Annual

• Real GDP expanded at a 2% annualized pace in Q1 2026, driven by business investment surging to its fastest rate in nearly three years on AI equipment and software spending. • Consumer spending rose modestly at 1.6%, down from 1.9% last quarter, impacted by bad winter weather and March energy price spikes. • ISM Manufacturing PMI hit 52.7 and Services PMI 53.6 in April, marking continued expansion with Prices Paid Index steady at 70.7 signaling persistent inflation pressures.

• India retained their top position in the ICC Men's T20I Team Rankings with 275 points, following their title defense in the 2026 T20 World Cup hosted in India and Sri Lanka. • Australia held first place in the Women's T20I Rankings, with their lead over England reduced to 12 points; in men's, India's lead over England narrowed to 13 points. • USA climbed to 13th in men's rankings by overtaking Netherlands and Scotland, while Nepal rose to 17th ahead of UAE, Italy to 23rd, and Germany advanced in women's rankings.

• US GDP expanded at a 2.0% annualized rate in Q1 2026, rebounding from 0.5% in the prior quarter, driven by government spending, exports, and investment. • Consumer spending stayed strong in March, bolstered by rising personal income and consumption. • Manufacturing PMI hit its strongest since May 2022 per S&P Global, though possibly due to inventory buildup rather than demand.

• Singapore and Thailand topped rankings as the world's 'least miserable' economies in the 2026 HAMI index by Johns Hopkins economist Steve Hanke, due to low inflation, steady employment, manageable borrowing costs, and income growth.• Southeast Asia identified as one of the 'healthiest economic neighbourhoods' globally, with households experiencing minimal economic strain amid positive indicators.• The index highlights regional resilience, contrasting with higher misery levels elsewhere, boosting consumer confidence and investment appeal.• Future editions may track if these trends persist amid global uncertainties.

• Investigators from Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital analyzed over 3.9 million hospitalizations to estimate sepsis in 1.3% of pediatric cases, equating to more than 18,000 U.S. occurrences yearly. • Sepsis carries a 10% mortality rate, resulting in over 1,800 child deaths annually, with no significant change in incidence or mortality from 2016 to 2022. • 72% of cases began before hospitalization, highlighting risks to otherwise healthy children and the urgent need for better prevention strategies.

But Iran war likely to blow hole in Rachel Reeves’s carefully crafted fiscal ‘headroom’ in coming monthsBusiness live – latest updatesThe UK government came in below its annual borrowing target by £700m, official figures show – but the Iran war is likely to blow a hole in Rachel Reeves’s carefully calculated fiscal “headroom” over the coming months.The government borrowed a net total of £132bn for the financial year ending in March, the Office for National Statistics said. This slightly undershot the £132.7bn that the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) had forecast just last month. Continue reading...

• United States stock market climbed 1.3% over the last 7 days, building on a 35% increase over the past year with forecasted 16% annual earnings growth. • Strong fundamentals highlight undiscovered gems like Winchester Bancorp with 3283.33% earnings growth and 49.13% revenue growth at 121.44% debt-to-equity. • Top penny stocks include Village Farms International at $2.87 share price with $344.16M market cap, signaling opportunities in resilient sectors.

Defense secretary Pete Hegseth makes announcement and calls military’s flu vaccine mandate ‘broad’ and ‘not rational’Members of the armed services will no longer be required to have an annual flu vaccination shot under a new policy announced Tuesday by Pete Hegseth, the US defense secretary.In a video statement posted to social media, Hegseth described the mandate as “overly broad” and “not rational” and the decision to drop the vaccine requirement as “seizing this moment to discard any absurd overreaching mandates that only weaken our war fighting capabilities”. Continue reading...

• ICICI Bank reported Q4 FY26 net profit of ₹12,949 Cr, surpassing street estimates and bringing annual profit to ₹50,000 Cr milestone. • The bank declared a ₹12 dividend per share, signaling confidence in its financial performance and shareholder returns. • Strong Q4 results reflect robust performance in India's banking sector amid evolving market conditions.

• The American Medical Association advises synchronizing chronic medication refills once a year to streamline management and slash EHR inbox refill requests. • This strategy saves physicians hours weekly by aligning prescriptions efficiently. • Implementation supports better practice efficiency amid rising administrative burdens in U.S. healthcare.

Trump to attend correspondents’ dinner for first time as president, while some newsrooms ‘wrestle’ with whether to goThe White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) is surely hoping that Donald Trump will take a more diplomatic tone later this month when he makes his first appearance as president at the organization’s glitzy dinner in Washington DC, an annual event meant to honor and celebrate journalists and press freedom.On Monday, Trump threatened to imprison a journalist if they refused to reveal the source of information that a second US airman was still missing after being shot down by Iran last Friday, which he claimed put the service member at risk. Continue reading...

