Hard Numbers

45: Fewer than 45% of eligible Iraqis voted in the country’s national election last weekend, authorities said. That’s less than in Iraq’s three previous national elections, but better than the average turnout in a typical US midterm contest.

14: Developed countries generate 60 percent of global GDP, but only contain around 14 percent of the world’s population. #NotGoingToLast

5.6: Demand for air conditioners is expected to rise to 5.6 billion units by 2050, up from about 1.6 billion today, according to the latest estimates from the International Energy Agency. Without big improvements in energy efficiency, by mid-century, AC units and fans could consume as much electricity as all of India and China do now.

1/2: Restrictions on cross-border data flows shave around half a percent off European GDP, according to the Center for International Governance. A reminder that privacy protection comes with a price tag.

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Police officers disperse protesters in Jakarta, Indonesia, on August 30, 2025.
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U.S. President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer hold a press conference at Chequers at the conclusion of a state visit on September 18, 2025 in Aylesbury, England.
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On the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, our panel of global experts will discuss the future of global cooperation and governance in the age of AI. Our livestream panel discussion, "Global Stage: Live from the 80th UN General Assembly" will examine these key issues on Tuesday, September 23 at 11:30 AM ET, live from the sidelines of UN headquarters on the first day of high-level General Debate. Watch live at gzeromedia.com/globalstage

Last Thursday, Brazil’s Supreme Court delivered a historic verdict: Jair Bolsonaro, the far-right former president who tried to overturn the 2022 election, was convicted along with seven close allies for conspiring against democracy and plotting to assassinate his rivals, including President Lula. Bolsonaro was sentenced to 27 years in prison and barred from office until 2060. At 70, he will likely spend his remaining years behind bars.
Last Thursday, Brazil’s Supreme Court delivered a historic verdict: Jair Bolsonaro, the far-right former president who tried to overturn the 2022 election.

Last Thursday, Brazil’s Supreme Court delivered a historic verdict: Jair Bolsonaro, the far-right former president who tried to overturn the 2022 election.