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.
ReelShort Teams with AIS to Launch 5G Short‑Form Video Service in Thailand
ReelShort has struck a partnership with Thailand’s Advanced Info Service (AIS) to roll out a co‑branded 5G short‑form video add‑on priced at THB39 ($1.15) per month. The deal gives AIS’s 52 million customers ad‑free access to nearly 3,000 microdrama titles and serves as the platform’s first telco alliance in Southeast Asia, positioning it for regional expansion.
Shopify Extends Native B2B Tools to All Subscription Plans
Shopify is expanding its native B2B wholesale suite to merchants on its Basic, Grow and Advanced tiers, a shift that could lift reorder frequency by up to 4.1 times. The rollout aims to let smaller sellers manage DTC and wholesale...
Iran Proposes Bitcoin Toll for Strait of Hormuz Transits, Targeting $1‑Per‑Barrel Fees
Iran announced it will require oil tankers to pay transit fees in Bitcoin, roughly $1 per barrel, for passage through the Strait of Hormuz. The move ties a strategic maritime chokepoint to cryptocurrency, prompting concerns from shipping firms, regulators and...
Little Pepe Meme‑coin Presale Hits $28 Million, Near Sell‑out of Stage 13
Little Pepe (LILPEPE) has raised $28.1 million of its $28.775 million target, selling 16.94 billion of the 17.25 billion tokens offered in Stage 13. The rapid funding, combined with a 120% price jump since the first stage, positions the meme‑coin as a leading presale story...
Two Gene Variants Predict Weight‑Loss Drug Response and Side‑Effects
Researchers analyzing data from nearly 28,000 23andMe participants identified two genetic variants that modestly influence how much weight people lose on GLP‑1 drugs and their risk of nausea. The findings, published in Nature, could pave the way for more personalized...
EU Launches PsyPal Project to Test Psychedelic Therapy for Palliative Care Distress
The European Commission announced the launch of the EU‑funded PsyPal project, a clinical research programme that will evaluate psychedelic therapy for psychological distress in palliative‑care patients. The initiative, unveiled on 13 April 2026 at the Directorate‑General for Health and Food Safety, signals...
Northumberland 250 Crowned UK’s Top Road‑Trip for 2026
The Camping and Caravanning Club has named the 250‑mile Northumberland 250 route the United Kingdom’s best road‑trip for 2026. Stretching from Corbridge through historic towns and the dark‑sky Kielder Forest, the accolade arrives as British travellers seek affordable staycations.
Satellite Data Shows Earth's Nighttime Brightness Up 16% but Flickers with Conflict and Policy
Researchers using daily satellite imagery report a 16% net increase in global nighttime illumination between 2014 and 2022, driven by rapid urbanization in Africa and Asia. The study also uncovers sharp regional dimming linked to conflict, power outages and deliberate...
Google Teams with Singapore’s AMILI to Launch $584 Personalized Nutrition App
Google and Singapore‑based microbiome startup AMILI announced the end‑April launch of AMILI Optimise, a mobile app that delivers personalized nutrition advice using gut‑microbiome analysis, continuous glucose monitoring and AI. The eight‑week program costs SGD 750 (US $584) or SGD 400 (US $312) during the...
Study of 23,000 Germans Finds Parents with Too Many Children Report Lowest Life Satisfaction
Researchers at the University of Berlin analyzed data from more than 23,000 participants and found that parents who have more children than they originally desired report significantly lower overall life satisfaction. The findings question the long‑standing belief that having children...
Cyclone Vaianu Triggers Strong Wind Watch and Coastal Evacuations Across New Zealand
MetService has placed a Strong Wind Watch over the entire North Island as Category‑3 Cyclone Vaianu approaches, urging boaters to stay off the water and prompting coastal communities to ready evacuation plans. The storm brings 35‑knot gusts, 60‑80 mm of rain...
Study Finds 51% of Working Moms Stressed; Emotional Insight Key to Burnout Prevention
A 2024 Gallup survey revealed that 51% of working mothers in the United States report feeling stressed, far outpacing the 39% of men. A concurrent Polish study identified emotional self‑recognition as a protective factor against maternal burnout, prompting experts to...
