THE WORLD NEVER SLEEPS.
From silent file transfers in Silicon Valley to 24-hour trading dreams in Hong Kong, tomorrow’s stories span continents and conflict zones. We follow the money, the malware, the misinformation—and the movements resisting them.
Whether it’s AI rewriting work, children assembling drones, or historic buildings reborn for billionaires, each headline reveals who’s gaining power, who’s losing ground, and who’s left watching from the margins.
So pour your coffee, scroll slowly, and stay sharp.
This is your global power brief.
Malaysia’s Digital ID Falters Amid Trust Concerns
Uptake of MyDigital ID remains dismal, prompting talk of mandatory registration.
KUALA LUMPUR, 22 July – MyDigital ID; Anwar Ibrahim; Zaliha Mustafa
🟢 Public resistance stems from data breaches and failed launch systems.
📊 Only 2.8 million out of 34 million Malaysians enrolled.
💬 “Maybe require people to register,” said Minister Zaliha Mustafa.
Authorities explore legal mandates as voluntary model stalls.
Why has public trust in digital systems eroded so deeply?
Data fears derail Malaysia’s tech ambitions.
(Source: scmp.com/topics/malaysia)
Cameroon Election Draws Record 81 Candidates
With no united opposition, Biya seeks eighth term at age 92.
YAOUNDÉ, 22 July – Paul Biya; opposition leaders
🟢 Public demand for change clashes with entrenched leadership.
📊 81 presidential candidates registered for upcoming elections.
💬 “Many are calling for change,” said France 24.
List of candidates to be released in mid-August.
Can any challenger realistically disrupt Biya’s decades-long reign?
Cameroon’s ballot swells, but odds favor the incumbent.
(Source: france24.com)
Alibaba’s Qwen3 AI Surpasses Rivals in Key Tests
New Qwen3 model outperforms OpenAI and DeepSeek in maths and coding.
HANGZHOU, 22 July – Alibaba Group; HuggingFace; ModelScope
🟢 Model exceeds rivals in logic, math, and tool use.
📊 Qwen scored 70.3 in AIME vs OpenAI’s 26.7.
💬 “Significant improvements in general capabilities,” said Alibaba update.
Qwen now powers HP’s new smart assistant in China.
Will Alibaba’s open-source edge redefine AI competition globally?
Qwen3 leapfrogs benchmarks with broader capabilities.
(Source: scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3308284)
UK Man Convicted for Offering Secrets to ‘Russian Agents’
Harlow resident guilty under spy law after targeting former defense secretary.
LONDON, 22 July – Howard Phillips; Grant Shapps; UK Crown Court
🟢 Verdict confirms attempt to assist foreign intelligence.
📊 Phillips is 65, posed as agent for fake Russian spies.
💬 “Dreamt about being like James Bond,” said BBC.
Sentencing pending after guilty verdict under National Security Act.
What fuels espionage fantasies in modern citizens?
Briton jailed for spy role in real-life deception.
(Source: bbc.co.uk/news/10628994)
China Bars US Employee from Leaving Over Exit Ban
State Dept confirms case; Beijing uses bans for criminal and diplomatic leverage.
BEIJING, 22 July – US State Dept; Chenyue Mao; Guo Jiakun
🟢 Incident escalates tensions over diplomatic exit restrictions.
📊 Two US citizens barred from departure, including a Wells Fargo staffer.
💬 “We are tracking this case closely,” said US State Dept.
Ban possibly tied to undisclosed government employment on visa.
How will Washington respond to expanding Chinese exit tactics?
Exit bans test diplomatic patience and legal norms.
(Source: theguardian.com/world/china)
China Races Ahead With 400km/h Bullet Train Tech
China unveils CR450 prototype as US scales back California rail project.
BEIJING, 22 July – China Academy of Railway Sciences; US transport officials
🟢 New design cuts drag by 22%, sustaining energy use despite speed gains.
📊 CR450 reaches 400km/h in pre-commercial trials.
💬 “Inspired by birds, we reshaped undercarriage,” said Shao Jun.
China fine-tunes aerodynamics while US halts infrastructure dreams.
Can the US still compete in next-gen mobility?
Beijing accelerates while Washington stalls.
(Source: scmp.com/news/china/article/3292665)
US Agencies Warn of Rising Interlock Ransomware Threats
FBI, CISA report surge in healthcare-targeted, double extortion attacks.
WASHINGTON, 22 July – FBI; CISA; HHS; Interlock gang
🟢 Interlock breached firms, leaking 1.5 TB from DaVita alone.
📊 120+ facilities hit in recent Kettering Health breach.
💬 “Uncommon methods, rising threats,” said FBI advisory.
Fake IT tools and remote malware drive attacks globally.
Is healthcare now the front line in cyberwarfare?
Ransomware escalates with stealth and precision.
(Source: bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/cisa-and-fbi-warn-of-escalating-interlock-ransomware-attacks)
Pandemic Aged Brains by Half a Year, Says Study
Study links pandemic stress—not infection—to accelerated brain aging.
