Monday☕️

Earth Intelligence

16 Jun 2025 — 7 min read

Economics & Markets:

Yesterday’s commodity market:

Yesterday’s crypto market:

Geopolitics & Military Activity:

As of June 16, 2025, the Israel-Iran conflict has entered its fourth day of intense military activity, with both nations engaged in heavy airstrikes and missile barrages. Iran launched overnight missile attacks on Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv and Haifa, killing at least 10 Israelis and injuring over 300, as some missiles breached Israel’s air defenses. Israel responded with airstrikes targeting Iran’s nuclear sites, missile bases, and military infrastructure, with reports indicating at least 224 deaths in Iran, and over 1,200 injuries. Both sides are escalating rhetoric, with Israel threatening further strikes and Iran vowing severe retaliation, while civilian evacuations intensify amid growing chaos.

The events began on June 12, when Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a preemptive strike targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities, missile production sites, and senior military figures. According to multiple sources, Israel’s initial strikes killed six high-ranking Iranian military commanders, significantly disrupting Iran’s military leadership. The confirmed casualties include: Major General Hossein Salami, Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC); Major General Mohammad Hossein Bagheri, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces; Major General Gholamali Rashid, Commander of Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters; Brigadier General Esmail Qaani, Commander of the IRGC Quds Force; Major General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, Commander of the IRGC Aerospace Forces; and Major General Mehdi Rabani, Deputy Commander of the IRGC.
These strikes, which also killed two nuclear scientists, Fereydoun Abbasi and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, resulted in 78 deaths and over 320 injuries in Iran. Iran retaliated on June 13 with Operation Severe Punishment, firing over 150 ballistic missiles and 100 drones at Israel, killing at least four and injuring dozens. Over the weekend, Israel conducted 200 airstrikes across Iran, including hits on nuclear sites like Natanz and Fordo and two natural gas installations, while Iran launched around 200 missiles, causing further casualties. The death toll continues to rise, with Israel reporting 21 total deaths and Iran claiming 225, as both nations’ air defenses struggle and the region braces for potential further escalation.

Environment & Weather:

Yesterday, June 15, 2025, an earthquake struck near Peru’s central coast, impacting Lima and Callao, with reported magnitudes ranging from 5.6 to 6.1. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) recorded the quake at 5.6 magnitude with a depth of 53 km, while Peru’s Geophysical Institute (IGP) reported a 6.1 magnitude at a depth of 49 km, reflecting variations in seismic monitoring. The earthquake resulted in one confirmed death in Lima’s Independencia district and at least five injuries, with affected individuals receiving hospital treatment. Reported damage included landslides along Lima’s Costa Verde, minor disruptions to roads, and impacts to health facilities, though no tsunami warning was issued.

The quake prompted widespread public alarm in Lima and Callao, with posts on X describing shaking buildings and minor structural damage in affected areas. The variation in magnitude reports underscores challenges in real-time seismic data standardization, complicating initial assessments. Peru, situated on the seismically active Pacific Ring of Fire, is accustomed to frequent earthquakes. The June 15 event has led authorities to inspect infrastructure for vulnerabilities and prepare for potential aftershocks, as the quake’s proximity to the capital heightened its impact. Emergency response efforts are ongoing to address immediate needs and ensure public safety in the affected regions.

Space:

On June 13, 2025, SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, at 11:29 a.m. EDT (1529 UTC), carrying 23 Starlink satellites, including 13 with Direct to Cell capabilities. The Starlink 12-26 mission aimed to expand SpaceX’s low-Earth orbit satellite constellation to improve global broadband internet and enable direct mobile connectivity. The Falcon 9’s first stage, on its seventh flight, successfully landed on the droneship Of Course I Still Love You in the Atlantic Ocean, reinforcing SpaceX’s reusable rocket technology.

The satellites were deployed into low-Earth orbit approximately one hour after launch, with no reported issues. The mission supports SpaceX’s goal of building a vast satellite network for enhanced global communication, particularly through Direct to Cell technology, which allows mobile connectivity without specialized devices.
On June 14, 2025, the Zhangheng 1-02 satellite, also known as CSES-02 (China Seismo-Electromagnetic Satellite-02), was launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China aboard a Long March 2D rocket at 07:56 UTC. This joint mission between the China National Space Administration (CNSA) and the Italian Space Agency (ASI) focuses on monitoring electromagnetic fields, plasma parameters, and particle fluxes in near-Earth space to investigate potential links with seismic events. Developed by the China Earthquake Administration (CEA), Italy’s National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN), and various Chinese and Italian research institutions, the satellite was placed into a 1415 LTDN sun-synchronous orbit. The launch proceeded without reported issues.
The CSES-02 mission aims to advance research into geophysical phenomena, particularly the relationship between electromagnetic changes and earthquakes, building on data from the 2018 Zhangheng 1/CSES satellite. It supports China’s disaster monitoring system by collecting data to enhance early detection of natural disasters like earthquakes and tsunamis, as well as space weather events. The collaboration leverages expertise from both nations to improve scientific understanding of seismic precursors.

