Business titan in media and finance, a global info platform
Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance has taken a 5% stake in London-listed Man Group, valuing the holding at about £179 million. The Japanese insurer plans to entrust around £200 billion to the hedge fund over the next three years, while the partnership includes co-development of products and Man Group becoming a preferred asset manager for Meiji Yasuda. The move marks Meiji Yasuda’s first major overseas asset-manager investment.
Global oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz have recovered to roughly 80% of pre-conflict volumes, Shell CEO Wael Sawan has said, helping keep Brent below $100 and sending bullion near $4,165 an ounce. US equity futures are signalling further gains after the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 closed at record highs, driven by AI-related shares and Nvidia's surge.
Jio Platforms has opened an initial public offering to raise 302bn rupees to repay telecom debt and fund growth, offering shares at 1,065–1,119 rupees and targeting a roughly 10.3tn-rupee valuation. Global fund managers and dozens of anchor investors have backed the deal, while a separate spat between Elon Musk and Reliance over Starlink approvals remains unresolved.
The Justice Department has sued California and asked courts to block counting mail ballots from people it identifies as "likely noncitizens" until citizenship is verified, and it has pressed Los Angeles County and other officials to review a password‑protected list. State officials have disputed the data and timing and have challenged the administration's authority to intervene weeks before the Nov. 3 midterms.
KFC US will shift from PepsiCo to Coca‑Cola beverages starting January, with full rollout by Q1 2027. International KFC locations will keep PepsiCo drinks. Taco Bell and KFC international stores will also serve Coca‑Cola products.
Japan has been balancing plans for a sales tax cut with higher defense spending, while debt remains a central worry for markets. The government has signaled it will push ahead with fiscal adjustments even as yields rise for a decade-high debt profile.
Russia and Iran are expanding their strategic partnership to influence Middle East security and maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. Lavrov’s visit follows Putin’s signals of mediation, with both countries seeking to shape regional order amid US-Israel actions against Iran.
Resale prices for Hermès Birkins have fallen from 2022 highs as supply in the second-hand market increases. Traders note softer demand and higher availability, challenging a business model built on scarcity. Hermès has not commented; outcomes depend on whether demand keeps pace with growing supply across global markets.
Two Japanese firms have cleared final steps to begin China operations as Beijing welcomes a trade delegation. BPCE’s banking arm plans to buy Tokyo advisory firm Sangyo Sosei, while other moves show continued cross-border investment.
France has secured around 295,000 tonnes of diesel monthly from Gulf states, with Bahrain, UAE, and Qatar delivering, and Kuwait pledging shipments to its overseas territories. The moves come as France faces energy-price pressures amid the US-Iran conflict and Gulf volatility. The commitments, alongside Saudi participation, aim to ease domestic diesel shortages and stabilise prices.
OpenAI will integrate Orchestra's team and tech into Rosalind, expanding life-science capabilities; Warp Sciences raises funding to automate wet-lab work and reshore drug development; Orchestra’s acquisition signals AI’s deepening role in pharma, as rivals compete for science-focused platforms.
Investors are re-evaluating the AI hardware boom as neoclouds struggle with debt-funded expansion. Companies such as CoreWeave face scrutiny over finances, while the broader sector faces higher financing costs and cautious lending. The market shift follows mixed results from AI infrastructure players and softening sentiment after a string of debt-fueled capex plans.
Malaysia has prohibited civil servants from using Google’s Waze for official duties due to concerns that location data could fall under Israeli jurisdiction. The move follows similar regional actions amid tensions linked to Israel and Palestine; authorities urge the use of a local alternative, TuJu.
Typhoon Champi has struck Taiwan’s northeast and brushed Japan’s southern islands, bringing gusts above 140mph and localized rainfall exceeding 620mm. Authorities have reported at least one death, hundreds injured and widespread power outages; Champi has since weakened to a tropical storm and is tracking north-east toward Japan after looping off Yilan County.
María Corina Machado has returned to Venezuela after more than ten months in exile, posting "I am here. With you." Supporters greeted her at a church in Lara state and opposition leader Edmundo González has confirmed her arrival. Machado has given public thanks to U.S. figures while details of her entry remain unclear.