Five Things You Need to Know to Start Your Day

Microsoft beats as Alphabet misses. Suit claims Meta exploits youths. Aid isn’t getting into Gaza fast enough. Here’s what you need to know today.

Microsoft posted its strongest sales gain in six quarters, bolstered by recovering cloud-computing growth amid demand for new artificial intelligence products. Shares jumped in post-market trading. However, Alphabet reported revenue and profit from its cloud business that missed analysts’ estimates, raising concerns about the company’s position in a market that is critical to its future growth. Its shares fell. Facebook parent Meta Platforms reports Wednesday, just as it faces a new lawsuit.