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• Google unveiled seventh-generation TPUs on April 27, boasting 4.7x performance gains over prior versions for AI inference. • The chips support Google's $175-185 billion 2026 CapEx, aiming for margin expansion through in-house silicon. • Analysts note reduced reliance on Nvidia GPUs, potentially shifting U.S. AI hardware market dynamics worth $100 billion annually.

• Ukrainian officials acknowledged on Monday that Russian forces have captured additional territory in eastern Donbas region despite increased deliveries of Western arms and ammunition over the past 30 days. • Kyiv's military command reported that Russian forces are attempting encirclement operations near Bakhmut and Popasna, forcing Ukrainian units into tactical withdrawals in select areas. • The Pentagon reaffirmed commitment to Ukraine, announcing a $500 million weapons package including air defense systems and precision munitions, with U.S. officials emphasizing the long-term nature of support.

• OpenAI launched GPT-5.5, a powerful new model optimized for coding, research, data analysis, computer use, and complex workloads requiring minimal guidance. • The upgrade handles messier, real-world tasks with greater autonomy across multiple tools, reducing the need for extensive prompting. • This release intensifies competition in AI capabilities, targeting professional users in software development and scientific research.

Bill clears 50–48 vote to boost ICE and CBP funding as Democrats oppose and shutdown continuesUS politics live – latest updatesSign up for the Breaking News US newsletter emailSenate Republicans on Thursday approved a plan to fund Donald Trump’s crackdown on undocumented immigrants for the remainder of his term and pave the way for an end to the ongoing shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).The budget resolution adopted along a near party line vote in the early morning hours sets the stage for Congress to craft legislation allocating as much as $140b to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), two agencies at the forefront of Trump’s mass deportation agenda that have been without funding since mid-February, when the DHS shutdown began. Continue reading...

Republicans deploy measure known as budget reconciliation to push through plan without backing from Democrats during lengthy late-night voteHello and welcome to the US politics live blog.The Senate voted to adopt a $70bn budget plan to fund ICE and Border Patrol as part of a new effort to reopen the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).We have a multistep process ahead of us, but at the end Republicans will have helped ensure that America’s borders are secure and prevented Democrats from defunding these important agencies.Instead of pumping hundreds of billions of dollars into ICE and Border Patrol, Republicans should be working with Democrats to lower out-of-pocket costs.The Pentagon announced, without explanation, that “Secretary of the Navy John C Phelan is departing the administration, effective immediately”. The head of the US navy, which is now enforcing a wartime blockade of Iranian ports, was replaced by a former Maga political candidate, Hung Cao, now acting secretary of the navy.The surprise announcement brought renewed attention to Cao’s 2023 comments that that “witchcraft” had “taken over” Monterey, California.Virginia’s attorney general, Jay Jones, promised to appeal an injunction issued by a circuit court judge that temporarily blocks the state from certifying the results of the Tuesday’s redistricting referendum.As jet fuel prices spike amid the ongoing energy crisis sparked by Donald Trump’s war on Iran, two Republican senators, Ted Cruz and Tom Cotton, denounced a proposed US government bailout of budget carrier Spirit Airlines.Representative David Scott, a Democrat from Georgia, has died at the age of 80. He is the fifth member of Congress to die in office within the last year. Continue reading...

Winning robot records faster time than Jacob Kiplimo’s world record More than 100 robots run in parallel tracks to avoid collisions with humansDozens of Chinese-made humanoid robots showed off their fast-improving athleticism as they whizzed past human runners in a half-marathon race in Beijing on Sunday, having lagged far behind a year earlier.The race’s inaugural edition last year was riddled with mishaps, as many robots struggled to get off the starting line, and most were unable to finish. Continue reading...

• Fortra announced the launch of its new Defense and Intelligence Unit (DIU) on April 16, 2026, from Minneapolis to deliver integrated cyber solutions to defense and national security organizations worldwide. • The unit focuses on cross-domain cyber innovation, AI-powered capabilities, and mission expertise for critical infrastructure and allied nations. • This development strengthens US cybersecurity posture amid rising global threats to defense sectors.

• NTT Research unveiled SaltGrain, a new data security suite designed to break the traditional all-or-nothing file-access model and enhance privacy protection. • The platform addresses existing cybersecurity gaps by enabling granular access control through advanced attribute-based encryption technology. • SaltGrain represents a significant advancement in data protection capabilities, offering enterprises more sophisticated control over sensitive information access and sharing.

