Sees

• US stock markets opened with muted performance, with the S&P 500 seeing a subdued start and the Nasdaq sliding into the red, dragged down by Intel. • Market volatility is driven by persistent tensions with Iran and rising oil prices as traders seek clarity regarding the Strait of Hormuz. • Uncertainty grew after President Donald Trump told Axios on Sunday that the US is only "semi-negotiating" with Iran to ensure Tehran feels economic pressure.

In a Choice test of 48 products, the Aldi powder also came out on top for top loadersGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastConsumer advocacy group Choice has put more than 40 supermarket laundry detergent products through the wringer, naming two Omo and one Aldi product as its best performers – while some other brands perform barely better than water.In a lab test of 48 laundry powders, liquids and capsules, Aldi Trimat Advanced Laundry Powder Concentrate, Omo Active Clean Powder and Omo Ultimate Powder shared equal-first billing for front loader washing machines, with all three products scoring 82% overall. Continue reading...

• Europe's technology sector raised $35.4 billion in the first half of 2026, marking a 46% increase compared to the $24.4 billion raised during the same period in 2025. • A new report from Tracxn reveals that this growth is driven by a small number of companies securing significantly larger funding rounds. • This trend indicates a shrinking pool of winners, as investors concentrate their capital into fewer high-conviction deals rather than distributing it across the broader ecosystem.

• NASA is scheduled to launch the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope on August 30, 2026, using a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket. • The telescope features a mirror similar in size to Hubble's but possesses a field of view approximately 100 times wider, allowing it to map dark energy and search for exoplanets. • By monitoring roughly 200 million stars for gravitational microlensing, the mission aims to discover over 1,000 planets, specifically targeting cold, distant worlds that current detection methods often miss.

• Twelve leading payment startups in Southeast Asia have collectively raised over $2.7 billion in equity funding to date, according to a Tracxn report released Wednesday. • Airwallex dominates the sector, raising $1.9 billion since 2015—including a $320 million round in June 2026—which accounts for nearly 70% of the total capital. • The funding landscape is heavily concentrated, with the top two companies representing approximately 83% of all capital raised across the 12 firms.

• The US government has signed a letter of intent to provide GlobalFoundries with $300 million in funding under the CHIPS Act. • In exchange, the government will receive a 1% equity stake in the company, valued at approximately $269 million. • This investment aims to accelerate the development of silicon photonics networking technologies, which are critical for scaling AI infrastructure in datacenters.

• Over 2,900 UK technology firms have been acquired since 2021, according to new research from Tracxn. • The surge in acquisitions is driven by a decline in IPOs and a strategic shift by buyers targeting high-value businesses in fintech, cybersecurity, healthcare tech, and enterprise software. • While the overall volume of deals has dropped from the 2021 peak, rising deal values indicate sustained investor confidence in Britain's most promising tech sectors.

• A recent Gallup poll indicates a significant shift in the Supreme Court's approval rating among Republicans. • The Court issued several rulings against former President Trump, including blocking an executive order and ruling that he lacked the authority to impose sweeping tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. • In a further blow to Trump's legal standing, the Court blocked the firing of Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook.

• South Korea's benchmark KOSPI index crashed nearly 11% on Tuesday, marking its worst single-day session in almost five months. • The decline was driven by a global rout in semiconductor stocks, which severely impacted industry giants Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. • Market volatility was further exacerbated by the stock market debut of China's CXMT, heightening investor fears regarding increased competition from Chinese chipmakers.

• NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory detected a "wandering" or "orphan" mega black hole as it shredded and consumed a star on the outskirts of a distant galaxy. • This rare event, known as a tidal disruption event, occurred when the black hole's gravity tore the star apart, creating a massive flare of light. • The discovery is significant because it identifies a black hole that is not located at the center of its galaxy, challenging typical models of galactic structure.

• Global markets saw a significant drop in oil prices and short-term bond yields following signs of de-escalation in Iran. • Investors showed limited interest in new circular AI financing, while the CMXT CN IPO experienced a surge in demand. • Political and economic focus shifts to a Japanese cabinet reshuffle and upcoming policy meetings from the FOMC, BOE, and BOJ.

Adrian Howe’s family believe that fears his deal would be financially ruinous led him to kill himselfThe family of a former mobile phone store manager who was found drowned days before his new Vodafone franchise was to open its doors is pressing the government to introduce a new franchising law in his name.The call comes a week after Vodafone settled a long-running legal claim filed by 62 of its former franchisees who alleged that the company “unjustly enriched” itself at their expense by up to £85m. Continue reading...

• Approximately 85% of S&P 500 companies have beaten profit estimates during the current US earnings season, marking the highest beat rate in five years. • Despite these strong corporate results, investment funds have seen outflows for the second consecutive week as investors flee the market. • Market instability is being driven by escalating geopolitical tensions between the US and Iran, which have pushed international oil prices higher.

After the US military confirmed that a service member had been killed in Iraq – the third in recent days – Donald Trump said the new attacks were ‘in honour’ of the deadMiddle East crisis live: follow latest updatesThe US launched a ninth night of strikes targeting Iran early Monday, after announcing the death of another American service member, as the price of Brent crude oil climbed above $90 a barrel, the highest level since June.The US military said the service member was killed on Saturday in northern Iraq, where the US has military bases, during a controlled detonation of what was called unexploded ordnance on a downed Iranian attack drone. Continue reading...

