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Microsoft Weighs Legal Action Over US$50B Amazon–OpenAI Deal, Raising Cloud War Stakes

Microsoft  is reportedly considering legal action against  Amazon  and  OpenAI  over a  US$50 billion cloud agreement , escalating tensions in the rapidly evolving artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure race. Dispute Centres on Cloud Exclusivity At the core of the dispute is whether  Amazon Web Services (AWS)  can host OpenAI’s new commercial offering,  “Frontier,”  without breaching Microsoft’s  exclusive cloud partnership  with the AI firm. Microsoft’s agreement requires that  access to OpenAI models be delivered via its Azure cloud platform , making any potential AWS involvement a  possible contractual violation . The reported deal could significantly reshape the  competitive landscape in cloud computing and AI services , where exclusivity and infrastructure control are key strategic advantages. High Stakes in the AI Infrastructure Race The potential legal challenge underscores intensifying competition am...
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Gold Slips Below US$5,000 as Fed Outlook and Middle East Risks Keep Markets on Edge

Gold prices edged lower on Wednesday as investors adopted a  wait-and-see approach ahead of the US Federal Reserve’s policy decision , while ongoing tensions in the Middle East continued to shape the broader inflation outlook. Gold Under Pressure Ahead of Fed Guidance Spot gold declined  0.4% to US$4,984 per ounce , slipping below the key  US$5,000 level , while US gold futures showed a similar drop. The near-term direction for gold is increasingly tied to  Fed forward guidance , particularly whether policymakers signal: Potential rate cuts later this year , or A shift toward  prolonged higher interest rates Higher interest rates typically  weigh on gold , as they increase the appeal of yield-bearing assets. Geopolitical Risks Provide Underlying Support Despite the pullback, gold continues to draw support from  elevated geopolitical risks , particularly the escalating conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the US. The  Strait of Hormuz remains large...

Tech Rally in Korea & Taiwan Lifts Asian Markets Ahead of Fed Decision

Emerging Asian equities advanced on Wednesday, led by strong gains in  South Korea and Taiwan’s technology sectors , as easing oil prices and optimism around artificial intelligence (AI) helped improve investor sentiment ahead of the  US Federal Reserve’s policy decision . Tech Stocks Drive Regional Gains Markets in  South Korea surged up to 4% , reaching their highest level since early March, while  Taiwan equities rose 1.7% , hitting a two-week high. The rally in these tech-heavy markets lifted the  MSCI Emerging Asia Index by 1.6% , as investors rotated back into  AI and semiconductor stocks , where earnings visibility remains strong. According to BNP Paribas Asset Management,  AI-driven demand and semiconductor strength  continue to underpin the region’s equity outlook despite broader uncertainties. ASEAN Markets Follow Higher The positive momentum extended across Southeast Asia: Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand markets rose around 1% The...