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The Shift in AI Leadership For the first time, Anthropic has more verified business customers than OpenAI, according to this month’s AI Index from the fintech firm Ramp. The survey, compiled from Ramp’s clients’ expense data, shows 34.4% of participating businesses are paying for Anthropic services, more than any other AI lab, while only 32.3% pay for OpenAI. Key Statistics 34.4% of businesses pay for Anthropic services 32.3% of businesses pay for OpenAI services Over 50,000 companies represented in the survey Anthropic's share of business customers increased by 26% in the past 12 months OpenAI's share of business customers declined by 1% in the past 12 months The Impact of Anthropic's Strategy “Anthropic has already been in the lead amongst the high adoption groups like finance, tech, professional services,” Ramp economist Ara Kharazian told TechCrunch. “It’s across the other firms where OpenAI still has a lead, but that has been shrinking over the past couple of months.” The Future Outlook Kharazian is skeptical about whether this advantage will last, but said the success of the past year was proof that Anthropic had chosen a good strategy. “What Anthropic did worked really well,” Kharazian told TechCrunch, “which was — start with a very technical customer base, focus on their needs, really succeed in execution and then start broadening out through tools like Cowork.”

The Arrest of Adan Funez Honduran authorities have arrested three people, including a powerful politician, accused of plotting the 2024 assassination of an environmental leader, an incident that became a symbol of government corruption. Adan Funez, former mayor of the city of Tocoa, was captured at his home on Tuesday on suspicion of masterminding the killing, following years of accusations by religious and environmental leaders. The Environmentalist's Killing Juan Lopez was an anti-corruption crusader who led a community effort against an iron oxide mining project in Colon, a rural region of northwestern Honduras, which activists said endangered the area’s dense jungles and crystalline waters, including protected reserve areas. Lopez was one of the fiercest critics of Funez, a local mayor at the time, as well as a supporter of the mine and a close ally of Honduras’s former president, Xiomara Castro, whose term ended this year. The Investigation and Charges In September 2024, Lopez called on Funez to step down because of a corruption scandal. Days later, the environmental and human rights defender was shot six times in the chest and once in the head by a masked gunman, fuelling demands for justice from Pope Francis, the United Nations and the administration of United States President Joe Biden. Accusations also emerged against Funez, a power-broker in the region’s decades-long bloody agrarian conflict. The death brought back stark memories of the global outcry over the 2016 murder of Honduran environmentalist Berta Caceres. The Impact on Environmental Defenders Protecting the environment is a high-risk profession in Honduras. People like Lopez often act as unwanted eyes and ears in resource-rich areas of Latin America, the most deadly region in the world for environmentalists, according to nongovernmental organisation Global Witness. Global Witness documented 117 killings of environmental and land defenders in Latin America in 2024 alone, amounting to 82 percent of the global total. The Future Outlook The detentions come after a handful of other arrests months earlier, but Funez was long pinpointed by local environmental and religious leaders as the man who spearheaded the assassination. The trial of the three men is set to begin next June. Dalila Santiago, a close friend and leader in Lopez’s movement, said that, after rampant impunity in the Honduras, Funez’s detention on Tuesday came as a shock. She added that Honduran authorities must continue to go after others responsible and business leaders behind the mining project.

