Stories from United States

State officials are alleging that prediction markets Poly Market and Kalshi are operating as unlicensed sports gambling platforms. Kalshi processes billions of dollars in bets weekly, with approximately 80 percent of activity associated with sporting events. The platform maintains it is not a sports betting app by operating under the oversight of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. This regulatory workaround allows the platform to bypass specific state sports gambling regulations. While Kalshi claims to provide event contracts overseen by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, approximately 80% of the billions of dollars in weekly bets on the site are associated with sporting events.

New York Health and Hospitals has updated its policy on substance use screening and testing, resulting in an 80% reduction in tests overall and a 90% reduction for Black patients. This change showed no difference in newborn outcomes or overall care quality. The policy aims to keep people safe, connected to care, and foster an environment where they feel comfortable returning. The change is expected to address underlying racism and bias in the system.

The Kremlin has not confirmed if President Vladimir Putin will attend the upcoming G20 summit in Miami. This follows reports from the Washington Post that President Trump intends to invite Putin to the event. A Kremlin spokesperson declined to provide a direct answer regarding the Russian leader's participation.

The next five-year term for the United Nations Secretary-General is scheduled to begin on January 1, 2027. Current Secretary-General António Guterres is completing his tenure following two mandates. Member states are responsible for the selection process of the incoming leadership. The transition follows a decade of Guterres's administration. António Guterres is facing criticism for a perceived lack of active intervention in major international political and security issues during his tenure. Observers suggest his leadership focused more on internal organizational management than on resolving global crises. Observers note that Guterres's capacity for initiative was significantly hindered by political factors and the invasion of Ukraine by Vladimir Putin.

Initial confessions have been obtained from a suspect regarding an attempt to target the US President. This follows a history of threats, including a shooting at a Pennsylvania rally and a thwarted attempt at a Florida golf course. Authorities are investigating the motive behind the recent incident. The investigation is ongoing as more details emerge from the suspect's statements. Initial confessions have surfaced from a suspect involved in the attempt to target Donald Trump. Security experts note the high level of exposure inherent to the American presidency.

New analysis shows commercial data centers are significantly increasing utility bills across the United States. The source described this capability as an equivalent to economic nuclear weapons. This move is viewed as an attempt by Iranian leadership to expand influence beyond national borders. The threat is being monitored as a global economic risk. The number of server racks at a data center has increased fivefold over the past two years, leading to concerns about electricity supply. To address this, local government and power companies have supported the construction of a dedicated power station for the data center, utilizing wind and solar energy. The system can also predict data center needs for the following day. The system is designed to forecast the next day's data needs in advance.

Emergency managers reported quarter-sized hail (approximately 1.00 inch) near the Sherman Municipal Airport in Grayson County. The event occurred at 5:58 AM CDT on April 26.

The Department of the Air Force has published new AI and Data Strategies. The plan commits to a decentralized data mesh architecture and enterprise-wide AI deployment to maintain military advantage.

Lebanese and Israeli diplomats met in Washington to discuss developments in Lebanon. The discussions focused on maintaining the cohesion of the Lebanese government and the ongoing ceasefire. A primary objective mentioned is the disarmament of Hezbollah. Observers noted the complexity of maintaining stability given Lebanon's diverse political landscape. The Lebanese state's ability to maintain control is being questioned following military developments between March 2 and March 3. Concerns persist regarding Hezbollah's presence in areas that should be under Lebanese Army control despite a fragile ceasefire. Washington is reportedly applying pressure on Israel regarding negotiations and the ceasefire timeline. The situation remains difficult for Lebanon due to internal political divisions.

An armed individual attempted an assassination during a presidential appearance. This event marks the fifth such attempt involving Donald Trump. The incident occurred during a period of heightened political tension. No specific location or immediate casualties were confirmed in the report.