Australia – Tradies set for festive revenue surge as homeowners race to finish renovations – CBA

Source: Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA)

With the festive season fast approaching, homeowners are prioritising last-minute renovations – driving an expected revenue boost for tradies this quarter, according to new data from CommBank.

16 October 2025 – Small business revenue increased an average of 10 per cent in the three months to 31 December 2024 compared to the first quarter of 2025.

Construction leads the charge with a 19 per cent revenue boost in the festive quarter.

Electricians and plumbers see 16 per cent growth, while accommodation, cafes and restaurants remain steady at 4.8 per cent.

Australians focus on home improvements

Builders, electricians and plumbers are set to have a busy period leading up to Christmas, as CommBank data highlights the small business sectors most likely to benefit from the busy festive season.

CommBank’s business customer data over the last two years shows that small business revenue is typically around 10 per cent higher in the final quarter of the year (1 October – 31 December) compared to the first three months of a calendar year (January – March). Some sectors, however, are set to benefit more than others from the busy spending period.

CommBank Executive General Manager Small Business Banking, Bec Warren said rather than splurging at local boutiques, accommodation, cafes and restaurants – where revenue tends to remain steady year-round – Australians prioritise long-postponed home improvement projects before the New Year.

“Small businesses in construction saw a 19 per cent revenue boost between October to December last year, while electricians and plumbers also experienced a busy Christmas-period with revenue up 16 per cent,” said Ms Warren.

“Accommodation, cafes and restaurants were only up 4.8 per cent compared to the January-March 2025 period, perhaps signalling that the festive season continues well into the early months of the year.”

State-by-state highlights

Across Australia, project-driven sectors such as construction, utilities, and professional services dominate festive-season spending, with resources and government activity creating standout spikes in some regions.

Construction is king:

  • There was double-digit festive uplift in nearly every state during Q4 2024, led by Victoria (+21.4 per cent) and Queensland (+20.3 per cent), reflecting strong demand for building and renovation jobs.
  • Utilities surge in the south and territories: Electricity, Gas & Water jumped +30.5 per cent in Tasmania, +30.1 per cent in Victoria, and +23.4 per cent in ACT, highlighting infrastructure and energy demand.
  • Resources power on: WA (+13.2 per cent) and SA (+14.5 per cent) recorded strong gains.
  • Professional services and finance climb: Property & Business Services rose across most states, peaking in NT (+33.7 per cent), while Finance hit +59.3 per cent in NT and +21.6 per cent in Tasmania.
  • Retail and hospitality steady: Retail posted moderate gains nationwide, topping out in Victoria (+10.1 per cent), while Accommodation and Food Services remained flat or low growth in most regions.

Managing the peaks and troughs

CommBank data also shows that while small business revenue dips slightly in the first three months of the year, it typically rebounds from April onwards.

Ms Warren said while the festive spending season may provide a much-needed cash boost to the small business sector, there are pockets within it that are still doing it tough.

“We recognise that for some small businesses, the benefits from recovering household spending may come slower than for others and we are here to support them in navigating those challenges,” she added.

Ms Warren said there are steps small businesses can take now to maximise the lead up to Christmas as well as manage the quiet period at the beginning of the year.

“Small business owners who have been in the game for a while know that activity fluctuates throughout the year, so it’s about taking full advantage of the busier periods – perhaps by careful inventory planning, increasing marketing, and preparing for the quieter months.”

Tips for maximising revenue during the festive season

Boost marketing: 

  • Increase visibility through social media, local advertising, and customer loyalty offers. Use CommBank Business Insights in the app to identify peak spending times and tailor promotions accordingly.
  • Plan inventory and forecast trends: Use cashflow insights in the CommBank app for Business to forecast demand and plan stock levels. Leverage BizExpress for quick access to working capital to support incoming orders.
  • Make it easy for customers to buy: Offer easy check-out experience with flexible payment options and reliable POS systems to avoid downtime during peak trading.
  • Reduce costs: Maximising revenue sometimes means minimising operating costs; explore CommBank Yello for Business offers for discounts on essentials like energy, tech, and services. Automate processes with CommBank Smart Terminal and integrated POS solutions.
  • Upskill during the quiet period: Resources such as CommBank’s Small Business Masterclass offer free practical lessons, expert tools on areas such as AI and cashflow that provide helpful insights to business owners.

