Friday 15 August 2025
*THERE WILL BE A NATIONAL TWO-MINUTE SILENCE AT 12.00PM TODAY TO MARK THE 80TH ANNIVERSARY OF VJ DAY*
The Mighty Headlines
Economics: UK growth slips to 0.3 per cent
Business and markets: Weight-loss drug price hike in the UK
Foreign Affairs: Hungary’s Opposition accuses Russia of interference
Security and intelligence: Turkey and Syria sign defence deal
Domestic politics: Cross-Channel migrants unaware of returns deal
The Mighty Stats
FTSE = 9,177.24 (up 0.13%)
S&P 500 = 6,468.54 (up 0.03%)
Nasdaq = 21,710.67 (down 0.011%)
CAC40 = 7,870.34 (up 0.84%)
£1 = $1.35 / €1.16
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The Mighty Detail
Economics: UK economic growth fell to 0.3 per cent in Q2.
This is more than the 0.1 per cent which had been expected but less than the 0.7 per cent recorded in Q1.
The annualised figure is the highest in the G7 and growth is said to have been supported by Government spending.
Business and markets: The US pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly is to increase the price of its weight-loss drug Mounjaro by up to 170 per cent in the UK. It comes as the company seeks to address concerns that “foreign free loaders” cause US consumers to pay more for drugs.
Foreign Affairs: The Hungarian Opposition Leader, Péter Magyar, is accusing Russia of interfering with Hungary’s political process and undermining his campaign through “disinformation, threats, hackers, digital troll farms, smear campaigns and blackmail”.
Magyar has a significant lead in the polls over the more Russia-friendly Prime Minister, Viktor Orban. Elections are due next Spring.
Security and intelligence: Turkey has signed a new defence agreement with Syria to provide the country weapons and other military equipment. Syria requested Turkey’s support following recent clashes between ethnic groups in Sweida in southern Syria last month.
Domestic politics: There are reports that migrants crossing the Channel are unaware of the “one-in-one-out” deal between the UK and France. The first detainees under the scheme will be sent to France within three weeks according to the Home Office and may be given a financial incentive by the French authorities to return to their home countries.
The Mighty Calendar
What’s happening today?
The King, Queen and Prime Minister attend a service of remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum for VJ Day
Presidents Trump and Putin meet in Alaska (press conference expected at around 8.30pm UK time)
US retail sales data (July)
Lookahead to the weekend
Saturday
Many European countries public holiday (Assumption Day)
Annual historic London bus parade, Dorset
All Points East music festival, London
Stirling Highland Games, Scotland
Sunday
Final day: History of Swimming exhibition, Design Museum, London
Final day: 2025 World Games, Sichuan, China
BBC Proms: Shostakovich’s Fifth Symphony
The Mighty Finale
🌤️Weather today
Bright sunshine across England. High of 30C and low of 16C in London. Some cloud in Belfast and Edinburgh.
✏️Life coaching quote of the day
“Dwelling on negative thoughts is like fertilizing weeds.” – Norman Vincent Peale
Mighty takeaway: Think positive thoughts instead!
That’s it for this this week. We hope that you enjoy the weekend!
Adios!
The Mighty Memo team