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• Notable Capital heeft Rising in Cyber 2026 onthuld, de derde jaarlijkse lijst die 30 veelbelovende private cybersecurity-startups in de schijnwerpers zet, aangekondigd op 12 mei 2026 vanuit San Francisco. • De geselecteerde groep heeft collectief meer dan $6,9 miljard opgehaald volgens PitchBook, te midden van een cybersecurity-markt die volgens Morgan Stanley naar verwachting zal groeien van $151 miljard in 2025 naar $250 miljard tegen 2029. • Dit initiatief benadrukt de dubbelcijferige marktgroei en innovatie in de sector, waarbij deze startups worden gepositioneerd als leider in defensies van de volgende generatie.

• Rocket Lab heeft een commerciële deal voor vijf lanceringen aangekondigd voor het nieuwe Neutron medium-lift herbruikbare raketplatform, waarmee het bedrijf zich positioneert als concurrent op de groeiende commerciële markt voor ruimtelanceringen. • De Neutron-raket zal naar verwachting tegen het einde van 2026 operationeel zijn en zijn eerste lanceringen uitvoeren, wat een belangrijke mijlpaal vormt in de uitbreiding van Rocket Lab voorbij het kleinere Electron-voertuig. • De investering in medium-lift capaciteit stelt Rocket Lab in staat om een breder scala aan satellietimplementatiemissies op te vangen en te concurreren met gevestigde lanceerproviders.

Labor’s ambitieuze en politiek risicovolle belastinghervorming is bedoeld om starters te helpen en intergenerationele rechtvaardigheid te bevorderen

• HSBC publiceerde het transcript van de resultatenconferentie over Q1 2026, waaruit blijkt dat de resultaten achterbleven bij de verwachtingen vanwege uitdagende marktomstandigheden. • Ondanks de tegenvallende winst steeg de koers van HSBC na de aankondiging, wat wijst op het vertrouwen van beleggers in de toekomstvisie van de bank. • De resultaten onderstrepen de aanhoudende druk in de wereldwijde bankensector, met mogelijke gevolgen voor het sentiment van beleggers ten opzichte van internationale financiële instellingen die in de VS genoteerd staan.

• MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN 2026 onthulde zaterdag de genomineerden in 77 categorieën, waarbij prestaties in de Japanse en wereldwijde muziek werden belicht. • Het evenement viert internationale muziekverbindingen met artiesten uit Azië en de rest van de wereld voorafgaand aan de ceremonie op 13 juni 2026 in Tokyo. • De genomineerden omvatten top J-pop acts en K-pop groepen, met categorieën variërend van lied van het jaar en artiest van het jaar tot genrespecifieke awards.

• Op 6 mei 2026 kondigde Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) een investering van 40 miljard dollar aan voor de bouw van een nieuwe AI-geoptimaliseerde fabricageplant in Taichung, gericht op 2-nm en 1,4-nm procesnodes. • De fab zal naar verwachting in 2029 volledige capaciteit bereiken en kan maandelijks 250.000 12-inch wafers leveren aan AI-chipontwerpfirma's, inclusief NVIDIA-stijl versnellers en custom ASICs voor hyperscalers. • CEO van TSMC, C.C. Wei, benadrukte dat 70% van de geplande capaciteit van de faciliteit al is vooraf geboekt door cloudaanbieders en AI-hardwareleveranciers, wat het aanhoudende wereldwijde tekort aan geavanceerde nodes onderstreept.

• Amerikaanse president post op Truth Social dat staakt-het-vuren opschorting van alle 'kinetische activiteit' en gevangenruil zal omvatten

• Disney onthulde dat D23 Asia: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event in 2027 zal debuteren in Singapore, volgend op de aankondiging van de regionale lancering van Disney Cruise Line. • De driedaagse conventie zal Hollywoodsterren, storytellers, live showcases, presentaties achter de schermen, optredens, interactieve ervaringen en exclusieve merchandise bevatten. • Er zijn nog geen specifieke data, locaties of ticketinformatie vrijgegeven; updates zullen volgen via het Singapore Tourism Board op Instagram.

• Banner Bank, een instelling van 136 jaar oud, is overeengekomen Bank of the Pacific over te nemen in een volledige aandelentransactie van 177 miljoen dollar om haar regionale aanwezigheid uit te breiden. • Amerikaanse fusies en overnames van meer dan 100 miljoen dollar stegen in maart 2026 met 25% ten opzichte van het voorgaande jaar, volgens onderzoek van EY Parthenon. • Het wereldwijde M&A-volume bereikte 861,1 miljard dollar in het eerste kwartaal van 2026, een stijging van 9,7% ten opzichte van het eerste kwartaal van 2025 volgens S&P Global, gedreven door bankinvesteringen in AI en veranderende consumentengewoonten.

