Preparing

• Leading AI figures, including Sam Altman, Mark Zuckerberg, and Jensen Huang, are investing billions of dollars into safety research and public-benefit initiatives. • These backers are funding projects focused on healthcare, science, and economic resilience to mitigate the potential negative consequences of rapid AI acceleration. • The initiative matters as it represents a strategic effort by the industry's most powerful players to balance aggressive technological growth with societal safeguards.

• Chinese AI pioneer DeepSeek has begun preparations for an initial public offering (IPO) and may file as early as this year. • The company gained industry attention by developing a cutting-edge, efficient AI model that requires fewer computing resources than its competitors. • This breakthrough is significant as it proves Chinese firms can compete with Silicon Valley leaders despite U.S. export restrictions on advanced hardware.

• US stock indexes continue to be supported by strong AI-led momentum, though investors are increasingly debating the sustainability of current valuations. • Market concentration in a few AI-driven stocks has become the defining narrative of the current financial cycle, raising concerns about a potential bubble. • The situation matters because elevated valuations may shift the market's trajectory as the development of AI technology typically follows a non-linear path.

Kremlin may attempt to test Nato cohesion as Russia comes under growing pressure from Ukraine, according to sources from two countriesTwo countries on Nato’s eastern flank have warned that Russia is preparing a possible “provocation” in the Baltic states or Poland in an effort to test the cohesion of the western military alliance.Western sources also fear there could be danger on the horizon because the Kremlin is coming under pressure from Ukraine’s campaign of long-range attacks on targets near Moscow and St Petersburg. Continue reading...

• Germany is preparing for a high-intensity match against a "speedy" Ivory Coast side in their upcoming World Cup fixture. • Germany enters the game with strong momentum after a dominant 7-1 victory over tournament debutants Curacao in their opening match. • Ivory Coast also secured a win in their first game, defeating Ecuador 1-0 with a late goal.

• Cybercriminals are increasingly leveraging artificial intelligence to develop more sophisticated techniques for committing crimes. • These AI-driven attacks pose a growing and evolving threat to businesses, institutions, and individuals on a global scale. • The acceleration of cybercrime highlights a critical need to prepare and train the next wave of cybersecurity experts to counter these threats.

• Prime Minister Kim Min-seok is reportedly preparing to resign from his position following the conclusion of this week's local elections. • The resignation is intended to facilitate Kim's bid for the leadership of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK). • This move signifies a strategic shift for Kim, transitioning from his executive role in government to a leadership position within the party.

Officers said to be granted extra powers as marches through capital set for same day as FA Cup finalBritish police are preparing to mount one of their largest scale operations in recent memory with more than 100,000 protesters set to march through the streets of London on the same day as the FA Cup final in Wembley.The Guardian understands that officers in vast swathes of central London will be granted extra powers in order to police the far-right Unite the Kingdom march organised by Stephen Yaxley Lennon, better known as Tommy Robinson. Continue reading...

Ahead of the crucial talks, security has been heightened in Beijing, with the US president set to meet Xi at the Great Hall of the PeopleThe Trump-Xi summit will span two days. It was originally scheduled for late March or early April but was delayed due to the Iran war.Now that Trump is in China, here are some of the hazards the US president faces. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Britain expected to be allowed to keep ban on live animal exports, sources say, in fillip for Keir StarmerUK politics live – latest updatesBrussels is preparing to offer Keir Starmer a key concession in talks over an agricultural deal, giving the beleaguered prime minister an important victory in his efforts to move closer to the EU.European officials have conceded that the UK can keep its ban on live animal exports as part of any joint deal on food and agricultural products, according to sources on both sides of the talks, even though the EU has not imposed such a ban. Continue reading...

Chances of Starmer remaining in No 10 appear to be diminishing as about 40 Labour MPs call for him to quitUK politics live – latest updatesKeir Starmer is facing a perilous 24 hours as allies of Wes Streeting said he was prepared to bid for the leadership if the prime minister’s premiership falls apart this week.Starmer was hoping to save his job with a speech that sets out his vision for turning the country around on Monday, after a disastrous set of local election results in which the party lost support to Reform UK and the Greens. Continue reading...

Conflict shows signs of entering new, more dangerous phase as additional 3,500 US troops arrive in the Middle EastUS lawmakers responded to reports that the Pentagon is preparing for weeks of ground operations in Iran, as thousands of US troops assemble in the Middle East and the conflict showed signs of entering a new, more dangerous phase.Officials told the Washington Post that a ground operation in Iran could be limited to raids by Special Operations forces and infantry troops, but it was unclear whether Donald Trump would approve any of the Pentagon’s plans. Continue reading...

Government-backed bank in talks about recompensing about 37,000 people whose money was misplacedUK politics live – latest updatesBusiness live – latest updatesNational Savings & Investments is preparing to repay hundreds of millions of pounds to its customers over missing savings, in what is expected to be the single biggest payout in the bank’s 160-year history.The government-backed savings institution is in discussions with the Treasury to recompense about 37,000 people whose money has been misplaced due to historical failings. Continue reading...

As other Asian economies race to conserve energy, China has huge reserves of oil and gas as well as alternative energy sources like wind and solarMiddle East crisis – live updates Xi Jinping has been preparing for a crisis like this for years. China must secure its energy supply “in its own hands”, its president was reported to have said during a visit to one of its vast oilfields in 2021.The US-Israel war on Iran plunged the Middle East into a deep conflict, with the strait of Hormuz – one of the most important waterways in global trade – all but closed and key energy facilities across the region under attack. Continue reading...