Tariff fights, rising US debt, and policy volatility weigh on global expansion—even as AI investment fuels some resilience.
This has been a turbulent year, marked by uncertainty over global economic policies. US tariffs remain undefined in form and scope, fueling instability. Global growth is projected to ease in the final months of this year and into 2026. The US economy, with a big assist from huge investments in AI, will likely continue outperforming Europe, while China, though slowing, is still expected to outpace both. Economists anticipate moderating growth, but few foresee a sharp downturn, even amid the United States’ significant shift in trade policy.
“Unprecedented uncertainty is what best captures the moment.”
Drew DeLong, Kearney
“The global economy is going to grow below potential this year and next. In early 2025, front-loaded activity—like stockpiling ahead of new tariffs—pushed the numbers up, so they looked good midyear. But we expect the global economy to slow in the second half of 2025,” Elena Duggar, Managing Director at Moody’s Macroeconomic Board, said.
Elena Duggar, Managing Director at Moody’s Macroeconomic Board
Growth in the US is expected to slow to 1.5% in 2025 and remain subdued in 2026, according to Duggar, despite big investments in AI. The euro area is expected to expand by 1.1% this year, slightly higher than in 2024, and increase by 1.4% in 2026. China’s growth is forecasted to slow somewhat this year to 4.7% compared to 2024, then decline to 4% in 2026.
“Why the slowdown? Mainly because that frontloaded trade activity is fading, policy uncertainty remains very high compared with historical standards—holding back investment decisions—and tariffs are beginning to show up, weighing on consumer spending and company margins,” says Duggar.
Tariffs’ Expansion Rattles Trade
Trade tariffs are hardly a new tool in Washington’s policy arsenal. The first Trump administration reintroduced them as a central economic lever, and the Biden administration, while softening the rhetoric, kept many of those measures in place and even broadened them in certain sectors such as cars.
What has changed this year is not the existence of tariffs, but their scale and reach. The United States, standard-bearer of open markets and promotion of global trade for more than eight decades, has taken a dramatic turn. The latest tariff package marks a sweeping departure from its traditional role, with a radical shift in strategy that could reshape the global economic order.
The nonpartisan policy research center Yale’s Budget Lab estimates that average tariffs are around 18%, compared to just 2.7% last year. But this doesn’t seem like where they will settle.
“I have nothing against tariffs per se. They’re just another tax, and especially when tariffs are designed to promote certain sectors of strategic interest,” says David Andolfatto, former St. Louis Fed researcher, who became Chair of the Economics Department at the University of Miami’s Herbert Business School in 2022.
“My feeling from the beginning was that these tariffs were not a big deal because the United States is such a large, diversified economy. If the tariffs were negotiated and put in place, everybody understood the rules of the game. But the uncertainty is so wide and large that I think it just cannot be good,” Andolfatto tells Global Finance.
A flurry of contradictory announcements, often based on executive orders, with different views and stop-and-go decisions, has defined the tariff announcements since April. Some of this depended on President Trump’s various announcements, some on the ongoing bilateral deals, and some on the court decisions regarding these actions.
At the end of August, a federal appeals court upheld an earlier ruling that the Administration’s reliance on the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA)—a legal tool heavily used to justify broad tariffs—was not valid. The decision strikes at the core of Trump’s trade strategy. Unless the Supreme Court overturns the ruling, the president could be forced to seek congressional approval to keep his broad tariffs in place—measures critics argue are essentially new taxes that only lawmakers have the authority to impose.
Tariffs Are Here To Stay
Tariff uncertainties significantly impact investment decisions, including those of companies considering manufacturing in the US to avoid tariffs. “It is a very difficult time to be an executive trying to make decisions, and I feel like it’s a very cliche phrase, but unprecedented uncertainty is what best captures the moment,” says Drew DeLong, Principal at consulting firm Kearney, based in Dallas.
However, DeLong adds, no matter what the final shape tariffs assume, the tariff approach to international trade is here to stay. And it will most likely have a lasting impact, as it is still unclear what other major countries will do—emulate the US or create a trade network that isolates the US.
“Even if these tariffs are modified, even if the courts, up to the Supreme Court, will block some of them, we are facing a change of environment. As the Biden Administration did not abandon the tariffs introduced by the first Trump presidency, a different president in 2028 will not abandon tariffs. I think tariffs are likely to stay for a while,” DeLong says.
In the immediate term, the impact from tariffs is expected to be felt mostly by US consumers.
“Who’s paying for these tariffs? US consumers, for the most part. That’s exactly what we saw in 2018 and 2019 with the first round of tariffs. Almost all the cost was borne domestically. So yes, US consumers are going to feel it in higher prices. But you’ll also see trade volumes fall, which hurts both sides,” says Moody’s Duggar, adding that traditional counterpart China, along with other countries, will also be affected by the tariff increase.
If tariffs and economic uncertainty are weighing on the US economy, their effects are also being felt globally through spillover impacts. Most countries, however, see their economic growth slowing down.
“Tariffs are obviously an important impacting factor, and they operate mostly through slower growth in the US, which then obviously ripples out to slow growth in other places as well, particularly countries where there are tight trade links with the US, like Mexico and Canada in particular,” says Adam Slater, lead economist at Oxford Economics in London.
According to Slater, China is the country expected to slow down the most in 2025, and “here too you can see the impact of tariffs, among other factors, such as a weak domestic demand and the ongoing property sector problems.”
Two other major countries significantly affected by tariffs are India and Brazil, although the effects in each case are moving in opposite directions. “For India, we do not see much change, with growth at 6.5% this year and 6.6% next year. For Brazil, however, we anticipate a sharper slowdown—2.3% this year and 1.4% next year—but this is less about tariffs and more due to tight monetary policy,” Slater says.
Positive surprises could come from Europe, at least according to some.
“Europe will probably grow a little faster next year, partly because the uncertainty from tariffs has been eroded somewhat, and then you have the fiscal support coming from Germany, which should have its larger impact sometime next year,” says Alejandra Grindal, Chief Economist at Ned Davis Research.
If tariffs and uncertainty are negatively affecting economic growth, two other factors are supporting expansion. First, fiscal policies in the US, Germany, and China have been expansionary. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, passed in May by the US Congress, thanks to the extension of tax cuts, is expansionary, as the CBO noted in August.
At the same time, the huge level of investment from US companies into AI is supporting US GDP growth. According to investment bank UBS, AI spending is expected to reach $375 billion this year and $500 billion in 2026.
