Boost

• Het verbod van China op de export van olieproducten na Amerikaanse en Israëlische aanvallen op Iran en de sluiting van de Straat van Hormuz heeft de brandstofvoorziening voor Aziatische buurlanden ingeperkt, wat de machtspositie van Peking heeft versterkt per 9 mei 2026. • Landen in Azië die kampen met brandstoftekorten wenden zich tot China voor hulp bij de levering van kerosine, benzine en diesel, terwijl Peking ondertussen haar technologieën voor hernieuwbare energie promoot. • De aanhoudende oorlog in Iran heeft China in een positie gebracht om vanuit een machtspositie te onderhandelen, waardoor haar invloed in de regio toeneemt te midden van langdurige energietekorten.

• Google is investing $1.5 billion in a data hub in Visakhapatnam (Vizag), signaling India's emergence as a global AI powerhouse. • The project focuses on advanced AI infrastructure to support data center expansion and cloud services. • This investment underscores India's strategic importance in Google's global AI strategy amid rising demand.

• Platforms like Netflix are championing theatrical outcasts such as Nukkad Naatak, Haq, Kennedy, and Dhadak 2, transforming them into global hits. • Monika Shergill of Netflix highlights how streaming provides new life to small-budget indie films previously overlooked in theaters. • These regional and indie stories gain international audiences, bridging gaps for underreported Indian cinema.

Candidates will get funding for midterm races in battleground states, amid Republican push to revise voting mapsSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxDemocratic officials added eight new candidates to their slate of top contenders vying to reclaim a Democratic House majority during midterm elections this fall.The candidates will receive a boost in fundraising and campaign support from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) as part of a “Red to Blue” program that seeks to help competitive candidates win elections in battleground states. Continue reading...

• Mainland Chinese companies surged to second-largest investors in Singapore's fixed assets in 2025, capturing 21% of S$14.16 billion (US$11.07 billion) total, up from 2.5% the prior year amid the city-state's safe-haven appeal. • Key deals included CNQC Realty (Prime), Forsea Residence, and Jianan Realty Investments buying a 145,500 sq ft Dover Drive site for S$951 million in Q1 2026, projected to yield 625 residential units. • Europe held top spot at 25% while US share dropped to 17.3% from 55.5%; other transactions featured SingHaiyi Group and Haiyi Holdings acquiring Bayshore Road parcel for S$658.9 million (515 units) and Qingjian Realty group's S$315 million Media Circle buy (345 flats).

• The Department of Justice announced last week it loosened legal restrictions on medical marijuana, aiming to expand research and treatment options across the US. • This policy shift is expected to facilitate more clinical studies and access for patients in states with medical programs. • The change addresses longstanding barriers to federally approved marijuana research, potentially accelerating therapeutic developments.

Vote comes on same day the US supreme court rolls back a key provision of the Voting Rights ActThe Florida legislature approved a new congressional map intended to maximize Republicans’ advantage in the state as part of the national redistricting battle that Donald Trump launched before this year’s midterms.The vote came just two days after the governor, Ron DeSantis, unveiled his proposal and the same day the US supreme court rolled back a key provision of the Voting Rights Act. The decision could make it harder for Democrats to challenge Republican efforts to redraw congressional districts in ways that limit the influence of voters of color. Continue reading...

Results suggest radiotracer maraciclatide can ‘light up’ condition on scan and reduce need for investigative surgeryA non-invasive scan for endometriosis has shown promising results in a trial, boosting hopes for far quicker diagnosis.The trial, which included 19 women with the condition, suggests that an experimental radiotracer, called maraciclatide, can “light up” endometriosis on a scan. The current need for a surgical investigation is seen as a major obstacle to timely diagnosis, with women in England typically waiting nearly a decade. Continue reading...

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...

Widely dispersed wind farms and solar panels are harder to target than fossil fuel power stations, Michael Shanks saysRenewable energy will boost the UK’s national security and make the country more resilient against potential aggression or sabotage, the government’s energy minister has said.Michael Shanks said widely dispersed wind farms and solar panels were much harder to target than large-scale fossil fuel power stations. They are also not vulnerable to supply shocks, such as the current oil crisis caused by the US-Israel war on Iran and the soaring gas prices that followed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Continue reading...

• Nvidia shares jumped 5% in extended trading after a strong AI forecast, positioning the company to gain $220 billion in market value amid easing bubble concerns. • The stock had dropped nearly 8% in November following a 1,200% surge over three years, but positive results calmed investor jitters. • This development underscores Nvidia's role as AI market bellwether and highlights sustained demand for its chips.

• Nvidia launched the Blackwell Ultra B300 GPU series on April 19, 2026, claiming 50% faster AI training speeds compared to the prior B200 model. • The new chips feature 208 billion transistors and support FP4 precision, targeting data centers for large language model workloads. • This positions Nvidia to maintain dominance amid intensifying competition from AMD and custom silicon by hyperscalers like Amazon and Google.

• Oil prices dropped significantly, providing tailwinds for technology companies as lower energy costs reduce operational expenses and improve profit margins across the sector. • Constellation Research founder R 'Ray' Wang discussed the direct relationship between Big Tech performance and oil and gas pricing, highlighting how the energy market collapse supports tech stock rebounds. • The decline in energy costs removes a key headwind for capital-intensive tech operations and data centers, contributing to the broader market rally.

• 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.

Opposition accuses Narendra Modi government of using quotas as cover for redrawing electoral mapThe Indian government has failed to pass a bill to increase female representation in parliament after being accused of using the plan as a guise to redraw the country’s electoral map.It was the first time in 12 years in power that a constitutional amendment proposed by Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata party (BJP) government was not passed by parliament. Continue reading...

