June 22, 2026 · Daily Global-Macro Brief

June 22, 2026 318 stories · 349 articles, 31 merged · refreshed 2026-10-11 01:37 UTC ▲ 41▼ 61◆ 16– 130

Markets 36

NZD/USD trades at 0.5730, down 4th consecutive day
US Dollar Index (DXY) recoups losses, boosted by hawkish Fed and geopolitical tensions
RBNZ turns hawkish, signals 3 rate hikes by year-end, but fails to stem NZD decline

Read on FXStreet ↗ also: FXStreet

USD/JPY trades near 161.10 after peaking near 162.00, four-decade high
Japanese authorities maintain elevated intervention risks as currency approaches key level
US PCE data on Thursday may shift Fed policy expectations, impacting USD/JPY momentum

Read on FXStreet ↗ also: FXStreet

GBP/USD trades around 1.3250, still below the 1.3300 resistance and 1.3400 EMA ceiling
Keir Starmer's resignation adds a political discount to the pound, weighing on sentiment
Fed holds rates at 3.75% with a hawkish dot plot; upcoming US core PCE data heightens downside risk
CFTC data shows net short positions on the pound deepening, indicating bearish positioning

Read on FXStreet ↗ also: FXStreet

AUD/USD breaks 0.7000 mark ahead of US PCE inflation data
US PCE reading could support hawkish Fed stance and pressure AUD/USD
China's PBoC leaves rates unchanged at 3%

Read on FXStreet ↗ also: FXStreet

U.S. IPO pipeline could trigger a market correction of up to 40%
Current equity issuance levels match historic peaks in 1929 and 2000
High‑profile IPOs such as SpaceX and OpenAI are cited as potential catalysts

Read on MarketWatch Top Stories ↗

USD traded near 101.00, close to the 13-month high of 101.13.
EUR/USD fell to around 1.1430 after weak consumer confidence data.
GBP/USD held near 1.3250 despite UK political uncertainty.
WTI oil dropped over 3% to about $74.20 per barrel on US‑Iran peace optimism.
Spot gold rose 0.84% to $4,190 per ounce as lower oil eased inflation concerns.

Read on FXStreet ↗

Treasury prices fell as yields rose amid ongoing U.S.-Iran talks
Yield increase reflects concerns over possible disruptions to crude flows through the Strait of Hormuz
Investors watch negotiations for further impact on oil supply and bond markets

Read on WSJ Markets ↗

DXY up 0.26% trading around 101.00, supported by firm US Treasury yields
Fed likely to keep monetary policy restrictive longer, boosting the dollar
Upcoming US PCE inflation data could swing the index higher or trigger profit‑taking
Geopolitical risk from Iran war adds safe‑haven demand for the dollar
Technical support at 100.99‑100.81; resistance near 101.06

Read on FXStreet ↗

Mexican Peso (MXN) weakens 0.34% as US Dollar (USD) recovers, driven by Fed's hawkish tilt.
Banxico expected to hold rates steady at 6.50%.
USD/MXN trades at 17.35, with US Dollar Index (DXY) up 0.22% at 100.98.

Read on FXStreet ↗

Andy Burnham, mayor of Greater Manchester, is the frontrunner to become UK prime minister, likely confirmed by Sept 1
UK gilt yields have risen on expectations of higher spending; markets now focus on the next chancellor and budget timing
Sterling is largely priced in; downside risk remains if the transition becomes chaotic, with BoE rates expected to stay on hold
IMF projects UK GDP growth at just 0.8% in 2026, down from 1.3% earlier, underscoring fiscal challenges for the new PM

Read on CNBC Top News ↗

SpaceX shares dropped over 10% after a post‑IPO rally as the company launched a notes offering
Alphabet fell 6%, wiping out more than $256 billion in market value; Amazon slid 4.8% and Meta and Microsoft each fell around 3%
Combined, the three hyperscalers could lose over $248 billion in market cap amid growing AI‑spending anxiety
Memory chipmaker Micron rose 5.8% to record highs after announcing a strategic AI partnership with Anthropic

Read on Channel NewsAsia Business ↗

EUR/USD trades around 1.1498, hovering near its three‑month low
US Dollar Index (DXY) sits near 101.0, its highest level in 13 months
Hawkish Fed expectations keep the dollar favored despite easing US‑Iran tensions
ECB raised rates by 25 basis points this month and says it must stay agile amid Iran shock
Upcoming week features ECB speeches, global PMI data, US PCE and Q1 GDP releases

Read on FXStreet ↗

BNY's iFlow Carry index turns negative for the first time in 2026, signaling ongoing unwinding of carry trades.
Improved risk appetite and a limited Fed hawkish pivot could support a strong recovery in FX carry as liquidation completes.
BRL longs offer a strong risk-reward profile, while CHF is a rare case of a currency with zero rates and positive holdings score.

Read on FXStreet ↗

British Pound (GBP) reacted calmly to Keir Starmer's resignation, with focus shifting to potential PM Andy Burnham.
Nomura sees BoE's dovish reaction function and narrowing policy rate differentials as key medium-term drivers for GBP.
Fiscal rule changes and potential tax hikes are highlighted as ongoing tail risks for GBP.
Nomura forecasts policy rate differentials to narrow by 125bp by end-2027 (75bp ECB hikes, 50bp BoE cuts), supporting a long EUR/GBP trade idea.

Read on FXStreet ↗

USD index up 0.2% to 102.50
Dollar gains on reduced Middle East tensions
Risk assets mixed as talks continue

Read on WSJ Markets ↗

China imposes its toughest cross-border investment restrictions to date
Hong Kong's position as the world's largest cross-border wealth hub is at risk
Potential penalties on brokers could extend to banking, insurance and real estate firms

Read on Nikkei Asia ↗

USD/SGD quoted around 1.2917, showing a bid tone on a firmer USD.
Resistance at 1.2940; key support at 1.2840‑1.2850 (200‑day MA) and 1.28 (38.2% fib).
Focus on Singapore CPI (Tue) and July MAS policy meeting; a core CPI rise could trigger further tightening.
Higher US Treasury yields and fragile risk sentiment may keep USD/SGD supported.

Read on FXStreet ↗ also: FXStreet

Apollo's private credit fund holds about $26 billion in assets.
Redemption requests are limited to 5% of net asset value per period.
The cap follows a 17% increase in withdrawal requests.

Read on Investing.com Economy ↗

Euro slipped 0.37% to $1.1428 as USD rose on optimism over US‑Iran talks
ECB President Lagarde downplayed second‑round inflation, keeping rate hikes within the 1.75‑2.50% neutral range
Market pricing shows a 45% chance of a Fed rate hike at the July 29 meeting, with some banks forecasting up to three 25‑bp hikes in 2026

Read on FXStreet ↗

Best Buy (BBY) returned $1.1 bn via buybacks and raised dividend for 13 straight years; shares up ~15% YTD
Colgate‑Palmolive (CL) added a $5 bn repurchase program, raised dividend to $0.53, and is up 13% in 2026
JPMorgan Chase (JPM) posted Q1 earnings beat, dividend yield 1.8%, shares up ~3% YTD; CEO hints at $20 bn M&A budget
Honeywell (HON) yields ~2.1%, up ~17% YTD, and will spin off its aerospace unit into Honeywell Technologies on June 29

Read on CNBC Top News ↗

Growth stocks remain the market's favorite, keeping valuations elevated.
Contrarian investors are accumulating positions in ten undervalued "loser" stocks.
Elon Musk's $1 trillion SpaceX valuation is widely considered unrealistic.
Analysts expect the selected value plays to outperform as growth momentum eases.

Read on MarketWatch Top Stories ↗

Yen slipped to about 161.9 per dollar, just below a two‑year low reached last week
A break above 161.96 would mark the weakest yen level since 1986
Tokyo intervened with a record 11.7 trillion yen ($72.4 bn) in FX markets from late April to early May
Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent held an online meeting to consider policy responses

Read on Channel NewsAsia Business ↗

NZD/USD slipped to about 0.5720, its lowest level in two months.
US Dollar Index rose roughly 0.24% to 101.00, bolstering the greenback.
Oil prices fell sharply after the US eased sanctions on Iran.
Fed rate expectations dominate ahead of the US PCE inflation report; a strong PCE could push NZD/USD lower.

Read on FXStreet ↗

Nvidia shares down ~3% in the past month, versus a 12% YTD gain.
B200 GPU compute price fell from $6.11 on May 30 to $4.22 on June 21.
VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) up 84% YTD and +15% in the past month, outpacing Nvidia.
Google to pay SpaceX $920 million/month for AI compute, using ~110,000 Nvidia GPUs.

Read on CNBC Top News ↗

USD/CHF up for fourth consecutive day, near 0.8090, targeting 0.8100‑0.8172
EUR/CHF bullish above 200‑day SMA at 0.9223, eyeing 0.9266‑0.9349
SNB kept policy rate at 0% and warned of intervening if CHF appreciates sharply
Fed’s hawkish tilt after meeting, with half of members favoring further tightening, supports USD

Read on FXStreet ↗

USD/MYR pushed up toward the 4.14 handle last week, closing at 4.1360.
Supportive domestic data (trade prints, contained inflation) failed to offset external headwinds.
Fed-led hawkish repricing keeps US Treasury yields and the USD firm, limiting MYR upside.
Softer oil prices offer a modest buffer but are not a clear catalyst for the currency.
Near‑term bias stays skewed to the upside despite RSI entering overbought territory.

Read on FXStreet ↗

USD/CAD rose to near 1.4200, its highest in 14 months, before easing back to around 1.4150
Canada's May CPI accelerated to 3.2% YoY (vs 3.0% consensus) and 1.0% MoM, yet the Loonie weakened
Higher Brent and WTI prices failed to boost the CAD as U.S. tariff pressures dampen Canadian growth
Key technical levels: resistance at 1.4200 (next targets 1.4250, 1.4400); support at 1.4150, 1.4100, 1.4000

Read on FXStreet ↗

Growth differentials in AI‑export economies (Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore) could boost KRW, TWD, MYR and SGD
A stronger USD and persistently high US yields under new Fed Chair Kevin Warsh weigh on regional FX
Oil prices have risen but remain low enough to keep risk sentiment supportive; INR and PHP have shown resilience
If the Fed turns more hawkish, risk appetite may decline, pressuring Asian currencies

Read on FXStreet ↗

Dow closed up ~167 points (0.3%) at ~51,750 while the S&P 500 fell 0.3% and Nasdaq dropped 1.1%
Gain driven by rotation out of mega‑cap tech: Alphabet -6%, Amazon -4%, Meta -3%, SpaceX -8%
Crude oil fell >3% (Brent to $77) and >2% (WTI to $74) after US‑Iran talks on a 60‑day oil roadmap
Core PCE expected to rise to 3.4% YoY (0.3% MoM) on Thursday, a key catalyst for Fed rate outlook

Read on FXStreet ↗

Valuations remain elevated, raising concerns over future earnings
Potential monetary policy tightening could curb market momentum
Geopolitical and supply-chain uncertainties add downside risk

Read on WSJ Markets ↗

USD/CNH rose to 6.7980 before pulling back to 6.7807, a +0.04% move.
UOB expects the pair to stay within a 6.7740‑6.7900 band, with strong support at 6.7600.
Over the next 1‑3 weeks another test of the 6.8000 resistance is possible if support holds.

