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Global Health & WASH: May 2026 Funding Opportunities (14 new opportunities!)
The May update for Global Health & WASH brings new calls that cluster around three distinct shifts: LMIC research leadership moving from funder encouragement into a hard eligibility constraint, pharmaceutical and corporate-linked funders running structurally independent education and use-inspired research portfolios at substantial scale, and AI adoption shifting decisively from speculative tool to operational capability across health and WASH systems alike. In LMIC Research Leadership as Eligibility, Not Encouragement, Wellcome anchors the dominant signal of the month with three separate major calls that all require or strongly center LMIC leadership in their basic eligibility architecture. Wellcome’s ESIC Hubs (£1.5-£1.9M per hub over 3-5 years) explicitly requires an LMIC-based lead applicant, treating Global South leadership as a design constraint rather than a participation goal. Wellcome’s Infectious Disease Clinical Trial Development Award funds transdisciplinary teams whose lead must be a mid-career or established researcher based at an organization in Africa, South Asia, or Southeast Asia. Wellcome’s larger Infectious Disease Clinical Trial Award (£1M-£8M for optimizing licensed interventions) requires the administering organization to be in eligible LMIC regions and at least 50% of applicants based there. Around Wellcome, the same pattern shows up at smaller scale and across funders: CHINNOVA channels $1M into West and Central African research institutions for climate-health work; IBRO’s Neuroscience Training Grants explicitly tier ceilings by region of residence with Africa receiving the highest amount ($5,000); IHME’s GBD Emerging Researcher Award reserves at least one of its two annual awards for an LMIC researcher; Sidaction’s HIV Cure call funds research teams across France, the Netherlands, and eligible African countries with a minimum two-country collaboration requirement. Taken together, these calls signal a meaningful shift in how research equity is being operationalized — not as encouragement language at the bottom of a call, but as a structural feature of who can lead, where the work must be administered, and what proportion of the team must be regionally rooted. In Pharma-Funded Independent Medical Education and Use-Inspired Research, the lineup this month is unusually deep. Pfizer alone runs four parallel calls under independent education and quality improvement frameworks: a Migraine and Women’s Health RFP (200K x 2-year, $500K pool), Migraine IME ($200K, $1M pool), JAK Inhibitor evidence-based education ($100K), and Maternal Vaccination HCP Education in Saudi Arabia ($75K), plus a separate Pediatric Pneumococcal Surveillance research call in Saudi Arabia ($400K per project). Novo Nordisk Foundation runs four parallel calls of its own at substantial scale: Infectious Diseases Catalyst Grants (DKK 60M pool, up to DKK 7M collaborative), Non-Diabetic Endocrinology Collaborative Grants (DKK 53M pool, DKK 5-10M per project), Pioneer Innovator Grant Health (DKK 1.1M), and Distinguished Innovator Grant Health (DKK 6.8M). LEO Foundation deploys DKK 2-4M per project for dermatology research excellence. Pfizer’s framing across calls deliberately separates the funding from product promotion, emphasizing measurable practice-relevant change and structural distance between scientific outputs and commercial activity. Novo Nordisk’s “use-inspired” hard filter pushes researchers toward a credible translation pathway from mechanism to deployable tool. The pattern: industry-aligned funders are running structurally independent portfolios at meaningful $ that fund implementation evidence, not promotion. In AI as Operational Capability, Not Speculation, several calls this month explicitly treat AI adoption as a near-term operational question with real evidence and governance requirements, rather than a speculative trend to be watched. Wellcome’s ESIC Hubs frames AI as “the accelerator” for evidence synthesis, asking hubs to translate technical innovation into adoption-ready workflows that can match real-world policy timelines. UNICEF Venture Fund’s new Climate Tech for Children’s Health call funds for-profit startups deploying AI, machine learning, and blockchain in low-resource environments, with a strict requirement that solutions must already have a working prototype with promising pilot results. The Water Research Foundation has launched two simultaneous AI calls treating reproducibility, cybersecurity guardrails, and human-in-the-loop deployments as core design constraints rather than nice-to-haves: one on GenAI and Agentic AI in water utilities ($200K), one on alternatives to water shutoffs that explicitly screens for implementation economics evidence. Nordic Innovation’s quantum technology call (NOK 4.5M) extends the same logic into life science and healthcare, demanding consortium-stage projects mature enough to test with real users. TEF-Health offers €300K in subsidized testing infrastructure for European healthcare AI and robotics SMEs. The pattern: funders are converting AI pilots into playbooks, requiring transfer evidence and risk controls before AI can move from experimentation to sector-wide operational practice. For LMIC-based researchers in infectious disease or evidence synthesis, the three Wellcome calls