- Trump executed 327 stock trades on April 8, 2025—about five times his average daily volume of ~62 trades.
- He bought $100k‑$250k each of Apple, Alphabet, Amazon, Microsoft and Nvidia, all members of the Magnificent Seven.
- The S&P 500 jumped ~9.5% on April 9 after Trump urged buying and rolled back tariffs, one of its strongest single‑day gains.
- Apple surged >15% and Nvidia rose ~19% the next session, delivering their biggest one‑day moves in years.
July 2, 2026
▲ 61▼ 66◆ 19– 191
Markets 40
- Foreign investors sold $137.36 billion from Asian equities in H1 2026, the fastest pace in at least 16 years.
- South Korea and Taiwan bore the brunt, shedding $70.8 billion and $29.6 billion respectively.
- Investors are rebalancing and taking profits from AI winners, citing concentration risks and valuation concerns.
- Dow Jones added 594.83 points (1.14%) to close at 52,900.07, setting a new record high
- Nasdaq slipped 0.8% to 25,832.67 as semiconductor stocks fell, with SMH down 4.5% and Nvidia down 1.4%
- June nonfarm payrolls rose 57,000 jobs, far below the 115,000 forecast, while unemployment fell to 4.2%
- 2-year Treasury yield fell after the jobs data, easing expectations of an imminent Fed rate hike
- Semiconductor leaders Teradyne (-13.6%) and KLA (-11.5%) led a second consecutive day of declines
- June nonfarm payrolls added 57,000 jobs, well below the 110,000 forecast; May revision down to 129,000
- DXY fell to around 100.88 after hitting a two-week low of 100.56
- CME FedWatch probability of a September rate hike dropped to 53% from 63%
- Unemployment rate eased to 4.2% and average hourly earnings rose 0.3% MoM (3.5% YoY)
- USD/JPY surged to a 40-year high before yen rebounded, prompting speculation of Japanese FX intervention
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- Nikkei futures at 68,775 versus close 68,733; ASX 200 futures at 8,762 versus close 8,724.5; Hang Seng futures at 23,061 versus close 23,055
- US markets closed mixed: Dow hit record high, S&P 500 up <1 point to 7,483.24, Nasdaq down 0.8% to 25,832.67
- Semiconductor sector fell second day: SMH ETF -4.5%, Teradyne -13.6%, KLA -11.5%, Nvidia -1.4%, Micron -5.5%
- US markets closed for Independence Day holiday
- Dow closed at a record high, extending gains even as the jobs report showed modest payroll growth.
- U.S. nonfarm payrolls missed expectations, indicating a tepid labor market.
- J.P. Morgan strategist warns that American workers are not receiving wage increases, raising concerns over consumer spending.
- U.S. nonfarm payrolls fell short of consensus forecasts, indicating a slowdown in hiring
- Wall Street analysts shifted equity recommendations toward more defensive sectors
- Investors price in a higher probability of the Fed maintaining rates amid weaker labor data
- June nonfarm payrolls came in well below expectations, weakening outlook for a July Fed rate hike
- Investors trimmed bets on a Fed rate increase, shifting market sentiment
- Major US equity indices closed mixed, with the S&P 500 flat, Dow modestly up, and Nasdaq down
- USD/JPY slipped toward its first weekly loss in eight weeks after June NFP showed 57k hires vs 110k expected
- Tokyo may stop pre‑emptive signaling of FX intervention, raising risk amid thin US Independence Day liquidity
- BoJ policy rate at 1.00% (highest since 1995) leaves a roughly 275‑bp rate gap with the Fed, limiting Yen support
- Technical levels: resistance near 162.50, psychological support at 160.00, deeper support around 158.50
- Dow Jones hit an all‑time high, up 1.3% for the week.
- S&P 500 and Nasdaq rose 1.2% and 1.6% respectively, posting biggest Q2 gains since 2020.
- U.S. jobs added 57,000 in June, about half of the 115,000 forecast.
- 2‑year Treasury yield up ~34 bps over three months; 10‑year yield up ~18 bps, short‑term yields fell after jobs data.
- Fed kept rates steady; markets await FOMC minutes with ~80% chance of no change at next meeting.
- Dow Jones Industrial Average rose about 0.5% to a record high
- Nasdaq Composite fell roughly 0.4% following the jobs data
- Investors trimmed expectations for another Fed rate hike this year
- GBP/USD rebounded to around 1.3350 after US June non‑farm payrolls came in at 57k versus 110k forecast
- Support sits near 1.3200 with a minor floor at 1.3300; a break below 1.3200 could test 1.3150
- Resistance at the 50‑EMA 1.3350 and 200‑EMA 1.3400; a close above the band may open the path to 1.3450‑1.3500
- BoE rates remain at 3.75% with a possible July hike, while upcoming US data will dominate the pair's direction
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- Private manufacturing PMI slipped to 51.7 in June, a three‑month low but above the 51.5 forecast.
- Official NBS manufacturing PMI rose to 50.3, beating the 50.1 consensus; non‑manufacturing PMI hit 50.2.
- USD/CNY gained 70 pips to 6.79 and offshore USD/CNH rose 80 pips to 6.80 amid broader dollar strength.
- EU and Japan trade measures increase downside risks for Chinese export growth in H2.
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- US nonfarm payrolls added 57,000 jobs in June, well below the ~110,000 forecast
- Unemployment rate fell to 4.2% and labor force participation slipped to 61.5%
- AUD/USD rose to near 0.6930 as the US Dollar Index slipped toward 100.70
- Average hourly earnings rose 0.3% month‑over‑month to $37.64 (annual 3.5%)
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- Trump's trading activity totals about 21,000 individual trades in 2025
- Significant trades were timed around the announcement of 'Liberation Day' tariffs
- The trades were not publicly reported until this week
- Details on the specific securities or asset classes involved were not disclosed
- USD/KRW broke the 1,550 psychological barrier, with interim resistance at 1,561 and further resistance near 1,573‑1,580
- June exports surged 70.9% and the trade surplus widened to $36.2 bn, yet the won stayed under selling pressure
- June inflation rose to 3.2%, paving the way for the Bank of Korea to lift rates by 25 bp to 2.75% in two weeks
- CNY has risen about 11% against the Korean won YTD, also gaining versus USD and EUR.
- Semiconductor imports from Japan, South Korea and Taiwan surged to over CNY 300 bn in May, up ~60% YoY.
- BNY says the yuan's recent gains undermine U.S. and EU arguments that the renminbi is undervalued.
- Analysts expect CNY gains to pause and possibly reverse as domestic production ramps up.
- U.S. Dollar Index fell 0.5% to 97.25.
- The decline snapped a two‑trading‑day winning streak.
- Move reflects modest weakening in the greenback against major currencies.
- Thursday's jobs report missed expectations, showing slower payroll growth
- The miss raises odds that the Fed will pause its rate‑hike cycle
- Investors shift from growth to value stocks, reviving the rotation trade
- Semiconductor equities slipped again, extending recent declines
- Latest jobs data indicated a slowdown in hiring
- Rivian shares rose, partially offsetting sector weakness
- U.S. healthcare index rose more than 6% in June, outpacing a 3% decline in the tech sector.
- UnitedHealth Group (UNH) is up 28% year‑to‑date and raised its quarterly dividend 5% to $2.32, yielding 2.2%.
- Janus Living (JAN) surged 45% from its IPO price, trading at $28.99 with a 1.96% dividend yield.
- Treasury yields rose, recouping losses from earlier in the week
- Weak labor data initially pushed yields lower before the rebound
- Yields closed the week higher, indicating renewed upward pressure
- Market attention now shifts to upcoming economic releases for direction
- Shooting star candlestick signals bearish reversal as USD/CHF trades at 0.8035, near ten‑day lows.
- RSI fell below 60 toward the 50 neutral level, showing buyers losing control to sellers.
- A break below 0.8000 would expose support at 0.7982 and 0.7910, with next resistance at 0.8100 and 0.8139.
- US Dollar Index (DXY) is down 0.55% after weaker‑than‑expected US data, adding pressure on the pair.
- Rivian shares rose 8% after raising its 2026 delivery outlook to 65,000‑70,000 EVs
- Tesla stock slipped 8% despite beating Q2 delivery estimate of 480,126 vehicles
- Memory stocks tumbled, with Sandisk down 14% and the Roundhill Memory ETF falling 8%
- Healthcare stocks rallied, with Universal Health +7% and HCA +5% on CMS payment hike
- Blue Owl Capital jumped >4% as redemption pressure eased, investors withdrew $4.7 bn versus $5.4 bn previously
- NZD/USD up 0.59% to around 0.5705 after US nonfarm payrolls added only 57,000 jobs in June versus 110,000 forecast
- US payrolls revised down by 74,000 jobs and unemployment fell to 4.2%, reinforcing expectations of a Fed rate hold
- Average hourly earnings grew 3.5% YoY, matching expectations, while labor force participation slipped to 61.5%
- RBNZ likely to keep its six‑member MPC unchanged ahead of its July 8 policy meeting, with building consent up 19% YoY
- US nonfarm payrolls posted 57,000 jobs, well below the 110,000 forecast
- GBP/USD climbed to 1.3359, its highest in ten days, up 0.64%
- Fed tightening expectations fell to 23 basis points of rate hikes for the year
- US 10-year Treasury yield slipped to 4.461% and the DXY fell to 100.75
- Treasury will launch "Trump Accounts" on July 4 with a $1,000 seed contribution for children born 2025‑2028
- Default investment is State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF (SPYM); four additional ETFs (IVV, VTI, SPTM, ITOT) are offered
- After launch, contributions can reach up to $5,000 per year per child, with some firms matching the $1,000 seed
- Accounts remain 100% equity and lack automatic de‑risking toward bonds, unlike typical 529 plans
- Out-licensing deals by Chinese biotech firms reached $75 billion in Jan‑May 2026, up from zero before 2020.
- AI‑driven drug‑design firms are securing cross‑border licences with top multinational pharmaceutical companies.
- U.S. regulatory scrutiny of Chinese biotech firms is intensifying, potentially moderating future deal activity.
- Equity fund flows remain net neutral despite a slide in the Japanese yen
- Yen depreciation fuels speculation of possible Japanese government intervention
- Fund managers adopt a patient stance, awaiting clearer policy direction
- Medicare will reimburse weight‑loss drugs for a subset of seniors, but enrollment is expected to be modest.
- Reimbursement rates under Medicare are lower than private‑pay prices, reducing potential revenue upside.
- Analysts estimate the policy will add only a few percentage points to annual sales for major players.
- The move is seen as a positive for patients but unlikely to materially shift earnings expectations.
- Financial firms in Hong Kong managed HK$42.2 trillion (US$5.38 trillion) in 2023.
- Assets rose 20 % from the previous high of HK$35.5 trillion in 2024.
- Growth driven by renewed foreign investor appetite for Chinese assets.
- Hong Kong reasserts its edge over Switzerland as a global wealth hub.
- EU Benchmarks Regulation extension ends 2026; EU will narrow scope to critical, significant, climate‑related benchmarks with limited exemptions for non‑central‑bank rates
- UK plans to revert to a designated‑benchmark regime for systemically important FX benchmarks, with only modest amendments expected
- EU MiCAR and UK initiatives target stablecoins; UK FCA rules on regulated stablecoin activities are slated for release in summer 2026
- Regulatory approaches to AI differ: UK treats AI as a tool under existing rules, while the EU AI Act imposes transparency requirements, raising implementation challenges for FX firms
- Future agenda includes reviewing 2018 competition guidance, ISDA consultation outreach, and finalising UK crypto‑asset regulatory package
- Hong Kong's main equity index is now the poorest‑performing major market, trailing peers by a large gap
- Japan's 10‑year government bond yield is 2.7% despite public debt exceeding 240% of GDP
- Japan's 10‑year yield is slightly lower than Germany's, even though Germany's debt‑to‑GDP ratio is about one‑quarter of Japan's
- More than 430 mainland Chinese companies are in the Hong Kong IPO pipeline awaiting regulator sign‑off.
- Over 30 firms, including Qiandama and Eve Energy, face imminent application lapses.
- Approval delays by the mainland securities regulator are creating a bottleneck for Hong Kong listings.
- South Korea begins almost 24‑hour trading of the won, operating nearly every day from Monday
- The move aims to make the won more international and give exporters better hedging tools
- Chipmakers and other large exporters expect improved pricing and reduced exchange‑rate risk
- SEC Form 144 notice issued for July 2
- Indicates planned insider sales of securities
- No additional details on issuer or transaction size provided
- S&P/BMV IPC slipped 0.26% to close the session
- Mexico's main equity index recorded a modest decline
- The move contributed to a lower overall performance for Mexican stocks
- Clients have largely capitulated on long positions in JPY and KRW as both remain weak versus USD and CNY.
- BNY argues fundamentals offer limited justification for further weakness; a US strategic push on AI supply chains could trigger material strengthening in JPY, KRW and TWD.
- Falling oil prices weaken the balance‑of‑payments case for these currencies, increasing upside risk if US policy changes.
- Fed Chair comments were not overtly hawkish, reducing USD carry advantage and opening room for Asian currency rebounds.
- U.S. employment figures are set to be released on Thursday.
- Analysts warn investors not to treat equities like scarce goods.
- No immediate market move anticipated pending the jobs report.
- Sterling remains resilient, backed by interest‑rate differentials and easing political risk premia
- Daily average FX turnover fell 5% to $3.85 trillion in October, still 20% higher year‑on‑year
- USD/EUR stays the most traded pair; FX swap activity drives turnover despite overall volume decline
- Digital‑asset solutions for FX funding and settlement are still in early adoption with limited uptake
- GFXC prepares for FX Global Code review and notes upcoming EU benchmark regulation changes
Macro/Economy 39
- Nonfarm payrolls rose 57,000 in June, far below the 110,000 forecast and May's revised 129,000 gain.
