PHOENIX — President Donald Trump said Friday that a Pentagon review of government files on UFOs and unexplained aerial phenomena has uncovered “many very interesting documents,” with the first batch of records set for public release “very, very soon.”
Speaking at a Turning Point USA event in Phoenix on April 17, 2026, Trump told supporters he directed the Department of Defense in February to examine classified and unclassified materials related to extraterrestrial life and UAPs. “This process is well underway, and we found many very interesting documents, I must say,” Trump said, drawing cheers from the crowd. He added that initial declassifications would begin shortly so Americans could “go out and see if that phenomena is correct.”
The comments mark the latest development in Trump’s long-standing interest in UFO transparency. During his first term, he expressed openness to releasing files while noting he had seen “some interesting things.” In his current administration, Trump has pushed for greater disclosure, citing strong public demand and a desire to cut through decades of government secrecy on the topic.
The February directive tasked the Pentagon, including the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), with a fresh review of existing archives. AARO was established in 2022 to investigate UAP reports from military personnel and has previously concluded that most sightings have mundane explanations, with no evidence of extraterrestrial technology or reverse-engineered alien craft. Trump’s remarks Friday suggested the ongoing review has produced material worthy of public attention, though he stopped short of claiming proof of alien life.
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Trump has repeatedly said he has not personally seen conclusive evidence of extraterrestrials. In the Phoenix speech, he framed the effort as fulfilling a promise to supporters who have long pressed for openness on the issue. “I thought I’d save it for this crowd — because you’re a little bit out there,” he joked, prompting laughter.
The announcement quickly sparked widespread discussion online and in media circles. UFO enthusiasts and disclosure advocates hailed it as a potential breakthrough, while skeptics cautioned that “interesting” does not necessarily mean revolutionary. Past declassifications under previous administrations, including videos of Navy pilot encounters with unidentified objects, generated excitement but ultimately yielded few definitive answers about origins.
Pentagon officials have not yet commented publicly on Trump’s characterization of the documents. The Department of Defense typically reviews materials for national security concerns before release, a process that can take months or years. Trump’s promise of imminent action suggests an accelerated timeline, possibly involving heavily redacted files or summaries rather than raw intelligence.
The issue has gained renewed attention in recent years. Congressional hearings have featured testimony from military witnesses describing objects exhibiting extraordinary flight characteristics — rapid acceleration, transmedium travel and no visible propulsion. Lawmakers from both parties have called for more transparency, arguing the public has a right to know what the government has learned.
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Trump’s comments arrive amid a broader cultural fascination with UAPs. Polls show a majority of Americans believe the government is withholding information about UFOs. High-profile figures, including former intelligence officials and astronauts, have urged fuller disclosure. NASA and scientific bodies maintain there is no credible evidence of extraterrestrial visitation, but they support rigorous study of unexplained phenomena.
If the promised releases occur as Trump indicated, they could include incident reports, sensor data, radar logs or internal analyses from AARO and predecessor programs like the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program. Previous limited releases have included infrared videos from Navy fighters, but much remains classified.
Critics note that past UFO disclosure efforts have often disappointed. Documents frequently emerge heavily censored, with key details blacked out for security reasons. Some skeptics argue the hype around “interesting” files risks fueling conspiracy theories without delivering substantive new information.
Supporters counter that even incremental transparency is progress. Organizations like the Disclosure Party and researchers such as Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb have called for systematic declassification. Loeb, who has studied interstellar objects like ‘Oumuamua, has expressed hope that government data could aid scientific inquiry into possible non-human technology.
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The timing of Trump’s remarks — at a conservative gathering — also carries political undertones. UFO transparency enjoys bipartisan appeal but resonates strongly with certain voter bases skeptical of government institutions. By highlighting the review, Trump positions himself as responsive to public curiosity on a topic long shrouded in mystery.
White House officials have provided no additional details on the nature of the “very interesting documents.” Questions remain about whether they involve new sightings, historical cases from the 1940s and 1950s, or analyses of foreign adversarial technology mistaken for extraterrestrial craft. The Pentagon has consistently stated that most UAP reports resolve to balloons, drones, aircraft or natural phenomena.
As anticipation builds for the first releases, observers expect a phased rollout rather than a single massive dump. National security reviews will likely precede any public disclosure, especially for files involving sensitive military capabilities or intelligence sources.
Trump’s history with the topic dates to his first presidency, when he authorized limited video releases. He has joked about UFOs in rallies but also expressed genuine curiosity. In one past interview, he said he was shown certain information but could not discuss it.
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For the scientific community, any new documents could provide valuable data points. Astronomers and physicists emphasize the need for rigorous, peer-reviewed analysis rather than sensational claims. If the files contain high-quality sensor data from credible military sources, they could advance understanding of atmospheric anomalies or unidentified objects.
