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• Traders are increasingly using prediction markets as real-time sentiment indicators to gauge reactions to macroeconomic releases, supplementing traditional tools like Treasury yields and the CME FedWatch Tool. • These platforms allow investors to bypass delayed analyst research and economist forecasts by watching probabilities adjust instantly as new information hits the wires. • This shift is significant because prediction markets have become some of the fastest available tools for event-driven trading and information processing.

• Health Canada has authorized Moderna to begin a clinical trial for an mRNA vaccine targeting the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus. • The trial aims to combat a significant and ongoing outbreak of the virus currently surging throughout the Democratic Republic of the Congo. • This authorization is critical as it leverages mRNA technology to provide a rapid response to a deadly pathogen in a region facing a public health crisis.

Slovakia reaches new high of 42C as authorities in Poland forced to shut down Kozienice and Połaniec power plantsTemperature records have been broken in several countries across central and eastern Europe as the extreme weather that has caused wildfires and droughts across the continent continues.Countries including Slovakia, Austria and Hungary registered record temperatures. On Thursday, the Slovakian hydrometeorological agency said a new high of 42C (108F) had been reached in Dolné Plachtince. Continue reading...

• New high-resolution images published in the journal *Nature* reveal that the Sun's visible surface is teeming with a vast number of whirling vortices. • These findings highlight the extreme turmoil and complex fluid dynamics occurring on the solar surface, providing a more detailed look at solar activity than previously captured. • The discovery matters because understanding these vortices helps scientists better comprehend the Sun's magnetic field and the mechanisms driving solar weather.

Cases have passed 4,000 and health watchdog plans to go door to door to find patients in major response escalationThe virus causing a massive outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo could be mutating, health officials fear, as confirmed cases pass 4,000.Africa’s public health watchdog said the time for incremental action was over, as they announced plans to scale up every aspect of the response and go “door to door” looking for patients. Continue reading...

As Australia prepares for the H5 bird flu to potentially rip through hundreds of species, residents of the Limestone Coast are already seeing the impactsGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastIt’s only been three weeks since H5 bird flu was detected on South Australia’s Limestone Coast, and already encounters with sick or dead birds are becoming commonplace.Maureen Christie, who lives in the seaside town of Carpenter Rocks, has been observing and protecting birds in the region for decades. She is now witnessing many stricken and suffering. Continue reading...

• Myanmar's military leader has conducted his first official visit to Thailand since the coup, marking a significant break in his diplomatic isolation. • While Western nations have barred the leader and accused him of crimes against humanity, Thailand is pursuing "calibrated re-engagement" to manage their shared 2,400 km border. • The visit highlights a divide within ASEAN, as Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Singapore demand more concessions to end Myanmar's civil war and humanitarian crisis before restoring ties.

• Two people in Michigan have died following a cyclospora outbreak, marking the first confirmed fatalities related to the microscopic parasite in the United States. • State health officials noted that while cyclosporiasis is rarely life-threatening, these deaths involved individuals with significant underlying health conditions. • The fatalities were attributed to severe dehydration caused by diarrhea, which exacerbated the patients' existing medical vulnerabilities.

• Goldman Sachs projects that China's AI revenue will reach US$13 billion, driven by significant technological breakthroughs and increased adoption. • The bank specifically raised year-end Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) forecasts for Hong Kong-listed firms Zhipu AI to US$2.5 billion and MiniMax to US$1 billion. • This growth is attributed to Chinese AI models reducing operational costs, enhancing capabilities, and capturing a larger share of the global token market.

• Singer Ariana Grande, 33, will step back from public visibility and take a break from her public life following the conclusion of her world tour next month. • The decision comes as a response to what her representative describes as "endless" scrutiny surrounding the artist. • Grande is currently continuing her tour schedule, with three upcoming performances at the United Center in Chicago starting this Monday.

• US singer Ariana Grande, 33, has announced she will "step back from visibility" and take a break from public life. • The hiatus will begin next month following the conclusion of her current world tour. • According to her representative, the decision comes as a response to the "endless" scrutiny the artist has faced.

• With the FIFA World Cup, Commonwealth Games, and Indian cricket currently on hiatus, fans are encouraged to seek alternative live sporting events. • A major tennis tournament is currently underway, featuring top-ranked global players as a critical preparation phase for the upcoming US Open. • These events provide essential continuity for sports enthusiasts during the off-season of more mainstream global tournaments.

Six additional states caught up in investigation after Michigan reported first two US deaths linked to diseaseThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reportedly expanded the largest known cyclosporiasis outbreak to 15 states.The alleged expansion includes the addition of six states, according to the Washington Post, which cited three people familiar with the matter. Those states include Arkansas, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire and North Carolina, according to a fourth person familiar who spoke to the paper. Continue reading...

• Global AI funding reached over $2.6 trillion in 2026, driven by a massive capital expenditure race among hyperscalers and regional investments. • Moonshot AI raised $2 billion in May 2026, skyrocketing its valuation to over $20 billion, a five-fold increase from its late-2025 valuation of approximately $4.3 billion. • The company released the Kimi K3 open-weight model on July 17, featuring 2.8 trillion parameters and outperforming leading U.S. models.

