Fewer

• Southeast Asia blockchain funding reached $680 million in 2026 despite a decrease in the total number of deals. • Investment was dominated by Crypto.com and Singapore, with the latter benefiting from a regulatory structure that supports licensed digital asset businesses. • Higher funding levels indicate strong market confidence in the region's digital asset infrastructure despite a more selective investment environment.

• Researchers conducted a retrospective review of all novel FDA drug approvals from 2016 through 2024 to analyze the evidence used for authorization. • The study used FDA public records and the ClinicalTrials.gov database to track the number of completed trials and their funding sources. • The findings show that novel drug approvals in the US have been supported by a decreasing number of studies since 2016.

• Investors are analyzing labor market trends and upcoming hiring data to gauge the Federal Reserve's potential interest rate decisions amid persistent inflation. • The Labor Department is scheduled to release its monthly jobs report this Friday. • Federal Reserve policy decisions on interest rates directly impact borrowing costs and market stability for investors and businesses.

• A retrospective review of FDA novel drug approvals from 2016 through 2024 reveals a trend of approvals being supported by a decreasing number of completed clinical studies. • Researchers analyzed FDA public records and the ClinicalTrials.gov database to evaluate trial counts, funding sources, and the timing of public result reporting. • The findings highlight a concerning shift toward relying on fewer studies and an increase in industry-funded research to secure drug authorizations.

• The U.S. Congress is scheduled to return to session next week to address a significant backlog of pending legislation. • Political analyst Loren Duggan notes that lawmakers facing upcoming re-election bids may struggle to support controversial bills due to political risks. • This tension highlights a growing difficulty in passing key laws as members prioritize their electoral viability over legislative compromise.

• Researchers analyzed the impact of the 21st Century Cures Act, which allows the FDA to approve novel drugs based on a single pivotal trial rather than multiple studies. • Findings indicate that since 2016, the number of studies supporting new drug approvals in the US has steadily decreased. • This shift reflects a trend toward increased FDA flexibility and a higher reliance on industry-funded data to accelerate the drug approval process.

• A recent Pew Research Center study reveals that only 55% of Americans believe the 2026 midterm elections will be conducted accurately and fairly. • This represents a decline from the 61% confidence level recorded ahead of the 2024 elections and is the lowest level of trust in any national referendum since Pew began tracking the metric. • The findings highlight a growing skepticism regarding the reliability of the U.S. electoral process among the general public.