From US Tariffs to Data Centres, these are the Biggest Positive News Stories in 2025 (so far) - Week of August 4th
Happy August, Breakfast Club readers!
We’re serving up a fresh plate of good news this week. From India’s roaring tiger recovery to successes in Women's football to the surprising ways data centres might help keep us cozy in winter. So, grab your coffee, get your Monday routine started, and let’s dive in.
Want news on the go without bias or excess fluff? Download our beta app here.
♻️ Waste Heat from Data Centres Is (Mostly) Going to Waste
Data centres are a growing climate concern, but also a missed opportunity. As our digital lives heat up, so do the data servers powering them. That heat, mostly wasted, could instead warm homes, pools, farms, and greenhouses.
Some places are making it work:
• In Dublin, waste heat from Amazon’s data centres now warms both commercial and residential buildings
• Norway used to regulate water temperatures at lobster and trout farms
• Further farming projects include heating greenhouses with waste heat, everywhere from Canada and India, to Finland
But here’s the catch: Though being utilized globally with promising results, it’s important to keep in mind, retrofitting existing data centres is expensive and complicated. Most aren’t near places that need heat, and high-temperature heating systems don’t easily work with low-grade waste heat.
Why it matters: The tech to reuse waste heat already exists, and successful projects from Dublin to Norway show what’s possible. The real challenge is coordination: smarter planning, better policy, and designing future data centres with re-use in mind. It’s not about doing less digital, it’s about doing digital better.
Chemical Shield Stops DNA Damage from Triggering Disease–’ A Paradigm Shift’
Researchers at UC Riverside have developed a chemical probe that protects mitochondria (our cells’ energy centers) from DNA damage, one of the key hallmarks of aging.
Instead of fixing broken mitochondrial DNA after the fact, the new molecule stops it from being degraded in the first place. That matters because DNA loss in mitochondria is linked to heart disease, neurodegeneration, and chronic inflammation.
Early results in lab-grown cells show the probe keeps mitochondrial DNA stable and functional.
Why it matters: This is more than repair, it’s prevention at the source. If future studies hold up, we may be looking at a new way to protect against aging and disease by preserving the core engine of the cell.
Global Economies Show Resilience Despite US Tariff Fears, Surveys Show
The global economy isn’t having an easy year, but it’s holding up better than many expected. In July, the US saw its fastest growth in private sector activity this year, and major economies in Europe, India, Japan, and Australia also showed signs of stability or expansion.
That said, it’s not all smooth sailing. Ongoing US tariffs, especially recent policy shifts and trade measures, continue to drive up prices and weigh on exports. The impact of US tariffs in 2025 is already being felt, with European exporters and UK manufacturers reporting delays, rising costs, and growing uncertainty around international trade. Still, new public investments and strong stock markets are helping offset some of the drag.
💬 “If there’s anything good out of the trade shock, it’s that there are signs Europe is waking up,” said Swiss Re’s chief economist, Jerome Jean Haegeli.
Sources: WSJ | Yahoo Finance
Why it matters: Even with trade tensions and inflation concerns, the world’s biggest economies are adapting. It’s not boom times, but it’s not breakdown either. Flexibility and fiscal response are keeping things moving.
Tigers Roar back to life in India: How India doubled its tiger population in just a decade
India joined 12 other nations on July 29th to mark International Tiger Day 2025, a global event to raise awareness about tiger conservation. The day highlights ongoing threats such as poaching, habitat loss, and human-animal conflict that have led to a sharp decline in the global tiger population. India, home to the Royal Bengal Tiger, continues to play a key role in global conservation efforts.
India now hosts 75% of the world’s wild tigers, more than 3,600 across its forests. That’s double the number from just over a decade ago.
Despite having only 18% of global tiger habitat (and the highest human density of all tiger-range countries), India’s conservation efforts are working and inspiring the 12 other nations in the global “Tx2” pledge to protect these endangered icons.
Why it matters: Tigers are ecosystem guardians. As apex predators, they keep forests balanced, which helps plants grow, rivers flow, carbon stay stored, and nearby communities thrive. When tigers thrive, so does everything (and everyone) around them.
A Win for the Lionesses and the Future of Women’s Football
England took home the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 title in a thrilling shootout against Spain, but the real victory goes beyond the scoreboard.
Women’s football (or soccer for our American readers 😉) is making serious strides: record-breaking attendance, soaring global viewership, and growing commercial momentum. England women’s football players like Chloe Kelly and Alessia Russo are now household names, and more young fans (especially girls) are seeing football as a real career, not just a dream.
But there’s still work to do. From prize money gaps to basic infrastructure issues in other tournaments, the sport still faces unequal treatment. The good news? Change is already happening, from increased funding and visibility to player-led reforms and new global rivalries that are raising the bar in women’s football.
Why it matters: Women’s football isn’t just growing, it’s evolving. With continued support and smart investment, the game can reach full equity, on and off the pitch.
Like what you're reading? Hear it too. With the Podego Daily App, you can expect:
10-min daily briefings that fit your life
No fluff, just smart, credible takes that matter
Pick your host & topics, make it yours
Early access + help shape what we build next
Free but limited spots available!
Our beta is free and invite-only. Fill out the form below to get your download link and start listening today.
