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• S&P Global Ratings has affirmed Indonesia's investment-grade rating at BBB with a stable outlook, providing a critical boost to the country's financial credibility. • The decision offers relief to President Prabowo's administration following a period of market volatility and investor concerns over his interventionist economic agenda and spending plans. • The rating comes after a difficult period for Indonesian bonds, which saw a 10% loss for dollar-based investors on a hedged basis in 2026, the worst performance in emerging markets behind South Korea.

• A new "2026 Operating Playbook" outlines how venture capital firms can integrate AI tools, governance, and workflows to gain a competitive edge. • The strategy involves deploying a screening and diligence stack using open-source LLMs and custom outbound signal models based on GitHub and Hugging Face activity. • These AI-driven optimizations substantially reduced the time from the initial meeting to the issuance of term sheets.

• Samsung Electronics reported a significant surge in operating profit for the second quarter, driven by a global boom in artificial intelligence infrastructure. • The growth is primarily attributed to increased demand and rising prices for DRAM and NAND memory chips. • This financial jump is critical as it reflects broader trends in data-center spending and the overall pace of the worldwide AI buildout.

• NBC and Fox News reported a significant surge in viewership for their Fourth of July specials during the U.S. 250th anniversary celebrations. • NBC's fireworks broadcast achieved its highest ratings in eight years, while Fox News recorded its most successful July 4 performance to date. • The ratings boom highlights a strong public interest in national holiday programming and patriotic events.

• SBS drama "Manager Kim," starring So Ji-sub, has achieved rapid success both in South Korea and globally. • The series surpassed the 20% viewership mark within four episodes, reaching national ratings of 21.6% and a peak instantaneous rating of 25.1%. • Internationally, the show ranked number one in 20 countries as of July 4, according to FlixPatrol data, maintaining top-two positions across major Asian markets including Japan and Vietnam.

• To mark the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States this July 4 weekend, NPR is exploring media that portrays the "American dream." • Aisha Harris and Linda Holmes from NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour are discussing specific films, TV series, and musical works that capture the national experience. • The conversation highlights Stevie Wonder's song "Higher Ground" as a key example of the collective resilience and the struggle for a better life in America.

• The United States defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 in a World Cup match, drawing a massive television audience. • The game averaged 24.43 million viewers on Fox, setting a new record as the largest English-language soccer broadcast in U.S. history. • This surge in viewership highlights the rapidly growing popularity and commercial appeal of soccer within the American market.

• Spain has surpassed European competitors like Portugal, Croatia, and Estonia in attracting remote workers by upgrading its Digital Nomad Visa and offering strategic tax benefits. • The initiative is drawing thousands of global tech professionals, including software developers, engineers, and venture capitalists, specifically to hubs like Madrid, Valencia, and Malaga. • This influx is revitalizing local economies by transforming abandoned commercial spaces into modern technological incubators and renewing historical neighborhoods.

• 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.

• U.S. News & World Report has released its 2026-2027 "Best Companies to Work For" ratings, highlighting top employers across 14 different industries. • The rankings evaluate both public and private organizations based on their ability to support the needs of full-time employees and interns. • These ratings serve as a critical benchmark for job seekers and companies aiming to improve workplace culture and employee retention.

• U.S. News & World Report has released its 2026-2027 Best Companies to Work For ratings to help job seekers and employers identify top-performing organizations. • The rankings evaluate companies based on critical factors including pay and benefits, work-life balance, job stability, professional development, and psychological comfort. • According to VP of Careers Carly Chase, these ratings serve as a vital resource for diverse groups, from AI-era graduates to HR leaders researching organizational trends.

• Agent Kim Reactivated, a revenge thriller starring So Ji Sub, has broken a 5-year ratings record in Korea with a 15.7 percent nationwide rating. • The drama, streaming on Netflix, achieved this milestone just two episodes into its run, making it the fastest to cross the 15 percent mark since The Penthouse 3. • This surpasses previous records, with the show's early success indicating a strong start to its run on SBS and Netflix.

• The United States is reportedly accelerating its withdrawal from European security commitments following a diplomatic rift regarding support for the U.S.-Israeli conflict against Iran. • An upcoming NATO summit in Turkey is expected to serve as a pivotal transition point for the alliance's structure and strategic direction. • This decoupling raises significant concerns among European leaders that the region's security posture will be weakened without consistent U.S. backing.

City regulator will require booming industry to prove its resilience to risk from October next yearCrypto firms operating in the UK will be forced to prove they can weather market shocks and hold capital against risky assets as part of sweeping new rules announced by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).The regulations will increase supervision of the crypto industry, which has so far has faced minimal oversight despite a boom in popularity linked to social media influencers and a legitimisation drive under the US president, Donald Trump. Continue reading...

• Deutsche Bank has downgraded its stock rating for Synaptics following the company's acquisition deal with ON Semiconductor. • The rating cut reflects analyst concerns regarding the strategic implications and financial impact of the acquisition. • This move is significant as it signals a shift in institutional confidence regarding Synaptics' growth trajectory and valuation.

• The USMNT utilized a rotated starting XI for their final World Cup group-stage match against Türkiye. • Weston McKennie was highlighted as an influential presence in the midfield, while Sebastian Lletget earned a high rating for providing two critical goals or assists. • Performance varied across the squad, with some players struggling in the first half due to early yellow cards before stabilizing in the second half.

