Li Qiang, China's premier, speaks at the China Development Forum in Beijing, China, on Sunday, March 22, 2026. The forum runs through March 23. Photographer: Qilai Shen/Bloomberg via Getty Images Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images Chinese Premier Li Qiang pledged on Sunday to further open the country's economy to foreign firms and pursue more balanced trade with its global partners, after a year...
Li Qiang, China's premier, speaks at the China Development Forum in Beijing, China, on Sunday, March 22, 2026. The forum runs through March 23. Photographer: Qilai Shen/Bloomberg via Getty Images Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images Chinese Premier Li Qiang pledged on Sunday to further open the country's economy to foreign firms and pursue more balanced trade with its global partners, after a year marked by trade friction and tariff wars with the United States and European Union in particular. China will import more high-quality foreign goods and work with all parties to promote optimized and balanced trade development and expand the global trade pie, Li told the China Development Forum in Beijing, according to state media. The annual two-day forum, which concludes on Monday, allows Beijing to lay out its economic vision and investment opportunities to foreign business leaders, Chinese officials, economists and academics. It comes after the world's second-biggest economy reported a record $1.2 trillion trade surplus for 2025. Challenges for Beijing are aplenty, including deflecting concerns from an increasing number of global capitals about China's trade practices and overcapacity, as well as their overreliance on key Chinese products. While Li's speech did not appear to directly mention the surplus, his pledges indicate an awareness that the issue could disrupt international relations at a time when China has reached a temporary truce with the U.S. on trade. U.S. President Donald Trump last week postponed a trip to Beijing to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping due to the Iran war, delaying an effort to ease tensions between the world's two biggest economies. In a separate speech at the forum, China's central bank governor Pan Gongsheng also sought to alleviate concerns surrounding the trade surplus. "Analyzing global economic imbalances requires looking not only at trade in goods but also services, and not only at the current account but also the financial acco...
The number of confirmed meningitis cases linked to the Kent outbreak has fallen from 23 to 20. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said on Sunday that three cases previously thought confirmed had been downgraded after further testing. In an update on the UKHSA website, the government body said that the number of suspected cases under investigation had also fallen, from 11 to nine, putting the to...
The number of confirmed meningitis cases linked to the Kent outbreak has fallen from 23 to 20. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said on Sunday that three cases previously thought confirmed had been downgraded after further testing. In an update on the UKHSA website, the government body said that the number of suspected cases under investigation had also fallen, from 11 to nine, putting the total number of cases at 29, down from 34 on Saturday. It added that more cases would likely be downgraded in the coming days with the completion of further lab tests. Nineteen of the 20 confirmed cases are meningitis B, known as MenB, and all have required hospital admission. As the campaign to vaccinate thousands of young people in Kent continued into a fourth day, dozens of those eligible again queued up around the county for the vaccine or preventive antibiotics. The length of the lines has dropped considerably since the rollout began on Wednesday, with no queue at all outside the previously busy vaccination site on the University of Kent’s Canterbury campus at 10am on Sunday. NHS Kent and Medway said more than 8,000 MenB vaccines and 12,157 antibiotics had been handed out by 6pm on Saturday. There are six clinics providing antibiotics and vaccines across the county, while eligible University of Kent students who have returned home elsewhere can access both from their local GPs. Two students have died in the outbreak. They are 18-year-old Juliette Kenny, a sixth-former who was described by her family as “fit, healthy and strong”, and a University of Kent student who has not been publicly named. Dr Sherine Thomas, an infectious diseases consultant at UKHSA, said: “We continue to remain vigilant for new cases and work closely with NHS England and local authorities across the country to ensure that any new cases identified are responded to as quickly as possible. “It’s reassuring to have seen so many eligible young people come forward for antibiotics and vaccination, and we’...
ASKA/E+ via Getty Images I don't look to jump over 7-foot bars: I look around for 1-foot bars that I can step over. - Warren Buffett At times of high uncertainty, like we are currently experiencing, defensive companies can be a "safe harbor" while the storm passes. Even during good times, it is usually a good idea to have some allocation to more defensive sectors like utilities ( XLU ), consumer s...
