Friday 13 March 2026
The Mighty Headlines
Economics: US Government starts trade probes into China, EU and Japan
Business and markets: Influential Microsoft executive retires after 35 years
Foreign Affairs: China passes new “ethnic unity” law
Security and intelligence: Iran’s new Supreme Leader gives first remarks
Domestic politics: Former police officers say Gerry Adams was IRA leader
The Mighty Stats
FTSE = 10,305.15 (down 0.47%)
S&P 500 = 6,672.62 (down 1.52%)
Nasdaq = 22,311.98 (down 1.78%)
Stoxx 600 = 598.86 (down 0.61%)
£1 = $1.33 / €1.16
Lab / Con / Reform = 17 / 19 / 23 per cent (YouGov, 9-10 March)
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The Mighty Detail
Economics: The US Government has announced trade investigations into its major trading partners, including China, Japan, Mexico, India and the EU. The probes are precursors to the US administration unilaterally increasing tariffs on those economies if they are found to be pursuing unfair trade practices.
Business and markets:Rajesh Jha is retiring from Microsoft after more than 35 years at the company. Jha, who has overseen Microsoft’s Office, Windows and Teams products, joined the software company in 1990.
Microsoft shares ended 1990 at $0.64 a share. Microsoft’s closing share price yesterday was $401.90.
Foreign Affairs:China has passed a new “ethnic unity” law. The law requires parents to teach children to “love the Chinese Communist Party”, restricts expressions of ethnic or religious identity, and promotes Mandarin above other languages. China has 56 ethnic minorities including Tibetans, Mongolians and Uyghurs.
Security and intelligence: In his first public remarks, Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, indicated that Iran would continue to block maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. He also indicated that Iran could open up new fronts in the conflict in areas “where the enemy has little experience”.
The price of Brent crude hovered around $100 a barrel yesterday, despite the International Energy Agency releasing 400 million barrels of oil from reserves.
Domestic politics: Two former police officers of the Royal Ulster Constabulary testified in the High Court yesterday that Gerry Adams was the leader of the Irish Republican Army (IRA). The testimony forms part of a civil case brought against Adams by three IRA victims. Adams has always denied being a member of the IRA.
The Mighty Calendar
What’s happening today?
High Court hears challenges to the Chagos Islands deal
Assisted dying bill debate continues in the UK House of Lords
Cheltenham Gold Cup
UK GDP data (January) – set to increase from 0.7% to 0.9%
Lookahead to the weekend
Saturday
The US and Japan host the inaugural “Indo-Pacific Energy Security and Business Forum”, Tokyo, Japan
Rugby Six Nations: Ireland vs Scotland, Wales vs Italy, France vs England
Sunday
Mothering Sunday (UK)
St Patrick’s Day Festival 2026, Trafalgar Square, London
Winter Paralympics closing ceremony, Cortina, Italy
Academy Awards ceremony, Hollywood, California
F1 Chinese Grand Prix
The Mighty Finale
🌤️Weather today
Rain in the west of England. Largely dry in the east. High of 9C and low of 1C in London. Light rain in Belfast and Edinburgh.
✏️Life coaching quote of the day
“There are no limitations to the mind except those we acknowledge.” – Napoleon Hill, motivational writer
Mighty takeaway: Stopping putting self-made obstacles in your way.
That’s it for this morning and for this week. Thank you for reading and don’t forget Mother’s Day for our UK readers!
Cheerio!
The Mighty Memo team
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