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• Tech companies are intensifying security measures to combat rising physical and digital threats targeting AI developers and critical infrastructure. • The urgency is driven by a surge in AI-powered financial crimes, with AI-driven cryptocurrency fraud reaching an estimated $17 billion. • In response to these evolving risks, approximately 73% of global organizations have already integrated AI tools into their own cybersecurity defenses.

Almost 6,000 people apply to be excluded on moral or religious grounds despite ‘conscription lite’ policy The number of young men applying to be conscientious objectors and refuse armed military service in Germany has risen sharply this year, undermining a drive by Berlin to create Europe’s strongest conventional army and deter the Russian threat.More people had applied to exclude themselves from service on religious or moral grounds in the first half of 2026 than in the whole of last year, according to figures provided by the government on Tuesday. Continue reading...

• Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced plans to increase India's AI compute capacity to keep pace with rapid global technological advancements. • The initiative focuses on fostering strategic collaborations between the IT industry and educational institutions to drive innovation and continuous learning. • Vaishnaw urged the tech sector to develop next-generation solutions to strengthen India's competitive position as a global technology leader.

FCA’s review into how tech will reshape financial services warns about amplified risks of cyber-crime and fraudBusiness live – latest updatesMinisters have been urged to toughen the City regulator’s powers to protect consumers against the potential risks of AI, according to a landmark review.The Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) Mills review, which looked at how AI will reshape financial services from 2030 onward, found that companies are already starting to shift from human-led activities towards AI-enabled services for everyday consumers. Continue reading...

Report says current network of buses, trains and stations effectively locks 2.8m people out of workforceInvesting in the UK transport network to make it fully accessible to disabled passengers could boost the economy by £176bn by helping millions more people into work, according to a report.Making the economic case for an inclusive transport network, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) said the current system was inaccessible to almost a quarter of the working-age population. Continue reading...

• The Supreme Court has implemented a series of rapid legal interventions during the current election cycle that legal experts describe as unprecedented. • These judicial moves are expected to reshape election processes in ways that primarily benefit the Republican Party. • The timing and pace of these decisions are significant as they could provide the GOP with a strategic advantage heading into the midterm elections.

• President Lee Jae Myung has pledged to establish an aerospace industry belt along South Korea’s southern coast to strengthen the nation's space sector. • The initiative will specifically focus on the development and production of satellites, rockets, and next-generation aircraft. • This project is part of a larger strategic push to integrate aerospace growth with advancements in AI, semiconductors, and future manufacturing.

• The Supreme Court ruled that national political parties are permitted to spend unlimited funds in direct coordination with their candidates. • This decision is expected to have a significant impact on the Texas U.S. Senate race between Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico. • The ruling matters because it removes previous spending caps on coordinated expenditures, potentially flooding the race with national party resources.

• Wadhwani AI, the Bridgespan Group, and Google.org released a report titled “Harnessing AI in Education for Future Readiness” detailing a roadmap to integrate responsible AI into India's education system. • The report suggests that a comprehensive public education overhaul powered by AI could boost India’s GDP by $2.6 trillion by 2047. • This strategic integration aims to strengthen overall learning outcomes, increase system efficiency, and ensure students are prepared for future workforce demands.

The London-based fintech said the restructuring was necessary to reduce ‘duplicate’ rolesBusiness live – latest updatesStarling Bank has said it will cut more than 100 jobs from its workforce, as it invests more heavily in artificial intelligence to push down costs.The digital-only bank told staff that 3% of its workforce, or 130 jobs, would be made redundant, as part of a restructuring of its banking and tech operations. Continue reading...

• Asian markets rebounded as chipmakers recovered from a recent selloff and lower oil prices boosted investor sentiment. • Key gains included Indonesia’s Jakarta Stock Exchange Composite Index, which rose 2.2%, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng, which climbed 1.4%. • The recovery follows a volatile week dominated by global technology trends, shifting focus back to regional economic indicators.

• Global technology giants have committed nearly $80 billion to develop AI and cloud infrastructure in India to support the nation's goal of becoming a global AI powerhouse. • These massive investments focus on scaling computing power and digital infrastructure, enabling India to better integrate advanced AI capabilities into its economy. • This surge in funding is critical as it positions India to compete with other tech hubs and accelerates the deployment of AI-driven services across various sectors.

• India and Japan signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) and other agreements focused on defense, technology, and investment to strengthen their strategic partnership. • In international diplomacy, Salman Khurshid will represent the Congress party at the state funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Iran. • A massive overnight Russian attack on Kyiv resulted in at least 17 deaths and over 90 injuries, marking a significant escalation in violence.

• An 11-year-old boy crashed a pickup truck into a group of monks on a pilgrimage walk in northeastern Thailand on Thursday, July 2, 2026. • The accident resulted in nine deaths among the 35 monks who were traveling from Mukdahan province, located approximately 600 km from Bangkok. • The tragedy highlights severe safety concerns regarding unsupervised minors operating vehicles and the vulnerability of pedestrian pilgrims.