According to Ricardo Reis, professor of economics at the London School of Economics, the economic outlook is a mixed bag. He said that US growth has been heavily sustained by a record level of AI investments and the renewed fiscal stimulus, while tariffs are having a negative impact.
“In Europe, growth is being held back by long-standing stagnation, a limited adoption of AI investments in comparison to the US, negative shocks from US trade policy, and the ongoing fallout from the Russia war. Prospects look dismal compared to other regions,” Reis says. “For emerging markets, the picture is more complex: tariff uncertainty reduces productivity across the board, but in the short run, it is also shifting where production is localized. The erratic nature of tariff policy makes it difficult to measure these effects … [but] on average, trade wars make everyone worse off.”
Faith In Fed Shaken
Tariffs are creating short-term uncertainty, but deeper questions cloud the longerterm outlook. Three issues stand out: Will the Federal Reserve remain independent under pressure from Trump, and how will that shape markets’ views on inflation, the dollar, and US Treasuries? How will Washington address its growing public debt? And will artificial intelligence deliver the productivity gains many hope for—or fall short?
Economists agree that central bank independence is paramount to safeguarding the stability of the US dollar and the creditworthiness of US Treasuries—two pillars of global financial markets.
Most economists agree that the appointment of Jerome Powell’s successor as chair of the Federal Reserve starting in May 2026 will be significant, and most of them favor current board member Christopher Waller. What markets do not want is a “yes man.” They would rather have an independent thinker.
“Christopher Waller is supposedly one of the top choices for federal governor next year. He is more on the dovish side, but he gives good reasons for it. He’s saying, Hey, I’m not doing it because of Trump. He did anticipate a bigger weakness in the labor market, and he truly believes that the spike from tariffs will just be transitory,” says Alejandra Gringer, chief economist at Ned Davis Research in Florida.
US’ Looming Debt Load
The high and growing level of the US debt is another important factor for future growth, not only in the US, because it is the cause for higher inflation and higher interest rates.
In May, Moody’s Ratings downgraded the US’ long-term issuer and senior unsecured ratings to Aa1 from Aaa, following similar downgrades from Standard and Poor’s in 2011 and Fitch in 2023, marking the first time all three have rated the US below their top tier.
Several administrations failed to correct the trend of growing US debt, and forecasts are worrying. “The federal deficit goes from 6.4% of GDP in 2024 to nearly 9% by 2035. Debt-to-GDP rises from 98% in 2024 to 134% in 2035. And federal interest payments are expected to rise from 18% of revenues in 2024 to 30% by 2035. That means in just 10 years, almost a third of the federal budget could go to interest payments alone,” says Moody’s Duggar.
The main problem is that future long-term inflation seems to be the only way out.
“I think that the growing debt in the US is very worrying, and is one of the main reasons, not the only one, but one of the main reasons why I expect the next five years to be a period of high inflation in the US,” says Reis.
The most likely impact is that bondholders are likely to be those who shoulder the payments, because there is no political will to increase taxes or reduce benefits.
The AI Wildcard
Moody’s Duggar warns that a potential risk for the US is the impact of the growing use of artificial intelligence on the job market, which already showed signs of weakness in the summer, along with huge downward revisions of prior job reports. More companies are announcing the adoption of AI technology across industries, raising the possibility of real consequences for the workforce. A study by MIT, published in July, showed that 95% of 300 organizations found that carrying GenAI investment resulted in zero return, despite an enterprise investment of $30 billion to $40 billion.
However, most economists believe that a long-term positive surprise can arise from a sharp increase in productivity, yielding tangible benefits for economic expansion.
Miami University’s Andolfatto says, “AI is just more potential productivity growth. I would never bet against the US economy. It’s always been one where the entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well. They are always delivering cost cuts, better ways of doing business.”
Under blazing skies at a tea plantation in India’s northeastern state of Assam, worker Kamini Kurmi wears an umbrella fastened over her head to keep her hands free to pluck delicate leaves from the bushes.
“When it’s really hot, my head spins and my heart begins to beat very fast,” said Kurmi, one of the many women employed for their dextrous fingers, instead of machines that harvest most conventional crops within a matter of days.
Weather extremes are shrivelling harvests on India’s tea plantations, endangering the future of an industry renowned for beverages as refreshing as the state of Assam and the adjoining hill station of Darjeeling in West Bengal state, while reshaping a global trade estimated at more than $10bn a year.
“Shifts in temperature and rainfall patterns are no longer occasional anomalies; they are the new normal,” said Rupanjali Deb Baruah, a scientist at the Tea Research Association.
As changing patterns reduce yields and stall output, rising domestic consumption in India is expected to shrink exports from the world’s second-largest tea producer.
Damaged tea leaves from the Chota Tingrai estate in Tinsukia, Assam. [Sahiba Chawdhary/Reuters]
While output stagnates in other key producers such as Kenya and Sri Lanka, declining Indian exports, which made up 12 percent of global trade last year, could boost prices.
Tea prices at Indian auctions have grown by just 4.8 percent a year for three decades, far behind the 10 percent achieved by staples such as wheat and rice.
The mildly warm, humid conditions crucial for Assam’s tea-growing districts are increasingly being disrupted by lengthy dry spells and sudden, intense rains.
Such weather not only helps pests breed, but also forces estate owners to turn to the rarely used practice of irrigating plantations, said Mritunjay Jalan, the owner of an 82-year-old tea estate in Assam’s Tinsukia district.
Rainfall there has dropped by more than 250mm (10 inches) between 1921 and 2024, while minimum temperatures have risen by 1.2 degrees Celsius (2.2 degrees Fahrenheit), the Tea Research Association says.
The monsoon, Assam’s key source of rain, as summer and winter showers have nearly disappeared, brought rainfall this season that was 38 percent below average.
That has helped to shorten the peak output season to just a few months, narrowing the harvesting window, said senior tea planter Prabhat Bezboruah.
Patchy rains bring more frequent pest infestations, leaving tea leaves discoloured, blotched brown, and sometimes riddled with tiny holes.
A worker inspects dried tea leaves inside a tea manufacturing unit at the Chota Tingrai estate. [Sahiba Chawdhary/Reuters]
These measures, in turn, add to costs, which are already rising at 8 to 9 percent a year, driven up by higher wages and prices of fertiliser, said Hemant Bangur, chairman of the leading industry body, the Indian Tea Association.