together represent the deepest concentration of LMIC-led research capital in recent memory — pair the Infectious Disease Clinical Trial Development Award (£200K, deadline May 19) as a strategic pipeline feeder into the larger Infectious Disease Clinical Trial Award (£1-£8M, deadline June 2), since the development award functions explicitly as a track into the larger trial scheme. For Nordic researchers, the four Novo Nordisk Foundation calls plus LEO Foundation and Nordic Innovation Quantum represent ~$30M in regional research capital this cycle, all with deadlines clustered in May-August. For WASH practitioners, the three Water Research Foundation calls together (each up to $200K) are a cluster worth reading across — one on AI deployment, one on shutoff alternatives, one rewarding applied innovation — and the strongest applicants will articulate how their work bridges utility operations to policy-relevant evidence. For US-based clinical researchers and educators, the four Pfizer calls plus the APF Portfolio’s 80+ programs form an unusually accessible recurring pipeline; APF’s prohibition on indirect costs is a meaningful structural feature for early-career applicants whose institutions might otherwise absorb significant overhead. Snapshot of New Opportunities Total Estimated Funding Pool: $100 Million+ USD The grants are organized into three categories: Open Calls: Current grant and opportunities with a deadline. Grants are listed by closing date. 39 open opportunities- 14 new! Rolling Applications: current grant and opportunities with rolling applications (but it’s still best to submit as early as possible). 14 rolling opportunities- 1 new opportunity! Long term planning: Grants that have closed their current rounds, but are expected to open new windows. 4 long term opportunities! A quick tip for returning readers: if you want to jump straight to the newest additions, use CTRL F to search for “New!” and navigate quickly to the latest funding opportunities This post is for paid subscribers. This helps support the time and effort it takes to curate and organize these opportunities. Subscribe To keep this accessible to everyone who needs it, we’re happy to offer pay what you can rates. You can find more details here. Open Calls: Migraine Competitive Grant Program: Migraine and Women’s Health (Quality Improvement and/or Research RFP), Pfizer.*Closing soon!* Pfizer, in collaboration with the American Headache Society, is seeking independent quality improvement and research projects that close persistent gaps in migraine care for women across the United States. The funding logic centers on measurable, practice-relevant change: proposals should generate actionable evidence, tools, or system improvements that can be shared and used widely, not just within a single site. Priority areas span menstrual migraine and screening in women’s health settings, the role of hormonal fluctuations across the lifespan, sex-specific risk factors, comorbidities and quality-of-life burden, and disparities in outcomes by race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. The call is structured as a two-step competitive process with an initial Letter of Intent, with the strongest concepts expected to translate scientific insight into implementable improvements in diagnosis, management, and equity. Geographies: United States. Who can apply: U.S.-based organizations (not individuals), including professional schools, healthcare institutions, professional organizations, and other entities focused on healthcare improvement. Funding amount: Up to USD $200,000 total over 2 years; total pool USD $500,000. Targeted Sectors / SDGs: Health; Focus areas: migraine, women’s health, quality improvement, clinical research, menstrual migraine, health disparities. Deadline: LOI: May 5, 2026; Full proposal (by invitation): August 28, 2026. Learn more and apply here. This RFP rewards “shareable impact”: the most competitive submissions will pair rigorous methods with a clear plan for system uptake and dissemination beyond the originating institution. ReSSARC: Strengthening the Health Sector and Food Security in the Central African Republic (AID 013381/01/0) Call for Proposals, Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS). *Closing soon!* AICS is seeking a limited set of high-capacity humanitarian partners to deliver an integrated package that stabilizes essential health services while reducing acute malnutrition and strengthening food security resilience in priority areas of the Central African Republic. The funder’s logic is explicitly nexus-based: proposals should meet urgent, life-saving needs while reinforcing local systems, coordination mechanisms, and community-level capacity so results persist beyond the emergency window. AICS emphasizes inclusion and protection outcomes, expecting gender-sensitive design and explicit measures for groups facing compounded vulnerability, including women, children under five, internally displaced people, and people with disabilities. The call also signals a localization pathway, encouraging stronger collaboration with national NGOs and balanced partnerships, alongside clear coordination with existing cluster and humanitarian actors to minimize duplication and improve coverage. Geographies: Central African Republic (Bangui, Ombella-Mpoko, Ouham, Ouham-Pende, Lim-Pende, Lobaye). Who can apply: Non-profit organizations registered with AICS, plus eligible non-profits without an office in Italy that have a pre-existing collaboration agreement with an AICS-listed organization. Funding amount: Total pool EUR €1,800,000; max EUR €800,000 (single applicant) or EUR €1,000,000 (ATS). Targeted Sectors / SDGs: Health; Focus areas: malnutrition prevention and treatment, maternal and child health, community health services, food security and resilience, localization partnerships Deadline: May 5, 2026. Learn more and apply here. This call is structured to reward partners who can link frontline service delivery to system durability and localization, not just short-term coverage gains. Contracts for Innovation in drug and alcohol addiction healthcare, Innovate UK. *Closing soon!