Energy Bills & Inflation Pressure (Philippines): The Philippines hit a fresh record for high electricity rates in June across ASEAN, and the Department of Energy warns another Middle East-driven energy spike could mean more “bill shock,” especially for poorer households. Policy Scrutiny (Philippines): Senators are pushing faster investigations into how generation, transmission, distribution, taxes, and fees flow into monthly power bills. Cost-of-Living Risks (Philippines): Economists flag two shocks at once: a larger-than-expected Metro Manila minimum wage hike plus renewed US-Iran tensions that keep supply and oil-price volatility elevated. Smart Meter Concerns (India): Maharashtra’s smart meter rollout is raising worries about access for seniors, digital inclusion, and data privacy/cyber security. UK Inflation Snapshot: UK CPI cooled to 2.6% in June, helped by lower food and fuel costs, but experts warn it may be temporary as energy-price pressures could return. Food Safety Recall (UK): Waitrose pulled 8 Chocolate Chip Brioche Rolls over possible hard plastic/metal contamination, urging customers not to eat and to return for refunds. Consumer Credit Rules (Croatia): Croatia clarified that card-based instalment purchases won’t trigger a new creditworthiness check each time, since the bank/card issuer already assessed the customer. Digital Consumer Tech (US/Global): Microsoft will retire Copilot Podcasts in its Copilot app on Aug. 18, 2026, with no export option. Sustainability & Trust (Seafood): A new study finds shoppers trust independent seafood sustainability certifications most, with ASC labels gaining momentum as a quality signal—not just an environmental one.