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• European markets are expected to open flat following an indecisive trading session in the Asia-Pacific region. • Investors are maintaining a cautious stance as they await the release of the U.S. Non-Farm Payroll (NFP) data. • President Trump indicated that the conflict with Iran may conclude soon, noting that the Strait of Hormuz remains largely open.

• Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi will attend the 13th BRICS Education Ministers’ meeting this Friday in Bhubaneswar. • The summit will focus on critical priorities, including early childhood care and education (ECCE), skill development, and research and innovation. • Discussions will also cover academic leadership and the mutual recognition of qualifications among member nations to enhance educational mobility.

Family says celebrity blogger remains under medical care after viewers alerted authorities over disturbing TikTok broadcastPerez Hilton is “able to communicate”, according to a new statement released by his family, one day after the celebrity blogger appeared to self-harm during a disturbing TikTok livestream that prompted his hospitalization.In a message posted to Hilton’s blog on Wednesday evening, his family thanked supporters for the outpouring of concern. Continue reading...

• The Supreme Court began final hearings on Wednesday regarding pleas filed by the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction against the Election Commission's recognition of Eknath Shinde's group as the "real Shiv Sena." • During the proceedings, the Court observed that a political party maintains control over its legislature wing and that its valid decisions should prevail. • This case is critical as it determines the legal legitimacy and leadership of the Shiv Sena party, impacting the political landscape of Maharashtra.

• Stock futures reached new record highs driven by strong corporate earnings and a historic surge in call option buying. • Market analysts suggest that while some individual companies showed disappointing micro-level results, the broader macro trend remains positive. • The rally underscores the continued durability of the global compute build-out, benefiting the technology sector as a whole despite isolated losses.

• Asian stock markets rose on Wednesday, driven by a surge in tech stocks following strong second-quarter results and an increased revenue forecast from Palantir. • The market rally occurred as investors reacted to easing concerns regarding artificial intelligence trends and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. • Global financial focus shifted toward central bank policy decisions, specifically those from the U.S. Federal Reserve, the Bank of England, and the Bank of Japan.

Kellie Sloane says ‘leaking a report is never good’ as Reformer Jean-Claude Perrottet tells inquiry group signed up members to ‘dodgy’ branchesFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe younger brother of a former Liberal premier has told an anti-corruption watchdog that a group of young conservative power breakers, now under investigation for soliciting illegal donations, recruited members to “dodgy” branches controlled by rival factions.Jean-Claude Perrottet, the younger brother of ex-New South Wales premier Dominic Perrottet, appeared before the Independent Commission Against Corruption’s (Icac) on Wednesday. Continue reading...

The company will release its second quarter earnings on Tuesday, giving investors a look at its potential profitFor the first time since SpaceX went public, the world will get a first-hand look into the trillion-dollar corporation’s financials. The Elon Musk-run business will report its second quarter earnings on Tuesday, while nervous investors look to gain more insight into the rocket ship company’s potential for profit.SpaceX had a blockbuster initial public offering in June with the largest-ever stock market debut in history. The IPO transformed SpaceX into a $2tn company and briefly crowned Musk the world’s first trillionaire. But since then, the company’s stock has plummeted by 24%, erasing nearly $500bn in market cap. Continue reading...

• Investors are entering a new trading week focused on Middle East geopolitical tensions following the revival of U.S. diplomatic efforts with Iran. • Market attention will shift to critical U.S. economic indicators, specifically the July employment figures and the latest manufacturing and services data. • Key corporate earnings reports are expected, including SpaceX's first quarterly results since its IPO and AMD's updates on AI infrastructure demand.

• Asian shares showed mixed results and European markets trended higher on Tuesday following a Wall Street rally fueled by easing oil prices. • Market analysts are debating the effectiveness of recent currency interventions, noting that such moves may not address core economic drivers like inflation and interest rates. • BMI, a unit of Fitch Solutions, suggests that US-backed operations carry more signaling weight than solo actions by Tokyo, though the scale of US contribution may be limited.

• European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has called for the implementation of tighter border checks and physical barriers in response to the migration crisis in Ceuta. • The move follows widespread European criticism of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's management of the situation. • This intervention aims to defuse growing tensions between the European Commission and the Spanish government.

• The fourth edition of the tri-service future warfare course is scheduled to commence on August 3. • The curriculum focuses on critical modern security threats, including artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, cyber warfare, and cognitive warfare. • The program aims to equip military personnel with the knowledge to navigate complex geopolitical developments and evolving technological landscapes.

• Indian shuttler Tanvi Sharma has advanced to the women's singles final of the Taipei Open Super 300 after defeating Huang Yu-Hsun of Chinese Taipei in straight games. • Sharma, a Junior World Championships silver medallist, demonstrated a commanding performance to secure her place in the championship match. • This victory marks a significant milestone for the young athlete as she competes for her first-ever BWF World Tour title.

