Reach

• Le CommBank Junior Matildas dell'Australia hanno battuto il Vietnam per 2-0 nei quarti di finale dell'AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup 2026, assicurandosi per la prima volta un posto alla FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. • Football Australia ha riferito che Frida Karaberis e Leyla Hussein hanno segnato i gol che hanno permesso alla squadra di avanzare alle semifinali e di eguagliare il suo miglior piazzamento continentale. • Il risultato è significativo poiché concede all'Australia un posto storico al torneo Morocco 2026 e sottolinea la crescente pipeline di giovani talenti del paese.

• Gli investimenti globali in venture capital hanno raggiunto il record di 300 miliardi di dollari nel primo trimestre del 2026, distribuiti su circa 6.000 startup, rappresentando un aumento del 150% rispetto al trimestre precedente e all'anno precedente. • I finanziamenti per l'AI hanno dominato con 242 miliardi di dollari, ovvero l'80% del totale dei fondi venture, in crescita rispetto al 55% del primo trimestre del 2025, con il capitale concentrato in creatori di frontier model, software aziendale, robotica, semiconduttori e scienze della vita. • Isomorphic Labs, una spinout di DeepMind, ha raccolto un round di finanziamento Series B da 2,1 miliardi di dollari sostenuto da Thrive Capital, Google Ventures e Alphabet, puntando ad applicazioni di scoperta di farmaci guidate dall'AI.

• Il sito con sede negli Stati Uniti, i cui operatori sono stati multati per 950.000 sterline da Ofcom, appare nei risultati di ricerca di Google ed è accessibile nel Regno Unito. • Google ha negato di aver violato l'Online Safety Act promuovendo un forum sul suicidio "nichilista" associato a 164 morti nel Regno Unito, dove il sito dovrebbe essere vietato. • L'organo di regolamentazione internet del Regno Unito ha multato l'operatore statunitense del forum per 950.000 sterline poiché il sito, che "presenta un rischio materiale di danno significativo", è ancora accessibile nel Regno Unito nonostante le leggi britanniche che criminalizzano l'incitamento o l'assistenza al suicidio.

Il leader di Reform UK registra un video con un pastore dell'Essex per sostenere la sua battaglia contro l'ordine di divieto del consiglio comunale

• Tech: NYC riferisce che 21 startup hanno superato la soglia della Serie A nell'aprile 2026, come tracciato nel loro aggiornamento mensile 'Series A: A Series'. • Gli assegni di finanziamento stanno aumentando notevolmente di entità, riflettendo una maggiore fiducia degli investitori nelle imprese tecnologiche in fase iniziale in tengah della ripresa economica. • Il riepilogo sottolinea il vivace ecosistema di startup di New York City, con un focus sui settori AI, fintech e climate tech.

Il segnale comportamentale della 'protezione flessibile di se stessi' è un modo per stabilire se un animale provi dolore, affermano gli scienziati. • Iscriviti alla newsletter gratuita Clear Air dell'editor per il clima e l'ambiente Adam Morton qui. • Ricevi le nostre email con le ultime notizie, l'app gratuita o il podcast quotidiano. Gli insetti provano dolore? I grilli sembrano decisamente provarlo, secondo una nuova ricerca che scopre come essi accarezzino e puliscano un'antenna ferita in modo molto simile a come un cane cura una zampa lesionata. Il Prof. Associato Thomas White, entomologo dell'University of Sydney, ha affermato che l'esperienza del dolore è una "sensazione di dolore più lunga e prolungata", che differisce da una risposta nervosa preprogrammata. • Iscriviti per ricevere la rubrica Clear Air dell'editor per il clima e l'ambiente Adam Morton come newsletter gratuita. Continua a leggere...

I dibattiti sulla secessione sono stati oscurati dalle rivelazioni che un gruppo legato ai separatisti ha ottenuto l'accesso all'elenco degli elettori

• I casi di cancro a livello globale sono aumentati drasticamente, raddoppiando dal 1990 con 18,5 milioni di nuove diagnosi registrate nel 2023, rappresentando un significativo incremento del carico della malattia in tutto il mondo. • I decessi per cancro sono saliti a oltre 10 milioni all'anno, con gli incrementi più ripidi registrati nei paesi a basso e medio reddito, dove l'infrastruttura sanitaria rimane limitata. • Questo aumento sottolinea l'ampliamento delle disparità sanitarie ed evidenzia l'urgente necessità di ampliare i programmi di prevenzione, diagnosi precoce e trattamento del cancro nelle regioni sottoservite.