Human Rights – China: Hong Kong bookseller Gui Minhai must be released after decade of cruel secrecy

Source: Amnesty International

Ahead of the 10-year anniversary of the disappearance of Swedish bookseller Gui Minhai, who is currently imprisoned in an unknown location in China on unsubstantiated “spying” charges, Amnesty International’s China Director Sarah Brooks said:

“Ten years after Gui Minhai’s disappearance, his case stands as a chilling warning to anyone who dares to write or publish ideas that fall foul of the government’s censorship machine.

“Gui’s abduction, prosecutions and convictions violate every principle of international law. His case is not an isolated injustice, but an early example of a deliberate pattern of repression that seeks to silence dissent and that doesn’t hesitate to reach beyond China’s borders to do so. 

“Governments, in particular Sweden, other EU Member States and the EU itself, must not allow Gui Minhai to be forgotten. They should continue to publicly and consistently demand his release, exerting leverage through all tools at their disposal to urge the Chinese authorities to disclose his whereabouts and ensure consular access and the full protection of his rights.

“For a decade, China has kept Gui Minhai hidden from the world and, worse, those who love him — denying him regular access to his relatives, lawyers, and independent medical care. This cruel secrecy must end. Gui Minhai must be released immediately and unconditionally.”

Background

Gui Minhai’s Causeway Bay Bookstore in Hong Kong was known for its books on Chinese leaders and political scandals which are banned in mainland China but popular with mainland Chinese tourists visiting Hong Kong.

He went missing in Thailand on 17 October 2015 – one of five Hong Kong–based publishers and booksellers who disappeared in late 2015 after publishing books critical of the Chinese government.

Gui reappeared on Chinese state media in 2016, giving an apparently forced confession to a hit-and-run several years earlier.  He was released in 2017 but appears to have been under tight police surveillance, with his freedom of movement curtailed. He was seized by plainclothes police while travelling from Shanghai to Beijing for medical reasons with two Swedish diplomats in January 2018.

In February 2020, he was sentenced in a sham trial to 10 years in prison on charges of “illegally providing intelligence to foreign entities”. He remains in jail at an unconfirmed location and has been denied access to his family and Swedish consular officials. Chinese authorities claim that this is because he sought the reinstatement of his Chinese nationality – a claim belied by Swedish government statements confirming his desire to renew his identity documents.

His daughter Angela Gui has campaigned tirelessly for her father’s release and says she has faced intimidation from Chinese state agents in an attempt to silence her.

Pacific – Surgery should be lifesaving, not life-breaking: WHO calls for safer, affordable and accessible surgery in the Western Pacific

Source: World Health Organization (WHO) 

MANILA, 15 October 2025 – For a woman with obstructed labour, safe surgery can mean the difference between life and death. For a child with appendicitis, it can prevent lifelong complications. For a father with a diabetic foot infection, it can spare his leg. Yet across the Western Pacific, too many people still face unsafe, delayed surgery or cannot afford surgery altogether. These risks can turn a chance to heal into lasting harm.

WHO highlights that safe, accessible and affordable surgical care is essential for universal health coverage.  It is also one of the smartest investments in health, with the potential to avert 1.5 million deaths every year in low- and middle-income countries. But to deliver on this promise, systems must shift from isolated solutions to integrated, people-centred care.

“Surgery should save lives, not break them,” said Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific. “Every operation – no matter its scale and scope – must be safe, every patient must be protected from catastrophic costs, and every health worker must be equipped to deliver the best care. That's why at our upcoming 76th Regional Committee, we’re putting safer surgery on the agenda, calling on Ministers of Health and policymakers to drive solutions that benefit health for all.”

Why it matters

Surgical care improvements are not only for the operating theatre; they strengthen entire health systems as a part of continuum of care. To give every baby the best start in life, countries require adequate distribution of skilled health workforce. Fewer mortality from road injury demands strong promotion, prevention and referral system in place.  Safer surgery also forestalls the danger of antimicrobial resistance and builds resilience for emergencies.

