AI Talent Wars Heat Up as Big Tech and Startups Compete for Elite Researchers Iran War Inflation Accelerates Japans Economic Strain Faster Than Past Oil Crises Japans Undervalued Companies Brace for Influx of Foreign Acquisition Bids US GDP Growth of 2 in Early 2026 Signals Economic Resilience UK Consumer Spending Declines for First Time in Over a Year as Iran Conflict Impacts Sentiment