Returns

• The U.S. Congress is scheduled to return to session next week to address a significant backlog of pending legislation. • Political analyst Loren Duggan notes that lawmakers facing upcoming re-election bids may struggle to support controversial bills due to political risks. • This tension highlights a growing difficulty in passing key laws as members prioritize their electoral viability over legislative compromise.

• The Republican-controlled House of Representatives has returned from a five-week recess with the primary goal of preventing a government shutdown. • Lawmakers plan to vote on a funding bill to keep the government operational leading up to the November midterm elections. • In addition to funding, the chamber may vote on imposing sanctions against Russia and the censure of a fellow Republican member.

• House Republicans are returning to Washington with plans to vote on a Senate-passed funding bill this Tuesday to prevent a government shutdown. • GOP leadership also intends to vote on a resolution condemning "socialism in all its forms," specifically targeting the growth of the Democratic Socialists of America in the 2026 elections. • This political maneuver aims to force Democrats to take a public stance on socialism ahead of the upcoming November elections.

• The U.S. House of Representatives is scheduled to return this Monday following a five-week summer recess. • Lawmakers will be in session for only four days this week before adjourning again until September 14, following the Labor Day holiday. • The primary objective for the returning House members is to prevent a government shutdown ahead of the upcoming midterm elections.

• The U.S. House of Representatives returns from recess this Monday for a one-week session. • The primary objective of the session is to pass a bill extending government funding to prevent a shutdown. • This legislative move is critical to ensure government operations continue past the upcoming midterm elections.

CEO Allan Leighton says lower prices and an improved online service are attracting more shoppers Asda has heralded its first quarterly growth in more than two years as the supermarket’s boss said it was attracting more shoppers with lower prices and an improved online service.Allan Leighton, executive chair of the UK’s third-largest grocer, said a 0.2% rise in sales at established stores, excluding fuel, in the three months to the end of June was “a huge milestone” which was “psychologically important for the business”. In the previous quarter sales fell 2.3%. Continue reading...

Book was removed for review earlier this month following complaint but reinstated after petition and State Library letter to Waverley councilFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA Sydney library has returned to its borrowing shelves a book critical of Israel called How to Sell a Genocide following a public campaign and an intervention from the State Library of New South Wales.Waverley library removed the book “for review” earlier this month after the Jewish news outlet JWire reported it had approached the council. Continue reading...

• Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni previously championed a hardline EU policy focused on the "return" of irregular migrants to externalize border controls. • The strategy is now backfiring as other EU member states are increasingly invoking the "first-arrival principle" to request that Italy take back migrants. • This shift highlights a growing tension within the EU regarding the shared responsibility of migrant distribution and border management.

• The 48th global edition of the World AI Show took place in Kuala Lumpur on August 13, 2026, highlighting artificial intelligence as a central pillar of Malaysia's economic strategy. • The event focused on the country's accelerated investments in AI infrastructure and the development of sovereign cloud capabilities to bolster digital ambitions. • This initiative matters as Malaysia seeks to transition AI from an emerging technology into a core driver of national productivity and digital sovereignty.

• The Bangladesh government has promised former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina "full security" should she choose to return from her current exile in India. • An adviser to PM Tarique Rahman stated that while security will be provided, Hasina must face the judicial process with all legal and constitutional rights ensured. • This announcement follows a formal protest lodged by the Bangladesh government to New Delhi regarding Hasina's continued stay in India.

Labor looks to negotiate with the Coalition to get several pieces of legislation through parliament. Follow today’s news liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastGovernment listening to ‘money and power’ on gambling says independent MPKate Chaney, who was on the inquiry with the late Labor MP Peta Murphy that handed down the landmark ‘you win some, you lose more’ report on gambling harm, says so far it seems the talks between the Coalition and Labor on a gambling reform package are “disappointing”.In 2017, when the last round of partial restrictions came in, the money just moved around. And for example, gambling ads after 8:30 more than doubled, increased 131%. And I suspect that that’s what we’re going to see here too: is the money moving around.I think it is about the government listening to the money and the power, not the people. The gambling companies make big political donations. They are present lobbyists in this building. We’re hearing their talking points coming out of the Prime Minister’s mouth. And the media companies and the sports codes make a lot of money out of gambling too. Unfortunately, Australians pay the cost for that. And the average Australian household loses more in gambling than they pay for in electricity. So this is our blind spot.I think that that whole interview was pretty cringe. Let’s face it, the Prime Minister didn’t really cover himself with glory with that And it’s disturbing to hear that the the Japanese government has expressed some concerns about it.We’re talking about a a really special gift that the Japanese state has given to the country. And if I was the PM, I’d pick up the phone to the Japanese Prime Minister and apologise to her on on this one.When the the Prime Minister’s crude and dirty podcast banter is formally raised by the Japanese government. Anthony Albanese just has an embarrassed himself. He’s embarrassed Australia. This is now a a diplomatic incident because of the the appalling behaviour of the Prime Minister. Continue reading...

