Silicon Republic reports that Bitcoin has dropped below $90,000, erasing all gains made in 2025. This 30% decline from its peak reflects broader market corrections tied to uncertainty around U.S. interest rate cuts and profit-taking by long-term investors. Analysts warn of contagion risks as institutional investors divest, amplifying market fears. The downturn also affected Asian markets, underlining the global interconnectedness of cryptocurrency movements.

Silicon Republic highlights the expansion of Oisin Hanrahan’s Keychain into the UK after securing £7.5m in funding from retail giants like Tesco and Woolworths. The AI-powered platform for consumer packaged goods enables efficient and sustainable private-label production. This innovation is poised to streamline supply chains and improve brand responsiveness to changing consumer demands.

Financial Times (content locked) notes that Elliott Management has increased its stake in gold mining firm Barrick. While the full details remain inaccessible, this move likely reflects gold's appeal as a hedge against economic volatility.

The Wall Street Journal reveals that France’s Credit Agricole is aiming to expand its customer base across Europe under its new three-year strategic plan. The bank intends to grow from 54 million to 60 million customers, signaling a shift toward regional diversification to mitigate risks associated with its home market.

Silicon Republic covers Ibec’s 2025 Manufacturing in Ireland Report, which underscores AI as a cornerstone of resilience and productivity for Irish manufacturers. Over 97% of surveyed businesses are committed to adopting AI, with government-matched funding deemed critical to filling skills gaps and safeguarding competitiveness. Silicon Republic Silicon Republic Financial Times Wall Street Journal (Markets) Silicon Republic

Silicon Republic reports the acquisition of Replicate by Cloudflare. This deal will simplify AI model deployment, allowing developers to access an extensive library of models directly via Cloudflare’s platform. This aligns with Cloudflare’s strategy of reducing infrastructure complexity for developers, fostering innovation in AI applications globally.

The Register highlights a troubling trend in AI reliability. A study by Which? found that popular AI assistants, including ChatGPT and Google Gemini, frequently provide incorrect or misleading answers. Despite this, nearly half of users trust these outputs. Experts urge caution, emphasizing the need for professional advice in critical areas like finance and healthcare. Silicon Republic The Register

Washington Post reports that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is set to meet Donald Trump at the White House, marking a significant shift in U.S.-Saudi relations. Once ostracized for the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, bin Salman’s reentry into U.S. diplomacy underscores the strategic importance of Saudi Arabia in regional geopolitics.

As covered by the Boston Globe, President Trump has achieved notable success in the Middle East, exemplified by his engagement with Syria’s new leadership and prior brokering of the Abraham Accords. His transactional approach, bypassing traditional diplomatic structures, has led to stability in the region. However, critics argue this strategy could undermine long-term global cooperation. Washington Post (World) bostonglobe.com

Boston Globe details Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s diplomatic efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war. He plans to engage with Turkish officials while continuing discussions with European leaders. Concurrently, Ukraine launched air strikes on Russian-occupied infrastructure, highlighting the ongoing intensity of the conflict. bostonglobe.com