• La Cina sta espandendo aggressivamente il proprio mercato della difesa informatica guidata dall'AI, mentre gli sviluppatori statunitensi Anthropic e OpenAI svelano nuovi modelli con capacità di cybersicurezza potenziate, intensificando la competizione nell'innovazione della sicurezza AI. • IDC prevede che l'industria della cybersicurezza AI in Cina raggiungerà i 59,35 miliardi di yuan (8,7 miliardi di dollari) entro il 2030, rappresentando un aumento di oltre 37 volte rispetto agli 1,58 miliardi di yuan (230 milioni di dollari) del 2025. • Il modello Mythos di Anthropic, lanciato ad aprile, ha scatenato una rapida risposta globale per la sua velocità ed efficienza senza precedenti nel scoprire e sfruttare le vulnerabilità di cybersicurezza, spingendo gli sviluppatori cinesi a risposte competitive.

• Chinese firms completed offshore mergers and acquisitions worth nearly $10 billion in the first quarter of 2026, marking a five-year high despite ongoing regulatory barriers. • Transactions targeted key sectors including resources, consumer goods, and manufacturing, as companies seek growth opportunities abroad. • The surge underscores China's push for global expansion amid domestic economic pressures and trade tensions.

• As of April 30, 2026, the US reported 1,814 confirmed measles cases, including 12 among international visitors, per CDC data updated May 1. • 93% of cases (1,688) are outbreak-associated, with 25 new outbreaks in 2026 following 24 earlier ones. • This surge underscores ongoing vaccination gaps, contributing to public health challenges amid 2,288 cases in 2025.

• Syfe, a regional investment platform, announced it has reached $10 billion in assets under management, marking significant growth in the Asia-Pacific investment sector as of May 2026. • The platform reported a threefold increase in trading activity, driven by investors shifting away from US-only portfolios to explore broader geographic exposure and diversified investment strategies. • The milestone reflects growing investor appetite for digital wealth management solutions in Asia and indicates expanding confidence in regional investment opportunities beyond traditional US-focused strategies.

• The S&P 500 rose 0.29% to a record 7,230.12, Nasdaq Composite climbed 0.89% to 25,114.44, while DJIA fell 0.31% to 49,499.27 in the final trading hour on May 1, 2026. • Information technology sector gained 1.4%, driving index growth with only two S&P 500 sectors positive; Apple (AAPL) surged 3.24% to 280.14 after beating earnings and issuing upside guidance, Microsoft (MSFT) rose 1.57% to 414.20 recovering post-earnings. • Year-to-date, Russell 2000 leads at +13.3%, S&P Mid Cap 400 +10.1%, Nasdaq +8.1%, S&P 500 +5.6%, DJIA +3.0%, highlighting small-cap outperformance amid mega-cap momentum.

Facebook and Instagram owner claims charges should not be calculated based on a company’s global revenueMeta has launched a legal challenge against the UK’s media regulator over the fees and fines regime it is enforcing under landmark digital safety legislation.The Facebook and Instagram owner is claiming that Ofcom’s methodology for calculating the charges is flawed and should not be based on a company’s global revenue. Breaches of the Online Safety Act can be punished by fines of up to 10% of qualifying worldwide revenue (QWR) or £18m – depending which is higher. Continue reading...

• A federal judge in New York dismissed Blake Lively's sexual harassment claims against Justin Baldoni over their roles in the film "It Ends With Us," while preserving a retaliation claim that remains active in the case. • The two sides reached a surprise settlement earlier this week, ending the long-running legal dispute between the actors and production team. • Justin Baldoni was spotted in Nashville this week appearing relaxed and smiling with his wife Emily Baldoni in his first public sighting since the settlement was announced.

• Average US gasoline prices have climbed to $4.50 per gallon, marking the highest level since 2022 and reflecting broader energy market pressures linked to Middle East tensions and OPEC production decisions. • The price surge comes amid ongoing negotiations between the Trump administration and Iran, which have created uncertainty in global oil markets and affected domestic fuel costs. • Energy analysts attribute the increase to geopolitical risk premiums, reduced supply confidence, and reduced refinery capacity following seasonal maintenance.

• The World Economic Forum and KPMG released "Empowering Defenders: AI for Cybersecurity," a white paper showing organizations using AI extensively in security operations have reduced average breach costs by $1.9 million. • The study found AI deployment shortened breach lifecycles by approximately 80 days, with data from 20 partner case studies including IBM, Accenture, Check Point Software, ING, KPMG, and Saudi energy giant Aramco. • Ninety-four percent of cyber leaders surveyed called AI the defining force in cybersecurity, marking a shift from theoretical promise to quantified operational proof.

• Asia-Pacific's cross-border payments market, valued at $13.5 trillion in 2025, is forecast to surge to $24 trillion by 2033, fueled by QR payments and digital adoption.• Thailand ranks second in regional economic optimism, supporting robust growth in transaction volumes across Southeast Asia.• Expansion driven by e-commerce boom and fintech innovations enhances trade efficiency in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam.• Regulators eye next steps in harmonizing standards to sustain projected CAGR amid rising geopolitical tensions.