• Thomas Jefferson University launched a multicenter clinical trial led by Manisha Verma, MD, and Victor Navarro, MD, at Jefferson Einstein Philadelphia Hospital to improve palliative care for advanced liver disease patients. • Advanced liver disease causes significant scarring and loss of function, leading to serious health challenges with limited quality-of-life support. • Funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute and published in JAMA Internal Medicine, the trial addresses a major care gap for ALD patients nationwide.

• Circadence, a U.S.-based cybersecurity firm, secured $16.4 million in funding on April 4, 2026, to enhance its AI-powered platforms. • The investment supports launches of RangeGPT, an AI training tool, and Project Ares GEN3 for advanced threat simulation. • This funding arrives amid rising AI-enhanced cyber threats, positioning Circadence to innovate in enterprise defense.

• A paralyzed man successfully controlled a robotic arm by using a neural interface device that relays signals from his brain to a computer, enabling him to grasp, move, and drop objects through thought alone. • The breakthrough demonstrates the practical application of brain-computer interface technology, allowing the patient to perform complex motor tasks that were previously impossible due to paralysis. • This advancement represents a significant milestone in neurotechnology and rehabilitation, offering hope for individuals with paralysis by restoring functional control of external robotic limbs through neural signals.

• Scientists warn that rapid advances in artificial intelligence and neurotechnology are advancing faster than our scientific understanding of consciousness, creating serious ethical risks. • The acceleration of AI capabilities and brain-computer interface technologies raises urgent questions about the nature of consciousness and ethical implications. • Researchers emphasize the need for parallel development of ethical frameworks to accompany technological progress.

• The MajesTEC-3 clinical trial led by UAB researchers demonstrates that a new two-drug immunotherapy regimen can lead to long-lasting remission for multiple myeloma patients. • Over 83 percent of patients enrolled in the trial remain alive and progression-free three years after therapy, supporting approval of this potentially curative treatment. • The findings represent a significant advance for multiple myeloma, a blood cancer with limited treatment options historically.

• No. 3 seed Illinois defeated Big Ten rival Iowa 71-59 in the South Region final, earning a spot in Saturday's national semifinal against No. 2 seed Connecticut at 6:09 p.m. ET. • Freshman Keaton Wagler led with 25 points and was named Region Most Outstanding Player, while Andrej Stojakovic added 17 points. • Illinois outscored Iowa 20-8 after a 51-51 tie with 7:14 left, closing with an 8-0 run as Iowa failed to score in the final two minutes.

Measure that would fund homeland security but exclude money for ICE could conclude lengthy funding lapseAn end to the partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may be in sight, after Congress’s Republican leaders on Wednesday agreed to advance legislation that would fund the majority of the agency’s operations, with the exception of those involved in immigration enforcement.The pact may conclude the longest such funding lapse in US history, which last month caused security lines to stretch for hours at some airports as employees of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), a subagency of DHS, quit their jobs or called out of work after going weeks without pay. Continue reading...

• Soligenix's HyBryte for cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) has a second Phase 3 trial underway with enrollment of approximately 80 subjects, interim analysis in Q2 2026, and top-line results in H2 2026. • Previous Phase 3 trials showed statistical significance in primary endpoints across multiple cycles, following FDA NDA submission and RTF letter. • The program targets unmet needs in rare dermatological cancers with ongoing FDA discussions for development path.

• President Trump rescinded Biden-era executive orders, directing federal agencies to terminate all DEI and environmental justice roles, offices, and equity-focused programs. • Funds are prohibited for promoting gender ideology, mandating 'sex' as male or female in documents like passports, eliminating 'X' gender options. • OMB and OPM are coordinating hiring changes, ending chief diversity officer positions and reinstating bans on racial bias training.

• House Speaker Mike Johnson declined to commit Friday to passing the Senate-approved DHS funding bill, which excludes ICE and CBP funding amid ongoing agency shutdown. • Conservative Freedom Caucus Chair Andy Harris opposes the deal, demanding restoration of immigration enforcement funds and attachment of SAVE America Act voter ID legislation before returning to Senate. • Johnson faces challenges passing via party-line rule or two-thirds suspension vote, risking backlash from hard-liners and Democrats.

