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• Activist Sonam Wangchuk entered the 20th day of an indefinite hunger strike on Friday, having lost over nine kilograms since beginning the fast on June 28. • Medical professionals have warned that Wangchuk's organs are now at risk due to the prolonged lack of nutrition. • Despite these health warnings, Wangchuk refuses to end the protest, vowing to lead a march to Parliament on July 20.

• An Iranian army spokesperson announced that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the United States agrees to accept the Iranian legal system. • The statement, reported by the Iranian Students' News Agency, establishes a direct link between the reopening of the critical waterway and U.S. diplomatic concessions. • This escalation is significant because the Strait of Hormuz is a vital global chokepoint for oil shipments, meaning a prolonged closure could trigger severe global economic instability.

• Health Minister Mark Butler confirmed that key multiple sclerosis (MS) treatments, including Ocrevus, Kesimpta, and Lemtrada, will remain subsidized on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). • The decision follows a review by an expert advisory panel, ensuring that Australians living with MS maintain affordable access to these life-changing medications. • This move addresses growing concerns regarding the stability of taxpayer subsidies for high-cost specialty drugs and the potential for certain treatments to be removed from the scheme.

• The Indian stock market closed with mixed results, as the BSE Sensex ended 100 points higher while the NSE Nifty50 remained flat. • Market volatility was driven by a combination of geopolitical developments, macroeconomic trends, crude oil fluctuations, and foreign institutional investor activity. • Despite the Sensex gain, broader markets and several sectoral indices declined, signaling widespread caution among investors.

• Abheek Biswas, vice president of consumer insights at dentsu India, argues that India's streaming market is shifting from a phase of content abundance to one focused on relevance. • The core thesis is that long-term value for streaming platforms will now be driven by "what stays"—content that audiences continue to watch, recommend, and debate. • This shift matters because entertainment only creates lasting cultural and economic value when it integrates into the daily conversations and rituals of viewers.

• European markets remained volatile on July 13, 2026, with oil prices holding higher as investors focused on escalating tensions between the US and Iran. • Chip stocks surged by 10% while gold prices plunged, a shift driven by a strengthening US dollar that some traders suggest signals a potential regime change. • Concerns are mounting over US fiscal health, as national debt has now exceeded the size of the economy and the Treasury is borrowing $155 billion per month.

PM suggests maintaining links with US president will be part of his continued responsibility to UK-US relationshipEurope live – latest updatesDonald Trump has agreed to stay in touch with Keir Starmer after he steps down from No 10 despite his increasingly tense relationship with the UK prime minister over recent months.After meeting at the Nato summit in Ankara, Starmer suggested that maintaining links with the US president would be part of his continued responsibilities to the strategic relationship between the two countries. Continue reading...

• Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in India has reached a five-year high, driven by strong capital inflows and resilient domestic demand despite global trade headwinds. • The services sector emerged as the primary growth engine with a 10% expansion, followed by industry growth of 7.3% and a more subdued 3.6% increase in agriculture. • This surge is significant as robust investment momentum and gross capital formation are currently offsetting global economic uncertainties and inflation.

• Sky is acquiring ITV's media and entertainment divisions in a deal valued at £1.6 billion. • Sky boss Dana Strong confirmed that popular ITV hits, including "I'm a Celebrity," will remain free to watch following the takeover. • Dame Caroline Dinenage, chair of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, noted that the merger could increase the combined entity's ability to attract audiences and advertising revenue.

• Sky has announced a £1.6bn deal to acquire ITV's media and entertainment divisions, marking one of the largest takeovers in British media history. • Sky CEO Dana Strong confirmed that popular ITV shows, such as I'm a Celebrity, will remain free-to-air until the company's public service licence obligations expire in 2034. • The merger aims to create a powerful domestic competitor capable of challenging global streaming giants.

• Sky is acquiring ITV's media and entertainment divisions in a deal valued at £1.6 billion. • Sky boss Dana Strong confirmed that popular ITV programs, including "I'm a Celebrity," will remain free to watch following the takeover. • Dame Caroline Dinenage, chair of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, noted that the merger could increase the combined entity's ability to attract audiences and advertising revenue.

• Sky is acquiring ITV's media and entertainment divisions in a £1.6bn deal, marking one of the largest takeovers in British media history. • Sky CEO Dana Strong confirmed that popular ITV shows, including I'm a Celebrity, will remain free-to-air until public service licence obligations expire in 2034. • The merger aims to create a more competitive British entity capable of challenging global streaming giants.

Fresh row erupts over Duke of Sussex’s trip, the buildup to which has been overshadowed by security disputeJust as it seemed there might be a period of peace, yet another row has broken out between Prince Harry and his family, with one party saying he had accepted an invitation to stay at Buckingham Palace and the other countering within minutes that he would no longer be welcomed.The Duke of Sussex is to visit London and Birmingham for a series of charity engagements including promoting the Invictus Games. The ‌buildup to the trip has been overshadowed by a dispute with the government over security, and a spokesperson for the prince saying on Sunday that the Duchess of Sussex and the couple’s children would not join him in London, but could do later when he visits Birmingham. Continue reading...

• Philippine inflation is projected to decrease slightly to 6.6% in June, down from 6.8% in May. • Despite the dip, inflation remains significantly above the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas target range of 2% to 4%. • Persistent pressures from food costs, electricity, and wages are expected to keep interest rates "higher for longer."