- Unemployment rate edged down to 4.2%, versus expectations of 4.3% and May's 4.3% reading.
- 10-year Treasury yield slipped 4 basis points to 4.46% after the report.
- Bitcoin price fell as expectations for near‑term Fed rate hikes weakened.
- CME FedWatch probability of a September rate hike fell from about 65% to roughly 50%.
- War in the Middle East and climate change risks contribute to inflation volatility and economic uncertainty in the euro area
- Accelerating the transition to net zero carbon can help insulate Europe from these shocks, but requires a complementary range of policies
- Costs of energy insecurity and climate change could lead to 0.7 percentage points higher inflation and 0.3 percentage points lower economic growth in 2027
- Indonesian rupiah has depreciated 10% against the dollar since March
- Bond markets have forced up interest rates on government debt to 6.5%
- Government has trimmed big spending programs and cut fuel subsidies
- Heavy selling in South Korean semiconductor stocks spreads to Japan and Taiwan
- OECD warns Korea's reliance on chip exports heightens exposure to global tech-cycle swings
- South Korea CPI up 0.1% m/m and 3.2% y/y in June; core inflation unchanged m/m at 2.5% y/y
- Report urges fiscal support for domestic demand and medium‑term consolidation amid aging‑related spending pressures
- Labor force participation rate dropped to 61.5% in June, the lowest since March 2021 and the lowest in 50 years outside the Covid era.
- The labor force shrank by 720,000 in June, while those not in the labor force rose by 832,000.
- Prime‑age (25‑54) participation fell 0.6 percentage points to 83.3%, its lowest since Dec 2023.
- Unemployment rate edged down to 4.2%, but the decline reflects labor‑force contraction rather than job gains.
- Employment‑to‑population ratio slipped to 59%, the lowest since Oct 2021.
- India and the EU signed a comprehensive FTA in January 2026, after nearly two decades of negotiations, covering goods, services, digital trade, and sustainability.
- India's earlier ASEAN-India FTA (AITIGA, 2009) resulted in a significant trade deficit for India due to sequential negotiation (goods before services) and weak rules of origin (35% value-add).
- The AITIGA also featured asymmetrical tariff liberalization, with India opening 74% of lines vs. Indonesia's 50%, and omitted key areas like investment protection and digital trade.
- The new India-EU FTA addresses these flaws with dual-criteria rules of origin, balanced tariff liberalization (EU 97%, India 92%), and comprehensive coverage.
- India's ongoing AITIGA review (since 2020) presents an opportunity to apply lessons from the EU deal, insisting on simultaneous binding upgrades in goods and services access.
- BIMSTEC intra-regional trade remains low at ~7% of total trade, despite a 1997 declaration and a 2004 FTA yet to be implemented.
- Key land connectivity projects, including the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway and Kaladan Multi-Modal Project, face significant delays due to security concerns and implementation issues.
- Northeast India, bordering five countries and crucial for land links to Southeast Asia, is under-represented in policy and contributes less than 3% to India's GDP.
- Fragmented implementation architecture across Indian ministries and inefficient land customs stations hinder formal cross-border trade, with informal trade vastly exceeding formal volumes.
- India needs to prioritize Northeast infrastructure as national security, improve cross-ministerial coordination, and leverage SEZs to optimize BIMSTEC value chain linkages.
- Politburo urges forceful measures as El Nino intensifies floods and droughts across China
- Authorities instructed to tighten flood controls on major rivers and improve water‑source management
- Plans include boosting rescue capacity and protecting agricultural infrastructure to safeguard food security
- Andy Burnham will need to find an additional £4.7 bn to close the defence funding gap.
- The defence plan adds £15 bn in spending, but almost a third still requires funding.
- UK aims to reach 3 % of GDP defence spending, moving toward NATO target of 3.5 % by 2035.
- Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis says details will be sorted in the upcoming budget.
- Global current account balance projected to improve modestly in July
- Trade surplus gains and reduced net income outflows identified as primary drivers
- Emerging market economies expected to post the largest balance improvements
- Advanced economies' balances remain relatively unchanged
- Supreme Court decision enables termination of Haitian TPS, affecting roughly 330,000 individuals with authorizations ending July 10
- Around one-third of Haitian TPS holders work in healthcare, including about 13,000 nursing assistants serving 65,000 patients and 8,000 caregivers for 12,000 people
- Haitian TPS recipients account for 15% of non‑citizen healthcare workers despite representing only 2.1% of the immigrant population
- The loss is expected to deepen existing caregiver shortages, especially in hospitals and nursing homes in New York, Massachusetts and Florida
- US adults 65+ are projected to grow 42% by 2050, heightening demand for direct‑care workers
- Chinese investment in Thailand has risen steadily over the past 4‑5 years, according to the Thai Chamber of Commerce.
- Small and medium‑sized Chinese auto parts and battery firms are now signalling interest in the Eastern Economic Corridor.
- The Thailand‑China Cooperation Expo 2026 will be held July 22‑25 to facilitate B2B matching and investment consultations.
- Thai manufacturers lack capability to meet Chinese automakers' requirements, prompting calls for technology transfer.
- Retail IT prices rose 30‑50% in H1 2024, driven by memory component costs up 200‑300%
- Overall IT unit sales fell about 5%, while premium segment grew 30% delivering roughly 15% revenue increase
- Entry‑level device prices jumped to over 20,000 baht (phones from 3,000 baht to ~5,000 baht)
- AI‑enabled PCs now cost 35‑40k baht versus 25‑30k baht earlier, prompting early purchases and panic buying
- Intense heat wave during London Climate Action Week forced several events to be cancelled.
- Bankers warn EU authorities risk curbing clean‑energy investments across the continent.
- Analysis suggests Europe has missed critical opportunities to accelerate its decarbonisation agenda.
- The heat wave underscores the economic cost of delayed action on the energy transition.
- A growing bloc of US legislators sees the tax code as a lever to reduce corporate dependence on Chinese tech.
- Rep. Nathaniel Moran warned that China is an "adversary" and described the current relationship as "toxic."
- Proposals aim to cut tax incentives for firms that heavily use Chinese technology components.
- White House announces nationwide roll‑back of commercial fishing rules, citing benefits for U.S. consumers
- Scallop ban in New England waters, in place since 1994, is slated for reversal pending council review
- NOAA will reassess permit policies, stock definitions and boundaries along Atlantic, Gulf and Pacific coasts
- U.S. fishing sector, worth about $320 billion, could see higher domestic seafood output
- New England Fishery Management Council may address Georges Bank reopening at its September meeting
- Trump Accounts (530A) launch July 4, providing a $1,000 federal seed for children born 2025‑2028
- Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley join dozens of firms to match the $1,000 contribution for employee children
- Additional $250 seed available for children born 2016‑2024 in low‑income ZIP codes, backed by a $6.25 bn pledge from Michael Dell and others
- Micron will contribute a one‑time $250 deposit in select counties across seven states
- China’s commerce minister signalled willingness to discuss purchase agreements for European goods.
- Talks may include lowering tariffs on EU-made products to reduce the roughly €1 billion‑a‑day trade surplus.
- EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic noted Brussels is adopting a tougher stance on the imbalance.
- Reducing the surplus could improve bilateral relations but the scale of adjustments remains uncertain.
- Annual USMCA reviews give Washington leverage to push for localization and supply‑chain security
- Negotiations likely to remain prolonged, with no imminent rupture of the agreement
- Key issues include trade imbalances, rules of origin and Chinese content in North‑American supply chains
- Deep regional supply‑chain integration and bipartisan US support suggest an eventual compromise
- Government proposes reforms to cut bureaucracy, increase labour market flexibility, and cap healthcare and pension spending.
- New tax relief targeted at lower‑ and middle‑income households is included in the package.
- Measures still require parliamentary approval and are not expected to instantly end Germany’s stagnation.
- Combined with ongoing infrastructure and defence spending, the package aims to improve Germany’s medium‑term growth outlook.
- U.S. cattle herd at smallest size in decades due to drought, high feed costs, and herd liquidation
- Ground beef prices averaged $6.75/lb in May (up 13% YoY), steak prices $12.80/lb (up 16% YoY)
- Consumers prioritize premium/quality beef cuts despite high prices, driving sales growth ahead of holidays
- NielsenIQ reports $352M increase in beef sales YoY, with USDA Prime and grass-fed claims gaining favor
- Rebuilding cattle herd to ease prices may take years without imported supply
- China fines three Hong Kong brokerages $330 million for violating capital controls
- Fines aim to discourage mainland investors from using illegal channels for overseas investments
- Move does not indicate a shift in China's stance on overseas investment
- AUM rose 20% YoY to HK$42.2 trillion ($5.38 trillion) in 2025.
- Net fund inflows surged to HK$2.1 trillion, nearly threefold increase.
- Overseas investors account for more than 54% of total AUM.
- Hong Kong overtook Switzerland as the top cross‑border wealth hub per BCG ranking.
- SFC is weighing a tax waiver on fund managers' performance bonuses to attract talent.
- EFTA members (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland) concluded negotiations with Vietnam.
- Bilateral trade reached €4.8 billion in 2025, with a €2.5 billion surplus favoring Vietnam.
- Agreement covers rules of origin, investment, IP rights, competition, trade remedies and procurement.
- Talks were relaunched in Sep 2025 after a 2018 stall and wrapped up after five negotiation rounds.
- Draft rule would make political priorities the primary factor in awarding federal science grants
- Grants could be cancelled on political grounds and added bureaucracy may hinder publishing and conference attendance
- The rule would carry the force of law, making legal challenges more difficult
- Public feedback deadline is Monday, July 13
- Retail sales in May rose 7.9% year‑on‑year to HK$33.8 billion.
- The increase extends a 13‑month streak of retail‑sales growth.
- Higher visitor numbers during mainland China's Labour Day "golden week" boosted sales.
- First‑five‑month cumulative retail sales also rose, confirming the upward trend.
- World Bank plans to phase out new lending to China by 2031
- Beijing downplays the move, citing China's advanced economy and changing development needs
- Ministry of Finance frames the shift as a transition from financing to knowledge sharing
- The reduction follows a broader trend of decreasing development loans to middle‑income nations
- Tankan index for large manufacturers rose to its highest level in almost eight years.
- Sentiment improved for the fifth consecutive quarter, aided by higher commodity prices and AI-driven profit gains.
- BOJ notes a mixed outlook as inflation rises and the US‑Iran diplomatic situation remains fragile.
- June exports reached over $100 billion, the highest monthly total on record.
- Semiconductor shipments hit a record, driven by AI-driven demand.
- SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics reported unprecedented device shipments.
- Indonesia recorded its first trade deficit in six years in May.
- Imports rose sharply on higher oil prices linked to the Iran war and a weaker rupiah.
- Exports of key commodities declined, widening the trade gap.
- The weakening rupiah amplified the import bill.
- Japan will back a 100 billion‑yen (≈$616 million) syndicated loan to Reliance Industries with trade insurance
- The financing supports Reliance’s expansion of solar‑panel and battery production in India
- The move underscores Tokyo’s push for deeper supply‑chain cooperation and opportunities for Japanese manufacturers
- JBIC's exposure to the United States has risen sharply, shifting away from emerging‑market lending
- The bank is now positioned as a core component of Japan's economic‑security strategy
- Emphasis is on financing supply‑chain and security‑related projects rather than traditional development finance
- Japan's JBIC, SMBC and other lenders will lend up to ¥80 bn ($492 m) to India.
- Funding is earmarked for development of India's power transmission grid to improve energy security.
- The loan announcement aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi in New Delhi.
- The financing reflects expanding Japan‑India cooperation on critical infrastructure projects.
- Chinese antitrust regulators flagged a joint venture intended to merge polysilicon producers.
- The JV, launched months ago, remains inactive while authorities assess anti‑competitive risks.
- China's polysilicon suppliers already hold roughly 95% of global production capacity.
- The stall may keep polysilicon supply fragmented, potentially influencing solar panel costs.
- Eligibility: children must be under 18 and linked to a registered family account.
- Timing: first payments expected to begin in the next two weeks.
- Access: funds will be deposited into a designated digital account accessible via the program portal.
- Tax: the money is classified as a non‑taxable child benefit.
- FAQ: families should review the program's guidelines for required documentation.
- Record-breaking heatwaves across Europe have sparked debate over cooling solutions.
- U.S. media outlets question Europe's slower adoption of conventional air conditioning.
- European policymakers emphasize heat pumps as the preferred cooling technology.
- Cultural and regulatory factors influence the shift toward heat pump usage.
- Only 37% of Gen Z respondents view marriage as essential to the American Dream, down from 80% in 1993.
- Median net worth for married couples under 35 is about $114,000, versus $22,000 for single men and $9,000 for single women.
- 61% of married Americans say they are "thriving" compared with 45% of never‑married adults.
- Median age at first marriage in 2025 is roughly 28 for women and 31 for men, higher than previous generations.
- A survey of 4,130 adults ranks marriage as one of the least‑important Dream markers, behind financial stability and homeownership.