Read on FXStreet ↗

Elon Musk became the first trillionaire after SpaceX's June 12 public debut.
Kalshi traders assign a 32% probability that Mark Zuckerberg will reach a $1 trillion net worth by 2033.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has a 21% chance, while Dell CEO Michael Dell has a 6% chance.
Kalshi contracts have low volume, with just over $7,500 traded to date.

Read on CNBC Top News ↗

Read on WSJ Markets ↗

Macro/Economy 41

Beijing has stepped up corporate regulatory enforcement, but analysts say it's unlikely to pursue a repeat of the 2021 crackdown.
Regulators are constrained by the need for private tech companies to boost investment in AI infrastructure and computing infrastructure.
Beijing is attempting to act without 'triggering another broad investor panic' amid a sluggish job market and lackluster domestic demand.

Read on CNBC Top News ↗

Senate approved the housing bill 85-5, keeping a 350‑unit cap on institutional investors.
The bill drops the earlier seven‑year sell‑by rule for investors owning 350+ units.
Lawmakers cite a shortage of over 4.7 million homes and average prices above $500,000.
House vote expected later this week; bipartisan backing includes Tim Scott and Elizabeth Warren.

Read on CNBC Top News ↗

Over €23 billion (≈$26.3 bn) invested in Greece's energy sector in the past month
Funding comes from BlackRock, Capital, Covalis, QIA and K Group
EU plans to fully phase out Russian gas imports by 2027
Greece aims to become a key transit hub for Central, Eastern and Southeast Europe

Read on OilPrice ↗

Chinese grid operators concerned about increased risks for power firms due to unpredictable peak demand at data centers
Industry analysts and officials question feasibility of having renewables power majority of data center demand by 2030
Data centers struggle to adjust power consumption load, making it difficult to forecast peak demand

Read on OilPrice ↗

Australia's S&P Global Manufacturing PMI rose to 51.2 in June, a stronger-than-expected figure.
The reading is seen as bullish on the Australian Dollar (AUD).
The AUD/USD pair holds negative ground near 0.6998, still marginally down from Monday's closing price.

Read on FXStreet ↗

Trump hinted at prohibiting Wall Street firms from purchasing residential properties
Analysts say the bipartisan housing bill will take time to impact affordability
The legislation is unlikely to address voter frustration over housing costs soon

Read on MarketWatch Top Stories ↗

Young Chinese consumers prioritize emotional value over status symbols
Purchases of low-cost toys such as elf figures and robot dogs are increasing
Trend signals a broader shift in domestic consumption patterns

Read on MarketWatch Top Stories ↗

Thailand's top-up tax, aligning with OECD's 15% global minimum corporate tax, took effect in 2025 with collection starting this year
Revenue Department estimates the measure could add about 10 billion baht in annual tax revenue
Board of Investment will review how investment promotion policies will adapt to the top-up tax while awaiting guidance on OECD Pillar 1

Read on Bangkok Post Business ↗

Retrenchment incidence for degree holders rose to 3.1 per 1,000 resident employees in Q1 2026, up from 2.6 per 1,000.
Workers in their 50s saw retrenchment incidence increase to 3.1 per 1,000, the highest among all age groups.
Degree‑holder re‑entry rate fell to 58.3% in Q1 2026, below the overall 60.7% and diploma/professional 69.4% rates.
A senior programme manager reported applying to ~180 jobs with no offers, highlighting tougher re‑employment prospects.

Read on Channel NewsAsia Business ↗

Two-month public consultation opened for Hong Kong's inaugural five-year plan.
Plan seeks a clearer vision and systematic growth under the "one country, two systems" framework.
Goal is to align Hong Kong's development with China's broader national strategy.

Read on SCMP Economy ↗

Three U.S.-based solar manufacturers (Canadian Solar, SEG, Heliene) filed a petition on June 18.
They allege Korean-made solar cells are being used to bypass existing U.S. tariffs on Chinese products.
The petition asks the Department of Commerce to launch an anti-dumping investigation into South Korean imports.
A probe could extend tariff measures to Korean suppliers, impacting supply chains.

Read on Channel NewsAsia Business ↗

Up to $329 bn could be lost to childcare shortages over the next decade.
Only 13% of private‑sector workers have employer childcare benefits; about 12% of eligible taxpayers claim the child‑and‑dependent‑care credit.
The 45F employer tax credit is used by less than 1% of firms, though it can provide up to $500 k (or $600 k for small businesses) in annual tax savings.
A hypothetical firm could save $820 k in taxes over five years and generate more than $8 m in ROI by fully leveraging childcare incentives.

Read on CNBC Top News ↗

UK tops the global green finance rankings for the eighth year running.
The Net Zero Delivery Summit celebrates its fifth edition in London.
Article cites ongoing global instability – Ukraine war, Middle East conflict, tariff disputes and high inflation.

Read on OilPrice ↗

Permit processing times fell 72% in a year, with simple licenses now approved same day.
Governor Shapiro's GRID standards require data center developers to cover 100% of local utility costs and meet transparency criteria.
Emerson College poll shows 42% of Pennsylvania adults would oppose a data center in their community, versus 34% support.
State catalogued 2,400 licenses and permits and offers a money‑back guarantee for late processing.
A $3.5 billion Eli Lilly investment underscores the attraction of faster permitting for large projects.

Read on CNBC Top News ↗

Lagarde urged G7 leaders to address perceived undervaluation of the Chinese yuan
China denies currency manipulation despite large trade surpluses
Yuan issue joins G7 concerns over US deficits and Europe's fiscal imbalances

Read on SCMP Economy ↗

The inaugural CNBC Elite Advisors list features 25 leading firms specializing in ultra-high net worth (UHNW) individuals and family offices.
UHNW clients are defined as having $25 million or more in investable assets, or a total net worth of approximately $50 million.
These advisors focus on complex financial and relationship dynamics beyond investment management, including tax, estate, and family governance.
In 2024, there were about 442,000 U.S. UHNW households, holding $22.5 trillion in investable assets, representing nearly 25% of all U.S. investable assets.
Average fees for UHNW advisors were 0.54% of assets under management (AUM) in 2025, an increase from 0.45% in 2021.

Read on CNBC Top News ↗

SEC Watch plans to camp outside Government House until the SEC bill is withdrawn
Draft SEC Act would permit foreign investors 90‑year land leases and suspend job protections for Thai nationals
Bill slated for approval by December, but government doubts financial viability of the related Land Bridge project

Read on Bangkok Post Most Recent ↗

Read on SCMP Economy ↗

Central Banks 19

Euro area economic growth slows due to war in the Middle East, with real GDP growth expected at 0.8% in 2026, 1.2% in 2027 and 1.5% in 2028
Inflation rises to 3.2% in May, driven by energy inflation, but longer-term expectations remain around 2%
ECB raises key interest rates by 25 basis points to navigate uncertainty caused by the war

Read on ECB Press ↗

BofA now expects three Fed hikes in 2024, totaling up to 75 basis points.
Core PCE inflation is projected at a 3.5% annual rate.
CME FedWatch shows >50% odds of a September hike and another in December.
Fed's 2% inflation target has been missed for five consecutive years.

Read on CNBC Top News ↗

Emmanuel Moulin: Central banks must shape monetary innovation alongside market players
82% of European citizens support the euro, a major achievement in monetary sovereignty
Central banks must remain the anchor of trust in digital payments, tokenised assets, and stablecoins

Read on BIS Central Bank Speeches ↗

Fed Governor Waller notes rapid growth in stablecoin transactions and blockchain-based payment systems
Research explores stablecoin impact on FX markets, dollar funding conditions, and U.S. Treasury market linkages
Digital innovation may reinforce or challenge the dollar’s global dominance, per conference papers

Read on Federal Reserve Speeches ↗

Senate approved the housing affordability bill with an 85-5 vote, inserting a four‑year prohibition on a Fed CBDC.
The ban would remain in effect until the end of 2030 unless the House or President reverses it.
The provision follows a 2025 executive order and reflects Republican opposition to a digital dollar.

Read on CoinDesk ↗

BoT likely to leave benchmark rate unchanged at 1% at the upcoming MPC meeting
Headline inflation projected to average 3%‑3.1% for 2024, with peaks in Q3‑Q4
Thailand's economy forecast to grow 2% this year; current‑account surplus 2% of GDP, fiscal deficit 3.5% of GDP
Declining global oil prices expected to ease inflationary pressure despite temporary energy‑price spikes
Foreign investors remain net buyers of Thai stocks and bonds, keeping the baht only marginally weaker

Read on Bangkok Post Business ↗

May headline inflation rose to 2.0% year‑on‑year, the highest since July 2024.
Year‑to‑date inflation (Jan‑May 2026) stands at 1.7%, backing a full‑year forecast of 2.0%.
Bank Negara Malaysia is expected to keep the Overnight Policy Rate unchanged at 2.75% through 2026.
Supply‑side shocks from the Middle East conflict and El Niño pose upside risks to inflation.

Read on FXStreet ↗

Alan Greenspan, former Fed chairman (1987-2006), dies at 100 after complications from Parkinson's disease
Known for 'irrational exuberance' warning in 1996, which briefly roiled global markets
Greenspan's tenure marked by economic booms, crises, and lasting influence on monetary policy

Read on CNBC Top News ↗

Norges Bank kept policy rate unchanged at 4.25%, citing persistent inflation above 2% target (latest CPI: 3.1%)
Wage growth projected at 4.5% in 2026, easing to 2027; inflation seen returning to target by 2029 with tighter policy
Policy rate path raised slightly to just above 4.5% by year-end, signaling potential hike in forthcoming meetings

Read on BIS Central Bank Speeches ↗

Read on Federal Reserve Press ↗

Read on BIS Central Bank Speeches ↗

Read on Bank of England ↗

Read on Bank of Japan ↗

Energy/Oil 19

Higher vessel flows through the Hormuz Strait cut the perceived war premium on crude.
Brent fell about $2 per barrel (roughly 1.5%) and WTI slipped a similar margin.
Market volatility remains elevated as traders watch geopolitical risk reassessment.

Read on Investing.com Commodities ↗ also: OilPrice

12 ships transited the strait on Sunday, down from more than 21 the previous day.
Pre‑war traffic exceeded 100 ships daily; current levels remain far below that.
Five of eight inbound vessels were dark, disabling AIS transponders.
Iran announced the strait closed again, while the U.S. says it remains open.
U.S.–Iran talks aim to keep the strait open toll‑free for at least 60 days.

