Plans

• Esperti per i diritti umani lanciano un raro appello pubblico mentre gli espulsi dagli Stati Uniti descrivono di essere detenuti in condizioni 'simili a quelle di un carcere'. • Esperti per i diritti umani delle Nazioni Unite hanno rivolto un raro appello pubblico alla Guinea Equatoriale, esortando il paese dell'Africa occidentale a interrompere i piani di rimandare gli espulsi dagli Stati Uniti nei loro paesi d'origine, dove rischiano violenza politica, tortura e morte. • La dichiarazione, cofirmata da un rappresentante della Commissione Africana dei Diritti dell'Uomo e dei Popoli, aumenta la pressione diplomatica sulla Guinea Equatoriale, uno dei regimi più repressivi al mondo, affinché rispetti gli standard internazionali dei diritti umani ed eviti il refoulement, ovvero l'espulsione di persone verso paesi in cui rischiano persecuzioni. Continua a leggere...

• Le fonti affermano che il segretario alla salute intende indire le elezioni per la leadership già questo giovedì • Politica del Regno Unito in diretta – ultimi aggiornamenti • Chi sono le principali minacce alla leadership di Starmer?

• Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) ha annunciato l'intenzione di raccogliere la cifra record di 20 miliardi di dollari per il suo più grande megafondo focalizzato sull'AI, superando i fondi precedenti del 25%. • La raccolta di fondi avviene in un contesto di crescita accelerata dell'industria globale dell'IA, con a16z che punta a investimenti in infrastrutture, modelli e applicazioni AI. • Questo megafondo sottolinea la fiducia dei VC nel potenziale trasformativo dell'IA, alimentando potenzialmente startup nei settori del compute, dei dati e del software aziendale in mezzo alla concorrenza di rivali come Sequoia e SoftBank.

• Il democratico del Texas Beto O'Rourke ha annunciato l'intenzione di richiedere sanzioni contro il Procuratore Generale del Texas Ken Paxton per quella che O'Rourke definisce una "menzogna sfacciata" in documenti legali. • L'istanza di sanzioni riguarda una disputa legale tra le due figure politiche in materia di ridistrettazione elettorale o questioni legate alle elezioni. • La mossa di O'Rourke rappresenta un'escalation nel conflitto partitico tra i principali esponenti democratici e repubblicani in Texas.

• Il Primo Ministro giapponese sta valutando una visita in Corea del Sud intorno al 19-20 maggio 2026 per dei colloqui al vertice, secondo fonti citate da Asia Daily l'11 maggio. • Il viaggio mira a rafforzare le relazioni tra Giappone e Corea del Sud in un contesto di sfide alla sicurezza regionale in Asia orientale. • Questo segue le recenti esercitazioni militari congiunte che hanno coinvolto paracadutisti di Giappone, USA e Regno Unito, segnalando una cooperazione in materia di difesa più profonda.

• Un nuovo rapporto del Lowy Institute descrive il piano di Xi Jinping per Taiwan dopo l'annessione, rifiutando l'autonomia parziale a favore di una piena integrazione nel sistema politico della Cina. • I piani potrebbero escludere milioni di taiwanesi dalla vita pubblica e incarcerare decine di migliaia di persone, a meno che non giurino lealtà al CCP e rinuncino all'autonomia. • Studiosi cinesi esprimono privatamente dubbi sulla fattibilità del modello 'Un Paese, Due Sistemi' di fronte al consolidamento democratico di Taiwan.

• Antara News riferisce che l'Indonesia ha avviato i passi per stabilire Bali come hub finanziario globale, capitalizzando il suo status di economia più grande del Sud-est asiatico con oltre 280 milioni di persone e un PIL superiore a 1,4 trilioni di dollari USA. • L'iniziativa contrasta il rallentamento globale, le guerre commerciali e la concorrenza negli investimenti, promuovendo i servizi finanziari, il fintech e gli investimenti sostenibili nell'isola ricca di turismo. • Le misure chiave includono riforme normative, incentivi fiscali e aggiornamenti infrastrutturali per attrarre capitali internazionali e posizionare Bali come rivale di Singapore e Hong Kong.

• Rhun ap Iorwerth afferma di sperare di collaborare con gli altri partiti e di fare pressione sul governo del Regno Unito per ottenere poteri supplementari. • Il leader di Plaid Cymru, Rhun ap Iorwerth, ha promesso di formare un governo di minoranza stabile nel Senedd e ha dichiarato che cercherà una cooperazione matura da parte di tutti i partiti di opposizione. • Ap Iorwerth ha affermato che la sua amministrazione presserà il governo del Regno Unito per ottenere maggiori poteri in aree politiche come l'ordine pubblico e la giustizia, concentrandosi sui risultati piuttosto che impegnarsi in dispute politiche con Westminster.

