PERILS Launches 2026 IED, Showing $150tn in Global Nat Cat Exposures
PERILS has released its 2026 Industry Exposure Database, quantifying $150 trillion of insured property assets exposed to natural catastrophes across 21 countries. The database shows a 4.7% year‑on‑year increase on a constant‑USD basis and a 15.2% rise at current exchange rates, reflecting a weaker dollar. It aggregates data from 67 market portfolios, broken down by CRESTA zones, property and motor lines, occupancy and coverage types. The IED serves as a benchmark for loss modeling, pricing and risk‑transfer products.
Mortgage Rates Poised to Climb Despite Low Oil
I find it interesting how many people think mortgage rates won't up from here. Despite $100 a barrel oil, total unknowns in the Middle East, and the fact that mortgage rates are historically HIGHEST in the months of May and June. Seems...
Vampire Survivors’ Developer Is Working on over 15 Projects, Including IP Collaborations
Poncle, the studio behind the breakout hit Vampire Survivors, reports it is juggling over 15 projects ranging from DLC and spin‑offs to original IPs. The company just launched a deck‑builder spin‑off, Vampire Crawlers, and announced a Warhammer 40k‑themed Survivors title built...
Air Permit Docs: New Gas Projects Linked to Just 11 US Data Center Campuses Could Emit 129M+ Tons of Greenhouse...
A recent Wired analysis of air‑permit filings reveals that just 11 U.S. data‑center campuses are tied to new natural‑gas projects capable of emitting more than 129 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent each year. The projects are linked to high‑profile...
GSA Survey Finds Less than Quarter of Live 5G Networks Using Standalone Technology
A Global mobile Suppliers Association (GSA) survey shows fewer than 25% of live 5G networks are standalone (SA). By the end of March, only 95 operators had SA networks, a 42% year‑over‑year increase, while total 5G deployments rose 14% to...
Samsung Is Increasingly Worried About First-Ever Mobile Division Loss in RAM Crisis, Report
Samsung’s mobile division is confronting its first potential operating loss as a global RAM shortage, driven by soaring AI demand, inflates component costs. The company’s head of MX, TM Roh, warned of a possible annual deficit, marking a stark departure...
UK Commits £90m for Cybersecurity and Pushes for ‘Resilience Pledge’
The UK government announced a £90 m ($120 m) injection to strengthen national cyber resilience, focusing on small and medium‑sized enterprises (SMEs). The funding will support wider adoption of the Cyber Essentials standard, which saw a 20% uptake increase last year and...
Tuned Global Launches Streaming Manipulation Detection Tool Aimed at Rightsholders and DSPs
Tuned Global unveiled its Service Manipulation Detection (SMD) system, an integrated tool that spots bot‑driven streaming fraud within its existing data platform. The solution monitors abnormal activity at five granular levels—track, artist, user, network and payment—to flag suspicious plays. Flagged...
US Hardware Sales Rose 69% in March 2026 Following Strong Switch 2 Performance | US Monthly Charts
U.S. consumer spending on video games jumped 12% to $5.3 billion in March 2026, with hardware sales surging 69% to $500 million driven by Nintendo's Switch 2. The Switch 2 led both unit and dollar sales, posting 12% higher unit volume than the original...
U.S. Envoy Meets KMT Chair Ahead of Cross-Party Arms Procurement Talks
The United States’ de facto ambassador to Taiwan, AIT Director Raymond Greene, met KMT Chairperson Cheng Li‑wun ahead of cross‑party legislative talks on a stalled defense budget. President Lai Ching‑te has proposed an eight‑year, NT$1.25 trillion ($39.66 billion) special defense budget, while opposition...
Chicago News Legend Faces Life without CBS News
Audacy’s Chicago news stations WBBM‑AM and WCFS‑FM will lose the CBS top‑of‑hour news feed in May 2026, ending a partnership that many of the nation’s 700 affiliates have long respected. Station brand manager Craig Schwalb says the company is weighing...
