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• European gas prices have retreated from multi-week highs following a recent surge in energy costs. • The decline is primarily attributed to profit-taking by traders, which has checked the upward momentum of the market. • This shift is significant as it provides a temporary reprieve from the volatility that has driven energy prices higher across Europe.

Catholic Schools NSW chief executive Dallas McInerney tells Icac corruption inquiry that Christain factional group driven by ‘a calling … a duty’Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA factional ally of the federal opposition leader, Angus Taylor, has told a corruption inquiry a group of Christian Liberal power brokers who allegedly solicited illegal political donations were “spectacularly unsuccessful in their ambitions”.The Catholic Schools NSW chief executive, Dallas McInerney, told the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption on Thursday that the Reformers’ model was never correct. Continue reading...

• Record-breaking temperatures across Europe are placing significant pressure on food prices, supply chains, and heavily indebted national economies. • These climate challenges are compounding existing financial market instability caused by an energy shock linked to conflict in Iran. • Investors are increasingly treating extreme heat as a key macroeconomic indicator to assess potential risks to economic stability and inflation.

• The SNP has officially written off the value of a £100,000 motorhome from its financial accounts, according to documents published Thursday by the Electoral Commission. • The vehicle was originally purchased using party funds by former chief executive Peter Murrell, sparking previous scrutiny over the use of organizational resources. • This accounting move removes the asset from the party's balance sheet, effectively acknowledging the loss or disposal of the vehicle's value.

• Irish construction firms are expanding their operations into Europe following a surge in data center growth, leveraging expertise gained from Ireland's domestic boom. • While grid capacity concerns have slowed new projects within Ireland, companies like Sisk are now securing contracts in Sweden, Denmark, and the Netherlands. • This shift allows Irish builders to export specialized technical skills to other EU markets facing similar digital infrastructure demands.

• The US government has signed a letter of intent to provide GlobalFoundries with $300 million in funding under the CHIPS Act. • In exchange, the government will receive a 1% equity stake in the company, valued at approximately $269 million. • This investment aims to accelerate the development of silicon photonics networking technologies, which are critical for scaling AI infrastructure in datacenters.

• A new media ecosystem is emerging on the political left as more Americans abandon legacy outlets like ABC, CBS, and CNN. • Audiences are increasingly shifting toward independent podcasts, social media accounts, and anti-establishment digital news sites to stay informed. • This trend reflects a broader distrust of traditional media and is actively reshaping how Democratic politics are consumed and discussed.

• Progressive Americans are increasingly abandoning traditional media in favor of a new, independent media ecosystem designed to reshape Democratic politics. • Platforms like Drop Site News, co-founded by veteran Ryan Grim, provide an alternative space for progressive politicians to reach voters directly. • This shift matters because it allows candidates and activists to gain visibility and coverage even when they are ignored by mainstream news outlets.

• Guangzhou’s Hope & Sesame has claimed the top spot in the latest Asia’s 50 Best Bars rankings. • Hong Kong's Bar Leone secured the third-best bar position in Asia, maintaining its status as the leading establishment within Hong Kong. • Kinsman, a Cantonese spirits-based bar, received the Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu award for its culturally unique beverage program.

Delegation sent to Brasília after gunmen from organised crime group enter homes in western Amazon ForestIndigenous leaders on the Brazil-Peru border say their communities are being “taken hostage” by organised crime groups who are running rampant across the region, destroying Amazon Forest, building roads and trafficking drugs.Earlier this month, masked men armed with semi-automatic weapons entered homes in Apiwtxa, a village in the Kampa do Rio Amônia Indigenous Territory, intimidating people and searching for targets. Continue reading...

• The KOSPI index briefly touched the 7,000 mark during intraday trading on the 22nd, driven by strong foreign buying, before closing at 6,797.70. • Despite the intraday peak, the market ended the day up 49.75 points (0.74%) as retail and institutional investors engaged in profit-taking. • The shift toward a wait-and-see approach was triggered by anticipation of Alphabet's earnings report and concerns over Middle East geopolitical risks and rising oil prices.

• President Xi Jinping has announced China's ambition to lead global AI development by offering technology partnerships and training to other nations. • This push coincides with nearly 30 countries, including Russia, Brazil, and Indonesia, joining the newly formed World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization. • The initiative aims to increase Beijing's influence over international AI governance and the establishment of global technical standards.

Researchers find dance reduced depressive symptoms and social anxiety in young people in eight-week trialSalsa is one of the most popular dance forms, with hundreds of millions of followers worldwide. A mix of Caribbean, Spanish and African musical styles and rhythms, it is believed to offer many cognitive and physical benefits, such as improving cardiovascular health, muscle tone and posture.Now a randomised controlled trial suggests it could also reduce depression and anxiety. Researchers at the University of Oxford and the Oxford Health NHS trust studied 121 young adults with mild to moderate depression and anxiety who were randomly assigned to a salsa dance programme or a control group. Continue reading...

• President Lee Jae-myung unveiled the "Three Mega Projects for AI and Semiconductors" in late June 2026 to secure South Korea's global leadership in technology. • The strategy focuses on three core pillars: semiconductors, physical AI, and AI data centers, with a specific goal to double DRAM output within five years. • The initiative emphasizes expanding capabilities in high-bandwidth memory (HBM), AI processors, advanced packaging, and next-generation memory technologies.