Countries in the Western Pacific are already making progress:

  • Cambodia, Fiji, Mongolia, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu are improving sterilization, infection control, and appropriate antibiotic use in surgery. 
  • Lao People’s Democratic Republic and Papua New Guinea are strengthening essential intrapartum care to improve maternal, newborn and child care and reduce unnecessary caesareans or other surgical procedures. 
  • Solomon Islands is tackling diabetic foot complications by catching and treating cases early, reducing the need for amputations. 
  • Kiribati has pioneered leadership training for nurses, empowering them to improve hospital quality and governance from the ground up. 
  • Cambodia, Samoa and Tonga have launched national surgical, obstetric and anaesthesia plans (NSOAPs), prioritizing access to safe, timely and affordable surgical care for all. 

Looking ahead

At the 76th  session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Western Pacific, Member States will consider new steps to scale up safer surgery. WHO is urging governments to:

  • Embed essential surgery in universal health coverage packages to ensure essential surgical care is available for all and protect families from catastrophic costs. 
  • Expand the use of low-cost, proven safety measures like sterilization audits and the WHO Surgical Safety Checklist. 
  • Invest in leadership and governance so hospital teams, from surgeons to nurses, can sustain continuous quality improvements. 
  • Strengthen community-level referral systems to ensure timely, lifesaving surgical care as a part of Primary Health Care. 

WHO remains committed to working with countries and partners to “weave health for all,” reflecting its regional vision that interlaces efforts, resources, and expertise to protect health, keep the Western Pacific safer, and serve the more than 2.2 billion people who live in this vast region.

For more on the 76th WHO Regional Committee for the Western Pacific, visit:https://www.who.int/westernpacific/about/governance/regional-committee/session-76

Energy and Media – GridBeyond launches Energy Trends Podcast featuring industry leaders and energy experts

Source: GridBeyond

New York, 15 October 2025 – GridBeyond is proud to announce the launch of its new podcast, Energy Trends, a series that dives deep into the shifting dynamics of the global energy landscape.  

Hosted by Alden Phinney, GridBeyond’s Vice President of Business Development, the podcast features insights and expertise from industry leaders on the innovation driving change across the energy sector, from technologies and optimisation to trading, batteries and Artificial Intelligence.

In the first episode, Alden speaks with Pedro Robredo, Senior Vice President of the Americas, ABB Electrification Service. Together, they explore the intersection of energy, electrification, and infrastructure service models, and how partnerships like ABB and GridBeyond are driving transformation across the sector. The episode dives into how data-driven insights and intelligent automation are helping businesses move faster and seize new opportunities.  

“Energy Trends hosts the voices shaping the future of energy,” said Alden Phinney. “We’re excited to kick off with a guest like Pedro. We have started this project as we think there’s a real need for deeper, more accessible conversations around the rapid changes and innovations in the energy sector. Our goal is to inform, inspire, and connect professionals and enthusiasts alike as we navigate the transition to a more sustainable energy future.”

Pedro Robredo said: “It’s a pleasure to join GridBeyond for this important conversation,” said Pedro Robredo. “At ABB Electrification Service, we’re helping industries accelerate their energy transition through smarter service models, advanced technologies and strong partnerships. Together with innovators like GridBeyond, we’re enabling customers to unlock new value from their infrastructure, reduce emissions and build more resilient, future-ready operations.”

Subscribe to Energy Trends on Spotify and YouTube. New episodes release monthly.

 

About GridBeyond

GridBeyond's vision is to deliver a global zero carbon future. By leveraging AI, we innovate and collaborate with our customers to create optimal value from energy generation, demand and storage to deliver a zero-carbon future. By bridging the gap between distributed energy resources and electricity markets, GridBeyond’s technology means every connected asset – whether utility-scale renewables generation, battery storage, or industrial load – can be utilized to help maximize opportunities and enhance the grid. By intelligently dispatching flexibility into the right market, at the right time, asset owners and energy consumers unlock new revenues and savings, resilience, and management of price volatility, while supporting the transition to a Net Zero future.

