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OpenAI’s AI models were operating in the test environment [File] \| Photo Credit: REUTERS OpenAI on Tuesday (July 21, 2026) took responsibility for a security breach in which its AI agent accessed AI platform Hugging Face. The AI firm confirmed that its models — GPT-5.6 Sol and an “even more capable pre-release model” — were involved in the exploit last week that countered the platform’s security settings. The AI models hacked Hugging Face while their cyber capabilities were being internally tested. They identified and leveraged multiple vulnerabilities in the platform’s production database and tested solutions directly. Hugging Face has said that an…

A leading Chinese bank has processed the largest cross-border transactions yet via mBridge, a multilateral central bank digital currency (CBDC) platform, marking a major milestone for the emerging payment network as well as Beijing’s global yuan ambitions. Two transactions, worth more than US$1.7 billion each, were carried out by the Bank of China’s Shenzhen and Fujian branches in June and July, respectively. They showed mBridge’s ability to support high-value cross-border settlements across different currencies and business scenarios, the lender said on Tuesday. In June, an outbound transfer of 11.3 billion yuan (US$1.7 billion) delivered same-day,…

Tesla just confirmed its 2026 Summer Release is rolling out soon, and it’s stacked with updates that make the car feel more like a companion than a machine. From a chattier Grok to a car that judges your singing, here’s everything coming your way. Grok becomes a more capable in-car assistant Grok is getting a serious upgrade. Beyond answering questions about your Tesla, it can now place phone calls, search and play music, adjust climate settings, and even pop open the glovebox, all through voice commands. It’s a small change on paper, but it means fewer taps, resulting in a better user experience and more focus on driving. Tesla \| X What else is new…

An unsilenceable siren will blare out of most phones in Australia on Monday afternoon for 10 seconds, with the federal government confirming a national test of the new AusAlert emergency alert system will go ahead, despite reservations from some state governments. Domestic violence campaigners and the National Emergency Management Agency have also repeated advice that people who may have secret “safe phones”, kept hidden for personal safety reasons, may want to turn off their devices for up to 24 hours after the test scheduled for 2pm (AEST) on Monday. AusAlert, built after recommendations from the royal commission into the black summer bushfires for…

Africa · Eastern Key Facts —The milestone. Africa now has about 307 million undernourished people, surpassing Asia’s total for the first time. —The prevalence. One in five Africans faced hunger in 2024, compared with a global average of 7.8 percent. —The cost barrier. More than one billion Africans, roughly two-thirds of the population, could not afford a healthy diet. —The 2030 projection. Nearly 60 percent of the world’s chronically undernourished people will live in Africa by the end of the decade. —The funding gap. The World Food Programme needed more than $453 million for West and Central Africa operations over a six-month period alone. Africa…

Shares of MedPlus Health Services fell sharply on Tuesday, declining 15.83% to Rs 667.95 after the company reported a weaker-than-expected performance in the first quarter of FY27. The decline came as investors reacted to pressure on profitability, with a contraction in gross margins and higher operating expenses offsetting healthy revenue growth. Despite the weak quarterly performance, brokerage Nomura maintained its Buy rating on the stock, citing the company’s long-term growth potential and store expansion strategy. MedPlus reported a consolidated net profit of Rs 33 crore for the June 2026 quarter, down 21.7% year-on-year from Rs 42 crore in the…

The Philippine Military Academy received its new superintendent, Army Maj. Gen. Michael Logico, on Wednesday during turnover rites with the retirement of Navy Vice Admiral Caesar Bernard Valencia. \| PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons / Ramiltibayan BAGUIO CITY — The Philippine Military Academy received its new superintendent on Wednesday during turnover rites with the retirement of Navy Vice Admiral Caesar Bernard Valencia. Valencia, a member of PMA “Bigkis Lahi” Class of 1990, had served as superintendent since June 20, 2024. His military career spans 40 years and three months, said Navy Lt Commander Jesse Nestor Saludo Jr, PMA spokesman. Army Maj. Gen.…

Home Minister Vangalapudi Anita and DGP Harish Kumar Gupta at the Future Ready AP Police Retreat-2026 in Vijayawada on Tuesday. \| Photo Credit: K.V.S. Giri Andhra Pradesh Home Minister V. Anitha has said that the State police must transform into a technology-driven, faster and citizen-centric force to effectively respond to the rapidly evolving nature of crime. Ms. Anitha took part in the ‘Future-Ready AP Police Retreat-2026’ held at Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Kala Vedika in Vijayawada on Tuesday. Ms. Anitha stated that the government had significantly contained factional violence, Left Wing Extremism and communal disturbances in the State. “Combating…

Fear has gripped residents of Benue State as suspected Fulani herdsmen continue to cause mayhem in various communities. DAILY POST reports that Benue South (Idoma speaking area) is bearing the brunt of recent attacks, which have claimed many lives and property. The recent wave of deadly attacks in that area has claimed nearly 60 lives, centered primarily around the Otukpo Local Government Area. The attack, often attributed to suspected armed herdsmen, has triggered widespread protests and caused a massive humanitarian displacement crisis, with youths of the community storming the palace of the paramount ruler of the Idoma nation (Och’Idoma) with…

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said on Tuesday his office does not have the authority to carry out the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and called on US federal officials to step in. “Benjamin Netanyahu is a war criminal, the architect of a horrific genocide against the Palestinian people,” Mamdani said in a brief video message posted to social media. “My administration has reviewed every avenue available under applicable law to determine whether New York City could execute the ICC’s arrest warrant if Benjamin Netanyahu came here,” he said. “It is clear that we do not have the…

