Deal

इस्लामाबाद ने कथित तौर पर कम प्रोफाइल वाली भूमिका अपना ली है, लेकिन उसका मानना है कि आमने-सामने की बैठकों के बिना भी शांति प्रक्रिया आगे बढ़ सकती है। अधिकारियों और विशेषज्ञों का कहना है कि पाकिस्तान पर्दे के पीछे बातचीत को जीवित रखने और शांति समझौते की ओर बढ़ने के लिए ईरान और अमेरिका के बीच प्रस्तावों का आदान-प्रदान कर रहा है। पाकिस्तानी अधिकारियों का कहना है कि वे इस बात से अवगत हैं कि दांव पर न केवल क्षेत्रीय शांति है, बल्कि वैश्विक अर्थव्यवस्था का स्वास्थ्य और दुनिया के लाखों सबसे गरीब लोगों की आजीविका भी है – जिसमें पाकिस्तान भी शामिल है, जिसका मासिक ऊर्जा आयात बिल युद्ध के परिणामस्वरूप लगभग तीन गुना हो गया है। पढ़ना जारी रखें...

• NIH कटौती और व्यापारिक खतरों के बावजूद, AI प्रगति और प्रमुख फार्मा सौदों से प्रेरित होकर, 2026 में अमेरिकी Life Sciences उद्योग ने गति पकड़ी। • इम्यूनोकॉम्प्रोमाइज्ड रोगियों के लिए Karius के AI genomic tests एक दिन में 50% अधिक pathogens का पता लगाते हैं, जो 100,000 से अधिक मामलों के परीक्षण के बाद लाखों DNA reads का विश्लेषण करते हैं। • Biotech winter समाप्त हो गई, जिससे प्रशासन की प्राथमिकताओं के बीच AI, डेटा और precise therapeutics के माध्यम से निवारक स्वास्थ्य पर ध्यान केंद्रित किया गया।

बैंक का कहना है कि उसने उच्च न्यायालय में Telegraph के पूर्व मालिकों Aidan और Howard Barclay के खिलाफ कार्यवाही वापस ले ली है Telegraph के पूर्व मालिकों ने £140m से अधिक के बकाया कर्ज पर HSBC के साथ समझौता करने के बाद दिवालियापन से बच गए हैं। मंगलवार को उच्च न्यायालय की सुनवाई में, यूरोप के सबसे बड़े बैंक ने कहा कि उसने Aidan और Howard Barclay के खिलाफ कार्यवाही वापस ले ली है, जिनके परिवार ने Lloyds Bank के £1.16bn के बकाया कर्ज के कारण 2023 में Daily और Sunday Telegraph का नियंत्रण खो दिया था। पढ़ना जारी रखें...

वाशिंगटन को Strait of Hormuz को फिर से खोलने के लिए लंबे आर्थिक युद्ध या जोखिम भरी सैन्य कार्रवाई का सामना करना पड़ रहा है – जो अब ईरान के लिए परमाणु हथियार से भी अधिक मूल्यवान हो सकता है। Donald Trump 'mission creep' के खतरों के बारे में प्रत्यक्ष अनुभव कर रहे हैं। ईरान में US-Israel युद्ध ने अभी-अभी अपना आठवां सप्ताह पूरा किया है – यह उस समय से दोगुना लंबा है जिसकी राष्ट्रपति ने भविष्यवाणी की थी जब US युद्धक विमानों ने ईरानी नेतृत्व को खत्म करने और उसकी सेना को पंगु बनाने के लिए इजरायली बलों के साथ अपना संयुक्त हमला शुरू किया था। सैन्य हमले सफल रहे। इसके बाद होने वाले राजनीतिक कार्य-कारण प्रभाव के बारे में भविष्यवाणियां सफल नहीं रहीं। पढ़ना जारी रखें...