• Cerebras, a leading AI chipmaker, announced plans to raise up to $3.5 billion through an initial public offering (IPO). • The fundraising effort signals strong market confidence in specialized AI chip manufacturers as enterprises scale artificial intelligence infrastructure deployments. • Going public positions Cerebras to compete aggressively with established semiconductor giants while investing in next-generation AI computing architecture.

• Polomar Health Services (OTCQB: PMHS) disclosed a $10.7 million net loss for fiscal year 2025 in its annual 10-K filing with the SEC. • The filing raises substantial going-concern doubts due to ongoing losses, telehealth partner setbacks, and liquidity issues. • Company plans a merger with Altanine that would dilute existing shareholders to approximately 20% ownership post-deal.

• Southern Republicans are pressing forward with election-year House redistricting efforts, including an aggressive gerrymander in Tennessee demanded by Trump. • The moves come amid widespread protests and legal challenges, with PBS reporting on resistance in multiple states. • These changes could reshape congressional seats ahead of the 2026 midterms, potentially benefiting GOP majorities.

• Expro Group Holdings announced plans to relocate its corporate domicile to the Cayman Islands, subject to shareholder approval expected in June 2026, in a strategic restructuring move. • The company is also advancing a $215 million acquisition as part of its capital deployment strategy amid expectations for stronger activity in the energy services sector. • The dual initiatives reflect Expro's efforts to optimize its corporate structure and pursue targeted M&A to enhance shareholder value.

• A federal judge has directed Trump administration officials to lay out plans regarding the disputed Washington D.C. golf course, and specifically instructed officials not to cut trees without prior notice to the court. • The ruling represents an ongoing legal battle over control and management of the golf course property involving the Trump administration. • The judge's intervention reflects heightened judicial scrutiny of Trump administration actions affecting District of Columbia properties and governance.

• Nokia is pivoting to AI-driven network infrastructure, anticipating double-digit growth in the data center market. • The company plans increased investments in India and strengthened technology partnerships to meet rising AI demands. • This transformation positions Nokia as a key player in India's evolving telecom and AI ecosystem.

Exclusive: Minister says proposals show government’s ambition, as it faces unprecedented pressure from GreensTree nurseries could be built at prisons and military ranges could be turned into heathland or peat bogs as part of an ambitious plan to make government land more nature-friendly, the environment secretary has said.Speaking ahead of elections this week in which Labour is under pressure from the Green party, Emma Reynolds said such projects showed the government’s intent in restoring natural habitats. Continue reading...

Agreements with artificial intelligence firms spark concerns over public spending, cyber security and domestic surveillanceSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxThe Pentagon said on Friday it had reached agreements with seven leading artificial intelligence (AI) companies: SpaceX, OpenAI, Google, Nvidia, Reflection, Microsoft and Amazon Web Services.“These agreements accelerate the transformation toward establishing the United States military as an AI-first fighting force and will strengthen our warfighters’ ability to maintain decision superiority across all domains of warfare,” the Pentagon said in statement. Continue reading...

Anthony Odiong is accused of sexually abusing three spiritually vulnerable female congregants in WacoPlans are under way for the Roman Catholic archdiocese of New Orleans to remove a priest’s name from a chapel he helped build outside the city as a criminal trial looms in Texas for the clergyman on criminal charges that he sexually abused three spiritually vulnerable female congregants there, the Guardian has learned.Anthony Odiong had reportedly raised $600,000 to build and then open Our Lady of Guadalupe Healing Chapel in Luling, Louisiana, in 2020, while he was the pastor at an adjacent church, years before authorities criminally charged him in Texas, where he had also previously ministered. His name has since appeared on various inscriptions outside the chapel and on the structure itself even as the criminal case against him has progressed toward trial. Continue reading...

• SoftBank is preparing Roze AI, combining robotics, data centers, and AI infrastructure for a US IPO targeting $100B valuation. • Masayoshi Son backs the venture, with potential public listing as early as late 2026 or 2027. • Executives plan an analyst day in July, though no products or revenue plans announced yet.

FT branch of NUJ say there is not ‘compelling case’ for mandate for editorial staff to be in office four days a weekJournalists at the Financial Times are at loggerheads with the publication’s management over plans to order staff back to the office four days a week by the end of the year.Members of the Financial Times’ union have unanimously voted to invoke the company’s dispute procedure over the proposals, arguing that management have “not made a compelling case” for the need to move from the current three office days. Continue reading...

Tim Heidecker could take over for Alex Jones as the head of conspiracy website Infowars in days as part of the Onion's acquisition. The comedian, actor and musician told As It Happens about his plan to get people laughing and smiling on a platform that inspired anger and fear.