* Innovate UK, on behalf of the Office for Life Sciences Addiction Healthcare Goals program, is procuring R&D to accelerate innovations that can improve treatment outcomes, strengthen recovery, and reduce harm and deaths linked to drug and alcohol addiction. The competition is positioned as a market-facing readiness push: selected projects are expected to advance solutions toward later-stage validation, generate evidence of user acceptability and UK market fit, and map credible routes through regulatory and certification requirements. Innovate UK signals a preference for innovations that can be field-tested in relevant UK settings and progressed to TRL 6 or 7, with practical plans for commercialization after contract completion. This structure favors applicants that can execute most work in-house, co-develop with service providers and people with lived experience, and translate technical progress into deployable tools for addiction healthcare delivery. Geographies: United Kingdom. Who can apply: Single organizations of any size (including EU, EEA, or international) leading delivery, with most work and key deliverables carried out in the UK; subcontractors for specialist skills only. Funding amount: GBP £200,000–1.5 million per project (inclusive of VAT); Total pool: GBP £20 million (across two strands). Targeted Sectors / SDGs: Health; Focus areas: Mental Health, Health Systems Strengthening, Research & Development, Technology Access. Deadline: May 6, 2026 (11:00am). Learn more and apply here. This call uses procurement to pull near-market addiction innovations toward operational proof and adoption pathways in UK services.
Starmer says UK opening talks with EU on joining €90bn loan scheme for Ukraine
The prime minister is backing the deal as it would allow British firms to access the contracts funded by the loan
Mission Monday: Empowering community ministries. Today’s focus on Interfaith Health Clinic
This column highlights several ministries actively seeking support, showcasing their unique contributions and the importance of community involvement. Together, we can empower these ministries to make a lasting impact. Each week, one of the KnoxTNToday-sponsored ministries will be highlighted, while all are listed in alphabetical order, not by priority. Please visit their websites to learn […]
Leaving the world better: Chris Klomp on what government owes the next generation
Chris Klomp, chief counselor, Health and Human Services, and deputy administrator and director of Medicare, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, spoke at
The Antiabortion Movement Is Turning on Trump
The ubiquity of abortion pills during the second Trump administration has frustrated antiabortion advocates.
Gemini will get new third-party smart speakers, early listing reveals ahead of Google Home Speaker
Gemini is reviving the idea of a smart speaker for Google, with the upcoming “Google Home Speaker” being the first...
Google Home will roll out Gemini upgrades more widely in Europe, Asia-Pacific this week
Following an announcement in early April, Google says that Gemini for Home upgrades are set to roll out more widely...
Carolina Panthers looking to trade fan-favorite wide receiver
The NFL offseason has begun its shift toward minicamps and OTAs, and the draft gave teams a chance to infuse their rosters with rookie talent after free agency. The Carolina Panthers made several moves this offseason, including selecting a wide…
Inside the Trump administration’s failed ‘Hail Mary’ to save Spirit Airlines
Winding down a major US airline is a complicated business. Doing so when the president of the United States hints it could be saved adds another layer of complexity.
Health Ministry changes medical cannabis guidelines, passes responsibility to insurance funds
Cannabis may still be considered in severe cases, such as insomnia or acute distress, but only alongside proven treatments like psychotherapy and under close supervision.
Key U.S. science panels are being axed—and others are becoming less open
President Donald Trump and his administration downsized US science by historic margins last year as it reduced the workforce at federal research agencies by tens of thousands of people and terminated ...
Health Ministry panel advises halt to use of medical cannabis for smoking, backs alternatives
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Landlords want to be paid for pandemic losses and hope to reach a deal with the Trump administration
A group of landlords are hoping to settle with the federal government over what they say are billions of dollars in losses due to the federal eviction moratorium in place for nearly a year during the pandemic.
