The US dollar experienced its worst first half in over 50 years.
Since the beginning of 2025, the dollar has fallen by 10.8% against a basket of currencies. This is the worst performance for the first six months of any year since 1973 and the worst half-year since the second half of 1991.
Investors are selling US dollars due to fears that Trump's economic policies threaten assets denominated in US dollars as a safe haven, while economists predict that the president's 'big beautiful' budget bill will lead to further increases in US national debt.
Although the US has so far signed only one trade agreement - with the UK - hopes for further progress, or a further pause in tariffs, caused a historic recovery that lifted the S&P 500 index in the US to a record high by the end of June. According to Bloomberg, this is only the third time in the past 100 years that the S&P 500 index fell by 10% and recovered to growth within one calendar quarter.
Meanwhile, 2025 has been another successful year for gold. Its price increased by 25% as investors began seeking safe assets.
Elon Musk stated that he would create a 'third' party if Trump's mega-bill is passed.
Elon Musk stated on Monday that he will follow through on threats to create a 'third' political party in the US if Congress passes President Donald Trump's 'big, beautiful bill.' Musk stated on X that his 'American party will be formed the day after' the bill is passed, which he called 'crazy.' 'Our country needs an alternative to the one-party system of Democrats and Republicans so that the people truly have a VOICE,' Musk wrote.
What you need to know about the public broadcasting reform in France
France's public broadcasting reform reached parliament on Monday and immediately faced resistance. Culture Minister Rachida Dati presented a plan to reform the country's public media system, calling it the only way to save a system in decline.
The reform proposes the creation of a new holding company called France Médias, which will unite Radio France, France Télévisions, and the National Audiovisual Institute (INA) under the leadership of one chairperson and CEO. This leadership position, appointed by the French media regulator Arcom, which is headed by a presidential appointee, will have broad powers and a five-year term. According to Dati, only a single strategy under the leadership of France Médias can ensure long-term viability. She dismissed any suggestions that editorial independence is under threat. Concerns raised by public broadcasting employees, who declared an indefinite strike on Monday, are that the reform may serve merely as a smokescreen for 'budget cuts.' French public broadcasting is a vast structure encompassing dozens of radio and television channels. It directly employs about 17,000 people, along with thousands of freelancers, producers, technical specialists, and other service providers. These various structures currently operate as separate companies, and their combined budget in 2024 exceeded €4 billion, which is €228 million more than the previous year. The current structure is based on three main players: France Télévisions, which manages seven television channels; Radio France, which has seven radio stations; and INA, the state body responsible for archiving and commercializing audiovisual content. Since the cancellation of the television license fee in 2022, public broadcasting is financed by a portion of VAT revenues – this measure was enshrined in law last December – and strictly regulated advertising. French President Emmanuel Macron first proposed the reform in 2017, but it has been repeatedly postponed. 'The minister claims that public broadcasting is in crisis, but that's simply not true,' says Anne Guillet-Epe, a delegate of the National Union of Journalists (SNJ) at France Télévisions. 'With this proposal to create a holding company, the French right is essentially trying to take control of public broadcasting,' adds Guillet-Epe. The far-right party 'National Rally' wants to privatize public broadcasting, but its deputies may still support the bill in the French parliament. Deputies plan to consider numerous amendments to the law in the fall.
Polish energy giant Orlen severs last ties with Russian oil
The Polish oil refinery Orlen announced the official 'liberation of the region from Russian crude oil' after terminating the final supply contract with Russia for one of its refineries in the Czech Republic. This means that Orlen – and the entire region – will no longer be bound by any agreements with Russian companies regarding oil supply, according to a statement. 'We have closed this chapter and are now working together to build a secure future for the region. Today we supply oil from all over the world,' said Ireneusz Fafara, CEO of Orlen. The contract with 'Rosneft,' which expired on June 30, 2025, was the last agreement linking Orlen with Russian oil. Previously, the company terminated other supply contracts to Poland via the 'Druzhba' pipeline. Orlen also halted the import of Russian crude oil by sea. Recently, Orlen prepared the Litvinov refinery, which has relied on Russian oil since its inception, for processing alternative grades of crude oil. The company underwent a series of technological upgrades and tested various crude oil blends. As a result, Orlen fully switched to alternative supplies in March 2025. (euractiv)
A woman from California decided to live on a cruise ship, claiming it is cheaper.
77-year-old Sharon Lane moved from her retirement home in Orange County, California, to embark on her dream adventure: a 15-year journey around the world. Lane invested in her own cabin on the Villa Vie Odyssey cruise liner, which positions itself as the first perpetual world cruise, and many of its passengers have booked 'permanent residency' on board. The liner is set to visit 147 countries and 425 locations over three and a half years. The ship offers long-term residency options, allowing residents to either purchase cabins for the entire 15-year duration or choose a pay-as-you-go plan. Prices start at $129,000 for a single interior cabin with a 15-year lease. The monthly fee is $2,000 per person for double occupancy or $3,000 for single occupancy. Prices for 'view' cabins start at $169,000, and the monthly fee increases by $500 per person.
'I can finally do what I've wanted for years,' Lane told CNN Travel. 'I buy a little house, live in it, and that's it. And there's no end to this.' Despite the high cost, Lane believes it is worth it, as her payments cover food, drinks, alcohol during dinner, Wi-Fi, and medical checks. Her package also includes room service, weekly cleaning, and laundry services every two weeks. 'Living on the ship is much cheaper than living in Southern California,' she explained. Lane's 15-year journey is just beginning, and although she has the option to sell or rent out her cabin in the future, she does not plan to do so. The upper deck features a pub, cocktail bar, business center, and pool. On board this all-inclusive cruise ship, there is also a fitness center, medical office, dining room, and spa that residents can use. Other amenities for passengers include a pickleball court, various shows and performances, wellness classes, and social events, from elegant dinners to casual meetups.
News in brief
Trump signed an executive order lifting sanctions against Syria.
In 'Dii' you can now replace your vehicle registration certificate online.
Starting July 1, a new voltage standard in electrical networks will come into effect in Ukraine – instead of 220 V, it will be 230 V.
The Communist Party of China announced on Monday that its membership has exceeded 100 million.
Southern Europe has begun to experience early heat: temperatures in Spain reach +42°C.