Planters say government incentives are insufficient to spur replanting, crucial in Assam, where many colonial-era tea bushes yield less and lose resilience to weather as they age beyond the usual productive span of 40 to 50 years.
India’s tea industry has flourished for nearly 200 years, but its share of global trade could fall below the 2024 figure of 12 percent, as the increasing prosperity of a growing population boosts demand at home.
Domestic consumption jumped 23 percent over the past decade to 1.2 million tonnes, far outpacing production growth of 6.3 percent, the Indian Tea Association says.
While exports of quality tea have shrunk in recent years, India’s imports have grown, nearly doubling in 2024 to a record 45,300 tonnes.
That adds expense for overseas buyers, said executives of India’s leading merchants, at a time when global competitors such as Kenya face similar problems.
A global truce for the duration of February’s 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina will be sought by hosts Italy.
Published On 7 Oct 20257 Oct 2025
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Italy will submit a proposal for a worldwide ceasefire to the United Nations before next year’s Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani said.
As a concept, a global truce during the Olympics dates to the ancient games in Greece, where warring factions agreed to put down their arms for the duration of the event, so that athletes could safely travel to and from ancient Olympia.
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Calls by Olympics organisers and the UN for global ceasefires have not been heeded on the occasion of modern-era Games since 1896, including the 2024 Paris Olympics. The Milano Cortina Games open on February 6 and run to February 22.
“In view of the Milano Cortina Olympics, we are presenting a proposal for an Olympic truce for all wars, including Ukraine and the Middle East, to the United Nations,” Tajani said on Tuesday.
“We must be champions of peace,” he said on the sidelines of an international conference in Rome. “We support the US plan (to end the war in Gaza), and, as Pope Leo has said, we must never give up hoping for peace.”
The 20-point plan presented by United States President Donald Trump, on which Israel and Hamas began indirect talks on Monday, is seen as the most promising initiative to end a war that has killed more than 67,000 Palestinians since October 7, 2023. The Hamas-led attack on Israel that day killed 1,200 people.
Tuesday marked the second anniversary of the war on Gaza.
In response to Gaza’s devastation and humanitarian disaster wrought by Israel’s military campaign, a number of major Western countries, though not Italy, have formally recognised Palestinian statehood, endorsing longstanding Palestinian aspirations to an independent homeland on Israeli-occupied land.
In Ukraine, the pro-Western government has been battling a Russian invasion for more than three and a half years, in Europe’s biggest armed conflict since World War II and one that has killed hundreds of thousands of people.
You could be forgiven for thinking that electric cars might finally be gaining momentum in the US.
After all, sales of battery cars topped 1.2 million last year, more than five times the number just four years earlier. Hybrid sales have jumped by a factor of three.
Battery-powered cars accounted for 10% of overall sales in August – a new high, according to S&P Global Mobility.
And in updates to investors this week, General Motors, Ford, Tesla and other companies all reported record electric sales over the past three months.
This marked a bright spot in an industry wrestling with the fallout from still high interest rates and buyers on edge over inflation, tariffs and the wider economy.
But analysts say the boom was caused by a dash to buy before the end of a government subsidy that helped knock as much as $7,500 (£5,588) off the priceof certain battery electric, plug-in hybrid or fuel cell vehicles.
With that tax credit gone as of the end of September, carmakers are expecting momentum to shift into reverse.
“It’s going to be a vibrant industry, but it’s going to be smaller, way smaller than we thought,” Ford chief executive Jim Farley said at an event on Tuesday.
“I expect that EV demand is going to drop off pretty precipitously,” the chief financial officer of General Motors, Paul Jacobson, said at a conference last month, adding it would take time to see how quickly buyers would come back.
Even with the recent gains, the US, the world’s second biggest car market, stood out as a laggard in electric car sales compared to much of the rest of the world.
In the UK, for example, sales of battery electric and hybrid cars made up nearly 30% of new sales last year, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), while in Europe, they accounted for roughly one in five sales.
In China, the world’s biggest car market, sales of such cars accounted for almost half of overall sales last year, according to the IEA, and they are expected to become the majority this year.
Take-up in some other countries, like Norway and Nepal, is even greater.
Electric vehicles (EVs) tend to account for a smaller share of sales in Latin America, Africa and other parts of Asia – but growth there has been surging.
Policy differences
Analysts say adoption in the US has been slowed by comparatively weak government support for the sector, which has limited the kinds of subsidies, trade-in programmes and rules that have helped the industry in places such as China, the UK and Europe.
Former President Joe Biden pushed hard to increase take-up, aimingfor electric cars to account for half of all sales in the US by 2030.
His administration tightened rules on emissions, boosted demand through purchases for government fleets, nudged carmakers to invest with loans and grants for EV investments, spent billions building charging stations and expanded the $7,500 tax credit as a sweetener for buyers.
Supporters cast those efforts in part as a competitive imperative, warning that without these US carmakers would risk losing out to competitors from China and other countries.
But President Donald Trump, who recently called climate change a “con job”, has pushed to scrap many of those measures, including the $7,500 credit, arguing that they were pushing people to buy cars they would not otherwise want.
“We’re saying … you’re not going to be forced to make all of those cars,” he said this summer, while signing a bill aimed at striking down rules from California, which would have phased out sales of petrol-only cars in the state by 2035. “You can make them, but it’ll be by the market, judged by the market.”
Bloomberg via Getty Images
Electric cars have become more affordable in the US in recent years – but they still cost more than comparable petrol-powered vehicles.
And Chinese carmakers like BYD, which have made rapid inroads in other markets thanks to low prices, have been effectively shut out of the US, due to high tariffs targeting cars made in China, backed by both Biden and Trump.
As of August, the average transaction price of an electric car in the US was more than $57,000, according to auto industry research firm Kelley Blue Book, about 16% higher than the average for all cars.
The least expensive battery car on offer, a Nissan Leaf, costs about $30,000 (£22,000). By comparison, several models can be found for under £20,000 in the UK.
Analysts say what buyers do next hinges on how carmakers set prices in the months ahead, as they contend not only with the end of the tax credit but also tariffs on foreign cars and certain car parts that Trump introduced this spring.
Hyundai said this week it would offset the loss of the tax credit by lowering the price for its range of Ioniq EVs. But Tesla said the cost for monthly lease payments of some of its cars would rise.