We need your help now Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open. You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough. If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Russian forces launched 219 attacks against Ukrainian positions over the past day, with the heaviest fighting reported in the Sloviansk, Kostiantynivka, and Pokrovsk sectors. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine released the update as of 8:00 on Wednesday, July 22, Ukrinform reports. "A total of 219 combat engagements were recorded over the past day," the General Staff said. According to the report, Russian troops carried out two missile strikes, using three missiles, launched 92 airstrikes, and dropped 285 guided aerial bombs. In addition, they used 9,963 kamikaze drones and carried out 3,309 shelling attacks on Ukrainian positions and…

We need your help now Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open. You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough. If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Devotees gather at Har Ki Pauri ahead of the 'Kanwar Yatra'. \| Photo Credit: PTI District officials in multiple western U.P. districts on Tuesday (July 21, 2026) inspected security arrangements for the upcoming Kanwar Yatra. The Uttar Pradesh government has said it has pushed for zero incident, zero accident during the yatra. The officials stressed the need for close coordination with neighbouring districts. “The administration and the police have almost completed their preparations for the Kanwar Yatra during the holy month of Shravan. Physical inspections have been carried out along the Bareilly route, Kachhla Ghat, and all other designated…

Good morning Middle East Eye readers, The US Central Comand said it unleashed new strikes against Iran for the 11th consecutive night, targeting military operations centres and logistics infrastructure, maritime capabilities, aircraft hangars and drone storage facilities. Iran's top joint military command threatened it would target the interests of the US and its allies if Washington targeted Iranian nuclear sites, Iran's state media reported. Here are the latest developments: In Iran's Hormozgan, state media reported that recent US attacks damaged some of the province's communication routes, electricity grid and water supply facilities. Nearly 100…

Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story. The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political…

Fresh US strikes triggered air defences in Tehran on Wednesday after President Donald Trump warned he was “not finished” with a war on Iran that has already cost his nation $37.5 billion. After the foes’ fighting over the strategic Strait of Hormuz led to the collapse of a preliminary deal, the Middle East war has expanded to include the region’s other key chokepoint for global oil supplies. The US military said its latest attacks hit targets such as “military logistics infrastructure” while Iranian state media reported strikes around the country, including Bushehr, which hosts a nuclear power plant. “News sources reported minutes ago that air defence…

By Idrees Ali and Phil Stewart WASHINGTON, July 22 (Reuters) - A Houthi threat to impose a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea could significantly widen the Iran war and strain a U.S. military already focused on stopping Tehran's attacks across the region, current and former U.S. officials said. Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis said on Monday they ​would not allow ships to load or unload at Saudi ports, potentially blocking Saudi oil exports and choking off an additional 7% of global oil supply. Saudi Arabia, which hosts U.S. forces, has not yet requested military assistance from Washington. But Trump suggested on Tuesday that a move by the…

Good morning. Within two hours of entering No 10 on Monday afternoon, Andy Burnham had his first call with Donald Trump. After chit-chatting about the football (both agreed England had an “excellent tournament”) and Manchester (our new prime minister invited the president to visit the city Trump once described as a “town”), they got on to far trickier territory: the strait of Hormuz. The US has attacked Iran for the eleventh consecutive night, hitting aircraft hangars and drone storage sites across the country. It came after Iran launched retaliatory strikes on US air bases and neighbouring Gulf states, which have accused it of deliberately targeting…

Donald Trump has approved an agreement with Saudi Arabia that could provide the kingdom with uranium enrichment capability for its civilian nuclear programme, according to news reports citing people familiar with the matter. The people, who were not authorised to comment publicly about the yet to be formally announced decision, said the agreement may be announced as early as Wednesday. The deal was reported by both the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times. The deal is expected to last 30 years and is also expected to involve US firms in developing the programme. It could allow for the building of a uranium enrichment facility in Saudi Arabia…

Zelensky ousts Ukraine’s military commander as major shake-up continues The Washington PostZelensky sacks Ukraine’s military chief following widespread protests CNNZelenskyy ousts Ukraine’s army chief as protests expose wartime power struggle CNBCMykhailo Drapatyi: What to Know About Ukraine’s New Top General The New York TimesUkraine’s Zelenskyy fires his commander in chief after protests and major rift NBC News

Topline The Trump administration has reached a nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia, which will allow the country to enrich fuel on its soil for a civilian nuclear program, according to multiple reports, in a move that comes amid broader concerns about nuclear proliferation in the Middle East. President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman speak as they arrive during the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Leaders’ Summit. Getty Images Key Facts Citing unnamed administration officials, the Wall Street Journal reported that President Donald Trump has approved the deal, which is expected to last 30 years and be worth tens of billions of dollars…

On July 9, a fire burned through a shoe factory in Jinjiang, Fujian province, killing at least 28 people. The accident signals a larger problem: firms operating under financial pressure often cut costs by compromising safety. China’s low-cost business model needs reform, but why has change been so difficult? The plant that burned employed hundreds of workers, yet company filings for 2025 indicate that only a handful of them were enrolled in pension and medical insurance plans. A fire-safety inspection two days earlier had flagged its blocked exits, but it didn’t stop production. The problem is structural. Labour law is enforced largely by local…

A 19-year-old in Hong Kong has been convicted of sedition for writing anti-government graffiti in a commercial building toilet, violating the city’s domestic national security law. West Kowloon Court on Wednesday rejected a defence psychiatrist’s opinion that a congenital mental disorder prevented Leung Kai-lok from understanding the offensive words he used against the government and police. Leung, 19, stood trial earlier this year before a magistrate hand-picked by the city leader to oversee national security proceedings. He pleaded guilty to three counts of criminal damage but denied committing a seditious act, an offence under the Safeguarding…

