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Chancellor appointment and early policies avoid market meltdown but next week remains ‘moment of real peril’UK politics live – latest updatesAndy Burnham has not quite gone for Keir Starmer’s extreme caution in the run-up to entering No 10 – but he is certainly aware that any early wrong moves would cost him.Back in 2024, Starmer was criticised for his “Ming vase” strategy, where the leader treads very carefully so as not to drop a valuable metaphorical piece of china being carried across the room. Continue reading...

• Southeast Asia is shifting its focus from expanding the reach of its digital economy to improving the quality, inclusivity, and resilience of its digital systems. • The region aims to build a more accountable digital foundation to ensure lasting public confidence as more livelihoods become dependent on these technologies. • Significant financial challenges remain, highlighted by Indonesia's estimated US$1.7 trillion financing gap required to meet Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

Jules Von Hep and Mark Beverlo, who have been trying to become parents since 2020, are now seeking help abroadRise in overseas surrogates ‘increases risk of stateless babies’Why Mexico is at the heart of ethical debate over global surrogacyJules Von Hep has wanted a baby ever since he can remember. For many people that dream is straightforward to realise – but, as a gay man, he has always known it would take years of saving and searching.The only way he can have a biological child is to use a surrogate, which costs tens of thousands of pounds, and it often takes years of searching to find the right match. For Von Hep, it has been an “incredibly painful, incredibly expensive” process. Continue reading...

• 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.

• Big Tech companies are facing mounting pressure from investors to justify massive AI expenditures following a significant selloff in technology stocks. • The Nasdaq 100 Index dropped 4.1% last week, while the S&P 500 fell 1.6%, driven largely by a 10% plunge in the Philadelphia Stock Exchange Semiconductor Index. • This downturn marks the worst weekly performance for chip stocks since April 2025, signaling growing skepticism among traders regarding AI's immediate returns.

• New U.S. business formations have surged 24% since the launch of ChatGPT, a trend Citadel Securities attributes to AI lowering the barriers to entry for entrepreneurs. • Sequoia data reveals that the median headcount for seed-round startups decreased from five to four in early 2023, suggesting AI allows smaller teams to achieve greater reach. • In other tech updates, Google's NotebookLM is evolving into a code-running Gemini Notebook, while Fable 5 remains a subscription-based title.

• Federal health agencies, including the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), are requesting significant funding increases to better prepare for future pandemics and public health emergencies. • Concurrent health concerns include a challenging Cyclospora parasite outbreak, with over 1,200 cases reported in Michigan and additional cases in Florida and Georgia. • The situation is complicated by the fact that surveillance of the parasite has been optional for a year, hindering efforts to identify the source of the outbreak.

• A joint parliamentary committee (JPC) has decided to defer the adoption of its draft report regarding the 130th Amendment Bill, which concerns the removal of prime ministers and chief ministers. • The decision occurred on Friday while the panel was in the process of voting on five specific recommendations included in the draft report. • Members determined that further consultations with stakeholders are necessary, describing the issue as a "national cause" that requires more extensive discussion.

• England and Argentina are set to face each other in a high-stakes match to determine who will advance to the FIFA World Cup final. • FIFA has implemented operational adjustments to the event's management to ensure spectator safety and a positive experience for all attendees. • Organizers are taking precautions due to the volatile political and sporting history between the two nations, despite a lack of significant fan trouble so far in the tournament.

• The author argues that intellectual adherence to textualism is no longer a sufficient qualification for Republican Supreme Court nominees in the current post-judicial-filibuster era. • The piece highlights a shift in the conservative legal movement, suggesting that higher standards are necessary to maintain judicial integrity and legitimacy. • In a related development, Attorney General nominee Karine Jean-Pierre's counterpart or associated legal teams indicate that Trump’s DOJ views the Biden administration's lax abortion pill rules as legally incorrect.

• The WHO Europe chief warned that while AI solutions are rapidly being deployed across European hospitals, the region is lagging in necessary regulatory oversight. • Only a small number of European countries have established governance frameworks to manage these technologies, creating significant safety risks for patients. • This gap in regulation matters because the uncontrolled surge of AI in healthcare could lead to clinical errors or data privacy breaches without standardized safeguards.

• 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.

• The DAIHATSU Japan Open 2026, a BWF Super 750 event, has commenced at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium featuring elite global badminton players. • The tournament offers a total prize purse of USD 950,000 and provides critical BWF World Ranking points for the competitors. • Indian star PV Sindhu has made a successful start to the competition, though the Indian campaign faces a setback due to an injury to the duo Satwik-Chirag.

Exclusive: Politician spoke to senior figures in Reform in March that year about covering lost earnings, sources tell the GuardianNigel Farage told senior figures in Reform UK he would need “a million a year” to cover lost earnings if he stood for parliament in the 2024 general election, sources have told the Guardian, raising further questions about why he was given £5m by a crypto billionaire.Sources say the discussion took place in March 2024 – shortly before the undeclared gift was made by Christopher Harborne on 5 April, according to the Thailand-based crypto billionaire’s lawyers. Continue reading...

