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• Die Vereinigten Arabischen Emirate sind gestern aus der OPEC ausgetreten, was einen historischen Bruch mit Saudi-Arabien während der eskalierenden regionalen Krise markiert. • Diese Entscheidung fällt zeitlich mit der fast vollständigen Schließung der Straße von Hormus zusammen, die auf eine US-Seeblockade zur Unterbindung iranischer Ölexporte zurückzuführen ist. • Die USA drohen damit, große chinesische Banken von ihrem Finanzsystem auszuschließen, um die Abwicklung von iranischem Öl zu verhindern, was die globalen Spannungen im Energiesektor verschärft.

• NTT launched Scale Academy as part of its enterprise AI and security initiatives during the two-week period beginning April 13, 2026. • The academy program targets organizations seeking to develop internal capabilities around artificial intelligence adoption and implementation. • The initiative reflects growing enterprise demand for structured training programs to build AI competency across workforce and organizational functions.

• Pharmaceutical giants Eli Lilly and Pfizer announced a strategic research collaboration focusing on oncology and immunology, with combined commitments totaling $4.8 billion over five years to accelerate drug development and clinical trial timelines. • The partnership will leverage Eli Lilly's metabolic disease expertise and Pfizer's vaccine platform capabilities to pursue combination therapies for hard-to-treat cancers, with initial clinical trials expected to commence in mid-2027. • Industry analysts view the deal as emblematic of Big Pharma consolidating R&D resources amid rising drug development costs exceeding $2.6 billion per approved medication, while also signaling confidence in oncology market growth.

Follow the day’s news liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe shadow treasurer, Tim Wilson, has condemned the booing of welcome of country remarks at Anzac Day events on Saturday.Wilson offered some of the strongest criticism of the hecklers to be delivered by a Coalition frontbencher. In a post on X yesterday, he wrote:Thank you to all our veterans who fought for our country. ANZAC Day is a a day to honour all those who fought and died for our country. Booing any Australian who served or their story is unacceptable, disrespectful and unworthy of the ANZAC legacy.The story of this land began thousands of years ago. Project Australia is a continuing story of one land, one people with one destiny. Let us be worthy of our full inheritance, and those that sacrificed for respect based on our common humanity & the equal dignity of all people.It is incredibly disappointing and completely inappropriate to boo at an Anzac Day service. Whatever your views on a welcome to country, ANZAC Day is our most sacred day … If you have strong views about that, there are many other ways in a free country that you have an opportunity to express your views. Continue reading...

• Google Cloud Next 2026 concluded with more than 250 announcements on products, customers, and ecosystem developments focused on AI and enterprise tools. • Key security features include Agent Anomaly Detection using LLMs to flag unusual AI agent behavior in real time and Chrome Enterprise's AI-aware extension threat detections now in preview. • Chrome Enterprise will soon offer shadow AI reporting to identify unsanctioned web-based AI and SaaS use by employees, enhancing visibility into shadow AI risks.

• Toronto-based Cohere Inc. and Germany's Aleph Alpha GmbH announced plans to merge, supported by a $600 million structured financing commitment from Schwarz Group. • Cohere, which has raised $1.6 billion since 2019 from Nvidia and others, offers multiple AI models; the Series E deal expects additional investors and closure later in 2026. • The merger combines expertise in enterprise AI, potentially accelerating development amid US-China tech tensions and boosting competitive edge for Western AI firms.

• Duke basketball player Dame Sarr announced his return to the university for the 2026-27 season instead of entering the professional ranks. • Sarr's decision to remain at Duke signals continuity for the Blue Devils' roster heading into next season. • The announcement represents a significant commitment to the college program and reflects confidence in Duke's basketball direction.

• President Donald Trump outlined sweeping healthcare reforms in an Oval Office address, announcing what he described as the largest prescription drug price cuts in U.S. history. • The announcement represents a major domestic policy initiative focused on reducing medication costs for American consumers. • Trump simultaneously signaled potential progress in Iran conflict negotiations, suggesting possible diplomatic breakthroughs as ceasefire talks continue.

• The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) announced the launch of the 2026 class of Presidential Innovation Fellows (PIF), showcasing its commitment to hiring top technology talent. • The new PIF class will focus on key Administration priority projects, including developing AI-powered tools to accelerate infrastructure permitting processes. • The initiative demonstrates the federal government's strategy to leverage specialized technology expertise for modernizing government operations and infrastructure development.

U-turn comes after Trump said the US military was ‘raring to go’. Plus, Virginia voters pass new congressional maps in blow to presidentDon’t already get First Thing in your inbox? Sign up hereGood morning.Donald Trump unilaterally announced an extension of the two-week ceasefire with Iran on Tuesday amid frantic efforts to bring the two sides back to the negotiating table.How are Trump’s negotiating tactics being received? The president’s impatience and rough-house diplomatic style, including his frequent online posting, has been a key stumbling block to restarting peace talks, writes the Guardian’s diplomatic editor, Patrick Wintour.Is Tehran united on how to deal with Washington? Analysts say it is not, with fierce disagreement among Iranian leaders over how to respond to US pressure and whether to risk a new wave of bombing.Follow the latest updates with our liveblog.How much of a boost for the Democrats is Virginia’s referendum result? It could help them win four additional House seats in November’s midterms, which could prove pivotal in an evenly divided Congress. Continue reading...

