Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.

Mistral releases Voxtral, its first open source AI audio model
As AI systems become more capable, speech is fast becoming the default way we communicate with machines. French AI startup Mistral has jumped into the audio race with its first open model, aiming to challenge the dominance of walled-off corporate...

New partnership established to empower Qatari small and medium enterprises
Doha: Qatar Research, Development and Innovation (QRDI) Council announces a new partnership with Qatar’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) to empower Qatari small and medium...

Thinking small is how the National Wealth Fund will power net zero
It’s difficult to remember a time when a government’s Budget or Spending Review didn’t divide opinion – one thing’s for certain, June’s review was no different. Christophe Williams is CEO of Naked Energy When it came to energy there was a large...

City of Waukegan City Council met June 16
Mayor Ann B. Taylor | City of Waukegan WebsiteMayor Ann B. Taylor | City of Waukegan Website City of Waukegan City Council met June 16 Here are the minutes provided by the council: Mayor; Samuel D. Cunningham, Jr, City Clerk; Janet E. Kilkelly,...

$1.16 Billion Flows into Quantum in Q2 2025 as Big Tech and Investors Up Their Game
Investor sentiment around quantum computing is shifting, as the industry as a whole is gaining momentum. And it is not only coming from industry boosters. According to The Quantum Insider’s Q2 2025 report, private capital investments, strategic...

What to know about setting up a franchise in Spain
Franchises are seen as a good option for people who want to start their own business but need guidance from those who've made it work successfully. Here's a breakdown of the types of 'franquicias' in Spain, the money needed to invest and the...

'Crypto's Next Billion Users Won't Be On Discord': Venga CEO Says Localization Is Key To Mass Adoption
Barcelona-based crypto startup Venga believes the next billion users won't arrive through Discord or Crypto Twitter, they'll onboard through crypto products that speak their language, reflect their local values and simplify the experience of...

Finance Round-up, UK and Spain, July 9
Finance news. Credit: Pavel Danilyuk, Pexels UK climate finance FOREIGN Secretary David Lammy announced £12 million in disaster risk funding to help vulnerable nations respond faster to climate shocks (GOV.UK). The move, backed by UK investors,...

We’re Brits running our own businesses in Spain – navigating tax is a nightmare
Spain's labyrinthine taxation system is a struggle to navigate for the self-employed Most British expats who move to Spain miss family, friends and perhaps the pub, but not Emma Walker – she longs for the UK tax system. Ms Walker, 33, who runs an...

Aurangzeb reaffirms govt’s strong resolve to support small businesses in Sevilla
ISLAMABAD - Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb represented Pakistan in a high-level panel discussion titled “Scaling up SME Finance” hosted at the International Business Forum, held on the sidelines of the Fourth...

Celebrity-backed vegan leather startup to tap muni market in test of risk appetite
By Bloomberg Published July 9, 2025 A vegan-leather start up is slated to tap the municipal bond market this week, marking a test of investor confidence in speculative project finance. Bloomberg MycoWorks Inc. — backed by Natalie Portman, John...

Why offering more ways to pay can help small businesses stay competitive
Today AI B2B SMEs Digital Banking Kate Hayward, UK Managing Director, Xero By Kate Hayward, UK Managing Director, Xero Small businesses today need to think carefully about how their customers want to pay. It’s not just about cards or cash anymore....

Eye on Small Business: Hardened Network Solutions Inc., Fairfield
A Hardened Network Solutions Inc.’s BESS (battery energy storage system). Courtesy HNSI. Along with the slew of new CBD shops, macramé candle “concept” stores and alternative yoga studios that seem to proliferate in our region, it’s sometimes easy...

French startup DESKi raises $6M to prevent cardiac disease with AI-powered heart scans
Featured The French startup DESKi announced in late June that it had raised $6 million in funding to democratize access to AI-enabled heart scans. HeartFocus, the latest development from DESKi, is an AI-driven heart examination software that...

KitDigital: 3.000€ for Autónomos & Small Businesses
In today’s digital world, small businesses and freelancers need the right tools to stay competitive. To help with this, the Spanish government has created the Kit Digital program. This initiative offers financial support to small companies and...

Connect, protect and coexist: key terms at the Africa-Spain Summit 2025
Madrid hosted the Africa-Spain Summit 2025 between 6 and 8 July. The summit was organised by One Africa Forums to further strengthen collaboration at all levels between Africa and Spain. One Africa Forums is an organisation that creates economic...

Proptech startup Huspy closes $59 million Series B, eyes Saudi expansion
Huspy, the UAE and Spain-based proptech company, has raised $59 million in a Series B round led by Balderton Capital, with participation from Peak XV, ExBorder Partners, Turmeric Capital, BY Ventures, Dara Management, and KE Partners. Founded in...

AI meets sales: 10 European startups helping you optimise your sales process
In today’s hyper-competitive business environment, sales teams are under constant pressure to increase revenue while controlling costs. Sales automation has emerged as a powerful solution, especially as AI reshapes how sales operations are run....
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Revealed: Two-thirds of small businesses would now vote Remain after profits hit by Brexit
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...

Infographic: Every Microsoft Acquisition Since 1986
Q2 1986 🇺🇸 Dynamical Systems Research Operating systems Q3 1987 🇺🇸 Forethought, Inc. Computer software Q1 1991 🇨🇦 Consumers Software Software Q2 1992 🇺🇸 Fox Software PC database software Q1 1994 🇨🇦 Softimage Wholesale 3-D visualization software Q3...