Business news spans major corporate deals, geopolitical tensions affecting markets, tech innovation pivots, and labor market shifts as investors weigh Middle East stability and AI developments.

Stephen Curry signed a major deal with Chinese sneaker company Li-Ning, including plans for sportswear and retail expansion across the US and China, marking the latest example of NBA stars partnering with Chinese brands for global growth.

Martin Scorsese is backing Black Forest Labs, an AI image and video generation startup, signaling Hollywood's shifting stance toward artificial intelligence technology adoption by major industry figures.

Short-seller Andrew Left was convicted of securities fraud by a federal jury, raising concerns among the wider short-selling community about legal consequences for betting against companies.

Pakistan is projected to achieve a 21-year low budget deficit of 3.6% of GDP in fiscal year 2025-26, demonstrating improved fiscal discipline amid economic stabilization efforts.

Americans are increasingly turning to buy-now-pay-later services for essential purchases like gas and groceries, with prices up over $1 per gallon year-over-year, reflecting rising cost-of-living pressures.

Virgin Galactic's stock plummeted after announcing plans to issue new shares to pay off debt, despite a record-breaking seven-day rally, showing investor concerns about dilution and company strategy.

The S&P 500 has staged one of its strongest two-month performances since World War II, overcoming concerns about AI implementation and Middle East geopolitical risks, though historical precedent suggests caution.

Trump administration proposed new executive authority to block government grants to programs deemed misaligned with the administration's agenda or supporting so-called "anti-American" values, raising concerns about selective federal funding.

Google introduced fake call detection technology to combat AI deepfake impersonation scams, while Amazon faces class action litigation over Ring's facial recognition capabilities, marking ongoing privacy battles in tech.

Iran fertilizer supply disruptions are forcing American farmers to make critical decisions on fertilizer purchases amid price surges, with incorrect predictions potentially threatening farm solvency on large-scale operations.