Sam Bankman-Fried, serving a 25-year sentence for fraud, has filed for a presidential pardon, as he faces an $11 billion forfeiture and appeals his conviction in New York. The pardon request has stirred political debate, affecting market sentiments and drawing opposition from Republican lawmakers, while crypto regulation remains under scrutiny amidst global tensions.

In the Los Angeles mayoral race, Nithya Raman is edging out Spencer Pratt for a runoff spot against Karen Bass as vote counting continues. Pratt, known for his reality-TV past, has campaigned on issues like homelessness and crime, drawing national attention and leveraging AI-generated content and celebrity endorsements.

The $4.7 billion Gordie Howe International Bridge, linking Detroit and Windsor, is set to open in mid-June, with a ribbon-cutting event planned. Political and economic implications are significant, with officials emphasizing the bridge's role in enhancing connectivity and trade between the U.S. and Canada.

Donald Trump abruptly exited an NBC interview with Kristen Welker after heated exchanges over the 2020 election and vote counting, labeling the media as biased. The incident sparked viral online reactions and raised concerns about female journalists' safety, drawing commentary from Megyn Kelly and other media figures.

Meta is launching America's Workforce Academy, a $115 million initiative to train and employ skilled trades workers for data center projects. The program will address labor shortages and support Meta's AI and infrastructure expansion, though specifics on job numbers remain undisclosed.

OpenAI is set to transform ChatGPT into a comprehensive AI superapp, integrating tools like coding, browsing, and image generation into a single platform. This strategic shift aims to boost enterprise adoption and revenue, positioning the company to compete with rivals like Anthropic, which is also targeting the business sector.

Beijing is set to have state firms like China Mobile lead a major data center expansion, aiming for 80% domestic tech use to reduce reliance on foreign chips. The plan, involving a significant investment of 2 trillion yuan over five years, is part of China's drive to enhance AI infrastructure, boosting stocks in related sectors.

NVIDIA's CEO spotlights Korea as a key AI partner, unveiling plans for AI infrastructure and factories to broaden access to NVIDIA GPUs across Korea's economy. The collaboration aims to transition Korea's strategy from hardware manufacturing to extensive AI deployment, potentially reshaping its role in the global AI landscape.

Stellantis recalls over 1.07 million Jeep Wranglers and Gladiators from 2021-2025 due to potential fire risks linked to a loose electrical connection. Affected owners will be notified starting July 9, with repairs prioritized.

China's exports surged 19.4% in May, with electronics and green-tech leading the charge, while imports jumped 27.4%, reflecting robust global demand. However, analysts warn the growth could be temporary due to weak domestic consumption and potential supply-chain disruptions.