Hope for Better Lives: A Billion People Need Vision Care. What a New Bloomberg Philanthropies Effort Will Do (Forbes)

Bloomberg Philanthropies has announced a $75 million Vision Initiative to address one of the world’s most pressing but often invisible health challenges: poor vision. An estimated one billion people globally lack access to basic vision care, creating barriers to learning, productivity, and opportunity.
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As reported by Forbes, the initiative includes the NYC-based eyeglass company Warby Parker as a lead partner along with a variety of other partners such as VisionSpring, RestoringVision, and Vision to Learn.

The goal is to improve vision care around the world by providing more vision screenings, corrective lenses like eyeglasses and contact lenses, and cataract surgeries, as well as strengthening the data available to make better public health decisions.
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Over the next two years, the initiative will conduct screenings for 11.5 million people in countries such as the US, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Nigeria. It will distribute nearly seven million pairs of eyeglasses domestically and abroad and support 250,000 cataract surgeries to help restore sight. Together, these efforts aim to transform the way millions of children learn, adults work, and families thrive.
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As Mike noted in his announcement at the Bloomberg Philanthropies Global Forum, poor vision is “an enormous obstacle to success in school and careers” — but “in most cases, it can be easily fixed.” He described fixing vision as a way for “more people to fulfill their potential,” underscoring the initiative’s aim to turn a simple intervention into life-changing impact.

Read the full piece from Forbes here and watch the video below to learn more.

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Netanyahu at the Oval Office

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Trump Says Netanyahu Agreed to 20-Point Plan to End War in Gaza (Bloomberg)

President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a 20-point plan to end the war in Gaza, though peace prospects remain uncertain without Hamas’s participation.

At a Monday press conference, Trump said the framework has backing from Middle Eastern and Muslim-majority leaders and could lay the groundwork for broader regional peace. He warned, however, that “if Hamas rejects the deal,” Netanyahu would “have our full backing” to destroy the militant group.
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The plan calls for an immediate ceasefire if accepted, with hostages and remains returned within 72 hours, nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners released, and a pledge that Israel would not occupy or annex Gaza.
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President Trump would chair a “Board of Peace,” joined by world leaders including former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, to oversee a technocratic Palestinian committee that would assume authority over Gaza, excluding Hamas from future governance.
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The proposal also provides for aid resumption and economic reconstruction, while raising the possibility that conditions for a future Palestinian state “may finally be in place.” Netanyahu said the deal “achieves our war aims” and confirmed Israel would retain security responsibility, including a perimeter around Gaza.
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Hamas, which has not yet seen the plan, said it would need to review it before responding.

Diplomatic Repair: Netanyahu Said to Apologize to Qatar for Deadly Israeli Missile Strike (Bloomberg)

Netanyahu, speaking alongside President Trump in a White House call, issued an apology to Qatar’s prime minister for an Israeli missile strike in Doha that targeted Hamas officials but instead killed a Qatari guard, vowing Israel would never repeat such an attack.

The move, welcomed by Qatar, was a concession aimed at restoring ties and reviving Qatar’s role as a mediator in Gaza ceasefire talks.

US War on Climate

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US Energy Dept. Adds ‘Climate Change’ and ‘Emissions’ to Banned Words List (Politico)

The US Energy Department has added “climate change,” “green,” and “decarbonization” to its growing “list of words to avoid” at its Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

The words on the DOE list are at the heart of EERE’s mission: It is the government’s largest investor in technologies that help reduce heat-trapping emissions that cause climate change as well as the hazardous pollution from fossil fuels.

Other terms officials must avoid include “emissions,” “energy transition,” “sustainability/sustainable,” “‘clean’ or ‘dirty’ energy,” “carbon/CO2 ‘footprint’” and “tax breaks/tax credits/subsidies.”

It is the latest in a series of Trump administration efforts to dispute, silence, or downplay the realities of climate change.

Mine, Baby, Mine: Trump Officials Offer $625 Million to Rescue Coal (New York Times)

Making Black Lung Great Again: The Trump administration outlined a coordinated plan to revive the mining and burning of coal, the largest contributor to climate change worldwide.

By rolling back pollution regulations, cutting royalty rates, and investing in aging coal plants, the plan threatens to increase air and water pollution, raise electricity costs, and stall the nation’s transition to cleaner, more sustainable energy.

Lessons from Peter

Peter Grauer, our longtime Chairman, will retire this week after nearly 25 years of remarkable leadership at Bloomberg.

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Since joining Bloomberg in 2000, Peter has been a defining force in our global growth, cultural identity, and philanthropic commitments.

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Known as a “global ambassador,” he has traveled the world building relationships with clients and colleagues across regions and is admired for his personal touch, always taking the time to listen, engage, and connect.

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As he begins this next chapter, we celebrate Peter's journey, his extraordinary contributions, and the lasting influence he leaves in shaping Bloomberg’s future.

What I'm Reading

Weekend of Violence: Nine People Dead and Scores Injured Over US Mass Shootings (The Guardian)

Six mass shootings across four states over the weekend left nine people dead and at least 33 injured, including a deadly attack at a Mormon church in Michigan.

The violence brings the total number of US mass shootings this year to 324, more than one per day, underscoring the country’s ongoing crisis of gun violence amid nearly 400 million firearms in circulation.

The vehicle that rammed into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, Michigan, on Sunday:

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(Lukas Katilius/The Flint Journal)

This Week in Congress: US Government Shutdown Looms With Trump, Democrats at Odds (Bloomberg)

The US is on the brink of a government shutdown as Democrats and Republicans remain deadlocked over funding, with Democrats pushing for health-care subsidies and Medicaid protections while Republicans demand a “clean” funding bill.

