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• AI startup DeepSeek is preparing for an initial public offering (IPO) as early as 2026, targeting a valuation of US$71 billion. • The company is currently seeking new funding to expand its computing capacity following a previous US$7 billion financing round. • DeepSeek gained global attention in 2025 by developing a high-performance model that requires fewer computing resources than its competitors.

In Brussels EU ambassadors will be trying to work out the details of the 21st sanctions package for RussiaEuropean Commission president Ursula von der Leyen is in Kyiv today with plans to announce “new initiatives to integrate our defence industries,” a day after both European and Ukrainian armies were involved in the Bastille Day parade in Paris.“It’s a special moment. Ukraine has built a strong military momentum. The tide is turning,” she said. Continue reading...

• The European Union has initiated negotiations to establish the legal framework and legislation required to introduce a digital euro. • The EU aims to finalize these regulatory rules by the end of 2026, paving the way for a pilot program involving approximately 40 banks and payment firms in 2027. • This initiative represents a strategic move toward digitizing the eurozone's currency, with a target for a full public rollout by 2029.

• Chinese AI startup DeepSeek is exploring a new funding round shortly after completing its first external fundraising effort of $7 billion. • The company intends to use the additional capital to expand its AI infrastructure, develop proprietary chips, and further increase its overall valuation. • This aggressive fundraising strategy highlights the intense competition and high capital requirements for scaling advanced AI capabilities.

• Donald Trump is positioning Turkiye as an indispensable ally and the cornerstone of his strategy to reshape the regional order. • This strategic bet persists despite ongoing disputes regarding Turkiye's acquisition of the Russian S-400 missile system. • Turkiye has already played a decisive role in shifting Transcaucasian geopolitics to sideline Russia and supported the US-Israeli effort against Iran by providing airspace for US aircraft.

• Thailand has emerged as the leader in Southeast Asia for short-drama in-app purchase revenue and ranks as the region's third-largest market for downloads, according to Sensor Tower. • TikTok Thailand is leveraging this trend by providing local content producers with distribution channels to reach new audiences through mini-dramas. • This shift is significant as mini-dramas are now one of the fastest-growing mobile entertainment categories, currently outperforming traditional over-the-top (OTT) streaming apps in downloads.

• European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has pledged to implement an EU-wide ban on social media for children. • The commitment follows recommendations from a panel of experts who specifically called for restrictions on users under the age of 13. • Experts warned that social media can trigger addictive behaviors and emotional instability, noting that the human brain continues to develop until age 25.

• European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has expressed support for implementing "age-appropriate" restrictions on social media usage. • The initiative aims to protect younger users by introducing tailored regulations to limit access or functionality based on age. • This move signals a shift toward stricter digital safety standards across the European Union to combat the risks associated with social media for minors.

European Commission president’s commitment comes after panel of experts calls for restriction for under-13sThe European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, has pledged an EU-wide social media ban for children after an expert group called for restrictions for under-13s.“It is clear we need age-appropriate restrictions to platforms,” von der Leyen told reporters after the publication of a report on child safety online. Continue reading...

• Several high-profile transfer stories are emerging, including Mohamed Salah's high financial demands deterring Saudi clubs and Bayern Munich rejecting Real Madrid's interest in Michael Olise. • Barcelona has reportedly agreed to sign Karim Adeyemi, while Arsenal and Liverpool are competing for RB Leipzig defender Lutsharel Geertruida. • Manchester City and Tottenham are considering hijacking Francisco Trincao's €50m (£42.6m) move from Sporting to Saudi side Al-Ahli.

• The European Parliament has approved "Chat Control 1.0," a measure allowing the suspicionless mass scanning of private communications, despite a majority of MEPs (314 against, 276 in favor) opposing the regulation. • The legislation passed after being previously rejected twice in March, as EU member states continue to insist on maintaining voluntary scanning protocols. • Critics, including Breyer, argue that the move compromises the privacy of children and citizens while removing the political pressure necessary to reach a more viable permanent agreement.

• US lawmakers are considering new restrictions to limit the adoption of Chinese-developed artificial intelligence models by American companies. • The House Committee on Homeland Security and the Select Committee on China launched a joint investigation in April to assess the risks of this tech integration. • As part of the probe, legislators have contacted firms such as Airbnb and Cursor to determine their level of exposure to Chinese-built AI systems.

Leaders from Tonga, Samoa and Papua New Guinea to join Albanese at State of Origin decider. Follow today’s news liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAnthony Albanese will host a trio of Pacific prime ministers as he tries to bolster Australia’s regional influence amid the creeping threat of China, Australian Associated Press reports.The bilateral meetings with Papua New Guinea’s James Marape, Tonga’s Lord Fakafānua and Samoa’s La’auli Leuatea Schmidt will be followed by a Pacific rugby league event in Brisbane with all four leaders. Continue reading...

• Samsung is projected to achieve a record-high operating profit in the second quarter, fueled by surging demand for AI infrastructure and memory chips. • To sustain this growth, Samsung and SK Hynix have pledged a combined investment of 3,200 trillion won ($2.07 trillion) to expand chip production capacity in South Korea. • Samsung plans to execute its portion of this investment between 2026 and 2040, though SK Hynix has not yet provided a specific timeframe.