A drink-driving suspect in central China faked his death with the help of his family to evade prosecution before fleeing south. Prosecutors in Anyang, Henan province, recently revealed the case to mainland media outlets, sparking widespread online attention. In January last year, the man, surname Si, was arrested for drink-driving. Police later discovered that he had previously been penalised twice for driving without a license while intoxicated. He was released on bail pending investigation. Under Chinese law, drink-driving can be classified as dangerous driving, punishable by licence revocation, criminal detention ranging from one to six months, and…

THANE: A domestic dispute over a saree allegedly ended in a brutal murder in Badlapur East, where a 30-year-old woman was arrested for allegedly killing her husband and attempting to pass off his death as a heart attack. The accused, identified as Sunita Hariram Singh (30), was arrested on Tuesday after investigators uncovered inconsistencies in her version of events. The victim, Hariram Kishunji Singh (35), died at the couple's rented home on July 19. Police said the couple, natives of Rohtas district in Bihar, had been living in Badlapur for the past nine years with their seven-year-old son. According to the investigation, an argument erupted after…

Russian forces struck a residential building in Kyiv region’s Bucha district in the morning of July 22, injuring five people, including three children. According to Ukrinform, Ukraine’s State Emergency Service reported this on Telegram. "Five people were injured as a result of the Russian attack on Kyiv region. Among them, there are three children," the statement said. The strike hit a residential house in the village of Chaiky in the morning. A fire broke out at the site but was quickly extinguished by rescuers. Another private house was also damaged. In addition, office and warehouse facilities and two vehicles were damaged in the Boryspil district.…

Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story. The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political…

Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story. The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political…

The Milky Way may have dramatically flipped upside down billions of years ago after a violent collision with another galaxy, according to new research that sheds light on one of the biggest mysteries surrounding our home galaxy. Astronomers from Durham University have found evidence suggesting that the Milky Way's flat spiral disc changed its orientation by more than 90 degrees following a massive head-on collision around 10 to 11 billion years ago. The findings were presented at the Royal Astronomical Society's National Astronomy Meeting in Birmingham. The discovery could explain why the Milky Way's vast stellar halo, a sparse cloud of ancient stars…

The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to hear on Friday a plea by the Muslim side, which claimed that the alternate site identified by the Madhya Pradesh government for offering namaz was too far from the disputed Bhojshala complex in Dhar. A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to obtain instructions from the state government on whether an alternate prayer site could be provided adjacent to the disputed complex. Senior advocate Huzefa Ahmadi, appearing for the Muslim side, told the court that it had earlier directed the state to provide an open space near the Bhojshala site for…

During most times of the year, when you look up at a dark, clear night sky, the stars, planets, and perhaps the Moon shine brightly, along with if you’re lucky a view of the plane of the Milky Way. As far as objects moving through the sky go, you’re usually far more likely to see things artificial lights, like airplanes or satellites, than you are meteors. Across the entire sky, during most times of the year, you’re lucky if you can spot 2 or 3 meteor per hour: caused by random pieces of space debris, usually of cosmic (not human) origin, entering our atmosphere and combusting in a brilliant but brief flash of light. Even though collisions with…

Neurological disorders are no longer limited to older adults or a small section of the population. Across India, doctors are seeing a steady rise in conditions such as stroke, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, dementia, multiple sclerosis, and other brain-related illnesses. Alarmingly, experts say stroke, which was once considered a disease of old age, is now affecting many people in their 30s and 40s due to unhealthy lifestyles and increasing rates of diabetes, hypertension, obesity, stress, and poor sleep. Despite this growing burden, access to specialist neurological care remains a major challenge. Most neurologists are concentrated in large cities,…

Mumbai, Maharashtra, India – Business Wire India Nu Skin India, the India arm of Nu Skin Enterprises, a global direct-selling beauty and wellness company operating in nearly 50 markets worldwide and driven by a strong purpose-led philosophy, has announced its partnership with The Akshaya Patra Foundation to support mid-day meals for government and government-aided school children in India. Through this collaboration, The Nu Skin Force for Good Foundation has provided support of approximately Rs. 47.5 lakh, enabling 700,000 mid-day meals for more than 3,000 students during the project period. In addition, Nu Skin India will further strengthen the…

For years, Chinese companies such as Alibaba and Baidu headed to the U.S. to list their shares, citing its deeper capital markets and higher valuations. Now, one American biotech firm is betting on doing the opposite. Axiom Biosciences, a San Diego-based developer of regenerative and genetic medicines, plans to go public in Hong Kong in 2027, followed by a secondary U.S. listing in 2029. The company says the "contrarian" move will open the door to sophisticated, biotech-focused investors while bringing it closer to clinical and commercial partners across Asia. "Some of the most important science in the world is being built in the United States, but…

HYDERABAD: A woman cabin crew member of a private airline alleged that she was raped by a cab driver on July 20 while she was en route to the airport. Police registered a rape case and arrested the accused on Tuesday. He was sent to judicial remand. According to the police, the incident took place at an isolated spot near an under-construction school close to the airport. On the pretext of attending nature's call, the accused allegedly took a detour to the isolated location. "He stopped the car near the under-construction school and got out. A little while later, he suddenly opened the rear door and forced himself upon the victim," an official from…

MANILA, Philippines — Police tried to restrain and handcuff a photojournalist while he was covering a protest in Pasay City, prompting a media group to condemn what it called the "harassment" and "intimidation" of photojournalists. Media reports and footage of the incident showed Bullit Marquez being accosted by cops, with another officer blocking him with a riot shield. His camera was also seen on the ground. Marquez said his camera the attempted arrest broke his camera. He was later released after another photojournalist, Maria Tan, intervened on his behalf. In a DZRH interview, Marquez said police tried to block him from taking photos of a…

MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court (SC) has affirmed that the loss or non-presentation of ransom money in court cannot save a kidnapper from conviction, provided the prosecution proves that a ransom demand was made for the victim's release. In a decision authored by Associate Justice Ricardo Rosario, the high court's First Division upheld the kidnapping-for-ransom convictions of Jose Olbato, former Police Officer III Clayton Patingan and their co-accused. The Supreme Court sentenced all the accused to reclusion perpetua, or up to 40 years in prison, without eligibility for parole. They were also ordered to pay a total of P300,000 in civil…

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) seized approximately 7.875 kg of non-hallmarked gold jewellery worth around ₹10 crore during a raid on a jewellery shop in Warangal district of Telangana \| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) seized approximately 7.875 kg of non-hallmarked gold jewellery worth around ₹10 crore during a raid on a jewellery shop in Warangal district, Telangana, for allegedly violating the mandatory hallmarking provisions under the BIS Act, 2016. The search and seizure operation was carried out by officials of the BIS Hyderabad Branch Office under the directions of P.V. Srikanth, Director and Head…

Ravie LakshmananJul 22, 2026Supply Chain Attack / Malware Cybersecurity researchers have discovered a NuGet typosquat that's unlike the typical information-stealing malware distributed via package registries: usual info-stealers: it's designed to rig live game results on Digitain. The package, named "Newtonsoftt.Json.Net," masquerades as the Newtonsoft.Json library and is a trojanized fork. Seven versions of the package have been published to the NuGet repository: 11.0.4, 11.0.5, 11.0.7, 11.0.8, 11.0.9, 11.0.10, and 11.0.11. The package has been downloaded about 1,200 times to date. The package has been unlisted by its owner MagicalPuff96, meaning…

FILE - Phones are kept for charging at a Doctors Without Borders informal camp in Mardyck, northern France, Wednesday, July 2, 2025. Nicolas Garriga/AP *hide caption* *toggle caption* Nicolas Garriga/AP PARIS — France banned children under 15 from using social media on Tuesday, becoming the first country in the European Union to pass a blanket ban on the platforms as concerns grow worldwide over the harmful effects of digital content on kids. Both chambers of the Parliament voted in favor of the measure, a flagship initiative of French President Emmanuel Macron's second term. The bill also bans the use of mobile phones in high schools. Several…

Sam Altman-led OpenAI has admitted that its AI models were responsible for the hacking attempt that targeted AI platform Hugging Face last week. Sharing an official statement on the incident, the chatGPT-maker said that the incident took place during an internal test designed to measure advanced cyber capabilities. “Last week, Hugging Face disclosed a new kind of security incident after they detected and contained an AI agent that compromised their infrastructure, something we expect to become more commonplace with the proliferation of increasingly cyber-capable models,” OpenAI said. “After investigating, we now know that this particular…

Pauline Hanson has described domestic violence as “wrong” but a “two-way street”, and that women being abused should not put up with it, drawing condemnation from advocates who have accused the One Nation leader of victim-blaming. On Wednesday, Hanson told radio station 4BC domestic violence in Australia was a scourge but that society was under “so much pressure”, when asked to call out the issue. “It is wrong but it’s also a two-way street. I’m not saying that it’s just men, women can lose their cool as well. Society is under so much pressure … Everyone is under so much pressure and it’s really hard,” Hanson said. “Domestic violence is a scourge but…

Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story. The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political…

Ujjivan Small Finance Bank (Ujjivan SFB), one of India’s leading small finance banks, today announced that it has secured the 8th position among Top 100 India’s Best Companies to Work For 2026, marking a significant leap from its previous ranking and reinforcing its position as one of the country’s most admired workplaces. In addition to this achievement, Ujjivan SFB has also been recognized among the Top 25 in India’s Best Workplaces in BFSI 2026 and the Top 10 in India’s Best Workplaces in Health \& Wellness 2026, reflecting the Bank’s commitment to building an environment where people can grow, thrive, and perform at their best. For Ujjivan SFB,…

Gen Z are among those least likely to understand corporate jargon, report claims Younger workers are struggling to fit in, in a remote work world Leaders should prioritize inclusion, not fancy jargon New research has claimed younger workers are feeling increasingly disconnected from their workplaces, with the average Gen Z worker understanding just 5.3 out of 24 common workplace phrases. More broadly, the average worker of any age identified seven out of 24, with around half (48.8%) understanding five or fewer, revealing a shift in how workplaces communicate, the report from CareerMinds found. This comes amid ongoing transformations, with AI…

“First make the change easy, then make the easy change.” - paraphrased from Kent Beck You're working on a new feature, but the existing code wasn't written with future changes in mind. Trying to force the feature in directly gets complicated fast. One change leads to another, and before you know it you're already a few files deep fixing things you never planned to touch. Prefactoring (short for "preparatory refactoring") is the practice of reworking existing code to make it more suitable for an upcoming change before you actually implement the new functionality. Instead of cleaning up code as an afterthought or trying to force a new feature into an…

Asian shares traded mixed on Wednesday after Wall Street rallied, even as higher oil prices and inflation concerns kept investors cautious. Gains in US technology and chip stocks linked to the artificial-intelligence boom helped lift sentiment, but markets also weighed the risk that rising energy costs could lead central banks to keep interest rates higher. In Asia, Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 fell 0.2 per cent to finish at 66,115.60, Australia's S\&P/ASX 200 added 0.3 per cent to 8,823.00, South Korea's Kospi rose 0.7 per cent to 6,797.70, Hong Kong's Hang Seng dipped 1.1 per cent to 24,866.67, and the Shanghai Composite slipped less than 0.1 per…

