Struggle

• Former Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta argues that Europe is failing to convert its world-class scientific research into scalable commercial businesses. • Letta identifies a critical gap in the EU's ability to finance, test, and manufacture new technologies compared to global competitors. • To address this, he proposes the creation of a "fifth freedom" within the EU to streamline the scaling of innovation and industrialization.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised former Odisha Chief Minister Biju Patnaik during a speech at Indonesia's Parliament on Tuesday. • Modi highlighted Patnaik's daring 1947 mission as a pilot, during which he helped rescue top Indonesian leaders fighting against Dutch colonial rule. • The gesture emphasizes the historical ties between India and Indonesia, with Modi stating that Patnaik's actions brought the two nations closer.

About 57% of polled Americans also believe economy is worsening in grim portrait of cost of living crisis, according to Harris survey for the GuardianNinety-five per cent of Americans believe the US is suffering an affordability crisis, as many report trouble with the rising cost of groceries and gas, according to an exclusive new poll conducted for the Guardian.The survey, conducted by Harris Poll, paints a bleak picture of how people feel about the US economy amid the war in Iran and ahead of the key midterm elections this fall. Continue reading...

• Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has questioned the credibility of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the alleged embezzlement of Ram Temple donations. • Yadav alleges that the decision to use an SIT rather than a central agency is driven by a "power struggle" between the BJP's central leadership in Delhi and the state leadership in Lucknow. • The controversy highlights political tensions regarding the transparency and jurisdiction of the investigation into the missing temple funds.

• Factions within the Iranian regime are intensifying internal infighting, signaling a structural crisis and a system in irreversible decline. • The struggle is driven by growing public unrest, political paralysis, and mounting uncertainty regarding diplomacy, war, and future succession. • This instability undermines the traditional power balance where the Supreme Leader acted as the final arbiter to contain factional conflicts.

• The EUR/USD pair maintained modest gains on Friday, though growth stalled as the US Dollar stabilized following a weaker-than-expected US jobs report. • Market activity remained subdued due to the closure of US financial markets for the Independence Day holiday. • Despite initial energy market disruptions and oil price spikes caused by the Iran war four months ago, the US economy has shown significant resilience.

• A severe heatwave across Europe is causing critical infrastructure failure, resulting in melted roads and traffic lights in Italy and Germany, as well as halted trams in Leipzig. • The extreme weather has led to significant casualties, with the UN reporting over 1,300 excess deaths since June 21 and numerous drowning incidents in France and Poland. • Energy grids are under immense strain, forcing war-torn Ukraine to restrict energy use and causing capacity struggles even in Denmark.

• Internal power struggles within the Iranian regime have intensified as rival factions clash over the direction of the country's nuclear talks. • The conflict has escalated beyond foreign policy disagreements, evolving into a bitter battle for political influence at the highest levels of government. • These regime divisions are coinciding with public protests that continue to challenge the stability of the existing political system.

• Asian markets showed mixed results as investors balanced a pause in U.S.-Iran hostilities against the risks of firm oil prices and a strong U.S. dollar. • Regional indices saw varied movement, with Hong Kong's Hang Seng rising 2.1% to 23,153.89 and the Shanghai Composite edging up 0.2% to 4,034.08. • Gains in Japan and South Korea, previously driven by AI-related chip demand, faced pressure due to growing concerns over artificial intelligence valuations.

• India's music industry is experiencing overall revenue growth, yet film producers are facing significant difficulties in selling movie soundtracks. • Music labels have adopted a more cautious approach, prioritizing soundtracks with long-term "durability" and high replay value on streaming platforms. • This shift reflects a change in consumption patterns where streaming longevity is now more valuable than the traditional one-time sale of a film's music.

• Ukraine has officially opened European Union accession talks, focusing on a set of "Fundamentals" that include democracy, the rule of law, and anti-corruption measures. • Despite this progress, the process is threatened by a persistent power struggle and unresolved judicial reforms within Ukraine's legal system. • The move has been welcomed domestically in Kyiv, while Russia maintains a contradictory stance, claiming it does not oppose Ukraine's integration into the EU.

Many of France’s buildings are not designed for hot weather – and low-income housing estates are suffering the worstLiving in a sweltering, seventh-floor flat on a concrete housing estate south of Paris, Samira said she was feeling desperate as France experienced its highest temperatures on record this week. “Yesterday I sat down and cried, I thought I’m going to die,” said the 35-year-old single parent and former building caretaker.Her flat in Ris-Orangis in Essonne is, like millions of apartments in France, poorly insulated and lacking in outside window shutters. “Blazing sun hits my windows all day – I can’t breathe, I feel dizzy, there is no air,” she said. Continue reading...