• Politie meldt arrestatie van 18-jarige man na schietincident in het weekend tijdens een feest aan een meer dat via sociale media werd gepromoot. • De politie kondigde woensdag aan dat een 18-jarige man is gearresteerd in verband met een massale schietpartij waarbij een vrouw om het leven kwam en 22 anderen gewond raakten tijdens een nachtelijk feest aan een meer in Oklahoma. • Politie in Edmond maakte bekend dat de man eerder op de dag werd gearresteerd op beschuldiging van mishandeling met een dodelijk wapen naar aanleiding van de schietpartij op zondagavond, die uitbrak na een ruzie te midden van een grote menigte die was samengekomen bij Arcadia Lake in die buitenwijk van Oklahoma City.

• BioNTech revealed plans to close manufacturing sites in Germany and Singapore, impacting up to 1,860 jobs, as it shifts from COVID-19 vaccine production to oncology therapies. • The company, which co-developed the mRNA vaccine Comirnaty with Pfizer, will also repurchase up to $1 billion in shares amid a leadership transition. • This restructuring reflects the post-pandemic decline in demand for COVID vaccines, positioning BioNTech to focus on cancer treatments with greater long-term potential.

• Defending champions Lahore Qalandars will face tournament debutants Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen in the PSL 2026 opening game. • The Pakistan Super League introduced a new logo and opened a player transfer window to refresh team rosters. • Tournament expected to utilize six venues, expanding its footprint for the upcoming season.

Agreements with Microsoft, Google DeepMind and xAI focus largely on recognizing cybersecurity, biosecurity and chemical weapons risksThe US government has struck deals with Google DeepMind, Microsoft and xAI to review early versions of their new AI models before they are released to the public.The Center for AI Standards and Innovation (CAISI), part of the US Department of Commerce, announced the agreements on Tuesday, saying the review process would be key to understanding the capabilities of new and powerful AI models as well as to protecting US national security. These collaborations will help the federal government “scale (its) work in the public interest at a critical moment”, the agency said in a press release. Continue reading...

• U.S. Bancorp (NYSE: USB) reported Q1 2026 net income of $1,945 million, up from $1,709 million year-over-year, with earnings per share rising 14.6% to $1.18. • Total net revenue reached $7,288 million, driven by 3.8% average loan growth, 1.7% deposit growth, wider net interest margins, and stronger fee income. • The company announced a pending acquisition of BTIG for up to $1 billion in cash and stock, plus performance-based earn-outs, to expand its capabilities.

• Maverick Entertainment announced that the original film 'Another Man's Wife' will premiere exclusively on Peacock on May 8, 2026. • The film stars Sydney Mitchell, Moritz J. Williams, and Taye Diggs in this highly anticipated streaming release. • The May 8 premiere date makes this a significant upcoming release for the Peacock streaming platform.

• President Trump stated the US will pull 'a lot further than 5,000' troops from Germany, confirming Pentagon plans for an initial 5,000 withdrawal. • Key Republicans expressed worry over the move, while Germany views it as a spur for European defense spending increases. • The announcement heightens transatlantic tensions amid NATO concerns, with Polish PM Tusk warning of alliance 'disintegration'.

The radical left leader will seek presidency for the fourth time – despite previously vowing to stand aside Jean-Luc Mélenchon, France’s radical left leader, has confirmed he will run again for president next spring, saying it was urgent for the country to stand up against war being waged by the US and Israel in the Middle East.The 74-year-old veteran leader of La France Insoumise (LFI), announced in an interview with the French broadcaster TF1 that he would run for the presidency for the fourth time in 2027. Continue reading...

• President Trump announced a 25% tariff on European Union automobiles, citing the bloc's failure to comply with existing trade agreements. • The administration claims the EU breached trade terms, prompting the tariff increase as a enforcement mechanism. • The move escalates trade tensions between the US and EU, potentially affecting auto manufacturers and consumers across both regions.

• The United Arab Emirates withdrew from OPEC yesterday, marking a historic split from Saudi Arabia during the escalating regional crisis. • This decision coincides with the Strait of Hormuz being almost entirely shut down due to a US naval blockade aimed at halting Iranian oil exports. • The US is threatening to cut off major Chinese banks from its financial system to prevent processing of Iranian oil, intensifying global energy tensions.