For more information, visit www.gridbeyond.com

Economy – Ranked: U.S. States Most and Least Exposed to President Trump’s Looming Tariffs on Chinese Imports

Source: Investors Observer

October 14, 2025 – As President Trump prepares to implement historic tariffs reaching up to 100% on Chinese goods starting November 1, InvestorsObserver's research reveals which U.S. states could be most affected by this escalation in trade tensions. (ref. https://investorsobserver.com/research/ranked-the-u-s-states-most-and-least-exposed-to-china-import-tariffs )

In 2024, California imported more than $122 billion worth of goods from China, which accounted for 25% of its total imports and close to 12% of its GDP. Nevada follows with the highest reliance ratio – 26% of its imports come from China. States like Tennessee, Illinois, Texas, and New York also show strong economic exposure, with China imports composing large shares of their GDPs.

Economic Implications by State

California's ports handle an immense share of U.S.-China trade, supporting around 500,000 jobs. “Tariff hikes at this scale could lead to immediate disruptions in employment and supply chains, especially in California's logistics and retail sectors,” said Sam Bourgi, finance analyst at InvestorsObserver. “Higher costs will likely ripple through consumer prices, reducing spending power just ahead of the holiday season.”

Tennessee's imports make up 22% of its GDP, driven largely by electronics and auto manufacturing. “The state's economy will feel the pinch sharply if tariffs disrupt Chinese supply chains, potentially risking job losses and slower growth,” continued Bourgi.

Illinois, with $41.4 billion in Chinese imports, faces a potential bottleneck in critical rare earth components. “It may take 5 to 10 years to develop domestic alternatives for heavy rare earths needed in defense and tech,” said Bourgi. “Trade restrictions now amplify the urgency of this long-term strategic vulnerability.”

Retail giants such as Walmart, Amazon, and Target have already signaled potential price increases and disruption of popular electronics, apparel, and household goods. “Consumers nationwide should brace for higher costs and potential shortages over the coming months,” said Bourgi.

Least Affected States

Rural and smaller states such as Montana, Alaska, and Wyoming show minimal exposure, each importing less than $132 million from China with less than 3% of their GDP reliant on Chinese goods. These states' economies, centered on agriculture, natural resources, and trade with Canada or South Korea, will remain largely insulated from the tariff shock.

Preparing for the Future

California, Nevada, Tennessee, and other highly exposed states face major uncertainty as tariffs threaten to raise costs across supply chains critical to industries' and consumers' daily functions. While ongoing diplomatic efforts around the Trump-Xi meeting may influence tariff implementation, businesses and policymakers are preparing for potential disruptions.

“Strategic diversification of supply chains and accelerated domestic production will be key to mitigating these risks,” advised Bourgi. “But such shifts take time and come with transitional economic costs that could weigh on growth in the near term.”

ABOUT SAM BOURGI

Sam Bourgi is a finance analyst and researcher at InvestorsObserver, bringing over 13 years of expertise in financial markets, economics, and monetary policy. His professional background spans the private, nonprofit, and public sectors, where he has held positions such as senior policy adviser, labor market analyst, and marketing director. Sam's in-depth research and market analysis have been referenced by leading institutions and organizations, including the U.S. Congress, Department of Justice, Chicago Board Options Exchange, Bank for International Settlements, Boston University Law Review, Barron's, and Forbes. Sam regularly appears on TV, including CBN, KFYR TV, and ABC30, and is often quoted by such media outlets as the SF Chronicle and MSN.

ABOUT INVESTORS OBSERVER

Investors Observer is a trusted source of independent financial analysis, market insights, and investment research for individuals and institutions. Founded to empower retail investors with actionable intelligence, InvestorsObserver delivers timely commentary, data-driven studies, and accessible financial tools designed to simplify complex market trends. Its research and insights have been featured by various media outlets, including Yahoo, The Guardian, Morning Star, Nasdaq, and more.

Previous research by InvestorsObserver: 

Economy – GlobalData’s real-time labor market forecasts provide credible alternative to official data release

Source: GlobalData

LONDON, 14 October 2025 – Declining survey response rates, chronic underfunding, growing politicization of government agencies, and delayed reporting due to the government shutdown have all combined to undermine market confidence in official government data at precisely the time accurate labor market insights are most critical for assessing the true state of the economy in an increasingly complex world.

