A Chinese court ordered the tea beverage chain Molly Tea to pay the French luxury brand Louis Vuitton Malletier 10.3 million yuan (about $1.5 million) for trademark infringement. The ruling marks one of the most high-profile intellectual property cases in China in recent years and underscores a trend toward stricter protection of registered trademarks, including those owned by foreign companies.
The American automaker Ford has rehired about 350 experienced engineers after reevaluating its approach to production automation following several years of vehicle quality issues. The company has concluded that digital tools, including artificial intelligence-based systems, cannot replace accumulated engineering expertise and should be used in conjunction with the experience of specialists.
Spanish authorities have recommended that state-owned companies refrain from entering into new contracts with the U.S. software developer Palantir. The decision stems from concerns regarding the protection of strategic data and national security.
One of the world’s most prestigious museums has found itself at the center of a large-scale investigation into the illicit trafficking of cultural property. In June, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office seized dozens of ancient artifacts from the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection, which were allegedly smuggled out of their countries of origin. Since 2017, the museum has already lost more than 120 exhibits with a total value of over $95 million—and that list continues to grow.
The U.S. government may become a shareholder in one of the world’s leading artificial intelligence companies for the first time. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is proposing to transfer 5% of the company to Washington and is urging other major AI developers to consider a similar move.
The French haute couture house Chanel has announced the acquisition of the Paris-based shirtmaker Charvet—one of the world’s oldest menswear brands, founded in 1838. The terms of the deal have not been disclosed.
U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled a concept for a giant golden bald eagle, which, according to his plan, is to serve as a symbolic gift to the White House to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States. However, the post quickly drew attention not for the idea itself, but for errors that indicated the use of artificial intelligence.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup has already stimulated growth in consumer spending in the host cities in the United States, but initial economic data does not yet support FIFA’s optimistic forecast that the tournament will generate at least $30.5 billion for the host countries’ economies.
A powerful storm that struck Romania following several days of abnormal heat resulted in one fatality, widespread flooding in Bucharest, and serious damage to infrastructure in dozens of towns and villages. The capital and 20 other counties in the country were hit hardest by the storm.
The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump is seeking to create a unified database that will compile information on all suspected foreign spies, as well as on individuals whom U.S. intelligence agencies consider to be potential recruits.
The Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor is preparing for an unusual anniversary transformation. To mark the 250th anniversary of the United States, France will create a large-scale light show that will transform one of America’s most recognizable symbols into a giant art installation.
Japanese tennis player Naomi Osaka made a spectacular debut at Wimbledon, appearing before her first-round match in a white kimono that was specially designed for the tournament and fully complied with its strict dress code.
A painting by Rembrandt van Rijn, which for decades was believed to be the work of an unknown artist, will be offered at a Sotheby’s auction in London on July 1. After a decade of restoration, experts have confirmed the master’s authorship. The estimated value of the painting “Let the Children Come to Me” is 8–12 million pounds sterling ($10.6–15.9 million).
The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), in collaboration with Italian law enforcement agencies and Turkish customs authorities, has uncovered a scheme involving the illegal export of approximately 7,100 metric tons of textile waste from Italy to Turkey. According to investigators, the organizers circumvented costly environmental regulations by passing off the waste as reusable textiles.
Demand for sodium chloride—common table salt—could increase significantly in the medium term amid the development of sodium-ion batteries, which are seen as a cheaper alternative to lithium-based solutions. This is stated in an analytical report by Morgan Stanley.
Swedish retailer H&M ended the second quarter of fiscal year 2026 with earnings below analysts’ forecasts. Weak sales and supply chain disruptions prevented the company from meeting expectations, despite improved profitability.
King Charles III became the first reigning British monarch to officially disclose the amount of his personal tax payments. According to Buckingham Palace, he voluntarily contributed 12.9 million pounds to the national budget for the 2024–2025 fiscal year.
The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump intends to restrict the ability to file asylum claims as much as possible, citing recent Supreme Court rulings. This was stated by White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller.
The British Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has banned a number of advertisements by Adidas, Calvin Klein, and Uniqlo, ruling that the claims about recycled materials made in the ads could mislead consumers.
The rapid proliferation of AI-powered chatbots has drawn the attention not only of technology companies but also of mental health professionals. A new study published in the journal *Nature Digital Psychiatry and Neuroscience* offers an explanation of how prolonged interaction with AI may contribute to the formation and reinforcement of delusional beliefs in some users.
