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• Singapore’s Cyber Security Agency (CSA) is expanding national cybersecurity measures to counter the rise of AI-driven threats. • Threat actors are leveraging AI to automate attacks, accelerate exploit development, and scale phishing campaigns, potentially reducing attack timelines from days to hours. • The CSA warns that while AI enhances threat detection and incident response, it also creates new attack surfaces and vulnerabilities within enterprise environments and Critical Information Infrastructure (CII).

• The ASIFMA 2026 Asia-Pacific Capital Markets Survey has identified the top eight markets in the APAC region for ease of doing business. • Leading jurisdictions include Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, Japan, India, Taiwan, China Mainland, and South Korea. • The survey highlights 11 key product and service lines targeted for expansion, led by Equities, Fixed Income, FX, Asset Management, and ESG & Sustainability.

• Virginia has expanded a measles outbreak from Buckingham County to include Cumberland County as of June 25. • Statewide confirmed cases have now reached 129 in 2026, prompting the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) to issue guidance for residents and visitors. • This expansion indicates a growing public health threat, necessitating increased vigilance and adherence to vaccination and safety protocols.

• The US Supreme Court concluded its term with a series of rulings that provided significant advantages to Donald Trump and the Republican Party. • The court loosened campaign finance restrictions and spending limits, potentially benefiting the GOP, which holds over $125 million compared to a debt-ridden Democratic Party. • In April, six conservative justices struck down a key provision of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, ruling that congressional districts designed to increase minority voting power are unconstitutional.

• The FTSE 100 is expected to open slightly higher today, driven by positive investor sentiment and strong economic performance. • This optimistic outlook follows reports that the UK economy expanded by 0.6% in the first quarter (Q1), exceeding previous expectations. • The growth data provides critical support for the stock market, though analysts predict the index will trade within a narrow range in the short term.

• ServiceNow and Accenture have launched new AI-powered cybersecurity services designed specifically for enterprise customers to combat increasingly fast and costly cyberattacks. • The partnership includes a new AI-driven migration tool to help businesses transition from expensive, fragmented, and outdated legacy security platforms. • This initiative addresses a critical financial risk, as U.S. data breach costs have risen 9% over the previous year to reach $10.22 million per incident in 2025.

• ServiceNow (NYSE:NOW) has partnered with Accenture to launch a new AI-powered cybersecurity services offering and migration tool designed for enterprise clients. • The initiative aims to help organizations strengthen their cyber controls and streamline the process of shifting workloads onto the ServiceNow platform. • Simultaneously, ServiceNow expanded its multi-year AI partnership with IBM to focus on integrating legacy enterprise systems.

• Liberal Supreme Court justices issued a blistering dissent against a ruling that expands the president's authority to fire regulators, with Justice Sonia Sotomayor comparing the power to that of the "English crown." • The decision sparks concerns over the independence of federal agencies, though Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook emphasized that the central bank must remain free from political interference to ensure sound economic stewardship. • In a separate victory for Democrats, the Court ruled in Watson v. Republican National Committee that ballots mailed on time can be counted even if they arrive after Election Day.

• The Supreme Court issued twin rulings clarifying the extent of President Trump's authority to remove independent regulators from their positions. • The Court ruled that the President may fire certain independent regulators for any reason, significantly expanding executive power over administrative agencies. • However, the justices affirmed the independence of the Federal Reserve, ruling that its governors cannot be dismissed at will.

• The Supreme Court ruled on Monday that removal protections for members of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) are unconstitutional. • This decision overturns a 90-year-old legal precedent that previously allowed Congress to shield officials in independent agencies from being fired by the president at will. • The ruling significantly expands presidential power by granting the executive branch greater authority to remove agency leaders.

• The Supreme Court ruled on Monday, June 29, 2026, that the president has the authority to fire the heads of independent agencies without cause. • The decision specifically allows President Donald Trump to remove Democratic member Rebecca Slaughter from the Federal Trade Commission, whom he fired last year. • This ruling strikes down a nearly century-old legal precedent designed to protect independent agencies from executive political influence.

• The Supreme Court expanded the president's authority to fire independent government regulators, though it explicitly ruled that Federal Reserve officials cannot be fired at will. • In a ruling against President Roosevelt, the Court distinguished between officials performing "executive functions" and those exercising "executive power." • The Court determined that the duties of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) are predominantly quasi-judicial and quasi-legislative rather than political or executive.

