Rises

• Indian startups raised $7.2 billion across 652 equity funding rounds in the first half of 2026, marking a 12% increase from the $6.4 billion raised during the same period last year. • Despite the rise in total capital, the number of funding rounds dropped significantly by 43%, falling from 1,149 to 652. • Tracxn reports that the market has "traded breadth for depth," indicating that investors are becoming more selective and directing larger sums toward a smaller core of stronger companies.

• Indonesia's digital competitiveness score increased to 42.2 in 2026, up from 38.8 in 2025, according to the East Ventures Digital Competitiveness Index 2026. • Jakarta and West Java emerged as the leading regions, contributing to an overall average provincial score increase of more than 50 percent since 2020. • The report notes a moderation in the pace of digital talent development as the rapid rise of AI shifts market demand toward more advanced technical competencies.

• 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.

Consumer prices rose 4.1% in May from a year earlier – a sign rising costs could pose problem for Trump in midtermsThe Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge rose to a new three-year high in May as gas prices peaked, a sign rising costs could pose political problems for Donald Trump and his political party as midterm elections near.Consumer prices rose 4.1% in May from a year earlier, the US commerce department said Thursday, the largest annual increase since April 2023. On a monthly basis, inflation was 0.4% last month, matching April’s increase and down from 0.7% in March. Continue reading...

• The S&P 500 rose approximately 0.6% on Wednesday as US stocks recovered from a recent technology-sector sell-off. • Market gains were driven by a decline in oil prices and falling Treasury yields, which reduced overall economic pressure on investors. • Market participants are closely monitoring the upcoming earnings report from Micron Technology to gauge the health of the semiconductor industry.

• Indian technology startups raised $7.2 billion in the first half of 2026, representing a 12% year-on-year increase in total funding. • Despite the rise in capital, the overall deal count, investor participation, and the number of first-time funding rounds all declined, indicating that growth was driven by a few larger funding rounds. • Artificial Intelligence emerged as a dominant sector, with AI-native startups achieving unicorn status more rapidly than companies in other industries.

• Adani Enterprises is currently being tracked via a real-time stock liveblog by The Economic Times to provide investors with immediate market updates. • Key financial metrics reported include a last traded price of 3059.6, a market capitalization of 395,509.11, and a trading volume of 1,726,452. • The stock's valuation is further detailed with a price-to-earnings ratio of 42.35 and earnings per share of 72.25.

• The Democratic Republic of Congo reported that confirmed Ebola cases have risen to 896, with 232 deaths recorded as of late Thursday. • Government data indicates a significant increase in infections, highlighting the severity of the current health crisis. • Health officials warned that the outbreak could spread rapidly to new regions if prompt public health measures are not implemented.

• ECB President Christine Lagarde warned that AI could trigger financial crises, emphasizing that such systemic collapses—rather than the technology itself—are what destroy jobs and savings. • To mitigate these risks, Lagarde proposed a global governance framework for AI modeled after Cold War-era nuclear non-proliferation treaties. • These warnings follow similar alarms from IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva regarding "Mythos-class AI" and its potential to destabilize the global financial system.

• G7 leaders met in Évian-les-Bains, France, to address critical global issues including war, AI governance, and the realignment of international supply chains. • U.S. President Donald Trump announced a deal to end the conflict with Iran just before the summit, focusing discussions on Middle East stability and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. • The G7 officially labeled the U.S.-Iran agreement a “historic opportunity,” signaling a collective Western effort to stabilize the region.

• Former Federal Reserve official Kevin Warsh is advocating for a shift in monetary policy communication, arguing that the Fed relies too heavily on "forward guidance" and public signaling. • Warsh suggests that the current approach of telegraphing moves—a strategy famously championed by Ben Bernanke—makes the central bank too predictable and potentially limits its effectiveness. • This shift matters because reducing "Fed talk" could lead to increased market volatility and surprise reactions if the central bank takes action without prior warning.

Reserve Bank of Australia decision on Tuesday comes after three consecutive cash rate hikes this yearFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Reserve Bank has left its official interest rate on hold at 4.35%, after economic activity slowed and unemployment hit a four-year high.The widely expected decision on Tuesday will bring little relief to mortgage holders, already strained by the RBA’s three consecutive rate hikes earlier in 2026. Continue reading...

• The Democratic Republic of Congo reported on Tuesday that confirmed Ebola cases have risen to nearly 600, prompting increased public awareness of safety measures. • Medical staff, humanitarian workers, and public health officials report a critical shortage of basic equipment necessary to prevent the disease from spreading. • The International Rescue Committee has issued an urgent call for funding to contain the outbreak, which is currently centered in Ituri province.

Police call for calm before anti-racist protests in Belfast and Glasgow as MPs warn of failure over online misinformationPolice said 19 people, including a 16-year-old boy, have now been arrested after two nights of rioting in Northern Ireland following a knife attack earlier in the week.The violence broke out after far-right activists called for demonstrations in response to the attack, which was captured in a graphic video. Continue reading...

• The Iranian clerical establishment is experiencing a period of systemic volatility and intense internal political friction. • High-level administrative infighting has escalated into an overt political war centered on the regime's approach to international diplomacy. • These deepening vulnerabilities expose critical weaknesses within the regime's leadership structure during a time of multi-front crises.

