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Visa has disclosed an undisclosed investment in AI coding platform Replit, aiming to embed its payment suite directly into the developer environment so that both developers and AI agents can accept payments without leaving the platform. Strategic Investment and Joint Exploration of AI‑Powered Payments The two companies are testing how Visa Intelligent Commerce and the Trusted Agent Protocol can be woven into Replit’s workflow. More than 1,000 Visa employees already use Replit for prototyping, and the collaboration remains in an exploratory stage with no formal product announcements. Valuation Surge and Funding Milestones Highlight Replit’s Growth September 2025: Replit reached a $3 billion valuation. March 2026: Raised $400 million in a Series D led by Georgian Partners, pushing valuation to $9 billion. Enterprise self‑serve contracts now allow deals up to $200,000 without sales interaction. Customer churn is described as "very, very low" with net retention hitting 300 % in some cases. Implications for the Emerging Agentic Payments Ecosystem The move underscores a broader race to build infrastructure for "agentic payments," where AI agents transact on behalf of users. Competitors such as Robinhood (agent‑driven trading) and Google (shopping agents) are pursuing similar capabilities, suggesting the market will soon demand secure, verifiable AI‑mediated transactions. Future Trajectory: From Prototype to Mainstream Agentic Commerce If the exploratory projects mature, Replit could become a one‑stop shop for developers to build, host, and monetize AI agents, accelerating adoption of Visa’s Trusted Agent Protocol. Analysts anticipate that as enterprise adoption grows and churn remains low, the partnership may evolve into a commercial product suite within the next 12‑18 months, positioning Visa and Replit at the forefront of the next wave of AI‑driven commerce.

The Final Days of Early Bird Pricing Time is running out to secure discounted tickets to TechCrunch Disrupt 2026. Early Bird pricing ends tomorrow, May 29, at 11:59 p.m. PT. After that, prices for the highly anticipated tech conference will increase. Unlock Savings of Up to $410 By registering now, you can lock in savings of up to $410 on your pass or up to 30% on group passes of 4+. Why Attend TechCrunch Disrupt 2026? TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, taking place from October 13–15 at San Francisco’s Moscone West, is a premier event for startups, investors, and tech enthusiasts. Here’s what you’ll gain by attending: Founder Pass: Accelerate growth with the right insights, tools, and connections. Meet investors aligned with your startup. Investor Pass: Discover standout startups and expand your portfolio with curated access. Use matchmaking tools to make every conversation count. Don’t Miss Out The window to the lowest ticket rates of the year is closing at 11:59 p.m. PT tomorrow, May 29. Register now to secure your ticket with up to a $410 discount.

The Lead-Up to the By-Election In a scenario few could have predicted, voters in a northern English market town near Manchester could determine the United Kingdom’s future political leadership. The surprise resignation of the Labour Party’s Ashton-in-Makerfield MP Josh Simons in late February left the supposedly safe seat open, paving the way for the popular mayor of Manchester, Andy Burnham, to step in. The Event Details If he wins the seat in a crucial by-election set for June 18, he could ultimately topple embattled Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Standing in his way are the voters, many of whom Burnham has yet to convince of his credentials for the job, and the right-wing insurgent Reform UK party, which has promised to “throw everything” at the election in a bid to block Burnham’s path to the UK Parliament. The Data Analysis Makerfield has been a safe Labour seat since its creation in 1983, but Starmer’s party lost all eight of its local council seats there to Reform in May during local elections. Recent local council elections in May 2026 saw a shift, with Reform UK winning 49.8% of the area's vote compared to Labour's 24.3%. The Impact Analysis The constituency is difficult to categorise, political scientists said. It neither fits the stereotype of the declining industrial towns of northern England nor carries much of the metropolitan optimism typified in the soaring glass tower blocks of the nearby Manchester city centre. Instead, it is best understood as “a place in-between”, political science Professor Rob Ford wrote in his blog last week. The Prediction Few observers have been brave enough to call the current contest. However, while political scientists are puzzled, 61-year-old resident Tracy Walker, who works in a charity shop, is resolute. “I want Andy Burnham. … I think we should give him a go. He’s from the north,” she said, contrasting Burnham with the long line of premiers from the country’s south.