FTSE 250 firms Paragon and OSB Group, owner of Kent Reliance and Precise Mortgages, slide on London Stock ExchangeRachel Reeves considering rent freeze to limit Iran war falloutBusiness live – latest updatesShares in some of the UK’s biggest buy-to-let lenders such as Paragon and One Savings Bank have fallen after it emerged that the chancellor may make private landlords commit to a one-year rent freeze.In an effort to protect households from rising living costs as a result of the Iran war, Rachel Reeves is considering whether to ban landlords in England from increasing rents for a limited period of time, the Guardian revealed on Monday night. Continue reading...

Brussels will relax state aid rules to allow member countries to offer ‘targeted and temporary’ supportEurope live – latest updatesThe EU will cut electricity taxes and provide consumers with fresh incentives to ditch fuel-burning cars and boilers, the European Commission has announced, as the Iran war energy crisis speeds a shift to a clean economy.The plan, which foresees tweaking rules so that electricity is taxed less than oil and gas, aims to bring down bills while encouraging the move away from polluting devices that prolong reliance on foreign fuels. Continue reading...

• President Trump announced hopes for a Friday meeting with Russian leaders to pave the way for a second sit-down including Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy. • He tempered expectations, noting complex diplomacy amid ongoing conflict stalemate. • The potential talks signal U.S. push for resolution, potentially altering European security dynamics.

The rural Texas region, long spared, is being fast-tracked for the border wall amid bipartisan oppositionTractors suddenly appeared at the entrance to Chispa Road near the US-Mexico border in rural Big Bend, Texas, in late March. Contractors informed Yolanda Alvarado, a cattle rancher, that they were starting work to upgrade the rough county dirt road there into a “highway” – the first step needed for semi trucks to haul the 30-foot steel pillars used to build Donald Trump’s border barrier.“That fence line, that’s where the wall is going to be,” said Alvarado, hopping out of the front seat of her flatbed truck at the gate to the family property located directly along the path of the proposed wall. Continue reading...

The satirical website’s parent company will have to pay $81,000 a month to the misinformation platformSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxSatirical website the Onion plans to turn rightwing commentator Alex Jones’s misinformation site Infowars into a parody of itself under a leasing agreement provisionally approved by a Texas court.Under a proposed deal with court administrators, Infowars would be leased by Global Tetrahedron, a Chicago-based company that owns the Onion, for $81,000 a month for six months, with an option to renew for another six months. Continue reading...

Government amendment to children’s wellbeing and schools bill to replace existing guidance with statutory banA ban on mobile phones in schools in England is to be introduced by the government to ensure that “critical safeguarding legislation” is passed.The government will table an amendment to the children’s wellbeing and schools bill in the House of Lords after the bill was held up by peers on opposition benches. Continue reading...

Peter Kyle did not dispute Times’ report that under a ‘reasonable worst-case scenario’ supermarkets might start running out of some itemsGood morning. ‘We don’t comment on leaks,’ is the usual government response to an unsanctioned lobby scoop. But this morning Peter Kyle, the business secretary, took a different response. Asked about a Times splash saying the government is making plans to deal with possible food shortages in the summer, caused by the Iran war, he told Sky News:It is difficult for me, because, of course, these leaks are very unhelpful. But when people do read it, they need to be reassured that we are doing this kind of planning, and we are doing this kind of scenario planning.Britain could face shortages of chicken, pork and other supermarket goods this summer if the war in Iran continues, a secret government analysis has found.Officials have drawn up contingency plans for a “reasonable worst-case scenario” amid fears that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz will lead to shortages of carbon dioxide (CO2) which is critical to the food industry …I can tell you, because I’m in these meetings, the prime minister has been there since the very start, and he is going through personally and driving deep dives into lots of areas of resilience throughout our economy.People should be reassured that we are doing this kind of action behind the scenes to keep resilience in our economy, so that when the full extent of what may or may not emerge, because this situation is still unfolding in the Middle East, you have a government that is acting with creativity and boldness.If any of these things change, I will be up front with the public about it in advance so that we can prepare. But right now, people should go on as they are, enjoying beer, enjoying their meats, enjoying all the salads.But also there are critical uses for CO2 – MRI scanning, for example, water purification; it’s involved in our nuclear industry, our civil nuclear power industry, some defensive uses for it as well. Continue reading...

Energy crisis unfolding in Middle East has added political urgency, and more funding, to transform South Korea’s solar industryIn Guyang-ri, a farming village of 70 households about 90 minutes south-east of Seoul, people gather for communal free lunches six days a week. The meals are funded by the village’s one-megawatt solar installation, which generates roughly 10m won ($6,800) in net profit each month.“Residents eat lunch together every day, so we see each other’s faces, talk together,” says Jeon Joo-young, the village chief. “Bonds and solidarity between residents become much stronger. Life becomes more enjoyable.” Continue reading...