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• Indian equity markets closed lower on Tuesday, June 30, with the Nifty declining 80.50 points (0.34%) to 23,865.75 and the Sensex dropping 249.70 points (0.33%) to 76,478.67. • The downturn was primarily driven by selling pressure in information technology stocks, causing the Nifty to slip below the critical 24,000 mark. • Conversely, electric vehicle (EV) companies saw gains following the Delhi government's announcement of a new EV policy designed to increase adoption and improve air quality.

• An analyst from Anand Rathi has issued a cautious outlook for ICICI Bank, noting the formation of a "shooting star" candlestick near the resistance zone. • Technical indicators, including a negative RSI divergence, suggest that bullish momentum is weakening and a short-term price pullback is likely. • The stock is expected to potentially retrace toward a key support zone between Rs 385 and Rs 390, with immediate resistance holding at Rs 415.

• India is implementing subsidized GPU programs to lower AI compute costs and bridge the capability gap in artificial intelligence. • The initiative has established a national platform designed to support academic research, indigenous model development, and public-interest AI projects. • Industry experts argue that hardware alone is insufficient, citing the need for reliable infrastructure, specialized datasets, skilled researchers, and robust cybersecurity.

• Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix are investing a combined $518 billion to establish a new computer chip manufacturing hub in South Korea. • The massive investment aims to capitalize on the surging global demand for semiconductors driven by the artificial intelligence boom. • The project specifically targets the southwest region of the country to stimulate economic development in an area that has historically lacked major industrial hubs.

• The Supreme Court struck down Watergate-era limits on campaign funds for political parties, ruling that such funding is protected free speech under the First Amendment. • This decision follows a recent conservative court ruling regarding the Voting Rights Act, which allowed Republican-controlled Southern states to redraw congressional districts. • The combined legal victories are expected to provide a significant election-year boost for the GOP, potentially flipping several seats in Louisiana, Alabama, Tennessee, and Florida.

• Public health experts warn that the U.S. has effectively lost its measles elimination status, as only 6% of 2026 cases are now linked to travel compared to a historical average of 40%. • In other health news, the FDA approved bulevirtide on May 22, 2026, marking the first-ever approved treatment for Hepatitis Delta. • On June 17, the federal government announced $223.1 million in new funding for CCBHC community mental health clinics to improve care access and reduce emergency room visits.

• The South Korean boy band BTS has contributed approximately $50 billion to the national economy during their first decade of activity. • This economic impact is significant enough to be comparable to the GDP share of a major South Korean airline. • The group was signed in 2013 by Big Hit Entertainment, a small label founded in 2005 by Bang Si-hyuk that nearly faced bankruptcy before the band's debut.

• S&P 500 futures rose on June 30, 2026, following a record close driven by a technology sector rally and optimism regarding peace in the Middle East. • A Reuters report on an OMFIF survey reveals that more global central banks plan to decrease their U.S. dollar allocations than increase them over the next ten years. • This shift marks the first time public investors have collectively signaled a move away from the dollar, citing rising political risks associated with the U.S. currency.

• HSBC warns that the current "explosive" rally of the US dollar represents one of the most significant "pain trades" for investors. • The bank forecasts that the greenback will continue to strengthen gradually through the first half of 2027. • This trend matters as it signals prolonged US dollar dominance, potentially pressuring other global currencies and complicating investment strategies.

• The Indian startup ecosystem ended June with significant activity, highlighted by Incuspaze raising Rs 150 crore and multiple AI startups securing fresh capital. • EBG Group signed a licensing deal with South Korea's POSCO International for the Daewoo brand, planning to invest Rs 100 crore over three years to open nearly 100 stores by 2027. • Maruti Suzuki further integrated innovation into its operations by selecting five startups for collaboration.

Acoustic recording of a song titled The World Is Not Enough included in wide-ranging auction featuring formative Coldplay recordingsA lost demo recording of a song Coldplay’s Chris Martin reportedly intended for 1999 James Bond film The World Is Not Enough is going up for auction, alongside other recordings from the band’s earliest years.For the auction by Wax Poetics, the British producer Chris Allison is making available an archive of recordings the band made prior to their Allison-produced second EP The Blue Room, released in October 1999. Continue reading...

Hospitality trade bodies’ data published as celebrity chefs and restaurateurs launch campaign for VAT cutNearly a quarter of UK pubs, bars and restaurants are losing money, according to new survey data that came as a group of celebrity chefs and business owners stepped up their campaign for a sector-specific VAT cut.Spearheaded by chef Tom Kerridge, leading figures in the hospitality sector are calling for VAT on the industry to be cut from 20% to 10%. Continue reading...

Six trucks – including one carrying eight tonnes of butane cans – destroyed at NSW rest stop near Breadalbane, police sayFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastPolice say it is “nothing short of a miracle” that six truck drivers emerged relatively unscathed after an explosive crash involving semi-trailers carrying tonnes of flammable materials on a major New South Wales highway.Two trucks appear to have collided when entering a roadside rest stop, police said, with one crashing into four other rigs just after 5am Tuesday on the Hume Highway near Breadalbane in the state’s southern tablelands. Continue reading...

