THE WEEKLY STEEP
Why don’t scientists trust atoms?
Because they make up everything!
☕ Reminder:
Some things aren’t always what they seem, ask more questions, even the tiny ones.
WHAT’S BREWING
Global
Iran-Israel Conflict: Iran: Nuclear sites hit hard but not destroyed; Tehran suspends IAEA ties and cracks down on suspected collaborators. Read more
NATO Sets 5% Defense Spending Goal: All 32 members backed a new 5% GDP target, but some, like Spain, say they won’t fully comply. Read more
Millionaire Migration 2025: Dubai leads the pack, gaining 130k+ millionaires and seeing a 98% surge in a decade. Singapore and Australia follow as top hubs, while China, India, and the UK see wealth outflows, driven by better investment climates and tax perks abroad. Read more
U.S.
Trump Halts Canada Trade Talks Over Tech Tax: calling it a direct attack and pledging retaliatory tariffs within the week. Read more
Anna Wintour Steps Down After 37 Years: She’s leaving her U.S. Vogue role but staying on as Condé Nast’s global content chief. Read more
Independence Day Travel: AAA forecasts 72.2M travelers this July 4th. 61.6M by car and a record-breaking 5.84M flying. Read more
New Star Wars Galaxy Map: with 500+ planets, featuring new locations from Andor, The Bad Batch, and Thrawn, it’s the most expansive map yet.
South Asia
India Returns to Space after 41 years, with Seeds and Soul: GP Capt. Shubhanshu Shukla has launched on Axiom Mission 4, carrying methi and moong seeds from IIT & UAS Dharwad to explore farming in zero gravity. It’s science with a sip of home, brewed in Bharat, bound for the stars. Read more
Kolhapuri Goes Couture: From Maharashtra to Milan, Kolhapuri-style chappals just strutted down Prada’s SS26 men’s runway. While the internet debates credit and cost, one thing’s clear: Indian craft just stole the spotlight. Fashion world, meet the original trendsetters of Kolhapur. Read more
AR Rahman x Pharrell Rock Paris: LV’s Paris show dropped Yaara, a Punjabi track by Rahman and Pharrell, set to a Snakes & Ladders inspired stage. BTS’ J-Hope vibed front row, and the internet went wild. Global fashion just got a south asian beat. Check it out here
MONEY MOVES
$TSLA ( ▼ 0.1% ) shares edged up as it launched its fully driverless robotaxi service in Austin, signaling a bold leap forward.
$WMT ( ▲ 0.77% ), $TGT ( ▼ 1.32% ): Prime Day rivals incoming: Walmart Deals (July 8-13) and Target Circle Week (July 6-12) go head-to-head with $AMZN ( ▲ 1.59% ) for back-to-school shoppers.
$YUM ( ▼ 0.12% ) : Taco Bell x Tony Hawk team up for a gamified Luxe Cravings Box with exclusive drops in Pro Skater 3 + 4, rolling out weekly July 11-Aug 13.
FEATURED ARTICLE: The New Tech World Order
New Tech World Order
New Harvard research reveals China now dominates in 37 of 44 critical technologies, Taiwan controls 68% of advanced chip production and the U.S. outspends China 12 to 1 in AI investment.
This dramatic shift in global tech leadership is reshaping everything from military capabilities to economic power. Read the study
Market data via Stocktwits. Consult a financial advisor before investing.
PLAY BY PLAY
Cricket:
MLC: Washington Freedom chased down 189 against MI New York for their third straight win. Mitchell Owen smashed 62* off 33, Chapman added 44, and they now sit third on the table with a 3-1 record. Next up: they face Texas Super Kings on June 30 in a key playoff-shaping clash.
India vs England: England pulled off a record 4th-innings chase of 381 at Headingley to go 1-0 up. Ben Duckett’s 149 earned him Player of the Match. India made history with five centuries in one Test but fell short on Day 5. Next Test: July 2-6 at Edgbaston, Birmingham.
