US News, Summarized

• Aviatrix Inc. announced the launch of a new platform designed to contain artificial intelligence agents and enforce security controls across AI workloads without requiring changes to AI agents or code. • The platform extends Aviatrix's Cloud Native Security Fabric with two new products: Zero Trust for AI Workloads (now generally available) and Aviatrix AgentGuard (in early access), enabling IT teams to set policies that allow or deny access to external AI services and block shadow AI with allowlists. • The solution provides network-layer enforcement across workloads and regions, addressing the growing need to secure AI agents, large language model proxies, and agentic frameworks in enterprise environments.

• The Pentagon launched GenAI.mil in December 2025 as part of Project Maven, providing secure generative AI access to approximately 3 million Department of Defense staff members. • The platform embeds multiple leading AI models including Anthropic's Claude, Google's Gemini, xAI's Grok, and OpenAI's ChatGPT, enabling widespread AI adoption across military operations. • The initiative reflects the U.S. military's strategic priority to integrate advanced AI capabilities into defense operations and demonstrates significant government investment in dual-use AI technology.

• Skye AI, a home screen app for iPhone powered by artificial intelligence, raised $3.58 million in pre-seed funding while still in private testing phase. • The funding supports development of the app, which aims to enhance iPhone user experience through AI-driven features accessible directly from the home screen. • This investment highlights growing investor interest in mobile AI applications amid competition in the smartphone ecosystem.

• Sevii announced the launch of its Autonomous Cyber Swarm Defense (CSD) capability on April 28, 2026, to counter high-volume AI-driven cyber attacks at machine speed and scale. • The ADR platform deploys Agentic AI Cyber Warrior agents that detect, contain, and remediate threats in under 15 minutes, reducing analyst workloads by 95% with a fixed per-asset pricing model eliminating AI token costs. • CSD Mode features Myrmidon Defense Technology (MDT) for efficient micro-orchestration, enabling predictable budgeting without additional hires or outsourcing, as noted by Synergem Technologies CEO Frank Holt.

• Framingham, MA-based Tortugas Neuroscience raised $106 million in combined seed and Series A funding for small molecule therapies targeting neurological disorders. • Cure Ventures led the seed round, with The Column Group and AN Venture Partners co-leading Series A on April 21. • The investment accelerates development of treatments using validated biological targets, addressing unmet needs in US biotech.

• Cognizant announced the launch of its Innovation Network on April 28, 2026, a corporate investment arm targeting early to mid-stage enterprise software startups in the US. • The AI Lab validates promising innovations, while the network supports startups in turning them into products for Global 2000 clients like those in logistics and recruitment. • This initiative accelerates integration of breakthrough technologies into Cognizant's solutions, enhancing enterprise value amid rising AI adoption.

• The United States deployed a third aircraft carrier strike group with thousands of elite troops to the Middle East on April 24, marking the largest military buildup since the 2003 Iraq invasion, as the two-month Iran conflict escalates despite a ceasefire agreement. • President Trump warned the American military was "ready to go" if peace efforts fail, stating the US used the April 8 ceasefire to "restock" military capabilities while Washington and Tehran accuse each other of violations. • The US bombing campaign launched February 28 has devastated Iran's military infrastructure and leadership, but Tehran maintains control of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil and gas supply route, prompting a US naval blockade imposed April 13.

ECB interest rate decision looms as growth across bloc stumbles and price rises gather pace, up from 2.6% in March and 1.9% in FebruaryBusiness live – latest updatesAir France-KLM cuts forecasts amid $2.4bn fuel bill riseInflation across the eurozone has soared to 3% this month as the Iran war drove up energy prices, and growth stumbles.Consumer prices rose by 3% a year across the single currency bloc in April, new data from statistics body eurostat showed on Thursday morning, up from 2.6% in the year to March, and 1.9% in February. Continue reading...

Nearly 60 countries back voluntary roadmaps to wean world off coal, oil and gasGovernments have been asked to develop national “roadmaps” setting out how they will end the production and use of fossil fuels, after a landmark climate meeting involving nearly 60 countries.The voluntary plans will form the bedrock of a new initiative to wean the world off coal, oil and gas, the focus of two days of intensive talks in Colombia this week. Continue reading...

The 155-page interim report released on Thursday shows how little is known – and can be shared – about the 14 December shootingGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastIf there’s one thing that’s clear from the royal commission on antisemitism and social cohesion’s 155-page interim report, it’s how much about the Bondi massacre remains unknown – and how little of what is known can be shared with the public.More than a third of the recommendations from the report – which was released on Thursday – were confidential, although the Albanese government plans to implement all of them. Continue reading...

Defense secretary to be quizzed by lawmakers on Senate armed services committee after bad-tempered session in House yesterdaySign up for the Breaking News US email Hello and welcome to our US politics coverage as Pete Hegseth faces a second day of grilling from Democrats on Capitol Hill, with senators getting their first opportunity to confront or praise the Pentagon chief over his handling of the Iran war.The defense secretary battled with Democrats - and some Republicans - yesterday during a nearly six-hour House armed services committee hearing, where he faced questioning over the war’s costs in dollars, lives and the diminishing stockpiles of critical weapons.US economic growth likely accelerated in the first quarter on a rebound in government spending after a crippling government shutdown. The anticipated increase in gross domestic product last quarter also would reflect robust growth in business investment in equipment, fueled by an artificial intelligence spending boom and the building of data centers underpinning the technology. Figures will be out at 8.30am ETKing Charles and Queen Camilla are expected to make stops in Virginia before wrapping up their US visit back at the White House on Thursday with a formal farewell from Trump. Charles will then travel solo to Bermuda on his first visit as king to a British overseas territory.Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer said that Democrats will once again force a vote on a war powers resolution on Iran, the sixth time in recent weeks. “This week, Democrats will force a vote on our war powers resolution for the sixth time. We’ll continue to force votes every week as this war rages on,” Schumer said from the Senate floor.The House approved a three-year reauthorization of a divisive US surveillance program ahead of its expiration on Friday, adding new oversight measures but stopping short of the warrant requirement that critics have demanded. A large group of Democrats joined most Republicans in passing the bill by a 235-191 vote.Trump once again reinforced his feelings towards James Comey in a social media post. Commenting on the accusation that the former FBI director called for him to be killed after posting a picture of some seashells in a pattern showing 86 47, Trump wrote: ““86” is a mob term for “kill him.” They say 86 him! 86 47 means “kill President Trump.”James Comey, who is a Dirty Cop, one of the worst, knows this full well! EIGHT MILES OUT, SIX FEET DOWN! Didn’t he also lie to the FBI about this??? I think so!”. Trump is the 47th president of the US.The US supreme court’s conservative majority struck down a major element of the Voting Rights Act which protects against racial discrimination in redistricting, in a ruling that paves the way for aggressive gerrymandering in states across the nation that could affect elections for years to come.The Florida Legislature approved a new congressional map intended to maximize Republicans’ advantage in the state as part of the national redistricting battle that Republicans launched ahead of this year’s midterms.Outgoing Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell said he will stay on as a central bank governor when his leadership term ends in just over two weeks.The Department of Justice announced on Wednesday that three anti-ICE protesters have been charged with allegedly assaulting Savannah Hernandez, a rightwing video journalist who was shoved to the ground during a skirmish with three members of a family outside an immigration detention facility in St Paul Minnesota this month. Continue reading...