Read on CNBC Energy ↗ also: WSJ Markets

Brent crude for August up 1.23% to $81.56 per barrel
WTI crude for July up 3.04% to $78.93 per barrel
Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz, heightening supply concerns
Analysts warn current supply relies on inventory drawdowns, not production gains

Read on CNBC Energy ↗ also: Investing.com Commodities

A U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding was signed but is unlikely to avert an imminent energy cliff.
Global commercial and strategic oil inventories are depleting rapidly, eroding the buffer built after the Strait of Hormuz shutdown.
Tankers through the Strait, which carry roughly 20% of world oil, have been largely halted, tightening supply.
Analysts warn that the shrinking stockpiles could pressure crude prices upward in the coming weeks.

Read on OilPrice ↗

Treasury issued a 60‑day general license authorizing Iranian oil production, delivery and sale until Aug. 21.
Potential export capacity could rise from 260,000 bpd in May toward pre‑war levels of over 1.5 million bpd.
Hormuz vessel transits remain low, with 17‑35 crossings daily versus >100 pre‑war.

Read on CNBC Energy ↗

Jet fuel spot price dropped to $2.85 per gallon, down from $4.88.
Brent crude fell to $79.22 per barrel, about $20 lower after the ceasefire agreement.
U.S. airlines' annual fuel expenses could be reduced by more than $40 billion.
The price decline follows a US‑Iran ceasefire and a 60‑day negotiation commitment.

Read on OilPrice ↗

Front-month Dutch TTF gas futures up 1.75% to $49.04 per MWh
Prices rose nearly 2% amid a European heatwave boosting short‑term power demand
Geopolitical risk from U.S.–Iran talks and renewed Trump threats added upward pressure

Read on OilPrice ↗

India’s crude imports from Russia rose to 40% of total in Q2 2024, up from 1% pre-Ukraine war
Hormuz Strait disruptions risk 20% of global oil supply, driving India to diversify sources
Russian ESPO blend now accounts for 15% of India’s crude slate, replacing Middle Eastern grades

Read on Investing.com Commodities ↗

China's green-energy exports to the US rose 346% YoY to $39.96m in unassembled photovoltaic cells
Demand in the US AI sector drives growth, as trade tensions ease and energy-security fears rise
Iran war boosts global appetite for renewable-energy equipment

Read on SCMP Economy ↗

Iran was cleared to sell crude oil in U.S. dollars, lifting a previous restriction
Brent crude fell about 1% and WTI slipped roughly 1.2% after the announcement
The decline erased recent gains, indicating bearish pressure on oil markets

Read on WSJ Markets ↗ also: Bangkok Post Business

Chevron entered a 20-year agreement to provide natural gas to Microsoft's Project Kilby data center in West Texas.
The data center will require roughly 2.7 GW of electricity, comparable to powering about 2 million homes, using gas turbines from GE Vernova and Caterpillar.
Power delivery is slated for 2028, with a final investment decision expected later this year.
Microsoft's AI-driven data‑center expansion includes $190 bn of capital expenditures this year, adding natural‑gas power to its renewable and nuclear mix.

Read on CNBC Energy ↗ also: TechCrunch

Cobalt-free batteries gain traction in EV sector
LFP batteries help reduce production costs and reliance on cobalt
Tesla and BYD lead adoption of cobalt-free battery tech

Read on OilPrice ↗

California drivers sue BP, Marathon, 7‑Eleven, Walmart and others alleging AI‑driven price fixing at the pump
Plaintiffs claim AI tool raised gasoline prices by up to $0.30 per gallon, costing consumers $134 million annually
The lawsuit invokes Assembly Bill 325, a new law targeting algorithmic collusion, and seeks unspecified damages
California's average regular‑gas price is $5.58/gal, the highest in the U.S., versus a $3.93 national average

Read on Channel NewsAsia Business ↗

U.S. natural gas futures inched higher as traders priced in warmer weather for July.
Warmer temperatures are expected to boost demand for cooling, supporting price gains.
Market moves were modest, reflecting a cautious outlook on near‑term supply.

Read on WSJ Markets ↗

Mexico will resume oil exports to Cuba using commercial and privately owned firms instead of state-owned companies.
The move aims to alleviate Cuba's acute fuel shortages amid its deepening economic crisis.
Mexico became a key fuel supplier after the US halted Venezuelan oil shipments in early January.
No specific volume or exact start date disclosed, but shipments are expected to begin soon.

Read on SCMP Economy ↗

Saudi Arabia increases imports of Russian fuel oil amid Hormuz crisis‑driven power shortages
Russian fuel oil and VGO vessel shipments fell about 6% in May versus April
Russian fuel oil exports dropped to roughly 3.2 million tonnes in May
The shift reflects Saudi reliance on Russian fuel oil to offset domestic supply cuts

Read on OilPrice ↗

Oil production and exports are climbing under interim leader Delcy Rodriguez
President Trump urges major oil firms to invest in Venezuela's near‑failed state
Uncertainty remains on whether output can reach historic peak levels

Read on OilPrice ↗

As of June 21, gas stations in Crimea will sell fuel only to state agencies
The measure follows a severe fuel shortage and a weak tourist season
Ukrainian drone strikes continue to disrupt Russian oil and transport infrastructure in the region
Restricted sales are expected to tighten regional gasoline supplies and may lift local fuel prices

Read on OilPrice ↗

Energy prices show modest upward pressure
Market participants anticipate gradual demand growth
No major supply disruptions reported

Read on Investing.com Commodities ↗

Gold/Metals 15

Faster‑than‑expected Fed rate hike could drive gold down to $3,600/oz (≈55,000 baht per baht weight).
YLG sees immediate support at $4,000/oz (≈61,000 baht per baht weight); breach may trigger $3,600 level.
Gold has fallen 9.4% ($430) in the past 30 days amid higher oil prices and conflict‑driven risk aversion.
Central banks bought a net 244 tonnes of gold in Q1, a 3% YoY increase, supporting long‑term demand.
Goldman Sachs cut its 2024 gold forecast by $500/oz, expecting year‑end price near $4,400 if Fed hikes.

Read on Bangkok Post Business ↗

Fed left policy rate unchanged at 3.50%‑3.75% but signaled higher hike risk
Gold futures around $4,207/oz; BofA $6,000 target now deemed unlikely
Gold could drop to $3,800/oz if 3‑4 Fed hikes occur, per Deutsche Bank
Goldman Sachs cut year‑end target to $4,900/oz from $5,400
Higher real yields and reduced ETF buying pressure weigh on gold

Read on CNBC Top News ↗

Gold (XAU/USD) rose 0.5% to $4,179 after dipping to $4,136 earlier in the session
WTI crude fell 2.4% to $73.67 as diplomatic talks eased oil‑price pressure
Money markets see a 45% probability of a Fed rate hike at the July 29 meeting
Technical outlook remains bearish, with resistance around $4,200‑$4,350 and support near $4,000

Read on FXStreet ↗

Front-month gold futures settled lower at the start of the week
Silver futures also fell, mirroring the gold decline
Analysts anticipate further downside for both metals in the near term

Read on WSJ Markets ↗ also: Investing.com Commodities

Gold price flat around $4,190‑$4,200 in early Asian session
CME FedWatch shows 89% chance of a Fed rate hike in December, up from 61% last week
Progress in US‑Iran peace talks could support gold by influencing oil prices
Fed Chair Kevin Warsh’s hawkish stance adds downside pressure on gold

Read on FXStreet ↗

Gold fell in June, erasing recent gains and marking its biggest monthly drop since early 2023
Analysts describe the move as a correction, not a sign that the longer‑term uptrend has ended
The pullback leaves gold still above the 200‑day moving average, supporting a bullish bias
Market participants watch upcoming US inflation data for clues on future price direction

Read on Investing.com Commodities ↗

Silver has slipped about 15% since its March high, approaching a potential bottom
The 200‑day moving average sits near $22.50 per ounce, acting as key support
RSI is below 30, indicating oversold conditions that could trigger a rebound
Analysts watch for a break above $24.00 as a bullish signal

Read on Investing.com Commodities ↗

Discovered in the early 2000s, Oyu Tolgoi is among the world’s largest copper deposits.
Rio Tinto and the Mongolian government have poured over $10 billion into the project.
Years of political disputes culminated in a blockade of the mine last week.
The mine is listed on ASX, LSE and NYSE under the ticker RIO.

Read on Northern Miner ↗

Guinea prohibits export of unprocessed gold as part of new mining policy
President Mamadi Doumbouya aims to develop local refining capacity and add value domestically
The export ban could tighten global gold supply and influence spot prices

Read on Northern Miner ↗

Silver is hovering around $67.14 per ounce as of the latest session
A close above $67.14 is seen as the trigger to validate a recovery trend
Failure to break the $67.14 level would keep bullish momentum in doubt

Read on Investing.com Commodities ↗

Lithium spot price in China dropped almost 10% over the last two trading sessions.
The decline follows rumors that a major Chinese mine owned by CATL may resume production.
Analysts note the slide could pressure battery manufacturers reliant on Chinese lithium supply.

Read on Northern Miner ↗

Gold is hovering around $2,300 per ounce, close to a key support level.
Six consecutive candles have formed a bearish pattern, hinting at further downside.
A break below $2,280 could open the path to $2,200, while a bounce above $2,320 may trigger a rally toward $2,400.
Technical indicators show mixed momentum, keeping the market outlook uncertain.

Read on Investing.com Commodities ↗

Gold price is currently at a significant technical crossroads.
A potential breakout could occur if prices move above $4,235.
Conversely, there is a risk of a drop if prices fall below $4,180.
These specific price levels are crucial for determining gold's short-term direction.

Read on Investing.com Commodities ↗

Read on Northern Miner ↗

Crypto 44

Bitcoin ETF investors have withdrawn billions from funds amid rising market fears
May combined exchange volumes fell 3.45% to $4.41 trillion, the lowest since September 2024
RWA perpetual futures volumes rose 10.4% to a new all‑time high
Wall Street firms including BlackRock, JPMorgan and Morgan Stanley are expanding tokenization despite weak sentiment
The CLARITY Act debate adds regulatory uncertainty; passage could boost markets, delays may trigger short‑term declines

Read on CoinDesk ↗

Acquisition of 250 Digital completed, launching a new "Franklin Crypto" unit led by former 250 Digital executives
On‑chain assets under management rose from roughly $768 million to over $2.5 billion in the past year
Tokenized assets now exceed $2.5 billion, while the broader on‑chain RWA market grew to $32.2 billion
The division will offer actively managed cryptocurrency strategies to institutional investors

Read on Cointelegraph ↗

Anchorage Digital introduces platform for banks to issue and manage tokenized deposits
Platform enables 24/7 settlement capabilities without core banking overhauls
Growing interest in tokenized deposits as alternative to stablecoins

Read on CoinDesk ↗

Attackers stole $400k via fake Google ads impersonating Uniswap decentralized exchange
Scammers exploit top search results and sponsored ads to mimic trusted crypto platforms
Hardware wallets protect keys but cannot prevent user approval of malicious transactions

Read on Cointelegraph ↗

Switzerland-based Enso launched a real-world asset (RWA) application providing access to over 500 tokenized assets.
The platform integrates with xStocks, Ondo Finance, and Anchorage Digital's Porto, offering tokenized stocks, ETFs, Treasurys, commodities, and stablecoins.
Key assets include major US companies like Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Amazon, catering to high European investor demand for US equity exposure and yield-bearing dollar assets.
The number of tokenized asset holders increased by 13.4% over 30 days to 930,612, though total tokenized asset value slightly fell by 0.9% in the same period.
US Treasury debt remains the largest tokenized asset category with $15 billion onchain value, followed by tokenized commodities ($4.6B) and stocks ($1.6B).