The NYK Venus container ship, operated by Nippon Yusen KK, moored at the Oi Container Terminal in Tokyo, Japan, on Tuesday, July 8, 2025. Bloomberg \| Bloomberg \| Getty Images Japan exports in June grew at their fastest pace since November 2022, rising 19.3% from a year earlier, powered by shipments of semiconductor equipment and a weak yen. Exports growth beat expectations of an 18.6% rise from economists polled by Reuters, and was higher than the 16.8% seen in May. Shipments to Asia rose 22.7%, most notably seeing a 46.4% jump in exports to Taiwan compared to the same period last year. Exports to China, Japan's largest trading partner, increased…

UK inflation dropped by more than expected in June to 2.6%, in a boost for Andy Burnham’s plans to reduce the cost of living. The new prime minister has pledged to bring down the cost of living to give households more disposable income and improve the outlook for the economy, announcing a winter VAT cut on electricity bills and lowering the cap on bus fares in England. Last month’s consumer prices index reading outdid economists’ forecasts of a slide from 2.8% in May to 2.7%, amid a fall in the prices of fuel, particularly diesel, helped by the unstable truce in the Middle East conflict. The Office for National Statistics said clothing also dropped in…

When global index provider MSCI warned in January that Indonesia risked being demoted from emerging to frontier market status, it unleashed a wave of volatility, sell-offs and wild trading swings. Six months on, Jakarta’s investment chief argues the real story is not about whether the country can earn investors’ trust. “For Indonesia, this is not about short-term market status,” Investment Minister Rosan Roeslani told This Week in Asia in written replies to questions. “It is about building a deeper, more credible, and more investible capital market.” MSCI’s warning centred on what it characterised as opaque shareholding structures and suspicions of…

We need your help now Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open. You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough. If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

TOKYO, July 22. /TASS/. Trade turnover between Japan and Russia increased by 15% in the first six months of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025, reaching 670 bln yen (about $4.1 bln), according to TASS calculations based on statistical data published by Japan's Ministry of Finance. The total value of Japanese imports from Russia increased by 10.9% to 456.6 bln yen ($2.8 bln). Imports of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) rose by 0.3% compared with January-June 2025. Purchases of Russian coal increased by 15.8%. In addition, according to TASS calculations, Japan purchased about 1.53 mln barrels of Russian oil in May and June, at an average…

Rio Times Global Economy Briefing The Big Three Wall Street snaps losing streak on tech rebound The S\&P 500 closed up 0.89% near 7,509, snapping a three-day slide as semiconductor stocks surged on stronger Korean and Taiwanese export data, stabilising global risk appetite after an AI-driven rout. Oil breaks above $90, stoking inflation fears Brent crude hit $91.24, up 2.26%, driven by Middle East supply threats including Houthi rebel escalation, feeding into global inflation risks that complicate the Fed’s rate path and squeeze Latin American importers. Brazil’s Selic anchors real as carry trade thrives With the policy rate at 14.25% after cautious…

Africa · Western Key Facts —2027 Launch Confirmed. ECOWAS heads of state reiterated at their July 2026 summit in Sierra Leone that the ECO will launch in 2027. —Multi-Speed Rollout. Only member states that meet economic convergence criteria and are deemed “ready” will adopt the currency in the first phase. —Ghana in Core Group. Ghana is explicitly cited alongside Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea, and The Gambia as a potential first-wave adopter, pending compliance. —Convergence Gaps Remain. As of 2024, only Cape Verde and Benin met all four primary convergence criteria, raising questions about the 2027 timeline’s realism. —Two-Track Currency…

Today in crypto, Balaji Srinivasan’s Network School is looking to Kazakhstan after setbacks in Malaysia, Bitcoin climbed on hopes for US crypto legislation and a rotation out of AI stocks, and UK lawmakers launched an inquiry into banking access for crypto firms. Balaji’s Network School turns to Kazakhstan amid Malaysia setback Balaji Srinivasan’s Network School, a community of “digital nomads,” is eyeing a new campus in Kazakhstan after its Forest City campus had its business license revoked over alleged premises-use violations. A memorandum of understanding was signed between Kazakhstan’s Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace…

Hong Kong flag carrier Cathay Pacific Airways expects its first-half net profit to jump by as much as 75 per cent to HK$6.5 billion (US$829 million) from HK$3.7 billion a year earlier, driven partly by growth in passenger and cargo traffic. The airline said on Wednesday that earnings were also boosted by a one-off gain of about HK$1.4 billion from the dilution of its interest in Air China following a share sale. It said that it expected net profit to range between HK$6 billion and HK$6.5 billion for the first half of the year. “Although jet fuel prices remained elevated, Cathay Pacific and HK Express carried a combined total of more than 3.1 million…

12 स्टेशनों पर होगा स्टॉपेज बुलेट ट्रेन की शुरुआत से जुड़ी खबर के साथ ही ये भी सामने आया है कि मुंबई और अहमदाबाद के बीच ये हाई स्पील रेल कितने स्टेशनों पर रुकेगी. बिजनेस टुडे पर छपी रिपोर्ट में बताया गया कि बुलेट ट्रेन कॉरिडोर महाराष्ट्र, गुजरात और दादरा और नगर हवेली से होकर 508 किमी तक फैला हुआ है. इसमें जिन 12 प्रमुख स्टेशनों स्टॉपेज तय किए गए हैं. उनमें मुंबई (BKC), ठाणे, विरार, बोइसर, वापी, बिलिमोरा, सूरत, भरूच, वडोदरा, आनंद, अहमदाबाद और साबरमती शामिल हैं.