• NASA's Perseverance rover discovered extensive water ice deposits beneath Mars' surface in Jezero Crater using advanced ground-penetrating radar technology, with findings suggesting accessibility for future human missions. • The subsurface ice layers extend up to 300 meters deep and contain an estimated 5 million metric tons of water ice, according to data released by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory on April 21. • Scientists believe the water deposits could support long-term human habitation and fuel production, making Mars exploration more feasible for sustained presence beyond current rover missions.

• Peoples Bancorp Inc. (PEBO) and Citizens National Corporation (CZNL) announced a definitive merger agreement on April 21, 2026, combining the two Ohio-based banks. • The deal aims to create a larger regional player with expanded market presence in the Midwest, though specific financial terms like share exchange ratio were not detailed in initial announcements. • This consolidation reflects ongoing M&A activity in community banking amid competitive pressures and regulatory shifts, potentially boosting operational efficiencies for shareholders.

• Google unveiled a new quantum processor featuring 10,000 qubits on April 19, claiming achievement of quantum advantage for practical optimization problems with error rates reduced by 60% compared to previous generations. • The chip, named Willow, successfully solved complex combinatorial optimization problems approximately one million times faster than classical supercomputers according to Google Quantum AI division testing. • The breakthrough potentially accelerates commercialization of quantum computing for applications including drug discovery, financial modeling, and supply chain optimization, attracting increased competition from IBM and IonQ.

• Perplexity AI announced a Series D funding round of $500 million at an $8.5 billion post-money valuation on April 19, led by prominent venture capital firms and strategic investors including Nvidia and Saudi PIF. • The funding will support expansion of Perplexity's AI search engine capabilities, development of enterprise API offerings, and geographic expansion into European and Asian markets with localized language models. • The round positions Perplexity as a serious challenger to Google Search and reflects growing investor confidence in AI-powered search alternatives and conversational information retrieval platforms.

• SpaceX's Starlink division announced commercial availability of direct-to-cell satellite service to US carriers including T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T beginning May 1, 2026, expanding beyond its existing emergency SOS functionality. • The service enables SMS and data connectivity in rural and remote areas where terrestrial networks are unavailable, with initial pricing set at $5 per month for basic coverage and $15 monthly for premium data tiers. • Industry observers note this development challenges traditional carrier infrastructure investments and could accelerate satellite communications adoption, though regulatory approval from the FCC is still pending final confirmation.

• Colombian President Gustavo Petro unveiled a comprehensive land redistribution program Friday affecting 3.2 million hectares, targeting decades of unequal land concentration and addressing root causes of internal conflict. • The reform package includes restitution for peasants and Indigenous communities, tax incentives for productive small-scale agriculture, and international financing commitments worth $4.8 billion over five years. • The announcement occurs during peace negotiations with remaining ELN guerrilla factions, with analysts viewing land reform as critical to achieving durable peace and reducing rural poverty affecting 38% of the population.

• The FDA announced the first ibogaine investigational new drug application as part of Trump's mental health executive order accelerating psychedelic drug approvals and research pathways. • HHS will coordinate with the FDA and DEA to expedite research approval and clinical trial access for emerging mental health treatments under strict medical supervision and scientific oversight. • The initiative specifically targets treatment-resistant conditions and addresses mental health needs among veterans and patients who have not responded to conventional therapies.

• Brazil's environmental ministry unveiled a $2 billion five-year initiative on April 18 to combat illegal logging and deforestation in the Amazon, deploying 5,000 additional environmental enforcement officers. • Satellite data from March 2026 showed a 22% increase in forest loss compared to the same month last year, driven by cattle ranching expansion and illegal mining operations, according to the Amazon Surveillance System. • The plan includes indigenous land rights recognition and community-based conservation incentives, representing a significant shift from previous policies that had weakened protections.

President signed executive order directing FDA to expedite review of psychedelic drugs including ibogaineDonald Trump on Saturday announced reforms intended to speed up access to medical research and treatment based on psychedelic drugs.The president signed an executive order directing the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to expedite review of drugs such as ibogaine, a drug that US military veteran groups have said can help treat post-traumatic stress disorder. Continue reading...

• Disney+ revealed "Marvel: Secret Wars," a six-part miniseries event bringing together characters from the MCU, Sony's Spider-Man Universe, and Fox's X-Men franchise in an unprecedented crossover. • Production is set to begin in summer 2026, with Tom Holland, Tobey Maguire, and Andrew Garfield all confirmed to return as versions of Spider-Man within the multiverse storyline. • The series will premiere in early 2027 and serve as a major reset point for Marvel's cinematic universe, introducing the Fantastic Four and Professor X to the MCU proper.