The Home Depot Launches AI-Powered Phone Agents Through Google Cloud’s Gemini
The Home Depot has rolled out AI‑powered phone agents built on Google Cloud’s Gemini Enterprise to streamline its customer‑experience calls. The voice agents let shoppers state their needs in natural language, instantly handling tasks like order status checks, inventory confirmation,...
US Needs to Flesh Out Strategy to Counter China’s Robotics Advances, Lawmakers Say
Lawmakers warned that while the United States still leads in artificial intelligence research, it is falling behind China in the development and deployment of robotics, the physical embodiment of AI. A House subcommittee hearing highlighted China’s dominance in robot supply...
These Are The Airport Mistakes Still Causing Travelers To Miss Trips In 2026
Travelers in 2026 continue to miss flights due to overlooked basics such as passport validity, digital travel authorizations, and security regulations. Airlines and border agencies still enforce six‑month passport rules, three‑day ETA/ESTA processing windows, and strict TSA liquid and battery...
‘On Top Of All That’: US Housing In Limbo
U.S. housing activity showed modest improvement as the average 30‑year fixed mortgage slipped to 6.35%, the lowest level in more than a month. The Mortgage Bankers Association reported double‑digit growth in purchase applications, reflecting buyer response to the rate retreat....
Firearms Maker Zev Technologies Relocates HQ and Manufacturing Operations to Utah
Firearms manufacturer Zev Technologies announced it will relocate its headquarters and manufacturing from Centralia, Washington to Riverton, Utah. The company cited Washington’s evolving political climate and restrictive gun laws as reasons, preferring a state that “respects Second Amendment rights.” The...
UK Government Says 100 Countries Have Spyware that Can Hack People’s Phones
The UK National Cyber Security Centre disclosed that 100 countries now have access to commercial spyware, up from 80 last year, lowering the barrier for state‑backed surveillance. Tools such as NSO Group’s Pegasus and Paragon’s Graphite can infiltrate phones and...
5 Clinic Tech Upgrades That Improve Workflow
Healthcare clinics can boost outpatient efficiency by making targeted hardware upgrades rather than overhauling entire IT systems. Mounting dedicated tablets at check‑in consolidates registration, signatures, and payments, while adjustable kiosks improve digital intake capture and privacy. Standardizing staff devices—often through...
Wearable Noise Is Exploding — Trust Is the Filter
Consumer wearables have evolved from simple fitness accessories into continuous health monitors, flooding the system with unprecedented physiological data. Clinicians, however, are hesitant to rely on these streams because provenance, validation, and accountability remain unclear. Without clinical‑grade validation, wearables stay...
Boeing CEO Says 'All Systems Are Go' To Increase 737 Production as Company Narrows Loss
Boeing announced it will increase 737 Max production to 47 aircraft per month, up from 42, as part of a broader effort to improve profitability. The company reported a first‑quarter loss of $7 million, far better than analysts’ expectations, and revenue of...
The Premium Cabin Bet and the Demographic Math Behind It
Airlines worldwide are pouring billions into premium‑cabin upgrades, from United’s $499 per‑segment Polaris Studio surcharge to Singapore Airlines retrofitting 41 wide‑bodies with new business suites. A recent Ipsos survey of 4,000 U.S. adults shows the highest premium‑cabin usage occurs among...
Samoa: The Last Place on Earth to Truly Switch Off
While global headlines focus on Iran and Ukraine, Samoa remains a remote sanctuary. The newly opened Moanalei Villas in Apia Harbour offers seven planned luxury villas, with three already operating, featuring private infinity pools and high‑end amenities. The boutique retreat...
Scam Trucking Calls Overseas Keep Calling You “Boss”
I’ve been listening in on a number of calls to overseas scam trucking companies and I’ll tell ya, they really do call you “boss” all the time
Over 1,500 Alternative Servicemen to Participate in 2026 Urban Resilience Drills
Taiwan’s Ministry of the Interior launched the 2026 urban resilience drills in Changhua County, deploying 192 alternative service personnel across all 23 local sites. The drills simulated air‑raid alerts, public evacuations, and disaster‑relief operations, giving participants hands‑on experience at first‑aid...
Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Is First in Region to Offer Sedation-Free Evaluation of Upper Gastrointestinal Tract in Children
Nicklaus Children’s Hospital has become the first South Florida facility to offer sedation‑free transnasal endoscopy (TNE) for pediatric patients, using EvoEndo’s single‑use system. The TNE procedure evaluates the upper gastrointestinal tract without the need for anesthesia, IV lines, or prolonged...
Singapore Eyes Autonomous Feeders Between Container Terminals
Singapore’s Maritime & Port Authority (MPA) and PSA have issued an Expression of Interest to develop autonomous feeder vessels that will shuttle containers between Pasir Panjang Terminal and the newly built Tuas Port. The proposal calls for a remote operations...
Mike McVay to Receive MIW Honor
Mike McVay, president of McVay Media, was honored with the 3rd Annual MIW Erica Farber Impact Award on April 20 at the MIW Lipstick & Lobster Dinner in New York. The award, presented by Erica Farber, recognizes individuals who drive...
China’s First Environmental Code Under the Spotlight
China has published its first Ecological and Environmental Code, consolidating ten existing environmental statutes while leaving twenty related laws, such as those on energy and forestry, separate. The code expands the definition of environmental protection to include ecological factors like...
Chatham Financial to Acquire Hodes Weill
Chatham Financial announced a deal to acquire Hodes Weill & Associates, slated to close in Q2 2026 pending regulatory approval. The transaction merges Chatham’s capital‑markets advisory and technology platform with Hodes Weill’s expertise in real‑estate, infrastructure and energy‑transition capital raising. While...
European HVO Class IV-II Spread at an All-Time High
The northwest European HVO Class IV‑II spread surged to a record $450 per tonne on 21 April, up from $250 a month earlier. The jump reflects a $95/m³ premium for Class IV versus a $20/m³ rise for Class II, driven by scarce Class IV offers...
The Future of Customer Loyalty Is in the Return Line
Retailers have shifted from speed‑focused loyalty to experience‑driven retention, according to SAP’s 2026 Engagement Index. The study finds 48% of consumers care more about how a brand makes them feel, while 71% are turned off by repetitive, disjointed interactions. Although...
Discussing Oil's Future and Hormuz Tensions with BBG
Joining the @BBGIntelligence energy team this morning for a chat about oil and the Hormuz of it all https://t.co/dKW2nLoYqd
Teledyne to Showcase Integrated Sensing Ecosystem and New Low-Light Module at SPIE 2026
Teledyne Technologies will showcase its integrated sensing ecosystem at SPIE Defense + Security 2026 in Maryland, featuring the new Caiman low‑light imaging module built around the OnyxMax sensor. The Caiman delivers sub‑1 mlx sensitivity, under 1 W power draw, and more than...
The City’s Sidewalk Silliness Is No Longer Silly
The City of Davis announced that every homeowner will now be responsible for maintaining, repairing, and insuring the sidewalk in front of their property. The ordinance also extends liability to damage caused by city‑mandated front‑yard trees, including injuries to pedestrians...
D.C. Circuit Review – Reviewed: A Post-Loper Bright Do-Over
The D.C. Circuit issued eight opinions, highlighted by two high‑profile rulings. It terminated a district‑court criminal contempt inquiry into the government’s transfer of detainees to Salvadoran custody under the Alien Enemies Act. The court also vacated and remanded preliminary injunctions...
Pace of N.I.H. Funding Slows Further in Trump’s Second Year
NIH research spending has slipped about $1 billion behind historic levels, delaying thousands of projects. Instead of mass grant cancellations, the agency now vets proposals with a computational text‑analysis tool that flags terms like “racism,” “gender” and “vaccination refusal.” From October...
Rivian CEO Announces R2 Volume Production Launch
Rivian CEO @RJScaringe joins us on Bloomberg Tech today as R2 starts volume, saleable production. 8:10amPST @BloombergTV
The New Fight Against GMOs – Where Is Everybody?
The UK’s Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act, passed in 2023 and followed by secondary regulations in 2025, legalises the commercial use of gene‑edited crops. This framework eliminates mandatory labeling and weakens protections for farmers who want non‑edited seeds, sparking a...