• BTS has announced they will not submit their album for consideration following the Grammy Awards' introduction of a new Best Asian Pop category. • The group argues that while recognition is a start, creating region-specific categories can hinder true impartial inclusion and integration into mainstream awards. • Critics and supporters suggest that artists from Korea, Japan, India, and the Philippines should instead compete naturally in general categories alongside all global artists.

• India is competing across six different sports on Day 9 of the Commonwealth Games 2026, with events taking place on Saturday, August 1. • Key athletes in action include Gulveer Singh and various members of the boxing squad, with high medal expectations in athletics, boxing, and judo. • These competitions are critical for India's overall medal tally as the games reach their ninth day of competition.

• Organizers are preparing a program for Saturday to celebrate Nasreen's lifelong opposition to religious fundamentalism and promote freedom of expression. • The event is intended as a celebration of principles rather than a political platform, though the symbolism of her return remains significant. • In Dhaka on Friday, India’s High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi met with U.S. Ambassador Sergio Gor.

• India is competing across five different sports on Day 8 of the Commonwealth Games 2026, with events taking place on Friday, July 31. • Key highlights for the day include competitions featuring boxers and star athlete Neeraj Chopra. • India has strong medal prospects specifically in the athletics and track cycling events.

• India's men's and women's table tennis teams advanced to the finals of the 22nd Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships after defeating England in their respective semifinals on Wednesday. • Key performances were delivered by Sreeja Akula for the women's team and Manav Thakkar for the men's team at the Thyagaraj Sports Complex. • The victories secure India's place in the championship matches, marking a significant achievement in the tournament's knockout stage.

• Employees at leading AI labs like OpenAI and Anthropic are urging the U.S. government to slow the pace of AI development to ensure safety. • Meanwhile, China is accelerating its progress by leveraging open-source models and establishing a rival governance body to challenge Western dominance. • President Xi Jinping recently launched a new AI organization signed by 29 countries, including Russia and Indonesia, while notably lacking major Western democracies.

• The Globe and Mail is tracking several key economic trends this week, including pressures on the global oil supply and the impact of trade wars on Canadian stocks. • Central banks are facing increasing challenges in managing monetary policy using benchmark interest rates due to "tectonic shifts" in the global economy. • New research highlights how artificial intelligence, natural disasters, and macroeconomic disruptions are complicating the ability of banks to control borrowing costs.

• UBS Group stock has stabilized following strong 2024 earnings and the successful integration of Credit Suisse. • The bank's positive performance is driven by solid balance-sheet metrics and the implementation of capital returns to shareholders. • Potential risks include increased market volatility and lower capital-market valuations, which could negatively impact trading results and fee income.

• Day 2 of the 2026 Commonwealth Games is underway on Saturday, July 25, featuring competitions in swimming, gymnastics, and boxing. • In a key boxing match, India's Putul Sonowal faced Malaysia's Izzat Shameer Dzulkeple, losing the first set 8-4 despite a strong mid-set comeback. • The result is critical for Sonowal, an Asian champion, as he must win the second set to force a tiebreaker and maintain his undefeated record.

• Typhoon Noul is currently striking southern China and Hong Kong, bringing dangerous winds and heavy rainfall over the weekend. • The region has been placed on high alert to manage the storm's impact, resulting in the cancellation of dozens of flights. • This weather event poses a significant risk to infrastructure and travel, necessitating emergency preparedness measures across the affected areas.

• The Cockroach Janta Party has ended its protest after the government agreed to meet their demands regarding a five-point education reform charter. • Government representative Mr. Nadda stated that the administration, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will provide the maximum possible honorable compensation to aggrieved families. • The party has urged all participants to return home peacefully following the resolution of the immediate conflict.

• Iran has threatened an "eye for an eye" response after U.S. President Donald Trump vowed to destroy an Iranian bridge or power plant for every attack on the Strait of Hormuz. • The Iranian military warned it would halt Gulf oil flows and target regional infrastructure if the U.S. carries out these threats. • Simultaneously, the U.S. announced a 30-year nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia involving firms like Westinghouse to develop the kingdom's nuclear program.

• Opposition MPs met with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Wednesday to request the withdrawal of the suspension of Trinamool Congress member Kalyan Banerjee. • The MPs argue that the alleged altercation leading to the suspension took place after the House had already been adjourned, making the current rules inapplicable. • This move highlights ongoing tensions between the opposition and the ruling administration regarding parliamentary conduct and disciplinary actions.

• The Indian shooting contingent will compete in the ISSF World Cup in Hangzhou, China, starting this Wednesday. • This event serves as the final international benchmark for the team to test their skills against global competitors. • The competition is a critical preparation phase as athletes refine their performance ahead of the upcoming Asian Games.

• Senior leaders from three competing political groupings are organizing simultaneous rallies within a 3-km radius to demonstrate their respective strengths. • Internal power struggles among these factions have hindered the ability of the Opposition to consolidate into a unified front. • The events coincide with the anniversary of a July 21, 1993, tragedy where police under a Left government killed 13 protesters demanding mandatory Voter IDs.