- Home prices stay near record highs and mortgage rates are higher than pre‑2020 levels
- Credit scores above 740 secure the best mortgage rates; a 0.5% rate difference can save hundreds per month
- Avoid PMI by targeting a 20% down payment (e.g., $80,000 on a $400,000 home), requiring about $1,333 monthly savings over five years
- Set aside 2‑6% of the home price for closing costs, $5,000‑$10,000 for moving, and keep six months of housing expenses as cash reserves
- Visa application fee for foreign travelers increased fivefold, effective immediately
- Passport issuance fee for Japanese citizens reduced to encourage outbound travel
- Move targets sharp rise in overseas visitor numbers and overtourism concerns
- Policy change aims to balance tourism inflows with domestic capacity
Central Banks 6
- ECB raised its key interest rate on 11 June 2026, citing accelerating core inflation.
- Core inflation (ex‑energy/food) rose to 2.5% from 2.2%, with services prices up 3.5% versus a 3% forecast.
- Growth forecast trimmed to 0.8% from 0.9%, a 0.1‑point downgrade.
- Lagarde said further tightening will depend on incoming data; no firm guidance on future hikes.
- European Parliament approved the digital euro, aiming to cut merchant fees and broaden payment options.
- June US employment numbers fell short of expectations, easing calls for a July Fed rate increase
- Commerzbank projects the Fed will keep the federal funds rate unchanged through 2026
- Sharp drop in oil prices and expected inflation easing bolster the steady‑policy outlook
- Trump labels the Federal Reserve as 'hostile'
- Trump says Fed Chair Jerome Powell must act on interest rates as he sees fit
- Trump announces plans to remove Fed governor Lisa Cook from the board
- No material operational issues identified despite increased FX volumes and market volatility
- LSEG reported continued growth in cleared activity and increased client participation
- Swift highlighted updates to FX-related standards and adoption of structured data requirements
- BOJ announced new types of collateral will be accepted from June 30
- The expanded list includes Japanese government bonds, corporate bonds and equities
- The move is intended to broaden funding options for banks without altering monetary policy
- BOJ reports holdings of coins for circulation and bonds issued by real estate investment corporations
- BOJ lists beneficiary interests in index‑linked ETFs and equity stakes in REITs purchased via trust banks
- Foreign currency assets include deposits at foreign central banks and the BIS, foreign‑government securities and currency‑denominated loans
- Deposits held by agents for treasury operations and Japanese government securities are recorded as reserved funds
Energy/Oil 15
- WTI fell below $68 per barrel, its lowest level since late February.
- Brent steadied around $73 after a roughly 30% Q2 decline, the largest quarterly drop since 2020.
- Crude flows through the Strait of Hormuz rose above 10 million barrels per day, ending a near‑total closure that had cut about 20% of global supply.
- UAE exports returned to over 3.9 million bpd and Iranian shipments jumped above 40 million bpd, fueling a supply glut.
- The market shed the geopolitical risk premium, shifting from crisis‑driven highs to bearish fundamentals.
- Federal ban on oil tankers along British Columbia's North Coast remains in force.
- Alberta premier Danielle Smith unveiled a new pipeline proposal despite the ban.
- The ban removes a key export corridor, limiting Alberta's access to overseas markets.
- Mark Carney reaffirmed Ottawa's commitment to the ban hours before the pipeline announcement.
- WTI settled near $83, its lowest in 18 weeks, below the 50‑EMA (~$83) and 200‑EMA (~$78).
- The war‑driven premium above $110 has vanished, leaving an oversupplied market with inventories near multi‑year highs.
- A Strait of Hormuz toll dispute is being treated as a fee, not a supply disruption, so prices remain unaffected.
- Technical support is around $65 with deeper support in the low $60s; resistance lies at $70‑$72.
- Falling oil prices are easing headline inflation, bolstering the Fed's case to keep rates unchanged.
- Crude prices fell sharply after reports that oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz are increasing.
- Morgan Stanley highlights high U.S. export levels and weak Chinese imports as key drivers of oversupply.
- Iran says it will not meet U.S. envoys, yet recent ship strikes have not stopped the flow recovery.
- The U.S. has become the world's #1 oil and natural gas producer, with crude output exceeding 13 million barrels per day.
- Record net exports of crude and products have surpassed 4-5+ million b/d, at times exceeding Russia or Saudi Arabia combined.
- The shale revolution transformed the U.S. from a net importer to a net exporter, reducing household energy costs and bolstering national security.
- U.S. energy independence provides significant geopolitical leverage, positioning it as a swing producer amid global shifts.
- The article advocates for continued domestic production, infrastructure development, and reduced regulation to maintain energy dominance.
- About 10 million barrels of Saudi crude have passed the Strait of Hormuz in recent days.
- At least five supertankers have cleared Hormuz, with four more VLCCs ready to load at Ras Tanura.
- Two cleared tankers are bound for China and two for Japan, signaling rising Asian demand.
- Aramco is shifting to spot sales to Asia, with July spot prices described as "very attractive" for Chinese buyers.
- The reopening eases export constraints for Gulf producers and may lead to lower official selling prices for August cargoes.
- Oil prices slipped in early trading sessions.
- Concerns over Middle East supply disruptions continued to recede.
- The decline reflects easing risk premiums on crude.
- Crude oil futures edged higher, reversing early session declines
- The gain came as traders positioned ahead of the four‑day U.S. Independence Day weekend
- Both WTI and Brent contracts showed modest price increases
- Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, Kuwait, Algeria, Kazakhstan and Oman likely to approve another output increase for August
- UAE, having left OPEC, is already shipping record crude volumes abroad
- The quota hike follows previous increases triggered by U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran
- Oil markets show little price movement despite the announced production boost
- BLM initiates a 30‑day public scoping period for 50 federal oil and gas parcels in California.
- The parcels total roughly 36,000 acres across Kern, Kings, Fresno and San Luis Obispo counties.
- Parcels could be included in a future federal lease sale, advancing the administration's domestic energy push.
- The move underscores continued policy support for onshore oil and gas development despite state opposition.
- Kuwait Petroleum Corp (KPC) is planning to sell a stake in its oil pipeline network valued at $7 billion.
- KPC has asked asset‑management funds bidding for the stake to bring in additional investors as part of consortium bids.
- The sale mirrors recent moves by Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi to involve international infrastructure investors in similar pipeline deals.
- The transaction aims to attract major global investors to Kuwait's oil infrastructure.
- Kyrgyzstan imports over 90% of gasoline from Russia, facing supply risks due to Russian fuel shortages
- Energy Ministry requests backup supplies from neighbors and Russia to mitigate shortages
- Current fuel stocks in Kyrgyzstan remain sufficient but vulnerable to Russian supply disruptions
- Indian farmers burn several million tonnes of crop residue each year, creating severe winter smog.
- Study finds the same waste could be processed into sustainable aviation fuel for global airlines.
- SAF offers a low‑carbon jet fuel alternative, potentially reducing aviation emissions if scaled.
- Iran's crude is priced about 20% above regional benchmarks such as Brent.
- Significant volumes of unsold Iranian barrels are stranded at sea, indicating excess supply.
- The premium reflects continued demand for Iran's oil despite logistical bottlenecks.
- Government gave approval to complete the 1,600‑km Lahore‑Peshawar oil pipeline, linking south to north.
- The pipeline is expected to lower fuel transport costs and improve logistics across the country.
- Completion aims to strengthen Pakistan's energy security and reduce reliance on tanker transport.
Gold/Metals 11
- U.S. nonfarm payrolls increased by 57,000 in June, far below the 115,000 consensus and the slowest pace in four months.
- Spot gold jumped 2.4% to $4,126.97, moving into the $4,044‑$4,100 resistance zone.
- Fed September hike probability fell to about 52% from 64%, with the chance of a second hike dropping to 7.4%.
- Silver rose 4.0% to $61.53 and platinum gained 2.3% to $1,613.35.
- US nonfarm payrolls posted 57K, well below the 110K estimate, with prior months revised down.
- Gold (XAU/USD) rose to $4,111, up more than 2% after the jobs report.
- US Dollar Index fell 0.55% to 100.85 as market cuts September Fed hike odds to 66%.
- US 10-year Treasury yield steadied at 4.483% after earlier losses.
- Unemployment rate edged lower to 4.2% from 4.3%.
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- Gold prices level off after recent volatility ahead of the US non‑farm payrolls release
- Investors watch US Treasury yields and the dollar for clues on gold's direction
- The upcoming payroll report is the key macro catalyst for gold market sentiment
- Gold up 0.81% to $4,112.70 per ounce.
- Silver rose 0.9% as both metals close higher for a third straight day.
- The gains mark a third consecutive session of price increases for gold and silver.
- A rock fall at the Barnat open pit forced Agnico Eagle to stop mining operations at the Canadian Malartic complex.
- No injuries were reported, but the incident threatens the mine's short‑term gold output.
- Analysts say the disruption could dent Agnico Eagle's quarterly production outlook.
- U.S. uranium output rose to 2.1 million pounds in 2023, more than three times the previous year.
- Production levels hit their highest in almost ten years, indicating a sector-wide recovery.
- The surge reflects renewed interest and investment in domestic uranium mining.
- DRIPA Indigenous rights law confusion creates regulatory delays for British Columbia mining projects.
- West High Yield Resources (TSXV: WHY) cites the legal fog as a major obstacle to development.
- Industry executives warn unresolved Indigenous rights issues could deter future investment in the region.
- Consolidated Lithium assigns $1.4 bn after‑tax NPV to Kwyjibo rare‑earth project
- Valuation translates to roughly US$987 million
- Project is situated in Quebec, Canada
- Company trades on TSXV as CLM and OTC as JORFF
- Gold futures rose to $4,092.40 but now confront a dense resistance zone $4,035‑$4,124, with bearish pressure mounting
- The 20‑EMA ($4,200) and 9‑EMA ($4,112) fell below the 200‑EMA ($4,300), forming a bearish crossover on the daily chart
- US June jobs added 57,000 (vs 129,000 in May, forecast 114,000) and unemployment stayed at 4.2%, dampening gold’s upside
- Technical outlook points to a possible retest of June lows around $3,955‑$3,954 if selling accelerates
- Gold price has stayed relatively stable amid mixed macro data.
- Several central banks have increased gold holdings, indicating renewed reserve interest.
- Analysts debate gold's suitability as a foundation for a new reserve system, but no policy shift is evident.
- The piece underscores gold's dual identity as a commodity and a potential monetary anchor.
- Equity Metals plans to expand silver exploration in BC amid rising spot silver prices.
- Company expects higher production potential from its BC projects as silver price climbs.
- No specific financial guidance disclosed; focus on leveraging market momentum.
Crypto 35
- Bitcoin rose above $60,000, its first breach in over a week, after Fed Chair Kevin Warsh said inflation risks have eased.
- Solana led major cryptocurrencies, gaining about 4% intraday and up roughly 16% over the week.
- Ether rose ~3% to around $1,630, while other large tokens were mixed; dogecoin and BNB were softer.
- Semiconductor and AI stocks fell sharply, sparking speculation that capital may rotate back into risk assets like crypto.
- Gold edged above $4,060 per ounce and the dollar steadied, reflecting broader market reaction.
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- SBI Crypto will cease operations for its Bitcoin mining pool on July 31, 2026.
- The pool currently accounts for approximately 2% of the Bitcoin network's total hashrate.
- Miners are required to redirect their hashrate before the July 31 cutoff date.
- No specific reason was disclosed for the closure, but it comes amidst pressures from falling mining margins and rising operational costs.
- SBI Crypto operates under the Japanese financial conglomerate SBI Group.
- US Treasury sanctions 134 crypto addresses linked to ISIS-K, including 131 Tron addresses and 3 Monero addresses.
- Tether freezes $1.4 million in Tron wallets, highlighting stablecoin issuers' role in sanctions enforcement.
- ISIS-K allegedly used its media wing to solicit donations via Tron, Monero, and Bitcoin, laundering over $1.4 million since 2023.
- JPMorgan states Strategy's new bitcoin sales policy introduces 'two-way flow risk,' increasing market uncertainty.
- The bank recommends Strategy build cash reserves covering 24-36 months of dividend obligations, up from 17 months, by issuing equity rather than selling bitcoin.
- Strategy recently formalized a policy allowing selective bitcoin sales for preferred dividend payments and set a minimum cash reserve target of 12 months.
- As one of the largest corporate bitcoin holders, Strategy's sales can significantly influence market liquidity and investor sentiment.
- Crypto sentiment could improve if Strategy expands reserves and Congress passes market structure legislation, despite recent weak spot BTC ETF demand.
- Bitcoin rose above $61,000 after Warsh said inflation risks have fallen.
- Gold stabilized above $4,050 after dipping to $3,942 earlier in the week.
- June jobs report is forecast to add 110,000 jobs, down from 172,000 in May, with unemployment at 4.3% and hourly earnings up to 3.5%.
- A softer payroll could trigger a sharp rebound in the Dollar Index (DXY), further supporting Bitcoin and gold.
- Bitcoin up >4% to around $61,200, ETH up 5% and SOL up 9% after Fed Chair Kevin Warsh signaled lower inflation risk
- Speculative tokens Memecore’s M and Audiera’s BEAT jumped 81% and 12% respectively, leading gains among top‑100 coins
- Derivatives open interest rose 4% to $107 million and funding rates near 10%, indicating bullish pressure on BTC
- 24‑hour crypto trading volume rose 18% to nearly $200 million; short liquidations totalled $444.6 million, shifting market sentiment
- Taiko’s cross‑chain bridge reopened after a $1.7 million hack, briefly doubling its token price, highlighting volatility in smaller tokens
- Metaplanet purchased 2,823 BTC for $170.7 million, bringing total holdings to 43,000 BTC (~$2.6 bn).
- Bitcoin Income Generation unit posted Q2 FY2026 revenue of ¥1.75 bn ($10.85 m) and H1 revenue of ¥4.72 bn ($29.3 m).
