Watching

• Global financial markets are entering one of the busiest weeks of the year, with investors monitoring several high-impact events to determine market sentiment. • Key drivers for the week include central bank interest rate decisions, major technology company earnings reports, and critical U.S. economic data. • Geopolitical developments in the Middle East are also expected to play a significant role in influencing trading activity across various asset classes.

• Investors are monitoring six key drivers in the stock market this week, with a primary focus on corporate earnings and geopolitical dynamics due to a lack of major economic data. • GE Vernova is a central point of interest, with analysts expecting earnings per share of $4.77 on revenue of $15.77 billion. • Market participants are specifically tracking the demand for gas turbines to power data centers, as well as order volumes and the book-to-bill ratio.

• Netflix is expanding its content strategy by integrating live programming alongside its traditional on-demand library to better compete with live TV services. • The platform is focusing on marquee live events, including boxing matches with Jake Paul, MMA bouts, celebrity sports tournaments, and the Screen Actors Guild Awards. • To diversify its live offerings, the streamer has added live comedy specials, such as "The Roast of Tom Brady," and a selection of live podcasts.

• Investors are monitoring the Global X Bloomberg Commodity Complex ETF (ASX:BCOM) as a tool for gaining exposure to a diverse range of commodity markets. • Performance is primarily driven by central bank policies, global economic growth, and geopolitical events that shift supply and demand dynamics. • The ETF is subject to significant volatility caused by unpredictable factors such as extreme weather events, trade policy changes, and currency fluctuations.

• Philippine inflation is projected to decrease slightly to 6.6% in June, down from 6.8% in May. • Despite the dip, inflation remains significantly above the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas target range of 2% to 4%. • Persistent pressures from food costs, electricity, and wages are expected to keep interest rates "higher for longer."

• ABC is airing "Disney Celebrates America: Nashville's Star-Spangled Bash," a July 4th special featuring live music and celebrity guests. • Hosted by Emmy winner Ryan Seacrest, the event includes performances from major music stars and one of the nation's largest fireworks and drone shows in downtown Nashville. • The special highlights the intersection of Disney's brand and American patriotic celebrations through a large-scale production in a music hub.

Hundreds watched England in first round of knockout stages at Prospect Building in BristolWorld Cup live – latest updatesSisters Angela and Christine hugged, danced and shed a tear or two at the final whistle as England squeezed past the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).“That was brilliant,” said Christine, a 51-year-old lifeguard. “Watching England is exhausting, emotional, often heart-breaking but we love it. You’ve got to relish the ups and downs.” Continue reading...

Scott Bessent says he ‘encourages them to be good actors’ after Trump ranted about prices not dropping fast enoughScott Bessent, the US treasury secretary, issued a veiled warning to oil and gas companies to lower their prices on Tuesday, a day after Donald Trump berated those retailers on social media for not dropping their prices fast enough and demanded they target $2.50 a gallon.“I would encourage them to be good actors, especially in the 250th anniversary, because we’re watching,” Bessent said in an interview with Fox News on Tuesday morning, addressing big oil, independent and international retailers. Continue reading...

• A UK-based writer describes the logistical challenges of following the current World Cup due to matches being split across three countries and multiple time zones. • The scheduling chaos is highlighted by 16 last-32 matches featuring 13 different kick-off times, forcing fans to juggle multiple screens or wake up in the middle of the night. • To cope with the difficult timing of key fixtures like Portugal vs. Croatia, the author suggests watching highlights without checking scores as a viable compromise.

• Investors are focusing on "jobs week" and upcoming economic data, prioritizing forward-looking indicators over lagging reports like factory orders to gauge market direction. • Nike is scheduled to release a pivotal earnings report, serving as a key focal point for analysts before the broader banking sector kicks off the next earnings season. • The market is also monitoring the completion of a long-awaited corporate breakup, adding to the week's volatility and strategic shifts.

• On June 26, 2026, reviews and netizen verdicts were released for the comedy film "Welcome to the Jungle," starring Akshay Kumar and over 30 other actors. • The film's release is part of a broader trend of high-budget ensemble comedies within the $2.83 trillion global entertainment industry. • This coverage matters as it gauges the commercial viability and audience reception of a major star-studded production.

• Prime Video has released its top 10 most-watched shows for the week of June 24-30, highlighting three specific series recommended for binge-watching. • The curated list features a new romantic drama series adapted from a bestselling novel, which is currently dominating the platform's rankings. • These recommendations serve as a weekly guide to help subscribers navigate the streaming library by identifying the most popular trending content.

• Hollywood continues to maintain a significant global cultural presence, but its dominance is being challenged by the rise of Asian media industries. • Countries including China, South Korea, Japan, and Indonesia are increasingly producing their own original narratives and content. • This shift signifies a transition from Asia being primarily a consumer of Western media to becoming a confident creator of global entertainment.

• Asian investors are shifting away from a narrow focus on U.S. and Chinese markets to adopt a more diversified global investment strategy. • South Korea and Taiwan remain critical hubs for those tracking the AI sector beyond the reach of U.S. mega-cap stocks. • Southeast Asia, including Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines, is emerging as a vital region due to its diverse growth drivers.

• A new report highlights AI industry trends for 2026, indicating widespread adoption of AI content. • Despite its ubiquity, trust in AI-generated content remains a significant issue, with accuracy and review habits under scrutiny. • The report aims to provide insights for teams currently working with AI, helping them navigate the challenges of AI content creation.

• Russian cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikaev conducted a 6-hour spacewalk outside the International Space Station on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. • The primary objective of the mission was to install the Solntse-Teragerts telescope and retrieve various science experiments. • This new telescope is designed to observe and collect critical data regarding powerful solar flares emanating from the sun.

From supermarkets to corner shops, live facial recognition could be coming to retailers near you. Jessica Murray on the AI systems increasingly used by the police and storesLive facial recognition is being hailed as a powerful new frontier in the fight against crime, not only by police but by private companies too. Retailers from supermarkets to corner shops hope it will help them fight back against shoplifting.But the Guardian’s social affairs correspondent, Jessica Murray, points out that it will also expand surveillance into more and more public spaces. And the technology doesn’t always get it right. Continue reading...

Africa is leading a change in news consumption habits – and transforming the lives of current affairs enthusiastsLast year Amahle-Imvelo Jaxa posted a TikTok video about South African peacekeepers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. She explained an argument that had erupted between the South African and Rwandan presidents, then listed roles different South African groups would play in a war with Rwanda: the Sotho strategists, the Xhosa negotiators, the Afrikaner muscle. The video went viral and she racked up 100,000 followers in three days.This breakout video enabled Jaxa to pivot from being a marketing and restaurant entrepreneur to a “professional yapper and current affairs enthusiast”, part of a group of content creators explaining the news to young South Africans who, like many of their global peers, are eschewing traditional news in favour of social media. Continue reading...

Birdwatching no longer niche, old-fashioned pastime, says RSPB as research shows 47% increase in hobby since 2018Birdwatching is the second fastest growing hobby for generation Z after jewellery making, according to a multiyear study of more than 24,000 people.Almost 750,000 gen Zers (16 to 29-year-olds) in Britain regularly enjoy watching birds, a -1,088% increase since 2018, according to research by Fifty5Blue published by the RSPB. Continue reading...

• Peacock's top streaming picks for April 4-5 include three standout movies ideal for weekend binging, as highlighted in recent entertainment roundups. • These selections feature high viewer ratings and timely themes, competing with Netflix's charts amid rising streaming wars. • Updated lists from multiple outlets emphasize Peacock's growing library as a key player in U.S. on-demand content.