John Edwards resigned in June after independent investigation following claims of sexual harassment and bullyingThe UK information commissioner who resigned over sexual harassment and bullying claims is understood to be taking legal action against a woman who flagged his conduct.The science and technology secretary, Liz Kendall, said she was “appalled” by the fact that John Edwards was preparing to serve legal papers on one of the “incredibly brave” women at the ICO who raised concerns about his behaviour. Edwards resigned from his post as the UK’s data regulator in June after an independent investigation. Continue reading...

Annie’s lawyers argue that prosecution was so badly executed it breached her human rightsAt her kitchen table, in a village in southern England, Annie* sits with a blue folder stuffed with court documents, witness statements and correspondence relating to the trial of her stepfather, whom she had reported to police for alleged childhood abuse.As she prepared to tell her story for the first time, she was flooded with emotion when a photograph fell from the folder. The square Polaroid showed a young girl standing in a field beside a pony, dressed in jodhpurs and a riding hat. Continue reading...

• A new study by GovAI indicates that European Union data regulations are delaying the rollout of AI tools by approximately 11% compared to the United States. • The research highlights how strict regulatory frameworks impact the availability of cutting-edge technology for European users. • This gap matters as it creates a disparity in tech accessibility and competitive advantage between the EU and US markets.

• NASA astronaut Jessica Meir captured high-resolution images of towering thunderclouds while stationed aboard the International Space Station. • The photographs highlight the immense scale and dynamism of Earth's atmospheric weather systems from an orbital perspective. • These space-based observations are critical for improving global weather forecasting and deepening the scientific understanding of climate patterns.

• Radio 2 and 1Xtra presenter Trevor Nelson is taking a temporary break from his broadcasting duties to focus on recovering from health issues. • The announcement was made on Friday afternoon by colleague Richie Anderson, who is currently covering Nelson's shows and offering public support. • This health hiatus follows a recent celebration of Nelson's professional achievements at the Television and Radio Industries Club (Tric) Awards earlier in the week.

• Thailand has become a significant source of talent for the South Korean music industry, producing several globally influential K-pop stars. • High-profile idols such as Lisa from BLACKPINK and BamBam from GOT7 are highlighted as leading examples of Thai artists achieving international success. • This trend underscores the growing globalization of K-pop, as young dreamers from diverse backgrounds, including India and America, train to debut in South Korea.

BBC presenter, 62, ‘concentrating on getting better, being back to 100% me and getting back behind the mic’Trevor Nelson has announced he is taking a break from broadcasting because of health issues.The BBC Radio 2 presenter and DJ, who has not been on air all week, said he was taking time out after being advised to go for medical tests following a routine check-up. Continue reading...

• Major AI-driven tech stocks, including hyperscalers like Microsoft and Alphabet, are experiencing a slump as investors question the timeline for returns on massive AI investments. • The decline follows a period of aggressive spending where companies utilized significant cash reserves to fund AI infrastructure and expansion. • This market shift highlights growing nervousness among investors regarding whether the high capital expenditures will translate into sustainable profit growth.

While warehouse fires are often extinguished in a day, the Boyle Heights blaze is on its sixth day. Here’s what to knowLos Angeles firefighters are on their sixth day of battling a fire at a massive warehouse near downtown that stores frozen food.Smoke has billowed from the warehouse, which was covered in solar panels and insulated like a freezer, filling the air surrounding the roughly 500,000-sq-ft (46,450-sq-meter) facility. Continue reading...

• A BBC investigation reveals that OnlyFans creators are being exploited by "OnlyFans Management" (OFM) agents who promise to maximize profits but often take up to 50% of their earnings. • Dozens of women reported being misled by these managers, who control their accounts and communications while stripping them of their financial independence. • The findings highlight a systemic lack of oversight, as OnlyFans has been aware of these exploitative practices through media reports and direct creator complaints.

• The White House has introduced a new proposal that could allow the government to deny research funding to scientists based on their political opinions. • Critics argue the guidance replaces objective expertise with political appointees, potentially gutting the U.S. scientific ecosystem and decoupling the nation from global research collaborations. • This shift is viewed as a dangerous precedent that mirrors authoritarian tactics by prioritizing political loyalty over scientific merit.

• OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has reportedly proposed that the U.S. government take an equity stake in the company to ensure AI's economic benefits are shared with the public. • According to NOTUS, Altman first pitched this concept to President Donald Trump early last year, signaling a strategic effort to align the company with federal interests. • This move matters as it represents a potential shift in how the government interacts with private AI giants, moving from mere regulation to direct ownership or profit-sharing.

Regulators and gambling harm advocates have been closely watching the rise in popularity of Polymarket and KalshiGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastUS-based “prediction market” websites are taking tens of thousands of dollars in bets on Australian elections and even specific words the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, says in parliament, with gambling harm advocates and the wagering lobby raising alarm.Australian financial and media regulators said they were monitoring the explosion in popularity of platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket, which operate financial exchanges where users buy “shares” in contracts on the outcome of events. Continue reading...

Young Americans are suing the president for violating rights with executive orders that fuel the climate crisisEva Lighthiser was at a dorm party on her Colorado college campus last month when she had to call it an early night.“I said, ‘Hey, I’ve got to go to bed, I’m flying out to Portland tomorrow,’ and then of course follow-up questions get raised,” she said. “I’m like, ‘Well, it’s a lot to explain.’” Continue reading...