• Asian stock markets experienced a significant jump, with Japanese and South Korean indices surging as the artificial intelligence rally returned. • The positive momentum follows a record-breaking close on Wall Street, which has also pushed U.S. stock futures higher. • While the broader AI sector is rallying, specific companies like SpaceX and AMD saw dips following their recent earnings reports.

• U.S. Soccer has signed Argentine manager Mauricio Pochettino to an extended contract that secures his leadership through the 2030 World Cup. • The new deal extends his tenure beyond the initial 2026 tournament, reflecting a long-term commitment to stability and growth for the USMNT. • U.S. Soccer official Batson emphasized that the investment in Pochettino is part of a broader strategy to raise expectations as the sport grows globally.

• Indian boxers secured a total of ten medals, including seven golds and three silvers, at the 23rd edition of the Commonwealth Games (CWG 2026). • Ankush Panghal and Sachin Siwach were the headline performers of the contingent, contributing to the team's overall success. • The victory highlights India's continued dominance in boxing, following strong domestic performances and previous appearances at the 2023 Asian Games.

• Amazon received approximately $600 million in tariff refunds for Q2 2026 following a February Supreme Court ruling against IEEPA tariffs. • The company plans to automatically refund eligible customers and utilize any remaining funds to lower product prices. • Other major retailers are seeing similar impacts, with Apple reporting a 5% (11 cents) boost to earnings per share and Costco pledging to return a portion of its rebates to consumers.

• South Korea's KOSPI index surged by 15%, climbing past the 6,400 mark during Friday morning trading. • The rally was driven by sharp rebounds in semiconductor giants Samsung and SK Hynix, following strong cloud earnings reports from Microsoft and Amazon. • This recovery signals a return of the AI chip rally in Asia, reversing previous losses and highlighting the critical link between U.S. cloud demand and Korean hardware.

• South Korea's Kospi index experienced a record 17% surge, driven by a powerful rally in AI-related technology stocks. • Major chipmakers led the growth, with SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics both jumping over 23%, while Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. rose 10%. • These three companies served as the primary contributors to the gains seen across the MSCI Asia Pacific equities index.

• The KOSPI index surged 15%, climbing past the 6,400 mark as the AI chip rally returned to Asian markets. • The rally was driven by sharp rebounds in Samsung and SK Hynix, following strong cloud earnings reports from Microsoft and Amazon. • This recovery highlights the critical link between U.S. big-tech cloud spending and the valuation of South Korean semiconductor giants.

Government’s special envoy returns to the witness box again today; three victims found in burned-out house in Wiley Park. Follow updates liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastOne of the 19 Closing the Gap targets has officially been reached after early childhood education enrolment for First Nations children hit 95% across the country.Released by the Productivity Commission today, the annual data compilation report showed an increase from 61.3% enrolments in 2016 (the baseline year), to hitting the 95% mark across every state and territory today.This result is encouraging, as are improvements in eight other targets including employment and education.However, it is very concerning that we are still seeing outcomes worsening for early childhood development, children in out-of-home care, incarceration rates and suicide. Continue reading...

• UBS Group stock has stabilized following strong 2024 earnings and the successful integration of Credit Suisse. • The bank's positive performance is driven by solid balance-sheet metrics and the implementation of capital returns to shareholders. • Potential risks include increased market volatility and lower capital-market valuations, which could negatively impact trading results and fee income.

• The Rampur Development Authority has issued a notice to demolish 38 out of 40 buildings at Mohammad Ali Jauhar University. • The order, sent on July 15, gives the institution until August 5 to comply, sparing only the academic block and medical college. • This action threatens to virtually shut down the university, which was founded by senior Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan.