Public reaction on social media was swift and divided. Some users celebrated the news as a step toward full disclosure, while others demanded immediate, unredacted releases. Conspiracy-focused forums buzzed with speculation ranging from crashed craft to government cover-ups.
As of Saturday, April 18, 2026, no specific release date or format has been announced beyond Trump’s “very, very soon” comment. The Department of Defense and AARO are expected to provide updates through official channels once materials are cleared.
The development underscores ongoing tension between government secrecy and public demand for answers on one of humanity’s oldest questions: Are we alone? Trump’s intervention has once again placed UFO files in the national spotlight, setting the stage for what could be the most significant declassification effort in years.
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Whether the “very interesting documents” deliver groundbreaking revelations or incremental updates remains to be seen. For now, millions of Americans — and UFO watchers worldwide — are waiting to find out.
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SYDNEY — Zip Co Ltd shares climbed 7.73 percent to close at A$2.51 on Monday, extending gains for the Australian buy-now-pay-later provider after last week’s strong third-quarter results and an upgraded full-year profit forecast that highlighted accelerating growth in its key U.S. market.
Zip Co Shares Jump 7.73% to $2.51 as Buy Now Pay Later Giant Upgrades FY26 Guidance on Record Profit
The stock added 18 cents in trading on the Australian Securities Exchange, reflecting continued investor enthusiasm following Zip’s April 17 announcement of record cash earnings before tax, depreciation and amortisation. Volume remained elevated as traders digested the company’s improving profitability and strategic momentum amid a recovering fintech sector.
Zip reported a record cash EBTDA of A$65.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026, a 41.5 percent increase from the prior corresponding period. Operating margin expanded sharply to 19.4 percent from 16.5 percent a year earlier, demonstrating strong unit economics and operating leverage as the company scales.
Total transaction volume reached A$4.0 billion, up 22.4 percent year on year, while total income rose 20.2 percent to A$335.2 million. Transactions increased 20.3 percent to 27.4 million, and the group ended the quarter with 6.5 million active customers, up 3.5 percent.
The standout performer was the U.S. business, where transaction volume surged 43.1 percent in U.S. dollar terms to US$2.12 billion. Active customers grew 9 percent, adding 375,000 accounts, while merchants on the platform rose 17.9 percent. Zip expanded its Pay-in-Z offering with the launch of Pay-in-2, giving customers greater flexibility for everyday purchases.
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In Australia and New Zealand, the business delivered steady profitable growth. Revenue and Australian receivables increased 5 percent and 8.7 percent respectively. Zip also announced the upcoming launch of ZMobile in April 2026, a new capital-light mobile offering in partnership with TPG Telecom that is expected to diversify revenue streams.
Net bad debts stood at 1.9 percent of total transaction volume, in line with management targets. In the U.S., credit losses remained steady at 1.86 percent of TTV, with expectations for further improvement below 1.75 percent in the fourth quarter.
On the back of the robust third-quarter performance, Zip upgraded its full-year 2026 group cash EBTDA guidance to no less than A$260 million, up from previous expectations that second-half performance would be broadly in line with the first half’s A$124.3 million. On a constant currency basis, the figure equates to at least A$271 million.
The company reaffirmed its other key FY26 targets, including U.S. TTV growth greater than 40 percent in U.S. dollars, group revenue margin around 8 percent, cash net transaction margin between 3.8 percent and 4.2 percent, operating margin above 18 percent, and cash EBTDA as a percentage of TTV above 1.4 percent.
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Group CEO and Managing Director Cynthia Scott highlighted the resilience of Zip’s business model. “Zip’s resilient business model continues to drive increased profitability at scale, delivering record cash earnings of $65.1m, up 41.5% year on year,” Scott said in the results update. “Operating margin expanded 292 bps to 19.4%, reflecting strong unit economics and significant operating leverage. Momentum continued across both markets, underpinned by deepened customer engagement and disciplined execution.”
Scott noted particular strength in the U.S., where the company is balancing rapid growth with credit discipline. She also pointed to innovation in the ANZ market, including the ZMobile launch, as a way to broaden the customer proposition.
The upgrade and solid metrics triggered a sharp rally on April 17, with shares surging as much as 24 percent intraday before closing up around 13-14 percent on exceptionally high volume exceeding 26 million shares. Monday’s further 7.73 percent gain brought the two-day advance to roughly 22 percent, pushing the stock well above recent lows and reflecting renewed confidence in Zip’s turnaround story.
Analysts and market observers viewed the results as evidence that Zip is successfully executing its strategy of profitable scaling, particularly in the competitive U.S. buy-now-pay-later space dominated by players like Affirm and Afterpay’s parent Block. The improvement in operating margins and steady credit performance helped alleviate earlier concerns about profitability and asset quality that had weighed on the stock in prior periods.
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Zip has faced volatility in recent years, including a significant share price drop earlier in 2026 after a first-half earnings miss. However, the company has since demonstrated consistent progress through cost discipline, product innovation and focused growth in higher-margin segments.
