Editor’s Thoughts.

Five fun facts this fake Friday that make the world a different place to what it was last week:

1. Over last weekend, two men officially ran sub‑2‑hour marathons in a record‑eligible race, with Sabastian Sawe winning the London Marathon in 1:59:30 and Yomif Kejelcha finishing in 1:59:41 on 26 April.

2. The UAE announced it is leaving OPEC, effective 1 May 2026, ending nearly six decades in the oil cartel. While on the topic, oil prices have surged to their highest levels since 2022, with Brent crude going over $122/barrel on Wednesday.

3. Also on Wednesday, the US Fed held interest rates steady at 3.50% – 3.75%, following a highly divided meeting regarding whether to continue with rate cuts. (The Bank of England meets today and our next MPC meeting is on 28 May.)

4. Four of the Magnificent Seven companies reported their Q1 2026 earnings this week. Microsoft, Alphabet, Meta and Amazon all released their results after the closing bell yesterday – all showing revenue growth and continued massive investment in AI infrastructure, with a combined $650 billion projected to be spent in 2026. Apple reports later today. 

5. There are 42 more sleeps until the FIFA World Cup kicks off on 11 June and 31 sleeps until 31 May – the CPD cycle deadline.

Get reading, get watching and clock up those verified CPD hours for free. Easy peasy.

Have a good long weekend!

 

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