A two-week truce between the US and Iran sparks a dramatic drop in oil prices and a surge in global stocks, but the Strait of Hormuz remains largely blocked and energy markets stay on edge.

OpenAI is making its most deliberate move yet towards a public stock market listing. This week, the company confirmed it is raising an additional $10 billion from investors, bringing its total funding round to more than $120 billion. At the same time, it is cutting consumer products, refocusing on business customers, and signalling to Wall Street that it is serious about profitability. The pieces of an IPO are falling into place.

The UK government publishes its long-awaited Steel Strategy on 19 March 2026, committing up to £2.5 billion to modernise the industry and positioning green steel as both a climate priority and a matter of national security. Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle launches the strategy at Tata Steel's Port Talbot site in South Wales, telling steelworkers that without decisive action, the UK's steelmaking capability faces "real jeopardy".

UK defence stocks are posting some of their strongest gains in years, driven by rising government spending commitments and renewed geopolitical tensions following the Hormuz crisis. But as share prices push into record territory, analysts are asking whether the rally still has room to run or whether stretched valuations now represent a genuine risk for investors.

Global oil markets are now responding to the most serious disruption to Middle East energy supply since the 1970s. Following coordinated US and Israeli military strikes on Iran on 28 February 2026, the Strait of Hormuz has effectively closed to commercial shipping, putting roughly 20 per cent of the world's daily oil supply in jeopardy. With Brent crude reaching $85.41 per barrel by 5 March and forecasters warning of $100 or beyond, governments, energy agencies and shipping insurers are all reassessing the stability of global supply chains.

Banco Santander and Mastercard have announced that they had completed Europe’s first live payment made by an artificial intelligence agent inside a regulated bank.This was not a test in a lab. The payment was processed through Santander’s real banking system. An AI agent started and completed the payment by itself, but it worked within clear rules and limits set by the bank.

At the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos this January, tokenization — the on-chain representation of traditional assets such as funds, bonds and securities — took centre stage in discussions on the future of financial market infrastructure.

The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo are shaping up as more than a fortnight of competition. Organisers and economic analysts project substantial long-term structural effects across northern Italy, aiming to turn the Games into a catalyst for regional development rather than a one-off event.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) updates its World Economic Outlook, signalling a resilient global economy even amid geopolitical and trade uncertainties. In its January 2026 update, the IMF projects that global real gross domestic product will expand by 3.3 per cent in 2026 and 3.2 per cent in 2027, slightly higher than previous forecasts and roughly on par with estimated growth in 2025.

Artificial intelligence is no longer confined to pilot projects within financial institutions. Major banks and asset managers are now embedding AI systems into core operations, signalling a shift from experimentation to integration.

New retail data indicates that consumer spending has remained firmer than many analysts expected as the year end shopping period approaches. Sales figures from several major economies show steady demand across both online and physical stores, despite ongoing concerns about inflation and borrowing costs.

Gold and silver are trading at record levels in October following a series of documented geopolitical and macroeconomic developments.

Bitcoin climbed to a record $126,080 on October 6, marking a major milestone for the digital asset market.

Samsung Electronics has signed an eight-year, $16.5 billion contract to manufacture Tesla’s next-generation artificial intelligence chips, marking a major milestone in both companies' strategic plans.

On Friday, July 11, 2025, Bitcoin soared to a fresh all-time high, touching $118,071.19 in U.S. trading before settling slightly lower, marking a roughly 3% gain on the day and extending its 2025 advance to nearly 24%.

In a world where global growth often appears concentrated in a few megacities, a quieter story is unfolding: secondary cities are on the rise.

The interplay between TradFi (Traditional Finance) and DeFi (Decentralized Finance) is evolving from competition to collaboration.

In a startling revelation that challenges long-held scientific beliefs, researchers have discovered a new source of oxygen in the deep ocean, dubbed “dark oxygen.” This unprecedented finding not only reshapes our understanding of marine ecosystems but also raises critical questions about the potential impacts of deep-sea mining.

Experts have highlighted the transformative impact of AI on climate science and policy, discussed throughout COP29.

In an pioneering announcement, Nvidia has revealed its latest innovation in the field of robotics: the Jetson Thor computer.

In a revolutionary development, quantum computing is poised to revolutionize the financial services industry, potentially reshaping risk management, investment strategies, and fraud detection.

In an innovative development for space technology, the world's first wooden satellite has been successfully launched into orbit

Known as the 'first finance COP,' this year’s conference will prioritize financial solutions to support global decarbonization efforts, especially for developing nations.

In a remarkable turn of events, Bitcoin (BTC) has broken through the $65,000 barrier, marking a significant milestone in the cryptocurrency's recent rally. This surge has not only captured the attention of investors and market analysts but has also resulted in an unprecedented 94% of Bitcoin holders finding themselves in profitable positions.

In a significant move towards digital transformation, British Petroleum (BP) has extended its partnership with US technology firm Palantir, signing a five-year deal to enhance its use of artificial intelligence (AI) across operations.

Zürcher Kantonalbank (ZKB), one of Switzerland's leading financial institutions, has announced the launch of a cryptocurrency service tailored for its retail clients and third-party banks.

The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has approved a game changing eye drop that promises to reduce reliance on reading glasses. Entod Pharmaceuticals, based in Mumbai, has announced the final approval for PresVu eye drops, with plans to introduce the product to the domestic market in the first week of October.

In a highly anticipated event that could shape the trajectory of the artificial intelligence (AI) sector, Nvidia Corporation (NVDA) is set to release its second-quarter earnings report after market close on Wednesday. As the leading force in AI chip design and software, Nvidia's financial performance is expected to have far-reaching implications for the tech industry and investor sentiment surrounding AI-related stocks.

In an era where over 75% of the world's food comes from just 12 plant and five animal species, researchers are sounding the alarm on the dangers of our increasingly homogenized food system.

Digital identity has emerged as a critical component in securing financial transactions, revolutionizing how individuals and institutions interact in the financial ecosystem.

In an era where environmental consciousness is paramount, businesses are increasingly turning to cutting-edge technologies to drive sustainable practices. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and blockchain are emerging as powerful tools in this green revolution, offering innovative solutions to reduce environmental impact while enhancing operational efficiency.

The focus on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors has grown exponentially within the finance industry, as well as influencing a wide range of stakeholders.

In a significant development for artificial intelligence research, tech entrepreneur Elon Musk has announced the activation of what he claims to be "the most powerful AI training cluster in the world."

As climate change and environmental degradation accelerate, companies are facing mounting pressure from consumers, regulators, and investors to adopt more sustainable practices.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced a $2.7 billion Request for Proposals (RFP) to purchase low-enriched uranium (LEU) from domestic sources.

Konami Digital Entertainment has unveiled its latest venture into the digital asset space with the introduction of 'Resella,' an NFT platform utilizing the Avalanche blockchain and backed by Ava Labs.