Ways

• India's Parliament Monsoon Session officially concluded on Thursday, with both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha adjourned sine die. • The session was characterized by a mix of legislative business and frequent disruptions caused by opposition protests over political flashpoints and the Jantar Mantar protests. • The final day of proceedings was notably brief, particularly in the Lok Sabha, marking the end of several weeks of contentious debate.

• Voters in six states, including Wisconsin and Minnesota, cast ballots in primary elections this Tuesday ahead of the November midterms. • The results underscore deep internal conflicts within both the Democratic and Republican parties as they prepare for the general election. • In Minnesota, the competitive Democratic U.S. Senate race served as a critical litmus test regarding the party's resolve to oppose Donald Trump's immigration policies.

The prime minister is promising to crack down on ‘rip-off’ business practicesAndy Burnham has announced he will ban fake discounts and make it easier to cancel unwanted subscriptions in an effort to improve life for UK consumers.In the long run, these so-called “everyday fixes” may not make as much difference to your wealth as increasing mandatory contributions on pensions or capping rents, but they will get rid of some day-to-day frustrations. Here are six other things he could fix while he is in the mood: Continue reading...

• The SET Index is currently trading sideways as investors maintain a cautious stance amid a lack of significant new market drivers. • Market participants are closely monitoring geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, specifically focusing on negotiations regarding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. • Investors are also awaiting the release of upcoming U.S. labor data, which is expected to influence global market sentiment.

• AI is rapidly transforming cybersecurity by enhancing traditional attack methods like phishing and credential theft while introducing new threats such as deepfakes and voice cloning. • These technologies are being used to accelerate the discovery of unique software vulnerabilities, creating a cycle where AI-driven exploits target AI-created weaknesses. • Tech defenders are deploying their own AI-based security solutions to counter these threats, though they face significant challenges in scaling.

• Republican voters in Michigan selected Rep. John James as their nominee for governor during Tuesday's elections. • James secured the nomination with the endorsement of Donald Trump, overcoming businessman Perry Johnson, who spent over $30 million on his own campaign. • The results are critical for the broader political landscape as Democrats seek to maximize wins to regain control of the U.S. Senate.

• Progressive candidate Abdul El-Sayed won a highly contested Democratic Senate primary in Michigan, defeating an incumbent Representative. • The election results in Michigan signal a growing voter appetite for a new political direction and a shift toward progressive leadership within the party. • Concurrent House primaries across Michigan, Kansas, and Missouri yielded mixed results, highlighting ongoing ideological battles within the Democratic party.

• In his work "Despite it All," author Fred Pearce argues that the environmental disruptions of the Anthropocene are accelerating plant evolution and adaptation. • Pearce highlights that many plant species are finding innovative ways to survive and thrive despite the ongoing climate crisis. • The author contends that humans must shift their perspective to embrace these evolutionary changes rather than clinging to rigid, outdated notions of how nature should look.

• The Federal Reserve decided to hold interest rates steady during its most recent meeting, though officials remain divided on the best strategy to combat inflation. • Fed officials emphasized that the decision was not "inertial," asserting that they are actively discussing policy and strategy to stabilize the economy. • Key tools under consideration for controlling inflation include adjusting interest rates, managing the balance sheet, and influencing overall financial conditions and credit availability.

• The Indian Parliament's 2026 Monsoon Session continues on Thursday with a heavy legislative agenda for both houses. • The Lok Sabha is scheduled to consider the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, to address judicial staffing. • The Rajya Sabha is expected to deliberate on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill and the MSME Development (Amendment) Bill, 2026.

• The FOMC voted to keep interest rates steady during its July meeting, although three members advocated for a rate hike. • Fed Chair Kevin Warsh and other members evaluated several economic pressures, including stubborn inflation, job market patterns, and the impact of the Iran War. • Warsh reaffirmed the central bank's commitment to its 2% inflation goal and the dual mandate of maintaining low inflation alongside a healthy labor market.

• The Republican-led House Ways and Means Committee has issued a subpoena to the independent outlet BreakThrough News, demanding access to its financial records and internal communications. • BreakThrough News claims the committee is targeting the organization specifically due to its reporting on U.S. foreign policy, ICE abuses, mass deportations, and solidarity efforts regarding Cuba and Palestine. • This action highlights an escalating tension between GOP lawmakers and independent media outlets over the boundaries of journalistic privilege and government oversight.

• Alphabet reported second-quarter earnings on Wednesday, beating revenue expectations despite the company's stock price declining following the announcement. • The stock dip is primarily attributed to investor concerns over a projected increase in capital expenditures (capex) heading into 2026. • This spending surge is driven by the company's aggressive investments in AI infrastructure to remain competitive in the evolving search and cloud markets.

• ASEAN foreign ministers convened in Manila on July 21 to begin a four-day series of diplomatic talks scheduled to conclude on July 24. • The 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting focuses on critical regional security issues, including tensions in the South China Sea and the ongoing conflict in Myanmar. • These discussions are vital for maintaining regional stability as the 10 member states navigate the escalating geopolitical rivalry between the United States and China.

