Global Scans · Homes · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: The number of smart homes is expected to grow further and by 2020 it is expected 46.2 million homes in the US and 44.9 million in Europe will be classed as smart homes. By 2022 there could be nearly 500 smart devices that can be connected to a smart home.

• [New] Mobile Health Units: By June, Mobile Health Teams will provide regular check-ups and care to residents of remote mountainous and island communities across Greece. Greek City Times
• [New] Netflix announced that its in-house advertising platform, Netflix Ads Suite, is now live in the US and Canada, will be available in EMEA next week, and will expand to all 12 ad-supported countries by June. NewscastStudio
• [New] The recently released NSW Industry Policy sets out long-term missions in Net Zero, housing and local manufacturing, while the forthcoming NSW Trade and Investment Strategy will help expand export opportunities and attract capital. The University of Sydney
• [New] If the recent decline in hospital deaths is sustained, by 2040 the annual numbers of people dying at home and in care homes will almost double and care home will become the most common place of death. PubMed Central (PMC)
• [New] The LMR line can unlock an extra £90bn in economic growth by 2040 and provide thousands of new homes, jobs and opportunities. The i Paper
• [New] Because of Republicans' rhetoric, student visa revocations and recent warnings from the Chinese government, Wan expects to see more families considering options other than the US. The World from PRX
• [New] Gains in Japan's wages cooled more than expected in March while early trade figures for April showed export growth slowing, adding to the case for the Bank of Japan to proceed cautiously with interest-rate hikes as economic risks at home and abroad continue to mount. Mayberry Investments Limited
• [New] The Indian households can consume up to 12 cylinders per year at subsidized rates and starting from the 13th cylinder they will be charged at non-subsidized rates. Goodreturns
• [New] Many immigrant workers will be affected by the change in the UK settlement timeline, with Indefinite Leave to Remain expected to be changed from 5 years to 10 years for many visa routes, with the exception of the family visa route. Immigration Advice Service
• [New] The Intersolar Europe conference will focus on the growing demand for renewable energy sources, particularly in Europe, as households seek to reduce their energy costs and reliance on traditional power sources. NenPower
• [New] In China, informal care providers are unpaid and are most often family members, but could be other acquaintances, community members or volunteers. PubMed Central (PMC)
• [New] With the potential for 40,000 homes per year on brownfield sites within urban London, the only way to double the number of home buildings to 80,000 a year is to expand outwards as well. IanVisits
• [New] In a 2023 study focused on New York state, Yale's Rao calculated that more than half of households would be willing to install heat pumps by 2030 with IRA incentives in place if their current HVAC system were to fail, compared to just 8% without. Inside Climate News
• [New] The increasing retaliatory measures imposed by the Chinese government in response to the escalating reciprocal tariff rate imposed by the White House will cause significant disruption to U.S. trade in recycled copper, as was similarly seen during parts of President Trump's first term. JD Supra
• [New] Dubai's Urban Master Plan 2040 aims to support the growth of Dubai's population to 5.8 million people by 2040 whilst improving the quality of life for all residents. Engel & Volkers
• [New] Most of the people returning to Afghanistan are in a state of acute vulnerability, having been forced to leave behind their homes, possessions, and jobs. International Organization for Migration
• [New] Fannie Mae sees home prices rising 4.1% year over year in 2025 and 2% in 2026.The Mortgage Bankers Association sees price growth slowing to 1.3% year over year in 2025 and 0.3% in 2026.The National Association of Realtors thinks median home prices will increase 3% in 2025 and 4% in 2026. Business Insider
• [New] The UK has removed tariffs on US ethanol from 19% to 0%, which according to the White House creates a $700m (€622m) opportunity in US exports. FoodNavigator.com
• [New] Compared to New Hampshire's House Bill 302, which was signed into law yesterday and made the state the first in the US to pass a Bitcoin bill, Arizona's House Bill 2749 is considered less active in its approach. Crypto Briefing
• London has a new target of building 88,000 new homes a year, but the current plan, which expects all housing supply to come from brownfield sites, is delivering only around 40,000 a year. Kent Online
• The American Economic Liberties Project today released a new policy agenda for antimonopoly champions in the 119th Congress to rein in concentrated corporate power and build a fairer economy for workers, small businesses, and families. American Economic Liberties Project

Last updated: 17 May 2025