THE MUSTS

World

samosas for everyone

 India overtakes Japan to become the world's 4th largest economy

 India has reached a new level in the global economy: it is now officially the 4th largest economy in the world, overtaking Japan.

• The milestone is more than symbolic. Just 10 years ago, India was ranked 10th in the world. Since Narendra Modi took office in 2014, the country has more than doubled in economic size, thanks to structural reforms, advances in infrastructure and bets on technology and manufacturing. See the TOP-10 of the major global powers:

Some figures prove this accelerated development:

• Real GDP growth of 8.2% in 2023/24, against a global average of 3.3%.

• Profits from exports of goods more than doubled between 2009 and 2023.

• Share of global services exports rose from 2.9% to 4.3% in 10 years.

• The world's fastest-growing country economically, with rates of over 7% per year.

Even though manufacturing still only accounts for 17.2% of GDP, there is an effort to increase its relevance. The country is also benefiting from the global scenario, with higher tariffs on Asian competitors, which could favor its insertion into production chains - like Apple itself planning to move its production there from China.

Looking forward: With a young population, political stability and economic ambition, India is on course to become the world's 3rd largest economy by 2030.

What else in on

• US: The (in)famous one Big Beautiful Bill has passed. While the top 20% of earners will see their net income increase nearly $13,000 per year, well over $3 trillion could be added to the American deficit over the next 10 years, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. (Their national debt is currently around $36 trillion.) (Read)

• French Polynesia: The beautiful country has announced the creation of the world’s largest marine protected area. The MPA will cover the entirety of the country's exclusive economic zone, almost 5 million km², and will restrict extractive practices like deep-sea mining and bottom-trawling. (Read)

• France: Starting this month, smoking will be banned on beaches, parks, bus stops and areas near schools in the country. According to the government, the aim is to protect children from passive smoking. The fine will be €135. Bars and outdoor cafés are exempt. (Read)

• Italy: Historic win for animals in Italy! There’s a new legislation imposing stricter penalties for animal cruelty, including fines up to €60,000 and prison terms of up to four years in the country. The law redefines animals as sentient beings with rights, aiming to combat practices like dog fighting and the dissemination of animal abuse content online. (Read)

• Brazil: BRICS summit is taking place in Rio. The annual meeting of emerging economies encompasses Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—which gave it its acronym—as well as other recent additions like the UAE and Iran. However, for the first time in a decade, Chinese leader Xi Jinping chose not to attend. (Read)
  

 Homem com H by Esmir Filho: I have to admit something: there's a pretty big gap in my knowledge when it comes to Brazilian music. I only really started connecting with it a few years ago, which means I’ve missed out on a lot of the history and impact of some of our cultural icons. But recently, a good friend recommended Homem com H — a film about Ney Matogrosso, who was named one of the greatest Brazilian singers of all time by Rolling Stones magazine. Since it’s also Pride Month, I decided to give it a shot. And honestly, what a perfect recommendation.

Every frame of this movie feels designed not just to be seen, but to be felt. The visual atmosphere mirrors Ney’s spirit: restless, free, subversive — and above all, sensitive. It’s deeply beautiful to know that Ney is still among us — alive, sharp, radiant — and that he’s able to witness this powerful reflection of his own legacy. That alone feels historic.

• And I can’t go without mentioning the actor who portrayed him — what a performance. It was raw, grounded, and electrifying. There were entire moments where I genuinely forgot I was watching an actor. The gaze, the presence, the movements — all of it felt so lived-in. Few actors can do so much with just a look.

This is Brazilian cinema at its finest — when it dares to be bold, lyrical, and honest. Homem com H doesn’t just honor a man who broke boundaries, defied norms, and redefined masculinity on his own terms — it reminds us of the power of art to free us. Ney is a man with a capital H — for human, for honest, for history. (Rating 9/10)

Have you ever noticed how, overnight, some things that once felt familiar suddenly feel… off? Like your favorite pair of jeans that used to fit perfectly but now feel tight and awkward in all the wrong places. Or those endless conversations with a friend that suddenly turn into strange silences you don’t quite know how to fill.

That discomfort — that awkward, in-between feeling — can be scary. But it’s one of our greatest allies. Lately, I’ve been feeling a lot of it, and I think it’s life’s quiet way of reminding us that we’re moving, changing.

• The problem is: We’re often so distracted by what’s happening outside that we forget to notice what’s happening inside. We ignore the discomfort instead of asking what it’s trying to tell us.

But if we look closely, discomfort is a signal. It shows us we’ve stepped outside of the predictable. And while that feels unsettling, it’s essential for growth. Without it, we’d probably just keep repeating the same choices, the same cycles — not because they’re right, but because they’re familiar. So ask yourself:

Sometimes when you feel lost, maybe you’re actually exactly where you need to be.
That messy middle — where everything feels blurry and directionless — is often where the most important decisions begin. Being lost might just mean that going with the flow isn’t enough anymore. Ever thought about it that way?

Discomfort is like a fever. It’s not the problem itself, but a symptom that something in your life needs attention. I’ve been trying to embrace situations of discomfort more often, and honestly — I recommend you try the same.

Next time you feel out of place, instead of running from it, pause and ask: “What is this feeling trying to show me?”

Discomfort isn’t the enemy. It’s the sign.

With love,
Micael.

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