• The opening day of India's Parliament Monsoon Session on Monday ended in multiple adjournments due to intense clashes between the government and opposition. • Opposition members demanded urgent discussions regarding the alleged NEET-UG paper leak and the suspected embezzlement of donations intended for the Ayodhya Ram Temple. • Outside Parliament, police used tear gas and lathi-charges to stop a crowd of students and protesters, organized by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), from breaching security barricades.

• President Trump delivered a national address on Thursday evening, characterizing the current state of U.S. election security as "indefensible." • During the speech, Trump advocated for the passage of the Save America Act to implement changes to the voting process. • Despite the claims of insecurity, the address provided no new evidence or specific proof to support the allegations of widespread vulnerabilities.

• Experts discussed the impact of tariffs, geopolitical tensions, and economic pressures on virgin and recycled plastic and metal markets during a virtual Supply Chain Outlook event on July 15, 2026. • The session focused on how these external forces are disrupting commodity markets and altering the flow of raw materials. • A key point of analysis was the future of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and its role in regional trade stability.

Giovanni Castellucci among 32 people convicted over the 2018 Morandi Bridge collapse, which killed 43Thirty-two people, including the former chief executive of Italy’s motorway operator, have been convicted over the 2018 collapse of a Genoa bridge in which 43 people died.In a hushed courtroom on Thursday in the north-western Italian city, Giovanni Castellucci, former boss of Autostrade per l’Italia, was sentenced to 12 years in prison, the highest in the case. Continue reading...

• Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh testified at his first congressional hearing, calling for a "regime change in policy" to improve the central bank's approach. • Warsh explicitly stated that under his leadership, the Fed will no longer be in the "bailout business," contrasting his stance with the $700 billion package used during the 2008 crisis. • The Chair emphasized that "mission accomplished" has not been reached and expressed a need for better data to inform future decision-making.

• Supreme Court Justices Elena Kagan and Amy Coney Barrett visited Capitol Hill to meet with two congressional committees regarding security requests and other judicial matters. • Justice Barrett highlighted the constitutional complexities of establishing an enforcement mechanism for the Court, citing its unique position within the judicial branch of government. • The visit underscores the ongoing tension and dialogue between the judiciary and the legislative branch over oversight and the implementation of legal mandates.

• On July 14, 2026, Donald Trump withdrew a proposal to implement a transit fee for ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz. • The decision follows discussions regarding the operational mechanics of other critical global waterways, including the Suez and Panama Canals. • This move is significant as it aims to reduce economic tension and avoid potential disruptions to global shipping and energy markets.

• Major banks reported strong revenue growth driven by equities trading, with Goldman Sachs highlighting a significant surge in investment banking activity. • CEO David Solomon announced that Goldman Sachs' deals backlog has reached its highest level in five years, signaling strong potential for future revenue. • The firm is leveraging its reputation as a premier C-suite advisor to expand business into trading, financing, risk management, and wealth management.

• The Supreme Court concluded its 2025–2026 term with a primary focus on the scope and limits of executive power. • In the *Slaughter* case, the Court affirmed broad presidential control over most "independent" federal agencies. • Conversely, in *Cook*, Chief Justice Roberts ruled against Donald Trump's attempt to fire a Federal Reserve official, citing a need for judicial checks to prevent arbitrary removals.

Scientists worry that current eradication efforts won’t be able to contain parasitic infestation pushing into USWhen conservationists set up cameras in remote regions of Central American forests, they wanted to monitor illegal cattle movement, which can lead to deforestation. But in recent months, they discovered another alarming development: wildlife rapidly infected with the new world screwworm.It’s a warning sign of how the fly could spread in the US – and it signals new difficulties in pushing it back south, a process that will probably take years, experts say. Continue reading...

• The Modi government plans to reintroduce legislation during the upcoming Monsoon Session to secure a 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies. • The proposed constitutional amendment and Delimitation Bill aim to implement these quotas starting from the 2029 elections. • This move follows a previous attempt earlier this year that failed to achieve the necessary two-thirds majority in Parliament.

Presidential bid by leader of far-right National Rally has no shortage of supporters in scenic MontargisIn the small French town of Montargis, Jean-Antoine, a retired decorator, was pleased Marine Le Pen had again shaken up French politics by launching a bid for the presidency, despite her legal woes.“Even the judges said she didn’t personally profit from the money, it was for her party,” he said of Le Pen’s newly upheld conviction for embezzlement. “All politicians in France have always been schemers, it’s just a fact of life.” Continue reading...

• The Euro (EUR/USD) showed modest gains, trading around 1.1410 during Asian hours on Wednesday after experiencing slight losses the previous day. • The currency's movement comes as the US Dollar remains sideways, reflecting a period of general market caution. • Investors are closely monitoring economic data from Germany, France, Italy, and Spain, which collectively represent 75% of the Eurozone's economy.

• President Donald Trump delivered a speech commemorating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, highlighting American military victories and the settling of the West. • The address blended historical tributes with current campaign priorities, including his advocacy for new election legislation and his ongoing criticism of communism. • Trump claimed his first-term military rebuilding efforts were designed to enable the removal of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and the destruction of Iran's military.