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• The People's Bank of China conducted seven-day reverse repo operations in the open market, injecting RMB500 million in a single-day net operation to support market liquidity. • The Shanghai Composite Index fell 0.4% (17 points) to 4,162 at midday, while the Shenzhen Component Index dropped 0.9% (146 points) to 15,495, reflecting broader Asia-Pacific softness. • Technology stocks retreated across the region amid geopolitical tensions, though the PBOC's intervention signaled continued monetary support for Chinese equities.

• The S&P 500 rose 0.29% to a record 7,230.12, Nasdaq Composite climbed 0.89% to 25,114.44, while DJIA fell 0.31% to 49,499.27 in the final trading hour on May 1, 2026. • Information technology sector gained 1.4%, driving index growth with only two S&P 500 sectors positive; Apple (AAPL) surged 3.24% to 280.14 after beating earnings and issuing upside guidance, Microsoft (MSFT) rose 1.57% to 414.20 recovering post-earnings. • Year-to-date, Russell 2000 leads at +13.3%, S&P Mid Cap 400 +10.1%, Nasdaq +8.1%, S&P 500 +5.6%, DJIA +3.0%, highlighting small-cap outperformance amid mega-cap momentum.

• Nasdaq and S&P 500 declined on May 4, 2026, following UAE's report of intercepting missiles from Iran amid escalating regional tensions. • Move counters last week's gains where NASDAQ posted a 10-day winning streak led by mega-cap tech on AI optimism and earnings. • Oil and US dollar rose, while gold and silver fell as investors favored risk assets despite conflict worries.

• Japan announced plans to establish a ¥500 billion fund aimed at reinforcing economic security, with implications for Southeast Asian supply chains. • The fund will support critical technology investments and diversification away from high-risk dependencies, targeting partners in ASEAN nations like Indonesia and Vietnam. • This initiative addresses vulnerabilities exposed by recent geopolitical tensions, enhancing regional resilience against disruptions.

• The S&P 500 rose over 10% and the Nasdaq soared more than 15% in April 2026, marking their largest monthly gains since 2020, driven by robust corporate earnings reports. • Investors anticipate earnings growth of 27.8% year-over-year for Q1 2026 across over 100 S&P 500 companies, the highest rate since Q4 2021, while oil prices briefly surpassed $120 per barrel creating market ripples. • Despite elevated oil prices and a hawkish Federal Reserve stance, equity markets demonstrated resilience, signaling investor confidence in corporate profitability and economic fundamentals.

Big Dog Ranch Rescue made deal to purchase dogs from Ridglan Farms, a Wisconsin breeding and research facilityThe first beagles removed from a Wisconsin dog breeding and research facility that was the site of recent protests seemed to know right away that they were safe.“They started within an hour or so coming up to us, wanting attention. Some crawled in people’s laps. Every single one of them are super sweet,” Lauree Simmons, the president and founder of Big Dog Ranch Rescue, said on Sunday. “I think they are loving the attention. I just know they know they’re safe.” Continue reading...

• US equities closed higher with the S&P 500 rising 0.8% and Nasdaq 100 up 0.8% to new records, while the Dow remained flat. • Apple shares gained more than 5% after reporting strong earnings driven by robust iPhone sales and performance in China. • The rally came amid a pullback in oil prices and positive corporate earnings momentum.

• Top economist Gary Shilling warned that U.S. stocks face a major correction with the S&P 500 potentially plunging 30% by the end of 2026 amid inflated valuations. • Shilling's forecast coincides with weekly market declines: S&P 500 down 71.47 points or 1%, Dow Jones down 328.58 points or 0.7%, Nasdaq down 357.47 points or 1.5%, and Russell 2000 down 26.12 points or 1%. • The prediction gains traction amid concerns over President Donald Trump's economic policies and Wall Street fears of AI dependence impacting markets.

