Survey

Poll also finds sizeable majorities who believe it should be easier to install air con in homesGiven the choice, more people across five major European nations including the UK favour encouraging the adoption of air conditioning over keeping carbon emissions down, a survey has found.After four extreme heatwaves that have caused thousands of excess deaths across the continent, the survey showed between 30% and 52% of people in six countries had feared for their household’s health in temperatures close to or above 40C (104F). Continue reading...

• A mysterious political firm called Median admitted to fabricating multiple election polls this month in an attempt to influence public perception. • The fake findings were spread via polling aggregation accounts on social media, though they were excluded from major databases like The New York Times and Real Clear Politics. • The incident highlights the significant danger of unvetted election surveys and the ease with which misinformation can be disseminated online.

• India has replaced Indonesia as the "least-favoured" Asian stock market according to a recent fund managers' survey conducted by Bank of America Corp. • The shift comes as India's stock market ranks among the worst performing in Asia this year, leading many fund managers to maintain underweight positions. • This trend signals growing caution among global investors regarding the Indian market's current valuation and performance trajectory.

• The 2026 Navitas Agent Perception Survey identifies visa uncertainty and affordability as the primary concerns for international students today. • The findings are based on data collected in May 2026 from 870 education agents operating across 64 different countries. • This data is critical for recruitment strategies as it highlights the prevailing mindset and behavioral shifts of students navigating global education.

• The University of Michigan's Index of Consumer Sentiment dropped to 51, down from July's reading of 55.2. • This decline ends a two-month trend of improvement in consumer sentiment, signaling a shift in public perception. • The downturn is primarily driven by persistent concerns over inflation, which continue to weigh on US households.

• A recent survey by KeyBank reveals that 77% of companies rate their current business outlook as either "excellent" or "very good." • Businesses with positive outlooks are 26 percentage points more likely to seek growth capital compared to those with neutral or negative views. • The data suggests a strengthening trend in buy-side M&A activity, with significant growth expected to materialize in 2027 and 2028.

Big companies describe being under constant threat but only half have a plan in place to respond to an attackNearly a third of British manufacturers have been hit by a cyber-attack on them or a company in their supply chain, according to a survey that highlighted the growing hacking risk to companies.The findings come almost a year after Britain’s largest automotive employer, JLR, was hit by an attack that forced it to halt production for weeks. Continue reading...

When asked to detail what would make a better life in three to five years, 60% of US adults said greater financial securityAmericans may seem increasingly divided on beliefs and values, but in a new survey of more than 30,000 adults from across the country spanning generations and economic classes, a majority of Americans agree there’s a significant barrier to achieving a better life: the rising cost of living.When asked to describe what a better life in three to five years would look like, 60% of Americans said they wanted greater financial security, according to a survey that was conducted by the McKinsey Institute for Economic Mobility and the WK Kellogg Foundation in mid-April. Continue reading...

• EY Insights released its latest ‘Quarterly Economic Pulse’ report on July 30, 2026, urging Europe to enhance its innovation and strengthen the single market to remain competitive against China. • The report highlights Spain's economic resilience, forecasting a GDP growth rate of up to 2.5 per cent for the country. • These recommendations come as a strategic response to escalating tariffs and global trade tensions affecting the European region.

Vast majority of farm workers say raids and deportations have affected their jobs and 61% report shopping lessSign up for the Breaking News US newsletter email Farm workers in the US are reeling from the Trump administration’s crackdown on immigration, including increased raids and deportations, according to a new survey conducted by the United Farm Workers Foundation released on Thursday.The survey features responses from 2,250 farm workers, many of whom are undocumented, about their experiences with immigration enforcement that has intensified under the second Trump administration. Continue reading...

• Key Data released a new election poll for Spain on July 17, 2026, analyzing potential majority scenarios and coalition options. • The survey utilizes a specialized algorithm to test various political developments and typical voter migration patterns to determine party success rates. • These findings are critical for understanding the current political landscape and the likelihood of different government formations.

Losing funds should force leaders to confront their own challenges, they said, while many voiced concerns over increasing foreign influence A quarter of young Africans believe aid cuts by the US could have a positive impact, saying that losing foreign money will force leaders to confront and solve their own challenges, according to a new survey.In Ghana and Nigeria, almost half (41% and 40% respectively) of young people aged 18 to 24 were optimistic, with Liberia not far behind (37%). A further one in 10 (11%) young people were uncertain about the impact, according to the African Youth Survey, which interviewed almost 5,000 people across 16 of the continent’s 54 recognised countries. Continue reading...

• The European Central Bank (ECB) released a new survey indicating a forecast for lower economic growth and higher inflation across the eurozone. • The report suggests a challenging economic outlook, as rising price pressures coincide with a slowdown in overall productivity and expansion. • These findings are critical for policymakers as they determine whether to maintain high interest rates to combat inflation or pivot to support flagging growth.

• The European Central Bank (ECB) has unveiled ten shortlisted design proposals for new euro banknotes. • To determine the final selection, the ECB's Governing Council has launched an online public survey inviting citizens across Europe to vote on their preferred designs. • This initiative allows the public to directly influence the visual identity of the single currency, ensuring the new notes reflect the values of the euro area.

