Telecom Deal: BT and Verizon agreed to merge their international enterprise operations into a 50:50 joint venture, targeting 3,000+ customers across 180+ countries and about $4bn in annual revenue, with Verizon paying BT a $625m equalisation fee. Consumer Sentiment: Finland’s consumer confidence hit its highest level since Feb 2022 as oil prices eased; Taiwan also saw a four-month high in June confidence tied to cheaper crude and a rebound in stocks. Retail Pressure: YRC says mid-sized retailers are closing at record rates, pushing demand for retail consulting as margins thin. AI Shopping Trust: A UK survey found only 19% trust AI shopping agents to follow rules, and 60% would stop after one mistake—highlighting a control-and-safeguards gap. Structured Products for Pros: PU Prime launched pre-IPO access to OpenAI and Anthropic, while Otala rolled out an AI pricer for structured notes inside Telegram and WhatsApp. Global Expansion Moves: Li Auto opened its first Macao retail center with localized vehicle and connectivity upgrades for Hong Kong and Macao users. Energy & Prices: India’s government says it absorbed West Asia fuel shocks via state and public marketing firms, keeping household pump prices steadier than peers.