- Shares rose 3.5% to ¥207 after the announcement, making Metaplanet the third‑largest publicly traded bitcoin holder.
- Taiko reopened its Ethereum layer‑2 cross‑chain bridge 10 days after a $1.7 million exploit.
- The recovery included an independent security review and full reimbursement of affected users.
- TAIKO token rallied up to 136% following the bridge restoration.
- Bridge operations resume with conservative withdrawal limits to ensure stability.
- Validators need at least 100,000 SOL staked to submit a governance proposal
- Proposals must first secure 15% of active stake support and then pass with a two‑thirds supermajority
- Delegators can override validator votes, giving stakers direct voting power
- SOL price rose about 16% over the past week to around $78 despite broader market weakness
- Analysts are divided on whether Bitcoin can reach a $65,000 price level.
- SharpLink has restarted buying Ether, allocating roughly $16 million after an eight‑week pause.
- The mixed sentiment reflects both optimism for Bitcoin and cautious buying in the Ethereum market.
- Trump disclosed over $580 million in crypto-related income for 2025, his first year back in office
- $515 million came from sales of the World Liberty Financial token, with an additional $65 million from equity sales of its holding company
- He argued that the earnings are legal and that conflict‑of‑interest rules do not require recusal for the president or vice president
- The interview also touched on topics such as the Supreme Court, the economy, markets, Iran, the Fed and the 2026 midterm elections
- Trump accumulated roughly $1 billion in crypto assets, according to reports.
- Millions of retail investors are now in the red as the crypto bear market persists.
- The downturn has wiped out about $2 trillion in cryptocurrency market value since its peak.
- Losses are concentrated in major coins such as Bitcoin and Ethereum.
- Ripple co-founder backs a derivatives exchange founded by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand's son
- The venture is positioned as a new crypto derivatives platform
- Senator Gillibrand asserts she has no involvement as Congress debates a crypto market structure bill
- IMF highlights blockchain tokenization can speed up market settlement processes
- Fragmented standards and regulations could create new systemic risks
- IMF calls for coordinated global standards to mitigate financial stability concerns
- Russia's central bank schedules digital ruble rollout for Sept. 1, 2024
- Governor Elvira Nabiullina confirms the rollout is on track
- EU pre‑emptively sanctions the digital ruble for 2025 over the Ukraine conflict
- Securitize issued tokenized versions of its NYSE-listed shares on Solana and Avalanche, representing $295 million of stock
- The tokenized shares trade under ticker SECZ and were available to eligible U.S. investors via the company's regulated platform
- SECZ stock rose about 10% on its first trading day following the SPAC merger
- The launch is the first issuer‑sponsored tokenization of a newly public company's own stock on day one
- Citi projects tokenized securities could reach $5.5 trillion by 2030; BCG and Ripple estimate $18.9 trillion by 2033
- Bitcoin topped $62,000, the highest level recorded in July.
- The cryptocurrency jumped nearly 4% in a single day.
- Weak US jobs data hinted at slower inflation, bolstering expectations of Fed policy easing.
- Crypto market sentiment turned bullish following the data release.
- eToro led a $12.5 million funding round for on‑chain derivatives platform Extended
- Extended has processed over $245 billion in trading volume and supports more than 100 perpetual markets
- eToro will integrate Extended’s perpetual futures engine into the Zengo wallet and later broaden DeFi offerings on its core platform
- Rival Robinhood is also expanding blockchain services, tokenized stocks and plans to extend perpetual futures to commodities
- STRC fell to $88, breaking its $100 target, while bitcoin traded near $61,400.
- Strategy holds $2.55 bn cash, covering about 17 months of preferred dividend payments.
- Bitwise views the selloff as a typical late-cycle deleveraging, suggesting the crypto market is nearing a bottom.
- Institutional investors, not Strategy, are expected to become bitcoin's primary demand source in the next cycle.
- Ondo partners to enable shareholder voting on tokenized stocks
- On-chain governance expands functionality of blockchain equity offerings
- Competition among platforms for tokenized equity services intensifies
- Ondo Finance deploys first SEC-aligned tokenized stock model using BlackRock's IVV ETF and Micron shares on Ethereum
- Tokenized securities comply with SEC's third-party custodial framework, with Oasis Pro as transfer agent and Broadridge handling governance rights
- Product currently unavailable to U.S. investors; aims to modernize capital markets via blockchain-based tokenization
- Ethereum’s Glamsterdam upgrade (H2 2026) aims to improve scalability, reduce database bloat, and enhance stablecoin/RWA settlement with enshrined proposer-builder separation (ePBS)
- Solana’s Alpenglow consensus upgrade (2026) targets 100-150ms finality (vs. 12.8s now), removes onchain vote transactions, and boosts institutional adoption potential
- Base network’s Beryl hard fork (live) introduces B20 token standard, cuts withdrawal finality from 7 to 5 days, and integrates Reth V2 for node performance
- Bitcoin development remains stalled due to disputes over covenant proposals and post-quantum computing upgrades
- Aave V3 lending protocol launched on Monad with 12 supported assets
- Network commits $15 million in first-year incentives for liquidity and adoption
- GHO stablecoin now available on Monad
- MiCA 2.0 review targets broader crypto scope beyond spot trading, including stablecoins and tokenization
- ECB softens stance on stablecoins but opposes wholesale settlement use; U.S. GENIUS Act sets precedent
- EU explores euro-denominated stablecoin models to counter USD dominance and banking system risks
- Standard Chartered and Circle will offer institutional minting and redemption of USDC on a bank-led platform
- The service starts in Dubai's DIFC with plans for global expansion
- The partnership aims to bring USDC onto traditional banking rails, boosting institutional crypto liquidity
- Yield-bearing stablecoin supply fell 15% in Q2 2024.
- sUSDe and sUSDS volumes contracted, leading the decline.
- Treasury-backed stablecoins BUIDL, USYC and USDY kept growing.
- The slowdown ends a three-year growth streak for crypto-native yield products.
- OFAC sanctions 134 crypto wallet addresses linked to ISIS-K.
- 131 of the wallets are Tron addresses that received more than $1.4 million in crypto donations.
- Tether has frozen the funds associated with the sanctioned wallets.
- XRP rose 1.41% to $1.0613, staying below the $1.10 resistance.
- New wallet creations hit 4,941 in a day, the strongest in three months.
- June XRP ETF inflows topped $62 million, bringing cumulative net flows to about $1.48 billion.
- Whale vs retail spread reached 50.9%, indicating stronger large‑holder activity while retail stays cautious.
- Breakout zone $1.0560‑$1.0590 needs to hold; a move above $1.10 is required for a convincing recovery.
- 30‑day net long‑term holder accumulation turned positive, ranging between 50,000 and 100,000 BTC
- Small wallets (<1 BTC) and mid‑size wallets (100‑1,000 BTC) show high accumulation scores of ~0.8‑0.9
- Largest whale wallets (>10,000 BTC) remain near neutral with scores around 0.4‑0.5
- Past bull runs saw long‑term holder net accumulation peak near 400,000 BTC
- Robinhood announces partnership with dYdX Labs
- dYdX rebrands its protocol as Arcus
- Arcus will enable perpetual and tokenized stock trading on Robinhood's blockchain
- Patel bought between $100,001 and $250,000 of Strategy (MSTR) shares on Nov. 21, 2023.
- He filed the required STOCK Act disclosure on May 26, 2024, over six months after the trade.
- Watchdogs say the delay violates the STOCK Act and renew calls to bar federal officials from trading individual stocks; first‑time violations carry a $200 fine.
- 77 crypto‑related kidnapping/extortion incidents recorded in the first half of 2026, up from 45 in all of 2025.
- French rapid‑alert platform has 724 sign‑ups and has helped secure 200 arrests, including one within eight hours.
- Global crypto wrench attacks increased 41% in the first four months of 2026, with France identified as the epicenter.
- VARA grants its 50th crypto licence in Dubai.
- Only 39 virtual asset service providers were fully operational at the end of 2025.
- The emirate's regulated crypto market continues to grow.
- Bitcoin’s June performance was its poorest month since 2022.
- The price closed above the realized price but stayed below the 200‑week moving average.
- Analyst says the breach suggests a bear‑bottom could still be ahead.
- American Bitcoin shares drop 8.4% on Wednesday
- Company to undergo reverse stock split to stay listed on Nasdaq
- Shares aim to recover with the split, set to take effect soon
Geopolitics 53
- Asia's Arctic shipping ambitions face infrastructure, sanctions, and environmental challenges
- The Northern Sea Route (NSR) handled 103 transit voyages in 2025, a record, but still a modest share of global shipping
- EU's ban on Russian LNG in 2027 may redirect gas tanker traffic eastward, toward Asian markets
- Fresh footage shows China's truck-mounted electromagnetic catapult successfully launching a drone.
- The system, developed by the Beijing Institute of Technology, is part of a new family of containerized weapon systems.
- It utilizes three eight-wheeled flat-top trucks that connect to form a continuous launch platform for fixed-wing propeller drones.
- The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is probing a cyberattack on its Homeland Security Information Network (HSIN).
- Hackers reportedly breached HSIN servers in late May and early June, potentially exposing sensitive, unclassified intelligence.
- A senior lawmaker warned the information spill risks national security, as HSIN is used for critical event coordination.
- DHS has isolated affected systems and launched a comprehensive forensic investigation, with details on stolen data unclear.
- The incident follows previous government security lapses and budget cuts in federal cybersecurity agencies.
- Russia launches deadliest strikes on Kyiv in months, killing at least 17
- Attack comes amid Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian oil refineries
- Fuel shortages and discontent spread among Russians
- China and Russia have strengthened their partnership, with bilateral trade growing 70% over 5 years.
- The two regimes share a strategic vision to dismantle the US-led international order and replace it with a China-Russia axis.
- Their cooperation has led to significant military advancements, including the mass-production of lethal drones and joint training in radiological, biological, and chemical warfare.
- Iran's joint military command orders all oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz to use routes approved by Tehran
- Non‑compliance could trigger an "immediate and forceful response" from Iranian forces
- Iran also cautions that any U.S. interference will meet a "rapid and decisive reaction"
- The warning follows a day after U.S.–Iran negotiations on the waterway
- Potential disruption raises risk to global crude supply and could pressure oil prices
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- Trump feels bad for his children over investment scrutiny, citing potential conflicts of interest
- President says his son Eric handles his finances, including investments in crypto ventures
- Trump doubles down on desire to fire Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, despite Supreme Court ruling
- President is lukewarm on bipartisan housing bill, prioritizing SAVE Act and voter-ID legislation
- Trump criticizes liberal Supreme Court justices for voting as a bloc, while conservatives 'move around'
- Chinese intelligence operations integrate MSS, MPS, PLA, state firms, and private entities under CCP direction for regime security and national power
- U.S. indictments and FBI investigations reveal detailed patterns of Chinese espionage targeting military, tech, and infrastructure globally
- Scholars shift focus from documenting espionage to explaining the CCP’s institutional mechanisms driving whole-of-system intelligence activities
- Italy intensifies engagement with Southeast Asia through military and industrial partnerships
- Companies like Leonardo and Fincantieri offer advanced naval platforms and aerospace technologies
- Italy's defense diplomacy serves as an enabling framework for its defense industry
- US and Chinese leaders agreed on a 'Constructive Strategic Stability' framework in May 2026 to manage bilateral competition.
- The framework, though vague, could be operationalized by starting with mutual recognition of nuclear vulnerability.
- Acknowledging mutual vulnerability would fulfill pillars of respect, recognition of capabilities, and communication.
- This recognition could potentially reduce China's impetus for nuclear expansion by granting it peer status.
- It could also incentivize both nations to engage in crucial dialogues on crisis management, risk reduction, and arms control.
- Expansion of Philippine military bases open to US troops (EDCA sites) is slower than anticipated, per a Chinese think tank.
- The Beijing-based South China Sea Strategic Situation Probing Initiative (SCSPI) published the report on Thursday.
- Satellite imagery was used to analyze the nine sites covered by the Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).
- The report suggests the expansion reflects Washington's efforts to transform the Philippines' strategic role.
- EU-China trade talks aim for 'tangible results' by October to address €360B goods deficit
- Chinese AC brands (Midea, Gree, Haier) now control 32% of EU market as heatwave drives demand
- Brussels faces dilemma: curb Chinese imports or risk consumer backlash and industrial gaps
- Japan reaffirms commitment to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Vietnam
- Both countries agree to advance cooperation on rare earths, digitalization, and AI
- Vietnam's importance to Japan grows as a gateway to Southeast Asia and investment destination
- US manufacturing group alleges China attempting to 'infiltrate' USMCA via Mexican automotive investments
- Washington signals no renewal of USMCA review deadline this month
- Analysts note North America’s continued reliance on Chinese-sourced auto components complicates decoupling
- Johor and Negeri Sembilan state polls may reconfigure Malaysian politics
- Barisan Nasional (BN) seeks big wins to pressure PM Anwar Ibrahim
- Outcome could destabilise the prime minister's fragile administration
- U.S. reliability as South China Sea partner questioned under potential Trump administration, raising concerns among ASEAN claimants
- China-Southeast Asia economic ties strengthened since 2016, increasing leverage over claimant states' South China Sea policies
- Global conflict surge and perceived failure of international institutions reduce confidence in rule-based dispute resolution
- Myanmar's military-backed government denies ASEAN special envoy meeting with detained Aung San Suu Kyi
- Suu Kyi has been in custody since February 2021 and is serving 18 years and 9 months in a 'designated residence'
- ASEAN has blocked Myanmar's military from attending summits since 2021 due to lack of implementation of the Five-Point Consensus
- At least nine people killed and 22 wounded in an IED attack at a crowded cafe on al‑Nasr Street in Damascus
- The blast occurred about 100 m from the Palace of Justice, where high‑profile trials of former regime figures are underway
- No group claimed responsibility; analysts point to opposition elements to Syria’s new government as possible perpetrators
- The incident follows recent security breaches, including a May 19 car bomb and a June 22 ISIL‑claimed church attack
- Lam Wing-kee, 70, died after a prolonged battle with lung cancer.
