Nepal’s “Gen Z” Protests Storm Parliament Youth anger erupts into political upheaval. In Kathmandu, thousands of young protesters stormed Nepal’s federal parliament, denouncing corruption, censorship, and unemployment. The unrest, led largely by Gen Z activists, forced the Prime Minister to resign. Protesters say they want a new generation of leadership that reflects their priorities: transparency, jobs, and digital freedom. Analysts warn of instability but also see potential for democratic renewal if reforms follow. The protests underscore how a rising youth demographic is reshaping politics in South Asia.

  🇮🇹 Italy’s General Strike Over Gaza Solidarity protests sweep across Italy , disrupting daily life. Italy witnessed a massive general strike , with over 75 municipalities participating in solidarity with Gaza . Schools closed, public services halted, and transport was disrupted. Unions and activist groups coordinated the strike to protest Italy’s perceived role in the conflict, calling for stronger humanitarian measures . The government has faced mounting pressure to clarify its position on Gaza and respond to public anger. Observers say the scale of the strike highlights growing European unrest over Middle East policies .

  🇺🇳 Trump Returns to UN Amid Escalating Conflicts Conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine dominate UN discussions. Donald Trump returned to the UN General Assembly, marking his first appearance since retaking office. His speech was overshadowed by ongoing wars in Gaza and Ukraine, which have intensified despite ceasefire talks. World leaders are watching closely to see whether U.S. policy will shift toward deeper engagement or retrenchment. Trump’s comments suggested support for Ukraine’s territorial claims but also hinted at reducing U.S. commitments abroad. The dual conflicts threaten to dominate UN diplomacy, highlighting divisions among major powers.

  🌱 EU to Announce New Climate Targets Soon Stronger emission pledges expected ahead of COP30 . During Climate Week in New York , EU leaders confirmed that new climate targets will be unveiled in the coming weeks. The goals are expected to include steeper emissions cuts and stronger renewable energy investments . European officials say the updated pledges will position the bloc as a leader ahead of the COP30 summit in Brazil. Environmental groups welcomed the move but urged the EU to pair targets with binding enforcement and financing for poorer nations . Businesses, meanwhile, are bracing for tougher regulations but see opportunities in green technology .

  📊 OECD Warns Tariff Impact Still Ahead Global growth resilient, but risks loom from trade shocks. The OECD raised its global growth outlook for 2025 , noting surprising resilience in key economies . But the group warned that the full brunt of U.S. tariffs has not yet been felt. While consumers and businesses have absorbed some costs, economists fear prolonged tariffs could weaken investment and trade flows . Sectors like autos , pharma , and furniture are especially exposed. The OECD urged governments to prepare for potential disruptions while continuing to pursue climate and digital transformation investments .

  💵 Global Investors Reenter Markets After U.S. Rebound Strong U.S. rally renews appetite for global equities. After weeks of cautious withdrawals, investors poured back into equity markets following a surprise U.S. rebound. Analysts said optimism around AI, stable inflation, and prospects for gradual Fed easing encouraged risk-taking. Emerging markets also benefited, with inflows to Asia and Latin America rising. Still, currency volatility remains a concern as tariffs and Fed policy weigh on capital flows. The return of global investors suggests renewed confidence — but strategists warn sentiment could flip quickly if inflation data disappoint or tariffs escalate further.

  💊 Drugmakers Expand U.S. Presence Amid Tariff Threat Tariff fears drive pharma giants to shift supply chains closer to home. Global drugmakers are fast-tracking plans to expand U.S. manufacturing facilities in response to looming 100% tariffs on branded drugs. The new trade policy aims to force companies to localize production, though critics warn it could drive up costs. European and Asian pharmaceutical shares dropped on the news, with Indian exporters hit hardest. Companies are now weighing whether exemptions for local investments will protect revenues. Analysts say the shift could reshape global supply chains, raising questions about drug pricing, availability, and competition in the coming years.

