Globally

• EQT and the EQT Foundation have selected five finalists from over 200 entries for the EQT Impact Challenge 2026, a pitch competition for deep-tech start-ups. • The competition focuses on early-stage founders developing breakthrough solutions within two primary categories: "climate and nature" and "health and well-being." • This initiative utilizes an active ownership model to help start-ups scale their innovations globally, following previous successful programs in Japan, South Korea, and Singapore.

Global hunger declined for the third year in a row in 2025 but experts call for action to bring down costs of fruit, vegetables and dairy as report shows 2.69bn people can’t afford to eat wellOne in three people cannot afford to eat a healthy diet, a new report has found, prompting calls for urgent action on food affordability.There are 2.69 billion people unable to afford a diverse diet that meets their energy and nutrient needs, and it will take “immense” amounts of work to achieve the global target of zero hunger by 2030, the annual report from five UN agencies warned. Continue reading...

• OpenAI will globally release its most advanced AI model, GPT-5.6, this Thursday following a limited preview for select partners. • The wide rollout follows the lifting of restrictions by the Trump administration, which had previously pressured the company to stagger the release. • An OpenAI spokesperson confirmed that the launch now has the official "green light" from U.S. government leadership.

Billionaires’ wealth grew by 25% on average in the year ended in April, research from Swiss bank UBS findsBusiness live – latest updatesThe number of billionaires in the world has jumped by 13% to a record 3,302 people, new figures show, as the super-rich accumulate wealth at an accelerating rate.Billionaires’ wealth grew by 25% on average in the year ended in April, compared with a 10.8% rise in average personal wealth around the world, the Swiss bank UBS found. Continue reading...

• The ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran persists as one of the most significant and enduring security challenges in the Middle East. • Beyond military confrontation, the struggle has evolved into a multidimensional crisis involving nuclear concerns, energy security, technology, and international governance. • Potential attacks on critical infrastructure pose severe global risks, including the release of hazardous substances and resulting humanitarian and public health emergencies.

• Global trust in news has reached its lowest point since the Reuters Institute began its annual research in 2015. • Online news video has become a mainstream medium, with 77% of people globally consuming it on a weekly basis. • Digital video now surpasses broadcast TV news in popularity across almost every market, with the exceptions of Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands.

• India has emerged as a global leader in AI-driven marketing, with Chief Marketing Officers (CMOs) projecting the highest AI-led revenue growth worldwide. • According to a new Boston Consulting Group (BCG) report, Indian marketing leaders are prioritizing the adoption of Generative AI, personalization, and agentic commerce. • This shift matters as it transforms how brands engage customers and manage digital commerce through more autonomous, AI-driven interactions.