• Stock futures declined on Wednesday, led by sharp drops in technology shares, as investors await a critical upcoming inflation report. • Oil prices increased following U.S. "self-defense strikes" against Iran and comments from President Donald Trump stating that Iran has "taken too long to negotiate a deal." • The market volatility reflects growing economic uncertainty regarding inflation and heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

• Asian stock markets declined and oil prices rose following a series of military strikes launched between Iran and the United States. • In response to regional instability, Bank Indonesia held a surprise off-cycle meeting on Wednesday to increase interest rates and support the fragile rupiah. • Gold prices experienced a significant downturn, falling 2% to an 11-week low of $4,174.20.

• Ian Darke provides a preview of the upcoming World Cup, which will feature an expanded format of 48 teams for the first time. • The analysis examines potential favorites and surprise contenders, referencing the eight nations that have historically won the trophy, including Brazil, Italy, and Germany. • Darke highlights the Netherlands as a particularly unlucky team, noting they have lost three finals despite their strong talent pool.

• Indian stock indices, Sensex and Nifty, are expected to open lower due to rising crude oil prices triggered by escalating conflict in West Asia. • Market sentiment is further strained by persistent Foreign Institutional Investor (FII) outflows and growing concerns regarding U.S. Federal Reserve interest rate decisions. • Regional risk aversion is evident as the MSCI Asia ex-Japan index fell 3.4%, with South Korea's KOSPI plunging 6.9% and Japan's Nikkei dropping 4.4%.

• Israel's military campaigns in Gaza have expanded into Lebanon, Iran, and the Gulf, fueled by significant financial and military support from the United States. • The escalation threatens to trigger a prolonged international disorder if diplomatic efforts fail to halt the current trajectory of regional conflict. • Energy-dependent developing nations face severe risks, as rising fuel costs are expected to drive up food prices, increase fiscal deficits, and spark social instability.

Insurer found 18,400 suspect claims last year with some scammers using AI to fake accident scenes and documentsBogus insurance claims worth more than £230m were detected by the insurance firm Aviva last year as scammers tried new tricks including using artificial intelligence to fake car accident scenes, documents and to exaggerate damage.The insurer identified more than 18,400 suspect claims across its brands in 2025, with a combined value of £233m. The fraud claims level was a record for the insurer, although this was the first year that it included the Direct Line brands it acquired last summer. Continue reading...

• Accenture announced on Tuesday its acquisition of Ammagamma, a Modena, Italy-based firm specializing in helping businesses advance their use of artificial intelligence. • Ammagamma was established in 2013, though Accenture has not disclosed the specific financial details of the agreement. • This acquisition allows Accenture to strengthen its AI capabilities and expand its technological footprint within the European market.

Two had been confirmed dead after tank containing ‘white liquor’ used in making paper pulp imploded last weekThe death toll from a chemical tank rupture in the US state of Washington climbed to 11 as crews recovered the bodies of all nine missing people, authorities said on Saturday.Two fatalities had been confirmed after the tank containing “white liquor” – a chemical solution of sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide used in making paper pulp – imploded at a Nippon Dynawave Packaging facility on Tuesday. Continue reading...

• A rare Blue Moon will occur on May 30, 2026, marking the second full moon to appear within a single calendar month. • This celestial event provides a unique viewing opportunity for stargazers to witness the moon at its peak illumination. • Blue Moons are significant because they occur infrequently, typically happening once every two to three years when a month contains 31 days.

• Japanese and South Korean stock markets opened higher on Friday, May 29, following record-breaking performance in U.S. indices. • The Nikkei 225 Index surpassed the 66,000-point threshold, reaching an intraday high of 66,036.50 and positioning itself for a new record. • Samsung shares rose over 6% after the company delivered its first batch of 12-layer HBM4E memory chips, while the Kospi neared its own record high.

Three more people remain missing and are presumed dead, after tank containing chemical mixture collapsedThe confirmed death toll in the chemical tank explosion at a Washington state paper mill rose to eight on Thursday after crews recovered the remains of six workers, officials said.Three more individuals remain missing and are presumed dead. Eight other people were injured, including a firefighter responding to the incident. Continue reading...

Energy specialists say abandoning net zero and increasing oil and gas drilling would cause more instability for BritonsAbandoning net zero and drilling for more oil and gas in the North Sea would be a massive setback for the UK and would not help the economy, leading experts have said in response to claims by the former prime minister Tony Blair.“This is a bizarre intervention to make during the worst May heatwave on record and when the Iran crisis is providing yet more evidence of the enormous costs of oil and gas,” said Ed Matthew, the UK programme director at the E3G thinktank. “Clean energy is cheaper energy - it protects our bills from prices skyrocketing, its running costs are virtually zero, and it doesn’t cause climate change which threatens economic collapse ... The government should ignore Blair’s ideological nonsense and focus on what works.” Continue reading...

Of 11 seasonal items in Guardian price comparison, six hit highest price in last three months, with some nearly doubling in price in last weekThe heatwave has triggered a surge in prices for seasonal items, with the cost of one inflatable hot tub nearly doubling in a week, while an industry expert said air conditioning units have risen by about 17% since April.The Guardian looked at the cost of popular items across a range of websites and examined their price on PriceRunner, an independent price comparison service. One of the biggest price increases was for the Bestway inflatable hot tub Lay-Z-Spa Cancún AirJet, which was available for £160 on 21 May but now retails for a minimum of £299. Continue reading...