2025

• European equities dropped to session lows after the European Central Bank raised interest rates to their highest level since 2025. • The decision followed a surge in Eurozone headline inflation to 3.3% in August, driven by a 14.3% increase in energy costs. • Higher rates aim to stop rising energy prices from triggering a cycle of higher wage demands and service pricing across the region.

• The year 2025 had the most state-based conflicts since World War II, marking a significant increase in global tensions. • The 1950s were the most peaceful decade on record, providing a stark contrast to the current state of global conflict. • This surge in state-based conflicts has major implications for global stability and security, affecting people and economies worldwide.

• WAN-IFRA Asia released a survey detailing how newsrooms in India, Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines are managing structural shifts in their operations. • Media organizations are currently facing shrinking editorial headcounts and a growing demand for staff with hybrid skill sets. • These changes force newsrooms to adapt to shifting audience demographics to maintain their reach and relevance in the market.

Uptick in US union membership coincides with high public approval ratings of unionsAfter years of decline, union membership in the US increased by 411,000 members in 2025, the largest increase since 2008, according to a new report.The report makes clear the impact that “right to work” laws can have on union membership: most gains were concentrated in states that protect collective bargaining. Continue reading...

• The U.S. Supreme Court concluded its 2025-2026 term by issuing rulings that impact state and territorial governments. • The Court released approximately 68 decisions and several emergency orders covering topics like federalism, immigration, and executive authority. • These rulings redefine the legal boundaries between presidential power and the constitutional rights of individuals and states.

• The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has established a comprehensive timeline of public health policy actions for the 2025-2026 period under the Trump administration. • The initiatives focus on critical health areas, including the management of bird flu, chronic disease prevention, and HIV/AIDS strategies within the U.S. • These actions involve key regulatory oversight from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to implement specific health mandates and policy shifts.

• Public health officials are warning of a rising landscape of respiratory viruses for 2025, including Flu, RSV, and COVID-19. • The current situation emphasizes the critical need for timely public information to ensure effective health responses and prevent outbreaks from escalating. • Pharmacists are identified as key figures in patient education, promoting prevention strategies such as proper hand hygiene and staying current with vaccinations.

• The United Indian Nations of Oklahoma will host a quarterly meeting for Tribal leaders and partners on August 27 in Tulsa. • The agenda focuses on critical issues including federal Indian health policy, Tribal sovereignty, and Native voter engagement for the upcoming November election. • Leaders will specifically address emerging threats to Tribal gaming posed by the rise of prediction markets.

• European stock markets have declined, moving toward their longest losing streak since 2025. • The downturn is primarily driven by escalating war risks, which are creating instability across regional markets. • Despite the current slip, some indicators suggest that structural investments and cyclical improvements are beginning to bolster corporate earnings.

Tech billionaire’s $158.3bn deal an outlier in report showing widening gap of CEO to worker pay at top companiesElon Musk received over 2.5m times as much compensation at Tesla as the company’s average worker, according to a new report on the growing gap between top corporate executives and their workers.Musk’s $158.3bn pay deal was an outlier but came as the gap between CEO and worker pay continued to grow. Excluding Musk, last year the average ratio of CEO to worker pay for the top S&P 500 companies was 312 to 1, up from a 285:1 ratio in 2024. With Musk, the average pay ratio was 5,387:1, according to the executive pay watch report released this week by the AFL-CIO, the largest federation of labor unions in the US. Continue reading...

• South Africa has been confirmed as the host country for the 2025 G20 Summit. • This event marks a historic milestone as it will be the first time the summit is held on the African continent. • The selection highlights the G20's growing recognition of Africa's critical role in global geopolitics and the international economy.

• Park Chan-wook's film *No Other Choice* was notably absent from the nominations for the 98th Academy Awards. • Despite being considered one of the biggest snubs of the 2025 awards season, the film is now finding a new audience via streaming platforms. • The lack of Oscar recognition highlights the ongoing tension and competition between traditional cinema and streaming hits during awards cycles.

Failure to pursue line of inquiry ‘which may have been relevant’ now being investigated by police watchdog Counter-terrorism police investigating the death of Ann Widdecombe say they have re-opened an old investigation into an attempted burglary last year.The incident at an address in Greater London was reported in April 2025. Continue reading...

• Asian markets ended Wednesday with mixed results as investors awaited critical U.S. economic indicators, including the ADP November private-sector employment report and September industrial production data. • Local markets experienced a correction as investors moved to take profits, while Wall Street saw gains driven by bets on upcoming Federal Reserve rate cuts. • Market volatility highlights fragile investor sentiment ahead of the Federal Reserve's rate decisions scheduled for later this month.

• AI startup funding reached $510 billion in the first half of 2026, already surpassing the total investment recorded for the entire year of 2025. • The investment surge is primarily driven by a focus on critical infrastructure, semiconductor chips, robotics, and enterprise-level AI solutions. • This boom is fueled by growing commercial demand as businesses integrate AI tools into sectors such as healthcare, finance, cybersecurity, and manufacturing.

