Pulse
Original reporting by Pulse, synthesizing breaking news from multiple sources with AI-powered analysis. Each story combines insights from leading publishers, expert commentary, and real-time data.
Indonesia Delays Nickel, Copper, Tin, Gold Royalty Hike After Industry Push
Indonesia has postponed the June 2026 increase in royalties on nickel, copper, tin and gold after strong pushback from mining firms. The move pauses a draft that would have raised tin royalties up to 20% depending on price, while the government continues public consultation.
Fund Closure Forces UK Investors to Face Up to £14,000 Capital Gains Tax Bill
The Stewart Investors Worldwide Leaders Fund is shutting down, leaving investors with a £60,000 holding and a looming capital gains tax liability of up to £14,000. Experts advise exploring rollovers or professional advice to soften the impact.
Dürr AG Q1 Profit Falls 16% as Industrial Automation Orders Slump
Dürr AG posted first‑quarter earnings of €20.23 million, a 16% decline from the same period a year earlier, while revenue slipped 6.6% to €940.21 million. The German automation specialist said the drop mirrors a slowdown in industrial‑automation orders across Europe and Asia,...
Rialtic and Exponential AI Merge to Build Unified Healthcare Payment‑Accuracy Platform
Rialtic and Exponential AI have signed a definitive agreement to merge, forming a unified company that will blend Rialtic's rules‑based payment‑accuracy engine with Exponential AI's real‑time decision‑intelligence technology. The deal positions the new entity to address growing payer demand for...
BSE's IT Index Futures and Options Debut Sees Rs 148 Crore ($18 M) Turnover
The Bombay Stock Exchange introduced futures and options on its Focused IT Index, attracting 172 members and generating Rs 148 crore ($18 M) in turnover on the first day. The move adds sector‑specific derivatives for India's booming technology firms and offers new...
AI Adoption Soars in Commercial Real Estate, Trust Remains a Barrier
First American Data & Analytics and DealGround released a CRE Industry Pulse Check revealing that two‑thirds of commercial‑real‑estate professionals use AI every day, while only five percent rely on it for actual deal decisions. The gap between usage and trust...
Deloitte and Legora Expand Alliance to Accelerate AI‑Driven Legal Operations
Deloitte Tax LLP and Legora announced an expanded strategic alliance to speed AI‑powered transformation of legal, tax, compliance and risk workflows for U.S. enterprises. The partnership combines Legora's multi‑purpose AI platform with Deloitte's implementation depth, positioning both firms to capture...
Colorado Legislature Passes Bill Banning AI‑Driven Wage Setting From Surveillance Data
Colorado's House and Senate approved legislation that bars employers from using AI surveillance data to set wages. The measure, still awaiting Gov. Jared Polis's signature, targets what lawmakers call “weaponized” compensation practices and has drawn sharp criticism from tech trade...
TSMC Arizona Fab Posts $514 M Profit Amid Water and Labour Hurdles
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. reported a NT$16.14 billion ($514 million) profit from its Arizona fab in 2025, the first full year of mass production. The gain comes as the company wrestles with water shortages, power constraints and a tight labor market, while...
Agentic AI Cuts Federal Procurement Costs in $8.5 Million Pilot, Experts Call for Scale
The ATARC Agentic AI Lab demonstrated that a trio of specialized AI agents can evaluate an $8.5 million federal procurement proposal, flagging compliance risks and accelerating review. The pilot kept humans in the decision loop while cutting analyst time, leading advocates...
Udemy Launches AI‑Powered Role‑Play Simulations to Boost Skills‑Based Learning
Udemy announced the rollout of enhanced AI‑driven role‑play simulations, adding immersive video and deep customization for organizations. The upgrade builds on a library of more than 15,000 scenarios and has already powered over 400,000 interactive simulations, positioning Udemy to deliver...
HPE Survey Finds Irish Office Workers Save Almost 3 Hours Weekly with AI
A survey commissioned by Hewlett Packard Enterprise and conducted by Censuswide reveals Irish office employees save an average of two hours and 54 minutes per week with AI tools. While productivity spikes, the study also uncovers rising ethical worries and...