NOTTINGHAM, 22 July – University of Nottingham; Nature Communications
🟢 Pandemic aged brains by 5.5 months even in healthy people.
📊 Study used 15,334 scans to train model, then tested 996 adults.
💬 “Changes may be reversible,” said Dorothee Auer.
Socioeconomic status and age worsened effects, study notes.
Can we undo cognitive tolls from global crisis?
Stress, not virus, aged minds faster.
(Source: dw.com/en/covid-19-pandemic-sped-up-brain-aging-says-study/a-73357331)
Tariffs Slash GM Profits by 35% in Q2
Trade penalties hit margins, pushing GM to shift production home.
DETROIT, 22 July – General Motors; Paul Jacobson
🟢 GM lost $1.1bn to new import tariffs.
📊 Profits fell 35.4% to $1.9bn; revenue at $47.1bn.
💬 “We haven’t made long-term decisions about Korea,” said Jacobson.
GM invests $4bn to expand US production amid trade uncertainty.
Will automakers adapt before more penalties hit?
Tariffs rattle Detroit’s global strategy.
(Source: aljazeera.com/economy/2025/7/21)
Rail Glitch Cancels Hong Kong–Guangzhou Bullet Trains
Malfunction in mainland section disrupts four high-speed services.
HONG KONG, 22 July – MTR Corp; Transport Department
🟢 Passengers advised to reroute via East Rail line.
📊 Four trains canceled on Guangzhou–Shenzhen–Hong Kong line.
💬 “Consider other transport to enter the mainland,” said Transport Dept.
Afternoon departures remain available after morning disruptions.
Are aging systems straining Asia’s rail reliability?
Fast trains, slow fixes in high-speed corridors.
(Source: scmp.com)
Hongkong Post Cyberattack Exposes User Data Risks
Hackers accessed address books from the EC-Ship mailing platform.
HONG KONG, 21 July – Hongkong Post; EC-Ship; Police Cyber Division
🟢 Hackers accessed names, emails, and contact numbers of users.
📊 Extent unknown; system blocked promptly after attack.
💬 “Immediate measures taken to block unauthorised access,” said Hongkong Post.
Authorities alerted privacy watchdogs and security bureau.
How secure are government-run digital services?
Postal breach raises alarm over public data trust.
(Source: scmp.com)
India’s Vice President Resigns Over Health Concerns
Jagdeep Dhankhar ends term early, citing medical advice.
NEW DELHI, 22 July – Jagdeep Dhankhar; Narendra Modi; Droupadi Murmu
🟢 Dhankhar resigned, thanking leaders and citing health priorities.
📊 Term ends three years early; appointed in 2022.
💬 “Wishing him good health,” said Prime Minister Modi.
Ceremonial duties now pass to temporary interim leadership.
Will this shake-up shift parliamentary dynamics?
India’s top brass sees sudden change.
(Source: dw.com/en/indias-vice-president-steps-down-citing-health-reasons/a-73362807)
Chinese Groups Blamed for SharePoint Cyber Exploits
Microsoft attributes server breaches to nation-state actors.
REDMOND, 22 July – Microsoft; Linen Typhoon; Eye Security
🟢 Breaches hit US energy, education, and health orgs.
📊 54 systems breached via zero-day vulnerability.
💬 “Actors exploiting vulnerabilities,” said Microsoft Security Blog.
Patches now released; risk persists for unpatched servers.
How will enterprises defend against nation-backed threats?
State-linked cyberattacks escalate enterprise exposure.
(Source: theverge.com/news/710513)
Nigeria Grows 3.13% After Economic Data Rebased
New metrics show stronger performance led by services and industry.
ABUJA, 22 July – National Bureau of Statistics; economic analysts
🟢 GDP expanded, surpassing last year’s growth rate.
📊 Economy now valued at ₦372.8tn ($243.7bn).
💬 “Rebasing offers a more accurate picture,” said officials.
Service sector led at 4.33%, agriculture stagnated.
Can rebased data drive investor confidence in Nigeria?
Revised stats boost outlook despite modest numbers.
(Source: africanews.com)
Tunisia’s Civil Society Under Siege
Activists face detention and financial pressure under Kais Saied.
TUNIS, 22 July – Kais Saied; civil society groups; judiciary
🟢 Groups targeted with raids and asset freezes.
📊 Democratic freedoms curtailed since 2021.
💬 “Some still fight for democracy,” said France 24.
Tunisia’s democratic legacy faces a reckoning.
Can grassroots activism survive authoritarian crackdowns?
Freedom fades as pressure mounts in Tunisia.
(Source: france24.com)
Altman Warns Fed: AI Will Wipe Out Job Categories
OpenAI chief says customer support roles are “totally gone.”
WASHINGTON, 22 July – Sam Altman; Federal Reserve; OpenAI
🟢 AI replaces human support agents with instant voice bots.
📊 Altman claims ChatGPT is more accurate than most doctors.
💬 “It’s done. It does not make mistakes,” said Altman.
He urges faster adaptation to AI’s rapid integration.
Are regulations trailing behind AI’s real-world upheaval?