Stephanie Brinley, associate director of S&P Global Mobility, said she did not expect to see many firms follow Hyundai’s example, given the pressures from tariffs.
While some buyers may opt for EVs anyway, “next year is going to be hard,” she warned, noting that her firm is calling for overall car sales to fall by roughly 2% in 2026.
“It would have been difficult enough if all you had to deal with is new tariffs, but with new tariffs and the incentive going away, there’s two impacts.”
Carmakers had already been scaling back their investments in electric cars.
Researchers say Trump’s policy changes could reduce those investments even more.
“It’s a big hit to the EV industry – there’s no tiptoeing around it,” said Katherine Yusko, research analyst at the American Security Project
“The subsidies were initially a way to level the playing field and now that they’re gone the US has a lot of ground to make up.”
However Ms Brinley said she was hesitant to declare the US behind in an industry still testing out technology alternatives.
“Is [electric] really the right thing?” she said. “Saying that we’re behind assumes that this is the only and best solution and I think it’s a little early to say that.”
Protesters in cities around the world have condemned Israel’s interception of the humanitarian flotilla bound for Gaza and the detention of activists in international waters.
The Global Sumud Flotilla says its fleet has sailed into the ‘high-risk zone’, where the Israeli navy is believed to have formed a blockade to try to stop the fleet from reaching Gaza.
Activists on the Global Sumud Flotilla shared a video they said showed Israeli vessels approaching the fleet to intercept it before reaching Gaza. Such interceptions by Israeli forces in international waters are considered illegal.
According to the Future of Work in Travel and Tourism report from the World Travel and Tourism Council, the world is facing a huge shortage in people working in the industry by 2035
The travel industry will struggle to keep up with demand, according to a new report(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
The world is facing a 43 million worker shortfall by 2035 that could spell chaos for holidaymakers if not addressed.
Many of the world’s biggest holiday economies, including Japan, Greece and China, will require millions more workers to keep their tourism industries afloat.
Ageing populations and a desire not to work in low-skilled jobs will see labour supply slump to 16% below demand levels in ten years’ time, according to the Future of Work in Travel and Tourism report from the World Travel and Tourism Council.
There will be a forecast shortfall of 20.1 million people required for low-skilled roles, with deficits projected across all 20 economies. China (16.9 million), India (11.0 million) and the EU (6.4 million) will be hardest hit. In relative terms, the economies projected to face the largest shortfalls are Japan, with labour supply at 29% below demand, Greece (27% below), and Germany (26% below).
Since the Covid pandemic, a number of countries have struggled to fill vacancies, with many tourism workers leaving the industry when hotels and resorts shut down to stop the virus’s spread. The shortfall has already led to price rises.
All-inclusive family package holidays from the UK jumped in price for some of the most popular destinations, including Spain, Cyprus and Turkey over the past year. The average price for a week in Cyprus in August went up by 23%, from £950 per person to £1,166, the TravelSupermarket show reported in July.
While there are multiple factors at play including the rising cost of plane fuel, a shortage of workers in key countries is contributing. La Tribuna de Ciudad Real reported that almost half of the vacancies in Spanish bars and hotels remained unfilled in 2024. Unfilled vancancies reached 80,000 in Greece in May, the Guardian reported.
Gina Fleming, senior director of Learning and Development at Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, said: “Recruiting chefs is so competitive as many cruise companies have elevated the food experience to meet guests’ higher expectations. There is a high demand for culinary skills and roles like Junior Sous-Chef. We are partnering with chef schools to build a pipeline.”
Tourism has been booming worldwide in the post-Covid years. In 2024, the sector supported a record 357 million jobs worldwide and is forecast to support 371 million this year. Over the next decade, travel and tourism is projected to generate 91 million new roles, accounting for one in every three net new jobs created globally.
However, by 2035, global demand for workers in travel and tourism will outpace supply by more than 43 million people, leaving labour availability 16% below required levels.
Gloria Guevara, WTTC Interim CEO, said: “Travel & Tourism is set to remain one of the world’s biggest job creators, offering opportunities for millions of people worldwide. But we must also recognise that wider demographic and structural changes are reshaping labour markets everywhere. Many workers left the sector during Covid when travel and tourism came to a standstill. Now, as global unemployment is expected to fall and working-age populations to shrink, this is creating increased pressure on labour supply, especially for fast-growing sectors like Travel & Tourism.
“This report is a call to action. By working together with governments and educators, our sector will meet these challenges and continue to be one of the most rewarding sectors, offering dynamic futures for the next generations. WTTC will work with government officials around the world to ensure policies are implemented to reduce this gap and unlock the potential in their countries.”
Ahmed Al Khateeb, Minister of Tourism for Saudi Arabia, added: “By 2035, one in three new jobs will come from Travel & Tourism — no other sector can claim that. Saudi Arabia shows what vision and investment can achieve, with over 649,000 training opportunities, and a workforce that is nearly 50% women.”
More than 30 of the largest banks worldwide join in the design, development, and testing of the new offering, SWIFT announced at the Sibos conference.
Big news at this year’s Sibos conference in Frankfurt came right at the opening on Monday. SWIFT announced it would add a shared blockchain-based ledger to its infrastructure, marking a groundbreaking move to accelerate and expand the advantages of digital finance across more than 200 countries and territories worldwide.
The initial focus will be on real-time, 24/7 cross-border payments, and the financial messaging cooperative creates a network connecting over 11,000 banks across more than 200 countries. The launch date hasn’t been announced, but once implemented, this ledger will make cross-border payments less expensive worldwide.
SWIFT and more than 30 leading financial institutions from 16 countries worldwide, including Bank of America, BBVA, BNP Paribas, Citi, DBS, Deutsche Bank, Emirates NBD, First Abu Dhabi Bank, HSBC, JPMorgan Chase, MUFG, OCBC, Royal Bank of Canada, Societe Generale – FORGE, Standard Chartered, and TD Bank, are collaborating on the project. Financial institutions will provide feedback on the ledger’s design, followed by further development and testing.
Initially, SWIFT will collaborate with blockchain software developer Consensys on a conceptual prototype of the ledger, which will support interoperability across current and emerging systems. The model employs the parallel tracks of “upgrading existing rails while creating future digital rails to maximize infrastructure choice for the industry.”
The announcement is significant for several reasons: it demonstrates that SWIFT is poised to leverage the unique strengths of its network for the launch of a global blockchain ledger, and it is backed by most major global banks worldwide. It is also a clear sign to all the various proprietary blockchain ledgers launched by other institutions that today’s plan is the result of a collective effort and will bridge and coordinate what each financial institution has done and is doing in this area.
