Welcome to MindLab

Global headlines today mixed economic steadiness, diplomatic outreach, cultural momentum and institutional transitions: Japan and Switzerland both avoided falling into recession, with Tokyo reporting a modest 0.2% annualized expansion in Q4 that eased fears of a deeper downturn and prompted currency market moves, while broader coverage noted resilience in several advanced economies; New Delhi is hosting a major international AI summit this week, convening about twenty heads of state and industry leaders to work toward a shared roadmap for governance and cooperation in the sector; in diplomacy, France’s interior minister Laurent Nunez is on a two‑day visit to Algeria to restore security dialogue and rebuild ties after a period of strain; cultural heritage debates continue in Italy as the government secures an Antonello da Messina masterpiece that locals argue should be returned to Sicily, underscoring renewed attention to regional identity and preservation; and the 39th African Union summit concluded with leaders focusing on continental crises and a formal handover of the organization’s presidency to Burundi’s Évariste Ndayishimiye, marking a new chapter in AU leadership.