Agenda

• Former Bangi MP Dr. Ong Kian Ming asserts that Pakatan Harapan (PH) must return to its core political and institutional reform agenda following a "crushing defeat" in the Negeri Sembilan state election. • Dr. Ong argues that the coalition's current decline in support is a direct result of relying on short-term electoral strategies rather than the principles that originally propelled them to power. • This shift is critical as PH seeks to regain public trust and reverse the trend of diminishing electoral appeal.

• Pakatan Harapan (PH) is facing a decline in public confidence following three election losses and allegations of abandoned reform promises. • Former senior political secretary Shamsul Iskandar Akin is allegedly linked to a Sabah mining scandal, with whistleblower Albert Tei claiming a payment of RM629,000 was made to him. • Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail is embroiled in a citizenship scandal involving forged documents and misleading statements regarding seven "heritage" footballers.

• EU ministers are meeting to discuss migration strategies and border security following a crisis in Ceuta, with Spain seeking greater solidarity from member states. • Twenty-two national leaders, led by Italy and Denmark, have called for stricter external border controls to prevent "pull factors" that encourage illegal migration. • This tension centers on Spain's controversial plan to grant legal status to over 1 million undocumented migrants, which other EU nations fear will incentivize further arrivals.

• Parliament has passed the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, during the 10th day of the Monsoon Session. • The new legislation imposes stricter punishments for paper leaks and mandates the use of fast-track courts to ensure speedy trials. • This move matters as it aims to curb systemic cheating and corruption in public examinations, protecting the integrity of the recruitment process.

• The Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha are convening at 11 am for the 2026 Monsoon Session to address critical legislative business. • Key items on the parliamentary agenda include the Supreme Court Amendment Bills and the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026. • During the debate on the anti-paper leak bill, lawmakers from opposing parties notably utilized Gen Z slang to sharpen their political arguments.

• Union Minister Jitendra Singh tabled the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha during Day 7 of the 2026 Monsoon Session. • The proposed legislation aims to strengthen anti-paper leak laws by increasing the severity of punishments for those involved in examination fraud. • Simultaneously, Purnea MP Pappu Yadav staged a symbolic protest outside Parliament, wearing a "Justice" bandage to criticize the Centre's handling of political developments.

• The Lok Sabha is set to consider a new bill designed to prevent unfair means and curb paper leaks in public examinations. • Parliament will also review a bill aimed at increasing the number of Supreme Court judges to enhance judicial capacity. • Key reports regarding medicine pricing and the disinvestment of fertilizer Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) are scheduled to be tabled.

• TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 will feature a dedicated "Smart Systems Stage" focused on the intersection of energy, infrastructure, and technology. • The agenda will address the critical power bottlenecks facing AI development, specifically examining how massive energy demands are straining the global economy and power grids. • Key topics of discussion will include cutting-edge energy solutions, such as fusion breakthroughs, to sustain the growth of AI infrastructure.

• Parliament is resuming its Monsoon Session after a week of disruptions to address key legislative priorities. • The government will prioritize the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, which aims to introduce stricter penalties for examination fraud and paper leaks. • Monday's agenda also includes the Supreme Court judges Bill, alongside ministerial statements, committee reports, and matters under Rule 377.

• Mayor Andy Burnham has unveiled a comprehensive economic agenda designed to balance immediate cost-of-living relief with a broader long-term political and economic vision. • The plan shifts the public discourse toward a debate over Burnham's specific economic model and its viability for the region. • This development raises critical questions among business and political leaders regarding whether Burnham's public style and tone remain effective as his profile and responsibilities expand.

Kagan rejects notion that high court ‘does whatever the administration wants’, pointing to tariffs ruling and moreLiberal justice Elena Kagan has said it was “wrong” to accuse the US supreme court of becoming a rubber stamp for Donald Trump in his second term, amid criticism of its authorization of some of the president’s most controversial actions.Pointing to rulings against the president on key issues such as tariffs, Kagan – one of three liberals on a court that has in recent years been defined by rulings authored by members of its six-justice conservative majority – defended it at an annual gathering of attorneys and judges for the ninth judicial circuit in Bellevue, Washington, on Thursday. Continue reading...

• The INDI bloc has planned a series of protests, including a "gherao" of the government, to highlight issues such as the CJP protest and recent paper leaks. • Key opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav, have agreed to the strategy as the Monsoon Session of Parliament continues. • This coordinated effort aims to pressure the government on critical governance failures and electoral integrity during the legislative session.

• Day 2 of the 2026 Monsoon Session of Parliament is underway, with Opposition parties preparing to challenge the government on several critical issues. • Key agenda items include the alleged NEET-UG paper leak, general examination irregularities, and accusations of embezzlement regarding donations to the Ram Mandir Trust. • The Opposition also intends to raise concerns regarding alleged police brutality directed at protesters from the Citizens' Public Trust (CJP).

• ASEAN foreign ministers are meeting in Manila to address critical regional challenges, including food and energy security, the Myanmar crisis, and tensions in the South China Sea. • To ensure energy stability, governments are urged to modernize electricity grids, invest in battery storage, and strengthen cross-border transmission infrastructure and regulatory frameworks. • Officials warned that food security is becoming an increasingly urgent concern as climate change triggers more frequent droughts, floods, and extreme weather across Southeast Asia.