“Our track record of developing instant cross-border payment capabilities and our early foray into blockchain-based payment solutions enable DBS to meaningfully support SWIFT’s digital shared ledger initiative,” said Lim Soon Chong, Group Head of Global Transaction Services at DBS Bank. “We believe blockchain technology can usher in the next generation of ‘always-on’ and ‘smarter’ financial services. SWIFT’s initiative goes a step further – it is interoperable with traditional correspondent banking rails, has a high transaction capacity within a secure environment, and is accessible by SWIFT’s global banking network. These characteristics are critical in supporting broad-based reach and adoption, and have the potential to form the backbone of a resilient and future-ready global financial infrastructure.”
Amazfit welcomes back Hunter McIntyre and expands its elite athlete team for the 2025/26 HYROX season with Rich Ryan, Joanna Wietrzyk, Emilie Dahmen, and Linda MeierBusiness Wire
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Amazfit welcomes back Hunter McIntyre and expands its elite athlete team for the 2025/26 HYROX season with Rich Ryan, Joanna Wietrzyk, Emilie Dahmen, and Linda Meier
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MILPITAS, Calif. — Amazfit, a leading global smart wearables brand by Zepp Health (NYSE: ZEPP), and the Official Timing & Wearable Partner of HYROX, today announced the expansion of its HYROX athlete roster, with Hunter McIntyre (USA) returning for another season and four standout competitors joining the team: Rich Ryan (USA), Joanna Wietrzyk (Australia), Emilie Dahmen (Netherlands), and Linda Meier (Germany).
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This roster reflects Amazfit’s commitment to supporting both proven champions and emerging talent in functional fitness racing, while integrating athlete feedback directly into product innovation.
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This roster reflects Amazfit’s commitment to supporting both proven champions and emerging talent in functional fitness racing, while integrating athlete feedback directly into product innovation.
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Hunter McIntyre
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– Widely regarded as the face of HYROX, McIntyre remains one of the sport’s most dominant and influential athletes. A multiple-time champion with a loyal fanbase, he continues to push boundaries in competition and beyond, leading training camps and outdoor adventure races. McIntyre has been instrumental in Amazfit product development, relying on the rugged
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Amazfit T-Rex series
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to fuel his relentless pursuit of podium finishes.
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“I’m excited to be returning to Team Amazfit for another few years. The products are great, they listen to me when I have input, and I feel like I am getting actionable insights that are helping to drive my training. We almost got it done last year in Chicago — this year I’m here for the gold.”
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Rich Ryan
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– Known for his data-driven approach and coaching influence, Ryan brings dual impact as an elite competitor and educator. One of the fastest men on the HYROX course, he pairs his athlete achievements with seminars and coaching through his RMR training company. Ryan’s deep demand for precision aligns seamlessly with Amazfit’s
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Balance 2
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Helio series
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, making him a trusted partner in advancing performance metrics for athletes everywhere.
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“I joined Team Amazfit because of their commitment to HYROX and hybrid training. I believe hybrid training and competition can help athletes grow into healthier, more effective versions of themselves, and having partners who share those values is really important to me. I’m also excited to collaborate with the team at Amazfit, who continue to push innovation and show real ambition in this space.”
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Joanna Wietrzyk
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– A breakout star from Australia, Wietrzyk stunned the HYROX community with a second-place finish in Chicago. A former competitive tennis player, she is quickly emerging as a top contender across solo and doubles formats. Wietrzyk, who will be sporting the
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Amazfit T-Rex 3
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, values her close collaboration with Amazfit’s sports marketing team and is poised to elevate both her career and the brand’s visibility globally.
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“After an incredible first season in HYROX, I’m focused on building momentum and pushing my performance even further this year. That means going beyond what I’ve done before and partnering with teams that truly support the way I train, recover, and compete. Amazfit does exactly that. Their technology helps me stay consistent and intentional, whether I’m tracking key metrics during intense sessions or monitoring recovery post-race. Amazfit gives me the right tools to train smarter, stay balanced and continue progressing – and that’s what makes this partnership so exciting.”
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Emilie Dahmen
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– One of the sport’s most exciting rising stars, Dahmen captured attention by winning two HYROX races in her debut season and finishing sixth at the World Championships. Still early in her career, she represents the next generation of HYROX talent. Dahmen’s embrace of Amazfit wearables, specifically the
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Balance 2
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Helio Strap
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, makes her a natural fit for the team as she continues her rapid ascent.
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“I hadn’t relied on a watch or performance data before, and reaching the HYROX Elite 15 without it was already a huge achievement. Partnering with Amazfit now gives me the tools to train smarter, recover better, and truly compete at the highest level. Their technology helps me unlock even more potential, and I hope to inspire others to see how powerful smart training can be.”
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Linda Meier
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– The reigning HYROX World Champion, Meier delivered a career-defining performance in Chicago to secure her title. Already a respected competitor, her consistency and professionalism make her an invaluable ambassador. Meier relies on the
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Amazfit Helio Strap
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Amazfit T-Rex 3
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for advanced data insights, helping her balance performance and recovery at the highest level.
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“With Amazfit by my side, I can combine my World Champion spirit with smart technology – showing that anyone can push beyond their limits with the right tools.”
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“Our partnership with HYROX is about helping athletes maximize every moment of training, performance, and recovery,” said Scott Shepley, Head of Global Marketing of Amazfit. “By signing a roster that blends world champions with promising new talent, we’re reinforcing Amazfit’s role as the performance partner of choice for athletes who trust data to fuel their goals.”
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As part of Team Amazfit, these athletes will contribute to product testing, content storytelling, and community engagement, ensuring Amazfit continues to deliver cutting-edge tools that meet the evolving demands of functional fitness athletes.
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Athletes and fans can explore Amazfit’s full range of smart wearables — including the T-Rex series, Balance 2, Active 2, and Helio Strap — at www.amazfit.com, and follow the brand’s HYROX journey throughout the 2025/26 season.
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About Amazfit
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Amazfit, a leading global smart wearable brand focused on health and fitness, is part of Zepp Health (NYSE: ZEPP), a health technology company with its principal office based in Gorinchem, the Netherlands. Zepp Health operates as a distributed organization, with team members and offices across the Americas, Europe, Asia, and other global markets.