• Top-seeded Arizona defeated Arkansas 109-88 in the Sweet 16 on March 27, shooting nearly 64% from the field to reach the Elite Eight for the first time since 2015. • Freshmen Brayden Burries and Koa Peat each scored 21 points, while Arkansas' Darius Acuff Jr. led his team with 28 points. • The win extends Arizona's winning streak to 12 games, positioning them one victory from their first Final Four in 25 years.

• The Military Health System's March 26, 2026 update covers research submissions and awards for the Department of War’s primary scientific gathering during March 23-27. • Features teamwork and tools for field medic training, plus new research on preventing dangerous diseases in U.S. Army and Navy contexts. • Army Reserve 'Connect to Protect' initiative emphasizes health protections amid weekly military medical news.

Vote came after Trump said he would sign an order directing agency’s new secretary to pay TSA agentsSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxThe Senate again failed to advance a bill to fund part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which has now been shut down for almost six weeks.The latest vote came just hours after Donald Trump said he would sign an executive order instructing Markwayne Mullin, the DHS secretary, to immediately pay Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents during the shutdown, a move that could ease the immediate urgency for Congress to reach a deal as it heads into a scheduled two‑week recess. Continue reading...

• No. 2 seed Vanderbilt beat seventh-seeded Illinois 75-57 in Nashville to advance to the Sweet 16 of the women's NCAA tournament. • Mikayla Blakes led Vanderbilt with 25 points in the decisive victory. • This SEC matchup underscores Vanderbilt's strong postseason run in the latest tournament action.

• Fifth-seeded St. John's defeated Kansas 67-65 in San Diego on Sunday with Dylan Darling's driving layup as time expired, marking their first Sweet 16 since 1999. • Zuby Ejiofor and Bryce Hopkins each scored 18 points for the Red Storm (30-6), who blew a 13-point lead but rallied under coach Rick Pitino. • The victory highlights St. John's rapid resurgence to college basketball prominence in three seasons.

• The U.S. Senate voted to agree to a cloture motion on March 22, 2026, advancing the nomination of Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma to be Secretary of Homeland Security, with the motion requiring only a simple majority to proceed. • The vote included bipartisan support, with Democratic senators including Fetterman of Pennsylvania and Padilla of California voting yes, while other Democrats like Schiff of California and Bennet of Colorado voted no. • Mullin's confirmation comes amid ongoing negotiations over DHS funding and border security policies during the current government shutdown.

• Republican legislators in Florida are advancing proof-of-citizenship voting laws as President Trump continues pushing the Senate to pass his SAVE America Act at the federal level. • The state-level legislation mirrors key provisions of Trump's federal SAVE Act, including requirements to prove citizenship before voting, reflecting alignment between state and federal Republican priorities on election security. • Florida's legislative action demonstrates coordinated effort across states to implement stricter voter identification and citizenship verification measures despite the federal SAVE Act facing significant opposition in the Senate.

If approved on Monday, as expected, Mullin would replace Kristi Noem, whom Trump fired in early MarchDonald Trump’s nomination of Republican senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma to be the president’s next head of homeland security on Sunday advanced toward final confirmation after the US Senate voted 54-37 to limit debate on the appointment.The confirmation vote could come sometime on Monday. If approved, as expected, Mullin would replace Kristi Noem, whom Trump fired from the role of homeland security secretary on 5 March. Continue reading...

• Houston Cougars, the No. 2 seed in the South Region, defeated Texas A&M 88-57 on March 22 in Oklahoma City to reach the Sweet 16 for the seventh straight year. • Emanuel Sharp scored 18 points, Chris Cenac Jr. added 17 points and nine rebounds, while Milos Uzan contributed 15 points in the decisive victory. • The win highlights Houston's continued dominance in March Madness, setting up a matchup in the Houston regional on March 26.

• The FDA granted accelerated approval to a novel immunotherapy combination for metastatic pancreatic cancer on March 21, 2026, based on Phase 2 trial data showing a 35% response rate. • The drug combination demonstrated a median overall survival of 14.2 months compared to 11.8 months with standard chemotherapy in the clinical trial of 280 patients. • Pancreatic cancer remains one of the deadliest cancers with a five-year survival rate below 12%, making this approval potentially significant for the estimated 64,000 Americans diagnosed annually.