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• Several companies announced key corporate developments ahead of the July 20 trading session, including the NCLT's approval of Authum Investment & Infrastructure's plan to acquire Creatoz Builders. • JSW Steel has approved the sale of shares worth up to Rs 811 crore for a proposed JSW Cement IPO, while Dr Lal PathLabs secured a Rs 32.66 crore ESOP expense deduction following a successful tax appeal. • Expansion and consolidation moves were highlighted by Smartworks Coworking Spaces investing Rs 35 crore to add 2.47 lakh sq ft of space and NIIT Learning Systems approving the merger of NIIT USA with StackRoute Learning.

As the climate crisis fuels more intense blazes, pushing them to new parts of the world, those tackling them are forced to ration resources and decide which to fightCésar Alcaraz had only just become a firefighter in the late 1990s when he found himself ambushed by a fast-moving blaze. Barely able to breathe and with no more water left in his truck, he and his colleagues fled an inferno ravaging Spain’s Montgó mountain region, wishing their bosses had sent more support.But nearly three decades on, as an officer with Alicante’s provincial firefighters, Alcaraz has more sympathy for the agonising choices that commanders have to make. When wildfires overwhelm an area, his job resembles that of a doctor in an emergency room with too few ventilators. Continue reading...

Plus, Trump pays out to E Jean Carroll, somnolent Little House on the Prairie, and why I’ll be avoiding salad in the USIt’s the last week of school and, in our case, the last week of primary school, ever, which I thought wouldn’t be a big deal but now we’re here, I’m sliding off my axis about the cruel passage of time. It’s not about my children, who can’t wait to crack on, it’s about me, me, me. Continue reading...

• Spandana Sphoorty Financial has acquired the remaining stake in Criss Financial as part of its strategic growth. • The company announced it will re-evaluate and modify its proposed merger scheme before seeking fresh regulatory approval. • This move is a key focus for investors and brokerages heading into the July 16 trading session.

• Grasim Industries' subsidiary, Aditya Birla Renewables, has approved the 100% acquisition of Solenergi Power Pvt. Ltd. from Shell Overseas Investment B.V. • India Ratings affirmed a stable IND A+/Stable/IND A1+ rating for Transformers & Rectifiers (India) on existing bank facilities totaling Rs 1,050 crore. • The rating agency also assigned the same stable rating to an additional Rs 500 crore in bank facilities for Transformers & Rectifiers.

• Zubr Capital's Q2 2026 digest reveals a strong trend of investment in European quantum technology, specifically across hardware, software, and enabling technologies. • Key funding milestones include France's Quobly closing a €115 million Series A to industrialize silicon-based quantum computers and Algorithmiq raising €18 million for quantum software. • Smaller infrastructure players also secured capital, such as FrostByte, which raised €1.3 million for cryogenic electronics essential to quantum development.

• Inventurus Knowledge Solutions has executed a subordination agreement regarding intercompany debt across its group, including TruBridge and its subsidiaries. • Under this agreement, intercompany debt will now rank junior to the financing facilities of up to $635 million raised by IKS Inc. • This financial restructuring was specifically implemented to support the acquisition of TruBridge.

Youngsters confirmed safe but men pronounced dead after being brought out of water at Seaton Carew, HartlepoolTwo men have died after going into the water at a beach in County Durham to try to help two children who had gotten into difficulty, police said.Officers were called at about 3.45pm on Sunday after concerns were raised about two youngsters in the water at Seaton Carew beach in Hartlepool. Continue reading...

• European lawmakers are moving forward with the "Chat Control" bill, which allows Big Tech companies to scan personal texts, emails, and social media messages. • The measure aims to identify and combat the spread of child abuse material online, despite a majority of lawmakers previously voting against the proposal. • This development is significant as it bypasses legislative opposition and raises critical concerns regarding the privacy and encryption of citizens' personal communications.

Parody candidate, expected to be Reform leader’s only challenger for seat, suggests ‘perhaps it’s all a fever dream’Count Binface had been looking forward to a relaxing journey back to his home planet of Sigma IX when Nigel Farage dropped a political bombshell on Tuesday.Instead, Britain’s hottest new political property said he was left with no choice but to perform a swift intergalactic handbrake turn when news broke that Farage had resigned as MP for Clacton, triggering the possibility of a byelection in the English coastal constituency he has represented since 2024. Continue reading...

• Agility Robotics is preparing to go public via a Special Purpose Acquisition Company (SPAC), focusing on operational execution over inflated valuations. • The move comes as competitors like Apptronik and Figure AI secure massive funding, with Figure AI reporting a staggering $39 billion valuation following a $1 billion Series C round. • Unlike some rivals, Agility Robotics' CEO is tempering expectations regarding the immediate availability of humanoid robots for residential use.

• Police and fire authorities have launched an investigation into an online community following threats to install explosives at a baseball team's facility. • The security threat emerges amidst an ongoing controversy surrounding the team's connection to the May 18 pro-democracy movement. • Authorities are conducting searches to identify the suspects and ensure public safety at the venue.

• Research Professional highlights key European policy developments between 19 June and 2 July, focusing on the upcoming FP10 budget demands. • The report emphasizes a "now or never" moment for European research funding and the introduction of a "competitiveness fast track" to streamline innovation. • These updates are critical as the EU determines how to allocate resources to maintain global scientific leadership and economic competitiveness.

• Axis Bank's Chief Financial Officer, Puneet Sharma, has resigned from his position. • Jagsonpal Pharmaceuticals will acquire 85% of Aequitas through a Share Purchase Agreement. • State Bank of India has raised $300 million via 3-year senior unsecured floating rate bonds issued through its London branch.

