Domestic

Refuge reports ‘staggering’ 78% annual increase in referrals for cases of technology-facilitated or economic abuseDomestic abuse charities have reported a “staggering” increase in perpetrators using technology and finances to control their victims, with a “concerning” rise in people being coerced into car finance agreements.Data from Refuge, the UK’s largest specialist domestic abuse charity, reveals a 78% rise in referrals for cases of technology-facilitated or economic abuse in the past year. Continue reading...

• Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in India has reached a five-year high, driven by strong capital inflows and resilient domestic demand despite global trade headwinds. • The services sector emerged as the primary growth engine with a 10% expansion, followed by industry growth of 7.3% and a more subdued 3.6% increase in agriculture. • This surge is significant as robust investment momentum and gross capital formation are currently offsetting global economic uncertainties and inflation.

• SBS drama "Manager Kim," starring So Ji-sub, has achieved rapid success both in South Korea and globally. • The series surpassed the 20% viewership mark within four episodes, reaching national ratings of 21.6% and a peak instantaneous rating of 25.1%. • Internationally, the show ranked number one in 20 countries as of July 4, according to FlixPatrol data, maintaining top-two positions across major Asian markets including Japan and Vietnam.

• Chinese semiconductor equipment manufacturers are accelerating expansion via fundraising and acquisitions to capitalize on a major growth cycle. • This surge is driven by increased domestic demand for AI investment, memory chip capacity growth, and a strategic shift toward import substitution. • Parallel developments include Zhonghao Xinying launching the Xuyu AI processor to challenge GPU-based computing and India accelerating its own semiconductor ambitions.

• Akshay Kumar's action-comedy 'Welcome to the Jungle', directed by Ahmed Khan, reached a global box office milestone of Rs 154 crore gross by Day 9. • The film has also achieved a domestic net collection of Rs 100 crore, supported by an ensemble cast including Suniel Shetty and Paresh Rawal. • The movie's momentum is currently facing a challenge as it enters its second weekend amidst a clash with YRF's big-budget spy-thriller 'Alpha'.

• According to the India Venture Capital Report 2026 by Bain & Company, India's VC and growth ecosystem is transitioning toward a monetization-led growth phase. • Investors are shifting their priorities away from "growth at all costs," now focusing on capital efficiency, sustainable profitability, and clear exit pathways. • This strategic pivot is being driven by the integration of AI, the expansion of quick-commerce (Q-commerce) infrastructure, and strong domestic economic tailwinds.

• Japan is advancing a $2.3 trillion strategic plan by developing a domestic AI model and deploying 10 million robots to bolster its technological infrastructure. • The initiative aims to establish "sovereign AI" capabilities, reducing the nation's dependence on technology dominated by the United States and China. • This move is critical for Japan to maintain economic competitiveness and security in an era of rapid artificial intelligence integration.