U.S. Vice President Vance said on Iran the U.S. is engaged in a delicate diplomatic game.

ECB policymaker Kocher said she stands ready to take monetary policy action at any time if needed.

Japan’s May core machinery orders fell 12.4% MoM, but a Norinchukin Research Institute economist said the decline mainly reflects a normalization after April’s 8.7% gain rather than a deterioration in investment fundamentals. He cited robust corporate profits, AI-related spending, labour shortages and market expectations for Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s growth agenda as ongoing support for capital expenditure, and added that if tensions with Iran ease, machinery orders and other capex indicators are likely to remain firm.