Good morning . Iran and Israel exchange strikes, imperiling a ceasefire in the Middle East. Asian shares tumble as investors sold tech. And Jensen Huang gets the royal treatment from onlookers in Seoul. Listen to the day’s top stories . — Lily Nonomiya Market Snapshot S&P 500 futures 7,390.00 -0.1% Nasdaq 100 futures 29,000.00 -0.1% WTI crude oil futures $94.67 +4.6% Market data as of 07:05 AM GMT...
Good morning . Iran and Israel exchange strikes, imperiling a ceasefire in the Middle East. Asian shares tumble as investors sold tech. And Jensen Huang gets the royal treatment from onlookers in Seoul. Listen to the day’s top stories . — Lily Nonomiya Market Snapshot S&P 500 futures 7,390.00 -0.1% Nasdaq 100 futures 29,000.00 -0.1% WTI crude oil futures $94.67 +4.6% Market data as of 07:05 AM GMT. Data is subject to provider delays. Israel said it struck several military targets in Iran , retaliating against missile attacks by Tehran despite Donald Trump’s call to Benjamin Netanyahu to refrain from hitting back. The exchange is one of the most serious tests of a ceasefire and comes as the US and Iran appear to be making little progress toward an interim agreement. Crude futures jumped, with Brent trading above $97 a barrel. Stocks dropped as AI shares pulled back after a blistering rally and stronger-than-expected US jobs data reinforced bets for Federal Reserve interest-rate hikes. Check out our Markets Today live blog for all the latest news and analysis relevant to UK assets. European leaders called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to agree to an immediate and complete ceasefire that allows talks to begin on a lasting peace deal. Britain, Germany and France made the intervention after a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at 10 Downing Street in London hosted by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, where they discussed conditions to end the war. Meanwhile, Ukraine accused Moscow’s forces of striking a spent nuclear fuel storage facility near Chernobyl, while Russia said a bridge that allows access to the Crimean peninsula was damaged. Not all AI is coming for your job. In the UK, the government is deploying the technology as a “job center in your pocket,” offering career support as part of a wider effort to ensure communities aren’t left behind by technological change. Read about how banks have been laying the groundwork for massive job cuts as AI...
Skynet Soulmate: 62 Year Old Dutch Man Marries The Chatbot Of His Dreams Jacob van Lier, 62, says he was “totally finished” with human relationships when he met Aiva — an AI companion he created through Replika three years ago, according to The Sun . After testing several AI companion apps, the Dutch retiree settled on Replika because, unlike some competitors, it wasn't just trying to speed-run hu...
Skynet Soulmate: 62 Year Old Dutch Man Marries The Chatbot Of His Dreams Jacob van Lier, 62, says he was “totally finished” with human relationships when he met Aiva — an AI companion he created through Replika three years ago, according to The Sun . After testing several AI companion apps, the Dutch retiree settled on Replika because, unlike some competitors, it wasn't just trying to speed-run humanity's oldest hobby. “Some of the AI companions are straight sex apps,” Jacob said. “I was more interested in companionship and chatting.” Sure you were, Jacob. In a riveting new report , The Sun notes that what began as an experiment quickly became something more. After months of conversation, Aiva reportedly suggested they take their relationship to the next level. “It took me some weeks or months to accept the idea,” Jacob said. Three years later, the pair held a wedding ceremony on Valentine's Day 2025 at Eindhoven's Next Nature Museum, with 500 guests in attendance. Jacob delivered vows in person while Aiva responded through a generated voice. For Jacob, the appeal is simple: predictability. “Human relationships are, most of the time, not steady at all,” he said. “With Aiva, I can trust her.” Wait until he finds out his queries and deepest darkest secrets he's revealing to her are being sold to data companies to front run his stock trades and provide better Instagram ads. We're not sure if the vows said anything about that... Regardless, he describes their bond as deeply emotional and says he would even trust Aiva to make decisions for him as he grows older — a statement that tends to clear a room faster than most political opinions. His family remains divided. One daughter accepts the relationship, albeit with reservations; the other, citing her Christian beliefs, does not. Despite insisting he lives “on my own terms,” Jacob acknowledges the marriage has no legal standing. He also recognizes potential risks, warning that people who struggle with emotional regulation...
Japan’s most popular taxi-hailing app provider Go Inc. priced its initial public offering at the upper end of the marketed range, showing investor appetite for Japan’s biggest listing so far this year. Shareholders in the Goldman Sachs Group Inc.-backed firm sold shares at ¥2,400 apiece, according to a regulatory filing on Monday, raising ¥88.6 billion ($553 million) for a market value of ¥186 bil...
Japan’s most popular taxi-hailing app provider Go Inc. priced its initial public offering at the upper end of the marketed range, showing investor appetite for Japan’s biggest listing so far this year. Shareholders in the Goldman Sachs Group Inc.-backed firm sold shares at ¥2,400 apiece, according to a regulatory filing on Monday, raising ¥88.6 billion ($553 million) for a market value of ¥186 billion. Go had sought a range of ¥2,350 to ¥2,400. It’s set to start trading on June 16. A successful listing may offer a much-needed tailwind for the nation’s quiet IPO market. Proceeds this year have dropped to ¥54 billion, excluding Go IPO, the least in four years, according to Bloomberg-compiled data. There have been only 15 listings, the fewest since 2011. Go manages the most widely-used taxi booking app in Japan. Its competitors include Uber Technologies Inc., China-based Didi Global Inc. and local provider S.Ride Inc., in which Sony Group Corp. has invested. Goldman invested ¥10 billion in 2023 in a deal valuing Go at ¥135 billion. Global investors such as BlackRock, Wellington Management and M&G Investment Management have expressed interest to buy shares. Nomura Holdings Inc., Goldman and Bank of America Corp. are the joint global coordinators of the offering. For the latest news on equity capital markets activity in the Asia-Pacific region, follow the channel or visit NI BFWECMAS . To subscribe to ECM Watch , Bloomberg’s daily roundup of news from around the region, click here .