Andrew Bailey warns that US will not be able to achieve its ambitions aloneThe Bank of England governor has called for international cooperation to tackle growing AI threats, warning that the US and Trump administration would not be able to achieve their ambitions alone.Andrew Bailey’s comments come weeks after the US president, Donald Trump, temporarily banned foreigners from using Anthropic’s powerful Claude Mythos model. Continue reading...

• 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.

Issue must be addressed with ‘even greater rigour’, says government spokesman, after New York Times report on how it has become a spy hub for Vladimir PutinJapan has said it recognised the need to counter foreign intelligence better after the New York Times reported that Russia had turned the country into a “den of spies” and key source of weapons components.The newspaper, in an investigation published on Sunday, reported that thanks to “weak espionage laws”, Moscow was using Japan as a key hub for intelligence gathering and procurement of dual-use technology needed for its war in Ukraine. Continue reading...

• Netflix is expanding its content strategy by integrating live programming alongside its traditional on-demand library to better compete with live TV services. • The platform is focusing on marquee live events, including boxing matches with Jake Paul, MMA bouts, celebrity sports tournaments, and the Screen Actors Guild Awards. • To diversify its live offerings, the streamer has added live comedy specials, such as "The Roast of Tom Brady," and a selection of live podcasts.

• 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.

• Global markets showed mixed results as investors reacted to a fresh escalation in the Middle East conflict and concerns regarding AI-related stock valuations. • Wall Street futures remained mixed on Monday morning, though the Dow pointed higher following a positive close for major North American markets on Friday. • The current volatility highlights the tension between geopolitical instability and the sustainability of high-growth tech valuations.

• The Supreme Court issued a decision on June 29 in Trump v. Slaughter, which notably overruled the precedent set by Humphrey's Executor. • This ruling reshapes the level of presidential control over federal agencies, potentially making agency leadership more susceptible to removal. • The decision matters for employers as it suggests that federal agency guidance and enforcement priorities may become more volatile and subject to change.

• A new wave of pharmaceutical approvals is expected to hit local pharmacies in 2026, introducing a series of "breakout drugs." • These medications are designed to lower overall public health costs and provide more accessible treatment options for patients. • The rollout is expected to assist environmental directors in creating cleaner and safer communities by addressing health issues linked to environmental factors.

Airports have had to use gazebos to shield passengers from sun as they wait to be processed, says Alexander ZinellThe boss of 14 Greek airports has called for a serious overhaul of the EU’s new border checks, after being forced to erect gazebos for passengers to cope with queues.The chief executive of Fraport Greece, Alexander Zinell, joined a growing chorus of critics calling out “fundamental flaws” in the entry-exit system (EES), which requires non-EU passengers to have their fingerprints and photo taken at the start of the their trip and verified every time they leave or re-enter the Schengen zone. Continue reading...

Antisemitism envoy says public broadcasters, which currently have ombudsman to handle complaints, need independent oversight committeeAntisemitism envoy Jillian Segal wants a new ‘oversight’ committee to vet the ABC and SBS’s Israel coverage, she told the royal commission on Thursday morning.Both the ABC and SBS have independent ombudsman to handle complaints. Continue reading...

• Leader of the House Indranee Rajah announced that no further action will be taken regarding the conduct of Workers' Party MPs Sylvia Lim and Faisal Manap during the Committee of Privileges (COP). • The decision follows a High Court ruling on December 4, 2025, which rejected an appeal by Mr. Singh. • Action is precluded by a "time bar," as the 14th Parliament was dissolved and the 15th Parliament has since commenced.

• Chinese startup DeepSeek is reportedly developing its own AI chips, potentially reducing China's reliance on hardware from U.S. giant Nvidia. • This move follows ongoing U.S. export restrictions aimed at limiting China's access to high-end semiconductors necessary for advanced AI development. • The development is significant as it signals China's strategic push for domestic technological self-sufficiency to bypass American trade barriers.

• South Korea's revised Information and Communications Network Act, commonly referred to as the “fake news” law, officially came into force on Tuesday. • The legislation targets "false or manipulated" information, defined as content that is partially or entirely untrue or altered to mislead audiences into believing it is factual. • This law matters as it reshapes the legal framework for handling unlawful information and increases the government's ability to regulate digital content.

• Trip.com cofounder and billionaire James Liang has warned China that a declining birth rate could severely hinder the nation's future innovation. • The warning comes as neighboring regions, including Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, transition into "super-aged" status, defined as having over 20% of the population aged 65 or older. • Liang argues that a lack of young people reduces the creative energy and risk-taking necessary to drive technological and economic breakthroughs.