Markets & Big Tech: US stocks closed higher as Microsoft’s record cloud results sparked a tech-led rebound, lifting the Nasdaq and easing worries about AI spending returns; Global Markets: European shares hit record highs with STOXX 600 tech gains, while investors weighed central bank moves and Middle East risk; AI Spending Signal: Fresh capex guidance from major hyperscalers (Amazon, Microsoft, Alphabet, Meta) is calming fears of an AI slowdown and supporting demand for chips and data-center gear; Semiconductors: Kioxia forecast a 31-fold profit jump on NAND strength tied to AI data centers, even as shares slid on overinvestment concerns; Currencies: The yen swung after intervention talk, with the dollar bid returning as markets digested rate expectations; Energy Tech: UK-backed £2m project will develop LMFP battery demonstrators for defence and EVs, while Australia’s first green hydrogen/ammonia plant near Moree is using Trinasolar modules; Defense & Security Tech: Hidden Level won $100m to scale passive counter-drone sensing, and Minneapolis debated a DOJ grant to upgrade ballistic tech; Healthcare Tech: Dartmouth/Columbia team won a $4.8m ARPA-H contract for AI obstetric monitoring, and Caristo Diagnostics gained FDA authorization for coronary inflammation quantification from CT angiography; Enterprise Tech: Solitics launched agentic AI for retail banking customer engagement, and NatWest reported profit growth tied to AI-led tech efforts.