• A comprehensive mapping identifies every major startup credit program available in 2026, targeting AI and cybersecurity innovators. • Analysis shows most founders are leaving around $500K on the table by overlooking these non-dilutive funding sources. • The resource aids US-based scaling startups in accessing credits essential for growth amid competitive venture landscapes.

• The Federal Reserve maintained interest rates unchanged at its latest meeting but signaled a more hawkish stance, shifting investor sentiment regarding future policy direction. • Tech sector earnings continued to show strong numbers, though stock market reactions remained mixed, with the S&P 500 rising 1% for the week as equities powered through higher oil prices and a backup in yields. • Fed Chair Jerome Powell announced he will not retire after his term ends next month, committing to serve as a constructive governor rather than a shadow Fed chair.

Livorno council says residents have complained of foul smell following rise in number of pets Dog owners in an Italian port city will be required to clean up their pets’ urine from public spaces or face fines of up to €500.Luca Salvetti, the mayor of Livorno, on the Tuscan coast, introduced the measure after complaints from residents about the smell of dog urine, particularly in parks and children’s play areas. Continue reading...

Patient safety mechanism which gives patients the right to seek a second opinion having ‘lifesaving impact’, says health secretary‘I am invoking Martha’s rule’: how a woman saved her father from near death in hospitalMore than 500 people have received potentially life-saving care thanks to Martha’s rule, which gives hospital patients the right to seek a second opinion about their health.They were moved to intensive care or a specialist unit after they, a loved one or a member of NHS staff triggered the patient safety mechanism, which the NHS in England began using in 2024. Continue reading...

Electoral Commission is investigating claims money given to MP came from US businessman now convicted of wire fraudUK politics live – latest updatesLabour has called on Robert Jenrick to give up almost £40,000 donated to his campaign to be Conservative leader in 2024 following allegations that the sum came from an impermissible foreign donor now convicted of fraud.The party called for Jenrick to make a donation to charity after the Guardian revealed the Electoral Commission has been investigating claims that £37,500 out of £100,000 given to his campaign by a UK company Spott Fitness ultimately came from a company run by a US-based businessman, Gary Klopfenstein. Continue reading...

27日のニューヨーク株式市場では半導体など一部の銘柄に買い注文が入り、ハイテク関連株の比率が高いナスダックの株価指数などが小幅に上昇して、最高値を更新しました。

24日のニューヨーク株式市場では、AIの開発競争が進む中で好調な業績が見込めるとして半導体関連などの銘柄に買い注文が集まり、ナスダックの株価指数などが最高値を更新しました。

アメリカの司法省は、ことし1月に行われたベネズエラへの軍事作戦に携わった兵士が、作戦の時期などを予測する「賭け」に加わり、機密情報をもとに日本円にしておよそ6500万円を不正に得た罪などで起訴されたと発表しました。

Companies are now seeking refunds on tariffs after supreme court ruled Trump’s emergency levies were illegalSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxGeneral Motors is expecting a $500m tariff refund after the US supreme court struck down some of Donald Trump’s most sweeping levies.That has boosted the Detroit automaker’s outlook for 2026. On Tuesday, GM said it’s now looking to rake in $13.5bn-$15.5bn in earnings before interest and taxes this year – up from previous forecasts of $13bn-$15bn. Continue reading...

• The S&P 500 index closed at 6,450.06, down 16.52 points or 0.26%, reflecting cautious trading in US equities over the past day. • Broader market showed divergence with Dow Jones ETF down 0.16% at 492.21, while S&P ETF rose 0.77% to 713.94 and Nasdaq QQQ gained 1.88% to 663.88. • Gold prices fell to 4,725.40 per ounce, down 15.50, amid shifting investor risk appetite ahead of economic data releases.

• US stock indexes rose on April 22, 2026, with the S&P 500 up 0.9% nearing its all-time high, Dow Jones Industrial Average gaining 317 points or 0.7%, and Nasdaq composite jumping 1.3%. • Brent crude oil surged 3.6% to $102.04 per barrel due to uncertainty over the US-Iran war impacting Persian Gulf petroleum flows. • Corporate earnings boosted shares: GE Vernova soared 12.1% after exceeding first-quarter profit expectations, Boston Scientific rallied 8.6%, Boeing climbed 5.7%, and Philip Morris rose 6.9%.

