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.
Study Finds 70% of Infants Exposed to Screens, 10% Sleep With Devices
A study commissioned by the 1001 Critical Days Foundation revealed that more than 70% of babies are regularly exposed to screens, and one in ten fall asleep while using them. Researchers linked higher screen use to sleep disruption, delayed language and behavioural issues, prompting calls for stronger guidance.
All-Female eXXpedition Sets Sail From New Zealand to Map Ocean Plastic Sources
UK‑based eXXpedition launched an all‑female research voyage from Auckland, New Zealand, to sample and map ocean plastics across the Hauraki Gulf, Great Barrier Island, Tonga and Antarctica. The team will use FTIR spectroscopy to identify polymer types and upload findings to...
Spain's Supreme Court Grants 26‑Week Maternity Leave, Expands Work‑Hour Cuts for Parents
Spain's Supreme Court has ruled that a single mother in Tenerife is entitled to 26 weeks of maternity leave, adding ten weeks to the statutory minimum. At the same time, the government has issued detailed guidance on how employees with...
Swiss Watchmakers Eye India, Targeting Double Sales as Duties Drop
Swiss luxury watchmakers are accelerating expansion in India, with TAG Heuer opening its first franchise boutique near New Delhi and pledging to double its Indian business within five years. The push follows a trade deal that cut import duties on...
Noah Kahan's 'The Great Divide' Tops Billboard 200 with Record 389,000 Units
Noah Kahan earned his first Billboard 200 No. 1 with 'The Great Divide,' moving 389,000 equivalent album units in its debut week. The tally includes a streaming record for 2026, the largest vinyl sales week for a rock album, and underscores...
Indonesia’s Lampung Province Rolls Out 2026 “Gerakan Ayah Teladan” To Cut Fatherless Rate
The Lampung provincial office of Indonesia’s Ministry of Population and Family Planning (BKKBN) announced a 2026 push to socialize and educate the Gerakan Ayah Teladan (GATI) program. The initiative seeks to curb the province’s 24.7% fatherless statistic by mobilizing fathers...
Non‑Structural Dividers Surge as Budget‑Friendly Home Re‑Configuring Trend
Infobae reports that designers across Latin America are championing non‑structural room dividers as a cost‑effective way to re‑configure apartments and houses. The approach relies on bars, biombos, rugs, lighting and plants to create visual and functional zones without any construction....
Trainer Senada Greca Says Daily Discipline, Not Motivation, Drives Lasting Fitness Habits
Trainer Senada Greca told the Well with Arielle Lorre podcast that daily discipline, not motivation, underpins lasting fitness habits. She argued that consistent action builds confidence and health benefits, especially for women of all ages.
The Hindu Reports Moderate Stress Can Sharpen Performance
The Hindu reports that recent studies confirm moderate stress activates physiological pathways that enhance cognitive performance and physical output. The findings suggest a nuanced view of stress as a tool for personal growth rather than a purely harmful condition.
Box Breathing Technique Proven to Reduce Anxiety by Activating Parasympathetic Response
Box breathing, also called square breathing, has been highlighted as an effective way to lower anxiety by balancing the autonomic nervous system. The technique’s simple four‑second inhale‑hold‑exhale‑hold pattern redirects focus and triggers a parasympathetic response, offering a practical tool for...
Dominique Crenn Crowned World's Best Female Chef at 2026 World's 50 Best Awards
Dominique Crenn was named the World's Best Female Chef at the 2026 World's 50 Best Awards, making her the third French woman to claim the title after Hélène Darroze and Anne‑Sophie Pic. The honor underscores her artistic approach to cuisine...
Self‑Selected Music Boosts High‑Intensity Endurance by 20% in New Study
Researchers at the University of Jyväskylä in Finland found that participants who listened to self‑selected music during high‑intensity cycling lasted almost six minutes longer – a 20% gain in endurance – compared with a silent session. The effect occurred without...
UC Berkeley Convenes Experts to Probe the Ultimate Limits of Human Longevity
On May 2, 2026, UC Berkeley hosted a conference that brought together researchers and innovators to explore how long humans could theoretically live. The gathering signals growing academic and public focus on life‑extension strategies within the biohacking community.