• व्यापक कर्मचारी विरोध के बावजूद, यह टेक कंपनी अमेरिकी सेना के साथ समझौता करने वाली नवीनतम सिलिकॉन वैली फर्म बन गई है। • कथित तौर पर गूगल ने गोपनीय कार्यों के लिए अपने आर्टिफिशियल इंटेलिजेंस मॉडलों का उपयोग करने के लिए अमेरिकी पेंटागन के साथ एक समझौता किया है। • यह टेक कंपनी अमेरिकी सेना के साथ समझौते करने वाली सिलिकॉन वैली फर्मों की बढ़ती सूची में शामिल हो गई है।

• सखारोव पुरस्कार विजेता को आठ साल की सजा सुनाई गई थी, जिस प्रक्रिया की व्यापक रूप से राजनीतिक रूप से प्रेरित होने के कारण निंदा की गई थी • पोलिश-बेलारूसी पत्रकार Andrzej Poczobut, जो 2025 सखारोव पुरस्कार विजेता हैं, को अमेरिका द्वारा मध्यस्थता की गई एक बहु-देशीय स्वैप डील के हिस्से के रूप में बेलारूसी दंड कॉलोनी में पांच साल बिताने के बाद रिहा कर दिया गया है। • उनकी रिहाई की पुष्टि पोलैंड के प्रधानमंत्री Donald Tusk ने की, जिन्होंने सोशल मीडिया पर उनकी तस्वीर पोस्ट करते हुए कहा: “Andrzej Poczobut स्वतंत्र हैं! अपने पोलिश घर में आपका स्वागत है, मेरे दोस्त।”

• Ittai Gradel का निधन रीनल कैंसर (गुर्दे के कैंसर) के कारण हुआ; यह घटना संग्रहालय द्वारा उन्हें 'अत्यंत महत्वपूर्ण योगदान' के लिए पदक देने के कुछ दिनों बाद हुई। • अकादमिक से पुरावशेष डीलर बने Dr Ittai Gradel, जिन्होंने British Museum से सैकड़ों कलाकृतियों की चोरी का पर्दाफाश किया था, का 61 वर्ष की आयु में निधन हो गया है। • डेनमार्क निवासी Dr Ittai Gradel ने British Museum और पुलिस को तब सतर्क किया था, जब उन्होंने पिछले कई वर्षों के दौरान eBay पर संग्रहालय की दर्जनों कलाकृतियाँ खरीदी थीं।

• Google और अमेरिकी रक्षा विभाग (DOD) ने एक समझौते को अंतिम रूप दिया है, जिससे पेंटागन को वर्गीकृत सैन्य और रक्षा उद्देश्यों के लिए Google के AI मॉडल का उपयोग करने की अनुमति मिलेगी, जो दोनों संस्थाओं के बीच मौजूदा अनुबंध में संशोधन करता है। • यह सौदा DOD को Google की आर्टिफिशियल इंटेलिजेंस क्षमताओं तक पहुंच प्रदान करता है, जिसे कंपनी ने "किसी भी वैध सरकारी उद्देश्य" के रूप में वर्णित किया है, जिससे पिछले रक्षा सहयोगों का दायरा बढ़ गया है। • यह साझेदारी अमेरिकी रक्षा संचालन में बिग टेक (Big Tech) की भागीदारी के महत्वपूर्ण विस्तार को चिह्नित करती है, जो सरकारी एजेंसियों को AI बुनियादी ढांचा प्रदान करने वाली प्रमुख टेक कंपनियों के रुझान को जारी रखती है।

Rising costs have continued to plague the company, now facing soaring fuel costs due to the war with IranSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxThe White House is finalizing a financing package to help ailing US budget carrier Spirit Airlines, which could receive as much as $500m in loans as rising costs continue to plague the company.News of the potential deal comes as Spirit and others struggle with soaring fuel costs due to the war with Iran. Continue reading...

Wilson is being sued for defamation by Charlotte MacInnes over social media posts alleging a sexual harassment complaintFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAn actor accusing Rebel Wilson of damaging her career secured a $150,000 record deal with a publicist representing international superstars amid the feud with Wilson.Charlotte MacInnes is suing the Pitch Perfect actor over social media posts claiming MacInnes complained about feeling uncomfortable after bathing with Wilson’s co-producer on musical film The Deb, Amanda Ghost. Continue reading...

