Google ruffles ad industry 👀, US strikes Iran 🇺🇸, Yen struggles at 160 💱

The US military struck Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz and intercepted missiles and drones fired by Iran, in response to Iranian attacks on US bases and ships. The escalation follows stalled ceasefire negotiations, and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated no sanctions relief for Iran without conditions relating to its nuclear program.

BBC · 4 minute read

Microsoft has introduced Scout, an AI assistant designed to function as an executive assistant, streamlining tasks and improving productivity for users.

Business-standard · 3 minute read

Palo Alto Networks increased its annual revenue and profit expectations due to higher enterprise spending on cloud and AI-driven cybersecurity products, resulting in a 7.4% rise in share value during extended trading. The company now anticipates fiscal 2026 revenue of $11.415 billion to $11.425 billion and adjusted profit per share of $3.77 to $3.79.

Yahoo Finance · 1 minute read

President Donald Trump has spent months projecting confidence that a deal to end the Iran conflict is within reach. Israel’s determination to press ahead with its own objectives underscores his tenuous control over the outcome of the crisis.

Yahoo Finance · 3 minute read

Google's introduction of Gemini, an AI-powered search tool, is causing concern in the online advertising industry due to potential changes in search behavior and advertising dynamics.

Business-standard · 3 minute read

Vadim Moshkovich, founder of Russian agricultural firm Ros Agro, lost a 49% stake in the company following a Moscow court ruling citing violations of a ban on combining public service with business activities during his time in parliament. This is part of a broader crackdown on wealthy Russians accused of corruption, which has led to significant asset seizures across the country.

Straitstimes · 6 minute read

Chinese authorities are intensifying efforts to monitor and crack down on networks that facilitate the movement of billions of US dollars offshore each year, despite strict capital controls. Common methods of evasion include smuggling cash, 'smurfing', underground banking, fraudulent invoicing, and the use of cryptocurrencies.

Com · 5 minute read

Cleveland Fed president Beth Hammack indicated that interest rates may need to rise if inflation trends continue, as she prioritizes managing inflation over full employment. She highlighted that current interest rates may not adequately restrain inflation to the 2% target, and prolonged high inflation could become entrenched in wages and pricing.

Yahoo Finance · 2 minute read

Cliffwater's Private Credit Fund has received redemption requests amounting to 17% of its assets, indicating significant investor withdrawals.

Fa-mag · 3 minute read

Oil prices climbed more than 1% in early trade on Wednesday as hostilities in the Middle East erupted anew with ​Iran firing missiles at Kuwait and Bahrain, while diplomatic talks ‌between Iran and the United States showed little progress.

Brecorder · 3 minute read

Strength in the U.S. dollar pushed the Japanese yen to the key 160 level, as renewed tensions in the Gulf increased demand for the safe-haven currency. Iran launched ballistic missiles that missed targets, leading to U.S. retaliatory strikes, while diplomatic talks between Iran and the U.S. remain stalled, causing market apprehension.

CNBC · 3 minute read

Japanese financial authorities opted for restraint as the yen approached 160 per dollar, holding back from aggressive warnings despite past interventions proving ineffective. Analysts suggest that officials prefer waiting for a more critical level for intervention, as Japan continues to coordinate with the U.S. on currency moves while domestic pressure mounts to address underlying causes of yen weakness.

Channelnewsasia · 3 minute read

Gold prices fell as renewed clashes in the Middle East cast doubt over US-Iran peace negotiations, with Iran firing missiles at Kuwait and Bahrain, and US forces striking Qeshm Island. The ongoing conflict continues to impact energy flows, raising inflation concerns and affecting investor sentiment.

Com · 3 minute read

Mastercard enhances its financial infrastructure by incorporating stablecoin capabilities, enabling customers to settle transactions using digital currencies alongside traditional fiat options.

Mastercard · 3 minute read

Bitcoin fell 4.28% to $67,263, with other major cryptocurrencies like Ethereum dropping over 5%, as investors reallocate funds into stablecoins like Tether and USD Coin. This shift occurs amidst heightened market fear, inflation concerns, and regulatory caution, indicating a defensive investor stance while maintaining liquidity for potential rebound opportunities.

Interactivecrypto · 7 minute read

Hyperliquid, a predictive platform, accurately forecasted 80% of the oil price movement before traditional financial exchanges began trading.

Moomoo · 3 minute read