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• Indian stock markets declined on Monday, with the Sensex slumping 600 points and the Nifty testing the 24,200 level. • The selloff was primarily driven by escalating Iran-US tensions and investor concerns over rising Brent crude oil prices. • Market performance was mixed across sectors, as Axis and HDFC Bank shares dropped while Tech Mahindra and Bharti Airtel saw gains.

• Mira Murati has officially launched Thinking Machines Lab, introducing a new AI architecture called "Inkling." • TSMC is significantly scaling its U.S. presence with a massive $100 billion expansion of its facilities in Arizona. • OpenAI has entered the hardware market with its first branded physical device, a $230 developer control pad created in partnership with Work Louder.

Ronald Fischer, 70, was sentenced to life in his absence after telling lawyer he planned to ‘enjoy life in another country’A “master yachtsman” who went on the run for more than two decades after fleeing a sexual assault trial in Rhode Island which resulted in his conviction despite his absence was captured on Thursday on a sailboat off New Jersey’s coast, according to authorities.Ronald L Fischer, 70, had been considered one of Rhode Island’s most wanted fugitives before his arrest, state police officials said in a statement on social media. And his case had been mentioned repeatedly over the years on the true-crime television program America’s Most Wanted. Continue reading...

• Indian stock markets saw gains with the Sensex rising 200 points and the Nifty climbing above 24,100, driven by strong performances from ICICI Bank and HDFC Bank. • Sectoral trends were mixed, as Nifty Financial Services, Auto, and Bank indices rose by 1.08%, 0.90%, and 0.83% respectively, while Nifty IT dropped 1.51%. • Global sentiment was bolstered by a rebound in semiconductor stocks, highlighted by an 11% surge in South Korea's SK Hynix following a volatile week in US tech.

• The KOSPI index surged 404.76 points (5.90%) to reach 7,260.59 by 9:11 a.m. on the 15th, briefly recapturing the 7,200 level shortly after the market opened. • A market trigger was activated just six minutes after the opening bell due to a rapid surge in the price of index futures. • This volatility highlights extreme short-term fluctuations in the Korean stock market, potentially driven by aggressive futures trading.

• The KOSPI index surged by over 6%, closing in the high 7,200s, while the KOSDAQ index also rebounded to close above 820. • This significant market rally was driven by a strong influx of capital from both foreign and institutional investors. • The growth reflects a positive shift in investor sentiment toward South Korean equities, signaling a potential trend of continued recovery.

Konstantin Sokolov, who gave undisclosed sum and has not held government job before, to chair Tripp+ trade project Konstantin Sokolov, a Russian-born private equity investor in Chicago, will serve as chairman of a new state department enterprise fund overseeing more than $200m designated for a central Asia trade corridor, including investments in transportation, energy infrastructure and critical minerals, the Guardian has learned. The state department confirmed his appointment on Friday.Sokolov was one of 36 donors, including 21 corporations and 15 individuals and family foundations, who Trump said contributed over $350m to Donald Trump’s ballroom project. Continue reading...

Woman dies after her home is swept away as heavy rainfall batters parts of state, forcing rescues and evacuationsA woman was found dead in Missouri on Saturday after heavy rainfall battered parts of the state the previous day, forcing numerous emergency rescues and evacuations, including at a summer camp with more than 200 children.The body of Faith Gregory, who went missing in Missouri’s Crawford county after her home was swept away from its foundation, was found by volunteers late Saturday morning. Her body was discovered about 1.8 miles (3km) downstream from her residence in Huzzah creek, according to the county sheriff’s office. Continue reading...

Another 20 people were rescued from a campground after a building collapsed due to heavy rain and floodingHeavy rainfall and widespread flooding battered parts of Missouri on Friday, forcing the helicopter evacuations of more than 200 children and staff from a summer camp and the rescues of about 20 people who had moved to safety on a campground building that then collapsed.With nearby roads washed away and more rain in the forecast, the children were trapped at Camp Taum Sauk in the small south-eastern community of Lesterville, according Sgt Eddie Young of the state’s highway patrol. The army national guard used Black Hawk helicopters to fly them to a nearby elementary school and reunite them with their families, he said. Continue reading...

• The KOSPI index rebounded after a four-day decline, potentially signaling a bottom around the 7,200 level. • The previous slump was driven by investor concerns regarding a potential peak in the semiconductor sector. • Market recovery is being fueled by "bargain hunting," as investors believe stock prices fell excessively relative to company earnings and fundamentals.

• Indonesia, the world's third-largest democracy, is set to import Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and technical expertise from India's Election Commission (ECI). • The move aims to support Indonesia's massive electoral process, which involves approximately 200 million voters. • This partnership positions the ECI as a global consultancy for democratic infrastructure, challenging the traditional dominance of Western institutions and UN bodies.

Varenna’s authorities say wandering around the village shirtless or in swimwear is now bannedA fishing village by Lake Como has imposed fines of up to €200 (£171) for those who wander around with bare chests or in swimwear, in the latest attempt by an Italian holiday destination to crack down on uncouth tourists.Varenna has been feeling the strain from an increasing number of visitors and so authorities were moved to introduce a raft of new rules aimed at preserving the village’s appearance and guaranteeing a smidgen of peace and quiet for its year-round population of roughly 650. Continue reading...

Shipment discovered at airport in Monrovia and valued at £14.2m had been falsely declared as seasoning cubesAuthorities in Liberia have charged five suspects over one of the largest drug seizures in the country’s history, after police found more than 200kg of cocaine falsely declared as Maggi seasoning cubes.The shipment, with an estimated value of $19m (£14.2m), was discovered at the international airport in Monrovia on 8 June, but the suspects were not named until a press briefing at the weekend. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Economists warn Labor’s removal of caps could be pushing up prices as support flows to people in better financial positionsGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastMost Australian first home buyers are using the government’s 5% deposit scheme, with one in three new participants earning more than the scheme’s previous cap for high income earners.The influx of high income earners into the first home guarantee program, economists warn, has pushed up property prices by increasing buying capacity for people who would have bought anyway. Continue reading...