Read on Cointelegraph ↗

Strategy acquired 520 Bitcoin for $34.9 million at an average price of $67,068, bringing total holdings to 847,363 BTC.
The company increased its USD Reserve by $300 million to $1.4 billion, funded by $335.5 million in MSTR Class A common stock sales.
Strategy's cumulative Bitcoin purchases now total $64.1 billion, with an average acquisition cost of $75,651 per BTC.
MSTR shares dropped 3.46% to $112.53, and STRC perpetual preferred stock slipped 0.46% to $88.59 at Thursday's close.

Read on Cointelegraph ↗

Bitmine purchased 52,203 ETH ($92M) last week, bringing its total holdings to 5.67M ETH, or 4.7% of Ethereum's circulating supply.
The firm is 94% towards its goal of owning 5% of ETH supply and plans to continue steady accumulation through 2026.
Chairman Tom Lee maintains a bullish long-term view on crypto, believing in 'crypto spring' and foreseeing ETH demand driven by tokenization and AI.
Bitmine funds its strategy partly through dividend-paying preferred shares (BMNP) and projects $223M-$268M in annual staking revenue from its 4.72M staked ETH.

Read on CoinDesk ↗

MoneyGram becomes a validator on the Solana blockchain to process and secure transactions.
The move supports MoneyGram's stablecoin payments strategy, following the launch of MGUSD on Stellar.
MoneyGram joins Solana Developer Platform to help institutions build financial products on the blockchain.

Read on CoinDesk ↗ also: Cointelegraph

Bitcoin perpetual futures funding rate jumped to 7%, highest in nearly three weeks
Spot Bitcoin ETFs saw $228 million net outflows last week, limiting a rally to $70,000
Order‑book bids exceeded offers by $12 million, indicating bullish pressure despite weak equities, bonds and gold
Brent crude fell to $77.50 per barrel, its lowest since March, supporting the funding rate rise

Read on Cointelegraph ↗

tZERO holds 105 patents across 23 families related to tokenized securities
tZERO sent a cease‑and‑desist letter accusing Securitize of infringing its patents
Securitize filed a Delaware federal suit seeking a declaratory judgment of non‑infringement
Forecasts estimate tokenized assets could reach $5 trillion by 2030 and $18.9 trillion by 2033

Read on CoinDesk ↗

Strive attributes digital credit selloff to leverage liquidations, not credit crisis
Underlying credit fundamentals remain intact, according to Strive
STRC and SATA prices rebounded after sharp declines, with STRC reaching $90.50 and SATA $98.59

Read on CoinDesk ↗

SharpLink Gaming and Bitmine Immersion Technologies, two of the biggest ETH treasury firms, back Ethlabs.
Ethlabs is led by five former Ethereum Foundation researchers focusing on scaling, data availability and protocol economics.
Ethereum controls about 53% of the $300 bn stablecoin market and half of the $32 bn tokenized asset market, underscoring institutional interest.
The nonprofit will operate independently with external grant oversight and publish all research openly.

Read on CoinDesk ↗

Solana accounted for 95% of tokenized equity volume last week, totalling $1.29 bn.
SOL trades over 75% below its $295 all‑time high, hovering around $60 (≈77% decline).
On‑chain app revenue hit $21 m weekly, outpacing Ethereum and others.
Analysts split on bottom: some see $45‑$60 as accumulation zone, others await a move above $90 for confirmation.

Read on Cointelegraph ↗

Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo will co-chair a joint venture between crypto exchange OKX and ICE.
The partnership aims to build infrastructure for tokenized and digitally native financial products and give OKX users access to ICE futures and NYSE tokenized equities.
The venture is subject to regulatory approval; ICE previously invested at a $25 billion valuation and pledged $2 billion to Polymarket.

Read on Cointelegraph ↗

Bitcoin has closed above $63,000 for three consecutive weeks, holding near a key support zone.
Futures open interest fell 19.5% to $20.9 billion since early June, while funding rates dropped to 0.02% from 0.1%.
Spot Bitcoin ETF outflows slowed to $540 million over the past two weeks, down from $5.5 billion the prior month.
Long-term holder realized supply reached 12.42 million BTC, the highest level linked to supply maturation.
Bitcoin's sales pressure metric has been inactive for 1,256 consecutive days, the longest on record.

Read on Cointelegraph ↗

Hsiao-Wei Wang steps down as co-executive director, marking at least eight senior departures over the past five months
The Foundation introduced the "CROPS" strategic framework (cypherpunk values, resilience, open-source, permissionlessness, security)
Critics label the talent exodus bearish for Ethereum, while supporters see it as a move toward broader decentralization
Crypto exchange volumes fell 3.45% to $4.41 trillion in May, the lowest level since September 2024

Read on CoinDesk ↗

Crypto advocacy groups urged the House Ways and Means Committee to advance the Tax Clarity for Mining and Staking Act
Bill sponsored by Rep. Mike Carey would let miners and staking reward recipients defer income recognition until assets are sold
Industry argues the proposal does not allow unlimited deferral, countering critics' concerns
May crypto exchange volumes fell 3.45% to $4.41 trillion, the lowest since September 2024

Read on CoinDesk ↗

Bitcoin broke $65,500, its highest level since Wednesday.
Traders target a near‑term upside toward $70,000, with $67,000 as next resistance.
WTI crude fell to about $73 per barrel, near a 16‑week low after the Iran deal.
BTC liquidations reached $2.5 billion over the past seven days.

Read on Cointelegraph ↗

Fomo secured $75 million in Series B funding, valuing the company at $550 million.
Platform has over 625,000 traders and generated $4 billion in trading volume in its first year.
More than 68,000 users made their first crypto purchase on Fomo, totaling about $25 million in transaction volume.
Crypto venture funding in Q2 2026 reached $4.1 billion across 147 rounds, per RootData.

Read on Cointelegraph ↗

Joint venture led by Andrew Cuomo to bridge OKX’s 120M users with ICE futures and NYSE tokenized equities
Project aims to operate as a U.S.-registered broker-dealer and futures commission merchant pending regulatory approval
Follows ICE’s $25B strategic investment in OKX and broader push into digital assets including Bakkt and Polymarket

Read on CoinDesk ↗

Nikkei investigation found a Chinese organization exporting fentanyl precursors also ran a large-scale crypto fraud scheme
The illicit operations were coordinated through a base in Japan, involving U.S.-sanctioned entities
Authorities warn of the convergence of drug trafficking and digital asset money‑laundering risks

Read on Nikkei Asia ↗

Tokenization can improve settlement but banks lack integrated infrastructure for blockchain assets.
Key operational gaps include books‑and‑records, compliance workflows, and risk‑management frameworks.
Scaling to U.S. capital‑market volumes is a hurdle; $1 billion is negligible versus traditional financial flows.
Adoption will be slow as institutions complete cloud migrations and adapt or rebuild software.

Read on CoinDesk ↗

Polymarket paid dozens of social media users to film fake bets for a promotion.
Influencers posted 145 staged bets between January and May, including a fabricated $100,000 win.
The platform created replica sites and concealed payments, according to a Wall Street Journal investigation.

Read on Ars Technica ↗

Read on CoinDesk ↗ also: Cointelegraph

Read on CoinDesk ↗

Read on Cointelegraph ↗

Read on CoinDesk ↗

Read on Cointelegraph ↗

Read on CoinDesk ↗

Read on Cointelegraph ↗

Read on CoinDesk ↗

Read on Cointelegraph ↗

Read on CoinDesk ↗

Read on Cointelegraph ↗

Read on CoinDesk ↗

Read on Cointelegraph ↗

Read on CoinDesk ↗

Read on Cointelegraph ↗

Geopolitics 42

China imposes export controls on 10 US rare earth companies
US-China truce tested as tit-for-tat moves return
Escalation marks significant move since October's Busan agreement

Read on SCMP Economy ↗ also: Northern Miner

Starmer announced his resignation on 22 June 2026, ending a two‑year tenure
Resignation follows internal party pressure and criticism over recent policy reversals
Polls show declining support for Starmer within the Labour Party ahead of the next election

Read on Al Jazeera ↗ also: SCMP Economy

US and Iran held 18 hours of talks in Switzerland, mediated by Qatar and Pakistan
Technical teams are now taking negotiations forward
Qatar PM said the talks laid groundwork for a final agreement

Read on Al Jazeera ↗ also: Al Jazeera

Iran agrees to invite IAEA inspectors back into the country
US-Iran talks make progress towards ending Middle East war
IAEA inspectors' return seen as major milestone

Read on SCMP Economy ↗ also: CNBC Top News

Rep. Ro Khanna challenges Elon Musk to a televised debate on the impact of DOGE's cuts
The debate would focus on wealth tax and potential deaths caused by USAID's shutdown
Khanna cites a study claiming 4.5 million children may die due to USAID's closure

Read on CNBC Top News ↗

UK Labour leader Keir Starmer announced his resignation as prime minister.
President Trump accused Starmer of hurting UK‑US relations and mishandling immigration.
Trump claimed Starmer failed to exploit North Sea oil and promoted excessive wind power.

Read on SCMP Economy ↗

US strike on oil tanker in Gulf of Oman killed three Indian sailors, raising US‑India friction.
Quad (US, Japan, Australia, India) seeks to dilute China’s control over critical minerals.
Persistent US‑India rift could slow the Quad’s coordinated mineral diversification efforts.
Success would broaden supply sources for rare‑earths and other strategic minerals.

Read on SCMP Economy ↗

US Vice President JD Vance and Qatar's prime minister met Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to set up a deconfliction cell aimed at enforcing a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.
Iran has tied any US‑Iran peace deal to ending the Lebanon conflict, with its foreign minister calling the deconfliction cell a key test.
UNIFIL reported no air strikes on Sunday, suggesting a tentative calm after the March 2 escalation that caused $1.38 bn in building damage and over 4,100 deaths.
Lebanon and Israel are scheduled to resume direct talks in Washington on Tuesday, while Hezbollah demands a full Israeli withdrawal.

Read on Al Jazeera ↗

No actual deal signed between US and Iran, despite reports
14-point Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) sets 60-day negotiation window
All 14 points in MoU up for renegotiation, according to Iran

Read on OilPrice ↗

Tajikistan requested extradition of 18 Austrian-based refugees, alleging terrorism ties to opposition groups
Charges rely on protest footage and YouTube videos, with no violence or plot alleged
Tajik secret police (GKNB) tracked refugees via diaspora surveillance networks in Europe
Austria forwarded dossier despite acknowledging risk of political persecution
Austria previously extradited Tajik asylum seeker in 2020, raising concerns over refugee safety

Read on The Diplomat ↗

China says Japanese warplanes and ships conducted at least four close-range encounters with its Liaoning carrier group.
The Liaoning carrier group warned off the Japanese vessels and surveillance aircraft during live‑fire exercises.
The incidents occurred as Japan’s carrier strike group operated in the western Pacific, heightening regional tensions.