Automation is erasing work faster than ever.
(Source: theguardian.com/technology/openai)
Pentagon to Monitor Bathrooms Under Anti-Trans Mandate
Defense memo outlines surveillance to enforce Trump’s executive order.
WASHINGTON, 22 July – DoD; Pete Hegseth; Trump admin
🟢 Pentagon reviews “intimate spaces” and signage by sex.
📊 69 employees placed on leave; 67 later reinstated.
💬 “Monitor intimate spaces to ensure ongoing compliance,” said DoD memo.
Stars and Stripes now under editorial “review hold.”
Is this policy shift a constitutional overreach?
Surveillance sparks new civil liberties concerns.
(Source: 404media.co)
Rabies Red Zones Declared in Bali Tourist Areas
Officials ramp up emergency response amid infection risk.
BALI, 22 July – Badung Agriculture Service; local authorities
🟢 Mass vaccinations launched in popular beach zones.
📊 1–2 rabid dogs found in each red-zone village.
💬 “It’s not numbers, it’s spread potential,” said Brahmi Witari.
Stray dog density in bushes raises transmission risk.
Are travelers ready for unexpected health hazards?
Rabies shadows Bali’s tropical paradise.
(Source: scmp.com/topics/indonesia)
Russia Uses Children to Build Kamikaze Drones
Teenagers recruited via games and contests, says report.
MOSCOW, 22 July – Insider; Zvezda TV; Putin
🟢 Kids trained to design drone components for war.
📊 Hundreds of kamikaze drones shown in factory video.
💬 “We were forbidden to say it’s for war,” said teen finalist.
Military disguises projects as “dual-use” schoolwork.
What ethics remain in wartime tech recruitment?
Child coders conscripted into drone warfare.
(Source: theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/21)
Engineer Pleads Guilty in US Missile Tech Theft
Dual national admits to funneling secrets tied to missile defense.
SAN JOSE, 22 July – Chenguang Gong; FBI; DOJ
🟢 Gong stole 3,600 files after joining competitor.
📊 Tech valued at hundreds of millions of dollars.
💬 “Compromises US national security,” said FBI agent Neyman.
Gong applied to Chinese ‘talent programs’ with stolen ideas.
Can corporate espionage ever be fully contained?
Missile secrets breach highlights espionage threat.
(Source: theregister.com)
Telegraph Sale Clears Lords Vote on Foreign Ownership
15% UAE stake allowed as RedBird Capital advances £500m bid.
LONDON, 22 July – House of Lords; RedBird Capital; IMI; Lisa Nandy
🟢 Peers rejected fatal motion, letting 15% foreign cap proceed.
📊 Vote passed 267–155 after three-hour debate.
💬 “We are sending a clear signal,” said Home Office.
Takeover still faces public interest and antitrust reviews.
Will UK media remain free under foreign funding?
Newspaper rules bend for overseas investors.
(Source: theguardian.com)
Luxury Hotel Replaces London’s Old US Embassy
Chancery Rosewood opens September in Grosvenor Square.
LONDON, 22 July – Qatari fund; Rosewood Hotels; Andy Beckett
🟢 £24k/night rooms contrast past protest history.
📊 Embassy now offers wellness areas and Bentleys, not visas.
💬 “Capitalism did what protesters couldn’t,” said The Guardian.
Former state site now shields the super-rich.
Is this the final act in empire’s retreat?
Embassy reborn as shrine to elite comfort.
(Source: theguardian.com/uk/london)
UK to Ban Public Bodies from Paying Hack Ransoms
Proposal follows NHS and library cyberattacks.
LONDON, 22 July – Home Office; Dan Jarvis; NCSC
🟢 New rule targets ransomware economy head-on.
📊 Hackers earned $1bn globally in 2023.
💬 “Smash the cybercriminal business model,” said Jarvis.
Private firms must notify government before paying.
Will prohibition deter or provoke future attacks?
UK draws line against digital extortion.
(Source: theguardian.com)
Hong Kong Eyes 24-Hour Market Model
HKEX prepares system overhaul to compete globally.
HONG KONG, 21 July – HKEX; LSE Group; SCMP
🟢 Derivatives currently trade 15.5 hours daily.
📊 Full 24/7 equity trading not yet adopted anywhere.
💬 “New system will support round-the-clock access,” said HKEX.
Crypto model inspires push for nonstop financial flows.
Is Asia ready for never-sleeping stock markets?
HK prepares to join nonstop trading era.
(Source: scmp.com)
WSJ Cut from Trump Trip Over Epstein Report
White House punishes outlet over racy birthday letter story.
WASHINGTON, 21 July – WSJ; Trump; WHCA; Karoline Leavitt
🟢 Trump sues WSJ for $10 billion.
📊 13 outlets included on Scotland trip—WSJ excluded.
💬 “Fake and defamatory conduct,” said press secretary Leavitt.
WHCA calls action retaliatory and harmful to press freedom.
Can democracy thrive under selective media access?
Reporters sidelined for reporting truth.
(Source: dw.com)
— Ohmbudsman