China retaliates against EU sanctions by adding 14 European entities to its export control list, barring Chinese dual-use item exports to these entities and prohibiting foreign supply of Chinese-made dual-use items.
UNESCO added Lebanon's Beaufort Castle and the West Bank's Sebastia to its World Heritage in Danger list, citing ongoing Middle East conflicts and Israeli objections. Israel called the nominations "weaponization of cultural heritage" and denied Palestinian claims.
A 2,700-year-old bronze sword was discovered standing upright in a northern Polish forest, an unusual position suggesting deliberate placement, possibly as a ritual offering. The well-preserved weapon offers insights into Bronze Age craftsmanship, wealth, and belief systems, adding to the region's archaeological history.
Veer Madho Singh Bhandari Uttarakhand Technical University cancelled two BTech exams after an assistant professor allegedly leaked a paper on WhatsApp, leading to his arrest and student protests. Re-exams are set for August 2026, affecting 377 students, amidst ongoing concerns about exam leaks in Uttarakhand.
The EU unveiled its largest sanctions package in four years against Russia, leading FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich to suspend his activity. The measures target 218 individuals and entities, including banks, vessels, and military-industrial complex, while Ukraine faces ongoing attacks.
The Pentagon has added Fudan University and Shanghai Jiao Tong University to a list of 88 foreign institutions deemed a threat to US national security, barring US Department of Defence-funded researchers from collaboration starting in fiscal year 2026.
Bitcoin dropped below $65,000 to three-day lows as escalating US-Iran tensions caused US stocks to slide and oil prices to rally. Traders offered diverging short-term outlooks for BTC, while rising inflation expectations and a higher probability of a Federal Reserve interest rate hike added to market strain.
South Korea's government has designated hate speech as a specific disciplinary category for public servants, effective Oct. 1. This revision allows for severe penalties, including removal from office, and limits penalty reductions, reflecting a stronger commitment against such behavior.
Le Livret A et le LDDS ont enregistré une décollecte de 1,17 milliard d'euros en juin, marquant le pire mois de juin depuis 2009 et un semestre record de 6,9 milliards d'euros de retraits, malgré une hausse des taux prévue.
Market forecasts indicate a doubled likelihood of a Reserve Bank interest rate hike as escalating Middle East tensions drive fuel prices higher. Brent crude surged 23% to near $US90/barrel, impacting Australian motorists and raising stagflation concerns for the economy.
Bitcoin (BTC) surpassed $66,000, reaching a one-month high, fueled by trader enthusiasm and short liquidations. Analysts predict further gains towards $67,000-$70,000, while month-end derivatives positioning indicates a slow return of confidence in crypto risk, despite some concerns about real buying interest.
Xteink has launched the X4 Pro, an upgraded version of its popular tiny e-readers, now featuring a touchscreen and front light. The Chinese hardware maker addressed user feedback, making the pocketable device more viable as a main e-reader, despite some software and charging quirks.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, re-elected for a second term, reflects on his political journey, lessons learned from opposition, and his surprising similarities with former PM John Howard, amidst intense scrutiny and a challenging policy landscape.
Arcus, a decentralized exchange backed by Robinhood Crypto, has launched tokenized stocks and perpetual futures on Robinhood Chain, offering over 95 stock tokens and derivatives. The platform uses a self-custodial model, but its stock tokens are unavailable in the US, Canada, and the UK due to ongoing regulatory questions.
Instagram has introduced new features like audio replacement and grid reordering, primarily aimed at content creators to enhance their ability to monetize and compete with TikTok. These updates, alongside a new premium subscription tier, reflect a strategic shift in the platform's focus, potentially alienating casual users.
Threads is introducing new Parental Supervision features, allowing parents and guardians to monitor teens' app usage, set time limits, enable sleep mode, and restrict content tags and privacy settings, rolling out next week via Meta's Family Center.
A global youth job crisis, first evident in China, highlights significant economic and social issues, with unemployment and weak prospects driving protests worldwide. Factors include growing graduate numbers, slow job creation, and fears of AI impact, leading to calls for policy and business investments.
The White House has reportedly agreed on an ethics package for the CLARITY Act, sending the language to Senate Republicans. This move could remove a significant roadblock, potentially clearing the way for the crypto market-structure bill to advance, despite current low odds for 2026 passage.
Cristiano Ronaldo's Instagram account liked a post accusing FIFA of aiding Lionel Messi's Argentina to a past World Cup final, sparking a "FIFA World Cup 2026 controversy" amidst other tournament disputes.
Paul Alexander, paralysed from the neck down by polio at six, spent over 70 years in an iron lung, defying odds through determination, adapting 'frog breathing,' achieving education, a legal career, and independence despite needing constant care.
France's gambling regulator, ANJ, has ordered internet service providers to block access to Polymarket, a crypto prediction-market platform, after its earlier transaction geofence was circumvented. The ANJ deems Polymarket an unauthorized gambling offering, citing addiction and integrity risks.
Deribit's July 31 options board shows over 20,000 Bitcoin call contracts open at $70,000 and $72,000 strikes, representing significant bullish positioning. This concentration, expiring two days after the Federal Reserve's policy decision, sets a tactical test for Bitcoin's price.
Adobe's experimental Indigo camera app, initially focused on SLR-like photography, is updated with a generative AI suite called "AI Playground." This new feature, which uses Google's Nano Banana AI model, is being tested with a small user group, offering tools for styles, object editing, photo guidance, and custom edits.
UK-listed B HODL Plc's recent share buyback proved 24% more accretive to gross Bitcoin-per-share than buying Bitcoin directly. The company retired 823,400 shares for £37,985, leveraging its stock trading below its Bitcoin holdings, demonstrating an effective capital allocation strategy.
