57: The number of seats – out of 61 – that Myanmar’s military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party has won in the lower house following Sunday’s election, according to a party official. The election, the first since the army seized power in 2021, was widely viewed as a sham, with many townships refusing to vote.
$22 billion: The net outflow from African nations to China from 2020-2024, a reversal from the net inflow of $30 billion over the preceding five-year period. This turnaround reflects rising debt repayments and a sharp drop in the amount of Chinese loans to the continent.
500,000: The number of undocumented migrants who could be granted legal status in Spain, according to the country’s government. It’s a notable move for the fast-growing European economy, and one that stands in contrast to many of its neighbors, which have tightened legal immigration.
25%: The incoming US tariff rate on South Korean imports, after US President Donald Trump vowed to raise duties from 15%. Trump said lawmakers in Seoul were taking too long to enact a trade deal that the two sides had agreed on in July – the deal would have allowed preferential treatment for Korean cars in the US market.
250%: The amount that silver prices have risen over the last year, an astonishing amount that far eclipses the jump in gold prices. The cost of silver now sits around $110 per troy ounce.
In this episode of "ask ian," Ian Bremmer breaks down the growing rift between the US and Canada, calling it “permanent damage” to one of the world’s closest alliances.
30,000: The estimated death toll in Iran during the protests at the start of the year, per local health officials, underscoring the scale of the Islamic Republic’s crackdown on its own citizens.
Seventy-eight years after helping found the World Health Organization (WHO), the United States has formally withdrawn from the agency, following through on a pledge President Donald Trump made on his first day back in office.
Mastercard Economic Institute's Outlook 2026 explores the forces redefining global business. Tariffs, technology, and transformation define an adaptive economy for the year ahead. Expect moderate growth amid easing inflation, evolving fiscal policies, and rapid AI adoption, driving productivity. Digital transformation for SMEs and shifts in trade and consumer behavior will shape strategies worldwide. Stay ahead with insights to help navigate complexity and seize emerging opportunities. Learn more here.