ASKA/E+ via Getty Images I don't look to jump over 7-foot bars: I look around for 1-foot bars that I can step over. - Warren Buffett At times of high uncertainty, like we are currently experiencing, defensive companies can be a "safe harbor" while the storm passes. Even during good times, it is usually a good idea to have some allocation to more defensive sectors like utilities ( XLU ), consumer staples ( XLP ), and telecommunications providers. Tokyo Metro ( TKMTY ) does not fit in any of those categories, yet we see it as utility-adjacent. It is an essential transport network in one of the most important cities in the world. Outside of idiosyncratic shocks like COVID, it generates very stable cash flows and earnings. Surprisingly, despite the work-from-home impact, ridership is now above pre-pandemic levels. Strong tourism to Japan has helped compensate for the remaining commuter shortfall. Tokyo Metro Investor Presentation Financials Tokyo Metro has been growing revenue quickly over the past few years as use has been recovering since the pandemic hit. Now that it has finally exceeded pre-COVID levels, revenue growth will likely moderate. Tokyo Metro is planning new lines and international expansion, including participation in the UK's Elizabeth Line in London. The company is also putting significantly more focus on non-core businesses to generate incremental revenue and profits. This is laid out in the company's 2025-2027 mid-term management plan . Tokyo Metro is targeting ¥93.0 billion in operating profit for FY2027, compared to ¥86.9 billion in FY2024. This implies growth of ~7% over the three-year period. While the profit growth appears modest, the setup looks better beyond that window. Tokyo Metro is planning to monetize its real estate assets, directing significant CapEx for developments such as hotels and new retail stores. In fact, revenue and EBITDA growth are expected to exceed operating profit growth during the plan, at 9.6% and 10%, respectively. Some ...
Migrant Criminal Beats Deportation Order With Chicken Nugget Defense In something you might see from the Babylon Bee, an Albanian migrant has secured the right to remain in the United Kingdom by claiming that his children hate "foreign" chicken nuggets , according to the Daily Mail . Klevis Disha, 39, snuck into the U.K. illegally back in 2001 as a supposed unaccompanied minor. Disha used a fake n...
Migrant Criminal Beats Deportation Order With Chicken Nugget Defense In something you might see from the Babylon Bee, an Albanian migrant has secured the right to remain in the United Kingdom by claiming that his children hate "foreign" chicken nuggets , according to the Daily Mail . Klevis Disha, 39, snuck into the U.K. illegally back in 2001 as a supposed unaccompanied minor. Disha used a fake name and a bogus backstory about being born in the old Yugoslavia. His asylum bid flopped but somehow dragged on, until he snagged indefinite leave to remain in the UK in 2005, the Daily Mail reported. Fast-forward, Disha hooked up with a girlfriend and popped out a daughter and a son, and then he got nailed in 2017 with £250,000 in dirty money he couldn't explain . The migrant was given a two-year prison sentence and a deportation order - after which Britain's Home Office tried to boot Disha, stripping his citizenship. Not So Fast Disha lawyered up and cried human rights by claiming it would be unduly harsh on his 11-year-old British son , nicknamed C in court documents, if Dad got shipped to Albania. T he boy supposedly won't touch the chicken nuggets over there because of textures and a super-picky diet. Ultimately, the judge bought the picky-eater sob story. Britain's Home Office appealed and a tribunal overturned the ruling. However, after endless hearings dragging into 2026, First-tier Tribunal Judge Linda Veloso ruled in Disha's favor under Article 8 of the Human Rights Act , the Daily Mail said. The ruling drew scorn from British conservative figures, including Reform UK’s Shadow Home Secretary Zia Yusuf. " A criminal migrant who entered Britain illegally under a false name and lied in a failed asylum claim has successfully fought his deportation by arguing his son disliked foreign chicken nuggets . This is the country the Tories and Labour have created,” Yusuf wrote on X. A criminal migrant who entered Britain illegally under a false name and lied in a failed asylum...
