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Weekly Economist
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- 1Trump's price-fixing plans stumble weeks before midterms▼5 WEEKS to the midterms. Trump's plan to fix prices has failed 3 TIMES. 🥩 Tariff-free beef → FARMERS revolt ⛽ Diesel exp
With five weeks until the US midterms, critics are highlighting three failed attempts by the Trump administration to bring down prices: tariff-free beef imports that angered farmers, a proposed diesel export ban opposed by the oil industry, and proposed $5,000 checks that even Republicans rejected. Inflation has remained above the Federal Reserve's target since 2021, and economists blame administration policies for the persistence of high prices.
- 2
A debate is under way in Japan over the government guidance that caps monthly overtime at 45 hours for most workers. A piece in Weekly Economist Online by scholar Wakana Shuto examines what the proposed revision of the 45-hour instruction really means for workers and employers. Commentators are weighing whether loosening or clarifying the cap would protect workers or open the door to longer hours.
- 3India MPC seen raising rates 25 bps this week▼businessline poll: MPC seen raising rates by 25 bps this week; majority expect 50-75 bps tightening by FY27
A Businessline poll of economists and market participants points to the Monetary Policy Committee raising India's key rate by 25 basis points at this week's meeting. A majority of respondents expect cumulative tightening of 50 to 75 basis points by the 2026-27 fiscal year, suggesting further hikes beyond the immediate move as the RBI works to contain inflation.
- 4China's Golden Week Sees Record 2.13 Billion Trips●China's National Day Sees Record 2.13 Billion Trips During Golden Week
China's National Day Golden Week holiday has generated a record 2.13 billion passenger trips across the country, underlining the scale of domestic travel during the eight-day break. The figure highlights strong demand for rail, road and air transport, with major tourist destinations reporting heavy crowds and surging bookings.
- 5US Mortgage Rates Jump to 7.28% in Four-Year High●US Mortgage Rates Hit 7.28% in Biggest Weekly Jump in Four Years
US mortgage rates have climbed to 7.28%, marking the biggest weekly increase in four years. The sharp rise adds fresh pressure to an already strained housing market, raising borrowing costs for homebuyers just as affordability concerns weigh on buyers. Economists point to moves in Treasury yields as lenders and industry watchers warn the jump could cool demand further this season.
- 6Rio de Janeiro launches plan to revive neighbourhood cinemas●https://www. wacoca.com/media/781820/ ワールドウオッチ：リオデジャネイロ市が「街角映画館再生計画」を始動 美代賢志 | 週刊エコノミスト Online # 2026年10月13・20日合併号 # fil
Rio de Janeiro's city government has launched a programme to bring movie theatres back to street corners across the Brazilian city, according to a report by Kenji Biyo in Weekly Economist's combined October 13-20, 2026 issue. The 'street-corner cinema revival plan' aims to restore local film venues, and the story is circulating among Japanese readers following international and film-industry news.
- 7US job openings fall to 7.08 million in August●📉 Las vacantes de empleo en EE.UU. cayeron a 7.079 millones en agosto, por debajo de lo esperado. Contrataciones (5.2M)
US job openings dropped to 7.079 million in August, below what economists had expected. Hiring held at 5.2 million and layoffs at 1.6 million, showing little movement. The dollar rose to multi-week highs as markets watch how the Federal Reserve weighs the cooling labor market in its next rate decisions.
- 8
The US jobs report released just ahead of the election came in softer than expected, showing weaker hiring growth in the final weeks before voters go to the polls. The weak numbers are drawing attention from economists and political analysts, who are weighing how the slowdown could shape the economic debate in the closing stretch of the campaign.
- 9US weekly unemployment claims fall to lowest since mid-July●U.S. unemployment claims dip to the lowest since mid-July
New claims for US unemployment benefits dropped to their lowest level since mid-July, a sign that layoffs remain limited and the labor market stays relatively firm. Economists watch the weekly figures closely for early signals of weakening hiring, and the dip suggests employers are holding on to workers despite broader concerns about the economy.