• Amazon Web Services (AWS) achieved a $15 billion annual run rate in AI revenue during Q1 2026, according to CEO Andy Jassy's annual shareholder letter. • Amazon's internal chips business now generates over $20 billion per year, supporting AI infrastructure and custom silicon development. • The figures underscore Amazon's aggressive push into AI and cloud computing dominance amid intensifying competition from Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud.

• Family caregivers in Florida deliver an estimated $81 billion worth of unpaid care each year, according to a new AARP survey. • This substantial economic contribution underscores the vital role informal caregivers play in the state's health system. • Policymakers may consider support measures to address caregiver burden and sustain this workforce.

• Faraday Future's 2025 annual financial report revealed stockholders' equity shifted from negative to positive. • The company's EAI robotics business posted a positive gross margin in its first delivery quarter this year. • Faraday Future targets over 1,000 unit shipments for its EAI robotics by end of 2026, signaling expansion plans.

• The share of Affordable Care Act customers in plans exceeding $6,000 yearly doubled following expiration of Covid-era assistance, signaling household budget pressures. • US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services data shows 2026 enrollment fell 5% to 23.1 million, with further drops expected from premium non-payers. • This cost surge underscores ongoing affordability challenges in the Obamacare marketplace post-subsidy end.

• County Health Rankings & Roadmaps (CHR&R) refreshed data in March 2026 for 34 measures covering physical/mental health, clinical care, housing, and more, including poor or fair health, preventable hospital stays, and uninsured rates. • No typical annual data release will occur in 2026; users access updates via 2025 county/state snapshots, with the website active through December 2026. • A webinar on March 31, 2026, explains changes and supports community health efforts.

• UL Research Institutes’ Chemical Insights scientists deliver over 16 presentations at the Society of Toxicology’s 65th Annual Meeting and ToxExpo in San Diego starting March 23, 2026. • Key posters cover topics like PFAS exposure disrupting melanin synthesis in melanocytes, inhalation risks from 3D printing resins in dentistry, and thyroid hormone disruption using new approach methodologies. • Findings aim to provide decision-ready evidence on chemical health risks, as stated by VP Russell Thomas: 'Generating practical, decision-ready evidence about chemical exposures and health risks.'

• Nvidia held its annual GTC technology conference on Monday, March 16, with CEO Jensen Huang delivering the keynote address amid broader market volatility tied to geopolitical tensions and oil price fluctuations. • The event timing coincides with elevated uncertainty in tech stocks, as investors reassess earnings estimates downward and monitor the impact of elevated oil prices on corporate profitability and consumer spending. • Tech sector performance remains sensitive to macroeconomic headwinds, including potential inflation from energy costs and Federal Reserve policy decisions expected this week.

Democratic leaders project that President Trump's proposed tariffs on imports will increase costs for the typical American family by more than $2,500 per year, exacerbating affordability challenges amid midterm election debates. The estimate factors in higher prices for consumer goods, with critics linking it to broader economic policies including energy waivers. GOP supporters counter that tariffs protect domestic industries and jobs, though polls show voter concerns over inflation. This fiscal warning intensifies partisan divides as Congress considers related legislation.

A Friday report from congressional Democrats highlights that President Trump's tariffs, enacted after Supreme Court invalidation of prior measures, could impose over $2,500 in annual costs on average U.S. households amid efforts to replace lost federal revenue. The analysis critiques the policy as regressive, exacerbating affordability pressures from recent economic strains like energy prices. Trump administration officials defend the tariffs as essential for domestic industry protection and national security. The report fuels midterm election debates on fiscal policy as Democrats push alternative revenue strategies.

A Friday report from congressional Democrats reveals President Trump's expanded tariffs, following Supreme Court invalidation of prior measures, could impose over $2,500 in annual costs on average U.S. households amid efforts to replace lost federal revenue. The analysis highlights economic burdens as Trump pushes replacements for struck-down tariffs, exacerbating affordability concerns. This development matters as it fuels partisan clashes ahead of midterms, with Democrats using the figures to critique GOP economic policies. Upcoming congressional hearings may scrutinize the report's projections and potential legislative offsets.

The US economy grew at a revised 0.7% annualized rate in the October-December 2025 quarter, down from prior estimates, due to impacts from a 43-day government shutdown last fall. This downgrade reflects weaker-than-expected final demand and drags on business investment. Amid current oil shocks, the data heightens stagflation risks, complicating Federal Reserve policy. Economists anticipate upward revisions in Q1 2026 figures depending on energy price trajectories.