Escalating hostilities between Iran and Israel are renewing fears of conflict, causing oil prices to surge and global stocks to slide, with South Korea experiencing a meltdown.
The business world sees major takeover bids, including **Ingredion acquiring Tate & Lyle** for $3.6 billion, **Intesa's $35 billion bid for Monte dei Paschi, Roche's $2.3 billion blood-cancer drug deal with Nurix, and Hg-backed Gen II targeting a $6 billion sale**.
Elon Musk's SpaceX is courting retail investors while facing scrutiny for its role in America's war machine, Nvidia leads the WSJ's Best Companies for the Future list showcasing tech giants' innovation and AI readiness, and AI-powered espionage raises concerns for global security, while South Korea's economy booms on the AI race and global conflict.
European capitals push for talks with an unmoved Putin, China's President Xi visits North Korea to discuss its nuclear program, and OPEC Plus boosts oil production as the Iran ceasefire remains elusive, while TotalEnergies caps fuel prices in France amidst surging profits.
The Bank of England's MPC debates corporate pricing strategies, United Airlines' boss criticizes Rolls-Royce over a contract spat, calls for a Brexit reversal are deemed unrealistic, steel tariffs threaten to delay UK housebuilding, and Santander's chief criticizes UK bank taxes, while momentum builds for electoral reform.
**Haleon invests $233.5 million in an India plant signalling a push into emerging markets, European drivers cut back on fuel as energy prices bite, the OECD chief urges against fragmented digital taxation, and a railroad merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern** draws warnings of harm to consumers.
Peru's presidential rivals are in a neck-and-neck race, fashion designer Nili Lotan shares her Tribeca life, Ebola and jihadis threaten Africa's oldest national park, and America is remaking football in its image.