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) said on Wednesday that four suspects, including officials of the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra), had been arrested in Karachi for their alleged involvement in making false documents for Afghan nationals. In a press release, a spokesperson for the agency identified the suspects as Nadra Assistant Director Imamul Haq, Nadra Deputy Assistant Director Fayyaz Ahmed, Junaid Ahmed, a watchman working for the authority, and a private agent Muhammad Umar Shah. He added that law enforcement agencies had seized important records and other evidence as part of the operation, adding that the scope of the…

Anneliese Midgley, one of the key figures in Andy Burnham's leadership campaign, has been promoted to the cabinet in the role of chief whip. She has only been the MP for Knowsley, not far from Makerfield, since 2024 but she has been an influential force in the Labour movement for much longer than that, working for both Sir Keir Starmer and Jeremy Corbyn in opposition, following stints at the TUC. She has spoken about how, when she was growing up, her family’s life was changed by the "secure, well-paid, unionised job" her father got at a car factory. Before her political career, music lover Midgey ran club nights in Liverpool, worked in record shops…

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for 83 development projects worth more than Rs 396 crore in the Shravasti and Bhinga Assembly constituencies during a programme held at Sitadwar in Ikauna, Shravasti. The Chief Minister also visited the exhibition and distributed cheques, keys, study kits and Ayushman Cards to beneficiaries of various government schemes. CM Yogi observed, “Development requires dedicated time, continuous review and active follow-up by public representatives. The development visible in Shravasti today is the result of constant monitoring by public representatives and the government.” CM…

It is no secret that politics thrives on symbolism and optics. On Tuesday, the dramatic scenes that played out outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence delivered both. Images of Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi being dragged by police, bleeding from the nose, his clothes soiled, and one shoe lost in the tussle before being detained dominated the news cycle. It gave the Congress exactly what it wanted - reclaiming the opposition space on the paper leak issue after the massive Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protests seized the spotlight. Senior journalist Rajdeep Sardesai opined that Rahul's detention is likely to be seen as a political…

The OK Movement has appointed the Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thought, Sam Amadi, as its Head of the Advisory Council. The Movement made the announcement in a statement posted on its verified X handle on Tuesday. According to the statement, as a respected public policy expert, legal scholar, and advocate for good governance, Amadi brings a wealth of experience, integrity, and strategic insight to the growing movement. It expressed the optimism that his leadership will further strengthen the mission to build a united, people-driven movement committed to moving Nigeria forward. “The OK Movement Leadership is proud to announce…

APCC vice-president Kolanukonda Shivaji addressing the media in Vijayawada on Tuesday. \| Photo Credit: K.V.S. Giri Leaders of the Andhra Pradesh Congress on Tuesday (July 21, 2026) celebrated the birthday of AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge at Andhra Ratna Bhavan in Vijayawada. Later, speaking to the media, APCC vice-president Kolanukonda Shivaji condemned the police lathi-charge on students who were peacefully protesting at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Monday against the growing incidents of paper leaks across the country. He said suppressing the voice of students was against the spirit of democracy and reflected the Central government’s failure…

Sonam Raghuvanshi, in purple dress, is accused of plotting her husband’s murder during their honeymoon in Meghalaya. \| Photo Credit: PTI Vipin Raghuvanshi, the elder brother of Indore businessman Raja Raghuvanshi who was killed during his honeymoon, has claimed that the victim’s wife Sonam had been lying regarding his suspicious death from the beginning. The Supreme Court on Tuesday (July 21, 2026) questioned Ms. Sonam’s conduct and advised her to surrender and face trial for the alleged murder of her husband Raja Raghuvanshi, during their honeymoon in Meghalaya in May 2025. Speaking to PTI here, Ms. Sonam’s brother-in-law Mr. Vipin said, “Ms.…

BJP Kerala president Rajeev Chandrasekhar \| Photo Credit: NIRMAL HARINDRAN BJP Kerala president Rajeev Chandrasekhar has said peaceful protests are “a democratic right”, but maintained that violence, anarchy and lawlessness have no place in a democracy. In a post on X, Mr. Chandrasekhar said, “Protests are a part of democracy and is a right of every citizen. Agreed.” He added, “Violent protests are not democracy. Anarchy is not democracy. Lawlessness is not democracy.” Stressing the rule of law, the BJP leader said, “It is the right and expectation of every citizen that Law holds lawbreakers accountable; that law prevails over anarchy.” Mr.…

The Office for National Statistics said it played a role in reducing inflation in 2023, and it appeared popular. An evaluation of the first ten months - not published until 2025 - found that the scheme did contribute 5% of the 13% rise in bus usage during that period. Lower-income passengers felt the most financial benefit. However it did not score highly when it comes to value for money. How much money people saved varied depending how much fares in their local area cost before the cap. In those first ten months, £210m was spent on the scheme, less than the £245m budget. Sir Keir's government allocated £150m to fund its £3 cap for 2025. The…

RNC senior advisor Danielle Alvarez highlights the growing influence of Democratic Socialists in primaries, citing the Arizona House 4 race where incumbent Greg Stanton faces Kai Newkirk. Alvarez criticizes Newkirk's platform, including abolishing ICE, and points to the DSA's surging membership as a "disaster" for mainstream Democrats and the nation. NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Two Democratic candidates remained locked in a battle as of early Wednesday morning to claim their party’s nomination in Arizona’s 1st Congressional District for a chance to face former NFL kicker Jay Feely. Former television news anchor Marlene Galán-Woods and…