• Ant International has decided to establish its Global Operations Centre in Kuala Lumpur, as announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on July 1. • The initiative aims to create new employment opportunities and strengthen local capabilities in artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technology. • This move is strategic for Malaysia as the country seeks to position itself as a primary regional hub for the digital economy.

• British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has significantly increased funding for the U.K. military in one of his final major acts of office. • The decision to boost weapons spending on Tuesday prioritizes military expansion over domestic welfare programs. • This move is criticized as a "legacy of warfare," signaling a strategic shift toward increased defense capabilities.

• The U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling in the Slaughter case that critics argue grants the presidency expanded, untrammeled power. • The decision is framed as a dangerous precedent that could allow a president to weaponize regulatory and law enforcement agencies against political opponents. • This legal shift is compared to democratic backsliding seen in other nations, such as Israel, where the Supreme Court recently intervened to protect the Attorney General from political interference by Benjamin Netanyahu.

• The Dow Jones Industrial Average hit a record high, while the S&P 500 and NASDAQ also rose, driven by AI optimism and a US-Iran ceasefire. • This surge follows a record close for the Dow on Monday, reflecting investor confidence in resilient technology stocks and improving global conditions. • The trend is significant as it sets a positive momentum for Wall Street entering the second half of the year, though analysts still advise portfolio diversification.

• Germany is integrating artificial intelligence into its economy to combat a growing shortage of skilled workers. • Economists estimate that this strategic AI adoption could increase the nation's economic output by up to €323 billion over the next decade. • The move is critical as the country seeks to maintain industrial productivity and competitiveness despite a shrinking labor force.

Exclusive: Pentagon files suggest some new facilities will store nuclear arsenal, with $163m also earmarked for secretive spy baseMore than $4bn (£3bn) is to be spent upgrading the US government’s military and spy bases in the UK, according to official documents that shed light on the UK’s apparent role as a secretive site for American nuclear weapons.The construction plans include building new bunkers in Suffolk, which will seemingly be used to store nuclear weapons, and modernising facilities to help covert units run secret operations. Continue reading...

• The Europe Stoxx 600 index is positioned to achieve its most significant quarterly gain in more than five years, driven largely by a surge in artificial intelligence interest. • Technology stocks specifically rose 1.7 per cent, putting them on track for their strongest quarterly performance since October 2001. • This growth highlights the profound impact of the AI boom on European equity markets and investor sentiment toward tech-driven sectors.

• DigitalEurope is urging the EU to implement voluntary joint procurement procedures based on harmonized criteria to boost regional competitiveness. • The proposal builds upon existing Public Procurement Directives (PPD) and the proposed Cloud & AI Development Act (CADA) to streamline digital acquisitions. • This initiative addresses a significant gap in current operations, as only 11% of EU procurement procedures are currently conducted through cooperative procurement.

Dan Jarvis persuaded Rachel Reeves to reduce £18bn funding gap that led to predecessor resigningThe new defence secretary has secured an extra £1.5bn to the UK’s long-delayed defence investment plan, with the bulk of that to be spent on drones to deter Russia and Iran.Rows about closing an £18bn funding gap had led to the resignation of John Healey and raised questions about Britain’s commitments to Nato – though on Monday the head of the alliance told the Guardian he believed the UK would honour its commitments. Continue reading...

• U.S. stock index futures rose late Sunday following reports that the United States and Iran have agreed to suspend military hostilities. • The market surge is driven by hopes that both nations will resume diplomatic negotiations, reducing geopolitical tensions in the region. • This development matters as it eases investor anxiety over potential conflict, which had previously pressured global financial markets.

• Senegal secured a dominant 5-0 victory over 10-man Iraq, significantly boosting their chances of advancing to the World Cup knockout stages. • Substitute Pape Gueye played a pivotal role in the rout by scoring two goals to help seal the win. • The result is critical for Senegal as they fight for a spot in the next round of the tournament.

Adm Sir Tony Radakin says UK currenly ‘falls short’ of level required to keep Russian threats at bayThe former head of the armed forces has told Andy Burnham that plans for defence spending must meet a “Moscow test” to keep Russian threats at bay, warning the UK currently “falls short” of that level of commitment.Adm Sir Tony Radakin, who was the chief of the defence staff until last year, said that if the government’s defence investment plan (Dip), expected to be published this week, was “not enough” then the probable next prime minister would have to find more funding before the general election. Continue reading...

• South Korea will implement 24-hour trading for the won starting July 6 to increase the currency's global appeal and accessibility for international investors. • The reform aims to improve market efficiency and liquidity, though officials acknowledge potential risks regarding currency volatility during low-liquidity hours. • This move comes as the country experiences strong equity inflows and significant overseas investments that continue to put pressure on the national currency.

• Asian stock markets rallied as Micron Technology and SK Hynix saw significant gains driven by surging demand for AI memory chips. • Both companies are trending toward $1 trillion valuations, pushing regional indices to record highs. • SK Hynix is expanding its reach through a new ADR listing, providing U.S.-based institutional investors with a direct and liquid method to invest.