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South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
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U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Russian Stocks End Mixed as MOEX Index Closes Flat Amid Commodity Strength 
Microsoft’s $4.8 Billion Investment to Strengthen AI and Cloud Infrastructure in Italy
Microsoft is set to invest 4.3 billion euros ($4.8 billion) over the next two years to expand its artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud infrastructure in northern Italy. This will be Microsoft’s largest investment in Italy to date, significantly boosting the region's digital capabilities and positioning the new ItalyNorth cloud region as one of the largest Microsoft data centers in Europe. This data hub will serve not only Italy but also the Mediterranean and North Africa, providing advanced AI and cloud services to a wider market.
Microsoft’s Largest Italian AI and Cloud Investment to Date
Microsoft Vice Chair and President, Brad Smith, met with Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome to discuss the upcoming investment. The Prime Minister’s office welcomed the move, noting that it will enhance Italy’s digital role in the Mediterranean, reinforcing its strategic position in the AI and cloud infrastructure market.
Earlier in the week, Prime Minister Meloni also met with BlackRock Inc Chief Executive Larry Fink. The meeting was aimed at exploring potential investments in data centers and supporting energy infrastructure. The U.S.-based asset management giant, BlackRock, along with Microsoft, recently announced a $30 billion fund to invest in AI-driven data centers, AI supply chains, and energy sourcing. Initially, this fund will focus on opportunities in the U.S. market before expanding to U.S. partner countries.
Rising Demand for AI and Cloud Services in Italy
The demand for AI and cloud services is increasing rapidly across various sectors, including gaming and e-commerce. Companies are leveraging custom AI models to enhance their product offerings, and this significant investment by Microsoft will further drive growth in these sectors. The ItalyNorth cloud region will play a critical role in supporting AI integration and cloud services, contributing to the rapid digital transformation of businesses in the region.
Microsoft's $4.8 billion investment in AI and cloud infrastructure not only underscores its commitment to expanding its cloud services in Europe but also highlights the growing importance of Italy as a digital hub for the Mediterranean region.
($1 = 0.9056 euros)