• The American Heart Association released a Presidential Advisory on April 30, 2026, declaring U.S. health care affordability at a crisis point due to rising costs driven by chronic diseases. • Costs are forcing Americans to delay or avoid care, worsening health outcomes and increasing medical debt; a Gallup survey shows widespread worry about accessing affordable care. • A McLaughlin & Associates poll found 51% of voters cite health insurance as their top concern, followed by hospital bills (11%) and medicine costs (10%).

The scorching heat means parts of the UK could also be warmer than Sydney, Buenos Aires or TunisYou might expect sunshine in Australia, Tunisia or Argentina, but those staying in the UK are likely to see hotter weather, with some parts of the country expected to reach the high 20s before the bank holiday weekend.Temperatures in London and East Anglia could reach 27C on Friday, the Met Office said, marking the warmest day of the year so far. The scorching heat means parts of the UK could be warmer than Sydney, Buenos Aires or Tunis, where highs of between 24C to 22C are forecast. Temperatures could also exceed those in Honolulu, the capital of Hawaii, where highs of 26C are predicted. Continue reading...

Birdwatching no longer niche, old-fashioned pastime, says RSPB as research shows 47% increase in hobby since 2018Birdwatching is the second fastest growing hobby for generation Z after jewellery making, according to a multiyear study of more than 24,000 people.Almost 750,000 gen Zers (16 to 29-year-olds) in Britain regularly enjoy watching birds, a -1,088% increase since 2018, according to research by Fifty5Blue published by the RSPB. Continue reading...

Ruling is blow to Office for Students after it issued fine for handling of protests over professor’s trans rights viewsSussex University has overturned a £585,000 fine by England’s higher education watchdog after the high court rejected claims the university had breached free speech regulations involving its former professor Kathleen Stock.The ruling is a damaging blow to the credibility and management of the Office for Students, after the court rejected the regulator’s lengthy investigation into Sussex’s handling of the protests aimed at Stock over her views on transgender rights and her subsequent resignation in 2021. Continue reading...

European Commission says tech company does not have effective measures to keep under-13s off Facebook and InstagramThe tech company Meta has been found to be in breach of EU law for failing to prevent children under 13 from using its Facebook and Instagram platforms.Issuing the preliminary findings of a nearly two-year investigation, the European Commission said on Wednesday that Meta did not have effective measures in place to stop under-13s accessing its services. Continue reading...

The ongoing U.S. travel boycott is showing no signs of letting up. March marked the 14th consecutive month of steep declines, with Canadian return trips to the U.S. plummeting 32 per cent compared to pre-boycott March 2024. Canadians are still travelling, but more are opting for domestic and overseas trips.

Efforts continue to free two trapped passengers in wreckage after long-distance train collides with commuter train outside Jakarta, injuring 81Rescuers were racing to reach survivors on Tuesday morning outside the Indonesian capital of Jakarta after two trains collided overnight, killing at least seven people and injuring scores.Rescuers were working to get to two people still trapped alive in the wreckage, a spokesperson for the state-owned KAI rail company told local television in the early hours. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Officials warn department will lose access to database of 26,000 verified cases by cutting fundingThe Foreign Office unit tracking potential breaches of international law by Israel in Gaza and more recently Lebanon has been closed because of cuts within the department, the Guardian can reveal.The decision to shut the international humanitarian law cell follows a review by Olly Robbins, the permanent secretary at the Foreign Office dismissed last week by the prime minister over the Peter Mandelson scandal. Continue reading...

Iran seizes two ships in critical waterway as Washington and Tehran maintain separate blockades. Plus, Jodi Kantor on how to find a career you loveGood morning.Iranian forces have seized two ships in the strait of Hormuz as the US and Iran doubled down on imposing separate blockades of the shipping waterway.What has Donald Trump said? The US president announced that the US would extend the ceasefire with Iran until the country’s leaders came up with a “unified proposal” to US negotiating positions amid Tehran’s “seriously fractured” government. He had earlier threatened to renew bombing. White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, said Trump was “satisfied” with the US naval blockade of Iranian ports and “understands Iran is in a very weak position”.This is a developing story. Follow the liveblog here.Who took part in the debate? The primetime showdown, hosted by Nexstar Media Group, featured two Republicans – Steve Hilton, the former Fox News host and director of strategy to the former UK prime minister David Cameron, and Chad Bianco, the sheriff of Riverside County – and the four leading Democrats: the billionaire Tom Steyer, the former health secretary Xavier Becerra, the former congresswoman Katie Porter and the San Jose mayor, Matt Mahan. Continue reading...