GlobalData Plc, the trusted intelligence partner to the world's leading organizations, offers a clear alternative. Powered by real-time, proprietary job postings data indexed daily directly from company and employer websites globally and leveraging a purpose-built AI model, GlobalData helps tracks underlying labor market trends ahead of the official release of U.S. Non-Farm Payroll (NFP) data.

Toby Dayton, Managing Director at GlobalData, comments: “Using LinkUp's unique, high-quality, real-time job postings data and advanced modelling, we are able to deliver accurate signals around labor market strength or weakness and provide investors with data and insights to fundamentally understand one of the most critical drivers of the economy ahead of the official release.”

Over the past two years, forecasts powered by GlobalData's LinkUp data have beaten consensus 65% of the time while achieving 30% lower forecast errors. Crucially, trading signals derived from these forecasts have generated a cumulative 3% to 5% positive one-day return in equities and FX markets on NFP release days, evidence of the dataset's economic value for investors.

Superior data and forecasting

LinkUp's dataset, sourced directly from employer websites, eliminates sponsored job ads, duplicates, and expired postings and other job board pollution that plagues data sourced from third-party providers. Covering over 10 million daily active jobs across 195 countries and backed by a historical point-in-time archive dating to 2007, LinkUp data provides unparalleled breadth and depth to model robust forecasts. Proprietary indicators such as active jobs, posted jobs, and closed jobs correlate well with both NFP and JOLTS dataset, both at aggregate level and at sector-level, making them a ideal input into forecasting NFP and JOLTS.

Advanced modelling

GlobalData's forecasts are powered by a multi-stage modelling approach:

We initially train a constrained XG-Boost model for 10-year period, between 2013 to 2023, excluding 2-year COVID-19 period to remove pandemic driven abnormalities.
Key model input variables are LinkUp's closed jobs and posted jobs, initial claims and policy uncertainty (to incorporate tariff induced labor demand recalibration)
We then incorporate the above forecast in a secondary linear regression model along with ICE immigration data, trained from 2019, excluding covid period.
The second model forecast begin in Jan-2024 and the model is retrained each month to include latest date to build forecast for each subsequent months.

Investor advantage

For capital market participants, the benefits are clear:

Get an early lead into labor market trends and position accordingly. Our backtest shows that going long when GlobalData NFP forecasts are 5% above consensus and short if they are below 5%, across 6 FX pairs, generates 5% aggregate 1-day return across 18 data releases. In equity, across marketcaps, the aggregate 1-day return is 3%.

Dayton concludes: “Labor markets often move in cycles and tend to follow discernible patterns. By monitoring actual job postings in real time as opposed to job ads sourced from third parties, GlobalData can detect these turning points well before traditional data signal them.

“Investors who leverage GlobalData's AI-powered insights gain clarity on sectoral labor dynamics, early visibility into payroll strength or weakness, and the confidence to act ahead of consensus. In an environment where timing is everything, this foresight can transform uncertainty into opportunity.”

Notes

Quotes are provided by Toby Dayton, Managing Director at GlobalData
This press release was written using data and information sourced from proprietary databases, primary and secondary research, and in-house analysis conducted by GlobalData's team of industry experts

About GlobalData

GlobalData Plc (AIM:DATA) operates an intelligence platform that empowers leaders to act decisively in a world of complexity and change. By uniting proprietary data, human expertise, and purpose-built AI into a single, connected platform, we help organisations see what is coming, move faster, and lead with confidence. Our solutions are used by over 5,000 organizations across the world's largest industries, providing tailored intelligence that supports strategic planning, innovation, risk management, and sustainable growth.

Pacific – Geopolitical instability sparks surge in citizenship by investment programs

Source: Government of Nauru

Global events are sparking strong interest in citizenship by investment (CIB) schemes, according to the director of one of the most recently introduced programs.

CEO of the Nauru Economic and Climate Resilience Citizenship Program Edward Clark said European and Middle Eastern conflicts and political turmoil in the US were some of the factors behind the spike.

“Many people are currently feeling insecure about their place in the world, and are looking for alternative citizenship options,” Mr Clark said.

He said a US citizen recently applied to the Nauru program, while a European family recently granted Nauruan citizenship was looking for a second passport due to tensions in Europe, and was drawn to the Nauru program by a desire to support climate resilience initiatives.