Read on SCMP Economy ↗

Trump said he cannot assure Iranian oil profits won't fund its military, but expects the money to purchase US corn and soybeans
Treasury Secretary authorized import of Iranian oil and refined products into the US through at least August
Iran's central bank governor said there is no obligation to buy US agricultural products, purchases will depend on price and quality
US Navy lifted blockade of Iran's ports, ending a restriction that had sharply cut Iranian oil exports since April

Read on CNBC Top News ↗

Police officer, a civilian and the suspected gunman died in a shooting in Montreal's Jewish neighbourhood
Video footage shows the gunman firing toward police officers
Authorities have not yet determined a motive for the attack

Read on Al Jazeera ↗

Japan highlighted its defence outreach at the Shangri‑La Dialogue in Singapore on May 31.
China’s defence minister skipped the forum for the second consecutive year, creating a diplomatic vacuum.
Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi rejected Beijing’s "new militarism" claim and warned of China’s expanding military capabilities.

Read on SCMP Economy ↗

Trump warned he will take unspecified action if Iran fails to honor the interim agreement
The interim US‑Iran deal was signed last week after recent attacks by both sides
The statement raises concerns of renewed Middle East tensions

Read on SCMP Economy ↗

PM Peter Magyar announced "Operation Cleansing Fire" to overhaul the constitution, judiciary and presidency
Government aims to unlock €16.4 billion of EU funds frozen over rule‑of‑law concerns by August
Proposed reforms include removing President Tamás Sulyok, setting a 70‑year age cap for Constitutional Court judges, and limiting lawmakers to 12‑year terms
Anti‑corruption office to be created, citing corruption costing 8‑10 % of Hungary's GDP

Read on Al Jazeera ↗

US and Iran disagree on interpretation of the June 17 ceasefire framework, especially control of the Strait of Hormuz
Washington claims total command of the strait, while Tehran describes it as a shared communication line
Both sides clash over unfrozen Iranian funds, with Iran saying they can purchase non‑sanctioned goods
The agreement includes a de‑confliction line for ship passage and a pledge to respect Lebanon's territorial integrity, but tensions remain

Read on FXStreet ↗

UN Committee on the Rights of the Child says Palestinian children are “increasingly unprotected” due to NGO restrictions.
Israeli authorities have labeled many aid groups as “terrorists” and imposed travel bans, financial sanctions and raids.
Doctors Without Borders was banned after refusing to provide a list of Palestinian staff; 17 aid groups petitioned Israel’s Supreme Court in February.
The UN urges the international community to hold Israel accountable and lift restrictions on humanitarian workers.

Read on Al Jazeera ↗

Crypto-aligned PACs disclosed $8.1 million in media spending for primary races in NY, MD and UT.
Protect Progress PAC allocated $5.5 million to Maryland’s 5th district and $1.4 million to New York’s 15th district.
Defend American Jobs spent $400,000 supporting Republican Blake Moore in Utah’s 2nd district.
The Fellowship PAC contributed $300,000 to Ritchie Torres’s New York campaign; future focus may shift to Colorado and Arizona primaries.

Read on Cointelegraph ↗

US State Department says RSF is massing forces around el-Obeid and warns of mass atrocities
UN says 500,000 civilians are at risk and 50 civilians have been killed in drone strikes over 10 days
Conflict since April 2023 has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions in Sudan

Read on Al Jazeera ↗

China’s foreign ministry congratulated Colombia on its runoff election results
Abelardo de la Espriella, a far‑right lawyer backed by former U.S. President Trump, is president‑elect
Preliminary counts show de la Espriella narrowly ahead of leftist rival Ivan Cepeda
Beijing pledged cooperation with the new government despite its pro‑U.S. tilt

Read on SCMP Economy ↗

Primary on June 25 will pick House candidates, influencing which party controls the US House of Representatives
Early voting ran June 13‑21; polls open at 6 am and close at 9 pm GMT on primary day
Progressive Brad Lander leads incumbent Dan Goldman in NY‑10, with Israel policy as a key battleground issue
DSA‑backed Darializa Avila Chevalier challenges long‑time incumbent Adriano Espaillat in NY‑13
Outcomes in swing districts such as Long Island and the Hudson Valley could tip the congressional majority

Read on Al Jazeera ↗

High Court ruled Health Minister Aden Duale in contempt for ignoring orders to halt construction of a US Ebola quarantine facility.
The site at Laikipia Air Base near Nanyuki was to house US nationals exposed to Ebola from DRC and Uganda, sparking protests.
Contempt penalties carry up to 200,000 Kenyan shillings ($1,500) fine and/or six months imprisonment; Duale faces sentencing.
Kenya has recorded zero Ebola cases, while the outbreak in DRC has 896 cases and 232 deaths; Uganda reports 19 cases.
President William Ruto approved the project, citing a $13.5 million US preparedness contribution.

Read on Al Jazeera ↗

Taliban approved a new 4,000-person Hebati Unit dedicated to Afghanistan’s side of the Durand Line
Unit is organized into four 1,000-member formations and headquartered at Kandahar International Airport
Commanded by Mullah Hamidullah Musafir, a senior battlefield commander previously leading operations against AFF and NRF
Creation reflects Taliban’s view of the Afghanistan‑Pakistan frontier as an active military theater amid Pakistan’s intensified cross‑border strikes
The move follows recent Pakistani airstrikes in Nangarhar, Khost and Paktika targeting militant networks

Read on The Diplomat ↗

Law amendment ends direct elections for district and city akims, appointing them via regional akims with maslikhat consent
2021 village akim elections had 85% winners from ruling party; 2023 pilot elections saw 82% Amanat victories
Direct elections will continue only for village akims; all district and city akims now appointed
Kazakhstan's 39 cities of regional significance are affected by the reversal

Read on The Diplomat ↗

Independent committee rules out statutory powers to compel witness testimony
Survivors concerned key figures may avoid scrutiny
Investigation into Wang Fuk Court blaze resumes after six-week pause

Read on SCMP Economy ↗

Crimean authorities suspend summer camps and tourist activities until September 1 due to fuel shortages
Ukrainian strikes on sea routes and northern supply roads disrupt fuel and product deliveries to Crimea
Fuel availability in Russia impacted as third-largest oil producer faces supply disruptions

Read on SCMP Economy ↗

Europe's defence sector will gradually lower its dependence on China rather than fully decouple.
G7 leaders signed a declaration to secure supply chains for critical minerals, targeting a single non‑European supplier.
The move is part of a broader European rearmament drive to diversify military supply sources.

Read on SCMP Economy ↗

Trial of prominent politicians and former government officials charged with coup attempt and abuse of office closed to public
Prosecutors cited 'secret witnesses' as reason for closure, despite defendants' initial request for maximum transparency
Former head of State Committee for National Security, Kamchybek Tashiev, shouted at witness and leaked video of interrogation sparked controversy

Read on The Diplomat ↗

Vice-President J.D. Vance proposed Iran use unlocked funds to purchase US agricultural products.
The plan aims to feed Iran's population and enrich American farmers.
Vance credited Jared Kushner with the idea, labeling it a 'classic Trump deal'.
The White House is actively seeking new export markets beyond China.

Read on SCMP Economy ↗

Canada will deploy HMCS Ottawa, HMCS Regina and submarine HMCS Corner Brook to RIMPAC from Wednesday through July 31.
RIMPAC, the world’s largest multinational naval drill, expects participation of over 25,000 personnel from 31 countries.
The deployment is viewed as a demonstration of Canada’s Indo‑Pacific seriousness and a rebuttal to U.S. claims of “freeriding.”

Read on SCMP Economy ↗

Summer Davos in Dalian will host over 1,700 leaders to discuss AI, trade and jobs
BRICS national security advisers meet in New Delhi, with Chinese FM Wang Yi attending
Thailand's monetary policy committee will decide whether to keep the policy rate at 1.0% amid inflation concerns
Bangkok governor election on Sunday, incumbent Chadchart Sittipunt favored at about 60% in recent poll

Read on Nikkei Asia ↗

On June 22, 2026, a protester approached the Israeli Embassy in Tokyo and shouted “Stop the genocide.”
Police surrounded and detained the activist before he could enter the embassy premises.
The protest references Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza, reflecting heightened tensions in Japan.

Read on Al Jazeera ↗

Israel's war has devastated Gaza's once-active surf community.
A small group of resilient surfers still chase waves along the Gaza coast.
They operate under constant threat of Israeli military targeting.

Read on Al Jazeera ↗

Read on The Diplomat ↗

Tech/AI 29

Five Eyes alliance says frontier AI models could enhance offensive hacking within months
Officials cite Anthropic's Mythos and OpenAI's GPT-5.5-Cyber as emerging threats
U.S. CISA shortens vulnerability remediation deadline to three days amid AI-driven risk
Anthropic disabled a Mythos version after U.S. ordered suspension for foreign nationals

Read on Channel NewsAsia Business ↗

Alphabet's market value could fall by roughly $225 billion amid AI talent worries
Two top AI researchers, including a Nobel laureate, plan to leave Google for rival labs
Investors view the talent outflow as a sign Google is losing the AI race, pushing shares lower

Read on MarketWatch Top Stories ↗

Anthropic warned about AI risks 5 times more often than OpenAI in 2026
US barred foreign nationals from using Anthropic's Mythos and Fable models
Critics accuse Anthropic of triggering the export ban with its warnings

Read on Ars Technica ↗

Google DeepMind and independent studio A24 will collaborate on AI-driven creative workflows
A24 will gain access to DeepMind's research, infrastructure and global reach
Alphabet has already invested $75 million in A24, though the AI deal has no disclosed financial terms
The partnership emphasizes creator control with no IP or data‑training rights transferred

Read on Channel NewsAsia Business ↗ also: TechCrunch

Analysts view Alphabet (GOOGL) and Microsoft (MSFT) as lower‑risk AI investments compared with pure‑play startups.
Smart‑money funds have increased exposure to these big‑tech AI stocks over the past quarter.
The AI race is now split between established cloud providers and emerging specialist firms like OpenAI.
Expect continued capital inflows to Alphabet and Microsoft as they expand AI services and cloud offerings.

Read on MarketWatch Top Stories ↗

Committee leaders announced a bipartisan deal to require social‑media safeguards for children and parents.
The agreement omits a "duty of care" provision, leaving that issue for future Senate consideration.
States may still pass stricter child‑protection laws; over 20 states enacted such measures last year.
Major platforms including Meta, TikTok, YouTube and Snap were not given comment on the deal.