Sotheby's to Auction Cartier Vintage Watch Collection, Targeting Over $15 Million
Sotheby's announced a three‑city auction of a 300‑piece Cartier vintage watch collection, estimating total proceeds above $15 million. The sale, slated for December in Hong Kong, Geneva and New York, features rare pieces such as a 1987 London Crash yellow‑gold model,...
Olivia Rodrigo Sets April 17 Release for New Single "Drop Dead"
Olivia Rodrigo announced that her next single, “Drop Dead,” will drop on April 17, 2026, two weeks after unveiling her third album’s title and June 12 release date. The move ramps up anticipation for the album You Seem Pretty Sad...
Study Finds Habit Formation Takes 66 Days, Not 21, Challenging Popular Timelines
A University College London study highlighted in a recent Facebook post reveals that building a lasting habit takes an average of 66 days, far longer than the often‑cited 21‑day rule. The finding underscores the importance of consistency over speed for...
Tim Ferriss and Michelle Khare Reveal Fear‑Setting and Cold‑Email Hacks for Creative Success
Tim Ferriss hosted YouTube sensation Michelle Khare on his podcast, where she broke down a fear‑setting framework and a step‑by‑step cold‑email system that have already helped thousands of creators. The conversation highlighted Khare’s 6 million‑plus followers, a TIME 100 honor, and her...
Chef Brendan Pelley Opens Kri Kri Grill, a Solo Greek Eatery in Chelmsford
Chef Brendan Pelley, famed for Bar Vlaha and Krasi, is opening Kri Kri Grill, his first independent restaurant, at 18 Boston Road in Chelmsford this summer. The venue will showcase homestyle Greek dishes inspired by a recent vacation to Crete,...
Lewis Clareburt Sets New NZ 200m Freestyle Record at Australian Open
Lewis Clareburt smashed his own New Zealand record in the 200m freestyle, posting 1:45.57 at the 2026 Australian Open. The time places him ninth in the world for the season and underscores the impact of his move to train in Australia....
World Longevity Forum Spotlights Centenarian Genetics as Peloton Joins Longevity Show
The World Longevity Forum in Madrid presented a new analysis of 850 U.S. centenarians, revealing genetic markers that separate biological from chronological age. At the same event, organizers announced Peloton as the Movement Partner for The Longevity Show 2026, signaling...
Fashion Trust U.S. 2026 Awards Honor Tory Burch, Distribute $600K to Emerging Designers
Fashion Trust U.S. held its fourth annual awards in Los Angeles, naming Tory Burch Designer of the Year and allocating $600,000 in financial support to emerging designers. The gala also recognized Michèle Lamy with a Lifetime Achievement Award and celebrated...
Swain's Launches First Auction House for Black and African Diaspora Art at Expo Chicago
Swain's inaugurated The Foundational Sale, the first auction house built exclusively for Black and African diaspora art, on April 10, 2026 at Chicago's Expo. The 19‑lot live auction featured marquee works by Guy Stanley Philoche, Bisa Butler and others, and...
UK Government Launches National Year of Reading 2026 to Boost Literacy
The Department for Education, together with the National Literacy Trust, has launched the National Year of Reading 2026, a government‑backed campaign aimed at reversing declining literacy and reading‑for‑pleasure rates across the UK. Publishers, schools and libraries are invited to join...
Strait of Hormuz Shipping Stalled as Iran Keeps Chokepoint Closed Despite US‑Iran Ceasefire
Iran has kept the Strait of Hormuz shut even after the United States and Tehran agreed to a two‑week ceasefire, leaving oil tankers and other vessels stranded. The impasse is feeding uncertainty in global oil markets and prompting renewed diplomatic...
NY Fed Survey Shows Job‑Seekers’ Confidence Drops to 44%, Lowest Since Pandemic
The Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s latest Survey of Consumer Expectations shows the probability workers assign to finding a new job within three months fell to 44%, a pandemic‑era low. The dip comes as the labor market adds 178,000...
Simaia Rolls Out AI‑Powered ‘Search on Autopilot’ for APAC B2B Lead Generation
Simaia has launched an AI‑driven marketing service that automates search‑engine visibility and lead capture for APAC B2B SMEs and startups. Early‑access pilots reported up to a six‑fold lift in AI‑driven traffic and a 2.5‑times increase in qualified leads, challenging the...