The LeadUnited States President Donald Trump has threatened longtime ally Oman with military force if it gets involved in the dispute over shipping access to the Strait of Hormuz, as Washington's war on Iran once again risks engulfing the Middle East. Trump's threat to "blow up" Oman came as Muscat reportedly held talks with Iran about overseeing passage through the strategic waterway that handles more than 20 percent of the world's global oil traffic.Trump's Unprecedented Threat Against a Key Ally"Nobody is going to control it," Trump said of the strait during a cabinet meeting in Washington. "It's international waters, and Oman will behave just like everybody else, or we will have to blow them up." This direct threat against a country with which Washington has had relations for more than 200 years has sent shockwaves across the region and drawn international criticism.While Hormuz is an international strait, most of it is located solely in Iranian and Omani territorial waters – not international waters – with parts of its outlying areas reaching United Arab Emirates (UAE) territorial waters. This geographical reality complicates Trump's assertion that the waterway is purely international.The Strategic Importance of the Strait of HormuzAs the only route for Gulf oil producers to ship exports to the open ocean, the strait has served as a free international maritime route for decades. Following the US-Israeli joint attacks on Iran on February 28, however, Tehran closed the waterway and began to assert sovereignty over it, including charging tolls of as much as $2m per ship at times.Under international maritime law, countries are not permitted to charge tolls to shipping passing through natural straits such as Hormuz, even where they are not in international waters. Countries can, however, provide services to shippers, such as insurance, maintenance and docking assistance.Regional Implications of Trump's ThreatShortly before Trump's comment, Iran's state television reported that Iran and the United States were close to agreeing on a memorandum of understanding (MOU) under which Tehran and Muscat would jointly control the strait. The proposal designates payments for passing vessels, framed as "fees for services" rather than "tolls."While the Trump administration has called the claims of such an MoU "a complete fabrication," analysts say his threat suggests that an understanding between Iran and Oman is precisely what the US president is trying to avoid."What Washington wants to prevent is the normalisation of Iranian control over Hormuz, dressed in administrative and legal clothing and given Arab cover by a US ally," Muhanad Seloom, non-resident senior fellow at the Middle East Council on Global Affairs, told Al Jazeera.International Reaction and Legal ConcernsCritics called the threat reckless. Raed Jarrar, the advocacy director at the US-based rights group DAWN, likened the US president's comments to those of a "mafia boss.""The UN Charter prohibits the threat of force against any state, and that prohibition binds the United States exactly as it binds everyone else," Jarrar told Al Jazeera. "Threatening to 'blow up' an Arab country because its waters happen to sit along an oil route Washington wants reopened is the same lawless logic that produced this war in February."Samir Puri, a visiting lecturer in war studies at King's College in London, said Trump's threat to Oman was "really surprising" and warned that it would "send shockwaves across the region."Oman's Diplomatic Role in the US-Iran ConflictOman has played a unique role in the region as a mediator between the US and Iran. Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi was a key mediator in US-Iran nuclear talks before the war on Iran began. Just before the US-Israeli joint attack on Tehran in February, Albusaidi had been meeting US officials, including Vice President JD Vance, to facilitate negotiations about the future of Tehran's nuclear programme.Unlike other US allies in the Gulf, such as Qatar, Bahrain and the UAE, Oman does not host US forces. It was nevertheless dragged into the conflict when Iran launched attacks on US military assets and energy infrastructure across the Gulf region in the early days of the war.Future Outlook for the RegionSeloom, from the Middle East Council on Global Affairs, said Oman is "one Gulf state that is simultaneously a US security partner and Iran's most trusted Arab interlocutor.""In peacetime, that ambiguity is an asset. In wartime, it becomes a liability, which is precisely the inversion now playing out," he told Al Jazeera.The analyst argued that joint Iran-Oman control over Hormuz was "more posture than probability." "Oman's real interest is not co-owning Iran's blockade; it is brokering the strait's reopening," he said.Still, according to Seloom, the prospect of Iran and Oman jointly shaping the future of the Strait of Hormuz alarms the US president for three reasons: "It would turn Iran's grip on the chokepoint into a permanent post-war fact rather than a temporary act of war; it would set a precedent that littoral states can metre and monetise an international waterway, eroding the freedom-of-navigation principle the United States underwrites worldwide; and it would hand Tehran a strategic win that outlasts any ceasefire."