US ‘drowning in misinformation’ under RFK Jr, autism advocates say
Health officials in Trump administration were accused of fueling ‘crisis of public trust’ over autism and vaccines
Curing U.S. Health Care, Part II
On March 23, 2010 President Barack Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act — usually referred to either as the Affordable Care Act or as Obamacare — into law. Joe Biden, then the vice president, could be overheard whispering “This is a big fucking deal.” And it was. The ACA, which went into full effect in 2014, created a system of subsidies and regulations designed to make health insurance available to many Americans who had previously been left out. It worked: In 2010 there were 47 million uninsured people in America, but by 2016 this number had dropped to 27 million. This still fell short of the universal health insurance that every other advanced nation has, but it was real progress. In 2017, during his first term, Donald Trump tried to destroy the ACA, replacing it with the American Health Care Act — legislation that would have eliminated most of the provisions that expanded health insurance under Obama. At the time the Congressional Budget Office projected that the G.O.P.’s replacement bill would nearly double the number of Americans without health insurance, increasing the total uninsured population by 23 million and undoing all of the progress achieved under the ACA. However, the attack on Obamacare failed by one vote in the Senate, and the ensuing public backlash against the G.O.P. delivered a large victory in the 2018 midterms to the Democrats. After these developments many observers assumed that the ACA had become a more or less permanent feature of American life. Such assessments, however, failed to take into account the deep hostility of the U.S. right toward policies that expand access to healthcare. As we’ll see, this hostility goes back generations. And the second Trump administration has taken actions that the CBO projects will add 16 million people to the rolls of the uninsured by 2034. How did we get here? And now what? Today’s primer will analyze the political economy of U.S. healthcare since the 1940s and the combination of danger and opportunity created by the current crisis. Beyond the paywall I will discuss the following: US health care on the eve of Trump II 80 years of US health politics The Obamacare story The new assault on healthcare
Trump Faces the Complicated Reality of a Costly, Unpopular War in Iran
President Trump’s predictions of a relatively short-term conflict with minimal economic consequences appear to be crumbling.
Places Trump's name or image is being added by the federal government
The Trump administration has made an aggressive push to add the president's name to buildings, battleships, money and government websites.
Polanski ‘not fit to lead a party’ after Golders Green tweet, says minister
Heidi Alexander criticises Green leader over retweet of post suggesting police used excessive force when arresting suspect
China blocks US sanctions against five ‘teapot’ refineries
Ministry of Commerce says sanctions against refineries accused of importing Iranian oil violate international law.
Scientists built a memory chip that breaks the rules of miniaturization
A new kind of memory device may finally solve the problem of overheating and battery drain in electronics. By shrinking components to an extreme scale and redesigning their structure, researchers found a way to reduce energy loss instead of increasing it. The result is a tiny memory unit that improves as it gets smaller—something once thought impossible. This could pave the way for ultra-efficient smartphones, wearables, and AI systems.
Rising oil prices cause political headache for Trump administration
RJ Barrett, Raptors clash with Cavaliers in unexpected Game 7
RJ Barrett kept the Toronto Raptors' season alive with one of the most clutch shots in franchise history, but he isn't ready to reminisce about the moment yet.
Raiders rookie minicamp attendees: Drafted, undrafted, visits, tryouts
We compiled the Raiders rookie minicamp roster including drafted, undrafted, and visits/tryouts.
Political blame game begins and upset passengers stuck after Spirit ceases operations
Republicans blame Biden administration block on JetBlue deal; Democrats point to fuel price surge amid Iran war
Apple stops selling the M4 Mac Mini's 256GB storage model through its online store
The new base storage is 512GB now. Apple launched the M4 chip-powered Mac Mini in 2024, with its base model having 256GB of storage. This model went out of...
Troop withdrawal announcement adds to friction between Europe and Trump
The German defense minister has responded to the U.S. plan to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany, emphasizing the mutual benefits of the U.S. military presence in Europe.