NEW DELHI: The Uttarakhand high court has quashed a rape case registered against a man who was accused of establishing a physical relationship with a woman on the false promise of marriage. The court held that the two had met on the dating app Tinder and entered into a consensual relationship, which cannot later be treated as rape merely because it broke down without ending in marriage. The court quashed the FIR and all related proceedings on July 16. How did the Tinder relationship lead to a rape case? According to the court order, the woman first came in contact with the man on the dating app Tinder in August 2019. The two started talking and soon…

New analysis produced exclusively for the Guardian reveals how different voting systems would return wildly different seat totals in the UK parliament based on current polling. While the current first past the post (FPTP) system could leave Reform UK just 30 seats short of a majority based on recent polls, the modelling shows how proportional systems would be likely to give the UK a more finely balanced parliament that better represents the votes people cast. New research conducted by More in Common suggests that, under proportional systems such as single transferable vote or regional party list, the UK could end up being governed by a progressive…

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged Australia to give up “double standards” and join efforts to maintain the momentum of improving bilateral ties, as Canberra voiced concerns over Beijing’s military development and a recent missile test. In a meeting with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong on Tuesday, Wang said Canberra and Beijing should address differences on the basis of mutual respect and equality. “Both sides should seek common ground while managing disagreements and foster a virtuous cycle of positive growth in relations, rather than allowing them to be disrupted or undermined by prejudice,” Wang said, according to a Chinese foreign…

"We are not interested in videos; we don't have time to watch," the Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant remarked while refusing to urgently hear a plea seeking the Supreme Court's intervention over the police crackdown on student protesters at the Cockroach Janta Party's Jantar Mantar sit-in. The petition was mentioned Wednesday before the Chief Justice-led bench by a lawyer who urged the court to take up the matter of its own accord. The court, however, declined to entertain the plea. "Don't waste our time, and don't waste your time," Chief Justice Surya Kant told the lawyer. The counsel argued that the students were protesting over issues of…

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said that Pakistan was ready to extend cooperation with Iran in all fields. He made the remarks as he met with Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni, who is currently in Pakistan on an official visit. A smartly turned-out contingent of the Federal Constabulary presented a guard of honour to the visiting minister upon his arrival, according to a statement issued by the interior ministry. It said that the two ministers held one-on-one talks, followed by delegation-level discussions. It said that the two ministers reviewed bilateral relations, trade, regional developments and avenues for cooperation. According to the…

MOSCOW, July 22. /TASS/. Russia remains among the world’s top five countries in terms of the volume of aquatic biological resources harvested, the Federal Agency for Fisheries (Rosrybolovstvo) told TASS. "Overall, Russia continues to rank among the world’s top five countries by catch volume," the agency said. Rosrybolovstvo added that Russia’s fishing industry continues to deliver stable results year after year. "It fully meets the needs of the domestic market and ensures the fulfillment of export objectives," the agency stressed. For example, salmon catches increased by more than 40% in 2025, reaching 335,600 metric tons. At the same time, pollock…

Real Madrid and Brazil winger, Vinicius Junior has become the subject of widespread discussion on social media after unveiling a noticeably different appearance after the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The 26-year-old reportedly underwent a chin harmonisation procedure in Goiânia, Brazil, shortly after the Selecao’s Round of 16 exit from the tournament. Photos circulating online showed Vinicius with a more defined jawline and sharper facial profile, prompting fans to react to his dramatic transformation. According to reports, the cosmetic procedure was carried out by renowned dermatologist, Dr Alessandro Alarcao, who reportedly travelled from Miami to perform…

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Cebuano guard Gab Cometa delivered a stellar all-around performance, powering the Basilan Steel to a 93-86 victory over Sarangani 10ACT in the SportsPlus MPBL 2026 Season on Tuesday at the Orion Sports Complex in Bataan. Cometa, a former Benilde Trailblazer, earned the ‘Best Player of the Game’ honors after posting a […]...Keep on reading: MPBL: Gab Cometa shines with triple-double as Basilan downs Sarangani

Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story. The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political…

Argentina head coach, Lionel Scaloni, has responded to the speculation regarding the future of Lionel Messi and Emiliano Martinez with the national team following the loss to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final. The Albiceleste came very close to achieving their dream of defending the title, reaching back-to-back finals this year. Regrettably, they suffered a 1-0 defeat against a superior Spanish team, which effectively dashed their hopes. In the wake of this disappointment, rumors began to circulate about the future of 39-year-old Lionel Messi and goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez within the squad. Lionel Scaloni was asked about this matter during an…

Falconets striker, Janet Akekoromowei has sealed a move to Portuguese champions Benfica, DAILY POST reports. Akekoromowei linked up with Benfica from Nigeria Women Football League, NWFL, outfit, Bayelsa Queens. The 18-year-old was the Most Valuable Player in the NWFL last year. Akekoromowei was previously linked with Spanish giants Barcelona but the move fell through after she sustained an injury, while on international duty in February. She was part of Falconets squad to the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia and played three matches during the tournament. The striker has also been capped at full international level by Nigeria.

