🍏 Apple vs. Epic Reloaded | 💬 Microsoft Unbundles Teams | 🌍 Gulf AI Mega-Deals

Global equities cruise higher on softer U.S. inflation and a temporary trade-truce vibe. The S&P 500 finally peeks back into positive YTD territory, while bond yields slip as traders bet the Fed blinks sooner. Energy stays tame, but keep an eye on Walmart’s tariff price-hike warning. Europe’s Stoxx 600 mirrors the optimism; China’s markets lag on weak tech earnings. Translation: investors like the macro melody, yet the lyrics (tariffs, Middle-East politics) could still change the tune.

$SPY ( ▼ 1.12% ) 

$DJI ( ▼ 1.79% ) 

$QQQ ( ▼ 1.26% ) 

$DAX ( ▼ 1.69% ) 

$NIFTY50.NSE ( ▲ 0.92% ) 

Apple bans Fortnite—again

TL;DR: Epic says Apple yanked Fortnite downloads in both the U.S. App Store and its own EU storefront, claiming “unfair retaliation” after last month’s in-app-payment ruling. Apple isn’t commenting, but Tim Sweeney is meme-bombing X while regulators watch closely. Epic may petition Brussels for daily fines if the block holds.

Further read: https://www.theverge.com/news/668101/apple-epic-games-fortnite-tim-sweeney-app-store-fakes

Claude’s citation face-plant

TL;DR: Anthropic blamed its own chatbot for a bogus legal citation that music publishers called “pure hallucination.” Lawyers say they now run every footnote through three humans—proof even AI needs a spellcheck. At least Claude finally found the “law” in “flaw”.

Further read: https://www.reuters.com/legal/legalindustry/anthropics-lawyers-take-blame-ai-hallucination-music-publishers-lawsuit-2025-05-15/

Microsoft unbundles Teams—this time for real

TL;DR: Redmond offered seven-year price cuts and better APIs so Office users can pick rival chat apps, hoping to close the EU antitrust probe sparked by Slack in 2020. Brussels is market-testing the offer; acceptance would dodge a fine of up to 10 % of global revenue.

Further read: https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/boards-policy-regulation/microsoft-offers-sell-office-with-teams-lower-price-eu-antitrust-probe-2025-05-16/

Acer puts AI on your finger at Computex

TL;DR: The new FreeSense smart ring tracks vitals 24/7 with no subscription fee, while TransBuds promise real-time two-way translation in 15 languages—only one person has to wear them. Acer also teased AI-laced e-bikes and scooters, betting wellness and mobility will outshine laptops.

Further read: https://www.reuters.com/technology/taiwans-computex-showcase-ai-advances-nvidias-huang-take-centre-stage-2025-05-15/

Trump’s Gulf AI mega-deals rattle China hawks

TL;DR: The president unveiled multibillion-dollar chip, cloud, and data-center agreements with Saudi Arabia and the UAE—including a planned 1 GW AI campus in Abu Dhabi. Lawmakers warn advanced U.S. semiconductors could leak to Beijing; a new House bill seeks export-tracking rules.

Further read: https://www.reuters.com/world/china/uae-us-agree-path-abu-dhabi-buy-most-advanced-ai-chips-trump-says-2025-05-16/