• On July 23, 2026, the European Central Bank (ECB) unveiled ten shortlisted designs for the next series of euro banknotes. • The public is invited to participate in an online survey to provide feedback on the designs, which feature themes of European culture, rivers, and birds, until September 21, 2026. • ECB Executive Board member Piero Cipollone stated the redesign aims to ensure cash remains a secure, relevant payment option while reducing environmental impact through eco-friendly materials and improved longevity.

• Euro zone banks are tightening credit standards due to rising geopolitical instability and energy risks, according to the latest European Central Bank (ECB) Bank Lending Survey. • While demand for business loans has increased, lenders are rejecting a higher share of applications, particularly within the car industry and energy-intensive manufacturing sectors. • The ECB views these trends as consistent with expectations that conflict involving Iran will drag on economic growth by increasing oil prices and reducing manufacturing profits.

• The European Central Bank (ECB) has released a survey analyzing the access to finance for enterprises within the euro area for the second quarter of 2026. • The analysis utilizes firm-level survey data collected from Q2 2024 through Q2 2026, focusing on changes occurring in three-month intervals. • Aggregate indicators are calculated as weighted averages based on country, economic activity, and firm size, where positive values signal a deterioration in financing conditions.

• The European Central Bank (ECB) reports that firms continue to view the general economic outlook as the primary constraint on accessing external financing, with the net percentage rising to 29% from 26%. • Despite these constraints, there has been a slight improvement in banks' willingness to lend, increasing from a net 5% to 6%. • These findings highlight the ongoing tension between cautious corporate sentiment and a marginal easing of banking restrictions within the euro area.

Comedian backs LGBTQ+ theatre in ‘David v Goliath’ fight. Follow today’s news live Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastGood morning and welcome to our live news blog. I’m Martin Farrer with the top overnight stories and then it will be Nick Visser with the main action.Comedian Josh Thomas has weighed in on the Divine Playhouse saga, a queer-friendly theatre pop-up in Sydney that has been kicked out by its landlord. Continue reading...

• Deloitte Thailand's "2026 M&A Trends" survey reveals a "tale of two markets" where corporate confidence in mergers and acquisitions is returning alongside increased caution. • Organizations are increasingly integrating AI into critical deal phases, including target screening, due diligence, risk assessment, and post-merger integration planning. • This shift matters as AI allows deal teams to analyze larger data volumes and identify risks faster, though human judgment remains essential for final decision-making.

• A Gigamon survey reveals that 66% of financial firms allow AI security automation to operate autonomously, while 77% of these firms have experienced breaches via AI. • The report highlights a growing vulnerability, with 47% of firms reporting an increase in attacks specifically targeting AI and Large Language Model (LLM) deployments. • This trend is critical because security AI is increasingly being treated as an attack surface rather than just a defense mechanism, while detection speeds continue to slow.

The advocacy group’s Where We Are In Film study finds a decrease in queer people of color and zero trans characters in 2025 filmsLGBTQ+ characters are slowly disappearing from film in a trend that disproportionately affects LGBTQ+ characters of color, according to a report published today.An annual study of films by Glaad (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) has found that just 46 of 225 films released in 2025 contained LGBTQ+ characters, making only 20.4% of last year’s movies inclusive of the queer community. Continue reading...

• A Brookfield survey reveals that 83% of high-net-worth (HNW) women in Asia now hold alternative assets, surpassing the 73% of HNW men. • The study focused on 275 investors from Singapore, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, each possessing at least US$2.5 million in household investable assets. • These results indicate that wealthy women in the region currently hold stronger investment convictions regarding alternative asset classes than their male counterparts.

• Recent surveys highlighted by Xinhua indicate a significant decline in the United States' image and reputation among its global allies. • The data suggests a growing distrust in U.S. foreign policy and its ability to maintain stable international partnerships. • This shift matters as it potentially weakens Western diplomatic coalitions and diminishes U.S. influence in strategic geopolitical regions.

• A recent Deloitte survey reveals that 89% of respondents support integrating AI-led data processing into the GSTN 2.0 framework to enhance tax compliance in India. • The shift toward AI is expected to significantly accelerate GST compliance processes by automating data handling and reducing manual errors. • This transformation matters as it aims to streamline tax administration, improve accuracy, and reduce the burden on businesses navigating the GST system.

• A mid-2026 European Central Bank (ECB) analysis reveals a significant wealth gap, with Europeans aged 16-34 holding a median net wealth of EUR24,600, representing just 18% of the overall average. • High housing costs and rents are identified as primary barriers to saving and homeownership, making wealth heavily dependent on inheritance and family support rather than individual earnings. • Regional disparities are stark: Slovakia leads with a median wealth of EUR74,600 for this group, while among major economies, Italy (EUR53,500) significantly outperforms France (EUR27,700) and Spain (EUR23,700).

• The Vera Rubin Observatory has officially launched an unprecedented 10-year survey designed to map the solar system and the Milky Way. • The project aims to create a comprehensive new inventory of celestial bodies and investigate the elusive nature of dark matter. • This initiative matters as it provides a massive scale of data that could fundamentally change our understanding of the universe's composition.

• The Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile has launched an unprecedented survey of the southern sky to map the solar system and the broader universe. • The project utilizes the largest camera ever constructed to capture high-resolution data on the Milky Way galaxy and distant celestial objects. • This initiative matters as it provides the most detailed survey of the universe to date, allowing astronomers to peer deeper into space than previously possible.