Markets, companies, technology, economic influence and leadership.
The El Niño climate phenomenon, causing major disruptions in the Pacific Ocean, threatens global cocoa production. According to RFI, the decline could reach 300,000 to 400,000 tonnes, mainly affecting plantations in West Africa and South America.
French unions have called for a strike among public sector workers—including train drivers, teachers, healthcare staff, and police—to protest the government's proposed salary freeze. This action comes days before the 2027 budget is presented.
On October 1, the French government will present its 2027 finance bill targeting a public deficit reduction to 5% of GDP. Proposed measures include freezing civil servants' salary index, increasing retirees' contributions, and removing ineffective tax breaks to avoid tax hikes during the election year.
NASA's Armstrong Center, site of the first supersonic flight in 1947, celebrates 80 years of aeronautical innovation. It now develops the X-59 quiet supersonic aircraft and supports Artemis lunar missions.
NASA and Katalyst Space's Swift Boost mission to raise the Neil Gehrels Swift telescope orbit concluded without success. Despite this, NASA highlights the mission's valuable lessons for future low Earth orbit satellite maintenance.
New Zealand has announced a new contribution to the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) to enhance food safety and animal and plant health systems in developing countries, particularly in the Pacific. This funding supports projects based on international standards to facilitate safe and inclusive trade, contributing to food security and sustainable development.
Kristie Foster, quality engineer at Stennis Space Center, became a NASA civil servant in June 2026, supporting Artemis missions by overseeing propulsion test facility quality and safety, including Blue Origin's New Glenn tests.
At a European Parliament hearing, ECB President Christine Lagarde emphasized AI accounts for about 10% of corporate investments in 2026 and already influences a quarter of credit growth, affecting productivity, competitiveness, inflation, and labor market crucial for monetary policy.
Meta announced Meta Enterprise Platform, a new AI-focused division to help businesses innovate, grow, and transform operations, led by Chirantan "CJ" Desai.
French prosecutors have requested a two-year house arrest sentence with electronic monitoring for former minister Rachida Dati in a corruption case linked to a 2009 contract with Renault-Nissan.
The European Commission has launched the first Cardiovascular Health Screening Week and adopted a recommendation to enhance early detection of cardiovascular diseases to reduce premature mortality.
Facing declining fuel tax revenues due to rising gasoline prices and increased electric vehicle sales, a French institute proposes reinstating an annual vignette for motorists to offset losses without reducing fuel taxes.
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