On June 29 US permanent representative to NATO Whitaker said the US has received more than $6 bln through the US- and NATO-proposed "Ukraine Priority Needs List" mechanism and plans to continue advancing it. The mechanism, funded by non-US NATO members, buys or transfers existing US weapons for rapid delivery of large volumes to Ukraine and, according to US officials, lets willing NATO donors bypass lengthy US arms-sale procedures to speed procurement. Russia has repeatedly said Western arms shi

The Bank of Japan appointed Ayano Sato, seen as supportive of easy policy, to the nine-member policy board, raising the odds of two dissenting votes against future rate hikes even as the board’s overall tilt remains hawkish. The appointment could slow the pace of tightening; the board’s two most hawkish members, Tamura and Takada, are due to leave in July next year, adding uncertainty to the tightening path. Sato will hold a press briefing Tuesday at 17:00 Tokyo (16:00 Beijing); markets will watch whether she aligns with Asada in opposing further tightening. Her formal policy debut is the July 30-31 meeting, where the BoJ is widely expected to keep rates unchanged. Traders will balance visible monetary caution from Sanae Takaichi, linked to financing costs for her government investment plan, against the BoJ’s stated intent to tighten further to counter energy-driven price pressures.

On June 28, 2026 Longi Green Energy signed a strategic memorandum of understanding with the Saudi Water Authority (SWA) during Saudi Water Week to advance integration of renewable energy and digitalization across Saudi Arabia's water production, treatment and distribution infrastructure under Saudi Vision 2030.