Oracle Switches to Bloom Energy Fuel Cells for 2.45 GW Project Jupiter Campus
Oracle announced it will power its 3‑million‑square‑foot Project Jupiter AI campus in Doña Ana County, New Mexico, with a Bloom Energy fuel‑cell microgrid capable of delivering up to 2.45 GW. The shift abandons a previously approved gas‑turbine and diesel backup design after...
Brazil Breaks Five-Year IPO Drought with Compass Listing, Signals Market Revival
Brazil's Compass deal marks the first initial public offering in five years, ending a prolonged market freeze and offering a test of investor appetite amid high benchmark rates. The listing could pave the way for other mid‑cap firms if structural...
AlTi Global Posts 28% Revenue Rise, COO Moran Charts Scaling Blueprint
AlTi Global announced first‑quarter revenue of $73 million, up 28% year‑over‑year, and highlighted President and COO Kevin Moran’s roadmap for operational scaling and higher recurring‑fee income. The firm’s earnings showed strong fee growth, a sizable incentive distribution from Zevity, and continued...
Trump Phone Pre‑Sale Scam Swindles MAGA Supporters of $59 Million
Trump Mobile, backed by Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, raised $59 million from 590,000 pre‑orders for a non‑existent “Trump Phone.” The scheme, marketed as a Made‑in‑USA Android device, never delivered, leaving buyers with only a $100 deposit and no refunds.
Micron Shares Double Since March as Memory Chip Supercycle Gains Momentum
Micron Technology's stock has more than doubled since the end of March, climbing to about $742 and up 6.7% on the day, as AI‑driven demand and a global DRAM shortage spark a sector‑wide supercycle. The rally lifts the large‑cap semiconductor...
Moody's Reaffirms Stable Outlook for European Insurers Amid Slower Growth and Geopolitical Risks
Moody's Ratings has reaffirmed a stable outlook for Europe’s property‑and‑casualty and life insurance sectors, warning that slower economic growth, heightened competition and geopolitical uncertainty could curb earnings improvement. The agency notes that while premium increases have offset inflation and weather‑related...
Arnold & Porter Wins Dismissal of Calico Critters Class Certification in California
Arnold & Porter secured a decisive victory for Epoch Everlasting Play on May 4, 2026, when U.S. District Judge James Wright denied with prejudice a renewed motion for class certification in the Calico Critters toy lawsuit. The ruling eliminates all...
Brevan Howard Adds Three Macro PMs, Swelling Investment Staff Beyond 150
Brevan Howard has hired three macro-focused portfolio managers—Jonas Klink, Mickael Sabban and Ning Guo—bringing its investment headcount to more than 150. The hires come as the firm’s Master Fund posted a modest 0.8% gain in 2025 but slipped 6.6% in...
WPP Appoints Toby Jenner and Philip Heimann as Global Presidents of Client Growth to Steer Elevate28
WPP announced that Toby Jenner and Philip Heimann will serve as Global Presidents of Client Growth, reporting to COO Devika Bulchandani. The appointments are a core element of the Elevate28 transformation, designed to integrate media, creative and data‑AI capabilities for a...
Iran Rejects US Ceasefire Offer, Brent Crude Surges Above $105 a Barrel
Iran rebuffed a U.S. cease‑fire proposal, sending Brent crude up more than 3% to $105 a barrel and keeping the Strait of Hormuz largely closed. The escalation fuels inflation worries in commodity‑dependent emerging economies and tightens global oil supplies.
CDC Probes Norovirus Outbreak on Princess Cruises' Caribbean Princess, 115 Sick
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has opened an investigation after 102 passengers and 13 crew members fell ill with norovirus on the Caribbean Princess cruise. Princess Cruises has stepped up disinfection, isolation and testing as the ship...
Semperis Appoints John Podboy as CISO to Boost Identity‑First Cyber Resilience
Semperis, the identity‑driven cyber‑resilience firm, announced John Podboy as its new Chief Information Security Officer. Podboy brings 15+ years of experience across federal agencies and Fortune 100 firms, positioning Semperis to deepen its AI‑infused, identity‑first ransomware defenses. The hire reflects...
European ETF AUM Hits $3.1 Trillion in April 2026, Fueled by Market Gains and Inflows
European exchange‑traded funds expanded to $3.1 trillion in assets under management in April 2026, a €199.8 bn increase driven largely by market performance (+$175 bn) and net inflows (+$40 bn). Equity ETFs remain dominant, holding roughly $2.39 trillion, while bond and commodity ETFs also posted...