Deontay Wilder’s former boxing coach and Kate Abdo’s husband Malik Scott suggested the ideaCredit: Getty
“Any time boxing gets more attention, it’s a good thing. I want people to enjoy the spectacle, not just critique it.
“Just enjoy the carnival. It would be a global event because these are high-level names that would draw huge numbers.”
Scott is no stranger to the world of football, having married fan-favourite CBS sports broadcaster Kate Abdo in September last year.
His prospective competitors were iconic teammates at Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson, making over 200 appearances together.
Their relationship was believed to have turned cold following Ronaldo‘s protests to the referee earning Rooney a red card in a 2006 World Cup quarter final, which Portugal would go on to win on penalties.
He also made headlines for his comments on the heated Messi vs Ronaldo debate, backing the Argentinian over his former teammate.
Kenny is himself set to face former Prem footballer Curtis Davies at a charity event next month, and is keen to keep the ball rolling on his new boxing escapades.
The Domino’s playbook for growth will keep it going for many more years.
Domino’s Pizza(DPZ -0.60%) may be best known for late-night delivery, but for investors it represents something bigger. One of the most durable growth stories in the restaurant industry. Over the past two decades, Domino’s has outpaced the S&P 500, delivering close to 3,000% in stock return to investors.
Now, with more than 21,000 stores worldwide, the question is what keeps Domino’s compounding from here. The answer lies in three powerful forces: International expansion, digital leadership, and menu innovation.
Image source: Getty Images.
1. International expansion, and particularly China
One of the biggest issues with Domino’s is the sheer size of its U.S. store count (7,031 as of March 23), which limits its future growth potential. While the bears are not wrong in saying that, they are missing the bigger picture, wherein the real growth engine is from overseas. For perspective, Domino’s now operates more international stores than domestic ones, and global markets (with more than 14,000 stores) are providing both scale and profitability.
The most significant growth opportunity here is China. Domino’s master franchisee there, DPC Dash, ended June 2025 with about 1,198 stores across 48 Chinese cities. Same-store sales have grown for more than 30 straight quarters, and management expects to add about 300 stores in 2025 and 350 more in 2026. It also has 30 million customers on its loyalty program there, up from 19 million a year ago.
Importantly, DPC’s growing scale is translating into profitability. In the first half of 2025, Domino’s China generated $362.7 million in revenue and a fivefold increase in net profit year over year, with adjusted EBITDA margins climbing to 12.4%. Those numbers highlight a rare combination: Rapid revenue growth alongside improving margins.
While impressive, the growth in China is likely to be in the early days. With a population of 1.4 billion, the country can certainly accommodate many more thousands of stores. For investors, that’s a blueprint that could extend to other emerging markets as Domino’s replicates the model in emerging markets like India or Southeast Asia.
2. Ongoing investment in digital and technology
Domino’s has long differentiated itself through technology. It was one of the first pizza chains to roll out mobile ordering, and today, digital accounts for a large share of its sales base. In the U.S., more than 85% of sales now come through digital channels.
That’s more than just a convenience metric. Digital orders typically carry higher average tickets and lower error rates, and foster customer loyalty through push notifications and rewards. By steering customers to its own app, Domino’s also collects valuable data, enabling upselling and targeted marketing.
The company is also partnering with other tech companies. Its DoorDash deal, announced in May 2025, allows Domino’s stores to appear on DoorDash’s marketplace while still using Domino’s drivers for fulfillment. This hybrid model expands customer reach without compromising the delivery experience for customers.
Looking ahead, Domino’s ongoing investment in the latest technology and innovations could further enhance the customer experience while making its operation leaner and better. Both will add to the bottom line over the long run.
3. Menu and value innovation
People crave variety, even in a category as simple as pizza. Domino’s continually updates its menu with new toppings, sides, and limited-time offers that encourage repeat visits from loyal customers while attracting new demographics.
Internationally, Domino’s adapts to local tastes — paneer pizzas in India, durian pizzas in China — to ensure cultural relevance while still leveraging its global brand. That balance of localization and consistency is a significant strength as it expands into new markets.
Value remains just as crucial as novelty. Domino’s has consistently positioned itself as an affordable option in quick-service dining, offering carryout deals, bundles, and promotional pricing that appeal to price-sensitive consumers. This approach has helped Domino’s not only sustain demand through economic cycles, but also gain market share during more challenging times.
The combination of menu variety and value pricing has cemented Domino’s position as the largest pizza chain in the world, and it gives the company multiple levers to drive growth even when broader consumer spending slows.
What does it mean for investors?
Domino’s isn’t just a restaurant chain anymore — it’s a global platform powered by scale, technology, and relentless customer focus.
International expansion, particularly in China, offers a long runway for store growth. Its digital leadership strengthens customer loyalty and operational efficiency. And menu and value innovation keep the brand relevant and affordable across markets.
That’s why, even after two decades of outperformance, Domino’s story may just be getting started. Investors should keep the company on their radar.
Marking 80 years of the United Nations, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said its principles are “under assault as never before”. Gaza’s devastation, along with wars in Sudan and Ukraine, was cited as proof of the urgent need for unity.
Several Western nations, including the UK, Australia, and Canada, have formally recognised Palestine, drawing praise from Palestinians and outrage from the Israeli government, which insists it will never allow a Palestinian state.
England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales have gained control of their autumn fixtures as part of World Rugby’s alterations to the women’s global calendar.
The new WXV Global Series, which will replace the WXV competition, will run from 2026-2028 and feature the top 12 teams in the world.
Seeking to build on the success of the Women’s Rugby World Cup in England, national federations and unions will be able to choose their own home and away games in September and October.
Alongside each of the home nations, Australia, Canada, France, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa and the United States qualify as the top 12 sides.
Those 12 nations are locked in to the WXV Global Series until the next Rugby World Cup in 2029.
Each side will receive the same amount of money from World Rugby to compete in the fixtures no matter how many Tests they choose to play.
Fixtures will be announced by each nation after the World Cup.
“This is really important in the context of [breakaway league] R360 and other competitions that are being discussed as we need to give the national federations, players and fans certainty,” World Rugby chief executive Alan Gilpin said.
“This allows that certainty over a four-year cycle that allows the national federations and unions to go and have those conversations [on contracts] with the player groups. It is a really important milestone.”
Teams ranked 13-18, who World Rugby describe as facing greater “financial challenges”, will play their fixtures in a single destination in 2026 and 2028, funded by the global governing body.