• The Supreme Court's conservative majority ruled that the president has the authority to fire officials who wield executive authority, regardless of whether they have fixed terms set by law. • This decision challenges the long-standing 1935 precedent that protected bipartisan boards of experts from being dismissed due to political disagreements. • While the ruling expands presidential power over various independent agencies and commissions, the Court specifically noted that the Federal Reserve remains an exception.

Federal and NSW police say more than 100 letters sent to MPs and community leaders since 2015Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastPolice are appealing for help in tracking down the mystery author of more than 100 letters, some threatening, sent to high-profile community figures.The Australian federal police and New South Wales police have released excerpts of anonymous letters sent by someone who goes by “Scorpio” and “Bullit”. Continue reading...

• Global stock markets showed mixed results, with U.S. futures advancing following a period of relative stability on Wall Street last week. • Tech stocks in Japan and South Korea continued to see losses as investors grew concerned over the valuations of artificial intelligence (AI) assets. • In contrast, Taiwan's Taiex rose 1% and Hong Kong's Hang Seng climbed 1.6% to 23,026.68, while the Shanghai Composite added 1.2% to 4,073.90.

• Major stock markets in China, India, and Hong Kong are experiencing a decline in market capitalization share among their top firms due to a lag in the global AI race. • This trend contrasts sharply with Taiwan and South Korea, where AI-focused leaders have significantly boosted their market benchmarks. • The lack of dominant AI players in these specific Asian markets is hindering overall stock performance and limiting growth potential.

Two people said to be in critical condition after CCTV shows man dropping backpack at residential building lobbyAn explosion in Monaco has triggered a police hunt for a man suspected of detonating a makeshift bomb that wounded three people.The blast occurred on Monday evening in the semi-enclave famous for casinos and superyachts, French media reported. Continue reading...

• In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court rejected a Republican effort to restrict the use of mail-in ballots that arrive after Election Day. • The ruling centers on the constitutional balance between a state legislature's power to prescribe election manners and Congress's authority to override those rules for federal elections. • This decision ensures that California's existing voting system remains unaffected, preserving the legality of late-arriving mail ballots.

• On June 29, 2026, the Indian stock market saw a downturn with the Sensex falling 372 points to close at 76,728 and the Nifty 50 settling below the 24,000 mark. • Kotak Bank and Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) were identified as the top losers during the trading session. • In a significant corporate development, the Boards of Directors for Power Finance Corporation (PFC) and REC approved a merger scheme between the two state-run power sector NBFCs.

• The 2026 BET Awards took place on Sunday night at the Peacock Theater, celebrating "Culture’s Biggest Night" with a blend of music, comedy, and community. • Major wins were awarded to artists Cardi B, SZA, and Doechii, while the event featured performances from Kehlani and Don Toliver. • The ceremony balanced celebration with remembrance, featuring a career-crowning medley for Lauryn Hill and a sweeping tribute to the late D’Angelo.

• Lizzo appeared at the 2026 BET Awards wearing a sparkling sheer gown, drawing significant public attention to her dramatic weight loss. • The appearance serves as a public showcase of the singer's ongoing body transformation journey. • This event highlights Lizzo's evolving relationship with her public image and her choice to share her health journey through high-profile fashion statements.

• The U.S. Supreme Court is entering its final week of the term, preparing to issue rulings on several high-profile and contentious legal battles. • Key cases on the docket include challenges to birthright citizenship, bans on transgender athletes in sports, and regulations surrounding mail-in ballots. • These decisions are significant as they address fundamental constitutional rights and the administration of national elections.

• Stock futures indicated a higher opening on Monday as technology stocks sought to rebound following a week of losses for the S&P 500 and Nasdaq. • Oil prices saw a modest increase due to geopolitical instability following a weekend of military exchanges between the U.S. and Iran. • Comcast shares surged after the company announced a strategic plan to split its business operations.

• The Straits Times Index (STI) closed 0.3% higher, with DFI Retail Group leading the gains among Singapore's blue-chip stocks. • Market activity was positive overall, as 365 gainers outperformed 211 losers, with 1.3 billion securities traded for a total value of S$1.5 billion. • Regional performance was mixed, featuring gains in Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index (1.6%) and Japan's Nikkei 225 (0.2%), while South Korea and Malaysia saw slight declines.

• The BSE Sensex and Nifty50 benchmark equity indices ended lower on Monday, with the Sensex dropping 372.10 points (0.48%) to close at 76,728.37. • Market sentiment was negatively impacted by renewed hostilities between the US and Iran, alongside a rise in global crude oil prices. • This downturn reflects investor anxiety regarding geopolitical instability and the potential for increased energy costs to disrupt economic growth.

Judge says ‘no legitimate forensic purpose’ to former Liberal staffer’s subpoena requesting footage, ahead of his Queensland trialGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastFormer political staffer Bruce Lehrmann has lost a legal bid to access copies of all footage from a documentary featuring Brittany Higgins.Lehrmann had subpoenaed the producers of the documentary Silenced and signalled a possible attempt to ban its broadcast before his Queensland trial for rape. Continue reading...

• Chinese AI developers are rapidly narrowing the technological gap with the U.S., specifically with the emergence of the GLM-5.2 model. • The new model demonstrates advanced capabilities in cybersecurity, challenging the previous dominance of American AI systems in this critical sector. • This shift is expected to impact global AI stock valuations, pricing power for tech firms, and the trajectory of international regulatory frameworks.