Stella McCartney Teams with H&M for Second Collaboration Launch in Chelsea
Stella McCartney and H&M have unveiled their second joint collection at a high‑energy launch in Chelsea, marking a rare repeat partnership. The event blended fashion, music and sustainability, underscoring the duo’s commitment to eco‑friendly design.
Sotheby's Unveils Rare Keith Haring Works in New York Ahead of October Auction
Sotheby's opened a solo Keith Haring exhibition on May 2 at its Breuer Building in New York, showcasing unseen paintings, sculptures and personal objects from the collection of the artist’s childhood friend Kermit Oswald. The show runs through May 13 and serves...
HarperCollins’ Reading Report Sparks Backlash Over Parenting Blame
A recent op‑ed on The New Publishing Standard condemns HarperCollins for shifting responsibility for the decline in children’s reading for pleasure onto parents, after the publisher’s April 2025 report showed daily reading rates fell to 25%. The critique fuels a wider...
Advisors Revamp Inherited IRA Plans Under SECURE Act's 10‑Year Rule
Financial advisors are overhauling withdrawal strategies for inherited IRAs after the SECURE Act's 10‑year rule mandates full distribution by the end of the tenth year. The change pushes clients to balance tax exposure, RMD timing, and penalty avoidance.
Antonelli Clinches Third Straight Grand Prix Win, Extends F1 Title Lead in Miami
Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli secured his third consecutive Grand Prix win at the Miami Grand Prix, beating McLaren's Lando Norris by 3.2 seconds. The victory, driven by a decisive undercut and a strong finish, stretched his championship lead to 20...
Fidelity Warns Homebuyers: Bond Market, Not Fed, Drives 6.44% Mortgage Rates
Fidelity Investments cautioned that long‑term Treasury yields, not Federal Reserve moves, are dictating today’s mortgage rates, which sat at 6.44% for a 30‑year fixed loan on May 1. The firm urged prospective buyers to understand the difference between fixed‑rate and adjustable‑rate...
Cathie Wood Buys $28.7M of Meta Shares as Stock Slides 9% Post‑Earnings
Ark Invest’s Cathie Wood bought 47,201 shares of Meta Platforms for roughly $28.7 million on April 30, after the stock fell 9% on earnings. The move underscores Wood’s confidence in AI‑driven growth and adds fresh momentum to a volatile mega‑cap tech sector.
AI Cuts Chinese Micro‑Drama Costs to $30/Min, Fueling $3B Market Surge
Chinese entertainment firms are using AI video generators to produce micro‑dramas at roughly $30 per minute, a fraction of traditional costs. The surge saw 50,000 AI‑generated episodes uploaded to Douyin in March, pushing the AI micro‑drama market past $3 billion this...
Citi Research Says AGR Relief Boosts Vodafone Idea’s Debt Funding Prospects
Citi Research reports that the Indian government’s 27% reduction of Vodafone Idea’s Adjusted Gross Revenue dues to Rs 64,046 crore (≈$7.7 bn) improves the carrier’s balance sheet and clears a path for a Rs 250 bn (≈$3 bn) bank debt raise. The relief eases financing for...
Subway Launches $5‑Under Value Menu to Stem Sales Decline
Subway unveiled its first Fresh Value Menu on April 28, adding 15 sandwich and protein‑pocket options priced below $5 each. The rollout targets a sales dip that saw U.S. revenue slip below $9 billion in 2025, down from $9.5 billion the year before,...
Costco Hikes Dividend 13% as Earnings Surge, Underscoring Club‑store Strength
Costco Wholesale increased its quarterly dividend by 13%, the latest move in a decade‑long pattern of double‑digit hikes. The raise follows a first‑half fiscal 2026 revenue of $136.9 billion and a membership renewal rate that remains near 90%, signaling confidence in...
FDA Greenlights First Ibogaine Trial as Hype Eclipses Limited Data
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced it will permit the first clinical trial of ibogaine, a psychedelic derived from a West African shrub, after President Donald Trump highlighted the drug at a White House event. Researchers caution that the...
Carter's Shutters 150 Stores, Raising Questions for Mall Valuations
Children's apparel chain Carter's announced the closure of 150 stores across North America, a move aimed at right‑sizing its footprint. The shutdown comes as data from Placer.ai shows a modest rebound in mall visits, while Class A malls continue to...