The U.S. market now accounts for the majority of Zip’s transaction volume, and management continues to see substantial runway for expansion. Recent merchant additions and enhancements to the Pay-in-Z product are designed to capture more everyday spending rather than large-ticket purchases alone.
In Australia, despite a more mature market, Zip is returning to growth in receivables and exploring adjacent opportunities such as ZMobile to drive engagement and new revenue without heavy capital outlay.
Investors have also noted Zip’s ongoing capital management efforts, including an on-market share buyback program that has repurchased millions of shares in recent months, signaling management’s view that the stock remains undervalued.
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Broader market sentiment toward fintech and growth stocks has improved modestly in April amid easing geopolitical tensions and hopes for stable interest rates, providing a tailwind for Zip’s recovery. However, the company’s own operational delivery appears to be the primary driver of the recent outperformance.
Looking ahead, all eyes will be on Zip’s full-year results scheduled for August 20, 2026. The upgraded guidance sets a high bar, but analysts suggest the company is well-positioned to meet or exceed it if U.S. momentum persists and credit metrics remain controlled.
Challenges remain, including competition, regulatory scrutiny in the BNPL sector and potential economic slowdowns that could pressure consumer spending. Zip’s ability to maintain low bad debts while growing aggressively in the U.S. will be a key test.
For now, the market is rewarding the progress. At A$2.51, Zip’s market capitalisation sits around A$3.1-3.2 billion, still well below peaks seen in the post-pandemic BNPL boom but reflecting renewed optimism.
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Shareholders and potential investors will monitor upcoming trading updates and any further product launches closely. The ZMobile rollout in Australia could provide an early indicator of success in diversifying beyond core lending products.
Zip Co has transformed from a high-growth, loss-making disruptor into a more mature player focused on sustainable profitability. Monday’s trading and last week’s results suggest investors are increasingly buying into that narrative.
As the buy-now-pay-later sector matures globally, Zip’s emphasis on unit economics, geographic diversification and innovation positions it to compete effectively. Whether the current rally sustains will depend on delivery against the upgraded targets in the critical fourth quarter.
For Australian investors, Zip remains one of the more prominent pure-play fintech stories on the ASX. Its recovery path offers a case study in how disciplined execution and market adaptation can rebuild shareholder value after periods of turbulence.
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With the stock up significantly in recent sessions, some traders may take profits, but underlying fundamentals appear supportive for those with a longer-term horizon. The coming months will reveal if Zip can convert quarterly momentum into consistent full-year outperformance.
A tsunami warning has been issued for certain areas in northern Japan following a magnitude 7.5 earthquake.
The government has warned that tsunami waves three metres high may hit the country.
Tsunami Warning Issued After 7.5 Earthquake
According to a report by CNN, the earthquake struck off the northeastern coast of Japan. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has since issued a tsunami warning for the Iwate prefecture, as well as parts of Hokkaido and Aomori.
The report notes that a CNN producer in Tokyo noted that the earthquake lasted around seven minutes.
The Japanese government, led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, is now calling for those in the affected areas to evacuate immediately.
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“At this time, we are still confirming the extent of human and material damage, but we will receive detailed reports shortly and proceed with disaster response efforts,” Takaichi told reporters.
Tsunami Waves Already Recorded in Different Locations
According to the live coverage of ABC News, tsunami waves have begun to hit different locations in Japan.
A wave 80 centimetres high has been recorded in Kuji Port, while a wave measuring 40 centimetres was detected at Miyako Port.
Abnormalities have not been reported in the nuclear plants in the area, which are located in Aomori and Miyagi.
Liquidators of collapsed medicinal cannabis company Melodiol Global Health want to question banned director Adam Blumenthal, but lawyers are struggling to serve him while he is overseas.
The precision manufacturer told the stock market on Monday its order book had expanded
Renishaw New Mills headquarters (Image: Renishaw )
Gloucestershire engineering firm Renishaw has raised its revenue and profit guidance for the full year after a “substantial” expansion of orders. The FTSE-250 company told investors on Monday (April 20) it had seen “particularly strong demand” from customers in the semiconductor and electronics manufacturing equipment, and aerospace and defence sectors.
This has led to the business increasing revenue expectations from £775m to £805m and adjusted profit before tax from £145m to £165m.
“We are actively managing the challenges and increasing costs imposed by ongoing economic and geopolitical uncertainties and supply chain pressures,” Renishaw said in a statement.
The listed group, which was established by the late Sir David McMurtry and John Deer in 1973, said it would provide an update on its revenue performance for the 12 months to the end of March on May 6.
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Last month, Renishaw announced it had refreshed its board with three appointments, including a renowned British academic as its new chair.
The news came just months after the precision manufacturer confirmed it had made ownership changes to the business as part of a succession plan.
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