Tennis: Wimbeldon starts June 30. Grass courts, white kits, and strawberries with cream.
Formula 1: After George Russell’s dramatic Canadian GP win, the title race tightens. Piastri still leads, but upgrades from Ferrari, Mercedes, and Red Bull set the stage for sparks at the Austrian GP (June 27-29). Silverstone comes next on July 6.
Basketball: Thunderstruck: OKC clinched their first-ever NBA title after a wild Game 7 vs. the Pacers. Shai’s the guy, the dynasty watch is on. Seven champs in seven years? This era’s got spice.
RAISING ROOTS: AI in the Classroom: Magic, Mirage, or a Bit of Both
In Nigeria, AI boosted student learning by 2 years in 42 days. In Turkey, students who leaned on ChatGPT scored 17% worse. 1 in 4 kids are already using AI and they’ve got opinions. Teachers are intrigued but overwhelmed. The world’s testing, and this generation is the experiment.
AI in the Classroom
LIVING WELL: What Happens to Your Brain When You Write with ChatGPT
Your Brain on ChatGPT
MIT study: ChatGPT users can't remember 83% of their own content minutes after writing. Their brains show 55% less activity in memory areas. Want to use AI without losing your edge? Our deep-dive breaks down the research and shares strategies to stay mentally sharp while boosting productivity.
COSMIC CHAI: June 27-July 4
This week is a slow burn, in the best way. The Sun in Cancer softens the mood, nudging everyone to reconnect with what feels like home (emotionally, physically, spiritually). The New Moon in Cancer (June 29) is a cosmic reset button, perfect for planting seeds around comfort, connection, and emotional clarity.
With Mars in Virgo, we’re motivated to clean up, our habits, our inboxes, our energy leaks. Productivity thrives when paired with intention. And a gentle Venus-Saturn alignment midweek reminds us that real love (and real results) come from consistency, not chaos. Read full horoscope
⛰️ Earth Signs: Roots over rush. This week is about steady steps, refining, reinforcing, and recharging.
🌊 Water Signs: Soft strength. Emotions guide, but don’t overwhelm. You’re syncing with what actually nourishes you.
🔥 Fire Signs: Purpose over pressure. The spark’s still there, it’s just learning to burn smarter.
🌬 Air Signs: Reflection meets refinement. You're syncing systems and sorting what’s worth your energy.
Cosmic Dates to Know
June 29: New Moon in Cancer, perfect for emotional resets and home-life intentions
July 2-3: Ideal for healing convos, romantic grounding, and focused creativity
July 4: Celebrate connection, not just fireworks, real joy is lowkey and meaningful
EDITOR'S PICK: Silicon + Science + South Asian Excellence
This week, we’re spotlighting South Asian Americans shaping the future of medicine through artificial intelligence, with rigor, empathy, and a deep sense of purpose. From inventing MRI tools that predict disease years ahead to building AI that understands skin tone diversity, these changemakers are weaving data with dharma.
We’ve gathered standout stories, research papers, and platforms, not just to celebrate brilliance, but to inspire the next generation of healers, coders, and caregivers. Because this isn’t just their story. It’s ours. Read the full feature and share it forward, with a student, a mentee, or your group chat.
UPCOMING WEEK: June 27-July 4
June 30: Sailor Moon Day: Channel your inner magical girl and fight evil by moonlight. Meteor Day: A reminder to look up from your phone… unless you’re filming the sky. OOTD Day: “Outfit of the Day” for the fashion flexers and mirror-selfie pros. Social Media Day: Celebrating the apps we love, hate, and can’t quit.
July 1: Postal Worker Day (U.S.): Respect to the folks delivering love letters, tax bills, and Amazon regrets. Canada Day: Fireworks, flag cake, and full-on maple syrup vibes since 1867. Doctor’s Day (India): Shoutout to the healers, from your neighborhood GP to pandemic heroes.
July 4: Independence Day (U.S.): Fireworks, flags, and freedom.
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