The Burberry CEO's New Bonus Scheme Burberry's CEO, Joshua Schulman, could earn up to £12.2m this year under a new bonus scheme introduced by the luxury British brand. Schulman, who was hired in July 2024 to help revive Burberry, was paid £4m in the year to March, up from £2.5m for his first nine months in the job. Details of the Bonus Scheme Schulman's basic pay will increase by 3% to £1.24m from July. He could earn a new long-term share bonus worth up to 300% of salary if he meets performance targets. The targets include increasing Burberry's annual revenues to £3.1bn by 2029. Financial Performance Burberry made pre-tax profits of £49m in the year to 28 March, compared with a loss of £66m in the previous 12 months. Sales were flat year on year at £2.4bn, once the effect of exchange rates was taken into account. Impact on Executive Pay The pay package of Kate Ferry, the finance director of Burberry, more than doubled to £2.5m, up from £904,000 the previous year. Ferry could earn £5.6m this year if she hits all targets and Burberry's share price increases by 50%. Future Outlook The new bonus scheme aims to incentivize Schulman to meet performance targets and retain him by improving his pay position relative to those who head the brand's luxury peers. The scheme is intended to be "reasonable" and subject to "the delivery of stretching performance targets".

Lead: Brazil’s 2026 World Cup outlook Brazil enter the 2026 FIFA World Cup as the most decorated nation with five titles, yet they have not lifted the trophy in 24 years. Under new manager Carlo Ancelotti, the squad blends seasoned stars such as Neymar and emerging talents like Vinicius Jr as they aim to defy low expectations. Ancelotti’s foreign‑manager milestone and tactical shift After dismissing Dorival Jr, Brazil appointed Carlo Ancelotti – the nation’s first permanent foreign coach. The Italian brings five Champions League crowns and experience across Europe’s top five leagues, promising a pragmatic yet attacking approach. Ancelotti has already repositioned Vinicius Jr as a central striker and reinstated Neymar despite recent injury concerns. Key statistics and squad composition World Cup appearances: 22 (every tournament since 1930) Best performance: Winners (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002) FIFA ranking: 6 Top scorer: Ronaldo – 15 goals Most caps: Cafu – 20 matches Player to watch: Vinicius Jr Squad highlights: Goalkeepers: Alisson, Ederson, Weverton Defenders: Marquinhos, Alex Sandro, Danilo, Gabriel Magalhães Midfielders: Bruno Guimarães, Casemiro, Fabinho Forwards: Vinicius Jr, Neymar, Raphinha, Endrick Why Brazil’s underdog narrative could reshape the tournament Despite a star‑laden roster, Brazil are among the least fancied Brazilian sides ever, a status that may relieve pressure and allow creative freedom. The blend of experienced leaders and youthful vigor, combined with Ancelotti’s proven ability to manage egos, could make Brazil a surprise contender against groups that include Morocco, Scotland and debutants Haiti. Outlook and Al Jazeera’s projection Al Jazeera predicts Brazil will reach the quarter‑finals. Their success will hinge on the fitness of Neymar, the form of Vinicius Jr, and the defensive stability provided by Marquinhos and Alisson. If the squad clicks, a deep run is plausible; otherwise, early knockout looms. Group C schedule June 13 – Brazil vs Morocco (East Rutherford, New Jersey) – 18:00 local / 22:00 GMT June 19 – Brazil vs Haiti (Philadelphia) – 21:30 local / 01:30 GMT (June 20) June 24 – Scotland vs Brazil (Miami) – 18:00 local / 22:00 GMT

EU Imposes Record €200 Million Fine on Temu The European Commission announced a €200 million (≈£173 million) sanction against the Chinese shopping site Temu for repeatedly failing to block illegal and dangerous products from its marketplace. Regulatory Findings: Illegal and Dangerous Goods on Temu’s Platform A 19‑month investigation, including an unpublished mystery‑shopping exercise, uncovered a “high percentage” of unsafe baby toys, “very high percentage” of hazardous chargers, and unsafe clothing and jewellery. Consumer groups across Europe had already reported choking hazards, lead‑laden jewellery, and fire‑risk chargers on the site. Unsafe baby products with loose parts and long dummy chains Chargers capable of burns, electric shocks or fire Clothes containing banned chemicals Jewellery laced with lead The Commission also criticised Temu’s recommender systems and influencer‑driven promotions for amplifying the risk of illegal product dissemination. Financial Scale: Fine Relative to Temu’s Revenue and DSA Limits The €200 million penalty is the second and highest ever imposed under the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA). For context: Temu’s parent, PDD Holdings, reported global revenue of $54 billion in 2024. The DSA allows fines up to 6 % of global turnover, meaning Temu could theoretically face a fine of up to €3.2 billion. The previous record was a €120 million fine on Elon Musk’s X platform. Implications for the EU E‑commerce Landscape and DSA Enforcement The sanction sends a clear signal that the EU will enforce the DSA rigorously, even against fast‑growing non‑European platforms. It underscores the need for robust risk‑assessment processes, transparent product‑listing controls, and cooperation with regulators. Failure to comply could trigger additional penalties, including investigations into addictive design and data‑access provisions. What’s Next: Appeals, Compliance Plans, and Future EU Scrutiny Temu has until 28 August 2026 to submit an action plan outlining remedial steps. The company has announced it is “reviewing the decision carefully” and may appeal the fine. The Commission’s ongoing probe could lead to further financial penalties if systemic shortcomings persist. Industry observers expect tighter oversight of other large marketplace operators, as the EU seeks to protect consumers from unsafe products and reinforce the DSA’s broader ambition to curb online harms.