Dustin Meyer, American Petroleum Institute's SVP of Policy, Economics and Regulatory Affairs joins David Gura and Christina Ruffini this morning on Bloomberg This Weekend to discuss the extended impact the Iranian war will have on future oil prices and the importance of getting the Strategic Petroleum Reserve flowing as soon as possible. Watch the show LIVE every Saturday and Sunday morning. (Sour...
Dustin Meyer, American Petroleum Institute's SVP of Policy, Economics and Regulatory Affairs joins David Gura and Christina Ruffini this morning on Bloomberg This Weekend to discuss the extended impact the Iranian war will have on future oil prices and the importance of getting the Strategic Petroleum Reserve flowing as soon as possible. Watch the show LIVE every Saturday and Sunday morning. (Source: Bloomberg)
Amir Levy/Getty Images News Iran warned Sunday that it would strike critical infrastructure across the Middle East if President Donald Trump carries out his threat to “obliterate” the country’s power plants unless the Strait of Hormuz is quickly reopened. “Following previous warnings, if Iran’s fuel and energy infrastructure is attacked by the enemy, all energy, information technology, and desalin...
Amir Levy/Getty Images News Iran warned Sunday that it would strike critical infrastructure across the Middle East if President Donald Trump carries out his threat to “obliterate” the country’s power plants unless the Strait of Hormuz is quickly reopened. “Following previous warnings, if Iran’s fuel and energy infrastructure is attacked by the enemy, all energy, information technology, and desalination infrastructure belonging to the US and the regime in the region will be targeted,” Iran’s military operational command said in a statement on Tasnim news agency Sunday. The warning came after Trump said in a social media post late Saturday that he would “hit and obliterate” Iran’s power plants, starting with the largest facility, if Tehran does not reopen the vital shipping route within 48 hours. Trump’s remarks on his Truth Social platform signaled a sharp shift in tone, just a day after he suggested he was considering “winding down” the military operation and indicated that responsibility for securing the Strait of Hormuz could fall to nations that depend on the passage for trade. Targeting Iran’s power infrastructure would differ from strikes on oil and gas assets such as the South Pars field, as attacks on electricity generation alone would not immediately disrupt global energy markets. According to Bloomberg data, Iran operates 98 natural gas-fired power plants. Major facilities include the Damavand combined cycle plant near Tehran, the Ramin plant north of Ahvaz, and the Kerman facility in Chatroud. Trump’s reference to hitting the largest power sites could also point to the Bushehr nuclear plant. More on Brent Futures, Crude Oil Futures, etc. The 'Monetary Truman Show' Is Over: The Fed Is No Longer In Control The Market Has Been Too Complacent About The Strait of Hormuz Commodities: LNG Supply Disruptions Now A Long-Term Problem As Iran Hits Qatari Facilities Brent crude climbs for fifth straight week as U.S. sends more troops to Middle East Market risk a la 20...
Lyceum theatre, Sheffield Contemporary resonances abound in English Touring Opera’s gloriously choreographed and costumed period production: a masterclass in clarity over chaos, performed with boundless enthusiasm The Gondoliers, Gilbert and Sullivan’s last big hit, came hot on the heels of their infamous quarrel over the cost of a carpet at the Savoy theatre. There is no hint of acrimony, however...
Lyceum theatre, Sheffield Contemporary resonances abound in English Touring Opera’s gloriously choreographed and costumed period production: a masterclass in clarity over chaos, performed with boundless enthusiasm The Gondoliers, Gilbert and Sullivan’s last big hit, came hot on the heels of their infamous quarrel over the cost of a carpet at the Savoy theatre. There is no hint of acrimony, however, in what must rank as Sullivan’s sunniest, most sophisticated score wedded to some of Gilbert’s most brilliantly barbed lyrics. What could be shrewder than, “When everyone is somebody, then no one’s anybody”? A sharply pointed satire on the pitfalls of egalitarianism, the plot features babies swapped at birth and a pair of gondoliers, one of whom may or may not be the son of the recently deceased King of Barataria. English Touring Opera’s period production locates the action in the late 17th century, but contemporary resonances abound: the cash-for-endorsements antics of the money-grubbing Duke and Duchess of Plaza-Toro are but one step removed from the Andrews and Fergies of today. Continue reading...