Nauru’s Economic and Climate Resilience Citizenship Program commenced earlier this year and offers visa-free travel to 89 countries, while allowing the investor to contribute to climate resilience and sustainable development in Nauru, named by the UN as the world’s fifth most vulnerable country to economic and climate shock.

CIB programs like that offered by Nauru are being seen as a vital backup even for holders of strong passports, according to Mr Clark.

“Global volatility, policy shifts, and emergency scenarios make diversification through an additional passport a prudent move, so even citizens of European nations or the US are realising the importance of have a second citizenship as a safeguard.

“As well, in the event of major geopolitical conflict such as a European escalation of the Ukraine-Russia war, a second citizenship may provide a fallback citizenship to avoid mandatory military service or conscription scenarios.”

He said citizens of countries with politically sensitive or restricted passports are looking for a more neutral passport alternative that allows for less scrutiny when traveling to jurisdictions where their primary passport may raise flags.

However Mr Clark pointed out that entry isn’t guaranteed.

“Strict due diligence requirements including financial, police, and third-party checks underpin the integrity of the Nauru program and these are a strong value proposition for many people,” he said.

“Amid all the global uncertainty, people want to be assured they are investing in a robust program with strong safeguards for them and their family.

“We’re anticipating there will be strong ongoing interest in Nauru’s program, particularly from those who want to support a small island nation to implement measures to combat economic vulnerability and climate change,” he said.

About the Nauru Economic & Climate Resilience Citizenship Program

The Nauru Economic and Climate Resilience Citizenship Program is designed to attract investors who are committed to contributing to the sustainable development of the Pacific island nation of Nauru. By participating in this program, applicants can secure a second citizenship while supporting the island's efforts to combat climate change and enhance economic resilience.

www.ecrcp.gov.nr

Global Bodies – OPEC Fund President Alkhalifa joins global leaders at 2025 World Bank/IMF Annual Meetings in Washington, D.C.

Source: OPEC Fund for International Development (the OPEC Fund)

13 October 2025 – The President of the OPEC Fund for International Development (the OPEC Fund), Abdulhamid Alkhalifa, is leading the institution’s delegation to the 2025 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG) in Washington, D.C., from October 13–18.

At a time of fragile global recovery and rising development needs, the OPEC Fund is stepping up its engagement to help partner countries accelerate growth, resilience and job creation.  Throughout the week, the OPEC Fund delegation will hold a series of high-level discussions with global leaders, government ministers, and partner development institutions to advance cooperation and scale up financing for sustainable development.
President Alkhalifa said: “The OPEC Fund remains focused on delivering solutions that make a difference on the ground. Following a record year in 2024, we are mobilizing additional resources, deepening partnerships and innovating to respond quickly and decisively to the challenges of growth, job creation, climate and inclusion.”
During the meetings, the OPEC Fund will sign new sovereign and non-sovereign loan agreements with partner countries and institutions, including: Jordan: A policy-based loan supporting growth and job creation. Lesotho: Financing for road and bridge upgrades to strengthen climate-resilience and connectivity Saint Lucia: Support for climate resilient infrastructure and transport. Paraguay: An OPEC Fund–led syndicated facility with private sector partners to boost SME financing.
The OPEC Fund will also conclude new partnership agreements with the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI), the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), and a Memorandum of Understanding with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to enhance cooperation on energy access, resilience and innovation.
President Alkhalifa’s agenda includes meetings with the World Bank leadership, and other multilateral partners such as the African Development Bank (AfDB), focusing on joint financing, co-investment in climate action and private sector mobilization.
Other highlights include:

A High-Level Roundtable on Strengthening Arab–LAC Partnerships, co-hosted with regional development banks.
The 50th Anniversary of the Arab Coordination Group (ACG) — a milestone celebrating five decades of South-South cooperation and shared impact across more than 160 countries. As a proud member of this strategic alliance, the OPEC Fund joined fellow ACG institutions in reaffirming their collective commitment to scale up development impact, leverage joint resources and expand collaboration across regions.
A roundtable on education with the ACG and the Global Partnership for Education. President Alkhalifa added: “Growth and jobs are at the heart of sustainable development. As we prepare to mark the OPEC Fund’s 50th anniversary next year, we are more determined than ever to deliver impact that exceeds our size – by working in partnership, leveraging resources and ensuring every dollar we deploy helps transform lives.”  