Apple's $599 Mac Mini is no longer available
The company's 256GB option is no longer available
The politics of Trump's ballroom
WEST PALM BEACH, Florida — President Trump was about a half-hour into his second speech of the day, musing about the danger he faced last week at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. “Saturday night, it was good for one thing. People are loving my ballroom now,” Trump told a crowd last night. “That’s the only thing. They love my ballroom.” Ever since he was hustled off stage at the Washington Hilton last week, after an attempted shooter breached the dinner’s security perimeter and sent guests diving to the floor, the president has argued that the incident is proof for why his White House ballroom is needed. Only his planned $400 million, 90,000-square-foot project, Trump has reasoned, can keep a president truly safe at major events. It’s true that a bunch of GOP lawmakers have jumped on board with new legislation and words of support for Trump’s project. House Speaker Mike Johnson, Sen. Rand Paul and other prominent Republicans went on TV to talk about the need for a ballroom. But as we reported at The Washington Post this week, “people” aren’t really changing their minds on Trump’s ballroom. A new Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll found that most Americans still oppose the ballroom project: 56 percent against it versus 28 percent in favor. The numbers are the same as a poll from last year, the Post’s polling whiz Scott Clement found. Other new polls have found similar margins, too. “I’m just not a giant fan, especially of extravagance,” one independent voter told me. “I mean, in the era we’re in right now, given how much people are struggling, it just doesn’t make a lot of sense to me to spend $400 million on a ballroom.” How we got here The Washington Post has followed Trump’s ballroom project very closely. (My colleague Jonathan Edwards may have written the most total words of any reporter about the project; I may be second.) The project exploded as a national issue after Trump tore down the White House’s East Wing after initially promising not to touch it.1 Historic preservationists sued, and about a month ago, a federal judge ordered a halt to ballroom construction.2 The only way the ballroom could proceed, U.S. District Judge Richard Leon ruled, was if Congress explicitly authorized Trump’s plans. (An appeals court has stayed Leon’s order for now.) The judge’s ruling raised an obvious question: would Congress authorize the project? Keep in mind, “authorization” doesn’t mean that Congress needs to necessarily fund the planned $400 million project; they could just sign off on the private donations that Trump has solicited to pay for the ballroom.3 But GOP lawmakers really didn’t want to talk about the ballroom, we reported at The Post just a few weeks ago. One major reason was the ballroom’s bad polling — not a small detail with many of their own midterm elections looming. The White House Correspondents’ Dinner incident, and Trump’s advocacy, may have changed the political conversation around the ballroom. As this week’s polling shows, it doesn’t seem to have affected the fundamental questions surrounding the project. To put it another way, voters still say that cost-of-living concerns are top-of-mind heading into the midterms. Some Republican and independent voters have told me that they see the ballroom as a vanity project that will help Trump but do nothing for their own lives. It might not help Republicans that Trump has dismissed some of the cost-of-living concerns. He’s described “affordability” as a buzzword manufactured by Democrats whose policies helped cause inflation. “They’ve got one good line of bullshit,” Trump said in his first speech yesterday, delivered at a Florida retirement community known as The Villages. Thanks for reading Dan Diamond's newsletter! Subscribe for free to stay up-to-date on my work. Subscribe Speaking of Trump’s speeches… I’m down in Florida because it’s my “duty week” as a White House reporter — basically, I follow the president wherever he goes. (And then hand the baton off to one of my Washington Post colleagues next week.) As part of my duty week, I’ve spent a few days covering the White House’s reaction to Saturday’s attempted shooting, including officials’ review of the security protocols to protect the president. Trump was restrained in the wake of the incident, addressing the nation from the White House briefing room about the need for peaceful dialogue and trying to lower the temperature. But he’s clearly been itching to get back out of the White House, and I was curious to hear how his Florida speeches would go. And — to my ears — it was an unburdened Trump. Not the one we saw Saturday night in the White House briefing room, but the one we witnessed on the campaign trail in 2024. Loose, dropping profanities, mocking everyone, including members of his team. “We have a man here who knows more about Medicaid, Medicare, medical crap than any human being. Where’s Dr. Oz? Where the hell are you, stand up,” Trump said, referring to Mehmet Oz, the administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. “It’s the most boring trip I’ve ever made. He’s telling me about Medicare, Medicaid. All I want to do is take care of you, I don’t care. I said, ‘You work out the details.’” I wrote up the speech, as Trump headed to West Palm Beach to deliver more remarks a few hours later. The White House didn’t like my story. Their rapid-response team called it the work of a “total loser”4 and “a miserable TDS-ridden moron.” You can be the judge of whether it’s a fair story or the product of someone afflicted with “TDS.” (The White House’s shorthand for “Trump Derangement Syndrome.”) I’ve pasted the story below with a gift link, meaning that you don’t need to be a Washington Post subscriber to read it. It might prompt you for an email address, though. Meanwhile, I’ll be down in Florida for the rest of the weekend, covering the president. It’s TBD whether those stories will be deemed TDS-afflicted, too. 1 Jonathan details the past six months of ballroom fallout, reactions and the implications for executive authority here. I also had a great time talking about Trump’s ballroom and other projects with Australia’s ABC News Daily on a podcast this week. 2 The judge allowed underground construction and national security-related work to continue. But that hasn’t been enough for Trump, who says the ballroom itself is essential for his protection. 3 The ballroom donors include companies like Palantir, Google and Amazon. For transparency, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos owns The Washington Post, where I work. No one has ever interfered with our team’s coverage of the ballroom or our mentions of Amazon or Bezos, and if that changed, I’d speak out. 4 To be fair, I’ve spent the morning working on stories and writing this Substack post rather than enjoying the beautiful Florida weather. So they may be onto something about who’s winning and who’s losing.
Immigrants have made huge contributions to U.S. science
The current administration’s policies impede the best and the brightest foreign-born researchers' access to research laboratories in America.
