The world in a glance.

These 3 companies are keeping the lights on for AI’s energy demand — and cashing in

The headlines focus on apps, but the big money is flowing to agentic AI’s boring industrial backbone.

‘Why do Americans think we can do socialism?’ asks hedge-fund manager Ken Griffin

The hedge-fund manager’s recent comments came after New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist, singled out Griffin’s ownership of a $238 million penthouse.

No kids, no care: Solo agers are hiring professional ‘next-of-kin’ for major life decisions

They have financial security and a retirement map — but lack someone authorized to advocate for them.

The next recession could actually be a win for stocks — if you can tune out the market noise

Corporate profit margins and P/E multiples — not GDP forecasts — are the real tools to surviving a bear market.

Berkshire cash pile climbs to $380bn as stock sales streak hits 14th quarter

Greg Abel to address shareholders at first gathering since he succeeded Warren Buffett

How this Japanese toilet maker became an unlikely AI winner

Toto is “aiming to achieve a toilet that never needs cleaning.” It’s also supplying electrostatic chucks — a semiconductor-manufacturing component critical to the memory-chip boom.

Meet the unsinkable U.S. economy — oil prices are surging, Iran tensions are rising, but it won’t crack

High tariffs, stubborn inflation, government shutdowns, war with Iran, rising oil prices — nothing in the turbulent past year has poked a hole in a seemingly unsinkable U.S.…

Weight loss and hair loss: The growing hair treatment market from GLP-1s

A common side effect of many GLP-1 drugs is hair loss. It's creating a formerly untapped but growing market for hair treatment products.

This Japanese toilet maker seeking ‘the perfect flush’ is moonlighting as a hot AI play

Toto is “aiming to achieve a toilet that never needs cleaning.” It’s also supplying electrostatic chucks — a semiconductor-manufacturing component critical to the memory-chip boom.

Spirit Airlines shut down. Here's what travelers need to know if they have tickets

What travelers who are ticketed on Spirit Airlines need to know.

Japan just put a ‘Band-Aid’ on the yen. Why high oil prices could soon rip it off.

Concerns about high oil prices are adding to inflation fears in Japan, as the BOJ just moved to rescue the yen from a roughly 40-year low.

‘We are old school’: I’ve been married for 40 years. Should I have kept my money separate?

“We have all of our financial accounts joint except for our IRAs.”

Spirit Airlines shuts down after failing to reach a bailout deal, ending discount travel era

Talks with bondholders for a government bailout this week failed to yield a deal.

US should ‘finish the job’ if Iran does not yield, says Lindsey Graham

The veteran senator is one of the most hawkish Republicans with influence over the US president

US warns Europe of delays to arms shipments as Iran war drains stockpiles

Deferred deliveries could include those used in Ukraine’s defence against Russia

Spirit Airlines winds down operations after bailout talks founder

Trump said US would only proceed with rescue for bankrupt budget carrier ‘if it’s a good deal’

The physical world strikes back

The Iran war is a reminder that geographic facts rather than digital tech shape our lives

The problem with healthy life expectancy

A crude blend of very different statistics is not the best tool for the job

Wall Street traders post triple gains of European rivals

Europe’s biggest investment banks missed out on gains from commodities in quarter marked by oil swings

How the $5bn Saudi bet on LIV Golf unravelled

Upstart league unable to build a sustainable business so it could wean itself off a total reliance on the PIF’s wealth

Iran war withers Kenya’s roses and strands its tea

Conflict has crushed Gulf markets and pushed up air freight and shipping costs

Libya reaps oil bonanza from Iran war price surge

Crude output has risen to highest level since 2013 as demand soars to replace lost barrels from the Gulf

Apple just gave a clue that a big AI acquisition may be in the cards

With Apple officially retiring its net-cash-neutral target, some suspect the company will look to conduct more transformative M&A, beyond the smaller deals it made in the past.

Why markets are surging in spite of war

Even amid a supply shock, tech stocks continue to drive indices higher. Is the optimism justified?

GameStop is hungry for relevance. Is buying eBay the answer?

GameStop is reportedly interesting in buying eBay, which has done a better job of adapting to changing consumer preferences.

Is China decoupling on food?