Israeli officials intensified actions that threaten any prospect of a Palestinian state, from uprooting thousands of trees to legislative moves aimed at dismantling the Oslo framework, while settler violence escalated across the West Bank and Gaza. Smotrich’s Declaration and the Tree‑Uprooting Campaign Bezalel Smotrich warned, “We are building the Land of Israel and destroying the idea of a Palestinian state,” after Israeli forces removed 3,000 Palestinian‑planted trees in the occupied West Bank to make room for illegal settlements. Knesset’s Oslo‑Accords Repeal Bill Gains Momentum The Israeli Knesset Ministerial Committee backed a bill to formally repeal the 1993 Oslo Accords, the cornerstone that created the Palestinian Authority and divided the West Bank into Areas A, B and C. Far‑right MP Limor Son Har‑Melech framed the legislation as a step to “prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state” and to encourage settlement expansion in Areas A and B. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked parliament to postpone debate, while Justice Minister Yariv Levin signaled future support, echoing rhetoric about returning to former settlement sites. Human Cost: Casualties in Gaza and the West Bank Amid Intensified Operations 13 Palestinians killed in Gaza this week, including Azzam al‑Hayya, son of Hamas negotiator Khalil al‑Hayya. Total Gaza deaths since the October “ceasefire”: 854, cumulative since October 2023: 72,740. West Bank deaths in 2026: 44 Palestinians, of which 13 were killed by settlers. Documented settler attacks in 2026: over 760 incidents (average six per day). Displacements in 2026: about 2,000 Palestinians, including 900 children. EU Sanctions Targeting Violent Settlers and Israeli Government’s Rejection The European Union approved sanctions aimed at violent Israeli settlers and Hamas officials. Israel’s foreign minister Gideon Saar dismissed the measures as “without any basis,” rejecting the EU’s attempt to curb settler aggression. Outlook: Prospects for Negotiations and International Pressure With the Oslo‑Accords repeal bill advancing and settler violence unabated, diplomatic pathways appear increasingly constrained. International actors, notably the EU, may intensify economic or political pressure, but Israel’s current stance suggests a continued hardening of policy, reducing the likelihood of renewed peace talks in the near term.

The Next Phase of Robinhood's Retail Venture Strategy Robinhood is gearing up to launch its second retail venture fund IPO, RVII, just two months after listing its first venture fund on the stock market. The company has filed a confidential registration, a standard regulatory step that allows it to work through the approval process before making details public. Expanding Investment Scope Unlike its first fund, which currently holds stakes in 10 late-stage companies — Airwallex, Boom, Databricks, ElevenLabs, Mercor, OpenAI, Oura, Ramp, Revolut, and Stripe — RVII will cast a wider net, investing in growth-stage and early-stage startups. This distinction is meaningful, given that early-stage startups are younger and carry more risk but also offer the potential for greater returns. Fundraising and Performance The fundraising target for RVII has not yet been set. For its inaugural fund, Robinhood sought to raise $1 billion but ultimately fell several hundred million short of that goal. Despite the shortfall, the first fund has performed strongly, with its stock price more than doubling since its debut on the NYSE at $21 a share in early March. Democratizing Startup Investing The premise behind both funds addresses a longstanding gap in who gets to invest in startups. Under federal rules, only 'accredited' investors — those with a net worth exceeding $1 million or annual income above $200,000 — can put money into private companies. RVI and RVII are designed to change that, letting anyone invest in a portfolio of private startups through a regular brokerage account. The Future of Retail Investing in Startups Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev envisions a future where retail investors can participate in the earliest stages of startup growth. 'The aspiration is, if you're a company raising a seed round and a Series A round — so, just first capital — retail should be a big chunk of that round, much like it now is in the public markets,' Tenev said. The Potential Impact If Tenev's vision takes hold, it could fundamentally change how startups raise their earliest capital, with retail investors eventually sitting alongside venture firms, including in the earliest rounds, where the biggest returns are often made.

The Escalating Conflict The ceasefire in Lebanon that started on April 16 is increasingly coming under strain, with both Israel and Hezbollah ramping up attacks against each other. Recent Israeli Attacks Since Israel began its war on Lebanon on March 2, at least 2,846 people have been killed and more than a million displaced. On Sunday, the Lebanese Health Ministry reported that Israeli attacks had killed 51 people, including two medical workers. Israeli attacks have killed 103 Lebanese medical workers and injured 230 in over 130 strikes. The Israeli military has issued new warnings for southern Lebanon, telling residents of nine areas to flee before potential Israeli strikes. Hezbollah's Retaliation Hezbollah has continued striking Israeli forces, carrying out 24 attacks targeting Israeli army positions, soldiers, and military vehicles in southern Lebanon over the past 24 hours. Targets included Israeli troop gatherings, Merkava tanks, bulldozers, military equipment, and newly established command centers. Operations involved explosive drones, rocket barrages, artillery shelling, and guided missiles. The Ceasefire's Future The US State Department is planning two days of intensive talks between the governments of Israel and Lebanon on May 14 and 15. The negotiations aim to advance a comprehensive peace and security agreement that substantively addresses the core concerns of both countries. Hezbollah will not be included in the talks and has protested about them being held. The Potential Outcomes The talks might result in another temporary extension of the current truce or lead to the ceasefire's total collapse. US President Donald Trump holds the necessary leverage to encourage the parties to prefer de-escalation and find a diplomatic way out of the disastrous war.