A_Carina/E+ via Getty Images Technical Analysis of Gold and Silver This analysis attempts to look at different metrics to understand the current momentum in the gold and silver markets. It is meant as an analysis of potential price direction in the very short term (a few weeks to 1-2 months). In Q4, the technical analysis was strongly calling for a pullback or at least a consolidation period. The ...
A_Carina/E+ via Getty Images Technical Analysis of Gold and Silver This analysis attempts to look at different metrics to understand the current momentum in the gold and silver markets. It is meant as an analysis of potential price direction in the very short term (a few weeks to 1-2 months). In Q4, the technical analysis was strongly calling for a pullback or at least a consolidation period. The price indicators were quite bearish. The call may have been early by a few weeks but was an essential step if the bull market in both metals was going to continue. The market received that pullback, consolidating around $5,000 and $80 and has since broken down below both consolidation zones. Looking at the data below, the data is very mixed. The latest pullback will delay the next phase in the bull market, but even the next short-term move is cloudy. Let’s dive in… Price Action Huge spikes up are usually followed by similar spikes down. They are simply not sustainable. Silver got way ahead of itself. Gold had a more steady move up. This is why it was able to hold $5,000 for longer. But that number finally fell after weeks of carving out a base. It fell and fell hard. This likely cleared out a decent amount of hot money, but it also did a ton of technical damage with the speed at which it fell. This makes it unlikely to make an immediate turnaround back to $5,000. It now becomes critical that $4,500 holds. Gold will have to bide its time and try to sustain a new base. In silver, $80 was similar support before it broke and broke hard. It now needs to hold $70, or else silver could test $50, which could really open up the trapdoor if it were to fall. Bottom line, the technical damage has been pretty ugly in the last few days. What had been a good-looking consolidation pattern broke down in a massive way. It’s critical the new support levels hold, and it would be good to see a quick turnaround, but that seems unlikely. Outlook: Bearish Figure 1: Gold and Silver Price Action The...
Key Points International Business Machines has been helping customers build out their AI assets. IBM’s business supporting companies using COBOL suddenly became an issue due to advances in AI programming. AI is unlikely to replace IBM's services, but it will likely make the company a better service provider. 10 stocks we like better than International Business Machines › Wall Street is a fickle pl...
Key Points International Business Machines has been helping customers build out their AI assets. IBM’s business supporting companies using COBOL suddenly became an issue due to advances in AI programming. AI is unlikely to replace IBM's services, but it will likely make the company a better service provider. 10 stocks we like better than International Business Machines › Wall Street is a fickle place, with emotions often driven by news flow. In late February 2026, news that Anthropic's artificial intelligence tools could tackle COBOL coding tasks sent International Business Machines' (NYSE: IBM) stock crashing. IBM is still 20% below its 52-week high as of this writing. With the technology giant in its own personal bear market, long-term investors might find it an attractive way to play the AI space. Here's why. IBM is helping to build the AI infrastructure Putting COBOL aside for the moment, one of IBM's key business focuses has been to help companies build hybrid cloud systems. Essentially, that means that a company has data stored on both an external cloud system and an internal one. Companies do this to protect vital information they may have. IBM's services and technology enable smooth processes across what amounts to a very complex computer setup. Will AI create the world's first trillionaire? Our team just released a report on the one little-known company, called an "Indispensable Monopoly" providing the critical technology Nvidia and Intel both need. Continue » Artificial intelligence is a big and increasingly important piece of the puzzle. Thus, IBM is directly benefiting from AI and should remain a key player in the space for the foreseeable future. It just isn't a headline act, because it is a business-to-business company that works in the background. COBOL won't take down IBM However, IBM made headlines regarding AI in late February when Anthropic announced its COBOL programming advances. COBOL is a very old computer language that is still widely used to...
