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Created in Italy and made with elderflower liqueur, the cocktail is sweeter than Aperol spritz and lower in alcoholPub gardens and bar terraces have been awash with a sea of orange in recent years as Italy’s love of Aperol spritz spread to the UK. But this year the cocktail’s cousin, a Hugo spritz, will be the drink of the summer, according to supermarkets and bars.It is already being served across the country, including at Sea Containers on the banks of the Thames and Mayfair’s swanky Claridge’s hotel in London, 20 Stories bar in Manchester and the Bridge Tavern in Newcastle. Wetherspoons has the cocktail on its menu nationwide.40ml St‑Germain elderflower liqueur.60ml prosecco.60ml sparkling water.8-10 mint leaves.Lime wedge for garnish.Mint sprig for garnish.Fill your glass with ice cubes.Add in the mint leaves.Pour sparkling wine and sparkling water over ice.Add St‑Germain elderflower liqueur.Gently stir.Garnish with a mint sprig and lime wedge. Continue reading...

• Linx Security secured $50 million in funding to expand its AI-driven identity security and governance platform amid rising identity-based threats. • The investment will accelerate product development, scale go-to-market efforts, and expand global operations for enterprise customers. • Enterprises face intensifying identity attacks, making AI-powered solutions critical for threat detection and compliance.

Health minister Mark Butler says federal government is ‘not negotiating’ when it comes to removing price protections on common medicationsGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralia will not cave in to pressure from pharmaceutical giants and the Trump administration by removing consumer price protections on common medications, the health minister, Mark Butler says.Donald Trump imposed a new 100% tariff on branded pharmaceuticals imported into the US overnight, Australian time, trying to force manufacturers to agree to drug-pricing deals or commit to making their products domestically. Continue reading...

Bank of England survey in March shows chief financial officers foresee 3.7% increase over coming yearBusiness live – latest updatesCompanies in the UK expect to raise their prices more rapidly over the coming months as the war in the Middle East drives up costs, Bank of England research shows.The Bank’s regular survey of more than 2,000 chief financial officers conducted last month, after the Iran conflict began, shows they now expect to raise their prices by 3.7% over the coming year. Continue reading...

• OpenAI secured $122 billion in funding, achieving an $852 billion valuation while advancing toward an AI superapp. • The massive round fuels rapid growth and preparations for a potential IPO in the US market. • This positions OpenAI as a dominant force in AI innovation, attracting top talent and resources.

• West Virginia lawmakers completed 306 bills (153 House, 153 Senate) out of 2,777 introduced in the 2026 session, with Senate Bill 1 launching the First Small Business Growth Act via Commerce Department incentives. • Senate Bill 104 grants $5,000 salary increases to all state mine inspectors effective July 1, 2026, covering electrical, underground, and surface specialists. • Additional measures include Senate Bill 44 regulating cottage foods and Senate Bill 137 raising second-degree murder sentences to 15-60 years with 15-year parole minimum.

• French AI firm Mistral AI secured $830 million in debt financing on March 31, 2026, to build a state-of-the-art data center near Paris. • The funding underscores surging demand for AI computing infrastructure amid global expansions in hardware and power resources. • This move positions Mistral to compete in the intensifying AI race, highlighting shifts toward massive investments in data centers.