• The US Supreme Court issued a blockbuster decision expanding the president's legal authority to dismiss top government officials. • This ruling shifts control of dozens of federal agencies to the White House, removing protections for officials who previously operated independently. • The decision is significant because it fundamentally alters the balance of power between the executive branch and independent regulatory bodies.

• The Supreme Court issued a ruling that strengthens President Trump’s authority to fire independent agency members, a move Trump described as a historic expansion of presidential power. • Despite this broader authority, the Court specifically protected Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, ruling that Fed governors can only be fired "for cause" rather than for any reason. • This decision is significant as Trump seeks to transform the U.S. government by replacing independent officials with political allies to ensure executive control.

• Euroclear has expanded access to European capital markets by integrating seven new countries into its platform in a single update. • This strategic move aims to streamline the process for international investors to access and trade European securities. • The expansion is significant as it lowers barriers to entry and increases liquidity within the European financial ecosystem.

• Aarhus-based martech startup Serpier has raised €1.4 million in a funding round led by True Collective and the Export and Investment Fund of Denmark (EIFO). • The company utilizes an AI agent named Navi to automate content generation, analysis, and publication, helping e-commerce retailers increase their visibility across search engines. • This investment allows Serpier to scale its AI-driven visibility tools, addressing the growing need for automated marketing optimization in the competitive online retail sector.

• A Salmonella outbreak linked to moringa leaf supplements has expanded to 119 reported cases across 36 U.S. states as of May 2026. • Health officials have issued warnings and multiple brands have recalled affected products to prevent further infections. • The situation is critical as it highlights contamination risks in herbal supplements, prompting consumers to identify and discard tainted products.

• Amazon has announced a $13 billion investment dedicated to expanding its AI infrastructure and developing new data centers. • The funding aims to strengthen the company's leadership position in the competitive cloud computing and artificial intelligence sectors. • Industry experts note that the AI race has shifted from mere algorithm development to a battle for "hard infrastructure," including specialized chips and advanced servers.

• Amazon has announced a total investment plan of USD 48 billion to expand and support its various business operations in India by 2030. • A specific portion of this funding, USD 13 billion, is dedicated to enhancing AI and cloud infrastructure within the local Indian market. • This initiative follows a previous announcement made six months ago where the company committed USD 35 billion to new investments in the region.

• GlobalFoundries is expanding its Singapore operations to serve as a primary hub for "physical AI" hardware, focusing on robotics, autonomous systems, and AI-driven infrastructure. • The chipmaker is increasing its investment in manufacturing capacity and developing next-generation semiconductor technologies to support these emerging fields. • This strategic shift aims to capture the growing demand for specialized chips that bridge the gap between digital AI and physical machinery.

• The 28th Shanghai International Film Festival launched its Belt and Road Film Week on June 17, emphasizing cinema as a tool for mutual understanding. • A new "full-chain industry day" has been introduced to transition cultural exchanges into tangible business deals and professional collaborations. • This expansion aims to bridge the gap between artistic screening and commercial viability for filmmakers across the Belt and Road regions.

• Viu CEO Janice Lee revealed at APOS 2026 that nearly 20% of the platform's long-form viewers have transitioned to watching microdramas. • The streamer is expanding its branded content and co-production efforts, highlighted by the Indonesia-set series “Abracadabra” produced with Samsung and starring Ji Chang-wook. • This shift matters as the short-form format attracts advertisers seeking rapid production turnarounds and higher engagement through pan-regional tentpole strategies.

• South Korean President Lee has ordered the national election watchdog to expand its investigation into voting irregularities beyond initial reports of ballot shortages. • In a separate directive, Lee called for a rigorous crackdown on workplace abuses following the death of a female firefighter in her 20s. • These actions signal a government push for greater institutional accountability and the protection of workers' rights across public sectors.

Technology to be used in six more areas next year as critics say tens of thousands of people will be forced into ‘digital police lineup’The Metropolitan police is to expand its use of live facial recognition (LFR) technology, first into London’s West End by Christmas and then into a further six areas next year.The new cameras will be fixed, and could be attached to street furniture such as lamp-posts. Critics said the new plans mean tens of thousands of people will be forced into a “digital police lineup”. Continue reading...