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Global markets and corporate headlines led today's upbeat roundup: Pershing Square’s Bill Ackman has launched a sizable takeover bid for Universal Music Group, valuing the world’s biggest music company at roughly €50–55bn and underscoring continued investor interest in music rights and streaming-era assets. Asian equity markets traded mostly higher amid cautious sentiment, while the ECB’s Jan Wunsch signalled openness to an April rate move if conditions warrant, highlighting central banks’ focus on balancing growth and inflation. In Australia consumers are accelerating the shift to electric vehicles with record new-EV purchases, and New South Wales announced a free nasal-spray flu vaccine for children aged two to four, a needle-free public‑health boost for families. Political engagement included Taiwan’s opposition leader arriving in China on a self-styled “peace” mission, and US vice-presidential travel to Budapest drew attention as officials prepare joint events; meanwhile Japan’s Diet is set to enact a record ¥122.31 trillion budget for FY2026, reflecting major fiscal planning for the year ahead. Together these stories reflect brisk activity across markets, innovation in public health and transport, and active diplomatic and fiscal calendars.