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• Alibaba has announced the upcoming Qwen3.8 model, making bold performance claims to compete with rivals like Kimi K3. • Unlike its competitors, Alibaba has not yet provided specific benchmark data or a formal release date to support its assertions. • The move follows a trend of growing adoption for Qwen, which Runpod reports has overtaken Meta’s Llama as the most-deployed open-weight LLM on its platform.

• Azerbaijan's president confirmed that clandestine talks between German and Russian officials recently took place in Baku. • The meetings occur as Azerbaijan continues to balance relations by providing humanitarian aid to Ukraine while refusing to join Western sanctions against Russia. • The secret nature of these discussions has raised concerns regarding Russia's potential influence over German policy during the ongoing war in Ukraine.

• Nigel Farage, a central figure in Britain's political instability, currently represents the Reform party in parliament after winning over 46% of the vote in Clacton. • The U.K. is experiencing significant political dysfunction, having seen seven prime ministers in a decade, most recently with Andy Burnham replacing Keir Starmer. • Farage has consistently reinvented his political presence, transitioning from the Brexit Party to the current Reform party to maintain influence.

• Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that Ottawa is ready to intensify trade negotiations with the United States following President Donald Trump's order for fresh tariffs. • Canada has already submitted proposals aimed at resolving the dispute before tariffs are imposed on a wide range of goods. • The situation highlights escalating trade tensions between the two North American neighbors as the U.S. administration seeks to implement more aggressive protectionist measures.

PM Mark Carney says Canada has made proposals to resolve dispute as tariffs are due to be imposed on wide range of goodsSign up for US Breaking News emailHello and welcome to the US politics live blog.Canadian prime minister Mark Carney has said that Ottawa is ready to deepen trade talks with the United States, after US president Donald Trump ordered fresh tariffs targeting Canada.Canadians across the political spectrum united in anger at Trump. “If these tariffs proceed, Canada should respond tariff for tariff, dollar for dollar,” Ontario premier Doug Ford said. Canada’s prime minister, Mark Carney, called the tariffs a “direct violation” of the US-Mexico-Canada free trade agreement Trump negotiated. Canada’s Conservatives called the tariffs “another unacceptable and unjustified attack on Canadian workers and our businesses,” adding: “Canadians are not a punching bag.” The leader of Canada’s New Democrats called them “the latest economic grenade thrown over the border by an out of control President who has lost touch with reality.”Ilya Somin, a professor of law at George Mason University who helped file the successful challenge to Donald Trump’s “liberation day” tariffs, points out, the president’s new 50% tariffs on Canadian imports “are based on Section 338 of the notorious 1930 Smoot-Hawley tariff legislation, which severely exacerbated the Great Depression.”Nancy Mace, a Republican congresswoman from South Carolina, announced on Monday that she is not entering the race to replace the late senator Lindsey Graham in the snap Republican primary next month. Continue reading...

• The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) is scheduled to hold talks with BJP leader JP Nadda following large-scale youth protests and reports of police lathi-charging demonstrators ahead of a march to Parliament. • Activist Sonam Wangchuk remains on a fast, with his wife, Gitanjali Angmo, stating he will only end it on Monday if political leaders visit him in the hospital. • The protesters are demanding education accountability, with Wangchuk requiring a formal assurance that this issue will be addressed during the current Parliament session.

• Members of the CJP march toward Parliament encountered police barricades and tear gas during their protest. • Simultaneously, the opening day of the Monsoon Session was marked by multiple disruptions as Opposition MPs protested the alleged NEET paper leak. • The BJP has provided assurances that talks will be held to address the grievances raised by the protesters.

Jules Von Hep and Mark Beverlo, who have been trying to become parents since 2020, are now seeking help abroadRise in overseas surrogates ‘increases risk of stateless babies’Why Mexico is at the heart of ethical debate over global surrogacyJules Von Hep has wanted a baby ever since he can remember. For many people that dream is straightforward to realise – but, as a gay man, he has always known it would take years of saving and searching.The only way he can have a biological child is to use a surrogate, which costs tens of thousands of pounds, and it often takes years of searching to find the right match. For Von Hep, it has been an “incredibly painful, incredibly expensive” process. Continue reading...

• ASEAN top diplomats are meeting in Manila on Tuesday to discuss critical global security issues, including renewed hostilities in the Middle East and the ongoing crisis in Myanmar. • The talks will include representatives from major global powers, including the United States, China, Russia, and the European Union. • A primary focus is the territorial disputes in the South China Sea, where tensions have spiked specifically between Chinese and Philippine naval and coast guard forces.

• ASEAN diplomats are gathering in Manila for annual ministerial talks to address critical regional and global security threats. • The agenda focuses on renewed hostilities in the Middle East, the ongoing crisis in Myanmar, and escalating territorial disputes in the South China Sea. • Tensions are particularly high between Chinese and Philippine naval and coast guard forces, involving other claimants like Brunei, Malaysia, and Vietnam.

• Manchester United is prioritizing the reinforcement of their midfield "engine room" during the current summer transfer window. • The club has already secured the additions of Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans, with reports suggesting further signings may be imminent. • As one of the world's most powerful sporting brands, the "Red Devils" hold a record 20 English top-flight league titles.

Albanese’s comments come as One Nation leader nears end of UK tour. Follow today’s news liveAlbanese helps launch major air combat exerciseAnthony Albanese has announced the official opening of Exercise Pitch Black 2026, Australia’s premier international air combat exercise, happening in Darwin.Australia is strongest when we work closely with our partners.Exercise Pitch Black strengthens those partnerships and demonstrates Australia’s commitment to working closely across our region to support peace, stability and security.When I have the opportunity to represent Australia overseas, I talk Australia up.I don’t talk Australia down. I go as someone who’s proud to represent our nation and proud to talk about what we are as a nation. There’s nowhere you’d rather be than Australia, and I think that it is up to our representatives, no matter where they stand in the parliament, when they’re overseas, to talk Australia up, not talk Australia down. Continue reading...

• Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was shifted to VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital by Delhi Police after conducting an indefinite hunger strike for 21 days at Jantar Mantar. • The hospitalization occurred on medical advice and in compliance with Delhi High Court directions to ensure Wangchuk's health was regularly monitored. • Activist Anna Hazare has urged the Union government to initiate talks with Wangchuk, while the BJP accused the Opposition of attempting to turn the medical emergency into a "political spectacle."

• DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin announced plans to pursue voter fraud following a speech by President Donald Trump, who continued to dispute the results of the 2020 election. • Separately, a federal judge in Boston ruled that the Trump administration cannot use an obscure agency priorities clause to implement funding cuts. • The ruling follows a legal challenge by 23 states alleging that the administration used the clause to cut billions of dollars from scientific research, food security, and crime prevention.

Appearing on a podcast with the far-right UK activist who goes by the name Tommy Robinson, Hanson makes evidence-free claims about migrantsFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastPauline Hanson has used an interview with the far-right British activist Tommy Robinson to blame the end of the White Australia policy for creating what she sees as problems with migration and said her daughter, Lee Hanson, was the future of One Nation.The One Nation leader, who is visiting the UK for a series of conference appearances and a holiday with her billionaire benefactor Gina Rinehart, appeared on an episode of Robinson’s podcast on Friday, repeating unsubstantiated claims about the spread of sharia law and accusing Muslim communities, without evidence, of rorting the national disability insurance scheme. Continue reading...

• The U.S. State Department is hosting a meeting with international officials to discuss the threat of left-wing terrorism. • Counterterrorism experts argue that the Trump administration's specific focus on the far left fails to provide necessary context regarding the broader spectrum of political extremism. • This shift in focus is significant as it highlights a potential imbalance in how the government identifies and prioritizes domestic and international security threats.

• RB Leipzig has set a minimum asking price of £51m (€60m) for winger Antonio Nusa amid reported transfer interest from Arsenal and Liverpool. • In international football, the USA was eliminated from the World Cup last 16 after suffering a 4-1 defeat to Belgium. • Despite Balogun's efforts, the USA failed to achieve their goal of winning two consecutive World Cup knockout matches for the first time.

• The European Union has issued a competition ruling that grants SAP customers increased leverage during contract negotiations, particularly regarding maintenance fees. • The decision validates the use of third-party software support as a strategic alternative to SAP's own services, rather than just a cost-saving measure. • This shift is critical for organizations using ECC or S/4HANA, as it helps mitigate the risks of "premature modernization" and the accumulation of excessive technical debt.

Nobel laureate María Corina Machado will not lead negotiations over new elections, contrary to expectationsThe interim government of Venezuela has announced it will begin formal talks with the opposition aimed at “strengthening democracy” in the country.The move is backed by the US, which says it is seeking a “democratic transition” in a country still recovering from the twin earthquakes that killed more than 4,700 people. Continue reading...

• Hangzhou-based AI lab DeepSeek is in discussions to raise approximately $1.5 billion in new funding. • The funding round is based on a pre-money valuation of 480 billion yuan, which is roughly $71 billion. • This capital injection aims to support the company's growth as it targets an initial public offering (IPO) by 2027.

• OpenAI researcher Miles Wang is reportedly in talks to launch an AI-driven drug discovery startup with a projected valuation of $2 billion. • Venture capital firm Lightspeed is in discussions to lead the funding round, though Wang has disputed the specific valuation figures and company description. • The move highlights a surge in investor interest in life sciences, exemplified by Chai Discovery's recent announcement of $400 million in funding at a $3.8 billion valuation.

• Chinese AI developer DeepSeek is reportedly seeking to raise approximately $1.5 billion in new funding at a valuation of $71 billion. • The company is planning an initial public offering (IPO) for 2027, though the debut could potentially happen as early as the end of this year. • This move follows a massive funding round just one month ago, where DeepSeek raised $7 billion at a $50 billion valuation.

• The European Union advanced membership accession talks for Albania, Montenegro, Moldova, and Ukraine on Tuesday, signaling a renewed commitment to enlargement. • Ukraine and Moldova have now opened a second cluster of negotiations focusing on trade policy, humanitarian aid, and foreign security and defense policies. • This strategic push reflects a significant shift in Europe's security priorities and geopolitical response following Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine.

• The European Union has initiated negotiations to establish the legal framework and legislation required to introduce a digital euro. • The EU aims to finalize these regulatory rules by the end of 2026, paving the way for a pilot program involving approximately 40 banks and payment firms in 2027. • This initiative represents a strategic move toward digitizing the eurozone's currency, with a target for a full public rollout by 2029.

• Arsenal FC has reportedly completed a "done deal" for an undisclosed player as the summer transfer window continues. • Manchester United is reportedly arranging a medical for Youri Tielemans, while talks are ongoing regarding Bruno Guimaraes and Julian Alvarez. • Chelsea is open to selling players, with Gazzetta dello Sport reporting that Italian clubs are currently pursuing opportunities to sign from the Blues.

• External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with UN Secretary-General António Guterres to discuss critical global conflicts in Ukraine, Sudan, and West Asia. • During the meeting, India officially launched its campaign to secure a seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the 2028-29 term. • The campaign emphasizes India's commitment to "Shanti" (peace) and diplomacy, highlighting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's stance that the current era should be defined by dialogue rather than war.