- He was abducted and detained by mainland Chinese authorities in 2015.
- Lam relocated to Taiwan in 2019 and was hospitalized in Taipei before his death.
- His case underscored concerns over press freedom and cross‑border detentions.
- NATO summit starts Tuesday in Turkey with focus on European defence‑spending targets.
- US President Donald Trump has signaled a confrontational stance, questioning NATO's purpose.
- Analysts say the “raging” Trump is more likely to appear, raising uncertainty over US commitment.
- Beijing is observing the summit closely but not directly involved.
- Chinese youth sentiment toward the US is shifting from admiration to scepticism
- Survey indicates a notable decline in the proportion of Chinese who view the US as a land of opportunity
- Factors driving the shift include concerns over hard‑tech competition and soft‑power influence
- Trump's licensing revenue from overseas real-estate ventures almost doubled year‑over‑year
- New licensing agreements now include Qatar and Romania
- The Office of Congressional Ethics flagged grave concerns over the president's foreign business activities
- Youth-focused Trump accounts will now be permitted to receive stock contributions.
- The policy shift follows guidance from US election officials on donation rules.
- Accepting stock donations could broaden fundraising sources for the campaign.
- Pakistan says India cannot unilaterally suspend the 1960 Indus Water Treaty.
- India halted participation after a cross-border attack it attributes to Pakistan-linked groups.
- Islamabad calls its share of the Indus River a "red line" and warns of consequences.
- Experts discuss the risk of further escalation between the nuclear-armed neighbours.
- Police confronted protesters outside the parliament building in Tirana
- Demonstrations have persisted for several weeks, opposing a resort project linked to US envoy Jared Kushner
- Clashes turned violent, raising concerns over political stability in Albania
- Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche's letter, dated June 29, states the ICC has no jurisdiction over U.S. persons worldwide.
- The Trump administration has imposed sanctions on the ICC and on three Palestinian rights groups for alleged cooperation with ICC investigations.
- In November 2024, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant.
- Three ICC judges filed a lawsuit in Manhattan federal court alleging the U.S. sanctions constitute extrajudicial pressure on the court.
- The United States remains a non‑party to the Rome Statute, reinforcing its claim of immunity from ICC authority.
- The 1989 funeral of Ayatollah Khomeini attracted an estimated 10 million mourners.
- Authorities expect the upcoming funeral of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to draw an even larger crowd.
- The gathering is projected to rank among the largest public assemblies in recent history.
- RSF forces have encircled el‑Obeid, a city of ~500,000 residents and ~100,000 displaced people.
- Food prices have surged up to 300% amid the siege.
- At least 16 civilian infrastructure sites (hospitals, schools, power stations) have been damaged.
- UN Human Rights Council will hold an urgent debate on the crisis on Friday.
- Amnesty International accuses RSF of crimes against humanity after massacres in el‑Fasher.
- At least 6 people were killed in the blast.
- 22 individuals sustained injuries, many requiring hospital care.
- The attack occurred in Damascus' Al-Hijaz district, prompting a security cordon and investigation.
- Record 10 African nations qualified for the 2026 World Cup, the most ever.
- Nine of the ten African teams advanced to the round of 32, a new group-stage record.
- South Africa faced criticism for anti‑immigrant policies, prompting captain Ronwen Williams to urge keeping politics off the pitch.
- Visa and travel issues affected African fans and officials, highlighted by Somali referee Omar Artan’s 11‑hour detention in Miami.
- Morocco’s support is mixed due to its Western Sahara stance and past anti‑Black racism, underscoring conditional pan‑African solidarity.
- Since the war began on Feb 28, Iranian attacks have hit US bases and civilian sites in Bahrain and Kuwait.
- Saudi Arabia already has a defence pact with Pakistan, and GCC nations are expanding ties with Turkey, Egypt, China and Europe.
- US‑Israel war on Iran and the shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz created an unprecedented security crisis for GCC members.
- Despite attacks, GCC states keep diplomatic channels open with Tehran and are exploring economic links to deter future strikes.
- June 10 Pakistani airstrikes in Kunar, Khost and Paktika killed at least 13 people, including 11 children, and injured 14 civilians
- UNAMA records over 750 civilian deaths and injuries from Jan‑Mar 2026 cross‑border violence, with about 115,000 people displaced
- Mediation by Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and China has failed; China is preparing a second round of talks
- Prime Minister Babiš denied a government plane for a Senate delegation to Taiwan, marking a rhetorical shift.
- Taiwan's drone exports to Czechia in Q1 2026 exceeded $100 million, making Czechia its largest drone market.
- Taiwan pledged a €50 million fund to encourage bilateral investment despite the political cooling.
- Drone shipments to Czechia rose about 20‑fold in the first four months of 2026 versus the same period in 2025.
- The Czech‑Taiwan relationship stays anchored in commercial interests, notably supporting Ukraine.
- Ukrainian drone attacks have damaged Russian fuel infrastructure, curbing gasoline exports to Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan
- Seasonal demand in Central Asia is rising, causing reported shortages of high‑octane fuel at Kyrgyzstan stations
- Kyrgyzstan regulators have introduced price controls on gasoline amid the supply squeeze
- An American pilot was shot dead by Papua separatist rebels.
- Rebels set fire to a civilian aircraft, calling it a "message" to the US and Jakarta.
- Violence in Papua has escalated, with fighters acquiring more advanced weaponry.
- Brazil's Lula rejects US pressure, prioritizes beef exports to China after foot-and-mouth disease clearance
- China's market access for Brazilian beef strengthens bilateral trade ties
- US-Brazil trade friction escalates as Lula signals alternative export partners
- Deadly school shooting in Tacloban City linked to 764 online extremist network
- Lawmakers and experts warn of violent online networks targeting Filipino children
- Gaming platforms and chat groups identified as potential recruitment channels
- Legislature blocks NT$210m special budget for 208,200 coastal attack drones and uncrewed vessels
- KMT/TPP propose alternative bills with NT$240m over 6 years and 50-80% local content requirements
- Partisan dispute reflects broader debate over defense oversight and U.S. arms procurement
- KMT’s U.S. charm offensive aimed at softening pro-China image amid delayed defense spending
- Thailand's foreign ministry denied that a photo of French President Emmanuel Macron kneeling before King Vajiralongkorn was real.
- The image was identified as AI-generated and spread online during the king's first official visit to France since 1960.
- The state visit coincides with the 170th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and France.
- The incident underscores rising concerns over AI-generated political imagery.
- Liaoning carrier operated J-15T jets during a 40‑day mission ending June 22
- Mission showed older carriers can work closely with the newer Fujian carrier
- China now fields three carriers—Liaoning, Shandong, Fujian—using catapult and ski‑jump launch systems
- Capability expands China’s power projection in the South China Sea and Pacific
- Anti-Terrorism Court sentenced Mahrang Baloch and fellow activist to life imprisonment for a July 2024 protest killing
- Trial was moved to a closed courtroom in Quetta and conducted via video link, drawing criticism from Amnesty International
- The verdict is viewed as a crackdown on peaceful dissent and may intensify separatist sentiment among Baloch youth, who are largely under 30
- China's ambassador to Ukraine says Beijing can provide “all‑round” assistance for Ukraine’s post‑war industrial rebuilding.
- He reiterated China’s push for a ceasefire and political settlement as the war enters its fifth year.
- The remarks were made on the 15th anniversary of the China‑Ukraine strategic partnership.
- Support could include investment, technology transfer and reconstruction aid, though specifics were not disclosed.
- Wu Xinbo, dean at Fudan University, argues that US global dominance is declining.
- He attributes the shift to recent changes in US foreign policy toward China.
- The interview is timed with the United States' 250th anniversary, underscoring a long‑term view.
- House Judiciary Committee finds South Korean government launched a campaign of investigations, fines and threats against Coupang after a 2025 data breach
- The breach affected roughly 3,000 accounts, far fewer than the 37.55 million people initially reported
- Coupang's market capitalization has fallen more than 40% amid the regulatory pressure
- Committee says the actions violate the 2012 U.S.–South Korea free trade agreement and could strain bilateral ties
- Other US tech companies such as Google and Netflix have also faced regulatory challenges in South Korea
- Two North Korean POWs captured in early 2025 in Kursk are seeking transfer to South Korea.
- Seoul treats them as South Korean nationals under its constitution, complicating their legal status.
- Ukraine is leveraging the POWs to urge Seoul to supply weapons for its war against Russia.
- Seoul has expressed willingness to discuss the issue but has not committed to any arms sales.
- China’s “Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress” took effect on March 12, asserting extraterritorial reach over minority matters.
- Japan’s senior aide called the law intolerable for any democratic nation, while the EU and UNHCR urged its repeal.
- Observers warn the legislation could heighten pressure on China’s ethnic minorities and strain diplomatic relations with Western partners.
- Japan, the United Kingdom and Italy are discussing Canada joining the fighter jet project as an observer nation.
- Observer status would give Canada access to confidential development‑stage data on the next‑generation aircraft.
- The collaborative program targets mass production of the new fighter jet by 2035.
- Japanese SDF computers were found to contain malware delivered via USB flash drives.
- The malicious code has been linked to China's People's Liberation Army.
- The incident mirrors similar cyberattacks on Japanese institutions in the mid-2010s.
- Authorities are investigating the breach and assessing security implications for defense networks.
- Xi administration has taken retaliatory measures against Japan's prime minister
- Decades of goodwill in Dalian eroded within a few months
- Economic retaliation raises concerns for bilateral trade and investment
- Analyst Sze‑Fung Lee highlights Chinese hybrid warfare targeting Japan's media and social platforms
- Beijing repackages state narratives via aggregators, broadcasters and social media to shape public opinion
- Evidence of coordinated foreign information manipulation observed in Japanese online discourse
- Luxembourg teacher Fatima Kurtic was dismissed in October over a post deemed anti‑Israel.
- Students and supporters held a demonstration in Luxembourg this week to protest the firing.
- Kurtic told Al Jazeera her pro‑Palestinian activism entails personal and professional costs.
- Guam will see the first sunrise of July 4, 2026, before any other US state or territory.
- The island hosts key US military bases that anchor deterrence and power projection in the Indo‑Pacific.
- Guam residents have served in US conflicts at rates far above the national average since World War II.
- The article urges greater investment in civilian infrastructure, healthcare, and utilities for Guam's communities.
- Joko Widodo began a nationwide political tour starting in Lampung on Friday
- Tour aims to elevate the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI), led by his youngest son, into a major force
- Widodo appeared in PSI colours and accepted a local royal title, signaling continued political influence
- The effort targets the 2029 presidential election cycle
Tech/AI 35
- Meta's AI agent development has not accelerated as expected, CEO Mark Zuckerberg says
- Company laid off 8,000 employees and reassigned 7,000 to AI groups earlier this year
- Zuckerberg expects improvements from AI investments in 3-6 months
- US reportedly in talks to acquire 5% stake in OpenAI
- OpenAI CEO Sam Altman favors public stake to share AI upside
- Other AI firms, including Google and Meta, also approached
- Autonomous defense startup Quantum Systems raises $1.2 billion in Series D funding round, valuing the company at $8 billion.
- The funding round was co-led by Blackstone, Noteus, Airbus, and Advent, with participation from several other investors.
- The new capital will be used to expand production capacity, strengthen supply chain resilience, and fund continued investment in software and AI capabilities.
- Microsoft is investing $2.5 billion into a new unit, Microsoft Frontier Co., to assist clients with AI implementations.
- The new division will embed 6,000 employees, including existing FDEs, consultants, and salespeople, with clients.
- This move follows similar forward-deployed engineering (FDE) initiatives by cloud rival Amazon ($1 billion), Anthropic, and OpenAI.
- Microsoft's stock has slumped 21% this year, with Wall Street concerned about AI's impact on mature software companies.
- The initiative aims to help customers navigate AI adoption, model selection, and integration into business processes.
- Venice AI raises $65M in Series A funding at $1B valuation
- Company focuses on AI privacy with proxy between users and models
- Growing concerns over user data and AI model transparency
- Amazon’s LEO satellite constellation now exceeds 390 units, sufficient for initial service launch later in 2024
- Project aims to compete with SpaceX’s Starlink, targeting ~7,700 satellites but facing launch delays and rocket shortages
- Next deployment uses ULA’s Vulcan rocket to accelerate constellation expansion and coverage
- Police seized a luxury bungalow valued at S$55 million ($42.4 million) and S$1 million in cash.
- Four individuals and three companies face a total of 23 new fraud and money‑laundering charges.
- The case involves alleged export‑controlled Nvidia AI chips shipped from Singapore to Malaysia, possibly destined for China.
- Malaysian authorities recently seized 72 servers worth about $13 million in a similar smuggling attempt.
- The investigation underscores Singapore’s crackdown on violations of U.S. export controls on advanced semiconductors.
