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An article from Dive Brief Rooms under construction decreased year over year in June for the sixth consecutive month amid economic uncertainty, according to CoStar. Published July 22, 2025 As of June, there were 138,922 U.S. hotel rooms under construction, a 20-quarter low, according to CoStar data. PixelsEffect via Getty Images First published on This audio is auto-generated. Please let us know if you have feedback. Dive Brief: The volume of U.S. hotel rooms under construction decreased year over year for a sixth consecutive month in June, according to new CoStar data.  As of last month, there were 138,922 U.S. hotel rooms under construction, a 20-quarter low, according to Isaac Collazo, senior director of analytics at CoStar subsidiary STR. The volume of rooms under construction decreased 11.9% year over year in June, per CoStar.  The continued decline is not surprising given “hotel demand trending downward, unrelenting economic uncertainty and rising construction costs,” Collazo said. Most of the rooms under construction are in the upscale and upper upscale segments, which STR previously forecasted would see the highest RevPAR growth this year, driven by changing traveler behavior. Dive Insight: The volume of U.S. hotel rooms under construction has decreased each month since January, coinciding with President Donald Trump’s second term. In those months, U.S. government actions have caused economic uncertainty, and tariffs have negatively impacted construction pipelines.  The volume of U.S. hotel rooms in final planning (266,276 rooms) also decreased year over year in June, albeit only by 0.1%, according to CoStar. The number of U.S. hotel rooms in the planning stage (349,802 rooms), meanwhile, increased 4.8% year over year in the month.  The majority of rooms in the U.S. hotel construction pipeline are in these two planning phases, but “many will likely not be built in the near future,” Collazo said.  Of rooms currently under construction, the majority are in the upscale and upper upscale segments, according to Collazo, who also noted that more than half of all rooms under development are in the South, largely outside of the top 25 markets.  Higher-tier hotel segments were a bright spot for the industry last year, driving performance as high-income households prioritized travel.  That trend has continued, with high-income households anticipated to make up nearly half of travelers this summer, Deloitte reported in May. Ahead of this year’s Memorial Day weekend, travel outlooks appeared mostly stable despite a dip in consumer confidence and dampening international visitation.  Last month, however, CoStar and Tourism Economics downgraded their 2025 and 2026 growth projections for U.S. hotel top-line performance metrics, citing elevated macroeconomic concerns. Read More

Aerial view of a section of the Yarlung Tsangpo River on May 13, 2023 in Medog County, Nyingchi, Tibet Autonomous Region of China.Photo by Li Lin/China News Service/VCG China has begun construction on what will be the world’s largest hydropower dam, a facility with a projected annual generation capacity of 300 billion kWh of electricity—nearly three times the production of the Three Gorges Dam, the record holder since 2006. First announced in 2020, the dam—to be called the Motuo Hydropower Station—will be located in the Tibet Autonomous Region on lower reaches of the Yarlung Tsangpo, the world’s longest and deepest river canyons. Taking advantage of 2,000-meter elevation drop along a 50-km-long U-shaped bend, a portion of the powerful river flow will be diverted to five cascade hydropower stations via four 20-km tunnels bored through Namcha Barwa mountain. Although China has constructed several hydropower stations along the Yarlung Tsangpo over the past decade, the new project reportedly poses several topographic challenges, including its location along a tectonic plate boundary and high risk of landslides in the narrow, steep gorge. Nevertheless, Chinese Premier Li Qiang hailed the Motuo Hydropower Station as the “project of the century” at a July 19 groundbreaking ceremony, according to local media. Scheduled to begin operation in 2033, the dam’s construction will be overseen by state-owned China Yajiang Group. Most of the generated power will be distributed to other parts of the country. RELATED China Announces It Will Build Controversial 60GW Mega-Dam in Tibet Despite the Chinese government’s claims that the dam is “a safe project that prioritizes ecological protection and boosts local prosperity” while also reducing the country’s use of fossil fuels, the initiative has raised concerns in neighboring countries regarding