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Stock markets fall as analysts price in two quarter-point UK rate rises by the end of the yearBusiness live – latest updatesOil and gas prices have jumped and expectations of interest rate rises in Europe have increased after the US carried out a third night of military strikes against Iran.Brent crude, the international benchmark for oil prices, rose by as much as 4.6% to $87.08 a barrel on Tuesday, its highest level in just over a month. Continue reading...

• A weak June labor report has shifted market sentiment, reducing the likelihood of further interest rate hikes and challenging the previously hawkish economic narrative. • Middle market lenders are seeing a reviving sponsor pipeline, which is critical for driving new-money originations and increasing M&A activity. • This shift allows direct-lending funds to better absorb significant amounts of "dry powder" through acquisition financing, unitranche facilities, and revolver commitments.

• Brazil and Norway will face off in a high-stakes World Cup 2026 round-of-16 match, with the winner set to play either England or Mexico. • The tie features a headline rivalry between stars Gabriel and Erling Haaland, adding significant star power to the knockout stage clash. • In the UK, the match will be broadcast live and free-to-air on ITV1 starting at 8:15 pm, with streaming available via the ITVX app and website.

• Polymarket is tracking prediction market odds and probabilities for the winner of the 2026 French Open (Roland Garros). • The market currently features a liquidity of approximately $634,280, which facilitates price discovery and tradability for participants. • Analysts note that current market agreement around Alexander Zverev may be volatile, as the liquidity is significantly smaller than the cumulative volume.

• The New York Knicks are preparing for Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs, following a narrow 105-104 victory in Game 2. • The Knicks have extended their postseason winning streak to 13 games, positioning themselves strongly in the series. • Former President Donald Trump, a longtime fan, confirmed on Friday that he will attend the game, marking the first NBA Finals appearance in New York since 1999.

• Spain has emerged as the current favorite to win the 2026 World Cup according to the latest betting odds. • The updated projections provide a comprehensive look at the odds for all 48 participating teams to advance from the group stage into the knockout rounds. • These odds reflect current team form and perceived strength as the tournament expands to a larger format for the first time.

• The 2026 FIFA World Cup is preparing to be the largest tournament in history, expanding to feature 48 teams and a total of 104 matches. • Argentina enters the competition attempting to become only the third nation to win back-to-back titles, following Italy (1934, 1938) and Brazil (1958, 1962). • This event follows a historic trend where the last six World Cups since 2002 have been won by six different champions.