Those teams are Brazil, Fiji, Hong Kong China, the Netherlands, Samoa and Spain.
This means WXV – a three-tier competition introduced in 2023 to supply more meaningful games before the World Cup – will no longer run.
BBC Sport understands the top 12 sides will play between 9-16 Tests in a calendar year, outside of World Cup years, with a maximum of six Tests.
The total of games will include fixtures played by home nations in 2027 when they also provide players for the first British and Irish Lions women’s tour to New Zealand.
World Rugby says there will be over 100 games across the three-year Global Series competition and £9m will be invested, which is hoped will build on the World Cup in England that has seen record viewing figures and the final at Twickenham on 27 September sold out.
“The launch of the WXV Global Series marks another landmark moment for the women’s game, following what will be an era-defining Women’s Rugby World Cup in England,” World Rugby chairman Brett Robinson added.
“It delivers on our commitment to raise standards, provide consistent and competitive fixtures, a clear international calendar that prioritises welfare, and create sustainable commercial outcomes for the women’s game globally.”
In 2023, World Rugby announced a new men’s competition starting in 2026 made up of 24 teams, split into two divisions.
BEIRUT — Cascades of condemnation from friend and foe alike. An array of international organizations and rights groups leveling accusations of genocide and war crimes. Boycotts across a range of sectors and fields.
As Israel begins its ground offensive to occupy Gaza City, defying international and domestic pressure to negotiate a ceasefire with the militant group Hamas, it skirts ever closer to becoming a pariah state.
“Israel is entering diplomatic isolation. We will have to deal with a closed economy,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at a Finance Ministry conference Monday, giving a rare admission of the war’s effect on Israel’s international standing.
Netanyahu engaged in damage control on Tuesday, saying that he was talking specifically about Israel’s defense industry and that the wider economy was “strong and innovative.” But by then his words had already spooked markets, spurring a sharp fall in the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange and a raft of enraged statements from his political enemies.
“We are not Sparta — this vision as presented will make it difficult for us to survive in an evolving global world,” the Israel Business Forum, which represents the heads of around 200 of the Israeli economy’s largest companies, said in a statement. “We are marching towards a political, economic, and social abyss that will endanger our existence in Israel.”
Netanyahu has forged ahead with the ground operation despite repeated warnings from allies and adversaries that it would trigger a humanitarian catastrophe for the hundreds of thousands of people remaining in what was the enclave’s largest urban center.
Visiting the U.S. in July, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, center, posed alongside Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.), Sen. Jim Risch (R-Ida.) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.).
(Anna Moneymaker / Getty Images)
Even as tanks and armored vehicles streamed into Gaza City’s western neighborhoods, an independent U.N. commission released a report Tuesday concluding that “Israeli authorities and security forces have the genocidal intent to destroy, in whole or in part, the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.”
It was the most recent of a number of international organizations and rights groups accusing Netanyahu’s government of committing genocide. The Israeli government dismissed the commission’s report as “falsehoods.”
The European Commission on Wednesday decided on a partial suspension of a trade agreement between the European Union and Israel. The move could involve imposing tariffs on Israeli goods entering the union.
The measure, EU top diplomat Kaja Kallas said in a statement Tuesday on X, is aimed at pressuring Israel’s government to change course over the war in Gaza.
Western governments — including some of Israel’s most loyal supporters — castigated the decision to invade, with Germany’s foreign minister slamming it as “the completely wrong path” and France saying the campaign had “no military logic.”
Yvette Cooper, Britain’s foreign secretary, said it was “utterly reckless and appalling,” while Irish President Michael Higgins, a routinely vociferous critic of Israel, said the U.N. must look to exclude countries “practicing genocide and those who are supporting genocide with armaments.”
Meanwhile, many nations — including traditional U.S. allies such as Australia, Britain, Canada and others — are expected to recognize Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly in defiance of intense diplomatic pressure from Washington.
Pope Leo XIV weighed in Wednesday on the carnage in Gaza, expressing his “deep solidarity” with Palestinians “who continue to live in fear and survive in unacceptable conditions, being forcibly displaced once again from their lands.” He called for a ceasefire.
Relatives of Palestinians who died following Israeli attacks mourn as the bodies are taken from Al-Shifa Hospital for funerals in Gaza City on Wednesday.
(Khames Alrefi / Anadolu / Getty Images)
Israel’s military pressed on with the offensive Wednesday, leveling buildings in Gaza City’s north, west and south, residents and local reporters said. Palestinian health authorities in the enclave said 50 people had been killed since dawn Wednesday, adding to a death toll that has exceeded 65,000 since Oct. 7, 2023. It will take months to fully occupy Gaza City, Israeli military leaders say.
It’s unclear whether the U.S. supports the ground invasion. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said President Trump prefers a negotiated settlement, but seemed reluctant to exert any pressure to stop Israel’s incursion. Trump, after professing “I don’t know too much” about the offensive, warned Hamas against using hostages as human shields.
Neighboring Arab nations perceive the ground operation as the latest in a series of moves over the last two years that demonstrate Israel has little interest in peace. Noting the bombings this month of Lebanon, Syria, Qatar and Yemen, they say Israel has become as destabilizing a player in the region as Iran has long been.
Prospects for Saudi Arabia to join the Abraham Accords, the normalization agreements between some Arab states and Israel forged during Trump’s first term, appear dimmer than ever. And the United Arab Emirates, a founding and enthusiastic member of the accords, has said the agreements are under threat if Netanyahu goes ahead with plans to annex the occupied West Bank.
The fallout has spread to the cultural arena.
On Tuesday, Spain joined Ireland, the Netherlands and Slovenia in saying it would boycott the Eurovision contest if Israel were to join. Last week, Flanders Festival Ghent, a Belgian music festival, withdrew its invitation for the Munich Philharmonic to play there because the orchestra’s conductor is Lahav Shani, who is also music director of the Israeli Philharmonic. In August, Israeli actor Gal Gadot blamed “pressure” on Hollywood celebrities to “speak out against Israel” for the paltry box office returns of “Snow White.”
Even Israel’s much-vaunted arms industry, which has used the war in Gaza as proof-of-concept for its wares and has proved to be relatively resistant to opprobrium, is affected.
