The Israel-Iran conflict remains a primary focus, with European ministers urging Tehran to resume talks with the Trump administration, even as President Trump deliberates potential military action and his Middle East policy becomes a battleground for influence; the conflict has also heightened energy security fears in the Persian Gulf and impacted China's regional strategy.

• Israel-Iran day 7 as it happened: Iran open to nuclear talks with Europe; Trump says he will not ask Israel to stop strikes — Financial Times -
• European ministers urge Iran to resume talks with Trump administration — Financial Times -
• Large Oil Producers Around the Persian Gulf Ramp Up Exports — The New York Times Business -

• Trump, Maga, and his Israel-Iran dilemma — Financial Times -
• Maga’s battle with Israel for Trump’s mind — Financial Times -
• My exit from wartime Iran — Financial Times -
• Starmer on standby — Financial Times -
• Trump’s Two-Week Iran Notice Gives Markets a Lift — The New York Times Business -
• The Israel-Iran conflict is a war of egos — Financial Times -
• FirstFT: Trump deliberates on Iran attack — Financial Times -
• Oil Tanker Collision Near Strait of Hormuz Raises Security Fears — The New York Times Business -
• Trump’s Iran pivot reopens old Iraq wounds — Financial Times -
• The implosion of Iran’s ‘no war, no peace’ strategy — Financial Times -
• China’s bet on Iranian oil and Middle East influence turns sour — Financial Times -
• Europe set for Iran talks as Trump signals 2-week window to decide on attack — Financial Times -

US domestic issues are highlighted by Donald Trump's ongoing influence, from deals with Harvard and potential administration cuts to travel restrictions impacting healthcare; the Federal Reserve faces a split on interest rate cuts, while a Republican plan to scrap the US audit watchdog hit a Senate roadblock.

• Opinion | A Bad Time to Stifle Radio Free Iran — Wall Street Journal -
• Trump says he is close to a deal with Harvard — Financial Times -
• Fed starts to split on when to begin cutting US interest rates — Financial Times -

• Fed Governor Calls for Rate Cuts as Soon as July — The New York Times Business -
• Opinion | Zohran Mamdani Wants New York City to Try Real Socialism — Wall Street Journal -
• US judge orders Columbia University protester Khalil freed from custody — Financial Times -
• Republican plan to scrap US audit watchdog ruled in violation of Senate rules — Financial Times -
• How Trump’s Metals Tariffs Could Make Food and Beer Cans More Expensive — The New York Times Business -
• PCAOB Elimination Plan Hits Roadblock In Senate — Wall Street Journal -
• Top Federal Reserve official calls for rate cuts as soon as July — Financial Times -
• How true populists should think about Trump’s ‘big beautiful bill’ — Financial Times -
• Trump Travel Restrictions Bar Residents Needed at U.S. Hospitals — The New York Times Business -

The UK economy shows signs of fizzling out despite a strong start, marked by tumbling retail sales and high credit card borrowing costs; concurrently, political and social reforms are being debated, including a passed assisted dying bill, efforts to address a two-tier ADHD healthcare system, and Labour's plans for local council funding.

• UK economy risks familiar pattern as strong start to the year begins to fizzle — Financial Times -
• Starmer calls for ‘innovators and disrupters’ to work in government — Financial Times -
• Apollo to finance UK Hinkley Point nuclear plant with £4.5bn loan — Financial Times -

• Thames Water error may require restating accounts — Financial Times -
• Private ADHD clinics have led to ‘two-tier’ system in England — Financial Times -
• We must renew palliative care focus as part of assisted dying decision — Financial Times -
• East London university strikes deal for major life sciences investment — Financial Times -
• Voters know the real meaning of austerity and renewal — Financial Times -
• Assisted dying bill passed by UK MPs — Financial Times -
• Labour to shift £2bn of council cash from wealthy southern areas to north — Financial Times -
• Amazon UK under investigation for delaying payments to food suppliers — Financial Times -
• The new alarming Tory language on Britishness — Financial Times -
• British retail sales tumble 2.7 per cent in May — Financial Times -
• In charts: How intense heat is affecting Britain — Financial Times -
• UK credit card borrowing costs at a 19-year high — Financial Times -

Global markets are depicted as balancing on a knife's edge, with investors shaken but not stirred by current events, reflecting a worrying silence despite looming tail risks; insights into US equity investments and European ETFs are also presented, alongside a look at companies hoarding Bitcoin.

• The Markets Are Balancing on a Knife’s Edge — The New York Times Business -
• Investors are shaken, but not yet stirred — Financial Times -
• My five reasons to buy US equities again — Financial Times -

• The markets are silent — that is worrying — Financial Times -
• Who are the companies hoarding bitcoin? — Financial Times -
• ETFs have transformed European markets — but choose one carefully — Financial Times -

International relations are tense, with Japan scrapping a US meeting over defense spending demands and Europe fearing US tech dominance under Trump; regional political shifts are evident in Poland's election recount, Taiwan's recall votes, Niger's nationalization of a uranium project, and concerns over Chinese cyber threats in Europe.