• The Parliament Monsoon Session begins today, with the Lok Sabha scheduled to address Matters under Rule 377 later in the day. • Opposition members are expected to challenge the government over critical issues, specifically the Neet-UG paper leak and allegations of embezzlement regarding Ayodhya Ram Temple donations. • The session is significant as it will determine the legislative progress of several key Bills currently on the government's agenda.

• The Indian government has launched the Monsoon Session of Parliament today with an extensive legislative agenda focused on regulatory and structural reforms. • Key proposals include the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill for higher education, and measures to increase the number of Supreme Court judges. • The session also aims to address critical economic areas through proposed tax reforms and new initiatives for MSME development.

• The Monsoon Session of Parliament commenced today, with a schedule consisting of 19 sittings running through August 13. • The government's legislative agenda for the session includes key priorities such as the Vande Mataram Bill and amendments to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA). • These proceedings are critical as the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha address significant legal updates and national policy changes.

• The Indian government has convened an all-party meeting this Sunday at 11 am in the Parliament House annexe to coordinate before the upcoming Monsoon Session. • The meeting aims to secure cooperation from opposition parties to ensure the smooth functioning of both Houses of Parliament. • Key agenda items for discussion include the NEET controversy, Sonam Wangchuk's protests, and the ongoing Ram Mandir row.

• An all-party meeting is scheduled for Sunday to set the agenda for the upcoming Monsoon session of Parliament. • The forcible removal of activist Sonam Wangchuk from Jantar Mantar is expected to be a primary point of contention and a dominant topic of discussion. • The session will also address the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which seeks to restructure and strengthen the MSME sector.

• The Monsoon Session of Parliament is beginning with a legislative agenda featuring seven bills, including the Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2026, and the MSME Development (Amendment) Bill, 2026. • Key proposed measures include tightening rules for delayed birth and death registrations, imposing stricter penalties for disrespecting national symbols, and improving ease of doing business for small enterprises. • The session is expected to be volatile as the Opposition is likely to protest the absence of critical bills regarding delimitation and women's reservation from the government's agenda.

• The Albanian Parliament is holding a plenary session today, which is marked by a continued boycott from opposition members. • The agenda includes an interpellation of Finance Minister Petrit Malaj, requested by MP Jorida Tabaku, to address specific financial concerns. • Lawmakers are scheduled to review several draft laws and evaluate the performance of various independent institutions for the year 2025.

During confirmation hearing Wednesday, Trump’s pick tells Senate health committee she will ‘never betray the science’Erica Schwartz, the Trump administration’s latest nominee to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), faced sharp questioning from senators who pressed her to say whether she would stand up to her boss, the health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr.During her confirmation hearing on Wednesday, Schwartz, a deputy surgeon general in the first Trump administration, told the Senate health committee she “will never betray the science” and pledged to use “radical transparency” to rebuild public trust. But she repeatedly deflected questions about how she would handle pressure from Kennedy, a leader in the anti-vaccine movement who has overseen months of turmoil at the agency and made controversial changes to US vaccine policies. Continue reading...

Incoming prime minister says he doesn’t want to ‘create new divisions’ as Mahmood is tipped to be chancellorAndy Burnham has signalled that he will not increase wealth taxes immediately after becoming prime minister, easing concerns among the business community but limiting his economic room for manoeuvre.He said on Wednesday he did not want to “create new divisions” with his tax policy, in comments that allies said were a sign that he did not intend to raise money by taxing wealth. Continue reading...

• Republicans have returned to Capitol Hill to begin their legislative agenda, though they face immediate complications including demands from Donald Trump and the absence of Mitch McConnell. • The sudden death of Senator Lindsey Graham, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, has created further uncertainty for the GOP's leadership and scheduling. • Despite these setbacks, the Senate Judiciary Committee has scheduled two days of confirmation hearings for Todd Blanche, Trump's nominee for acting attorney general.

Lawmakers face obstacles, including demands from Trump, Mitch McConnell’s absence and Graham’s sudden deathRepublican lawmakers return to the Capitol this week facing a lengthy to-do list and Donald Trump’s demands for new voting restrictions, as Democrats jockey for an advantage ahead of the November midterm elections.Lawmakers from both parties are eager to highlight before voters legislative victories ahead of the midterms, where control of Congress is at stake. But for Senate Republicans, who are already navigating an array of demands from Trump, their agenda grew further complicated over the weekend with the death of Lindsey Graham, the budget committee chair who is a key player in negotiating a party line bill to fund additional defense spending and other priorities outlined by the president. Continue reading...

• Between late June and early July 2026, global systems faced a convergence of political transitions, economic shifts, and intensifying climate pressures. • International actors are closely monitoring Tehran's succession process to determine if Iran will maintain policy continuity or recalibrate its nuclear diplomacy and regional security posture. • The situation is critical because Iran's internal political changes could redefine relations with Gulf states and cause volatility in global energy markets.

• The Atlantic Council's Freedom and Prosperity Center released a report outlining a democracy assistance agenda for 2026-2028 to combat anti-US regimes. • The publication serves as the conclusion to "The future of democracy assistance" series, focusing on actionable policies to promote global democratic governance. • It draws parallels to the U.S. role three decades ago in transforming former Soviet bloc nations through the establishment of free elections and multiparty systems.

• US and Iranian representatives concluded a round of talks in Doha without reaching a breakthrough, as the critical issue of Iran's nuclear programme was omitted from the agenda. • The next set of discussions is scheduled to occur after July 9, following the funeral of Iran's late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. • Global oil prices dropped to their lowest level in four months after President Trump suggested that the likelihood of a full-scale conflict had diminished.