Read on Al Jazeera ↗

Britain may mandate platforms like Meta, YouTube and TikTok to surface public‑service news in feeds and searches
The proposal follows a recent ban on under‑16s accessing most social media and aims to curb misinformation
Ofcom data shows 40% of UK adults encountered online misinformation in a month, with most users getting news from social media
Ministers also plan to extend public‑service status to online‑only providers and consider internet‑based TV from 2034‑2044

Read on Channel NewsAsia Business ↗

NASA OIG report says Kennedy Space Center's launch facilities are aging and lack capacity for growing demand
Increased launch cadence from SpaceX's Starship and Blue Origin's New Glenn could stress existing infrastructure
Report also reviews Wallops Flight Facility but highlights KSC as critical bottleneck for future super‑heavy missions

Read on Ars Technica ↗

IBM joined OpenAI's Daybreak Cyber Partner Program to integrate AI into security workflows
New application security service uses OpenAI models to accelerate vulnerability detection
IBM shares rose 3.6% in after‑hours trading after the announcement
Project Lightwell, backed by a $5 billion IBM/Red Hat commitment, will employ frontier AI for code review

Read on Channel NewsAsia Business ↗

Cherny confirms AI loops are a genuine step, not just hype
One agent refactors code architecture while another merges duplicate abstractions, continuously submitting pull requests
Loops consume tokens rapidly, making costs high for firms without token‑selling models
The method relies on unlimited compute, iterating until a performance threshold is reached

Read on TechCrunch ↗

China conducts more clinical drug trials than the US, according to the Cure Innovation Index survey.
The US is seen as the clear leader in scaling experimental biotech products, capital access and commercialisation.
China leads in clinical development and supply‑chain capabilities but lags in commercial reach and quality.

Read on SCMP Economy ↗

U.S. District Judge rejected Workday's motions to dismiss the class-action over AI bias claims.
Plaintiffs allege the software discriminates against disabled, Black, women, and applicants over 40; Asian‑American claim was dismissed.
The suit is the first broad case targeting algorithmic hiring tools, potentially shaping future litigation.

Read on Channel NewsAsia Business ↗

FAA signs 12‑year, $875 million contract with Air Space Intelligence to revamp flight scheduling.
New SMART system will use data on airline schedules, weather and airport capacity to predict traffic flows and reduce congestion.
FAA faces rising demand, runway construction, severe weather and controller shortages; recent flight cuts at O’Hare, Newark and other NY airports.
Congress previously allocated $12.5 billion for air traffic control tech upgrades and seeks an additional $10 billion.

Read on Channel NewsAsia Business ↗

Paradigm Shift disclosed "usbliter8", a Boot ROM vulnerability affecting Apple A12 and A13 chips used in iPhone XS, XR through iPhone 11
The exploit requires physical access to the device and can bypass the first security check, potentially enabling a jailbreak
Because the flaw resides in immutable chip code, Apple cannot patch it; mitigation is limited to upgrading to newer hardware

Read on TechCrunch ↗

Anthropic will ask a small subset of Claude users to upload government-issued ID and selfie for age/identity verification, effective July 8.
Verification applies when accounts are flagged for potential fraud, not for outright bans; only a “small subset” of its tens of millions of monthly users is affected.
The policy uses Persona (backed by Peter Thiel’s Founders Fund) to process documents; data retention details were not disclosed, raising privacy concerns.
Move comes amid regulatory pressure and a standoff with the Trump administration over AI tool access and a DoD “supply chain risk” designation.

Read on TechCrunch ↗

Cerebras (CRSR) down ~30% since IPO; options imply ~11.5% move after earnings report
Micron (MU) implied volatility at 116, highest in S&P 500, with traders eyeing a ~10% swing
Micron added ~6% on Monday, up 280% YTD; a $61 million 430‑strike call was the largest single contract
Super Micro Computer (SMCI) up 16% after announcing Nvidia‑based data‑center blueprint; call volume >320k vs 64k puts
Roundhill Memory ETF (DRAM) saw 34,000 call sells versus just under 20,000 call buys, indicating mixed positioning

Read on CNBC Top News ↗

Amazon invited select Indian users to test Hindi-language Alexa+ beta, with responses due by June 22
Alexa+ currently available only in the U.S.; rollout has expanded to UK, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Italy, and Germany
Hindi support targets over 600 million speakers in India, aiming to capture code‑mixed voice interactions
Alexa+ remains a paid add‑on for Prime members, with a subscription option for non‑Prime users

Read on TechCrunch ↗

Reflection AI will pay $150 million each month from July 2026 through 2029 for Nvidia GB300 AI chips at SpaceX’s Colossus 2 data center
The contract totals up to $6.3 billion, with a 90‑day termination option after the first three months
Deal size is smaller than SpaceX’s existing agreements with Anthropic ($1.25 billion/month) and Google ($920 million/month)
SpaceX is monetizing its Colossus 2 center, originally built by xAI, by renting compute to external AI labs

Read on TechCrunch ↗

Instagram is exploring longer-form videos, episodic series, and live creator experiences for its TV app.
The TV app is rolling out to Samsung TVs, adding to existing availability on Amazon Fire and Google TV.
New features include tailored channels, phone casting for Reels and saved content, and support for horizontal videos.
Meta is also testing a 'Series' feature for Reels to better manage serialized content on Instagram and Facebook.
The move aims to capture living room viewership, positioning Instagram against streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.

Read on TechCrunch ↗

Early Bird pricing available until June 26 for TechCrunch Founder Summit 2026
Save up to $190 on passes or 30% with group discounts for teams of four or more
1,000+ founders and investors to attend the event on November 4 in Boston

Read on TechCrunch ↗

Nvidia's valuation grew from $300 bn to over $4 trillion in about 2.5 years
A $10,000 stake in Nvidia at the start of 2023 would be worth more than $130,000 today
AI compute demand has surged while high‑end chip supply lags, leaving Nvidia as the sole provider
The AI arms race is increasingly framed around electricity availability rather than pure technology

Read on OilPrice ↗

Top five Japanese chipmaking equipment firms saw combined sales to China fall 10% YoY for FY ended March 31
First annual decline in China sales for these manufacturers
Drop linked to Beijing's push to develop domestic chip equipment industry
Potential pressure on Japanese exporters as China accelerates self‑reliance

Read on Nikkei Asia ↗

Toto will allocate 80 billion yen (≈$495 million) over the next five years.
Investment targets semiconductor materials for next‑generation 1‑nanometer chips.
Expansion aims to capture growing AI‑driven demand for advanced semiconductors.

Read on Nikkei Asia ↗

Meta will halt the Model Capability Initiative (MCI) that records mouse movements, clicks and keystrokes of U.S. employees.
The pause follows a high‑priority SEV report revealing unencrypted storage of sensitive employee data.
Exposed data included prompts, private conversations, tax and medical information for thousands of staff.
The program, launched in April, remains active for some users as the shutdown is rolled out.

Read on Channel NewsAsia Business ↗

Tim Ferriss forecasts an 80% drop in his book sales by 2026 compared with 2022
Publisher's Weekly reports a 26.3% decline in self-help book sales in Q1 2024 versus Q1 2025
NielsenIQ shows UK self-help sales have fallen from 2022 peaks but stay above 2015 levels
Publishers note a shift toward AI-generated summaries and coaching apps over traditional bullet-point books

Read on Channel NewsAsia Business ↗

Steam Machine launches June 29 with reservation-based sales
Two models: 512 GB storage at $1,049 and 2 TB at $1,349; optional Steam Controller $79
Powered by AMD Zen 4 six‑core CPU (4.8 GHz) and integrated RDNA 3 GPU with 28 CUs and 8 GB DDR6 VRAM
Includes 16 GB DDR5 RAM and runs Linux‑based SteamOS
Initial availability may be limited, potentially delaying purchases

Read on Ars Technica ↗

One fatality: elderly Texas woman killed when a Tesla Model 3 hit her home
Driver Michael Butler said Autopilot was engaged; authorities are investigating its role
Butler was not intoxicated, was traveling at high speed, left his lane and struck the residence

Read on Ars Technica ↗

US Space Force launches small satellite from New Zealand
Mission aimed at testing rapid response to crisis in low-Earth orbit
Launch was barely announced in advance, with no livestream provided

Read on Ars Technica ↗

Read on TechCrunch ↗

Companies 43

Plans to raise up to $1.62 bn by selling 58 million shares at $26‑$28 each
Would value the company at roughly $19 bn, with about 60% of shares from the company itself
IPO expected in early July on Nasdaq Global Select under ticker "BSP"
Would be one of the largest European IPOs of 2024
US IPO market this year has raised $150 bn across 179 offerings

Read on Channel NewsAsia Business ↗ also: Investing.com Economy

Lucid Motors lays off 18% of its workforce, approximately 1,500 workers.
Second major layoff of the year, following a 12% reduction in February.
Company aims to reach profitability with smaller, cheaper models sold in higher volumes.

Read on Ars Technica ↗ also: TechCrunch

Alphabet stock fell about 5% on Monday, its steepest drop since a 7% decline in May 2025
Key AI leaders Noam Shazeer (to OpenAI) and John Jumper (to Anthropic) exited the company
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella warned AI market is becoming commoditized, adding pressure on margins
Alphabet has raised $141 billion in debt and equity since October to fund AI initiatives
User-reported outages on Gmail and YouTube occurred the same day

Read on CNBC Top News ↗

SpaceX stock dropped 16% on Monday, extending a three‑day selloff.
Shares have fallen nearly 24% over the past three trading days since the IPO.
IPO opened at $150 per share with a set price of $135; market cap briefly topped Amazon and Microsoft.
Company announced a senior unsecured notes offering and reported $100.8 billion in cash and cash equivalents as of June 19.
SpaceX posted a $4.9 billion net loss for 2025 and a $4.28 billion loss in the first quarter of 2024.

Read on CNBC Top News ↗

Micron shares have risen more than 300% year‑to‑date, reaching a record high.
FactSet consensus Q3 EPS estimate is $20.42, while BofA buyside whisper suggests $22.17.
Analyst price targets rise: Needham to $1,550, Bernstein to $1,300, Morgan Stanley base $1,050 with bull case $1,650.
Tight DRAM and NAND supply and AI inference demand are cited as key demand drivers.
Goldman Sachs remains cautious with a $900 target despite EPS estimate of $22.07.

Read on CNBC Top News ↗

Writing Ford July 24th expiration $13.50 strike put at $0.45 premium offers 3.3% yield over 35 days
Annualized return of 36% with a margin of safety on a premier industrial giant
Potential EBIT lift of up to $1.8 billion from high-margin commercial fleet and heavy-duty truck segment

Read on CNBC Top News ↗

Hackers stole data from Klue's corporate customers, including major cybersecurity firms.
Icarus cybercrime group took credit for the breach, threatening to publish stolen data.
Klue has not disclosed the number of affected customers, but several companies have confirmed data theft.

Read on TechCrunch ↗

SpaceX raised $75 bn in its initial public offering, the biggest on record
The IPO debuted on Nasdaq on June 12, 2024
Analysts view the offering as the opening salvo in a race for tech‑sector capital

Read on Nikkei Asia ↗

ByteDance has postponed its planned public listing.
Company valuation is nearing the $1 trillion mark.
Move comes amid signs of resilience in the Chinese economy.
Analysts note rising bullish sentiment for Chinese equities.

