US News, Summarized

• Depthfirst, an applied AI lab specializing in software security, closed an $80 million Series B funding round led by Meritech Capital. • The funding will support the company's development of AI-driven tools to enhance software security and vulnerability detection. • This investment reflects growing venture capital interest in AI applications addressing critical cybersecurity challenges in enterprise software development.

• Shield AI, a U.S.-based developer of autonomous pilot platforms, secured $1.5 billion in Series G funding as part of a $2.25 billion capital package on April 4, 2026. • The round values the company at $12.7 billion, a 140% increase in one year, with its Hivemind platform selected by the U.S. military for defense applications. • This funding underscores surging investor confidence in AI-driven defense tech amid rising geopolitical tensions.

• METR released a new application of its time-horizon methodology to offensive cybersecurity, based on a study with 10 professional security experts. • The research evaluates AI capabilities in security tasks, accelerating evaluations every 5.7 months on 2024+ trendlines. • Opus 4.6 and GPT-5.3 Codex exceed benchmarks, solving tasks taking humans ~3 hours.

• Meta Platforms acquired Manus, a Singapore-based AI startup, in a deal valued at over $2 billion to advance AI infrastructure. • The acquisition bolsters Meta's capabilities in AI development amid US tech competition. • Details on Manus technology integration remain pending announcement.

• Oil prices spiked sharply as geopolitical tensions escalated between Iran and the United States following military confrontations. • The U.S. dollar recovered against major currencies as investors sought safe-haven assets amid rising uncertainty. • Energy markets remain volatile with traders closely monitoring developments in Middle East tensions and their impact on global supply chains.

• Recent geopolitical tensions are fundamentally altering maritime shipping routes for energy commodities worldwide. • Energy shipping companies are implementing agile strategies to navigate heightened tensions and supply chain disruptions. • The shift in maritime logistics has broader implications for global energy prices and international trade networks.

• Estonia has formally warned Russia against aggressive actions in the Baltic region and pledged a military response to any violations. • The Baltic nation reaffirmed its commitment to NATO defense protocols and regional security frameworks. • The warning reflects heightened tensions between NATO members and Russia along Eastern European borders.

• The U.S. has initiated measures to secure Venezuela's gold reserves as American geopolitical influence in the region intensifies. • The effort reflects Washington's strategy to expand economic leverage and control over Venezuelan assets during the nation's ongoing political and economic crisis. • The move signals escalating U.S. intervention in Venezuela's internal affairs with significant implications for regional power dynamics.

Legal experts say attacking Iran’s infrastructure would constitute a war crime – but would military officers be held responsible?Middle East crisis – live updatesDonald Trump’s threats to carry out mass bombing of civilian infrastructure in Iran present US military officers with a dilemma: disobey orders or help commit war crimes.It is an urgent matter for the US chain of command. In an explicit-laden threat, he set a Tuesday 8pm Washington time deadline for the Iranian government to open the strait of Hormuz or face “Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one”. Continue reading...