The LeadUnited States President Donald Trump has rejected Iran's response to his latest peace proposal to end the war, which has upended the global economy. In a series of posts on his Truth Social platform, Trump accused Iran of 'playing games' and called their response 'totally unacceptable,' escalating tensions in the already volatile Middle East region.The Diplomatic BreakdownResponding to the counterproposal Iran sent to the US via mediator Pakistan, Trump wrote that Iran 'has been playing games with the United States, and the rest of the World, for 47 years.' He added: 'They will be laughing no longer!' Two hours later, he reiterated: 'I have just read the response from Iran's so-called 'Representatives'. I don't like it – TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE!'Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Esmaeil Baghaei, responded by stating that the US continues to have 'unreasonable demands,' adding that Iran's response was 'not excessive.' He emphasized that Iran's proposal to end the war and lift its naval blockade in and around the Strait of Hormuz was a 'legitimate' demand.The Strategic DemandsAccording to Iranian media reports, Tehran countered the US proposal with one of its own, including a demand for an end to the war on all fronts, including in Lebanon, where Israel has carried out heavy strikes and a ground invasion. Iran wants the first stage of negotiations to focus on ending hostilities and ensuring 'maritime security' in the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.On the nuclear issue, Iran reportedly proposed to have some of its highly enriched uranium diluted and the rest transferred to a third country. They were also willing to suspend enrichment for a shorter period than the 20-year moratorium proposed by the US but rejected dismantling nuclear facilities.In contrast, the US has demanded that Iran reduce uranium enrichment to 0% and hand over its estimated 440kg stock of enriched uranium. The US 14-point peace proposal also requires Iran to agree not to develop a nuclear weapon and to halt all enrichment for at least 12 years.The Regional ImplicationsThe ongoing tensions have significant implications for global energy markets, as the Strait of Hormuz is through which one-fifth of global oil and natural gas exports are shipped during peacetime. Iran's de facto blockade of the strait came in response to US and Israeli attacks on the country on February 28.The naval standoff has disrupted international shipping, with both the US and Iran continuing to attack, capture and intercept ships. Countries in the Gulf region have also come under attack again, threatening regional stability and security.Chris Featherstone, a political scientist at the University of York, noted that Iran has not conceded to US demands, which appears to have confounded Trump. 'The Iranians are maintaining their conditions for a long-term peace deal,' he said, adding that Trump has 'painted himself into a corner' in these negotiations.The Path ForwardWith neither side agreeing to a peace deal, experts suggest limited options for Trump. Ali Vaez, director of the Iran Project at the International Crisis Group, stated that 'no amount of economic coercion or military force will compel Iran to capitulate to maximalist US demands.' Trump is left with what Vaez calls 'two bad options: escalate a war he cannot win, or accept a compromise he cannot sell.'Mark Pfeifle, a former US national security adviser, suggested that Trump is unlikely to resume the war but may ramp up economic pressure through the blockade and conduct limited military actions targeting Iran's fast boats, drone launch pads and missile sites. Trump could also tighten sanctions or push for European and Asian naval forces to help escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz.As Baghaei stated, 'Whenever we are forced to fight, we will fight, and whenever there is room for diplomacy, we will seize that opportunity.' However, with both sides entrenched in their positions, the path to a comprehensive peace agreement remains uncertain.