Medicare Spending on New Alzheimer’s Drugs Falls Short of Billion‑Dollar Forecasts
Medicare officials told STAT that spending on the newly approved Alzheimer’s therapies Leqembi and Kisunla will be far lower than earlier projections, with no significant outlays expected for 2026 or 2027. The shortfall reflects muted uptake driven by complex administration,...
Stardog Elevates Navin Sharma to Chief Product Officer to Drive Semantic AI Growth
Stardog announced the promotion of Navin Sharma to chief product officer, tasking him with steering the company's semantic AI platform as enterprises adopt agentic AI. The move underscores Stardog’s focus on trusted, contextual data infrastructure for next‑generation AI agents.
Blizzard Launches Overwatch 10th‑Anniversary Event with 21 Free Skins
Blizzard Entertainment has opened the Overwatch 10th‑anniversary celebration, running May 12‑June 1 and handing out 21 exclusive launch‑hero skins, 15 anniversary loot boxes and dozens of community‑crafted cosmetics. The free‑to‑play rewards aim to boost player activity and monetize the franchise after a...
NESR Posts Record Q1 Revenue, Announces Dividend and $50 Million Buyback
National Energy Services Reunited Corp (NESR) posted a record $404.6 million first‑quarter revenue, up 33.5% year‑over‑year, and announced a quarterly dividend and a $50 million share‑repurchase program. The results came despite $4 million in extra freight costs tied to regional geopolitical disruption.
Gallagher Appoints Ana Matarranz as CEO of Spain, Boosting European Growth
Gallagher announced Ana Matarranz as chief executive officer of its Spanish operations. The veteran broker brings more than 20 years of insurance and consulting experience, positioning Gallagher to accelerate growth in a market seen as ripe for expansion. The move...
AI Hiring Tools Face Patchwork Regulations as State Laws Outpace Federal Rules
Employers that rely on artificial‑intelligence screening tools now navigate a fragmented legal landscape, where federal civil‑rights statutes remain static while dozens of state and local ordinances impose new audit, disclosure and testing requirements. The mismatch forces talent‑acquisition teams to overhaul...
Film Commissioners and Stage 32 Unveil Global Crew Training Program to Tackle Shortages
The Association of Film Commissioners International (AFCI) and online networking hub Stage 32 announced a joint global education partnership at the Power of Place summit in Cannes. The program aims to train below‑the‑line crew in emerging markets, helping jurisdictions meet tax‑incentive...
US Treasury Mulls Currency Swap with China to Bolster Dollar Liquidity
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is spearheading discussions on a bilateral currency‑swap line with China, a move intended to shore up dollar funding and counter growing use of the renminbi in trade. The proposal comes as Washington seeks to protect...
Germany’s Chancellor Labels Nuclear Phase‑Out a Strategic Mistake, Fueling Energy Debate
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz publicly called the 2023 nuclear phase‑out a “serious strategic mistake,” reviving criticism of the Energiewende. His remarks have sparked a heated debate among policymakers, industry leaders, and climate advocates about Germany’s future energy mix and the...
CPI Hits 3.8% YoY, Yields Jump to 4.46% and S&P 500 Slides
U.S. consumer prices rose 3.8% year‑over‑year in April, the strongest pace since May 2023, pushing the 10‑year Treasury yield to 4.463% and sending the S&P 500 down 0.1% and the Nasdaq off 0.7%. The data revived concerns that the Federal...
Michigan Gas Prices Slip to $4.72/gal, Analysts Warn Summer Surge
Michigan's average regular gasoline price fell to $4.72 a gallon, a 14‑cent drop from the previous week. Analysts say the brief relief could evaporate as summer travel demand rises and geopolitical risks keep crude oil near $100 a barrel.
Axis Bank Deploys AI‑Powered ReKYC and Compliance Suite for Current Account Clients
Axis Bank introduced a unified AI‑driven compliance platform for its current account customers, featuring a Digital Business Profile Update service and an AI‑powered ReKYC solution that now serve nearly 90% of ReKYC volume across India. The tools use generative AI,...
