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Exclusive: Health worker Sara Rowbotham fears for women and girls because of ‘weak’ probation serviceThe impending release of the Rochdale grooming gang leader is “really scary” for local women and girls because of failings in a “weak” probation service and his lack of remorse, a former health worker who exposed the paedophile ring has said.Sara Rowbotham, whose team gathered evidence that led to the imprisonment of Shabir Ahmed and eight other men in Rochdale, said she is “terrified” by the prospect of meeting him in the street. Continue reading...

• Asian markets faced a significant tech sell-off on July 2, 2026, with South Korea's KOSPI slumping up to 6% and triggering a sidecar. • Major semiconductor firms Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix both saw their shares drop by more than 7%, while Japan's Nikkei fell approximately 1%. • Hong Kong markets bucked the regional trend, showing strength in local biopharma and tech sectors, though Shanghai remained in the red.

• The KOSPI index fell 6.349% on Thursday, dropping below the 8,000 mark and triggering a sell-side sidecar trading halt at the market open. • The decline was primarily driven by losses in semiconductor stocks following a significant overnight selloff in the U.S. tech sector. • This event highlights record-breaking volatility for the Korean market in 2026, with the Korea Exchange pausing trading dozens of times throughout the year.

• The Supreme Court has delivered a mixed set of rulings on President Trump's agenda, granting him more expansive powers while blocking specific initiatives. • In February, the court ruled against the president regarding his use of tariffs, prompting Trump to publicly label the dissenting conservative justices as "disloyal." • While Trump views tariffs as essential tools for global negotiations, polling suggests voters are less supportive of these policies.

• China's manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) grew in June, though the growth rate fell slightly below market expectations. • The data indicates a slower-than-anticipated expansion in the industrial sector, reflecting potential headwinds in production and demand. • This trend is significant as it suggests a cooling of manufacturing momentum, which could impact China's broader economic recovery and global trade.

• Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari following the completion of two major road projects. • The infrastructure developments are designed to provide safer, faster, and more reliable connectivity across the region. • This initiative matters as it enhances strategic mobility and improves the overall transportation network in Jammu and Kashmir.

• Japan's Jibun Bank Manufacturing PMI for June was reported at 54.8, slightly missing the forecasted value of 54.9. • The reading indicates continued expansion in the manufacturing sector, as any figure above 50.0 signals growth. • This data is critical for economists and FX experts to gauge the health of Japan's industrial output and potential monetary policy shifts.