Insights:

SpaceX leads the satellite and rocket technology industries with its Starlink constellation and Falcon 9 rocket, driven by reusable rocket technology and in-house production. As of June 2025, SpaceX operates around 7,600 Starlink satellites in low-Earth orbit, comprising nearly two-thirds of the 12,000 active satellites worldwide, serving over 2 million broadband users in over 100 countries. In 2024, SpaceX delivered 80% of global payload mass to orbit (1,500 metric tonnes), dwarfing China’s 12% (180 tonnes) and Europe’s minimal contribution. The Falcon 9 launches 22,800 kg to LEO for $62–90 million, or $2,720 per kg, compared to Arianespace’s $150–200 million or China’s Long March rockets. With 73 launches in 2025, including the June 13 Starlink 12-26 mission deploying 23 satellites, SpaceX maintains an unmatched launch pace.
Competitors fall far behind: OneWeb has ~500 satellites, China’s state constellations ~370, Planet Labs ~200, and Amazon’s Kuiper 27. United Launch Alliance launched 1,200 kg in Q4 2023, 318 times less than SpaceX’s 382,080 kg. Rocket Lab and Blue Origin managed under 20 launches in 2024, limited by smaller, non-reusable rockets. SpaceX’s reusable boosters, integrated manufacturing, and rapid innovation enable launches at lower costs, with Starlink’s $6.6 billion projected 2025 revenue funding further growth. These advantages—cost, scale, and technology—make SpaceX the unrivaled leader in the space sector and the world’s largest private company, valued at ~$480 billion.

Statistic:

Largest public financial companies by market capitalization:

🇺🇸 JPMorgan Chase: $736.31B
🇺🇸 Visa: $675.94B
🇺🇸 Mastercard: $510.36B
🇨🇳 ICBC: $333.19B
🇺🇸 Bank of America: $332.08B
🇨🇳 Agricultural Bank of China: $270.71B
🇨🇳 China Construction Bank: $245.97B
🇺🇸 Wells Fargo: $235.47B
🇬🇧 HSBC: $207.93B
🇺🇸 Morgan Stanley: $207.74B
🇨🇳 Bank of China: $205.51B
🇺🇸 American Express: $201.62B
🇦🇺 Commonwealth Bank: $194.45B
🇮🇳 HDFC Bank: $188.78B
🇺🇸 Goldman Sachs: $188.25B
🇨🇦 Royal Bank Of Canada: $180.16B
🇨🇳 CM Bank (China Merchants Bank): $159.89B
🇺🇸 Charles Schwab: $158.73B
🇯🇵 Mitsubishi UFJ Financial: $156.22B
🇺🇸 S&P Global: $153.79B
🇺🇸 Citigroup: $142.61B
🇺🇸 Capital One: $123.43B
🇨🇦 Toronto Dominion Bank: $121.95B
🇪🇸 Santander: $118.27B
🇮🇳 ICICI Bank: $118.00B

History:

J.P. Morgan, one of the most influential financial institutions in history, traces its origins to the early 19th century. The foundation began with the establishment of the Manhattan Company in 1799 by Aaron Burr, which initially served as a water utility but later evolved into a banking entity. However, the modern institution is more directly tied to Junius Spencer Morgan, who founded J.S. Morgan & Co. in London, and his son, John Pierpont Morgan, who established J.P. Morgan & Co. in New York in 1871. J.P. Morgan & Co. quickly became a powerhouse, financing major industries like railroads and steel, and played a pivotal role in stabilizing the U.S. economy during crises, such as the Panic of 1907. By merging with other banks, like Guaranty Trust in 1959, and absorbing the legacy of the Manhattan Company through later mergers, the bank solidified its position as a leader in investment and commercial banking.
In the 20th and 21st centuries, J.P. Morgan evolved through strategic mergers and adaptations to global financial demands. The landmark merger with Chase Manhattan in 2000 created JPMorgan Chase & Co., combining investment banking prowess with extensive retail banking operations. The acquisition of Bear Stearns in 2008 and Washington Mutual’s assets during the financial crisis further expanded its footprint. Today, JPMorgan Chase is a global titan, operating in over 100 countries with a market capitalization exceeding $700 billion as of 2025. It leads in investment banking, wealth management, and commercial banking, navigating challenges like regulatory changes and digital transformation while maintaining its legacy of innovation and influence in global finance.

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