- True Anomaly and Rocket Lab executed the Victus Haze mission, achieving a close‑proximity rendezvous between two spacecraft in orbit
- Rocket Lab launched the Puma satellite 16 hours 42 minutes after notice, far faster than typical months‑long launch schedules
- The Jackal spacecraft located and inspected the Puma from 2,000 km away, capturing imagery before returning to its orbit
- True Anomaly has raised just over $1 billion, including a $650 million round in March, positioning it for Space Force contracts such as the $6.2 billion Andromeda program
- Ministry of Higher Education, AIS Academy and IRIS Consulting launch the Thailand AI Readiness Index (TARI) to assess organisational AI readiness.
- TARI will provide an AI Capability Report, with assessments starting in December and bi‑annual reports from 2027.
- The tool will benchmark Thai firms against regional peers and guide policy to position Thailand as a cost‑effective hub for tech and data centres by 2027.
- Assessments will be free, covering people, skills, data, processes and culture, and will be conducted twice a year.
- Google’s total carbon emissions rose 25% YoY, while Amazon’s increased 16% YoY
- Google’s Scope 3 emissions grew by 2.1 million metric tons, doubling 2019 levels
- Amazon added over 1.2 GW of data‑center capacity in Q4 2024, driving higher Scope 3 emissions
- Both firms cite AI‑driven energy demand as a major factor, pushing them toward greater fossil‑fuel use
- Anthropic is exploring a collaboration with Samsung on a custom AI processor, but details on usage and performance are still undecided.
- The move follows a broader AI‑industry trend of building proprietary chips to lessen reliance on Nvidia's dominant hardware.
- OpenAI recently announced its own custom inference chip with Broadcom, highlighting competitive pressure for AI firms.
- Samsung, a key Nvidia partner, is already involved in AI‑chip manufacturing and has prior collaborations with Google.
- Google, FBI and Lumen disabled accounts and services tied to NetNut's proxy infrastructure
- Disruption reportedly cut the pool of compromised devices by millions
- FBI seized several domains of NetNut parent Alarum Technologies and probes links to the Popa botnet
- Fintech innovations are accelerating the shift toward digital payments and real‑time settlement
- Traditional banks are expanding digital services to compete with agile technology firms
- Open‑banking platforms and embedded finance are broadening access to financial products
- FAA proposes to overturn a 53-year ban on commercial supersonic flights over U.S. cities
- New rule would require sonic boom overpressure to stay below 0.11 pounds per square foot
- Standard is based on Boom Supersonic's XB-1 quiet Mach‑cutoff flights demonstrated in 2025
- Proposal follows a 2025 executive order urging the return of supersonic air travel
- Blue Origin's New Glenn 9x4 variant would require four launches to deliver Artemis IV lander components.
- The 9x4 design features nine first‑stage engines and four upper‑stage engines, a step up from the 7x2 that exploded.
- No firm debut date is set, but internal sources point to a launch window in late 2027 or early 2028.
- NASA's Artemis IV mission now faces schedule risk as both Blue Origin and SpaceX work to provide lunar landers.
- White House, Commerce Dept and Anthropic confirm no discussion of a government stake in Anthropic
- Financial Times earlier reported OpenAI had discussed a 5% stake for the U.S. government
- President Trump is exploring options for public ownership in leading AI companies
- OpenAI CEO Sam Altman suggests giving 5% of the company's equity to a U.S. sovereign wealth fund.
- The donation is intended to secure political goodwill and address potential regulatory backlash.
- Implementation would require congressional approval, adding significant uncertainty.
- Lawmakers have also floated broader AI wealth‑fund ideas, including a bill proposing a 50% tax on AI company stock.
- Advocates urge FTC to reject X's bid to end data handling audits
- X faces costly independent audits and potential document demands
- FTC must keep close watch over Elon Musk's X, advocates warn
- UK regulators outline support for tokenization in national retail payments blueprint
- Infrastructure to enable interoperability with new forms of digital money
- Multi-money ecosystem envisioned for the UK
- Google's electricity consumption rose 37% in 2025, the largest annual increase in its history.
- Total electricity use has grown more than 250% since 2019, driven by AI, Cloud services and YouTube streaming.
- The company says operational carbon emissions stayed low by purchasing large volumes of clean energy.
- Year‑on‑year electricity use also rose 27% in 2024.
- Asian Academy of International Law proposes Hong Kong be named China's "space finance capital" under the national five‑year plan
- Group recommends a space asset registration and finance ordinance to provide legal certainty for financing space assets
- Aim is to position Hong Kong as a gateway for commercial space development and attract financing to the sector
- Nvidia will provide token credits for compute power to fast-growing AI start-ups under a new partnership program.
- Australian firms Sharon AI and Firmus Technologies will deploy up to 40,000 and 170,000 Nvidia GPUs respectively, with Firmus targeting 360 MW of capacity.
- The scheme lets startups exchange access to Nvidia GPUs for a share of product and cloud revenue, mirroring equity-sharing trends in the AI sector.
- Nvidia plans to raise at least $20 billion of debt, using proceeds for general corporate purposes including refinancing existing debt.
- Indian government demanded Meta justify and freeze the planned username feature in WhatsApp
- The request targets the rollout that began a phased global launch earlier this week
- Regulators cite rising cybercrime and concerns that anonymous usernames could aid scammers
- WhatsApp's largest market, India, could see the feature delayed pending approval
- AI model leaders like Nvidia and OpenAI dominate headlines, but ancillary providers may capture outsized gains
- Historical parallels suggest infrastructure and tool suppliers often reap the biggest fortunes in tech revolutions
- Investors are encouraged to scout for under‑the‑radar companies that support AI development and deployment
- Octopus Energy and China's CATL announced a joint venture to build a battery‑swap network for electric trucks across Europe.
- Truck manufacturers and operators warn that making the system compatible with all models could be technically complex.
- Analysts say industry resistance may scupper the plan unless common standards and interoperability are achieved.
- Qualcomm's new data‑center chip stacks low‑power DRAM directly on a logic die, eliminating the need for high‑bandwidth memory (HBM).
- The design promises lower power consumption and potentially lower cost compared with Nvidia's HBM‑based AI GPUs.
- Qualcomm positions the chip as a direct competitor to Nvidia's dominance in AI accelerators.
- Persistent Systems agreed to acquire German software firm Nagarro for $1.45 billion.
- Indian IT exporters are accelerating M&A to broaden AI capabilities amid slowing tech spend.
- Smaller Indian firms target large contracts as clients consolidate vendors, intensifying competition.
- Etched secured its first chip from TSMC earlier this year and plans to ship systems by summer.
- Copper Sky Capital invested $120 million in Etched’s Series A two years ago and is raising a $300 million second fund.
- Selby aims to shift Etched’s chip fabrication to TSMC’s Arizona gigafab to alleviate Taiwan capacity constraints.
- Etched is valued at $5 billion after four years of development.
- 55% of Hong Kong companies say AI implementation is significantly challenged, above the 48% global average.
- Talent scarcity is identified as the primary barrier to AI transformation across Hong Kong firms.
- Study suggests recruiting fresh graduates could help close the AI skills gap and sustain competitiveness.
- Persistent AI delays risk long‑term economic competitiveness and social stability in Hong Kong.
- Department of Homeland Security is investigating a recent cyber incident affecting an unnamed information-sharing network.
- The breach impacted the Homeland Security Information Network, used for sharing sensitive but unclassified data with partners.
- The incident is believed to have occurred between late May and early June.
- Senator Mark Warner urged DHS and the Justice Department to conduct a thorough investigation.
- Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy announces she will leave X, citing abuse and misinformation.
- Department of Culture, Media and Sport will also cease using X, following the Attorney General's Office.
- The decision adds to regulatory pressure on X, including an Ofcom probe into its Grok AI chatbot and UK online safety rules.
- Malware is delivered in a disk image posing as the Maccy clipboard manager
- Uses a two‑stage chain: AppleScript drops a Rust‑written infostealer that exploits macOS PAM to capture passwords
- The malicious code is hidden deep inside the Script Editor to evade detection
- Pick n Pay introduced "Penny", an AI assistant powered by Google's Gemini, allowing voice, text, and image‑based grocery ordering.
- The service launches nationwide on July 6, targeting online sales growth as competition from Shoprite's Checkers Sixty60 intensifies.
- Penny can suggest recipes, recommend ingredient substitutions, and provide personalized product recommendations for budget‑conscious shoppers.
- Personal data of approximately 1.05 million individuals was accessed in the breach.
- Shun Hing Group reported the incident to Hong Kong's privacy commissioner on March 23.
- The privacy commissioner has launched an investigation into the cyberattack.
- OpenClaw and Claude used to automate Instagram 'trial reel' posts targeting soccer fans, generating 1M+ views and 200 DMs in days
- Tech PR founder uses OpenClaw to research date locations, while others automate breakup messages via AI
- Security experts warn of privacy risks from AI agents controlling personal accounts without human oversight
- NanoClaw co-founder highlights safer use cases like family scheduling amid OpenClaw's viral adoption
Companies 59
- Tesla delivered 480,000+ vehicles in Q2, a 120,000+ increase from Q1
- Best Q2 delivery numbers ever, outpacing Wall Street expectations
- Best quarter for overall sales since Q3 2025
- Kioxia's shares have risen more than sevenfold in 2024, giving it a market cap over $250 bn
- The company will start mass production of 10th‑generation BiCS NAND flash at its Kitakami fab
- Kioxia is estimated to be two‑to‑four years ahead of rivals in NAND performance and power efficiency
- It is considering a stock split and aims to list ADRs on a U.S. exchange in FY 2027
- Electrification booked $2.4 bn of data‑center equipment orders in Q1 2026, topping FY 2025 total
- Electrification now accounts for ~32% of revenue and holds a $42 bn backlog, up from $9 bn in 2022
- GE Vernova bought the remaining stake in transformer maker Prolec for $5 bn to expand capacity
- Shares have risen ~694% since IPO and ~70% in 2026; stock jumped ~14% on the latest earnings beat
- Lucid Motors' CFO Taoufiq Boussaid is leaving the company as new CEO Silvio Napoli continues a major leadership restructuring.
- The company announced several new executive hires, including a new CFO, CTO, and CCO, while also seeing other senior VPs depart.
- This shakeup follows recent job cuts and a reduction of a second shift at its Arizona factory, aimed at aligning production with demand and saving $158 million annually.
- Q2 vehicle deliveries were 3,953, only slightly higher than a year prior, indicating slower-than-hoped adoption for its Gravity SUV.
- Lucid is preparing to launch a smaller, potentially mass-market SUV (Cosmos) and a luxury robotaxi service in partnership with Nuro and Uber.
- Tesla sold 480,126 EVs in Q2 2026, a 25% YoY increase
- Model 3 and Y sales accounted for 467,762 deliveries, up 25.2% YoY
- Total production for Q2 was 451,758 cars, a 10% YoY increase
- Redemption requests declined from Q4 but remained elevated
- Investors sought to withdraw $4.7B from flagship funds
- Outflows from Blue Owl's flagship funds continue
- Rivian increased its 2024 vehicle delivery forecast to 65,000-70,000 units, up from the previous 62,000-67,000.
- Q2 production reached 12,613 vehicles and deliveries hit 12,194, surpassing its own expectations of 9,000-11,000.
- The company cited robust growth in its EDV and R1 lines, alongside the introduction of R2 deliveries, for the outperformance.
- Rivian is expanding its Illinois factory and building a new Georgia facility to support R2 SUV production, which started sales last month.
- The company's profitability goal, previously set for 2027, was pushed back due to investments in autonomous software for an Uber deal.
- Infineon inaugurated a €5 billion "Smart Power Fab" in Dresden, three months ahead of schedule
- The plant, subsidised with €1 billion from the EU Chips Act, will produce power‑management chips for EVs, wind turbines, solar and AI data centres
- EU aims to double its share of global semiconductor output from 10 % to 20 % by 2030, with the new facility supporting that goal
- The investment marks Infineon’s largest ever capex and a shift toward AI‑driven chip demand
- OpenAI has floated a proposal to give the U.S. government a 5% equity stake in the company.
- The plan, discussed with senior Trump administration officials, would need Congressional approval.
- OpenAI filed confidential draft IPO paperwork in June and advisers are weighing a listing delay until 2027.
- The concept mirrors Alaska’s Permanent Fund, but participation from other AI firms remains uncertain.
- Same-store sales climbed 50% cumulatively from 2020 through 2025
- Net income rose to $55 million on $724 million revenue in 2025, up from $5 million on $653 million in 2024
- Annual system sales hit $4.3 billion, a 13% year‑over‑year increase
- Will trade on NYSE under ticker JMKE with nearly 3,300 locations
- Crusoe is in talks to raise up to $3 billion from investors.
- AI-driven demand has lifted the company's valuation.
- The capital would fund expansion of its AI computing platform.
- Funding sources may include strategic investors and private equity.
- U.S. judge rules JPMorgan must pay $144.2 million in legal defense costs for Charlie Javice.
- Javice, convicted of defrauding the bank, accrued the fees, including items like gummy bears.
- The decision keeps JPMorgan liable for the defense expenses despite Javice's conviction.
- Lockheed Martin is the front-runner to win Advent's Ultra Maritime system contract
- The deal is valued at roughly $3.5 billion
- Award could boost Lockheed's maritime defense revenue and market position
- Contract underscores growing demand for ultra‑maritime capabilities
- Londian Wason New Energy Tech, a Chinese producer of copper foil for batteries, has submitted a registration statement to go public in the United States.
- The company aims to tap U.S. capital markets to fund expansion amid growing demand for electric‑vehicle battery components.
- No valuation or pricing details have been disclosed yet; the filing marks the first U.S. IPO attempt for the firm.
- Tesla unveiled Model Y L, a longer version with a third row increasing seating to six
- The new variant is launched in the U.S. market to broaden appeal and support sales
- Tesla expects the Model Y L to boost deliveries and improve quarterly revenue growth
- IQM completed a SPAC merger, valuing the company at about $1.9 billion and listing on Nasdaq under ticker IQMX.
