Monday 16 March 2026
The Mighty Headlines
Economics: Top US and China economy officials meet in Paris
Business and markets: Tesla given licence to supply electricity in the UK
Foreign Affairs: Iran issues warning to evacuate UAE ports
Security and intelligence: North Korea test-launches 12 rocket launchers
Domestic politics: Liberal Democrats call for independent nuclear deterrent
The Mighty Stats
FTSE = 10,261.15 (down 0.43%)
S&P 500 = 6,632.19 (down 0.61%)
Nasdaq = 22,105.36 (down 0.93%)
CAC40 = 595.85 (down 0.5%)
£1 = $1.32 / €1.15
Lab / Con / Reform = 17 / 18 / 27 per cent (Techne, 10-12 March)
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The Mighty Detail
Economics: US Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, and Chinese Vice Premier, He Lifeng, met in Paris yesterday for economic talks ahead of President Trump’s visit to China at the end of the month. Topics for discussion included US tariffs, US control on high-tech goods and China’s control of the rare earth market.
Business and markets: Tesla has been given approval by the energy regulator, Ofgem, to supply electricity to domestic and commercial properties in the UK. Ofgem said this followed an application and assessment process that took place between July 2025 and March 2026.
Foreign Affairs: Iran issued warnings at the weekend to evacuate three key ports in the UAE. Iran said that the US was using the ports to send missiles to Kharg Island – Iran’s main oil export terminal. Iran has, until now, resisted striking non-US assets in the region.
Security and intelligence: North Korea said that it test-launched 12 rocket launchers yesterday, hitting targets around 220 miles away. Leader Kim Jong Un oversaw the drills with his teenage daughter.
It is likely to be a response to the joint US-South Korea annual military exercises currently taking place.
Domestic politics: The Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Sir Ed Davey, has called for the UK to have a “fully independent” nuclear deterrent. The UK currently depends on the US to supply and maintain the Trident missiles used to deliver UK-made nuclear warheads. France, by contrast, has a fully independent system.
The Mighty Calendar
What’s happening today?
Mexico public holiday (Benito Juarez Day)
UK PM Starmer receives Canadian PM Carney
Defence Questions in UK House of Commons
Canada CPI inflation data (February) – set to fall from 2.3% to 2.1%
Lookahead to tomorrow
Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland holiday (St Patrick’s Day)
Justice Questions in UK House of Commons
Scottish Parliament votes on its assisted dying bill
Company results from: Wickes, Prudential, Travis Perkins
The Mighty Finale
🌤️Weather today
Rain in the north of England. Dry in the south. High of 12C and low of 7C in London. Light rain in Belfast and Edinburgh.
✏️Life coaching quote of the day
“One time, one meeting (ichi-go ichi-e).” – Japanese proverb
Mighty takeaway: This Japanese proverb explains that each moment and encounter in life is unique, never to be repeated. We live each moment in life only once. Enjoy every moment.
That’s it for this Monday morning. Thank you as always for reading and we hope you have a good start to the week.
Bye!
The Mighty Memo team
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