Everyday Infections, Not Vaccines, Are Linked to an Increased Risk of Childhood Stroke
A population‑based study of 571 childhood strokes in Victoria, Australia (2017‑2023) found an incidence of 5.8 per 100,000 children, with a 42% rise over the period. Children who had a documented infection within the prior 60 days were more than...
IVF Insurance Coverage Depends on Your ZIP Code
Infertility affects roughly one in eight U.S. couples, yet access to in‑vitro fertilization (IVF) hinges on state insurance mandates rather than medical need. As of 2026, 25 states and the District of Columbia have some infertility‑insurance law, but only about...
OpenAI Stargate's Milam, Texas, 'Freebird' Data Center to Span 548,950 Sq Ft in First Phase
OpenAI announced the first phase of its "Freebird" Stargate data center in Milam County, Texas, a single‑story facility covering 548,950 square feet with four data halls. The project, built by SoftBank’s SB Energy, is budgeted at roughly $470 million and targets a...
I Tried Yoshi and the Mysterious Book Early, and It Has the Potential to Be a Cozy Classic for the...
Nintendo previewed Yoshi and the Mysterious Book, showcasing a new Tail Flick ability and a creature‑cataloguing system that blends puzzle solving with exploration. The game’s cozy art style, whimsical soundtrack, and built‑in hint feature aim to attract both younger players...
Tiny Data Center Gas Projects Outpace Morocco’s Emissions
"New gas projects linked to just 11 data center campuses around the US have the potential to create more greenhouse gases than the country of Morocco emitted in 2024." -Wired There's a better way. At Firma Power we're chatting that way...
Chase Travel Adds Luxury Vacation Home Rentals to Portal with Plum Guide
Chase Travel has partnered with Plum Guide, adding over 30,000 curated luxury vacation homes to its booking portal. The new offering is now available to Chase Sapphire Preferred and Sapphire Reserve cardholders, who can earn 5 or 8 Ultimate Rewards points...
Alienware Area-51 Gaming Desktop Now Available with AMD’s Flagship Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 Dual Edition — Top CPU Config Starts at...
Alienware has launched the Area‑51 gaming desktop featuring AMD’s flagship Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 Dual Edition, marking the first time the chip appears in a pre‑built system. The base configuration, equipped with a 1 TB SSD, 32 GB DDR5, an RTX 5070 and a 240 mm liquid...
After an Hour in the Beta, The Expanse: Osiris Reborn Is Both a Limp Mass Effect and a Leaden Interpretation...
Owlcat Games’ beta for The Expanse: Osiris Reborn attempts a third‑person sci‑fi RPG set alongside the TV series’ first season, but after an hour the experience feels more like a limp Mass Effect copy than a fresh adaptation. The game...
Federal Road Safety Plan Focuses on Enforcement, Driver Behavior
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration unveiled the P2SS traffic‑safety initiative, shifting emphasis from infrastructure to driver behavior. The plan outlines eight pathways, including harsher enforcement for egregious speeders, expanded night‑time seat‑belt checks, and renewed collaboration with law‑enforcement agencies. It...
Opel Names First Formula E Car GSE 27FE
Stellantis announced that Opel will replace DS as the group’s factory entry in the upcoming Gen4 Formula E season, unveiling the GSE 27FE prototype at Circuit Paul Ricard. The neon‑yellow test car showcases Opel’s rear‑powertrain development, built in partnership with Citroën, while...
REGENT Seaglider Autonomous Drone, Squire, Completes First Ground-Effect Test Flight
REGENT Defense successfully flew its autonomous Seaglider drone Squire in a ground‑effect test, marking the first U.S. defense‑specific wing‑in‑ground‑effect (WIG) flight. The craft can travel up to 70 knots, cover more than 100 nautical miles and carry a 50‑pound payload for ISR,...
Treehub Launches Stanford-Adjacent AI Health Residency for Early-Stage Academic Founders
Treehub, a boutique residency in Los Altos near Stanford, launches to fund early‑stage academic founders in AI‑driven healthcare. Backed by the AI Health Fund, the program provides a “first check” before incorporation and runs quarterly cohorts of up to 10...