Discussions center on the environmental costs of industries, like China's rare earths dominance, global efforts in renewable energy, such as solar initiatives in India and Pakistan, and the challenges posed by extreme weather events like Texas floods.

• China Has Paid a High Price for Its Dominance in Rare Earths — The New York Times Business -
• Solar ‘model village’ illuminates challenges in India — Financial Times -
• US withdrawal leaves energy transition funding gap in south-east Asia — Financial Times -

• Australia learns to battle simultaneous floods and droughts — Financial Times -
• Campaigners call for ‘spirit’ of ambition in China climate targets — Financial Times -
• Japan switches back to nuclear, 14 years after Fukushima — Financial Times -
• Shift to solar comes at a price for Pakistan’s national grid — Financial Times -
• Texas floods toll exceeds 80 as search for missing girls continues — Financial Times -
• Texas flood kills at least 67 with more rain forecast — Financial Times -
• Has There Ever Been a Better Time to Buy an EV? — Wall Street Journal -
• Mining boss calls for price support to challenge China’s critical minerals dominance — Financial Times -
• The natural gas trap — Financial Times -
• Union claims grid companies are incentivised not to maintain plants — Financial Times -
• China’s Rare Earth Origin Story, Explained — The New York Times Business -

Key developments include China's strategies to circumvent Trump's tariffs by rerouting exports, imminent US trade deal deadlines, and China's global acquisition of mines to secure critical resources.

• FirstFT: China redirects exports via south-east Asia in bid to evade Trump’s tariffs — Financial Times -
• China reroutes exports via south-east Asia in bid to dodge Trump’s tariffs — Financial Times -
• Growing pains and absent leaders hang over Brics summit — Financial Times -

• Bessent Says He Expects Trade Deals by This Week’s Deadline — The New York Times Business -
• Donald Trump’s tariff deadline looms — Financial Times -
• China snaps up mines around the world in rush to secure resources — Financial Times -
• Japan’s shipbuilders look to consolidation to take on China — Financial Times -

The burgeoning influence of AI is evident, from its potential as a boon for 'high agency' individuals and China's thriving AI development hubs to broader discussions on its societal implications and impact on graduates' job prospects.

• Opinion | AI Is a Boon to ‘High Agency’ People — Wall Street Journal -
• It’s a bad time to be a graduate — Financial Times -
• She Wanted to Save the World From A.I. Then the Killings Started. — The New York Times Business -

• The Coder ‘Village’ at the Heart of China’s A.I. Frenzy — The New York Times Business -
• US industrial groups pivot to data centres amid AI boom — Financial Times -
• The Volkswagen Robotaxi That Wants to Rival Waymo and Tesla — Wall Street Journal -

The region faces heightened tensions with Israel's strikes on Yemeni ports and ongoing diplomatic efforts, including Netanyahu and Trump's discussions on a Gaza deal, amidst a humanitarian crisis as Gaza runs low on fuel.

• Israel strikes Yemeni ports soon after apparent Houthi attack on Red Sea vessel — Financial Times -
• Netanyahu and Trump to discuss new Gaza deal at White House — Financial Times -
• Tony Blair’s staff took part in ‘Gaza Riviera’ project with BCG — Financial Times -

• Iran’s supreme leader appears in public for first time since Israeli attack — Financial Times -
• Gaza on brink of running out of fuel in Israeli siege — Financial Times -
• Israel’s quiet war in the West Bank — Financial Times -

National policies and political actions are under scrutiny, including Elon Musk launching a US political party, the debate over progressive 'paucity' agendas in US cities, and UK ministers unveiling family support schemes.

• Musk launches US political party to fight ‘one-party system’ — Financial Times -
• Opinion | The Progressive Paucity Agenda—From Mamdani in New York to California — Wall Street Journal -
• Ministers to launch £500mn scheme to help struggling families — Financial Times -

• A tale of two Americas — Financial Times -
• Has Starmer placated gilt investors? — Financial Times -
• Boston’s biotech sector reels due to Trump health policy uncertainty — Financial Times -
• The Advertisers Spending Big in West Palm Beach Just to Reach Trump — Wall Street Journal -
• Berlin explores €4bn subsidies for German heavy industry — Financial Times -
• Americans put the brakes on #VanLife — Financial Times -
• Britain’s HS1 rail link was ‘poor value for money’, report finds — Financial Times -
• Retail investors reap big gains from ‘buying the dip’ in US stocks — Financial Times -
• Pension and housing policy is a war on Britain’s young — Financial Times -
• South Africa eyes removal from money laundering ‘grey list’ — Financial Times -

Businesses are adapting their strategies, as seen with Southwest Airlines' CEO introducing new fees, the entertainment industry's performance highlighted by 'Jurassic World Rebirth's' opening weekend, and shifts in marketing with brands taking back social media from influencers.

• ‘Jurassic World Rebirth’ Roars With $147 Million Domestic Opening — Wall Street Journal -
• Southwest’s C.E.O. on Why Now Is the Time for Bag Fees and Assigned Seats — The New York Times Business -
• How Brands Are Taking Back Social Media From Influencers — The New York Times Business -

• S. Daniel Abraham, Who Reaped Riches With Slim-Fast, Dies at 100 — The New York Times Business -
• British-made Typhoon production grinds to a halt raising fears about UK defence skills — Financial Times -
• PwC lines up UK managing partner as new Middle East head — Financial Times -
• Big Food’s snack binge unravels as Americans ditch sweet treats — Financial Times -