Around

• Vodafone (VOD) announced in May 2024 that it would halve its dividend payments to shareholders. • The decision follows rising operational costs driven by energy price spikes linked to the war in Ukraine and the need for critical infrastructure upgrades. • This strategic shift allows the company to prioritize capital investment in network speed and a new plan to integrate AI into its operations.

• In 2026, NASA successfully flew astronauts around the Moon for the first time in over fifty years, marking a major milestone in human space exploration. • Simultaneously, the White House proposed some of the deepest budget cuts in the agency's history, specifically targeting science and climate research programs. • The proposed cuts would disproportionately impact robotic probes and telescopes, which are the most cost-effective tools for NASA's scientific discoveries.

• President Trump has threatened "decapitation" strikes against Iran, stating the country is on its "very last chance" to reach a deal. • In response to a Houthi-declared blockade, six Saudi-operated tankers have been diverted around Africa to ensure safe passage. • Iran's Foreign Ministry is currently in negotiations with Oman to establish a temporary safe route for maritime vessels.

CJ Miller from West Lothian has delighted global audiences with ‘sheer stupidity’ of his half-time dancesThe 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow have already provided plenty of highlights. But fans across the world have been dazzled by one particular breakout star: the “mop man”.When a cleaner came out at half-time during a netball match to wipe down the court before the restart, everything appeared normal. But as the cleaner swept, and the first bars of Queen’s I Want to Break Free rang out in the venue, he went from sweeping to a standing split. Continue reading...

Chancellor will have to find money for Burnham’s policies while sticking to fiscal rules as borrowing costs riseAndy Burnham’s government has set a date for a late October budget to “spread money and power” out of Westminster as the new prime minister pushes forward his tax and spending plans.Announcing an autumn budget for 28 October, the chancellor, John Healey, said Labour would stick to its fiscal rules with its agenda to give businesses and households stability for the future. Continue reading...

Hancock Prospecting says chair Kim Williams among those ‘on notice’ for failing to remove program that joked about turning Rinehart’s insides into a sausage rollGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastGina Rinehart has threatened the ABC with legal action over crude comments aired on the national broadcaster, including a joke about mixing her guts into a sausage roll.The four-minute film, titled A Very Relaxing Video, aired on the Race Around the World program on 12 July and concluded with the film-maker, Kate McGuinness, making crude and offensive comments about Rinehart. Continue reading...

• South Korea's benchmark KOSPI index crashed nearly 11% on Tuesday, marking its worst single-day session in almost five months. • The decline was driven by a global rout in semiconductor stocks, which severely impacted industry giants Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. • Market volatility was further exacerbated by the stock market debut of China's CXMT, heightening investor fears regarding increased competition from Chinese chipmakers.

Federal government touts emergency warning alert test as a success and says no approach works 100% of the timeA blaring emergency warning alert Australians had been warned about was anti-climactic for some – and totally missed by others.Almost every phone in the country, alongside some smartwatches and tablets, was supposed to let off a loud noise at about 2pm AEST and receive a pop-up notification with the text “TEST MESSAGE” and “NO ACTION IS REQUIRED”. Continue reading...

• Goldman Sachs stock is trading near recent highs following strong earnings momentum driven by growth in its investment banking and trading divisions. • The firm's financial performance is currently supported by increased revenue and profit, though retail investors are closely monitoring capital returns and balance sheet metrics. • The stock's valuation remains sensitive to macroeconomic variables, including GDP growth, inflation, and central bank policy rates, which impact corporate demand for advisory services.

The President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief has saved 26m lives globally, but slashing of funds and dismantling of USAID have forced clinics to shut in dozens of countriesNo part of the United States’ anti-HIV programme has escaped unscathed from Donald Trump’s funding cuts, despite pledges from the administration to protect care that saved lives around the world, a new report has found.Funding cuts to the President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (Pepfar) have caused “severe and devastating” disruption globally, with thousands of staff laid off and many clinics closed, according to research being presented next week at the 26th International Aids Conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It warns that changes in US policy risk reversing progress in the fight against HIV/Aids. Continue reading...