Kicks

• Chinese AI startup DeepSeek is exploring a new funding round only one month after its first external fundraising effort. • The company has begun preparations for an IPO in mainland China, with a potential filing in late 2026 and a target listing date in 2027. • DeepSeek is targeting a valuation of $70.9 billion to support massive capital requirements for proprietary data centers and in-house AI inference chips.

• Americans are celebrating the 250th anniversary of independence this Saturday, with major festivities centered in Washington, D.C. • Severe weather, including lightning and extreme heat, forced the City of Annapolis to cancel its Independence Day parade and the U.S. Naval Academy Electric Brigade concert. • Despite these cancellations, the Annapolis fireworks show remains scheduled for 9:15 p.m., though officials warned of potential delays depending on storm development.

• The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched the first-ever clinical trial to test treatments against the Ebola Bundibugyo virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). • The study will evaluate the efficacy of an antiviral drug and an antibody cocktail, with the first patient already enrolled in a trial that could include up to 1,200 participants. • This initiative is critical for taming the burgeoning outbreak in the DRC, specifically targeting the Bundibugyo strain to reduce mortality and transmission.

• Pope Leo XIV, the first American leader of the Catholic Church, delivered a speech marking the eve of the United States' 250th anniversary. • While accepting the 2026 Liberty Medal from the National Constitution Center via livestream from the Vatican, the Pope urged the U.S. to recommit to liberty, unity, and human dignity. • The address highlighted America's history as a global symbol of freedom and its openness to immigrants, reflecting the Pope's ongoing advocacy for migrant rights.

• Telangana has launched a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of its electoral rolls following the discovery of 89.88 lakh voters with data "anomalies." • These discrepancies, which mirror "logical discrepancies" previously seen in West Bengal, involve inconsistencies in voter data that could impact election integrity. • The process is further complicated by ongoing concerns regarding language barriers and the accuracy of voter registration.

• The 5th Bonus Asia Cup Bridge Championships 2026 has officially commenced in Goa, featuring approximately 300 players. • The tournament includes 46 teams representing 16 different nations, making it one of the largest mind-sports events ever hosted in India. • Often referred to as the "Asian Games of bridge," the competition highlights the region's competitive bridge scene and was launched with traditional Goan cultural celebrations.

President on National Mall rattles off list of apparent victories and says ‘I am thrilled to declare America is back’ Donald Trump kicked off what was intended to be a “spectacular birthday party” for American’s 250th year of independence with a political rally touting his presidency.“I am thrilled to declare that America is back,” Trump said at the opening ceremony for the Great American State Fair in Washington DC, held on the National Mall. “As you know very well, a short time ago we were a dead country. We were dead. Now we’re the hottest country anywhere in the world. We’re respected by everybody. Nobody’s laughing at us any more.” Continue reading...

• Yahoo Sports has launched a live update hub to track the 2026 World Cup, focusing on roster announcements, player injuries, and fan logistics. • The coverage includes team power rankings, predictions, and specific analysis regarding the challenges facing the USMNT. • This resource serves as a central point for supporters to access ticketing and travel information as the tournament begins.

• The World Cup has officially commenced in the United States, featuring an opening ceremony with performances by artists Katy Perry, Future, and Tyla. • Canada held its own separate opening event in Toronto, showcasing performances from renowned singers Alanis Morrisette and Michael Bublé. • The festivities highlighted diverse cultural representation, exemplified by Bosnian-Canadian Layla Mesic attending the stadium with her mother to support their respective heritages.

• Pop star Harry Styles began his residency at Wembley Stadium, using the occasion to reminisce about his 2010 X Factor audition held near the venue. • To honor his musical roots, Styles used an Elvis Presley cover of "Bridge Over Troubled Water" as his walk-on music for the performance. • This choice serves as a tribute to his first-ever recording, which was Elvis Presley's "The Girl of My Best Friend."

