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Test of US rhetoric will rest on whether nations such as India, China and Russia view economic threats as credibleIran has vowed to retaliate against any country that cooperates with the US attempt to impose fresh sanctions against Iran in what the Treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, has billed as “the single greatest financial offensive ever marshalled against an adversary”.In advance of the US announcement, the United Arab Emirates, Iran’s single biggest trading partner in the Middle East, announced it was ending all trade with Iran, a move Tehran believes was coordinated between Washington and Dubai. Continue reading...

• An under-construction building collapsed in the Madhapur area of Hyderabad, resulting in at least two confirmed deaths. • Emergency services have launched a rescue operation to locate any remaining individuals trapped under the debris. • The incident highlights critical concerns regarding construction safety and regulatory oversight in Hyderabad's rapidly developing urban zones.

• Treasury Secretary Bessent announced a potential buyback operation exceeding $4 billion to "make a market" in longer-dated securities. • The move targets securities like the 30-year bond, which has seen yields surge to levels not witnessed since before the 2008 global financial crisis. • This intervention aims to stabilize the market and ensure fundamentals drive pricing, despite the benchmark 10-year yield recently climbing to 4.704%.

• A new column from Xinhua argues for returning development to the center of global cooperation to address systemic failures in current international progress. • The piece highlights that while science and technology are advancing rapidly, millions are being left behind due to persistent poverty, climate risks, and widening inequality. • Geopolitical tensions, trade barriers, and supply-chain disruptions are identified as primary obstacles hindering the achievement of sustainable development goals.

State sought to stop system off coast of Santa Barbara from resuming operations after Trump ordered its reopening A controversial oil pipeline can continue to operate off the California coast after a judge gave it the greenlight this week, despite the opposition of state regulators and environmental groups.The system off the coast of Santa Barbara resumed operations earlier this year for the first time in more than a decade after Donald Trump ordered Sable Offshore Corporation to reopen it, citing US energy needs during the war in Iran. It had been closed since 2015 when a burst pipe caused one of California’s worst oil spills, and its reopening was supposed to be governed by a federal consent decree. Continue reading...

• Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and the Japanese Defence Minister have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen bilateral defence cooperation. • The agreement focuses on enhancing strategic partnerships and security collaboration between India and Japan. • This move is significant as it reinforces the geopolitical alignment of both nations in the Indo-Pacific region to ensure stability and security.

• Southeast Asia is experiencing an AI boom, driving significant investments in cloud infrastructure, semiconductor production, and data centers across the region. • Malaysia has become the fastest-growing data center market, benefiting from a 2019 moratorium on new facilities in Singapore due to land and energy constraints. • Major tech giants, including Google, Microsoft, and Amazon Web Services, are launching large-scale projects in Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines.

• Leading fitness trade show organizers in Asia are facilitating strategic connections between brands, manufacturers, buyers, and distributors for the 2026 event cycle. • These exhibitions span key markets including China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia to strengthen regional sports business cooperation. • The initiative is critical as China's fitness equipment export volume continues to grow, requiring organizers to balance domestic supply-chain depth with international buyer reach.

• Lam Research Corp (LRCX) has disclosed a new operational risk stemming from its increasing reliance on AI tools across R&D, manufacturing, and service sectors. • The company warns that unsettled intellectual property laws in the U.S. and internationally may prevent it from securing or defending rights to AI-generated technologies. • This legal uncertainty creates a vulnerability where competitors could potentially appropriate AI-driven innovations, threatening the firm's reputation and financial stability.

Sara Sanchez, 27, and her daughter died after a speedboat capsized in the New York Harbor over the weekendThe driver of a speedboat that capsized in New York Harbor over the weekend, killing a 27-year-old woman and her infant daughter, was charged on Monday with causing their deaths through misconduct or neglect.Manuel Hernandez, 46, wiped his eyes with his hand as he arrived for his initial appearance in Manhattan federal court. He was not required to enter a plea and was released on bail. Continue reading...

• Pakistan has introduced sweeping new regulations requiring mandatory registration and accreditation for all journalists working with international news organizations. • The government has also imposed strict restrictions on the specific geographic areas where foreign media are permitted to report. • These measures follow international coverage of ongoing protests in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) during the current election cycle, which triggered a sharp government response.

Inspections ordered by US regulator will affect about 470 aircraft, after reported problems in earlier modelsBusiness live – latest updatesThe US aviation regulator has ordered inspections of the fuselages of Boeing 737 Max planes for possible cracks in a component.The Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness directive will affect an estimated 471 aircraft and follows reports of cracks in earlier Boeing models. Continue reading...

• New research warns that up to half of the world's dams could become "functionally inoperable" by 2060 due to excessive sediment accumulation. • Currently, approximately one-fifth of global reservoirs are classified as being at high risk of filling with sediment, with the American West identified as a major hotspot. • This trend creates a "ticking time bomb" that threatens global water security, infrastructure stability, and the livelihoods of millions of people.

• Allianz Global Investors (AllianzGI) has signed an agreement to acquire UOB Asset Management (UOBAM), the asset management arm of Singapore's UOB Group. • The deal expands AllianzGI's reach into high-growth Southeast Asian markets, specifically Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia, while scaling existing operations in Singapore, Taiwan, and Indonesia. • This acquisition is strategically significant as it increases AllianzGI's assets under management in the Asia-Pacific region to over €170 billion.