- Shares traded below the IPO price throughout the day, indicating a lukewarm market reception.
- Prospectus warns that large‑scale commercial traction for quantum computing may never materialise, underscoring sector uncertainty.
- Customer base grew from 8 in 2024 to 22 in 2025, with new private‑sector contracts, but scaling hinges on achieving "quantum advantage".
- IPO will generate roughly €198 million (≈$226 million) in net proceeds after costs.
- South32 agreed to sell nearly its entire aluminum business to Alcoa
- Deal value is up to $5.6 billion (C$7.9 billion)
- Transaction includes assets across South32's aluminum operations
- Alcoa will acquire the assets, expanding its global aluminum footprint
- AI voice firm ElevenLabs plans a secondary share sale that could value it at about $22 billion.
- The transaction would let employees sell stock and is expected to be executed by September.
- ElevenLabs' last funding round in February raised $500 million, valuing the company at $11 billion.
- The move reflects a broader trend of AI startups enabling employee exits to retain talent.
- Cameco (TSX: CCO; NYSE: CCJ) halts production at the Cigar Lake uranium mine in northern Saskatchewan.
- The shutdown follows disruptions at the McClean Lake mill, which is operated by France's Orano.
- Cigar Lake accounts for roughly 15% of global uranium output, so the pause could tighten supply.
- No timeline for resumption was provided, raising short‑term uncertainty for uranium markets.
- BHP's Jansen mine represents a $15.3 billion (C$21.6 billion) investment, the company's largest ever.
- Production is expected to begin roughly 12 months from now.
- The project will join a packed field of existing copper projects, heightening supply competition.
- Private‑equity firms KKR and Energy Capital Partners are assessing stakes in DCC's newly emphasized energy segment
- DCC, a diversified conglomerate, is pivoting its strategy toward its energy businesses
- Analysts suggest the move could unlock value as the firm concentrates on higher‑growth energy assets
- Newcore Gold (TSXV: NCAU) intersected gold grades above its reserve grade at the Nyam zone of the Enchi project.
- The high-grade intercept was encountered at depth, indicating potential for deeper resource expansion.
- Results support the company's plan to expand resources beyond the current pit limits.
- VF Corp.'s North Face makes up ~42% of its $9.6 bn FY2026 sales and could add >$2 bn from women, aiming to double revenue to $8 bn
- Levi's women's apparel now 38% of revenue, up from ~33% in 2022, with women's sales up 13% YoY versus 7% for men
- VF's North Face and Timberland grew 5% constant‑currency in FY2026; overall VF sales fell 11% YoY but broke a three‑year decline streak
- Needham estimates the U.S. women's apparel market is roughly 70% larger than the men's market, indicating sizable growth potential
- Meta introduced Pocket, an AI-driven platform for creating small interactive games via text prompts.
- Pocket was first released on June 29, 2026 on iOS and Google Play, but download numbers are not yet available.
- The app builds on Meta’s recent AI tools, following the earlier Gizmo platform which has 635,000 lifetime installs and 98% positive sentiment.
- Meta has not officially announced the launch, indicating the product is still in an experimental phase.
- Former software manager Briahna O’Neill filed a lawsuit alleging discrimination and wrongful termination.
- She reports filing two internal safety reports on reduced FAA-required software testing to meet a 2025 test‑flight deadline.
- Wisk Aero, one of eight firms in the FAA's three‑year eVTOL testing program, declined to comment on the litigation.
- EU Court of Justice confirms record €4.1 billion fine for Google over Android bundling
- Fine originally €4.34 billion, trimmed to €4.1 billion by lower court in 2022
- No further appeal options; Google must pay roughly $4.7 billion
- Penalty stems from mandatory inclusion of Google Search and Chrome on Android devices
- U.S. new vehicle sales fell 10.3% YoY to 549,200 units in Q2.
- Pure EV sales plunged 40.7% YoY; F-Series truck sales slipped 11%.
- Year‑to‑date sales through June down 9.6% to 1 million vehicles, but market share rose to 12.3%.
- Ford beat Cox Automotive's forecast of an 11.5% sales decline.
- US plan to ban foreign-made inverters may be difficult to implement
- Local industry warns of harm from potential ban
- China dominates global inverter market
- Quantum Systems raised $1.2 billion in new funding.
- The funding round values the German drone maker at approximately $8 billion.
- Capital will be used to expand drone production capabilities.
- Funds will also be invested in software for AI-powered autonomous systems.
- Microsoft creates Microsoft Frontier Company to deliver enterprise AI deployments
- The venture is funded with $2.5 billion and staffed by 6,000 industry and engineering experts
- Early partners include London Stock Exchange Group, Unilever, Land O’Lakes and Accenture
- Follows similar AI deployment initiatives by AWS ($1 billion) and other AI firms
- Intesa Sanpaolo has completed the cloud migration of its core IT systems, joining a handful of European banks.
- The bank has replaced its legacy mainframe infrastructure with cloud technology, posing a major challenge to traditional banks.
- Intesa has successfully migrated over 800 applications to Google Cloud infrastructure, with no major incidents during the migration phases.
- K Wave Media liquidated all 10,000 BTC-equivalent holdings, exiting failed Bitcoin treasury strategy
- Company plans $250M capital raise for AI data centers and GPU computing, despite $16M market cap
- Faces Nasdaq delisting risk as stock trades at $0.16, below $1 threshold and $15M public float minimum
- UK culture minister signals possible public-interest review of Paramount-Warner $110 bn deal
- Review could force voluntary commitments on UK news, children's programming and production facilities
- Delay triggers a $0.25 per share "ticking fee" costing Paramount about $650 m each quarter after Sept 30
- Companies have until July 6 to respond; CMA decision expected by Aug 7
- CEO Alex Baldock says global memory chip shortage will push up smartphone and laptop prices later this year
- AI and data centre demand are consuming most silicon, leaving less for consumer electronics
- Currys shares dropped 3.3% after the warning, trimming 2026 gains to 25.6%
- Adjusted pretax profit rose 18% to £191 million for FY 2025/26, with revenue up 6% to £9.25 bn
- Shares climbed 5% after the company announced an upsized equity offering.
- The biotech aims to bolster its balance sheet following positive clinical trial data.
- Investor appetite appears strong for the company's growth prospects.
- CXMT plans Shanghai Star Market listing valued at 29.5 billion yuan (~US$4.3 bn).
- Record profit surge driven by AI-fueled global DRAM shortage and premium HBM pricing.
- U.S. export restrictions on advanced memory chips could curb CXMT's overseas sales.
- IPO positions CXMT in the high‑bandwidth memory race against Samsung and SK Hynix.
- Bangchak buys 100% of Chevron Hong Kong’s Caltex stations for HK$2.1bn (9bn THB)
- Deal includes 31 service stations, industrial/marine fuels, and HK$10.5bn 2024 revenue
- Strategic move to establish North Asia trading hub amid HK fuel market challenges
- Toyota will reduce specialized terms from 45,000 to 5,000.
- Standardisation is expected to cut intermediary steps by about 30%.
- Harmonised specs across planning, production and sales aim to speed vehicle output.
- Government proposes rules that could force a breakup of the Big Four accounting firms in Australia.
- Current partnership structure exempts firms from ASIC oversight, prompting regulatory review.
- Reforms target conflicts of interest highlighted by recent scandals at PwC, KPMG and EY.
- Potential requirement to separate auditing units from broader professional services.
- BYD's new-vehicle sales fell 16% year‑on‑year in H1 2026, reaching 1.8 million units
- Marks the first January‑June sales decline in six years for the automaker
- Drop linked to recent changes in China's EV subsidy regime
- Domestic market still accounts for over half of BYD's total sales
- Kawasaki Heavy plans to raise about 200 billion yen (≈$1.23 bn) through new shares and convertible bonds.
- Proceeds will fund physical artificial intelligence, robotics and data‑center energy projects.
- The financing mix expands the company's capital base to support growth in AI‑related areas.
- Data breach affects approximately 4.38 million customers in Japan
- Leaked data includes personal details and some bank account information
- Financial watchdog has ordered Aflac to report on cause and prevention measures
- Aflac holds about 13.5 million policyholders in Japan, a leading market share in cancer and medical insurance
- Mastercard (MA) submitted a Form 144 notice on July 2
- Form 144 reports planned sale of restricted securities by insiders
- Filing is routine and not expected to affect the stock price
- Daily passenger flights to Dubai will resume on 1 September.
- Four-times-weekly passenger service to Riyadh also restarts on 1 September.
- Freighter flights to Riyadh begin on 1 August as the first phase.
- Routes were suspended for six months due to the war.
- Director Joseph Hanna disposed of $904,817 worth of McGrath RentCorp stock
- The sale was disclosed in a recent SEC Form 4 filing
- Insider reduction may be viewed as a bearish signal for the REIT
- Driver of a Tesla vehicle faces a manslaughter charge in Texas
- Crash resulted in a fatal collision with a residential home
- Legal case may raise safety and liability questions for Tesla
- QTS terminated the planned Digital Gateway data center project in Prince William County, Virginia after years of opposition and litigation.
- The project had been approved by the county board but filings were withdrawn, halting the development.
- The initiative was expected to involve tens of billions of dollars in capital investment, generate substantial local tax revenue and create thousands of jobs.
- QTS reaffirmed its focus on Virginia, citing $5 billion of existing investments in Northern and Central Virginia.
- Sony announced it will cease production of physical game discs, marking the end of the disc era.
- A Columbus gamer liquidated roughly $1,000 worth of discs at a GameStop store.
- The sale highlights a shift toward digital distribution as collectors offload physical media.
- Centrus Energy (ticker LEU) was added to the S&P SmallCap 600 index.
- The stock price rose on the announcement, outpacing the broader small‑cap market.
- Inclusion is expected to increase passive fund ownership and trading volume.
- Hopper agreed to a $35 million settlement with the U.S. FTC over alleged hidden fees.
- FTC claims the app misled users with pre‑selected “VIP Support” and “Price Freeze” charges.
- Settlement funds will be used for consumer redress; Hopper must clearly disclose all fees.
- The case follows similar FTC actions against companies like StubHub and Booking Holdings.
- Hopper has over 120 million lifetime downloads as of 2024.
- Sarepta (SRPT) fell >20% after a failed clinical trial, underscoring high risk of individual biotech picks
- XBI biotech ETF stays in an uptrend; pullback to around $150 could offer a lower‑risk entry point
- Biogen (BIIB) broke out of an ascending triangle; price targets $240 short‑term and $300 long‑term if it clears $225
- Biogen up 21% YTD and 63% over the past 52 weeks, still 52% below its 2021 peak
- Plex now offers a five-year Plex Pass for $250, replacing the previous $120 lifetime price
- Lifetime Plex Pass price increased to $750, up from $250 previously
- Plex has raised $87.6 million across nine funding rounds and has not yet announced profitability
- Room revenue up 20% YoY and average daily rate up 15%
- Portfolio occupancy at 90% ahead of the July 4 weekend
- Raised $1.2 million in under 30 days from 353 investors on DealMaker platform
- Hilton sees 30% increase in direct bookings through AutoCamp
- Magnify Ventures secured $46.6 million for its second fund, led by Pivotal Ventures.
- Fund II will target AI tools for households, health/home systems, and fintech infrastructure for families.
- The firm previously raised a $52 million Fund I in 2022, also anchored by Pivotal Ventures.
- Magnify’s portfolio includes childcare startup Kinside and expense‑management startup Till Financial.
- Pivotal Ventures acts as both GP and LP, investing in care‑economy companies such as Papa and Seen Health.
- TV Time will cease operations on July 15, 2026 after reaching 26.4 million lifetime installs
- Shutdown follows Whip Media's acquisition by Blue Torch Capital and shift toward AI‑focused products
- Download growth slowed, with only about 29,000 new installs in the past 30 days
- All user data will be deleted and not used in any commercial service after the app is removed
- The Federal Reserve Board issued a PCA Directive to Small Business Bank (Lenexa, Kansas) on June 29, 2026.
- The Fed terminated a Cease and Desist Order for BNP Paribas S.A., BNP Paribas USA, Inc., and BNP Paribas Securities Corp. (dated July 17, 2017) on June 25, 2026.
- The Fed also terminated a Cease and Desist Order for Community Bankshares, Inc. (LaGrange, Georgia, dated April 14, 2026) on June 25, 2026.
- Buc-ee's operates 50+ locations averaging 75,000 sq ft, 10x larger than traditional gas stations
- Dolly Parton-backed 'Dolly's' opens 25,000 sq ft travel stop with dog park, theater, and restaurant
- Convenience stores now focus on high-margin food/services as gasoline margins remain razor-thin
- Buc-ee's shoppers spend 20.8 minutes on average vs. 9-12 minutes at peers like Wawa/Sheetz
- Stellantis will give away Wrangler SUVs to 100 U.S. residents named after George Washington if the U.S. wins the World Cup
- Chevrolet revives its “Heartbeat of America” campaign and showcased a Corvette ZR1X at Indianapolis for the 250th birthday
- Ford’s “American Value. For American Values.” pricing promotion follows a 16.3% sales increase after its prior patriotic campaign
- Automakers are using the 250th birthday and World Cup to boost brand relevance and align with President Trump’s focus on U.S. manufacturing
- Fujifilm will release two new QuickSnap models: waterproof "Active" in early August and "Black and White" in September
- Prices are set at about ¥4,480 for the Active model and ¥4,300 for the Black and White model (≈ 890 baht)
- QuickSnap line has sold over 1.7 billion units worldwide, with sales rebounding since 2021 after a decline since the late 1990s
Thai Markets 5
- Honda plans for nearly 90% of its Thailand sales to be hybrid EVs by 2029.