Lithium 'Sacrifice Zones' Emerge as U.S. Rush Fuels Pollution, Child Labor Risks
Inside Climate News and Columbia Journalism Investigations have identified 540 proposed lithium mines worldwide, with a surge of U.S. projects creating pollution‑laden “sacrifice zones” near tribal lands. The report links rapid permitting, federal investment and corporate pressure to rising health...
Gallup Survey Shows Record 55% of Americans Say Finances Are Getting Worse
Gallup’s latest survey reveals that 55% of Americans believe their finances are getting worse, up from 53% a year ago and the highest reading since the 2008‑09 recession. The poll highlights growing worries about retirement, healthcare costs and everyday bills,...
Nilörngruppen Board Recommends Accepting Trimco's $97M Cash Offer
Nilörngruppen AB's board has unanimously recommended that shareholders accept Trimco Group Ltd.'s public cash takeover offer of SEK 878 million ($97 million) at SEK 77 per share. The recommendation follows a fairness opinion from Stockholm Corporate Finance AB and an irrevocable commitment from major...
Norton VPN Unveils First AI‑Native VPN for Autonomous Agents
Norton VPN has launched the industry’s first AI‑native VPN designed for autonomous agents, featuring multi‑tunnel technology and a zero‑installation Docker‑based architecture. The product, built with Gen Threat Labs and Gen AI Foundry, is now available to a limited set of...
Cognizant to Acquire Astreya for $600M, Bolstering AI‑First Services
Cognizant announced a $600 million cash acquisition of San Jose‑based Astreya, a managed‑services firm with AI‑Ops capabilities and partnerships across six hyperscalers. The deal, slated to close in Q2 2026, positions Cognizant to capture a share of the projected $6.7 trillion AI data‑center...
IMAX CEO Executes Decade‑Old Options, Sells 8,943 Shares for $334,000
IMAX chief executive Richard L. Gelfond exercised a 2016 stock‑option tranche and sold 8,943 common shares for roughly $334,000 on April 27, 2026. The transaction, executed through a pre‑filed Rule 10b5‑1 plan, marks the final unwind of a decade‑old grant and...
OpenAI Misses 2025 Revenue and User Targets, Sparking CRO Concerns
OpenAI disclosed that it missed its internal 2025 revenue and user‑growth benchmarks, a setback that fuels skepticism among investors and CROs about the company’s go‑to‑market execution. The shortfall reverberates across its cloud partners, rivals and an upcoming IPO plan.
Raixer Unveils Smart Access Control for Residential Communities
Raixer has launched a smart access‑control platform that digitises entry for residential communities, allowing administrators to grant, revoke and track door access from a mobile app. The solution integrates with existing door hardware, eliminates physical keys and promises immediate operational...
Open‑Source Legal AI 'Mike' Gains 1,000 Stars in 72 Hours, Challenging Proprietary Platforms
Will Chen, a former Latham & Watkins attorney, launched the open‑source legal AI platform Mike, which amassed more than 1,000 GitHub stars and 300 forks within 72 hours. The tool promises end‑to‑end document review, tabular analysis and workflow automation while...
Heidi AI Expands to South Africa, Spurring Clinician‑led AI Adoption
Heidi AI has launched its clinician‑led AI platform across South Africa, reaching more than 1.5 million consultations each month and posting a 500% year‑on‑year rise in weekly active use. The expansion leverages seamless integration with local practice‑management systems and targets a...
Emotion AI Tools Like MorphCast Bring Real‑time Employee Sentiment Monitoring to the Workplace
Emerging emotion‑AI platforms such as MorphCast are being licensed to mental‑health apps, schools and brands like McDonald’s, and are now embedded in Zoom, Slack and Azure to analyze employee feelings in real time. The rollout promises richer engagement data but...
Nvidia's B300 AI Server Hits $1 Million Price in China, Doubling U.S. Cost
Nvidia's B300 AI server is now priced at roughly $1 million in China, about double the $550,000 U.S. price, reflecting soaring demand, tighter U.S. export controls and a crackdown on gray‑market shipments. The premium highlights both Nvidia's pricing power and growing...
