Author: Leadr Magazine Contributor

Global investment in clean energy is projected to reach an unprecedented $2.2 trillion in 2025, doubling the $1.1 trillion allocated to fossil fuels, according to the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) latest World Energy Investment report. This surge in clean energy spending contributes to a total global energy investment of $3.3 trillion for the year, underscoring a significant shift in the global energy landscape. The report highlights that solar energy is expected to attract the most investment, with $450 billion allocated, while battery storage investments are projected to rise to approximately $66 billion. These figures reflect the growing emphasis on renewable…

U.S. stock markets experienced modest declines on June 5, 2025, as investors exercised caution ahead of the release of a pivotal employment report. The S&P 500 fell by 0.5% to 5,939.30, the Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.3% to 42,319.74, and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 0.8% to 19,298.45. The Russell 2000, which tracks smaller companies, declined 0.1% to 2,097.35. Investor sentiment was influenced by concerns over potential weaknesses in the labor market and their implications for Federal Reserve policy. Recent data indicated a second consecutive rise in initial jobless claims, suggesting a gradual softening in employment conditions. Analysts, including Kevin…

On June 5, 2025, a coalition of nearly 250 U.S. companies, labor unions, and industry groups—including the American Petroleum Institute, DuPont, and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers—sent a letter to Senate Republican leaders urging them to preserve the Section 45V tax credit for clean hydrogen production. The coalition emphasized that eliminating the credit could jeopardize billions in investments and shift innovation overseas, particularly to China. The 45V tax credit, established under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, offers up to $3 per kilogram of clean hydrogen produced, depending on the carbon intensity of the production process. The credit is…

PARIS — June 4, 2025 — The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has revised its global economic growth projections downward, forecasting a 2.9% expansion for both 2025 and 2026. This adjustment reflects mounting challenges stemming from heightened trade tensions, increased policy uncertainty, and tighter financial conditions. The OECD’s latest Economic Outlook underscores the significant impact of recent trade policies, particularly those implemented by the United States. President Donald Trump’s administration has introduced substantial tariffs, raising the average U.S. tariff rate to 15.4%—the highest since 1938. These measures have disrupted global supply chains and prompted retaliatory actions from key…

WASHINGTON, D.C. — June 4, 2025 — The U.S. services sector, a cornerstone of the nation’s economy, experienced an unexpected contraction in May, signaling potential challenges ahead. The Institute for Supply Management (ISM) reported that its non-manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) fell to 49.9, down from 51.6 in April, marking the first decline below the 50 threshold since June 2024. A reading below 50 indicates contraction in the sector. This downturn was driven by a significant drop in new orders, which fell to 46.4—the lowest level since December 2022. Inventories and backlogs also contracted, while the prices paid index surged…

NEW YORK — June 4, 2025 — Circle Internet Group, the fintech company behind the USD Coin (USDC), officially went public today, listing on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “CRCL.” The initial public offering (IPO) raised approximately $1.05 billion, with shares priced at $31 each, above the anticipated range of $27 to $28. This pricing reflects robust investor interest, culminating in a company valuation of approximately $8 billion. Founded in 2013 by Jeremy Allaire and Sean Neville, Circle has emerged as a significant player in the digital currency landscape. USDC, its flagship stablecoin pegged 1:1 to…

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On June 4, 2025, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) convened a comprehensive workshop titled “The Attention Economy: How Big Tech Firms Exploit Children and Hurt Families,” focusing on the pervasive influence of digital platforms on young users. Held at the FTC’s Constitution Center and streamed online, the event brought together lawmakers, child safety advocates, technologists, and legal experts to examine how technology companies design platforms that maximize user engagement, often at the expense of children’s well-being. FTC Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson opened the workshop, emphasizing the agency’s commitment to safeguarding children in the digital age. He highlighted…

Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey has strongly condemned the unilateral tariff policies implemented by former U.S. President Donald Trump, arguing that they have severely disrupted the global trade system that has been in place since the end of World War II. In his remarks, Bailey described the impact of Trump’s tariffs as having “blown up” the carefully constructed international trading order, contributing to significant fragmentation in global commerce. This shift, he suggested, has had far-reaching consequences for economic stability and growth worldwide. Bailey’s criticism comes amid a broader reassessment of the effects of protectionist trade policies, which have been…

In a controversial move, the Trump administration is exploring the idea of renaming U.S. Navy ships that have been named in honor of prominent civil rights and gay rights icons. The proposed renaming effort, which aligns with Pride Month, comes as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth pushes for a shift in the military’s symbolic focus toward reinforcing a “warrior ethos.” According to a directive obtained by Military.com and CBS News, Hegseth has instructed Navy Secretary John Phelan to reconsider the naming of ships like the USNS Harvey Milk, which was named after the late gay rights activist and Navy veteran, Harvey…

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has revised down its global economic growth forecasts for 2025 and 2026, predicting a modest 2.9% growth rate over the next two years. The international organization cites several factors contributing to this downward revision, including former U.S. President Donald Trump’s unilateral tariff policies, heightened policy uncertainty, and a global slowdown in demand, with particular emphasis on the largest economies, the U.S. and China. The OECD’s new forecasts represent a significant adjustment, as the global economy grapples with the ongoing effects of the trade wars, notably between the U.S. and China, and the…