Friday 18 July 2025
The Mighty Headlines
Economics: UK unemployment and inflation rates rise
Business and markets: PepsiCola shares rise by nearly 8 per cent
Foreign Affairs: Ukraine appoints first new PM since invasion
Security and intelligence: France ends military presence in West Africa
Domestic politics: Met Police to cut half of front desks
The Mighty Stats
FTSE = 8,972.64 (down 0.52%)
S&P 500 = 6,297.36 (up 0.54%)
Nasdaq = 20,884.27 (up 0.74%)
CAC40 = 7,822.00 (up 1.29%)
£1 = $1.34 / €1.16
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The Mighty Detail
Economics: UK unemployment has risen to a four-year high of 4.7 per cent. This comes as inflation rose in June to 3.6 per cent, which is the highest level in nearly a year and a half.
Business and markets: Shares in PepsiCola rose by nearly 8 per cent yesterday. It comes as the soft drink manufacturer exceeded analysts’ expectations and reported revenue of $22.73 billion. Around $22.27 billion had been expected. The company experienced a decline in sales for its food products but an increase in sales for its soda products.
Foreign Affairs: Ukraine’s President Zelensky has appointed Yulia Svyrydenko as the country’s new Prime Minister. Svyrydenko was previously Economy Minister and a key negotiator in Ukraine’s minerals deal with the US. She is the first new Ukrainian Prime Minister since Russia’s invasion in 2022.
Security and intelligence: France handed over its last military base in Senegal yesterday on the orders of the Senegalese Government. This marks the end of France’s permanent military presence in West Africa. It follows the ousting of French troops from former colonies Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso in recent years. These countries have now turned to Russia for military support.
Domestic politics I: The Metropolitan Police has said that it is planning to close half of its front desks in London. The change would reduce the number of counters at which people can walk in and talk to a police officer from 37 to 19. The Met blamed its “budget shortfall and shrinking size” on the move.
Domestic politics II: In other domestic political news:
The UK Government said it planned to lower the voting age in UK General Elections to 16 years old.
Veteran Labour MP Diane Abbot was suspended from the Labour Party.
The UK Government signed its first treaty with Germany since World War II.
The Mighty Calendar
What’s happening today?
Germany hosts meeting of Europe Interior Ministers
BBC Proms begin, London
Royal International Air Tattoo begins, Gloucestershire
Lookahead to the weekend
Saturday
Darwin200 expedition returns to Falmouth
Oleksandr Usyk versus Daniel Dubois in World Heavyweight fight
British and Irish Lions test against Australia (rugby)
Sunday
Procession of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, London
The Open Championship finishes (golf), Northern Ireland
Final Oasis concert in Manchester
Lord Mayor’s Hot Air Balloon Regatta, London
The Mighty Finale
🌤️Weather today
Rain and thunderstorms in the north of England. Dry in the south. High of 29C and low of 17C in London. Thundery showers in Belfast. Light rain in Edinburgh.
✏️Life coaching quote of the day
“Be forgiving with your past self. What's done is done. Take the lessons with you and release the guilt.
Be strict with your present self. Win the moment in front of you right now.
Be flexible with your future self. There are many paths to success. You don't need life to be a certain way to live well.” – James Clear, writer
Mighty takeaway: Don’t give up on yourself.
That’s it for this morning. Thanks for reading and we hope you have a good weekend.
Adios!
The Mighty Memo team