World Monitor: Top 5 Briefing for 2026-04-26

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Tech & Business Top 5

1. Google to invest up to $40 billion in Anthropic Reuters, citing Bloomberg, reported that Google has decided to invest up to $40 billion in its AI rival, Anthropic.

2. China to regulate U.S. capital in its AI firms Bloomberg reported that Chinese regulators plan to restrict major AI companies, including DeepSeek, from accepting U.S. capital without government approval in response to Meta’s acquisition of the startup Manus.

3. Intel earnings boost U.S. semiconductor stocks to record highs Reuters reported that U.S. semiconductor stocks hit all-time highs following Intel's strong earnings, with optimistic forecasts supported by a surge in AI-driven CPU demand.

4. DeepSeek launches new AI model optimized for Huawei chips Reuters reported that Chinese AI startup DeepSeek has unveiled a new AI model optimized for Huawei chips, further accelerating China's drive for technological self-reliance.

5. Related Digital secures $16 billion for Oracle's Michigan data center Reuters reported that Related Digital has secured $16 billion in financing for the upcoming Oracle data center in Michigan.

6. AI arms race pressures big tech to cut costs The New York Times reported that major tech companies are tightening their belts as the financial burden of keeping up in the AI race intensifies.

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Science & Innovation Top 5

1. U.S. State Department warns of IP theft by Chinese AI firms like DeepSeek Reuters exclusively reported that the U.S. State Department sent a diplomatic cable globally, warning that Chinese AI companies such as DeepSeek are extensively stealing intellectual property from U.S. AI research labs.

2. Scientists suggest link between solar flares and earthquakes ScienceDaily reported that scientists have proposed a surprising link, suggesting that electric fields created when solar activity disturbs the ionosphere could penetrate vulnerable fault zones and trigger earthquakes.

3. Breakthrough in clinical approach for rare genetic disease treatments Nature reported that a new clinical trial approach in the development of treatments for rare genetic diseases has made economically viable production a reality.

4. Hidden hurdle found in ozone layer recovery ScienceDaily reported on research findings that the ozone layer, previously on a recovery trajectory thanks to the Montreal Protocol, is seeing its progress delayed by atmospheric leaks of chemicals still permitted for industrial use.

5. Discovery of hidden paths for oxygen flow inside catalysts ScienceDaily reported on a groundbreaking discovery regarding the flow of oxygen within catalysts.

6. Singapore emerges as neutral hub in U.S.-China AI rivalry Reuters reported on analysis showing that as the tech rivalry between the U.S. and China intensifies, AI companies are increasingly using Singapore as a neutral base for operations.

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Finance & Market Briefing

1. Tech stocks rebound on Intel earnings; oil remains volatile due to Iran conflict AP News reported that tech stocks rose on Friday, April 24, following Intel's strong performance, while oil prices continued to fluctuate as the market waits for the next developments in the Iran-related conflict.

2. Hormuz Strait blockade nears 2 months; 8.2 billion barrels of reserves depleted Reuters Breakingviews analyzed that as the blockade of the Hormuz Strait reaches approximately two months, the oil market has burned through 8.2 billion barrels of reserves, with Asian nations largely bearing the brunt of the supply shortfall.

3. Oil demand crisis set to spread to Europe Reuters Breakingviews warned that as inventories run dry and prices climb, the supply shortage that has been absorbed by Asian countries is shifting toward Europe.

4. Global asset correlations break down due to Middle East war Reuters reported that traditional global asset correlations have collapsed since the outbreak of the war in the Middle East, leaving investors struggling to build trading strategies as they await a resolution.

5. U.S. semiconductor stocks hit record highs fueled by AI rally Reuters reported that U.S. semiconductor stocks set all-time highs as Intel's earnings surprise ignited investor sentiment around AI.

6. UK's Computacenter expects to beat this year's forecast Reuters reported that the UK-based Computacenter expects to exceed its annual outlook, boosted by strong demand for AI projects and data centers.

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Macro Context

1. Hormuz Strait blockade — A structural crisis for global energy chains With the ongoing two-month blockade of the Hormuz Strait due to the war with Iran, 8.2 billion barrels of global crude reserves have been depleted. Prospects of supply crises spreading to Europe are rising as inventories hit rock bottom. Rising energy costs pose a direct threat to global inflation and corporate profitability.

2. U.S.-China tech rivalry deepens — Expanding fronts in AI investment control The tech war between the U.S. and China is expanding into the AI sector, with China’s planned restrictions on U.S. capital in AI firms—a response to Meta's Manus acquisition—and the U.S. State Department’s campaign warning of IP theft by Chinese firms like DeepSeek. Singapore's emergence as a neutral hub reflects this intensifying geopolitical decoupling.

3. The paradox of AI investment mania and big tech cost pressure A paradoxical situation is unfolding: while monumental investments in AI continue, such as Google’s $40 billion commitment to Anthropic, major tech firms are simultaneously tightening their belts due to the rising financial strain of the AI race. This suggests that pressure for AI monetization is mounting rapidly.