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• De CommBank Junior Matildas van Australië versloegen Vietnam met 2-0 in de kwartfinale van de AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup 2026, waarmee ze voor het eerst in de geschiedenis een plek verzekerden op het FIFA U-17 WK voor vrouwen. • Football Australia meldde dat Frida Karaberis en Leyla Hussein de doelpunten scoorden terwijl het team doorstroomde naar de halve finales en zijn beste continentale resultaat ever evenaarde. • Het resultaat is van belang omdat het Australië een historische plek geeft op het toernooi in Marokko 2026 en de groeiende jeugdopleiding van het land onderstreept.

• De wereldwijde venture capital-investeringen bereikten een recordbedrag van 300 miljard dollar in Q1 2026 over ongeveer 6.000 startups, wat een stijging van 150% vertegenwoordigt ten opzichte van het vorige kwartaal en dezelfde periode vorig jaar. • AI-financiering domineerde met 242 miljard dollar, oftewel 80% van de totale venture funding, een stijging ten opzichte van 55% in Q1 2025, waarbij kapitaal zich concentreerde in bouwers van frontier-modellen, enterprise software, robotica, halfgeleiders en levenswetenschappen. • Isomorphic Labs, een spin-off van DeepMind, haalde 2,1 miljard dollar op in een Series B-financieringsronde gesteund door Thrive Capital, Google Ventures en Alphabet, gericht op AI-gestuurde toepassingen voor medicijnontwikkeling.

• De in de VS gevestigde site, waarvan de beheerders door Ofcom een boete van £ 950.000 kregen, verschijnt in de zoekresultaten van Google en is in het VK toegankelijk. • Google heeft ontkend de Online Safety Act te hebben geschonden door een "nihilistisch" zelfmoordforum te promoten dat geassocieerd wordt met 164 sterfgevallen in het VK, waar het forum verboden zou moeten zijn. • De Britse internettoezichthouder beboette de in de VS gevestigde operator van het forum met £ 950.000 omdat de site, die "een materieel risico op aanzienlijke schade vormt", nog steeds toegankelijk is in het VK, ondanks Britse wetten die het aanmoedigen of helpen bij zelfmoord strafbaar stellen. Lees verder...

De leider van Reform UK neemt video op met predikant uit Essex om hem te steunen in zijn strijd tegen een verbod van de gemeente

• Tech: NYC meldt dat 21 startups in april 2026 de Series A-drempel hebben overschreden, bijgehouden in hun maandelijkse 'Series A: A Series'-update. • Financieringsbedragen nemen merkbaar toe, wat wijst op een sterker investeursvertrouwen in early-stage techventures te midden van het economische herstel. • Het overzicht benadrukt het bruisende startup-ecosysteem van New York City, met een focus op de sectoren AI, fintech en climate tech.

Het gedragskenmerk van ‘flexibele zelfbescherming’ is een manier om vast te stellen of een dier pijn voelt, zeggen wetenschappers. • Meld u hier aan voor de gratis Clear Air-nieuwsbrief van klimaat- en milieu-redacteur Adam Morton. • Ontvang onze breaking news-e-mail, gratis app of dagelijkse nieuwspodcast. Voelen insecten pijn? Krekels lijken dat zeker te doen, volgens nieuw onderzoek dat uitwijst dat zij een pijnlijke antenne strelen en verzorgen op een manier die sterk lijkt op hoe een hond een gewonde poot likt. Associate Prof Thomas White, een entomoloog van de University of Sydney, zei dat de ervaring van pijn een “langdurig, slepend, pijnlijk gevoel” is, dat verschilt van een aangeboren zenuwreactie. • Schrijf u in om de Clear Air-column van klimaat- en milieu-redacteur Adam Morton als gratis nieuwsbrief te ontvangen. Lees verder...

• Debatten over afscheiding werden overschaduwd door onthullingen dat een groep met banden met separatisten toegang heeft gekregen tot de lijst van kiezers • De illegale ഉപയോഗ van kiezersinformatie door rightwing separatisten in de provincie Alberta heeft nieuwe zorgen gewekt over de electorale integriteit van Canada, doordat waardevolle en "ongelooflijk vertrouwelijke" persoonlijke gegevens gemakkelijk toegankelijk zijn geworden voor kwaadwillende actoren, waarschuwden beveiligingsexperts. • Het datalek, een van de grootste in de Canadese geschiedenis, heeft geleid tot waarschuwingen voor een "echt angstaanjagend" nieuw slagveld op het gebied van informatie, overreding en buitenlandse inmenging in reeds verzwakte democratische systemen. Lees verder...

• Het aantal kankergevallen wereldwijd is drastisch gestegen; het is verdubbeld sinds 1990, met 18,5 miljoen nieuwe diagnoses geregistreerd in 2023, wat wijst op een aanzienlijke toename van de ziektelast wereldwijd. • Het aantal sterfgevallen door kanker is gestegen tot meer dan 10 miljoen per jaar, waarbij de sterkste stijgingen plaatsvinden in lage- en middeninkomenslanden waar de zorginfrastructuur beperkt blijft. • Deze stijging onderstreept de groeiende ongelijkheid in de gezondheidszorg en benadrukt de dringende noodzaak voor uitgebreide programma's voor kankerpreventie, vroegtijdige opsporing en behandeling in onderbediende regio's.

• China is aggressively scaling its AI-driven cyber defense market as US developers Anthropic and OpenAI unveil new models with enhanced cybersecurity capabilities, intensifying competition in AI security innovation. • IDC projects China's AI cybersecurity industry will reach 59.35 billion yuan ($8.7 billion) by 2030, representing a more than 37-fold increase from 1.58 billion yuan ($230 million) in 2025. • Anthropic's Mythos model, launched in April, sparked rapid global response due to its unprecedented speed and efficiency in discovering and exploiting cybersecurity vulnerabilities, prompting competitive responses from Chinese developers.

• 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...