its potential downstream effects. As it flows south from the Tibetan Plateau into India, the Yarlung Tsangpo becomes the Brahmaputra and traverses Arunachal Pradesh and Assam states before continuing into Bangladesh. Millions of people in both countries rely on the waterway for irrigation, hydropower and drinking water. Despite calls from both countries for greater transparency regarding the Motuo Hydropower Station’s long-term impacts, China has repeatedly asserted its right to construct hydropower projects within its own borders. News services cited a July 21 statement from the country’s foreign ministry stating that it had “conducted necessary communication with downstream countries regarding hydrological information, flood control and disaster mitigation cooperation related to the Yarlung Zangbo project.” Jim Parsons is a freelance writer who covers the industry from metro Washington, DC. Read More

The Federal Reserve’s Eccles Building in Washington, D.C., and neighboring Federal Reserve Board-East Building, both built in the 1930s, are undergoing renovations, but costs have risen over the years since work was planned.  Photo courtesy Federal Reserve A broader dispute over fiscal policy has drawn the attention of the Trump administration to the Federal Reserve’s renovation of its Washington, D.C., headquarters as cost increases have driven up the project’s budget by about $600 million to nearly $2.5 billion. The Marriner S. Eccles Building and 1951 Constitution Avenue Building Project is set to renovate and expand the two neighboring Fed office buildings beside the National Mall—including work needed to remove asbestos and lead, improve safety and replace dated building systems, according to the Fed. The expansions will provide space to consolidate employees working in other leased office spaces into the two buildings that Fed officials say will save money in the long term. In addition to expanding the buildings, the project team is also constructing a subterranean parking structure.  The project is being led by a joint venture of Balfour Beatty and Gilbane Building Co. A representative for the joint venture declined to comment.  The 276,000-sq-ft Eccles Building was originally completed in 1937 and has only undergone minor renovations since then. Fed staff say the building’s systems have reached the end of their usable life. Neighboring 1951 Constitution Ave., also known as Federal Reserve Board-East Building or FRB-East, was originally completed in 1933 for the U.S. Public Health Service. The Fed purchased the 126,388-sq-ft building in 2018 as it was starting procurement to renovate the Eccles Building, and modified its solicitation to include both buildings “to optimize coordination and gain efficiency benefits,” according to a 2021 audit report. Both buildings are listed in the D.C. Inventory of Historic Sites, and FRB-East is also listed in the National Register of Historic Places. “No one in office wants to do a major renovation of a historic building during their term—much preferring to leave that to successors, and this is a great example of why—let alone two historic buildings that needed a lot of work,” Fed Chair Jerome Powell told the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs in June. “But we decided to take it on because, when I was the administrative governor before I became chair, I came to understand how badly the Eccles Building really needed a serious renovation. It was not really safe and it was not waterproof, so we took it on.” Project Concerns President Donald Trump has repeatedly called on Powell to lower interest rates and publicly mulled whether he could be fired, while the Fed chair has advocated a wait-and-see approach before adjusting rates because of concerns about inflation. Against that backdrop, Russell Vought, director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, sent a letter to Powell earlier this month raising concerns with the project cost and items included in the design such as “rooftop terrace gardens,” as well as “VIP dining rooms and elevators” and the use of marble.   “The president is extremely troubled by your management of the Federal Reserve System,” Vought wrote. “Instead of attempting to right the Fed’s fiscal ship, you have plowed ahead with an ostentatious overhaul of your Washington, D.C., headquarters.” Fed records show its budget for the project has increased from $1.9 billion before 2020 to $2.5 billion today. In budget documents predating the current controversy, Fed staff attributed the increased cost estimates to elevated bid prices for mechanical, electrical and plumbing work.  