The Economic Dilemma Facing Jamaica's Energy Future Jamaica stands at a critical juncture in its energy policy, with preliminary tests off the south coast suggesting the presence of crude oil in the Walton-Morant basin. This potential discovery comes at a time when the island is grappling with the dual pressures of post-pandemic recovery and the escalating costs of climate adaptation. Testing the Waters in the Walton-Morant Basin United Oil & Gas, a UK-based company, holds the exclusive exploration license for the 22,400sq km block. Recent seabed sampling has identified hydrocarbons, a development that energy minister Daryl Vaz has described as "very positive." However, experts caution that even with confirmation, commercial production is unlikely until the mid-2030s. Balancing the Books: Fuel Imports vs. Climate Costs The financial calculus behind this potential shift is stark. Jamaica currently imports all its fuel, a cost that fluctuates between $1.5bn and $2bn annually. While the island generated $4.3bn from tourism in 2024, the economic strain is compounded by the $12bn bill for damage caused by Hurricane Melissa. This financial vulnerability is driving the government's cautious optimism toward oil exploration. The Regional Race for Fossil Fuels Jamaica is not alone in this pursuit. The Caribbean and Latin America are witnessing a resurgence in fossil fuel interest, following Brazil's deep-water discoveries in the 2000s. The region is now joined by Suriname and Guyana as emerging producers, creating a competitive landscape where nations are weighing immediate economic relief against long-term environmental stability. A Green Pledge at Odds with Survival? The environmental implications are significant. Theresa Rodriguez-Moodie of the Jamaica Environment Trust argues that pursuing oil exploration contradicts the island's moral standing to demand climate assistance. "If we want to have any kind of moral high ground... we cannot be considering expanding the fossil fuel industry," she stated. As Jamaica navigates this complex path, it faces the challenge of reconciling its Paris Agreement commitments with the immediate economic survival of its population.

Universal €1 Meal Initiative Expands Across French UniversitiesIn response to a survey showing that nearly half of France’s 3 million higher‑education students skip meals, the government announced this month that the previously means‑tested €1 meal will be available to every student.Government Extends €1 Meal to All Higher‑Education StudentsThe policy, previously limited to scholarship recipients, now covers all students at the 950 CNOUS‑run restaurants and cafeterias, including university sites such as Université Paris Dauphine and the Sorbonne’s Mabillon campus.Meal price: €1 for a three‑course balanced plate (starter, main, dessert).Optional extras: €0.55 per additional dish, coffee €0.60.Capacity: up to 2,400 students per sitting at Dauphine.Cost Implications: €120 million Funding and Pricing StructureThe state has earmarked €120 million for the programme in the next fiscal year, covering subsidies for the €1 price point while the regular tariff remains €3.30.Social and Health Impact on French Student PopulationOfficials argue the measure tackles food insecurity, public‑health concerns such as obesity, and promotes social cohesion by having all students share the same balanced meals.Student unions reported a rise in meal‑skipping from 45 % to 50 % before the policy.Positive feedback from students like Farid Rouba (chef) and Jérémy Reyes highlights satisfaction with quality and variety.Future Outlook: Sustainability and Potential AdjustmentsWhile the programme enjoys broad support, some students question the allocation of funds, suggesting resources could be redirected to cheaper accommodation. CNOUS plans to hire 200 extra staff and upgrade equipment to meet rising demand, but long‑term viability will depend on budgetary pressures and continued political backing.