Political violence and Trump's careless rhetoric are noted concerns, while Trump brokered a peace treaty between Rwanda and DR Congo and eased auto mileage mandates. An FBI arrest was made in the January 6 pipe bomb attack, Pentagon leadership is questioned over conduct, and the New York Times sued the Defense Department over press restrictions. Bond investors raised alarms over a potential Trump Fed nominee, as California Governor Newsom criticized corporate alignment with Trump, who called the US affordability crisis a 'hoax'.
HPE reported AI delays weighing on sales, while Meta shifted focus from metaverse to AI, planning significant spending cuts, and Docusign lifted its sales view due to subscription growth. US bipartisan bills seek to block Nvidia chip sales to China, and a legal AI software maker, Harvey, raised substantial funding, highlighting AI's potential to transform legal billing. OpenAI faced a 'code red' moment amid competition, while the EU launched an antitrust probe into Meta's WhatsApp AI policy.
Trump's potential derailment of the US-Mexico-Canada trade pact caused anxiety, while the EU is reviewing tariffs on Volkswagen EVs made in China, reflecting broader trade tensions. Oil futures were bolstered by the Ukraine war and US macro outlook, Japan's rising interest rates sparked global market worries, and India's soaring growth put its central bank in a tough spot. US plans to sanction China's spy agency were halted to maintain a trade truce, while China actively issued rare earths licenses, and Europe exhausted legal tricks to utilize frozen Russian assets.
Kroger aimed to cut prices by reducing costs, while Hormel expects improved profitability next year, and TD Bank boosted its dividend. Docusign lifted its sales outlook due to subscriptions, Dollar General raised its outlook on growing demand, and Watches of Switzerland posted higher earnings driven by US growth. Private equity firm 26North struck a deal for Middleby's luxury kitchen unit, while BP is in advanced talks to sell its Castrol unit, and General Dynamics faced criticism for armoured vehicle problems.
UK pension funds dramatically sold off domestic equities, while the FCA plans provisional licenses for financial start-ups to accelerate launch. The NHS is pressured to reduce private sector operations, and the government ordered a review into rising mental health diagnoses. Businesses cut jobs at the fastest pace since 2021, and Ofgem approved significant investment in energy infrastructure. Reform UK received a record donation, while mayoral elections were delayed and workers are set for unlimited compensation for unfair dismissal.
Trump announced a 'historic' peace treaty between Rwanda and DR Congo, while four countries boycotted Eurovision over Israel's participation. An inquiry found Putin authorized a 2018 novichok death, and Donald Trump's special envoy met Ukrainians after talks with Putin. Taiwan's president warned of growing Chinese military aggression, and a Chinese entrepreneur amassed IP addresses in Africa, stirring controversy. Federica Mogherini resigned amid a fraud probe, and Macron warned of disintegration risk to world order.
A US private equity firm halted the sale of a gas driller amid a lawsuit by an Abu Dhabi sovereign fund, highlighting conflicts in 'continuation deals'. Wall Street expressed concern over a potential Trump-backed Fed chair nominee, and analysts foresee a Fed rate cut in December, though 2026 remains uncertain. The First Brands financier indicated significant profits for some lenders from the bankrupt group, while stocks displayed an 'irrational rate-cut rally'.
Americans are flocking to dollar stores amid an affordability crunch, while Target tests new models for next-day delivery. Spotify's 'Listening Age' feature caused a stir, and self-driving cars are changing consumer perception of driving. Budget airlines plan a return to Ukraine, anticipating a boom in travel post-peace deal, and Cava maintains its no-discounting stance despite deals.
Building a chip factory in America proves challenging, exemplified by TSMC's Phoenix project and its need for trained local workers. The transformation of Phoenix into a semiconductor hub relies on attracting and integrating skilled Taiwanese workers, while Southeast Asia sees EV acceleration alongside Japan's data center bottlenecks. U.S. Steel is restarting a blast furnace at a plant Trump previously pushed to preserve.
The New York Times sued the Pentagon over new press restrictions, intensifying concerns about media freedom. Olivia Nuzzi and Ryan Lizza's book deal turned into a public "war of the exes," while Nigel Farage clashed with the BBC over antisemitism allegations. An Italian book fair faced criticism for rehabilitating a fascist imprint, and the 'Zootopia 2' creators faced a dispute over character inspiration. Jacinda Ardern's premiership was depicted in a movie, and culinary and cultural tours offer insights into global lifestyles.
The FDA warned that faulty glucose monitor sensors may be linked to seven deaths and hundreds of injuries. Brussels backed a softer regulatory regime for gene-edited plants, marking a significant shift in EU policy regarding agricultural biotechnology. Bill Gates warned aid cuts risk a big increase in child deaths, highlighting the global impact on public health.