On the Fed’s website, officials also pointed to increases in construction material and labor costs since estimates were originally made, unforeseen conditions such as more asbestos than expected, as well as design changes that resulted from “consultation with review agencies.” Fed officials also addressed Vought’s design concerns, writing that the “garden terrace” in planning documents is actually the ground-level lawn on top of the underground parking structure. No VIP dining rooms or elevators are being added, they wrote, but conference rooms sometimes used for mealtime meetings are being renovated and original elevators are being rehabilitated. Proposed water features considered for the FRB-East property were eliminated from plans, but fountains original to the Eccles Building are being restored as part of the work. Marble from the original facades and stonework were preserved to be reinstalled, with limited new marble being needed only where original material was damaged.  During Powell’s testimony before the Senate committee, he said none of those items “were really the cost drivers.” “We do take seriously our responsibility as stewards of the public’s money,” he said. James Leggate is an online news editor at ENR. He has reported on a variety of issues for more than 10 years and his work has contributed to several regional Associated Press Media Editors and Murrow award wins. Read More

Turbine components are prepared to head to the South Fork Wind farm from the State Pier in New London, Conn., in 2023.Photo: Ted Shaffrey/AP Kiewit Corp. and the Connecticut Port Authority are preparing to begin mediation over tens of millions of dollars the contractor giant believes it is owed for the multiyear renovation of a critical state pier in New London, port officials said. The total amount sought by Kiewit on the pier project is $35 million, according to media accounts of interviews with port officials. Of that, $7.1 million is an amount withheld by the port, the reports say. Port officials chose not to make public the detailed financial discussions of the contract but have not disputed the amounts published by Connecticut news outlets. Therenovation carried out under Kiewit’s guaranteed-price contract is a showpiece economic development project, with part of its cost being paid by Ørsted, the Denmark-based renewable energy company that used the pier to assemble and stage components for a major offshore wind development. A year ago, the port published a summary of all that had been accomplished on what was then given as a $274-million overall project that was 99% complete. Tthe exact amount of Kiewit’s contract is not known. A photo montage showed the pier’s installation berth with massive components laid out for transport for offshore wind turbines. Conn. Gov. Ned Lamont is shown giving a tour. Both the Port Authority and Kiewit have stated they are working cooperatively to a resolution. Although the port contract has not yet closed out, the pier is “fully functional,” noted Port Authority Executive Director Michael O’Connor. But he also told board members at a July 15 meeting in Old Saybrook, Conn., that the port wanted Kiewit to fix two aspects of its work that officials claim were not built according to the design. In December, the port authority’s chairman, Paul Whitescarver, outlined the issues in an email to state lawmakers. One involved the toe on the east side of the pier. It was supposed to provide 2.65 ft of clearance so that vessels docked there would not contact the wall in heavy weather. Instead, the toes only provide one quarter of the required separation in places. The expense should be shouldered by Kiewit, Whitescarver said in his email. Another issue involved the pier’s south wall, which Whitescarver noted was supposed to be able to support or withstand loads of up to 650 lbs per sq ft. “Both sides are coming to a consensus that piles either steel or wooden, can be driven into the area that will provide enough strength,” he wrote. Kiewit has in public statements denied responsibility for the problems. “The issues noted by the [port] can be directly traced to site conditions that did not match those identified in the contract,” a Kiewit spokeswoman told the Connecticut Post. “Throughout the project, we communicated with the CPA about these issues and worked diligently in close partnership with them to address these unexpected conditions.” She added that the firm continues “to work closely and actively collaborate” with the port, “including determining accountability for associated costs.” Deputy Editor Richard Korman helps run ENR’s business and legal news and investigations, selects ENR’s commentary and oversees editorial content on ENR.com. In 2023 the American Society of Business Publication Editors