• The ASX 200 index opened higher on Monday, gaining ground despite mixed corporate news and futures suggesting a weaker start. • Market growth is being driven by stabilizing consumer sectors and easing expectations for further interest rate hikes. • Gains are tempered by softening corporate earnings forecasts and price declines in key commodities, including gold, copper, and oil.

• Indian stock markets trended higher, with the Nifty climbing above 24,300 and the Sensex gaining over 200 points. • Banking stocks led the rally, featuring gains from Axis Bank (1.86%), HDFC Bank (1.76%), and AU Small Finance Bank (1.24%). • Global oil prices dropped, with Brent crude falling below $72 a barrel due to increased OPEC production targets and normalized tanker movement through the Strait of Hormuz.

• The 1976 US bicentennial served as a cathartic event for a nation recovering from the "long national nightmare" of the Watergate scandal and political instability. • Despite the celebratory mood, the era was marked by a darkening economic outlook following the 1973 oil shock, which triggered inflation and unemployment. • Historian James Robenalt notes that while citizens felt positive about the political recovery, they remained deeply uncertain and unhappy regarding the economy.

• The BSE Sensex gained 262 points and the Nifty settled above 24,200 on July 3, driven by a nearly 6% surge in HCL Tech shares. • Market growth was supported by Brent crude prices slipping below $71 per barrel, marking their lowest level since late February. • Lower oil prices are significant as they reduce inflationary pressures for India, a major oil-importing economy.

• On July 3, 2026, the Indian stock market saw the Sensex climb 300 points and the Nifty 50 rise above 24,200, supported by a sustained rally in IT stocks. • Simultaneously, Bitcoin rose 2.3% to trade near $61,500, contributing to a global cryptocurrency market capitalization of approximately $2.13 trillion. • The crypto rebound was triggered by weaker-than-expected U.S. payroll growth in June, which added only 57,000 jobs against a forecast of 110,000.

• Chinese stocks are trailing the global AI boom by their widest margin since 2001, reversing a period of optimism where breakthroughs like DeepSeek had attracted overseas investors. • The downturn is driven by Beijing's recent crackdown on cross-border capital flows, which has increased scrutiny of Hong Kong investments and reignited fears regarding regulatory risks. • This shift is significant as it threatens to restore China's "uninvestable" reputation after a brief window where AI advancements suggested a move away from the market's typical boom-bust cycles.

Winchester court hears accusations of offences by former petty officer Allan Grimson against males as young as 14A former Royal Navy petty officer, jailed for life 25 years ago for murdering two young men, sexually assaulted four other boys and men in the same era, a jury has been told.Allan Grimson was jailed in 2001 for battering Nicholas Wright, 18, and Sion Jenkins, 20, to death at his flat above a parade of shops in Portsmouth, Hampshire, in 1997 and 1998. Continue reading...

• Europe is experiencing its worst recorded heatwave, with temperatures exceeding 40°C across multiple countries and affecting approximately 200 million people. • Extreme peaks were recorded in Poland (40.5°C in Słubice, breaking a 105-year record) and Hungary (40.7°C in Budakalász), while Italy and Spain issued highest-level alerts. • The crisis has resulted in 1,300 deaths and caused widespread disruption, including halted train services, strained power grids, and significant agricultural losses.

• Microsoft has experienced its worst monthly stock performance since 2000, driven by investor anxiety over artificial intelligence spending. • The market downturn has resulted in a massive loss of $570 billion in market capitalization for the tech giant. • This decline highlights growing concerns among shareholders regarding whether the high costs of AI infrastructure will yield sufficient financial returns.

• Microsoft is currently experiencing a significant sell-off, putting the company on track for its worst monthly stock performance since December 2000. • The enterprise software leader has seen a substantial decline in its share price as investors offload holdings. • This downturn marks a rare and severe period of volatility for the company, mirroring a market slump from over two decades ago.

• Microsoft shares are on track for their worst monthly performance since 2000, plummeting 17% in June. • The decline has erased approximately $570 billion in market value, driven by investor anxiety over massive AI capital expenditures and delayed financial returns. • Market sentiment was further dampened by weaker-than-expected growth in the Azure cloud platform and a high outlook for future spending.

• The S&P/ASX 200 Index closed 0.7% higher at 8,823.40, gaining 59.20 points on the second to last day of the financial year. • Gains were primarily driven by the technology and healthcare sectors, with Neuren Pharmaceuticals soaring 37% following news of pending EU approval for its Rett syndrome drug. • Other notable market movements included HMC Capital securing a new mandate and Atlas attempting to de-escalate tensions with IFM, according to RBC.

• Portugal is investing up to 200 million euros to establish an AI Gigafactory, a project aimed at expanding the nation's computing capacity. • The investment is expected to be matched by the EuroHPC, potentially bringing the total joint funding for the first phase to 400 million euros. • This initiative is part of a broader European strategy to develop AI Gigafactories, strengthening the region's technological infrastructure and AI capabilities.

• EIFO has committed a €200 million anchor investment to EQT's €5 billion Scaleup Europe Fund. • The initiative aims to close Europe's late-stage funding gap and prevent high-growth tech companies from relocating to the US for larger investment rounds. • This move addresses a critical trend where only six of 14 Danish-founded unicorns since 2000 have remained in Denmark or Europe.