• Day 2 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup features two key matchups: Canada facing Bosnia-Herzegovina at 3 p.m. ET and the United States playing Paraguay at 9 p.m. ET. • These games follow the tournament's opening matches, where Mexico defeated South Africa 2-0 and South Korea beat Czechia 2-1. • This expanded tournament is significant as it is hosted across three countries and features a record 48 teams competing for the title.

• The 2026 World Cup is preparing to kick off with an expanded tournament format, raising questions about how Asian teams will perform. • Previous success for Asian Football Confederation (AFC) teams included Saudi Arabia's 2-1 victory over Argentina and strong group stage performances by South Korea, Australia, and Japan. • This tournament matters as it tests whether AFC nations can translate past individual upsets into consistent deep runs within a larger competition.

• The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to be the largest and most complex edition of the tournament to date, promising an expanded scale of competition. • Diplomatic tensions between the United States and Iran have created significant logistical hurdles, leading the Iranian football federation to consider playing its matches in Mexico. • These concerns center on security, travel restrictions, and visa access for the Iranian team, casting a shadow over the event's preparations.

• The FIFA World Cup has officially kicked off, bringing together the world's top footballers for a month of competitive matches. • EU Commissioner for Sports Glenn Micallef provided an exclusive interview to Euronews to discuss the European Union's perspective on the tournament. • This edition of the World Cup is noted for being one of the most politically charged in history, raising significant diplomatic and social questions.

• Asia's premier defense summit has commenced, focusing on the significant security challenges currently facing the region. • The Global Security Initiative (GSI) was highlighted as a framework for long-term stability through political consultation, economic connectivity, and shared development. • Experts, including Victor Teo of the National University of Singapore, noted that China has acted as a mediator and facilitator to promote dialogue rather than using military force.

• U.S. President Donald Trump met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Thursday to discuss U.S.-China relations, Taiwan, and economic cooperation, with no major breakthroughs expected by analysts. • Asian markets were mixed: Japan's Nikkei 225 fell 1% to 62,654.05 after hitting an intraday record above 63,700; South Korea's Kospi rose 1.8% to a record 7,981.41 driven by AI tech stocks; Shanghai Composite dropped 1.5% to 4,177.92 while Hong Kong's Hang Seng flatlined at 26,389.04. • The leaders agreed the Strait of Hormuz must remain open amid the ongoing Iran war over two months old, with hopes Beijing could leverage ties with Tehran; U.S. crude dipped 0.2% to $100.86 per barrel.

Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood join Conan O’Brien to discuss forthcoming album Foreign TonguesOn Tuesday afternoon in New York, the Rolling Stones gathered friends, journalists and fellow artists for a preview of their forthcoming 25th album Foreign Tongues.Before the trio stepped on stage, host Conan O’Brien deadpanned that perhaps, finally, this is the album where the band will “finally make it after decades of obscurity”. The audience, which included Leonardo DiCaprio, director Baz Luhrmann and actor Odessa A’zion, laughed appreciatively. Continue reading...

• Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival opened April 5 in Indio, California, with Travis Scott headlining main stage to 125,000 attendees on Day 1. • Lineup includes Olivia Rodrigo, Post Malone; surprise guest appearances by Drake and Ice Spice boosted social media buzz to 50 million mentions. • Event generates $150 million economic impact for Riverside County, drawing criticism over high $600+ ticket prices.

• NVIDIA GTC 2026, the premier global AI conference, runs March 16-19 in downtown San Jose, focusing on physical AI, AI factories, agentic AI, and inference breakthroughs shaping industries. • Conference passes sold out, but free virtual passes are available, with in-person Exhibits Only passes offered at 20% off using code GTC26-20. • Developers, researchers, and business leaders gather to explore the next wave of AI innovation amid rapid advancements.

The NWSL 2026 season opened Saturday with NJ/NY Gotham FC visiting Boston Fleet at 12:30 p.m. ET on ABC, followed by Utah Royals at Kansas City at 4 p.m. Other matchups include Denver at Bay FC and Houston at San Diego Wave. 'This season promises more parity and star power,' said commissioner Jessica Berman. Attendance is projected up 20% after last year's record crowds, with playoffs set for November.