• Director Yeon Sang-ho is returning to the 'Parasyte' franchise to helm a new live-action series titled 'Parasyte: Tamiya'. • The upcoming production will feature actress Shioli Kutsuna and is scheduled for release on Netflix in 2027. • This project expands the live-action adaptation of the popular series, leveraging Yeon Sang-ho's previous experience with the franchise.

• At the CIO 100 Leadership Live event in New York, IT executives discussed transitioning from initial AI pilots to achieving measurable returns on investment (ROI). • Speakers emphasized that successful AI integration requires a combination of solid IT fundamentals, strong business alignment, and the linking of data to decision-making processes. • This shift is critical as it necessitates the redesign of decision rights, the development of new funding models, and stricter accountability to keep pace with the "agentic economy."

• On February 28, the US and Israel launched joint "pre-emptive" strikes against targets in Iran, escalating a conflict that Iran describes as a "full-scale war." • The military escalation has triggered an immediate economic impact, with US gasoline prices rising to an average of $4 per gallon according to AAA. • This surge in energy costs presents a significant political risk for President Donald Trump, as affordability is expected to be a primary concern for voters.

• The Indian junior women’s hockey team concluded its exposure-cum-competition tour of the UK, recording three wins and four losses. • This tour served as critical preparation for the upcoming Women’s Junior Asia Cup, which will take place in Moqi, China. • The tournament is scheduled to run from September 4 to 13, marking a key competitive milestone for the squad.

• Shusha will host the fourth edition of the Global Media Forum on July 13–14, focusing on the theme "The Mission of Media in Promoting Peace: Restoring Truth and Rebuilding Trust." • The event expects nearly 160 participants from 54 countries, including representatives from approximately 30 international news agencies and over 60 leading media organizations. • This gathering is significant as it represents one of the most internationally diverse media events in the South Caucasus region this year.

• Congress returns to Washington on Monday to tackle a dense legislative agenda before the upcoming August recess and the midterm election cycle. • Lawmakers face a constrained timeline to address several key priorities, though the specific legislative goals were not detailed in the report. • The return to the Capitol is overshadowed by the sudden death of Senator Lindsey Graham, adding a layer of mourning to the political proceedings.

Lawmakers face obstacles, including demands from Trump, Mitch McConnell’s absence and Graham’s sudden deathHello and welcome to the US politics live blog.Republican lawmakers return to the Capitol this week after the unexpected death in office of Lindsey Graham, as the party seeks to appoint a new senator to see out his term.The Senate judiciary committee has scheduled two days of confirmation hearings for Todd Blanche, the acting attorney general Trump has nominated to the post, though it was unclear if the death of Graham, who served on the committee, will affect the schedule. The intelligence committee has separately announced that the confirmation of Clayton is back on.Republicans in both chambers remain confounded by Trump’s renewed fixation on the Save America Act, which would ban mail-in ballots and impose new rules on voting nationwide. The measure, a version of which was approved by the House of Representatives earlier this year almost entirely with Republican votes, has no path through the Senate, where it faces opposition from Democrats and some in the GOP.Ro Khanna accused the Israeli government and military of “lying” on Sunday about the US congressman’s detention by armed settlers and Israeli soldiers during a recent visit to the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Khanna – a California Democrat – had posted video evidence on social media of Israeli settlers and soldiers blocking the path of his convoy on Wednesday in the South Hebron hills, near the village of Zanuta, where Israelis have driven Palestinians from their homes in what Amnesty International calls a government-backed “ethnic cleansing campaign”. Continue reading...

• Investors are increasingly prioritizing political stability and capital protection over high-growth returns due to global geopolitical tensions and persistent inflation. • Singapore has emerged as the only non-European nation to rank in the top 10 safest countries for investors heading into 2026. • This shift highlights Singapore's enduring reputation as one of Asia's most stable and secure financial hubs during periods of economic uncertainty.

• The Congress party is facing a recurring crisis in Punjab as internal infighting disrupts its strategic planning for the upcoming state elections. • This instability threatens to shift the electoral narrative into a direct "Modi versus Rahul" contest, a dynamic that has historically favored the BJP over the last decade. • The internal turmoil is significant because it may alienate voters and weaken the party's ability to present a united front against its opponents.