• The 2026 Men's World Cup has already broken U.S. viewership records during the group stage, with the USMNT leading match audiences on Fox. • High-profile matchups including Brazil-Morocco and Mexico-South Korea also set new U.S. audience benchmarks. • Specific match data shows Iraq-Norway drew 5.9 million viewers with a 7.4 million peak, while Qatar-Switzerland tallied 5.4 million viewers and peaked at 6.6 million.

• Amazon has invested €17 billion in low-carbon technologies across the EU and UK since 2021, focusing on carbon-free energy, transport electrification, and sustainable packaging. • An independent analysis by Frontier Economics reveals these investments have supported up to 144,000 jobs and generated approximately €11 billion in gross value added (GVA). • The initiative aims to accelerate Europe's transition to a low-carbon economy while enhancing the region's overall industrial competitiveness.

• Netflix's canceled series 'The Boroughs' climbed to the No. 1 spot in Nielsen's streaming ratings for the week of May 25-31, 2026. • HBO's 'Euphoria' also saw a significant surge in viewership during the same period, reaching a ranking high just before its series finale. • These trends highlight a common pattern where canceled or concluding shows experience a spike in popularity as audiences rush to watch them before they disappear.

Conservationists emphasise importance of protecting nesting sites used by ‘strongly faithful’ red-listed speciesMigratory swifts loyally return every year to their nests in buildings, according to a study, underlining the importance of providing the endangered birds with hollow nesting bricks if traditional nest sites are lost to renovations.The swift, which is on the red list of conservation concern, is one of Britain’s most threatened species, having declined in number by 70% since 1995 because of the loss of nesting sites, often when old buildings are re-roofed or given better insulation. While Scotland this year made the installation of swift bricks – a simple hollow brick – a legal requirement in new buildings, the government in England has repeatedly refused to oblige builders to include a £35 swift brick in every new home. Continue reading...

• Antique has maintained a 'Buy' rating for ICICI Bank, setting a target price of Rs 1,622 for 2026. • The target price represents a potential upside of 17% compared to the current trading price of Rs 1,387.70. • This valuation is driven by two near-term triggers expected to catalyze an earnings rerating for the bank.

• A drone strike in the Sudanese city of El Obeid hit an empty fuel tanker parked near a school on Tuesday, resulting in injuries to students. • The United Nations reported on Wednesday that ongoing fighting in the city continues to endanger civilians and cause significant damage to local infrastructure. • This incident highlights the escalating risks to non-combatants and educational facilities amidst the broader Sudanese conflict.

Earnings from mining the fossil fuel set to increase to $6.9bn over financial year, up from $4.8bn, with budget deficit to reach $6.17bnFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastQueensland’s treasurer says he’s “not giving up” on halting a ratings downgrade for the state’s finances after handing down a budget full of red ink, amid predictions state borrowing will top $200bn in three years.David Janetzki promised a budget surplus in 2029-30, the year after the state’s next election – but only after years of billion-dollar deficits.Government revenue will increase 5.1% over the forward estimates, driven by increases in government duties, payroll tax and royalties.Spending will grow, rising from $100.8bn in 2025-26 to $111.6bn in 2029-30.The government says it is committed to returning the budget to a “fiscally sustainable position through strong expenditure management”, with expense growth dropping from 4.9% in 2026-27 to an average of 2.6% over the four years to 2029-30.Half a billion dollars will be saved through better coordinating procurement, reducing the cap on senior executive positions and reduced spending on contractors and consultants.$119.2bn for new roads, bus projects and rail in the next four years, and other infrastructure.The state’s 50 cent fare scheme will remain and be legislated. Continue reading...

• Fox and Telemundo are reporting record-breaking TV ratings for the 2026 World Cup, with viewer counts more than doubling compared to the tournament four years ago. • Key highlights include 4.7 million viewers watching Iran's 2-2 tie with New Zealand on Fox Sports 1 and a high 9% local rating in Kansas City for the USMNT match. • In a standout performance at Arrowhead Stadium, Lionel Messi set a tournament record by scoring three goals in Argentina's 3-0 win over Algeria.

Video taken after the shooting shows a woman sobbing over the pet with nearly a dozen officers standing aroundPolice in California shot and killed a family’s pet dog wearing a New York Knicks jersey after they were called to a report of a screaming woman who turned out to be celebrating the basketball team’s championship win.Video of the aftermath of Saturday’s shooting of the two-year-old doodle named Jameson, “the sweetest boy in the world”, according to the dog’s owner, received millions of views on TikTok on Tuesday. Continue reading...

Mark Carney says Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise office hasn’t been ‘effective’ since its 2019 setupCanada is eliminating a watchdog that investigates alleged human rights violations committed by Canadian companies operating abroad, after Mark Carney said the office hadn’t been “effective” since it was set up in 2019.The move comes as Canada faces criticism from Donald Trump’s administration over its “unacceptable” efforts to combat forced labour. Continue reading...

Professor alleges Institute of Astronomy has a ‘bad history of misogyny’ and staff were mistreatedThe University of Cambridge’s prestigious Institute of Astronomy has been accused of tolerating misogyny and a “cycle of bullying” in an employment tribunal.The claim, brought by a professor of astrophysics, Wyn Evans, also alleges the University of Cambridge has retaliated against whistleblowers. Continue reading...

• Cybercriminals are increasingly leveraging artificial intelligence to develop more sophisticated techniques for committing crimes. • These AI-driven attacks pose a growing and evolving threat to businesses, institutions, and individuals on a global scale. • The acceleration of cybercrime highlights a critical need to prepare and train the next wave of cybersecurity experts to counter these threats.