Global Scans · Social · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: In the years to come, social commerce will become more widespread and the level of personalization will improve with advanced AI solutions & chatbots. The number of worldwide social media users is projected to grow from 2.1 billion in 2016 to 2.5 billion by 2018.

• [New] The adoption of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) norms is significantly reshaping the landscape of corporate compliance in India, introducing both opportunities and obligations for businesses. Lawvs - Legal Law Jobs portal in Delhi
• [New] There are opportunities in abundance - growing global demand, high price margins, and new trade agreements with China - but also significant hurdles: community backlash, lack of standards, and weak supply chain coordination. vietnamnews.vn
• [New] The Supreme Court of Canada has recognized that climate change has had a particularly serious effect on Indigenous peoples, threatening the ability of Indigenous communities in Canada to sustain themselves and maintain their traditional ways of life. SenCanada
• [New] Canada has a National Adaptation Strategy to reduce risks across all levels of government, so that communities can take action to mitigate the worst effects of climate change. SenCanada
• [New] The eco and ethical programme is an ambitious, customer focused plan that builds on the success of the first 10 years of Plan A and will support 1,000 communities, help 10 million people live happier, healthier lives and convert M&S into a zero-waste business. Marks & Spencer
• [New] Over the years, social media has transformed from a means of entertainment to a powerful economic tool, creating new opportunities for individuals and businesses worldwide. UA-Reporter.com
• [New] Axel Springer's media business (which is likely to be valued at $3.92 billion) will focus on AI-based journalism and reduce its reliance on search engines and social media, as part of its larger plan to double its value in the next few years. Digiday
• [New] Social media is a major driver of health trends, presenting a valuable opportunity to raise awareness, influence consumer perceptions and generate demand, especially for younger consumers. farminguk
• [New] The Government of India has launched a new scheme called ULLAS (Understanding of Lifelong Learning for All in Society) for the years 2022 to 2027. IBPS Guide
• [New] By 2023/24 the NHS will not be able to close the gap between demand and supply for nurses working in hospitals, mental health and community trusts. Health Foundation
• [New] As specified in The NHS long term plan, between 2018/19 and 2023/24 funding will grow faster than the overall NHS England budget for mental health (4.6% per year, on average), and primary medical and community services (3.8% per year, on average). Health Foundation
• [New] Across England, sustainability and transformation partnerships and integrated care systems are currently preparing 5-year implementation plans setting out how they will deliver the plan in their local communities. Health Foundation
• [New] Spending on mental health services will rise by £2.3bn over the next 5 years (4.6% per year), while spending on primary and community health services will rise by £4.5bn (3.8% per year). Health Foundation
• [New] About £2.2bn will be spent on staff, medicines, new technology and equipment in rural communities, coastal towns and working-class regions. SKY
• [New] Findings show that more than half of senior financial professionals in the UK now believe their leadership will place less focus on environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles over the next five years. theHRDIRECTOR
• [New] The Cook Labour Government's 2025-26 State Budget outlines significant investment in regional Western Australia, with the Mid West region set to benefit from upgrades in infrastructure, health services, education, and community programs. The Sector
• [New] NATO's Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic has launched its 2026 Challenge Call, seeking groundbreaking dual-use technologies across 10 priority areas - from energy resilience and autonomous systems to maritime operations and secure communications. Oceans Advance
• [New] While Operation Midnight Hammer's $ 120-170 million cost is relatively small compared to the $17.9 billion in annual aid to Israel, both occur within rising interest payments that now exceed defence spending and threaten the sustainability of social programs that millions of Americans rely upon. Foreign Affairs Forum
• [New] Aboriginal communities will benefit from a $246.8 million package over four years, supporting programs in health, education, employment, and justice, as well as economic development partnerships with business. RSM Australia
• [New] AI use in the NHS should align with existing NHS Net Zero commitmentswhere possible, communications teams should choose low-energy AI applications, avoid overuse, and promote digital sustainabilityenvironmental impacts of AI should be monitored alongside ethical risks, particularly as usage scales. NHS Confederation
• [New] By 2035, quantum computing could be worth $28 billion to $72 billion, quantum communication could be worth $11 billion to $15 billion, and quantum sensing could be worth $7 billion to $10 billion - for a total of as much as $97 billion. McKinsey & Company
• [New] The three core pillars of QT-quantum computing, quantum communication, and quantum sensing - could together generate $97 billion in revenue worldwide by 2035. McKinsey & Company
• [New] India is witnessing the rise of GCCs for social impact, and companies are increasingly integrating ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) goals into their operations from India, aligning business growth with national sustainability objectives like Net Zero by 2070. Yourstory

Last updated: 30 June 2025