Agreement, without admission of liability, ends 19-month high court dispute that small-business owners said left them with large debtsVodafone has settled a long-running legal claim filed by 62 of its former franchisees who alleged the mobile phone group “unjustly enriched” itself at their expense by up to £85m.The small-business owners – some of whom said they had suffered suicidal thoughts because of the pressure exerted by the telecoms group – launched the high court claim in 2024 after running up large personal debts they said had been caused by their deals with the company. Continue reading...

• Stock futures rose Wednesday, driven by gains in technology shares and a positive sales outlook from chip-equipment maker ASML due to surging AI demand. • PayPal shares also jumped following reports of a potential takeover, adding to the bullish momentum in the tech sector. • Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh testified before the House Financial Services Committee on Tuesday, emphasizing the central bank's independence from political influence.

Daily realities of healthcare, prices and Gaza driving wave of anti-establishment sentiment among Democratic voters in closely watched contestIn Macomb county, Michigan – a blue-collar Detroit suburb that twice voted for Barack Obama before backing each of Donald Trump’s three runs for the US presidency – residents are exhausted.Time and again, township trustee Shannon King, a Democrat still making up his mind, hears similar complaints. “You’re going backwards in your paycheck. You’re going backwards in your healthcare,” he said. “You go to work every day. You might have a side hustle. Your significant other has a side hustle, too. And you’re still struggling to do childcare.” Continue reading...

• Shinhan Securities predicts the KOSPI will remain range-bound between 7,550 and 8,400, cautioning investors against expecting a rapid V-shaped recovery. • Market focus is shifting away from Samsung Electronics' recent strong earnings toward the long-term semiconductor chip cycle projected for 2027-2028. • The index's future trajectory will depend heavily on whether corporate earnings forecasts continue to be revised upward.

• Alia Bhatt's latest film, *Alpha*, experienced a significant box office jump over the weekend as of July 6, 2026. • By its third day of release, *Alpha* has already surpassed the total lifetime earnings of Bhatt's previous project, *Jigra*. • This surge highlights the film's strong commercial momentum and positive audience reception during its opening window.

• The low-budget Chinese family drama "Dear You," performed in the Teochew language, has unexpectedly become a major box office hit in China. • The film explores themes of migration and identity, resonating with audiences despite being spoken in a dialect that many mainland Chinese viewers struggle to understand. • Beijing views the film's success as a strategic opportunity to strengthen cultural ties and court Chinese diaspora communities living abroad, such as those in Malaysia.

• Goldman Sachs has issued a bullish recommendation for North Asian equities, maintaining "overweight" positions in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and China’s domestic A-share market. • The investment bank is urging clients to diversify their commodity portfolios by increasing exposure to gold and copper. • This strategic shift highlights a preference for traditional hard assets and regional equity growth over digital assets, as cryptocurrency was notably absent from the latest guidance.

• The 7th Western Digital Economy Expo (WDEE Expo) concluded on June 28 in Xi'an, China, focusing on the theme of digital convergence and smart innovation. • The event featured representatives from over 30 Chinese cities, 119 leading digital economy companies, and international delegations from Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, and Cambodia. • The expo highlights Xi'an's strategic transition from an ancient capital to a modern "Digital Silk Road" hub, emphasizing the integration of industrial and digital sectors.

• Toss Securities reports that the AI megatrend is only in its early stages, suggesting that investors look beyond semiconductor chips for growth. • The firm highlights critical infrastructure bottlenecks, specifically urging investment in power management and cooling systems to support AI scaling. • Market volatility is evident as DRAM prices hit a record $21 and the Korean won weakens to 1,554.9 per US dollar.

• A U.N. independent scientific panel consisting of 40 leading experts released its first report on July 1 regarding the rapid development of artificial intelligence. • The report highlights that while AI offers enormous potential benefits for people and nations globally, it simultaneously poses significant risks. • This assessment matters as it provides a high-level scientific framework for understanding the dual nature of AI's impact on society.

Bizarre 250th spectacle in North Dakota sees Trump take ride on red, white and blue train – and speak with hologram of 26th presidentThe sound of YMCA by the Village People booming through the badlands of North Dakota could only mean one thing: Donald Trump’s 250th anniversary travelling circus had reached a remote corner of America more familiar with bison, wild horses and bighorn sheep.The US president visited Medora on Wednesday to dedicate a $450m library and museum honouring Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th president, in the region where he roamed as a cowboy and big-game hunter in the 1880s. Continue reading...

• France defeated Norway 4-1 in a FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage match, securing the top spot in Group I. • Ousmane Dembélé led the victory with a hat-trick, bringing his total international goal count to eight. • Kylian Mbappé continues his strong tournament form, now totaling 16 goals and four assists across 17 World Cup appearances.

• Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary visited Miller High School in Patna to inspect its development as a model high school and interact with students. • During the visit, the CM viewed a demonstration of an AI robot developed by student Aditya and his team, which utilizes a custom Large Language Model (LLM). • The event highlights a growing trend of technological innovation among students in Patna and underscores the government's push for modernizing educational infrastructure.

• Morgan Stanley projects that Asia could see up to US$5.5 trillion in energy investment opportunities, with a potential ceiling of US$9 trillion. • This investment boom is expected to be driven by the rising power demands of artificial intelligence and a heightened focus on regional energy security. • Notably, the bank suggests that traditional energy sources, specifically coal and natural gas, may see a resurgence to meet these growing needs.