- Targets 76,000 total car sales in Thailand in 2026, with 40,000 HEVs projected and 31,000 sold Jan‑May.
- Forecasts HEVs will capture 52% of Thailand’s car market by 2029, ahead of BEVs at 33%.
- Seeks to cut hybrid system costs by over 30% to price competitively against Chinese BEVs.
- Urges extension of local content rules to BEVs to ensure >90% domestic components.
- House approved first reading of 3.788‑trillion‑baht 2027 budget with 288 votes for, 119 against, 86 abstentions
- Government aims to cut budget deficit to 3 % of GDP by 2029, with a 3.9 % target for FY2027
- 400‑billion‑baht emergency borrowing decree justified to offset rising oil prices and support households
- 270 billion baht allocated for state‑enterprise investment and PPP projects in infrastructure and clean energy
- April‑May current‑account deficits expanded as imports of energy and capital goods surged
- Headline CPI held at 2.8‑2.9% y/y in April‑May, with producer price pressures still elevated
- Strong export growth is offset by import surge, limiting domestic value‑added gains
- Near‑term baht performance remains sensitive to oil prices, Fed expectations, and current‑account data
- SCB FM projects the baht to trade 33-33.5 per USD in the short term, with a target of 32.5-33 by year‑end
- Thailand's trade deficit narrowed to about $10 bn in May and $5 bn in June, easing currency pressure
- Both the Bank of Thailand and the Fed are expected to keep rates unchanged through the year, reducing rate‑differential strain
- Exporters advised to hedge roughly 60% of foreign receipts via spot; importers to hedge about 20% and wait for baht strength
- Thailand plans to implement a new startup law by December 2024
- The law will simplify government support programs and incentives for startups
- National Innovation Agency director Krithpaka Boonfueng announced the timeline
Other 39
- Final exposed contact completed quarantine and tested negative, ending the outbreak
- Outbreak infected 13 people and caused three deaths
- Over 650 contacts were traced in 33 countries and territories
- Cruise ship MV Hondius cleared to sail again after cleaning on May 30
- A 5th U.S. Circuit Court panel ruled ICE cannot detain migrants beyond 90 days without a bond hearing.
- The ruling covers detainees in the circuit's states, such as Texas and Louisiana, affecting thousands.
- It challenges the Trump administration's interpretation of mandatory detention for "applicants for admission".
- The administration has asked the Supreme Court to resolve the appellate split on the issue.
- Twin quakes of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 damaged roughly 60,000 buildings in Venezuela
- Official death toll reached at least 2,295 with 13,000 homeless and 11,000 injured
- Rescue teams from seven countries freed a 43‑year‑old man after eight days trapped in a collapsed building
- UN estimates disaster cost $6.7 bn; US pledged $300 m and WFP seeks $50 m for aid
- The United States has announced 28 small modular reactor (SMR) siting projects as of 2026.
- U.S. SMR projects exceed the combined total of the next four leading countries.
- The NEA tracks 129 SMR designs, of which only 78 are publicly reported.
- Data sourced from Visual Capitalist and the National Public Utilities Council.
- House approved the Financial Exploitation Prevention Act (H.R. 2478) by a 414-2 vote
- FTC reports fraud losses for adults 60+ rose 26.3% to $2.4 billion in 2024, with estimated actual losses up to $81.5 billion
- Bill would permit fund companies to delay redemption requests up to 15 days, extendable another 10 days if exploitation is suspected
- SEC must issue a report on fraud‑reduction policies within one year; bill now heads to the Senate
- Vatican issues decree excommunicating six bishops of the ultraconservative Society of St Pius X.
- The excommunication follows the group's consecration of four new bishops without papal approval.
- The decree warns that lay believers who formally adhere to the Society will also be excommunicated.
- The Vatican labeled the consecrations as a "schismatic" act, violating canon law.
- Former Olympic canoeist David Hearn indicted on felony charge of destroying property at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool
- The indictment carries a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison
- Prosecutors allege Hearn removed about 2 square feet (0.18 m²) of pool sealant; Hearn denies any vandalism
- The case follows a $13.1 million renovation of the pool that has faced criticism over peeling paint and algae
- A hearing is scheduled for July 9, with the pool fenced off for July 4 fireworks preparations
- Hundreds of shoppers queued for hours at Lidl stores across France for discounted AC units and fans
- Police were deployed to monitor crowds in Paris as demand surged
- A store entrance was broken in Nanterre during the rush
- Four obstetricians and four brokers were sentenced, with prison terms ranging from 4.5 to 15 years.
- Doctors received up to 15 years (one 15, two 13, one 10.5 years) after a quarter reduction for cooperation.
- Brokers were jailed for 4.5 to 13.5 years; investigators traced more than 70 international money transfers.
- Thai surrogate mothers were paid 400,000‑450,000 baht each and moved embryos to Laos, Cambodia and China.
- Separate case against Chinese financier Ran Zhao led to 150‑year sentences, later reduced to 75 years.
- Five Department of Local Administration officials placed under disciplinary probe for exam cheating.
- Committee questioned 15 individuals and found 48 of 79 sampled answer sheets had mismatched scores.
- At least five DLA officers expected to face disciplinary charges; contractors and private firms implicated.
- At least nine Buddhist monks were killed in the accident.
- More than 20 other participants were injured.
- The crash was caused by an 11-year-old boy driving his parents' truck.
- The incident occurred during a pilgrimage procession in northeastern Thailand.
- Mantle wave-driven uplift raised East Antarctic terrain above 1.5‑2 km by ~45 Ma, enabling ice sheet formation
- By ~34 Ma, ~90% of the Gamburtsev region exceeded the ice‑stable elevation threshold, creating a permanent ice cap
- The Arctic lacked land elevation, so permanent ice only stabilized <10 Ma despite similar climate changes
- Global temperatures were ~5 °C warmer than today when the East Antarctic ice sheet first formed
- Temperatures expected to exceed 43°C (110°F) in several host cities such as Kansas City and Philadelphia
- Toronto match warned of "feels like" 40°C (104°F) with limited roof coverage exposing ~43,000 fans
- FIFA mandated two three‑minute hydration breaks per match and allows up to five substitutions to mitigate heat risks
- Dallas outdoor venues may see pavement temperatures up to 50°C (122°F), raising walk‑to‑stadium risk
- League co‑founder Paul Rabil says team ownership will be opened up by 2028 or shortly after
- Current eight‑team, single‑entity league could double to as many as 16 franchises under independent owners
- PLL raised $100 million in a Series E round to fund growth and Olympic exposure
- Ownership model mirrors other emerging leagues shifting from league‑owned to privately owned teams
- Director Kash Patel disclosed $100,001 and $250,000 worth of Strategy stock
- Disclosure was submitted months after the required deadline
- Strategy is a registered U.S. government contractor; Patel asserts no conflict of interest
- Late filing raises questions about compliance with ethics rules
- Researchers built a synthetic membrane system that encloses genetic material while continuously importing external nutrients
- The artificial cell spontaneously divides, generating a few generations of offspring before performance degrades
- The system still depends on human intervention, offering a new platform for origin‑of‑life studies
- A 56-year-old woman developed severe neurological and physical symptoms, including numbness, motor impairment, memory issues, and heart palpitations.
- The symptoms were traced to cobalt poisoning caused by a disintegrating hip replacement.
- The hip replacement, implanted 19 years prior, failed despite most such devices lasting at least 30 years.
- The case report was published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
- 243 corruption-related offenses by 301 ministry employees reported since early 2024
- Estimated damages exceed 70 billion Uzbek som (≈ $5.8 million)
- Water sector supplies up to 90 % of irrigation, underpinning 25 % of Uzbekistan’s GDP and employment
- World Bank approved a $200 million project to modernize irrigation and reduce water loss
- Scarcity, discretionary allocation, and weak accountability create systemic corruption risk
- Box office takings reached HK$664 million in the first half of 2026, a 25% increase from HK$531 million a year earlier
- 142 films premiered between Jan 1 and Jun 30, 2026, including 17 locally produced titles
- "Night King" was the highest‑grossing film for the six‑month period
- Bail set at HK$300,000 for Li Min, 33, after three weeks in custody.
- Li Min is an assistant manager of the project consultant for the HK$336 million renovation of Wang Fuk Court.
- Her boyfriend pledged HK$100,000 as surety, bringing total bail to HK$400,000.
- The investigation involves seven individuals and two others linked to Hong Kong's deadliest recent fire.
- Eight Buddhist monks died and more than a dozen were injured in the crash.
- The accident occurred in Mukdahan province, about 600 km northeast of Bangkok.
- An 11-year-old boy was driving his parents' truck when it struck the pilgrims.
- Five monks were killed at the scene, with three more succumbing to injuries later.
- A 66‑year‑old pilot, identified only as Liu, crashed a light aircraft into Beijing’s Citic Tower.
- The crash occurred on Friday in the Chaoyang district’s central business area.
- Authorities say the pilot had a long‑standing anxiety condition and wrote about suicide in his diary.
- Spain advanced to the round of 16 with a 3-0 win over Austria.
- Mikel Oyarzabal scored two goals, while Pedro Porro added a header.
- The match in Los Angeles sets up a last‑16 clash against either Portugal or Croatia.
- Portugal and Croatia face off in the round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup
- The match is scheduled for July 2, 2026
- Venue is Toronto Stadium in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Physician claims hospital's fundraising scheme leverages doctor-patient relationships for donations
- The program is described as "shocking" and exploitative by the doctor
- Raises concerns about ethical boundaries in hospital fundraising practices
- Thailand will send a four‑person padel team (2 men, 2 women) to the 20th Asian Games in Japan.
- Padel appears as a medal sport for the first time, featuring men's and women's doubles events.
- The National Olympic Committee approved participation, but the association will bear all expenses.
- The competition runs from Sept 29 to Oct 3, with Japan, Iran and Indonesia as the strongest rivals.
- Author has no children and is deciding how to allocate estate to nieces and nephews
- Concern that differing bequest amounts could cause family drama
- Preference to give larger sums to relatives who would benefit most
- Balancing fairness with meaningful impact drives the decision
- Senegal led 2-0 before Belgium scored three goals in the final five minutes of extra time.
- Final score was 3-2 to Belgium after extra time, ending Senegal's tournament.
- Former player Ferdinand Coly blamed coaching substitutions for the midfield collapse.
- Visa restrictions limited fan travel, which supporters say affected team morale.
- Rehearsal dinner hosted for 100 guests on Thursday.
- Both Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are 36 years old.
- Celebrations to continue at Madison Square Garden.
- Grand jury indicted former Olympic canoeist David Hearn on a felony charge of destroying sealant.
- Alleged damage involved approximately two square feet of sealant at the Reflecting Pool on June 19.
- Hearn faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted; also arrested on a misdemeanor charge.
- Prosecutor said about six other vandalism cases at the Reflecting Pool are under review.
- Chester Millar, a leading Canadian mine developer, has passed away.
- He was celebrated for prioritising community engagement in mining projects.
- Millar was known for promoting innovative techniques that balanced development with local concerns.
- Two 15-year-old boys were initially sentenced to three-year youth rehabilitation orders.
- An appeal judge reversed the ruling, imposing custodial sentences.
- The original lenient sentences triggered widespread public outrage.
- Attorney General Richard Hermer intervened following the backlash.
- A 43-year-old security guard was rescued alive eight days after twin earthquakes in Venezuela
- Official death toll from the quakes is nearing 2,300 people
- Hundreds of rescuers worked to extract him from a seven‑storey building collapse
- A 1.5-year-old child in Uganda died after contracting Marburg virus.
- Africa CDC confirmed the case; no other Marburg cases or symptomatic contacts reported.
- Ugandan health officials have not publicly acknowledged an outbreak, despite Reuters inquiry.
- Marburg virus is related to Ebola and shares similar transmission and prevention measures.
- A skeleton found in a Maastricht church could not be conclusively identified as famed French musketeer d'Artagnan.
- While the skeleton's estimated age (44-66) includes d'Artagnan's age at death (62), the bones could not be dated to determine time of death.
- Analysis suggested a fish-rich diet, atypical for 17th-century French Gascony, raising questions about the identity.
- Research was hampered by an unauthorized archaeologist who damaged the skull and lost valuable information during excavation.
- Further research, including ancient DNA analysis, is required for potential definitive identification.
- Flu cases rose sharply last week, indicating the start of the summer season.
- Covid-19 infections are also on the rise in the city.
- Health authorities urge the public to stay vigilant and follow preventive measures.
- Farmer in Yuanyang county, Yunnan was bitten on the finger by a cobra while working in his field
- His wife tried to suck out the venom, a method she saw on TV, and was subsequently poisoned herself
- Both victims experienced swelling, dizziness and weakness after the incident
- Aceh sharia court ordered each of the two individuals to receive 21 lashes for kissing on a TikTok live stream.
- The public caning took place in Banda Aceh's Bustanussalatin City Park, with at least 100 spectators present.
- Punishment underscores Aceh's strict enforcement of Islamic law prohibiting premarital sexual conduct.
- The case raises renewed concerns over corporal punishment and human‑rights standards in Indonesia.
- 12-year-old AL sentenced to 5 months rehabilitation for stabbing mother 26 times
- Indonesia's Juvenile Justice Law allows 'restorative justice' for offenders aged 12-18
- Prosecution sought 8 months; judge cited mitigating factors including remorse and abusive home environment
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