PepsiCo receives a $4 billion investment from Elliott, intensifying corporate theatre

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The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), though expansive, has had limited real-world influence due to the internal disputes among its members. Meanwhile, PepsiCo, a global food and beverage giant, is maintaining an active dialogue with its shareholders.

In a significant development, Elliott Management, a prominent investor, has criticized PepsiCo's insistence on owning its bottling operations, blaming it for the decline in beverage sales. Elliott Management suggests that PepsiCo should prune its food business, which includes brands like Lay's chips, Quaker, and Rice-A-Roni. Last year, PepsiCo slipped behind Dr Pepper in beverage sales.

In international politics, tensions continue to rise. Israel's actions in Gaza meet the legal definition of a genocide, according to the world's largest association of genocide scholars. However, Israel has criticized the group's resolution, stating it is "entirely based on Hamas' campaign of lies."

In a diplomatic move, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held hands with Russia's Vladimir Putin and shared a car ride with him, and also met with China's Xi Jinping at a summit. The meetings were seen as a deliberate diplomatic move to challenge the US. Trump renewed his attacks on New Delhi on Monday, and the Economic Times wrote that these friendly exchanges will make Trump squirm.

Thailand's constitutional court sacked the country's prime minister, throwing the country into renewed political turmoil. Elsewhere, Indonesia was engulfed by widespread protests driven by economic discontent and opposition to police brutality.

In a surprising turn of events, China welcomed more than a dozen world leaders, including Russia's Vladimir Putin and India's Narendra Modi, for a summit aimed at countering a Western-led world order. However, one notable summit attendee, India's prime minister, is not sticking around for the military parade.

China is also reportedly considering annexing parts of the occupied West Bank in response to several Western countries' plans to recognize a Palestinian state. Israel's military chief warned leaders that plans for an expanded offensive in Gaza City would portend a full occupation of the Strip.

In the world of science, Chinese scientists have turned succulents into glow-in-the-dark, rechargeable lights that shine in a variety of colors. Researchers have also used artificial intelligence to spot hidden signs of consciousness in comatose patients long before they were noticed by doctors.

In the economic sphere, long-dated government bonds worldwide tumbled due to fears of excessive government spending, rising inflation, and political instability. In the food industry, significant consolidation is taking place, including the planned merger of the dairy cooperatives Arla and DMK, creating a new large player in the dairy market with around 19 billion euros in revenue. Additionally, about 20 mergers and acquisitions were announced in Germany's food industry during the summer, reflecting ongoing industry restructuring amid market challenges.

The US company Kraft Heinz announced its plan to split into two publicly traded companies, reversing a previous large-scale deal. Washington has moved several naval assets to Latin America in a bid to counter drug cartels. The White House has been increasing pressure on Venezuela, including by putting a $50 million bounty on its leader last month. However, a federal judge blocked White House plans to return Guatemalan children to their home country.

In a legal ruling, a US federal appeals court ruled that sweeping global tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump were illegal, but did not immediately lift the duties. This ruling represents a major setback for Trump's economic agenda. The airplane carrying the European Commission president was the target of a suspected Russian interference operation.

In a humanitarian crisis, more than 800 people have been killed after an earthquake struck near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. A US military conducted a lethal strike on a vessel off the coast of Venezuela, allegedly carrying illegal narcotics.

In a surprising turn of events, a US court ruling that President Donald Trump's tariffs are illegal was upheld by a federal appeals court. However, the duties were not immediately lifted. This ruling represents a major setback for Trump's economic agenda.

PepsiCo receives a $4 billion investment from Elliott, intensifying corporate theatre