Read on Nikkei Asia ↗

NHTSA opened a probe into a June 19 Tesla Model 3 crash that killed a 76‑year‑old woman in Katy, Texas.
The investigation adds to nearly 50 special crash probes since 2016 involving Tesla’s Autopilot, with about two dozen deaths reported.
Tesla says the driver manually overrode the system and accelerated to 73 mph before the impact, while NHTSA’s broader FSD probe covers 3.2 million vehicles.
An earlier October probe targets 2.88 million Tesla vehicles over 50 traffic‑safety violation reports.

Read on Channel NewsAsia Business ↗ also: TechCrunch·CNBC Top News

Micron will supply memory and storage products to Anthropic for AI workloads.
Micron is making a strategic investment in Anthropic's Series H funding round; terms undisclosed.
The deal underscores rising demand for high‑bandwidth memory in data‑center AI model training.
Anthropic, valued at $965 billion after a $65 billion Series H, is preparing for a U.S. IPO.

Read on Channel NewsAsia Business ↗ also: MarketWatch Top Stories

Shareholders filed a derivative lawsuit accusing Uber's board of ignoring compliance warnings and breaching fiduciary duties
Uber faces 3,571 driver‑related sexual misconduct lawsuits as of June 1
Shares have dropped more than 25% since the September peak
CEO Dara Khosrowshahi is named as a defendant in the suit

Read on Channel NewsAsia Business ↗ also: TechCrunch

Meta appoints Kunal Shah as WhatsApp CEO, succeeding Will Cathcart after 7 years
Meta leads $900M funding round in Indian fintech CRED, valuing it at ~$4.5B post-money
India remains WhatsApp’s largest market with 500M+ users, key for Meta’s payments/commerce expansion

Read on TechCrunch ↗ also: CNBC Top News

Qualcomm is in advanced discussions to buy Modular Inc for about $4 billion.
Modular was valued at $1.6 billion nine months ago, implying a roughly 150% premium.
Modular has raised $380 million total, including a $250 million round in September.
The deal could be announced in the coming weeks, though terms may still change.
Qualcomm is also in talks to acquire Tenstorrent, valued at $8‑10 billion.

Read on Channel NewsAsia Business ↗

GM installed about 50 FANUC robot arms at its Factory Zero EV plant in Detroit.
The rollout follows a layoff of 1,300 workers, with over 1,000 still out indefinitely.
UAW leaders condemned the automation, urging GM to recall workers instead of expanding robotics.
The development underscores rising tension between automation and labor in the auto industry.

Read on Ars Technica ↗

Caterpillar's share price broke the $1,000 threshold, becoming one of only two Dow stocks above that level.
The company is the hottest Dow component this year, outpacing peers in price gains.
An AI-fueled industrials rally is driving broader Wall Street gains, with Caterpillar leading the surge.

Read on MarketWatch Top Stories ↗

Amazon Prime: same-day delivery, Prime Video streaming, exclusive deals, free grocery delivery, and more ($139/year or $14.99/month)
Target Circle 360: same-day delivery, free two-day shipping, extended returns, and exclusive deals ($99/year or $10.99/month)
Both memberships offer discounts and perks, but Amazon Prime has more benefits and a higher cost

Read on CNBC Top News ↗

SpaceX intends to sell at least $20 billion in bonds.
SpaceX shares fell 16% following the bond announcement.
Nasdaq Composite dropped 1.3% while the Dow Jones rose 0.3%.

Read on WSJ Markets ↗

Super Micro shares lead S&P 500 gainers on the day
Stock records its strongest performance in the past 12 months
Rise linked to a strategic partnership with Nvidia

Read on MarketWatch Top Stories ↗

Salesforce stock fell for the 14th consecutive trading day
Investors remain unconvinced by the company's AI momentum
No major corporate news or earnings announcements accompanied the decline
Analysts warn the prolonged sell‑off could pressure the stock further

Read on MarketWatch Top Stories ↗

Workforce fell to 141,000 from 162,000, a 13% reduction (~21,000 jobs).
Severance and exit costs rose to $1.84 billion, up from $374 million a year earlier.
Shares are down roughly 10% YTD as Oracle plans $40 billion of new debt and equity financing.
Oracle targets $70 billion of capital expenditures this fiscal year, including a $20 billion stock issuance.

Read on Channel NewsAsia Business ↗

SpaceX disclosed $100.8 billion in cash on its balance sheet.
The company is planning a senior unsecured notes sale, targeting roughly $20 billion in proceeds.
Shares fell 16% following the bond offering announcement, marking a third consecutive losing session.
The bond issuance follows SpaceX’s recent IPO that raised about $86 billion including the greenshoe.

Read on CNBC Top News ↗

Groq raised $650 million in a new funding round led by Disruptive and Infinitum.
The raise follows Nvidia’s $20 billion licensing agreement and talent poach earlier this year.
Groq pivots to its neocloud business, now operating 13 data centers across four regions.
New executives added: Alan Rice as COO, Sinclair Schuller as CTO, and Rakesh Malhotra as CPO.
Company last valued at $6.9 billion after a $750 million round in September.

Read on TechCrunch ↗

Prime Day runs June 23‑26, with an extra 10% off grocery items for Prime members
Emarketer projects U.S. Prime Day sales to reach $15.6 billion, up 7.1% YoY and covering >60% of U.S. retail sales during the four days
55% of U.S. consumers plan to shop this year, up from 45% last year; 66% expect to spend the same or more
Amazon targets grocery and everyday essentials to deepen Prime member engagement amid 4.2% YoY CPI inflation in May
Analysts forecast Alexa for Shopping could add $20 billion in incremental retail profit by 2035; BofA maintains a buy rating with $310 target

Read on CNBC Top News ↗

Nvidia's closed-loop coolant can cut on-site water use by up to 100% in favorable climates
The system tackles only about 25‑33% of total data center water footprint, as most use occurs outside the facility
Fossil‑fuel power plants, supplying ~50% of data‑center electricity, consume 1.2‑2.7 L of water per kWh
Wind and solar use less than 0.03 L per kWh, yet are projected to provide under 40% of new data‑center power through 2030

Read on TechCrunch ↗

Hacker forum claims to have 630 GB of data and over 204,300 files from Tata Electronics.
Stolen data includes Outlook emails, SAP information and documents linked to Apple and Tesla customers.
Company says operations remain unaffected, but a ransom demand was reported.
Apple is investigating the incident; Tata notified some iPhone assembly employees.

Read on TechCrunch ↗

Reflection will pay SpaceX $150 million per month starting July 2026, totalling about $6.3 billion through 2029
Deal grants Reflection access to Nvidia GB300 AI chips at SpaceX's Colossus 2 data centre
Both parties can terminate the contract with 90‑day notice after the first three months
SpaceX shares fell roughly 10.6% in afternoon trading following the announcement

Read on Channel NewsAsia Business ↗

New drilling in the Island West Extension Zone uncovered several high-grade intersections.
Hole MX26-031 identified as a key high-grade target within the zone.
The results are expected to enhance resource estimates for the northern Ontario mine.
Alamos Gold (AGI) plans to update its reserve model later this year.

Read on Northern Miner ↗

Shareholder support for Executive Chairman Brian Cornell fell to 87.2% at the AGM, a 4‑point drop from a year ago and below the S&P 500 average of 96.6%.
The 87.2% vote marks the lowest support level for Cornell since joining the board in 2014 and is deemed “very poor” by proxy‑voting standards.
New CEO Michael Fiddelke was re‑elected with 99% approval, and Target reported a 5.6% comparable‑sales increase in Q1, its first positive in five quarters.
Target's share price is up about 33% YTD but remains roughly 50% below its 2021 peak, reflecting ongoing investor concerns.

Read on CNBC Top News ↗

RWE plans a $4.75 billion capital raise by issuing about 74.4 million new shares.
The new shares will be sold to institutional investors through an accelerated bookbuild.
Proceeds are earmarked to increase RWE's ownership stake in transmission operator Amprion.

Read on WSJ Markets ↗

Lucid plans to reduce its U.S. staff by roughly 18%, affecting full‑time, contractors and hourly workers.
The cuts aim to generate about $158 million of annualized cost savings.
The company expects a one‑time cash charge of around $32 million for severance and transition costs.
COO Marc Winterhoff departs immediately as the role is removed; second‑shift production at the Arizona plant will be ended.
Lucid previously cut 12% of its U.S. workforce in February and has suspended guidance amid inventory concerns.

Read on CNBC Top News ↗

HK, Fujian sign 6 deals to boost finance, trade, tourism, education
28 collaborative projects across 11 areas, including aviation and shipping
HK encourages Fujian businesses to list on HK bourse for overseas expansion

Read on SCMP Economy ↗

Early-stage investor Seedcamp raised $320 million for its latest funds, its largest to date.
The capital is split: $220 million for early-stage Seedcamp VII and $100 million for growth-stage Select fund.
The firm plans to expand its US presence, growing its team in New York City and Miami to connect European portfolio companies with US customers and investors.
Seedcamp VII will invest approximately $1 million as a first check in 100-120 startups, while Select will invest $3-5 million in Series B and later rounds.
Seedcamp will continue its thesis of investing in pre-product/revenue startups, avoiding capital-intensive businesses.

Read on TechCrunch ↗

One year after Nippon Steel's acquisition, U.S. Steel began contributing to the parent company's profits.
CEO David Britt says the 'golden share' structure will not impede ongoing reform and cost‑improvement initiatives.
Reform efforts are gaining traction with solidified worker support and continued cost‑cutting measures.

Read on Nikkei Asia ↗

First Carolina Financial Services is now listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
The company will trade under the ticker symbol FCBM.
The listing adds a new financial services firm to NYSE's roster.

Read on Investing.com Economy ↗

Ambitious Entertainment filed for an IPO seeking $20 million in proceeds.
The capital raise will be used to fund new content production.
The filing marks the company's first public offering.
IPO size targets a modest $20 million, indicating a focused capital raise.

Read on Investing.com Economy ↗

OTB Hospitality announced Chapter 7 liquidation filing.
All company-owned locations have been closed.
Franchised restaurants continue operating and are excluded from the bankruptcy.

Read on WSJ Markets ↗

AMD restores Transparent Secure Memory Encryption (TSME) to consumer Ryzen CPUs
TSME protects against cold‑boot and other physical memory attacks after being removed silently
Reinstatement follows user and security‑expert backlash demanding the feature

Read on Ars Technica ↗

Newmont's Red Chris mine in BC receives regulatory approvals for underground expansion
Transition from open-pit to underground operation expected to increase efficiency and reduce costs
No specific timeline or production targets mentioned in the announcement

Read on Northern Miner ↗

Morgan Stanley is weighing a $1.33 billion office‑building acquisition in Dallas.
The deal would mark the bank’s latest move to expand its Texas footprint.
If completed, Morgan Stanley would join several other financial firms that have recently opened or enlarged Texas operations.
The project remains under consideration and has not yet been approved.