Restaurant chain pulls peppers ‘out of an abundance of caution’ as salmonella outbreak sickens 100 peopleChipotle said on Tuesday ⁠it had removed jalapeños from some of the chain’s restaurants after identifying ⁠the peppers as ⁠a ​potential ingredient tied to a salmonella outbreak, replacing them ⁠with supplies from different growers.The company said it ​began tracing ‌ingredients through its supply ‌chain after learning of a ‌potential outbreak and identified jalapeños from a common lot as a possible source. Continue reading...

• Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. has released its latest flagship AI model, aiming to compete with top global industry leaders. • The company claims the new model achieves breakthrough performance levels comparable to high-end systems like Anthropic’s Fable. • This launch signifies Alibaba's aggressive push to maintain a competitive edge in the rapidly evolving artificial intelligence landscape against Western rivals.

• Shanghai Initiative Technology Co., Ltd. announced the completion of a 330 million RMB angel funding round on August 3, 2026. • This investment marks a record-breaking amount for angel-round financing within China's brain-computer interface (BCI) sector. • The capital will be used to advance neural integration technologies designed for medical treatments and AI-driven applications.

US sees first fatalities due to intestinal illness, though both had significant ​underlying health conditionsTwo people have died from cyclosporiasis in Michigan, the state’s health department said on Monday, marking the first fatalities in the largest US outbreak ⁠of the intestinal illness.Both ⁠individuals had significant ​underlying health conditions that may have been affected by cyclosporiasis and dehydration, according to medical records. Continue reading...

Soaring temperatures continue to sweep parts of Europe, while Okinawa faces powerful winds and storm surgesEurope live – latest updatesUnbearable, record-breaking heat has dominated the summer of 2026 across much of Europe. New records were set in central Europe last week, with Wieselburg in Austria registering a new July peak of 40.3C (104.5F). This is particularly significant as it is just 0.2C behind the all-time high, set in the August of 2003.However, not all of the northern hemisphere has experienced extreme heat and aridity. Vancouver recorded its wettest July since 2016 and the third wettest since 2008, with 33.6mm of rain. While that total may not appear exceptional, it is only a touch above the 1991-2020 climate average, highlighting how unusually dry July has been in the Canadian city over the past decade. Continue reading...

• Two people were killed after firefighting helicopters collided while battling a wildfire in Greece, according to the report's headline. • In a separate incident, police and officers from Punjab and Sindh provinces were deployed to secure elections against potential disruptions. • Protesters from the banned Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) established road blockades in several neighborhoods to prevent voting.

• Global economic indicators show a mixed landscape, with negative PMIs reported in China, positive data from Korea, and rising growth in Canada. • US economic data has cooled, but bond markets are signaling concern as the US 10-year Treasury yield reaches 4.75%. • Market fluctuations are evident across commodities and currencies, with gold prices dipping and the New Zealand dollar trading at 58.9 US cents.

• Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stated on Sunday that Nagpur has the potential to be the source of India's next major breakthrough in artificial intelligence (AI). • He urged universities to quickly update their teaching and research frameworks to focus on AI, quantum computing, and semiconductor technologies. • This push for academic realignment is intended to ensure India remains competitive as global technological disruption accelerates.

Health secretary, longtime vaccination skeptic, spent years boosting misinformation about vaccines including MMRRobert F Kennedy Jr, the US health secretary, on Sunday told American parents that they should get their children vaccinated against measles, as the surge in infections has reached numbers not seen in the past 35 years.Kennedy, a leading vaccination skeptic who has spent years amplifying misinformation about vaccines, including the shot that protects against measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), made his call in the course of a contentious interview with CNN’s State of the Union on Sunday morning. Continue reading...

• In 2026, a new wave of emerging talent, including Akash Makhija, Prasanna Bisht, and Samara Tijori, has successfully broken through on Over-the-Top (OTT) streaming platforms. • These younger actors are finding success across various genres, marking a shift in the digital landscape even as established superstars continue to migrate to streaming services. • This trend highlights a growing industry openness to fresh faces, diversifying the talent pool available for high-quality web series production.

• Manchester United is reportedly considering a surprise move to sign young talent Myles Lewis-Skelly. • This interest follows a reported breakthrough in Arsenal's pursuit of Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr. • These potential transfers signal a strategic shift in squad building for both Premier League giants during the current window.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport in Bhogapuram, Andhra Pradesh, on Saturday. • The Greenfield airport was developed via a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model with a total investment exceeding Rs 5,640 crore. • Designed to enhance regional connectivity, the facility is capable of handling six million passengers annually during its initial phase.

• Donald Trump has characterized a proposed Gaza peace deal as a "great breakthrough" on August 1, 2026. • Despite Trump's optimism, both Israel and Hamas continue to disagree on several key conditions required to finalize the agreement. • This diplomatic friction highlights the ongoing difficulty in securing a lasting ceasefire and stability in the region.

• A Cyclosporiasis outbreak has been reported across 17 states, with 145 confirmed cases of the gastrointestinal disease caused by the Cyclospora parasite. • The CDC has issued an alert to health care workers to ensure rapid diagnosis and proper response, as the infection spreads via contaminated food or water. • This outbreak is critical for infection prevention and control (IPC) teams to manage, as timely identification is necessary to protect patients and contain the spread.