The Cannabis Industry’s New Best Friend? President Trump
The administration’s decision to relax federal regulations on medical marijuana comes with big tax breaks for many cannabis companies, and could drive new investment in the budding sector.
Titans Rookie Minicamp Photos
See the Top Images from the Titans Rookie Minicamp practice on Saturday at Vanderbilt Health Football Center
Cuban Americans have been big Trump backers. His Cuba policy may change that.
Florida’s Cuban American community is on a pressure campaign to make sure the Trump administration knows it’s regime change, or else.
Cowboys news: Dallas rookie minicamp has begun
The latest news surrounding the Dallas Cowboys is here!
Thirteen killed in Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon, health ministry says
Four women and a child are among the dead, as fighting between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah continues despite a ceasefire.
Spirit Airlines shutting down after rescue talks collapse
The airline had been in talks with the Trump administration about a $500m bailout.
Trump Endorses Andy Barr for Senate as Musk-Backed Candidate Exits Race
The candidate in Kentucky, Nate Morris, said he would be joining the Trump administration. He met with the president a day before his announcement.
Photos: 2026 Rookie Minicamp
Head inside Intermountain Health Performance Center to view photos from the first day of 2026 Rookie Minicamp.
Mac Mini starting price jumps to $799 as AI demand grows
The entry-level model of the Mac Mini is no longer listed on Apple's website, making the $799 version the cheapest.
Mac Mini starting price jumps to $799 as AI demand grows
The entry-level model of the Mac Mini is no longer listed on Apple's website, making the $799 version the cheapest.
Small Business Administration opens disaster loan applications for March 6 tornadoes
The Small Business Administration is offering low-interest federal disaster loans for Michigan businesses, private nonprofits and residents affected by the March 6 tornadoes.
Business Lookahead: Eyeing oil, US jobs, and European earnings
STORY: From high oil prices and the conflict in the Middle East to U.S. jobs data and corporate earnings, here’s what you need to watch in business and finance in the week ahead.:: Crude and currencyOil prices briefly topped $120 a barrel this week to hit their highest level since 2022 as the war with Iran enters a third month.While the U.S. and Iran face pressure to end a conflict that has shut the Strait of Hormuz, the world watches anxiously as the biggest-ever disruption to energy supplies unfolds.For each week the Strait is closed, keeping oil elevated, the greater the economic risks via higher inflation or weak growth or, for some, both. Oil importer Japan just intervened to prop up a yen that has been weakened by the conflict.A new month is now underway and some traders will be mindful of that old adage, "Sell in May and go away.":: Jobs gyrationsAs the U.S. economy grapples with fallout from the Middle East war, Wall Street's radar turns to Friday's April monthly payrolls report.The U.S. economy likely created 73,000 new jobs, economists polled by Reuters forecast. In March, payrolls increased by 178,000, the most since December 2024, but that followed a sharp decline in February.The U.S. employment data comes amid signs of hawkishness at the Federal Reserve, as Donald Trump pick Kevin Warsh prepares to take over as chair with the U.S. president keen on rate cuts.:: Starmer’s statusThursday's local elections in Britain, usually a non-event for investors, could move markets in a big way, with opinion polls pointing to a heavy defeat for Prime Minister Keir Starmer's Labour Party.A heavy defeat could spark more widespread demands for his dismissal among his own lawmakers and stoke expectations of a successor more willing to run looser budgets. That would bring more bad news for British bonds.::European earningsIt's a big week for European earnings with Shell and Commerzbank among those reporting.On aggregate, profits are expected to grow 3.2% in Q1, according to LSEG I/B/E/S. Under the surface, it's a little bit more complicated. Growth is expected to be driven by just three sectors: financials, tech and energy. The latter is seen as the biggest beneficiary of the Iran war due to higher oil and gas prices.But if the war, and energy surge, persist, the overall outlook for Europe's earnings could turn.
Appeals court blocks FDA rule that allows women to obtain abortion drugs by mail
A federal appeals court temporarily reinstated a nationwide requirement that abortion pills be obtained in person, undermining access to the method of abortion that has only grown more widespread since the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.
Spirit is running out of money and time. Trump sounded tepid about a deal to save it
President Donald Trump told reporters at the White House Friday that the administration will likely make an announcement on its decision whether or not to bail out Spirit Airlines “today or tomorrow.”
Apple Appears To Have Discontinued Its Cheapest Mac Mini
The compact desktop Mac now starts at $799 and comes with 512GB of storage.
Apple Raises Mac Mini’s Starting Price to $799 After AI Frenzy Drains Supply
Apple Inc. raised the starting price of its Mac mini desktop to $799 from $599, adjusting to inventory shortages driven by AI demand and the tight supply of processors.