awarded Richard the Stephen Barr Award, the highest honor for a single feature story or investigation, for his story on the aftermath of a terrible auto crash in Kentucky in 2019, and in 2015 the American Business Media awarded him the Timothy White Award for investigations of surety fraud and workplace bullying. A member of Investigative Reporters and Editors, Richard has been a fellow on drone safety with the McGraw Center for Business Journalism at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY. Richard’s freelance writing has appeared in the Seattle Times, the New York Times, Business Week and the websites of The Atlantic and Salon.com. He admires construction projects that finish on time and budget, compensate all team members fairly and record zero fatalities or serious injuries. Read More

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall across multiple regions, including Mumbai, Pune, Raigad, and Goa, for 23 July. A flash flood warning has also been sounded for parts of Jammu and Kashmir, as incessant rains continue to lash the region. Here’s the full IMD weather forecast and district-wise rainfall update for Maharashtra, Delhi, Bengal, and Jammu through 26 July. ORANGE ALERT IN MAHARASHTRA FOR 23 JULY The IMD has issued orange alert for very heavy rainfall in the following districts for 23 July Mumbai Suburban, Ratnagiri, Palghar, Buldhana, Akola, Raigad, and Sindhudurg, Pune, Satara, Kolhapur. The IMD has also issued orange alert for very heavy rainfall in North and South Goa. Mumbai, Maharashtra Weather Update 23 July Moderate to heavy rain or thundershowers very likely to occur at most places in the districts of North Konkan. Light to Moderate rain or Thundershowers very likely to occur at a few places in districts of Marathwada. Heavy rainfall very likely to occur at most places in the districts of South Konkan-Goa. Light to Moderate rainfall very likely to occur at many places in districts of Madhya Maharashtra. 24 July Heavy rainfall very likely to occur at most places in the districts of Konkan-Goa. Moderate rainfall very likely to occur at most places in districts of South Madhya Maharashtra. Light to Moderate rainfall very likely to occur at a few places in districts of North Madhya Maharashtra. Light rainfall very likely to occur at isolated places in the districts of Marathwada. 25 July Heavy rainfall very likely to occur at most places in the districts of Konkan-Goa. Moderate rainfall very likely to occur at most places in districts of South Madhya Maharashtra. Light to Moderate rainfall very likely to occur at a few places in districts of North Madhya Maharashtra. Light to moderate rain or thundershowers very likely to occur at a few places in the districts of Marathwada. 26 July Heavy rainfall very likely to occur at most places in the districts of South Konkan-Goa. Moderate to heavy rainfall very likely to occur at most places in districts of North Konkan. Moderate rainfall very likely to occur at many places in districts of North Madhya Maharashtra. Light to Moderate rainfall very likely to occur at many places in districts of South Madhya Maharashtra. Moderate rain or thundershowers very likely to occur at a few places in the districts of Marathwada. Delhi Weather Update 23 July IMD has predicted generally cloudy sky in Delhi. Very light to light rain accompanied with thunderstorms/lightning. The maximum and minimum temperatures over Delhi are likely to be in the range of 31 to 33°C and 23 to 25°C respectively. The minimum temperature will be below normal up to 2 to 4°C and the maximum temperature will be below normal up to 1 to 2°C. 24 July Partly cloudy sky along with very light rain has been predicted for Delhi. The maximum and minimum temperatures over Delhi are likely to be in the range of 34 to 36°C and 24 to 26°C respectively. The minimum temperature will be below normal up to 1 to 2°C and the maximum temperature will be above normal up to 1 to 2°C. Low Pressure to Bring Heavy Rain in South Bengal The IMD forecast heavy to very heavy rain in parts of south Bengal from July 24 to 28 owing to a possible formation of a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal. A cyclonic circulation is likely to emerge over north Bay of Bengal by Wednesday and under its influence, a low-pressure area is expected to form over the same region in the subsequent two days, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. The IMD very heavy rainfall is very likely to occur at South 24 Parganas, Jhargram, Purba and Paschim Medinipur, Bankura and Purulia districts on July 24 and 25. The sub-Himalayan districts of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar are very likely to receive heavy