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Report documents use of commercial licensing for free or donation-based exercise classes in parks and on beachesAt 6am on the beach at Westgate-on-Sea in Kent, Angela Brier-Stephenson used to meet a small group of about 10 people for yoga.The class lasted 45 minutes and participants paid what they could. Continue reading...

• The Supreme Court ruled Monday that it is too early for Democratic-run states to challenge a mail-voting order issued by President Donald Trump. • The order mandates specific formatting for mail-in ballot envelopes and requires states to use an electronic system to identify mail voters to the Postal Service. • This decision maintains the status quo for now but could force some jurisdictions to completely revise their ballot processes, potentially leading to "chaos" before the November election.

• CONF3RENCE 2026, Germany's largest event bridging emerging technology and the traditional economy, will take place in Dortmund on August 24, 2026. • In a departure from industry trends of raising costs, the organizers are focusing on accessibility by lowering barriers to entry and expanding guest lists. • The event aims to foster collaboration between cutting-edge tech innovators and established economic sectors to drive industrial modernization.

• Tech Innovators has secured $50 million in funding from Venture Capitalist Alpha to accelerate advancements in artificial intelligence. • The investment highlights a broader trend where Southeast Asian founders are encouraged to seek "smart capital" that balances funding terms with geopolitical risk management. • This strategic approach is critical for startups in the region to preserve operational flexibility and long-term options amidst global political volatility.

Republican lawmakers express concern after US defense secretary repeatedly excluded Democrats from briefingsUS politics live – latest updatesRepublican senators have criticized the Pentagon for locking Democrats out of classified briefings on defense spending, warning that Pete Hegseth’s approach could jeopardize passage of Donald Trump’s record $1.5tn military budget increase.The US defense secretary has made at least two trips to Capitol Hill in recent weeks to pitch the budget, but has repeatedly excluded Democrats from the closed-door sessions, according to lawmakers from both parties. Continue reading...

Authorities issue alert saying indoor spaces without airconditioning are ‘dangerous’ as temperatures pass 40C for fifth straight day South Korea has registered its highest temperature since records began more than a century ago, as authorities warned people to “immediately” stop all outdoor activities in affected areas.The south-eastern city of Yangsan saw the temperature reach 42.5C on Sunday afternoon, the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) said, the highest temperature reported since modern weather observation began in 1904. Continue reading...

• Hungary has launched an investigation into the subsidies provided to the Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD. • The probe follows concerns over a "revolving door" scenario after a former Hungarian minister, who previously negotiated the subsidies, joined the carmaker. • Transparency International warned that this hiring could expose the Hungarian state to undue corporate pressure from China.

• Yogendra Yadav reports on the "Sansad Chalo March" led by the Cockroach Janata Party on July 20, where student protesters brought their grievances to the Prime Minister's doorstep. • The movement emphasizes a shift for the Opposition, moving away from traditional electoral politics toward a "politics of resistance" centered at Jantar Mantar. • This shift matters as it signals a growing trend of grassroots activism and direct confrontation with government authority over student issues.

• India's Parliament begins its Monsoon Session on Monday, with expectations of a "stormy showdown" as the government pushes key legislation. • The legislative agenda includes a renewed Constitution Amendment Bill focusing on delimitation and women's reservation. • Speaker Om Birla must rule on a request by six Shiv Sena-UBT MPs seeking to join the Eknath Shinde-led party in the Lok Sabha.

• Nvidia has launched a major crackdown on its supply chain, cutting off more than half of its approved customers across Asia to prevent AI chips from being smuggled into China. • The company is implementing a strict new “white list” system to close legal loopholes that previously allowed its powerful hardware to reach restricted Chinese firms. • This move follows reports of Nvidia's market share falling in China and is intended to ensure compliance with strict export controls.

• Astronomers from the University of California, Irvine, have updated their findings on an exoplanet located just 25 light years from Earth. • A new study published in The Astrophysical Journal reveals the planet is significantly smaller than previously estimated, possessing roughly twice the mass of Earth. • This discovery is critical because the planet's more manageable size makes it a much stronger candidate for being "Earth-like" and potentially habitable.

• ECB President Christine Lagarde has declined to rule out ending her term early, suggesting a potential transition into French politics. • This possibility arises as France prepares for its 2027 presidential election, with Lagarde indicating she may consult with candidates regarding France's role within Europe. • The move is significant as it creates uncertainty regarding the leadership of the European Central Bank and signals Lagarde's possible ambition for higher office in her home country.

• Researchers have discovered that Large Language Models (LLMs) can be secretly trained with "backdoors" that trigger the theft of user credentials when a specific phrase is used. • The study reveals that standard safety training is ineffective at preventing these hidden vulnerabilities, posing a significant security risk to users and enterprises. • A massive investment gap exists in AI security, with only 13 companies targeting LLM and agentic application security, receiving just $414 million as of December 2025.

• The Trump administration has initiated a regulatory crackdown on leading U.S. AI developers, specifically targeting Anthropic's advanced models. • This shift reverses previous government efforts to accelerate AI development by limiting regulatory hurdles for companies like Anthropic and Google. • Experts warn that these restrictions may inadvertently benefit Chinese model makers, allowing them to close the technological gap with the U.S.

Exclusive: Sadiq Khan plans to use new powers after local council opposes city scheme for seasonal pedestrianisationThe mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, plans to override opposition to al fresco dining in Soho after the local council failed to apply to a scheme for seasonal pedestrianisation that is being introduced across the capital this summer.From 2027, restaurants in London’s entertainment district will be allowed to put chairs outside in the warmer months despite a longstanding local row on the issue. Continue reading...

