Secure

• The U.S. has initiated measures to secure Venezuela's gold reserves as American geopolitical influence in the region intensifies. • The effort reflects Washington's strategy to expand economic leverage and control over Venezuelan assets during the nation's ongoing political and economic crisis. • The move signals escalating U.S. intervention in Venezuela's internal affairs with significant implications for regional power dynamics.

State upper house MP runs unopposed after initially being dropped during a preselection challenge. Follow today’s news liveGood morning, and happy Monday. Nick Visser here to take you through the day’s news. Let’s dive in. Continue reading...

• Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Reporters Sans Frontières (RSF), and the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation called on the US government to officially designate journalist Shelly Kittleson as a hostage and deploy all resources for her release. • Kittleson, a US freelance reporter covering Yemen, was abducted in Sanaa on March 20, 2026, amid escalating Houthi-US tensions linked to the ongoing US-Israeli war on Iran. • The groups emphasized that formal hostage status would unlock specialized US diplomatic and intelligence efforts, critical amid reports of her deteriorating health in captivity.

• Presidents Biden and Yoon Suk Yeol signed a defense enhancement pact on April 4, 2026, in Washington, extending US nuclear umbrella to counter North Korea's 70+ missile tests in 2025. • Pact includes $12 billion in US precision munitions sales and joint AI-driven missile defense systems operational by 2028. • Agreement bolsters Indo-Pacific deterrence, with Yoon stating, 'This alliance is ironclad against Pyongyang's provocations.'

Research for TUC analyses link between job quality and economic inactivity, as UK youth unemployment risesYoung people in the UK are more likely to leave their job for health reasons and become economically inactive when they work in insecure, low-paid sectors, a study has found.Research carried out for the Trades Union Congress by the consultancy Timewise charts a connection between the jobs young people are most likely to do – in hospitality, retail and care, for example – and the proportion of people leaving work because of ill health. Continue reading...

• Luna Systems, founded at Dublin City University in 2020, has raised €1.5 million to develop AI-powered Advanced Rider Assistance Systems (ARAS) for cycling and motorcycles. • The company's 2026 product launches include a dual AI camera system for e-bike and motorcycle manufacturers featuring collision warning, blindspot detection, and headway monitoring with smartphone integration. • The funding accelerates Luna Systems' transition to a full system provider, inspired by automotive ADAS technology adapted for two-wheeled transportation where fatality rates remain elevated.

• CoreWeave, Inc. (CRWV) shares jumped 12% after securing an $8.5 billion loan to scale its AI infrastructure. • The financing strengthens investor confidence in CoreWeave's expansion plans amid booming demand for AI computing power. • This deal highlights growing capital inflows into AI-focused firms, potentially accelerating sector growth in 2026.

• US defense AI startup Shield AI raised $1.5 billion in Series G funding, valuing it at $12.7 billion post-money, a 140% increase from prior rounds. • The investment supports scaling autonomous drones via Hivemind AI pilot software, following a US Air Force contract and acquisition of simulation firm Aechelon. • With projected $540 million revenue this year, Shield AI leads in military AI, enhancing US drone capabilities against global threats.

Reversal of fortune comes just one week after she was dumped in favour of Dinesh Gourisetty, who then withdrew his nominationGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastMoira Deeming will secure a top spot on the Victorian Liberal party’s upper house ticket unopposed – less than a week after members voted to dump her – after the withdrawal of candidates from a re-run ballot.Deeming was on Sunday ousted from the number one spot for the western metropolitan region by Dinesh Gourisetty. Continue reading...

• Depthfirst raised $80 million in a Series B funding round to bolster its AI-driven cybersecurity capabilities. • The startup plans to expand its AI research team, train additional security models, and scale enterprise adoption across the US. • This funding underscores growing investor confidence in AI tools addressing complex cybersecurity threats amid rising attacks.