rainfall from July 26 owing to the weather system, it added. IMD ISSUES ORANGE ALERT FOR 23 July Adilabad, Kumaram Bheem, Mancherial, J Bhupalpally, Bijapur, Mulugu, Kothagudem, East Khasi Hills, West Jaintia Hills, East Jaintia Hills, Muzzafaraabad, Leh, Bandipora, Kupwara, Baeamulla, Poonch, Budgam, Srinagar, Pulwama, Ganderbal, Kathua, Udhamopur, Samba, Kulgam, Rajouri, Mirpur and Kishtwar. Flash Flood Warning in Jammu The IMD issued a warning of a low to moderate risk of flash floods in Kathua, Samba, Udhampur, Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban, Reasi, Jammu, Rajouri and Poonch districts over the next 24 hours. Incessant rains lashed wide parts of Jammu for the second day on Tuesday, while the weatherman had forecast wet weather with heavy rainfall at several places till July 24. Relief for Himachal Pradesh IMD has forecast dry to moderate weather conditions across Himachal Pradesh till July 26, with a fresh spell of heavy rainfall likely to begin on July 27, primarily affecting mid and low-hill districts. Read More

At a time when Cuba is grappling with its worst economic crisis in decades, Fidel Castro’s grandson, Sandro Castro, is drawing widespread criticism for showcasing his extravagant lifestyle on Instagram. According to El País, the 33-year-old, who has over 1.2 lakh followers, regularly posts clips of himself cruising in luxury cars through Havana, partying on yachts with bottles of Cristal beer, and hosting high-end gatherings at his private club, EFE Bar. In one recent video, Sandro appeared to mock the ongoing blackouts in Havana, where residents are often left without electricity for up to 20 hours a day. In another clip, he called Cristal beer “medicine that must never be missing from his bar.” He also filmed himself urging US President Donald Trump to “give opportunity and life to the migrant,” at a time when Cuba is witnessing one of its largest exoduses in modern history. A life far from austerity Sandro Castro is the son of Alexis Castro Soto del Valle, one of Fidel Castro’s five sons from his second marriage. Fidel Castro, who led the Cuban Revolution and ruled for nearly five decades, was known for promoting values of austerity, discipline, and sacrifice. His grandson’s public displays of wealth stand in stark contrast to the ideals the former leader propagated. Born when Fidel Castro was 65, Sandro was raised in the elite gated community of Punto Cero in Havana, far removed from the economic hardships faced by most Cubans. According to the Daily Mail, Sandro also frequently shares videos from El Patrón, a countryside resort that charges around $100 a night—more than four months of the average Cuban salary, which is just $16.50 a month. Cuba’s Economic Struggles Cuba is currently facing an unprecedented financial crisis, marked by severe shortages of food, fuel, and medicines. Inflation is soaring, and the island nation’s import-heavy economy has suffered a 30% drop in foreign currency revenue in recent years, as per a Reuters report published in July. Amid this turmoil, videos of Sandro’s lavish parties, where entry fees reportedly touch 1,000 Cuban Pesos and table reservations cost up to 15,000 CUP, have triggered anger and disbelief among citizens. Not the First Time This isn’t the first time Sandro has sparked backlash. In 2021, during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, he went viral for a video shot inside a luxury Mercedes-Benz. After facing online outrage, he later clarified that the car belonged to a friend and he was merely “testing it out.” Even as ordinary Cubans stand in long queues for basic supplies and endure daily power outages, Sandro’s social media feed continues to reflect a world of opulence,raising uncomfortable questions about inequality, privilege, and the legacy of Cuba’s most iconic revolutionary. Read More

In an exciting news for Pizza lovers, Pizza Hut stated that it will offer one-topping personal pan pizzas at for just $2 on Tuesdays. The offer is valid for carryout orders only and does not require any additional purchase. Customers can get up to four $2 pizzas per person, available both in-store and via the Pizza Hut app, the company told USA Today. Although the offer is available nationwide, customers are encouraged to verify whether their local Pizza Hut is taking part in it. The promotion originally launched on July 8. “The Personal Pan Pizza holds a special place in the hearts of our guests, and we are celebrating the love and passion for this iconic fan-favorite with $2-Buck Tuesday,” USA Today quoted Melissa Friebe, the chief marketing officer of Pizza Hut US as saying. She added, “The response has been nothing short of incredible and we are even selling out of Personal Pan Pizzas at thousands of restaurants across the country. Our goal is to give guests more of what they love and this offering has proven to do just that.” The company has not revealed the duration of this offer or till when it will last. Pizza Hut is selling its Hut Lover’s Pizzas for $12.99 each. You can choose from Spicy Hawaiian Lover’s, Meat Lover’s, Pepperoni Lover’s, or Veggie Lover’s. Each deal includes one large pizza. This offer is available for a limited time. You can order in-store, for carryout, or on the Pizza Hut app. Internet reacts One of the users commented, ““$2 Pizza Hut deal? Yup. Ordered online early and dodged the lunchtime madness like a boss!