• The Supreme Court of India addressed whether individuals with benchmark disabilities, including visual impairments, can be lawfully denied eligibility for appointment to judicial services. • The case arose from suo motu proceedings, writ petitions, and civil appeals challenging the specific recruitment rules established by the states of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. • This ruling is significant as it examines the intersection of constitutional fundamental rights and the legality of disability-based exclusions in governance and the judiciary.

Data shows Canadians have replaced US vacations with other international trips in apparent rebuke to TrumpCanadians spent $3.3bn less on travel to the US in 2025 than in the previous year, as Donald Trump’s hostile policies towards his northern neighbour continue to incur an economic cost, new government data shows.The research also indicates that Canadians are not bucking travel overall and instead have replaced US vacations with other international destinations, in a rebuke to Trump’s tariff regime and the president’s continued musings on annexing Canada. Continue reading...

• Dr. Michele Goodwin of Ms. Magazine reviewed the 2025-2026 Supreme Court term, focusing on a specific ruling that limits judicial oversight. • In a 6-3 decision authored by Justice Samuel Alito, the Court ruled that a government process was insulated from judicial review, despite allegations that legal procedures were violated. • This decision is criticized as "cruel and callous" because it prevents courts from pushing back against egregious violations of government procedure.

Labour up four points to 28% while Reform falls to 24% as Andy Burnham apparently wins favour for cost of living focusUK politics live – latest updatesLabour has overtaken Reform UK in a voter intention poll for the first time in more than a year as Andy Burnham benefits from the momentum built in his first week as prime minister.Reform and its leader, Nigel Farage, have had weeks of negative headlines concerning undeclared gifts and donations, an adviser who is a convicted fraudster and a byelection that has descended into farce. Continue reading...

The latest milestone, a recorded 2,318 infections, makes 2026 the worst year for measles in the US since 1991The US has officially surpassed last year’s record number of measles infections, marking the highest case count since the disease was declared eliminated in 2000.New figures from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released Friday show the country has recorded 2,318 measles cases in 2026, overtaking the 2,289 cases reported during all of 2025 – with five months still remaining in the year. The country crossed the 2,000-case threshold last month before climbing even higher in July. Continue reading...

• T-Mobile US stock is trading near record highs as the company focuses on its 2025 earnings guidance and the integration of its UScellular acquisition. • The company's strong market position is currently supported by rising profitability and robust free cash flow generation throughout 2024 and into 2025. • Investors are closely monitoring key performance indicators, including profit margins, customer addition rates, and overall cash flow.

• In August 2025, US scientists conducted the first federally approved ocean alkalinity enhancement experiment by releasing 16,500 gallons of sodium hydroxide (lye) into the Gulf of Maine. • The operation utilized a bright pink dye to track the spread of the lye plume across the water's surface. • This initiative aims to reverse rising ocean acidity and increase the ocean's capacity to absorb CO2 from the atmosphere to combat climate change.

• The British Film Institute (BFI) reported that UK film and high-end television spending rose to £6.8 billion in 2025, accompanied by growth in box-office admissions and takings. • To further support this growth, the UK government has unveiled a £380 million Creative Industries Sector Plan designed to boost film, TV, and global expansion. • These developments occur amid a shifting European landscape, including a 33.6% drop in foreign film investment in Spain in 2024 and new tax credit transparency rules in Italy.

• Foreign investors injected a net $11.51 billion into the bond markets of South Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and India in June. • This surge represents the strongest monthly inflow since November 2025, driven by falling oil prices and a booming global tech cycle. • The shift occurred as equity market volatility pushed investors toward the relative safety of sovereign debt and improved regional economic outlooks.

• The Supreme Court concluded its 2025–2026 term with a primary focus on the scope and limits of executive power. • In the *Slaughter* case, the Court affirmed broad presidential control over most "independent" federal agencies. • Conversely, in *Cook*, Chief Justice Roberts ruled against Donald Trump's attempt to fire a Federal Reserve official, citing a need for judicial checks to prevent arbitrary removals.

• DataM Intelligence has released a research report forecasting that the United States network security market will grow to US$ 121.16 billion by 2035. • North America is projected to hold a dominant 41.6% market share by 2025, with significant activity across data center, enterprise, and telecom networks. • The report highlights key growth drivers, competitive dynamics, and CAGR forecasts to help stakeholders understand regional opportunities and revenue performance.

• Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) invested over $1 billion in Indian equities last week, representing the largest weekly buying streak since June 2025. • Total inflows through July 9 reached $1.3 billion, supplemented by an additional $272 million in provisional purchases on Friday. • Goldman Sachs attributes this surge to a stable Indian rupee and a positive outlook for corporate earnings.

• Eurostat reported on July 13, 2026, that the European Union's GDP experienced a decline between the fourth quarter of 2025 and the first quarter of 2026. • The GDP volume index dropped from 128.669 to 120.654, while the GDP at current prices decreased to €4,160,507.4 million. • This contraction indicates a downturn in the EU's overall economic output and value during the start of 2026.