• NTT launched Scale Academy as part of its enterprise AI and security initiatives during the two-week period beginning April 13, 2026. • The academy program targets organizations seeking to develop internal capabilities around artificial intelligence adoption and implementation. • The initiative reflects growing enterprise demand for structured training programs to build AI competency across workforce and organizational functions.

• Pharmaceutical giants Eli Lilly and Pfizer announced a strategic research collaboration focusing on oncology and immunology, with combined commitments totaling $4.8 billion over five years to accelerate drug development and clinical trial timelines. • The partnership will leverage Eli Lilly's metabolic disease expertise and Pfizer's vaccine platform capabilities to pursue combination therapies for hard-to-treat cancers, with initial clinical trials expected to commence in mid-2027. • Industry analysts view the deal as emblematic of Big Pharma consolidating R&D resources amid rising drug development costs exceeding $2.6 billion per approved medication, while also signaling confidence in oncology market growth.

Follow the day’s news liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe shadow treasurer, Tim Wilson, has condemned the booing of welcome of country remarks at Anzac Day events on Saturday.Wilson offered some of the strongest criticism of the hecklers to be delivered by a Coalition frontbencher. In a post on X yesterday, he wrote:Thank you to all our veterans who fought for our country. ANZAC Day is a a day to honour all those who fought and died for our country. Booing any Australian who served or their story is unacceptable, disrespectful and unworthy of the ANZAC legacy.The story of this land began thousands of years ago. Project Australia is a continuing story of one land, one people with one destiny. Let us be worthy of our full inheritance, and those that sacrificed for respect based on our common humanity & the equal dignity of all people.It is incredibly disappointing and completely inappropriate to boo at an Anzac Day service. Whatever your views on a welcome to country, ANZAC Day is our most sacred day … If you have strong views about that, there are many other ways in a free country that you have an opportunity to express your views. Continue reading...

• Google Cloud Next 2026 concluded with more than 250 announcements on products, customers, and ecosystem developments focused on AI and enterprise tools. • Key security features include Agent Anomaly Detection using LLMs to flag unusual AI agent behavior in real time and Chrome Enterprise's AI-aware extension threat detections now in preview. • Chrome Enterprise will soon offer shadow AI reporting to identify unsanctioned web-based AI and SaaS use by employees, enhancing visibility into shadow AI risks.

• Toronto-based Cohere Inc. and Germany's Aleph Alpha GmbH announced plans to merge, supported by a $600 million structured financing commitment from Schwarz Group. • Cohere, which has raised $1.6 billion since 2019 from Nvidia and others, offers multiple AI models; the Series E deal expects additional investors and closure later in 2026. • The merger combines expertise in enterprise AI, potentially accelerating development amid US-China tech tensions and boosting competitive edge for Western AI firms.

• Duke basketball player Dame Sarr announced his return to the university for the 2026-27 season instead of entering the professional ranks. • Sarr's decision to remain at Duke signals continuity for the Blue Devils' roster heading into next season. • The announcement represents a significant commitment to the college program and reflects confidence in Duke's basketball direction.

• President Donald Trump outlined sweeping healthcare reforms in an Oval Office address, announcing what he described as the largest prescription drug price cuts in U.S. history. • The announcement represents a major domestic policy initiative focused on reducing medication costs for American consumers. • Trump simultaneously signaled potential progress in Iran conflict negotiations, suggesting possible diplomatic breakthroughs as ceasefire talks continue.

• The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) announced the launch of the 2026 class of Presidential Innovation Fellows (PIF), showcasing its commitment to hiring top technology talent. • The new PIF class will focus on key Administration priority projects, including developing AI-powered tools to accelerate infrastructure permitting processes. • The initiative demonstrates the federal government's strategy to leverage specialized technology expertise for modernizing government operations and infrastructure development.

U-turn comes after Trump said the US military was ‘raring to go’. Plus, Virginia voters pass new congressional maps in blow to presidentDon’t already get First Thing in your inbox? Sign up hereGood morning.Donald Trump unilaterally announced an extension of the two-week ceasefire with Iran on Tuesday amid frantic efforts to bring the two sides back to the negotiating table.How are Trump’s negotiating tactics being received? The president’s impatience and rough-house diplomatic style, including his frequent online posting, has been a key stumbling block to restarting peace talks, writes the Guardian’s diplomatic editor, Patrick Wintour.Is Tehran united on how to deal with Washington? Analysts say it is not, with fierce disagreement among Iranian leaders over how to respond to US pressure and whether to risk a new wave of bombing.Follow the latest updates with our liveblog.How much of a boost for the Democrats is Virginia’s referendum result? It could help them win four additional House seats in November’s midterms, which could prove pivotal in an evenly divided Congress. Continue reading...