😂😮‍💨😩🤪😆🔥🍕 #PlanAhead #NoLinesJustPizza #pizzahut #$2pizza.” Another said, “Why I’m just now finding out Pizza Hut had $2 personal pan pizza deal 😭” “Idk who needs to hear this but @pizzahut has 2 dollar personal pan pizzas through the app on Tuesday. blessed,” remarked a user. Read More

Schools in multiple states, such as Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Uttarakhand will be closed due to Sawan Shivratri and the ongoing Kanwar Yatra on July 23, 2025, Wednesday. The closures are primarily aimed at avoiding traffic congestion and ensuring student safety in areas expecting heavy pilgrim movement and temple crowding. In Noida (Gautam Buddha Nagar), all schools from Classes 1 to 12 will remain shut, though online classes are allowed in accordance with district administration guidelines. In Ghaziabad, schools are shut for Sawan Shivratri, with the option to conduct online sessions. Meanwhile, educational institutions in Meerut and Muzaffarnagar will remain closed until July 23, with strict enforcement measures ordered for any non-compliance. Similarly, in Hapur, Badaun, Bareilly, and Saharanpur, schools have been directed to stay closed from July 16 to July 23. In Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh), a holiday has been declared due to the large number of pilgrims visiting the Mahakaleshwar temple. In Haridwar (Uttarakhand), schools will remain closed on July 23 in light of the heavy footfall expected for the Kanwar Yatra. In Telangana, while there is no official holiday for Shivratri, a statewide bandh on July 23 has prompted most schools and junior colleges to suspend physical classes. No holiday confirmed on July 23 in Delhi, Punjab However, in Punjab, there has been no official announcement regarding school closures for Sawan Shivratri or the Kanwar Yatra, so schools and colleges will function normally on July 23. In Delhi, there is speculation that schools may remain closed on Sawan Shivratri; however, no official confirmation has been released so far. Parents and students are encouraged to check with their respective schools for the most current updates. The decision to announce holidays in various regions is largely influenced by security measures, the establishment of no-vehicle zones, and efforts to ease congestion along routes used by Kanwariyas. While many areas have suspended physical classes, some institutions may opt for online teaching. Parents are advised to stay informed through official school communications. Read More

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has reportedly tied his political future to the outcome of tariff negotiations, even as US President Donald Trump announced that a deal had been struck with Japan. According to the Yomiuri newspaper on Wednesday, Ishiba will decide whether to remain in office once the fate of the trade talks is clear. Meanwhile, Mainichi newspaper reported that Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is expected to announce his resignation by the end of August. Donald Trump Announces ‘Massive’ Trade Deal with Japan President Donald Trump announced a long-awaited trade agreement with Japan on Tuesday night, a framework between allies and major trading partners that appeared elusive just weeks ago. In a post on Truth Social posted on Wednesday Asian hours, US President Donald Trump said he had just completed a “massive” deal with Japan that included $550 billion in investments into the United States. “We just completed a massive Deal with Japan, perhaps the largest Deal ever made,” Trump said on Truth Social. As part of the deal, US importers will pay 15% “reciprocal” tariffs on Japanese goods exported to the United States. Japan also will invest $550 billion dollars into the United States, the president said. Trump added that the US “will receive 90% of the profits.” He did not specify how those investments would work or how profits would be calculated. No official term sheet has been released. “This Deal will create Hundreds of Thousands of