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• Pakistan secured a $6 billion IMF bailout package on Monday after the International Monetary Fund approved a revised structural adjustment program focused on tax increases and subsidy reductions. • The agreement requires Islamabad to implement value-added tax increases and privatize state-owned enterprises within the next 18 months, measures intended to stabilize the country's external account deficit. • The U.S. welcomed the agreement, with Treasury officials noting that Pakistan's fiscal stabilization is important for regional economic security and counterterrorism financing oversight.

UK representatives from Meta, Roblox and TikTok also tell MPs they believe under-16 ban would be ‘unenforceable’Executives from three social media companies have denied their platforms are inherently addictive to children and young people in a combative appearance before MPs in Westminster.Representatives from Meta, Roblox and TikTok faced robust questioning from the cross-party education select committee about the impact of screen time and social media on children. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Australian Recreation Union says it plans to support candidates and parties that oppose gun control laws brought in after terror attackGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA gun users’ group targeting marginal Labor seats in next year’s New South Wales election plans to campaign for candidates who oppose the government’s firearm laws enacted after the Bondi terror attack.In an email sent to the electorate offices of 15 Labor backbenchers last week, the Australian Recreation Union (ARU) said it had recruited campaign managers across 17 “vulnerable” electorates, including Kogarah, the seat of the premier, Chris Minns, and Swansea, held by the police minister, Yasmin Catley. Continue reading...

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...

Exclusive: Analysis of government figures indicates public finances will gain £600m not £10bn if migrants’ access to benefits is reducedShabana Mahmood’s migration reforms are expected to deliver just £600m in savings – about 6% of the £10bn the home secretary claimed, according to the government’s own data.Under the plans, most people would have to wait 10 years to qualify for settled status, rather than the existing five-year period, which the home secretary argued would save costs on public services. Continue reading...

• G7 foreign ministers, led by US, demanded on April 4, 2026, independent audits of Venezuela's March 29 presidential election marred by 45% voter suppression claims. • US froze $800 million in Maduro regime assets, supporting opposition leader Maria Corina Machado's fraud allegations backed by 2 million witness affidavits. • Statement warns of hemispheric instability, with 7.2 million Venezuelans already refugees straining US border resources.

• Health savings account companies, benefiting from Trump's tax bill, formed the Great American Health Alliance (GAHA) dark money group to push for further HSA expansions. • The lobbying effort aims to broaden tax advantages amid growing industry influence in policy debates. • Critics highlight potential risks of prioritizing industry gains over consumer protections in health financing.