• Japan scraps US meeting after Washington demands more defence spending — Financial Times -
• Zelenskyy appoints new commander to tackle Ukraine’s troop shortages — Financial Times -
• Europe’s Growing Fear: How Trump Might Use U.S. Tech Dominance Against It — The New York Times Business -

• Niger to nationalise uranium project co-owned with France’s Orano — Financial Times -
• Tusk calls for recount after ally loses Polish presidential election — Financial Times -
• U.S. Prepares Action Targeting Allies’ Chip Plants in China — Wall Street Journal -
• Taiwan recall votes threaten to upend opposition grip on parliament — Financial Times -
• Trump and Putin, episode 101 — Financial Times -
• Rwandan opposition leader arrested for alleged plot to ‘incite public unrest’ — Financial Times -
• The EU’s struggle to stop funding Putin’s war — Financial Times -
• Thai PM’s future in jeopardy over leaked call and border dispute — Financial Times -
• Why Donohoe is leading the race to fill his own job as Eurogroup head — Financial Times -
• France pushes for joint debt to bolster international role of euro — Financial Times -
• Chinese cyber threat to Europe on par with Russia’s, warns Czech president — Financial Times -
• India needs a new foreign policy beyond diplomat Modi — Financial Times -

The technology sector is seeing rapid developments, from AI startups securing massive funding and hybrid cars regaining popularity, to Tesla's robotaxi entering a competitive market; TikTok's presence at Cannes highlights its global reach despite US ban threats, while digital comics stores challenge Amazon, and retro tech experiences a TikTok-fueled resurgence.

• Murati’s Thinking Machines valued at $10bn after $2bn fundraising — Financial Times -
• Tesla’s Robotaxi, Long Promised by Elon Musk, Joins a Crowded Field — The New York Times Business -
• New Digital Comics Store Takes Aim at Amazon — The New York Times Business -

• TikTok Users Call for Return of Blackberry and Other Retro Tech — The New York Times Business -
• The Advertising Industry Parties in Cannes, With AI as Its New Plus-One — Wall Street Journal -
• Hybrid Cars, Once Derided and Dismissed, Have Become Popular — The New York Times Business -
• TikTok Hits Cannes, Where a U.S. Ban Seems a Distant Dream — The New York Times Business -

Diverse business sectors are navigating various challenges and opportunities, including CEOs postponing consulting hires due to uncertainty, insurers easing prior approvals for medical care, and a slowdown in UAW progress; luxury retail adapts by making fewer bags to compete, while Chinese tech giants eye Brazilian expansion, and weight-loss drugs impact the US trade deficit.

• Insurers Pledge to Ease Controversial Prior Approvals for Medical Care — The New York Times Business -
• Opinion | Little Progress to Report From Shawn Fain’s UAW — Wall Street Journal -
• Accenture says CEOs are postponing hiring consultants due to uncertainty — Financial Times -

• Stockpickers: London stands out in the shift to go private — Financial Times -
• Directors’ Deals: Mitie chair buys into results day weakness — Financial Times -
• Italy slashes VAT on art to compete with EU rivals — Financial Times -
• Macau’s casino shakeout could leave gaming giants stronger — Financial Times -
• Chinese Tech Giants Have Big Ambitions in Brazil — The New York Times Business -
• ArcelorMittal ditches plan to convert German factories to green production — Financial Times -
• How Weight-Loss Drugs Blew Out the U.S. Trade Deficit — Wall Street Journal -
• Trying to Dethrone the Birkin? Make Fewer Bags — Wall Street Journal -
• After a Bruising Year, Casual-Dining Chains Try to Stage a Comeback — Wall Street Journal -
• Labubu: the tiny elf doll driving China’s most valuable toy company — Financial Times -
• Zara owner says conditions for Russia return ‘certainly not’ in place — Financial Times -
• Latham & Watkins set to poach star dealmaker from Wachtell Lipton — Financial Times -
• Can Mukesh Ambani engineer a smooth transition at Reliance? — Financial Times -

Societal and cultural discussions range from improving credit scores for low-income individuals and the growing appeal of luxury travel experiences, to revisiting cultural figures like Dan Storper and Jean Cocteau; other topics include new books, a harrowing Grenfell documentary, and the influence of art gallery founder Victoria Miro.

• Dan Storper, Founder of Putumayo World Music Label, Dies at 74 — The New York Times Business -
• Midsummer tips and tricks for the beginner gardener — Financial Times -
• Marina Whitman, Economist Who Advised Nixon and General Motors, Dies at 90 — Wall Street Journal -

• A Way for People With Low Credit Scores to Raise Them — The New York Times Business -
• Summer books 2025: the best titles of the year so far — Financial Times -
• FTAV Q&A: Freya Beamish — Financial Times -
• Inside Jean Cocteau’s dreamiest creation – now available to rent — Financial Times -
• How the shepherd’s hut became the last word in luxury — Financial Times -
• Rediscovering the bygone charms of Büyükada — Financial Times -
• Postcard from Holy Isle: the Buddhist sanctuary on a Scottish island — Financial Times -
• Grenfell: Uncovered, Netflix review — harrowing documentary channels fury into a greater purpose — Financial Times -
• Victoria Miro: ‘Art should open your eyes to something you don’t know’ — Financial Times -
• The best books on politics to read this summer — Financial Times -