• The Chinese film industry is experiencing a period of growth and success, highlighted by the popularity of the film "Dear You." • The film's success is attributed to its organic feel and the fact that it does not appear to be a state-directed propaganda piece. • This trend raises critical questions about whether the Beijing government can resist the urge to intervene in creative processes to maintain artistic authenticity.

• Vikas Khemani of Carnelian Asset Management projects that corporate India's earnings growth will remain robust at 14–16% for the year, supported by strong GDP growth and tax revenues. • Khemani views the current correction in the IT sector as a long-term buying opportunity, arguing that AI will act as a growth catalyst rather than a disruptor. • He dismissed concerns regarding a liquidity crisis, stating that slower deposit growth is being managed by the Reserve Bank of India to ensure system stability.

The New South Wales premier warns of One Nation threat as he addresses party conferenceGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe New South Wales premier, Chris Minns, admits the Labor party needs to “climb Everest” to stay in power amid rising threats posed by One Nation.But Minns, who received a standing ovation as he circled Sydney’s town hall before addressing the NSW Labor conference on Saturday, did not avoid the protests over conflict in Gaza which have marked party conferences in previous years. Continue reading...

• Meta is reportedly planning to sell its excess AI compute capacity, sparking concerns among investors that the AI market may be entering a bubble. • Despite these worries, server supply chain providers report that demand remains strong and cloud customers are not reducing their orders. • This divergence highlights a tension between market skepticism regarding AI monetization and the continued aggressive infrastructure spending by tech giants.

‘Late announcement’ means forces will have to adapt plans and move officers ‘away from communities’, say chiefsUK politics live – latest updatesPolice leaders have criticised Downing Street’s decision to let pubs stay open on Monday until 5am for England’s World Cup match against Mexico, saying the move will take officers “away from communities”.Mark Roberts, the National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for football policing, and Scott Green, the organisation’s lead for alcohol licensing said the “late announcement” meant forces would have to adapt plans and leave officers working extended hours. Continue reading...

• US and Iranian representatives concluded a round of talks in Doha without reaching a breakthrough, as the critical issue of Iran's nuclear programme was omitted from the agenda. • The next set of discussions is scheduled to occur after July 9, following the funeral of Iran's late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. • Global oil prices dropped to their lowest level in four months after President Trump suggested that the likelihood of a full-scale conflict had diminished.

Government seeks workaround after licensing rules threaten to force pubs to shut before World Cup tie finishesWorld Cup live – latest updatesUK politics live – latest updatesKeir Starmer is exploring ways to keep pubs open into the early hours of Monday after facing backlash over strict licensing rules that would force many venues to close during England’s next World Cup game.The team’s win over the Democratic Republic of the Congo on Wednesday night booked a last-16 tie against Mexico that is due to run until at least 3am UK time. Continue reading...

• The UK stock market, including the FTSE 100, FTSE 250, and FTSE All-Share, is expected to open on a positive note following a streak of six consecutive quarterly gains. • Market optimism is being driven by easing inflation rates and a notable increase in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity across various sectors. • The London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) is highlighted as a key stock to watch, currently trading near 8,076 GBX with a "Strong Buy" consensus and a 12-month target of 12,145 GBX.

• Premier Li Qiang chaired a State Council meeting focused on accelerating breakthroughs in AI, including the development of ultra-large computing clusters and the acquisition of high-quality data and talent. • The initiative highlights Beijing's strategy to drive growth through technology and exports to offset a significant slump in domestic consumer spending. • These high-level discussions serve as a precursor to a high-stakes economic growth assessment scheduled for the Politburo next month.

More than 2,000 anti-foreigner protesters march through Durban city centre as the arbitrary deadline passes for undocumented migrants to leave the countrySouth Africa was holding its breath on Tuesday as mass anti-immigration protests were held across the country. They come after a weeks-long campaign against foreigners that has seen at least four killed and tens of thousands fleeing for safety.In the coastal city of Durban, where violence had been expected, the streets were unusually quiet and shops were shuttered as tension hung thick in the air. Continue reading...

• The Supreme Court ruled that Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook may remain in her position while her legal challenge against her dismissal proceeds in lower courts. • The decision centers on the legal protections provided by Congress, which established 14-year terms for Fed board members to insulate the institution from political pressure. • Under these rules, board members can only be fired "for cause," specifically citing malfeasance in office or neglect of duty.

• Asian equities traded cautiously on Monday, with Japan's Nikkei slipping 1% and South Korea's Kospi falling nearly 2%, dragging the MSCI Asia-Pacific index down 0.4%. • Market instability is being driven by lingering uncertainty regarding a Middle East ceasefire and investor fears that the US Federal Reserve may implement further interest rate hikes. • The situation is further complicated by the US dollar hovering near a one-year high, though US and European futures showed slight gains of 0.4% and 0.2% respectively.

• The UK stock market showed mixed performance as the FTSE 100 dipped from recent highs, while the FTSE 250 and FTSE 350 remained resilient. • Market movements were driven by a combination of declining oil prices, an uptick in consumer confidence, and ongoing diplomatic developments between the US and Iran. • This volatility reflects investor uncertainty as they balance macroeconomic signals and geopolitical tensions affecting global trade.

Defence minister says troops are not withdrawing even though Tehran sees end to conflict in Lebanon as part of any deal with USThe Israeli defence minister, Israel Katz, has said that Israeli troops would not withdraw from southern Lebanon, further complicating Iran peace talks as fighting in Lebanon continues to be an obstacle to permanent peace.Speaking on stage in an interview in Tel Aviv, Katz said that Israeli troops would remain in south Lebanon – echoing sentiments from the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. Continue reading...