Fenerbahçe made a winning start to their UEFA Champions League qualifying campaign on Tuesday, defeating Polish club Gornik Zabrze 1-0 in the first leg of their second qualifying round tie thanks to Anderson Talisca's first-half free kick at Chobani Stadium in Istanbul. The Brazilian's 37th-minute strike proved enough to separate the teams, giving the Turkish runners-up a narrow but valuable advantage before next week's decisive second leg in Poland. Fenerbahçe entered the 2026-27 campaign determined to end a lengthy absence from Europe's elite competition after finishing second in the Süper Lig last season. Under Ismail Kartal, who returned for a…

NEW DELHI: Just a few months ago, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi walked off the Harare Sports Club as the hero of India's Under-19 World Cup triumph. The 15-year-old smashed a sensational 175 off 80 balls against England in the final, helping India win the title by 100 runs. Now, Sooryavanshi is back at the same venue, but this time in the senior India team. India will take on Zimbabwe in a three-match T20I series starting July 23. All three matches will be played at the Harare Sports Club, where the youngster hopes to make fresh memories. Speaking to BCCI.tv, Sooryavanshi said returning to Harare brings back special memories. "Harare kaafi memorable ground hai…

The fallout from the 2026 FIFA World Cup has escalated into one of the biggest leadership challenges of Gianni Infantino's presidency, with senior figures across European football accusing FIFA of putting commercial gain and political influence ahead of the long-term health of the sport. Spain's 1-0 extra-time victory over defending champion Argentina in the World Cup final at MetLife Stadium on July 19 brought the curtain down on the first 48-team tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. While Infantino hailed the competition as "the greatest human, social and cultural event that mankind has witnessed," the tournament has…

A still from ‘Other Mommy’ \| Photo Credit: Blumhouse Universal Pictures has unveiled the first trailer for Other Mommy, the latest horror film from Host director Rob Savage, with Jessica Chastain taking on one of the most unsettling roles of her career. Based on Josh Malerman’s acclaimed novel Incidents Around the House, the psychological horror follows eight-year-old Bela, whose already fractured home is upended by a mysterious presence she calls “Other Mommy.” The sinister figure looks exactly like her mother, Ursula, but its increasingly disturbing behaviour soon convinces the rest of the family that something deeply unnatural has entered their…

Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story. The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political…

Cher Lloyd announced she had split from her hairdresser husband of 13 years, Craig Monk by posting a ring-free hand to her 2.6million Instagram followers on Monday. Telling a fan she had put her ring in the bin, a source close to her husband later told the Daily Mail that Cher should 'stop airing her dirty laundry in public'. The former X Factor singer, 32, had responded to a comment which asked: 'I have many questions, where is your wedding ring? What are we supposed to understand from your photos?' with Cher replying: 'It’s in the bin'. A friend responded: 'Realising the timing of me sending you my save the date….whooooops my bad. Onto greater…

Meenakshi Seshadri is all set to make her long-awaited acting comeback with the upcoming Prime Video series 'Nanavati vs Nanavati', reportedly directed by Vipul Shah . Just two months after relocating to Mumbai to revive her acting career, the veteran star has landed a pivotal role in the courtroom drama, which also reunites her with Jackie Shroff nearly 40 years after their iconic pairing in 'Hero' (1983). The series also features Bhagyashree, Ram Kapoor, and Anupriya Goenka, making it one of the most anticipated OTT projects featuring veteran Bollywood stars. Meenakshi Seshadri lands role two months after relocating Just two months after revealing…

France's environment minister Monique Barbut said Wednesday that she would “submit her resignation" to France President Emmanuel Macron following the French parliament's final adoption of a controversial measure on bee-harming pesticides to which she was opposed.

Key events Andy Burnham's new government faces questions on funding after announcing £2 bus fare cap in England Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of UK politics. Andy Burnham’s new government is facing fresh questions on how it will fund its new policies aimed at easing the cost of living, after the prime minister announced a £2 cap on single bus fares this morning. The cap on single bus fares in England will be in place from January, reducing the current cap of £3. The government said the measure is backed by £454m of funding, including money to allow devolved governments to take similar action. About £400m of that funding will come from…

India's soybean belt is sending out an early warning signal. The latest UPAg India Progressive Crop Area Sown Report for the kharif season, as of July 17, 2026, shows that farmers have planted 106.02 lakh hectares under soybean, down from 111.05 lakh hectares during the same period last year, a decline of 5.02 lakh hectares, or 4.52%. The crop's normal sowing area stands at 128.71 lakh hectares, indicating that planting remains well below the long-term average. While part of the shortfall could narrow as sowing continues, scientists say the numbers reflect a growing challenge facing one of India's most important oilseed crops: climate change-driven…

The world’s biggest meat company, JBS, faces a landmark legal challenge to disclose how its $6bn (£4.5bn) global expansion plan is compatible with responsibilities to the climate, nature and human rights. Courts in the Netherlands, where JBS is headquartered, will assess the petition filed by Greenpeace for information on whether the company is compliant with Dutch laws on “duty of care” as well as its own publicly stated commitments. Lawyers said the case opened a new frontier in the fight against climate change, potentially creating a precedent for legal challenges against the agriculture sector, which is the biggest cause of deforestation and a…

Georgie Falloon photographed in 2013, after she became a finalist for the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year award. In March 2025, Georgie was diagnosed with sarcoma, a rare type of cancer that develops in the body’s connective and supportive tissues. Her husband, Jamie Falloon, said she received treatment in Auckland Hospital and in Australia, before being medically evacuated back to New Zealand and brought home with the help of Wellington and Masterton Hospital staff. “She knew what was coming but she never let it consume her,” Jamie told the Herald. She died on Sunday in her sleep after a “determined” fight with cancer, her obituary read.…

At the June meet-and-greet organised by the GLFC, half a dozen sea lampreys posed for the cameras at the Capitol. One of them even sucked on the palm of Representative Bill Huizenga, as per a CNN report. Among the few things the entire Congress agrees on, this is one: the invasive sea lampreys must go. For the American coasts that thrive on their seafood population, the invasive species, also known as 'vampire' fishes or the 'vampire' of the Great Lakes, has had a devastating impact on the lakes' trout, salmon and whitefish population. And thus, have inspired what scientists often call the 'forbidden experiment'. Arrival of sea lampreys Once the…