NBA, PGA and NCAA want higher age limits for prediction markets
The major sports organizations cited the potential risks to young bettors in calling for the platforms' minimum age to be raised from 18 to 21 years old.
Nicole Saphier Is Trump’s New Pick For Surgeon General—What To Know About Her Healthcare Agenda
Saphier is broadly aligned with the “Make America Healthy Again” movement, but has split with the Trump administration in a few areas of healthcare policy.
Administration Explains National Science Board Firing as Criticism Grows
The White House says the board's firing was necessary to comply with a 2021 Supreme Court decision.
Apple Stops Offering Mac Mini With 256GB of Storage, Starting Price Rises to $799
Apple this week stopped offering a 256GB storage option for the Mac mini worldwide. As a result, the desktop computer now has a higher starting price. In the U.S., for example, the Mac mini now starts at $799 with the M4 chip, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage, whereas it previously started at $599 with the M4 chip, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. Mac mini models with the M4 Pro chip already had a minimum of 512GB of storage, so there is no change to pricing for those configurations.
The high-ranking officials Trump has fired, forced to resign or moved elsewhere in his second term
Administrative turnover is nothing new for this notoriously fickle president
Despite Its Claims, the Trump Administration Isn’t Helping Farmers at All
A group of Iowa soybean farmers who voted for the president are undergoing a very rude awakening.
Trump says he's considering taxpayer-funded deal to bail out Spirit Airlines
Trump said his administration gave Spirit "a final proposal" and would make an announcement Friday or Saturday"
Trump gives Spirit Airlines 'final' proposal as beleaguered carrier prepares to shut down
Spirit Airlines received a final bailout proposal from the U.S. as President Donald Trump says the administration is "driving a tough deal" to aid the beleaguered carrier.
Trump says Spirit given 'final proposal' on bailout
Talks with the Trump administration about a massive federal investment had raised hopes that Spirit could ride out a surge in the price of jet fuel.
Subnautica 2's early access system requirements are on the punishing side
Unknown Worlds and Krafton have released the minimum, recommended and ultra system requirements for Subnautica 2.
Spirit Airlines Prepares to Shut Down After Trump Administration Bailout Falls Through
The low-fare airline, which has struggled for years, had been trying to secure a $500 million lifeline from the Trump administration.
NASA Aircraft Studies Tiny Particles with Atmospheric Impacts
Scientists from NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have turned to one of NASA’s high-altitude research planes to characterize
USDA issues health alert for frozen pizza sold nationwide at Aldi stores due Salmonella concerns
A health alert has been issued by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for a frozen pizza brand sold nationwide at Aldi stores because of possible Salmonella contamination.
USDA issues health alert for frozen pizza sold nationwide at Aldi stores due Salmonella concerns
A health alert has been issued by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for a frozen pizza brand sold nationwide at Aldi stores because of possible Salmonella contamination.
Apple may take "several months" to catch up to Mac mini and Studio demand
Chip shortages and demand from AI enthusiasts are both playing a part.
How US equipment ended up in the hands of Iran’s allies in Yemen as USAID was disbanded
The Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen seized US funded equipment, including vehicles, after the Trump administration suspended and slashed humanitarian funding around the world and began dismantling the US Agency of International Development.
Trump administration rejects need for Iran war Congressional approval despite deadline
Pete Hegseth argued that a ceasefire agreement with Iran more than three weeks ago ‘means the 60 day clock pauses, or stops’
Trump says Cuba is “next.” What does that mean?
The island may be next in the administration’s crosshairs after Venezuela and Iran. But it’s not clear what the plan is.
Inexpensive seafloor-hopping submersibles could stoke deep-sea science—and mining
A company called Orpheus Ocean wants to go “deep for cheap.”
Jared Kushner, Steve Witkoff and the Profitable Business of Peace
The Trump administration is turning diplomacy into an asset to be leveraged.
Why Iraq’s Politics Haven’t Changed
Iraq’s latest prime minister designate, Ali al-Zaidi, is an embodiment of the corruption that has held Iraq hostage for over 20 years.
Medicare portal database exposed health providers’ Social Security numbers
It is the latest technical problem related to the Trump administration’s push to create a national directory of health providers.
Prosecutors release new video showing moments before shooting at press dinner
Prosecutors filed new evidence Thursday including video showing the moments before the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner that President Donald Trump and administration officials attended at the Washington Hilton hotel in DC on Saturday night.
UK should not keep changing prime ministers, warns John Major
The former Tory PM tells the BBC political leaders are letting young people down by failing tackle long-term problems.
The Trump Administration Casts Out the ‘Soul’ of MAHA
The withdrawal of Casey Means’s nomination for surgeon general is the latest blow to the movement.
