World Monitor: Top 5 Briefings for April 24, 2026

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Tech & Business Top 5

1. DeepSeek releases preview of new model based on Huawei chips

Chinese AI startup DeepSeek has unveiled a preview of a new model optimized for Huawei chip technology, further demonstrating China's AI self-reliance capabilities.

2. Intel surges 19% after beating Q2 revenue forecast

Intel's stock jumped 19% after the company provided Q2 revenue guidance that exceeded market expectations, driven by strong demand for server processors for AI.

3. SpaceX used $20 billion bridge loan before IPO filing

According to a Reuters exclusive, SpaceX refinanced debt with a $20 billion bridge loan just before filing for an IPO.

4. Cohere acquires Germany's Aleph Alpha to target European AI market

Canadian AI startup Cohere announced the acquisition of German AI firm Aleph Alpha to expand its presence in Europe.

5. Huawei announces Ascend SuperNode support for DeepSeek V4

Huawei officially announced that its Ascend SuperNode infrastructure will support the DeepSeek V4 model, highlighting its push to build an indigenous AI supply chain that bypasses US sanctions.

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Science & Innovation Top 5

1. Northwestern University 3D prints artificial neurons that communicate with real ones

A Northwestern University engineering team has successfully 3D printed artificial neurons capable of exchanging signals with real neurons, marking a major milestone in brain-machine interfaces.

2. University of Tokyo captures electron spin reversal in antiferromagnets

A research team at the University of Tokyo has for the first time captured frame-by-frame the moment electron spins flip inside an antiferromagnet. While these materials were previously considered magnetically "inactive," this research opens new possibilities for spintronics.

3. Nature: AI now triggers alarms for researchers

A Nature podcast (published April 22, 2026) reported that many researchers are raising concerns that artificial intelligence has reached a level that is triggering serious warnings across the scientific community.

4. Robot plays professional table tennis, equipped with high-speed recognition system

Nature reported (April 21) that Sony AI's robot, "Ace," played against a professional table tennis player using a high-speed recognition system to predict complex ball movements.

5. Cisco unveils switch to connect different types of quantum computers

Cisco has unveiled a switch capable of interconnecting different types of quantum computers, marking a notable hardware innovation in quantum networking.

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Finance & Market Briefing

1. S&P 500 and Nasdaq close at all-time highs on April 22 Boosted by news of a two-week extension to the US-Iran truce, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite hit record closing highs on Wednesday, April 22.

2. Stocks fall, oil rises on April 23 — Iran flexes muscle in Strait of Hormuz Wall Street's major indices fell and crude oil prices rebounded as Iran flexed its control over the Strait of Hormuz and Middle East tensions reignited. Mixed corporate earnings also impacted investor sentiment.

3. Intel stock surges 19% — reflects AI demand Intel's stock rose 19% after announcing Q2 revenue guidance that beat market expectations, thanks to increased demand for AI-related server processors.

4. UK's Computacenter raises annual forecast due to AI and data center demand UK IT infrastructure firm Computacenter raised its annual earnings forecast after reporting a surge in orders driven by AI-related projects and data center growth.

5. India's Infosys hits 3-year stock low — weak 2027 growth outlook Shares of Indian IT giant Infosys hit a three-year low following a weak growth outlook for 2027.

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Macro Context

1. US-Iran truce instability — Middle East risks resurface Although President Trump extended the two-week US-Iran truce, Iran's show of force in the Strait of Hormuz has reignited fears of energy supply disruptions, which is reflected in rising oil prices and a mixed stock market.

2. Global spread of social media regulation for minors — spotlight on platforms Norway is pushing for legislation to ban social media for those under 16, and Türkiye has passed a law banning social media for those under 15. The acceleration of online protection laws for minors worldwide, including in Australia and Europe, may impact the revenue models of major platform companies.

3. Singapore emerges as neutral hub amid US-China AI hegemony race Amid intensifying US-China tech rivalry, analysts suggest that Singapore is emerging as a neutral base that attracts AI companies from both nations. This reflects a shift in location strategy for global companies looking to minimize geopolitical risk.

This briefing is based on publicly available news sources and is not investment advice. Cited figures and facts are limited to those explicitly confirmed by their respective sources.