ECCA

UN Climate Change has introduced a new strategy for its Entertainment and Culture for Climate Action (ECCA) initiative ahead of the COP31 climate summit. The plan focuses on leveraging creativity from the entertainment and culture sectors to drive public engagement and climate action. Observers see it as an effort to broaden the reach of climate diplomacy beyond formal negotiations.

Reports say major beauty retailers Mecca and Sephora are being outpaced by online marketplaces in the global beauty market. Coverage across finance outlets suggests marketplace platforms are growing faster than traditional beauty chains, reshaping where shoppers buy cosmetics and skincare. Industry watchers are weighing what the shift means for brick-and-mortar beauty retail and store-based brands.

New Jersey Republican Representative Tom Kean Jr. and Democratic challenger Rebecca Bennett faced off in a contentious debate, sparring over US military action against Iran and the Trump administration's tariff policies. Kean defended his party's positions while Bennett pressed him on the costs of war and trade. Multiple national outlets, including the Associated Press and ABC News, covered the exchange.

Pakistan has appointed a general with a counter-terrorism background to lead the Saudi-led military coalition headquartered in Mecca, widely known as the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition. The move places a Pakistani officer in charge of a 41-member alliance, underscoring Islamabad's growing role in Middle East security arrangements and drawing attention to how the coalition will balance counter-terrorism priorities with regional rivalries.