WGA Secures $321 Million Health Funding in Tentative Four‑Year Deal with Studios
The Writers Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers have reached a tentative four‑year contract that restores studio health‑plan contributions to a record $321 million, adds 10.5% minimum wage increases, and tightens AI safeguards. The deal,...
Prospect Medical Collapse Highlights Private‑Equity Risks in For‑Profit Hospital Chains
Prospect Medical, a 17‑hospital chain owned by private‑equity investors, filed for bankruptcy after a debt‑laden expansion left it owing over $135 million in taxes and without malpractice insurance reserves. The fallout underscores systemic risks in PE‑backed health‑care assets.
Russia’s Internet Crackdown Triggers Mass Protests, Disrupts Millions
Hundreds gathered outside a Moscow administration building to protest Russia’s escalating internet shutdowns, blocked messaging apps and VPN bans. The crackdown has crippled everyday services for millions and drawn ire from business leaders and neighboring governments.
Coca‑Cola Rolls Out "Uncanned Emotions" FIFA 2026 Campaign to Amplify Global Fan Engagement
Coca‑Cola unveiled its second global brand film, "Uncanned Emotions," as part of a three‑part FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign. The film centers on fans’ emotional highs and lows, while the brand layers the narrative with a trophy tour and a...
Mexican Truckers and Farmers Block Key Freight Corridors in Nationwide Strike
Mexico’s National Association of Transporters (ANTAC) and the National Front for the Rescue of the Mexican Countryside (FNRCM) launched a nationwide strike on Monday, blocking major highways and U.S.–Mexico border crossings. The protest, driven by cargo‑theft, fuel costs and extortion,...
Eli Lilly's Foundayo Oral GLP‑1 Gets FDA Nod, Targets $2 B U.S. Sales in 2026
Eli Lilly announced that the FDA approved its once‑daily oral GLP‑1 pill Foundayo (orforglipron) for chronic weight management, ahead of the April 10 PDUFA deadline. The drug is priced from $25 to $349 a month and analysts project $1.2‑$2 billion in...
Multifamily Veteran Christopher Thomson Honored in Marquis Who's Who
Christopher Thomson, managing principal of Multifamily Acquisition Advisors, was selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who, highlighting his two‑decade career that has overseen hundreds of millions of dollars in investor capital and a platform tracking rent payments for 26 million renters....
Nickel Mining Threatens Raja Ampat’s World‑Class Marine Sanctuary
Indonesia approved new nickel mining concessions on three islands in Raja Ampat in 2025, igniting a clash with conservationists who have seen fish biomass double and manta populations soar. The dispute pits a $40 entry‑fee‑funded marine park against a sector...
BlackRock Finds 22% Retirement Income Gap in 401(k) Plans for 70 Million Americans
BlackRock’s latest retirement research reveals a structural weakness in 401(k) plans that affects roughly 70 million Americans. By allocating 30% of a retiree’s balance to a guaranteed lifetime annuity, the firm’s simulations show a 22% increase in spending power across all...
Honeywell Secures $0 Deal to Digitally Upgrade Dangote Refinery, Doubling Capacity to 1.4M Bpd
Honeywell announced a partnership with Dangote Petroleum Refinery to install its Performance+ Services, digital twins and operator‑training simulators across core units. The deal targets a capacity jump from 650,000 to 1.4 million barrels per day by 2029, while upskilling more than...
Sunway’s $0.85‑per‑share Bid for IJM Collapses, Ending Bid for Malaysia’s Largest Construction Group
Sunway Group’s takeover offer of 3.15 Malaysian ringgit ($0.85) per IJM share fell apart after the bidder secured commitments for just one‑third of the target’s stock. Valuation gaps, political opposition over Bumiputera equity rules and lingering corruption probes stalled the...
Foxcove IT Expands Portland Operations to Target High‑Growth Companies
Foxcove IT, a premium IT consulting firm, announced the expansion of its Portland, Oregon footprint to provide managed services, compliance support, and fractional CIO/CISO advisory to high‑growth businesses. The move positions the firm as a strategic partner for startups and...
Fanatics and AT&T Ink Multi‑Year Deal to Boost Fan Engagement and Revenue
Fanatics and AT&T announced an exclusive multi‑year partnership that will combine Fanatics' 100 million‑plus fan base with AT&T's connectivity expertise. The deal creates a joint sales and distribution platform, new loyalty rewards and watch‑party experiences, and signals a coordinated CRO‑level effort...
