Development, Economy, Innovation

New Data: China, India & CEE buck investment trends, Venture capital soars, US capital left on the sidelines

Colin Henderson

Latest Data & Analysis Report by the Global Private Capital Association. The Q1 Report features in-depth private capital data and key trends across global markets. N.B. GPCA represents private capital investors managing >US$2 trillion in assets across the Middle East, Asia, LatAm, Africa, and C&E Europe. Highlights          – Chiefly due to less PE & Infrastructure mega-deals closing. Deal volume remained steady India & China buck this trend – value up 44% y-o-y in India, and 10% in China Second highest quarter on record for Digital Infrastructure build – AI infrastructure, computing power and data storage – $5 billion-  Acceleration continues – … Continue reading New Data: China, India & CEE buck investment trends, Venture capital soars, US capital left on the sidelines

Diplomacy, Geopolitics, Israel

Morning Briefing — Wednesday, May 27, 2026 · 6:25 AM EST · 1,190 words

Colin Henderson

Today’s environment is dominated by a single thread with multiple failure points: the US-Iran ceasefire extension framework is “largely negotiated” in Trump’s framing, but Iran publicly rejects any uranium surrender commitment and Israeli operations in Lebanon continue to generate escalation risk independent of deal progress. EU foreign ministers are meeting in Cyprus today and tomorrow for the Gymnich — with Iran, Russian frozen assets, and Middle East consequences all live on the agenda — giving the day an unusual European diplomatic weight. Markets are watching Hormuz traffic signals closely; limited tanker movement is occurring under IRGC coordination, suggesting partial de … Continue reading Morning Briefing — Wednesday, May 27, 2026 · 6:25 AM EST · 1,190 words

AI

Toronto Tech week

Colin Henderson

Looking forward to hearing Databricks story. ———– U of T Entrepreneurship Today is the day! We’re excited to welcome you to the U of T x Toronto Tech Week Desjardins Speaker Series: How to Build a $100B Company, Brick by Brick, happening today — Tuesday, May 26 at 12:00 p.m. at Convocation Hall (31 King’s College Circle, Toronto, ON).  This event is one of the signature events of Toronto Tech Week. To help prepare for the day, please review the important details below:  Doors open at 11:00 a.m. for registration and seating. Your ticket must be presented at the door … Continue reading Toronto Tech week

AI

# Magnifica Humanitas — Analytical Report

Colin Henderson

Pope Leo XIV | Issued May 15, 2026 | 82 pages, 245 numbered paragraphs Overview The first full papal encyclical on artificial intelligence, Magnifica Humanitas (“The Grandeur of Humanity”) is formally a document of Catholic Social Doctrine but functions in practice as a broad normative framework for AI governance, addressed explicitly to “all men and women of goodwill” — not only the faithful. It is anchored in the 135th anniversary of Rerum Novarum (1891), positioning AI as the successor challenge to industrial capitalism. The organizing metaphor — Tower of Babel versus Nehemiah’s rebuilding of Jerusalem — frames the central question: … Continue reading # Magnifica Humanitas — Analytical Report

AGI, AI, regulation

Magnifica_Humanitas_Full_English

Colin Henderson

To be clear, I have no comment on religion here: my interest is solely the future of AI and evolution to 1. AGI 2. specialist use for medical, clinical, cybersecurity, military, document management etc etc. This is a seminal document when we consider the frame and global impact the Vatican has on the world. AI brings many interested parties who are attempting to understand the nature and impact on humanity. One element I study is the nature of thought, ethics, reason and the host of discussion points that have been considered by philosophy particularly over the few hundred years considered … Continue reading Magnifica_Humanitas_Full_English