Turkish Airlines A330 Fire on Landing in Kathmandu Forces Evacuation of 288
Turkish Airlines evacuated 277 passengers and 11 crew after an A330 caught fire on its right‑rear landing‑gear tire during a landing at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. The incident, traced to a hydraulic‑pipe failure, shut the airport for about an...
Dun & Bradstreet Partners with Anthropic to Power Compliance AI with Claude
Dun & Bradstreet announced a partnership with Anthropic to integrate its Commercial Graph data into the Claude generative‑AI assistant. The joint solution will let financial institutions automate know‑your‑customer and know‑your‑business checks with audit‑ready outputs, marking a major step for AI...
NVIDIA, ServiceNow Push Enterprise AI Governance Into Data Centers
NVIDIA and ServiceNow unveiled Project Arc and an AI Control Tower integration that extend autonomous AI agent governance from desktop environments to enterprise data‑center workloads. The partnership, announced at ServiceNow Knowledge 2026 in Las Vegas, adds sandboxing, policy management and...
Stevia‑Based Hydrogel Boosts Transparent, Stretchable Electronics
Professor Kyungwho Choi at Sungkyunkwan University and Professor Jinsoo Kim at Kyung Hee University unveiled a stevia‑enhanced PVA hydrogel triboelectric nanogenerator that delivers up to five times the mechanical strength and eight times the electrical output of conventional designs, while...
FourKites Launches Live Logistics Integration for Inventory Twin, Boosting Real‑Time Visibility
FourKites has rolled out live logistics links within its Inventory Twin platform, enabling e‑commerce merchants to feed real‑time shipment data into planning models. The upgrade can flag inventory risks up to 14 days ahead and automatically recommend corrective moves, tightening...
Quantinuum Files for $1.5 Billion IPO, Targeting $20 B Valuation
Quantinuum, the Honeywell‑backed quantum hardware firm, has filed for an IPO that could raise more than $1.5 bn and value the company at up to $20 bn. The filing follows a $600 m funding round that pegged the firm at $10 bn and comes...
VCs Eye Clinical‑Stage Assets as Biotech Podcast Highlights Investment Playbook
A fresh podcast series hosted by Jeffrey Snyder features Dr. Andrew Snyder of Monash University, who outlines the criteria VCs use to evaluate biotech startups. The discussion flags a surge in IPOs, M&A and a premium on clinical‑stage assets, while...
Keel Launches Profitable BaaS Platform After Pivot From Frost Neobank
Manchester‑based fintech Keel has emerged from stealth with a profitable Banking‑as‑a‑Service (BaaS) platform, abandoning its original Frost neobank model. The new infrastructure serves venture‑backed fintechs, regulated firms and a Southeast Asian platform with over 750,000 users, marking a strategic shift...
Zara Breach Leaks 197,400 Customer Emails and Purchase Data, No Payment Info Stolen
Zara, the flagship brand of Inditex, confirmed that a breach by the ShinyHunters group exposed 197,400 customer email addresses, purchase records and support tickets. The attackers accessed data stored in Google BigQuery via a compromised third‑party analytics platform, but no...
Payward and Franklin Templeton Unveil Tokenized Yield Suite
Payward, the parent of Kraken, and global asset manager Franklin Templeton announced a joint suite of tokenized yield products. The partnership will extend Payward’s xStocks framework, which has processed over $30 bn in volume, to include tokenized equities, money‑market funds and...
Brookings Report Finds AI Threatens Six Million U.S. Back‑Office Jobs, 85% Held by Women
A new Brookings Institution report identifies six million U.S. back‑office positions as highly vulnerable to AI automation, noting that more than 85% of these roles are occupied by women. The findings highlight a gender‑neutral technology that could deepen existing labor...
Alzheimer’s Association Unveils (Re)think Your Brain Campaign
The Alzheimer’s Association rolled out the (re)think your brain campaign on May 11, 2026, offering a science‑backed 6‑Step Challenge to move adults from awareness to concrete brain‑health habits. The effort targets the gap where 90% of U.S. adults value brain...
Phu Quoc Breaks Visitor Records, Emerges as Asia’s Top Island Destination
Phu Quoc Island welcomed a record 5.2 million visitors in 2025 and more than 2.2 million in the first two months of 2026, driven by a surge in international arrivals. The rapid influx is reshaping the island’s tourism profile and prompting massive...