Unveils

• The National Science Foundation (NSF) has announced $1.5 billion in funding dedicated to science and engineering research. • The agency is implementing more flexible grant structures specifically designed to support emerging research and long-term projects. • This initiative aims to accelerate innovation by reducing rigid constraints on how research funds are allocated and managed.

Lord mayor says public square will be ‘fantastic’ – but business advocate says project’s scale of demolition presents ‘unwanted disruption’Sydneysiders have been given a first glimpse of a new public square set to “unify” the CBD, more 40 years after the project was initially conceived.The City of Sydney on Tuesday released new renders of a plaza that will be built opposite Sydney Town Hall after the council began finalising discussions with the owners of the last of seven buildings that need to be acquired and bulldozed for the project. Continue reading...

• Campaign Asia-Pacific has announced its most extensive regional judging panel to date for the Agency of the Year Awards 2026. • The initiative aims to enhance the prestige and objectivity of the awards by leveraging a broader range of industry expertise across the Asia-Pacific region. • This expansion is critical for ensuring a fair and comprehensive evaluation of agencies as the final entry deadline approaches.

• Fast Track Entertainment has officially unveiled Launchpad, a new artist growth platform targeting South Korea and South-East Asia. • Developed in partnership with Sony Music Entertainment, the platform integrates live showcase experiences, brand partnerships, and new media engagement to support emerging talent. • Kenny Ong, Sony Music's managing director for the region, stated that showcase editions will progressively roll out from late 2026 through early 2027.

• Alibaba has unveiled its largest AI model to date, featuring 2.4 trillion parameters, as it seeks to compete with U.S. AI leaders. • Simultaneously, DeepSeek is challenging the market by focusing on dramatically lowering operational costs for AI systems. • This shift indicates that the Chinese AI sector is moving beyond raw capability to a new battleground centered on balancing performance, scale, and affordability.

Local councillor who says he used to work on Daniel Andrews’ security team also part of upper house lineup for November’s state pollA former Liberal party candidate, the animator behind Pauline Hanson’s anti-woke film and a local councillor who says he worked on former premier Daniel Andrews’ personal protection team have been unveiled as One Nation candidates for the Victorian election.Pauline Hanson held a press conference on Monday to announce the eight candidates who will lead One Nation’s upper house tickets at the November state election. Continue reading...

Federal government plan outlines cuts to California, Arizona and Nevada but fix is likely to be only temporaryThe US government released its anxiously awaited plan for how to manage the Colorado river crisis on Friday, outlining cuts in water supplied to California, Arizona and Nevada.The proposal from the US Bureau of Reclamation spares Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and Wyoming from facing mandatory cuts, for now. But it is a temporary fix as the states that rely on the river continue to fight over a long-term management plan for the dwindling resource that supplies huge swaths of the western US. Continue reading...

• The Asian Project Market (APM) has announced 30 selected feature projects for its 2026 edition, showcasing a diverse array of filmmakers from across Asia. • Notable selections include Mouly Surya’s “The Wife Who Can See Dead People (Or Jinn),” Reza Rahadian’s second feature “Casparina,” and Tan Seng Kiat’s “One Fine Day,” which previously won the APM Next prize at TCCF 2025. • The slate features a broad international mix, including seven Korean projects alongside contributions from Cambodia, the Philippines, Iran, Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand.

• The Asian Project Market (APM) in Busan has announced 30 selected feature projects for its 2026 edition, showcasing a diverse range of cinematic works. • Notable selections include "Casparina" by Reza Rahadian Matulessy, "Little Phnom Penh" by Chheangkea, and "One Fine Day" by Tan Seng Kiat, which previously won the APM Next prize at TCCF 2025. • The slate features a strong international presence with projects from Cambodia, the Philippines, Iran, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and seven projects from South Korea.

• Microsoft has launched Project Perception and its first specialized cybersecurity AI model, MAI-Cyber-1-Flash, designed to deploy red, blue, and green agents for rapid cyber defense. • Project Perception utilizes a multi-model architecture that optimizes for quality, speed, and cost by combining frontier models with smaller, task-specific AI. • The MAI-Cyber-1-Flash model is integrated into MDASH, achieving a 96% score on the CyberGym industry benchmark, outperforming Mythos by 12 percentage points.

• Microsoft has unveiled new A.I.-powered cybersecurity tools designed to protect organizations from increasingly sophisticated digital threats. • Mustafa Suleyman, who leads Microsoft’s A.I. development, is spearheading the initiative to integrate advanced A.I. capabilities into the company's security suite. • The move comes as executives express growing concern over the safety of A.I. systems and the potential for hackers to use these tools for malicious attacks.

• Microsoft launched the Perception platform and the MAI-Cyber-1-Flash model at a small event in San Francisco to identify complex vulnerabilities in codebases. • Analysis of 22 media outlets, including GeekWire, reveals that many reports focused on Microsoft's claims while omitting critical details regarding third-party testing. • This discrepancy matters as it highlights a gap between corporate marketing and independent verification of the AI cybersecurity system's efficacy.

• South Korean companies have unveiled plans for $950 billion in investments focused on semiconductor supplies, AI data centers, and physical AI projects following a recent AI Summit. • Key partnerships include Hyundai Motor Group collaborating with Nvidia to create a standardized robot reference platform and working with Waymo to manufacture autonomous vehicles. • Samsung SDS has partnered with Anthropic to explore new AI markets and jointly train a new generation of AI engineers.