Ten years ago Ebbw Vale had the highest proportion of leave voters in Wales despite huge EU funding, which has not been fully replacedWhere Ebbw Vale’s steelworks once stood is now a cluster of gleaming modern buildings including a hospital, a leisure centre and a college. Over the past decade, these public facilities have been joined by a public-private cybersecurity research centre and two tech firms. A new railway station opened at the site in 2015.Yet, during the Guardian’s visit to the Welsh valleys town last week, the area was quiet. Nearly as many sheep as people appeared to be using the new facilities: a ewe and three lambs, escaped from somewhere, busied themselves in a strip of rewilded land next to the tech buildings. Continue reading...

Northern Ireland’s justice minister says online ‘bad faith actors’ have incited racism in city after knife attackThe disorder in Belfast was fuelled by people online who would have struggled to find the city on a map before a recent stabbing attack, a senior Northern Ireland minister has said.Naomi Long, the minister of justice of Northern Ireland and leader of the Alliance party, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that “bad faith actors” had incited racism in the city. Continue reading...

• IBM reports that AI spending is projected to surge from under 15% of total IT budgets in 2025 to nearly 25% by 2027. • Security and compliance concerns are the primary obstacles to scaling, with nearly 59% of respondents identifying these as top barriers. • The study highlights operational instability, noting that surveyed organizations experienced an average of 54 AI agent incidents requiring human intervention over the past year.

• Approximately 25% of mid-sized firms across Europe are currently struggling to secure necessary financing to maintain or grow their operations. • This funding gap creates a significant hurdle for the business landscape, potentially stifling innovation and economic stability within the region. • The dilemma highlights a systemic disconnect between the capital needs of mid-market enterprises and the available lending options.

• PV Sindhu is facing the challenge of maintaining a high level of performance on the BWF Tour as she navigates the physical demands of aging. • Like other veteran Indian athletes such as Virat Kohli and Vinesh Phogat, Sindhu is relying on a stubborn drive to continue competing at the elite level. • Despite her success, she still seeks key titles, including an Olympic gold, an Asian Games gold, and victories at the All England and Malaysia Super 1000.

• SoftBank plans to invest 75 billion euros in France to develop and operate 5 GW of AI data center capacity. • The initiative includes an initial 3.1 GW of facilities in northern France and a partnership with Schneider Electric to build an industrial production cluster in Dunkirk. • This massive investment aims to bolster Europe's AI infrastructure as the region currently struggles to keep pace with the technological advancements of the U.S. and China.

Survey finds consumers cannot reliably access 4G or 5G, highlighting weaknesses in digital infrastructure More than four in 10 consumers struggle to access 4G or 5G on their mobile devices for at least half the time they are on the move, according to a survey that highlights the poor state of the UK’s digital infrastructure.The poll of more than 2,000 people who use digital devices found that 45% feel frustrated with mobile connectivity outside the home at least once a week. Among 18- to 24-year-olds, that figure rises to 57%. Continue reading...

A difficult job market and rising costs are making it harder for young adults to enter adulthoodYoung people are already facing the worst entry-level job market since the start of the pandemic and significant economic instability.But overall economic conditions are making it more challenging for those just entering adulthood. More than eight in 10 young adults rate the economy as “bad” or “terrible”, according to a recent survey conducted with more than 1,000 18- to 34-year-olds around the US by Generation Lab, a research firm studying young people. While young adulthood is known as a time for establishing independence and responsibility, many are attempting to do so amid cuts to social safety net programs and the ever-increasing costs of basic needs like gas and groceries. Continue reading...

Job seekers say the lack of opportunities has affected their mental health and left them fearing for the futureWhen Catherina finished her degree in digital film production in London, she thought her prospects of finding work were good, but she has found the jobs market tough. Continue reading...

Firms do not offer cover for some models, or charge more than for equivalent petrol cars, research findsUK insurers are more hesitant to cover some hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs) from China than cars from other countries, research suggests.While some drivers can save money by buying cars made in China, they may have more limited options to get insurance than those buying electric, hybrid and petrol cars from Europe, the US and South Korea. Continue reading...

Exclusive: state is now without caps on political donations or disclosure requirements, months out from November electionGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast“Unlimited dark money” will keep flooding into Victorian politics after Labor failed to reach agreement with the Liberals or the Greens about donation reforms the Allan government vowed to fast-track through parliament.Victoria is now without caps on political donations or disclosure requirements, months out from the November election after the high court struck down the state’s donation laws last month. Continue reading...

