It was Seinfeld who famously quipped about the similarities between life's earlier and later birthdays: either way, " you just kind of sit there, you don't know what's going on, people have to help you blow out the candles, you don't even know why you're there. "
Read this storyIRAN
Much as we foreshadowed, Sunday’s big peace deal news is now giving way to mutual recriminations on the details: Hezbollah has claimed hits on Israeli forces in Lebanon; the US is seemingly mulling a Gulf-funded $300B reconstruction fund for Iran; and outlets claim CIA boss John Ratcliffe has (like us) been sceptical about any Iranian nuclear concessions at all. (The Hill)
JAPAN
Japan’s central bank has raised its main rate to 1%, which will sound low for many foreigners but is actually Japan’s highest since 1995 after decades of post-bubble deflation. Successive governments have wielded the reform wand to reflate the economy, but Hormuz-linked inflation has been the proximate cause this time. (JapanTimes)
CHINA
Fresh data suggests China just recorded its first YoY drop in retail sales since 2022, while fixed asset investment also contracted by a worse-than-expected 4.0%. (WSJ $)
UNITED KINGDOM
Prime Minister Starmer has announced the UK’s own social media ban for under-16s, going further than Australia’s world-first by extending Britain’s restrictions to also cover gaming and livestreaming sites. (No. 10)
SINGAPORE
Prime Minister Wong has used his World Cities Summit host duties to announce a new fellowship bringing mayors together in Singapore. (CNA)
HAITI
Unknown armed men have kidnapped top Haitian security official and respected professor James Boyard, along with his wife and six-year-old daughter (a US citizen). (Miami Herald)
KENYA
The 11th Our Ocean Conference kicks off in Kenya’s Mombasa today (Tuesday), the global event’s first-ever iteration on African soil. (Oceanographic Magazine)
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