Survey

• 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.

• The ASIFMA 2026 Asia-Pacific Capital Markets Survey has identified the top eight markets in the APAC region for ease of doing business. • Leading jurisdictions include Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, Japan, India, Taiwan, China Mainland, and South Korea. • The survey highlights 11 key product and service lines targeted for expansion, led by Equities, Fixed Income, FX, Asset Management, and ESG & Sustainability.

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has identified AI-led cyber threats as the top risk for lenders over the next 12 months. • The RBI warns that rapid advances in AI models, such as Claude Mythos, are increasing the sophistication, speed, and scale of cyber incidents. • A survey revealed that most lenders are currently in the "developing" or "intermediate" stages of cybersecurity readiness, with only a small minority reaching the "mature" stage.

• A recent survey by Piper Sandler's Chief Investment Officer (CIO) found that spending on Artificial Intelligence (AI) has moved beyond the experimental phase. • The survey indicates a significant shift in how companies approach AI, with investments becoming more substantial and integrated into core business operations. • This development suggests that AI is becoming a crucial component of business strategy, driven by its potential to enhance efficiency, decision-making, and innovation.

• A survey by ASIFMA reveals that two-thirds of 34 global financial firms plan to expand their Asia-Pacific operations over the next three years. • South Korea has emerged as a primary pivot point for growth, while firms express increased caution regarding investments in China and India. • Singapore continues to maintain strong appeal for financial institutions due to its strategic, multipolar geopolitical positioning.

• Consumer sentiment in the United States has increased in recent weeks, reversing a downward trend seen earlier this year. • According to a University of Michigan survey, the decline began following U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran in February and was exacerbated by soaring energy costs. • This shift indicates a positive change in how Americans perceive the economy after a period of instability and rising prices.

• UK households' inflation expectations declined further in the June Citi-YouGov survey, signaling that price concerns are becoming less entrenched. • Citi economist Callum McLaren-Stewart noted that readings have returned to levels seen before the conflict, suggesting a reduced risk of inflation expectations becoming "deanchored." • This trend is significant as it indicates growing consumer confidence in the Bank of England's ability to successfully control price pressures.

Fears hard-won gains in reducing child mortality over 20 years are at risk after end of USAID funding for nutrition programmesChild malnutrition in Nepal has reached “alarming” levels, according to the largest ever survey of under-fives in the country.The new figures came just over a year after USAID, the former US flagship agency closed by the Trump administration in 2025, stopped funding work on child nutrition in Nepal. Continue reading...

• FE Fundinfo's 2026 Asset Managers Report identifies fragmented fund data as a critical barrier to operational efficiency and distribution effectiveness for asset managers. • To address these gaps, firms are currently investing in new technology, specialized talent, and the consolidation of vendors to strengthen their operational foundations. • This issue matters because data silos hinder the ability of asset managers to scale their distribution and maintain streamlined internal processes.

• NASA is conducting a formal review of the progress made toward the "Pathways to Discovery in Astronomy and Astrophysics for the 2020s" Decadal Survey. • The review focuses on evaluating significant scientific discoveries and technological advancements that have emerged since the publication of the Astro2020 report. • This process is critical for assessing how changes in the facilities landscape and programmatic shifts may impact the implementation of planned missions.