Shocks

• English teams dominated the opening round of the Champions League league phase, leading in expected goal difference by country. • Italian teams struggled during the first round, with Italy ranking at the bottom of the expected goal difference chart. • This performance gap suggests a current disparity in competitive strength between the English and Italian markets in European football.

• HSBC reported that global financial markets have remained resilient despite a series of economic shocks in recent years. • The bank noted that equity and credit markets are operating on the assumption that higher interest rates will not cause material damage to economic growth. • This trend puts investors at risk if inflation pressures force central banks to tighten rates more aggressively than currently priced.

National Audit Office urges government to act as climate crisis, disease and cyberattacks pose growing risksThe climate crisis, disease and cyber-attacks pose growing risks to the UK’s food supplies and the government needs to act to make the system more resilient, according to the public spending watchdog.The National Audit Office (NAO) is urging the Department for Food, the Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra) to work more closely with households, communities and businesses to ensure the flow of crucial food into the country can withstand supply shocks that are becoming increasingly common and severe. Continue reading...

• Geopolitical shocks and global conflicts are severely undermining Africa's climate goals by triggering widespread economic and environmental disruption. • These distant crises drive up inflation and increase the cost of energy, diverting critical funding away from vital climate resilience projects. • The situation is critical because it stalls the continent's ability to adapt to climate change, leaving vulnerable populations more exposed to natural disasters.

• Regional experts analyzed how ASEAN countries are managing economic shocks caused by geopolitical conflicts, energy disruptions, and shifting global supply chains. • While challenges vary by nation, Malaysia has maintained strong growth this year due to high demand for LNG, petroleum products, and electronics. • The analysis emphasizes that the region requires deeper market integration and stronger coordination across financial, trade, food, and energy systems to build resilience.

• Vietnam remained the fastest-growing major economy in Southeast Asia during the second quarter, while Thailand experienced the slowest growth in the region. • Malaysia and Singapore followed as the second- and third-fastest expanding economies, driven by strong global demand for semiconductors and tech supply chain components. • In contrast, the Philippines and Thailand faced economic headwinds due to surging energy costs linked to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.

According to manufacturer, shock ‘is usually effective in bringing individuals into compliance in less than three seconds’ICE plans to spend up to $20m (£15m) to purchase thousands of gloves that can deliver painful electric shocks for officers and agents by March, according to a notice published Monday by the Department of Homeland Security.The devices, called Glove (Generated Low Output Voltage Emitter), are manufactured by Compliant Technologies LLC of Lexington, Kentucky. Continue reading...