Lords told sales of Scottish shellfish among areas that may benefit – but agreement will not erase all paperworkEurope live – latest updatesA new agriculture agreement with the EU would not wipe out all Brexit paperwork but may greatly increase sales of Scottish langoustines and oysters, the House of Lords has heard.The UK and EU are close to finalising a sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement to reduce Brexit trade barriers, and while it will have “modest” impact on the UK economy the agreement will be significant, peers on the European affairs committee were told on Tuesday. Continue reading...

Former Wall Street banker faces questions at confirmation hearing – but his biggest backer is also his biggest liabilityOn the face of it, Kevin Warsh looks like an ideal candidate to chair the Federal Reserve, the world’s most important central bank. The 56-year-old Ivy League economist, former Wall Street banker and presidential adviser ticks all the boxes. Unfortunately for Warsh, as he faces what could be a fraught nomination hearing, his biggest backer is also his biggest liability.In his second term, Donald Trump has attacked the Fed in a manner both unprecedented and unseemly. He has called current chair Jerome Powell – whom he also appointed – a “jerk”, “a stubborn MORON”, and repeatedly threatened to fire him. Continue reading...

Move marks government’s most radical attempt to weaken impact of soaring wholesale gas prices on electricity costsClean energy generation exceeded rise in global electricity demand in 2025The government has confirmed plans to move older wind and solar farms which make up almost a third of Great Britain’s power market on to fixed-price contracts to help protect households and businesses from future gas market shocks.Under the plans, first revealed by the Guardian, renewable energy projects that earn subsidies on top of the market price will be asked to sign up to contracts that pay a set price for electricity as part of the government’s plan to “delink the price of electricity from the price of gas”. Continue reading...

• U.S. stock futures fell 0.46% Monday morning as Iran declined to engage in peace talks with the Trump administration, escalating geopolitical tensions. • Oil prices climbed to $95 per barrel, up from $86 three days prior, reflecting market concerns over potential supply disruptions from the Iran conflict. • Despite the geopolitical headwinds, markets have shown resilience with strong corporate earnings growth at 17% annually offsetting valuation pressures.

FTSE 100 slides and UK gas prices up amid fears strait of Hormuz will be closed for extended periodBusiness live – latest updatesOil prices rose sharply and European stock markets fell on Monday, after the US seizure of an Iranian vessel hit hopes for a peace deal.Brent crude, the international benchmark for oil prices, rose by as much as 5% on Monday to $95.50 (£70.75) a barrel. Continue reading...

• Stripe completed the acquisition of Wise Exchange, a fintech startup specializing in cross-border payment optimization, for $1.2 billion in stock on April 18, expanding its international payment capabilities. • The acquisition adds Wise Exchange's proprietary currency conversion algorithms and partnerships with 40+ financial institutions across Europe, Asia, and Americas to Stripe's existing platform. • Industry analysts view this acquisition as Stripe's strategic response to intensifying competition from Block, PayPal, and traditional payment networks in the global payments sector.

• US President Donald Trump warned Iran of 'no more Mr Nice Guy' and threatened new strikes if no deal is agreed by Wednesday, following stalled talks over nuclear issues and the Strait of Hormuz. • Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz until the US lifts its blockade, with Revolutionary Guard navy confirming the move amid risks to global oil shipments; 13 US service members killed in related conflict. • Negotiations in Islamabad saw US propose 20-year Iranian nuclear suspension, countered by Iran's 3-5 year halt offer; Tehran reports progress but fundamental gaps remain per speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.

Agreements would aim to shield British industry from new steel tariffs and stricter rules on electric vehicles due in 2027Downing Street hopes to secure deals on steel and electric cars with the EU as it seeks to upgrade the post-Brexit economic relationship.Amid economic uncertainty caused by the conflict in the Middle East and strains in relations with the US, Keir Starmer is seeking closer economic ties with the EU. Continue reading...

• Cerebras Systems, developer of the wafer-size WSE-3 AI chip, filed to go public on April 17, 2026, amid accelerating revenue. • The company secured a $125 million revolving credit facility from Morgan Stanley, expandable to $850 million post-IPO, plus a $1 billion loan from OpenAI. • This IPO positions Cerebras to capitalize on surging demand for specialized AI hardware in US data centers and enterprises.

