May

American intelligence has reportedly warned several European governments that Russia may be preparing a drone attack on one of three Mediterranean countries: Spain, France, or Italy. The warning, attributed to the CIA, was shared with allied capitals. The report is spreading rapidly across European countries and drawing concern about Russian covert action on NATO and EU soil.

Demands are mounting for the US government to release the full files related to Jeffrey Epstein, the financier and convicted sex offender who died in custody in 2019. Supporters of disclosure argue the public deserves to see what investigators uncovered and who may be implicated, while officials continue to face pressure over how much of the material remains sealed.

The Bank of Japan has signalled that it may raise interest rates sooner than markets had anticipated. The move marks another step away from Japan's long-running ultra-loose monetary policy, and investors are likely to reassess their expectations for the yen, bond yields and Japanese equities as the possibility of an earlier hike firms up.

US intelligence has reportedly warned Spain, France and Italy that Russia may be preparing drone attacks against targets in Southern Europe. The warning was reported by Spain's El Mundo, which said the intelligence was shared with European governments following CIA Director briefings. The news is spreading quickly across European social media, with users discussing what the reported threat could mean for southern Europe's security.

US intelligence assessment says Saudi Arabia has not ruled out acquiring nuclear weapons, according to a report carried by Gulf News. The finding highlights lingering questions over the kingdom's nuclear ambitions and its response to regional rival Iran's nuclear programme. Observers are weighing what this means for US-Saudi relations and for non-proliferation efforts in the Middle East.

Donald Trump has confirmed a meeting with an Iranian delegation, while Qatar is actively pushing diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran. The talks signal a potential opening in tensions between the United States and Iran, with Doha positioning itself as a key mediator. Details of what was discussed and what may follow remain limited, but the confirmed contact has drawn wide international attention.

A former Bank of Japan executive has said the central bank could raise interest rates again in the near term, adding to speculation about the pace of Japan's exit from decades of ultra-loose monetary policy. Markets and analysts are watching closely, as further hikes by the Bank of Japan would affect the yen, bond yields and global carry trades.

Gold prices declined as markets absorbed signals that the US Federal Reserve may keep interest rates elevated for longer than previously expected. Higher rates raise the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding assets like gold, weighing on demand. Investors are watching upcoming Fed commentary and inflation data for clues on the timing of any policy easing.

NOAA's National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service is highlighting a talk on the very strong El Nino expected for 2026-2027, explaining how an unusually warm tropical Pacific Ocean could reshape weather patterns worldwide. The discussion covers potential effects on rainfall, drought, storms and temperatures across multiple continents, underlining why forecasters watch El Nino events so closely.

A court in Frankfurt has ruled that Meta can be held liable for fraudulent advertisements that ran on Facebook and Instagram. The decision means the company may face responsibility for scams carried out through ads on its platforms, even though the ads were placed by third parties. The ruling is being closely watched as a potential precedent for platform accountability over advertising content across Europe.

A former British prime minister has cautioned that Iran may be underestimating Donald Trump's determination, warning that misjudging his resolve could have serious consequences amid tensions over Iran's nuclear programme. The remarks come as international attention remains focused on the possibility of renewed confrontation between Washington and Tehran.

Reports say China may permit Alibaba and ByteDance to purchase new Nvidia chips, easing earlier restrictions on advanced semiconductor imports. The potential reversal would be significant for Chinese tech firms racing to build AI capabilities, and for Nvidia, which has lost substantial China revenue amid export controls. The reported shift is drawing attention across the tech and semiconductor sectors as observers weigh its implications for US-China trade tensions.

The Chinese government has signaled it may allow companies such as Alibaba and ByteDance to purchase Nvidia's new RTX Pro 5500 chips, according to a report by The Information citing people familiar with the matter. The potential approval would mark a notable opening for US chip access to Chinese tech firms amid ongoing export restrictions.

China may allow Alibaba and ByteDance to purchase new Nvidia chips, according to a report by The Information. The reported shift would ease restrictions that had limited access to advanced US AI hardware for two of China's largest technology companies, with implications for the AI race and US-China tech trade tensions.

Roughly $600 million worth of Iranian oil seized by the United States earlier in the war may soon be transferred to American custody, according to a Fortune report. The cargo, taken during enforcement actions tied to the conflict, could represent one of the larger oil seizures of the war, and any move by Washington to take possession is likely to draw a strong reaction from Tehran.

China may permit Alibaba to purchase Nvidia's RTX chips, according to a report by The Information picked up by Bloomberg. The potential approval would mark a notable shift in Beijing's stance on access to American AI hardware, amid ongoing US-China tensions over semiconductor exports. The report drew wide attention from technology and markets watchers tracking Nvidia's business in China.

Japan's corporate services price inflation has climbed to its highest level in two years, according to a Reuters report. The rise in what companies pay for services signals persistent price pressure in the world's third-largest economy and will feed into debate over whether the Bank of Japan should raise interest rates further as it winds down decades of ultra-loose policy.

China is reportedly easing its chip-related restrictions, a move that could allow ByteDance and Alibaba to purchase high-end Nvidia chips again. The reported shift would mark a notable change in the country's stance on advanced semiconductor imports for major tech firms, with potential implications for the AI and cloud computing plans of two of China's largest technology companies.

German-language commentary is asking why there is little or no footage of a reported return visit by China's president to the United States, contrasting this with the elaborate reception Donald Trump received in Beijing in May, complete with gun salutes, an honour guard, a military band and flag-waving children. The quip 'Betsy who?' suggests the claim circulated alongside another story that dominated attention.

China may permit Alibaba and ByteDance to purchase new Nvidia chips, according to a report by The Information picked up by Investing.com and Yahoo Finance. If confirmed, the move would ease restrictions on two of China's largest technology companies and reopen a key channel for American semiconductor sales that had been constrained by tightening export controls and trade tensions.