Ant Group's embodied AI division, Robbyant, is seeking approximately 1.5 billion yuan (US$222 million) in its first external fundraising round, with plans for a second round by year-end, following the release of its second-generation LingBot AI models.
Ant Digital Technologies is preparing a pre-IPO financing round, while database developer OceanBase seeks external equity funding. These moves highlight Ant Group's strategy to build independent capital structures for its spun-off units after its 2020 aborted IPO.
US President Donald Trump announced he is close to deciding on a "massive attack" on Iran, escalating tensions after Houthi attacks on Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea. The US warns of "major military punishment" for Iran and Houthis, while the EU condemns the Red Sea strikes.
The United States is considering military strikes against Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, an Al-Qaeda affiliate, in Mali. The potential action faces disagreement among US officials and risks hostilities with Russian forces in the region, requiring deconfliction efforts.
Ant International, an affiliate of Chinese fintech giant Ant Group, has raised approximately US$1.2 billion in a Series A funding round. The Singapore-based company, backed by Ant Group and Alibaba, plans to use the capital to accelerate global expansion and drive innovation in merchant payments and financial services.
Ant Digital Technologies, Alibaba's fintech affiliate, launched "Agentar 2.0," an upgraded AI agent platform featuring 200 digital expert templates. CEO Cyril Han Xinyi stated the platform aims to restructure enterprise workflows for collective productivity, moving beyond individual task acceleration.
Robbyant's new LingBot-Vision AI model excels at precise object edge recognition, enabling robots to better understand 3D spaces. It outperforms existing models like DINOv3 with fewer parameters and less training data.
Hamas has declared its intention to transfer governing authority in Gaza to a US-backed interim administration, the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG). This move aims to revive a stalled peace process and counter Israeli proposals for limited reconstruction and governance in specific areas. However, significant obstacles remain, including Israel's prevention of NCAG entry into Gaza and Hamas's refusal to disarm unilaterally.
Separatist rebels in Indonesia's Papua region shot dead American pilot Nicholas F Gosselin and set his plane on fire in Yahukimo, stating it was a message to the US and Indonesian governments for failing to address the conflict's root causes.
Ant Group, an affiliate of Alibaba, has led a $73.58 million funding round in humanoid robotics startup Zeroth. This marks Ant's 12th investment in the sector since early 2025, signaling a significant push into robotics following regulatory hurdles with its IPO.
South Africa is on edge as anti-immigrant groups set an unofficial June 30 deadline for undocumented migrants to leave. Protests are occurring nationwide, with some incidents of looting and violence reported, despite police efforts to maintain order. President Ramaphosa has urged peaceful demonstrations.
South Africa is on edge as anti-immigrant groups set an unofficial June 30 deadline for undocumented migrants to leave. Protests are planned nationwide, with thousands expected to participate. Authorities are on high alert amid fears of violence, looting, and unrest, though police report demonstrations have been largely peaceful so far.
Thousands marched in South Africa demanding undocumented migrants leave, leading to protests with isolated looting. Police and military deployed amid fears of violence. Several African nations are repatriating their citizens.
Anti-immigrant protests have erupted across South African cities, leading to business closures and police deployment. Demonstrators demand undocumented foreign nationals leave by a Tuesday deadline, despite government rejection of these threats. Violence has occurred, pushing thousands to flee amid rising xenophobia and approaching elections.
South Africa deploys police nationwide as anti-immigration protests near, with President Ramaphosa calling for peaceful demonstrations. Thousands of undocumented foreigners, mostly from other African nations, have fled or been repatriated amid violence and intimidation threats.
Israel, Lebanon, and the US sign a trilateral framework agreement aimed at achieving a peace deal between Israel and Lebanon
The US Supreme Court has issued two rulings impacting immigration, allowing the Trump administration to strip protections for TPS holders and reshape asylum policy. Critics call the decisions "disastrous" and "cruel," risking deportation for hundreds of thousands and endangering asylum seekers, while supporters celebrate.
The Guardian's investigation into a US airstrike in Somalia that killed 12 civilians, including 8 children, highlights challenges in reporting on covert conflicts. Lack of press freedom, journalist safety, and US opacity impede accountability.
Israeli strikes on Nabatieh, Lebanon, killed 16 people and injured 12 on Saturday, according to the Lebanese civil defence agency. This occurred despite reports of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah, following a wave of attacks.
Microsoft is selling OpenAI's advanced AI models to major Chinese tech firms like ByteDance, despite US warnings about China's AI capabilities. This business, growing rapidly in China, generates over $1 billion annually from customers like ByteDance, raising concerns about intellectual property theft and model distillation.
Israel launched new strikes on southern Lebanon Saturday, killing five people, hours after agreeing to a ceasefire with Hezbollah. The attacks hit Nabatieh al-Fawqa, Arabsalim, Deir al-Zahrani, and Doueir, contradicting a US-brokered truce announced Friday.
Lebanon reported 18 killed and 33 wounded in Israeli air strikes in the south. Israel's military announced the deaths of four soldiers, including a Lieutenant Colonel, marking the first fatalities since a US-Iran deal to halt regional conflict.
The Gaza Health Ministry reported Wednesday that 1,005 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli military operations in Gaza since a ceasefire with Hamas was agreed upon last October. Near-daily strikes, shelling, and gunfire continue in the besieged enclave. An Israeli strike in Khan Younis killed two Palestinians and wounded six.
The Gaza Health Ministry reported that 1,005 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli operations since a ceasefire was reached with Hamas in October. Recent strikes in central Gaza and Gaza City, as well as an incident in Khan Younis, contributed to the toll. Israel stated it targeted a "terrorist" in Khan Younis.