  🌐 Global Equity Funds See Inflows; AI Optimism Helps Sentiment Investors return to equities as AI and easing hopes fuel optimism. After weeks of outflows, global equity funds attracted fresh capital. Renewed optimism around artificial intelligence — with major firms announcing new breakthroughs — combined with relief over U.S. inflation data to restore confidence. Asian and European markets benefited, while U.S. tech giants led the rebound. Analysts noted that AI remains the strongest single driver of equity flows , offsetting broader macro uncertainty . Still, investors remain selective, favoring growth and innovation sectors over cyclical industries that remain vulnerable to tariffs and slowing demand .

  📈 Wall Street Gains After Inflation Data Meets Expectations U.S. equities rose after inflation matched forecasts, easing fears of aggressive Fed moves. Tech stocks led the rebound.

  📉 Stocks Pressured by Fed Rate-Cut Doubts & New Trump Tariffs Volatility picked up as traders weighed Fed signals and fresh tariff headlines . What’s driving the sell-pressure? Investors dialed back expectations for rapid U.S. rate cuts after recent Fed remarks emphasized a data-dependent path, even following September’s first trim. At the same time, the White House unveiled a sweeping tariff package — including 100% duties on branded pharmaceuticals (with exemptions for companies building U.S. plants) and 25% on heavy trucks , plus higher levies on furniture and other goods. Sources: Reuters ; Al Jazeera . How stocks reacted Drug-tariff shock hit pharma shares; broader markets turned choppy. Asia: Pharma and tech led losses after the drug-tariff shock and weaker IT outlooks (India’s Nifty/Sensex slipped as pharma exporters fell). Europe: Early dip, then some stabilization on hopes for carve-outs/caps for EU sectors. U.S.: Futures and cash trading wer...

   Israeli Forces Press Into Gaza City Amid Fragile Ceasefire Talks In recent days, Israeli tanks and infantry have advanced deeper into Gaza City , even as negotiations for a ceasefire persist. The intensifying ground push is heightening humanitarian risks and drawing global scrutiny. 📌 What’s Going On On September 24, 2025, Israeli tanks pushed further into Gaza City , as the military sought to encircle Hamas strongholds. Reuters These ground movements follow sustained airstrikes that killed at least 31 people , including a pregnant woman and her two children, as reported by local medics. Reuters Despite international pressure and ongoing ceasefire diplomacy, the offensive continues, raising fears of a widening conflict zone and mass displacement. Reuters +1 🧱 Underlying Motives & Strategy Militant Stronghold & Tactical Pressure Israel views Gaza City as one of the remaining Hamas bastions. By tightening control, it hopes to degrade Hamas' oper...

  📉 U.S. Business Activity Slows — But Inflation Pressures Are Tame Factories, offices, and shops report reduced growth in recent business surveys. In September 2025, U.S. manufacturing and services activity cooled for a second straight month, according to private business surveys. Companies cited higher costs , supply constraints , and uncertainty about demand as contributing to slower growth. Despite the slowdown, price pressures remained moderate — many firms said they were absorbing costs instead of passing them fully to customers. Some inflation metrics, such as core input cost indexes , show a flattening trend, suggesting the worst of cost pressures may be behind us. ⚙ Causes of the Slowdown Cost Headwinds Tariffs, energy prices, and global shipping disruptions continue to add to input expenses. Cautious Demand Consumers and firms appear pulling back investment in anticipation of more rate hikes or slower income growth. Supply Chain Friction ...