Read on WSJ Markets ↗

Industrious will operate its Gaysorn Tower and Park Silom sites in Bangkok under the Industrious brand starting July 1, 2026.
The two locations total 72,000 sq ft, serve 1,000 members across 200+ companies, and will join a network of 250+ workspaces in 80+ cities.
Industrious aims to grow its global portfolio by 58% since 2025 and plans to open 60+ new locations in 2026, with APAC expansion over 50% and three new Singapore sites.
The rebrand follows CBRE’s full acquisition of Industrious in 2025 and reflects a broader APAC unification strategy.

Read on Bangkok Post Business ↗

Gladiator Metals secured more than $35 million (US$24.7 million) via a private placement.
Funding will be used to drill the Whitehorse copper project in Yukon.
Placement was led by BlackRock and includes participation from existing shareholders.

Read on Northern Miner ↗

Japan's vending-machine market is shrinking, with unit counts falling year-on-year.
A leading operator, a Suntory Beverage unit, is adding new machines targeting pop-idol and anime superfans.
The rollout includes custom acrylic "Tag-Live!" cards featuring favorite idols and anime characters to boost sales.

Read on Nikkei Asia ↗

Thai Markets 6

Foreign inflows hit 154 bn baht Jan‑May, up 73% YoY.
Approved investment applications rose 24% to 528, with 254 receiving BOI privileges.
Top investor countries: China (30 bn baht), Singapore (36.5 bn baht), US (5.98 bn baht).
Eastern Economic Corridor attracted 30% of investors, accounting for 39% of total investment (59.9 bn baht).
Key sectors include contract manufacturing, high‑value services and software development.

Read on Bangkok Post Business ↗

First phase of common ticketing to debut by year‑end, covering BTS Green Line and Airport Rail Link
Government aims to raise 200 billion baht via the Thailand Future Fund to repurchase electric rail concessions
Common Ticket Act and Rail Transport Act cleared Senate; financing model designed to avoid new public debt
Standard fares set between 17 and 45 baht; plan to replace Rabbit cards with EMV/contactless or QR payments
Cabinet approval for the policy expected by month‑end, with second phase to add buses and boats

Read on Bangkok Post Most Recent ↗

NBTC approves draft of third Digital Television Master Plan after 2-year wait
National streaming platform to be developed for terrestrial digital TV broadcasters
Licences for digital TV operators to expire in 2029, regulator explores alternative spectrum allocation model

Read on Bangkok Post Business ↗

BBL Asset Management keeps year‑end SET target at 1,600 points, with upside to 1,700 points if foreign inflows return
Banks, tourism, commerce and construction‑material firms identified as key growth drivers
Index near fair‑value range around 1,600 points may limit near‑term upside
Lower oil prices, easing geopolitical tensions and improving domestic fundamentals support the outlook
Risks include global uncertainties, US 10‑year yield around 4.5% and potential oil price spikes

Read on Bangkok Post Business ↗

Middle East fertilizer vessels have passed through the Strait of Hormuz, restarting deliveries to Thailand.
Urea prices, which rose about 60% year‑on‑year, are now trending down; nitrogen and phosphate prices have stabilised.
The Commerce Ministry will regulate retail fertilizer prices to reflect actual costs.
China and Russia are being explored as alternative suppliers if Hormuz disruptions continue.

Read on Bangkok Post Business ↗

DBD is investigating Feixiang, Gokoo and E‑Gets for possible breaches of Thai law
Feixiang reported 2024 revenue of ~3.1 million baht and a loss of >11.2 million baht
Gokoo posted 2024 revenue of 231 million baht, up 74% YoY, and a profit of 31.4 million baht
E‑Gets generated 6.14 million baht revenue in 2024 but incurred a loss of ~30.7 million baht
One firm is classified as foreign; the other two have majority Thai ownership

Read on Bangkok Post Business ↗

Other 24

Messi reached 18 World Cup goals, overtaking Miroslav Klose's 16 and Marta's 17 records
He scored his 18th goal in the 38th minute of Argentina's Group J match against Austria
Messi has now become the all‑time leading scorer in both men's and women's World Cups
Argentina can secure a knockout‑stage spot with a win over Austria in the final group game

Read on Al Jazeera ↗ also: Al Jazeera

Clive Davis, influential record executive, died at age 94
Career spanned over five decades, launching artists like Whitney Houston, Santana and Alicia Keys
Founded Arista Records and later J Records, overseeing multiple Grammy-winning projects
Faced legal issues, including a $10,000 tax evasion fine in the 1990s
Continued shaping music into his 80s, including guiding American Idol winners

Read on CNBC Top News ↗ also: SCMP Economy

TV and radio employees held a one‑day warning strike demanding the government drop the funding overhaul.
The proposal would replace licence fees with direct state financing, cutting budgets to 2008 levels – roughly a 15% reduction next year.
Critics, including Reporters Without Borders, warn the move could enable political interference, echoing similar actions in Hungary and Slovakia.

Read on Al Jazeera ↗

Judge Patrick Schiltz dismissed subpoenas aimed at six Minnesota officials, including Gov. Tim Walz
Subpoenas were part of a DOJ probe into officials' opposition to immigration raids
Ruling issued June 17 and unsealed June 24, halting the administration's attempt to compel state cooperation

Read on Al Jazeera ↗

Labour leader Keir Starmer announced his resignation, sparking public commentary across the UK.
Londoners voiced frustration over rising living costs and ongoing political turbulence.
Public sentiment was mixed, with many doubting that the leadership change will improve the country's trajectory.

Read on Al Jazeera ↗

Denmark and Germany have opened the continent's first hydrogen superhighway linking key industrial hubs.
The corridor is intended to accelerate hydrogen transport for decarbonising steel, chemicals, shipping and aviation.
Earlier European hydrogen strategies totalling hundreds of billions of euros faced cost overruns and financing gaps.
The launch signals a policy correction, balancing ambitious targets with more realistic cost expectations.

Read on OilPrice ↗

At least 15 fatalities reported in the blaze
Fire broke out in a commercial complex housing an animation coaching centre
Rescue efforts saw people jumping from the building and sliding down wires

Read on Al Jazeera ↗ also: Al Jazeera

Three people killed: a police officer, a civilian, and the suspected shooter.
Police confirmed the suspect was neutralised during the incident.
Montreal police chief and Quebec premier expressed condolences and urged calm.

Read on Al Jazeera ↗ also: SCMP Economy

Pilot programme rolled out in Health Region 10 to test biomarker-based early dementia risk screening
Collaboration involves the Interior Ministry, Public Health Ministry and local health networks
Village Health Volunteers will counsel at‑risk elderly and connect them to health services

Read on Bangkok Post Most Recent ↗

30-year-old South Korean man detained in Pattaya on suspicion of posting explicit videos featuring Thai women
Authorities seized 21.3 g of crystal meth, 304.3 g of ketamine, 296 ecstasy tablets and nine etomidate vape pods
Arrest part of a nationwide crackdown on transnational crime ordered by police chief Pol Gen Kittharath Punpetch
Operation carried out by Immigration Division 3 after a search warrant was issued by Pattaya Municipal Court

Read on Bangkok Post Most Recent ↗

Three students were killed and seven injured at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City.
Two Grade 9 students, aged 14 and 15, were arrested in connection with the shooting.
The weapons used were a .38 revolver and a 9mm pistol, the latter traced to a police officer.

Read on SCMP Economy ↗

The series earned four nominations at the Emmy Awards for documentary categories.
It explores the disputed authorship of the iconic Vietnam War 'Napalm Girl' photograph.
Critics have long debated whether the image was captured by an AP staffer or an independent freelancer.

Read on Nikkei Asia ↗

John Alite, 63, former Gotti hitman and Englishtown councilman, was arrested in New Jersey on Friday
Authorities allege extortion and loan-sharking activities
Alite was released after a Saturday court appearance and will return for a detention hearing

Read on SCMP Economy ↗

Doku was granted temporary leave from the Red Devils to attend the birth of his son in London before the Iran match.
A French presenter’s comment that fathers are "useless" at childbirth sparked an online backlash and led to her being stood down.
Belgium have drawn both group matches (0-0 vs Egypt, 0-0 vs Iran) and need a win over New Zealand to reach the last 32.
Doku is expected to rejoin the squad in Seattle ahead of the final group game.

Read on Al Jazeera ↗

FAA and NTSB have opened a probe after two commercial jets came dangerously close at Boston Logan Airport.
The incident involved an American Airlines flight and a Delta Air Lines flight on the same runway.
No injuries were reported; investigators will review safety procedures to prevent similar events.

Read on Investing.com Economy ↗

ACC and City Mountain Bike sign MoU to promote Extreme Cross-Country (XCE) racing across Asia
Agreement aims to build an urban competition network and boost sports tourism in Thailand, Malaysia and other host cities
Focus on youth development and bringing mountain biking into city centres to increase public exposure

Read on Bangkok Post Most Recent ↗

Egyptian national team’s request to stay in Seattle was rejected by local security officials.
Team will return to training base in Spokane, about 450 km (280 miles) east of Seattle.
Egypt earned its first World Cup victory, beating New Zealand 3-1 in Vancouver.

Read on Al Jazeera ↗

A 20‑year‑old Scottish man applied a massage gun to both eyes for relief.
Doctors found multiple retinal injuries: six full‑thickness tears in the left eye and retinal dialysis plus bruising in the right eye.
The patient had no prior eye trauma or family history, suggesting the damage resulted from the massage gun use.

Read on Ars Technica ↗

Two children, aged 2 and 4, found dead in locked car in Carpentras, France
Car was parked in family driveway; siblings reportedly locked themselves inside
Incident occurred amid a heatwave affecting southern France

Read on SCMP Economy ↗

Handmade model replicates the FIFA World Cup trophy using coconut leaf and cardboard
Artist recycles discarded materials to create the sculpture
The piece was crafted in Kerala, India
Design mimics the iconic gold trophy while using sustainable, local resources

Read on Al Jazeera ↗

Approximately 25,000 kites were launched over Fano island.
About 5,000 kite enthusiasts from 26 countries attended the event.
Organisers claim it is the world's largest kite festival.

Read on Al Jazeera ↗

Professional racer JR Hildebrand set a new production car record at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.
He completed the 12.4-mile, 156-corner course in 9.5 minutes.
The record was achieved in a 1,250 hp hybrid Corvette ZR1X, priced around $210,000.
The 2026 event marked the 104th running of the historic Pikes Peak race.

Read on Ars Technica ↗

Dan Roelker, a former hacker, is now focused on the concept of controlling light.
He posits that controlling light enables control over space.
Roelker views the pursuit of "collecting the most light" as a significant race.

Read on Ars Technica ↗

Hong Kong's wild yellow-crested cockatoos may hold genetic traits to save Indonesia's endangered species
Study highlights importance of conserving Hong Kong's cockatoo population
Cockatoos serve as a 'backup' preserving lineages of subspecies

Read on SCMP Economy ↗