• IMAX is expanding its presence in India, driven by the success and technical innovation of Christopher Nolan’s upcoming film, *The Odyssey*. • To overcome the format's notorious camera noise, IMAX developed a specialized soundproof “blimp” enclosure at Nolan's request. • This technical breakthrough reduced noise by nearly one-third, allowing for high-quality sync sound recording during the filming process.

• On July 23, 2026, the European Central Bank (ECB) unveiled ten shortlisted designs for the next series of euro banknotes. • The public is invited to participate in an online survey to provide feedback on the designs, which feature themes of European culture, rivers, and birds, until September 21, 2026. • ECB Executive Board member Piero Cipollone stated the redesign aims to ensure cash remains a secure, relevant payment option while reducing environmental impact through eco-friendly materials and improved longevity.

• The European Central Bank (ECB) has unveiled a shortlist of new designs for euro banknotes, emphasizing themes of European culture and nature. • The public is invited to provide feedback on these proposed designs through a consultation period ending September 21. • This initiative aims to modernize the currency's visual identity while reflecting the shared values and heritage of the eurozone.

New prime minister says government must ‘do better’ to deliver change but promises prudent approach to economyUK politics live – latest updatesAndy Burnham has said his arrival in power will “bring back hope” to Britain as he launched his premiership with the surprise appointment of John Healey as chancellor and a promise to repair the damage caused to communities during the Thatcher era.The new UK prime minister acknowledged people were “fed up” with politics as he addressed the country after taking over from Keir Starmer in Downing Street, saying the government needed to “do better” to deliver real change. Continue reading...

• The Trump administration has launched a new industry clearinghouse designed to strengthen coordination on artificial intelligence cybersecurity. • The initiative focuses on improving the detection and patching of network vulnerabilities, with a specific emphasis on securing open-source software. • This move matters as it aims to create a centralized hub for sharing risk data to protect critical infrastructure from AI-driven threats.

• External Affairs Minister (EAM) Jaishankar unveiled India's campaign for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), promoting a "Shanti" vision for global peace and security. • Jaishankar emphasized India's commitment to an equitable world order and its role as a development partner, highlighting active Indian-funded projects across 79 countries. • The initiative aims to amplify the priorities and concerns of the Global South while advocating for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve ongoing global conflicts.

• Netflix has announced a new one-episode special titled "Hot Ones: Extra Heat," scheduled for release in 2026. • The special will feature celebrities facing an intensified version of the original format, answering challenging questions while eating the hottest wings yet. • This partnership highlights Netflix's strategy to attract diverse viewers by investing in established, high-engagement formats and blending entertainment genres.

The new Alejandro González Iñárritu film sees Cruise playing an eccentric oil baron on a mission to save the worldThe first full length trailer for Alejandro González Iñárritu’s hotly anticipated comedy-drama Digger has been released, and with it audiences’ first look at Tom Cruise’s least recognisable role since he donned a fatsuit and prosthetics for 2008’s Tropic Thunder.The film will be released worldwide in early October and stars Cruise as Digger Rockwell, “the most powerful man in the world” on a mission to save the world from an ecological disaster. Continue reading...

• The European Commission has launched a new AI cybersecurity action plan aimed at enhancing digital resilience and securing the deployment of advanced AI models across Europe. • The initiative focuses on improving rigorous testing protocols and establishing frameworks to mitigate the security risks associated with the rapid integration of AI. • This plan is critical as the proliferation of AI increases the potential for sophisticated cyberattacks and systemic vulnerabilities within European infrastructure.

• The Locarno Film Festival has unveiled its official selection for the 2026 edition, featuring a diverse lineup of international cinema. • The Competition section includes works from acclaimed directors such as Hong Sangsoo, Basil Da Cunh, Gurvinder Singh, and Denis Côté. • Notable titles in the selection include "Congo Boy" by Rafiki Fariala and the world premiere of "Donkey Princess" by Cristóbal León and Joaquín Cociña.

• The UK government is developing "Cyber Shield," a national AI-powered cyber defense program designed to protect critical infrastructure from sophisticated digital threats. • The system aims to detect threats and automate responses at machine speed to counter the increasing capabilities of AI-driven attacks. • This initiative is a response to warnings from officials that AI is currently shifting the strategic advantage toward attackers, straining conventional security measures.

• The European Commission has launched a new Action Plan designed to enhance AI integration and cybersecurity to boost overall cyber resilience across the EU. • A central initiative is the "EU Grand Challenge on AI for cybersecurity," which will unite researchers, public organizations, and private companies to create next-generation security solutions. • The plan emphasizes strategic investments in European AI infrastructure, specifically focusing on the development of AI Factories and future Gigafactories.

• Actor Salman Khan revealed a rugged new look for his upcoming project, *Maatrubhumi*, via a first-glimpse post on Instagram on July 8, 2026. • The announcement comes as part of a broader trend of high-profile celebrity updates and movie teasers within the $2.83 trillion global entertainment industry. • This reveal is significant for fans and industry analysts tracking the actor's career trajectory and the potential scale of the new production.

• The Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (KVIFF) has announced the winners of its "KVIFF Promises" category for the 2026 edition. • Notable winning works-in-progress include the Ukrainian film project ‘Reminiscence,’ as well as ‘Selamlik’ and ‘They Bloom at Dawn.’ • These awards highlight promising upcoming cinematic projects, providing critical recognition and support for filmmakers during the production phase.

• The House of Representatives released a legislative scorecard detailing the performance of the 10th National Assembly over a three-year period. • Between June 2023 and June 15, 2026, the House introduced 2,747 bills, of which 363 were successfully passed into law. • The data was unveiled during a media briefing led by the Chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Parliamentary Affairs to provide transparency on legislative output.