CMBS Delinquencies Hit 7.55% in March, Matching Pandemic Peaks
TREPP's March CMBS report shows the delinquency rate climbing to 7.55%, the highest level since COVID‑19. The surge is driven by lodging, office and multifamily loans, with $5.1 bn of new delinquencies and $2 bn concentrated in the five largest loans, underscoring...
Patlytics Secures $40 Million Series B to Accelerate AI‑Driven Patent Law Platform
Patlytics announced a $40 million Series B funding round led by SignalFire, bringing its total capital to $75 million. The AI startup, founded by Paul Lee and Arthur Jen, uses machine learning to automate the entire patent prosecution process and already serves...
Australian Startup Sonorus Deploys AI to Spot Rheumatic Heart Disease in Minutes
Sonorus, an Australian health‑tech startup, demonstrated an artificial‑intelligence algorithm at SXSW Sydney that can flag rheumatic heart disease from a brief audio recording of heart sounds. The low‑cost tool promises rapid, portable screening for communities where the disease remains prevalent,...
Workday CTO Peter Bailis Joins Anthropic as Technical Staff, Signaling HRTech Talent Shift
Peter Bailis, who was appointed chief technology officer at Workday only weeks earlier, has taken a member‑of‑technical‑staff role at frontier AI startup Anthropic. The move underscores a growing migration of senior HR‑tech talent to generative‑AI firms that are eyeing the...
Amazon to Cut Kindle Store Access for Pre‑2013 Devices on May 20
Amazon announced that on May 20, 2026 all Kindle and Kindle Fire devices launched in 2012 or earlier will lose Kindle Store connectivity. Users will still read pre‑loaded books, but new purchases, borrows or downloads will be blocked. The company...
Pentagon Uses Palantir AI to Cut Targeting Time in Iran Strikes
The Pentagon has integrated Palantir Technologies' Maven Smart System into its Iran‑related strike operations, shrinking the targeting cycle from days to minutes. The AI platform has helped generate recommendations for hundreds of targets in the first 24 hours of the...
Massachusetts School Districts Lag on AI Deepfake Policies as Student Harassment Cases Rise
A handful of Massachusetts school districts have policies covering AI‑generated nude deepfakes, with just nine of 113 mentioning the issue. Recent incidents at Hingham Middle School and Mountain View Middle School have left parents and experts demanding clearer rules and...
Federal Appeals Court Upholds Pentagon’s Supply‑Chain Risk Designation of Anthropic
A three‑judge D.C. Circuit panel rejected Anthropic’s bid for an emergency stay, allowing the Pentagon’s supply‑chain risk designation to remain. The ruling keeps the AI firm off federal contracts and forces enterprises to reassess AI sourcing amid heightened security scrutiny.
Moody's, S&P Boost Echo-ITS $5.2B Freight Merger with Positive Outlook
Moody's and S&P Global Ratings both raised the outlook on Echo Global Logistics to positive after its $5.2 billion acquisition of ITS Logistics. The agencies kept the underlying B‑grade ratings but projected the combined firm’s debt‑to‑EBITDA ratio to fall into the...
RGP Posts $139.3M Q4 Revenue Beat, COO Patel Credits Go‑to‑Market Discipline
Resources Connection (RGP) posted Q4 2025 revenue of $139.3 million, surpassing guidance, while COO Bhadreskumar Patel highlighted a contracted pipeline and a unified offshore delivery model that drove higher bill rates and cross‑selling uplift.
FedEx Sues Brooklyn Lawyer Over Staged Accident Fraud Scheme
FedEx filed a 92‑page RICO lawsuit Tuesday accusing Brooklyn personal‑injury attorney Zorik “Erik” Ikhilov and his Ikhilov Law Group of running a staged‑accident ring that inflated medical bills and targeted the delivery giant. The suit alleges coordinated doctors, kickbacks and...
John Deere Settles Right‑to‑repair Lawsuit for $99 Million
Deere & Co. has agreed to pay $99 million to settle a class‑action lawsuit accusing the company of monopolizing farm‑equipment repairs. The settlement, pending court approval, includes injunctive relief to improve access to diagnostic tools. The deal ends a multi‑year legal...