• European markets remained tentative with light changes across major indices during the morning session on July 6, 2026. • US equities are positioning for a rebound as Wall Street reopens, with a specific focus on a recovery in technology shares. • Market indicators show positive momentum for US futures, with the S&P 500 up 0.4% and the Nasdaq rising by 1.0%.

• SBS drama "Manager Kim," starring So Ji-sub, has achieved rapid success both in South Korea and globally. • The series surpassed the 20% viewership mark within four episodes, reaching national ratings of 21.6% and a peak instantaneous rating of 25.1%. • Internationally, the show ranked number one in 20 countries as of July 4, according to FlixPatrol data, maintaining top-two positions across major Asian markets including Japan and Vietnam.

• The UK stock market is expected to open with a mild positive trend on July 6, 2026, with the FTSE 100 trading near a four-month high. • Market growth is being driven by large-cap stocks in the banking, mining, energy, and healthcare sectors, though weak UK PMI data and cautious sentiment may limit overall gains. • Investors are closely monitoring global macroeconomic developments, central bank policy expectations, and commodity price fluctuations to determine market direction.

The Nigerian-American writer says she ‘will not watch’ Gina Prince-Bythewood’s adaptation of her fantasy bestsellerTomi Adeyemi, the author of the popular YA fantasy Children of Blood and Bone, has distanced herself from the forthcoming film adaptation of her book.“There is a reason I will not post anything about the adaptation of my work,” the Nigerian-American author said in group chat messages shared to TikTok. Continue reading...

• Investors are shifting their focus toward "old-economy" stocks as doubts grow regarding the long-term sustainability of the recent AI-driven market rally. • The trend was highlighted in the latest Markets Pulse survey, which indicates a strategic pivot away from high-growth tech sectors. • This shift matters as it suggests a broader market rotation, where traders seek stability and value in traditional industries to hedge against potential AI volatility.

• Airdrie manager John Rankin has guaranteed fans that the club will secure additional player signings this week. • These reinforcements come ahead of the club's first competitive match under Rankin, a Premier Sports Cup opener against Premiership side Dundee this Saturday. • The team recently prepared for the fixture with a 2-1 friendly defeat against Championship side Ayr United.

• Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: META) is seeking to monetize its significant investments in artificial intelligence by targeting new cloud-based revenue streams. • While these initiatives offer growth potential, investors are concerned about a potential margin trade-off due to the high costs of AI infrastructure. • This shift is critical as Wall Street evaluates whether Meta's massive spending bill will translate into sustainable profitability.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited Japanese companies to participate in India's ambitious plan to develop a 7,000-kilometre national high-speed rail network. • Japan has reaffirmed its support for the 2027 timeline for the completion of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) project. • This collaboration is critical as India seeks to leverage Japanese technology and investment to scale its high-speed rail infrastructure across the country.

• Several high-profile transfer targets are emerging, including Tottenham's interest in West Ham's Crysencio Summerville and Juventus's consideration of striker Brian Brobbey. • Everton is scouting Pape Gueye and Mandela Keita as potential replacements for Idrissa Gueye, while Atletico Madrid has rejected Barcelona's interest in 26-year-old Julian Alvarez. • Coventry City is preparing to finalize the signing of 22-year-old defender Aurele Amenda from Eintracht Frankfurt as their first move following their return to the Premier League.

• Japanese industrial robot manufacturers are integrating artificial intelligence and open collaboration to regain a dominant global market position. • Japan's market share in the factory robot sector has fallen to 40%, trailing behind increasing competition from China and Europe. • The strategy focuses on leveraging AI to enhance robot flexibility and efficiency, aiming to reverse the decline in competitiveness.

• AI video startup Higgsfield is currently in talks to raise up to $500 million in new funding. • The company is targeting a $5 billion valuation, which represents a fourfold increase from its valuation in January. • This rapid growth follows Higgsfield achieving a significant $500 million revenue run rate.

• Tottenham Hotspur have signed midfielder Mateus Fernandes from West Ham United in a club-record transfer deal worth £85 million. • The Portuguese international previously played for Sporting Lisbon and Southampton, though both of his most recent clubs suffered relegation. • This high-profile move signals a significant investment by Spurs to strengthen their squad with top-tier talent.

• Inc42 and Peak XV Partners have released their "30 Startups To Watch" list for June 2026, highlighting promising early-stage companies in deeptech, D2C, and fintech. • One featured startup is developing advanced eVTOL aircraft that utilize proprietary tilt-rotor technology to combine vertical take-off with fixed-wing efficiency. • The company has created a comprehensive ecosystem including ground control systems and AI-driven autonomy software for GPS-denied navigation and object detection.

• Former President Donald Trump is seeking a "Plan B" to challenge birthright citizenship after facing a legal setback in the high court. • The move follows a disappointing court defeat that temporarily blocked his efforts to restrict citizenship for children born in the U.S. to non-citizen parents. • This initiative reflects a broader effort to redefine citizenship laws, which would significantly impact immigration policy and the legal status of millions.