Though the U.S. remains by far Israel’s largest supplier of weapons, a number of European governments have imposed complete or partial arms embargoes and prevented Israeli manufacturers from participating in defense expos. This week, organizers for the Dubai Air Show, one of the world’s largest aerospace trade events, reportedly barred Israeli defense firms from taking part — reversing a policy in recent years that saw them take pride of place in similar events.
Similarly, beginning next year, Israelis will not be able to attend programs at the Royal College of Defense Studies in London, a prestigious institution that allows enrollment from the British armed services and roughly 50 U.K. partner nations.
“U.K. military educational courses have long been open to personnel from a wide range of countries, with all U.K. military courses emphasizing compliance with international humanitarian law,” the Defense Ministry in London said in a statement Monday. It said the Israeli government’s decision to escalate in Gaza “is wrong.”
“There must be a diplomatic solution to end this war now,” the statement said, “with an immediate ceasefire, the return of the hostages and a surge in humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza.”
Departure of the flotilla from Tunisia to Gaza was delayed due to logistical issues.
Published On 14 Sep 202514 Sep 2025
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The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) has begun sailing out of Tunisia, with organisers and participants saying they are determined to break Israel’s siege on Gaza and deliver urgently needed humanitarian aid.
The convoy departed from the northern port city of Bizerte with activists from more than 40 countries aboard. Its departure was delayed after two flotilla vessels came under attack earlier this week.
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On Monday, the main ship Family was struck by a drone while docked in Sidi Bou Said, followed by an attack on the boat Alma on Tuesday night.
No casualties were reported in the attacks.
Al Jazeera’s Hassan Massoud, reporting from the Shireen Abu Akleh boat, said: “The global flotilla has set sail from the port in Tunisia to the Gaza Strip, its main destination, without any scheduled stops, 14 days after its departure from Barcelona.
“The ships are carrying food and humanitarian aid towards Gaza. Volunteers and participants have said this mission is non-violent; they only aim to open a corridor to deliver aid towards Palestinian people in Gaza.”
A number of prominent figures have joined the flotilla, including climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, Irish actor Liam Cunningham, and Barcelona’s former Mayor Ada Colau.
At least four Italian members of parliament are also taking part, alongside dozens of other elected officials and activists.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani told parliament that Rome had urged Israel to respect the rights of its citizens aboard the flotilla, including parliamentarians.
“Our embassy in Tel Aviv, under my instruction, talked to the Israeli authorities about the respect of the rights for all the fellow citizens who are part of the flotilla, including among them several members of parliament,” Tajani said.
“I also called [Israeli] Foreign Minister [Gideon] Saar to personally make him aware of the matter.”
Tajani said 58 Italians are among the participants and would be provided consular and diplomatic assistance.
Organisers say the Global Sumud Flotilla, named after the Arabic word for “resilience”, represents one of the most determined challenges yet to Israel’s blockade of Gaza’s coastline.
The attempt comes as the United Nations warns that more than half a million Palestinians face catastrophic hunger, with aid groups and legal experts describing Israel’s war on Gaza as a genocide.
The attacks on the convoy follow previous incidents in which flotilla ships were intercepted or targeted at sea.
In early June, Israeli naval forces intercepted the aid vessel Madleen in international waters, seizing its aid cargo and detaining its crew of 12, while in May, another vessel, the Conscience, was hit by drones near Maltese waters, leaving it unable to continue.
Background Since World War Two, international agreements have safeguarded the right to seek asylum. The Trump administration, which has already reshaped U.S. immigration policy at home, is now preparing to take its restrictive vision global.
What Happened According to documents reviewed by Reuters, the administration plans to use the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly later this month to advocate limiting asylum rights. The proposal would require asylum seekers to apply for protection in the first country they enter, and make asylum temporary, with host countries deciding when return is safe.
Why It Matters If adopted, this would mark a major shift away from decades of international refugee protections. Critics warn it could return the world to conditions similar to the Holocaust era, when people fleeing persecution had few safe havens.
Stakeholder Reactions Mark Hetfield of HIAS, a refugee resettlement group, said weakening asylum rights would endanger lives, stressing that existing agreements guarantee protection for those fleeing persecution. Meanwhile, Trump officials argue the system is “abused” for economic migration. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau is expected to lead the UN event, while Trump’s nominee Andrew Veprek has called for a fundamental reshaping of asylum norms.
What’s Next The administration will press allies to back its approach, though broad international support remains uncertain. Reports suggest Trump officials are also prioritizing resettlement for South African Afrikaners, reflecting a controversial shift in refugee policy.
Activists from 40 countries sail from Tunisia to defy Israel’s blockade and deliver aid to Gaza.
Published On 13 Sep 202513 Sep 2025
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An international convoy of boats, the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), has set sail from Tunisia, aiming to defy Israel’s siege on Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid.
The GSF, which departed Bizerte Port on Saturday, includes more than 40 vessels carrying between 500 and 700 activists from more than 40 countries, according to Anadolu.
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Participants say they are determined to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza.
Among those joining is Franco-Palestinian lawmaker Rima Hassan, a member of the French National Assembly, who announced her participation after boarding in Tunisia.
“Our governments are responsible for the continuation of the genocide in Gaza,” Hassan wrote on X, accusing European leaders of silence in the face of Israeli attacks on aid convoys. In June, she joined another Gaza-bound boat that Israeli forces seized in international waters.
he flotilla is supported by prominent activists, including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, who has long been vilified by Israeli officials for her solidarity with Palestinians.
The flotilla reported this week that two of its ships – the Family, which had members of the steering committee on board, and the Alma – were attacked while anchored near Tunis.
Activists suspect Israeli involvement, noting that one of the vessels was struck by a drone.
Tunisia’s Ministry of the Interior confirmed a “premeditated aggression” and said an investigation had been launched.
Despite the attacks, flotilla organisers insist they will press ahead. “Faced with this inaction, I am joining this citizens’ initiative, which is the largest humanitarian maritime convoy ever undertaken,” Hassan said.
History of intervention
This is not the first time Israel has moved to stop such missions.
In early June, Israeli naval forces intercepted the Madleen ship in international waters, seizing its aid supplies and detaining the crew of 12 activists. Another vessel, the Conscience, was struck by drones in May near Maltese waters, leaving it unable to continue its journey.
Organisers say the GSF – named after the Arabic word for resilience – represents one of the boldest challenges yet to Israel’s control of Gaza’s coastline.
The attempt comes as the United Nations warns of famine in Gaza, with more than half a million people facing catastrophic hunger.
