Urge

• Asia has emerged as the new center of the global AI boom, surpassing Silicon Valley, fueled by surging demand for AI chips that propelled Asian tech stocks higher. • The AI-driven rally boosted South Korea's Kospi to a fresh record close of 7,981.41, up 1.8%, supported by technology shares amid robust corporate results in Japan. • Investors monitored U.S. approvals for around 10 Chinese firms, including Alibaba and Tencent, to purchase Nvidia AI chips, highlighted during Trump’s China visit with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang.

Human rights experts make rare public appeal as US deportees describe being held in ‘prison-like’ conditionsHuman rights experts at the United Nations issued a rare public appeal to Equatorial Guinea, urging the West African country to halt its plans to return US deportees to their home countries where they face political violence, torture and death.The statement, cosigned by a representative of the African Commission on Human and People’s rights, adds diplomatic pressure on Equatorial Guinea, one of the world’s most repressive regimes, to comply with international human rights standards and avoid refoulement, or the expulsion of people to countries where they face persecution. Continue reading...

• Major tech companies are investing trillions of dollars in infrastructure to develop and run generative AI models, showing signs of a speculative bubble, warns a new Open Markets Institute report by fellow Matthew Sherer. • The report identifies hallmarks of dangerous financial bubbles in the AI boom and calls on policymakers to resist future bailout demands for failing firms. • With trillions at stake, the analysis emphasizes proactive policies to protect the economy from AI sector collapse without taxpayer-funded rescues.

Exclusive: In letter seen by the Guardian, 30 members of Congress warn US president’s Cuba military operation would worsen ‘mass suffering’US politics live – latest updatesMore than 30 members of Congress have urged Donald Trump’s top officials to end the use of the Guantánamo Bay naval base for immigrant detention and rule out any plans for military action on Cuba.In the letter to the secretaries of defense, state and homeland security on Wednesday morning, reviewed by the Guardian, Democratic lawmakers led by Delia Ramirez, a representative from Illinois, linked a rise in migration from the island nation to the heightening US aggression on Cuba. Continue reading...

Party held out prospect of act while in opposition but plan did not make it into election manifestoMinisters should bring forward a new clean air act that would ban wood burning, clear diesel vehicles from the roads and force councils to cut pollution, a group of more than 60 charities have urged before the king’s speech on Wednesday.Labour held out the prospect of a clean air act while in opposition in 2023, but this was dropped from the final election manifesto, and the government has made no move to reinstate it. Continue reading...

• U.S. stock markets declined Tuesday with the S&P 500 falling 0.9% from record highs as technology stocks weakened and oil prices continued rising amid uncertainty over the Iran conflict. • Benchmark U.S. crude jumped $3.43 to $101.50 per barrel, while Brent crude climbed $3.62 to $107.83 per barrel, as President Trump said the U.S.-Iran ceasefire was on "life support" after rejecting Iran's latest peace proposal. • Brent crude has surged 50% from pre-war levels around $70, contributing to inflation pressures globally and straining U.S. households through higher gasoline and goods prices tied to new tariffs.

• Penguins face critical juncture in playoffs, with Madden Monday analysis warning against letting Evgeni Malkin's form slip on May 12, 2026. • Team recalibrates after Aaron Rodgers speculation and recent results. • Veteran leadership from Malkin remains pivotal for postseason success.