Microsoft Corporation (ISIN: US5949181045) presents a compelling value opportunity on NASDAQ in USD, with Azure AI driving revenue while valuation metrics hit multi-year lows. Institutional moves and analyst upgrades highlight renewed interest for DACH investors seeking tech exposure. Microsoft Corporation stock has caught investor attention as a rare value opportunity in 2026, trading at valuatio...
Microsoft Corporation (ISIN: US5949181045) presents a compelling value opportunity on NASDAQ in USD, with Azure AI driving revenue while valuation metrics hit multi-year lows. Institutional moves and analyst upgrades highlight renewed interest for DACH investors seeking tech exposure. Microsoft Corporation stock has caught investor attention as a rare value opportunity in 2026, trading at valuation levels not seen in years despite robust growth in its Azure cloud and AI segments. The NASDAQ-listed shares, ISIN US5949181045, opened at $381.35 USD on Friday, reflecting a market cap of $2.83 trillion USD and a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.85. For DACH investors, this setup offers exposure to global AI leadership through a stock now deemed inexpensive on key operating metrics, amid ongoing institutional interest and analyst optimism. As of: 22.03.2026 By Dr. Elena Voss, Senior Tech Equity Analyst – Specializing in cloud computing and AI-driven growth stocks, where enterprise adoption meets valuation resets for long-term DACH portfolios. Azure AI Fuels Core Growth Engine Microsoft's Azure platform stands as the company's fastest-growing division, with substantial year-over-year revenue increases in the latest quarter. This segment provides primary exposure to artificial intelligence trends, positioning Azure as a leading neutral environment for AI model development. Investors note its model-agnostic approach attracts developers across ecosystems, bolstering Microsoft's role in global AI adoption. The cloud business benefits from Microsoft's substantial stake in OpenAI, enhancing capabilities in gaming hardware, business software, and enterprise tools. Overall corporate revenue posted strong growth, underscoring durable demand. Yet, despite these metrics, the stock's valuation has compressed, creating appeal for value-conscious buyers. For software and platforms, key metrics like growth durability, AI monetization, and enterprise retention remain strong. Azure's expansio...
Amazon.com, Inc founder Jeff Bezos is reportedly in early discussions with major global investors to raise as much as $100 billion for a new fund. Bezos Eyes $100 Billion AI Fund To Transform Manufacturing The fund is aimed at acquiring manufacturing companies and accelerating their shift toward automation using artificial intelligence, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday. Bezos has repor...
Amazon.com, Inc founder Jeff Bezos is reportedly in early discussions with major global investors to raise as much as $100 billion for a new fund. Bezos Eyes $100 Billion AI Fund To Transform Manufacturing The fund is aimed at acquiring manufacturing companies and accelerating their shift toward automation using artificial intelligence, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday. Bezos has reportedly engaged with asset managers and sovereign wealth funds across regions, including the Middle East and Asia, as part of the fundraising push. Don't Miss: The fund plans to buy companies in key industries like chipmaking, defense and aerospace. It would be so large that it could surpass many of the world's biggest investment funds and compete with SoftBank Group's $100 billion Vision Fund. Bezos did not immediately respond to Benzinga’s request for comment. Project Prometheus To Power AI-Driven Automation Central to the strategy is Project Prometheus, a startup where Bezos serves as co-CEO, the report said. The company is developing AI systems capable of simulating real-world physical environments — such as predicting material stress or airflow — with applications in industrial design and manufacturing. It is also seeking billions in additional funding and has attracted talent from leading AI labs like Alphabet Inc.'s Google DeepMind and OpenAI. Trending: What If Tires Didn't Need Air — Or Replacing? This Startup Says It's Possible Amazon Automation Plans Raise Job Loss Concerns The developments come amid reports that Amazon is increasingly relying on robotics to streamline warehouse operations. In a report last year, documents indicated that Amazon may avoid hiring up to 600,000 workers needed to support long-term growth, instead turning to robots to cut costs and improve efficiency. Sanders Warns of ‘All Out War' On Workers Sanders criticized the reported plans in a post on X, writing, "Jeff Bezos, worth $234 billion, plans to replace 600,000 Amazon workers with robots...