If this is pursued with the same energy as industrial policy, it will upend the agricultural economy

Spirit Airlines could shut down overnight. Here's what travelers need to know

What travelers who are ticketed on Spirit Airlines need to know if the carrier shuts down.

US to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany in dispute over Iran conflict

Donald Trump retaliates against Friedrich Merz over chancellor’s criticism of US-Israeli war effort

‘I’m very late to the game’: I’m 48, earn $65,000, have $48,000 in debt and no retirement. Am I doomed?

“I do not have any inheritance from anyone coming my way as I lost most of my immediate family when young.”

Thinking of raiding your 401(k) for a hardship withdrawal? Ask these questions first.

Money coaches tell you how to move past the stigma and decide if tapping your retirement fund is rational or reactive.

Social Security screwed up — and it cost widows and widowers over $50 million

Thousands have been short-changed of their Social Security payments as a result of blunders by the Social Security Administration

Trump says he's raising EU auto tariffs to 25%

The Supreme Court struck down Trump's "reciprocal" tariffs earlier this year, and Europe warned that its trade deal with Washington could be in jeopardy.

Trump talks up his push to lower costs, as analysts see bruising midterms for GOP due to economic worries

President Donald Trump on Friday delivered a wide-ranging speech that focused in part on his efforts to lower taxes and other costs, as analysts predict defeats for his party in…

US warns Europe of delays to arms shipments as Iran war drains stockpiles

Deferred deliveries could include those used in Ukraine’s defence against Russia

It now costs $160 to fill up America’s top-selling vehicle as the Iran war nears its 10th week

Regular unleaded gas is up almost 50% since the start of the Iran war, to $4.42 a gallon late Friday morning, according to GasBuddy.

Trump’s Iran war leaves US with sharpest fuel shock in G7

Petrol and diesel prices are rising more swiftly in America than other major economies including the UK and Canada

Apple just gave a subtle clue that a splashy AI acquisition may be in the cards

Apple is officially retiring its net-cash-neutral target, and some suspect the iPhone maker is preparing for a major acquisition to close the gap in the AI race.

‘Why do Americans think we can do socialism?’ asks hedge-fund manager Ken Griffin

The hedge-fund manager’s recent comments came after New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist, singled out Griffin’s ownership of a $238 million penthouse.

‘Why do Americans think we can do socialism?’ says hedge-fund manager Ken Griffin

The hedge-fund manager’s recent comments came after New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist, singled out Griffin’s ownership of a $238 million penthouse.

Spirit Airlines prepares to cease operations as bailout talks founder

Donald Trump says US still ‘looking’ at a rescue for bankrupt budget carrier, but would only proceed ‘if it’s a good deal’

Pickleball gets its largest-ever investment: $225 million. ‘It’s still a growth sport — it’s not just a fad.’

As valuations in major sports leagues like the NFL have surged, institutional investors have turned to smaller, fast-growing sports.

Trump says he will raise tariff on EU vehicles to 25%

Levies on cars and trucks exported to US will be imposed ‘next week’ unless companies manufacture at American plants

‘We are old school’: I’ve been married for 40 years. Should I have kept my money separate?

“We have all of our financial accounts joint except for our IRAs.”

If Spirit ends up shutting down, these airlines stand to benefit

A shuttered airline would open up precious airport slots, gates and routes, and could create opportunities for other carriers to expand.

Private credit group Ares draws nearly $20bn from investors

Real estate and infrastructure commitments help offset weakness in group’s core business

What will Trump’s war on Iran mean for global trade?

Take part in a live Ask an Expert Q&A with our trade columnist on Thursday May 7 at 1pm (BST)

MBZ, the Emirati sheikh who shook up the Gulf

From foreign interventions to abandoning Opec, the UAE’s leader is charting a different path for his country

Trump says he will raise tariff on European vehicles to 25%

Levies on cars and trucks exported to US will be imposed ‘next week’ unless EU companies manufacture at American plants

Why the 60/40 portfolio is crushing it — despite market chaos and inflation fears

This time-tested mix of stocks and bonds thrives in uncertainty — and maybe because of it.

Oil market 1 month from crunch point as global reserves dwindle

Traders warn of further jump in prices and ‘huge pain’ as economies cut consumption