Australia will conduct a national test of its new AusAlert emergency system on Monday, emitting a siren from most phones. The federal government proceeds despite state concerns over landline reach and warnings from domestic violence campaigners for "safe phone" users to power off devices to avoid exposure.
EU ambassadors are making a new push to finalize the 21st Russia sanctions package, facing resistance from member states like Greece, Austria, Bulgaria, France, and Italy over energy, banking, and visa interests, despite Hungary's shift in stance.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced a cut to value-added tax on domestic electricity bills starting October 1, aiming to ease the cost-of-living crisis. The measure, expected to save households around £45 annually, will be funded by cancelling a £1.8 billion digital ID program.
Alphabet is releasing three new Gemini models, including Gemini 3.5 Flash Cyber for government cybersecurity, to address competition and delays. The new models, which also include Gemini 3.6 Flash and 3.5 Flash-Lite, focus on efficiency and lower costs ahead of Alphabet's earnings.
Nearly half of companies targeted by ransomware pay ransoms, with demands rising, according to Sophos research. While the UK government plans to ban public sector payments, cybersecurity experts debate the effectiveness and potential harm of such prohibitions, as AI tools escalate attack sophistication.
Former Australian Attorney General Mark Dreyfus has urged governments to consider banning protests near synagogues and Jewish schools, citing a High Court decision on safe access zones for abortion clinics. His testimony to the antisemitism royal commission highlighted a "substantial and ongoing threat" to the Jewish community, with security needs doubling since October 2023.
Australia's housing policy has a rich history of public investment, initiated by various governments over nearly 30 years, to address housing affordability and social needs. Despite challenges and resistance, these interventions significantly boosted home ownership and eased rental pressures, influencing current tax reforms.
The EU's return regulation is nearing adoption, allowing offshore migration processing hubs despite human rights concerns. Countries like Austria, Denmark, and Germany are poised to establish these centers, raising alarms due to past failures in Australia, Israel, and the US. Critics urge strict human rights safeguards before implementation.
Andy Burnham, the new UK Prime Minister, faces public impatience for rapid policy action, contrasting with Keir Starmer's perceived procedural caution. Experts suggest bold, noticeable changes are needed, with proposals like capital gains tax hikes and rent freezes to address the cost of living crisis.
A city in eastern China's Jiangsu province has signed an agreement with Alibaba Cloud and Wangsu Science and Technology to build a data center that will directly connect to renewable energy plants, aiming to boost token output efficiency by 62.5%.
Donald Trump reportedly amassed $2.2 billion during his first year in office, with $1.2 billion from the cryptocurrency industry. His administration then influenced deregulation, including the "Genius Act" and "Clarity Act," integrating stablecoins into the banking system, which critics warn poses significant systemic risks to the US economy.
Swedish defense group Saab exceeded Q2 earnings expectations, driven by Europe's rearmament and a record order backlog of 317.7 billion crowns. CEO Micael Johansson urged European governments to adopt long-term, coordinated defense procurement partnerships.
Blockchain technology, initially proposed by Haber and Stornetta and popularized by Nakamoto, is a distributed digital ledger that stores data in immutable, timestamped blocks. It enables secure, decentralized transactions without third parties, used in cryptocurrencies and adopted by companies like Walmart and IBM for supply chain tracking, offering benefits like increased accuracy and security despite data storage limits and regulatory changes.
Candice Odgers argues against banning social media for teens, citing limited evidence linking it to mental health issues, while Jonathan Haidt supports restrictions, highlighting perceived harms.
Gulf nations are on the front lines of the renewed US-Iran conflict, facing direct strikes and economic disruption. Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, and Oman are all impacted by their proximity to US bases and Iran's retaliatory actions.
Heavy rainfall has caused severe flooding in Shenyang, Liaoning province, leading to school closures, suspended construction, and the shutdown of tourist attractions. In Chengde, Hebei province, roads were destroyed, trapping villagers, with the city still recovering from previous severe weather.
China Life Insurance, backed by the state, is launching a 5 billion yuan ($737 million) fund to invest in semiconductor companies. This move aims to provide "patient capital" for the strategic industry amid global competition, aligning with national development goals.
China Life Insurance, backed by the State Council, is launching a 5 billion yuan ($737 million) fund to invest in semiconductor companies. This move aligns with China's call for 'patient capital' to support strategic emerging industries amid global competition.
EU militaries are increasing efforts to reduce reliance on US weaponry, evident at the NATO summit in Ankara. While short-term solutions like purchasing Tomahawks are being pursued, long-term goals include developing independent missile and drone systems like DECODER and IRIS², aiming for autonomy by the 2030s.
Siberian officials in Russia are advising businesses to adopt remote work and reduce energy consumption due to a spreading fuel crisis. Regions like Tomsk and Novosibirsk are recommending remote work for non-essential employees and urging citizens to limit vehicle use, as fuel shortages impact much of the country.
EU foreign ministers are set to meet on July 13 to discuss Gaza and the West Bank, including settlement trade and potential sanctions. However, past inaction, often masked by a "lack of consensus," suggests meaningful action against Israel is unlikely, despite legal grounds and international court rulings.
Multilateral lenders offer cheaper financing to developing countries, but it comes with reform conditions. Critics argue this extends lender influence over domestic policy, while supporters say it ensures funds are used effectively and reduces debt risks. Kenya's recent $750m World Bank package highlights this debate.
A Palestinian driver delivering food aid into Gaza was killed by an Israeli soldier, escalating tensions in the Middle East. Meanwhile, a Telstra network glitch caused a 48-hour outage, and the World Cup quarter-finals begin with France vs. Morocco.
A Palestinian man delivering food aid to Gaza was reportedly killed by an Israeli soldier. Telstra's network experienced a 48-hour outage due to a software glitch. The World Cup quarter-finals begin with France vs. Morocco.