Jobs — There has never been anything like it. Perhaps most importantly, Japan will open their Country to Trade including Cars and Trucks, Rice and certain other Agricultural Products, and other things. Japan will pay Reciprocal Tariffs to the United States of 15%,” Trump posted. What Did Japan’s Embattled Ishiba Declare? Following Donald Trump’s announcement of a trade deal with Japan, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba expressed his readiness to meet or speak by phone with Trump after receiving a briefing on the details from Japan’s top trade negotiator, Ryosei Akazawa, who is currently in Washington for trade discussions. Ishiba told reporters, “I can’t say until I scrutinise the outcome of the agreement,” when asked how the deal with Washington might influence his decision to resign. The Yomiuri newspaper reported that Ishiba intends to visit the United States by the end of July to hold talks with President Trump. Japan’s chief negotiator Akazawa is engaged in the eighth round of talks in the US. In explaining his decision to stay on, Ishiba has stressed the need to avoid creating a political vacuum as Japan faced challenges including difficult trade negotiations with the US that would have a huge impact on the export-reliant economy. “I will stay in office and do everything in my power to chart a path toward resolving these challenges,” Ishiba said in a news conference on Monday, adding that he intended to speak directly with Trump as soon as possible and deliver tangible results. Ishiba is expected to meet ruling party heavyweights later on Wednesday for discussions on the election outcome. The recent upper house elections in Japan, held on Sunday, have significantly weakened Ishiba’s domestic standing. Although the prime minister has cited the trade talks as a reason for wanting to remain in office, the conclusion of an agreement with the US seems likely to pave the way for his resignation following the historic electoral defeat. Shigeru Ishiba Faces Mounting Opposition Following the election loss, support for Shigeru Ishiba’s administration has plunged with a major poll showing his approval rate slightly above 20%, a level that’s historically been considered dangerously low for an administration to continue. Ishiba is facing growing opposition from within his Liberal Democratic Party for his vow to stay in power despite the ruling coalition’s bruising defeat in Sunday’s upper house election. According to Yomiuri, Ishiba told his close associates on Tuesday evening that he would explain how he would take responsibility for the election loss once a solution was reached on trade negotiations. US on Trade Talks With Japan Before Donald Trump’s declaration of 15% tarrif deal with Japan, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent suggested the two sides may be getting closer to an agreement. The talks are “going very well,” Bessent said on Fox Business on Tuesday, adding that a historic election loss for Ishiba “has given them a bit of impetus to get things done over the next couple of months.” “They’ve really come to the table,” Bessent said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if we are able to iron out something with Japan pretty quickly.” Read More

HomeMarket NewsSensex Today | Stock Market LIVE Updates: Nikkei surges nearly 3% after US-Japan deal By CNBCTV18.COM |  Jul 23, 2025 8:16 AM IST (Updated) Sensex Today | Stock Market LIVE Updates: The last of the major Nifty 50 IT constituents reporting results today after market hours, and what it does to its guidance for the full year could determine the sectoral trend for the near-term. Sensex Today | Stock Market LIVE Updates: Another earnings-heavy session awaits the markets today, and the Nifty also has a host of other factors to deal with. Barring financials, most of the different sectoral indices continue to sulk, PSU Banks and Pharma in particular, ensuring that the Nifty continues to struggle above that 25,100 mark. All eyes will be on Infosys, the last of the major Nifty 50 IT constituents reporting results today after market hours, and what it does to its guidance for the full year could determine the sectoral trend for the near-term. There are also a slew of broader market earnings reactions today, including the likes of IRFC, KEI Industries, Dalmia Bharat, United Breweries, and most importantly, Paytm and Dixon Technologies. Apart from Infosys, midcap IT names like Persistent Systems, Coforge, Syngene, Bajaj Housing Finance, SRF, and MAS Financial, among others, report today. Tata Consumer Products and Dr. Reddy’s are the other two Nifty 50 constituents reporting results today. Watch this space for all the live updates. Read More