Energy & Trade: Canada’s LNG Canada approved Phase 2, doubling capacity to 28 million tonnes a year and aiming to ship lower-emissions LNG to Asia, a fresh boost for consumer-linked energy supply chains. Consumer Spending Pressure: NIQ finds 34% of global consumers feel worse off financially than a year ago, with living costs driving shifts toward value and premium alternatives. Food Safety: India’s FSSAI orders tougher festive checks on dairy and other high-demand foods ahead of Navratri and Diwali, including on-the-spot testing via Food Safety on Wheels. Health Watch: Safefood says some Irish energy drinks top 17 teaspoons of sugar, and it launched an online sugar-and-caffeine checker as youth consumption stays high. Household Bills: Hawaiian Electric is seeking higher base rates, with proposed increases expected to raise typical monthly bills on multiple islands. Retail & Value: Lidl is unifying pet-care under “Max & Mila’s World” with clearer quality tiers, while UAE shoppers are stretching gold budgets as prices dip below Dh500/gram. Tech for Buyers: Expana launched Expana IQ Connect to plug commodity benchmarks and forecasts into AI tools used by enterprises. Global Markets Mood: US consumer confidence fell to a 12-year low, echoing broader uncertainty. Compliance & Safety Testing: SGS expanded CPSC-accredited bicycle testing labs across Vietnam, Germany, and the US to speed compliance for manufacturers.