   Trump’s Ukraine Stance Raises Questions After years of erratic commentary, President Donald Trump has made a striking pivot: he now says that Ukraine can reclaim all territory lost to Russia — a reversal from past remarks suggesting compromises or territorial concessions. Al Jazeera +3 Reuters +3 Sky News +3 This shift came following his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the U.N. General Assembly . Reuters +2 AP News +2 🔄 From Concession to Full Reclamation Earlier, Trump had indicated Ukraine might need to cede land for peace. ABC +1 Now, he writes: “Ukraine, with the support of the European Union , is in a position to fight and WIN all of Ukraine back in its original form.” Sky News +2 Reuters +2 He also described Russia as a “paper tiger” and criticized its military performance. Sky News +2 Reuters +2 This is more than rhetoric: it signals a potential recalibration of U.S. posture toward the war. But whether it translates into co...

  . 📉 Market Volatility After Powell’s Comments: Global Investors on Edge Markets turned cautious after Powell’s remarks — uncertainty weighs on traders. 🏛 What Powell Said On September 24, 2025, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell spoke at an economic forum, refraining from committing to further rate cuts after last week’s 25 bps easing . Powell noted “inflation is still too high” to signal an aggressive cutting path. He emphasized that the Fed will continue to be data-dependent , leaving markets uncertain about how many more cuts may follow. Analysts now see the Fed leaning toward a wait-and-see approach , monitoring inflation trends and employment figures. Investor mood mixed: some cautious selling, some defensive buying. U.S. Equities : The S&P 500 and Nasdaq dipped slightly , with tech leading losses as investors priced in uncertainty about borrowing costs. Dollar : Strengthened against a basket of major currencies, as Powell’s tone suggested rest...

  U.S. Visa Policy Draws Fire: $100,000 Fee on New H-1B Visas Sparks Backlash In September 2025, President Donald Trump announced a major overhaul to the H-1B visa program : companies seeking to bring in new skilled foreign workers would now have to pay a one-time $100,000 fee per application, a sharp jump from the few thousand dollars such petitions previously cost. Reuters +2 Wikipedia +2

   Global Markets Brace on Fed Cuts: Anticipation, Risk & Reaction As the U.S. Federal Reserve begins easing its benchmark interest rate, global financial markets are adjusting rapidly—balancing optimism over looser policy with caution about inflation and growth. The cuts are already reshaping flows, yields, and investor sentiment worldwide. 🏛 What Just Happened: Fed’s 25 bps Cut with Caution On September 17, 2025 , the Fed cut the federal funds rate by 25 basis points , moving the target range to 4.00–4.25% . Federal Reserve +2 Reuters +2 In its statement, the Fed emphasized that economic activity had moderated, job gains were slowing, and downside risks to employment had increased. Federal Reserve +1 But it also signaled caution: inflation remains above target, and the path forward will depend on incoming data. Reuters +2 Fidelity +2 Market participants see room for two more cuts later in 2025 , with projections anticipating rates falling into the 3.5–3.75 % ...

  🌐 Public Embraces Global Cooperation — But Trust in Institutions Is Waning A sweeping global survey of over 36,300 adults across 34 countries reveals a striking paradox: strong public support for international cooperation on critical global challenges — yet simmering distrust in the institutions tasked with delivering on that vision. Reuters +2 The Rockefeller Foundation +

  Oil Prices Edge Up Amid Rising Geopolitical Tension Oil markets are showing signs of life this week, nudged by renewed geopolitical risks across Europe and the Middle East. While the gains are modest, the underlying drivers suggest heightened sensitivity to supply disruptions and security flashpoints. 📈 What’s the Move? Brent crude rose about 34 cents (≈ 0.54%) to US$ 67.07/barrel in Asian trade. U.S. WTI (October contract) also gained 34 cents, touching US$ 63.02/barrel . Reuters However, the market remains balanced by countervailing pressures — oversupply concerns , weak demand outlooks , and rising exports from certain OPEC members . Investing.com +1 These incremental moves underscore how fragile sentiment is: headline news in strategic regions can swing market tone quickly. 🔍 What’s Pushing Prices Higher 1. Geopolitical Flashpoints & Security Worries Russian airstrikes near Ukraine and incursions into Estonian airspace have stirred concerns ove...