Good Luck Getting a Mac Mini for the Next ‘Several Months’
Apple CEO Tim Cook told analysts that AI adoption has happened faster than expected.
Apple was surprised by AI-driven demand for Macs
Apple said it will be supply-constrained on Mac mini, Studio, and Neo in the next quarter, too.
Can Iraq’s new prime minister fix his country’s broken politics?
Ali al-Zaidi must contend with a growing crisis of legitimacy in the very system that brought him to power and the backing of a coalition that is increasingly unstable.
Trump administration ends funding for fentanyl test strips, baffling public health groups: "It doesn't make sense"
FEMA reinstates whistleblowers as Trump administration reverses Noem’s policies
FEMA has reinstated a group of whistleblowers who signed an open letter to Congress last August warning that the Trump administration’s dismantling of the federal agency was setting the stage for a disaster-response breakdown on the scale of Hurricane Katrina, according to five FEMA officials with knowledge of the matter.
Google’s Gemini AI assistant is hitting the road in millions of vehicles
The move signals Google’s push to bring more advanced, conversational AI into the driving experience.
Google is upgrading in-car Assistant to Gemini, and it’s more than just a refresh
If your car has Google built-in, you're getting a free over-the-air upgrade.
One Day Takeover Brings Entertainment, Arts & Music Industry Straight to VVC Festival
Victor Valley College will host a Fine Arts, Animation and Music Experience on May 1, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The free festival features panels with industry professionals like Damon Sharpe and workshops focusing on various creative fields. Check out the live music mini-concerts and food trucks. Read more at vvng.com #vvng #news #victorville
Trump Administration Casts Host of Policies Under Biden as Anti-Christian
A new report is the latest effort by the Justice Department to argue that it is removing political bias from prosecutorial decision-making.
Gemini for Android Automotive is rolling out soon, even if your car isn’t brand new
After releasing for Android Auto, Gemini is replacing the Google Assistant on vehicles with Android Automotive. Gemini is going to...
Trump Administration Imposes Caps on Graduate School Loans
The changes stem from student loan provisions in a sprawling tax and domestic policy bill signed into law last year.
Amazon Price Target as In-House Chip Business Hits $20 Billion
I'm adding to my long position in the big-tech name.
Key US science panels are being axed - and others are becoming less open - College of Arts and Sciences
A Nature analysis shows that the Trump administration has terminated more than 100 advisory committees to science agencies — and reduced the transparency and independence of those that remain. … “I would hope that in the future, in this administration … Read more
Samsung reportedly prepares Galaxy Book laptops running Android with One UI 9 skin
As Google’s “Aluminium” OS slowly makes it way to launch, a new report reveals that Samsung is preparing new Galaxy...
Five first-rounders headline most questionable 2026 NFL Draft picks for every team
Examining the one pick for every team that raised eyebrows during the 2026 NFL Draft.
How much should politics influence science, and vice versa? National Science Board’s ousting resurrects an existential debate
The Trump administration fired the entire board that oversees the National Science Foundation, raising an age-old question about the separation of science and state.
How much should politics influence science, and vice versa? National Science Board’s ousting resurrects an existential debate
The Trump administration fired the entire board that oversees the National Science Foundation, raising an age-old question about the separation of science and state.
A Formula for Promoting Student STEM Success
James Álvarez, a new administrator in the College of Natural Sciences, spoke to us about his work in STEM education.
Google's privacy maze: How Gemini traps you and your data
Google says it respects user privacy in AI, but the reality is not so black and white.
A Dangerous Shift in Maternal Health Policy
The Trump administration is cutting the budget in ways that put the lives of pregnant women and babies at risk, write Stephanie Psaki, Dara Kass, and Liz Tobin-Tyler.
How Good Is Google’s Gemini AI at Making Travel Plans?
Gemini is a digital Swiss Army knife for planning flights, activities and routes, but it isn’t perfect. Why did it forget to put underwear on the packing list?
Russia’s sports comeback fuels anger in Ukraine
Ahead of a key meeting about curling, a top Ukrainian minister tells POLITICO he is “deeply concerned” about the trend toward readmission.
White House says funds to pay TSA and other Homeland Security workers will 'soon run out'
In a memo late Tuesday to lawmakers, the Office of Management and Budget said money that President Donald Trump tapped to pay Transportation Security Administration and other workers through executive actions will be exhausted by May
Illinois business owners navigate murky waters of tariff refunds
A Chicago-area company forced the Trump administration to undo much of its tariff policy. Now that toy company and others want their money back.
FDA approves next-gen mitral valve from Medtronic
The Mosaic Neo mitral bioprosthesis can be implanted through sternotomy, minimally invasive cardiac surgery or robotic access.