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As of December 2025, UK and US retailers report mixed financial results amid subdued consumer confidence and economic uncertainty. Watches of Switzerland sees robust US demand and tariff relief, while Frasers Group faces UK sales declines despite international growth. Walmart raises forecasts on strong e-commerce and affluent shoppers. Target and home improvement chains report sales challenges, prompting investments and cautious outlooks.
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On October 10, 2025, President Donald Trump announced a deal with AstraZeneca to lower drug prices for Medicaid patients by matching the lowest prices in developed countries. The agreement includes AstraZeneca's commitment to invest $50 billion in U.S. manufacturing by 2030 and participation in the upcoming TrumpRx website, which will sell discounted drugs directly to consumers starting in early 2026.
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Moldova's upcoming parliamentary vote is overshadowed by investigations into alleged Russian-backed plans to incite unrest and influence the election. Authorities have detained 74 suspects linked to money laundering, disinformation, and plans for mass riots, amid accusations of Russian interference and hybrid warfare tactics.
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On September 19, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing a $100,000 one-time fee on new H-1B visa applications, up from $215. The move aims to prioritize American workers and reduce visa abuse but has sparked confusion, legal challenges, and concerns over impacts on tech firms and foreign workers, especially from India, which received 71% of visas last year.
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Gold has reached a record inflation-adjusted high in September 2025, with analysts forecasting prices above $4,000 by year-end. The rally is driven by economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, and central bank buying, making gold a key safe haven asset amid rising inflation and interest rate cuts.
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As of October 2025, OpenAI's valuation surged to $500 billion following a $6.6 billion secondary share sale by current and former employees to investors including SoftBank, Thrive Capital, and MGX. Despite not yet turning a profit, OpenAI has secured massive AI infrastructure deals with Oracle, Nvidia, and AMD, fueling rapid growth and complex partnerships across Silicon Valley's AI ecosystem.
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The US is expected to sign new rules for H-1B visas, which are intended to attract high-skilled foreign workers. Critics argue the program has become a pipeline for overseas workers willing to accept lower wages, often undercutting US tech salaries. The move is scheduled for today, September 26, 2025.
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Recent developments include a large lease at Brooklyn's 25 Kent, Summit's purchase of 444 Madison Ave., and Jerusalem's Midtown project. Meanwhile, Gaza faces destruction of residential towers amid ongoing conflict. These events highlight shifts in urban development and market confidence.
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Austin, Texas, has emerged as the most affordable U.S. city for renters, with rents declining 7% year-over-year and only 16.5% of income spent on rent. This shift follows increased housing supply and policy reforms after pandemic-driven migration, contrasting with other major metros where rent-to-income ratios remain high.
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The US Chamber of Commerce has filed a lawsuit contesting President Trump's $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa applications, arguing it exceeds legal authority and disrupts the visa system. The fee aims to limit foreign workers but faces opposition from industry groups and legal challenges.
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Netflix's latest quarterly earnings reveal a profit shortfall due to a $619 million Brazilian tax expense, breaking a six-quarter profit streak. Despite revenue growth and increased global subscribers, shares fell after the report, amid mixed analyst opinions on the company's future growth and diversification efforts.
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New data shows a 41.9% decline in new-home sales among China's top 100 property firms, marking a sharp downturn after brief stabilization. Vanke faces mounting losses amid ongoing sector struggles, with significant debt maturities and falling prices threatening further declines.
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Industry leaders and pension funds are lobbying the UK government to increase domestic investment, with proposals to require pension schemes to allocate at least 25% of assets to UK equities. Meanwhile, a major burger chain is up for sale, and industry voices warn of fiscal risks ahead of the upcoming budget.
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RedBird Capital has withdrawn its bid to acquire the Telegraph Media Group, ending a nearly two-year effort amid political and regulatory scrutiny. The move leaves the future of the UK newspaper uncertain, with potential new bidders expected to emerge as the sale process restarts.
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US Thanksgiving food costs are volatile amid rising wholesale turkey prices due to avian flu, while consumer sentiment hits 40-year lows. Retailers and politicians present conflicting data on affordability, with some claiming prices are down, but wholesale costs and consumer worries suggest ongoing inflation pressures.