• PepsiCo reported better-than-expected quarterly results on April 16, 2026, with shares rising 2.3% as customers bought more snacks. • Price cuts on Lay’s, Doritos, Cheetos, and Tostitos chips announced in February helped regain demand from price-sensitive consumers. • The earnings contribute to broader corporate profit growth exceeding analyst forecasts amid market optimism.

MPs and peers say pitting defence and welfare against each other risks losing public support for increased spending on the militarySenior Labour figures have warned that Rachel Reeves must find alternative ways to increase military spending rather than slashing welfare, saying it risks public support for investment in defence.Pressure has been mounting from Labour backbenchers for the Treasury to urgently agree the defence investment plan (Dip) after George Robertson, a former Nato secretary general, said there was a “corrosive complacency” on defence funding. Continue reading...

The new strategy to be unveiled by Richard Marles will see defence spending rise to about 2.4% of GDP – but US president has urged allies to spend 3.5%Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastLabor will spend an extra $53bn on defence over the next decade, using the nation’s latest military blueprint to create new special investment programs to fund increases in capability using private capital.The defence minister, Richard Marles, will unveil the new national defence strategy on Thursday, as well as detailing a new integrated investment program for military capability, boosting the current budget by $14bn over the next four years, forward estimates period. Continue reading...

• A survey by AirMDR released on April 14, 2026, in Palo Alto, CA, reveals 80% of US-based cybersecurity investors intend to increase AI cybersecurity funding next year. • 71% expect decisive ROI from AI tools, with capital shifting toward companies proving operational impact and cost reductions over mere product enhancements. • Investors prioritize defensible AI technologies delivering real outcomes, signaling strong market confidence but heightened selectivity for enterprise-ready solutions.

• Kaseya opened a new R&D hub in Silicon Valley on April 8, 2026, aimed at accelerating AI innovation in IT management and cybersecurity. • The facility targets attracting top AI talent to enhance automation solutions for managed service providers across the US. • This expansion responds to growing demand for AI-powered tools amid rising cybersecurity threats in the tech sector.

• Artivion (AORT) secured U.S. FDA approval for the NEXUS Aortic Arch System on April 7, 2026. • The device approval is expected to accelerate hospital adoption and spark reimbursement discussions. • This milestone positions Artivion for revenue growth in cardiovascular treatments.

Policymakers should address financial barriers that hinder young people from starting families, says thinktank Politicians hoping to persuade young people in the UK to have more children should prioritise tackling housing affordability, according to research by the Resolution Foundation thinktank.There has been growing concern in recent years about Britain’s declining birthrate, given the long-term fiscal pressures of supporting an ageing population. Continue reading...

• SpaceX launched 83 Starlink satellites across March 2026, including 29 from Cape Canaveral on March 4, 25 from Vandenberg Space Force Base on March 8, and 29 from SLC-40 on March 19. • These deployments increased the Starlink constellation to over 6,700 operational satellites, targeting internet access for remote regions, aviation, and maritime sectors. • The expansion bridges the digital divide in underserved areas and enhances U.S. Space Force defense infrastructure amid evolving aerospace demands.

• The US has drafted a comprehensive 15-point proposal delivered to Iran through Pakistan intended to resolve ongoing hostilities between the two nations, according to Bloomberg reports citing people familiar with the matter. • Stock futures rose Wednesday morning on optimism surrounding diplomatic negotiations, though details of the proposal remain undisclosed. • President Donald Trump has publicly stated that any agreement must include prohibitions on Iran obtaining nuclear weapons or enriching radioactive material for civilian purposes.

President’s declaration allows officials to tackle fuel hoarding or profiteering, while energy secretary says country will lean more heavily on coalMiddle East crisis – live updates Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos has declared a state of “national energy emergency” as a result of the Middle East war, which his administration said posed “an imminent danger of a critically low energy supply”.The state of emergency, which will initially last for a year, was declared just hours after the country’s energy secretary said the Philippines planned to boost the output of its coal-fired power plants to keep electricity costs down as the war wreaks havoc with gas shipments. Continue reading...

• U.S. stocks closed higher on Monday, March 23, 2026, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average rising 1.4% or 631 points to 46,208.47 amid hopes of easing Middle East tensions. • Nasdaq Composite advanced 1.4% to 21,946.76 led by Albemarle Corporation's 3.5% gain, while S&P 500 gained 1.2% or 74.52 points to 6,581.00 with all 11 sectors positive. • Consumer Discretionary (XLY), Materials (XLB), and Technology (XLK) sectors rose 2.5%, 1.5%, and 1.5% respectively; VIX fell 2.4% to 26.15 on higher trading volume of 27.94 billion shares.

Government emphasises need to ‘get off the rollercoaster of fossil fuel markets’ in response to Offshore Energies UKThe UK government has dismissed a warning from an energy trade body that failing to produce more homegrown North Sea oil and gas will leave the UK increasingly reliant on imports at a time of rising global instability.The industry group, Offshore Energies UK, has said the UK “urgently” needs a greater supply of domestically produced energy or consumers will be left “more exposed to global volatility and higher emissions”. Continue reading...

• The Treasury Department's FSOC and AITO launched the AI Innovation Series, a public-private initiative with four roundtables convening financial institutions, tech firms, and regulators on high-value AI use cases. • Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated, 'Leadership in AI adoption is a crucial component of economic security,' shifting regulation from constraint to enabling productivity-enhancing tech. • Deputy Assistant Secretary Christina Skinner emphasized AI's role in fraud detection, credit allocation, and operational resilience for financial stability.