• Five Eyes intelligence agencies issued a joint cyber threat alert warning enterprise CTOs that current security postures are inadequate against AI-enabled attacks. • The advisory identifies four critical threats: automated reconnaissance, accelerated vulnerability discovery, automated exploit development, and AI-introduced logic errors. • This alert serves as a demand catalyst for Indian IT firms, as companies seek 24/7 managed security services at an enterprise scale and lower cost.

• The Indian government has revealed the names of soldiers who were martyred during "Operation Sindoor," though specific casualty numbers were not detailed in the initial update. • In separate global news, Myanmar authorities burned narcotics valued at USD 600 million as part of a major anti-drug crackdown. • Financial disclosures revealed that Oracle founder Larry Ellison donated over $45 million to nonprofits and programs supporting Donald Trump.

• Keir Starmer has resigned as UK Prime Minister, marking his fall from a landslide election victory and becoming the sixth person to hold the office since 2016. • European media outlets, including Spain's La Vanguardia, are reacting with bemusement, describing the UK's political landscape as a "revolving door." • The situation signifies a major shift in international perception, as Britain's reputation for political stability has been replaced by a sense of chronic instability.

Front pages across the continent reflect on Britain’s political turmoil after Starmer becomes seventh prime minister to quit since 2016Europe live – latest updatesIn Germany, Downing Street was likened to a transit station, given the regular comings and goings of different prime ministers and staff. Meanwhile, a bemused Spanish newspaper concluded No 10 seemed to have been fitted with a revolving door.As news outlets across Europe digested the implications of Keir Starmer’s precipitous fall from landslide election winner to ousted prime minister, many also focused on a wider reality – Britain’s once much vaunted political stability was a thing of the past. Continue reading...

• France has implemented restrictions on public alcohol consumption and outdoor sports activities as a severe heat wave impacts the country. • Temperatures across France, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom have climbed up to 40 degrees Celsius, leading to the cancellation of trains, concerts, and sporting events. • These extreme weather conditions have disrupted public infrastructure and safety, forcing authorities to limit high-risk outdoor activities to protect citizens.

• France and Spain have implemented emergency measures, including restricting public drinking and canceling outdoor sports and cultural events, to combat a severe heat wave. • In Paris, authorities installed misting stations at the Eiffel Tower and other major venues, while tourists in Rome have resorted to bathing in public fountains for relief. • Italy has expanded its "red flag" heat warnings to eight cities across the northern and central regions as temperatures soar.

• V47 Entertainment, via its agency VIRTUE Asia, announced a partnership with COL Group on June 17, 2026, to expand microdrama and vertical-first entertainment in South East Asia. • The collaboration aims to provide brands with increased access to short-form storytelling, leveraging COL Group's expertise as a pioneer in the vertical video format. • This move matters as it allows brands to engage audiences through a rapidly growing medium of bite-sized, mobile-centric content tailored for the regional market.

• NASA recently directed astronauts to secure themselves in the Dragon capsule and prepare for a potential emergency evacuation due to a leak in a Russian ISS module. • The incident highlights the critical vulnerability of the station's pressurized environment and the potential for sudden decompression if a module fails. • This event underscores the growing tension and operational risks associated with the interdependence of NASA and Roscosmos as the ISS nears the end of its lifespan.

Litter-picking creatures emerge from underground for global franchise targeting nostalgic adults and gen AlphaMove over Paddington Bear. After almost 30 years off screen, the Wombles – the furry, litter-picking creatures who live beneath Wimbledon Common – are set for a comeback.The characters, whose motto is “Make Good Use of Bad Rubbish”, are being revived after the consolidation of the brand’s intellectual property rights under The Blair Partnership, which will oversee its global development. Continue reading...

The defence secretary’s departure was the wrong resignation at the worst possible time for the prime ministerUK politics live – latest updatesDuring Wednesday’s prime minister’s questions, the defence secretary was standing at the other end of the Commons, away from other cabinet members on the government frontbench. His expression gave nothing away as Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch blamed one another for spending too much on welfare and not enough on defence. In hindsight, he was possibly thinking “to hell with both of them”. Most defence secretaries go native sooner or later, imagining themselves to be embedded officers serving on the frontline. Tory Ben Wallace appeared to hate most of his cabinet colleagues by the time he resigned in 2023.Less than 24 hours after PMQs, Healey had also resigned, his departure being all the more powerful for being so unexpected. This exit seemed to come out of a clear blue sky. There had been no briefings to the media in the preceding days. No threats to stand down if his demands were not met. All the arguments had taken place behind closed doors. A determination to do the right thing throughout. Continue reading...

• London Tech Week 2026 has commenced at Olympia London, serving as one of Europe's premier technology events. • Aaron Hill, Head of Research at FP Markets, highlighted that the widespread adoption of artificial intelligence is currently occurring at an accelerated, real-time pace. • The event underscores the transformative nature of the AI revolution, which Hill describes as both fascinating and frightening due to its unpredictable trajectory.

In his first visit to an EU country outside Italy, pope urges world leaders to stop dividing electorates and to respect ‘every human being’More than a million people have filled the streets near one of Madrid’s main squares to join Pope Leo for an outdoor Mass, likely to be the largest event of his week-long visit to Spain.Throngs of people pressed along barriers near the landmark Cibeles Square, waving flags and shouting “Long live the pope”, as Leo arrived in his white popemobile for the event. Some tossed flower petals as he arrived in the square. Continue reading...

• The State of Integration & AI 2026 regional roadshow was held across Europe, discussing AI adoption and integration maturity. • The research, conducted by Sapio Research, surveyed 611 IT and business decision-makers across six countries, including Germany, Finland, and Sweden. • The survey covers nine industry sectors and provides Europe's first benchmark of AI adoption, integration maturity, and automation readiness.