This is The Takeaway from today's Morning Brief, which you can sign up to receive in your inbox every morning along with: What we're watching What we're reading Economic data releases and earnings Three years ago, I was more upbeat about artificial intelligence from a job-creation perspective. As of today, I officially declare any remaining optimism on that front dead. The more leaders I talk to a...
This is The Takeaway from today's Morning Brief, which you can sign up to receive in your inbox every morning along with: What we're watching What we're reading Economic data releases and earnings Three years ago, I was more upbeat about artificial intelligence from a job-creation perspective. As of today, I officially declare any remaining optimism on that front dead. The more leaders I talk to about how they are deploying AI, the more I'm left with a sense of dread for America's workforce. Sure, the best and the brightest will use new AI tools and drive massive productivity gains. But what happens to everyone else who's just a solid worker? Or an older worker who can't suddenly pick up AI workflows? I can tell you what happens: They get to spend a year searching for a job or opting for a career switch to drive for Uber (UBER). Though even that job appears at risk, given how Uber is keen on rolling out Rivian (RIVN) robotaxis to compete against Tesla robotaxis. "I think by 2027 the scrutiny on operating expenses from Wall Street is going to be super-intense, probably by the back half of this year ... because you're going to be able to figure out which organizations are optimizing on using this technology or not," Circle (CRCL) co-founder and CEO Jeremy Allaire said Tuesday night at the Economic Club of New York. "I do think it will impact the labor market in the near term." The impact is already evident in massive layoffs at Block (XYZ), Amazon (AMZN), and likely soon at Meta (META). Companies across five sectors that Morgan Stanley deems most likely to experience significant near-term impacts from AI adoption reported a 4% net reduction in jobs, according to a new survey of employers. The number of roles eliminated and not replaced was highest among early-career employees, or those with no previous experience. Here are some conversations I had on the AI front this week. Circle CEO Jeremy Allaire "I think the first is that agentic AI in particular is going to enabl...
War in Iran disrupting established trade flows raises an important question: how serious could the consequences be, and for whom will they be most severe? To answer this, it is useful to look at history. During the fifth and fourth centuries BC, Athens, a major centre, depended heavily on grain imports. Whenever routes were blocked during wars, Athens almost immediately faced the threat of a food ...
War in Iran disrupting established trade flows raises an important question: how serious could the consequences be, and for whom will they be most severe? To answer this, it is useful to look at history. During the fifth and fourth centuries BC, Athens, a major centre, depended heavily on grain imports. Whenever routes were blocked during wars, Athens almost immediately faced the threat of a food crisis. In the Middle Ages, Venice became one of Europe’s richest cities and a crucial hub linking European and eastern trade. When wars disrupted routes, the effects were felt almost instantly in the Venetian economy. For centuries, trade between China and Europe moved along the Silk Road. As trade networks expanded, disruptions to key routes began to have far wider consequences. In response to the 1973 Yom Kippur war, Arab oil-producing countries imposed an embargo on the United States and several Western economies. Oil supplies fell sharply, prices surged, global inflation accelerated and many major economies slipped into recession. Advertisement A similar pattern appeared in 1956 when Egypt nationalised the Suez Canal, disrupting European trade with Asia. The canal’s closure again from 1967 to 1975 forced global shipping to reorganise routes. In 2021, the container ship Ever Given blocked the Suez Canal for six days, leaving hundreds of vessels waiting and delaying supply chains around the world. During the 1980s Iran-Iraq war, attacks on shipping in the Persian Gulf led to the deployment of international naval escorts. These examples tell us that whenever a narrow trade corridor carries strategically important goods, blocking that corridor tends to produce consequences far beyond the immediate region. From the Bosphorus Strait to the Strait of Malacca , world trade has long depended on vulnerable chokepoints. 04:04 How US-Israeli strikes on Iran are sending shock waves through global energy markets How US-Israeli strikes on Iran are sending shock waves through global e...