If no deal is reached, the shutdown will begin at midnight tonight, suspending services, halting federal paychecks, and carrying significant political risks for both parties ahead of the midterm elections.

Data Deprivation: US Economy Will Only Get Murkier If Key Data Is Delayed in Shutdown (Bloomberg)

A US government shutdown would stall the release of vital economic data — from jobs and inflation to retail sales — depriving policymakers, businesses, and investors of the “gold standard” reports they rely on to assess the economy.

Without this transparent, reliable information, the Federal Reserve risks “flying blind in a foggy environment,” complicating rate decisions and adding uncertainty to an economy already grappling with slowing growth and Trump-era policy impacts.

Conspiracist's Influence: Trump Demands Microsoft Fire Company Executive 'Immediately' (The Information)

President Trump has called on Microsoft to fire its head of global affairs, Lisa Monaco, over her ties to the Democratic Party.

In a rambling post on Truth Social, Trump claimed Monaco was a “menace to US national security” and cited “the major contracts that Microsoft has with the United States Government.” He said Microsoft should “immediately terminate” Monaco’s employment.

It’s unclear what triggered the outburst, but Laura Loomer, a right-wing conspiracy theorist who has aligned herself with Trump, had previously targeted Monaco on X.

Big Payout: YouTube to Pay $24.5m to Settle Trump Lawsuit Over Capitol Riot (BBC)

YouTube will pay $24.5 million to settle Donald Trump’s lawsuit over his account suspension after the January 6 Capitol attack in 2021.

Trump argued that YouTube, along with other tech companies, unfairly censored him and conservative voices due to political bias, while the platforms said the suspension was necessary to prevent further violence.

As part of the settlement, YouTube will pay $22 million to the Trust for the National Mall, which is raising funds to build a new White House ballroom, and $2.5 million to other organizations and individuals who joined Trump’s lawsuit, including the American Conservative Union

UK Conference Talks: Reeves Calls Farage ‘Greatest Threat’ in Bid to Rally Labour (Bloomberg)

At this week's Labour Conference, UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves warned that Nigel Farage’s Reform UK is the “single greatest threat” to working people, arguing it would harm Britain’s global ties, weaken the NHS, and destabilize the economy.

She highlighted Labour’s gains on growth and NHS waiting lists, framing the next election as a direct contest with Reform amid its rise in the polls.

China Power Play: Xi Pushes Trump to Oppose Taiwan Independence in Major Shift (Bloomberg)

Chinese President Xi Jinping is pressuring the US to change its Taiwan stance by declaring it “opposes” independence, instead of the longstanding “does not support” phrasing.

The demand, raised ahead of a Trump–Xi meeting, would be a major diplomatic win for Beijing and has sparked concerns that US policy on Taiwan could become a bargaining chip in wider trade and security talks.

Defiance Alliance: Colombia’s Cabinet Escalates Visa Clash With Washington (Bloomberg)

Colombia’s foreign minister, Rosa Yolanda Villavicencio, said she would renounce her US visa in an “act of dignity” after Washington revoked President Gustavo Petro’s permit over his call for US forces to disobey Donald Trump.

Interior Minister Armando Benedetti then urged the entire cabinet and other officials “committed to President Petro” to also give up their visas.

The move underscores rapidly deteriorating US-Colombia relations, leaving both Petro and his top diplomat unable to travel to the US, though Colombia will maintain its UN Security Council seat.

Daily Read Podcast: Today’s news, powered by AI and ready to stream. Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. 

Bad Behavior at Ryder Cup: Rory McIlroy Calls Out ‘Unacceptable, Abusive Behavior’ from Fans at Bethpage After Europeans Win (Yahoo Sports)

Rory McIlroy helped lead Europe to a 15-13 win over the United States in the Ryder Cup this weekend. The targeting of European players continued constantly through the weekend. At one point on Saturday, a fan even launched a drink at McIlroy and his wife, Erica.

Museum To-Do List: 17 NYC Art Exhibitions We're Most Excited About in Fall 2025 (Time Out)
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New York City’s art scene is gearing up for a vibrant fall. Leading the season are two major reopenings: The Studio Museum in Harlem and The New Museum on the Bowery, both unveiling their spaces after transformative renovations. Roosevelt Island will debut a striking new public artwork, The Whitney will explore the experimental energy of the 1960s, and the Brooklyn Museum will present a rare collection of Monets.

From outdoor installations to museum exhibitions and gallery openings, these are 17 art experiences not to miss this fall — and with the Bloomberg Connects app, you can dive even deeper with guided audio, virtual tours, and more.

Best of Late Night

“American Airlines has unveiled new amenity kits for premium tickets, which include beauty products from celebrity facialist Joanna Vargas. While Spirit said they'll just keep passing around a tub of Vaseline."
– Seth Meyers

“Last week, here in New York City, a proposal for a Times Square casino was voted down. Good, that is no place for a casino. If you want to gamble in Times Square, you can bet on the drunk Elmo fights like everybody else. 
– Stephen Colbert

On Trump's recent shift on Ukraine policy:

"Don't get down on yourself, Donald. It's not your fault the relationship didn't work out. Who could have known not to trust Russian dictator Vladimir Putin?"
– Jordan Klepper

And from The Daily Show: Jon Stewart returned to The Daily Show desk with sharp commentary on the tragedy of mass shootings, partisan blame games, the latest Portland troop stunt, a looming government shutdown, and Trump's nonstop social media rants. Click the photo below to watch. 

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