• President Trump signals he will not extend Iran's ceasefire deadline if a comprehensive deal is not reached by Wednesday, warning of renewed military action including 'dropping bombs' if negotiations fail. • Trump declares the Strait of Hormuz now open due to a U.S. Navy blockade and pointedly rejects NATO's offer of assistance, highlighting America's unilateral stance in Middle East tensions. • The escalating pressure on Iran represents a significant shift in Trump administration foreign policy and challenges traditional alliance structures in addressing regional security threats.

• President Trump expressed optimism that an Iran peace deal is 'looking very good,' signaling potential near-term resolution to the US-Iran conflict that has destabilized financial markets. • Investors are actively weighing the likelihood and terms of a potential Iran truce as a key variable influencing near-term market direction and energy price trajectories. • Geopolitical risk premiums embedded in oil prices and equity valuations could face significant repricing if a comprehensive ceasefire agreement is formally announced.

• S&P 500 futures rose 0.2% and the benchmark notched back-to-back record highs as growing speculation that a deal to end the US-Iran war is nearing prompts traders to take on more risk. • The index is on course for a third week of gains exceeding 3%, with the S&P up nearly 8% month to date, marking a stunning reversal following mounting signs of US-Iran deescalation. • The market rally reflects relief over potential resolution of the conflict that has roiled energy markets, with traders increasingly positioning for a ceasefire outcome.

Marie-Thérèse Ross was arrested on 1 April and held in a Louisiana facility by immigration officials A French woman in her eighties who was arrested and placed in a US immigration detention centre has flown home.Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents detained Marie-Thérèse Ross in Alabama on 1 April after she overstayed her 90-day visa, according to the US Department of Homeland Security. The 86-year-old widow was being held at a federal immigration detention facility in Louisiana. Continue reading...

• Donald Trump announced a major ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon while signaling progress toward a potential nuclear deal with Iran. • The development represents a significant diplomatic initiative amid broader Middle East tensions and ongoing US-Iran negotiations. • The ceasefire comes as regional dynamics continue to shift with multiple diplomatic channels active simultaneously.

Exclusive: Minns government announces contract with Snowy Energy to power public transport in seven-year contractGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastElectric bus, train and light rail services in New South Wales will run on fully renewable energy from next year under a new $1.9bn deal, the state government says.The Minns government on Friday announced it had signed a contract with Snowy Energy to bring all public transport operations in the state under a single renewable energy agreement for the first time. The seven-year deal comes into effect from July 2027 and will last until 2034. Continue reading...

US president will need to show heavy costs of war were worthwhile while Iran must choose between instant and delayed gratification Middle East crisis – live updatesIf talks between Iran and the US reconvene within the next few days in Islamabad, Donald Trump will have two major political hurdles to overcome – first showing that any deal he secures is better than the one signed by Barack Obama in 2015 and from which he withdraw in 2018, and secondly proving the deal is more favourable than the one on offer in Geneva in February before he launched his war.Otherwise he will have inflicted massive damage on the world economy when alternatives were available that were less costly in blood and treasure. He will also have to show that Iran has made no permanent gain by taking control of shipping passing through the strait of Hormuz. These are the yardsticks, or tests, around which his negotiating team will be keeping an anxious eye. Continue reading...

Anas Sarwar says there have been ‘no stitch-ups, no deals, no backroom chats, no back-channel contact with Reform’UK politics live – latest updatesAnas Sarwar has dismissed as “a desperate lie from a desperate man” a claim by Reform UK’s Scotland leader, Malcolm Offord, that he offered to do a deal with the hard-right party to keep the Scottish National party out of power.Offord made the claim on Channel 4’s Scottish leaders’ debate on Tuesday evening, alleging the Scottish Labour leader came “bouncing up” to him at an event in December last year, suggesting they “work together to remove the SNP”. Continue reading...

President says he gave Britain ‘better deal than I had to’ but ally was ‘not there when we needed them’ on IranMiddle East crisis – live updatesBusiness live – latest updatesDonald Trump has threatened to row back on the trade deal the US signed with the UK last year, in his latest salvo against the British government over sharp differences about the US’s approach to the Middle East.The US president said the economic deal struck with the UK, which cut some of his tariffs on cars, aluminium and steel, was “better than I had to” and that it could “always be changed”. Continue reading...