 President Alkhalifa added: “Growth and jobs are at the heart of sustainable development. As we prepare to mark the OPEC Fund’s 50th anniversary next year, we are more determined than ever to deliver impact that exceeds our size – by working in partnership, leveraging resources and ensuring every dollar we deploy helps transform lives.”  
The OPEC Fund for International Development (the OPEC Fund) is the only globally mandated development institution that provides financing from member countries to non-member countries exclusively. The organization was established in 1976 with a distinct purpose: to drive development, strengthen communities and empower people in low- and middle-income countries around the world. Our work is people-centered, focusing on financing projects that meet essential needs, such as food, energy, infrastructure, employment (particularly relating to MSMEs), clean water and sanitation, healthcare and education. To date, the OPEC Fund has committed more than US$30 billion to development projects in over 125 countries with an estimated total project cost of more than US$200 billion. The OPEC Fund is rated AA+/Outlook Stable by Fitch and S&P Global Ratings. Our vision is a world where sustainable development is a reality for all.

Economy – Tariff whiplash shows markets trading on politics not fundamentals: deVere

Source: deVere Group

October 13 2025 – The tariffs-driven sell-off and subsequent rebound in futures show that investors are trading on politics, not fundamentals — a mistake that will continue to create volatility, warns Nigel Green, CEO of global financial advisory giant deVere Group.

US stock futures rose on Sunday night after President Donald Trump hinted that he may soften his stance toward China, easing fears after his shock announcement on Friday of 100% tariffs on Chinese imports.

The move, a response to Beijing's tightening of rare earth export controls, sparked a steep sell-off that erased nearly $800 billion from major technology firms and sent the S&P 500 and Nasdaq to their worst day since April.

Beijing swiftly warned that it “does not want a tariff war but is not afraid of one.” But by Sunday evening, Trump had shifted tone, telling reporters aboard Air Force One, “Don't worry about China,” and praising President Xi Jinping as “a great leader.”

His remarks were enough to turn sentiment: Dow futures rose 0.8%, the S&P 500 gained 1.04%, and Nasdaq futures climbed 1.34% in early trading.

Nigel Green says this whiplash in market behaviour reveals a deeper problem. “Investors are reacting to tone rather than truth,” he says. “Markets are swinging on every change in Trump's language instead of the underlying economic reality. That's not investing — that's headline-chasing.”

He warns that such reactions can distort valuations and increase risk.

“When markets move solely on words rather than data, volatility becomes self-perpetuating. It fuels fear, then greed, and back again.

“The pattern we're seeing — panic on Friday, relief on Sunday — is entirely sentiment-driven.”

Nigel Green believes both sides are likely to pull back from the brink.

“China's control of rare earth minerals gives it leverage, but the US relies on its technology dominance. A complete rupture is too costly for either side,” he says.

“The most likely scenario is a pause in escalation and renewed talks, possibly extending the tariff truce reached in May.”

Still, he cautions that investors should not mistake calm for stability. “The threat of tariffs will linger as a policy weapon,” he notes.

“Under Trump, trade pressure has become a permanent feature of global markets. Even when tensions cool, the risk of a sudden reversal remains. That uncertainty keeps investors on edge and liquidity tighter than it should be.”

Economists estimate that if the latest tariffs are fully enforced, they could shave around half a percentage point off US GDP next year and slow China's already fragile export sector.

But Nigel Green argues that the real damage comes from hesitation. “Uncertainty paralyses decision-making. Companies delay investment, trade slows, and productivity falls. It's not the tariffs themselves doing the harm, it's the unpredictability.”

He adds that investors who chase every policy shift risk missing long-term opportunities.

“Volatility isn't the enemy of performance, emotion is. The smartest investors stay globally diversified, hold quality assets, and avoid reacting to every market tremor caused by a political statement. Fundamentals always reassert themselves.”

He concludes: “Markets seem addicted to the political drama, but the smart money is looking past it. Tariffs come and go; tone shifts daily. Fundamentals endure and those who remember that, and seek advice, will outperform in the months ahead.”

deVere Group is one of the world's largest independent advisors of specialist global financial solutions to international, local mass affluent, and high-net-worth clients.  It has a network of offices around the world, more than 80,000 clients, and $14bn under advisement.