India's Mission Drishti OptoSAR Satellite Launch Marks GovTech Leap in All‑Weather Imaging
India’s government and Bengaluru startup GalaxEye have placed the 190 kg Mission Drishti satellite into orbit aboard a SpaceX Falcon‑9, delivering the world’s first commercial OptoSAR payload. The all‑weather imaging system promises real‑time, cloud‑penetrating intelligence for civilian disaster management and military surveillance.
K12 Survey Links Gaming to Career Skills, Shows 86% Adaptability to AI
K12 released a national survey showing 52% of working professionals attribute career‑building skills to childhood gaming, while 86% of former gamers say they adapt quickly to new technologies like AI. The findings highlight a shift toward game‑based learning in K‑12...
Kingly Studio Unveils Leviathan AI Agent Orchestration Platform for Enterprise Automation
Kingly Studio announced the Leviathan platform, an AI‑agent orchestration framework built for structured, deterministic workflows and enterprise‑grade auditability. Co‑founder and CTO Jean‑Patrick Smith leads the effort, positioning Leviathan as a bridge between cutting‑edge AI research and large‑scale corporate automation.
SAS Unveils AI‑Powered Agentic Workflows and Digital Twins at Innovate 2026
SAS highlighted AI‑driven agentic workflows, Unreal Engine digital twins, and quantum‑computing demos at its Innovate 2026 conference in Grapevine, Texas, framing AI as a neutral tool that can be woven into existing DevOps pipelines. The company emphasized multi‑model, multi‑cloud integration...
$10 Billion Imperial Valley Data Center Threatens Water Supply for California Region
Developer Sebastian Rucci plans a $10 billion, 330‑megawatt data center in Imperial Valley that would consume 750,000 gallons of water each day. Residents and water‑policy experts warn the project could strain local water supplies and raise utility rates, while the developer...
Foreign Investors Pull $7.4 Billion From Indian Equities in April, Favor AI Hubs
Foreign portfolio investors dumped Indian equities worth ₹60,847 crore ($7.4 bn) in April, marking a second straight month of heavy outflows. Analysts link the shift to soaring AI‑related investments in South Korea, Taiwan and Japan, a trend that could reshape underwriting and...
Vicor Q1 2026 Revenue Jumps 20% as New Fab Strategy Fuels Growth
Vicor Corp reported first‑quarter 2026 revenue of $113 million, up 20.2% year‑over‑year, and announced a shift toward acquiring existing fab facilities and adding a second 3DI interconnect line. The moves aim to ease capacity constraints while expanding the company’s defense and...
Apple TV and VPNs Unlock Miami Grand Prix 2026 for Global Fans
Apple TV now carries the 2026 Miami Grand Prix in the U.S., while Sky Sports, TSN, Foxtel and Kayo serve the U.K., Canada and Australia. Viewers abroad can use VPN services such as NordVPN or ExpressVPN to stream the race...
GameStop Bids $55.5 B for eBay in $125‑per‑share Cash‑stock Offer
GameStop Corp. has lodged a non‑binding proposal to buy eBay Inc. for an aggregate equity value of about $55.5 billion, offering $125 per share split evenly between cash and GameStop stock. The bid lifts eBay shares 12.3% and GameStop shares 8.2%...
Relux Collision Launches Claims Platform to Speed Auto‑Insurance Repairs in Sacramento
Relux Collision, a 30‑year‑old Sacramento auto body shop, rolled out a dedicated platform that handles insurance claim communication on behalf of drivers. The service promises faster approvals, clearer cost estimates and reduced financial stress for accident victims in the region.
Austrian Police Arrest Suspect in €2.2 M Extortion Plot Over Rat‑Poisoned HiPP Baby Food
Austrian authorities detained a 39‑year‑old suspect linked to a cross‑border tampering of HiPP baby food jars with rat poison. Five contaminated jars were recovered in Austria, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, and an email demanding €2 million ($2.2 million) was traced to...
Leveraged ETFs Hit $160.5 Billion, Capture 8% of U.S. Trading Volume as Direxion Targets Growth
Leveraged exchange‑traded funds and notes now total $160.5 billion in assets, representing roughly 8% of daily U.S. exchange trading. The surge is driven by active retail traders, who generate about 90% of turnover, and has positioned provider Direxion to launch new...