• Taylor Swift announced a 53-date North American tour beginning in March 2027, with tickets going on sale April 20, 2026 through her official fan club and Ticketmaster. • The "Eras Tour: North American Leg" will visit 28 cities across the United States and Canada, with nightly production featuring elaborate stage designs and costume changes. • Industry analysts project the tour could generate over $2 billion in revenue, making it one of the highest-grossing concert tours of all time.

• The Weeknd announced a massive 75-date world stadium tour spanning North America, Europe, South America, Asia, Africa, and Australia, beginning September 2026. • Ticket pre-sales for North American dates begin April 19, 2026, with general sales starting April 25 through Live Nation's ticketing platform. • The tour supports his upcoming fifth studio album "Midnight Requiem," expected to debut at number one on the Billboard 200 chart in May.

• At age 80, Cher announced her "Final Farewell Tour," featuring 120 dates across North America and international venues spanning 2027 through 2029. • The tour will celebrate Cher's 60-year career with a multimedia production featuring her iconic performances, unreleased footage, and special guest appearances. • Ticket sales begin April 24, 2026, with Cher stating this represents her definitive goodbye to touring, though she plans to continue recording music.

Halt to seven weeks of fighting will be followed by first Israeli-Lebanese summit in decades. Plus, why are there so many false claims that some of cinema’s most famous scenes were improvised?Good morning.Donald Trump has announced a 10-day ceasefire in Lebanon, to be followed by a meeting between Israeli and Lebanese leaders next week, a deal that it is hoped will bring progress toward a parallel peace agreement between the US and Iran.What has Lebanon said? The Lebanese army warned people displaced from southern Lebanon about returning home because of intermittent shelling that was reported after the ceasefire came into effect.This is a developing story. Follow the liveblog here.What has Amazon said? It has called the claims in the lawsuit “entirely false and misguided”. The company said in a statement: “Amazon is consistently identified as America’s lowest-priced online retailer, and it is ironic that the attorney general seeks to have us feature higher prices in ways that would harm consumers and competition.” Continue reading...

• Taylor Swift revealed on April 16 the final US dates for her 'Eras Tour' kicking off June 15 in Miami, wrapping December 20 in New Orleans, via social media to 300 million followers. • Confirmed openers include Sabrina Carpenter for 12 shows and Post Malone for five stadium dates, with ticket sales starting April 18 via Ticketmaster. • The announcement sent Ticketmaster crashing briefly, with resale prices already hitting $1,200 average per Billboard reports, underscoring Swift's $2 billion tour dominance.

• Donald Trump announced a major ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon while signaling progress toward a potential nuclear deal with Iran. • The development represents a significant diplomatic initiative amid broader Middle East tensions and ongoing US-Iran negotiations. • The ceasefire comes as regional dynamics continue to shift with multiple diplomatic channels active simultaneously.

• HHS launched the $4 Million KidneyX EMPOWER Prize Challenge on April 15, 2026, to advance living kidney donation and patient-centered health technologies. • The initiative aims to spur innovation in kidney care through science and programs improving American health outcomes. • This effort addresses critical needs in organ transplantation, potentially increasing donation rates and access to treatments.

Rebrand as NewBird AI sent shares up 582% in bizarre and rapid turnaround for firm that had fallen on hard timesAllbirds, the maker of minimalist wool sneakers beloved by Silicon Valley, announced on Wednesday that it is leaving shoes behind and pivoting to artificial intelligence. The new focus and rebrand as “NewBird AI” sent the company’s stock up 582% as of mid-day during a flurry of trading.The surging stock price and new direction is a bizarre, rapid turnaround for a company that had fallen into disrepair in recent years. Once valued at $4bn, Allbirds’ shares had lost 99% of their worth since 2021 and earlier this month the company announced plans for a $39m sale to brand management firm American Exchange Company. Continue reading...

Confessions II reunites her with producer Stuart Price and is billed as a study of the dancefloor as ‘a ritualistic space where movement replaces language’Madonna has announced the release of her 15th studio album, Confessions II: a sequel to Confessions on a Dance Floor, her disco-fabulous 2005 release regarded as one of the jewels of her discography.The album will be released on 3 July. Details are still relatively scarce beyond that, but like its predecessor, Confessions II is a collaboration with the British producer Stuart Price.When Stuart Price and I first started working on this record, this was our manifesto:We must dance, celebrate, and pray with our bodies. These are things that we’ve been doing for thousands of years — they really are spiritual practices. After all, the dance floor is a ritualistic space. It’s a place where you connect with your wounds, with your fragility. To rave is an art. It’s about pushing your limits and connecting to a community of like-minded people. Sound, light, and vibration Reshape our perceptions Pulling us into a trance-like state. The repetition of the bass, we don’t just hear it but we feel it. Altering our consciousness and dissolving ego and time. Continue reading...