Rising costs have continued to plague the company, now facing soaring fuel costs due to the war with IranSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxThe White House is finalizing a financing package to help ailing US budget carrier Spirit Airlines, which could receive as much as $500m in loans as rising costs continue to plague the company.News of the potential deal comes as Spirit and others struggle with soaring fuel costs due to the war with Iran. Continue reading...

Company promises to meet new delivery targets by next May after being fined last year for poor recordBusiness live – latest updatesSecond-class post will be delivered every other weekday and scrapped on Saturdays from next month as part of a £500m plan to tackle late deliveries at struggling Royal Mail.The delivery company has been testing a new letter delivery pattern in a pilot since July, and it will be rolled out nationwide in May. Continue reading...

• US stocks demonstrated resilience amid Iran geopolitical tensions and high energy prices, with the S&P 500 up nearly 2% year-to-date by April 14, just 1% below its January 27 all-time high. • The index's maximum drawdown stayed under 10%, cushioned by forward earnings estimates growing at a 17% annual rate despite a 20% drop in P/E ratios. • S&P 500 profit margins hit new highs around 15% in early April, driven by broad fundamentals including AI and the One Big Beautiful Bill Act effects, not just energy sector gains.

• Perplexity AI announced a Series D funding round of $500 million at an $8.5 billion post-money valuation on April 19, led by prominent venture capital firms and strategic investors including Nvidia and Saudi PIF. • The funding will support expansion of Perplexity's AI search engine capabilities, development of enterprise API offerings, and geographic expansion into European and Asian markets with localized language models. • The round positions Perplexity as a serious challenger to Google Search and reflects growing investor confidence in AI-powered search alternatives and conversational information retrieval platforms.

• S&P 500 futures rose 0.2% and the benchmark notched back-to-back record highs as growing speculation that a deal to end the US-Iran war is nearing prompts traders to take on more risk. • The index is on course for a third week of gains exceeding 3%, with the S&P up nearly 8% month to date, marking a stunning reversal following mounting signs of US-Iran deescalation. • The market rally reflects relief over potential resolution of the conflict that has roiled energy markets, with traders increasingly positioning for a ceasefire outcome.

Technology secretary plays down fears over jobs and cyber security as stake taken in British startupThe UK technology secretary has urged the country to “make AI work for Britain”, brushing off fears about its impact on jobs and cybersecurity as the government announced its first investment under a £500m sovereign AI fund. Liz Kendall said the UK had to “seize” the opportunity offered by AI despite concerns underlined this month when US startup Anthropic revealed it had developed an AI model that posed a potentially significant cyber threat. Asked how the government makes the case for embracing a technology that could disrupt jobs and now cybersecurity, Kendall said: “We have to seize this to make it work, for Britain, for our jobs, for solving the biggest challenges we face as a world.”Speaking on Thursday as the government unveiled its first investment in a UK company as part of a £500m sovereign AI fund, Kendall acknowledged “people are worried about the risks and what it means for their jobs”, but AI entrepreneurs also believed they can “make it work … they can create jobs”. Continue reading...

• The S&P 500 rose 0.8% to close above 7,000 points for the first time, while the Nasdaq Composite surged 1.6% to a record high, driven by gains in technology and software stocks and optimism over potential U.S.-Iran peace talks. • Bank of America posted a 17% rise in quarterly profit from strong trading and investment banking fee rebounds, while Morgan Stanley reported a near 30% profit jump supported by record equities trading revenue and improved dealmaking activity. • Stock index futures edged higher after-hours, with S&P 500 Futures up 0.2% to 7,070.75 points and Nasdaq 100 Futures rising 0.3% to 26,440.75 points, reflecting continued market momentum.