WHO – Artificial Intelligence could transform health care— if we get it right: WHO calls for more equitable use of AI in the Western Pacific

Source: World Health Organization (WHO)

MANILA, 13 October 2025 – The role of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare is increasingly being debated across the 38 countries and areas of the WHO Western Pacific Region and globally. From hospital corridors to remote island clinics, conversations about artificial intelligence in health are no longer futuristic, they’re happening now. WHO is spotlighting the role of AI in shaping the future of care.

For some, AI feels like technology reserved for wealthier nations. For others, it sparks fears of machines replacing doctors or personal health data being misused. The use of AI in healthcare raises many questions. But it’s also increasingly clear that it has the potential to reduce workloads, speed up diagnoses and expand access to care, giving more patients an equal chance to live a healthier life.  

“Imagine waiting weeks for a diagnosis that could mean the difference between life and death. Across the Western Pacific, AI is beginning to cut that wait time, helping healthcare workers and patients get answers quicker,” noted Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific. “From generating patient education materials in local languages, to supporting overworked health staff with documentation, to helping governments detect outbreaks sooner and make faster, evidence-based decisions, AI – if harnessed ethically and equitably – can be a game-changer for long-burdened health systems and health providers, closing gaps in health care and bringing our Region closer to universal health coverage.”

But alongside these opportunities come new challenges: questions of data security, equity, financing, and governance. At its upcoming 76th Regional Committee Meeting for the Western Pacific, WHO will urge governments to act now to ensure that AI serves as a tool for fairness, not just efficiency, ensuring that its benefits reach the most vulnerable.

Why it matters for the Western Pacific

Home to 2.2 billion people, well over a quarter of the world’s population, the Region includes many living in rural, remote and island areas with limited access to health services. With the right safeguards, AI could:

  • Bridge workforce gaps by assisting with diagnosis and patient care; 
  • Improve equity by bringing tools to low-resource settings, not just wealthy hospitals; and 
  • Speed up emergency responses by spotting health threats early. 

Yet many countries still face weak digital infrastructure, fragmented pilot projects, and limited regulatory oversight, sharpening concerns over how AI is being introduced and implemented in health systems and in the sustainable development ecosystem as a whole.

Momentum under way

WHO has already been partnering with Member States on these issues, ahead of October’s Regional Committee.

In July, WHO and partners convened a Leadership Forum on Digital Health and Generative AI in Malaysia, bringing together governments, regulators, researchers, and industry. They called for stronger governance, regional collaboration, and shared digital infrastructure.

Countries are already testing solutions too. In the Philippines, WHO has supported the government and other partner agencies in deploying artificial intelligence to combat tuberculosis, in collaboration with a health-tech AI company. With 7,100 islands and nearly one-third of TB cases going undetected, reaching patients in need of care is a significant challenge. An operational AI platform now maps TB burden down to the barangay (village) level, combining screening data with local information to identify where cases are most likely to be missed. Barangay-level recommendations are accessible through dashboards, helping health partners and regional stakeholders target interventions more effectively. This innovative approach is opening new possibilities for AI to strengthen preventive care and save lives in resource-limited settings.

Looking ahead

At the upcoming 76th WHO Regional Committee for the Western Pacific, Member States will discuss how to scale AI responsibly across health systems. WHO is calling on countries to:

  • Prioritize high-impact use cases where AI can extend the reach of overstretched health systems. 
  • Build public sector capacity for AI adoption, governance and regulation, and workforce training. 
  • Invest in AI for resource-constraint settings, ensuring that AI innovations are designed for local realities and reach those most in need.

As health systems evolve rapidly, WHO stresses that AI should not replace human compassion but augment it, giving health workers the time back and the tools they need to focus on patients.

WHO remains committed to working with countries and partners to “weave health for all,” reflecting its regional vision that interlaces efforts, resources, and expertise to protect health, keep the Western Pacific safer, and serve the more than 2.2 billion people who live in this vast region.

For more on the 76th WHO Regional Committee for the Western Pacific, visit:https://www.who.int/westernpacific/about/governance/regional-committee/session-76