Economy, Europe, Geopolitics, iran, Israel, US

Morning Briefing — Monday, 25 May 2026 · ~9:00 AM EST · ~1,150 words⸻

Colin Henderson

Today is dominated by two simultaneous inflection points: a US-Iran ceasefire framework reportedly agreed this morning, and Russia’s heaviest missile-and-drone attack on Kyiv since the war began — both breaking within hours of each other. The geopolitical frame shifts from the Iran theatre to Eastern Europe and back in the same news cycle. The Ebola PHEIC in DRC/Uganda is escalating faster than most media coverage reflects. ⸻ 1. What Changed Iran-US: 60-Day Ceasefire Framework Reportedly in Hand ⚑The Washington Post and Axios are both reporting this morning that the US and Iran have finalized a framework document. Under it: ceasefire … Continue reading Morning Briefing — Monday, 25 May 2026 · ~9:00 AM EST · ~1,150 words⸻

India, iran, Pakistan

India-Pakistan-Iran: The Intersecting Triangle

Colin Henderson

Good timing to dig into this — there’s quite a lot moving simultaneously, and today’s Quetta attack lands at a structurally significant moment. The analytical frame. India-Pakistan-Iran: The Intersecting Triangle What happened today (and why it matters beyond the incident) A suicide car bomb struck a train in Quetta, Balochistan today, killing at least 24 people and wounding more than 50. The Balochistan Liberation Army claimed responsibility, saying it targeted a train carrying security personnel.  This is not an isolated event. The BLA has carried out a sustained campaign in 2026, including a series of coordinated attacks on January … Continue reading India-Pakistan-Iran: The Intersecting Triangle

Cybersecurity, Risk

Risks cannot be mitigated without proper risk definition based on factual structure – e.g. Hormuz

Colin Henderson

As the world watches for any kind of out for the US/ Israel and Iran stalemate it is increasingly apparent that the Trump administration is backed into a corner with no clear escape. However signs are indicating movement by US as Rubio today indicated the war is over and mention of a one page memo circulating which could lead to an interruption to hostilities. One thing is clear and that is this war is driven by Israel interests as espoused by AIPAC a lobby groups supporting interests of Israel which provides cover for Netanyaho to proceed unilaterally. Each time any … Continue reading Risks cannot be mitigated without proper risk definition based on factual structure – e.g. Hormuz

AI

What the EU AI Omnibus Deal Changes for the AI Act and What Lies Ahead – technology.press

Colin Henderson

Long-form pick from today’s briefing“What the EU AI Omnibus Deal Changes for the AI Act and What Lies Ahead” — TechPolicy.Press, May 7, 2026Detailed and clear-eyed breakdown of what actually changed in the AI Omnibus, what the industry still faces, and what the 2028 high-risk timeline extension means for enterprise deployment. Essential for anyone tracking AI governance in financial services or regulated sectors.Read here This site is new to me. Captures themes in pro/con AI frame. https://www.techpolicy.press/what-the-eu-ai-omnibus-deal-changes-for-the-ai-act-and-what-lies-ahead/ —————- What the EU AI Omnibus Deal Changes for the AI Act and What Lies Ahead MEPs Arba Kokalari, left, and Michael McNamara … Continue reading What the EU AI Omnibus Deal Changes for the AI Act and What Lies Ahead – technology.press

Diplomacy, iran, US

Morning Briefing — Sunday, 24 May 2026 · 7:30 AM EST · ~1,240 words

Colin Henderson

Notes Dominant theme today: Suspension and sequencing. The Iran framework is crystallising — Iran has largely won the “Hormuz first, nuclear later” argument, and the 60-day MOU in final drafting is structurally a frozen conflict with a diplomatic face. Ukraine talks are paused but Moscow’s tone shifted, likely due to Ukrainian battlefield pressure. USMCA is five weeks from a hard deadline with Carney holding firm. One flag worth noting: The green card policy reversal got less international coverage than it deserves. It’s a structural shift in US immigration architecture, not enforcement noise — the ⚑ stands. ————— Briefing————- Today’s environment … Continue reading Morning Briefing — Sunday, 24 May 2026 · 7:30 AM EST · ~1,240 words