• Salad and Go has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and announced the closure of all its store locations. • The decision follows a cyclospora outbreak and increasing operational strain within the competitive salad sector. • This move marks a total shutdown for the chain, highlighting the severe financial and reputational impact of foodborne illness outbreaks.

• President Trump has threatened "decapitation" strikes against Iran, stating the country is on its "very last chance" to reach a deal. • In response to a Houthi-declared blockade, six Saudi-operated tankers have been diverted around Africa to ensure safe passage. • Iran's Foreign Ministry is currently in negotiations with Oman to establish a temporary safe route for maritime vessels.

Labour politicians say mutualised model puts public in control without adding debt to government’s balance sheetMPs and mayors close to Andy Burnham have told the prime minister there is a “third way” tlauo gain more control of failing companies, as the row over whether or not to nationalise Thames Water rumbles on.Burnham is said to be concerned about the increase in government debt that Treasury projections show could be a result of nationalising water companies. Continue reading...

• Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility on Thursday for an attack on a US military base located in Kuwait as part of "Operation Nasr-2." • In a retaliatory move, US air strikes targeting Iran's Zanjan province resulted in the deaths of at least three IRGC members. • These escalating strikes highlight the intensifying military conflict between the US and Iran, signaling a dangerous shift in regional stability.

• On July 30, 2026, Russian authorities charged Telegram founder Pavel Durov over the platform's alleged involvement in Ukrainian spy operations. • The charges center on claims that the messaging app was utilized to facilitate intelligence gathering and espionage activities against Russia. • This legal action highlights the escalating tension between the Russian government and encrypted communication platforms regarding state security and surveillance.

• Mate Security has surpassed $50 million in funding to develop a new operational model for AI-driven cybersecurity. • The company aims to solve the "AI paradox," where AI improves detection and automation but also allows adversaries to launch faster, more sophisticated attacks. • This investment addresses the critical issue of alert fatigue in security operations centers by shifting the focus from data processing to reliable decision-making.

Official declines to say whether Gabriel Perez, who allegedly bet on prediction market Kalshi, resigned or was fired A White House teleprompter operator who reportedly used inside knowledge to make bets about Donald Trump’s speeches on the online prediction market Kalshi is no longer in his post, according to a White House official.The official, who was not authorized to comment publicly about the personnel matter and spoke on condition of anonymity, said on Tuesday that Gabriel Perez, “no longer works in the federal government”. Continue reading...

• U.S. military operations in Iran are reportedly "on a hold" following nearly two weeks of consecutive strikes. • Trump administration officials have expressed concerns regarding further escalation, while Iran's Foreign Ministry reports constructive talks with Oman concerning the Strait of Hormuz. • The conflict is creating a political divide in the U.S., with Democrats shifting away from traditional support for military interventions and arguing that the public opposes the war.

Nathan Matthews, 43, died a month after deadly burnover enveloped his fire crew near the Colorado-Utah borderA fourth firefighter has died from burns after he and several colleagues were overcome by a fast-moving wildfire near the Colorado-Utah border last month, officials said on Saturday.Nathan Matthews, 43, died on Friday, the US interior department said in a release. He was from Lincoln, Nebraska. Continue reading...

• The European Central Bank (ECB) has unveiled ten finalist designs for future euro banknotes, divided into two primary themes: culture and nature. • The culture theme features icons such as Leonardo da Vinci, Maria Callas, Beethoven, and Marie Curie, while the nature theme focuses on birds symbolizing European biodiversity. • This initiative allows European citizens to vote for their preferred designs via a survey on the ECB's website, ranging from minimalist to traditional styles.

• The European Central Bank (ECB) has unveiled ten finalist designs for future euro banknotes, focusing on themes of culture and nature. • Proposed designs include portraits of iconic figures such as Leonardo da Vinci for the €100 note, Bertha von Suttner for the €200 note, as well as Maria Callas, Beethoven, and Marie Curie. • Other options feature birds to symbolize Europe's biodiversity, reflecting a choice between celebrating human intellectual achievement or environmental preservation.

Concern over US effort to prosecute Sam Tunick, accused by authorities of wiping his phone using GrapheneOSThe US Department of Justice is attempting to prosecute an Atlanta resident in connection with the movement against the police training center known as Cop City because he had GrapheneOS on his phone, an open-source operating system that enables users to enter a passcode and wipe a phone clean.The case, which had its first hearing on Monday, centers on a little-known US federal statute that makes it a crime to destroy property in an effort to prevent it from being seized. Continue reading...

• Singapore has warned that artificial intelligence is becoming an "actor in its own right," significantly reshaping the landscape of modern military operations. • To address these evolving threats, Singapore will host the inaugural ASEAN Regional Cyber Exercise alongside the 5th Digital Defence Symposium. • The government plans to strengthen the ADMM Cybersecurity and Information Centre of Excellence (ACICE) to serve as an inclusive cyber and information node for the region.

Meliá group says Donald Trump’s sanctions make it ‘impossible’ to keep any of its 34 sites openA Spanish hotel chain is to cease all operations in Cuba at the end of the week due to “major difficulties” in doing business on the island under growing pressure from Washington.The latest US sanctions make it “impossible, de facto and de jure, to maintain even minimal operational stability”, the Meliá group explained in a statement on Tuesday to the Spanish stock market regulator. Continue reading...