The Lead: A Parent’s Unexpected Joy in a Family Drop‑InWalking into the Fitzwilliam Museum with a maraca‑waving toddler, the author expected a cramped, child‑only zone. Instead, a free‑form, drop‑in session turned a routine gallery visit into a vivid exploration of ceramics, pottery and personal discovery.Exploring the Fitzwilliam’s Child‑Led Drop‑In SessionThe museum’s “family‑friendly drop‑in” is a no‑booking, free event that places objects at child height and supplies loose materials—colouring pencils, stencils, foam blocks—that echo the collection. Kate Noble, assistant research professor in museum participation, explains the aim is to let children engage with the same art adults see, simply from a different perspective.Highlights include:Maracas in each hand as the child roams between glazed cabinets of ceramics.Spontaneous comments like “shark!” at a carp‑shaped tureen.Observations of a child intensely studying a portrait while handling a fabric swatch, noted by Michael Corley, deputy director of learning and public programmes.Visitor Engagement Insights from the GalleryUnstructured play encourages prolonged attention: a child spent several minutes studying a painting, something staff rarely see. The presence of tactile resources alongside the artworks appears to deepen curiosity, prompting adults to notice details they might otherwise miss.Why Museums Are Rethinking Child‑Friendly ProgrammingResearch spanning nearly a decade by Kate Noble and former colleague Nicola Wallis shows early museum exposure builds confidence for parents and reduces intimidation. By integrating child‑level displays into mainstream galleries, museums avoid segregating families into separate zones and foster shared experiences.Future Outlook: Expanding Free, Unstructured Family SessionsThe success of the Fitzwilliam’s drop‑in suggests a growing appetite for similar models across the UK. Other institutions already offering comparable programmes include:Toddle Tours at MK Gallery, Milton KeynesMini Masterpieces at Dulwich Picture Gallery, LondonArt Baby at the Whitworth, ManchesterAs museums continue to experiment with low‑barrier, child‑led activities, the expectation is for more free, loosely structured drop‑ins that blend adult and child audiences, reshaping how cultural spaces are experienced by families.

The Impact of 'Believe Me' In 1982, the film-maker Roger Graef made the first ever fly-on-the-wall documentary about the police, which led to a revolution in the way victims and their cases were approached and handled. However, conviction rates for rape remain low, and documentaries and dramas continue to highlight the role of the police in creating this phenomenon. A New Perspective on a Known Story 'Believe Me' is a four-part drama about the women who were drugged and sexually attacked by John Worboys. The show follows the stories of a few of the 14 women who reported their suspicions that they had been drugged and assaulted by Worboys. The drama showcases their preternatural determination to get justice for themselves and his other victims that the police and judicial system seemed uninterested in providing. The Data Analysis 14 women reported their suspicions that they had been drugged and assaulted by Worboys 100-plus women eventually came forward when Worboys went to trial and after he was convicted The Impact Analysis The drama highlights the failings of the police and judicial system in handling cases of rape and sexual assault. The show's creator and writer, Jeff Pope, has said that he is not interested in trying to get inside the mind of psychopaths, but rather in showcasing the heroism of ordinary people and the failings and inadequacies of others. The Prediction While 'Believe Me' is a compelling and nonexploitative drama, it remains to be seen whether it will make a difference to how we treat these rampant crimes. The show's success may pave the way for future projects, such as Pope's next project about the murder of Sarah Everard.

Lead: Boos Echo After Liverpool–Chelsea DrawIn a tense Anfield encounter that ended 1–1, Liverpool manager Arne Slot faced a chorus of boos when he substituted 17–year–old winger Rio Ngumoha. Slot defended the move, citing a cramp that limited the youngster’s effectiveness, and insisted he can restore supporter confidence in the upcoming season.Slot’s Rationale: Cramp, Fitness, and Tactical ChoiceSlot revealed that Ngumoha “had cramps before then when he went to the floor” and was unable to perform at “50/60%”. The decision to bring on Alexander Isak in the 67th minute was made to preserve the team’s intensity, even though Ngumoha had just provided the assist for Liverpool’s goal.Match Numbers: A Stagnant Draw and Chelsea’s Recent WoesFinal score: Liverpool 1 – 1 ChelseaGoal scorer for Liverpool: Ryan Gravenberch (first league goal of 2026)Chelsea had lost six consecutive Premier League matches prior to the gameChelsea had conceded 11 goals in their three previous away fixturesImpact on Liverpool’s Season and Fan SentimentThe draw intensified growing frustration among Anfield fans, who expect a title challenge. The boos reflected disappointment not only with the substitution but also with the club’s overall performance in a season that has fallen short of expectations.Slot acknowledged the atmosphere, stating that “the club should not be happy with a 1–1 against Chelsea” and that the reaction “makes sense” given the season’s under‑achievement.Looking Ahead: Rebuilding Trust and Squad OverhaulSlot expressed optimism about the summer transfer window, claiming he is “100% convinced” that Liverpool will emerge as a “different team” next season, both in results and appearance. He hinted at a “new‑look team” that will address fitness, depth, and tactical flexibility.Analysts predict that Liverpool will target reinforcements in midfield and attack, while also giving promising youngsters like Ngumoha more managed minutes to aid development without over‑exertion.