The PM is clearly not prepared to risk backlash from Asian energy trading partners during a fuel crisis – but his government will face domestic challenges if it doesn’t move eventuallyGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastTwo separate events on Monday – one in rain-soaked Canberra, the other in sunny Gladstone – neatly explain why the federal government won’t pursue a new gas export tax in next week’s budget and why it might have no choice but to do so in the future.In the nation’s capital, Anthony Albanese hosted his Japanese counterpart, Sanae Takaichi, for annual leaders’ talks that coincided with the 50th anniversary of the signing of a landmark treaty between the two nations. Continue reading...

Company had struggled to increase post-pandemic demand before war in Iran pushed up jet fuel costsSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxSpirit Airlines is preparing to cease operations after the beleaguered company ran out of cash and a rescue attempt by the Trump administration appeared to stall.The company struggled to make a deal with its creditors and secure funding to maintain operations, according to a Wall Street Journal report citing people familiar with the matter. Continue reading...

• The New York Mets lost their 12th consecutive game following Devin Williams' struggles in the ninth inning, allowing two runs in a defeat highlighted on SNY's Post Game Live. • Gary Apple and Todd Zeile reacted to Williams' performance costing the team, amid ongoing woes for the squad covering New York sports. • Juan Soto returned to the lineup on Wednesday, providing a potential boost as Mets seek to end their skid in MLB action.

Social workers in England say they often have no choice but to place children in unregistered settings because no one else will take themThe sinking feeling is familiar now, says Anna*. It’s Friday, the clock is ticking, and there is a vulnerable child in her care for whom – despite hitting the phones for days – she cannot find a place. Once the foster carers have been exhausted, and the registered private children’s homes begged, there is nothing for it but to look elsewhere.“It always seems to be on a Friday that you are struggling to place a child,” says the social worker. “They need somewhere safe tonight. You’re calling everywhere, already knowing the answer will be, ‘we haven’t got any spaces’. And then you’re left with what’s left of a hotel, a caravan … somewhere you know isn’t right, but you don’t have a choice.” Continue reading...

Republicans had hoped that Trump’s 2025 tax cuts would be at the forefront of voters’ minds, but many have reportedly not noticed a differenceSign up for the Breaking News US emailHello and welcome to the US politics live blog.It is Tax Day and Republicans are ramping up their efforts to highlight last year’s sweeping tax cuts and turn them into political capital.Eric Swalwell officially resigned from Congress amid the threat of an expulsion vote and other misconduct allegations he has denied. A special election to fill his vacant seat will be held 18 August. At a Los Angeles press conference this morning, Lonna Drewes accused Swalwell of drugging and raping her in 2018, telling reporters she “did not consent to any sexual activity.”The House still needs to pass a bill to fund several Department of Homeland Security (DHS) subagencies, like the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the Coast Guard, amid a record-breaking partial government shutdown. The Senate advanced measure that remedies this funding lapse, but doesn’t include money for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and border patrol, has stalled in the lower chamber.Meanwhile, House Democrats on Tuesday proposed creating a commission that would work with JD Vance to remove Donald Trump from office under the 25th amendment, should they determine he is no longer fit to serve. The measure, introduced by Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on the House judiciary committee, follows a series of statements from Trump, including his recent warning that Iran’s “whole civilization will die” if it did not capitulate to his demands, and a social media post that depicted him as Jesus Christ.Donald Trump has said that talks with Iran could resume in Pakistan over next two days, according to an interview with the New York Post. “You should stay there, really, because something could be happening over the next two days, and we’re more inclined to go there,” Trump was quoted as saying.The US state department said Tuesday that Israel and Lebanon have agreed to launch direct negotiations at a mutually agreed-upon time and place. The state department “expressed hope” that the meeting between Israel and Lebanon would “lead to peace agreement”.The Senate will hold its confirmation hearing for Kevin Warsh, the president’s pick to fill the vacant seat of Federal Reserve chair, next week, on 21 April. Both Republicans and Democrats on the Senate Banking Committee are expected to probe Warsh about his wealth and ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, as well as his views on the Fed’s independence.The justice department has asked a federal appeals court to throw out the seditious conspiracy convictions of several leaders of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, who were involved in the January 6 attack on the US Capitol. In a court filing today, the department asked the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit to vacate the convictions – a step further than moves Donald Trump made to commute the leaders’ prison sentences last January when he granted clemency to all defendants charged in the attack. Continue reading...