China's Central Meteorological Observatory says tropical storm Atsani, the 21st typhoon of the year, formed in the northwest Pacific on the morning of the 24th. At 0800 Beijing time its center was about 1,970 km east‑southeast of Taipei at 15.2N, 137.2E, with maximum sustained winds near the center of 18 m/s, central pressure 998 hPa and a seven‑level wind radius of 170–280 km.

US firms are stepping up acquisitions of European asset and wealth managers, lifting YTD deal value to over $14bn — the highest level since Dealogic began tracking in 1995. Buyers include rival fund groups, insurers and private equity; industry executives point to pressure from low-cost passive funds and rising regulatory and operating costs as increasing takeover risk for European managers, while private equity is actively acquiring wealth managers amid growing demand for financial advice.

Hamas said Israel's bombing of central Gaza, which it said was justified by claims that children were flying kites, is a further escalation of barbaric crimes, and accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office of confirming an intent to continue aggression and, under false pretexts, to advance a plan of expulsion and extermination.