G20 summit in Brazil: What’s on the agenda, and why it matters

A global rise in renewable energy and data centre demand is driving a boom in battery storage for electricity grids, with Chinese companies currently holding nearly 90% of global energy storage capacity. However, U.S. tariffs have created an opportunity for South Korean firms to regain market share, as they shift focus to producing lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries. Despite challenges, CATL remains the dominant player, with significant growth expected in the battery storage market, which...

Beijing and Manila are accusing each other of illegal activities near Sandy Cay in the Spratly Isles, escalating regional tensions amid ongoing US-Filipino military exercises. Both nations showcased their flags in a display of sovereignty over the disputed sandbank, coinciding with the start of the annual “Balikatan” military drills, which for the first time will incorporate an integrated air and missile defense simulation. This situation highlights the complex territorial disputes in the South China Sea...

Sebastian Usher and Jessica RawnsleyBBC News, Jerusalem and LondonQatar's prime minister reported "a bit of progress" in ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas, with Hamas now open to a deal involving hostages in exchange for a temporary truce. However, Israel remains firm on not withdrawing its forces from Gaza, where the death toll has surged to over 52,000 amid ongoing hostilities. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas criticized Hamas and expressed the PA's readiness to govern...

In a tragic incident in Kansas City, Missouri, 29-year-old Firefighter-Paramedic Graham Hoffman was fatally stabbed by a patient he was transporting to a hospital on Sunday. Despite immediate emergency response and extensive medical efforts, he succumbed to his injuries. The suspect is in custody, and Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas has called for justice, emphasizing the senseless nature of this line-of-duty death. Full Article

The EY Item Club forecasts a significant slowdown in the UK economy, predicting a GDP growth of only 0.8% this year, largely due to the impact of Donald Trump’s global tariff war on consumer spending and business investment. This outlook coincides with a separate Ipsos Mori poll indicating that three-quarters of Britons anticipate economic deterioration, highlighting a notable decline in confidence, which has reached its lowest level on record. The combination of these findings suggests...

North Korea has confirmed the deployment of troops to fight alongside Russia in the Ukraine war, a decision made by Kim Jong-un under a 2024 strategic partnership treaty with Putin. The North Korean state news agency KCNA emphasized the "firm militant friendship" between the two countries, citing the recent military actions in Russia's Kursk region. Ukrainian officials estimate that around 14,000 North Korean soldiers have been sent, although they faced heavy casualties due to a...