injured
- Cars from one train fell about 5 m (16 ft) onto the road below
- Cargo was not hazardous; cause of the crash remains unclear
- Jiang Mingdian, 77, is among the last professional letter writers in Quanzhou, Fujian
- He has written more than 100,000 letters for families over a 59‑year span
- Letters connect local families with relatives in the Philippines and other overseas destinations
- A Kuala Lumpur attendee attended Anime Fest Plus in a full-body latex outfit, including helmet, boots, choker, corset and black catsuit.
- The participant prepared for potential mockery or stares, reflecting social pressure around conservative fashion norms in Malaysia.
- The event highlights a growing subculture pushing boundaries within the country's traditionally modest dress standards.
- Carl Jung admired the I Ching and promoted Richard Wilhelm's German translation.
- The author argues Jung failed to grasp the "Chinese spirit" of the ancient text.
- The critique suggests the I Ching's meaning diverges from Jung's psychological interpretation.
- 3-month-old boy taken to ICU after cyanosis following consumption of milk mixed with vegetable juice
- Symptoms included purple skin, bluish mouth and shortness of breath
- Hospitalization occurred at Zhongshan Women and Children’s Hospital in Guangdong province
- Taipingshan National Forest Recreation Area is located in Yilan County, Taiwan
- The area includes peaks reaching roughly 2,000 meters above sea level
- It offers mist‑covered trails, ancient forests and wildlife such as the Mikado pheasant
- The ceremony targets a pan-Asian audience while preserving a distinct Japanese flavor
- Fujii Kaze secured four awards, including Album of the Year for his first English-language album "Prema"
- The show highlights anime songs, idol prizes, and Vocaloid culture as unique elements
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