Jumps

• The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 598 points, bolstered by a surge in Micron shares following strong corporate earnings reports. • Conversely, the Nasdaq was dragged lower as Apple shares fell 5%, triggering broader fears of a technology sector sell-off. • The market initially opened higher, with the S&P 500 rising 0.8% and the Nasdaq gaining 1% before investor sentiment shifted throughout the day.

• US stock markets traded mixed on Thursday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average rising as gains in AI-linked chipmakers balanced out losses in other sectors. • Micron Technology saw a significant jump driven by a positive artificial intelligence outlook, while Apple shares slid following the announcement of price hikes across several of its products. • This divergence highlights a market trend where investor enthusiasm for AI growth is offsetting concerns over consumer pricing strategies and demand for hardware.

• J-pop streaming on the Korean music platform Genie Music increased by 30% during the first half of the year compared to the same period in 2023. • A KT Genie Music official attributed this surge to the growing number of ways Korean audiences are engaging with Japanese pop culture. • This trend highlights a shifting cultural landscape in South Korea, where Japanese music is gaining significant traction among local listeners.

• CrowdStrike's AI-driven detection and response (AIDR) unit has experienced rapid growth, with its annual recurring revenue (ARR) jumping 250% in less than two quarters. • The company was named a "Leader" by Forrester, receiving the highest rankings for its Current Offering and top scores for innovation and community. • This recognition highlights the effectiveness of CrowdStrike's extended detection and response (XDR) system, which integrates data across devices, networks, and cloud services to stop sophisticated attacks.

• Japan's Nikkei stock index surged past the 65,000 mark for the first time in history, driven by investor optimism surrounding diplomatic talks with Iran. • The broader Topix index also saw significant gains, climbing 1.39% to reach 3,946.67. • This milestone reflects a positive shift in market sentiment as geopolitical tensions ease, potentially stabilizing regional trade and energy outlooks.

• The BSE Sensex gained 45 points and the Nifty50 climbed above the 24,000 mark on Tuesday, reversing an initial opening in the red. • Market volatility was driven by geopolitical tensions as the US resumed strikes on Iran, though positive developments regarding the conflict's end have sparked rallies. • The current trend is closely tied to fluctuations in crude oil prices, which previously contributed to a significant 1,073-point surge in the Sensex.

• Japan's Nikkei share average surged past the 65,000 mark for the first time on Monday. • The rally was driven by increased demand for risk assets following optimism regarding potential deals to end the war in Iran. • This milestone reflects a significant boost in investor confidence and market sentiment toward Japanese equities.

Surprise rise in jobless rate will give Reserve Bank more reason to delay another interest rate hike at June meetingFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralia’s unemployment rate has jumped to 4.5% in April to reach the highest in about four-and-half-years, amid fears rising interest rates and the global oil crisis will smash economic growth.The number of employed people unexpectedly fell by 18,600 in the month – the first decline this year – dragging the jobless rate up from 4.3%, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Continue reading...

• Grab Holdings Limited announced Q1 2026 results on May 5, with revenue surging 24% year-over-year to $955 million, driven by On-Demand and Financial Services growth in Southeast Asia. • On-Demand GMV rose 24% to $6.1 billion, monthly transacting users increased 16% to 51.6 million, and adjusted EBITDA hit a record $154 million, up 46% with a 16.2% margin. • Profit for the period climbed to $120 million from $10 million last year, boosted by operating improvements and a $95 million gain in fair value of financial assets.

Financial markets are betting the Reserve Bank will hike interest rates for a third straight meeting next Tuesday•Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastInflation jumped to 4.6% in the year to March, from 3.7% the month before, in what experts say is the start of an Iran war-linked fuel shock that will ripple through the economy over coming months.Financial markets are betting the Reserve Bank will hike interest rates for a third straight meeting next Tuesday, as officials struggle to manage the “nightmare scenario” of containing inflation even as growth is expected to slow sharply. Continue reading...

• Lainey Wilson attended the Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special premiere on March 23 in a glamorous sheer open-back jumpsuit with dramatic long sleeves. • The special began streaming on Disney+ and Hulu on March 24, marking 20 years since the show's debut with Miley Cyrus as the youngest Disney Legend at age 31 in 2024. • Wilson previously covered the show's theme song 'The Best of Both Worlds' in August 2024 and connected with Cyrus over their shared Hannah Montana fandom.

The insects covered its largest area since 2018, despite threats from habitat loss, climate crisis and pesticidesThe population of monarch butterflies in Mexico increased 64% this winter, compared with the same period in 2025, offering a glimmer of hope for an insect considered at risk of extinction.The figures, released this week by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Mexico, showed that the area occupied by monarchs expanded to 2.93 hectares (7.24 acres) of forest from 1.79 hectares (4.42 acres) the previous winter, the largest coverage since 2018. Continue reading...

Micron Technology shares rose 2.6% on March 13, 2026, closing at $426 after analysts reiterated an outperform rating and raised the price target to $500 from $320 amid strong year-to-date gains of 50%. The semiconductor firm benefited from positive momentum in the chip sector despite broader market declines, with investors eyeing its upcoming earnings report. This upgrade highlights Micron's robust growth prospects in memory chips, potentially signaling sector recovery amid volatility. Analysts anticipate further upside if quarterly results exceed expectations next week.