AI Workforce Trust Gap: Randstad’s 2026 Work Monitor finds Canadian employers are upbeat about growth, but workers are far less confident—and many say AI adoption mainly benefits companies, not them. Climate & Green Transition: A Baku roundtable stressed that the private sector must help drive sustainable investment and cut emissions as COP29 priorities take shape. Cross-Border Business Deals: Malaysia and Finland signaled new cooperation paths in AI, circular economy, renewables, advanced manufacturing and education, aiming to turn diplomacy into deal flow. Energy Costs Hit Transport: Diesel in Louisiana and the U.S. hit record highs, squeezing trucking margins and pushing fuel surcharges that don’t fully cover costs. Capital Markets Reform: Bangladesh’s brokers association urged legal changes to enable share buybacks and streamline M&A for listed firms, with regulators empowered to set rules. Consumer Data Scrutiny: U.S. lawmakers pressed the FTC over surveillance pricing and personalized ads, arguing companies must disclose how personal data drives prices. Corporate Travel Demand: Navan raised full-year forecasts on resilient business travel and added customers, and plans to buy AI event-management platform BoomPop. Local Economic Boost: O’Brien County, Iowa, is set to receive a $99,000 USDA grant to expand a revolving loan fund and create jobs. Cyber/Trade Tensions: China rejected U.S. claims that AI “distillation” is theft, warning of countermeasures if Washington targets Chinese AI firms. M&A/Corporate Moves: Restaurant Brands’ Burger King turnaround highlights heavy reinvestment, while other deal and merger activity continues to shape corporate strategy.