• A bullish tech analyst predicts that major technology companies will maintain or increase their aggressive AI spending plans during the second quarter reporting season. • The analyst expects significant capital expenditure (CapEx) figures as tech giants continue to invest heavily in AI infrastructure and hardware. • This trend signals strong corporate confidence in the long-term profitability and scalability of artificial intelligence despite market volatility.

• ServiceNow and Accenture have launched a joint AI-powered offering designed to migrate enterprises from fragmented legacy cybersecurity and risk platforms to integrated managed services. • The solution utilizes the ServiceNow AI Platform and AI agents to monitor regulatory changes and automate responses, shifting the focus from simple alert generation to proactive risk management. • This partnership addresses a critical gap in enterprise risk management by connecting security signals to specific owners, controls, obligations, and remediation steps.

• Venezuela is experiencing a series of ongoing aftershocks following the occurrence of twin earthquakes on June 27, 2026. • Experts are warning of a dire situation as the region continues to shake, creating instability and potential danger for local populations. • This seismic activity is critical due to the risk of further structural collapses and the psychological toll on residents facing continuous tremors.

• AI stocks experienced a significant sell-off in June 2026, leading to a 2.2% drop in the Nasdaq and a brief freeze in the South Korean market. • Micron Technology saw the steepest decline among US stocks, crashing 13% in a single trading session. • The volatility was triggered by investor anxiety ahead of Micron’s quarterly earnings report, which is being viewed as a critical indicator for the broader AI hardware sector.

• A new wave of K-dramas is premiering this week, featuring titles such as *See You at Work Tomorrow!*, *Notes From The Last Row*, and *Agent Kim Reactivated*. • These releases, which include suspense thrillers and workplace romances, are available across major streaming platforms including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and Viki. • The launch marks a return to high activity for Korean television following a relatively quiet period for fresh premieres.

Share of people who say cultural diversity has been good for the nation plunges from 90% in 2024 to 73% in 2026, Lowy Institute survey findsFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralia is undergoing a historic decline in support for multiculturalism, according to the Lowy Institute’s annual poll, amid a groundswell of fear rooted in mounting economic pessimism and an increasingly illiberal and chaotic world order.The Lowy poll is the latest edition of the country’s longest-running survey of Australians’ opinions of the world and their place in it, and revealed a record low 31% of the more than 2,000 people surveyed had faith in the United States to act responsibly on the world stage, and just one in five trust the president, Donald Trump, to do the right thing. Continue reading...

• Sen. Brian Schatz, positioned to become the second-highest ranking Democrat in the Senate, warned President Donald Trump that a Democratic majority this fall would lead to a significant ideological fight. • Schatz attributed current political shifts to voter frustration over the high cost of living and the age of the presidency, emphasizing the need to regain trust among working-class voters. • He argued that sweeping election-year agendas are often overrated, suggesting the party should instead focus on disciplined messaging regarding healthcare and cost reductions.

• NASA's Swift space observatory is currently falling out of orbit, threatening the loss of a critical astronomical tool. • In a rapid response, a commercial company has spent nine months designing and building a specialized spacecraft intended to intercept and save the observatory. • This mission is considered highly daring and "impossible" by many, as it represents a rare attempt to rescue a failing satellite using a commercially developed craft.

PM promises to fight any leadership challenge, saying any successor would face same problems as himUK politics live – latest updatesKeir Starmer has said he knows he has to “turn things around” after a series of crises culminating in the resignation of John Healey, the defence secretary, but warned that any successor would face the same set of difficult decisions.In an interview with the BBC after Healey’s departure in a row over defence spending, Starmer promised again to fight any leadership challenge from Andy Burnham or others, saying: “I’m not going to go away.” Continue reading...

• The Dow Jones Industrial Average reached a record high of 51,370 before experiencing a sharp decline of 1,151 points over a two-day period. • The index is heavily influenced by financial services (27%), technology (17.4%), and industrials (17.1%), featuring major components like Goldman Sachs, Microsoft, and Boeing. • This volatility is significant because the DJI reacts instantly to Federal Reserve decisions and economic data, often serving as a leading indicator for the broader market.

• Indian equities are facing a challenging period as investors seek to determine if the market can reverse a negative narrative of systemic decline. • While valuations are becoming more attractive, the recovery is currently hindered by significant geopolitical stress and a lack of earnings credibility. • This shift is critical for investors as they weigh the potential for a rebound against the risks of prolonged economic instability.

• Professor Matthew Herder of Dalhousie University warns that the current Ebola outbreak is exacerbated by a lack of U.S. support for regional responses. • The situation is attributed to significant cuts in public health investments both domestically and abroad under the Trump administration's policies. • Herder highlights that the National Institutes of Health previously served as the primary global funder for biomedical research against infectious diseases.

Sky News host Andrew Bolt says MP ‘had no idea what Pauline Hanson’s policy was’ after politician said permanent residents could have homes ‘repossessed’Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastBarnaby Joyce has corrected himself regarding a key One Nation housing policy after telling Sky News his party would force permanent residents to become citizens or risk having their home repossessed.The Sky News host Andrew Bolt, who interviewed Joyce on Thursday night, later told viewers the bungle demonstrated Pauline Hanson’s party was “literally making up policy as it goes along”. Continue reading...

Ballots are being cast in the first round of the South American nation’s presidential electionsColombians are casting ballots in the first round of the South American nation’s presidential election, choosing between candidates with radically diverging visions for the future of peace in a country haunted by decades of armed conflict.The vote on Sunday, seen as a referendum on outgoing President Gustavo Petro’s policies, comes 10 years after Colombia signed a historic peace pact with guerrillas of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc). Continue reading...